End of Summer Dinner Party + A Giveaway
Although I’m VERY ready for fall, I always feel like I should cherish the last days of summer… soaking in the warm sunshine, spending time outside, banishing shoes to go barefoot on the lawn, eating outside as often as possible, and lighting the citronella candles a few last times. Since transforming our carport (which I now lovingly refer to as the veranda), I decided to host one last summer soirée. I invited a few friends over for an evening dinner party and served up the last batch of summer margaritas. It was a good night that convinced me I will indeed miss these warm summer sunsets, good company, and sharing food around our outdoor dining table. Click through to see the setup and enter a fun giveaway- that way you can also host one more summer party before the crisp, cool air sets in!
If there’s one thing I love to do for my friends- it’s to gather everyone ’round for food & drinks. I feel like there’s something really special about going through the effort to create a beautiful tablescape, tasty food, and delicious cocktails for the people you care about. It’s such a thoughtful gesture!
In my friend group, this is sort of where I excel. I’m not the person my pals go to for business advice (that’s Lea), I’m not the one they ask for tough love or relationship advice (that’s Brooke), or the super smart intellectual one who shares advice on how to professionally word something (that’s Angela), or the friend who can direct you to the coolest local spots and secret places (that’s Krissy)… I’m the one who gives the aesthetic advice and puts in the effort to make people feel welcome and special in a space. Is that superficial? Maybe, but I’m comfortable in that spot- that’s what I’m good at. I like giving my friends a chance to escape from the everyday and experience a beautiful vignette I put together especially for them. I think that’s why dinner parties and entertaining makes me so happy- it’s my contribution and I enjoy the process so much!
This tablescape unfolded organically after these linen striped napkins from Sevensmith arrived in the mail (scroll to the bottom and enter to win a set of your own). The blue and white linen really set the tone for my end-of-summer dinner party. They’re not too fussy, perfectly casual, and feel seasonally appropriate for late in the season. It was the light blue color from the napkins that inspired the entire palette.
As much as I love styling and setting up the space, I always keep the food pretty low key and quick, so I’m not spending hours in the kitchen alone. It’s much less stressful and gives me an opportunity to catch up with my pals! My friends can always bet on an easy charcuterie board using items from Trader Joe’s (see that tutorial here), and other delicious summer staples. Typically, Emmett will throw something on the grill and I’ll bring out appetizers while we wait- this time it was spanakopita triangles that taste even better than they look!
I arranged them on this black marble serving board, also from Sevensmith and up for grabs in the giveaway. I can’t get enough of the gorgeous veining in the marble. I’ve been leaving the serving board out, styled in my kitchen because it’s so pretty.
These snacks are always a big hit! What’s not to like about a good spinach and feta cheese combo?
Despite my best training efforts, Johnny Cash continued to beg for a bite… if I’m being honest, I caved and let him have a tiny piece. Ha! Annnnd THAT is exactly why he begs. It’s a viscous cycle that stems from his cuteness and my lack of willpower. Give us a break, it’s been a tough month without our biggest dog.
The cocktail request was a pitcher of my “famous” margaritas. I swear my friends love that recipe and it’s the easiest! It felt very fitting for a farewell summer dinner… although I’m pretty sure if I made margaritas year round, they wouldn’t turn them down. They’ve kind of become the taste of summer over the past couple years.
Evenings in Salt Lake City cool off pretty quickly once the sun goes down and I’m hoping the bugs won’t be around too much longer, but the citronella candles once again did their job in keeping them at bay. I’m also a sucker for candlelight ambiance- especially outside. They’re a must for outdoor entertaining!
If you like the way this tablescape unfolded, you can shop the entire space below- including the dishes and accessories! Just click on each item below to be redirected, or use the sources at the bottom of the image…
01: pendant light // 02: patterned throw pillow // 03: white mini planter // 04: outdoor dining table // 05: outdoor rug // 06: rattan chair // 07: chair pad // 08: wood baroque chargers // 09: candle votives // 10: aqua dinner plates // 11: margarita glasses // 12: table runner // 13: striped linen napkins // 14: charcuterie board // 15: black & brass flatware // 16: outdoor side table // 17: fern matches // 18: black marble serving board // 19: // 20: sheer curtains // 21: tension rod // 22: black outdoor pillow // 23: potting station
My final touch in creating a cohesive look was the addition of greenery. There’s something about succulents and fresh green flowers that scream summer. If we’re hanging onto what’s left of the season, I knew I couldn’t skimp in the floral department (see the proof in my kitchen sink here).
G I V E A W A Y
Enter to win a set of the blue striped linen napkins and the black marble serving board from Sevensmith below, that way you can replicate the look! Here’s how to enter:
- Follow Sevensmith on Instagram.
- Follow Room for Tuesday on Instagram (if you aren’t already).
- Comment below on this blog post, and share where you fall in your friend circle or who you’d invite to dinner!
Good luck!!
I’ll randomly select a winner in a week, which will give you time to have one last summer soirée! In the meantime, I’d love your thoughts on this tablescape and our veranda area. I’m still loving it just as much as I did when we finished the space back in May. I’d also be interested to hear your favorite foods for entertaining… any tried and true recipes I should know about?
*This giveaway is sponsored by sevensmith. All content, ideas, and words are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that allow us to create unique content while featuring products we actually use & enjoy!