OUTDOOR HOSTING | WESTGATE LIFESTYLE

The weatherman and MetService remain my friends. We’re marching along to the start of another month and the weather continues to (generally) delight. The daylight saving switch is still weeks away, so my theory is to keep on rocking out the backyard entertainment fun. Our children may be back at school, and summer holidays are over for most working folk, but it’s still perfect barbecue weather and I, for one, am making the most of it. And so, this blog has a focus on hosting, looking at items that may elevate your backyard as an entertainment venue; and checking out product handy for food presentation, such as cheese knives and salad bowls, for example.

If your outdoor entertaining space needs a little lift, pops of colour could be the answer, and so I have selected a wonderfully cheerful umbrella, and an example of the many bright cushions available at various stores. Don’t forget that lighting adds magic and extends the life of your party. There’s no shortage of shops at Westgate Lifestyle to assist with your lighting needs and to offer you candle choices too. The options I found, and deemed suitable, are fairy lights and solar-powered beauties.

When it comes to serving food there are, of course, all sorts of crockery and glassware options to choose from – the glasses I have featured appealed as the words “cocktails at home” are included in the product description. That sounded a tad irresistible. I eyed up plenty of other things too like a kitchen trolley, tablecloths and table mats, tea lights, cocktail shakers, cheeseboards, wine decanters, coffee machines, outdoor furniture and throws. Tossing some of the latter on the back of outdoor chairs is a good idea for this time of the year when evening temperatures drop. Make the most of these end of summer opportunities. Happy hosting!

1.Juusto cheese knives 4 piece, $17.30, from Freedom Furniture |2. Hibiscus cushion, $20, from The Importer |3. Mono salad set – grey – 3pc, $49.99, from NOOD |4. Oriental 2.7m outdoor umbrella – red – peros, $249, from Harvey Norman |5. Royal Leerdam cocktails at home Mai Tai 490ml set 4, $24.99, from Briscoes |6. Royal Doulton Cassie Throw, $50.00, from Briscoes |7. LED fairy light 10m 100LT IP20 copper, $31.90, from Lighting Direct |8. Suva 5 piece outdoor bar setting, $1,799, from Harvey Norman |9. Kamaria dinner set 12 piece stone blue, $143.20, from Freedom Furniture |10. Beam outdoor light – solar powered, $346.00, from ifurniture.

Note: Prices mentioned, and availability of products featured are subject to change. If you love the look, we recommend you head in store to find out more.