A Casual Wedding Celebration

Can you believe that May is upon us?  I, for one, can't wait... as mild as March was, it seems April has been on the chilly side.  I have stayed busy, and I have been having so much fun, the time has just flown by.  For starters, dear friends of ours who now live in England came for a visit.  It was wonderful to see them, and to see their youngest daughter, who was four, I believe, when they moved away.  They were here over spring break visiting colleges!  Secondly, my brother and his girlfriend of hmm, five years? decided to get married.  They both had been previously divorced, and didn't want any memories of their former lives at the service.  So they went to a small, country church with just the two of them and the minister, and tied the knot.  Well, you know I couldn't let that go by without some sort of celebration.  So, sort of at the spur of the moment, we had a party.  The weather cooperated, and we had family and a few of their friends over for a celebration.  At their request, we kept it very casual. 

Since they are planning to live in Virginia Beach, and possibly North Myrtle Beach at some point in time, we decided to go with a beachy theme. 

Tulips greeted guests as they entered the back yard.

We splashed a few shells around ...

and used lots of yellow and white flowers on the tables.

The runners reminded me of beachy awnings or umbrellas.

The party got us motivated to get things ready for the season, so the pool was opened early, and everything is now ready to go!

Our cozy outdoor "living room"--ready for guests!!

The cake table--ready for the cake and champagne (please use your imagination, it's hard to get pictures at the last minute! lol)

Now, this is my kind of cake!!

Wish I could take credit for this beauty.  It was made by the folks at Cakes by Graham in Richmond.  The top and bottom layer were butter pound cake and the middle was chocolate.  It was not only beautiful, but oh so delicious!!  

This tablecloth was purchased recently at an estate sale, it is the perfect size for the little bistro table on our little deck.

We also had an assortment of brownies.  Each little umbrella identified the flavor.

As I said, this was a casual affair, so it was bbq, baked beans, slaw, mac n cheese, an edible fruit arrangement, chips, and vegetable tray.  

This picture was snapped before we "arranged" the food items on the buffet table.  Again, we kept it very casual.  Things got quite hectic in the last 30 minutes or so before the party began. 

We carried the theme inside as well, on the kitchen table, and ...

on the dining room table.

We had a great time, and it was really nice to finally meet some of my sister-in-law's family.  I could not have pulled this off at the last minute if it hadn't been for two people--my husband and my cousin, Pat.  Thanks to both of you for pitching in and helping me!!  

Thanks for visiting with me today, come back soon!!

Snappin' and Draggin'

It feels as if I've been away for quite a while, but actually it's only been two weeks.  So much has been going on!  I will summarize by saying that I've been asked to help a designer with a room in the 2012 Richmond Symphony House, and I opened up a booth at our local antique mall.  I have been having a lot of fun with this booth.  It all started when I read about all the fantastic things bloggers were purchasing at estate sales, so I started going with the sole intent of looking for tablescaping items.  Pretty soon I discovered that if I brought anything else home, I was going to have to take something out.  I started talking with some friends who have booths, and the idea was born.  I kicked it around for a while, but I was feeling a bit scared.  So I asked a friend to go in halves with me, and she agreed to three months, so after that I'm on my own.  I have found some great little pieces of furniture and I've been painting and restoring some pieces, and they have actually turned out pretty well.  My sales were slow the first month, but I have been doing much better this month.  Now granted, I am by no means an expert at this, but I am learning and having fun in the process.

As far as the designer house goes, I will be helping out the designer if she is chosen to do a room.  More on this later.  We will present her plans for the rooms (dining room and study) to the committee in mid-April, and I guess we will find out shortly after that if she's chosen.  If so, I will document the process from beginning to end, but I can't post until the actual showing is over.  I'm hoping she gets the dining room...

In between painting and designing, I set a simple table, but with some of my favorite colors.  I had to include green for St. Patrick's Day, so pink and green it is!

Sometimes I'm snappin' and other times I'm draggin'...

