Virgo Dinner 2025: Dalí’s Garden
Every September, I host a Virgo Dinner in honor of two of my friends Jolene and Tracy. We’re good about celebrating birthdays by zodiac (Libra, Leo, Scorpio… we don’t miss), and this one has become tradition.
This year’s theme? If Dalí dreamt in pink and hosted in a garden. An edible tablescape, a little surreal, a little coastal, and very us.
The Table
We were outside on a square table, which I always love for the way it shapes conversation. Instead of one dramatic centerpiece, we went with layers of color – groupings of fabulous cakes from our pastry chef at Scottsdale National, florals layered in bud vases and flowing directly out of the cakes, and floating fruit in silver ice coupes.
We pulled colorful glassware from our home in Hawaii, one of my favorite sets of china from Dior, and found a surrealist-inspired plate to add color and whimsy to the table by L’OBJET Lito plates. We added cheeky shell napkin rings, a crisp white tablecloth, a few lobster and lip napkins to accompany our artisan cocktails, and a layered mix of lobster candles with tapers and tea-lights.
The Night, Unhurried
There were two large cakes for the birthday girls – one coconut, layered with coconut cream and swiss meringue buttercream, and one butter cake with vanilla frosting and the same finish.
Scattered throughout the table: smaller chocolate and carrot cakes, all white-frosted and topped with florals and fruit. But more than anything, the table was about ambience.
Everyone arrived just as the clouds rolled in, and we started cocktail hour under a moody sky. It felt like the weather was part of the plan, adding that dark, dramatic backdrop.
We ate, laughed, and lingered while the storm moved through – a lightning show that lasted hours followed by rain serving as just enough background music. We stayed catching up over some fabulous wine, post dinner drinks, and birthday gifts! This dinner always seems to land right when it should: after the rush of summer, before fall really sets in.
For the Curious
If you’re setting the table for a dinner like this, below are some resources you may want! The magic is in the mix – elevated essentials, everyday glassware, a few playful shapes, and candlelight to tie it all together.
Elevated Essentials:
Fabulous Glassware:
Table decor:
A few thoughtful touches go a long way.
Until Next Year
We toasted Jolene and Tracy, picked at the desserts spread across the table while wrapped in blankets, and caught up on everyone’s lives. Nights like this always hit just right.
And the best part? We’ve already started talking about next year’s table.
Virgo season always delivers.
