l o v e l y t h i n g s



7.29.2011

Company's coming . . .

Have you ever arrived for a dinner party and wondered if you had the right night? When people arrive at our front door...they never have to wonder.  From the moment our guests arrive we want people to feel relaxed and know they are going to have a wonderful evening.  There are only 14 Saturday nights between Memorial Day and Labor Day...so we want to make it worth their evening.  We may start our evening by having drinks on the bluff to catch the sun setting over Catalina then come back to our house for dinner.  If we are going to be having drinks on the bluff, that means everything from the house to the menu has to be completely thought out and organized so no one is waiting too long for dinner.  We usually bring a cheese or antipasta platter down to the bluff.  Dinner is served back at the house and it needs to be something that is ready to go.  
Doors are open and candles are lit . . .



This is what our guests see when they arrive and this is what they might be listening to. . .  It may seem a little cliche, but even when we lived back east we would play the Beach Boys.  This music just gets the party started. Have a great weekend!
   






Posted by at 12:05 PM
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20 comments:

  1. LynnJuly 29, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Spectacular! Nothing says "welcome" like the soft flicker of candlelight. You say welcome beautifully!
    Interesting that there are only 14 Saturday nights between Memorial Day and Labor Day....... I hadn't thought of it that way. When we are in California at the beach it doesn't seem like there are enough weekends but back home in AZ......... plenty of weekends between now and whenever it is that we cool off!

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  2. helen tilstonJuly 29, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Your welcome is so heartwarming. When can I come over. I just love your candles which lead the way and the Beach Boys are such a happy sound
    To many more beautiful weekends
    Helen xx

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  3. AnonymousJuly 29, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    I love the Beach Boys and your candlelit t welcome, I'm just not a natural hostess at all, I get so stressed out.
    Ah is it Labour Day? I wondered why you were all having a long weekend.

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  4. Adrienne ShubinJuly 29, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    What a clever idea! So inviting. Your guests must feel special when arriving at your beautiful home...and you do have such a beautiful home. I am still thinking about Madeline's room.

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  5. flwrjaneJuly 29, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    You do it all so well.

    Waiting for my invite. I realize I'm a new girl on the block so it might come a little later.

    My birthday is in September.....

    xo Jane

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  6. the gardener's cottageJuly 29, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    omg how gorgeous annie. your guests must feel SO welcomed. drinks on the bluff then dinner in your beautiful house? wow. we need to become much closer friends.

    xo

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  7. MarianneJuly 29, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    What a wonderful treat for your guests! The candles add the perfect touch to you beautiful home. When should I schedule my visit? Happy Weekend!

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  8. Mary Ann PickettJuly 29, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    You are such an excellent hostess! I am trying to imagine which bluff?

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  9. GJuly 29, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Oh so lovely. Love the drinks idea and you've inspired me to create a little somewhere at SJW to especially watch the sunset. Something rustic around the fire pit perhaps... gxo

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  10. Sue/the view from great islandJuly 30, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    Your sense of style is so wonderful. Summer entertaining in California is the best. We would set out all the food on a long table on our screened porch and just relax. I'll be over next Saturday, just have to catch a flight!

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  11. Claudia LaneJuly 30, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    Lovely Annie, your guests are very lucky indeed...
    Claudia xo

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  12. Louise @ INGREDIENTSJuly 30, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    The candles are a simple yet beautiful touch - what a treat to the eye! Your guest must feel very welcomed and special. The photos are amazing.

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  13. lizziefitzJuly 30, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Love the candles! We use to do that with brown paper bags filled with sand and votives :) love the"wetting the chalk" idea you left on my blog. I LOVE your house , my son's room would fit in your house perfectly... Red , steel and white battan board:)))))

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  14. hostess of the humble bungalowJuly 30, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    Annie,
    Your home is so warm and inviting and the candles just add that special touch. The bluff over looking Catalina sounds enchanting. Happy entertaining and enjoy the weekend.

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  15. Claudia FabianaJuly 30, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Your house looks so perfect--wow! I love it! The candles are a perfect welcoming touch. Hope you had a super fun time with your guests!

    ciao

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  16. GoldieJuly 30, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Beautiful!!!

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  17. Red Rose AlleyJuly 31, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Hello,
    I visited your blog today. Your photos are lovely. The candles on the stairs is such a cool idea. While reading your blog, I noticed that me and my daughters have alot of the same interests as you. Jess loves Interior Design - in fact, she has her degree in it. They both love the beach, and live in Southern California and go there often. We have always been into fashion and love everything about it. As you can see, we have much in common. Me and my daughters just started a new blog, and we would love it if you could visit us and follow. I would enjoy coming back to visit with you and seeing all your beautiful ideas. Hope to hear from you, and have a sweet day.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  18. bink and booAugust 1, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Drinks on the bluff sounds like heaven!

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  19. Ange @ A Cream CottageAugust 3, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Stunning! I'd love to come for dinner and drinks at your house. So inviting! Ange

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  20. Vanessa CoppaAugust 4, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Beautiful! I'm just like you (although not quite as elegant.) I want to make sure that people feel welcomed and that we are looking forward to their visit.

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