Fairies are in the Garden!

This week I had the pleasure of keeping my granddaughter for a few days. She lives in California, so we don't get to see her very often. So this was a real treat! I decided to invite my friend Laurell's little granddaughter, Charlotte,  over to play with Audrey and have a little girls fairy party. Of course, I had to completely spoil her while she was here- that's what grandmothers do!


Early in the morning, I hid garden fairies that I had purchased on-line in the garden.

Dressed in their fairy costumes-Audrey and Charlotte  raced to find the 16 hidden fairies!

 

 

 

 

Two real little garden fairies having a good time! Audrey trying to be the scary fairy face!

 

Fairy garden tea sandwiches were enjoyed by the girls- mostly the peanut butter and jelly ones!

 

 

And of course a Fairy Dusted cake for dessert topped with edible sugared roses, which they promptly spit out!  Loved the pink icing though!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audrey and Charlotte! Charlotte is wearing the necklace that she made during the play date!

 

 

In our cookbook, Romancing the Home Entertains, we have another version of this party for little girls.  Here are some of the pictures from our book!

 

A porcelain baby fairy hides in the bowl of peonies!

Pansies and lamb's ear are tied to the napkin.

A compote of blackberries and spring blossoms- a simple centerpiece!

 

A porcelain fairy from Susan Snodgrass climbs out of a mason jar!

 

Happy fairy hunting everyone!  It's the perfect time of year to find them!

 

 

Our book, Romancing the Home Entertains, can be purchased through paypal by the button on the sidebar of this blog!

 

 

 

 

Magical Dinner in Chicago Courtyard

A group of us were invited to Mariterese's brownstone in the city for dinner last night!  It was the perfect night- low 70's, no humidity and no bugs!  So dinner was outside in her breathtaking courtyard. We felt as though we were transported to New Orleans for the evening.

Looking down from the deck above you can see the lush courtyard below.

Looking up in the courtyard to the wisteria covered deck off the kitchen.

 

The newly installed fountain with roses floating in the basin.

 

 

The spectacular trumpet vine that was come back for the 2nd year and grown up and over the pergola- just glorious!

 

Huge hibiscus flowers

 

The crystal candelabra in the bird bath- so wonderful with the drippy candles.

 

And then you see the "creation "- the breathtaking dinner table. An artfully combined tablescape of roses and ribbons carefully woven into an artistic canvas.  Truly a feast for the eyes.

 

Treats of the olive oil and vinegar that were used for the dinner salad dressing were favors for each guest.

 

 

The ivy from the hanging baskets created a curtain around the  dining table.

 

Each place setting was on a wooden board with a black and white napkin tied with a rose and eucalyptus.

 

Dinner was divine- tomato basil soup served in vintage punch cups

A beautiful summer salad with tomatoes, peaches, roasted chicken and lots of yummy goodness

 

 

 

 

A simply divine summer pies for dessert with sorbet!

 

 

 

What a delightful evening- wonderful friends, food and the perfect setting. Thanks MT for another memorable time at your lovely home. 

Fall Pop- Up Sale- the Preparations Begin!

It's time to start getting ready for our next Romancing the Home pop-up sale!  Merchandise is starting to arrive for our  September 13th and 14 event.  So mark your calendars!  Our theme will be a Midwest  fall- Tartans, Toddies and Rhinestones with just a peak of Christmas in the show! Lot's of pumpkins, lots of antiques and lots of treasures will be available.  Today, I spent the day creating treasures  and unpacking many treats that can be yours at our next event!

Such a sweet little guy - vintage probably from the 60's!

 



Vintage bronze putti that have been embellished with vintage rhinestones- so pretty on a mantle with votives and foliage for the holidays. 

 

Ex Votos - embellished with vintage jewels. So beautiful to lay on an antique book or in a bowl on the coffee table.

 

 

 

Absolutely one of my most favorite finds of the year- a gilded birdcage reproduction with a clock on the bottom!   So perfect to hang or simply lay on it's side on a buffet and fill the cage with bittersweet and grapevine- divine!   These are spectacular- so leave email me  if you want one so we have enough!

A selection of vintage tiaras for your pleasure!  Simply lay it around and enjoy!  Would be perfect worked into a centerpiece of white pumpkins with a rhinestone skeptor!  ( oh- we have those too!)

 A Collection of gorgeous old boxes- would make a pretty statement on a dresser.

Some are simple- some are embellished- still working on that project!

 

A collection of bottles- so pretty to set out and surround with votives.  All of these are handmade and lovingly embellished with jewels, so that they sparkle in the candlelight!

 

Take the lid off this one and fill with one gorgeous white amaryllis stem- stunning!!!

 

Everyday something new arrives for our next show!  We have lots of new antiques from our summer trips, so this is a show you don't want to miss.  Again- mark your calendar-  Friday and Saturday, September 13th and 14th.  We promise to inspire you to create a festive fall in your own  home!