Read these pages for some background on Scarlett and friends!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Vivian goes to the Prom!!

I am goofing off resting up for Memorial Day guests...(what? am I crazy?). I still haven't posted the remaining two tablescapes! But, since I mentioned working on my daughter Vivian's prom gown I thought I would post a few photos of her in it. I might join Metamorphosis Monday for this project!!!
Anyway, if I don't post the other two table settings I will link up with Susan for next Tablescape Thursday.
My daughter loved her dress from last years' prom and wanted to wear it again this year (her Senior year). As the prom date drew closer she began to think she might want to change the bodice. Since I have tried to cater to her every whim create original clothing for her over the years, I set about coming up with a plan. We decided on a plain black bustier and cutting the gown down to a long skirt.
The original dress was extremely heavy on her shoulders...this way the weight would be on her waist and hips...which we thought would be more comfortable. It was comfortable and she loved it! Even though I asked her not to tell anyone I made it since I had over a month to do it and yet waited until the last minute and did a rush job which it looked like in my opinion!
So, here is my spoiled, moody and crabby beautiful daughter with her boyfriend Chris in their prom finery! 
Vivian and Christoforo!

 Pensive, romantic pose! 
   Me, hiding!













My daughter Vivian and my son Wesley 
   
The cover Shot!!!!




Friday, May 28, 2010

Dear Friends,
Happy Tablescape Thursday!!
I am adding tables from Mom and I to last weeks post of Lauries' Brunch which has some slight changes.

First we have the post from 27 May...
Tonights' post is very late and almost didn't make it! I was all prepared with a table setting. Actually had it done days ago! Photos and all!! I forced Mom and Laurie to hurry and send me theirs and look at me now! Exhausted! I spent all day sewing my daughters' gown for the prom which is....you guessed it...tonight!!!
These past two weeks included Senior Awards Night, chauffeur service to and from artists night and then film night and then vocal performance night...(my daughter attends a performing arts school). A morning meeting with the child study team from my sons' school, numerous gown fittings, multiple cake baking and delivering, not to mention groceries, laundry, meals (sort of). And kicking off the whole thing were two birthday parties (which included sleepovers and food) for my newly minted 16 year old.
Graduation is next week and I am hoping for a nap after that!!

Even though it has only been a month, we love tablescaping and dish hunting!!! It is relaxing and challenging all at the same time!! So, without further ado...

What is this? Graduation Brunch a la Scarlet O'Hara?!
Laurie surprises us by mixing amber depression glass with a beautiful black toile.
Little Lenox dish is a housewarming gift from 20+ years ago.
Eiffel tower was a school dance decoration in the '90's!
Curvalicious white gravy boat is a yard sale find!  
Madrid depression glass collected over the years. 


 
 Add a few flowers from the yard and Voila!! .........Brunch is served...

You are wondering why this 'scape' is called Scarlet O'Hara?
Why the tablecloth was ripped from the windows in the front parlour!!!!
Prom Invitation Day!
The invitations to prom have arrived in the mail and Betsy is giving a breakfast to celebrate.
The six girls locate their place cards strung across the chairbacks with vintage lace.
The intrigue begins...
First, there is the matter of those who need escorts.
The Senior Prom is a once in a lifetime experience and the utmost care must be exercised in choosing a date.  The girls put their heads together to compile a list of desirable boys. The criteria for a good prom date has many aspects to it.   The young man must be able to afford the expenses of a fancy date such as this. Even with the ladies' contribution it can be taxing to a gentleman's wallet.  Family members are eliminated from consideration. The social ramifications of being escorted by a brother or cousin would be more than a genteel lady could bear.  The only exceptions to this rule are if the relative were A..famous, B...foreign, C...a recipient of the make a wish foundation.
Lifelong friends and sweethearts are of course the most desirable; however in a pinch an unknown from another school can be quite promisingThe criteria established, the ladies move on to the attire.
Adorning the table for inspiration (?) is a porcelain doll handpainted by Betsy's Great Aunt Ruth.This darling dancing figure represents Aunt Ruth's fantasy, you see Ruth's hair was completely white by the time she was eighteen!!

 
In this techno generation there are websites devoted to showcasing your dress to prevent someone from your school wearing..heaven forbid...the same formal! Betsy distributes a list of these sites along with the most fashion forward and interesting retailers within a 100 mile radius.  Corsage or nosegay?  That discussion is postponed until gowns are purchased.
The ladies toast the prom with orange juice in sparkling crystal goblets inherited from Betsy's paternal grandmother.
Brunch is served on Farberware China in the Southampton pattern.
The flatware is Reed and Barton silverplate.


The Prom theme is 'On the Threshold of a Dream' and that is where our young friends are poised today...

A Painterly Lunch
It is while the last blooms of Spring are filling the air with their fragrance that Eileen gathers her painting class for a little luncheon.  Before the artists disband for the Summer they take this occasion to reminisce about the fun they had since last Fall.  Every Wednesday rain or shine they congregated at the Dietrich Theatre for the weeks' project. Honing the techniques they had acquired over the last few years.

The ebullient group of ladies ooh and ahh over the handpainted porcelain plates. The plates, created by local artist Nancy, feature fruit designs with lovely scalloped borders rimmed in gold. Carolyn pronounces them 'beauteous'!
Each place is crowned with an embroidered tea towel, an auction find!
In honor of Spring, Eileen has used the Peach Blossom canary tone china by W. S. George. This pattern also comes in white. The canary shade is much softer.  The delicate peach blossoms along with the uniquely scalloped platinum rims lend a slight oriental flair to the china.
Mo's favorite, Irish coffee (Mo is first generation Irish American and married to...how'd you guess? a retired Manhattan Policeman!!) will be served in etched stemware. A 25th anniversary gift.
 
