Summer Entertaining

Last month I  did a summer birthday party for our youngest son, Hunter

who turned 22!

The inspiration piece for the party

these fabulous enamel cups from 

the Hearth and Home  Magnolia line at Target.

I wanted the decor to have a masculine vibe

and 

the black and white color brought it home.

I have been pretty smitten with the whole

Hearth and Home Magnolia collection 
since the dishes came out.

I have been collecting little by little for a few months now.

It's crazy how updating a few daily use pieces makes my heart so happy.

Adding a little more everyday joy!

The family birthday party

was a perfect excuse to add in the black and white textiles 

form the collection.

I left my dining centerpiece made up of

driftwood

air plants

and 

quartz candles as is.

It added the perfect cool, fresh look I wanted.

and the centerpiece played perfectly with all the place setting textures.

I used the tea towels from the collection for oversized napkins.

I mixed and matched several for added interest.

For appetizers I did a beautiful cheese board.

I have been so inspired by

 Suzanne of the Crazy Blond Life!

She does the most beautiful boards I have ever seen!

You can find her  amazing post HERE.

Whenever I entertain I like to bring in fresh garnishes from my garden.

for the bar glasses I simply pulled out a wooden tray

lined it with another of the coordinating tea towels

and 

added lemons and rosemary
 for a fresh finish.

The birthday dinner was Italian inspired.

I hired my darling daughter and accomplished entertainer in her own right

Ellis of the Ell Blog HERE

to make 3 different types of lasagne.

These Chianti bottles were as much added decor as poured table wine.

Another of my party styling go to is using

 an over sized champagne bowl

filled with ice, lemons and rosemary

to present all of the bottled drinks.

The crostini's were another of Ellis's creations.

An easy and visual  passed appetizer.

Because we had a lot of people at Hunter's Birthday dinner

I did two cheese boards.

To accommodate  all of our guests 

I set our big farm table in the backyard as well.

For this table I used the large check tablecloth

from the same

 Hearth and Hand Magnolia Collection.

I really loved how the two table coordinated 

but were different at the same time.

Fro the backyard

I used the blue rimmed enamel cups.

My centerpieces were sweet and simple

using vintage bottles with a single peony in each.

No birthday dinner would be complete

without a 

Birthday Cake!

This beauty is from our local Von's Pavillions

made magnificent with these amazing tapers!

I first was introduced to these amazing candles by my dear friend

Andrea of The French Basketeer HERE

I bought them at Ace hardware in Laguna Beach of all places.

But you can order them online from the maker HERE

This completes my 

Summer Birthday Party recap.

I hope I was able to inspire you 

to entertain in your own backyard!

Wishing my 'baby' a great year of 22!

Now it's on to finishing all of the wedding details

for his marriage to his gorgeous fiance' in just two weeks!!

You can see his  beachside proposal HERE

and 

their engagement party HERE

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life