2011 Parade of Homes Tablescapes/Part One

Monday I told you about a very special outing that I was going on with a friend.  On Tuesday, we went to the 2011 Parade of Homes here in Columbia, South Carolina.  I was so excited!   I took my camera as promised and have well over 500 photos to show of these beautifully decorated homes.  More about all that later though!

Today, I've put together a little teaser post for all of you and for Tablescape Thursday.  I just couldn't help myself.  There were so many beautifully decorated tables.  I don't just hope you will enjoy these, I know you will!  I am going to hold off on any commentary, so you can just sit back and enjoy the photos.

So, what do you think?  Pretty impressive huh?

The previous photos were taken at three of  five homes on the tour.  I have saved more photos to share with you for next weeks tablescaping party.  I didn't want to overwhelm you too much in one day.  LOL! 

I also want to make sure I give credit to the those who are responsible for these beautiful table

scapes.  We certainly have some very talented and exciting designers in our area.  The following is a list of those designers responsible for the previous photos.

Bonnie Younginer of Cobb/Younginer Interiors

Gwen Ehlers, Richard Couture & Trina Haslinger of Essex Homes Design Team

Diane Benda and students from Midlands Technical College Interior Decorating Certificate Program

I hope you enjoyed this tour of tablescapes and if you did be sure and follow me over the next few weeks here at The Decorative Dreamer.  In addition to doing another table scape post next week,  I plan to show you each home in more detail.  I will break it up so that each home has it's own post and maybe even see if I can figure out a way to let you vote on them too.  If any of you know how to add the voting poles to my blog I would love some tips. 

Thank for visiting today, I really appreciate it.

I also really like to hear from you when you do!  (hint-hint)

Have a great day!

Mary

Let's Catch Up!

Hey ladies!  I thought today would be a great day to play catch up.  Have you noticed an inconsistency in my blogging habits lately?  I'm sure those of you who have followed me for awhile now have.  I've just really been busy enjoying life instead of blogging about it. 

 I confess I am the mom who didn't tote a camera everywhere I went when her kids were young.  I know, shame,shame, shame!    I also didn't even take hundreds of photos or videos either during special occasions.  Why?  Because, I am usually too busy enjoying the moment then trying to capture it.  Therefore, I often don't have much to show outside of my own photographic memories.  But Oh, if you could see inside my head.  LOL!  Blogging has been fun for me keeping a visual of where I am in life, so today I'm going to play catch up for you and for my own record.

Recently, I told you about being sick.  Man, that was awful..three days of feeling absolutely rotten.  I was scared because everyone else I know who had this hack kept it for two weeks!  Finally by day three, the yuckiness wore away and I was feeling more active.  I still have a bit of occasional crud but it's bearable.  Whew!

So last Thursday, the Mr. gave me the cash to go purchase my own Mothers Day present.  Remember I told you he is on a schedule right now that is giving him 1 day off, Saturday, for a few more weeks.  He really wanted me to have this present since I had done the test drive at the store and knew this would be the answer.  The answer to what you say?  Is it a car?

Well no, but I think you can figure it out right?  If you follow me you may remember I thought I found a great deal last year on a new canister vac.  Let's just say you get what you pay for!  I have learned my lesson and we finally took the plunge to get something more reliable.  We had an old Oreck at the shop that I used to work for that worked like a charm.  My mother has one too that I have been using to help her out lately.   I love how there are two different speeds.  The two speeds allows you to use this upright on hardwood flooring.  No more dragging around a canister vac!  Woohoo!

I also love that there are no tools to fall off all over the house while I am vacuuming.  I don't need them because we are loaded down with handheld vacuums.  One other little feature that I even like (though I am sure some don't) is that the cord wraps outside.  I really hate when the automatic cord starts to wear and no longer goes back in the vacuum and you have to feed it through.  I did the whole house in record time.  It's lightweight and wants to propel itself too.  Very, very easy and I now highly recommend an Oreck!

While I was out I stopped at Ross and Marshall's (of course) and came across of few things I hope to use for jewelry props.

I love this shutter!  Isn't it cute? I can hang earrings and  long necklaces off of this at my home party's.  What do you think? I am debating if I should paint it all one color or leave the cute Welcome sign.  What would you do?

These faux books are going to get hooks inside to hang necklaces so I can just open them up for display when I get there.  That should be a quick easy way to travel.  I'll show you when I'm finished with that.

I had purchased this previously to use for traveling and will most likely still use it.  But, it sure does take a lot of time unpacking and packing back up after the party..that's what I'm trying to eliminate.  However as my inventory continues to grow I will still need keep it secure during transportation.

Speaking of inventory growing...here's some of my latest pieces.  I don't think I've shown you these yet.

I just LOVE this chunky turquoise cross!

Beautiful colored freshwater pearls and crystals.

 

How do you like these dangling pearls and crystal beads?  Cute huh?

Another beautiful large cross!  This one is enameled with a really large magnetic clasp.

Bling bangle!  LOVE IT!!!

