Our Engagement Party!
We finally had it! It’s all over, even the cleaning up! It all went great, and we also wanted to thank everybody for coming and for the great gifts and cards! And, I have a few pictures to share!
The above is the general view of the backyard before the party. The picture doesn’t really do it justice. It was really nice, relaxing, and cozy. It was impressive for those who had seen our backyard a few months ago when we moved in!
The above is the table before all of the food. The vintage table clothe came from Fred and Ethels. The vintage letters are always hanging in our bedroom, and of course we had to have a big diamond! Isn’t that silverware bucket cute? My mom found us that. We also had some big dice (of course!) on the other end.
There were antique Ball jars scattered on the table tops and even in the grass that held candles for lighting up the night.
I love all of the paper lanterns. These were so easy, they had batteries! And, they were only a couple of dollars at the dollar store! They set a nice mood.
And at night everything glowed!
I hope some of these simple, but fun ideas help you with your next party. I loved them so much that I will use some of them for our casual BBQs and bonfires!
Adorable Little Chair
Behold the new addition to the shop (or soon to be):
Isn’t he cute?? I’m not sure if I will remodel this little guy or sell as is. Any suggestions? I was thinking black paint and new cushion. But then again, I love the wood and the teal vinyl. Hmmm… Let me know if you have any interest in this oh-so-cute MCM chair (refinished or not) and I will keep you all updated on what I do with it!
I did end up leaving the chair as is after a good cleaning, and a girl immediately fell in love with it and snatched it up!
**SOLD**
Mid Century Paintings For Sale In Shop
I went back to the thrift store and those paintings were still there. AND, they were 1/2 off! So, I snagged them and cleaned them up a bit. Now for sale in the shop! Check them out!
I think they would look really cute with the new roadside find chair!
Maybe in a little girl’s mid century room?
***SOLD***
Lawn Chairs and Cookouts
Yesterday I finally got the garage sale lawn chairs finished! Remember the old blue metal set we got for $10? The one that looked like it belonged next to pink plastic flamingos in, well, not our yard? Yes, those are nice shiny black now! Before:
Now:
All we needed was a couple fun cushions. Well, that has been a task. Since these chairs are so old no cushions are the right size! And, have you noticed how dull this year’s “summer” colors are? Blah! But, we stopped in at K-Mart just to check, and found a decent, fun and bright set. Not what we thought we wanted, but it will work for this year! They are a bit different shape, but when you sit in them and squish them down they are perfect. I would also like to add a couple red throw pillows to match the ones we would like to throw on the hammock (coming soon!). Here’s what we have so far:
Better! And Tony even helped me pick ’em out! So, we decided to celebrate a productive day (and the fact that it didn’t rain!) by grilling out and having dinner at the picnic table.
The pups even joined in! Have a great weekend!
P.S. Just for the record, the blue on the chairs was a really pretty color. But, we have a lot of red in our yard and it just wasn’t matching what we wanted to do out there. But, after already painted the set black we realized the new cushions do have the exact blue in them! Oh, well, sticking to the plan! Now they are versatile enough to change our minds on cushions all the time! (if they weren’t so ridiculously expensive!)
More Party Ideas
It is still raining here in Illinois, and I am still tired from a busy weekend of graduation parties. So, we have no progress, no news, no excitement. But, I have seen a few more party ideas that are inspiring me to be a bit more creative when planning for the upcoming engagement party…
I love when details in party decor match or have the same vibe. We are going with a lot of red for the party, so not only is this bowl of drinks our color, but it just feels like our style. We are working on a similar idea.
Ki at Junk Camp made this condiment holder with vintage industrial light cages. I would love to be able to find enough things to make on of these in time for the party. Isn’t that adorable!?
Silverware in cans would mean less plastic garbage and an easier way to carry them all outside. I was also thinking about using our vintage picnic basket.
Galvanized buckets have a charm to them. These bottles are even pretty!
These last two vintage inspired photos by photographer Philip Harvey are just so pretty. I love the bright colored chairs under the trees. This will be more what our space will look like. The beach scene makes me want to some how hang a canopy over the tables…
Wedding Decisions and Last Minute Changes
Well, it’s getting to be that time… the time when we need to start making actual decisions and booking things for the wedding. We had a plan. Small church wedding, outdoor reception, simple, vintage, black and white, and elegant. I had a book full of clippings and notes. And what happens? We get a new, completely opposite idea and are making some last minute changes.
We are now contemplating the idea of a destination wedding. A beach, sand, sun, bright colors. We are meeting with a travel agent and looking at the possibilities. It doesn’t sound like what I (thought) I had always wanted. But, oh, how it does sound amazing. Maybe it sounds so perfect because it’s what WE want and not what I had imagined as a little girl. Well…we are pretty serious, although not yet booked, about the idea of a tropical getaway wedding with the closest of family and friends.
So, in my new planning stages I have been searching for new inspiration. I don’t like themes, and cheesey matchy-matchy decor, but would like to have bright, elegant flowers…not sure what else? 🙂 I thought I would share a bit with you:
This peach and teal combo looks so fresh and beach-y.
These centerpieces look beachy and summery, but not too frilly.
Lilies are my favorite flower, and they work well for an island escape wedding.
Red and yellow would be a bright, fun combo of color.
As would teal and yellow!
Yup, I’d have to do this. Or write my new name for the first time in sand. Aw.
Any tropical ideas for us? Suggestions? I will keep you all updated on what we decide!
Curvy Chair Love
This week my chair love comes from a random internet search. The fun, curvy arms on this baby just jumped out at me. What a beauty. I’d take a couple of these for my dining room.
Hopefully we get some sun tomorrow so I can show you a few pictures of the yard progress!
Engagement Party Decor
We are finally ready to throw the long awaited engagement party!! We have been patiently (or not so much) waiting for good weather and a finished yard in order to throw an outdoor fest. We now seem to have both (or as good as its going to get). So, bring on the party!
I have a few simple ideas swirling around in my head, but for some fun inspiration I put together a few photos I’ve spotted.
This idea is so simple and cute. Although the picture is more fall decor it could easily be summer-y with some sand or shells in the jars!
This scene is so pretty. We already picked up some red paper lanterns that are perfect to go under our trees around the fire because they are battery operated.
These vintage letters would look neat in our yard showing our initials or wedding date.
I love the colors of this space. We hope to use some random candle-light as this photo does.
Are you all in the mood for some outdoor time yet? We will keep you updated with our party pictures- the party is on the 20th of June…
Counter-Tops!
They are in, and it’s official- I love ’em! Here is a dark before to remind you:
What an improvement, don’t you think!? It is all coming together so nicely. We do have a few more projects in the works. See that vent pipe above the stove? That is getting boxed in, no more tacky-ness. We also have a great set of lights that are being installed which I will reveal later. A few creative touches are in the process as well.
Notice the old microwave is gone and a hood was installed in its palce as well…
What do you think? Suggestions?
Mini Chair Love
I came across this little lucite chair and table on Ebay (thinking it was life-sized). Did your Barbies have neat furniture like this? I think mine are jealous!
Way cool vintage chair, even in a mini size, but I’d take the life-size set! 🙂
Make Mine Eclectic 
