Mothers Day Tea Tablescape

Mothers Day is this Sunday, 
and this week I have two lovely tablescape inspirations for you...

Today's theme was inspired by the Ivy Dome featured on Monday's blog post

[click over to see my 'Fast, Cheap & Easy' TM project tutorial]

This tablescape is built around the ivy's green and white color scheme

and it is a perfect setting for a brunch, luncheon, or tea outdoors...

This table decor is simple, and the style is all in the details:

* A patio, sunroom, garden, or backyard deck is the perfect location for a party...

umbrellas or an overhead trellis provide dappled shade, and sunhats are a thoughtful touch.

* A garden swing adds to the color scheme and is a whimsical seating option.

* Pots of garden herbs coordinate with the color scheme, and add scent to the setting

* The Ivy Dome sits on a glass cake pedestal, sheltering a lilac-scented candle from the breeze.

* Vintage white ironstone and milk glass pieces hold white tulips and herbs, 

as a centerpiece and as individual nosegay favors at each place setting.

* White lace adds feminine charm in a sprinkling of crochet doilies, 

paper doilies as placemats, and vintage lace gloves & scarf on display.

* Clear glass votive cups in the shape of flowerpots coordinate with the garden theme,

and a lacy white cupcake collar dresses them up to serve the first course.

* The color scheme extends to the fresh gingham gift bags, displayed in a twill totebag.

[...and yes, those are the same gift bags that I used in my office!]

* Vintage glassware in green and blush pink adds a soft touch of color...

matched by the blush wine and ginger rose teabags.

Ready to create a similar tablescape?
You can turn a wire tomato cage into an ivy dome with my Tutorial

Tutorial: Wire Tomato Cage Dome

 I find almost ALL of my inspiration for seasonal decorating in nature...

the materials abundant, the textures intriguing, and the color combinations are dazzling 

[and Mother Nature is NEVER wrong - no matter what color ends up next to another!]

Inevitably, I find myself drawn to arboretums, greenhouses, conservatories,

beaches, parks, garden centers, and nurseries when I have free time.

My trusty camera captures color, mood, and ideas at every turn

that serve as inspiration for projects that I undertake.

Like this one...
I was inspired by the idea of ivy-covered birdcages and domes.

 I saw these two above at Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach, CA 

and the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA.

Below, smaller domed cages hanging at Roger's Gardens
really did the trick of getting my brain into gear.

Combining this inspiration with my penchant for using things in unconventional ways,

I put two and two together... and the result was this sweet ivy-covered wire dome:

Wanna' make one?
It's easy - with just THREE CHEAP 'ingredients', two tools, and half an hour!

continue reading for the tutorial...

Got the Cinco de Mayo Blues?

It's Cinco de Mayo! Are you celebrating yet?!

Yesterday's post was all about a quick bar setup, 

built around a yellow & orange color scheme.

Today, I've got the blues!
Add bright aqua and some magenta to yellow and orange,

and you've got yourself a fast FIESTA!

Inspiration for a Sunday brunch, lunch, or dinner table:

Some 'Fast, Cheap & Easy'TM ideas shown here:

* The aqua glass balls in the centerpiece are actually 'water globes' for plant watering...
Used this way, they look like artist-blown glass decor!

[Available at your local nursery or home supply store]

* A teal glazed plant pot stands in as a riser for a serving tray

* The crackled glass vases and blue PLASTIC stemware 

were purchased for @ $3 each at HOMEgoods

* Fresh fruit and flowers in bright colors make the blue POP
My Secret: The bougainvillea flowers here are all faux garlands from the party supply store - 

I just wadded them up and into the vases, and hung a few on the wall by the bar!

* Standard black [or white] dinnerware is a perfect counterpoint to the bright colors
[Want to see a completely different look using that black dinnerware? 

I shared it last fall here along with my post for Broadway+Thresher Magazine]

 confession time..

I worked in the Washington wine industry for years, and learned a LOT about vino.
But I still 'judge a bottle by it's label' when I entertain...

because I want the labels to match my color scheme!

 I usually end up serving a spicy red wine, 

or making a simple sangria using wine and fresh fruit for a lighter touch.

[Don't miss my 'Cheater 'Rita' recipe for FAST margaritas - 

it's in yesterday's post]

EASY Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
It's Friday, it's the weekend, and it's a HOLIDAY weekend at that!  Not a REAL holiday, you say? any excuse for a party is my philosophy. and there's no reason to say 'I just don't have what I need to throw a party'... because you DO!

Here are a couple of 'Fast, Cheap & Easy'TM tips that you can use to literally  put together a backyard bar setup in mere minutes...
so invite the neighbors over this weekend, and celebrate!

This is really ALL about the color story...
The warm yellows and oranges and the natural wood & terra cotta tones
play perfectly off of each other to create a 'South of the Border' mood.
Focusing on one or two colors is a fast way to coordinate elements...

I just went into every room and closet in the house, and pulled out 'stuff' on hand
that would work with the Cinco de Mayo 'story'...
* $1 bamboo placemats cover the bartop [and if you don't have a bar, stack some crates or benches  and throw a bamboo blind over the whole thing]

* a textured terra cotta flowerpot is a riser to hold a serving plate

* a clay ROOF TILE serves up napkins [could also hold fresh unpeeled fruit]   * a terra cotta olive plate : serves up salsa, and the 'pit well' holds the serving spoon

* a burlap shopping bag covers a blue plant pot [it's pretty, it just didn't fit the color scheme!]  * bright yellow faux flowers from the 'fall' decor box in the garage add color punch the marigolds in the pot are real, the yellow mums are faux,  and the ivy was cut from a wall and tucked into the pot.
better to have a full arrangement for impact than a few spindly marigolds!

* beach towels in hot colors and a woven purse & hat top the cabinet for color + interest
[textures of old wood, terra cotta pots with twine wrap, stucco, and baskets really say 'Mexico']

* A big basket lined with a garbage bag and filled with ice could hold Coronas next to the bar    Now, for the 'Fast, Cheap & Easy'TM way  to make Margaritas!

I came up with this one years ago, when my bar supplies had dwindled.
I had tequila. And I had lemons. SO, I improvised and created 'Cheater 'Ritas' - and discovered that this simple version is just as refreshing as the complicated drinks!

Ingredients:

lemonade
[I prefer it made from frozen concentrate with an additional squeeze of fresh lemon juice, but Crystal Light or Country Time powdered lemonade drink mix will work, too...]

tequila
[I prefer my lil' friend, Don Julio Reposado... but Jose Cuervo works just fine!]

ground sea salt . cut lemons and oranges . ice
_____________________________
* Run the cut lemon or orange across the rim of the glass, then dip the glass into the salt. Add ice.
[option: skip this step and just sprinkle a TIDBIT of salt INTO the glass over the ice]
* Pour a shot [more or less] of tequila into the glass over the ice.

* Pour lemonade into glass to fill.

* If desired, slice up a lemon and orange, and place a slice on the rim of each glass.

* Stir. Drink. Smile.
* Repeat. [REALLY important!]
___________________________________

Now this is certainly no 'Cadlillac Margarita' for connoisseurs,  but it is a refreshing, cool libation that is a quick treat to make with what's on hand, and it's CHEAP and EASY to serve for crowds.

Put some salsa music on the iPod, microwave a tray of taquitos and mini-tacos,
and you've got a party! Please drink responsibly and enjoy your weekend...