Still Indoor Activities vs Sparkling Outdoor Soirees (And a Sweepstakes!)




This post is brought to you by the new Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator. Still or sparkling? Now get both straight from your refrigerator door! Store up to 31 bags of groceries with 31 cu. ft. capacity and keep fruits and vegetable fresher longer with Twin Cooling Plus®.
Click here to learn more about the Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator.

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Blueberry-Strawberry Jicama Salsa // Brass Tic Tac Toe Game // Moon Dominoes // Melted Chocolate Fleur de Sel Bruschetta // Ceramic Speakers // Foosball // BLT Pizza with Grilled Corn + Crumbled Feta // 4 Ingredient Strawberry Lemonade // Backgammon & Checkers Box Set // Handmade Ceramic Growler

Sometimes a good old fashioned game night is just what the doctor ordered. It’s the perfect still activity for every age, and it’s also one of the easiest to pull together at a moment’s notice. Grab a few games out of your closet and ask guests to bring along their favorites from home. The games I chose above have simple designs that are super appealing to the eye even when not in use, and the growler and speaker follow suit with their clean lines. Whip up a few easy things to nosh while playing – simple flavor combinations that are equal parts childhood and summer. Then put together a playlist full of warm weather classics to set the mood for fun, and you’re all set!

 

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Porcelain Ice Cream Pint Holder // Walnut Serving Trays and Platters // Matte Ceramic Cups // Geo Bowls // Ice Cream Cake Ball Bombes // Brown Sugar Bacon Ice Cream Sandwiches // Gold Dipped Porcelain Spoon Set // Black and White Peanut Bar Ice Cream Cake // Sorbet Watermelon Wedges

Nothing says summer like an ice cream social! Kick up this low-key activity a notch by showcasing ice cream outside of the carton in mouthwatering cakes, sandwiches, etc. Display your cool creations on pretty platters like these walnut pieces and set out your toppings in fun containers. Use eye-catching dinnerware and utensils to serve guests, then grab a seat on the couch and dive into all of that juicy neighborhood gossip as you relax the night away.

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Playa Throw // Italian Cherry Doughnuts // Peak Decorative Pillow // Chipotle Popcorn Chicken // Linen Handtack Cushions // DIY Outdoor Bar Cart // Watermelon-Fontina Melts with Dill // Lavender + Cucumber Soda // Safari Chair

A backyard movie night is pretty much the be-all-end-all of sparkling outdoor summer entertaining – can you say Hollywood?! Hang a white sheet on the fence and load up your backyard with lots of blankets and pillows to settle down and cozy up on. An upgraded “concession stand” full of sweet and savory bite-sized finger foods will be sure to make it a delicious evening to remember. Adding an outdoor bar cart to the mix makes guests feel welcome to help themselves and frees up some time for you to enjoy the film yourself.

 

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Peach Cornbread Cake // Goat Cheese and Heirloom Tomato Tart // Glitz Lunch Plates // Overseas Connection Market Basket // Rustic Linen Blanket // Grilled Zucchini Ribbon and Kale Salad // BROMMO Chaise Lounge // Lock Bottle Opener // White Peach Maple Soda

There’s something to be said about taking advantage of the afternoon. Voyaging to a park or hidden spot for a fancy picnic can feel like a mini getaway if you do it right. Prep the food you’ll be taking along that morning, dishes that can be put on ice and eaten cold or at room temperature are best. Grab a pretty basket, a luxe blanket, and a few chairs if you want to go all out! Splurge even further by packing real dishes and classes instead of paper and plastic. A tip for the wise: a few beers or a bottle of bubbly could be the icing on the cake for your sparkling picnic soiree!

Summer was made for entertaining, wouldn’t you agree? Here’s where the fun comes in for you – do you prefer a “sparkling” over the top event or a low-key “still” activity? Submit an Instagram photo showing us and tag it with either #SamsungStill or #SamsungSparkling to let us know your style and be entered to win a new Samsung 4-door Sparkling Water Refrigerator! See complete rules here.



Click here to learn more about the Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator.

