Last month, on a warm spring evening in LA, a group of friends gathered to celebrate the launch of EGRxMonica Sordo Jewelry, a special, sparkly collaboration born out of the idea of community. Behind the collection are "sisters" in origin, sensibility and timeless design understanding, Eliana Gil Rodriguez and Monica Sordo. Eliana and Monica, who first met in Paris and share Venezuelan roots, opted for an intimate dinner party with their nearest and dearest, rather than a traditional press event for the launch. It was truly a family affair; here's how it came to life...
"Monica and I both love flowers and considering the casual nature of the dinner, decided to head to the Los Angeles Flower Market ourselves and select an assortment that would make sense with the vibe," says Eliana. The tables were set with our Essentials White look and Universal Wine Glasses, providing a chic and clean backdrop for the florals and greenery to pop. The oranges, picked from a tree in Eliana's backyard, were the final touch and served as a nod to California and the tropical soul of the collaboration.
In light of the times, the collection's campaign and launch were kept intentionally small and tight-knit. The dinner took place in the courtyard of friend Amanda Charchian's gorgeous Spanish-style house, and the guest list included only a handful of friends and family in Eliana and Monica's quarantine pods. Among those in attendance were actress Laura Harrier, model/chef Eleonore Toulin and model/makeup artist Matisse Andrews. While small in size, the gathering was full of spirit, soul and celebration.
In addition to good company and conversation, guests indulged in delicious food and sipped on tasty wine and Perrier-Jouët champagne. Eleonore Toulin, one of the capsule's three "faces" alongside Eliana and Laura Harrier, cooked the evening's Mediterranean feast. Here's what she had to say about the menu:
"All the products and ingredients were hand-picked because of their exceptional quality. From locally grown vegetables bought at the Santa Monica Farmers Market and fresh branzino
"We wanted to evoke the flavors of a summer dinner."
Eleonore Toulin
In my humble opinion, mission accomplished. Eliana and Monica's family dinner left me dreaming of al fresco summer dinners with my own crew, talking the night away with the perfect soundtrack playing in the background. Here's to friends that become family, dinners that go on for hours and memories that last a lifetime. 🥂
Eleonore Toulin's Mediterranean Branzino
The Ingredients:
- Fresh Branzino
- Red Onions
- Shallots
- Parsley
- Cherry Tomatoes diced fine in Olive Oil
The Directions:
- Carefully stuff the fish with all the ingredients
- Top with sliced California Meyer lemons
- Cover the outside with fresh herbs, olive oil and secret spices ;)
- Wrap and twine the whole beauty in a papillon made out of aluminum foil
- Cook and serve!
