Recipes For A Chic Cookout

With the arrival of the unofficial start of Summer on Memorial Day weekend, it is time to take our dining outside. I'm hoping that Mother Nature cooperates this weekend for all of us. I understand that we all can't have Chinoiserie tents on our patios or at our beach bash. But we can add a dose of chic to whatever we do. All it takes is a little imagination and one or two extra steps. This edit features recipes and cooks tools that are casual and chic, too.  

The Perfect Patron Margarita

I always love beginning with a cocktail. Margaritas are usually a sure bet. They get the party started. Even when made outdoors, make sure your bar area is attractive and appetizing like this set up. Cheers!

Bakers Royale

Grilled Cornbread With Jalapeno Honey Butter

This looks like buttery heaven! I would have never thought to do this. The recipe begins with homemade cornbread and ends with a sweet and spicy kick.

Whole and Heavenly Oven

Lemon And Oregano Grilled Chicken

Selected because of that little grilled lemon. Have you everhad one? I have fond memories of my Dad taking the lemon slices out of his homemade barbecue sauce and grilling them just for he and I. The magic to this dish is marinating it before grilling.

Half Baked Harvest

Balsamic Strawberry Tiramisu-No Bake!

I cook with balsamic frequently. It elevates almost everything. Adding it to strawberries is something I have not tired. This recipe is light and fairly quick to assemble. Your guests will think it rather fancy pants, when it is not.

The Seaside Baker

Simple Italian Grilled Romaine Salad

Lighten up that Caesar Salad for Summer. This lettuce with its' charred edges transforms salads from sad to sizzling. 

Heartbeat Kitchen

Strawberry, Bacon and Brie Chicken Burgers

If you want to serve a burger at a chic cookout, make it unique. These are moist and delicious, but with the fraction of the fat and calories of a beef burger. How fab!

Cooking For Keeps

Rosé Slushy Recipe

If your motto this Summer is "Rosé All Day," this recipe is for you. It's strawberry season, too, so there just couldn't be a better alfresco aperitif.

Style Me Pretty

Marinated Grilled Flank Steak With Toppings

This just looks like a party waiting to happen. I had grilled Flank Steak for the first time a month ago. It was perfectly prepared by my nephew in-law. Loved it to the moon and back!

This recipe looks equally as good.

How Sweet Eats

Mini Lobster Rolls

The perfect passed appetizer for any chic cookout. This recipe is particularly unique as it has a slight Japanese flair. Also the mayo called for is Kewpie Mayo. Mr. Shop This just informed me that this brand was named the best by The New York Times. I say yes, please to this recipe!

Goop

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cooking with a Salt Plate (and More!)

I have been interested in these salt plates for a long time. Firstly, I just love how they look, but they can cook and present, too. This article gives us all the low down. Its very interesting. I think they will make an unusual host gift.

Williams-Sonoma

Marinated Mozzarella Melon Salad

This recipe is an interesting mix of sweet and savory, which is always good. Consider it your fruit salad's sophisticated sister.

How Sweet Eats

Champagne Popsicles

Dessert for grownups. Yes, please! Aren't these pretty? Champagne adds the chic to any event.

Bakers Royale

Tuna Burgers Pan Bagnat

"Here’s a play on a classic pan bagnat—a French baguette sandwich loaded with tuna, anchovies, olives and hard-boiled eggs. Serve with French fries or your favorite chips."  Oh man!

Williams Sonoma

Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro Cream and Quick Chimichurri

 Chimichurri instantly brightens every dish. This recipe is the perfect seasonal side dish for your next barbecue. I can't wait to try it.

Cooking and Beer

Sur La Table King Scallop Grilling Shells

Add a dash of seaside style to any chic cookout with these shell sets. Now on sale, along with all grilling goods at

Sur la Table

Grilled Artichokes With Polenta, Tomatoes & Pesto

Now this is an appealing dish. A great way to go Italian while cooking out.

Feasting At Home

Watermelon, Avocado, And Mint Salad With Feta Cheese

This just sounds super refreshing and so full of Summer flavors.

Fool Proof Living 

Barbecued Oysters

This recipe and these oysters will make any gathering around the grill a special occasion.

Williams Sonoma

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Gift The Grad

{ Via: Brit + Co. }

Yay and hats off to the grads! They have done the work and got the job done. The new grad in your life could not be more excited. Now is the time to offer our congratulations with something they will actually use.

HERE:  18 Inspired Ideas

Envelope Sleeve

This computer case works double-time, going from laptop holder to oversized clutch. This Nappa leather laptop sleeve fits the 13" Macbook Air. It's fabulous and comes in right under $100.

