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

Shop the outfit

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

Shop the outfit

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)

Shop the outfit

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)

In Case You Missed It

Yesterday, I showed you my favorite shoes for Summer. Click the title or image below to read the article.

25 of Summer's Hottest Shoes

Hello! Today we are taking a stroll through the Georgia State Botanical Gardens. It’s a beautiful spot here in Athens, and the weather is perfect for an afternoon walk through the flowers and trees. A walk outdoors means I'm going with a relaxed put-together look today.

The Summary

Today's featured item is a pair of boyfriend chinos from J.Crew for a relaxed put-together look

The pants are modeled, and Kelly pulled together 2 alternates

The outfit is shoppable via a text or image widget

Each alternate is shoppable via a text widget

Relaxed Put-Together Look

1. Boyfriend Chino Pants

(J.Crew)

As the temperatures begin to heat up, my jeans start to find their way to the back of my closet, while lightweight chinos and linen pants move to the front. Today’s post focuses on the Boyfriend-fit Chino Pant; a new chino fit from J.Crew. These pants have a lower rise and an overall looser fit for cool comfort.

The waistline of the Boyfriend Chino Pant hits just at the hip, so it’s a refreshing change from the high-waisted pants that have ruled for the past couple years. Slouchy, with a relaxed fit; the light cotton chino fabric is soft yet these pants hold their shape well and still look fresh after hours of walking around in the heat. I am wearing The Boyfriend Chino Pant in a Petite 25.

Shop more J.Crew pants

Shop the outfit

2. Denim Chambray Shirt

(J.Crew)

On warmer days, I love to use a chambray button up as a second layer instead of a light jacket or sweater. A chambray shirt will go with all kinds of outfits and they’re lighter to carry around than a denim jacket.

Shop more J.Crew tops

Shop the outfit

3. Cotton Tank Top

(J.Crew)

Today’s outfit is all about comfortable, casual style. This simple cotton tank from J.Crew is sold as a cropped tank top. I wanted to avoid too much of a “crop top” look, so I sized up one size from my usual regular size xs, to a small. The length hits right at my hip, so no crop happening, but it does it at just the right spot so I don’t need to tuck it in.

Shop more J.Crew tops

Shop the outfit

4. Top Handle Tote Bag

(J.McLaughlin)

This Fiona Top Handle Tote Bag from J.Mclaughlin is great to carry along for a shopping trip, or a walk around the Georgia State Botanical Gardens. The shoulder/crossbody strap makes it easy to go hands free. And the bag is roomy enough to carry my essentials, along with my denim shirt when it got too hot to wear it.

I love the bamboo top handle on this bag and I also love the camera strap-style removable strap. Camera-strap straps are definitely on-trend this year; I see so many bags with removable straps in fun patterns and colors that contrast with the bag itself. It’s a fun way to add a color contrasting color pop, or to color coordinate with an outfit.

Shop more J.McLaughlin bags

Shop the outfit

5. Boardwalk Fisherman Slide Sandal

(Madewell)

Fisherman sandals are everywhere this summer. Madewell has several cute versions. This Boardwalk version is a flat slide with a padded sole, which makes them super comfortable and easy to wear all day long.

I am wearing the English Saddle color, which Madewell does a lot of – so they coordinate really well with their bags and belts. The sandal also comes in Ashen Sand and Black. I am tempted to buy the other two colors! They are really cute, versatile, comfortable sandals that will get a lot of wear this summer.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, see you again next week!

Shop more Madewell shoes

Shop the outfit

Alternative Stylings

Left Board: Striped Mock Neck Shell (Ann Taylor) | Ciao Bella Soludos | Modern Straw Tote (Banana Republic) Right Board: Classic Fit Ruffle Sleeve Shirt (J.Crew) | Lace Up Gold Gladiator Sandals (J.Crew) | Denim Tote (Nordstrom)

In Case You Missed It

Yesterday, we featured a collection of great Mother's Day gifts for the cook in your life. Click the title or image below to read the article.

The Perfect Mother's Day Gift

Happy Wednesday, ladies! I've received a lot of requests over the past few months for a post on graphic tees. Well, here it is: my 2022 Spring best graphic tees edition.

You can't get much more fun and expressive than graphic tees. From bands to animals to words and phrases, there are just about as many graphic tees as there are personality types. More, even.

I've done two things today: First, I've gone through the archives and pulled 5 old outfits featuring a graphic tee. I've used those outfits as a model to pull together outfits with currently available items.

Second, I"m trying something: for each outfit, I've put together a budget alternative of similars.

Finally, at the very end of the post, I've rounded up my 10 favorite graphic tees this Spring presented in no particular order. So, make sure to check them out!

The Summary

Today's featured item is the graphic tee, styled 5 ways

The outfits I've modeled are all old, but I've put together similars for each

For each outfit, I've put together budget alternatives, a new feature we're trying out

My top 10 graphic tees for Spring 2022 are at the end of the post, so don't miss them!

The 2022 Spring Best Graphic Tees Edition

1. With a denim shirt

One of the easiest ways to wear a graphic tee is by pairing it with a denim/chambray jacket. Any wash will work with just about any, if not every graphic tee. Give it a try.