... guess who came to dinner ... an alfresco summer evening ...



This week I was so excited to have one of my favorite blogger and her husband over for dinner...
Adrienne of the Rich Life On A Budget and her husband Bill.
Being as it was our first time meeting in person..
It felt like the excitement of a first date...
and
 it called for a perfect table scape.

Dinner was to be a summer barbeque in the backyard...
I knew I wanted to keep with my summer decor scheme of blues and whites..
for the continuity of color flow...
something I think works really well in smaller spaces...
where your eye can travel inside to out with the first step inside.

Styling a party is always my favorite part of the prep.
I start at least the day before
 so as not to feel rushed...
and
 so I am able to enjoy the creative process.
I pull all of the elements I am thinking of using out on the table.

This time I decided to use my white dishes as the basic players...
adding in some spots of different blues...
all to be accented by my Mexican turquoise goblets.

I had almost everything I needed...
but the first set up seemed somewhat flat and one dimensional...
so a quick trip to Anthroplogie...
for some small neutral bowls..
and a couple of accent plates to mix in...
and
 my design was pulled together perfectly for
 a summer alfresco dinner in the backyard.

I chose to layer my colors and textures...
mixing in a different salad plate at each place setting  for visual interest.


Our backyard table is massive...
The 'tablecloth' stays on all summer...
it is made up of several cotton rugs from pottery barn.
Having it always on... we have dinner there almost every night we are home in the summer.
In the morning when I water the garden..
I just hit it with the sprayer... so cleaning it is a  daily breeze.

For this dinner party..
 I  added another layer of color and texture
with bandanas laid  out flat...
to which I added  wicker placemats...
a white dinner plate...
and accent salad plate...
topped off with a small bowl brimming with green grapes.

I chose to use grapes as a pop of natural color...
instead of flowers...
as I wanted to keep the table clean and streamlined...

letting conversations among new friends...
take center stage.

and
  be highlighted by a row of white candles which extend the entire length of the table...
These can easily be rearranged to serve dinner family style in the center of the table.

 Meeting Adrienne was wonderful...
She is even more beautiful, warm and kind in person.

 What great fashion style and intuition she has...
it as though we coordinated ahead of time 
what we were going to wear...
(we didn't)...
it must be the birds of a feather... and great minds thinking alike :))

My husband and I are still remarking what a wonderful couple these two are...
and
like any great date...

we are only lamenting
that they live so far away...
because these are two people ...
we can't wait to see again...

I think a trip to the wine country of Napa and Sonoma
in our Airstream
has just been moved to the top of our next travels list.

Thank you Adrienne and Bill for a most marvelous summer night.
Till we meet up again...


I am so grateful for this wonderful world of blogging...
and the great connecting and friendships that can come from it.


as always my friends

I wish you love and joy
as you style your life




This week, I finally opened a Facebook page for my shop. To celebrate this feat, I will be doing a giveaway of one of my fabulous Howlite Bracelets, which can be seen here. To enter, like my Tamera Beardsley Design Facebook page here. The giveaway will be open until Saturday, August 3rd at 3:00pm. One winner will be announced on Sunday, August 4th on my wardrobe  post!



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42 comments:

  1. Tamera, your table setting is stunning! Aren't Adrienne and Bill just the nicest people?

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  2. They truly are! i don't know of another couple I have adored so much... so soon :)

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  3. I love your table settings-so gorgeous. So pleased you had such a wonderful time x

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    1. Thanks Vanessa... loved your blue round up today!

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  4. Such a beautiful table setting, I love the oceanic influences. And you look fabulous in your graceful black and white!

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    1. Thank you dear Emalina for your kind words and for traveling from your world of enchantment to visit.

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  5. Always a joy to meet fellow bloggers, and your table setting looks really beautiful. You put so much thought and effort into all your styling, Tamera - my life is just thrown together in comparison!
    You and Adrienne both look gorgeous. xxxx

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Curtise! Yes, it is so wonderful to meet friends in person. Enjoyed seeing your English town in your last post.. do enjoy your summer holidays!

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  6. Tamera dear-what a gorgeous evening you created for Adrienne and Bill. Your tablescape is true casual elegance and the perfect setting for a lovely meal and conversation. I'm excited for you both as we all know how deep the connections are that we make in blogging-even though we have never met in person. Well, know two of my favorite blogger friends have met. I almost feel like I was there in your garden.
    What a lovely glimpse and thank you for sharing this special evening.
    xx, Heather
    PS-You both look gorgeous by the way!

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    1. Thank you Heather for your sweet words! so when are you making it down south here? Does your sister still live in Newport Beach? I am only 1/2 hour away :)

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    2. Ahhh-just caught this comment lovely friend! I do have family in Newport Beach. I am hoping to be down in October. Dates are unsure yet but I would certainly love, love, love to connect with you. I'll keep you posted. ;)
      xx, Heather

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  7. My goodness you have set a divine table...with such artistic flair.
    Your talents for creating jewelry are spilling over into tablescapes.

    I would have loved to been privy to the menu and the conversation.

    BTW you both look gorgeous in your maxi dresses!



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    1. Thank you dear Hostess for your kind comment and for visiting from British Columbia! I so enjoyed your garden share... your hard work is evident in every corner.

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  8. How much fun...two of my favorite ladies together!! Looks like the entire evening was stylish and special!!

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    1. Thank you Pam! Happy Birthday to you... you make 60 look terrific!!

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  9. I just LOVE your table setting! The bandanas is genius!

    So fun you were able to meet up IRL. Looks like an amazing evening.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Thank you Suzanne... it was truly an enchanted evening.

