Summer Entertaining with MacKenzie-Childs

Happy Humpday! How’s your week going? I can’t believe that it’s Wednesday already! Today I’m sharing our new found Sunday tradition with you guys that’s great for families with a new baby. Since Lawson was born, we definitely don’t get out and about as much as we used to (which is probably a good thing, ha!). We spend many many more days at home and thus cook and eat a lot of our meals at home, too. I’m not going to lie, the slower pace was one of the hardest things for me to acclimate to, along with planning for and preparing more food at home. I wanted to make things more fun for us all, so we came up with a little Sunday night Summer tradition of having a “picnic” on our back patio.

My Dress | Dan’s Shirt (similar)

To make it fun for Landry, we went to Hobby Lobby and grabbed this red check fabric to make it look like a real picnic set up and we collectively decide what we are going to have for dinner that Sunday. I usually place a Shipt order around 10am that day with everything that we are going to need and have it delivered that afternoon. If you are wondering what Shipt is, I talked all about it in THIS Instagram.

This particular Sunday we decided on a charcuterie platter with lots of yummy cheese, crackers and finger foods, along with a fresh watermelon. Landry calls this dinner “cheese and crackers” and thinks that it’s a total treat to have. Dan and I happily oblige and promptly pour a glass of wine to enjoy with it.

Berries and Blossoms Buffet Plates (set of 4) | Courtly Check Serving Tray 

Courtly Check Vase 

I’m just recently starting to collect some pieces from MacKenzie-Childs and they are so perfect to use for our little dinners al fresco. I’ve always loved MacKenzie-Childs and can remember walking through Neiman Marcus in my early 20’s dreaming of having a table set all in her gorgeous Courtly Check dinner wear. This year, I decided to slowly start adding some really functional pieces to my collection that serve as decor in our kitchen and can also be pulled together to set a beautiful table when we are entertaining.

Tie Back Maxi Dress

Shop lots of beautiful maxi dresses HERE.

What I love about the pieces that I’m starting with is that they are enamel, so I can make the investment without worrying about one of the kiddos (or myself, let’s be honest) breaking them right away. I chose to start with the Courtly Check pattern because it’s an awesome base layer to build on top of. I also love it because the black and white check goes perfectly in our kitchen and I use pieces like the enamel tray to decorate with and add a punch of pattern in our kitchen when it’s not in use.

The buffet plates here are actually melamine and are so durable and even dishwasher safe! They are great for our little picnics and even great for our everyday use. I love the Berries and Blossoms pattern and love how it builds perfectly upon the Courtly Check pieces that we already have. Truly, that’s what I’m having the most fun with is mixing and matching and coming up with some combinations that are fun for everyday or when we are entertaining friends!

Since she’s been here so much and has been eyeing my pieces, my mom has fallen in love with the brand too and keeps threatening to steal my Flower Market vase that sits on our breakfast table. Don’t tell her, but I’m thinking that some pieces from the Flower Market or the Morning Glory collections would make perfect housewarming gifts when they get settled in their farmhouse (wink wink).

Landry’s Dress 

On the opposite side of our deck sits Landry’s little playhouse so while we enjoy a slow dinner, she plays or swings on the backyard tree swing. We are all coming to love the slower pace that little Lawson has brought to our family and really look forward to our Sunday nights now. This past Sunday we did pizzas on the grill, which was so much fun too! As a child, every Sunday we went to my grandparents house for a big Sunday dinner, so I love that we are starting our own little Sunday tradition as a family.

Prosciutto Wrapped Honey Wheat Pretzels | Summer Sausage | Herbed Goat Cheese Medallions | Manchego Slices | Almonds | Cashews | Salami | Assorted Crackers

I try to avoid cow’s milk cheeses, so here’s an alternative charcuterie plate for those avoiding true dairy. These are all sheep’s milk cheeses, which taste just as wonderful (if not better). If you are entertaining and one of your guests is dairy free, this is a great option!

I love throwing on simple gold jewelry in the Summer like this cuff! Shop all of my favorite gold pieces HERE.

Thank you so much for taking part in our little Sunday tradition! I’d love to hear more about the traditions that you started with your little ones. They may feel so small now, but I know that these are the things that kids remember forever. 

Thank you also to MacKenzie-Childs for sponsoring this post. I truly love their products and would use them in my home regardless. All photos, opinions and content are my own. Thank you for supporting brands who support Style Your Senses.