First off, I love to entertain outside on our beloved screened-in porch for family and friends, but entertaining or being entertained anywhere outside is top of the list of my favorite things to experience.

 

 

 

Some of you know that I am a brand influencer for At Home. Therefore, all these photos represent their products except our antique furniture. All accessories are from At Home, where I had so much fun selecting colorful, wonderful, and in many cases, practical finds for this outdoor entertaining post!

 

 

 

Here are my easy, no-fail tips for outdoor entertaining:

1. Low Centerpiece 

Centerpieces to me are just part of a tablescape. Whether it be flowers, candles, seasonal items, or etc. One rule of thumb is to always to keep it below eye height when sitting down.  If I have invited friends or family for a meal, for heavens sake, I want to see them!

 

2. Outdoor Easy Care Fabrics 

Can you believe that the tablecloth is an outdoor fabric? Plus, this cheerful apple green rug is olefin for outdoors as well. So, let it rain or let the drink be spilled, enjoying our time with others should not include having concerns over life accidents or rainy weather.

 

3. Okay to break stripes on stripes no-no rule 

I remember learning or hearing that one stripe only was the rule not to be broken. Kinda like white shoes or pants before Memorial Day, remember? Well, thank goodness both of those silly rules have long been tossed out. I love the awning stripe tablecloth with the pencil stripe of the area rug. The key is to have the stripes be very different in width and this is a rule not to break.

 

 

  4. Blue and green, colors of nature always a winner 

The beautiful blue and green combo never fails to delight us, right? Again, the classic navy and emerald green is one of the iconic palettes that most of us enjoy again and again. When we think of using these colors together, it should not surprise us that we continue to love it when of course, the varying blues of the sky, and the greens of nature, were designed for us to enjoy way beyond when“us designers” got involved!

 

 

 5. Surprise elements to kick it up a notch. 

Don’t you love it when not everything is expected in a space whether indoors or outdoors? Well, obviously I most definitely appreciate the creativity of finding that “where did that come from?” item to keep things interesting and sometimes even a surprise. Matchie matchie is soooo boring!

 

 

  6. Melamine goblets and dinnerware take pressure off guests and hostess or host. 

What is old is new again in all the fabulous melamine dinnerware that we are seeing pop up everywhere. If you look at my photos of my kitchen, there is a wonderful platter on my counter next to the gas range with pears in front of it that is, yes, melamine. I bought in Kansas City years ago on a very fun girls trip. Dishwasher safe and kid and sometimes husband safe, just kidding guys, now outside dinnerware and goblets can be as wonderful as our indoor dishes and glasses. Now of course I am talking the casual here and not the formal or Italian ceramics that I love for inside entertaining.

 

 

In the middle of the country where I live, outdoor entertaining is very special for us since we do not have this opportunity or even say, luxury, of doing this year round. So why not make it more than the same old same look? It is exactly like trying new grilling recipes that we posted recently. It only takes a little more time and effort to show our family and friends that we care and value our times together by going the extra distance whether food or tableware. I hope you do because again, I always say, we get more than we receive, no matter what avenue that may take us.

 

Okay, your surprise bonus is to sign up to join the BoomerSmart journey by submitting your email in the blue box on the right side of my website’s home page to enter to win a $50.00 gift certificate for At Home! Be sure to enter by July 15 so you don’t miss out on this summer fun giveaway!

 

Have a great and beautiful summer everyone!