Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard {Simple Summer Entertaining}
June 22, 2017
Come enjoy cupcakes and cocktails in my courtyard!
So very flattered bloggers Mary Ann (Classic Casual Home)
and Cindy (Rough Luxe Lifestyle) invited me
to contribute simple summer entertaining
to their Project Design series!
It gave me an excuse to show you peeks
of our courtyard and share
a so-easy-it's-totes-embarrassing
summer entertaining idea:
CUPCAKES and COCKTAILS.
What assures the simple combo will succeed?
Pretty accents and a relaxed host.
Minted kindly invited us to choose custom
linens, and if you haven't visited Minted's
Home section lately...ooh la la, you'll fall for
the myriad of custom options!
I chose the courtyard for the setting,
but your kitchen or patio works equally well!
The courtyard here at the fixer upper has
come a long way and was a relatively
easy DIY involving mostly subtraction.
Out went everything but one
Burning Bush, and in came the pea gravel.
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| I have had the ornate mirror forever, and that mirror at right was salvaged from a bath here at the fixer. |
When we bought the place...
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| BEFORE: weeds of glory, grass, and a mauve door. |
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| AFTER: a few boxwood, a few pots, knotty alder door, and garage sale finds. |
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| We replaced the eroded caps on the rock walls and used concrete pavers with pea gravel...still need a pretty gate! |
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| It is peaceful and hushed here because of dense woods and an ultra quiet street. |
in a blush hue from Minted, I put into play my
tried and true, go-to, super easy girly get together.
Why this plan keeps working?
Because cupcakes. And cocktails.
Minimal effort.
(No silverware required, no need to sculpt
the napkins into swans, and just
ONE signature cocktail, not a full bar.)
Can happen at a moment's notice.
When guests feel as though they haven't
put you out, they relax more.
Easy as 1-2-3.
I'm not kidding.
My entertaining plan is THAT easy.
You can certainly kick it up a notch though,
and I often do.
1.
Cupcakes
Buy them from a fabulous bakery or bake em.
I like doctoring a cake mix, icing them
with homemade buttercream, and serving
them nude...the cupcakes, that is,
stripped of their paper wraps.
(Recipe at end of post).
2.
Lemonade
Any hue will do.
I like mine pretty in pink and sweetly spiked.
3.
Amaretto or Vodka
This is to tipsify (a craptastic word I made up) the lemonade,
and I make homemade Amaretto, which
is THE easiest boozy DIY, yet impresses the
pants off guests and just tastes better
since it is created with pure love.
(Recipe at end of post.)
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| Polkadot Peonies Napkins & Runner (Minted) |
Aren't these pretty linens feminine and romantic!?!
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| Cupcakes and Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Polkadot Peonies Runner & Napkins (Minted)< ---affiliate link |
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| Polkadot Peonies Runner & Napkins (Minted))< ---affiliate link |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
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| Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard |
It began to storm within minutes of trying
to shoot this so here are a few shots
inside (if you live in the Midwest,
you feel my pain)!
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| Polkadot Peonies Runner & Napkins (Minted))< ---affiliate link |
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
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| Polkadot Peonies Runner & Napkins (Minted))< ---affiliate link |
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
Do we need more simple ideas?
Oui! Oui, we do!
Visit all of these beautiful blogs for
Oui! Oui, we do!
Visit all of these beautiful blogs for
simple summer entertaining ideas!
* * * * *
Cupcakes
(makes 24)
1 white cake mix
1/2 cup oil
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
4 egg whites
Set oven to 350. Line muffin tin with paper baking cups.
Beat cake mix, oil, buttermilk, and egg whites in bowl
with mixer on med for 2 minutes.
Pour batter into cups.
Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes.
Cool completely.
Make buttercream icing while they cool.
(Whip together: 1 stick butter at room temp, 1.5 tsp. vanilla,
1 box powdered sugar, and a few Tbsp. milk)
Tint frosting if desired then ice cupcakes.
YUM.
Homemade Amaretto
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups vodka
2 Tbsp almond extract
2 tsp vanilla extract
Combine water and sugars in saucepan over med heat.
Heat until mixture is boiling and all sugar is dissolved.
Remove pan from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
Stir vodka and extracts into mixture.
Store in a sealed bottle.
Please leave a comment...I respond to every single one
because I love getting acquainted!
Peace to you right where you are
Follow me on Pinterest.
Follow me on Instagram.
Like me on Facebook.
Thanks Minted for partnering with me...your linens are
so lovely and continue to inspire me.
46 comments
I am coming over!! Love the simple menu (if only I didn't have to bake the cupcakes!), the gorgeous napkins and the ambience is to die for. Thank you Michele so much for participating. This is fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteSkip the baking for sure! Please come on over and re-style my house while you're at it, design maven! xox
DeleteOh Michele you make everything you touch so lovely and soft and inviting. Your touches are always evident and they always say softly that you did it with love and purpose. Those napkins are beyond perfect for you and your home, the perfect touch. I like your easy way of entertaining!! Just might have to copy you!!!
