Beachy Wedding Shower

Happy Friday Folks! I'm still sharing all the fun we had giving a Beach themed wedding shower for my bestie's daughter. You saw the Wedding Date Plaque  and the 'to die for' S'mores Trifle Dessert? Well here are some more ideas for a beautiful beachy backyard wedding shower! 

First of all, my friend Ginny, the bride's mother, has the most gorgeous backyard with a huge lawn. We had 5 big tables set up. We used 2 canopy awnings for shade and her mature trees did the rest of the shade for an August afternoon.

I found terra cotta flower pots at the 99cts store to use for the centerpieces. I first sealed the insides with Thompson's water seal that I already had. Then I painted the blue and white stripes with latex paint. I planted annuals a couple weeks ahead of time so they would be grown in and blooming.  I even tucked a bit of succulent and more shells in the planters. Inside the pots were zinnias, snap dragons, little yellow daisies, alyssum, and lobelia flowers. We surrounded the beachy striped painted pots with sand, seashells and  mini beach balls. Guests had little name cards with a flip flop theme and received  some seashell decorated glass coasters to take home as thank you's.

  I made a simple pennant banner with the bride and groom's names. I just cut out the triangles, left the edges unfinished and sewed on the lettering with a straight stitch. I used fabrics that the bride's mother is making into a wedding ring quilt! How did I get the lettering? I just googled alphabets, blew up the letters and traced them right off of my computer screen. Easy!

Here's a view of the drink table being set up. We served ice tea, lemonade, water and White Sangria. The white sangria was a big hit! The drink table center was filled with a vintage sand pail, shells, sand and more mini beach balls. Some how I was too busy to get a picture of the table fully set up.

White Sangria Recipe

3 oranges, 4 limes, 4 lemons

1/2 cup tequila

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 bottle dry white wine chilled

1 bottle champagne chilled
2 cups club soda chilled

Ice

Thinly slice the fruits into a large container. Combine the tequila and sugar. Pour over the fruit and let it set over night.

Add the wine and champagne and club soda to the fruit mixture along with  ice when you're ready to serve. 

It's beautiful with all it's citrus colors and the party goers seemed to slurp it up! ( I don't drink myself so I'm just going on the way it disappeared!)

We set up a 'beach' scene under the orange tree. The beach chairs were embroidered with the bride and groom's names and were given to the bride along with the striped beach blanket.  The flip flops were prizes for the games. Any flip flops that weren't used were just returned after the festivities.  The chairs were a fun way to display the Wedding Dates Plaque I made also.

This 3 panel tropical beach scene made a great backdrop and hid the side of the house. A blow up palm tree added some whimsy and set the beachy mood.

The bride's place setting included some special Beanie Babies from her mom, bought many years ago just for this anticipated occasion. They were a reminder of the younger days when bride to be Katie was a collector of bear Beanie Babies. The bride and groom bears were a special touch!

 Just another view of the tables and yard. That huge mature camphor tree in the background makes the yard so cool and comfortable. Even the pool's diving board got a little decoration with a beach towel and planter.

Although I was too busy to get photos of the food, the menu was delicious with a 'southwestern' theme. After all, this is Southern California! 

We had delicious Fajita Chicken Salad,(recipe here),

 a scrumptious Bean and  Corn Salad (recipe here), 

fresh cantaloupe, and the  decadent S'mores in mini beach buckets for dessert. (dessert recipe here). 

 Appetizers were simple: just tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole, fresh veggies and a Trader Joe's sampler of hummus.

 Even the garden bench was decked out with beach towels to hold the gifts.

 The tables were so pretty with silver chargers, linens and crystal stemware, thanks to the bride's  Aunt Peg. In fact, she and I did the shower together and she made the great food too.

 Well, I hope you enjoyed some highlights from the Beachy Wedding Shower! I think it was a great day and I had fun making the decorations, food  and putting on the event. 

There was one last special guest, the only boy allowed...

my friend's grandson Tommy!

I think he's pretty special too!

Thanks for dropping by the Sunset Coast. I hope you'll follow along by email or Blog lovin' or Google Friends Connect. Tell me about your latest adventures and your blogs in the comments below!

