Since we moved into a house from a condo, we truly appreciate having our own outdoor space now.  We are able to have people over & light a fire, play some music, and just relax outside.  Late summer/early fall is the perfect time to throw an outdoor get together because it is a little cooler, less humid, and there are less bugs out.

To decorate an outdoor area, a little effort goes a long way.  I took plain old white Christmas lights and white lanterns that I found at a dollar store to make my deck look just a little more inviting. I also added IKEA lanterns to hang from the gazebo which were less than $5 each!