OUTDOOR SUMMER ENTERTAINING

Wouldn't you love to host an outdoor summer soiree with some close friends? 

If it wasn't so oprressively hot here in Louisiana, I would love to host an outdoor summer soiree.  The hubs and I like easy entertaining.  To us, that means, a laid back casual atmosphere.  We want folks to come in and feel right at home and kick their shoes off and enjoy the food, fun and the fellowship.

So, the first thing I would think of would be the menu.  We typically like to provide the drinks and the main dish and let our guests bring the side dishes or desserts.  This way everyone feels they have contributed; not to mention it's a great way to share recipes.

So what do you think about outdoor summer entertaining?  Would you be more apt to do it if you had everthing ready to go and didn't have to shop?  I know I would.   I would like to introduce you to
Diane of  http://inmyownstyle.com/   She recently  wrote a post on how to be "party ready." 

Click the link below to get the low down on the picture below.  Diane shares with you what she stocks in her party basket,  improptu tips and some printables.
http://inmyownstyle.com/2011/06/are-you-party-ready.html


                                    photo by:  Diane of  http://inmyownstyle.com/


Once you are done reading about being party ready, you will have to check out her tutorial on her outdoor candle lanterns.  I am telling you , this gal is clever .  Take a look at this outdoor lantern.

                                               photo by: Diane of http://inmyownstyle.com/

Isn't it chic? Doesn't it look high end?   It's so much more attractive than those tiki torches with the citronella candles that we all  tend to use.  Click the link below to see how she made it.  You won't believe it.
  http://inmyownstyle.com/2011/06/trash-and-thrift-store-treasure-outdoor-candle-lantern.html

You can't leave Diane's blog without taking her home tour.  She has a lovely home.  The photos she shares are pure eye candy and you will be inspired.  As a matter of fact, as I was looking at her home tour, I fell in love  with these french enameled numbered tags.



If you have been coming to my blog any length of time you know I  love typography and anything with numbers. Lately,  I also have been drawn to  anything french related.  I have adored  the french enameled tags I have been seeing all over the blogosphere, but just knew I couldn't afford them.   So , imagine my surprise when I was perusing her side bar and saw she had a tutorial on how to make those numbered tags.    I plan on making some of these.  If you would like the tutorial here is the link.
http://inmyownstyle.com/2010/07/how-to-make-french-enameled-numbered-tags.html

                                                                       photo by Diane of http://inmyownstyle.com/    

Grab a cuppa ice cold sweet tea and pop on over to Diane's blog  and tell her Cheryl sent ya.

Now go out and get PARTY READY for your next summer soiree!                                                                   Pin It Now!