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Happy Cinco de Mayo to all my temp-tationistas and temp-tationisters!

Are you celebrating today? I sure am. Even though this isn’t a holiday I grew up celebrating with my family, I’ve more than made up for that in recent years.  Because the flavors of Mexico have always been my favorites. Bold, fresh and perfect for enjoying outside…whether you’re on the beach in Cozumel or enjoying a backyard fiesta!

Here are some of my go-to picks for making your Cinco de Mayo – or any outdoor entertaining event – truly magnífico!

5)      Festive Cocktails – Sometimes, all it takes is a squeeze of lime to transport me to a beachfront cabana (at least in my mind). But when I want to do it up right, there’s no substitute for a great margarita served up in this 4-piece Outdoor Flip Flop Cocktail & Nibbles Set. And the flip fop plate perfect for holding fresh tortilla chips and guacamole. (Don’t miss my easy guacamole recipe below…back by popular demand!) Now where’s that lost shaker of salt?

4) Cool Cover Ups – Pesky bugs are never invited to my fiestas, but with these pretty and practical Food Tents, I can protect against all party-crashing pests in true temp-tations style. Not only do the food tents protect food from bugs, they fold up easily for convenient storage and transport, too. Perfect thing to throw into your beach bag or picnic basket!

3) Everything Basket – In the warm weather months, I use my Bread Basket for everything, from tortilla chips, to fresh fruit, to S’mores fixins. Sometimes, I'll add the ingredients for my guacamole (see below), some blue corn tortilla chips, a recipe card, then tie it up with a bow and you have the perfect summer party hostess gift!

2) Hydrate in style – One of the things I like best about Mexico are aguas frescas, which translates to fresh water. But, in Mexico, these refreshing drinks are actually made with water and a variety of fruit juices. You can easily make your own  agua fresca by adding your favorite fruits to water or seltzer in this Old World Infusing Bottle.

1) And my number 1 pick for festive outdoor entertaining…well, you’re just going to have to tune in to QVC on Wednesday to find out! It’s going to be a very special day with lots of temp-tations on hand, including an amazing new debut that will make your outdoor entertaining…and so much more…easier and even more fabulous. I’m so excited to share it with you!

Be sure and chime in with your favorite ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the comments below. I’m always on the lookout for new recipes. Of course, I’ll be making my super-easy, super delicious guacamole recipe. We’ve gotten so many requests since I made it on QVC’s Spring Cooking Event, I’m sharing it below.

Tara’s Easy-Breezy Guacamole

2 – 3 ripe avocados

2 – 3 cloves minced garlic, to taste

1 tablespoon salsa

½ lime

Salt and pepper, to taste

1) Scoop out avocado from shell and place in a small temp-tations bowl.  Mash with a fork until almost smooth.

2) Stir in garlic and salsa.  Squeeze juice from lime over the top and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Mix well.

3) Serve with tortilla chips.

XOXO

Tara