Teepee Party

This is such a cute set up!  A Teepee Party!

I think the assortment of Teepees is adorable, the greenery swags and rocks and fire around them are perfect for creating an outdoor setting indoors.  It's perfect for outdoors too.  

Baby Boy Shower

We had a fun baby shower under a tent in our back yard a few weeks ago.  One daughter in law planned it for another and her baby boy.  Here is a quick recap.


Here is the WELCOME sign/board -
It shows the theme for the event.

We purchased a tent and had fun putting it up.

She decorated the inside like this -
She also put some toy lions, tigers, and bears (that were spray painted gold) on the table centers too, but they weren't there when this photo was taken, but one can be seen on the closest table in the next photo.

Guests came and enjoyed the event -
We enjoyed the guests.

And here is the food  -
It's a Brunch!

We love boys!  We love girls too!  We welcome every baby and love our children and grandchildren.

Oh!  Here is our gift to our sweet grandson ...
They are from Amazon.  Can you tell I'm a Prime member?  ;)

A Graduation Party

A graduation party for our daughter ...


If you have been watching this blog for a while, you've seen parts of the look here, here, and here, but there were a few other things I want to share now to help complete the look. 


The food/buffet tables.


















I purchased some black 10x14 inch plastic trays from Amazon to help guests carry their food - we did not use plates.  They were the perfect size for what I was looking for.  They have larger trays like we see used at schools and other buffet lines, but they were too big for what I was hoping for.

               
We added a paper doily to each tray.  Here is a close up so you can see the sample tray we put together at the beginning of the line.

FYI - here is what we served:
wraps (Turkey BLT and Roast Beef Coleslaw),

pasta salad or lettuce/pear salad in berry boxes lined with waxed paper,

individual bags of assorted Sun Chips,

Banana Slush, and ice water. 

For dessert we had Cheese Cake (one of our daughters favorites), candy (including some of those fun rock candy on a stick) and an assortment of Ice Cream Bars and Fruit Bars (from Costco).


FYI - Those cute Rock Candy on a Stick came from Amazon, of course!

Between the two buffet tables we had this pedestal with flowers and B for BrittanyJo - our guest of honor.

The tablecloths (vintage sheets cut up into squares, laid over white cloths) needed some coordinating solid color napkins. 

I have purchased from Table Linens for Less before and liked one set I got (but they don't carry them anymore) but most of theirs are fabrics I don't care for.  My desire was to find 100% cotton.  I found some in perfect colors on Etsy but they were expensive - 2 for $18.00.  I could make them much cheaper but just didn't have the time.  I found a few on Amazon, though the colors were just a little different than I really was looking for, but they worked fine anyway.  I chose from two different kinds so that I could get the correct colors (or closest to the correct colors) -

Cotton Craft Napkins - 100% Cotton - 20" x 20"
(I purchased Lavender at $16.99)

DII  100% Cotton, Oversized Basic Everyday  20" x 20"  Napkin
Prices change by color and count - some come in sets 4, others in sets of 6, and white in 8
(I purchased the black 6ct for $18.00, 6 ct Guava for $24.00.)

FYI:
The napkins by Cotton Craft are lighter weight than those by DII and I liked the softness of them, though both are quite nice.  I washed all the napkins before we used them and there were slight wrinkles in all of them.  After washing them the second time (after use) I noticed that the Cotton Craft (lighter weight brand) were a bit more wrinkled than the DII - mostly around the hem areas.  It will be interesting to see what a third washing will do to them but I don't have time to wash them to find out.  If you don't like the wrinkled look both would have to be ironed, but the DII are a bit less wrinkled coming out of my washer and dryer.  I would buy either brand again and be happy.



At the entrance was this cute little bicycle we painted and adorned with a great inspirational quote -    "Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving."

A few of the gifts were placed on the shelf under the bike.

We have used this tent twice now (the first event will be posted here) and forgotten to take pictures of the tent itself when it was up and complete.  The closest we can come to a full view from the outside is this photo with my brother and his grandchild.  We have enjoyed the tent and are planning on having it up at least one more time this year.  Maybe we can get a full view then ..., maybe! 

We purchased the tent from Amazon too.  We have been pleased with it, though the plastic (rope cinch) pieces have broken - my boys have just tied the ropes instead of using those pieces.  Here is what we purchased, but I noticed before I posted this that it is no longer available.  That makes me sad because it has been a great item for what we have been using it for. There are other sizes and options still available, but this is what we purchased.

40'x20' PVC Pole Tent - Party Wedding Canopy Shelter by Delta
($919.98 = cheaper than a rental + mileage; but I only checked out two places to rent from - and we live many miles from the city that offers them.)

It looks grey or taupe in their photo, but it is white.

