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The Robert Verdi and Ecco Domani® Italian Wines Style Guide: Summer Fashions Inspire Glamorous Gatherings Summer is finally here and it’s time to trade in the coats and snow boots for flirty dresses and flip-flops. Celebrate the new season of fashion by hosting a fabulous get-together with family and friends. Ecco Domani, the stylish Italian wine brand, has teamed up with celebrity style guru, Robert Verdi, to create chic and affordable tips that will transform an average affair into a sensational soiree. According to Verdi, this summer is all about infusing lighter colors throughout your room, incorporating hip tribal accents, and using simple, inexpensive elements to create a chic outdoor oasis.

 

Bottle Up the Excitement: Evoke beach time nostalgia by turning your invitation into a unique “message in a bottle.” Use a clear glass bottle and fill it with a little bit of sand. Then roll up your invite and insert it with a string attached for easy access. For a truly personal touch, hand-deliver it to each guest!

A Shore Thing: Seashells are an inexpensive way to bring an instant summer feel to your table. Tie raffia through a seashell or sand dollar and then wrap that around a simple cloth for a unique napkin ring. With brightly colored markers, write your guests’ names on the shells creating personalized place settings that work for either indoor or outdoor celebrations. Complete your tablescape with large banana leaves as placemats and in a vase for your centerpiece.

A Softer Touch: The summer runways put the spotlight on looks in softer color palettes. Light blue, beige and khaki are everywhere from dresses and jackets, to handbags and shoes. Recreate this trend at home by incorporating these colors into a beach themed display. Fill a large glass tray with sand and add a variety of different sized candles in muted blues and aqua tones. Place on your entryway table giving guests an instant summer feel as soon as they walk in the door.

Stay Cool: Creating your own style statement often means putting a new twist on traditional wardrobe items. You can apply the same concept to entertaining by using your favorite glass or ceramic vase or pitcher as a non-traditional wine cooler. Simply fill the container of your choice with ice and place the wine bottle inside. Complete the look by selecting a bottle that tastes great and adds an element of style - such as Ecco Domani’s sleek silver and green labeled Pinot Grigio - the wine will not only satisfy your guests, but instantly becomes part of the décor.

International Tastes: True fashionistas take their style cues from the fashion capitals of the world. Why not do the same when it comes to your party menu? Trade in the typical barbecue burgers and hotdogs for gourmet treats with international flair. For example, create a buffet of easy-to-eat Italian treats such as caprese salad skewers with mozzarella and summer ripe tomatoes, prosciutto-wrapped melon balls or olive tapenade crostinis. With its crisp, fruit-forward flavors, Ecco Domani’s Pinot Grigio will add that perfect final touch to your Italian inspired feast.

 

Go Tribal: Tribal inspirations are making a mark on this season’s attire. It’s easy to bring this trend to life at home by introducing native elements into your décor such as hand-carved wooden candlesticks or animal print rugs. Make the most of your budget by picking up some tribal printed material at your local fabric store and draping it over your table. This versatile piece not only adds instant summer style to your room but can later serve as a stylish sarong making you a fashion hit at the beach.

Eco-Chic: The warm weather is the perfect excuse to dine al fresco. Pack up your sense of style by filling eco-friendly totes with artisanal cheeses, fresh baguettes and a bottle of delicious wine, such as Ecco Domani’s vibrant Pinot Noir, and head out to your favorite park (your own backyard works too!). To keep with the theme, try using bamboo cutting boards, napkins made from recycled materials and “green” glassware. Don't forget a candle or two to set the mood.

Feathered Flair: For an over-the-top and glamorous soiree, take inspiration from the colorful and dramatic peacock (the colors and textures are totally on trend!). Peacock feathers, found at your local craft store, can be used to create a tall and eye-catching centerpiece. Complement this chic setting with black plates and cut crystal glassware. Then, to top off the look, take wide strips of black, purple, and turquoise fabric and wrap them around chair backs for a bold, couture statement!

Flower Power: What better way to welcome the summer than with an assortment of brightly colored flowers. Break away from traditional glass vases and showcase your favorite flowers using birds nests in a variety of sizes (available at your local craft store) to add a unique touch of summer to your table. If looking for something more formal, try using glassware or pitchers in a variety of vivid colors and shapes to create an eclectic setting.

Dine Under the Stars: Make the most of your outdoor space this season by transforming your rooftop or backyard into an outdoor café. A mix of citronella candles and colorful tea lights will keep the pests away and help set the mood for an intimate evening affair. For an added fashionable touch, try draping a vibrant pashmina over each chair– this adds a burst of color to your space and gives guests a way to keep warm if the night gets chilly. Finally, set all of your foods on large trays ahead of time for an easy and quick way to serve guests without making multiple trips to the kitchen.

Black and White and Style All Over: Whether in fashion or entertaining, people instantly think white when it comes to summer. Put a twist on this tradition by making your next fête a black and white party. From your hostess outfit, to the tablescape, napkins and flowers, this simple color scheme will give any summer gathering a bold, chic vibe.

Texturize Your Table: Bring the outdoors in with a few inexpensive slate or terra-cotta tiles. Easily found at your local hardware store, these versatile pieces can be used in a variety of ways (think trivets, trays or placemats) and are sturdy enough to take you through a season of summer parties.

Go Vintage: Instead of sending guests traditional store-bought invitations, stock-up on vintage postcards featuring your favorite summertime destinations. Write your party details on the back of the postcard, place it in a clear envelope and send it out. It’s a surefire way to pique guests’ interest before the party even gets started! Not only do these make unique invitations, but your guests can save them to reuse as eye-catching wall art or in frames for a desktop pick-me-up.

Botanical Settings: Share the beauty of a summer garden with your guests by using seed packets as place cards. Purchase a variety, such as flower or fruit seeds, and place each guest’s name on the upper corner of the packet. This not only infuses a sense of summer into your gathering, but gives your guests a special way to remember the evening.

Portable Plants: Whether it’s a lunch on your patio, or a picnic in the park, nothing says summer like a few beautiful blooms. For a portable arrangement that lasts all summer long, take mini canvas tote bags lined with plastic, fill with soil and plant your favorite summer flowers directly in them. It’s a great way to quickly spruce up a space or send your guests off with a festive parting gift.