Some of my friends in our community have started a fun tradition we’ve called, albeit somewhat tongue in cheek, ‘Diva Dinner’. Several months ago one of our friends started an etiquette business and had a few of us over to her house to practice her schtick and it was then we decided to continue with the idea of getting together with just ‘the girls’ every few months. I missed the second dinner because we were at the Cape but lucky for me I made the next one at Penny’s. Penny has my favorite house on the lake which I gave you a glimpse of a while ago in this post, plus she used to own a floral shop so suffice it to say she knows her way around a tablescape.
I know many of you have a serious crush on Mercury glass (who doesn’t?). Penny placed some fresh, white roses inside two mercury vases, placed some greenery for color and added a bit of the mandatory bling factor and ended up with this beautiful result.
Not long ago Penny picked up this ‘shoe’ at a neighborhood tag sale. Maybe you’ve seen them around? They’re made to hold wine bottles, but isn’t this a great idea?
We started our meal with some delicious leek and broccoli soup served in an untraditional, but fun way inside these shooter glasses. Love the red on the bottom!
Isn’t this pretty? She has the best view of the lake, and her house takes advantage of it everywhere you turn. She made those large cut out cookies for us to take home. So good!! Oh, and we also got to take home the crystal snowflake ornament on the napkins.
When a table looks this pretty, it’s a no brainer to dress up the chairs a bit, and Penny did that superbly with the addition of some ribbon and clear ornaments.
The above pictures were taken during daylight hours, but of course, the magic happens at night so I came by a little earlier than the rest of our friends and took some shots with all the candles lit and the lights aglow. Look what she did with the chandy! It’s a simple iron chandelier in its other life, but with some silver ornaments and pearls, it’s all snazzy and ready for its close up.
One of my favorite items on the table were these beautiful candle holders. They were even more beautiful in person. The vase was Penny’s mother’s, who passed away a year ago just shy of her 100th birthday.
The bottom of the centerpiece was hand made by Penny. Isn’t it gorgeous??! When we went to ‘Set to Celebrate‘ a few weeks ago, she was inspired by a similar centerpiece.
If you’d like to duplicate something like this, here’s what you do: get an acrylic sheet and cut it into the shape you want. Decide what you’re going to place on top and then trace out the openings you need and cut them out using a cutter like ones you might use for cutting carpet. Buy whatever kinds of beads you want along with some LED lights and place them on the acrylic using clear caulking to adhere. That’s it!
One of the best things about this table is it’s appropriate for almost any elegant event. I can picture something like this for a wedding, or even a New Year’s Eve dinner. So what do you think? Don’t I have some seriously talented friends?
In other news…
We’re on the road as you’re reading this, exploring the South and probably getting into all sorts of trouble. At least I hope so. I’ve scheduled some posts to go live while I’m away so I hope you’ll come back and check them out. Coming soon…organizing and my ‘year in review’.
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Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Such a beautiful table your friend, Penny, put together, Doreen! It looks like it was a great dinner and a great way to spend some time with friends.
Looking forward to your organizing and review posts! I just wrapped up my review post last night and will need to get a plan in place for my organizing since it will start with my Christmas décor.
kimberly says
Doreen
I hope your having loads of fun in your travels!
Penny did a bang up job with her tablescape.
I agree, it would work beautifully for a wedding as well.
Brenda Kula says
She has a gorgeous home and is very talented. She needs to be a blogger! Have fun and be safe.
Brenda
Dewena says
That’s beautiful! It looks as if it could be a fabulous grownups’ table for a “Frozen” party like my granddaughter went to recently, given by a woman who out-Marthas Martha.
I love that acrylic tabletop treatment with the lights. Have a nice trip!
Penny says
Doreen, you do wonders with your camera and are so complimentary. It was such fun to put together and I’m so glad the Divas enjoyed it.
Diane Massey says
Gorgeous pictures Doreen. Penny did a fabulous job and it was a sparkling evening of diva, dining and decorum.
Diane
Poppy says
A stunning and shiny winter tablescape, fit for the ‘coolest’ of divas! The chandelier is amazingly put together and I think, for me, is the scene stealer, here, although the candle holders are very elegant, and that view is breathtaking. What a gorgeous winter wonderland of whimsy!
I know you’re having a blast on your trip, my friend, and hope you are getting into trouble, too!;))
Happy travels!
xoxo
Poppy
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
It’s really nice of her to go to all of that trouble so that you could have a Diva Blog Post, ha ha ! WOW …everything just looked amazing. Absolutely stunning! : )
Carrie@Northwoods Scrapbook says
Wow! Just beautiful and such a lovely glow to everything with the perfect amount of bling and all the creamy colors. Her view is amazing too!! I would definitely say very appropriate for a “diva dinner’ (the shoe arrangement – be still my heart!!).
Thanks for sharing and many blessings to you for the New Year Doreen! Be safe in all of your travels. xo
Jane says
This really is a beautiful tablescape, I bet it made all of you gals feel very pampered and special. I love mercury glass and I thought I had a lot more than I pulled out with my Christmas bins. Maybe I’ll search for that when I hit the after-holiday sales this week.
Have fun on your trip!
Jane xx
Lavender Dreams says
What a fabulous idea ….and surrounds everyone with beauty and style. I hope you’re having a wonderful trip so far! It was 80 here today so hopefully you’ll be in the warm weather soon! Be safe and HAVE FUN! Sweet hugs, Diane
Tuula @ The Thrifty Rebel says
Wow, what a gorgeous table! It all looks so amazing. Hope you’re having fun getting into trouble.
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
What a lovely, very feminine and very elegant table!
Sue says
I’m so happy you shared Penny’s table with us and I have to pin to keep for inspiration and to share with others. I love it all of course and went Wow when I saw the big bow and ornament on the chairs.
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Such an exquisite table with an view to match!!!…and must say that I love your header…you must tell me how you do it!!!
Doreen says
Penny’s view is my favorite! My header wasn’t done by me Shirley, and unfortunately the person who did it has decided she is no longer doing graphic design. 🙁 Happy New Year to you!
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hello Doreen! Your friend is very creative. What a beautiful table. I love the idea of an all girls dinner night. Lovely idea. I’m going to try to do something with the acrylic sheet and LED lights. Love the look. Thanks for sharing. Have a great New Year’s Eve and New Year! 😀
kelly says
That is a beautiful table setting! You’re absolutely right that it could be used at New Years Eve or a wedding. I adore those huge snowflake cookies she made! Thanks for sharing this inspiring table. Hope you’re having a blast in the South!
Manuela@A Cultivated Nest says
Oh my gosh what a view and beautiful table! The “Diva Dinner” sound like such a fun idea!
It’s cold in my part of the South. Hopefully you’re someplace warmer!
Doreen says
It’s pretty cold right now Manuela! About 52! We are in St. Augustine now but will be going further south tomorrow which is in the 70’s. Can’t wait!
Julie says
What a beautiful and gorgeous table you friend decorated! It’s so pretty and elegant. I hope you are having a wonderful time on your long vacation. Wishing you a Happy New Year.
Julie
susan says
I love that you have Diva Dinners – what a fabulous idea! The table looks spectacular and the floral arrangements, just beautiful. Your group of ladies must have felt very pampered that evening.
Wishing you all the best in 2015. Happy New Year to you and yours.