Summer entertaining is without doubt my favourite. Friends gathering on balmy evenings, relaxed aperitivi in the garden and easy suppers where everyone can help themselves to sharing platters. Follow my 5 easy rules to make it even more stress free.
LAY THE TABLE WELL IN ADVANCE - I'm a firm believer in early preparation as it makes for a much more relaxed evening. If we're eating indoors, I enjoy laying the table the night before or if it's an alfresco supper I'll do it first thing in the morning.
CHOOSE A MENU THAT CAN BE BE PREPARED IN ADVANCE - Rather than guests arriving and you're still slaving over a risotto, choose a menu that can be easily prepared in advance and laid up on some lovely large platters so everyone can dig in.
Summertime is a joy for this as there are so many lovely savoury tarts, salads and vegetable slaws that are super easy to pre-prepare, look impressive and are delicious. My asparagus tart has been a real hit this summer and I must say I think it looks great on my teal serving platters.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT FLOWERS - Even if it's just a relaxed garden supper, I always like to have the table looking its best to welcome my guests. My pitchers make wonderful vases for large tumbling bunches of summer blooms and look equally stunning in a hallway as guests arrive.
Of course feel free to use smaller bud vases dotted along the table if that's more your style.
ALWAYS ADD CANDLES - They create a lovely welcoming atmosphere and look so pretty as the sun sets. This summer, I've placed candles in my budvases and tied some ribbons around them for an extra flourish. And I'll often place some lemons or limes along the table too for a finishing touch.
EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD PUDDING - in the summer of course you can stick to fruit platters of glossy strawberries and cherries which everyone can help themselves to, but I always like to add an actual pudding for my guests to enjoy.Â
My mini fruit crumbles always go down well and look so pretty in my small flow bowls. People can help themselves to one (and usually come back for another).
Happy Entertaining!
This summer it's all about charm necklaces and clever Tilly Sveaas has created the most beautiful collections in silver or gold that can be customised to give your necklace special meanings with individual talismans and charms. I'm really in love with them.
Ulla Johnson has launched the most exquisite candle collection this summer in beautiful porcelain which I cannot wait to get my hands on. The scents are rose, patchouli and orange blossom and I think they will be perfect for my Ibizan home. I'll repurpose the containers as bud vases or jewellery holders when the candles are finished.
I've been living in my new DB x Wyse linen striped dress which has been brilliant in the heatwave. The flattering belt cinches you in at the waist and the pockets are a must for me. It's a summer staple I'll love forever.
These delightful Call it By Your NameBandana Shoes are a lovely twist on a summer Mary Jane. I've ended up getting them in several colours as I know I'll love them with jeans in the Autumn as well as with all my summer dresses and skirts now.
This year I'm determined to look after my blonde hair in the summer sun and have invested in Kerastase Cica Flash Blond Absolu range of shampoo and conditioner. It's so good for anyone with highlighted or balyaged hair as it keeps it really shiny and seems to help stop it fading to brassy tones. A great find.
