The Emerging From Hibernation
Dinner Party Guide: April 2025
Spring keeps teasing us with these random 70-degree days immediately followed by a 30-degree temperature drop. When the warm weather finally gets it together and commits, we will be ready! Introducing the Emerging From Hibernation Dinner Party Guide! This dinner party is the perfect excuse to get all your friends together to celebrate the end of seasonal depression and everyone’s pre-summer transformations. We already did the research and planning for you, so just follow this step-by-step guide, and we promise your dinner party will be talked about for years to come.
Before anything else, we have The Tablescape. Keeping with the spring theme, we are using lots of greens and wooden pieces. We want it to feel like your guests got off the subway, walked into your apartment, and entered a magical forest. Think Narnia but less volatile. Then we are leaving no room for error with The Dress Code. The color scheme is green, white, beige, brown, and burgundy, and anyone who deviates is uninvited. Next, we come to the most important part of the evening, The Menu. We created a three-course meal that tastes as good as the sunshine feels on your face. And as a final bonus, we have The Activities. Make the evening feel extra special with some fun little side projects that your guests can take home with them so they can remember this night forever and ever and ever!
The Tablescape
When you spend all your time in a tiny apartment in a city, nothing feels more magical than seeing a little nature. For this tablescape, we want it to feel like walking through the wardrobe (aka your front door) and into an enchanted forest (aka your decorated dining room). Help your guests escape the stress of just simply existing by transporting them to a fairytale land where their boss can’t reach them and they don’t have a thousand things on their to-do lists for tomorrow. To accomplish this, we recommend using lots of earth tones, especially greens, so if you squint, you can almost believe you are sitting in a canopy of trees. Add in some wood pieces and vintage glassware to really sell it. Complete this immersive experience by lighting a woodsy fragranced candle. This setting (with the assistance of a little wine) will have everyone forgetting their usual doom and gloom and feeling refreshed and excited for all the good things to come!
Flamingo Estate
Zara Home
The Dress Code
Nothing is more challenging than trying to get all your friends to stay on theme. We have tried our best to come up with an outfit for everyone in the friend group, but perhaps make a note in the invitation that no cohesive clothing = no dinner. For The Friend Who Just Moved Here, you still have a lot to prove, so your outfit better be something special. Then if you are The Friend Who Won’t Stop Talking About Solidcore, obviously we are putting you in an outfit that shows off what 15 minutes of planking can do. The Friend with the Craziest Updates should also have an outfit that drops almost as many jaws as their stories do. When you are The Friend on a Perpetual Hiatus from They City, your outfit needs to be as travel-friendly as you are. As for The Friend Who Is Summering in Europe, we know you’ve only been buying linen and sundresses, so we have an outfit that makes do with what you’ve got. Finally, if you are The Friend Who Is Hosting, you need to lead by example, but it’s also your party, you deserve to stand out a little!
the friend who just moved her
This spring isn’t just about decluttering your apartment or pretending you’re finally going to get into running—it’s about the real reset: moving to a new city. And while you're busy figuring out how the subway works and which grocery store is least depressing, your outfit is out here making first impressions. Start with a weathered leather jacket—because nothing says “I’m handling it” like outerwear that’s seen some things. Pair it with a structured faux suede midi skirt and a backless white top featuring a gold fixture that offers just enough drama to distract from the fact that you’re still using Google Maps for everything. A cowhide shoulder bag adds personality (and maybe throws people off just enough to think you’ve always lived here), while sculptural earrings and brown suede kitten heels round it out. It’s polished, slightly unpredictable, and will have all the other guests trying to fit themselves into your weekend plans.
