At Home: Summertime Dinner Parties

Image © The Stir

Hi! I'm Fairlight of Flight of Fancy Designs and I live way down South in the hot and humid but ever so beautiful Charleston SC area. I spend my days chasing 2 cheerful little girls and a Pembroke Welsh corgi around and waiting for my husband to get home to we can eat! We love spending our evenings together cooking and reading or working in our garden when it's cool enough. When I'm not teaching 3rd grade to my oldest daughter or reading books to my 2 year old or taking a nap because Baby #3 (on the way) is making me tired, I craft. My sewing area is set up in our family room so I can read spelling words aloud and whip up something new for our house or my etsy shop at the same time.

Because we are home so much I'm quite passionate about making our space as comfortable, beautiful, and peaceful as possible so that we never want to leave it and others enjoy visiting. I have a tendacy to be a hoarder and love my collections of antique and vintage furniture, vintage sheets, vintage pyrex, vintage dishes, vintage milkglass, and vintage linens. My husband dearly loves me but wishes I would stop finding new things to collect! :)

When Nicole asked for new contributors for her blog, I couldn't pass up the opportunity! I'm very excited to get to share with you my passion for all things "home" and some fun ideas. Today I'm starting out with the theme of Summertime Parties.

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Summer is prime time for hosting a backyard cookout or pool party. We love throwing parties around here and any excuse is a good one in my opinion. Planning, decorating, and cooking are some of my favorite parts. I also love using hand made and vintage pieces in my home and at my parties. The history, previous life, and workmanship of such items adds so much more character than something picked up at the big box stores. Plus the hunt at the thrift stores and on etsy is part of the preparation and fun! :)

I've put together a collection of decorating items, serving pieces, and even a few recipes thrown in to make your next summer soiree a smashing success!


Garlands help everyone get in a festive mood and this sweet paper one can stay up long after the last party goer has headed home.


Napkins are a must at any party and how much better to use the washable kind?


This lovely tray is perfect for holding a pitcher of lemonade and the ice bucket. Or put your stack of napkins on it and a pitcher of pretty flowers.


Wouldn't a bunch of brightly colored zinnias from your garden look lovely arranged in here? Or full of icy tea ready to pour at a moments notice?


These bowls are perfect for holding a trio of summer salads along with a dressing, fresh fruits and dip, or grilled summer veggies.

If you are in need if fresh summer salad inspiration, check out these six amazing sounding combinations on Beauty and Joy.


I love the idea of carrying vintage mixed-and-matched glasses to the table in this milk bottle carrier!


Perfect for summer time drinks!

I highly recommend this tea blend for a refreshing change from Lipton.

This magnetic chalkboard would be prefect for a welcome message for your guests or for listing the night's menu!

I love the look of these milk glass dishes with tea lights inside!

And what would a dinner party be without dessert? Tuck a fresh berry pie under the cake cover…

…and serve it with home made ice cream in pretty bowls.

Last but not least, don't forget to tie on a pretty apron for hosting! You couldn't look cuter!

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And for more table inspiration, check out this great post about table settings on The Stir:

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I hope you have been inspired to start planning your next get-together. Enjoy this last month of summer time and I'll leave you with this quote:

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends. ~ Nancie J. Carmody

~ Fairlight | Flight of Fancy Designs