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Spring has sprung!
Spring flies by here and I haven’t had a second to collect my thoughts because it’s been so full of friends, lots of gardening and I’m kind of in a daze just trying to absorb this last month of beauty in the garden and weather before it hits 100!
I thought I’d share some of the backyard then end on a personal wrap up. The best way to keep up with me personally is I guess Instagram at the moment because it’s spontaneous and I don’t have to elaborate but I certainly love chatting away on here. But when time passes the news sounds like old news to share and I move onto the next thing. I’m sure you understand.
Bringing the indoors out
I posted a reel on how to bring the indoors outside, like how to decorate and here’s how I make it comfortable outside. If you missed our backyard patio makeover post, click here to read it and get the details on our furniture.Â
- Bring decor outside like blue and white vases (that won’t fade)
- A bowl of fruit so you can snack on it when you are outside.
- Garden stool, it’s pretty and colorful.
- A large canopy umbrella makes you comfortable outside
- Outdoor quality pillows – truly outdoor quality not for looks, but for napping on!
- A fire in a coffee table, not a fire pit. Gathering around fire is just something us humans love!
- Outdoor games, like a giant connect 4 and magnet darts
- Google mini speaker for playing playlists
- Cafe string lights (on a dimmer of course)
- A stylish trash can that doesn’t look like a trash can.
Couples potluck dinner
I hosted a couples potluck dinner. My friends Brandy and Lauren and their husbands are very close friends of ours and Benjamin really loves their husbands and we regularly hang out when we can and we set date to have them over again and we each bring food. It’s usually us ordering LGO pizza, Brandy making an amazing Ceasar salad and Lauren making a dessert.Â
I wanted to invite a newer friend I have enjoyed, Laura and her husband and she brought a fruit salad. We had so much fun that night! Laura is a friend of Lauren’s and long story short we met at an antique store event I helped coordinate (Lauren suggested the guest list) and we invited each other to ornament parties and it’s so nice to make new connections.
Here’s how I set up the table. It’s an H. Although I called it an “I” until my friend Brianna corrected me haha!
I used paper placemats (disposable), disposable napkins but brought out my Bunny Williams Ballard Designs flatware.
The plates are from The 99 Cents Only store. If you host big parties like I do, get real plates, not paper (unless it’s HUGE and like Easter). I used the paper lemon napkins so I guess I was just mixing up some disposable with paper but the paper items had fun color so I thought why not! We ate outside so I feel like that can give you a bit of casualness. We had the guys on one end, girls on another and the couples faced each other (who knew each other) to make our new guests feel comfortable. I always think of the newer couple or friend to make sure they feel the most welcome.
We ended the evening all around the fire with our dessert. I love to mix up where we eat in another location so we’re not just sitting at the table – at least for certain gatherings.Â
In my mind I took a photo because it was lovely, just to see all 8 of us around enjoying each other’s company and realizing this new patio setup (Rancho Collection from Paddy O’) has enriched the way we entertain.
Planning a small potluck with couples is a great way to host without being stressed out about making the entire meal. Friends really love to help and pitch in too and mine are pretty talented in the kitchen, so never be afraid to ask – and always welcome store pick ups! :)Â
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Every minute is dreamy. No one talks about it but spring is messy! So much pollen, leaves being pushed out, it is messy! I love it more than I hate it, but I was using the blower every morning to get pollen and leaves off my furniture and patio. Now it seems most of it has settled down and gone but the front yard tree has decided to lose it’s leaves as it is pushing out new growth. It looks like fall on the ground in the front of our home.
I had a friend over for brunch and we sat on the patio furniture and caught up. Make life easy for yourself, but invite friends over as often as you can because it’s much more comfortable than having to go out and sit in a restaurant with other people.
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Personal stuff
In personal news, I usually do an Easter post but I didn’t take any photos but I posted a reel! It was so quick I’m not sure if anyone else felt this way but I was over so quick this year I was pretty sad. I spent so much time getting ready and prepping, decorating and next year I think I’ll just buy flowers and call it a day. It was like two hours and everyone was gone so we were bummed! But we still had a great time but boy it went too quick. Usually people linger until 4 or 4:30 and we start at 1, but it’s fine!
We went to John Mayer, my 8th date with him, and we didn’t do VIP this time because it I had mixed feelings on the solo tour. I didn’t want to stand for 2 hours alright? Haha! I just love a band but he was GREAT and I was also glad I got to sit for most of the concert too. I just ended up freezing when we arrived and I needed a $100 concert sweater to not catch a cold in the venue!
We also went to the Night of Dreams event which benefits local sex trafficking victims which is a passion of ours. I was a table hostess for this event which was my first time, but second time attending this event. I host the Women Make the Difference event which is a women’s invitation only luncheon and I’ll be doing that again for the 5th year.
As you can see it’s been a packed April, and I love it. It really is the last month before we must retreat inside. But I’ll be OK with that too I think. We have some trips and things to work on indoors so I’ll get to that summer hibernation.Â
I have one last party this Friday I’m hosting, it’s a garden party with a citrus theme and I can’t wait to share that with you. xxÂ
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