Southern Lady Celebrate All-American Summer 2012

Summer is here. Th e days are warm, the evenings are relaxing, and we get to spend time with loved ones. Let this special summer issue of Celebrate be an invitation for you to join us in taking the fun outside. We’ve planned the parties and have each of them packed with creative menus, innovative decorating ideas, sweet favors, and lovely invitations. You can throw memorable celebrations for your family and friends with an extra dose of panache. Th e All-American Summer party package—which chases after life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—can be used to jump-start the summer on Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day. Th e party ideas travel with ease and can be taken to wherever your family retreats—the coast, the lake, or the mountains. And we never…

Summertime is my favorite time of the year, and for my family, it means heading to the coast for long weekends and special celebrations on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. We feast on all of the fresh seafood and produce that come with the season. You’ll find our favorite menu in the All-American Summer picnic on page 72. I love that summer offers flexible schedules for everyone with the children out of school and even in the workplace where companies accommodate with summer hours to encourage their staffs to spend time with their families. Hopefully you can take advantage of our party ideas and clever tips and do just that. Th row a birthday party for the small princess in your life—or escape to the tropics for an evening…

Have you ever imagined eating spaghetti and meatballs offa Popsicle stick? If you don’t believe it’s possible, then you haven’t read Matt Armendariz’s book, On A Stick! This collection of recipes for foods on skewers, candy sticks, and cocktail picks will have you ready to throw a party with a menu of these creative dishes. Not only is eating food on a stick more fun, but it’s perfect for outdoor entertaining because cleanup is a cinch. Armendariz divides his book into two main sections: Savory Foods on a Stick and Sweet Foods on a Stick. And he shares with readers various sticks and skewers that can be used to serve the dishes as well as lists dips and sauces that can be paired with his recipes. On A Stick! has something…

BUNCHES OF BOLD COLOR Let this year’s fashion trend of color blocking inspire your entertaining. Bunch brightly colored blooms in different containers as a centerpiece. Here, Mason jars are dressed with cotton trim and jute to add an extra feminine touch. Let each guest take a jar home to remember the event. FRUIT BOWL WITH A TWIST For a fresh way to show offyour citrus, place lemons in a large rustic bowl. Group 3 or 4 strands of bear grass together, and use one strand at each end to tie them as a group. Crisscross gatherings around lemons, and tuck ends to conceal knots. NAUTICAL ROMANCE Place a pillar candle in a lantern, then gently surround with sand. Embellish with a few small seashells, and complete by tying a piece of rope onto the handle. FOR…

“Make your picnics even more memorable by planning ahead.” —Phyllis Hoffman DePiano Whether you are elbow to elbow at an oldfashioned picnic table, lounging on a blanket, or in lawn chairs by the lake, there is something special about eating outdoors. A relaxing picnic is a wonderful way to celebrate the season with friends and family. No picnic is perfect (there will always be some buggy visitors!), but you can help yours go smoothly for everyone by planning and preparing ahead of time. GETTING READY Once you have determined your date and place, begin by making a list of all the nonfood items you and your guests may need. These might include paper towels, moist hand wipes, garbage bags, plates, cups, napkins, utensils for eating and serving, a knife, and a cutting board.…

To celebrate true love joined in holy matrimony— as well as a happy marriage of flavors—Camille Styles, lifestyle blogger and party planner, created a dreamy celebration for a bride-to-be. A variety of blush rosé wines and fresh artisan cheeses paired perfectly with elegant décor and a smidge of rustic appeal. Camille’s eye for design comes from four years of running her own party-planning business, as well as from a deep-seated love for event styling. She started her company in 2008 and shortly after began hosting a blog to market herself. “The blog really started to take off, and I fell in love with the fact that I could reach not only my clientele but also readers all over the world. So I decided it was something I would intentionally focus on.” From that,…