We had a wonderful event, thanks to the family and friends that showed up, and to those who helped with all the preps.

yard additions

How about this garden idea from For the Love of Lillian -

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Something else for the yard ...

Handmade Charlotte shares several playhouse ideas.
This one looks fun and simple and great.  We've seen this type of thing, called a soft wall tent, at camps before (usually with four walls).

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update additions:

I showed a similar bench HERE,

this is from The Apprentice Extrovert



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found on pinterest



Dining in the Great Outdoors

Outdoor dining is among my favorite looks.  I don't do it much, but I do love it.

Celebrations at Home shares this fun picnic.

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A great spot from here.

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Teepees for fun from Maiedae.



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 A lovely outdoor table setting from Oh Happy Day!

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Here is a great sphere hanging in a tree - filled with flowers makes it most lovely.  From Every Last Detail.

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 Love this swing from here.

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Inspirations by D has several nice looks for outdoor dining.

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Picnic tables covered with long cloths, from Green Wedding Shoes.
This look is great!

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Check out the Camp Themed Weddings at Emmaline Bride 

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Outdoor Weddings

Beautiful Outdoor Weddings

 Weddings by Lilly shows several Outdoor Weddings - here are only 3 from that post.

I really like the lace overlay on the tablecloth.  Brilliant pop of color too.

Chandeliers are always awesome - indoors or outdoors.  The candlesticks/candles, flowers, and all sorts of beautiful things lined up in the center of the table helps make this a lovely look.

I'm sure I've shown this one before, but I LOVE a soft draped tent or canopy, and this one is lovely.

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I love lights, and these are strung around on poles in the ground. Awesome - all we need are poles!  (and lights) 
From Reference Wedding Decoration



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Candle light always make a wedding look lovely and romantic.  Here are a couple looks with clusters of candles from Wedding Décor.  They would look lovely in an outdoor setting, especially in the darker part of the evening when more light is needed.





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 I'm sure this photo is not outside, but it sure would look nice outside.  So Lovely!  Vintage luggage is always great!  This is awesome color too.  From HERE

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Sheer curtains tied back with a bouquet of flowers makes a lovely look.  From Wedding Elation, where you'll find several other great outdoor looks with chandeliers.

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Isn't this a beautiful backdrop, from vivify

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 How about this look? From The Knot
Idea - Rent some furniture and set up lounge areas around the yard.

Boho Chic

The bohemian look seems to me, to be a mix of gypsy, hippie, and middle eastern/India style. It has a touch of oriental too. It is a relaxed earthy look and feel. It's all things bright and beautiful..., naturally.

Bohemian or Boho Chic is such a colorful and dramatic style, at least in decorating.  It seems that in clothing it might be more of the neutral shades - it's earth tone, free, loose, and natural.

Here are a couple of my favorites -

From Green Wedding Shoes

(notice how they mix and match the colors, textures, and styles)

and We Heart It



and this one, from here, almost includes an American Indian look.

The definition of Bohemian or Boho might sound a bit hard...

"... a shortened form of bohemian, meaning someone who doesn’t conform to society and is often focused on art."  (definition here)

When it comes right down to it, I guess I'm not conforming to society by thinking that I have to follow the exact decorating rules, or the exact wedding announcement rules, etc.  Who's idea was that anyway to use only certain styles or certain words, etc.

I like the last part of the definition - "focused on art".  I do believe the boho look is "art felt" and "heart felt". 

It says what the creator wants to say.  That's good enough for me.

I like that idea! There are some times that we must conform (like with our morals), but in decorating I think the boho definition fits perfectly, no matter what look you want.  Create the look you love!

Here is another definition -

"Someone who tries to live by the ideals of truth, freedom, love, and all those beautiful-sounding concepts.
Someone who kinda does their own thing and as a consequence has a kinda weird fashion sense." (found here)

I kind of like that definition?!?!?!? (well, maybe not the weird part)

Another definition - I "bolded" the part I like most, and crossed out the part that is not acceptable to me.  (I'm really not conforming here ;) ... ah oh!  maybe I'm more bohemian than I thought.)

"somebody who leads an alternative lifestyle, they are not hippies because they can have an extremely wide range of different tastes in music, fashion, art, literature etc they are usually very creative people. they are above all optimists, even if they can be very cynical too(it does make sense...sort of). they like wearing a mixture of weird clothes and mix different fashions together just for the heck of it. they like weed. generally very laid back and relaxed." (from here)

This may be one of my favorite definitions I have found -

"In the fashion world, bohemian, or boho, refers to a a state of mind regarding fashion that is individual, romantic, and free-spirited. This style is often called hippie-chic, or even hobo-chic." (from wikihow)

So, having said ALL that - this post is about the decorating part of the bohemian lifestyle - and the decorating part, in this post, is in reference to decorating for a wedding or special event.

