Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining]

Are you lucky enough to be part of a tribe of friends who like to entertain? While dinner parties are truly dead in my neck of the woods (did social media completely obliterate them with intimidating images of instaperfection?), there is always a birthday, a blessing, or occasion calling for a celebration. Since I have never been the backyard bbq type, Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] is an old fashioned excuse to gather, unplug, and check in…an un-tipsy tea party is equally as welcome and effective!

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed.

This post contains affiliate links which I hope you will use since they won’t cost you a penny extra yet may earn this blog a small commission.

Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining]

Maybe these ideas for an easy to execute gathering are too old school and will remain daydreamy flutters of pink in Pinterest-land. But that would be a shame since getting together at home is not about rising to a particular level of perfection or killing yourself as the highest achieving hostess.

Cupcakes and cocktails with a few friends has nothing to do with channeling Martha and everything to do with being imperfectly present in the garden or around the kitchen island to: CONNECT, embrace, and laugh.

Here’s a wonderful book from someone who knows her way around simple beautiful entertaining at home and whom I have chatted with a few times:

Present Over Perfect book cover
Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
Pink peony napkins and tablecloth runner from Minted - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Linens: Customized runner and napkins in a blush hue, Minted.

My pink peony table runner and napkins are from Minted, but a pretty tablecloth, quilt, or linen fabric scrap can easily do the trick.

Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed.

My tea party here doesn’t even feature tea – because it was spiked pink lemonade I craved this particular day.

ImpressionsPitcher80ozS9
Impressions Pitcher, Crate & Barrel

Sweet tea, peach tea, mimosas, sangria, or whatever your poison…as long as it’s simple and served at the right temperature, you’re golden.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Appetizer Plates, Crate & Barrel.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed.

Here are more peeks at my DIY French country inspired courtyard.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio

These stackable metal chairs are perfect for entertaining inside and out. You can see one of mine on the porch below.

Upgrading the front door to a Mediterranean style rustic one with speakeasy made a significant difference.

Remember where we began out here?

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed.

The old front door had been painted a color that reminded me of a bruise. It matched the bruise-hued ceramic tile just beyond the door in the foyer. Bruised is essentially what this whole house was when we took on the project. And bruised is what we became in those months of work transforming it!

before at the fixer upper
BEFORE

I love pinks and blues in the garden, and mine is always kept extra simple because I’m a low to no landscape maintenance type.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed.

I sure hope our burning bush perks up to look like the photo below. Right now, it is struggling to bear any green at all. Let me know if you have ideas.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio

I dragged my enormous farm table out into our front courtyard, but any dining or cocktail table would do.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed. Candleholders, Amazon.

Similar goblets here, Crate & Barrel.

So my little tipsy tea party consisted of pink lemonade spiked with homemade amaretto, deliciously-doctored cupcakes, and fresh fruit with an easy peasy marshmallow dip.

LInens in pink and white from Minted - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Linens: Customized runner and napkins in a blush hue, Minted.

The pale blush of the linens feels whimsically shabby chic and in harmony with the distressed top of our old table.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed. Glasses: similar here, Crate & Barrel. Candleholders, Amazon.

This has been our kitchen table for decades, and we designed it with a local family of artisans who create furniture from reclaimed barn wood.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Glasses: similar here, Crate & Barrel.
FootedCakePlatterWDomeSHF15
Cake Pedestal, Crate & Barrel.

Every day in Illinois, another barn is being demolished, and I’m so happy the wood doesn’t have to end up in a landfill.

Our tabletop once sheltered farm animals from the elements – and now it’s a place where we can become shelter for each other.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Linens: Customized runner and napkins in a blush hue, Minted. Glasses: similar here, Crate & Barrel.

This morning, I sat in the courtyard and was amazed at the sheer volume of the birdsong! The birds totally own this grove and (lucky for us) seem not shy at all.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Plates, Crate & Barrel. Linens: Customized runner and napkins in a blush hue, Minted.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed. Glasses: similar here, Crate & Barrel. Candleholders, Amazon.

Pink Lemonade…Any hue will do, and find ideas for making it HERE. Mine is sweetly spiked with homemade almond liqueur.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Candleholders, Amazon. Vintage ironstone pitchers, Etsy.

Here’s my idea of easy entertaining: 1. Minimal effort. 2. Minimal dishes to do. 3. Saying NO to all ice sculptures and sculpting napkins into swans. 4. ONE signature drink, cocktail, or mocktail as opposed to a full bar. 5. Can happen at a moment’s notice. 6. Buffet, no fuss style so as a hostess I can be fully present and part of the fun.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Candleholders, Amazon. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed. Vintage ironstone pitchers, Etsy.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Candleholders, Amazon. Vintage ironstone pitchers, Etsy.
Personalized burlap pillow
Need to have your own ‘Bonjour’ or personalized burlap pillow? TakeFlyteFarm on Etsy

Cupcakes With Easy Peasy Cream Cheesy Frosting…Buy them from your favorite bakery or bake my doctored cake mix variety. I frost mine with homemade icing and occasionally serve them naked style, stripped of their paper wraps. (Recipe at end of post).

