10 Tips For Hosting An Outdoor Summer Gathering

Hi, One of my favourite things about the summer months is eating and socialising in the outdoors. I've helped organise a few family BBQ's in the past so I have some helpful tips to share which will hopefully help make it a great day everyone can enjoy including the hosts.

Tips For Hosting An Outdoor Summer Gathering

Dietary Requirements
Not everyone is into the carnivore side of a summer BBQ so it's good practice to have plenty of vegetarian alternative and to ask guested about any special needs they have (these could be health based or life choices but you'll make your guess feel amazing for making sure they are catered for).

Keep it comfortable
Make sure you've got plenty of seating, weather that be picnic blankets or deck chairs. Making guests feel comfortable can only be a good thing right!

Repel the bugs
I live by a river so I know how annoying bugs get. You can set up wasp catchers with old pop bottles and something sugary. In the evening burn Citronella Candles to get rid of midges and other bugs.

Prep as much as possible
Prep food and drinks as much as you can or buy pre-made so you don't spend all day cooking and you can enjoy the party too.

Don't be afraid to ask to BYOB
Organising a gathering can get costly so it's only fair for guest to bring something to contribute to the festivities. It doesn't have to be alcohol, someone could bring their famous secret recipe sauce past down through the generations.

Be weather proof
I'm writing this post in Britain and well you can't totally rule out rain so it's a good idea to have some space that is under cover. Gazebos are great and not that expensive for a standard one, if you're a bit more flush with cash you might consider a party shed (can only dream right?).

Have alcohol replacements
Some people might be driving or others just not wanting to over do it, having a choice of soft drinks or mocktails is a great way to keep everyone happy and ultimately more healthy.

Have some entertainment
In the past we've played games and always had a backing track of the radio playing quietly in the background. Keeping guests entertained means they are going to remember your gathering as great. You could invest in an outdoor board game, twisters always fun.

Parting into the night
If you plan on parting into the small hours make sure you've got plenty of lighting to keep things safe and sociable. Fairy lights make lovely mood lighting, pick up outdoor solar powered ones and you get free energy.

Have taxi numbers at the ready
Not everyone is organised or they don't know the area, having taxi numbers ready for anyone who needs a ride home will save time trying to find one online and you'll be guest free and in bed relaxing a lot quicker.

Have you hosted a summer outdoor gathering? any tips to add?

Sam

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25 Summer Goals

Hi, I believe it's now officially British summer time. This weekend it finally felt like the weather wanted to get into the summer season after as unseasonably cold week. I sat in the garden trying to get some colour into my milk bottle white skin, but with no luck as I just don't tan. I've decided that to make the most of the coming months I'd set myself some summer focused goals.

25 Summer Goals

1. Eat outdoors (Picnic/BBQ)
2. Go for a walk in the countryside
3. Go Camping
4. Read a lot
5. Blow bubbles
6. Visit a park
7. Make Ice lollies
8. Watch a Sunset
9. Buy some fresh flowers
10. Wear a flower crown
11. Visit a beer garden
12. Use my Passport
13. Make time to relax
14. Go on a boat trip
15. Make cocktails
16. Visit a beach
17. Have a day out with friends
18. Attempt a creative project
19. Make a daisy chain
20. Take more photos
21. Have a technology free day
22. Keep my blog active
23. Try a smoothie recipe
24. Eat ice cream
25. Try more meat free options

I plan on having lots of fun this summer and a much needed relaxing break from work. I'll have time to travel and do lots of reading. I wanted to add a few simple things and a few gratitude goals to prompt myself to make the most of my time and the nice weather.

Do you have any summer goals?

Sam

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6 Summer Outdoor Activities Ideas

Hi, Happy Friday! hope you've had a lovely week. Here are some ideas of ways you can make the most of whats left of summer or what little of it we are getting. I love the longer days and warmer weather that summer normally brings, getting outdoors more and enjoy all the natural Vitamin D my body has been craving. Summer for me means socializing with friends and family in outdoor activities mainly centered around good food and drink. Here are a few of my outdoor activity ideas for the remainder of the summer.

Go Camping
Everyone should spend a night sleeping under the stars. Have a mini camping break or just pitch a tent in your own garden. Eat Al Fresco and do a little star gazing.

Have a Picnic
Head to your local park, further a field or even have a picnic in the garden. Its all about the food, but don't forget to take all the provisions such as cutlery, plates and napkins which will make it a less messy event and a nice blanket to sit on. If you plan to have an alcoholic beverage with your picnic make sure you check local public alcohol laws to avoid fines and don't forget to take all rubbish away with you if bins are unavailable.

