I threw an Outdoor Oasis party over the weekend with our church small group to welcome Summer! I enjoy our small group because we have kids as young as 4 and adults as old as 70 in the group and we all enjoy each others company. One thing I knew for sure was that my patio wasn’t ready!
Before the challenge to create an outdoor oasis, I thought our back patio was just fine with a large table and chairs.
I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Pier 1 Imports. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and to thank me for participating.
I can’t believe how a few decorations from Pier 1 Imports really turned out back patio into an outdoor oasis! Isn’t it more inviting? I enjoy the oceanic blues and greens, so I incorporated this style in our decorations.
Our granite table is the focal point of our patio, is it is with most. I added a rustic Caribbean looking outdoor candle lantern and bright pattern serving trays to add interest. Adding a citronella candle also deters mosquitoes! Your patio table is also a great place to add a vase with fresh cut flowers from the yard if you are just relaxing with dessert and not a full buffet of food! 
I would really enjoy adding an outdoor rug to this space to add more comfort and to make it feel even more like an extension of our home.
Here is a before picture from the side. The only thing ‘decorative’ was the the outdoor thermometer with a picture of a deer on it – not my style at all – but for some reason we kept it since it was there when we moved in.
Now, the patio is in oceanic blues and greens and looks more like a seaside getaway than a boring backyard patio!
This is my favorite update. The lovely clock with stone accents replaced the deer outdoor thermometer. We added a lovely piece of metal artwork on the wall, adding instant color and interest. I received several compliments on this artwork too!
The battery operated paper lanterns add a bit of fun to the patio, whether it is day or night! It was the first thing the kids noticed, they were intrigued when the lights glowed when it started to get dark. 
We had about 12 adults and 4 kids at our Outdoor Oasis Party, just the right amount for great conversations and fun for everyone. My husband and I served hamburgers and hot dog hot off the grill with all the fixins – my husband is the grilling king with his charcoal grill!
Everyone brought a side dish to share, which makes backyard parties easy to throw all Summer long! The two favorite dishes were the loaded baked potato casserole and baked s’mores recipes. We all went home with recipes and the one who brought them went home with empty dishes! The thing I really like about potlucks is the variety of foods and new recipes I get to try! It’s so much fun!
The lanterns added a very welcoming feel to the patio once the sun started to set. It is amazing what a few LED lights can do. Pier 1 Imports also has LED candles that can be placed on the table. When it started getting dark, the battery operated paper lanterns cast a cheery, warm glow – I love it!
Everything that I featured in my Outdoor Oasis is available at your local Pier 1 Imports too. I spent about $150 to update the look of my patio and it made a huge difference in the appearance and overall feel of the space. Check out the Pier 1 Imports Outdoor Collection for inspiration for their own “Outdoor Oasis” party!
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