Labor Day is just right around the corner (officially Monday September 5th). And as the summer nears it's end. This three day weekend-vacation gives us the chance to have one last "hurrah" as one might say!

Which means luxurious decor and table settings, delicious foods, cocktail drinks and more famously being in style. So get ready to gather around with friends and be the host at your own late summer soiree.

Main Event - Eco-Natural Looks Warms The Table

Since we are celebrating a late summer soiree, it is a perfect idea to keep the table decor really earthy and elegant to form. With natural carved woods for displaying sweet flowers, to snail shells for candle lights. This warm and ever so inviting party idea, not only looks delightful. It is also the perfect theme for cold summer soup.

Party Idea #1 - Cold Summer Soup

Cold summer soups are a great way to beat the heat and can be a nice alternative to eating a salad. They can also be a surprisingly hearty and satisfying meal. Many recipes require little or no cooking. Raw ingredients often just get pureed in a blender and that's it! The key to a substantial summer soup is to make sure it includes more than just vegetables and herbs.

Spring Green Soup - Serves 4

1 cucumber, peeled

1/2 pound pencil-thin asparagus, tough ends trimmed

2 cups cold water

1/4 pound spinach, tough stems removed, rinsed well

4 scallions, cut into 2-inch lengths

1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

3/4 teaspoon coarse salt

Freshly ground pepper

4 to 6 fresh sorrel leaves, for garnish (optional)

Halve cucumber lengthwise; cut one half into eighths and the other into 1/4- inch dice. Set aside. Cut asparagus spears into 2-inch lengths. Puree in a blender with 1/2 cup cold water until smooth.

Add spinach, scallions, cucumber eighths, and another 1/2 cup water. Blend until thoroughly pureed. Add avocado, mint leaves, and lemon juice; puree until smooth, adding remaining water a little at a time until soup is desired consistency. Add salt, and season with pepper. Scrape down sides of blender with a rubber spatula, and puree 5 seconds more.

Cut sorrel into fine strips, if using. Divide soup among four bowls; garnish each with diced cucumber, sorrel, and a mint sprig. Serve immediately.

Keep The Drinks Elegantly Cool - Fruity & Delicious

Libbey 10-pc. Punch Bowl Set - $59.00 Macy's

Impressive. And you can tell just by looking at it. This punch set features a large, fish-bowl shaped container that will hold any of your favorite beverages in style.

So for that evening soiree, add some pizazz to your next get together with a complete punch bowl set. This large capacity bowl is great for all occasions. With an easy-to-pour long handled ladle, this clear glass set matches most home décor. And will have you looking like the party stunner!

Party Idea #2 Summer Strawberry Fruit Punch - Serve Chilled

1-2 pts. fresh strawberries,

Sliced 2-3 oranges, cut up in chunks

4-5 bananas, sliced

1 qt. orange juice

Sugar to taste

Sweet imported Italian vermouth to taste

Lemons and limes to garnish

Combine in large bowl. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Libbey® Martello Coolers - Set of 8 - $39.99 JC Penny

Give your Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiris the perfect place to be poured in a set of Curvy Libbey® Martello glasses. The elegant design gives the drink ware it's signature look.

And as a party host having several of these already poured and ready to serve to guests will only make your party go that much smoother. Oh and of course with a helping hand from the Bacardi Daiquiri. What summer party would be the same without it!

Party Idea #3 - Serving Up Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri

Get Serveral Libbey® Martello Coolers

Generously add ice cubes to each glass

Enjoyably pour into each glass and over the ice your Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri

Slice 2-3 limes for garnish - add a slice to each glass

Now proudly serve your cocktails on the perfect silver platter. Voila!

This summer, rediscover the daiquiri. Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri is the perfect addition to any summer get-together — fun, delicious, and ready to pour. Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri is made with Bacardi Superior Rum, tangy lime and sugar. It is a perfectly balanced cocktail that is not too sour and not too sweet. http://bacardidaiquiri.glam.com.

This is a sponsored post and compensation was provided by Bacardi via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Bacardi. Remember to please drink responsibly.

Want to impress your host or hostess at a summer soiree event? Then luxury should be the first thing on your mind in the gifts department. Whether your attending that weekend cocktail party at your best friends pent house suite. Or that very extravagant socialite event. Be the best and show off your true appreciation with the gift of the century!

Five-Piece Beverage Cooler Set By Neiman Marcus $180 (Above)

For those bigger party events, a five-piece set would most certainly be the best choice of gift. Helping to keep those drinks perfectly chilled and ice at the ready with this beverage cooler set. Drinks anyone?

Dalton Ice Bucket By Ralph Lauren $395 (Above)

Make sure your host has plenty of ice and somewhere to keep those Hand Shaken Daiquiris cold on the go. From the Dalton Collection, legendary designer Ralph Lauren brings luxurious design into focus with this ice bucket. It features a simple shield design and understated etched lines for a refined, elegant style. Crafted from only the best silver, this ice bucket features a lid with a striking leather handle to keep your ice ready to go. Now that's a gift that will have your host kissing you from cheek to cheek!

