Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Another Vacation Setting

Where has the month of June gone?  Did anyone see it?  Why is it that some months just drag on, never ending, and some just seem to go by in a flash?  I enjoyed the time we had at the beach and I had so much fun with my last tablescape, that I came home for a few days, grabbed some things, headed back down, and did it again!  Here goes!
While out shopping, I found these great placemats and runner at a store called Tomlinson's, North Myrtle Beach.
The dinner plates are Pier 1, that I found at a thrift store many months ago.  The salad bowls with the starfish were purchased at Home Goods. 

A better view of the Pier 1 plate.

The chargers were purchased at Tuesday Morning last spring.

Glasses were purchased at TJ Maxx last year.  I believe they still have them in some stores.

I tried to convince my family to help me set up on the beach in the early morning, but I had no takers. 

I used two starfish candleholders, but the wind kept blowing one of them out.  Next time I will bring battery-operated votives!

It was so hot and humid!  When I first brought the glasses out, it looked as if they had been chilled.  My dishes were wet with the humidity, and the camera lens kept misting up. The pictures looked as if we were in a haze!

This is not a special effect!

Luckily, I was able to take these early before it got so hot.  I used this bottle as my centerpiece.  I love the way the shells are embedded in the surface.



I'll show you a few nighttime shots, although I didn't get the blue hour, well maybe the very end...
Still hot and humid, so a bit hazy!



We are home now, and I enjoyed the simplicity of beach life, but I am sort of anxious to do something a bit more formal.  Maybe I'll get to it next week, if I can get caught up!  Until then, I hope to hear about your vacations.  As always, I appreciate your kind comments and I will do my best to visit with you!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

A Vacation Setting

What a beautiful day at the beach it was today!  It was not too hot, sunny skies, and little humidity.  Today's table is fairly simple, as I don't have much to work with here.  The idea is to keep life fairly simple, to keep a slower pace, and enjoy the sun, sand, and surf!!  After all the graduation festivities, we were all ready for a little relaxation.
I set a table outside on the balcony, where we enjoy a nice view of the ocean.
I have no tablecloths here, so I used a decorative fishnet runner and shell placemats.
I love the sparkle the chargers added.  The plates were purchased at a local Home Goods store--they have nothing on the back other than 'Made in Italy'.  The small square plates are really appetizer plates, but could be used for a small salad or even to hold a candle.  They are by Helen James, of MoMo Panache, and the line is called 'Beach House'.
I shopped the house, and found this jeweled bowl, filled it with ocean-colored marbles, shells, and a large piece of coral.
Flatware is adorned with shells...
These silver shells added to the sparkle and were a nice contrast to the texture of the fishnet.
Assorted shells were placed along the runner.
Wine or beer?  Your choice, remember, we're on vacation! 
The little wax candles are battery-operated, and change colors!
Candles are lit!
A few more shots...




One more...
Enjoy your week!  Thanks for visiting and your kind comments are always appreciated!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

A Setting for Graduation

Hosting two graduation parties in the same week can be quite exhausting.  For graduation party #1, I hosted, but had help from four other families who contributed toward expenses and labor.  This party was mainly for the friends of #2 child who will graduate from high school this Friday.  We had around 30 kids and maybe 20 or so adults and perfect weather!
The boys helped set up tables, chairs, ran errands, and basically did whatever I asked them to do.  They were a huge help!  School colors are blue and gold, so our color scheme was blue and yellow.  I found these lovely runners online.

Most of the flowers came from the yard.  I needed yellow, so I went to the grocery store, but all the cut flowers were more than I wanted to spend, so I purchased two daisy mum plants, which had lots of blooms, cut them off and used them in the little yellow and blue pots, which I found at Garden Ridge.  Martini glasses hold floating candles, and are tied with blue and yellow ribbon.

The kids enjoyed the pool, and then chowed down on turkey bbq, slaw, baked beans, vegetables and dip, watermelon, chips, and chocolate chip cookies.  Punch consisted of Sprite and pineapple juice--very refreshing drink for the summer.

Adults chat and enjoy 21 juice.

The cake had the boys' picture and was purchased at Sam's Club.

On to graduation party #2, a family party, around 40 people.

Same tables and chairs, cloths, and runners (after washing and ironing).  This time we used the "good" stuff, and the food was catered.  Unfortunately, no one was available to help.

The main table seated 24, and was set up with a basic white plate, and green Bordallo Pinheira cabbage salad plates.  I used my silverplate, a yellow napkin, and iced beverage glasses, Chelsea by Godinger.
Instead of balloons, I used a large arrangement of flowers from the yard.  This was removed before we were seated for dinner.


A table for 8 was set up under the tent near the outdoor kitchen.  Here I used a Haviland Limoge white plate, a yellow salad plate, and yellow napkin.  Same table runner and cloth.


Ok, so that was seating for 32.  I still needed 8 more place settings, so I used the round tables.


Salad plates are a little different, and I used a yellow "flower" placemat.
I displayed pictures, and my son's graduation hat.  Since it was also my daughter's graduation from college, I also displayed her picture (later she added her hat as well!)

Andrew prepares the beverages.  I didn't get a picture of the buffet table.  Here is what we had catered:  Hors d'oeuvres consisted of meatballs, mushrooms stuffed with crab, vegetables and dip, cheese and fruit, and mozzarella strudel.  We began dinner with a garden salad and raspberry pecan vinaigrette and a selection of croissants and rolls.  We had chilled grilled asparagus with grilled red pepper, roasted potatoes, sliced beef tenderloin with horseradish and honey mustard, breast of lemon chicken with lemon caper wine sauce, poached salmon with capers, mustard and chopped onions.  Dessert was cake, brownies, and homemade cookies.  It was all very delicious!


We had a great time!  It was fun to see all our family, who all live within an hour from our home!

Thanks for stopping by!  Next week we are headed to the beach for a much needed break.  As always, I appreciate your comments, as I strive for A Perfect Setting!!