FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: POPSICLE PARTY

Happy August, everyone! Camille Styles here, with this week's summertime party fantasy turned into a real-life fête...

I don't know about you, but the only kind of entertaining I'm into this month is carefree, low-fuss, fun-loving and brimming with chilled drinks. This party takes the cooling effect a step further by showcasing icy popsicles in a rainbow of fruity shades. I created a mood board inspired by watermelon, cantaloupe and a green grassy lawn - summertime essentials, in my book! Invite friends of all ages to embrace their inner kid for a celebration of summer's last taste of freedom...

These popsicle invitations, designed by Ashley Meadors, couldn't be more perfect for announcing such a soiree. Guests will be craving these fruity frozen goodies before they even arrive!

Hang colorful, patterned lanterns overhead to turn any space into an instant party. Luna Bazaar is my go-to source for high-quality lanterns in a huge variety of colors and patterns.

Hit the grocery store to stock up on glass soda bottles in as many colors as you can get your hands on. I always check the aisles at my local Mexican grocery for flavors I could never find at other markets. Or, get fancy and mix up these delish spicy sunrise mocktails (add tequila, if desired!).

Who doesn't love bubbles? Greet guests with their own bottles, and watch as the air fills up with shiny little spheres dancing towards the sky.

In case popsicles aren't quite enough to satiate appetites, casual picnic fare is perfect for this gathering. Serve thick wedges of watermelon with pepper & mint, and toss together platters of this incredible grilled peach & prosciutto salad. The key is to serve dishes that can be served at room temp, no oven required!

*images: {row 1} flowering tree, cannelle et vanille; poppy cake, martha stewart weddings; popsicles, green wedding shoes; macarons, cannelle et vanille {Row 2} dress, snippet & ink; snow cone, gemma comas; tequila watermelon, martha stewart; popsicles in prosecco, green wedding shoes {Row 3} watermelon photo, well wed via snippet & ink; popsicles, green wedding shoes; sodas, sunday suppers; watermelon margaritas, martha stewart. party pictures by our labor of love for design*sponge.

SWEET SPENCER

I am absolutely loving these beautiful save-the-date cards from Spencer Studio, who just launched their new website...


They'd be absolutely perfect for any fine fete! Like... perhaps a house warming party? (*ahem*). I may just have to commission a little something!

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

Camille Styles here, with this week's fantasy of an old-fashioned Southern potluck, brimming with the bounty of summer...

Designed in shades of mint, sky and warm wood tones, this party transports guests to a Southern porch where they can sip mint juleps and cool down with slices of watermelon. Dressed in sundresses and seersucker, they're welcomed onto a grassy lawn set for croquet. It's all so inviting, they may never want to leave!

Set a wood farm table with bunches of magnolia blossoms, antique silver and your finest china. The formality is balanced by sweet tea served straight up in mason jars, paired with southern classics like chilled tomato soup and deviled eggs. A light main-course, like grilled swordfish with herbed butter, adds a modern touch to the menu.

These bacon-bourbon brownies are the ultimate guilty pleasure. Salty, smoky and sweet, they're even more delicious served from a mismatched collection of antique teacups. Hop on over to get the recipes!

*images: {row 1} martha stewart weddings, cliff brunk via snippet & ink, southern accents {row 2} cliff brunk, forgetting details {row 3} maria mcbride, michael & anna costa via style me pretty, chelsea fuss {row 4}martha stewart weddings, cliff brunk, jeremy harwell via style me pretty. all party images: fredrika stjarne for food & wine.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: TACO NIGHT!

Camille Styles here, with this week's summer party fantasy. As Cass learned last time she visited me in Austin, there's nothing I love more than a good taco + margarita night...

So, for today’s inspiration board, I put together my dream south-of-the-border palette: saturated splashes of flame red and grapefruit set against earthy woods and whites. Don a sombrero and gather dahlias & ranunculus into emptied Mexican food cans (I posted a DIY here!) to scatter around tables. If you’re feeling especially festive, hire a mariachi to serenade guests late into the night!

Aren't these papel picado-inspired invites the cutest? Even for the most casual get-together, a simple invite turns the festive quotient way up.

I've always loved dresses with Mexican embroidery, and they make the perfect hostess garb for a carefree summer dinner...especially since the lightweight material stays cool on humid nights.