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Long exposure photos of fireflies in a forest.
02/ Easy Fried S’mores. MY HEART.
03/ Every neighborhood needs a Free Little Library, don’t you think?
04/ Decor tracks a city of bread as it deteriorates over a 6-month period.
05/ What your style of eggs says about you.
06/ Feet & Paws, a photo series of dog’s paws next to their owner’s feet!
07/ Realistic hybrid animals. (I’ll take a dorse, or is it a huck??)
08/ Best. Lemonade. Stand. Ever.
09/ Meet Projecto, a tiny projector for your Instagrams.
10/ Happy Donut Day! Now go make this Donut Garland and eat a dozen.

In case you missed it…
Dear Kate: The Starlet (a Giveaway)
Pencil Me In
S.W. Basics
Rachel Gant
On The Hunt
PGH / Digs
Summer Mix-Up Bowl
The Pantone Project
Taste Tour: Vast

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Happy Weekend

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01/ The Clip Bag.
02/ Disney’s Sloth Princesses.
03/ You’re Officially Awesome!
04/ The power of reading. Literally.
05/ I never thought I wanted a swimming pool. Until now.
06/ Petheadz – an Instagram series of pets and their owners.
07/ The most minimalist playing cards ever.
08/ Leather suitcase furniture, yup it’s a thing.
09/ Punk Kitty Graffiti – amazing.
10/ Red SOLO cups go fancy!

Miss anything on Design Crush this week?
Gem Scarves
The Animal Alphabet in Primitive Portraits
InstaApril
Modern Sprout Hydroponic Planter
Color with Confidence: Pantone + Valspar + Lowe’s
Brevity Signature Necklace
What Will You Make Today?
Quilt Collection
I Heart NYC

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An Easter Lunch

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THE APPS
Grilled Corn Crema Mexicana Cilantro Crostini – Epicurious
Raspberry Canapes with Basil and Balsamic Vinegar – Cook the Story
Salt + Vinegar Sweet Potato Chips – Undressed Skeleton

 

THE COCKTAILS
Sgroppino – Saveur
Pear Rum Blush – Eat Boutique
Meyer Lemon Sour – Honestly YUM

 

THE TABLE
Tinted Base Tumbler Set – Anthropologie
DIY Ombre Napkins – Once Wed
Vermelho Dinnerware – Anthropologie
DIY Washi Tablecloth – Style Unveiled
DIY Tissue Decal Candles – A Subtle Revelry
DIY Bird Nests – Home Made Simple
Tulips – Blossom Boutique Flowers
Bitty Black Bunny Treat Bags – Mer Mag
DIY Origami Bunnies – How About Orange

 

THE MEAL
Kale and Fig Salad – Pure and Simple
Risoni Tomato and Bean Salad – At Down Under
Roasted Polenta-Crusted Potatoes – Simple Bites
Zucchini Ribbon Salad – Proud Italian Cook
Wild Rice Mushroom Pilaf – Real Simple
Broiled Spicy Brown Sugar Salmon – How Sweet It Is

 

THE KID DESSERTS
Speckled Egg Cake Bites – The Cake Girls
Easter Bunny Sugar Cookies – Indulgy
Speckled Egg Cake – The Cake Blog

 

THE ADULT DESSERTS
Vanilla Rum Custard – Saveur
Brown Sugar Banana Parfaits – Bon Appetit
Raspberry, Pistachio + Rose Cake – The Wild Flour Bakery

 

All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Giant ocean waves made of wood and glass.
02/ I’m not much for the nail art craze, but love these watercolor nails.
03/ Matchstickmen – giant matchsticks with human heads.
04/ Check out Stick-lets then go build a fort!
05/ Overcast – an animated short about a guy followed around by a rain cloud.
06/ Pantone Pairings, a series of typically paired foods as Pantone swatches.
07/ Banknote portraits!
08/ This giant mirrored canopy – the Port Vieux Pavilion – is beautiful.
09/ A series of photos of a photographer’s girlfriend leading him around the world by the hand.
10/ Love these CMYK playing cards!

