Mindy Kaling Survives a Castellano Family Dinner in a Custom Plaid Dress on This Week's The Mindy Project

Finding the right time to tell your boyfriend that you’re pregnant can be tough, especially if you’re a bi-coastal couple like The Mindy Project’s Mindy and Danny. After struggling to break the news via FaceTime, Mindy decides to plan a couple’s getaway on the East Coast only to be thwarted by Danny’s father and half-sister.

Upon hearing that her ex-husband is in town, Danny’s mother Annette Castellano (Rhea Perlman) plans a family dinner, insisting that past troubles are water under the bridge. Well, we all know that isn’t true. As you might expect, the meal is not without it’s drama—even live eels are involved! “Knowing there were eels in the scene, I wanted to make sure that the dress wasn’t a light color,” costume designer Salvador Perez says of the "1950s-inspired maternity dress" he designed for the episode. “If the eels splashed on her you wouldn’t be able to tell.”

The teal shade easily absorbed any flying water and stood out against the colorful cast of characters thanks to a little bling. “When I made the plaid dress it was too plain, so I added Swarovski crystals to the neckline,” continues Perez. Mindy’s now-signature matching headband finished off the look. “She just loves them. We have 60 of them in every color!”

Fashion aside, Mindy did eventually tell Danny that they’re expecting, and his reaction was adorable, obviously.

PHOTOS: See All of Mindy’s Outfits from Season 3 of The Mindy Project

We’ll be chatting with Perez every week about our favorite looks from The Mindy Project, so be sure to check back in next week!