You know that feeling when a shipment arrives and you immediately start picking out pieces for your own home? That happened to me three times this month. I opened these boxes, saw what was inside, and thought "nope, these are coming home with me first." Here are the June favorites that made it impossible for me to be a good business owner!

The Plates That Look Like Porcelain (But Won't Break Your Heart)

Let's start with what might be my favorite discovery of the summer. These Eva Melamine Dinner Plates from Italy look exactly like fine porcelain — I'm talking the same weight, the same elegant finish, the same sophisticated look you want when you're setting a beautiful table.

But here's the magic: they're completely shatterproof. You can drop them, stack them carelessly, let the kids handle them — and they still look gorgeous. This is exactly how I like to entertain: beautiful but zero stress. When you're hosting on the patio or having people over for a casual summer dinner, you want plates that photograph well but won't have you worried about breakage every time someone reaches across the table.

I've already used mine for three different dinners this month, and every time someone asks where I got them. They're elegant enough that I'd use them for a proper dinner party, but practical enough that they're becoming my new everyday plates for summer. At $53, they're an investment piece that'll make outdoor entertaining so much more relaxed.

The Trays That Ground Everything

Can we talk about trays for a second? I truly believe a good tray is the secret to looking like you have your entertaining life together. These Lacquer Bamboo Style Trays that I designed have become my summer obsession — and they come in three colorways that are perfect for the season.

Here's what I love about them: they make everything look intentional. You can corral cocktails, carry appetizers from kitchen to patio, organize your coffee table — whatever needs doing, a beautiful tray makes it look like you planned it that way. The bright white colorway is my favorite for summer because it works with everything and makes colors pop.

But they're also incredibly functional for the way we actually entertain. When you're moving drinks and food in and out of the house, when you're serving on different surfaces throughout the evening, when you need to clear and reset quickly — having the right tray changes everything. These aren't just pretty objects. They're the workhorses that make summer entertaining actually work.

The Graduation Gift That Becomes a Keepsake

It's graduation season, which means my last-minute-gift closet is getting a serious restock. This Oh The Places You'll Go! Leather-Bound Edition caught my eye because it takes a beloved classic and turns it into something truly special.

Everyone knows the Dr. Seuss book, but this leather-bound version elevates it into something they'll want to keep forever. It's perfect for graduation parties, but I've also been thinking about it for expecting mothers — there's something so hopeful and beautiful about giving this particular message in such a luxurious format.

At $98, it's a substantial gift that feels significant without being over the top. When someone opens this, they know you put thought into finding something that would matter to them for years to come. That's the kind of gift that gets remembered.

The Special Order Pieces You Can Only Get In-Store

I also received some incredible glassware from an artist in Murano, Italy that I'm completely obsessed with. The Tropicana glasses come with three fun summer motifs — cherry, flamingo, and watermelon — and I've already gotten so many compliments on the ones I kept for myself. There are also these beautiful blue patterned cups that are perfect for margaritas, spritzes, and all your other summer drinks.

These pieces are special order only, which means you can't buy them online. But if you're interested, stop by the store or email me and I'll send you all the details. Sometimes the most special pieces are the ones you have to seek out.

Why These Pieces Work So Well Together

What I love about this month's favorites is how they all solve the same summer entertaining challenge: looking beautiful while being completely practical. The melamine plates give you elegance without anxiety. The trays give you style with serious functionality. The leather-bound book gives you a gift that's both thoughtful and lasting.

This is summer entertaining done right — gorgeous enough for Instagram, practical enough for real life, special enough that your guests remember the experience. These are the pieces that make hosting feel effortless, even when you're juggling drinks on the patio and trying to keep everything looking perfect.

Ready to make your summer entertaining beautiful and stress-free? Shop these June favorites and discover why sometimes the best business decision is bringing the good stuff home first.