Spring Garden Party - Laura's Edit

Spring garden party on our new porch!

Spring is the perfect time for hosting outdoor get togethers. There’s just something about this time of year that makes me want to be outside. The weather is starting to warm up, but there’s still a subtle cool breeze. The days are longer, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping- it’s glorious! And just in time for this lovely season, we finally completed our front yard project. Not many things make me happier than being able to enjoy my morning coffee or eat dinner with my man outside on our cute little (long awaited) porch. I’ve been loving to come out here to water the plants, watch all the flowers bloom, and listen to the birds.

Towards the end of last year, we began remodeling our front yard. We only made minor improvements, like planting bushes for more privacy and redoing the porch, but it made a world of a difference. It was really important to me to have a space outside where we can sit down and relax. I personally love spending time outside; it makes me feel so happy and calm. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have a pretty front yard since it is the first thing you see when you come home. I am a firm believer in creating a living space that you love and surrounding yourself with things (and people) that make you feel happy and inspired.

This little set up makes for the perfect place to host a garden party. I love having friends over for a tasty meal and a good time. Although, between cooking a delicious meal, setting a pretty table, and creating an inviting atmosphere, it can get stressful. The last thing you want is to be frantically running around trying to finish everything… We all know what I’m talking about! Here are some tips on how to make it look easy and effortless.

Tips:

Cook something thats easy and delicious. Try to find something that you can prepare ahead of time. This time of year, I like to stick to dishes that are light and fresh so I went for a couscous salad with grilled chicken and steak skewers. Because this salad can be served at room temperature, it makes for the perfect make ahead dish. I cut up all the ingredients ahead of time and stored them in the fridge. Thirty minutes before my guests arrived, I cooked the pearl couscous and when it was time to serve, I just combined everything together. Here is the link to the full recipe. As for the skewers, I marinated the meat the day before and left it in the fridge overnight. The day of, I placed them on the skewers so they were ready to just throw on the grill.
Set a pretty table ahead of time. Setting the table is something you can do an hour or two before your guests arrive. (Unless it’s inside, then girl, set that table two days before.) You know the phrase “we eat with our eyes.” Well for me, that doesn’t only apply to how my food looks, but also where and what it’s served on. A table setting plays a large role in setting the mood of the party. You want to create that mood by incorporating the colors and textures that fit it. However, remember to not over do it. Stick to white dishes for a clean look and add color with some pretty flowers or even printed napkin. Add texture with woven placemats or these pretty seagrass – wrapped glasses. Play around and have fun with it!
Create an inviting atmosphere. This is important because you want your guests to feel comfortable and have a good time. There are many ways to create an inviting atmosphere and the way you do so can be very different for each party. Think about who you’re having over and ask yourself: What would make them feel good? What kind of music would they like? How can I make them feel included? Also, think about your surrounding. If the party is outside, you might need some kind of mosquito repellent. If the party is inside, provide house slippers (or cozy blankets if you’re having a movie night and your house is always freezing like ours. Haha.) Think about your guests and be intentional about making them feel comfortable.