The centerpiece is a Hull vase inherited from Eileen's paternal grandmother, Nellie Thomas. The sculpted flower candle holders are Paula West originals.
Doesn't this pattern seem to be painted by hand?
  Along with the place settings there are many serving pieces, extra salt & pepper shakers and gravy boats!
If you like the Peach Blossom dishes they are for sale!! Just send me an email if you are interested!
Thank you to Susan from betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com  for hosting Tablescape Thursday.
We feel blessed to be a part of this lovely blog community.

Friday, May 14, 2010

We are back with our second attempt at Tablescape Thursday!!!  
This week we will be entertaining close friends at a morning Bible study...
the beach and at a pre-movie dinner for the 'girls'!!
Join us for the fun!!

 The ladies gather amidst geraniums and morning sunshine.
 For, lo, the winter is past , the rain is over and gone ; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come , and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land...Song of Solomon 2:11-12
The pink rimmed dishes are Pyrex from the 30's or 40's and collected over the years by Mom.
Notice the etched detail on the juice glass.  This sweet beverage set belonged to Mom's Aunt Ruth. 
 Aunt Ruth was a school teacher from back in the day.   To call the children into the schoolhouse she rang a brass hand bell each morning!!
These opaque green plates resemble Jadite but are really depression glass.  The pattern is named Laurel, as evidenced by the embossed circlet of laurel leaves.
Mom's elegant embroidered napkins were a gift brought to her by a friend from her home in Italy.

Thank you for joining us for a delightful morning of fellowship and devotion.

The off season is drawing to a close. 
Memorial Day with it's crowds and excited children looms large on the horizon.
The 'year-rounders' have gathered at your table
On your right, Jane, a retired English professor reads from a book of poetry.
Her rhythmic voice conjures up images of white foam slapping against a sandy shore, fog rolling in over a steel cold expanse and the sad cry of a seagull.
You can't help but think ahead and see
silent, morning beach walks replaced with hot, humid jogs through the kingdom of brightly colored umbrellas.
The air tainted with the smell of faux coconut. 

Jane's voice draws you back to the moment and you remember that come September the ferries will depart weighed down with the last diehard sun worshippers and pink faced, tow headed children.  Upon their empty, silent return the islanders will breathe a sigh of relief and book in hand, take back their familiar haunts.
I don't remember where I bought the plates.  There are no markings on them.  I just love the collage feel they have and of course anything with birds or eggs is good!
I found the little ball jars at the GW for .75 each.  It was about two days after I saw the PB catalog with the outdoor dining picture.  They had mason jars with tea lights in them hanging from between the trees.  I knew I had to have that look on my little balcony!!  To find them in this wonderful shade of teal was a Bonus!!!
Years ago my dad made me the candle holders from some old table legs.  I haven't ever touched them to paint or do anything and they look great to me!  I decided to try shabby chic and tied old curtain panels around the backs of the chairs.  I think the linen complements the lace perfectly.  The orange walls need to go quietly into the night!! So they will be repainted in Fortune Cookie from Martha Stewart.  
The chargers are those typical gold ones you get around the holidays.  These came from Target.  I lightly spray painted them with a Jade color.  I was trying to let the metallic feeling come through.  They turned out to match the detail on the plates perfectly!!  The flatware is by Revere.
I stole the idea of the glass beads reflecting the candlelight from one of the blogs I've been stalking.  I'm sorry I cannot remember whose.
Our poetry books are 'Heart Throbs' a collection of poems and little stories compiled from a magazine of the same name.  First published in 1911.  My maternal Grandfather loved to recite poetry and stories, I received this book when he died.  It is a treasure to me.  The other is a children's collection of poems, I purchased to read to my children when they were younger.
All the linens are vintage, there are two damask and a hand crocheted one on the top in a color I have decided is 'Driftwood'!!  The napkins belonged to my Great Grandmother and have never been used until this table setting.
The napkin rings are mother of pearl belt buckles I have collected over the years, tied with velvet ribbon.
This is the Emily Dickinson poem that made me think of the 'off season' setting for my little dinner!




How about a light dinner with the 'girls' on movie night?
It is always fun to dress up for a night out and let's admit it, we dress for ourselves and each other!! Not for men like they think we do!!!
Of course a little bling will be necessary to complete our looks.
When the guests arrive they are delighted to see the table set in a delicate blue Haviland China.
The creamy shade of the napkins complements the white of the plates.
                                                                     The table is dripping with jewels! Each lady must choose her favorite bling!

Pearls add just the right amount of luminescence, don't you think?

The silver tea set is a 'Tiny Treasure'...one lump or two?

The tureen from Aunt Carol's hope chest is in a pattern similar to the china
 The Rhinestone jewelry is an eclectic collection of new and old pieces garnered from auctions and department stores over the years. 
Of course every woman has to have pearls, especially to wear with her little black dress.
Without a doubt ladies night must include a 'chic flic'!
What will it be tonight?
Anything Jane Austen you say?
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days...."Frost Yourself!"...
Wait, Wait...Return to Me!
 The deceased wife's heart beats in the breast of the woman he falls in love with..
...plus they go to Italy.  You really just can't beat that!
This has been rather a hectic week...we're all a little worn out....

Maybe we should just put on the sweats, drape on some bling and pop in 
that old faithful...The Notebook...bring tissues!  :)