Issue #228: declaring it the summer of fun tablescapes 🍽️

If you’re looking for recipe ideas perfect for a group, paired with beautiful and inspiring visuals, check out A Table for Friends by Skye Macalpine and Tables & Spreads by Shelly Worcel.

“These beverage dispensers are such a life saver when hosting outdoors and limit back and forth to and from the kitchen! I also always leave out our instant mini camera to capture special moments throughout the gathering.” - Olivia 

“Cement vases — they don’t blow over.” - reader Wendy E.

 “For tablescaping — I love using a fabulous, oversized platter. I have this one in large and surrounded by some mismatched bud vases with wildflowers, it’s a stunner! Also, a floral trick I learned from @therealmarketman — different flowers in the same color make for a super chic and expensive-looking table but it’s super simple and foolproof.” - reader Marissa F. 

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Beautiful outdoor “leisure chairs” that come with cute matching tables/footstools? Absolutely yes.

Okay so after sending out this email and posting this, we learned you have some serious fanny pack opinions. Here they all are!

“‘Heavy snacks at 4pm is the best way to entertain when there are kids involved. It's big enough for a meal, people are gone by 7, and you can have cleanup done and still time to watch a movie before bed.” - Carey (See: mini meatballs, crudite platter with your dip-of-choice, frozen phyllo dough with veg...)

If you’re not into the DIY approach, there’s a few ready-made tablescape companies that will simply ship you a set of everything you need: Social Studies, Hestia Harlow, and Freshly Set come to mind.

Some beautiful cutting boards made from recycled plastic. They’d look pretty effortless as a serving tray for cut up fruit!

Some dream tablescape items that are a bit more spendy: this handpainted pitcher from Pomelo Casa, darling checked pink napkins from Heather Taylor Home, a ruffled (!) tablecloth from Cutter Brooks.