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  10. Texture plusTamera equalls a stunning dinner party. It sound as if this was a quite perfect evening! Just love all you create, be it an earring ,a potted floral arrangement or your outfit for quick run to the store. You're the style Mavin I can only long to be

    Love what you do and the courageous adventurous designer you are
    . Keep inspiring. Oh by the way
    I could have sold 30 bracelets this past weekend...my wrist was the center of attention on an eve out with my group of sorority sisters. Get busy in the studio! It :could just er your year!

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    1. Barb thank you for your kind words... you are always so very giving.

      so happy to hear your bracelet was a hit... and yes I do need to get in the studio. Thank you for the encouragement! So happy you were able to go out and have some fun... during such a trying time.

      xoxo
      Tamera

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  11. Texture plusTamera equalls a stunning dinner party. It sound as if this was a quite perfect evening! Just love all you create, be it an earring ,a potted floral arrangement or your outfit for quick run to the store. You're the style Mavin I can only long to be

    Love what you do and the courageous adventurous designer you are
    . Keep inspiring. Oh by the way
    I could have sold 30 bracelets this past weekend...my wrist was the center of attention on an eve out with my group of sorority sisters. Get busy in the studio! It :could just er your year!

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  12. What a great post! Ha, I just came by to ask if you could join Adrienne and me for "How I Wear My: Casual Party Outfit" and it seems as though she must've asked you in person, hee hee hee! I hope we can use the picture of both of you beauties in the post! How I wish I could've been there to meet you both for the first time. What a lovely party you threw, I love the table settings, you have a gift, one you need to teach me! XO, Jill

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    1. Hi Jill! I woke up this morning realizing I needed to pick my casual party outfit to wear tonight... so I can have a photo to participate in your How I Wear MY event. I so enjoy participating and seeing all of the stylish women who participate!

      Thank you so for your kind comments my dear!

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  13. Oh Tamera, this is just awe inspiring. I can truly relate to your emaculate preparations, done with such tender loving care. I believe the time spent prepping is a gift in and of itself to the recipients and they can truly feel it the minute they enter your home. Your attention to detail and your surroundings is amazing.
    You two women look so radiant, and the happiness of the evening definitely is shining through. I must add, I love your 'little field trip to anthropologie' it made me giggle all morning (only because I can't tell you how many times I have done the exact same thing), made my heart sing with joy that I have a fellow sister blogger who thinks and acts like myself. I do believe my husband needs to know that he, too, is not alone in supporting this entertaining habit. It's probably a good thing we don't live by one another, we could get in a lot of trouble or we could have a whole lot of fun.
    Thank you dear friend for sharing this incredible evening with us, as I have said before, TIME spent with friends is the most precious gift we can give.

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  14. Dearest Tamera,

    What a magical evening we had together! You outdid yourself with such a beautiful table setting, wonderful food and lively conversation.
    I hope we can see one another again soon

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  15. Hi Tamera, I'm having a hard time leaving comments with my phone. Just want to say thank you so very much for your hospitality. Bill and I had a wonderful time with you and your husband

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  16. Looking forward to seeing you again later this year!
    Xoxo, Adrienne

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  17. what a lovely table setting, you both look so stylish

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  18. It looks absolutely fantastic. It must be exciting to meet another blogger and very beautifully dressed both. Lovely ...

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  19. So beautiful and inspiring! Art and creativity can be applied in every area of our life and can be found everywhere we look. What a great way to live!
    Would you like to visit my blog. Sara

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  20. TAMARA!!!!!!!!!!!

    I am so happy to see you here, in your gorgeous garden, with a BLOGGER FRIEND! Isn't it thrilling to finally meet the people with whom you have made so many connections? We often make more connections with bloggers than we do with people in our midst and I'm convinced it's because we share more of ourselves when we compose on-line. Oh how beautiful you all look, and your table, so StUNNING!

    Thank you for leaving the only words that can ever stay with an artist: THANK YOU.

    I wish you a fabulous weekend, and love those turquoise goblets and your fabulous black and white outfit! Anita

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  21. I imagine it has been wonderful meeting the gorgeous Adrienne and her husband!
    Two beautiful ladies and your garden and the table setting are heavenly.

    Annette | Lady of Style

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  22. 'Sounds like a beautiful evening! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  23. Absolutely lovely - I like how the roundness of the grapes matches the undulating curves of the grape bowl.

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  24. Your table looks so inviting! It's such a treat setting a nice table if you have the right pieces - and yours is perfect! How nice that you met Adrienne, and lucky her to have have such a gracious hostess.

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  25. Two of my favorite fashion bloggers in one place -- how perfect! Great looks on both of you and a beautiful tablescape, Tamera.
    Heather from Friendship, Life and Style

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  26. Love the patterns. You both look great.

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  27. Tamera, your table is gorgeous! And I can't believe you got to meet Adrienne! So awesome you got to connect! I am wishing my chickens could open their own chicken door so I could sneak away to California so we could have lunch. :-)xo

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  28. You're both Psychic-Intuitive Long Distance Print Mixers! How lovely you both look, and together are a dynamic duo of the first order of gorgeousness! Beautiful table, of course ... what a wonderful evening must have been had by all. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall. With a video camera!

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  29. It sounds like the perfect summer evening. Your decorating is spot on for creating such a romantic venue. I really love those turquoise goblets!

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  30. The particular Clairvoyant Supply offers Web users which has a community regarding psychics who have several expertise. The particular community offers of obtaining the most beneficial email visitors, having many having what are regarded in-born, natural presents such as having spontaneous talents though you will find people who analyzed along with acquired different types of methods used in email tellings.psychic-store

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