Style (E)scapes: Outdoor Entertaining With Eva

On top of hosting this week's fantastic giveaway, the amazing Eva is here to give her tips on summer entertaining. Who is this woman, and what is with all this VIVRE talk, you may wonder? Well, ask Michael Kors, who notes, "VIVRE is everything that Eva is all about - chic and elegant but never stuffy, eclectic, and above all, very stylish." Need we say more?

So, if you haven't put together a little tabletop inspiration to enter the contest, do it! People, if I could enter this one I would do in a heartbeat. From gorgeous treasures for the home to fabulous jewelry, this site has it all!

Eva's take on skipping the scene and entertaining at home...

While there's nothing more exciting than a fabulous night out, there's something gratifying about a coveted summer evening at home sharing stories and laughs with friends. It's not only good for the soul, but for the wallet too. Here's how we love to skip the scene and make for a memorable night in:

1. Set the mood. Make it lively or quiet, and mix the crowd for an interesting and fun dynamic.

2. Create a signature cocktail. Eva's favorite is the "Strepe tepe," blended vodka, mint, lime and a bit of sugar over crushed ice served in a chilled tumbler with a sprig of mint.

3. Let the sun go down. Everyone looks & feels better in candlelight, so fill your table with sultry votive candles.

4. Put on some fun music. Festive tunes get everyone in a great mood. We love mixes by DJ extraordinaire, Donna D' Cruz.

5. Sweeten the summer scene. What's more fun than a few different flavors of ice cream in chilled mahogany ice cream buckets? Let your guests mix it up and scoop the perfect combination.