AHAlife

Perfect For Any Girl With a Macbook (like me)

Graduation Card

At the minimum, you need a card. This little shop does great work. Take a look!

Little Lovelies Studio Etsy

Perfect For: All Graduates

Stylish Leather Gifts

Long known as a "Girls Playground." Any girl worth her Instagram account will love a little brown striped gift box. In this edit you will find gifts priced from $28 - $700 ( for a fabulous piece of luggage.) 

Henri Bendel

Perfect For: Grade School, High School & College Stylish Girls 

Signed Copy of Things a Little Bird Told Me by Twitter Co-Founder Biz Stone

"Things a Little Bird Told Me" serves up a refreshing mix of advice, wisdom, and principles from one of the most successful thought leaders of our time."  The signature makes it a collectors item. 

IfOnly

Perfect For All Budding Entrepreneurs

My Cinema Lightbox

This gift allows them to use their words. Almost anyone will have  fun with this back lit box. They'll leave a message for a roomie or inspire themselves. Party perfect, too!

Uncommon Goods

Perfect For Just About Anyone

Audio Pillar

The gift of the sound of music is hard to beat. No more setting up the stereo in the dorm room. All they need is their wifi device and Stellé Audio Couture. It's the perfect union of sound and style.

AHAlife

Perfect For: College Students and Grads Living In Their First Apartment

Compact Travel Flask

A good reminder for those old enough.

Amazon

Perfect For: Grads 21+ and English Majors, who will totally get this quote.

Parachute Home Bedding Set

A good night sleep while studying is priceless. The right linens are helpful. These are unfussy with a perfect palatte of natural shades. Not only are they soft and luxurious, they do their part to protect the planet. Made of Oeko-Tex certified, meaning they’re free of synthetics and chemicals. Best yet, For every Venice Set purchased, a life-saving malaria bed net is donated through Nothing But Nets. The gift that keeps on giving!

Parachute Home

Perfect For The Grad That Will Be Living In A Dorm

Personalized Macbook Air 11" Case

For the minimalist grad. This wool and leather case keeps their precious laptop snug and secure. It's made to order by Graf and Lantz and less than $75.

Goop

Perfect For Male Grads of All Ages

Graphic Image Travel Accessories

Oh the places they will go! There's nothing wrong with looking like you deserve first class. Personalized and luxe leather travel accessories will get them there in style. Now save 20% on $100 with Free Shipping. Details at 

Horchow

Perfect For Grads On The Go!

WiseWear Socialite Smart Bangles

Form, Fashion, and function. What more could a chic coed want? Socialite is designed to keep her safe, healthy and connected to what matters most. It is a super stylish tracker and smart watch.  A sure thing kind of gift.

AHAlife

Perfect For The Stylish Coed

Sarah Chloe Ciela Bangle With Center Diamond

Jewelry always marks an occasion and makes a memory. You simply can't go wrong with a diamond and her own name or initials. She'll have this one forever.

Goop

Perfect For The Stylish Coed

The Container Store Gift Card

Gift Cards are a little more personal than cash. It is important, however, to make sure the GC is from a store that you know for sure they will find something to buy. If your grad is off to college, this is the best store ever. One could easily outfit a dorm room, minus bedding, here.

Container Store

Perfect For: Any Age Graduate

Fabric Desk Set

For the best dressed desk.  Deck out their workspace with a trio of smart and stylish accessories.

Pottery Barn Teen

Perfect for any graduate with a desk!

Stylish Subscription Box

The ultimate care package! Box of Style is an exclusive box curated by Rachel Zoe and her team featuring over $400 of seasonal fashion and beauty obsessions for only $99.99 Buy one box at a time, or a year of quarterly boxes. See what it's all about at

The Zoe Report

Perfect For All High School and College Grad Girls

Men's Emergency Kit

Stuff happens. A mature man needs to be prepared for anything, especially wardrobe mishaps before interviews. At less than $15, this is a great "add on" gift.

Burke Decor

Perfect for College Grads who might be job hunting 

Graduation Cash Envelope/Card

Aren't these fun? If you decide to give a cash gift, tuck the bill or check inside one of these. It's just so very clever. As always, presentation is key!

Etsy

Perfect For Gifting All Grads

Personalized Calling Cards

Arriving at a new college without your own tribe is a challenge. Why not have a card with an email and mobile number on it? It's a good way to be remembered. And for those college graduates, a card is almost a necessity following a job interview.  My own Shop This biz cards are from here. You can create anything you want. It's fun and ever so different.

Moo.com

Perfect For All Genders of High School and College Grads

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