Tips for Throwing the Perfect Patio Party (and the 2015 Summer Playlist!)

I wrote this post as part of the Plugrá Butter Brigade. Thanks, Plugrá, for sponsoring this post and for making my favorite butter!

SUMMER: sitting, snacking, singing, sipping, swimming, sunshining! Every year I kick off summer with a balcony party and share highlights to inspire you to throw together your own outdoor shindig. And (my favorite part!) every year I compile a Willow Bird Baking Summer Playlist for you to jam to at your par-tay.

Here are this year’s tips for throwing the perfect patio party:

Start Your Summer Off With a Patio Reboot

It made me feel amazing to clean and spruce up my balcony for last year’s summer party. Mike and I used it all summer long because it was so cute! After our party we’d often eat brunch or work out there with the lanterns lit. I wanted to kick off this summer with another patio reboot in hopes that we’ll continue enjoying our outdoor space — but I didn’t want to spend a ton of money! I compromised by keeping one of my decor colors the same as last year (orange) and adding in accents of a new color (bright purple). Together, they made a rich, summery look. I spent a total of $100 at World Market and I felt like I had a whole new balcony!

Here’s last year’s look:

And here’s this year’s makeover:

this outdoor rug was only $20!

Become a Plant Person

This is a weird party tip, but PLANTS. Plants are a cheap way to make your outdoor space look lush and summery. And they STAY ALIVE after the party (provided you, like, water them or whatever.) I’m 100% terrible at gardening, but this year I found that Lowe’s has a whole line called “Plants of Steel” just for people like me. They’re rated things like “Resilient” and “Wouldn’t Die in the Apocalypse.” Okay, I made that one up. But you get the idea. The tags give you dummy-proof instructions like, “Water with 1 cup of water every 2 weeks.” I can totally do that! The plants have transformed the atmosphere of my balcony.

It’s Your Party Too: Only Make Foods You Love to Make

I told you, I’m a lazy partier. I’m not going to have fun if I’m slaving over a fussy dinner. For this party, I planned a simple menu based on the freshest summer fruit and seafood available — and none of the dishes take much effort to prepare. My first criterion when I’m hunting through recipes and adapting dishes is, “Will I be happy making this?” If not, it’s not worth it.

Jam to Willow Bird’s 2015 Summer Playlist

I’m pretty proud of this one, guys. It’s got an awesome mix of music: old and new; indie rock, country, pop, reggae, jazz, soul/funk; fast and slow; danceable and sit-and-sippable. It’s so good. And this year, I’ve compiled the songs into a YouTube playlist for easy listening!

Playlist:

1. Greek Tragedy by The Wombats 
2. Arrow by Louisa Wendorff
3. Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers
4. Video Games by Lana Del Rey
5. Sun is Shining by Bob Marley & The Wailers
6. Tiny Grain by Charlotte Almgren
7. Sound & Color by Alabama Shakes
8. Wasted by Civil Twilight
9. You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac
10. Black Wave by The Shins
11. This Life by Ryan Huston
12. Undiscovered by Laura Welsh
13. Still Luv’ Huh by Floyd the Locksmith
14. Delilah by Florence + The Machine
15. Wake Up In Paris by The Hot Sardines
16. As Long As You Follow by Fleetwood Mac
17. Time After Time by Quietdrive
18. Windows are Rolled Down (Live with the Colorado Symphony) by Amos Lee
19. Wonderwall by Ryan Adams
20. Bad Blood by Taylor Swift (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
21. Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey
22. Look What We’ve Become by Grace Potter
23. Ex’s and Oh’s by Elle King
24. Thank U by Alanis Morissette
25. Suddenly by Brenda Holloway
26. Don’t Wanna Fight by Alabama Shakes
27. Midnight City by M83
28. Hold Back the River by James Bay
29. 4 Songs & a Fight by The Sounds
30. Janina by Rosy Nolan

Hose the Party Down

It’s approximately 864 degrees outside right now and nobody wants to have a patio party in their Sunday best. Give people permission to wear cut-off shorts and bathing suits by making your party a pool party. If you don’t have a pool, please do not underestimate how much even adults appreciate sprinkler running and Slip ‘N’ Sliding along with their (wine) slushies. They even make biodegradable water balloons now. You have no excuse.

Provide Plenty of Seating

I like to create a few intimate seating areas where folks can sit and chat. Again, no need for fuss: camping chairs, picnic blankets piled with outdoor pillows, and lawn chairs work just fine. Some folks won’t mind sitting in the grass, but provide lots of options just in case.

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Get excited! In the next few posts I’ll share drop-dead simple recipes perfect for your patio party! In the meantime, tell me your favorite tips for celebrating in the summertime.

June 20, 2015 by Julie Ruble | 4 Comments