The friend who WON'T stop talking about solidcore
You’ve been planking so consistently we’re starting to suspect your core could deflect small weapons. Naturally, your outfit needs to showcase the results—without veering into “I just left the gym” territory. Start with a cinched white top that fits like it was designed by someone who fully respects your obliques. The tiered black skirt allows for complete mobility when you inevitably get on the ground to demonstrate how to do a proper push-up. The oversized grommet belt is the perfect accessory to bring even more attention to your snatched waist. Pair it with a structured cream bag and bold, sculptural bracelets that subtly say, “Yes, I know what a superset is, but I also know that bangles are making a comeback.” And finish with chunky heeled sandals—because after all those calf raises, that’s the most you can handle.
the friend with the craziest updates
Every time you show up, you casually drop a life update that makes everyone else’s “I tried a new oat milk” sound like background noise. You got a new job in a field you have no experience, entered then ended an engagement, and adopted a hairless cat- all since last week. Naturally, your outfit has to keep up. A lime green cropped shirt-jacket says, “I couldn’t be boring if I tried,” while a fitted white top underneath lets people know that, yes, you do know when enough is enough. Black tailored trousers try (and fail) to add some stability to your life, while an oversized red faux leather hobo bag feels appropriately chaotic while also somehow bringing the whole look together. Black loafer kitten heels say you’re trying to be a normal adult, and the white lace choker? Equal parts innocent and suspicious. Just like your stories.
the friend on a perpetual Hiatus from the city
You say you’re only in town for “a few days,” but judging by the fact that every other sentence is “I just need a break from the city” and the Airbnb notifications that continuously spam your phone, we know better. Your outfit needs to match the vibe: low-effort, high-curation, and just mysterious enough that no one questions what you actually do for work. A breezy burgundy matching set keeps you grounded while softly hinting, “I just got back from a silent retreat.” Translucent glasses add a touch of intellectual mystery (even if they're just blue light), and a chunky pendant necklace gives that essential “I bartered for this near a volcano” energy. Toss on a patent crescent bag to remind everyone you’ve still got city-girl range, and finish it off with woven loafers that keep your suitcase at a crisp 49 pounds.
the friend summering in Europe
You’re not gone yet, but let’s be honest—you mentally checked out weeks ago. Your flights are booked, your out-of-office message is already drafted, and you’ve started referring to June through August exclusively as “my European chapter.” Your outfit? A preemptive goodbye to practicality. The sheer lace duster floats behind you in preparation for your inevitable dramatic exit, layered over relaxed light-wash jeans that say, “I’m civil enough to send a text once a month to confirm, I’m still alive.” A nude bandeau bra is just enough coverage to keep it classy until you can replace it with a bikini top, while white lily sandals hint at a future where most of your walking is done barefoot in the sand. The burgundy leather shoulder bag is there to carry your passport, five chargers, and Euros that will all disappear on you at some point or another. And the oversized white flower ring is your idea of an identifying feature in case you find yourself in a Taken situation.
the Friend who is Hosting
Ah, the hostess— effortlessly gliding through the night like a walking Pinterest board. She’s got a sequin bright green tank top that reminds everyone who the star of the show is even when you are spending most of the party tucked away in the kitchen. The ivory silk trousers? No one needs to know you changed into these in the pantry after spilling on your other pants.? Her pierced mules are easy enough to slide on and off as she transforms like Cinderella every time she enters and exits the kitchen. The silver woven clutch purse is the perfect accessory to hold your seat at the head of the table, and those silver ribbed statement earrings distract from the crazy look in your eye when you mis-time the entrée. To remind everyone, you can host, cook, chat, and curate an evening at the same time, finish the look with a beige and green check apron.
the Drinks
Wine Assortment
You have a thousand other things on your mind when hosting a dinner party; the last thing you need to be doing is mixing drinks. Go with an assortment of wine to make your life that much easier, and if someone doesn’t like it, they can BYOB. We have a Chianti that says, “ask me about my time abroad.” Then there’s the Numanthia, which is practically daring you to take a sip and immediately start speaking in incoherent riddles about life and art. The Chablis? It’s practically screaming, “I don’t normally drink white wine, but I’ll make an exception for a nice Cahblis.” The Cabernet Sauvignon is there for those who keep asking you for a “full body red” because a waiter told them that’s what they like one time. The non-alcoholic Cabernet is there for all the people who want to make sure they aren’t throwing up on the subway tomorrow morning. And of course, Champagne, because you deserve to have everyone toast your valiant efforts to make this night happen.
