How to Outdoor Entertain This Summer

casual, fashion, featured, fridays with oscar, recipes, Style at a Certain Age, summer

Happy Friday, ladies! You know what that means: it's Friday with Oscar over here on the blog. With Fourth of July quickly approaching, we're talking how to outdoor entertain this Summer.

Even though temps are soaring here in Athens, I still try to spend as much time as I can outside---especially when I have guests over. Whether it's on the porch or in the yard, there's nothing more satisfying than spending a Southern evening outside with others.

So today, I thought I'd share a little inspiration on how to outdoor entertain. I'm showing you my Fourth of July Tablescape and some lawn games I've picked up to play with the family this year. And of course, I've a super-simple recipe and drink ideas that will surely please your guests.

From Oscar, Ollie, and myself, we're wishing you an absolutely beautiful weekend. Cheers!

The Summary

Today I've got a super simple casual outfit perfect for spending time outdoors

I'm sharing a recipe for chicken stuffed french bread

I've pulled together a ton of drink ideas from "patriotic water" to homemade, flavored tea

I'm showing you some new lawn games I picked up to play with my kiddos and their families this Summer

How To Outdoor Entertain This Summer

1. Chambray Popover

(J.Crew)

Today's outfit couldn't be simpler: a chambray popover (J.Crew, sold out, similar), denim shorts, and sandals. Yup, red, white, and blue.

Chambray popovers are a Summer must. They go with just about everything: skirts, shorts, pants---you name it. Make sure to check out some of my alternative stylings. I've got my eye on a new FARM Rio skirt that will absolutely pops with this top.

Denim Shorts (Evereve) | Chambray Popover (J.Crew, sold out, similar) | Sandals (Talbots)

shop more J.Crew tops

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2. Chicken Stuffed French Bread

Chicken Stuffed French Bread

Author: Beth Djalali

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

1 loaf French bread

1 pound shredded chicken (a rotisserie chicken works great)

1 1/2 cups Colby-Jack cheese, shredded

2 green onions sliced thin

1 cup celery, chopped

1 to 2 cups ranch dressing

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.

Slice the French bread in half lengthwise. Place both halves cut side up on prepared baking sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together shredded chicken, cheese, green onions, celery and ranch dressing to make mixture wet.

Spread chicken mixture evenly over one half of bread. Top with other half.

Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

3. Iced Tea & Fruit Combos

When the weather is hot it’s important to keep your guests hydrated. One drink dispenser is full of water or in this case Patriotic water - red, white, and blue! Blueberries sink to the bottom of the dispenser while the strawberries float to the top making a red, white, and blue stripe. And who doesn’t love sun tea this time of year?! I simply added peaches and rosemary for added flavor. Here are a few more ideas:

Iced Tea & Fruit Combos:

Peaches & Blueberries (with black tea)
Oranges & Mint (with oolong)
Cucumber & Mint (with green tea)
Mango & Ginger (with oolong tea)
Apple & Spearmint (with green tea)

Red, white and blue cups | 4th of July paper goods | Platter | Drink dispenser | Drink dispenser

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4. Yard Games

We're never too old to play games, especially when the kiddos (or grand kiddos) are over. I love, love, love having yard games.

All of my sons are in town and are coming over tonight. I've got bean bag toss and a battle chip golfing game we're going to try out. (Even if it is 98 degrees outside!)

Bean Bag Toss (Mark & Graham) | Battlechip Golf Game (Mark & Graham)

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Alternative Stylings

Left Board: Jungle Flow Maxi Skirt (FARM Rio, Nordstrom) | Alibi Sandals (Tuckernuck) | The Transport Tote (Madewell) Right Board: Girlfriend Denim Shorts (Talbots) | Stan Smith Sneaker (Adidas, Nordstrom) | Le Signature Mini Leather Crossbody (FRAME, Nordstrom)

How to Outdoor Entertain This Summer