Summer Entertaining Essentials

Summer is a great season for entertaining and I always suggest you stock up on the summer essentials like good ingredients, accents, and décor early in the season—in one trip if possible.

Reusing and repurposing what you already have can save you time and money, so be sure to take inventory of what's already around before heading to the store.

When you know what you have and what you need, get shopping, but make sure the below makes it onto your list!

On this list of must-haves is dinnerware.

Crate and Barrel has a selection of products that are more versatile than meets the eye.

There are several colored melamine plates and bowls that can be used to liven up your table and be used in many ways.

The different sized plates can be stacked on top of each other, while the bowls can be placed upside down and used to make a stand for something like crudité or as leverage to display some cupcakes.

The bowls can also be used on a platter for a “make your own” salad bar.

Crate and Barrel also has an acrylic pitcher with an infuser that can be taken out, transforming the pitcher into a vase for flowers.

Below, Crate and Barrel's candleholder does double duty on my summer table as a convenient container for dipping sauces.

Lastly, a jumbo silicone ice cube tray can be used to make ice that will add a bit of flavor to your drink.

All you have to do is slice some fruit, place it in the ice cube tray, fill it with water, and freeze it!