Vega Martini Glasses By BACCARAT $130-$160

Available in clear, olivine green and ruby red, these full lead crystal glasses are a real stunner. Handcrafted by none other then french crystal design house Baccarat, this divine set will bring a real celebration to any table. Baccarat is, more than ever, a symbol of true perfection. With the support of twenty-five talented Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (Best French Craftsmen), these crystal works always draw inspiration from it's traditional roots. Offering this as a gift set will be one to truly remember with it's craftsmanship and heritage.

Nambe "Cradle" Serveware $225-$275

This graceful collection of sturdy acacia wood and the tarnish-resistant signature Nambe metal alloy, makes this the best gift of all. The metal can be preheated to 500 degrees or chilled in the freezer. This, coupled with its superior temperature retention, makes the alloy ideal for cooking and serving up those hot or cold gourmet dips and salsas. Designed by Steve Cozzolino, each handcrafted piece has a wooden base. This will most certainly have your hostess saying "Grazie! Grazie!"

This summer, rediscover the daiquiri. Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri is the perfect addition to any summer get-together — fun, delicious, and ready to pour. Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri is made with Bacardi Superior Rum, tangy lime and sugar. It is a perfectly balanced cocktail that is not too sour and not too sweet. bacardidaiquiri.glam.com

Remember to please drink responsibly.

This is a sponsored post and compensation was provided by Bacardi via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Bacardi.

Memorial Day weekend is less then a week away, and that means that it is time for some great outdoor entertaining. Gathering family and friends to your outdoor party event can be quite an adventure.

Now that it's time to start firing up your barbecue grill and outdoor kitchen, you can really show off your culinary and decor skills. And for those of you who love to live on the luxurious side, we have got some fantastic party tips that will have your guests talking about you all evening.

Create a Visually Elegant Dining Event With Neutral Decor

For your outdoor dining, create a neutral scheme that perfectly dazzles with off white taupes and creams. Create flower arrangements in large glass bowls, and also with large candles to add an element of elegance to the dining area. Keep plates and glasses in the same decorative vein, with natural straw placement mats.

Fire Up The Grill! With Sophisticated Party Entries

Appetizers

Tacos are an all around favorite and easy party snack or appetizer. Hard shells are easier to display for great finger food snacks. Add seasoned ground beef, or a vegetarian alternative Veat. Which is a gourmet soy product. Then add chopped tomatoes and lettuce with grated cheddar cheese to polish them off. Use leftover chopped tomatoes for a light and fresh salsa dip! Accent with light and flavorful blue corn chips. And voila!

How To Prepare A Great Salsa!

Chopped tomatoes

1 teaspoon of salt

1 red onion

3/4 cup cilantro, use leaves

2 teaspoons hot sauce

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Chop tomatoes and onion by hand. Add remaining ingredients, stirring often. Chill in refrigerator for at least 3 hours. Then serve.

Main Course

Skirt steak is a fabulous choice when it comes to barbecuing. This delicious thin cut of meat makes an excellent edition to the table. It is very easy to marinate and cook on the grill, as it soaks up the seasoning very well and cooks quickly. It's one of the most flavorful steak cuts, which is another reason why it's so great to marinate. Decadent marinades make skirt steaks exceptionally delicious when grilled. Add slightly sauteed green beans and corn, pan seared with olive oil, sea salt and mint. Keep the vegetables el dante, so that they are not over cooked. But still have a crisp taste to them. Then drizzle the cooked leftover marinade, which should have all those juicy and delicious flavors from the grill over the skirt streaks. The result is absolutely delicious flavors, with melt in your mouth skirt steak. This is a wonderful and incredibly satisfying main course to serve to your guests.

Grilled Vegetables

An excellent addition to your banquet dinner is of course grilled corn. If you have alot of guests you can have several on the barbecue all at once.

Quick Grill Tip

Add corn on the cob to the grill, brush with olive oil and turn each corn until evenly roasted on each side. Then season with a dash of sea salt (a healthier alternative to regular salt). And serve on a large plate as-is for a real summer treat that everyone will enjoy.

Impress Your Guests With Easy Summer Cocktails

The Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri is a delicious ready-to-serve cocktail that’s perfect for entertaining your guests. It’s so quick and easy and will give you a sensational summer drink in less then a few minutes. So serve them up in a tall glass, plenty of ice and garnish with a wedge of lime. Or add to the blender with crushed ice, for a more slushy ice drink.

Either way, this is the beverage of the summer that will keep any party going all night! So raise your glasses and barbecue feast and enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

This summer, rediscover the daiquiri. Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri is the perfect addition to any summer get-together — fun, delicious, and ready to pour. Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri is made with Bacardi Superior Rum, tangy lime and sugar. It is a perfectly balanced cocktail that is not too sour and not too sweet. http://bacardidaiquiri.glam.com

Remember to please drink responsibly.

This is a sponsored post and compensation was provided by Bacardi via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Bacardi.