Essentially {Hurricane Prep}

Well, if yesterday was any indicator of what the rest of the summer is going to be like, then it appears that we are going to have a very busy, active hurricane season. That means one thing, many many hurricane parties in the near future. Being a Floridian, I've been hosting hurricane parties for years. They are full of food, cocktails, and old fashioned fun. There are some essentials that are "no brainers" like water, non perishable food items, sand bags, and flashlights. But trust me, my list is much more fun than that! So, sit back and get ready to stock up because we've got a long, hurricane season ahead!

1. Oil Lantern: It seems like an old fashioned item to keep around, but an oil lamp burns longer and puts off more light than a standard candle. A camping lantern works well too!

2. Cocktails: A pitcher of cocktails (to go along with your water of course) helps me image that the puddles outside are pools of clear water and that I'm not going to be stuck inside for the next few days.

3. Board Games: When the power goes out, so does the cable and internet. That means no Twitter, Pinterest, or movies to keep you entertained. Break out a deck of cards and the board games and host an old fashioned game night!

4. Party Grill: Basically, it's a small portable gas grill perfect for nights when the power is out and you're craving a home cooked meal. You can do just about all you need to on a grill (assuming you have a cooler to keep all the food cold!)

5. Batteries: They may seem pretty obvious, but I can't tell you the number of hurricanes I've been through without batteries. Even if you think you don't need them, always buy a couple economy packs for good measure!

Of course this list can be an essential for any weather related party if hurricanes don't affect your whole summer! What are your hurricane party essentials?

Have a great weekend!

Essentially {At Home Entertaining}

Happy Friday! It's the start of the long holiday weekend and I couldn't be more excited. Hopefully you are as excited as I am. Normally right before a holiday, I like to post all sorts of inspiration for it. But today, I wanted to give you my everyday inspiration, my essentials for easy, beautiful, at home entertaining on the fly. The smallest things make the difference here. It's so easy to over look things like your cutting board, wine glasses, vases, napkins, and tablecloths. But, it a cinch, they can be the key elements to stylish entertaining on short notice at home. Here's is my list of essentials for entertaining at home.

Cutting Board: It seems so simple. A devise to chop food on. But, a gorgeous wood one can double as cheese tray or platter for antipasto. What's so wonderful about a lovely wood cutting board is that it not only makes entertaining on the fly nice, but turns weeknight dinners into a party too!

Wine Glasses: Never underestimate the power of nice wine glasses. Proper ones at that. A big bowled glass makes a world of difference in my book and shows guests that you really know how to entertain.

Vases: Assuming you have enough time to hit the grocery store before a get together, flowers add the perfect pop to a table. While grocery store flowers aren't always the best, a magnificent vase can be just the trick. The perfect vase is of medium height, colorful and not to wide at the top.

Napkins: I'm not talking linen napkins, but fun paper cocktail napkins. The key to at home entertaining and entertaining on the fly is ease. Paper napkins may not be your everyday choice but are key. I stock up on them at places like Target and Party City. They always have a fun assortment in different colors and patterns that fit any occasion.

Tablecloths: Throwing a bright, visually interesting tablecloth or runner over your dining table really takes it to the next level without putting forth a ton of effort. The ideal cloth matches the color scheme of your house and has a bit of pattern to it.

Have a safe and celebratory Memorial Day Weekend!

Essentially {Bonfire}

No fall gathering is complete without a bonfire. Drinking cocktails and roasting marshmallows around a warm fire is what the season is made of. Whether it's the focus of your get together or the ending to your Thanksgiving meal, there are some bonfire essentials that you can't do without. From blankets to benches and everything in between, here's my list of all you need to throw the perfect bonfire!

1. Apple Cider Cocktail: Perfect for sipping with friends around the fire. It might even help calm your nerves during the ghost stories!

2. Ghost Stories: This spooky tradition will sure excite guests! Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories is filled with tales bound to scare.

3. Roasting Sticks: You can't make the perfect hot dog or roasted marshmallow without it.

4. Warm Blankets: Cold nights require wooly warm blankets like this chic one from Ratzer.

5. Rustic Benches: Everybody needs a seat around the fire so why not gather a bunch of hand built benches and sit in style?

6. S'mores: The ultimate bonfire essential. A piece of dark chocolate, a warm roasted marshmallow, and a crunchy graham cracker are all I need to make it a perfect night by the fire!

