The 4th of July is just a few days away and I’m sure I’m not the only one heading to a bbq picnic. Whether it’s at your house, or someone else’s, a good side dish is a must! Bonus points if it’s easy to put together AND healthy! This one I’m sharing today is so good and it includes a surprising combo I think a lot of people would love! Keep reading to get the recipe for the side I’m bringing to our neighbor’s 4th of July BBQ, plus there are 7 others you’ll probably love too!!
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One of my dream trips is to head to the Mediterranean {you can check out my travel bucket list here!}! I mean who could say no to blue water, warm weather, delicious food, and rich history?? Not me! But until we can book that much overdue cruise, I thought I would make this summer’s staycation feel a little more festive. Matthew has been hard at work making over our backyard, including making a table from scratch! It’s gorgeous and big enough to host a dinner party on! I thought picking up a few summer entertaining items inspired by Mediterranean style and al fresco dining would be a fun way to dress up our next dinner party!
I really love the wood Matthew chose for our table {pictures to come soon!} so I don’t want to cover it with a full table cloth, but I thought a pretty table runner would do the trick! This leaf print also comes in a full table cloth size if that’s more your style! I liked the idea of pairing rustic wood inspired pieces with this tablecloth. Like this cutting board and salad servers. I felt like this gold dipped flatware was the perfect way to add a little glamour to a more rustic table setting!
When I entertain, I try to make things easier on myself by having the basics I’ll need throughout the night on hand. I let guests fill up their own water, iced tea, or rosé sangria {yes please!} glass by keeping a gorgeous pitcher on the table. Using a fancy cocktail mix {Williams Sonoma always has great ones!} is also a way to spend less time making drinks! Cute oil and vinegar bottles are great to have on the table for salads or dipping bread. Speaking of bread, having a bread basket or two on the table looks so chic!
I couldn’t resist adding a little color to the table! I love that these sea creature plates are all slightly different colors. They coordinate, but don’t look too matchy-matchy! I feel like these blue bowls would look great with these plates, but again I think it’s cool that they aren’t a perfect match.
I was thinking about picking up some summer-friendly cookbooks to get inspired for some al fresco dining! I thought this one about using simple ingredients would be perfect, but I would love any of your recommendations. BTW I love this super easy pasta salad recipe during the summer! It’s always a big hit when I bring it to barbecues or parties! These veggies tacos are always popular too and are so healthy!
xox
The other week I had a motherhood session with Augustine and Corinna and while it was hectic feeding the little lady beforehand and getting our little guy to pose for photos, it was so worth it. I look at these photos and know that they will be cherished for the rest of my life. This season of life is one I know I will look back on fondly, despite the diaper blowouts, the tantrums and the fear of not knowing whether I’m doing the right thing or not. Motherhood is a blessing but also a huge responsibility. I can’t wait to share these photos with you all, as well as some of the moments I don’t want to forget from our current stage of life.
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