This past weekend the Barque team said “aloha” (goodbye) to summer AND “aloha” (hello) to a great fall ahead! It was the second annual End of Summer Party for us, and it really was a lot of fun. For me, it’s a wonderful way to connect with my team on a social level, and it’s also the perfect opportunity to incorporate products that we sell in a “real life” setting so my gals can see how people use our stuff outside of the store.
A colorful chalkboard sign on the front door was a great way to welcome the girls – and check out the FAB lettering skills of our very own @kelseylainee (go find her out on Instagram now)!
Once they walked through the door, the girls were greeted by our store mannequin, Manny, dressed in a sarong and coconut bra with plastic leis. Quite festive.
This casual soiree incorporated a lot of color, from the DIY Tassel Garland to the painted pineapples… and everything in between…
Including a little island flair on the bar cart… (key limes, a painted pineapple, tropical postcards, tiny drink umbrellas and more plastic leis)
Of course I had custom beverage napkins made, and I decided to spruce up some gold striped paper straws with cupcake liners to make them look more floral – aren’t they fun? The used this tutorial.
The idea of adding edible flowers to the drink bucket was an inspiration from Pinterest – it added great color and made it more festive!
Now isn’t that the prettiest drink you’ve ever seen?
As a centerpiece for the table, I used a combination of painted pineapples, fresh palm leaves from my local florist, coconut bowls with greenery, plastic leis and drink umbrellas.
We were lucky enough to have Kelsey also hand paint our place cards too – aren’t they perfect? LOVING the hombre effect, and it was fun that everyone’s name was different!
For the meal – which might be my favorite part of the entire evening – I created a menu using recipes out of cookbooks that we carry in the store. It gives all of us the chance to try something new, and it gives my team the opportunity to experience some of the selections we offer our customers – even if they don’t cook much themselves! This year’s selections came from four books – Lighten Up Ya’ll, Southern Cooking Family Style, Up South, and Boozy Shakes…
Menu cards were made using the same pineapple icon as the beverage napkins, because making coordinating party elements is what we DO!
TO START
watermelon bites + lime salt*
grilled shrimp skewers
SOUPS + SALAD
peach + tomato gazpacho ( for the record, this was my favorite dish, but it wasn’t a crowd favorite)
kale + dandelion + orange salad
MAIN
bbq pulled pork tacos + cilantro cabbage slaw* (using Kelle B BBQ Sauce, recipe coming soon)
DESSERT
key lime pie boozy milkshakes*
*these were the crowd faves!
For party favors, I had custom koozies and gift tags made. Paired with some personalized folded notes and fruity candy, they made a pretty nice and colorful take away.
All in all, it was a great time, and it only makes me excited about the year we have ahead with this team. ALOHA to a great year ahead, ladies!
#teambarque
{if you want to check out my inspiration for the party, take a look at this Pinterest Board for more ideas}
