As a Marshalls partner, I frequently visit my local store to create content for their channels and scope out the best #MarshallsSurprise finds to share with you! A recent shopping trip inspired an alfresco dinner that I hope to make a weekly tradition at our home.
When we made the decision to purchase a house with a pool last fall, we immediately started thinking about the many poolside happy hours and barbecues we would be hosting for our friends and family. Living in South Florida means year-round pool weather, so I had no doubt there would be countless weekends spent soaking up the sun while floating around on my inflatable Swan. Fast forward five-ish months and I’ve been in our pool a whopping one time. (I know! I know.) I have been so focused on decorating the inside of our home that I completely ignored the outside. Until now.
It started when I came across the cutest black and white striped melamine plates (by Cynthia Rowley, $3.99 each,) on my weekly Marshalls run. My patio is accented with black and white striped pillows, so there was no question that the plates were going home with me. I’ve never been a fan of plastic plates but melamine is both scratch and shatterproof, making these perfect for outdoor use. The following week I found the cutest flamingo print napkins of-all-time by Kate Spade tucked under a pile of placemats. At that moment, I realized two things: flamingo print napkins are a must-have, and I immediately needed to host a dinner so that I could use them!
Dinner Menu
Potato Rolls
Grapefruit Rosemary Spritzer
Grapefruit & Pomegranate Salad
Fresh Florida Stone Crabs
Potato Salad
Key Lime Pie
A warm breezy evening on the patio is the perfect place to enjoy something savory and refreshing, so I decided to surprise Eric with a midweek date night featuring his favorite meal – stone crab and key lime pie. It also happens to be one of my favorites and, best of all, requires no cooking! To round out the meal I tossed together a quick green salad with the leftover fruit from our grapefruit spritzers (see both recipes below,) and served fresh rolls and potato salad as a side dish.
Dressing the table was the most work – and most fun – of the whole dinner. The simplest way to add a glam touch to a casual meal is by layering plates and linens. I brought my table to life by mixing a pink floral placemat with the striped melamine plates and flamingo napkins.
Rather than simply placing the dessert on a plate, I used a leather tray (another Marshalls find,) accented with a candle and fresh fruit to feature the key lime pie on a ceramic stand. A table is never complete without fresh flowers, (more is more!) so I used peach roses and white hydrangeas to set the scene for our first romantic alfresco meal.
Marshalls Finds: Cynthia Rowley Melamine Plates, $3.99 each; Kate Spade Flamingo Napkins, 4 for $12.99; Shatterproof Wine Glasses, $2 each; Pink Candle Holder $9.99; Leather Tray, $14.99.
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Grapefruit Rosemary Spritzer
Ingredients
½ cup grapefruit juice4-6 tbsp. rosemary syrup
Crushed ice
Sparkling water
Rosemary Syrup
¼ cup honey¼ cup sugar
½ cup water
1 sprig of rosemary, chopped
- To make the syrup, combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil on medium high heat. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and pass through a sieve to remove the rosemary. Cover and let cool completely.
- For the spritzer, pour ¼ cup grapefruit juice in each glass. Add 2-3 tbsp. of rosemary syrup to each glass. Fill the glasses with crushed ice and then top with sparkling water. Garnish with rosemary and grapefruit slices if desired.
- Optionally, add a shot of vodka, gin or tequila to the drink for a refreshing citrusy cocktail!
Grapefruit & Pomegranate Salad
Ingredients
1 bag baby kale mix1 medium grapefruit
1 cup pomegranate arils
1 hass avocado
Extra virgin olive oil, salt & pepper
- Slice grapefruit and avocado into thin slices.
- Toss kale mix, grapefruit, and avocado together and top with pomegranate arils.
- Drizzle with olive oil, and add salt and pepper to taste.
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