This post has been sponsored by Orkin. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting the sponsors who help to make Glitter, Inc. possible!
‘Tis the season of backyard celebrations, and that’s a very good thing, because we love to entertain. Creating outdoor parties, and bringing nature into our gatherings and styled shoots, is one of my favorite ways to bring ideas to life.
We also have a relatively small living space, so when friends come over for dinner, barbecues, play-dates, and parties, there’s not a whole lot of room indoors once the guest list starts to grow. That’s why in the summer, we love to take our entertaining outdoors.
Plus, hubby got himself a grill a few months back, and he’s just been itching to show off his skills. Lucky for us, that’s the only itching we’ll do, because one of our tried and true tricks for easy outdoor parties, is ensuring mosquitoes don’t interfere with all of our fun summer plans.
Just in time for summer, I’m sharing our 6 Tricks for Easy Outdoor Parties; a.k.a., how to have the best summer parties …
Happy gathering!
|1| Timing is everything.
To avoid melting on super hot days, plan your outdoor parties for either the morning, or early evening. The hottest part of the day is typically right in the middle of the afternoon.
|2| Think chilled.
Serve fresh fruit and cold drinks, and keep ’em coming.
|3| Fans work wonders.
If you can set up near an outlet, or use an extension cord, putting a fan or two outside goes a long way. It’s amazing what a little wind can do to combat heat. It’s the still, hot air that really feels stifling, so if you set up a fan or two, everyone is sure to feel cooler on the hottest of days.
|4| Keep the menu simple.
The beauty of a summer menu is that it can be less fuss. If you plan on grilling, let that be the star of the show. Make a cold potato salad or grill corn too. Serve easy desserts and plenty of fruit. A signature cocktail or drink is always a good idea for your outdoor parties.
|5| Kick mosquitoes to the curb.
Get your yard treated for mosquitoes because nobody likes swatting off bugs while they’re trying to enjoy themselves. It’s shaping up to be a sweltering summer, which means, mosquitos will be everywhere. We recently had our yard treated for mosquitoes by Orkin and I was amazed at the results. We spent a good two hours setting up our outdoor party and then shooting these pictures, and not a single mosquito got in my way. That’s a huge relief for us right now, especially because I’m pregnant and there have been so many concerns about Zika virus both in the news and at the hospital where my husband works. It’s an inexpensive fix, and it really will work wonders for your outdoor parties this summer. A few other simple things you can do to keep mosquitoes away: clean up and avoid standing water where mosquitoes can breed (i.e., remove standing water from gutters, buckets, toys and other containers), and change water weekly in bird baths, fountains, potted plants and any containers that hold standing water. When you plan to spend the day outside, use EPA-registered mosquito repellents. Around your home, eliminate mosquito entry points.
|6| Relax and enjoy the sunshine!
Before you know it, fall winds will be rolling in, and time outdoors will be limited. Soak it all in.
We have big plans to kick back outside, with a cool drink in hand and plenty of watermelon, while Scarlett runs back and forth through the sprinklers.
If mosquitoes are ruining your summer fun, contact the licensed pest professionals at ORKIN at 877-778-2497. Use my offer code Zero Bite (0Bite) for $50 off your first mosquito service. Offer code is good via phone only. Expires July 14th, 2017.
Click for more information on mosquitoes and how Orkin can help.
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Photo by Annie Watts Photography for Glitter, Inc.
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I love having outdoor parties! I’m going to have to look up Orkin.
xx Jennifer
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