(Info Overload - there is more info at the end of this post.)

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I've put together some photos that speak Bohemian to me. 

Boho is at it's best when it includes flowers, blankets, pillows and poufs. It is great with flowing fabric and tapestries, canopy or tent style backdrops, hanging lanterns, and glistening glass and gold.

from 100 Layer cake

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Great boho looking poufs from here

or this from here

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Backdrop, poufs and pillows from Weddbook,

also the headband, the guitar, and the vases, the sphere hanging in the center, drift wood, etc. all say bohemian to me.  This seemed familiar to me, that's because I've shown this before, here.
This is the laid back and relaxed look and feel of boho.

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I found the info and photos at Inked Weddings very informative and just what I expect when I think Bohemian.  A few of the photos on this post are also in that site.

Boho is a gorgeous mix of bright jewel tone colors and beautiful metals. Love the gold, but it's not limited to only gold, additions of silver and brass here and there, even some black metal and rustic metal make the look lovely too. Just look at these lovely flowers, and awesome hanging décor.

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Color and nature, glass and metals - it's all here -

from United With Love

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 Boho is beautiful flowers, thistle blossoms, and other natural elements like rose hips and seed pods. And don't forget the foods like peaches, figs, pomegranates, oranges, lemons, etc.

Nature is used in a wonderful way for this boho look from The Sweetest Occasion

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 Have you noticed the candles, lights, and lanterns - tea lights galore?  They are a boho look. 

Shiny metals, candles, bright flowers, from Elegant Wedding

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Color, wood, metal, glass, votives, and flowers from Every Last Detail

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Lanterns and color and table décor from Inspired By This

I love assorted things (glasses, plates, chairs, lanterns, etc. Maybe that's why I like bohemian so much.)

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There was even a camel with this lovely look at

Inspired By This.  These colors are more neutral, with a bold pop of color in the flowers. It's so relaxing!

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Food and a great assortment of nature combine for a boho refreshment table found at Green Wedding Shoes

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Hanging décor, pillows / poufs, guitar, flowers, glass, shiny and rustic metals - all together a great combo - from 100 Layer Cake

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Earthy assortment of flowers from Wedding Bee

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Boho is beads and glass like this jar from  

Dishfunctional Designs - they do boho, check out their Bohemian and Boho posts.

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I've shown this before(here), but here it is again, from Green Wedding Shoes.  I think this backdrop is a lovely look. The head band is boho for sure.

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Flowers in the hair are often considered bohemian, but they don't have to be limited to that.
Style Me Pretty shows several beautiful photos of Hair Flower Inspiration.

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Luna Bazaar has many votive holders and lanterns that fit the boho look.

World Market and Pier 1 imports have items that fit the bohemian look too.

  

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I took some time to reminisce and add some links from the past that also speak boho.

- Beads as curtain tie backs here.

- A little more gypsy in this post, but the first photo has some great colored pillows - perfect for boho.

- Here is a jeweled cake stand (yellow and clear beads).

- The first two flower arrangements in this post, and the first one in this post are lovely for a boho look.

- Bead curtains and chandeliers in this post, and there is also a bead tree and bead heart there too.

- The second photo in this post shows some great looking painted cans and bottles.

- A lovely backdrop here, and here.
- Assorted glassware here, here, and here.
Tents and canopies here, here, here, and here.

- A few other posts include these - here, here, here, here.

Oh! I love this look!

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Bohemian Design exists on pinterest - of course:

Check out this board for many beautiful looks, including this hanging mobile,



these curtains,



and this lovely look

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More lovely looks at this board, including
some with a more washed out color - quite beautiful,

a lovely bed in front of a straw wall - awesome look,

and more beautiful bold colors

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This board seems to be bold, but not so busy with pattern and color.  I really like this board - It's a bit more relaxing with things like
this beautiful evening beach setting,

this lovely outdoor area,

a lovely outdoor building,

these lovely flannel lanterns,

this lovely canopy tent,

and these beads - wow!

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This board has one photo I wanna add

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Boho Weddings at this board
a lovely look

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Info about how to decorate bohemian style from ehow
("The rules of Bohemian is that there are none.  You use pieces in unconventional ways.  And you must use what you have or obtain pieces very, very cheaply.  Think outside of normal, or outside of the box." ...)

More about how to decorate bohemian here
("This style is similar to eclectic, as it often incorporates a blend of cultures, art and style.  Another way to describe bohemian style might be "hippie chic".  The bohemian lifestyle is that of the unconventional artist, musician or wanderer; a gypsy at heart.  Vintage collectibles and décor also fit in perfectly in a bohemian style room." ...)

FYI - BohemianLit.com might be an informative sight.

 Check out the Boho room designs at Houzz and Better Decorating Bible

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