Clockwise from top left: Boatman Geller Personalized Bright Floral Notepads and Foldover Notecards, Countess Wallpaper in Mustard and Plum/Charcoal, Jennifer Paganelli Buck Island Teal Blue Embroidered Pillow, Tall Three Drawer Chest in White Floral, Pink Antique Rose Tea Pot

Flowers are popping up everywhere this summer! And with all the cute home decor and dinnerware we’re seeing, we’re sure the trend will keep growing and growing! This summer we’re loving florals in a few different ways – graphic and striking, fun and bright, as well as lovely and traditional. Shop our fun florals category to make your home garden grow!

Clockwise from top left: Red Phi Coral Hook Pillow, DwellStudio Pebble Blue Double Bulb Vase, Ella Moss Button Boatneck Top, Oly Studio Serena One Tier Chandelier, Gorjana Gold Anchor Bracelet, Boatman Geller Red & Teal Personalized Kate Ice Bucket and Lucite Tray

Headed to the beach this weekend? Staying home? Either way, we’ve got you covered! From monogrammed ice buckets and serving trays (great hostess gifts!) to the perfect oceanic pillow – make sure your summer kick off is not only fun, but stylish too!

Clockwise from top left: Arteriors Paulette Aqua Glass Table Lamp, Bungalow 5 Callista Gold Mirror, Trina Turk Fabric by the Yard in Aqua Soleil LA Print, Wangright Cocktail Table in Yellow Lacquer

Clockwise from top left: Trina Turk Embroidered Blue Spectacles Pillow, Trina Turk Embroidered Green Spectacles Pillow, Trina Turk Vivacious Pink Embroidered Linen Pillow, Oly Studio Diego Round Side Table, Jonathan Adler Herringbone Rug in Turquoise, Oly Studio Abe Lounge Chair in Persimmon Leather

Take the “Always look on the bright side of life” motto to heart and bring some bold, brilliant colors to your interiors. Summer is the perfect time to work this look, bringing in pops of bright aqua, blue and green with citrusy yellows, lime and orange. We’re loving these zesty hues uses as accents against lacquer white furniture with touches of sparkling gold. Go for a strong statement with a rug, lamp or accent table in a vivid and unexpected color, or just dip your toes into the summer brights trend by accessorizing with colorful pillows and accessories. Be daring, be adventurous – it’s summer! Shop our summer brights

Images by Inga Finch Photography, courtesy of Brandi Brown.

Images by Inga Finch Photography, courtesy of Brandi Brown.

Images by Inga Finch Photography, courtesy of Brandi Brown.

Images by Inga Finch Photography, courtesy of Brandi Brown.

Summer grants most of us the longest days of the year. I find the extra hours of daylight and warmth perfect for lazy afternoons or late evenings spent outdoors with family and friends. It’s Kate Landers again, here to share a few tips for outdoor summer entertaining with style and ease.

• Take Advantage Of The Fruits Of The Season. I absolutely adore serving fresh fruit during the summer, purchased from local farmers markets and produce stands when possible to support my community. While I enjoy serving mini fruit pies throughout the summer (topped with homemade ice cream of course), many guests prefer to enjoy the fruit as a dessert on its own. Therefore I recommend setting out a food-safe bucket or bushel full of ready-to-eat berries, peaches, cherries or your favorite fruit in addition to the sweets you bake them in, for all guests to enjoy!
• Bring What’s Indoors Outside During Summer Months. It’s becoming more common to bring weather-proof pieces of furniture (such as an armoire or hutch) to a protected area outside to provide a stylish and practical surface to serve guests. Where you use it for a serve-yourself beverage station or to set up a casual breakfast buffet stocked with pastries and jam, you will likely wonder how you went all these years not using it for your outdoor soirees.
• Create A Casual Atmosphere With Your Tableware. Set the mood for a comfortable and relaxed outdoor celebration using casual tableware, such as mason jars for beverage glasses. These work great for ice cold drinks, and double as lightening bug catchers for the kids!
• Use Products From Nature For Tables and Seating. Bales of Hay can be used as both a table and seating for children and adults for your backyard bash. Cover with a seasonal fabric to create a theme for a BBQ or afternoon picnic.
• Keep Supplies Handy. I like to stock a bucket filled with sunscreen, wide-brimmed straw hats, bugspray, flashlights, a few decks of playing cards, hand-held fans, beach towels and blankets to provide guests protection and comfort.

Keep outdoor entertaining relaxed and simple. Enjoy yourself. Remember, nature has an incredible calming effect to help melt away those hostess-nerves–so enjoy every moment you can outdoors!

Although a recipe for hot dogs may seem a bit unnecessary?Ķ this dish deserves to be passed on to chefs with hard-to-please audiences and/or family members with simple palates in dire need of a tune up. Festive enough for end of summer bbq?Äôs and hearty enough for fall.

• 1 pack of grass fed, all beef, antibiotic ?Äìfree hot dogs (you will find these to be surprisingly low in fat and FULL of flavor)
• 1 pack of whole wheat hot dog buns
• 1 can of organic black beans
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil or grape seed oil
• 4 or 5 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 jar of roasted red peppers, drained, and sliced into ¬º inch sections lengthwise
• Low fat mayo to taste

Grill hot dogs on bbq and toast buns if you please. Heat the black beans in a small pot on medium heat (do not drain) until warm all the way through. Sautee the red onion in the olive or grape seed oil until soft, translucent, and browned a bit (about 15 minutes). Assemble the hot dog with desired amount of each topping. Voila! Quick, easy, filling and festive.