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Cake pedestal: vintage Made in Belgium.

These sweet little appetizer plates are perfect for entertaining, and I have been bringing them into service for many years.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Plates, Crate & Barrel.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Linens: Customized runner and napkins in a blush hue, Minted. Plates, Crate & Barrel.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Linens: Customized runner and napkins in a blush hue, Minted.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Plates, Crate & Barrel.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio

Homemade Amaretto…You can skip the amaretto in the lemonade or even substitute with plain vodka. I discovered homemade amaretto years ago, and it’s super easy. Find the recipe below.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Plates, Crate & Barrel.
Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed.

Recipes

Easy Fluffy Lovely Cupcakes

(makes 24)
1 white cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I like Mazola or Smart Balance)
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
4 egg whites

Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin tin with paper baking cups.
Blend cake mix, oil, buttermilk, and egg whites in bowl with mixer on medium speed, for 2 minutes.

Pour batter into cups and bake bake for 18-20 minutes.

Make buttercream icing while cupcakes cool.

Easy Peasy Cream Cheesy Icing: Whip together: 1/2 stick butter at room temp, 6 oz. cream cheese, 1.5 tsp. vanilla, 1 box powdered sugar, and a few Tbsp. milk or half & half.

Tint frosting if desired before frosting cupcakes. YUM.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Homemade amaretto: recipe below. Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed. Glasses: similar here, Crate & Barrel.

Easy Homemade Amaretto

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups vodka
2 Tbsp almond extract
2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine water and sugars in saucepan over med heat. Heat until mixture is boiling and all sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Stir vodka and extracts into mixture. Store in a sealed bottle.

Hello Lovely Studio. Easy Peasy Tipsy Tea Party [Extra Simple Entertaining] offers simple ideas to gather friends together in the garden at home…certainly lovely indeed. Candleholders, Amazon. Customizable burlap pillow, Etsy. Vintage ironstone pitchers, Etsy.

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

8 oz. softened cream cheese + 8 oz. marshmallow fluff = heavenly dip

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio. Candleholders, Amazon. Vintage ironstone pitchers, Etsy.

Thanks for reading, friends!

Did you catch the post with pretty summer fashion finds and plenty of sunny smiles HERE? If you are in the mood to see more of my home, go HERE.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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10 Comments

  1. May 26, 2019 / 8:45 pm

    Michele,
    I am sure your party turned out just lovely like you. Your garden setting looks so beautiful. Hope you get some rest in your busy weekend.
    Hugs,
    Bev

    • Michele
      Author
      May 27, 2019 / 10:48 am

      Thanks so much, Bev. I’m ready to rest! Happy holiday weekend to you, friend.

  2. May 28, 2019 / 12:16 am

    Love your linens, your dishes, and your courtyard.. Oh my! 😉 Pinned, and hope you will join us at Tuesday Turn About, tomorrow at 3pm PST!

    • Michele
      Author
      May 28, 2019 / 9:49 am

      Thanks so much, Julie. I’ll check it out!

  3. May 30, 2019 / 8:11 am

    Beautiful tea party. Stunning transformation from the before photo.
    Happy weekend,
    Kippi
    Ps. Please share this post on You’re The Star Blog Hop on my site kippiathome.com

    • Michele
      Author
      May 30, 2019 / 8:20 am

      Thanks so much for reading, Kippi. I tried to share it on your site, but my site is blocking me so sorry about that – I did try. 🙂 Peace to you.

  4. June 1, 2019 / 8:34 am

    What a beautiful outdoor transformation and I love your tipsy tea party ideas! Pinning! Thank you for linking up at Tuesday Turn About!

    • Michele
      Author
      June 1, 2019 / 8:23 pm

      So happy to join you and add booze to the party…ha! Hoping to regularly link up at the great party. 🙂 And what a great name you guys came up with…so thoughtful and unique!

  5. June 2, 2019 / 3:40 pm

    I love the blush colored linens, and that cupcake recipe looks so delicious! I love fluffy cupcakes! It looks like you have such a charming patio area for entertaining. Thank you for linking up at Tuesday Turn About!

    • Michele
      Author
      June 2, 2019 / 6:39 pm

      Super easy doctored cake mixes make things sooooo convenient! Thanks for reading and gathering such creative folks in blogland, friend.

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing