Patio Dining: Celebrate 2017

Happy New Year!

Celebrate 2017 with NEW challenges, friends & adventures!

Ever feel like doing something fun or dining at that hip new restaurant, but also conflicted to stay home? Summer Casual presents our NEW monthly series, Patio Dining. Journey with us as we explore the art of outdoor dining & try out new activities. Best part? It's all done within steps from your door, so you get the outdoor adventure + the comforts of home. Home sweet home, indeed. 

Let's kick off January by throwing a Celebrate 2017 Party! New Years is over, but that doesn't mean the party has to stop. Parties are a great excuse for using that patio furniture you love.

Monthly Favorite: Barcelona 

Simple, elegant & comfortable. It's perfect for lounging around & mingling. The cushions are easy to clean (no more stressing about party spills!) Plus, it has mix/match pieces that make it easy to customize into a conversation set or sectional, depending on  your party size.

Available @ Orchard Supply Hardware: Armless Chair $299.99, 
Coffee Table $159.99, Dining Coffee Table $149.99 (prices subject to change)



Party Festivities

Create your own playlist for the ultimate dance party, set up some games: Uno, Exploding Kittens, Battleship, Cards Against Humanity, etc. &, of course, make food. Lots of food. (Because what is a party without good food?)



Prosciutto, Goat Cheese&Fig Crostini from The Wholesome Dish

Savory, sweet, creamy & crunchy all in one bite. This crostini is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it's incredibly easy to make!

RECIPE: Slice up a loaf of good bread (baguette, sourdough, etc.). Spread out the bread on a baking tray & drizzle the slices with olive oil. Garnish with salt & pepper. Bake until desired golden brown. Let the crostini cool for 5 minutes. Then, spread decadent goat cheese & fig jam on it. Lastly, top the crostini with prosciutto. 



Champagne Cupcakes from Life, Love and Sugar

Everyone loves cake & champagne. Put the two together and you get a delightful dessert.

RECIPE: Line a cupcake pan and preheat the oven to 350°F. Whisk together 1 2/3 c flour, 1 c sugar, 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp baking soda. Add 3/4 c room temperature butter, 3 egg whites, 1/2 c sour cream, 1/2 cup + 2 tsp champagne, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until smooth. Pour the batter into the cupcake pan, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake 18-20 minutes. Then, allow cupcakes to cool.

Mix 1/2 c butter and 1/2 c shortening in a bowl. Then, add 4 c powdered sugar, 5 tbsp champagne and mix until smooth. Once cupcakes are cool, pipe frosting onto cupcakes.



Champagne Punch from Food Network

What better way to celebrate 2017 than with champagne? You might as well add it to the punch too. Trust me, your guests will be going back to the punch bowl for more.

RECIPE: In a big punch bowl, stir together 1 1/3 c lemon juice, 1 c sugar, 1/2 c orange liquer, 1/2 c cognac, 1/2 cup Triple Sec, 1/2 c organe juice, 2 bottles chilled dry Champagne. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Refrigerate until cold.


Go put on your party dress, gather your friends & CHEERS to 2017! Stay tuned for next time!