And this beaded necklace I've worn several times already.  It's 36" long!

Cute new stuff! 

Please send me an email if you are interested in any of it and let's talk about Initial Outfitters.

I also found something else at Ross when I was out.

Look!  I found this great little Raymond Waites fabric box and it matches my new kitchen place mats.  How about that?  The snickers were hubby's little Mothers Day gift that he went out and bought for me himself.  LOL!  He knows me too well!

On Saturday AM we power washed the front porch then headed off for the Lake.

We had a nice afternoon sailing and fun with other members at the club into the evening which is why my house is a wreck and junk is still sitting out everywhere.

Because on Sunday, I spent the day with my Mom, son and brothers at her house.  Sorry, no photos!  I am just awful aren't I?  So instead I'm showing you my messy house.

Today I plan to clean some windows, clean house, grocery shop, and run other some errands.  So why in the world am I sitting here blogging about all this when I need to get busy? 

Well because I also wanted to tell you what I am off to do tomorrow. 

I am off to see the Parade of Homes with one of my girlfriends.  Wouldn't you know it's all the way over on the other side of town where I used to live!  I am so excited as I always love going to these.  Our area has been on hiatus for two years now because of the poor economy.  I cannot wait to go and be a good blogger this time and take lots and lots of photos for you!  So please come back by again okay?

Don't give up on me...hang in there!

Thanks for visiting today, I always appreciate it.

I hope you have a great week ahead!

Mary

My Colorful Back Deck

I have been working on freshening up the back deck for a few weeks now.  We still have tons to do and hopefully will be doing quite a few big fix ups and repairs later this summer but for now I've just been in cosmetic mode.

  The Mr. is basically unavailable to work on things around here due to his work schedule right now.  He is working 6 days a week with only Saturdays off.  This schedule should end in about another 3 or 4 weeks but until then, all our bigger projects will have to wait.  No worries, this is part of his job and happens every year and half, and we are used to it.  He used to get NO days off during these, so we are very thankful for our Saturdays and have been spending those on the water.

Soon we will tear down the old platform where the hot tub used to be.  We are going to build large steps here out to the yard that look similar to the ones above.  The temp steps were built to test out if we really want more steps here...we do and they will be large and open.  We also need to redo all the railings as they are the originals from when we bought the house and are in very bad shape.  I'm really looking forward to that since I've never liked how skinny these railings were anyway.  LOL!  Busy times ahead here.

But let's look at a few of my cosmetic updates as promised...

One big change was I moved away all the pots that were cluttering up the edge of the deck.  I really like a more cleaner look when looking out to the back yard.

I decided it was a nicer look to group more of the pots together with various plants and flowers rather then having so many here and there.

I just got this flowering plant on Sunday and need to actually plant it in the pot but this is where it is going.

Out in the yard, I've tried to create a few appealing visuals.

An old pot looks great next to one of our old bird baths, that I see needs more water.  Ooops!   Remember my yard is woodsy and worn now okay?  Not manicured and perfect.  LOL!

I have so much shade and love my ferns.

As you can see I like them everywhere!

My beach umbrella is back out to add more shade around the table with a fun splash of color!

I also got these two gorgeous hanging baskets on clearance from Lowe's because they said they were dying.  What?  I don't see any dying going on here do you?  They are called confetti baskets because of the multi colors of flowers.

I love the multi colors since they compliment my umbrella.  I thought they would be perfect.

Well that's a little bit more of what I've been up to outside. 

Right now I am sitting inside with a terrible chest cold.  I haven't been this sick in so long and am really frustrated to have gotten this because it is so beautiful outside.  My throat and chest are so sore from all the congestion.  I hope I can get this thing out of here fast!

So for now, it's resting and computing!

Thanks for stopping by to Take a Look.

Have a great day!

Mary

Osama Bin Laden Dead!

"Ding Dong!  The witch is gone, the witch is gone.  Ding Dong the wicked witch is Gone!"

Wow!  I am still wrapping my brain around this one!  I missed the announcement last night and am just now seeing and hearing all the reports.

  My facebook page is loaded with friends who were chattering about the announcement of this last night by Obama.  It is also loaded today with many images of victory over his death.  This is BIG and just wouldn't be right if I didn't acknowledge this today for my Meditating Monday post.  It certainly is now tops on my mind this morning!

This is such great news!  There must be so many families who are starting to feel a bit more hope and maybe even a bit of closure after their terrible losses.  Can you imagine how they must feel?

  Just think, not only are there families and friends who were affected by his horrendous acts of violence on 9/11, but all of those families and friends of our loyal soldiers who have and who continue to sacrifice their lives searching for him and the fight against terrorism.  With all of them I am rejoicing! 

A great big huge "THANK YOU!" to our US Special Operations Forces!!!  Job well done!!!

Mary

Royal Wedding Congrats

Congratulations to Prince William and Princess Katherine!  What a beautiful wedding for such a gorgeous couple!  I stand with many wishing you all the best in your marriage! That was fabulous!

This photo from Chris Jackson/Getty images