Time For Tea

My lovely daughter-in-law, Aylin, read an article recently about great spots in Los Angeles to enjoy high tea.

The ladies of the family decided it would be a great Mother's Day celebration, but we had to wait until last Sunday for everyone's schedule to coordinate.

Aylin settled on The Peninsula in Beverly Hills.

I wanted to take a little something for everyone so I bought white teacups at the thrift shop.

To spice them up, I tied colorful ribbons onto the handles

 and personalized them with names or initials.

My plan was to use flowers from my garden, but in case I didn't have enough, I bought two bouquets at Trader Joe's.

I have an whole new appreciation for florists 

after arranging the bouquets over and over again to get them just right.

There were just 6 of us at tea - that's me in the white dress with my sister in the sunglasses.

We had such a lovely time, that we have already chosen our next spot for tea.

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Join me at Poofing the Pillows for Thoughts of Home on Thursday

Off to a good start . . .

Armed with paper, magazines and my ever present diet Snapple,

 I started an August To Do list  - projects both big a small.

I ran a few of my ideas by Steve - I have to move slowly with him especially when the changes involve "his" kitchen - and he likes all of my ideas.

via

Pendant lights and open shelving are two of the items on my list, but the project is on hold until after a little San Francisco vacation we have planned.

Painting a few signs and decorating bottles (I wish I could credit the sources, but I don't remember) are also on the list, but today I wanted something quick and easy.

I don't know where I found this picture of teacups hanging in the garden - I love the whimsy of it all.

I gathered together teacups, keys and metal bits to hang in the garden.

A garland of teacups and tidbits is a totally silly thing to create, but I was feeling silly today.

No one actually sits on this bench in the garden, but it is our view when we sit around the fire pit and lately that has been a nightly occurrence.

So I am wondering just how long it will take Steve to notice that there are teacups hanging across the garden.

I wanted to get started on the signs, but Joshua and Aylin are staying just up the coast in a beautiful house and we couldn't pass up the chance to walk on the nearly deserted beach.

The sunset was spectacular 

and we're going to take Lulu to visit tomorrow.

But, before we hit the beach tomorrow, one of these scraps of wood will be transformed

into this cute sign - again, I don't recall the source.

And, I need to put together packages for the winners of a giveaway I did on Instagram.

July ended slowly in terms of my creativity, but it looks like August is off to a good start!

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Join me at Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday

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One last thing

I have been meaning to mention this for quite some time.

I have always replied to comments from my email and a few months ago I noticed that there were comments on my post that I did not see in my emails.

I try to remember to check the post, but please forgive me if I don't see your comment and reply to it.

A Sweet Baby Shower

I shopped . . . I created . . . fun was had by all . . . and I wasn't there.

I was so excited when my daughter KC told me she was co-hosting a baby shower for her college and post-college roommate.

I begged to be able to help with the baby shower.

I hit the thrift stores and found 2 sweet demitasse cups, 5 little plates and a teapot for a total of $3.95.

My best find was 6 teacups and 6 saucers - all for $1.95 - I really debated on going back for a full dozen of each because the shop must have had 50 of these teacups and saucers.

I already had the yellow polka dot teapot and I found the blue teapot at Paris in a Cup when I was shopping in Orange with my blog friend Patty of Patty's Pretty Things.

Jen, the co-host lives in NYC, KC has been traveling and not in town much so I made a few samples and took photos to get their approval and the go-ahead for decorations.

I got busy making all sorts of fun stuff -

 square boxes filled with teabags,

milk carton shaped boxes filled with Jelly Bellys,

Drink This tags for the mason jars,

 Eat One tags for the cupcakes,
and a direction pole just for fun.

Last week KC drove off to San Francisco with a car full of decorations and supplies, but with my high school reunion, I wasn't able to be at the shower.

It was a perfect day in Mill Valley and the home of the "grandparents to be" was a perfect setting for a garden party.

Salads and sandwiches from Blue Barn are my favorites - oh, how I wish I could have been there.

The beverage table was festive with pink champagne and pink lemonade.

A "sweet tooth's dream" awaited the guests inside . . .

pink candy . . . pink macaroons . . .  pink cookies . . . pink cake.

Instead of cupcakes, the girls went with a beautiful cake and cookies from Susie Cakes.

A fun time was had by all - except me, but I was having fun with my high school friends the entire time the shower was going on.

I end my post with a funny story.

When I was putting away all the supplies after the party, I called KC and asked her why there were so many decks of pink cards.

It turns out that when we ordered pink flamingos and 3 decks of pink cards from Oriental Trading Company, the cards actually came by the dozen.

With 3 dozen decks of pink cards, 24 clear mason jars and an accumulation of teacups, I think I might need to throw a little party myself soon.

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Join me at

Flamingo Toes - Think Pink Sunday

Twigg Studios - Sunday Best Link Party

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday