It's time to order everything you need for your outdoor entertaining!

Guest Post: Krystal Schlegel's Summer Kale Salad

My darling sister, Krystal, is always whipping up beautiful and delicious salads for this weeks guest recipe post, I asked her to share her favorite:  Summer Kale Salad.  Here is her guest post:

This is a new favorite salad recipe of mine.  I usually just throw in whatever vegetables are in my fridge at the time, but this seems to be the tastiest combination! This fresh summer salad makes the perfect lunch with filling avocado, kale, edamame, almonds and tops off with a squeeze of lemon, olive oil and fresh cracked pepper.

Ingredients:
3 leaves kale
1/2 cup edamame
1/2 cup mushrooms
1/2 cherry tomatoes
steamed beets
asparagus
toasted almonds
cherries
one tablespoon olive oil
half lemon

salt and pepper

Photography credit:  Krystal Schlegel

How to Make: A Popsicle Summer Champagne Cocktail

Hi Friends!  I am so excited to share my first blog video with you!  I have been wanting to launch RSVPtv for a while now and I finally got my act together. Here it is!

Episode one is all about one of my favorite party tricks - A Popsicle Summer Champagne Cocktail that I like to call Popsicle Prosecco.

Click here to follow all of my videos on YouTube!

Let me know what you think and please let me know what you would like to see in our next video series.

Enjoy and Happy Hosting!

The Color Condition and Patina Party Rentals

 When I set out to start a party rental company in 1999, I was hoping to fill a niche need in the event market.  I wanted to provide something different than the typical white plate and polyester linen.  I started renting out my mother's china and making custom linens for clients and it grew from there.  I sold the business in 2005 and I've enjoyed renting from it with out the responsibility on owning it since!  

Rentals have come a long way since 1999!  Now there are gorgeous plates, glasses and linens available at moderate prices but looking back, I never would have dreamed that the rental industry would be clever enough to collaborate with artists on something as whimsical and festive as 

Patina xThe Color Condition.

Isn't it gorgeous?  

Patina is a fantastic resource for anyone planning an event.  They offer an array of vintage items for rent to add personality to your party.  I love that they break down their inventory in to collections from Industrial Farmhouse to BoHo Glam.  Their site is worth a visit whether you are planning a party or not!  Get your pinterest page ready for some new pins!

So, back to The Color Condition...

I first saw one of Marianne Newsom and Sunny Sliger's amazing installations at a Nasher Sculpture Center event in Dallas.  The artists use multi-colored streams in varying lengths and widths to create an experience that wows, excites and moves the viewers.  I can't tell you how festive and special their transformation of a space is - indoors or out!  Check out their website and watch the video to see for yourself. 

The great news is that now you can rent them for your next event!  Contact Patina to put your order together! The streams are easily installed and available in a mix and/or match of panels, baskets, or a canopy of wildly colorful streamers in a variety of colorful options. 

I'd love to see what you do with them so send me photos!

Happy Hosting!

Friday Favorites!

Starting to plan your Forth of July celebrations?  Check out the segment I did on TODAY show a couple years ago with some fun tips!

I love how my friends at Set Sip Serve have put together a list of the MUST HAVE popsicle makers for the summer!

I was sooo honored to be included in Camille Styles blog this week!  Check out the post for my tips on the perfect thank you note and a 15% discount on some sweet stationery treats!

Fun projects for your creative kids this summer on this darling blog.

Super fun and unique camp for kids in Dallas in July...Cookie and Cake Camp at Greenhouse Market.

Love this idea to make your cocktails a bit more patriotic this week!

Perfect Summer Party Favor

Are you looking for the perfect summer party favor?  I think I found it!

I adore these precious macaroon boxes and I think they make the perfect sweet treat without the calories! The amazing designer Kelli Ford gave them out wrapped in cellophane and a Madison ribbon after she hosted the Sweetheart Ball patron party and I get to look at the precious little thing everyday.  

Click here to order yours today!

Friday Favorites

Our mantle at the beach.  Can't wait to get back there!

How amazing is this wallpaper?  LOVE it! 

Pretty Post on summer entertaining.

Beautiful post filled with inspiration for summer. 

Inspiration for your beach house beyond blue and white.

Wish I had seen this before I renovated my kitchen.

How cute are these for a summer get together?  I need them!  So do you!

I can't get enough of VEEP.  Are you watching?  It's hilarious....you should.

Tablescape Tuesday :: Lyford Napkins

With summer on the near horizon, I'm daydreaming about hosting a dinner party by the beach. I found these lyford napkins recently and think they would make the perfect addition to my summer tabletop. What do you think? Don't they just scream summer?!