The Tomato Dinner
The Tomato Dinner
The one that started it all
The Tomato Dinner — The One That Started It All
I had just finished building this garden and knew I wanted to host something special in it. I had been dreaming about doing a fully themed dinner party, and at the time tomatoes were having a moment. Loewe had just released their iconic tomato bag, Flamingo Estate was selling their tomato candle like crazy, and it felt like tomatoes were suddenly everywhere. It felt playful, fresh, unexpected… and I knew I wanted to fully lean in.
For the decor, I really went all out. I used a striped fabric from Hobby Lobby for the long tables, layered with red plaid placemats, maroon chargers, and red-rimmed plates. I designed the menus on good old Canva (my forever go-to).
The tablescape ended up being one of my favorite things I’ve ever created. I found these beautiful red candlestick holders and paired them with florals like red dahlias, ranunculus, anemones, and red daisies. Then I started mixing in tomatoes everywhere — I strung tiny tomatoes together, tucked giant red beefsteak tomatoes into the floral arrangements, and scattered tomatoes all across the table so it felt abundant and slightly over the top in the best way possible.
The high-top tables were some of my favorite details too. I used green gingham linens and styled those entirely with green tomatoes, green florals, and green cabbages. I loved the contrast of the all-green tables against the rich red tones of the main tablescape. It felt playful and intentional, and I loved that little juxtaposition.
This dinner was so much fun to create, but more than anything, it really sparked something in me. It was the moment I realized how much I genuinely love hosting in the garden and creating these immersive experiences for people. I was completely obsessed with the theme, so proud of my team, and honestly just so excited seeing the whole vision come to life.
It ended up becoming the beginning of something I didn’t even fully realize I was building at the time — and I think that’s why it’ll always be one of my favorites.
Menu- Marley from Full Plate Personal Chef did the food and knocked it out of the park!
First-Tomato Gallete
Second-Bread and Butter
Focaccia, tomato butter, heirloom tomato, and burrata
Third-Ravioli
Ricotta & Herb Ravioli, Tomato water, Basil
Fourth- Fish in Papiollte
Cherry tomatoes, olive oil & lemon
Fifth-Ice cream
Tomato ice cream& olive oil cake
Wines- the wine part was so fun! We partnered with Ritual wines and they curated the perfect list for each course
2021 Raventos| Blanc de Blancs
Pendes Spain
2022 Luis Seabra Xisto llimitado Branco Douro
Portugal
2022 Quentin Harel “Grandes Terres”
Pinot Noir, IGP Comtes Rhodaniens, France
2023 Domaine de la Bastide
Blanche Blandol Rose Provence, France
2020 Chateau Rieussec ‘Les Carmes de Rieussec
Sauternes France
The inspo board
The invite
Hello I am Mijanne
A Little Martha, A Little Ina, and a Lot of Chaos
If I had to sum myself up? I’m a little bit Martha, a little bit Ina, and a lot of the time—overextended.
I throw events, dig in the garden, arrange flowers, plan shoots, dream up retreats, cook meals, chase kids, and somehow keep showing up with more ideas. I love a good tablescape, a well-set dinner, a mood board with a theme. And truthfully, I just love to make things beautiful spaces, meals, moments.
I’m also a single mom to three wild, amazing boys, Madden, Walker, and Navy, who keep me grounded and very aware of how fast time moves. I co-own a jewelry company with my ex-husband, who is still my best friend and biggest cheerleader (it’s true). Life is full, complicated, and really good.
I grew up in San Diego but moved to Michigan in 2021 when we opened our first storefront. That move gave me one of the biggest unexpected gifts: a deep love for gardening and local farms. There’s something about living in a place with real seasons that has changed the way I live. I now mark time in blooming cycles, farm stands, and dahlia tuber orders.
Each season brings its own rhythm:
Winter is my slow season, when I rest, take pottery classes, sleep more, plan, and order flowers.
Spring is full of joy and new growth. The world starts to wake up again, plants, people, animals, me.
Summer is when I come alive. My garden is in bloom, we throw dinner parties under the sky, head north, swim in lakes, and eat everything fresh and sweet.
Fall is magic. The leaves change daily, farm stands are full, chili’s on the stove, and work ramps up until the new year.
France is my forever favorite place. A few years ago, I went on a therapy retreat in Provence where I met one of my biggest life expanders, Mary Jo. She talked about gardening in a way that landed deep. I was already a florist. I knew how to handle flowers once they were cut. But growing them was new. That first year in the garden was full of mistakes, but it cracked something open in me. I haven’t been the same since.
Mary Jo gave me a piece of advice I’ll never forget: Put your garden beds on the outside so you can put a dining table in the middle.
That advice sparked the beginning of something I now call “The Garden”—a space for gatherings, good food, creative workshops, and meaningful conversation. We host flower classes, dinners, pottery nights, and hopefully one day, full wellness retreats in a little chateau in Provence or a gourmet provisions shop where you can buy flowers, the perfect sandwich or chicken salad and linger with a cup of coffee.(that’s the dream)
This blog is going to be a place where I share recipes (finally writing them down), chat about life, and keep track of what I’m learning along the way. I’m excited to share it with you.
Let’s see where it goes and if i keep up the blog thing.