Have a breezy day!

Cindy

See where I share!
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-63.html 
http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com/2013/08/project-inspired-linky-party-28/
http://cedarhill-ranch.com/
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http://www.notjustahousewife.net/ 
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http://www.astrollthrulife.net/ 
 http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/2013/08/one-project-at-a-time-82013.html
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 http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2013/08/making-the-world-cuter-monday-60/
 http://thediydreamer.com/from-dream-to-reality/81-share-your-creativeness/
 http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
 http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/
 http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/08/wow-me-wednesday-117.html#more 
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/ 
 http://www.greenwillowpond.com/
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/
 http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/
 http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
http://www.attagirlsays.com/2013/08/20/homework-wednesday-14/
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
 http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2013/08/22/the-weekly-creative-link-party-8.html
 http://www.52mantels.com/
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/08/transformation-thursday-no-218.html 
 http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/08/home-and-garden-thursday-43.html
http://madeinaday.com/2013/08/22/made-u-look-linky-81/ 
 http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
 http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/08/create-it-thursday-16-plus-features.html#more
 http://organized31.blogspot.com/
 http://www.saving4six.com/
 http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/
 http://www.posedperfection.com/
http://www.mypersonalaccent.com/linkyparty/ 
 http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
 http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/
 http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/
http://www.mellywoodsmansion.com/
 http://happyhourprojects.com/happy-hour-friday-08-23/
 http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/08/diy-rustic-shelving-ideas.html
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/08/anything-blue-friday-week-22.html 
 http://www.ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/weekend-creativity-round-up-no-6.html
http://www.classyclutter.net/ 
http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/ 
 http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/08/show-tell-saturday-082413.html#more
 http://www.serenityyou.com/
 http://www.itsoverflowing.com/
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 http://diyshowoff.com/2013/08/25/that-diy-party-31/
 http://www.twiggstudios.com/2013/08/sunday-show-off-linky-party_24.html
 http://usscrafty.blogspot.com/2013/08/submarine-sunday-46.html#more
 http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/08/sunday-linky-22.html#more
http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/2013/08/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-and_25.html 
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http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/#
http://www.sewcando.com/
 http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/
 http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/a-treasured-heirloom/ 
 http://www.alderberryhill.com/make-the-scene-monday-89/
http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2013/08/give-me-the-goods-23/#more-1793

Balboa Island and Beyond-Coastal Tour

Happy Monday folks! Welcome to another trip down the Sunset Coast. My aunt was visiting last week from San Jose. She lives in California, but she had never been to the cute touristy destination called Balboa Island. So, my mother and I took her on a little day tour that included lunch in Newport Beach, Balboa Island, a drive through Corona Del Mar and a stop at the fabulous Roger's Gardens.

Come along for the tour! It's picture heavy.. we saw so much we were pretty over stimulated with fantastic shopping and sites.

My mom, Joan and her 'baby' sister Aunt Vonnie

First stop was lunch at Alta Coffee in Newport Beach. This is a funky little place with outdoor seating, visiting art displays and yummy food! They have frequent entertainment, poetry readings and open mike nights. Nothing fancy, but fresh and tasty coffee, bakery goods and food is found here.

After visiting the local art gallery and lunch, we drove on to Balboa Island.

Balboa Island is in Newport Beach. It's an idyllic vacation and year round place. It has the requisite 'main street' lined with shops and restaurants. There are gorgeous waterfront homes on the harbor, huge yachts, as well as quaint old cottages. Have a look !

Photos weren't allowed in here, but my favorite shop is Art for the Soul.. full of painted furniture, artwork, jewelry and one of a kind creations.

Fantastic homes with inviting decks along the canals and streets beckon you to walk and gawk.

After a little tour of Balboa Island, we drove south to see Corona Del Mar, 'The Crown of the Sea'. The photo at the beginning of this post, above, is the ocean view.. ridiculously awesome!

 This is a really upscale Orange County neighborhood. Just a drive along the ocean front homes is amazing. I hadn't seen this home, below, before. I think it was constructed on 3 or 4 ocean front lots. I don't know who owns this, but you can only imagine what something like this would cost. The home looked like a movie set or something out of Fantasyland in Disneyland.



