Party Like a Sailor! Kind of...

Let's remember that summer is NOT over and there is still plenty of time for your favorite summer activities! Today North Shore Prep is guest blogging for me. Enjoy!

Hey there! I’m so happy to be guest blogging at Nautical by Nature. I’m relatively new to the blogging scene, so check me out at my blog, North Shore Prep. Here on the North Shore, boating and yachting are huge (we’re right on Lake Michigan, for the love!). And while my family doesn’t own a boat, many of my good friends do, and I’m proud to say I loved staying on their boats. And while I may not have a boat of my own, I sure know how to party like I’m on one!

As always, the first thing that needs to be considered when throwing any party is your guest list. Once that’s been taken care of, it’s location, location, location. I am such a sucker for a good backyard or patio party, bonus points if your place backs up to a lake :)

Plenty of seating is crucial to a good patio party--no one wants their legs getting too tired. I love these rockers from Grandin Road, they have a very beachy and summery feel to them.

I think that these rockers would look great with these Blue Knot Pillows from Home by the Seashore. The rope detailing is oh-so-nautical, and the navy would really pop against the white chairs.

As far as food goes, I am a firm believer in standing by your seafood. One of my favorite dishes for a summer party is Frogmore Stew. A good family friend introduced us to this recipe many years ago, and it’s been a hit at every summer party I’ve attended. It’s super easy to make and can be scaled up or down, depending on how many you plan on having. But remember, no forks! This is finger food at its finest, so make sure you have some great napkins.

And Frogmore Stew goes great with an Arnold Palmer (1 part iced tea, 1 part lemonade, served over ice), and if you wanted something with more of a kick, well, I can’t legally tell you how to do that...But these people can.

As darkness falls, light up the night with a bonfire or a fire in a firepit. Keeps you warm, keeps the bugs away, and hey, s’mores aren’t too bad either!

XO, North Shore Prep