JUL 20, 2026

INSIDE: Our Summer Entertaining Issue!

TODAY I WILL:

Let my presence be my power.

As we enter the new week, the smallest habits are making the biggest headlines in our group chat and our girls’ night in!

• Are your ice cubes off the hook in the digestion debate? 

• A controversial tanning peptide is gaining attention.

• The best accessory upgrade might come from a vintage shop.

• This one breakfast staple may help you age more slowly.

• Experts advise on how you can interrupt a spiral before it starts.

Host Girl Summer Is On.

Summer is the season of parties and gatherings, but how to have people over can look different depending on where you land on the map. Here's a peek at how a few cultures turn the warmest months into an excuse to gather.

Italy keeps it low-key with aperitivo, the pre-dinner ritual of drinks and small bites meant to "open" the appetite before a meal. Originating in 18th- and 19th-century Turin and Milan with herb-infused wines, it's since spread into an institution. To take a page out of the Italians’ book, serve Aperol Spritzes or Negronis, a spread of olives and cured meats, and take your time. 

Down in Australia (where it’s actually winter right now), it’s customary for guests to “bring a plate.” It basically means you’re going to a potluck, but it traces back to early-1900s fundraisers where ladies were asked to "bring a plate of cakes" in lieu of an entrance fee. These days, it's the backbone of the Aussie barbie, where the host does the grilling and guests bring sides, salads, or dessert. 

For Moroccans, mint tea (yes, even in summer) is considered the country's clearest expression of hospitality, often brewed in front of visitors rather than in advance, poured from a height to build up foam, and served in three rounds. But beware, turning down a cup isn't something to do lightly.

Hosting doesn’t have to mean a perfectly styled tablescape or a menu worthy of a cooking show. A few thoughtful pieces can make even a last-minute gathering feel intentional. These are the items that help dinner feel a little more special without creating extra work for you.

A Large Serving Bowl: Whether it's a salad, pasta, or roasted vegetables, a beautiful oversized serving bowl instantly makes food feel more elevated. 

Candles (Lots of Them): Nothing changes the mood of a room faster. A mix of tapers, votives, or simple pillar candles creates a warm, glowy atmosphere that makes everyone want to stay for one more glass of wine.

A Pitcher for Drinks: Even if you're serving something as simple as water with lemon slices, a pitcher makes the table feel more pulled together. It also saves you from getting up every five minutes to refill glasses.

Cloth Napkins: They don't need to be fancy. Linen or cotton napkins instantly upgrade a place setting and make a weeknight pasta dinner feel surprisingly chic.

A Dessert-Worthy Cake Stand: Not just for cake. Use it for cookies, fruit, appetizers, or even a wheel of cheese. It adds height to the table and makes whatever you're serving look more considered.

A Great Cheese Board: The easiest entertaining trick in the book. A wooden board loaded with cheese, crackers, fruit, and something sweet can double as an appetizer and décor.

When it comes to hosting, it's easy to get caught up in the details—the tablescape, the menu, the flowers. Which is why we turned to event planner Callista Osborn, Owner and Creative Director of Callista and Company, for expert tips on what truly creates a memorable gathering. She’s spent more than a decade designing extraordinary celebrations, from intimate dinner parties to destination weddings and glamorous galas around the world, and according to her, the best events have very little to do with perfection because the focus should be on how people feel.

In our conversation, we got into the simple hosting secrets that make guests feel genuinely welcomed, the entertaining "rules" Callista is happy to leave behind, and how to create a beautiful summer gathering you'll actually get to enjoy.

You plan some of the most beautiful celebrations in the world, but at its core, what do you think makes people feel truly welcomed?

Feeling recognized. A moodboard of decor is fun to curate, but what people remember is whether they felt considered. A warm greeting, having a favorite drink waiting, sitting next to someone you’ll genuinely enjoy chatting with—those are the things that make guests feel like they belong. Hospitality is less about impressing people than it is making them feel at ease.

Summer is peak entertaining season. What's one thing hosts tend to overcomplicate—and one thing they should spend more time thinking about?

Guest comfort comes before aesthetics. We can spend hours choosing linens or perfecting the dessert, but it is more important that people can actually hear one another across the table, that there is enough shade or warmth, and that there is a spot for guests to place their drinks. The decorative details matter, but only when the guest experience is comfortable at the core.

What are a few simple touches that instantly elevate a casual summer dinner party without requiring a huge budget?

Don’t try to do it all and make one abundant decorative gesture. Instead, line the table with an assortment of candles or a collection of seashells or platters of crudité. There's something timeless about making a table feel abundant without making it feel overly produced.

As someone who's planned hundreds of events, what's a hosting "rule" you're happy to see people break?

That the tablescape has to be perfect. Some of my favorite gatherings are around a collected table with mismatched glassware and chairs pulled from three rooms. Guests can feel the warmth of a real home and appreciate getting to see how you live. 

What lessons from luxury events can anyone apply when hosting friends at home?