Blue and White Summer Table Setting

Sometimes the best table settings are created by just using what you have around the house.    Simplicity often times really is the best and easy way to entertain.  This past weekend my son had a birthday, and he invited a couple friends over for dinner.  Now that my son is all grown up, I decided it would be nice to set a beautiful table for his dinner.  What are some of the elements I like to use to create a successful table setting for my guests?

Well like decorating a room you have to start with the layers.  We have an outdoor table that I covered in a lacy blue and white tablecloth.  I like to use this tablecloth a lot because it matches the cushions on my outdoor furniture and pillows. At the beginning of summer, I also went to Joanne's Fabrics and purchased some of the clear plastic vinyl to put over the top of the cloth to help keep it clean for summer use.

After the tablecloth was covered, I added a few lanterns that I use in my yard for decoration.  They have battery operated candles and add a little extra light for evening gatherings.  The shape of my table is rectangular so I placed two evenly spaced in the center of the table.  I grabbed my handy go to green glass vase and looked around my yard to see what was flowering.  As luck would have it, I had a couple giant white Annabelle Hydrangeas and into my vase, they went.  I put the Hydrangeas in between my lanterns. 

Next, I added some herringbone rattan chargers that I picked up on clearance at Pier 1 about a month ago for a design project.  I liked the color and texture of these chargers, and they just reminded me of summer.  On top of the chargers, I added my white dinner plates.  I pulled out the silverware and wine cups from the cupboard.  I also added some navy cotton napkins to finish the place setting.  The final touch was to add a couple extra votive candles and light them up.  As the sun set, we ate our dinner by candlelight.  Spending time with family and friends is always the best kind of summer fun!

Take care,

Christina

A visit to Balboa Island

On the ferry arriving back to Balboa Pier.

A view of the harbor from Balboa Island.

We recently traveled down to LA to bring our daughter home from college for the summer.  Before our visit as we planned out our itinerary, a friend suggested we make a visit to Newport Beach and Balboa Island.  It sounded like fun; so we decided to pick a day and go for it.  

A view of Balboa Island.

Located near Costa Mesa, California,  Balboa Island is in the center of a peninsula at Newport Beach.  You can take a ferry ride over to the Island just a short distance away for $1 each way.  The architecture there is very quaint, and there is a nice boardwalk you can walk down with a view of the harbor full of sailboats, yachts, and other vessels.  One of the things that struck me as I was walking around was how each little cottage or home was unique.  Some are very beachy, others had a Mediterranean style, some modern, but most all quite cared for.  

I thought this little cottage was cute.

I also observed how well all of the flowers grow and thrive in this area with the moderate temperatures.  As I walked along down the path with my family, my mother-in-law and I were quite mesmerized by some of the So Cal native plants.  One, in particular, was the Matilija Poppy.  It is so beautiful with its light airy petals and bright yellow pom-pom center.  They were quite cheerful looking lining some of the homes we passed by.  The attention to detail in the front yard flower plantings of these beach front gardens was so lovely.  

Here's a close-up pic I took of the Matilija Poppies.  I love their delicate white wavy petals.  They are about 4 inches in diameter.

This magenta Bougainvillea captivated our attention.

The flowers in combination with the beautiful water view, sailboats, and sand was charming.  There isn't a lot to do on Balboa Island itself, but it would be a great place to stay for a relaxing weekend at a B & B.  It is in a great location, and there are lots of other things around it that you can do, like shopping some of the boutiques along the pier.  If you like the ocean, it is a great place to take some pretty photos as well.  It was definitely a fun adventure, and we all enjoyed our day.  

Walking along the island path.

Take care,

Christina