The Perfect Summer Little Black Dress for Entertaining at Home

ByHelloIm50ish

Are you entertaining at home more this summer because of COVID-19?  Staying at home and entertaining family and friends has become our favorite way to dine. We just had some friends over for Sunday pasta last night. We loved sitting on the deck dining alfresco with our friends. Nothing beats a summer get together than good food, good wine, and the cutest little black dress.

This post is sponsored by Peach, however, the opinions are all my own.

I have never owned a little black dress for summer but I think I have found the perfect one to add to my wardrobe. The temperatures are rising and we are enjoying eating outdoors with our family and friends.

Hosting a dinner party at home means that I dress up in summer dress and flip flops, but my meals are easy and delicious.

Entertaining at home is the only time I put more effort into what I wear. This little black dress made it’s debut last night and my friends loved it!

The Little Black  Dress 

The Summer ’20 Collection from Peach has this chic little black Hinata dress that I wore for my dinner party.

This breezy summer dress features moisture-wicking fabric to keep you looking cool from the beach to dinner with friends. It has a racerback so I recommend a strapless bra or wear the Seamless Racerback bra from Peach.

Pair it with everything from flip flops to sneakers, and heels.

I wore my favorite black bowtied flip flops and leopard print earrings and bracelet.

Related Post: It’s Flip Flop Season

Sunday Pasta Dinner

Sundays have always been a pasta night in our family and we invited friends to join us for a casual Sunday meal.

They brought the appetizers and I did the rest.

Homemade Marinara and Meatballs (Serves 8)

INGREDIENTS

  • 5- 28-ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes, certified D.O.P. if possible (chopped or crushed)
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 7 garlic cloves, peeled and slivered (or a whole head like I do)
  •  A pinch crushed red pepper flakes ( or 1Tbls like me)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 7 large fresh basil sprigs, chopped  (or 1/2 tsp. dried if you must)

PREPARATION

  1. Pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush with your hands. ( I use a blender to pulverize the tomatoes since my family doesn’t like chunky sauce) Pour 1 cup water into can and slosh it around to get tomato juices. Reserve.
  2. In a large skillet or a deep pot over medium heat, heat the oil. When it is hot, add garlic.
  3. As soon as garlic is sizzling (do not let it brown), add the tomatoes, then the reserved tomato water. Add red pepper flakes, basil, and salt. Stir.
  4. Simmer sauce until thickened and oil on surface is a deep orange, about 45 minutes.
  5. Serve over your favorite pasta.

Meatballs

INGREDIENTS

  • 2lb. ground beef
  • 1/2 lb. ground pork
  • 1/2 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or garlic powder
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 c. freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 c. Italian bread crumb
  • 1/4 c. freshly chopped parsley
  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

PREPARATION

  1. In a large bowl, use your hands to combine beef, pork, sausage, onion, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, then gently stir in bread crumb, eggs, Parmesan, and parsley until just combined. Form mixture into 1″ balls.
  2. Put meatballs in the oven and bake on 350 for 30 minutes. You can also cook them in a skillet if you prefer.
  3. Add to the marinara sauce. Simmer until cooked through, about 8 minutes more.

Heirloom Caprese Salad Recipe from thetoastedpinenut.com

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pint cherry heirloom tomatoes
  • 8 oz. pearl mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • couple pinches of sea salt
  • couple pinches of pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, plus extra for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Slice the mini cherry heirloom tomatoes in half widthwise and place in a large bowl.
  2. Drain and rinse the pearl mozzarella and place it in the bowl.
  3. Add the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
  4. Chop the basil, reserving some smaller leaves for garnish.
  5. Toss the salad and allow to sit for five minutes.
  6. I always give the salad a stir to get all the juices and dressing up from the bottom before serving.

 

Apple Crumb Tart Recipe from Veena Azmonov

INGREDIENTS

SHORTCRUST PASTRY (PATE SUCREE)

  • 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cups Unsalted butter (1 stick) room temperature
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1 Egg yolk large
  • 4 tbsp Chilled water as needed
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

APPLE FILLING

  • 6 to 8 (6 ) Apples large (6 cups chopped)
  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1/2 c Sugar
  • 1 tsp Pumpkin spice or cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Nutmeg fresh grated
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp All-purpose Flour

CRUMBLE TOPPING

  • 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Butter (1 stick)
  • 1/4 cup  Brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup White sugar
  • 1/2 tsp  Pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Salt

 

Instructions

PREPARE CRUST

    • Cream butter and sugar for just a minute until well combined.
    • Add the vanilla, salt, and egg yolk – and combine well.
    • Lastly, fold the flour – fold until combined.
    • Make a disc and wrap in plastic/cling wrap.
    • Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours until firm to roll.
    • Dust the work surface with flour.
    • Open the dough and roll carefully from the center out turning as you go.
    • Use your tart pan as a guide to know how big you need it.
    • Transfer the dough to the tart pan.
    • Gently press the dough into the tart pan making sure to press down into the shape of the pan.
    • Trim the excess dough at the edges with a rolling pin, or your thumb. Chill the tart shell for a minimum of 30 minutes.

PREPARE APPLE FILLING

  • Preheat oven at 380 F
  • Peel, core and chop apples into small slices about 1/8 inch
  • Add lemon juice and toss to combine well.
  • Next, add the pumpkin spice, salt, sugar, and nutmeg – combine well.
  • Finally, add the flour – combine well.
  • Pour the apples in the chilled pastry shell – spread evenly.

PREPARE THE CRUMBLE TOPPING

  • In a food processor add the flour, salt, sugar and chopped chilled cubes of butter
  • Pulse until it is breadcrumb consistency
  • Spread the crumble over the apples – making sure it coats the entire tart evenly.
  • BAKE
  • Bake the crumble tart in the preheated oven for about 45 to 50 minutes
  • If the crumble on top starts to get too brown – tent with a piece of foil
  • When baked – cool on the wire rack for at least 15 minutes
  • You can serve this warm or room temperature.
Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

More Summer Entertaining Posts

Tips For Outdoor Summer Entertaining Made Simple

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12 Comments

  1. Oh Robin I actually love LBDs for the summer when they’re as cute as this one! You look casual chic and gorgeous in yours xx

    Reply
  2. Jess Jannenga says:

    HI Robin!
    Love your dress! Looks cool and comfy! I didn’t have a black dress until a few weeks weeks ago myself. Love your jewelry !Oh the receipes sound wonderful. We enjoy Italian as well.
    Have a great week!
    thanks for linking!
    jess xx
    http://www.elegsntlydressedandstylish.com

    Reply

  3. One of the things that I enjoy about this summer of Slowing Down is the small informal get togethers.
    You dress is “Peach” makes a perfect summertime outfit!

    Rosemary

    Reply

  4. Hi – I live in the midwest so maybe that is why I have never heard of Peach? Is it sort of like Cabi where its all on line? I love the black dress but it said its 36 inches (for a medium) and I need 38 I believe to go to top of my knee….I am 5’6. Any advice on this as well as how this brand runs size wise? Thanks in advance.

    Reply

  5. Hi Robin! I love everything from Peach and this dress is perfect! I’m sure I need to add it to my wardrobe! I keep saying this…but I wish I lived closer because I would surely be crashing your parties! Love all the recipes and will definitely be trying them! Apple pie is a favorite of mine!

    Reply
    1. HelloIm50ish says:

      Suzanne,

      You would LOVE this cute little black dress!
      You are such a great hostess and I love all your wonderful recipes on your blog!
      I would love you to crash my parties anytime!

      Hugs,
      Robin

      Reply

  6. Robin this dress is the perfect black dress for summer, you look stylish and cool. I am going to try your recipes – they look scrumptious!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    Reply
    1. HelloIm50ish says:

      Kellyann,

      Yes, this dress would be perfect for your Florida summer!
      Cool and comfortable in the ho summer.
      Please try my recipes! I know you will love them!

      Hugs,
      Robin

      Reply
    1. HelloIm50ish says:

      Nancy,

      You know how wonderful it is to have family and friends gather around your table when you serve your favorite recipes.
      One of the things I love to do is share family recipes with my friends and family. Our children love recipes that have been passed down from their great grandmothers.

      Hugs,
      Robin

      Reply

  8. spaghetti is one of my all time favorite meals!!! what a lovely Sunday family/friend meal! and a simple black dress–just a classic!
    xo Eva

    Reply
    1. HelloIm50ish says:

      Thank you Eva.

      We enjoy entertaining our family and friends with good food, good wine, and lots of laughter!
      I hope you try my marinara and meatballs recipe!

      Hugs,
      Robin

      Reply