If you love design like I do, you’ve probably eagerly anticipated the arrival of the fall collections in both the decor and fashion realms. Add back-to-school advertising, and it’s easy to forget that it IS in fact still summer. And for some of us, the summer heat will last through September! In that spirit, this past Friday, I put together a little summer party with some colorful supplies I’ve been collecting. The theme: tropical. Hey, it’s not every summer that flamingos, pineapples and watermelon slices are found on a wide range of products! Ironically, this little fete featured none of the above, but there’s still plenty of seasonal goodness to enjoy. Read on for all the details…
Some of my favorite gatherings are impromptu ones. This little spread is easy to put together and involves using affordable supplies such as colorful drink umbrellas and little blooms from the backyard. Last year I bought the gridded brass cubes shown above and below from CB2 and made a little installation on my wall. It quickly became my favorite party backdrop.
It’s fun to change up the look by adding new details as the seasons change. Trumpet vine blooms, roses and lavender-hued monkey grass blooms from the front and backyard became the perfect colorful embellishments for this photo shoot. Also note the use of tropical greenery, which is super affordable and long-lasting.
A reflection of a large monstera leaf can be seen in the mirrored tile on the table below. Make sure the surface of the tile (or tabletop) is clean, then cover it with drink umbrellas. Invite guests to take an umbrella for their beverage of choice as they arrive.
You can also arrange flowers in small vases and scatter them around the party. Have plenty of drinks on hand, including classic faves such as San Pellegrino. Offer freshly cut citrus fruit for snacking and garnishing purposes. Another fun drink idea: a refreshing summer smoothie. One of my all-time favorite involves yogurt, blueberries and honey. I make mine thick, but you can change up the ratio of ingredients to get the consistency you desire.
Let’s talk food! You can scale this party up or down as you wish. For example, pineapple-topped salmon marinated in a maple-based sauce can provide an exotic touch for a summer dinner party. Or keep it simple with a colorful cheese plate. Fruit selections such as strawberries and dried apricots are the perfect complement to fresh goat cheese. Nut mixes with interesting spices can also enhance a cheese plate!
The paper plates below are designed by Joy Cho of Oh Joy! Her Oh Joy! for Target Collection changes seasonally, and I always grab my favorite pieces when each new collection debuts. I’ve been holding onto these since the spring! You may remember them from this mood board. You may also remember Joy’s Brushtroke napkins from the Halt and Catch Fire viewing party we created last month. I can’t wait for her fall collection to debut!
I always enjoy offering my guests something special to enjoy as the party wraps up. I recently discovered Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Crisps, and they’re the perfect way to top off a meal. I’m also a huge fan of Swedish Dream’s Seaweed Soap. Aren’t those boxes summer-fabulous?! An ideal party favor…
Here are a few more pics from the party:
As a blogger, I’m already planning some fun posts for fall. But I won’t let myself forget that it’s still summer. A party is a great way to celebrate the present, isn’t it? Thanks for reading!
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