Handcrafted gate is great! A note about the banner. There is a current controversy about keeping the beach fire pits or not. People are complaining of the smoke and pollution they produce. Apparently, this home owner wants to save them!

 All these photos are of one home! All the rocks in the landscape were brought in and the home looks all hand constructed with huge timbers. I didn't do Corona Del Mar justice with photos, I got caught up with that one outrageous house.

Roger's Gardens wall of succulents~ Awesome aged planters!

 Next, one more stop on the sunset coasting tour, Roger's Gardens. Roger's is a retail nursery but so much more. We barely looked at plants because the shops are so wonderful! The shops are filled with home accessories, indoor plants, candles, pots and other unique items. More Photos!

Fuschia Filled Treescapes!

Lovely Orchids in many colors..

Flowers and pots and candles under a coveted wood shaded chandelier!

Capitivating flower displays beneath a twig Chandy!

Glass displays overlooking the outside gardens.

Patriotic tablescapes anyone?

An abundance of red, white and blue pillows!

Unique dishes! These are not glued together, they're made this way!

French inspired garden goodies!

All in all, it was a beautiful day to be a tourist along the Orange County coastline! Great sites, great company and good memories were made. Where do you like to take a day trip where you live?

Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you'll join my site !
Have a trippy day!
Cindy


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IT'S MAY, IT'S MAY



Graphics Fairy

Hi everybody! It's May already! Time does a funny thing when you get older. It's spins out of control. I'm 57 and it goes way too fast. I know, you've heard it before, but it's hard to believe unless you experience this time thing. Then it's like you want to grasp onto time with a chain and slow it down.

 

May 1, May Day! What does today make you think of?   When I was a child, I always wanted to make a May Pole. You know those ideallic pictures of girls in Spring dresses, and perfectly mannered little boys,  dancing and weaving a perfect pattern on a May Pole.

D and D Digital Delights Etsy

 I think we made a May Pole once in Brownie, Girl Scouts. It took lots of practice to get it right. Then, I tried it at home.. actually, I tried to make a lot of stuff. Making 'stuff'
 was in my bones even as a child. But it was a failure trying to get my brothers to weave the strings or whatever I had, into that perfect pole pattern.

The other thing May Day brings to mind, my ex-husband's birthday. He said his parents told him he was named Bill, because bills come at the first of the month. I must have heard that corny joke every year!

But the one thing that really sticks in my head on May Day is a tune... My friend Ginny always sings the song, "The Lusty Month of May" from  Camelot. She's a wiz with song lyrics , especially from musicals and can sing it all the way through. It's hilarious.. gotta love a bestie!

 

Tra la! It's May!
The lusty month of May!
That lovely month when ev'ryone goes
Blissfully astray.

 

DandD Digital Delights Etsy

 

Graphics Fairy

Tra la! It's here!
That shocking time of year
When tons of wicked little thoughts
Merrily appear!
It's May! It's May!
That gorgeous holiday
When ev'ry maiden prays that her lad
Will be a cad!

My Front Garden and Steps

It's mad! It's gay!
A libelous display!
Those dreary vows that ev'ryone takes,
Ev'ryone breaks.
Ev'ryone makes divine mistakes
The lusty month of May!

 

Tra la! It's May!
The lusty month of May!
That darling month when ev'ryone throws
Self-control away.
It's time to do
A wretched thing or two,
And try to make each precious day
One you'll always rue!

Carol Robinson (thanks cousin!)

It's May! It's May!
The month of "yes you may,"



Graphics Fairy

The time for ev'ry frivolous whim,
Proper or "im."
It's wild! It's gay!
A blot in ev'ry way.
The birds and bees with all of their vast
Amorous past
Gaze at the human race aghast,
The lusty month of May.

 

Wow! Those song lyrics are pretty suggestive. I don't know what you have in mind for May Day, but I hope to spend sometime outside today. I've got a new patch of garden I've been working on and the sun is going to come out today!

 

Have a 'Lusty' May Day!!!

Graphics Fairy

Cindy

 

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