Beach House Porch, Mantel & Jen's Wedding Invitation

Day 84 - Here's my little beach cottage - and I do mean little...couldn't get great photos today but I think you can get the idea...

We'll have frames with fabric creating a topless tent { I didn't want a tent tent }to give us privacy, even though the neighbors are coming, market lights strung from the trees on the street to the porch in a triangle pattern, up lights on the trees and a Chandelier above the dance floor.  I'm standing on the driveway which is lined with topiaries that will have twinkle lights in them, and that will be our bar and hight cocktail tables area...

When you walk in the front door, the first thing you see is the fireplace mantle - I never ever know what to do up there, but I looked at some of my favorite books, and checked out some blogs and took all the good ideas that included stuff I already had, and came up with this - it'll do for now -

The pink rose is from my neighbors garden, and the twigs are from the walnut tree next door -

Today I found the bottle on the left end of the next photo - I was so happy because I was on the hunt for exactly one like this one for the marriage ceremony.  It's the perfect old aqua message in a bottle with an old metal stopper at the top.

When we started to look at invitations I fell off my chair a few times at the costs - wow, I really got a quick education in the whole printing world.  It ain't cheap.  Nothing is. Even if you do it yourself on the computer you've got to buy the cardstock and the ink or toner, the envelopes etc. or pay Kinkos to print each side, including return addresses.  No matter how you look at it, it's going to cost - so for us, after we went round and round, pricing out DIY and going to 4 different stationers and through probably 100 books, we found this one that we loved and went with it.  We were thrilled when we got them, and I figured we were VERY lucky to find something we loved for not that much more. No printer jams no ink problems, just order, pay and receive.   For me, A Bargain -

I had to take the photos of the invitation outside so you could see it - the heavy card stock has a pearlized effect that I love, the inside card is white that reflects silver, and the wrap stock is like heavy matte gold that reflects like platinum. 

Bottom left corner says shoes optional

The response card is also white with a little silver reflect -

So, what do you think?

They haven't gone out yet, so you're getting a sneak preview -

Next we're making Beach Parking passes, tagging flip flops, Program fans, wrapping silverware etc etc etc etc etc.

See you tomorrow -

I'm hooked up with asoftplace - check it out, you'll be glad you did -

Malibu Beach Supply & An Old Turquoise Deck Chair

 Jen's Beach Wedding - 86 days to go.  There's something to do every single day - we're getting very excited around here, very busy finalizing all the arrangements and adding lots of details that I am going to share with you -

So to catch up, last Saturday some friends and I threw a Bridal Shower at Zen Bistro for our friends' daughter Stephanie, and it was - as the girls said UH-mazing.  We were Ladies lunching with Champagne on the Lake - and I got reminded how we actually become a different person when we put on our party manners and a new outfit.

This was the setting  - we kept this whole side open to the Lake - it was a beautiful day with a little breeze - just perfect.

Meet Lovely Stephanie and Handsome Danny - getting married May 1st -

Sunday was a no plans day, so Mr bh and I went to Neptunes Net up PCH for some fish and chips - 

It was of course, really crowded but we met up with some friends, got a great table, and enjoyed the ocean breeze kickin up - see the palms!  When we pryed ourselves out of our seats we headed to the Nursery to get some succulents and cutting flowers and there's a little junk place there that I love poking through -

But! On the way we spotted an Estate Sale sign, so even though it was close to 3 pm and they were sure to be all closed up we took the detour - beautiful detour -

This old Beach Deck Chair was sitting close to the road guiding us to the Estate - waiting for us. 

She has her original turquoise finish all weathered and worn, a couple slats missing but I don't care, it's sturdy and strong and was $3.  We loaded her in the back of the truck as fast as we could before they could change their mind.

Made it down to the Nursery and went over the props area to see if there was anything there I couldn't live without.

Loved the blue jugs and all the white wicker with the old pots back there -

Fabulous old Farm Table with the perfect patina - really big

Great old watering cans, big baskets, some great glass stuff, and old gardening tools - I really didn't want to leave anything behind, but I chose a few things and went over to the Nursery 

I want to pot some succulents by my side door { the door I use on the driveway } I haven't always loved them, but now I do, and I thought they would be great in my old terra cotta pot covered with lined up shells.   I got a few varieties to play around with - I'll try them out, it may be too old lady, I'll see...

Here's what I scored from the junk shop - couple of Chandeliers, the back one is old and french with little barbola roses, a pair of metal Seahorses, a cool old turquoise bottle - 

And these three big Porch Sconces -

And then Home to our Porch -

Tomorrow Day 85 - countdown to Jen's Wedding I'll show you the invitations -

and 

I'll show you the rest of the Porch and the front of our house and yard where the Reception will be -

Thanks to all the bloggers for your inspiration on what to do with the Mantle - I copied

learned from you and I'll show you mine tomorrow - it's the first thing you see when you walk in -

I wish you all a wonderfully happy Easter and Passover -

Turquoise Chandelier - SeaShell Bucket, Beads & A Butler

Hi all -

THANK YOU SO MUCH - I received the nicest comments on this Turquoise Chandelier and I appreciate each comment and each compliment more than you could ever know.  And I was really blown away when I saw there was a list of emails about this one and Chandeliers in general.  

Thank you again - 

Here's what we've been up to when we're not working on Jen's Beach Wedding...invitations should be here this week -

Spotted these buckets at the Rose Bowl Flea Market - I envisioned them filled with shells or something somewhere in the house, or on the porch, but Mr Chandy had his own idea...