the Appetizer
Greek Salad & Personal Bread Baskets | Recipe
The appetizer? A Greek salad and personal bread baskets with herb butter—a dish that’s basically a love letter to springtime. The salad is a burst of freshness: tomatoes so ripe they practically scream “farm to table,” cucumbers that are so crisp they’ve clearly been taking advantage of a higher UV, and feta that’s as light and airy as your friend who’s suddenly doing yoga retreats. It's the kind of dish that makes you feel like you should be sipping green tea while contemplating your latest life goals. And those personal bread baskets give you the freedom to eat as many rolls as you’d like without feeling guilty or judged. The herb butter that accompanies it is there to remind you that indulgence is a form of self-care. This dish is the perfect balance of decadence and lightness, the perfect way to go into the new season!
the Entrée
Chicken Piccata | Recipe
The entrée? Chicken piccata—because when you're aiming for “I’m an adult who knows how to cook things that aren’t pasta,” this is your go-to. While chicken is a relatively easy dish to cook, the lemony sauce accompanying this will taste just complicated enough to trick your guests into thinking it was way more difficult than it was. The capers are just enough to imply you’ve developed a nuanced palate (or at least follow some food blogs). This dish is simple enough that even the pickiest eaters will still enjoy (or at least keep their opinions to themselves while they scrape off the capers). Get ready to accept compliments as if you weren’t just googling “What in piccata?” while the chicken was already in the pan.
the Dessert
Lemon Ice Cream & Fruit | Recipe
For the dessert, we are doing lemon ice cream with fruit and coconut shavings to top it. We wanted something “refreshing” but also didn’t feel like baking, caramelizing, or involving a torch. Lemon is the recurring character in every dish of this meal, and can we even call it a menu if there isn’t a theme? Plus, ice cream is one of the friendliest desserts, perfect for those who always claim they are “too full” for a treat, but is still enough to satisfy all the sweet tooths at the table while conveniently sidesteping any actual pastry skills. Finally, with the addition of blueberries, blackberries, and coconut, it practically screams springtime!
The Activities
If your meticulously curated ambiance and hours spent in the kitchen aren’t enough to keep your guests engaged, then thank goodness for the organized activities. Activities are what take your dinner party from “pleasant evening” to “I still think about that night sometimes.” It doesn’t have to be elaborate; this isn’t summer camp. Start the party off strong with The Photo Sign In. Have your guests immediately feel special and confident with a quick film headshot that doubles as their place card! Then, as the ice cream starts to melt alongside the conversation, introduce The Charm Bracelet Making. It will keep everyone’s minds busy as you get in some preemptive cleaning, and they get a keepsake from the evening. The key is offering just enough structure to make people forget they’re digesting, without making them feel like they’ve accidentally joined a corporate team-building retreat. It’s not about forcing fun—it’s about artfully steering the chaos so no one starts monologuing about their marathon training again.
the Photo Sign In
With everyone feeling fresh-faced and in the spring wellness mindset, what a perfect confidence boost to take a headshot of your guests as they walk in the door! Set up a white wall or buy a small backdrop (that could also be borrowed from that influencer friend) to hang up for your guests to pose in front of. Snap a pic with your instant film camera, and you have a fun headshot doubling as a placecard. Hand everyone some stickers and a pen so they can decorate their own with the kind of flair usually reserved for middle school yearbooks. At the end of the night, pass around magnetic frames to turn them into party favors!
the Charm Bracelet Making
Name a better way to make adults excited than recreating their favorite middle school sleepover activities. It’s nostalgic, hands-on, and very personable. Lay out a spread of paperlink bracelets, charms, and pliers, and watch even the biggest skeptics find a little childhood glee. People will pretend they’re “just playing around,” but within ten minutes, someone will be deeply invested in color theory and asking questions like “Does my personality say more pink mermaid or blue spaceship to you?” This activity is both therapeutic and thought-provoking. For that extra something special, order some customizable charms with the name and date for the party. Nothing says “successful evening” like adults voluntarily wearing matching accessories weeks later.