Essentially Relaxed

I tell you all the time that life is about celebrating the little things. Well, sometimes that includes celebrating you! Not just for an accomplishment at work or a milestone in your life, just you. You deserve a celebration sometimes for just making through a rough week, or even just because you can. Sometimes you have to take a step back, take a deep breath, unwind, and just celebrate the fact that you are you and that makes you special. My favorite way to do this is to throw on my robe, lay in the bed, and throw away my to-do list of chores and errands for a day. I did that very thing this weekend, and I feel completely refreshed. Here is my list of essentials for the perfect "you" day!

1. Comfort: Whether the most comfortable place for you be in the bed, on the couch, or cuddled in the oversized chair in the corner, the best place to relax is wherever you feel most comfortable. For me it's my bed surrounded by a bunch of super soft pillows, like these from Caitlin Wilson Textiles.

2. Nails: When I feel pretty, I feel happy. Sometimes, you get so caught up in the everyday and the hecticness of life that you forget to make yourself feel pretty. One of the things that makes me feel the prettiest is when my nails are done and not looking ratty. Whether I do them myself or go to a professional, a bright shade of nail polish is always the key the happiness. 

3. Cocktails: No surprise here. This girl loves a good cocktail. This past weekend, nothing beat lying in bed and drinking a beer (My bar is in much need of restocking.). It's good to just throw the diet out the window every now and then and maybe have a drink, or two, before happy hour. 

4. Eye Mask: Who doesn't love an afternoon nap, because I sure do! But, it's incredibly hard to fall asleep with the sunshine beaming through the windows. I keep an eye mask in my bedside table just for days like this!

5. Candles: Capri Blue Volcano is my personal favorite. Just lighting the candle puts me in a better mood and makes my house smell incredible! 

6. Terry Cloth Robe: Hands down the best gift I ever received. I wear it every chance I can. It's just so comfy cozy that I instantly decompress the minute I put it on and nothing compares to lounging in it all day!

7. Stack of Magazines: No matter what you like to flip through, turn the TV off for the day and open a book (or magazine). Reading my favorites always inspires me for new, new recipes, new party ideas, new decorating ideas, etc. 

Essentially {4th of July}

Happy almost 4th! It's time to start making those final party plans and preparing for a patriotic celebration. There are so many things I naturally associate with the 4th of July that it can be hard to pin down a specific focus for a get together. For this party, I wanted to focus on American classics, you know, the things that represent American tradition. Here are some of my must haves for classic patriotic  celebration...

1. Sparklers: No Independence Day is complete without an outstanding fireworks show. But, if you are anything like me, you are too scared to set them off yourself. Sparklers are the perfect compromise and it's so fun to see what shapes you can make before they burn out!

2. Hot Dogs: A true American favorite. Whether you like it topped with chili and cheese or mustard and relish, this handheld dish is great for large gatherings. Make it fun for guests and do a hot dog bar featuring all the toppings they could imagine like ketchup, mustard, onions, relish, chili, cheese and whatever else you can thing of.

3. Cracker Jacks: This fun snack even comes with a prize inside. Serve it up as an appetizer or give each guest a box as they leave. Either way, the ball park delicacy should find a home at your soiree.

4. Red, White, & Blue Decor: Incorporate our nation's colors wherever possible such as in your food, in banners or signs, or even on the table. Make up cute sayings like "Sweet Liberty" to top off cupcakes or other sweet treats. 

5. The American Flag: No explanation necessary. The symbol of our great nation should be the focus of the event. Get creative and incorporate the different flags throughout the years.

6. Mason Jars: A true Southern American classic. While the clear jars get the point across, if you have some vintage blue jars lying around use them as vases, silverware holders, or even cups. The shade of blue is gorgeous and keeps with your color theme. 

Essentially {Picnicking}

With blue skies above, I dreaming of hosting an al fresco picnic. Perched in the park on a vibrant blanket, sipping wine, munching on French baguettes, grapes, and cheeses sounds like the perfect Saturday afternoon. I can imagine relaxing and just enjoying good friends and good times. Here are my picnic essentials...

1. French Baguette: Fresh from the bakery, bread is my favorite treat, especially dipped in exotic oils. 

2. Blanket: Grass is itchy and no fun to sit on. Add some flair to your picnic with a bright, patterned blanket like this Mexican inspired one from Amazon.

3. Grapes: Perfect for popping in your mouth. Try freezing them before you leave to keep them nice and cold all through the day. 

