... a SoCal alfresco fall brunch ...

The weather is stunning here in Southern California

 in October!

 I have mentioned before...

if you are ever contemplating what month to visit 

October in Southern California  is just the best!

So when we had the privilege of hosting

Heather from StyleMindChic 

and her husband Scott and sister Dorie...

for brunch on Sunday...

I knew it had to be an alfresco brunch!

Talking with my wonderfully talented daughter Ellis,

(who by the way is studying event planning at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo),

Ellis suggested

 and

 furnished me

 an apple inspired menu.

So of course...

I was so excited to

 incorporate the menu into the brunch styling!

Ellis and Jeff and I all make a great team...

they love everything about the food...

I on the other hand am All about styling the scene!

My first step for setting the scene for a

fall alfresco brunch....

Lining our 12 foot farm table with apples of course!

I simply removed the candles...

(last seen here)...

 when the beautiful Adrienne from Rich Life on a Budget and her husband came for dinner.

and

 topped them with apples!

(last summer for Ellis's bon voyage party to Italy...

it was tomatoes... seen here.

From the centerpiece...

layering the rest... 

is always just so fun!

Of course
 what to wear

while hosting an alfresco fall brunch...

did take some extra thought...

but ...
I ended up quite happy with my choice.

I layered two dresses from Anthropologie...

My other  parameters for choice were...

fall colors... (to coordinate with the brunch styling).

weather suited.... (it was over 80 degrees... which always nixes so many fall options here)

Something comfortable... (being a proper hostess always comes first in my picks)

and of course...

an ensemble that makes my heart happy!

and pockets...

such
 an added bonus!

I kept the accessories simple...simple for me :)) ...

with just earrings,

a collection of bracelets...

and a beautifully embellished belt from Anthropologie this season.

With my outfit very happily complete...

all effort can now be on styling the meal!

 To make styling a meal a fun enterprise...
I Always set my table the day before...
I am not a person whose creativity is made better with stress...
quite conversely...
I like ample time to play with my set ups.

This year I have been collecting all different  white and cream dishes...

so I can set each place setting a little different,

For a farm table feel...

place cards were made by combining...

wooden easels  with chalk board tags strung with jute...

My table decor was kept very clean and minimal...

so the added texture of the jute and wicker placemats can really pop for a fall feel.

Another styling element that I was really tickled with...

mason jars for glasses...

and
milk bottles filled with water...

making refills  in easy reach for everybody...

and

another nod to a family farm style table aesthetic.

The apples down the center perform wonderfully...

and when the meal is served...

I simply slide them side by side...

opening up the table scape for serving

family style!

Before meal nibbles and drinks are always a party must...

even for brunch!

I set two outside 'coffee tables'

up with everything we needed...

Champagne on ice for brunch mimosa is a given...

as are some light and colorful nibbles...

Another functional styling tip I was very happy with...

I placed the orange juice for mimosas...

in a narrow pitcher...

that could then fit into a standing ice bucket...

insuring ice cold OJ all morning long.

Glasses were set out on a soapstone platter...

which I popped by simply placing some oranges on as well.

Party favors were wrapped and tied together

with some coordinating lantana from the garden...

It is all of these little styling details...

that can show your guests just how happy and honored you are...
 to have them visit!

Thank you Heather and Dorie and Scott...

for making time in your SoCal vist...

for an
 alfresco brunch with Jeff and I

I adore you all!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life