Friday, January 2, 2015

50th Wedding Anniversary Party

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This past December we celebrated our parent’s 50th wedding anniversary.  My siblings and I decided to host a party for them.  We had a tight budget, especially since it was right at Christmas and I think we pulled it off very well!

 

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We rental a local hall and did all the decorating ourselves. I borrowed as many Christmas lights as I could find and draped them crosswise, swagging them in the middle.  Drapery hooks and paperclips were used to anchor them to the grid in the ceiling.  I used clear lights with green cording instead of purchasing new ones and, to be honest, once the clear lights were on and the overhead lights were off, you couldn’t tell the difference.

 

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On each end, we made curtain backdrops for the food tables.  PVC pipe was used as a curtain rod and inexpensive sheers as curtains. These were picked up at yard sales, Goodwill and Wal-Mart.  I used safety pins to attach the lights on the backside.  I had a very long scarf that I cut down the middle to drape over the top.  Instead of building a stand, I decided to try just hanging it since it wasn’t very heavy and it worked perfectly.  Wire was around each end and in the middle of the pipe.  It was then hung from the ceiling using drapery hooks to clip it to the grid work.  I made the panels ahead of time at home and rolled them up in a sheet to transport them to the hall.  When I saw the idea for this on Pinterest, I thought it was so pretty but after I had it fixed up at home I was worried.  It looked a little tacky but once we got up in the wall with the lights lit up, it made the room!

 

The food servers worked great at keeping the food warm!  I purchased them from Dirt Cheap for a dirt cheap price! I paid $3 a piece for them.  I purchased the sterno cans from the Dollar Tree.  The dinner plates were originally for my brother’s wedding from the Dollar Tree about 5 years ago.

 

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Here are my parents getting ready to cut the cake.  My sister made the cake and it was delicious! For the cake stand, I used some food cans, surrounded by lights and red mesh topped with a piece of mirror glass that I already had.  To conserve space, I removed the glass from larger picture frames I had and stacked the glassware.  Linens were purchased online at LinenTablecloth.com  It was cheaper to purchase them here than to rent them!

 

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For the table centerpieces, I used inexpensive vases with pine needles and poinsettias.  I purchased live poinsettias on Black Friday at Home Depot for 99 cents a pot.  Each table had two vases, two tall glass candlesticks and smaller clear votive cups.  All of these I had on hand so that saved money. 

 

The glassware did not all match but was all clear.  I also ran a little short on matching flatware but just used a different pattern for one table.

 

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I purchased lanterns and pom poms from Hobby Lobby.  I was planning on making them but once I caught them on sale 50% off, it was cheaper to purchase them.  I made two large matching “chandeliers” and randomly hung smaller ones.  The tulle drapery on the food tables were also purchased 50% at Hobby Lobby.  I wanted to do something with the chairs but it just wasn’t in our budget and they came with the rental of the building.

 

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This is the beverage table which is missing the center canister in this picture.  I used a large dispenser for sweet tea and used two glass canisters with dippers for unsweetened tea and water.  The silver bowl held ice.  This corner was a little dark so we someone gave us the two trees to use.

 

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My daughter fixed up this table.  There is a cd of pictures playing to music on the laptop.  It was suppose to be on the tv but once she made it on the laptop, it wouldn’t work on the tv.  The large sign, as well as the invitations were purchased from Zazzle.com.

 

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Here’s my brother and his wife in front of the Christmas tree.  I originally had a white tree to use here but when we started to put it up it looked discolored.  So I sent my daughter home to take the tree down in the sunroom!  We decorated it with gold ornaments and mesh ribbon.  The base was surrounded by potted poinsettias.  I think the green tree looks better than the white would have anyway.