ReplyDeletemerci beaucoup, kathysue! copy away! let them eat cake and cocktails in your beautiful backyard--it'll be gorgeous. I have done so many versions of this combo over the years: the French edition, the Hawaii edition, the all white edition...
DeleteThis is the perfect watt to entertain, I love both cupcakes and cocktails! Beautiful!
ReplyDeletesooooo easy. thanks for stopping, beautiful blogger! even the men (who look stunning in blush pink if you ask me) can't resist cupcakes!
DeleteI feel like I just had a little trip to Provence... it's all so gorgeous!!! You are so right about being a relaxed hostess!! Beautiful job...thanks for joining us! Now I have to do some Pinning!
ReplyDeleteso honored to be included in your Project Design group, Mary Ann. Thanks so much for adding this peasant. wish you could join me in the courtyard for a cocktail! xox
Deletethanks for stopping, janet! I love your blog and admire your style soooooo much. I'm honored to have you here. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a similar mirror in my garden.......BUT it is GOLD!I love it!
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds simple and divine!SORRY about THAT WEATHER..................it has been STRANGE this YEAR!A lovely post designed around SOME LOVELY NAPKINS!!!!!!
I bet it's gorgeous. this one was not pretty when I found it, and I can't even remember the finish it was before I painted it a soft grey (it looks white in photos, but my furniture is also grey). thanks for visiting, beautiful blogger--I love having you here! xox
DeleteTHANK YOU!
DeleteCOME VISIT CINDY AND I TODAY or TOMORROW!!!!!!!!WE are featuring some FABULOUS LADIES!!!ONE IS 76 years old!!!!!!XX
Michele, what a lovely party idea and thanks for the recipes! Your courtyard is so pretty and the perfect place for a party!
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting, pam! I love hanging out in this courtyard in the summer! :)
DeleteBeautiful and sweet and relaxing! Love it ! Happy Friday ❤️
ReplyDeleteI do like my sweets, sweets! xox
DeleteSo much fun! Love the decor...and the cupcakes, of course!
ReplyDeletethanks for joining us in the courtyard, Christine! :)
DeleteHow absolutely lovely, Michele! The cupcakes look yummy, the drinks divine and the courtyard inviting. What else could a guest ask for? Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen"Our Hopeful Home
ReplyDeletethanks for those kind words! so happy to join your fete! :)
DeleteJust beautiful! Thank you for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteMerci! Always happy to party with you talented bloggers! ;)
DeleteSuch a simple but fun idea. Cupcakes are everyone's friend, right!? When throwing a quick get together, I'm opting for buying them!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely--buy em! But only if the icing is real buttercream!
DeleteWhat an amazing area for entertaining! You've given me the kick I need to redo my porch.
ReplyDeletethanks for the kind words, Bailey!
DeleteMichele,
ReplyDeleteI was traveling in Italy when we all went live, so am terribly behind in commenting. I LOVE that we were both thinking cupcakes and cocktails!!!! Your courtyard is so beautiful...what an incredible welcome to your home. Of course, I love your tips and the pretty, feminine colors of everything. I had no idea you could create homemade amaretto...adding that to my summer cocktail repretoire!!!!
Enjoy the long holiday weekend!!
xoxo Elizabeth
I hope you had the time of your life, Elizabeth! Thanks for the kind words, and yes, so fun that we both instantly thought cupcakes and cocktails! Looking forward to catching up on your blog and hearing about your travels! xox
DeleteEverything looks so lovely! Love your plan and your menu. And yes, I'm all for tipsify-ing :)
ReplyDeleteMerci for the kindness, Jolina!
DeleteYour place is lovely. I love the idea of cupcakes and cocktails together. So fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! killer combo! :)
DeleteGirl you had me at cupcakes, then I read "tipsify" and I was sold! i love this setting too, it looks easy to pull off and very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJust try to say TIPSIFY without smiling! ha! thanks, Meg.
DeleteThat looks so cozy. :-) Sometimes it's the small things that pull it all together.
ReplyDeleteI do love the small things! :)
DeleteWhat an elegant table setting, love it!
ReplyDeletethanks so much for stopping by the courtyard! :)
DeleteThis looks like a great way to entertain, thank you for all of the tips and tricks!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Sarah. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteWhat a beautiful table set up! Cupcakes are one of my favorite treats when entertaining because of how much you can do with them -- stealing this for my next party!
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks for the kind words, Kalyn!
DeleteThis is such a great combination! I love simple entertaining. This is the perfect summer combo.
ReplyDeletesimple is best! thanks so much for stopping by the courtyard, Bailey.
Delete1. Your courtyard is GORGEOUS! I love how big and airy it looks stripped of all the bushes.
ReplyDelete2. Minted is just the best. I love their products.
3. This is such a cute idea! The lemonade looks so yummy in those glasses, and you better believe I'm going to try that homemade amaretto recipe soon! Thanks for the entertaining tips1
ha! try it! thanks for the kind words, Beth. xox
DeleteYour comments add to the beauty...thanks in advance for your kindness.