The color scheme of any party should coincide with the invitation. For a Summer solstice dinner, choose colors that are bright and fresh, like sunny yellow and herb green.
If you don't have an outdoor table, move one outside to your patio or deck. Cover with a tablecloth, or if the table is wood, a pretty runner. Green patterned plates draw the focus to the table.
Place simple flatware on folded yellow napkins. Hang lights or lanterns from the trees and arrange yellow flowers in clear vases. Green votives cast a welcoming glow on the evening. Write the guest's name on a piece of cardstock, punch a hole in the cardstock, slide on a piece of ribbon, and tie to the back of each chair.
Besides icy-cold beer and white wine at all of my dinner parties, I like to offer guests one refreshingly potent cocktail. Serving guests a drink right after they've walked through the door gives them something to do, puts them at ease, and sets the party mood. For a solstice dinner, select a cocktail that is quintessentially Summer. Made with chunks of ripe watermelon, fresh lime juice, and white rum, this watermelon cooler is thirst-quenchingly perfect.
To check out the recipe, read more
After serving the Italian style meal at your summer solstice dinner, wait at least a half an hour before offering guests dessert. Set up a decadent dessert buffet with fresh berries and store bought sorbet. Supplement the menu with one show stopping, homemade dessert. A cold, creamy chocolate silk pie is rich and delicious. The pie has to be made in advance making it an ideal finish to a party. To check out the recipe, which I found on MyRecipes.com, read more
Fresh Italian flavors inspire my Summer solstice dinner party menu. To maximize time spent with guests, all of the food can be made in advance or cooked outdoors on the grill. A buffet of salumi, flatbreads, olives, and store bought spreads will await my guests.
When sliced into triangles grilled mozzarella panini are delightful appetizers. Chicken cooked under a brick is crispy yet succulent. Classic panzanella and balsamic potato salad are delicious served on the side. If these recipes sound tasty, get them now when you read more
The longest day of the year, June 21, is this Saturday. To celebrate the official arrival of Summer, I'm hosting a Summer-themed dinner party. All this week, I'll provide the details to my outdoor extravaganza, so take my ideas and make them your own. Start by sending invitations. To see how I made these fun, lantern-inspired invites, read more
Yoga, for a lot of us, is practiced for its serene and calming effects. But how would you feel about practicing yoga smack dab in the center of NYC?
NYTimes reported that over 800 people attended the most recent "Mind Over Madness Yoga” event in Manhattan on June 21st. In celebration of summer solstice, this unique (and free) yoga class allowed you to experience Times Square, and yoga for that matter, like never before. Me, I usually like to keep my upward and downward dogs confined to the space of a studio, but hey, I'll try anything once. Keep an eye out for it next year on TimesSquareNYC.com and if you want to attend, be sure to sign up early. If you're in the area, there's still time to check out "Dancing at the Crossroads," which is a free performance on June 24, 2007 featuring local, international and student dance companies performing right where the folks were doing yoga a few days ago.
Ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes has decided to take advantage of the longest day of the year and run, since after all that is what he does best. 
Oddly enough he will be running on a treadmill.
Karnazes is attempting to break the world record for the most miles logged on a treadmill in 24 hours, and to do so he needs to run 153.76 miles. After running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, Karnazes feels confident he can set a new treadmill world record. He began his run at midnight EST in New York's Times Square and hopes to get you moving too, as do I.
Celebrate summer solstice and get active tonight. Go for a walk. Go for a run. Go for a ride (wear your helmet and bring a bike light in case you manage to stay out after dark). Play some tennis. Play catch. If you can't make it outside do some sun salutations.
Happy Summer!!!
Today is the first official day of summer, also known as the summer solstice, the day with the longest amount of sunlight in the year. Now that summer is finally here, I suggest that each and every one of you host a party at least once (I'm hosting several!) this summer. There is often the unfortunate misconception that in order to throw a party, one must have a special occasion. It doesn't have to be a birthday, anniversary, or retirement, so here are my top 10 reasons to throw a fiesta this summer: 
Got a great reason to host a fabulous fete? Share it with me below!
