Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Al Fresco Dining on the Puget Sound, and a Winner!

Hello Ladies,
Yesterday it was such a nice and sunny day, I thought it would be fun to set the table outside for a seaside dinner.  Our new "home away from home" is perched high upon a bluff overlooking the beautiful Puget Sound, and the views are just amazing!
 Warning, lots of pictures here!!!

 Who says you can't use your best lace tablecloth on a chippy old wooden table?
 Vintage aqua blue glass mason jars make great votive holders!  A good idea on a windy day!
 As a last minute idea, I cut a few snippets of burlap from the coffee sack I bought last weekend and made little coasters.  Easy peasy!
 A few more little bits of burlap, some hot glue, and shells from our beach made fun little napkin rings.  I love the contrast of the dainty white vintage linen napkins against the ruff burlap!!
 A romantic setting indeed!
 You might not be able to see the little bee motif on the glass carafe below.  We found the carafe on a trip to Paris a few years ago.  The honeybee was one of Napoleon's symbols, and signifies royalty!
 Playing around a bit with Picnik!
 I bought this pretty white wooden tray at a church rummage sale a few years ago for a mere $2!  Shabbiliscious!
 Vintage apothecary bottles are great stand ins for bud vases!  I found the cute little white wire carrier last weekend at the show in Snohomish.  A few sea shells and driftwood add to the beachy appeal.
 The rhododendron and azaleas are in their glory right now!  I used some of my milk glass collection to showcase them.
 One of my friend's sent me this pretty aqua hanging candleholder.  Love it!

 All set to watch the sunset over the sound!
 See, I told you there were lots of pictures in this post!  I got a little snap happy!

 Seated side by side to take in the views!
 I showed you the other day this gorgeous quilted runner, that my sister sent me.  She did a fabulous job creating it, and I think the colors are just perfect for our sea side supper table!
 Love the way the light casts shadows at this time of the early evening!
Tray chic!
 I am in love with vintage blue Mason jars!  I use them for everything from storing doggie treats, to displaying shells, to vases for fresh flowers.
 Ok, now on to drawing for my French themed giveaway!  Since I couldn't figure out how to do the random generator thingy, I did it the super high tech way!  haha!  Don't worry, that is not my hairy hand you see!  I enlisted the help of hubby to draw the name.  Ok, drum roll please...................

The winner is:  Judy of French Laundry!  Congratulations, Judy!  Just email me with your mailing address, and I will send your package out right away!
I'm linking up with the following parties:
Faded Charm White Wednesday
Between Naps on the Porch Tablescapes Thursday

32 comments:

Kaybe said...

Bravo Judy! What an amazing table & view. Looks like you are settling in quite nicely in the Pacific NW. That table scape would make a bologna samich taste heavenly.

Take good care,

Karen

Ido said...

What a beautiful setting, very romantic and what a view! Ahhh C'est la Vie! Love that chic tray!
Have a wonderful long weekend!
XXX Ido

LuLu Kellogg said...

Congrats to Judy!

Donna...these pictures were beautiful! What a gorgeous place to have dinner!

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

mizdarlin said...

Congrats to the winner of your give-away, and I love your pictures...must be far warmer where you are than here..not to mention rain!
Love the patchwork runner-a great idea that has me thinking!

Karen said...

What a beautiful table you set, Donna! Everything looks so nice and inviting and that view is wonderful! Lucky you!

Karen

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

Congrats to Judy!!! What a beautiful table setting. Love the blue fruit jars, too, and those azaleas are gorgeous! Have a great holiday weekend, Donna!!!

Anonymous said...

Great tablesetting, and pretty pictures.

Erika

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, I love this romantic setting--it is breathtaking!!! And congrats to Judy! Oh gosh, this is so exquisite!!
XO
Cindy

NanaDiana said...

Well, first off- Congratulations to Judy for the win. She will love it, I'm sure!

Your view is amazing, Donna. Even if you didn't want to be there at least you have the view to soothe your soul! Your table looks beautiful and I love all the bits and pieces you have incorporated into the setting. A perfect place to wind up at the end of the day.

I am quitting early tonight as I have to get up at 4:30am again tomorrow for work. UGH- Hugs-Diana

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

Wow! I am so excited about winning your beautiful giveaway. YAY! And I think I got pretty jazzed about your views as well. The only thing that would have been better is if I'd have been having dinner WITH you in that divine setting!

Hugs,
Judy

Musings from Kim K. said...

Such a beautiful setting for such a lovely romantic dinner. Ok. You must admit that your breathtaking views make the move from MI tolerable. Congratulations to Judy! Have a lovely weekend!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Donna,
What a lovely setting with a heavenly view!
Congrats to Judy too.

hugs
Sissie

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

What a beautiful table! I don't know how you got so lucky to get that view while you are living there! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Holly said...

Hi Donna~
Your setting is so beautiful - the table, decor and natural setting - stunning!
Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind comments.

Blooming Rose Musings said...

What a gorgeous view and your table is spectacular! Everything looks so lovely and beautiful.
I have been working endless hours and have just been catching up on blogs now. You have been busy! It seems you have been adjusting to the change of location beautifully. Your wonderful posts have made it fun for us to see your new area right along with you. There's just no stopping the queen of glitter!!! Have a magnificent long weekend, Donna.

Erin said...

Love the setting Donna!!! Gorgeous:)

Debbie said...

What a gorgeous setting, Donna! All of your pics are wonderful! How romantic to watch the sunset over the ocean with your honey.
Congrats to Judy!
Hugs to you.
Debbie

my Heritage Happens said...

I have awarded you the Beautiful Blog Award at
http://heritagehappens.blogspot.com/2011/05/beautiful-blog-award.html

Pamela said...

Lovely Donna! This looks like a spread
out of Victoria magazine!
I love the white tray that was a huge deal!!!

Leo said...

What a beautiful setting. I just can not get over your view. It must be so nice to wake up every day to that! Love the table you set...so pretty!! Hope you had an amazing Memorial Day weekend. XOXO

Vintage Market Place said...

what an amazing table scape.
I would love to have an afternoon there
Cheers
Amy

Gracie's Cottage said...

Oh you lucky duck...what a view! And you've taken advantage of it in a most delightful way - love your table!

Jan

Atticmag said...

Such a pretty table al fresco and so inviting. Glad to stop by. Jane

Sarah said...

Congratulations to the winner. And I'd say your beautiful alfresco dining setting is definitely a winner. Wow, you live in an amazing setting. ~ Sarah

Debbiedoos said...

How sweet Donna. I love the table setting. That market looked awesome. Wish we had a place like that close to home.

Fishtail Cottage said...

Beautiful table and a gorgeous view! I am in the puget sound too! oxox, tracie

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

How Beautiful is Your Picnic Vignette, Love the Blue jars & the Quilt covering....

Entertaining Women said...

Mosquitos wouldn't dare come close to such a beautiful setting...right? A beautiful collection of elements used for a gorgeous dinner al fresco. Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What a gorgeous setting and spectacular table you've set. Love the mason jars - burlap and shells and lace. Breathtaking.

a quiet life said...

just gorgeous, love the setting and the table and i will be copying your shell rings :)

jninecostumes said...

Donna, Found your blog from BNOP and tablescape Thursday. Love the lace and chippy table setting outdoors. I grew up in Enumclaw, but now live in the Central Valley of CA.

Marlis said...

love using lace outside.. it's so wonderful in contrast to the surrounding. your table is fabulous. thanks for sharing. many blessings, marlis