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"  Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty Living We tend to think of barbecues or picnics as the only fuss-free outdoor dining options, but it&amp;#039;s totally possible to host an elegant outdoor dinner without stressing (or wishing you had the budget for an on-call caterer). Abby Larson, founder and editor of Style Me Pretty Living, shares her top tips for throwing a no-sweat alfresco fete:  Pre-Party Prep  Serve a room-temperature appetizer that you can prepare ahead of time, like a cheese plate garnished with jams and berries. Then, select a main course that won&amp;#039;t leave you scrambling at the last minute. For her soiree, Abby chose to dish out linguine bolognese, and made the sauce the day before. &amp;quot;Just reheat it once your pasta is cooked. It tastes better when it&amp;#039;s had time to sit and stew,&amp;quot; she says. (Try our bolognese recipe, which you can make in the slow cooker for ultimate hands-off prep.) By getting the nitty-gritty assembly out of the way before your guests arrive, you&amp;#039;ll get to maximize your face time with them.   Choose a Flower  Sticking with one bloom saves you time and a couple bucks (no need to attempt a tricky arrangement or spring for a full bouquet). Snip a few blooms from your garden, or pop by the supermarket or florist for a handful of stems. Tuck them into creative vessels, like these mint julep cups, holding peonies from Abby&amp;#039;s garden. &amp;quot;Using the same type of flower in the same shade throughout ensures things remain elegant [and] luxurious, yet totally effortless,&amp;quot; she says.   Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty Living  Add Little Luxuries  &amp;quot;The secret to a great alfresco dinner is to ensure your guests feel special, yet utterly relaxed,&amp;quot; says Abby. Make them feel pampered with linen napkins, silverware, and a bottle of wine\u2014served in real wine glasses, not paper cups.   Tell us: What&amp;#039;s your favorite recipe for an outdoor dinner party?   ---   PLUS:  See more sweet and simple entertaining tips \u00BBCheap DIY Floral Centerpiece \u00BBSpring Flower Craft Ideas \u00BB Handmade Mother&amp;#039;s Day Crafts \u00BB "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/a5292/alfresco-entertaining-ideas/>