For this taco night, I'm sticking to my all-time favorite: fried white fish with fresh corn tortillas, lime crema and pico de gallo. Keep the menu simple and let the only accompaniments be my beyond addictive watermelon with mint, salt & pepper ...and a slushy peach margarita, of course!

*images: {row 1} coco+kelley, 101 cookbooks, jose villa {row 2} jose villa, maracas {row 3} diego uchitel, feasting on art, poppytalk {row 4} jose villa, brides, martha stewart living. invitations, d+k buckmaster; gwyneth & fish tacos, my father's daughter; cacti, ashley meadors.

COCKTAILS AT SIX: THE SALTED TARRAGON GREYHOUND

There's something about warm summer nights and dark summer tans that kick up the sex appeal a notch... and I think it's about time we introduced a cocktail to suit the season! The equivalent of a white hot dress and stained red lips, I think this refreshing drink with a tart little bite to match is just the thing...


The Salted Tarragon Greyhound:

*Grapefruit tarragon infused vodka
*Freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice, strained of pulp and seeds
*Flaky sea salt or kosher salt
*Agave nectar
*Ruby red grapefruit wedges, for garnish

Fill a short glass with ice and add one part vodka, two parts freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Transfer to a cocktail shaker and add a pinch of sea salt, and agave nectar to taste. Shake, pour, and garnish with a fresh wedge of ruby red grapefruit for the finishing touch!

*recipe and drink photography via kitchen konfidence, fashion photography via here and here.

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: LA VIE EN ROSÉ

Camille Styles here, with today's (girly, flowery and very, very pink) fantasy turned fête...

I created this inspiration board as the jumping-off point to the prettiest of get-togethers... bachelorette party, anyone? A rosé wine tasting with yummy cheese pairings is set at a table adorned with garden roses and a simple, organic vibe. Celebrate the long days of summer with an al fresco affair that goes late into the evening...

A beautiful wood farm table is the canvas for crisp white linens and a cheesecloth runner. Summer blooms in shades of blush pair perfectly with all that pink wine.

Each bottle of Rosé is also paired with a simple seasonal appetizer, like my peach + ricotta crostini (seriously, it's a new summer staple.)

When putting together a cheese tray, I try to follow these rules of thumb: Serve one to two ounces of cheese per person, include a mix of fresh, aged, soft and hard cheeses. Arrange – and sample – the cheeses starting with the freshest and lightest, ending with the ripest and most intense. Take a peek at one of my very favorite cheese displays.

To set up the tasting, create beautifully scripted labels that identify each wine and offer some suggestions on what flavors might make delicious pairings. Don’t forget to provide plenty of glassware for each guest to try multiple wines!

The loveliest pairing of all? A day spent with your best girlfriends and great wine. 'Cause really, that's all you need for the perfect fête!

*inspiration images: {row 1} centerpiece, lisa lefkowitz, & parasol, both via snippet & ink; place card, martha stewart weddings {row 2} 100 layer cake {row 3} rosé cart; calligraphy, linea carta; pie, tara donne {row 4} marzipan cherries, martha stewart weddings; escort cards, lisa lefkowitz; orchard, elizabeth messina.

*photography: michael bullock / coordination & styling: camille styles / floral & event design: kristen caissie / furniture: liv by design + austin’s world of rentals / calligraphy: pretty pen jen

FIREWORKS + A BERRY BREEZE

Happy 4th of July!!

While it can sometimes be hard for me to celebrate a country that's far from perfect, instead of getting political today, I'm aiming to be thankful for the true meaning of the holiday - our independence and the freedoms we are blessed with in this country.

And that's something worth toasting! How about with a little Berry Breeze? Festive, refreshing and not too frou frou, it's my kinda celebratory drink!

The Berry Breeze:

* One Part Raspberry Vodka
* One Part White Cranberry Juice
* Frozen Crushed Raspberries
* A Blueberry Skewer Garnish

Mix together vodka and cranberry juice, add a small handful of frozen crushed raspberries and garnish with a blueberry skewer. A perfect mix of red, white and blue. Enjoy!


*images: photography by ellen von unwerth, napkins martha stewart, berry breeze, florals captured by jennifer kloss

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: PICNIC ON THE AMALFI

Since the moment Cassandra mentioned she was headed to Italy this summer, I haven't been able to stop dreaming of vino in Rome, shopping in Florence and most of all, long lazy days spent sunbathing on the Amalfi Coast...

