Welcome to the next installment of “on a tray” blog tours. Today I am sharing a themed “summer on a tray” styling along with 13 other bloggers. It’s so much fun to see all the different “summer” tray points of view.
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Thank you to Katherine from Katherine’s Corner blog for organizing this amazing blog tour and providing so much inspiration. It’s so much fun to look at and learn from everyone’s different styles. All the participating blogs are listed at the end of the post for you to enjoy at your leisure.
If you’re coming over from visiting Barbara @ Mantel and Table, welcome. Barbara has an amazing style, and I love everything she does.
In case you missed it, the last tray tour was the {tea on a tray blog tour} and last year’s summer tray is here {by the sea on a tray blog tour}. I also list all the other tray tours at the end of the post.
setting a theme for the summer tray
The inspiration for this tray was these Margarita glasses. I created a Margaritaville drink station on a rattan tray. Margaritas are a refreshing cocktail that always remind me of outdoor fun.
The drink station is set so the drinks could be prepared as cocktails or mocktails (sans tequila). This way everyone can join in the fun; littles or bigs, drinkers or not, etc.
The Margarita glasses were an engagement gift from a good college friend. They remind me of him, but I can only really use them for Margarita drinks. So here we are.
setting the scene for the summer tray
The Margarita theme also set the color palette for me, and I just ran with it from there. The green rimmed glasses and the limes set the main color scheme, which is complimented with natural colors and the black dresser.
The dresser is actually a refurbished piece to use as a sideboard on the back patio. I will share the entire project once all the details are finalized. It’s been crazy hot around here, and I have not been able to finish the project as quickly as I wanted.
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I love that I can use the top drawer of the dresser for spill over items from the drink station. All the items did not fit on the tray so the extra space in the drawer is perfect.
A rattan tray holds most of the drink station items on top of the dresser. I love the leather handles on the tray plus the clear insert at the bottom is clutch. The clear insert allows the great texture of the rattan to show through , but yet allows all the items to sit flat and secure.
The wooden pieces compliment the rattan tray, including the bowl holding the limes and the square cocktail napkin holder. I love the natural feels against all the black and green details.
All these natural elements add great texture along with the shutters and the books. The chippy shutters create a great back drop, and you can read about how I came upon these here {chippy shutter centerpiece}.
A stack of vintage books holds the drink dispenser. I love to use books as the base, allowing you to make it as tall or shallow as you need depending on the set-up. I also used one of these {silver tray chalkboard DIY} for the recipe instructions
more summer tray inspiration
Make sure to follow the blog tour to the next stop and visit Sandra @ Dinner at Eight. Remember there are 13 other creative bloggers, which you can visit to be inspired by their summer tray masterpieces.
other tray blog tours
Listed below are all the other tray blog tours I have had the pleasure to participate in.
get the summer Margaritaville tray look
“If life gives you limes, make margaritas.”
Jimmy Buffet
I love this!
I’m so glad! It’s a fun drink station and great for summer entertaining. XO- MJ
What a great idea, MJ!! Those glasses are so cool with the cactus stems! What a fun way to celebrate the season!
Thanks Rachel. I’m glad you liked it. Heading over your way to see your tray. XO- MJ
So pretty Great fun holiday theme summer hop
Thanks so much Laura. Yes, these hops are always so much fun. XO- MJ
The glasses are so fun MaryJo – they’re perfect for margaritas, and they’re such a nice gift. What a great friend! So nice touring with you today.