Go Berry Picking
A classic summer activity and one that I am yet to take part in. I don't think anything else could represent summer better than strawberry picking in the sunshine.

Organise a sporting activity
It could be as simple as mini goal or more extravagant like zorbing. It's more about the element of  socializing in the sun than about what group activity you pick.

BBQ/Garden Party
Again all about the food but with the comforts of home. Invite people to join you for a garden party. Don't forget to put out enough chairs for guests and make sure that you have food and drink to cater for all dietary requirements. Place lighting to keep the party going into the night and get a few bug repellent candles to keep them away.

Go to the Beach
This one requires travel unless you're lucky enough to live at the coast, but what's the summer holidays without a trip to the seaside. Build a sand castle, chase some waves, do some rock pooling, play the arcade machines, have an ice cream or indulge in some seafood.

Hope my tips/suggestions are helpful. What activities will you do doing during the summer?

Sam

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Monthly Highlights | July

Hi, another month gone. July has been fun but lacking sun badly. Camping was a much needed brake and going to the zoo was a nice relaxing day. I can't believe how fast this month has flown by and how blogging makes everything seem to past so much faster, I'm keeping track of dates more. I feel rather accomplished this month and that I have got a lot done, both on my blog and generally in life.

Goals Complete 6/10

• Play with bubbles in the Sun
• Buy an epic Ice cream
  
• Take photos for an OOTD post
• Walk the York cat trail
• Finish a book
• Have an awesome holiday
• Eat somewhere new
• Wear a floral head crown
• Treat myself to something from Lush
• Try some new hair styles

The holiday was a great chance to relax, I really needed it. The weather could have been better but it didn't spoil anything. In York I bought a space girl bath bomb (can't believe it will be my last) and did some of the York cat walk as planned while wondering around the city. While I was there I got in a lot of reading time. I not only finished one book this month but five which for me is amazing. So many stories from all different genres, all where really good I'm glad to say and I think this speed up my reading.

I got a massive Ice cream from Dixon's (A local brand), they used to only do the vanilla milk but now do a varied selection of flavor infusions. Even so I stuck to the classic with a drizzle of raspberry juice in a waffle cone, it was so yummy. I ate at a Brazilian grill restaurant where you basically get served all you can eat meat at your table. They come round with the meat on massive cooking skewers and carve the meat off to serve it. The sides of skinny fries, rice and refried beans are also super yummy.

Recap/Highlights

• Reading 5 books - I started with the #Sassybooks pick 'Only Ever Yours'  you can read my review here and the other four books reviews are here.
• York camping holiday - whats not to love about a holiday in york, read what I got up to here.
• Yorkshire Wildlife Park - a day out seeing so many super cute and generally beautiful animals, polar bears are so big. You can read about my day here.
• Lush Space Girl - Sadly discontinued so I had to pick one up before it is gone forever, I did a review to tempt you to try one before it's too late, read it here.
• Versatile Blogger Award - I got nominated two times this month, you can read some random facts about myself on the posts as well as find some really good blogs. The posts can be found here and here.

Hope you had a fantastic month and completed all your goals.
Sam

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A Catch Up | York Highlights

Hi, I've been back from my camping trip a week now. York was a nice break away from it all, I don't think I took many photo but that's nothing new for me, it's something I really need to work on. Oh well I'll just have to tell you what I did instead, which honestly wasn't all that much other than eat at a few nice places and read continuously for 4 days, bliss.

- York Minster and a map of York -

Sunday
We arrived about midday, after a short drive of about an hour, to a very busy campsite which had only been open for three days. We managed to pitch the tent in a grand total of 15 minuets which I think is a record. After that we went for a little supermarket shop for the essentials (Cider mainly) and then sat in the sun for the afternoon reading. We had some BBQ chicken skewers for tea which were super yummy. This was the night of the storm, proper fork lightening and very heavy rain, a little worrying when you're only in a tent.

Monday
With camping the sunlight wakes you up at the crack of dawn. So reading time pretty much starts then if you can't get back to sleep. Later in the day we headed to the Evil Eye bar and had a drink or two and then headed to the Sam Smith pub The Kings Arms. We opted to eat at Yo!Sushi taking advantage of the blue Monday menu. I tried the salmon and avacardo hand roll, it was so delicious. We had loads to eat and the bill came to just under £30, which for two is a bargain.

