Breezy Beach Dinner

Here’s the next of the tablescapes that I have been doing for Intown Mix. This was an amusing photo shoot for me, a comedy of errors, really.

 

The setup was pre-planned several days in advance, as I was trying to capture the right light for the table. I wanted to shoot it with our pool in the background, and there is only a brief time around 11:30 a.m. when this area has the right amount of shade, with just a little sunlight.

 

I was in trouble from the start. The sun is shifting so quickly now, and was coming up over the trees even faster than it was several days earlier. I was running out of time fast.

 

And it was HOT – around 98. And windy. Our neighbor to the east was having some construction done, and sawdust was blowing over the fence and onto the table. Our crape myrtle tree is in full bloom, and little pink blossoms were raining down, too. The candy started to melt, and even the candles were softening.

 

I didn’t even have time to mix up all four of the special cocktails, the ice was melting so fast. Only one person gets a drink today! With no napkins, because I forgot them completely.

 

 A little while later, I found that I had a few more moments of shade. There I was outside shooting away, when I realized something was wrong … the candy! – I took it inside! After a mad dash to bring the candy-filled shells back out, I had all but missed my second opportunity.

 

This theme was sure fun to do, though. The ceramic shells and watery blue plates are from my favorite new store, the 99 Cents Only Store. Gibson dinner plates and the driftwood color basket came from the thrift store, and those pretty beach-stripey placemats and the glassware were found at Ross. I silvered the sea shells with Rub-N-Buff, and used the sea grass from last week’s photo shoot in the basket.

 

After I finished, we took it all back inside, where it wasn’t 98 degrees, and ate something completely different than I had planned for dinner. And Abby ate all of the candy.

 

Today is Tablescape Thursday! Go here to see all of the other fabulous tablescapes.

 

Comments

[Lilly B]

Beautiful!!!!! We are both doing Blue today!!!

[Linda Queen]

It turned out beautifully!
Love the candy and shells in the shell dishes, darling idea.
Linda Q

[Cindy]

Haha...the stuff we go through to get good photos for our blogs!!! I could totally relate! Your table looks so beautiful and now I'm craving some salt water taffy!

[Pearl Maple]

Well done!
You and the candles might have been melting but it is an ever so pretty result. Thanks for sharing the inspiration.

[Jeannine Wayman]

Lovely table. I like how you entwined the shell necklaces around the candles. Wish I could join you!

[Stacey]

I love the story that goes with this tablescape! Now we know what stylists go through to get the beautiful end products. Sawdust, oh my!

[Martha]

Gosh it all looks so refreshing -- I would have never guessed that you were trying to beat a melt down!

[Bill]

Your table setting is beautiful, but your commentary that accompanies it is what puts this post over the top!

What fun (and what a relief) to learn that others struggle with lighting, falling/flying objects, forgetting to include things. It's an adventure, isn't it? I had a fly land on a lemon slice perched on the edge of a glass, just as I snapped an outdoor photo. I decided to leave it in the post ... and had several fun comments on it.

[Jane]

I don't mean to say what happened is funny in any way, it's the way you tell it!! But everything turned out beautiful!! I love the blue and you can really tell there is a breeze which is the feeling you were going for, right?

Well done!!

xoxo
Jane

[Cindy]

It all turned out great and looks simply wonderful there by the pool. Cute candy, and how fun to put them in the shells! :D

-c