Camille Styles here, and today's fantasy is totally inspired by the idyllic two weeks my husband and I spent in Capri and Positano on our honeymoon two summers ago. The incredible seafood, deep Mediterranean waters dotted with pristine yachts and sailboats, and the nautical-chic style of the jet-set as they escape the bustle of a bigger metropolis. A lovely little fantasy on which to base today's fête, no?

A sandy stretch of beach and a fun group of friends are really the only necessities for the success of this party. A lightweight folding table and swath of linen fabric are the base for a spread of fresh, seasonal dishes. On the menu? How 'bout a very Mediterranean cucumber, tomato & feta salad and this most-luscious marinated bean salad with grilled shrimp & watercress.

What to wear to such a summer get-together? A swimsuit of course, although a classic striped boatneck is a must to guard against the sea breezes when the sun begins to set.

Formal invites are not really necessary for a gathering this relaxed, but when the stationery is as charming as this by Mr. Boddington's Studio, you just might not be able to resist. The Wolfgang style is so fitting for an oceanic occasion with it's urchin-like pattern and inky blue script.

Arriverderci, Cass...we can't wait to hear about your adventures!

*images: {row 1} couple, bunting, compass escort cards {row 2} necklace, feathers {row 3} clementine place setting, capri, rope{row 4} map, invites, oyster, dress. all party images: roland bello. invitations: mr boddington's studio.

BACKYARD ENTERTAINING: WHITE + MOD

It's official. Summer is upon us in the Northwest and I'm so ready to host a little outdoor patio dinner party! In seeking some inspiration, I rediscovered this tabletop created by JL Designs, and I'm completely smitten...

Being a California girl, I am totally drawn to this mix of succulents and white modern accents - it couldn't be more reflective of the beach-meets-desert culture of SoCal.


Of course, no party is complete without a signature drink - whether your hosting 10 or 100! I think this one sounds particularly refreshing and the the little drink card is so perfect!


I love how much candlelight Carissa used along with the cafe lights...

Heavenly! Are you as inspired as I am for a little outdoor entertaining? Even if you only have a little patio in your apartment, there are ways to make it happen (I'm going to be shooting my own example soon!) I can't wait for late summer evenings around the table with good friends.


*photography by aaron young, paper elements by wiley valentine (love them!), and complete design by jl designs

HAPPY WEEKEND...

The temperatures are slowly rising around here... I think it's time for me to perfect my 'almost summer' style...

A Panama hat will be required. As will white-on-white... the jacket only necessary for the cooler evenings...

I can't wait to host my first outdoor dinner party of the season... must get the patio in entertaining mode!

And I'll definitely be adding some high shine accessories to the white-on-white look for a beachy glam vibe. What are your must haves for this summer??

Have a fabulous weekend everyone! Stay cool...

*images via malene birger, mi casa revista, and fgr

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Happy June, lovelies! Why not welcome summer with an afternoon of decadence at an ice cream parlour-inspired fête...

...and modernize it with pretty invites, feminine flourishes, and decidedly gourmet twists on traditional flavors? Camille Styles here, and this week's fantasy couldn't get much better, in my book: an entire party centered around rich, creamy combinations and colorful toppings to encourage creative mixing.


How gorgeous is this watercolored stationery from Fine Day Press? Scrawl the sweet details inside, and pop in the mail...no doubt many excited RSVP's will ensue!


A divided wooden box filled with marshmallows, sprinkles, coconut and other pastel-hued accoutrements makes a chic vessel for toppings. Place metal scoops in each bin and let guests go to town with their sundaes! (via eat drink chic.)


While picking up a variety of store-bought flavors is perfectly fine, there's really nothing better than homemade. Hop on over to camillestyles.com to discover a few of my favorite recipes for the yummiest ice cream, sorbet and popsicles.


A chalkboard menu adorned with fabulous script is such a pretty way to let guests narrow down their options. I also happen to adore those gilded vintage glasses for serving sundaes, don't you? (via 100 Layer Cake.)


Remember those little wooden spoons that came with individual ice creams back when you were a kid? These have the same nostalgic charm, and the colorful twine makes them party-worthy. Spotted via Ez, who smartly suggested using them as little gift tags or invite enclosures. Love!

*images: {row 1} dress, lucite cone holder, sorbet {row 2} drink flags, parlour sign {row 3} ice cream bowls, cameos, couple, ice cream cone {row 4} pink egg cups, ice cream sandwiches. strawberry ice cream, delectable deliciousness.