Summer BBQ Essentials

Bows & Sequins shares her round-up of summer BBQ must-haves!

I’m still working to finalize my summertime bucket list to share with you guys, but hosting a rooftop BBQ for my friends is at the top of my list! With my move smackdab in the middle of the summer last year, I feel like the season slipped away before I was able to take advantage of all of the things I wanted to do both in New York before I left and Chicago after I arrived.

After having real Memphis BBQ in Chicago a few weeks ago, I’ve had my mind (and appetite!) set on hosting a get-together with friends, complete with all of the mouth-watering southern food! I’ve never made the trip to Memphis (needs to happen soon!), but Corky’s drove their BBQ truck all the way up to Chicago for the Blues Fest two weekends ago. I didn’t get to go to the Blues Fest because I already had tickets to another music festival, but Hallie and I visited the truck in the Loop during lunch hour and devoured our fair share of (free!) ribs while listening to live music. And let me tell you, the ribs were so, so good! Who says you can’t have a whole lot of meat for lunch on a Thursday?!

Corky's Memphis BBQ in Chicago // @bowsandsequins

Corky's Memphis BBQ in Chicago // @bowsandsequins

striped tie-front shirt, jeans, phone case, sunglasses

Corky's Memphis BBQ in Chicago

Corky's Memphis BBQ in Chicago // @bowsandsequins

red clutch, sunglasses

But back to entertaining… My building has outdoor BBQ grills on the patio with incredible views of the city and I want to make sure I take advantage of the space this summer! Believe it or not, I’ve barely had friends over to experience it all. Sure, I have one or two friends over at a time pretty often (and actually now have quite a few friends that live in the building!), but I’m longing to have a big ass party. And, like, 1,000,000 bonus points that it doesn’t have to be my apartment that everyone has to squeeze into, my rug that someone inevitably spills wine on, etc. Amazing, right?

I’m planning to host my BBQ in the middle of July before I head to Europe and time is freakishly creeping up on me! As I’ve been sourcing cute BBQ entertaining pieces this week, there have been so many great finds for the 4th of July so I figured I’d share in case you’re hosting any get-togethers with the holiday weekend coming up!

I’ve always been a sucker for navy and white, so anything Americana is a win in my book! I’m currently lusting over this cooler, this little grill (even though I have absolutely no where to put it…), this faux record player that actually uses a USB (so so cute, right?!), and this striped paper table runner. I already have this picnic blanket, these gingham plates, and these gingham napkins, which will all look great with a few red striped paper straws! My building is pretty strict about no glass on the patios so this acrylic drink dispenser, these wine glasses, and these beer glasses are all must-haves for me, too.

Some more summer entertaining favorites…

You can click on the image below to select each product and shop directly!

Created in partnership with Tennessee Tourism

Current Faves

Leave a Comment

4 Comments

  1. 6.23.16
    Sophie said:

    Some cute picks for a BBQ. Sophie x

    stylestarsandsparkle.com

  2. 6.23.16
    Shannon said:

    you are so bad for my bank account, I just ordered the striped tie-front shirt you are wearing.

  3. 6.24.16
    Kate said:

    Anything red white and blue…I just adore!
    -kate
    Katekoutures.blogspot.com