A few month ago I sold the Chandelier in my hallway - we lived with a light bulb hanging on a wire out of the ceiling - kind of like the shoemakers kids going without shoes.   Mr Chandy over here loves to create the chandeliers and he growls like a mean dog when he hangs one, so I have to time changes very carefully.  I've been waiting for this beaded shade { no light }to become a Chandelier since I found it at a Consignment Store around Christmas, and last week I just about fell off my chair.

 When you look up at it there's a mirror that reflects all the crystal beading and 3 bulbs, and it is amazing.  I love and appreciate beading so much, and I am a beader, so this is home in my hallway, for now.  

Wish you could see it in person -

I took some photos outside the other day, it was raining so we rolled down the side shades to protect the recently painted porch, and the lighting was perfect for a few photos.  This old folkart carved butler is having his picture taken today... along with a few other Chandeliers.

Thanks for visiting today - I'm hearing so much about beadboard lately, I thought I'd show you mine on my next post.  The man who built this little place in the 1940's had his own ideas on how it could be done, and he did it, clipped ceiling and all.  

Take Care -

Blogged to join DIY at asoftplace

Beach House Chandeliers & Stuff

Good Mid Morning - I'm sending love to Layla Grace and her family. Her brief life powerfully reminds me to value life everyday.


While I was taking some of these photos yesterday, I was down on the floor and when I turned around I was face to face with this old 7-Up box on the fireplace.   It is stuffed with 2009 files and paperwork and now overflowing into another pile next to it.  I've got to do my taxes and get rid of this already, and I don't even mean really DO them, I mean organize the paperwork for the accountant to really DO them. Starting Monday morning for sure.  Really, I figured out that's the only way to make the pressure go away.

Anyway Mr Beachy has been spending alot of time working in his studio lately and called me to come out and look at a few Chandeliers in progress.

These two were done and I was blown away - I think they are both amazing.

My girlfriend {thanks, Lor } found this beautiful iron aqua/turquoise piece as you see it, all beat up and loved, out at the Flea Market a few months ago, and now it's a Chandelier.  We rarely find pieces with great color but this one was just too cool to paint.  I love the beachy coastal feel and the total uniqueness of the Chandelier.

So we brought it in, I beaded it with thick french scalloped crystals and huge old crystal pendants at the bottom.  I love it.

Hung it outside on the Porch to photograph in the natural light, but the photo inside is the true color - 

Then he said "Whaddya think of this?"  Me:  "MMMMM"  I LOVE IT,  I WANT IT."  That's my usual response, check this out -

Looks like its straight from the beach or maybe was by barn doors or a garden gate.  How great over a kitchen island or sink, next to the bed - so great everywhere.

Aren't they great?

So I'm home alone all day today and am going to get organized.  Gotta start getting the trailer packed up for the Flea Market on Sunday, then join Jen's future in laws for dinner Sunday night for fiance Ryan's birthday.  Buca di Beppo { I think } has the best Chicken Marsala and I am in the mood, oh yeah.

In between everything next week heading downtown to the flower district with Rhonda to see what we can get for Jen's Beach Wedding.

Have a good one, I gotta go sell some Chandeliers too -

Chandeliers, Weddings, Bridal Showers & Friends

Here. I. Am.  Beading Chandeliers and planning Jen's Beach Wedding.  

 I've been on a crazy little ride here, ups and downs and sometimes just running around in circles.   Jen's wedding is coming along - it's June 26th and we're getting excited and nervous all at the same time.  My girlfriend's daughter is getting married May 1st, so I'm in on a shower for her next month and my girlfriend is giving a shower for Jen, so together we are shopping, brainstorming, and having the time of our lives.  You think you know exactly what you want but when you start checking stuff out and seeing what's available it gets confusing because there's so many choices and such great things out there.  Doing our best to copy expensive champagne ideas on a beer budget as they say.

It ain't easy doing everything you want to do on a budget, and I found out early on - when you wake up in the middle of the night, no use trying to get back to sleep - once you're up, you're up.

For me, I find the best time to go over this stuff with Mr. Father of the Bride is while we're by our favorite Beach Cafe drinking Tea from a Starbucks thermos and he eats a doughnut or a white Hostess snowball  and I eat celery sticks.

We've been working day and night in our Chandelier Studio, which keeps us sane.  For years we've been renting lighting to studios for movies TV and commercials and have recently included renting Chandeliers for weddings, events, and private parties.  We're still selling out at the Ventura Flea Market at the beach - and still love it.  We're staying busy trying to produce as many Chandeliers as we can, this is our passion, and we love it just wish we had more hours in the day and more energy.

Seems like revolving doors around here - someone's always taking a look - and thankfully business is good.  Got a chance to snap a few photos - if you want to take a closer look check us out on ebay - id is chandeliermagic.  Come back over the weekend - I'm going to photograph a few vintage Beach House Chandeliers that are major heart throbs...

Funky strands - all old crystals from my collection - love this one

This white Chandelier is sold - and I just loved it while I had it

Love this topiary Rose Lamp - was in my Family Room for many years - 

So - I've been visiting blogs as much as I can lately, mostly just lurking about - you guys still blow me away with your entertaining writing, great photos, and amazing creative ideas.

I'll show you the wedding invitations as soon as I get em...and a few other special things Jen and I are doing to make the day perfect.

Decided today!  Guys will wear khaki linen pants, white tuxedo shirts not tucked in, and black leather flip flops.  Down on the beach we're having personalized bottles of water and flip flops at the Shoe Bar.

 Wish you could all be our guests...