Theres nothing I love more then dining al fresco with good friends and good food
Hi, I’m Eleanor Mayer, intern for My Red Glasses reporting here while Julie Bortnick is off to Miami getting married and Roz is there also to lend her supporting hand. I’m here to tell you about some great ideas I came up with to make your summer entertaining more special.
Whether you’re at your summer home, lounging around the pool, or just hanging out on the patio, we’ve got some breezy ideas to help you entertain this summer without breaking a sweat. The heat and humidity of Houston can make summer entertaining a bit of a challenge, which is why we know many of our friends do, as my family does, and vacate for at least a little while. But, even here in Houston we’ve had an unusually pleasant spring and the evenings aren’t killers yet!
We compiled some of our favorite recipes to bring joy and healthy back into summer entertaining. From low-cal cocktails to tantalizing appetizers to crowd-pleasing desserts we’ve got something for everyone. Whether grilled or chilled, we are leaving the entrée up to you and focused in on the fun extras that can make your dinner party so special. So, it’s up to you……you can get as creative as you want while planning your perfect summer event.
We also found some truly inspiring decor ideas that will ensure that you have the most elegantly set table and eye-popping flower arrangements around. So, cut the flowers, preheat the oven, turn up the grill and lets get started!
Decorating Your Table:
Whether you’re planning an outdoor celebration or an indoor feast, we all know that table decor is an essential part of any fabulous dinner party. For the summer, I love to use bright, blooming flowers as center pieces surrounded by candles and soft yard lighting of all different sizes to add dramatic effect.
Splashy Cocktails:
I love summertime entertaining because of the lightness and freshness of the flavors. Creating exciting cocktails is no exception. Just because a drink is flavorful, doesn’t mean that it has to be bad for that bikini body you’ve been working so hard on. The Patron Jalapeño Margarita, Sparkling ICE Peach Nectarine Fizz, and The Espinoza (shown above) are all low cal sippers whose recipes can be found in Harpers Bazaar.
Appetizers that are abloom:
An exciting part of summer is being able to experiment with all types of flavors and textures. When deciding what appetizers to serve at your summer soiree make an effort to go out of your comfort zone and try something new. Who knows you may just come up with your new summer favorite. Click on to Lauren Conrad where she teaches us how to make Prosciutto With Melon, Goat Cheese Stuffed Apricots With Honey, and Ricotta Crostinis. The recipe for the Feta Dip with Watermelon Radishes can be found by clicking on Bon Appetite.
Tasty Summer Treats:
Nothing says summertime like fresh and ripe fruit. For Dessert, I always take advantage of whatever seasonal offerings are available such as peaches, watermelon, and berries. Elle Decor has the most delicious recipes, such as Apricot-Lavender Pavlova and a Strawberry Sundae, to ensure you have a sweet summertime.
Seasonal Decor Ideas:
Well, you already have the perfect table setting, quenching drinks, satisfying appetizers, and sinful desserts. But, what really adds to your evening are the little things. White clear lights will brighten up any nighttime affair and add a fairytale aura to your party. I can’t get over the idea of adding small, bright flowers to ice cubes. It’s easy, fun, and nice to look at! No matter how you choose to decorate your event try to keep things bright, simple, and airy.
HAPPY SUMMER!