Dinner in the Garden

One of my all-time favorite parts of spring and summer is getting to eat outdoors. There is something so ethereal and magical about taking to the outdoors to relax and nourish ourselves. I love getting to relish in the last few hours of sunshine while the birds chirp and the warm breeze glides through the trees. It’s quite literally a dream in my eyes.

This springtime and summer ritual is something that I hold close to my heart. My grandparents always used to have long, leisurely breakfasts out on their patio during the summers and magical candle-lit dinners that would go deep into the summer evenings. I always look back fondly on these memories–as they taught me the beauty of outdoor entertaining.

Now, I try to recreate those lovely scenes in my own life. Granted, I don’t live in a private home with my own backyard–but our apartment back patio does just perfectly for now. Because it’s a super simple outdoor area, I always dress it up with little special elements that make me feel more “at home”. Here is my go-to list for creating the perfect outdoor dinner scene!

Tablecloth (usually always vintage-inspired!) I love a good Kantha tablecloth
Candles
Little vases with flowers or fresh greenery
Placemats
Linen napkins (trust me, these make everything so much more elevated)
Fun glassware that makes a statement
Wine pitcher or carafe
Ice bucket
Pillows for a little extra comfort
Blankets (in case a chilly breeze blows through)
Vintage breadboards (for cheese and crackers, etc)