Summers of my childhood - Watermelons and Crepe Myrtles

Before saying good-bye to summer, I had to do a table based on Watermelons and Crepe Myrtles. (I had to look up how to spell crepe myrtle and either crape or crepe is acceptable!)



I always associate the two, because I remember one summer my grandmother planting watermelon pink crepe myrtles at her homeplace. So even though the lavender and white crepe myrtles are nice, it is the "watermelon" pink crepe myrtle that reminds me of my childhood!

I will be linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

I started with a white tablecloth and added a large tea towel from Crate & Barrel as a runner of sorts.



As a centerpiece I filled a green glass vase with 2 shades of pink crepe myrtles and a few magnolia leaves.

For each place setting, I used my green ruffled chargers from Crate & Barrel with Gibson white china plates, topped with glass watermelon salad plates from Pier 1.



I used green bubbled glass goblets and clear flatware both from Target along with Vera Bradley "Botanical" print napkins and Target watermelon napkin rings.



On the mantle I draped pink chiffon and filled a green pottery vase with more magnolia and crepe myrtle and flanked the vase with two extra watermelon plates.



Here is my table tribute to my childhood summer memories - Watermelon and Crepe Myrtle!

Parasols and Elephants

My latest tablescape stars Parasols and Elephants. I was trying to set the tone for an Indian table which I will share with Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.



I got the idea from my daughter who hosted a baby shower for a friend recently. She found some cute blue parasols at World Market with elephants on them. I made some blue elephant origami toppers for her cupcakes. Her theme of blue elephants was really cute.

SO, when I went to World Market and all the parasols and paper lanterns were on half price AND I had a 15% coupon of my whole purchase, I bought a green parasol and the yellow lanterns, both with elephants.

I put lots of stones and "jewels" in a vase to steady the parasol (again copying my daughter) and added a string of elephants (also from World Market) and the two paper lanterns.



Here are some shots with the lanterns lit.





Around the base of the vase, I put some more calico World Market elephants.



On top of a white tablecloth, I added different colored napkings, beaded placements and paper chargers with white plates.



I then took colorful place cards and put a drink parasol on each one which I then topped with a little origami elephant, again in all different colors.





I put all the elephants I had on the table: teapots, salt & peppers and figurines.





On the mantle, I draped pink chiffon and added one of the paper lanterns.



With the lantern lit



Here is the table with all the elephants and parasols!







Now if I only had some Indian food!