Life is precious but your “things” don’t have to be. Open up the china cabinet and your entertaining closet. Because TacoNGanas is a special occasion – especially when plated on your favorite historic Italian porcelain. Add a Jenga set or dice to turn the evening into a playful gathering. Fresh flowers and real glassware are proven to keep mosquitoes at bay and beat the Memphis heat.
Did you iron the tablecloth you last used at Easter? Forget it. This table is dressed with a quilt from your Grandmother’s collection for a meal that is truly family style. The quilts don’t wrinkle and you could set a sea of tables in your yard displaying their beautiful artistry. An ensemble of inherited china mixes with the newly acquired, as this table is all about the mix. Quilted chargers, a variety of collected napkins from the antique mall and block printed wine bags from Avenue Wrapping dress the table. Grocery store chicken from everyone’s favorite, Superlo Foods, makes the ideal Summer supper.
The days are longer, inviting more time outdoors to enjoy the extended daylight and slow evenings. While the handstand competition with neighborhood kids takes place, set a relaxed dinner buffet poolside. Think fresh salads from Rocket Greens, colorful fruit platters, and chilled Hop Water—a non-alcoholic sparkling water from Wiseacre that’s reminiscent of a cold one. As the summer light filters through the trees, bring out candles and votives. It makes the lazy summer nights special in the neighborhood, especially when you walk home barefoot looking for lightning bugs. Your guests will say “That was lovely” and be grateful that a pool dip counts as a bath.
You’ve given up on rolling your own sushi, and that’s perfectly fine—just call Sakura for the best takeout. A visit to Kokoro, the new Japanese houseware and gift shop, offers everything you need for a fun tablescape. Authentic Japanese porcelain with playful scenes, sushi mats repurposed as chargers and dressed-up soy sauce containers elevate your table. Origami paper invites everyone to join in a quick activity while catching up. A simple ikebana arrangement adds a fresh, Zen touch.