Thanks so much Barbara! I love your tray. These hops are always so inspirational and I love the sharing of different ideas. XO- MJ
Hi MaryJo! What a fun idea–you’ve created an instant party on a tray! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks Cecilia! I love that “instant party” on a tray. That should be a theme for one of our hops. Thanks for the visit. XO- MJ
Hi, MaryJo! I love your theme and colour scheme, Tequila!
lol. Thanks Irene. I’m glad you like it. XO- MJ
I love your Margarita themed tray MaryJo, and what a great idea to have it set up like a help yourself Summer bar! The margarita glasses and lime umbrellas are so cute! Your tray with the shutters in the background and sitting on the black sideboard on your patio looks great and perfect for entertaining or enjoying with your family~
Jenna
Thanks Jenna. Yes, when I was done with photo shoot my whole family indulged. Lol. It was very fun. Self serve bars usually are. XO- MJ
Your tray is wonderful, I’m humming margaritaville in my head right now, LOL. Using the top drawer as an extension of the tray is brilliant! Thank you for joining in the fun. Hugs!
Thanks Katherine. I am almost done with the dresser so will hopefully be sharing that soon. Thanks for stopping by sweet friend. XO- MJ
A lovely summer tray all set up for margaritas. Ole! I think it is a fabulous idea for a help yourself bar. Such cute glassware too.
Thanks so much Linda. Coming from you, it’s a huge compliment. Your are the master entertainer. XO- MJ
Oh my goodness MaryJo a margarita tray? This may just be my most favorite thing ever! I love your idea and I pinned too!
Thanks so much Nicolle. I appreciate all the love. Have a great day. XO- MJ
MaryJo,
Thanks so much for stopping by!! Love your tray and it is perfect for Summer providing a cool and refreshing drink….What a great idea to do a Margarita tray!!
I adore where you displayed it too..Perfect place!! Great touring with you!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thanks so much Deb. I always love your visits. XO- MJ
I think you have a good idea for a refreshing drink for this summer. I rarely drink, but I do like a good margarita on a hot summer evening. Your chest is the perfect station. Great idea to use the drawer for overflow. Happy Summer. I enjoyed the visit.
Thanks so much Sarah! I am almost done with the dresser! It’s taking me a long time but hopefully we will enjoy it for years to come. XO- MJ
MaryJo, your theme of margaritas is such a fun basis for your tray! I love, love the black and lime green color combination — it’s such a sophisticated approach for a summer drink station. I can almost feel the the texture of the rattan and wooden items you used. I will be shamelessly copying some of your ideas if it ever cools down enough to actually spend time outside LOL.
Thanks Sandra. I so appreciate your kind words. Yes, it’s crazy hot around here too. Hoping it cools off soon. Thanks for the visit. XO- MJ
I love this tray idea! Margaritas are my go-to cocktail, if I’m going to have one. Patron is the must-have tequila! I have those same margarita glasses, so I’m pinning this tray for later. It’s great touring with you!
Niki | Life as a LEO Wife
Thanks Niki! Wish we could enjoy them together. Cheers XO- MJ
MaryJo, I love this idea! The black dresser is perfect, and I love how it holds all of the extras. Does it sit under a roof or out in the open? It is perfection! I would love to have a piece of furniture out on our patio. Since we added the gate, we are spending more time outside, and the ideas keep coming to make the space our own. The yard has been the last place we have really done much of anything to. Since we are planning our kitchen remodel, the yard is only getting small changes, but oh… you are an inspiration my friend!
Thanks Cara! Right now it’s under an eve so it’s protected. The post for the dresser will be full of more info. I would take kitchen remodel over patio. Can’t wait to see what you do! XO- MJ
MaryJo! This is so charming! I absolutely love the colors you selected and your theme fits perfectly with a hot California summer. That black dresser couldn’t be more perfect.
Thanks so much Anna. Hoping to get dresser post out soon.
Maryjo, it’s nice to meet you. I love your summer on a tray, and blog tour. Your tray is beautiful and I enjoyed seeing the other participants.
Visiting today from Sunday Sunshine #25 (coming to you from my new website)
Hello Paula! And welcome. I’m so glad you’re here and enjoyed my tray. Thanks for the visit. XO- MJ
I love this idea. Such a fun blog post!
Thanks so much Sherry! XO- MJ
What a great idea, I love all the beautiful pops of green!
Thanks Kristin! XO- MJ