I chose a pretty pink and green Ralph Lauren tablecloth and napkins.

Napkin rings were purchased at an estate sale.

Stems are Navarre by Fostoria.  I found four more of the waters at an antique show recently!! 

The green and pink Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage plates, salads, and bowls were purchased at Tuesday Morning.  I'm thinking I got the chargers there as well.

 Silverplate is Repousse.

Thanks for visiting with me today!  If you're in the Richmond area, come by and visit my booth at the Midlothian Antique Center!!  Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!!

A Berry Nice Setting

"Where have all the flowers gone?"  I have been singing this song to myself now for awhile, waiting for Spring.  I see signs, and I have to tell you, I cannot wait.  Today's high will be 74--we're getting there!!  Snow and 74 all in the same week, quite the weather we're having in good ole Virginia.  So what to do for tablescaping, spend money on store flowers?  An option, but not one I have wanted to do lately.  Option 2--use what you have and what you see.  So outside I went, and one thing I noticed right away--the nandina berries.  The red color is so vibrant, maybe due to the mild winter we've had?  Not sure, but I knew I had to use them.  Not wanting to look like a Christmas arrangement, I added nandina (I actually had to wash every leaf with a paper towel) and stems from an oak leaf hydrangea bush.  I think it turned out quite well. 

I have to say I've been a bit down lately--where have all my friends gone?  And underappreciated, until I read a moving post from Debbie at debbie-dabble.  Her post motivated me, and I'm back today, and I can't wait to see what you've done.  I am excited to join Susan and all the wonderful tablescaping blogs!!

It's a red, white, black and gold theme, well not really a theme.  This china is one of my favorites, because I love the lines and it's classic look.  I hope you enjoy.

We are gathering in the dining room today.

By using a black tablecloth as a base, the red berries just popped.

The red bowls were my mother's.  I will break down the place setting shortly.

Guess it could be used for Christmas--or not...

I did use red napkins and the leaf napkin rings that I used here for New Year's Eve, just to add a bit of bling.  They were a gift from a friend.

For the place setting, I started with a gold baroque charger.

The next layer, the dinner plate, is Richelieu, by Royal Doulton.

The next layer is a Limoge, by C Ahrenfeld (France).

All together now.

Red candles were used in crystal candleholders.

I'm really not sure of the manufacturers of these stems.  The gold stems were won at an auction and the iced beverages, I was told, were Lenox.

Thanks for stopping by!  And thanks so much for your kind comments! 

A Pink Valentine's Day Setting

From the very beginning, I always said if this became more of a chore than a joy, I would stop.  I am still having fun, designing tablescapes, looking at everyone's gorgeous blogs and chatting with newfound blog friends.  But sometimes I feel that I am missing out on life, while sitting in front of this computer.  I will continue to post when I have time, and I will definitely continue to view all of your amazing, creative posts.  If I am slow to respond, or I neglect to make a comment, please forgive me.  I am limiting the amount of time I spend at this desk.  I did set a table this week in the Valentine mode, a bit vintage and nostalgic.

Valentine's Day is all about love, and this tablecloth was made by my first love, my mother.  It is very special to me.

Pink roses and baby's breath add a romantic touch.

Place setting consists of chargers from Tuesday Morning, white scroll plates (B on back?) from TJ Maxx, pink Bordello Pinheira cabbage plates, and Limoge bread and butter plate.

Stems were won at an auction, and I have no idea as to the manufacturer or pattern.  Do you know?  White vase is vintage, from an estate sale.

Another view of the stemware...

Cupid candlelabras were purchased at the local antique mall.

I'm not a real crafty-type person, but I did put these lacy luminaries together thanks to a tutorial from the wedding bistro at Bellenza.  So easy even I could do it!!  I added water and a floating candle.  Click here for the tutorial.

I also found these lovely pink napkins and napkin rings at an estate sale.  I loved the size and quality of the fabric.

You've seen this little guy before!

Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate your kind comments.

 Happy Valentine's Day!