Rivera and Ralph Lauren Inspired Dinner Party- The Source Book

When my husband informed me that we would be hosting two other couples for dinner I was ecstatic! It is not very often that I get to host dinners but it is one of my favorite things to do and I must admit that I turn the simplest evening meals into full blown events! As part of my on going Summer Soirée series I am showing you how to make every event an elegant and effortless one from the etiquette to the entrées. Today’s blog is diving deep into the actual execution of Friday nights event and all the details and products that made it happen. Some of the products and vendors are local to me here in Austin but easily replicated in your area. So let’s get to it!

Florals: 
My absolute favorite part of the dinner party table is the florals. I fondly recall my 20's, when I would eagerly venture to the flower markets at the break of dawn to procure flowers for my more sophisticated gatherings. The delightful florals adorning our table today were carefully created by OffSet Studio, a talented local establishment here in Austin run by Claudine. Her artistry has truly surpassed all expectations! For those residing in the Austin area, I will graciously provide a link to her information below. While I could have hastily assembled a floral centerpiece using flowers from Trader Jo's, I find great joy in collaborating with a skilled florist whenever circumstances allow. Entrusting this task to an expert grants me the freedom to alleviate one responsibility from my exhaustive to-do list, recognizing that my own endeavors would pale in comparison to the beauty achieved in these exquisite arrangements. Should engaging a florist prove challenging, I humbly suggest acquiring pre-made bouquets or adhering to a singular flower type, resulting in a tastefully uncomplicated yet elegant display. For this party I ordered one large centerpiece , one medium for the coffee table and loose stems for bud vases.

Table Linens :

Our dining space boasts a magnificent marble table. While placemats may not typically grace the formal dinner table, I have deliberately chosen to use them daily, safeguarding the timeless beauty of the marble. Embracing an aesthetic inspired by the timeless allure of Ralph Lauren and the French Riviera, I have curated a palette of delicate blue and white linens. These linens could add a very classic look to any celebration, including upcoming Fourth of July parties. I procured these linens from Amazon, where I was pleasantly surprised to find them at a remarkable value. Those who have had the pleasure of visiting Ralph’s in Paris or the charming bistros that line the sun-kissed coastlines of Southern France will instantly recognize the simple yet refined allure of blue and white plates paired with pristine hemstitched white napkins. The real find is the leather napkin rings. I had been eyeing leather napkin rings from Ralph Lauren for quite a while but could not justify the price for something that would not get used often. I found a set for 12 on Amazon that looked exactly like the RL set for under $20! I was incredibly happy how classic it all looked together. For the table linens I used navy blue round placemats, white linen hemstitch napkins and brown leather napkin rings.

Tableware:
I have a love of beautiful china and cutlery however I do not have the space to store multiple sets so I need a classic and elegant set that can work for any occasion. I recently swapped out my old set for this new one from Made-in. They opened up a store on South Congress right around the corner from us. I love the crisp white with the delicate blue stripe and reminds me of the sets that you see in Ralph's and The Polo Bar. For me the navy rim matches my home quite well and still feels classic enough that I can mix and match table linens with it. My wine glasses are from Anthropology and feature a blue ombre design with a gold rim. You can buy them individually or in sets of four. My water glasses are the cut crystal highball tumblers from Reidel. They add a very sophisticated touch to the dining table and are a great quality for heavy use. 

Menu:

Pre-Dinner

Curious Elixir Aperol Spritz inspired mocktail

Roasted Thyme Macrona Almonds

Parmesan Crisps and Charcuterie

Main Meal

Various types of White Wine such as a Sancerre

Green Bean Gremolata

Provençal Tomato Gratin

Crispy Chicken Paillard with Arugula Salad

Dessert

Lemon Meringue Tarts

Vanilla Cream Tart with berries

The dinner event proved to be a resounding triumph, leaving me eagerly anticipating the opportunity to host yet another in the near future. The mastery of elegant dinner parties does not require an array of lavish tableware or the expertise of a professional chef. Rather, it hinges upon the creation of a space that exudes simplicity and refinement, serving as the very canvas upon which genuine camaraderie blossoms. Thank you so much for reading and I hope that this is helpful for any future dinners you might be planning. You can shop all the products below and find vendor information as well.

Florals: Offset Studio in Austin,TX

Pastries from La Patisserie

Aperol Spritz Mocktail from Curious Elixir