The calendar says the official day of summer is still weeks away, but Texas has different ideas. We’ve been in the 80s and 90s for the last month (with the occasional 50-degree day, because #Texas), which means dinner has moved outside!
Our backyard renovation is finally complete, and now it’s time for the good stuff…decorating! I’m excited to share the space with you as it comes together, and today is all about dining al fresco!
Like our indoor serving pieces, I prefer to keep the core of our outdoor entertaining pieces neutral so they layer in with any theme and color palette. The woven placemats, trays, and caddies not only coordinate with all our dinnerware, but add great texture to any table setting.
But when it comes to dinner and drinkware, I’m all for color! Can you believe these plates are melamine? They look like super expensive terra-cotta plates from Italy, when in fact they’re unbreakable plastic for a great price! (Use code SHOP for 20% off at Macy’s!)
Dinner Plate | Patterned Salad Plate | Napkin | Woven Placemat | Blue Tumbler | Chip & Dip Bowl
Woven Caddy | Similar Gold Flatware | Dinner Plate | Patterned Salad Plate | Napkin | Woven Placemat | Blue Tumbler
Woven Caddy | Similar Gold Flatware
We often use indoor pieces for outdoor dining, but I’m a stickler about no glass by the pool, so plastic tumblers and pitchers are a must. I love the deep blue of these, and you can’t beat $10 for a set of 4!
Similar Woven Round Tray | One-Piece Swim | Crochet Cover-Up | Plastic Pitcher | Blue Tumbler
This succulent planter is gorgeous, too, right?! Surprise, it’s artificial!!! Macy’s also has a huge assortment of faux succulents, botanicals, and large plants. Find them all here.
Faux Succulent Pot | Dinner Plate | Patterned Salad Plate | Napkin | Woven Placemat | Blue Tumbler
This crochet trim swim cover has already been to Mexico and the Bahamas, and I know it will be my go-to this summer at home. So easy to throw on over my suit while grilling or eating, plus it’s lightweight and dries quickly.
Woven Round Tray | Divider Tray | Crochet Cover-Up | Plastic Pitcher | Blue Tumbler
Woven Round Tray | Divider Tray | Plastic Pitcher | Blue Tumbler
One-Piece Swimsuit | Crochet Cover-Up | Similar Table | Similar Chairs
I’m so excited for the season ahead, and all the fun we’ll have outside! Now that I’ve got the table set, I need your ideas for easy Summer dinners! We grill a lot of burgers, steaks, and hot dogs, but what are your fave side dishes and desserts for hot Summer nights? What about any special drinks? We’re hosting the graduate’s party out here in a few weeks and I need all the food ideas!
Stay tuned for more peeks of our new outdoor Dining and Living space as it comes together in the coming weeks! And don’t forget you can shop 1000s of items at Macy’s for 20% off today with code SHOP.
[Shop Our Outdoor Dining]
*Photos by the darling and talented Audrie Dollins. This post created in collaboration with Macy’s and ShopStyle, but all product selections, styling, and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors.*
WOW!!!!! The space looks AMAZING! I’ll be over this weekend. Don’t worry, I’ll bring queso and guac.
I recently found this super yummy macaroni salad recipe from Sugar Spun Run….https://sugarspunrun.com/macaroni-salad/
I don’t like sweet pickles so substitute dill pickles/juice.
Blessings,
Lynette
Oh my gosh, thank you so much!!! I love all those ingredients!
I wish that I could have an eating space that nice. Living in the country, there is way too much dust and dirt!!
This recipe always gets rave reviews. Trust, the recipe may seem odd but it tastes AMAZING!
https://theskinnyishdish.com/creamy-summer-sweet-corn-pasta-salad/
Love this, thank you!!!
Love the post and the pieces, but was bummed to see that much of it was already out of stock 🙁
I’m so bummed about that, too!! It was all available with I scheduled the post last night…but the sale and prices are so good, I can see why. Fingers crossed for a restock!
All this is so lovely! Keep checking back for restocks, ladies. It will happen.
I just try to squeeze as much as I can onto the grill. Brats, Salmon, Chicken, vegetables, baked beans all marinated. Nice & smokey. Everyone take what they want.
These recipes above look good! I would say a fruit pie or two, s’mores for the kids (like me!), ice cream cookie sandwiches, big bowl of fruit. Turn up the music!
Ah so jealous of your weather. Here in Canada’s capital, it’s been unseasonably cold (April ended up being more like March and May is basically April). Here it’s winter in the early morning, spring around 10 am, summer like weather in the afternoon and fall temperatures when the sun goes down #Ottawa ;p However we are slowly starting to see some really nice afternoons and BBQing more and more. I won’t be much help recipe wise as I would love to get all fancy and do a tone of different recipes but…….the spousal unit is very picky and our oldest boy is just like his father (and unfortunately, the youngest who was more adventurous is now going through a phase of “if dad/older brother doesn’t like it, it’s gross”). So we rotate between burgers, tacos, ribs, chicken or ham casserole, burgers, tacos, ribs…….you get the gist of it. And every time I’m feeling inspired and suggesting steak, corn on the cobb, brochettes (kebabs?), roasted asparagus, halloumi cheese on roasted red peppers, anything colourful and different, I get the stink eye and a resounding “urgh”. And then, the most fascinating of all, when I get fed up and make my own dinner letting them eat their usual stuff……the spousal unit eyes my meal and asks me why I didn’t suggest this to him as he would have certainly agreed to this delicious looking meal (I swear that man will drive me crazy). And I would love nothing more than to eat outside all the time when its nice but we currently have no outdoor furniture at home (having brought it all at the trailer) and when we do it at the trailer, our oldest will often ask to eat inside because, “bugs” (shaking head). I’m telling you, it’s the worst when you’re a foodie and 2 out of 4 members of the family only eat to survive without getting pleasure out of it and the last one, who would be interested, is just following the other 2.
Thank you so much for the great tips!!
Hi Cassie,
On one of your stories from last week, you showed your outdoor dining space. I wondered what materials were used on the roof over your dining space?
Hi Debbie! The roof is cedar, and the covering is a polycarbonate material that keeps it weather proof!
Thanks for responding
And an amazing dessert since you asked for those as well 🙂
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/magnolia-lemon-pie/
Add the zest of 3 lemons (minced).
I made this for Mother’s Day and we’ve had it several times since…SO SO good!