Party Ideas
Summer Party: Easy, Breezy Cocktail Party
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Everyone needs a break from routine and summer provides the perfect opportunity. If you don't live on the beach - bring the easy, breezy feel to your own backyard. This party is reminiscent of your favorite tropical paradise vacation.
Make it an adults only or girl's night out. Fire up the grill. Prepare your patio with extra special accents. Put on your best "resort wear" and prepare for an evening of laughs, relaxation and starry skies.
Grab some fresh coconuts, print out this Tropical Invite (download PDF Tropical Invite), hang the invite onto the coconut with ribbon and hand deliver to your guests. It is sure to attract some attention and set the mood for a fun evening. (See How-To for more details)
Set the mood of the evening with fun, tropical centerpiece accents and tableware.
One of the best ways to keep decorating easy and breezy is to combine tropical fruit with flowers. I've chosen a simple color palette of yellow, green and white, but you could easily add in red, pink or orange flowers or fruit as well.
Layer buffet tables and dinner tables with these elements:
Start with a bright, yellow plastic tablecloth (rectangle or round).
Layer green "fish net" over the top.
Make a fresh, tropical fruit centerpiece (See How-To). Grab fresh pineapples, coconuts, and bananas and casually 
group together with flowers.
Intermix these adorable coconut votives to set the mood as the sun sets.
Next, offer an assortment of acrylic Palm Tree designed dinnerware (see the Party Package to the right for an 
assortment of Palm Tree plate, glass and serving pieces) and bamboo flatware. These are great choices that you will enjoy using for many outdoor parties. 
Add a special creative touch to simple, inexpensive cotton napkins by downloading this Palm Tree and Flowered PDF (Download Iron-On PDF). Print out on Avery Iron-On Transfer paper and apply to the napkins. It's a special touch that dresses up napkins and continues to layer the fun, tropical theme throughout your event. (See How-To for more details)
- Cocktail Hour!
What do you and your group of friends enjoy? A crisp Sauvignon Blanc? A light, floral rose? Or a rich, complex Zinfandel? Wine.com has a great selection and advice to help you pick the perfect wine.
Or does your crowd prefer a crisp, cold Martini? Try the traditional dirty martini (vodka, dash of dry vermouth, olive juice) and for a twist throw in a little pickled jalapeno juice. Or a dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. Or try a more exotic Lychee Martini. Here's a great recipe from Epicurious.
Or prepare a pitcher of Bloody Mary's and forego the traditional celery stick for a spicy, pickled veggie and olive kabob. Wonderfully salty and satisfying on a warm evening.
Now, with this fantastic choice of libations, you will need to offer some good food to serve as a balance, and I love grilled steak. Flank steak is a great option for a party because it is a less expensive cut and you can have a great time coming up with a marinade to match the feel of the party.
I especially love Food Network's Guy Fier's Bloody Mary Flank Steak. He pairs with it a grilled romaine salad with Blue Cheese-Bacon Vinaigrette and parmesan taters. But I would probably do something a little bit easier and faster! Such as a romaine salad with Paul Newman's Caesar dressing and a cold pasta tossed with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, chunks of brie and fresh basil. Or a great fresh tomato and cucumber salad with a viniagrette, grilled veggies (always a summer favorite!), French bread with a freshly made herbed butter (so simple and always a hit!).
Finally, no summer evening cocktail party would be complete without lounging around a fabulous Fire Pit.
