Want the Secret to Earning More AIR MILES Reward Miles?

In my circle, my house is the "Official House of Summer." Sure, we go to other friends' homes in the fall and winter to mix and mingle, but from June to September, all socialization happens in my backyard. There are three major reasons for this:

1. First, we have a pool that serves as a bit of a Pied Piper for children and their parents.
2. Second, we have a huge outdoor kitchen, and as we all know, people LOVE to congregate in a kitchen when there's a party. The fact that mine happens to be outdoors in the summer months only adds to the draw.
3. Finally, the third reason, unbeknownst to my friends and family, by entertaining them all summer, I'm earning AIR MILES reward miles towards my dream trip to Italy. I believe this is called winning - or earning, as the case may be.

By making my house party central during the summer, I get to pull all my favourite things together; decorating, cooking, drinking, dressing up and earning AIR MILES. By using my American Express AIR MILES Card in conjunction with my AIR MILES collector card, I earn double the miles on every single thing I need to throw a great party.

I'm going to share with you how I plan the perfect outdoor party while earning AIR MILES reward miles.

1. Decor

The perfect outdoor summer party starts with the right decor. When I shop at AIR MILES Shops I can find everything I need and since I'm usually too busy to get to the stores, I can have what I need delivered right to my door whenever I need it.

I found this Maxwell Olde English Juice Jar at the Bay (which is perfect for my favourite - sangria!).

And Anthropolgie has beautiful decor touches that makes me look super trendy and cool, even though I'm not. I really love this Chalkboard Table Runner; it's perfect for making two picnic tables look like one long table, and for people to leave love notes for me after hosting yet ANOTHER awesome party.

2. Food

What would a great party be without good food?

Keep it simple when you entertain so you have more time to spend with your guests. There's nothing better than the classic steak and potatoes in the summer. I can get everything I need at Sobeys and MILES are earned on both my American Express Card and AIR MILES collector card - not just when I shop for parties, but for everyday groceries too. 

3. Drinks

What's next? Oh right; DRINKING! (All in moderation and responsibly of course.)

Did I mention that I love sangria? When I pick up the ingredients to make my own at the LCBO, my miles skyrocket when I use the two cards together.

4. Summer Wear

Finally, I need to look great. But on a budget. The Rockefellers, we ain't. So I hit Old Navy for the trendiest outfits at the best price and BOOM! I earn miles. I also happen to think this dress (see below!) would be perfect for wandering the streets of Rome.

You see where I'm going with this, right? I don't necessarily choose to plan my party around earning AIR MILES but it's just so flipping simple that it's almost impossible for me not too.

Summer parties, American Express, and AIR MILES Reward Miles are simply better together.