Back inMarch I was contacted on behalf of Pottery Barn with an opportunity to compete in what they call a “Mystery Box Challenge.” Even before I knew any of the details, I delightfully accepted. Let’s be real, I was ecstatic and I may have done a little happy dance or two. Check out our Welcome to Paradise featuring. . . Pottery Barn Tiki Time
Based on the name “Mystery Box Challenge,” I assumed we would get a box full of “mystery”items that we’d then have to style. To my surprise, weactuallygot to choose the majority of the items that we were given. Though I was not paid by Pottery Barn for this shoot, all of these Pottery Barn products were given to me free of charge. Hooray, I’ll take free Pottery Barn items any day of the week.
Okay, let’s talk about the challenge. . . the challenge was to come up with a signature co*cktail or two (So, I came up with three. You know me, I am an overachiever. What can I say?) and then turn any space, either indoor or outdoor, into a festive summer partyinspired by these signature co*cktails. We were encouraged to use each item that was sent to us, but we could alsoincorporate additional items already in our home, or purchase food, drinks, etc. Sounds fun, right?
Don’t get me wrong, it was a blast, but my type-A personality always likes to have a plan. So, before I selected all of my FREE Pottery Barn items, I had to come up with a concept.Some of the beautiful trends of the season from Pottery Barn’s summer line include texture rope detailing, bold and bright summer colors and patterns, and charming sea creatures. Hmm. . .what is a girl to do? After brainstorming with one of my besties, (and talented personalphotographer) Courtney Jade I decided on a Tiki Bar theme.
One of my favorite entertaining tips and where my party planning always begins is with a party concept. Always have a concept or theme in mindwhenplanning a party or get-together. It can be super simple, like selecting a color palette that you like, orelaborate, like choosing a theme, such as my Tropical Tiki Time Bar Party.Having a theme makes planning so much easier and will also give your party a cohesive feel too.
Once I had my theme, I justneeded to design and style my new bar. I saw a pin floating around on pinterest where someone used a potting bench as an outdoor bar. What a great idea, right? Though I didn’t show it for this party, there is a portion of the bench that comes apart and would make a perfect place to store ice for your guests.
The other crucial items I knew I needed to pull off this theme were tropical plants. Normally I style kids birthday parties and up until now, I hadn’t incorporateflowers into my designs. For this theme, it was really important to have a tropical feel and I knew the only way I could achieve that was with amazing floral designs. Thankfully, I met with Elaine ofBranch & Bloomand together we came upwithsome concepts. Since I am new at floral design, I let Elaine run with this and I couldn’t be more impressed with her style and designs. Don’t the flowers make you feel like you are in paradise?
And now onto the guest of honor. That’s right, the alcohol! The three signature co*cktails I selected were:
- Painkiller- This drink was trademarked by puss*r’s Rum and may just be the pain reliever you’ve been looking for. Thisinfamous1970’s classic will have you feeling better in no time. An added fun fact, Great Britain’s Royal Navy was issued a pint of this rum daily and received a double before each battle and after a victory.
- The Sneaky Tiki- With just one sip you will be transported to tropical island. The Sneaky Tiki is a strong fruity co*cktail and like it’s namesake implies, it will sneak up on you!
- White Sand Sangria- This peach mango pineapple white sangria is quite a mouthful, literally. This drink is sure to conjure up memories of warm white sand under your tan toes.
I have also included a free printable recipe card for each of these signature co*cktails so you can make your own co*cktails at home. You can download them here:
Painkiller Recipe CardSneaky Tiki Signature co*cktail Recipe CardsWhite Sand Sangria Recipe Card
Don’t want just one of these amazingly delicious drinks? Guess what? You can download all three right here:
Tiki Time Signature co*cktail Set of 3 Recipe Cards
I wanted to use a few of the Pottery Barn items in “non-traditional” ways or ways that Pottery Barn doesn’t typically use them. One of my favorite items was theGalvanizedCatch All Caddy. I thought it would be the perfect Tiki Bar Caddy Station. It holds all the necessary items to make any co*cktail pretty and tropical!
Another item I thought would be fun to put a different twist on was the medium Plymouth Lantern. Keeping with my Tiki Tropical theme, I placed some limes and a large pineapple in the lantern. Another thought was to actually carve thepineapple by lopping off the bottom, scraping out the inside, and drilling random holes throughout. If you place a batteryoperatedcandle inside, it would make a unique luminary and a perfectnighttimeaccessory.
Entertaining outdoors has enough challenges, but Pottery Barn has made it a little easier and “accident” friendly too. Not only are many of their new outdoor entertaining pieces bright and colorful, but they are also melamine constructed. So, if you happen to slip on the pool deck with a drink in your hand, not to worry. These colorful Monterrey Outdoor Drinkware Glasseswon’t break into a million pieces and ruin your party! Other pieces I’m also loving are theRope Outdoor Bowls, Cabo Melamine Condiment Set, Rope Outdoor Platter and guess what? They are also unbreakable too.
The adorable Tiki Bar pillows were another fun addition to my party! Do you rememberJackson’s bowling partythat I threw a couple of years ago? One of my favorite details were the custom printed socks. So, I had to design a few pillows to go with my Tiki theme, and Michelle ofEpoc Inkwas kind enough to print and send them to me. Thanks Michelle! I love them all!
Here are a few more photos that I had to include because they were just too pretty to leave out.
Did I mention that this is a competition and that four other bloggers also had the same challenge? Please head on over toPottery Barn’s Facebook page and if you like my design the best, please VOTE for me and tell all of your friends too! The voting period is June 19-July 2nd. The winner will be announced on July 3rd. You can vote Daily too, so grab your morning coffee and vote for me!!
*I was not paid to participate, but I did receive products on behalf of Pottery Barn.
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OTHER VENDOR CREDITS
Invitation, Party Printables, and Styling:Modern Moments Designs
Photography:Courtney Jade Photography
Florals: Branch & Bloom
Custom Pillows: Epoc Ink
Dress: Provided by Archetype Vintage
Metal Bottle Opener: Curiosities
Raw Sugar Cane Sticks, TikiStir Sticks, & Drink Umbrellas: Keg Works
Potting Bench & Tiki Glasses: Cost Plus World Market
