Patio Party Style

If you follow my on instagram. you may have noticed I have a thing for patio parties.  I didn't realize how much I love and talk about them until I was listening to Dottie go through the American Girl catalogue.  There was a vignette of two dolls having a tea party - Dottie exclaimed, PATIO PARTY!!


bhwhahahahhahaha.  We are classy like that.

Here is my patio party must haves...  I would love to hear if you have some that I have left out.

First things first:

Gin and Ginger ale has been deemed the official Ventage drink of 2013 but I truly love the gin in all forms - tonics, Tom Collins, with 7-up.  Whatever.  I am in love with Citadelle gin this summer and even convinced my neighborhood liquor store to carry it (yay!). 

Once the beverages are established you will need some music.  Nothing fancy, just a laid back, happy sound.  I am loving Pandora Country BBQ, Florida Georgia Line, sometimes some Country Outlaws, the Beach Boys (classic Patio Party music) and Motown.  My husband prefers Bon Jovi.  

You cannot be in a hurry for a patio party.  There is no schedule, no cake to be cut, just hangout with your best buds.  Here are some of my favorite patio party shots from last weekend:  

Note - I do not have a glamourous or pinterest worthy backyard.  I have a plan patio, no pool other than the $15 one I purchased at walmart, a swingset and decent grass to play on.  No fanciness required.

Food - optional but easy snacks that can sit on a table are best.  Chips and salsa, veggies and dip, watermelon slices, fruit icees are some of your best bets.  No ten ingredient recipes - pick something easy and enjoy the summer sun.