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I love summer. Everything about it just makes me smile. Long days at the beach, toes in the sand, warm breezes, sunshine, melting ice cream cones, bicycles, flowers, family get togethers… and the list really goes one and on. It’s the perfect time of year for entertaining, which is just one more thing I love.

I come from a family who finds any excuse to celebrate. Fussy meals and finding the perfect accessories are in my blood.

It was about this time last year that I was prepping for another party. I had this notion that I wanted to create something special, a fancy late summer meal but I didn’t have a cause for celebration. I was feeling blue and itching to do something. But this feeling crept in long before last summer, it hit me in the dead of winter and I just held on to it. I felt that I needed to do something meaningful, somehow I wanted to make a difference. Can a person make a difference in the world by planning parties? I’ve often struggled with this thought.

It just so happened that my southern doll of a friend, Ashley (of Ashley Slater Photography), proposed that we do a southern inspired inspiration shoot. I love putting together inspiration shoots, but some part of me can’t help but feel that they’re a waste. What’s the point of putting together this gorgeous party and not inviting any guests?

An idea quickly took form. We were going to plan a party. It was going to be chocked full of editorial worthy deals and we were going to invite perfect strangers to just come and celebrate life with us. So that’s exactly what we did.

We found one perfectly lovely soul who was in need of a little extra love. Samantha of Wondrous Whimsy helped us design a beautifully calligraphic invites which were boxed up and sent out in chain letter fashion. Each person who received on would then take the lead in inviting another lovely lady until all the seats at the table were filled.

Since this was not just a styled shoot, we had a full blown menu prepared by an awesome chef (I might be just a little partial since he’s also my husband).

Southern delicacies such as pickled shrimp, pimento cheese and toast points, chilled green tomato soup, roasted redskin potato salad, corn bread and grilled salmon were all served.

Upon arrival, each lovely lady was allowed to choose a party dress – on loan from the night from Kirribilla. Once dressed, in true Southern style the girls were welcomed with sweet tea or pineapple gin punch – both delicious options. And then on to the feast!

And what dinner party would be complete without a little dessert?! These pies from Ed Dunneback and Girl’s Farm were some of the best I’ve ever had (and did you know that they will make an awesome dessert display for your wedding, eek!!)