- Playing Pool and Beers at Evil Eye -

Tuesday
This was the day that it rained and rained and rained, until about four in the afternoon when we headed out to find some food. We started at the Evil Eye for a drink and then ended up at the Wetherspoons named the punch bowl, where I got the Mexican burger which was really nice. We then tracked down a little pub called the priory which had a pool table so we could have a few games before returning to the tent for the night.

- Pints at the Kings Arms and Cosmo Restaurant -

Wednesday
Another wet day, we headed to Cosmo for tea. It's an all you can eat which servers food from all over the world. You can have Pizza, Carvery, Sushi and curry all under one roof. This was a place we found on our last visit and have been really looking forward to going back. The heavens opened as we left the restaurant so we had to walk back in the very heavy rain. It's not the shortest of walks so we where quite wet but hiding under trees was fun.

Thursday
This was by far the nicest day of the week. We headed into town purely to get some stuff to have a BBQ. We opted to buy from the market as you can buy smaller amounts, we got burgers (I had lamb) and mackerel. I was really happy to have finally been able to have a proper BBQ, the appearance of the sun was also welcome to dry the tent off before our departure and it stayed really warm until late.

Friday
Home time! had a very lazy morning, breakfast and then started to pack up. Again we managed to put the tent down in record time. Packed up everything into the tiny Metro car, I still don't understand how it all fit.

I had a lovely week off and it feels super weird to be back at work but I'm sure that won't last that long. I finished two books and got more than half way through a third, so a pretty productive reading session. I have slight holiday blues now and really want to organize my next trip away for something to look forward too. If you made it this far congratulations and thanks for reading.

Do you have any travel plans?

Sam

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Month's Mini Goals | July

Hi, so we're half way through the year. My camping holiday is within touching distance, only one more day of work. The sun has come out in full force, we had the most surreal electric storm last night. No rain or thunder, just flashes of lightening everywhere you looked, it was pretty cool.

Mini goals for July

• Play with bubbles in the Sun
• Buy an epic Ice cream
• Take photos for an OOTD post
• Walk the York cat trail
• Finish a book
• Have an awesome holiday
• Eat somewhere new
• Wear a floral head crown
• Treat myself to something from Lush
•  Try some new hair styles

I just wanted to quickly explain what the cat trail is. Basically there are loads of ceramic cats dotted around the city of York, I've meant to do this walk in the past but never gotten around to it. The point of the walk is to look for the cats and in doing so you look at York from a totally different angle based on architecture. It's a nice free activity and something to do when you're bored of the shops.

Excited doesn't cover how I feel about my holiday. I might just be camping in a field but it's time to relax and take things at a much slower pace, hopefully enjoying some nice hot days of sunshine. I'm off for the week without electric so I've scheduled some posts so I don't totally disappear. I'm feeling super summery and can't wait to wear some of the clothes I can't work into my day to day lifestyle. Also the lack of styling tools will force me to be more inventive with my hair, wish me luck.

Have a lovely July!

Sam

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Primark Mini Haul | Summer Basics

Hi, I've got a selection of a few things I recently picked up from Primark to share with you. When in store I tried to pick up a range of items that worked together, I think I did quite well as all of the items featured would make a nice summer outfit.

Snake Effect Flats - £5 | Striped T-shirt - £4.00 | Shorts - £3.90 | 90's Choker - £1.50 | Sun Glasses - £2

I spotted the shoes, the shape was what caught my eye, I had to stop myself getting too excited as I never find a size 3 in Primark, but this time I was lucky and managed to grab the last pair. They are made of a matte leather effect snakeskin pattern, which looks way more expensive than they cost. They have an element of cushioning inside and look to have a reasonable amount of grip, I look forward to getting a lot of wear out of these.

The shorts where on offer from £5 to £3.90, I figured they would be good for sunning in the garden if nothing else. They are a khaki green, a colour I do not own in shorts. They are quite a short cut but I very rarely don't wear tights even during the summer.

The T-shirt is one of those ribbed tees which everyone seems to have. They are very small fitting and quite sheer so I sized up, it looks really nice and loose and just the right length to wear with high wasted jeans without been too cropped.

I always get my sunglasses from Primark as they have some pretty nice designs and I'm super clumsy. If I spent a lot of money on a pair I can bet they would be scratched, broken or lost before the summer was over. These are a great alternative and great to take to festivals.

I've wanted a 90's choker for a while but I didn't want to spend the prices Topshop is asking. Primark finally had a restock of these in the Leeds store so I finally picked one up.

 What has Primark had you spending your money on?

