No one knows how to throw a pool party quite like our friends Jean, Stia and Katherine – the mother, daughter and daughter-in-law trio behind the Dallas-based lifestyle blog Bishop & Holland. They recently hosted a classy-but-casual poolside gathering that featured classic blue-and-white motifs (hello, Paris Bistro Chairs) with pops of yellow, and coordinating lemon-printed dinnerware to provide the perfect summer vibe.
Creating an inviting space for guests to come spend a day under the sun is the first step to throwing a party to remember. “We try to keep our outdoor space as livable and functional as our indoor space,” Jean said. “For entertaining and relaxing, we love having a living area space with a loveseat, accent chairs and ottoman, complete with an outdoor rug cozied up near our outdoor fireplace. The new addition of the dining table and chairs brought the whole space together.”
So what’s the Bishop & Holland crew’s favorite thing to serve when guests gather round? Their signature drink – a Grapefruit Rum Cocktail served over ice so that it remains cool and refreshing. “You can also never go wrong with a frozen drink,” Stia says. “Using acrylic glasses helps keep the drinks cold much longer than traditional cocktail glasses, plus they are pool friendly – no glass!” As for food, anything you can eat with your hands like finger foods and dips are perfect for a laid-back get-together. “No one wants to eat too much when it’s hot,” Stia says. “And keeping it simple is our bottom line.”
“For entertaining and relaxing, we love having a living area space with a loveseat, accent chairs and ottoman, complete with an outdoor rug cozied up near our outdoor fireplace. The new addition of the dining table and chairs brought the whole space together.”
When it comes to fun, besides having a signature cocktail on hand of course, there are three things no pool party should ever be without: plenty of extra towels (we love the ladies’ idea of keeping them handy on a stylish bar cart) and lots of pool floats and pool games. For a pool party that’s kid friendly, but still fun for the grown-ups too, the gals recommend making sure all the little ones have some kind of floatation devices. Keeping lots of games on hand is also a great idea. “We have a basketball net and a cornhole game that can be played from the pool or the patio,” Stia says. “Sometimes it’s hard to keep the grown-ups away from games!” Katherine says
No matter how you celebrate this summer, using a few of Bishop & Holland’s tips guarantees your party will make a splash. Show us your poolside pics by following us on Instagram @frontgate and using #frontgate.
Katherine, Stia and Jean launched Bishop & Holland in late 2013 to fill the creative void Katherine and Stia felt post-wedding planning. What initially started as a fashion blog evolved into a full-scale lifestyle destination that encompasses everything the ladies and their families love: travel, food, home decor, healthy living, motherhood and more. Follow them on Instagram @bishopandholland or visit their blog to see all of their latest and greatest adventures.
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