4. Picnic Basket: An obvious essential. This one is great because of the straps that will keep your plates and silverware in place while strolling to the perfect location. Even better, it has a spot for your wine glasses! 

5. Wine Glasses: Make a stylish impact by using hand painted glasses like these hibiscus ones from Lolita. The pattern is reminds me of a tropical land far away. 

6. Wine: Whether you like red, white, or champagne, no picnic is complete without a good bottle of wine. My personal preference? Anything from Cupcake Vineyards is light and pairs well.

Essentially {Summer Soiree}

It's that time of year again! Time to bust out the charcoal and bug spray because summer soirees and outdoor entertaining are here again. It has to be one of my favorite times to entertain. Yes, the weather may be ridiculously hot but the sun shines a little brighter and it makes me smile just a bit bigger. While you may sweat just a bit, all the Vitamin D you are absorbing just puts you in a better mood. At least it does me! While the official start to summer isn't for another couple weeks, I've got summer fever and I'm more than ready to share my summer soiree essentials with you. Here you go!

1. Watermelon: The signature fruit of hot summer days. Light, refreshing, and full of flavor, watermelon reminds me of backyard cookouts and seed spitting contests as a kid. Embrace the fruit while it's fresh and incorporate it into recipes like watermelon salads, spritzers, and cupcakes! 

2. Fresh Flowers: They certainly do brighten up any table! Not only that, when fresh picked from your front yard, they add a personal touch that most parties lack.

3. Patterned Plates: Like these melamine ones from Target, patterned plates add vibrancy to every meal.  Melamine is perfect for outdoor entertaining as well because of it's inability to break. Drop it, step on it, or have guests throw them at one another, there is nothing this plate can't handle!

4. Homemade Lemonade: Just like Mom used to make. Lemonade is one of my all time favorite refreshing beverages on a hot summer day. I'm dying to try a blueberry lemonade! 

5. Beach Umbrellas: You don't have to be on a beach to get into the umbrella action. Try staking one in the back yard and laying under it pretending you are on a tropical island somewhere. This striped yellow one is sure to brighten up any backyard grill out and provided some much needed shade for your guests! 

6. Grill: Of course I saved the best for last. No summer soiree is complete without a grill. Grill cooking is some of the easiest, fun cooking I've ever done. Nothing beats coming home from a long day on the beach, firing up the grill, and cooking every aspect of the meal atop charcoal (or gas if you prefer). Some of my favorite gilled recipes include salads, kabobs, and peaches for dessert! 

Essentially {Memorial Day}

If you stopped by yesterday, you know I gave you some great inspiration to throw your best Memorial Day bash yet. And, today I'm going to give you my essentials for helping make it fantastic. While a grill, delicious food, and laughs are a must, here are some great outdoor dining and party essentials that just happen to be patriotic!

1. Star Napkins (Pottery Barn): These linens are reminiscent of the American flag and almost too pretty to use. I love using linen napkins for a party for a couple reasons. One, they are always more festive and fit your theme. While you do have to do a load of laundry after using them, they are much more absorbent and people don't waste dozens of napkins when they could have used only one. 

2. Claudia Pearson Summer Plates (West Elm): I've always been anti disposables for a party. Especially a small festive gathering in the back yard. By using melamine, you get the same impact as real glassware but without the worry. Melamine can be dropped and tossed around and you don't have to worry about it breaking. Plus, it's 100% dishwasher safe. And, how can you beat the design that can also carry you through the Fourth of July and Labor Day?

3. Red, White, and Blue Bunting (Etsy): While I do always encourage the hanging of the American Flag, especially on patriotic holidays, it can be a little overkill to have it be the main decor item. Try keeping color scheme constant and hanging red, white, and blue bunting across the backyard in All American patterns like gingham and polka dots. 

4. Woven Pitcher (West Elm): Serve up guests delicious cocktails out of the this pitcher that will not only get you through the holiday, but all your summer soirees. The woven outer shell keeps it from sweating all over the table and is nice change from that boring old plastic pitcher everyone is used to. 

5. Crab Party Tub (World Market): Perfect for keeping beers and other drinks iced down in the hot summer heat. The blue stripes and bright red crab, both symbolic of summer, are a cute way to incorporate the colors of the day. It's also a much more eye pleasing alternative to the traditional plain cooler! 

What are you summer party essentials? I'd love to know so I can add them to my list!