Summer Decor and Accoutrements
Summer 2020 is upon us! With all of this craziness in the world and uncertainty about traveling, some of you might not have planned your normal summer vacations. For those of you looking to make the most out of your summer, I have put together some entertaining ways to spend your summer days in your backyard, at the beach, in a park, or by the pool.
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Everything You Need For A Backyard BBQ
Many of us will be doing a lot of entertaining outdoors this summer while we’re still social distancing and trying to stay safe. Everyone loves a casual outdoor BBQ dinner and grilling outside is always an easy way to go when having company over in the summertime. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite picks below that I think you’d love to add to your summer backyard BBQ.
Outdoor Wine/Cocktail Glasses: These stemless wine tumblers are perfect for wine lovers. They keep wine at a better temperature than a normal wine glass and are made out of BPA-free plastic. All you have to do before your party begins is put a tumbler in the freezer for white wines, and in the fridge to keep red wines at cellar temperature. They stay chilled and because they are insulated and double-walled, they won’t sweat in the heat!
Outdoor Dinnerware: These plates remind me of an island vacay so if you’re planning to eat outside, why not bring that tropical paradise to your own backyard? This set is perfect for a BBQ dinner on your patio or even by the pool. I bought a set of melamine dishes a couple of years ago, and what I love about them is that you can wash these plates and reuse them over and over again which is so much better for our environment rather than disposable paper or plastic plates. Another added plus is they’re not breakable.
Solar-Powered Outdoor Torches: These outdoor torches scream backyard party to me! They add a festive touch when having people over and help with outdoor lighting once dusk sets in. They come with 2 rechargeable batteries per light and depending on the weather and sunlight, they can last up to 8 hours.
Smoker: Have you ever used a BBQ smoker before? If not, you’re really missing out! Smoked meat comes out so tender and delicious - it’s a crowd pleaser! The BBQ Guys have released their picks for the best BBQ smokers of 2020 broken down by category: electric smokers, gas smoker and pellet grills and smokers. There are options for all budget ranges, depending on which type of smoker you or your family prefer. With Father’s Day right around the corner this could be the perfect gift for the grill master in your life!
Planning For The Perfect Picnic
The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, so what could be better right now than planning an outdoor picnic? After all, it is summertime! Whether you’re headed to a sunny beach or your neighborhood park, picnics will be a popular activity for many people this year with more people wanting to gather outdoors while maintaining social distance.
Picnic Basket: I actually just bought this picnic basket for Bruce and I. It is both fashionable and functional and so easy to store when you’re not using it because it’s collapsible. Think of it as a picnic tote instead of a structured basket. The thing that sold me on this item is that it comes packed with wine glasses, plates and silverware for two. The other thing I like a lot about it is that it’s lightweight, even with the tableware included.
Beach Towel: These Sand Cloud towels are soft, lightweight and sand resistant. All three qualities are a win-win for me especially if I’m picnicking on a beach or at a park. This company gained popularity after they were featured on Shark Tank. Sand Cloud donates 10% of their profits to non-profit partner foundations and organizations trying to preserve marine wildlife.
Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker: This portable speaker will provide you with 12 hours of wireless bluetooth streaming and premium quality sound. Because it’s compact and lightweight, it’s an easy item to add to your picnic basket (or tote) without any bulk. Bring your tunes where ever you go!
Reusable Silicone Food Bags: These platinum-silicone storage bags come in all different sizes and colors. They are useful, durable, dishwasher-safe, non-toxic and have a patented pinch-lock seal. These storage bags are better for you than the plastic ones, and because they’re reusable, they are also better for our planet. Storing them is also easy because you can store them inside one another which takes up less space.
Pool Party Essentials
Now that summer is in full swing, there’s no better time to throw a pool party! A pool day is the best way to keep cool in this blazing heat, and it’s also a good excuse to buy some of these fun items guaranteed to make a splash with your guests.
Inflatable Pools That Make A Statement: The Minnidip is the original and first-ever designer inflatable pool, and oh my gosh! These pools are adorable! I can promise you that you’re going to have a tough time deciding what on-trend pattern you’ll want to buy. The other great thing about these inflatable pools is that when it gets cooler outside, you can fill them up with balls instead of water and they become Minnimesh inflatable ball pits. What kid wouldn’t love this!
Floating Mesh Pool Chair: Grab a cold drink, put your feet up and enjoy an afternoon of relaxation with this floating mesh pool chair. It makes your afternoon in the pool that much better getting to float and relax with its well-cushioned back and oversized armrests. It even has an attached ottoman!
Snow Cone Maker: Yum, yum and yum! You are bound to wow your guests with this little machine. It uses real ice cubes with juice or syrups to create real shaved ice for snow cones, frozen lemonade and even slushies. All parts that come in contact with food are BPA free. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser with children and adults alike on those super hot days!
Fun Ways To Float: There are all sorts of inflatable pool tubes out there but I thought this one was super cute. I’ve seen lots of colorful animal floats and tubes on Instagram, but I thought this donut float was pretty special. The sprinkles make it so festive. I think anyone would want to have this around them.
Outdoor Movie Night
Here in Los Angeles, outdoor movies are very popular during the Spring through Fall season. They are hosted in parks, on rooftops, even in cemeteries! With social distancing, a lot of those outdoor events won’t be happening this year. However, you can re-create the experience for your family and friends in your backyard! It’s a refreshing take on outdoor entertainment without having to leave home.
Portable Movie Projector: This is another really cute idea for summer fun. This mini portable projector can turn your home into a cinema experience and is so easy to use by simply connecting it to any of your devices including your phone or laptop. It’s perfect for hosting an outdoor screening event!
Portable Projection Screen: This projection screen enables you to turn your backyard into your own movie theater. It is easy to move around and can be hung from a garage, an outdoor wall or a patio rafter to create a full-size widescreen movie screen. The best part is that you can use it indoors as well during the colder months.
Waterproof Outdoor String Lights: I happen to love string lighting at night. It’s romantic and festive all at the same time. This set of string lights is perfect for setting the mood and ambiance for any kind of backyard entertaining. Whether you’re hosting movie night or dining al fresco, you’ll love having these hanging in your backyard.
Softserve Ice Cream Maker: I love soft-serve ice cream any time of year, but I thought this was a great idea for a fun summer night. Individual popcorn bags work great for movie night, but serving homemade ice cream to your guests make the evening that much more special, don’t you think?
I’m a firm believer in making the best out of any situation life throws my way - big or small. Summertime fun can be had on all kinds of budgets, sometimes you just need to get a little creative! I’m looking forward to spending as much time outdoors as humanly possible the next few months. I love my daily morning walks and dining outside with my love Bruce, not to mention all of the quality time I plan on spending with my granddaughter, Elle! I hope you are looking forward to soaking up the sunshine as much as I am this season! Drop me a line in the comments to share some of your outdoor summer suggestions!
xx
Barbara