 

This week you might’ve missed…
We Hope You Like This Song
Win It: Artifact Uprising
Minimal Acrylic Jewelry
Home State Address Stamps
Animals Loose in NYC
West African Peanut Soup
The Daily Dish
Old English Company

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You Should Totally: Get a Bar Cart + Make a Grapefruit Gin Sour

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A bar cart is something that I’ve wanted for a really long time. I’ve always had dreams of playing the hostess, guests walking in my front door and me smoothly offering them a signature drink. The Leon Iron and Mirror Bar Cart from Arteriors Home is a nice match for the mid-century decor I already have in my home. It’s also nice and narrow, really good for small spaces. And do you spy those antiqued mirror shelves? So good mixed with the industrial iron frame.

 

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So, what goes into putting together a great bar cart? Start with the basic liquors – vodka, whisky, rum, gin – as well as any you use regularly. For me those are tequila, Pimm’s, amaretto, and Cointreau. The middle shelf of this particular bar cart is extra tall and nice for bottles of unusual sizes. But since I don’t have any of those at the moment I had a piece of lumber cut to size, then stained and sealed it to make extra space for the hammered metal bowl I use for an ice bowl by laying it across the end bars. Now it’s easy to leverage the extra vertical space and easy to remove when needed!

 

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Next comes the essential pieces of barware. Most importantly a cocktail shaker, jigger, and some varied glassware. The types I use most are tumblers, collins glasses, and shot glasses. Again, it’s all about making the pieces you find yourself using most easy to access. I also like to keep some disposable coasters around for when there are more than four people and my every day ones are maxed out.

Now yes, I’m aware that not everyone drinks alcohol which is why I also like to add some sparkling waters to the mix. Add a few slices of citrus and it still feels special. Fun accessories like these short stubby paper straws and the (hidden) colored glass stirrers are also great to keep on hand.

 

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You all know there’s absolutely no way I could talk all about bar carts and not give you a new cocktail to try! We’re heading into the last month of super cold weather, which means beating the winter blues and taking full advantage of the bounty of citrus are both of the utmost importance. This Grapefruit Gin Sour takes both things into account, which means you should make room in your weekend to try it out firsthand.

 

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Grapefruit Gin Sour
serves 1

• 1 oz gin
• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice (or go the easy route with bottled ruby red)
• .5 oz fresh lime juice
• .5 oz simple syrup

Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice, then add the rest of the ingredients. Shake away for about 30 seconds, then strain into glass. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lime and enjoy! Sour, sweet, and full of vitamins which means it’s basically a health drink.

 

Disclaimer: My Leon Iron and Mirror Bar Cart from Arteriors Home was provided by Euro Style Lighting. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Design Crush going!

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It’s Time to Party: Awards Season

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It’s here! Awards Season is once again upon us – did you catch the Grammys last Sunday? So many wardrobe hits/misses and unexpected wins and losses that it’s a shame to watch alone, don’t you think? Well, I do. So I’ve put together a little inspiration for my ideal Awards Season party including decor, appetizers, desserts, and cocktails. My goal was to create a bit of an old Hollywood-meets-cozy winter wonderland feel with a twist.

 

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THE LOOK
DIY Mercury Glass Votive Holders – A Beautiful Mess
Brushstroke Dinnerware – Diane Von Furstenberg
Silvery Chevron Tray – BHLDN
Lockport Portable Fireplace – Holly & Martin
Eclectic Candles – Tom Dixon
Lighted Birch Forest – Terrain

THE APPS
Easy Salt & Vinegar Veggie Chips – eBakerie
Ricotta with Lemon, Basil + Honey Bruschetta – Martha Stewart
Fries with Lemon + Rosemary Salt – Alexandra Cooks
Crab Spring Rolls – Cajunlicious
Kale + Artichoke Dip – Spoon Fork Bacon
Garlic + Herb Stuffed Brussels Sprouts

THE SWEETS
Clementine Cake – A Tasty Love Story
Coffee Meringues – My Kitchen Affair
Chocolate Orange Bark – Cake Merchant

THE LIBATIONS
Baileys Over Ice
Baileys and Coffee
Baileys Hazelnut Martini

 

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Sponsored by Baileys Original. Join @BaileysOriginal on Twitter to celebrate #girlsnight and the women of the Red Carpet.

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