Sam

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Summer Reading List

Hi, with summer just around the corner I decided to put together a small list of books I would like to read over the coming months (I'm a slow reader so I doubt I'll read them all). Some of these are old books that I've seen around and not had the time to read yet or new books which I don't want to miss out on. During the summer months I can get some devoted reading time in, hopefully while sat in the summer sunshine.

One Day By David Nicholls

£2.00 - Amazon

A book that has always been quite high on my reading wishlist but I just haven't had the time. I am yet too see the film because of this as I feel it spoils the book, so once I've finished reading it I can finally watch the film adaptation. A story about two people who meet up for one day every year for 20 years.

Station Eleven By Emily St. John Mandel

£3.85 - Amazon

I was introduced to this book via a blog review. I love apocalypse stories so this is right up my street and look at the cover it's such a pretty deer image. A story about preserving what is precious once a deadly virus hits.

The Broken By Tamar Cohen

£5.24 - Amazon

I'm not really a reader of psychological stories but I figured I'd give this one a chance. It is based around the relationship of two married couples and what happens when their relationships break down.

How to Build a Girl By Caitlin Moran

£3.85 - Amazon

This book doesn't have the best reviews but I'm drawn too it regardless, who knows what's behind the cover of a book until you open it and read it. I don't like to take other peoples opinions on books too seriously. This is the story about a 14 year old girl with the intention of killing herself.

A Storm of Swords - George RR Marten
7 Book Box Set £32.50 - Amazon

The third book in the series I'm so far behind on the story and I was very late into the whole Game of Thrones thing. I only started watching the TV series after the first two series had aired and finished but I joined the masses on the release of the third series to get my weekly Game of Thrones fix and have been hooked since. As there are a few differences between the books and TV version there's no harm in reading as well as watching this epic story.

What will you be reading this summer?

Sam

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Festival Survival Kit #2 | Toiletries

Hi, Today I'm continuing with my festival survival kit focusing on toiletries. These are the items you will need to keep yourself feeling as clean as possible and feeling good. There are always showers available so the amount of toiletries you want to take is totally up to you but I'd advise as little as possible. Most Festival have a supermarket and other merchant stalls where basic items are available if you decided to stock up at the festival instead of traveling with them, but be aware that festivals have inflated prices so expect to pay more than normal.

Wet wipes are your best friend. I've never really dared to venture in the shower area so if you don't fancy that either wet wipes all the way. I needed these the most to keep clean due to the amount of mud and dust at festivals.

Suncream is very important. You might see a little or a lot of sun but there's nothing worse than a nasty sunburn to ruin the fun. Suncream is one of those items which can be heavy and bulky to carry and will most defiantly be available to purchase at the festival Supermarket, choices will be limited.

Toilet roll is also something you can buy on site but I advise you to take a few packs of tissues with you as well. After the first day you can bet there will be no loo roll anywhere, so have your own ready. Don't forget hand sanitizer.

Dry shampoo is another must, if you're not daring to use the showers, to keep your hair looking fresh. Also bring a selection of hair ties and grips to style your hair, or in my case try and tame it.

If you've got longer hair get a wide tooth comb. I got mine from the Body shop and it saved my hair. When you're not washing your hair normally it gets knotty, this comb saved me from pulling half my hair out, the key is to start at the bottom and work your way to the top layer of hair or you'll just make the knots bigger.

Just because you're not showering doesn't mean you can't smell nice, take perfume samples with you. In the past I've collected a few magazine samples and used one a day to keep myself smelling nice (who am I kidding, at least everyone smells as bad).

Painkillers and plaster for those ouch moments. Everyone over does it at a festival so having pain killers will help you get through the weekend. Also I seem to have an issue with tent pegs and accidents always happen so have some plaster on hand.

Bring a small compact mirror with you, if you don't the only time you'll see your face is in the portaloos, just saying.

Other basic items include a good deodorant, I find rollon are easier to pack. Moisturizer decanted into a small container so it's easier to pack, or buy a miniature product. Lip balm because your lips will chap due to dehydration, no one drinks enough water and on that note drink water!!. A tooth brush and paste, nothing nicer than clean teeth.

Packing Check List

• Wet Wipes
• Dry shampoo
• Moisturizer
• Suncream
• Wide tooth comb
• Tooth Brush/Paste
• Deodorant
• Lip Balm
• Perfume sample
• Painkillers
• Plasters
• Hair ties and Grips
• Small Mirror
• Hand Sanitizer
• Packs of Tissues

So here are my essentials when packing for a festival, which item could you not live without?

Sam

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