 

In case anyone is wondering about the food, I cooked everything except for the cake, which my sister did and the chicken, which was ordered and purchased from a local store.  The only leftovers were some chicken, garlic potatoes and rolls.  I searched online trying to decide on a menu and found some helpful sites but still couldn’t find anyone’s actual experience. Well here’s mine!  This was the menu for 50 people even though about 60 actually showed up!  Here’s the menu:

 

75 pieces of fried chicken purchased from a local store

13 pounds of pork loin (I should have purchased at least another 5 lbs)

15 pounds of garlic potatoes (this was a little too much)

macaroni and cheese (I did not make enough of this. I probably should

have used anywhere from 3 to 5 lbs of pasta for this)

2 super large cans of green beans

1 super large can of corn

1 super large can of peas for pea salad

5 large packs of dinner rolls

3 gallons of sweet tea

2 gallons of unsweetened tea

water

coffee

punch

cake

 

We received lots of positive comments. I think everyone had a good time, especially my parents!

 

Sharing with:

Between Naps on the Porch

StoneGable

A Stroll thru Life

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

 

 

 

 

Monday, October 13, 2014

Sunroom Renovations


fireplace in sunroom renovation
 
After a very slow renovation, the sunroom is almost finished!  It has been a year since this project was started.  I told my husband that if he finishes this, I will never ask him to do a project like this again!
 
 
 
This is what it looked like before when it was screened in.  To see more of the before, click here.
 
stone fireplace in sunroom
 
The gas fireplace has been installed and the stacked ledge stone is almost complete here.
 
1/4 plywood between windows instead of sheetrock
 
Here is little tip for you, instead of using sheetrock between the windows use 1/4 luan plywood.  By using this you won’t have to tape and float the sheetrock.  After priming, seal with some caulk and paint.  So much easier!
 
stone fireplace install
 
My husband used 2 pieces of old lumber that were about 4 inches thick and glued them together to make the mantel.  The boards were only 6 inches in width and I wanted a little more depth to the mantel.  He also made the corbels.  He attached the mantel from the inside of the fireplace using some very long, very expensive screws.  He installed some of the tongue and groove pine above the mantel vertically.  This makes the ceiling height seem taller even though it is 11 or 12 feet ceilings in here already!
 
staining wood floor in sunroom
 
I have the kids here hard at work staining the new pine floor!  It wasn’t really that hard!  I figured since they were older they could do this now.  Before when we did the rest of the house, they were quite a bit younger and I stained the entire thing myself.  It wasn’t hard, it’s just rough on your knees and back.  After this dries, my husband will be starting on the poly coats. 
 
After the floor is completed, baseboards will go down and some built in cabinets will go on each side of the fireplace.  That’s why the crown molding's not completed around the fireplace.
 
This post was actually written last year. The room is about 95% completed and I will be posting more on it.
 
Sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Show and Tell @ Coastal Charm
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life
Open House @ No Minimalist Here
Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Project Inspired @ Artsy Chicks Rule
Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Friday, August 15, 2014

French Chair in the Sunroom

 

 

French chair in sunroom

 

My parents recently downsized into a smaller place and I put first dibs on this French style chair.  It was in excellent condition, it really was only used during big family gatherings.  Too bad the chair didn’t match the décor in the sunroom.

 

french chair before

 

I’m going for a little more rustic look in the sunroom using white and navy.

 

 

french chair in sunroom

 

Oops! Just overlook that place where I forgot to adhere some cording!  This fabric is from the local Wal-Mart but I love how it coordinates with the ticking stripped Pottery Barn pillows.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

 Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

The Scoop Link Party @ Confessions of a Plate Addict

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Furniture Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Displaying Vintage Items

 

Louisiana coastal style

 

The piano is gone!  It took up this entire wall in the living room and might have been played once a year!  The balustrade table that was in the office was cut down to fit this wall and moved here.  This is the table when we first got it.  It has been in an house fire and was headed to the dump, until I got it!

 

 

This is it after I cleaned it up and oiled it down a little.  To see that post, click here.

 

 

Part of me really hated to paint it but the back corner of our living room is a little dark and I was afraid it would be a little too gloomy.  Here it is, all painted!

 

table to display vintage items

 

It brightened the corner and highlights the vintage items!  The DIY oyster mirror was rehung lengthwise.  To see that post, click here.

 

Louisiana coastal style

 

Instead of being hidden away in the office, the antique table top desk is on display!  It’s perfect to display some Louisiana books and the little drawers are perfect for receipts and bills!

 

antique desk

 

The portable typewriter is a recent auction purchase.  Hunter has several and I was using one but has stored it away because it was so big.  This little portable one if the perfect size.

 

vintage typewriter

 

When not on display, it has it’s own case that is stored below.

 

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Thanks for stopping by!

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Show and Share Party @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

The Scoop Link Party @ Confessions of a Plate Addict

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Monday, July 21, 2014

Foyer Updates


Blue and White in the Foyer
 
Wow!  It’s been over 2 months since I last posted!  Time flies and even though I haven’t posted doesn’t mean that I haven’t made changes to our home!  The foyer got a few minor updates.  I added a few more blue and white pieces to the sideboard.  I added the rope ball for a touch of texture and to bring a little southern coastal style to this area.
 
Rosedown Plantation in the Foyer
 
I was so excited to purchased two of these trivets at the local auction for $2.50!  It features a local historical site called Rosedown Plantation.  To take a tour, click here. 
 
Foyer Updates
 
The boxwood wreath is originally from Target but I purchased it from Dirt Cheap for a couple of dollars.
 
Using baskets as storage in Foyer
 
The sideboard is the perfect size to store my crystal and silver punch bowls.  I purchased the basket from Marshall’s and it is the perfect spot for the white tablecloths.
 
Foyer Updates
 
The other size of our small foyer had me stumped for awhile.  It’s been changing for quite a few months but I think, for now at least, I am satisfied with it.
 
Foyer Updates
 
The pelican painting, which is our Louisiana state bird, was purchased from the local resale site.  The umbrella stand adds a pop of color that I love!  It’s perfect to hold our small but growing collection of canes.  I’ve been collecting for quite a few years but they were stored in the coat closet.  Now they are on display!
 
Umbrella stand for Cane Collection
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Show and Share Party @ Coastal Charm
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life
Open House @ No Minimalist Here
Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
The Scoop Link Party @ Confessions of a Plate Addict
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground
 

Monday, May 12, 2014

New Old China Cabinet

 

china cabinet

 

Back to the dining room!  This is my “new” old china cabinet that I purchased from the local auction.  Before I had a smaller curio style cabinet here but I want a taller piece with a little more storage that would match the table.

 

fleur de lis accent on china cabinet

 

I love the fleur de lis detail on the doors!

 

china cabinet in dining room

 

Having this taller dark piece seems to anchor the room.  I displayed some silver pieces on top which even gives it more height.  Yes, I have cleaned my silver since this pic was taken!  My mom made me aware that I all had to do now was clean the silver!  Thanks, Mom!

 

china cabinet in dining room

 

china cabinet

 

I had to bring a little coastal touch to this room with a big bowl filled with shells for the centerpiece!  Love it!

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

The Scoop Link Party @ Confessions of a Plate Addict

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Furniture Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

Monday, April 14, 2014

Arched Mirror for the Dining Room

 

arched mirror over sideboard

 

Before I had a gold frame mirror here, which has been in the dining room for several years.  I just didn’t like the brighter gold in here.  After trying several paint colors on the mirror and after seeing this mirror from Kirkland’s, I gave up on it.

 

arched mirror in dining room

 

I saw the mirror in a recent post of a bedroom where two of these mirrors were used.  I just loved them!  Unfortunately, I didn’t pin it so I could share it with you!

 

arched mirror over sideboard

 

It’s very heavy and well made.  It measures 48” in height and makes quite a statement!

 

arched mirror over sideboard

 

It’s from Kirkland’s and is called the Sadie mirror.  It’s one of their higher price mirrors but there are always coupons and discounts.  I knew that even if I changed my mind about using it in here, there were plenty of other places around our home where I could envision it!

 

dining room

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

The Scoop Link Party @ Confessions of a Plate Addict

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground