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How to Throw a Stress-Free End of Summer Party

Sep 3, 2015 ·

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There is something simply magical about the season that is summer.  It whispers of faraway places, shorter workdays, and carefree moments spent under a hot summer sun.  It delivers the most bountiful harvest full of produce in every shape and color and calls for brisk glasses of rosé to close out these longest of days. We await its arrival with baited breath, so it seems a Labor Day prerequisite to bid her adieu with a party as laid back as the season itself.  No plans for the weekend yet?  Not to worry!  You can throw together this soiree in no time flat!  Here's how...

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1.Keep the set-up simple.  An eclectic mix of blankets and pillows set the tone for this laid-back shindig.  We used this low table from The Land of Nod as a buffet and an oversized West Elm wood tray for guests to rest their glasses on.

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2. Let someone else do the cooking... and we're not talking about your friends!  We ordered some of our seasonal favorites from Thyme Cafe and Market and had them delivered an hour before guests arrived.  Our menu included kale and brussel sprout salad, sesame snap peas, tomato galettes, turkey and brie sandwiches, a variety of protein (steak, salmon, and grilled chicken, oh my!), the best pesto pasta you have ever tasted, and avocado corn relish so good you'll never want it to end!

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No party no matter the season would be complete with out a cheese platter and Thyme put together one for the books-- that manchego was amazing!

Summer

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3. Mix and match plates with ease.  I like using a variety of appetizer plates over matching dinner plates.  You don't have to stress whether you have enough of a matching set and you can add to your collection one beautiful plate at a time.  Appetizer plates are also  the perfect portion size and guests are free to go back time and time again if they wish!

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Even the younger crowd was a fan of this kale salad and these turkey and brie sandwiches were such a hit!  I'm still dreaming of them!

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all food provided by Thyme Cafe and Market

copper hurricanes via Anthropologie

photography by Amanda Gallant

« Parker's New Reading Nook
What To Listen To Now // September »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eden Passante says

    August 09, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    So happy I came across this before the summer is over! Definitely going to use some of these tips!

    • Jen Pinkston says

      August 26, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Thanks, Miss Eden!

  2. Maire Byrne says

    September 03, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    This looks amazing!!! That little baby eating the Kale is too much! Thank you for the great story and making our food look so pretty!!

    • Jen Pinkston says

      September 03, 2015 at 12:27 pm

      Maire, it was our pleasure! We can't wait to stop back in for more of your delicious food! It was amazing!

  3. Chel says

    September 03, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Love love love it...pure cuteness xx

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