Style (E)scapes: Afternoon Inspirations

Isn't there something a bit magical about late summer afternoons? They're just the right time to gather with friends for drinks on the patio and soak in the last bit of lazy sunshine. Quite possibly my favorite time of year and day! So, I of course had to request a bit of afternoon inspiration from two of my favorite blogs - Arin at Zinke Design for her impeccable event styling, and Teri Rees Wang whose recipes always seem so original (and whose comments here at c+k always crack me up!). Together these ladies have put together the perfect inspired summer afternoon...

Arin's Boho Princess Inspiration Board

Thank you darling coco+kelley for inviting me to guest blog during your style (e)scapes week! I love this theme because my favorite gatherings are impromptu soirees on the patio with friends. Whether sharing a pitcher of mojitos or sipping iced tea, an evening spent on the patio welcoming the twilight & fireflies is a night guaranteed to leave your friends hoping for an invitation next weekend.
My patio inspiration is all about keeping it casual and fuss free. I suggest approaching the evening's décor with an eclectic style in mind. Pull furniture from your house into the backyard, mixing upholstery and dining chairs with your existing patio furniture. For the tabletop, I adore Anthropologie's playful safari plates. Style these with stacked colored glass cake plates and scatter colored glass votives across the table and the perimeter of the patio.

Don't forget the polaroids...these are guaranteed good times. Cheers!
*resources: plate and pillow via anthropologie, polaroids via colourlovers, green glass cake stand via simply chic, frosted candle jar via anthropologie, madeleine chair via anthropologie, floating buds linen design via bee square fabric, suede travel backgammon roll via vivre, lee horn french rattan cafe set via 1stdibs, blue velvet "telly" ottoman via anthropologie

Teri's Orange You Glad It's Strawberry Smoothie

Don't you think Sunny days deserve a Sun-shiny-sweet-splashy-drink? No doubt. Head over to the local farmer's market or even one of those Mega-food-stores, and gather up best and biggest bag of sweet juicing oranges; not your average Navel. No, these are small and not so cute, thin skinned, kind of pale and looking a little worse for wear. Best believe!
These are the better-gems-of-oranges just for juicing. Roll them on the counter like you're making dough, or play a practice-paddle-tennis-session, just to torture them until they are ready to let go of all their mighty goodness. Slice them all up and get to squeezing. Pace yourself if you care, or host a pre-juicing-party if you dare. Either way, you take your neglected army of ice cube trays and fill them to the top. Fresh freezing is a good and easy option to keep your party-prep rolling along and still take care of your strong-arm.

Strawberries are easy. Taste test until you find the sweetest ones in town, cut the tops off and toss those in the blender last.
Half and half is good but, I prefer a heavier dose of 3/4 orange to a lighter 1/4 strawberry option. It's your last minute call; you can't go wrong. If the Wee-Ones are coming, we can just park it here. Put the brakes on, and idle it right into that awaiting-chilly-thermos you were so smart to borrow. If not, we can slam it into gear and jazz this Pee-Wee up!...

A couple drops of Orange Blossom water to perfume the pot and impress the Ladies. Yet, still we can turn up the volume with a double shot of some Vroom-vroom for a game of Gotta-get-your-Groom.

Blend:
Ice
Orange juice
Strawberries
Orange blossom water
Maybe, Tequila? ~ make it the cheap stuff.
Or...Rum? ~ keep it the light stuff.
Or...Vodka..? ~ either the straight or the flavored stuff.
Or what ever you've got to Smack-this-Beach-up!

Be well.

I will definitely take a little vroom-vroom in my smoothie! The recipe and party inspiration both have me drooling, and frankly, my dears, I'm ready to go mix a drink of my own while I finish up my patio to share with you very soon! Thank you so much to both Arin and Teri for joining in on the week! So much more to come...