8 Summer Entertaining Favorites

This weekend was total perfection. SO gorgeous out. On Saturday morning Amy and I did yoga on the beach and then went stand up paddling at the Northwestern University Sailing Center. Amazing relaxing and fun at the same time. A photographer friend, Alison Gamble (Photography) of the yoga instructor captured these images and posted them on her Facebook page.

Then, I came home to this scene–my husband doing yard work with the baby strapped on his back and that baby was not happy he was having to do chores!

It was one of those days that got me so excited for summer. In Chicago you have to embrace every moment of the season because the rest of the year is so flipping cold. Every summer I like to get a few fun accessories. Nothing big, but just a few things to add some fun color or pattern into my house. Target’s Threshold collection is a favorite for outdoor pillows. With all the rain and heat in Chicago, I basically have to replace mine every year because they get pretty nasty. The other day I was looking for some summer shirts on Anthropologie’s site and of course ended up surfing for home stuff instead and saw some really fun (affordable!) things that got me excited for summer entertaining.

1. I’m obsessed with margaritas out on the porch and the fresher the lemon and lime the better. This Color Reel collection juicer, zester and shaver are the perfect summer update to your outdoor bar.

2. Love how kitschy these pineapple ice trays are. A little Malibu rum, soda and these babies anyone?

3. This Blue Octopus Serveware would look amazing used inside or out…and for that matter, all year round!

4. And, if you need to whip up something to put on that Blue Octopus Serveware then look to this awesome cookbook Summer Food.

Then of course you want to add a little to your outside too…

5. My husband has banned birdhouses from our yard (apparently they attract squirrels) but I might have to convince him to one of these amazing Architecture Lines birdhouses. My favorite is the lucite one of course…

6. Nothing better than the yard, a glass of wine and some candlelight. These Geo Glow lanterns are beautiful and come in lots of different sizes. Hang from a tree or place in the center of a table.

7. I’m definitely picking up one of these striped Infini beach towels for my next yoga beach session.

8.Every year I get a new doormat for my back porch. This stenciled coir doormat is so great–comes in Bonjour and Au Revoir as well for you Francophiles!

It was a long (long, long, long…) winter and I’m so happy it’s over.