ic Kathe With an E: A Day at the Beach

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

A Day at the Beach

This is a repost from last August.
It seems as fitting this August as it did last August.
I'll be sharing this 
at Cuisine Kathleen's
Summer Fun Table Challenge 
And at
Between Naps on the Porch
Tablescape Thursday 


I'll admit it’s not been as hot as Texas and, thankfully, it’s not been as humid as Oklahoma but, for the record, it.has.been.hot in the Denver area this year. Period.  Over the past few weeks we have not only broken records, we have smashed a few too.  By the time September 1 rolls around, 2011 will go on the books as the hottest August since they began keeping records.  Oy!  We, meaning me, are just not used to this kind of heat here on the high plains of the Rocky Mountains.  We are used to, oh, maybe one, eh, possibly two, weeks of temperatures in the 90’s. 
exercising+in+hot+weather Alerts for S.B. County: Urgent weather message
A/C only goes so far in helping me to keep my cool.  If I was to “beat the heat”, as they say, I was going to have to create my own sense of cool. I had gone down to the basement where it is cool-isher to get something out of the freezer.  The freezer is located near where I store my tablescape stuff. I spent longer than I probably should have with my head in there but man-o-man, it felt sooo good! Out of the corner of my eye I spied something white.  A cool cool white.  Hmmm…it must be the heat.  My imagination must be playing tricks on me.  I started back up the stairs, almost in a dream state.  Ahhh…what if I could take a trip?  Someplace tropical.  White sandy beaches.  Aqua blue cool water.  Reality hit and I had to remind myself that this is the busiest time of the year at work.  I couldn’t just call in “sick” and hop a plane to head someplace magical on a whim.  Mr. B would think I was downright crazy for even suggesting something so spontaneous. So insane really.  
And yet, I couldn’t get the fantasy out of my head.  I decided to go back downstairs and see what it was that I saw that and put these kooky thoughts to rest.  As I rounded the corner I see just what it was that had started this daydream.  It was a pair of candlesticks I had recently purchased on clearance from Pier 1.  They resemble a shell.  A lovely, pure white shell.  That is when it hit me!  I may not be able to go to the beach (Denver is, after all, pretty land-locked) but, I could bring the beach to me!! 
From that moment forward I kinda blacked out.  I started grabbing plates, napkins, oooo those other candlesticks I got at Goodwill a few weeks ago, on 50% day ($1.00 each, SCORE), that started out pretty danged fugly but were made perfect with a can of glossy white spray paint.
I grabbed at anything I thought of as beachy.  I blindly ironed a white table cloth.  I frantically drove to Gordman’s looking for the perfect candles.  Instead I found the perfect glittery starfish! Again, $1.00 each.  On to Michael’s, I drove wildly, where I was able to find the candles I needed.
Once home, I regained my senses and checked out the items I had stacked up.  Slowly and methodically I assembled the placesetting.  Turquoise chargers, purchased at Cost Plus on sale after Christmas, were my starting point.  Next came a large white plate from the “as is” department at Ikea.  On top of the plate I placed a robin egg blue salad plate from Home Goods.  I added the starfish from Gordman’s on each plate, alternating the white and the teal blue around the table. The napkins were a stocking stuffer from Mr. B.  The sandy runner also came from the Ikea “as is” shelf.  For the centerpiece I used the candlesticks that started it all.  I added a jar of shells along with a couple of extra starfish. I placed some turquoise votives from Cost Plus near each setting. The wine goblets were another Goodwill find and their stems reminded me of bubbles, like cool, clear water bubbles. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I closed my eyes and took a step back.  When I opened them I inhaled a deep breath and was transformed. I suddenly felt cool.  I swear I felt a breeze blow softly through my hair.  No, maybe I can’t just take off on a tropical escape but, for now, I can enjoy a day at the beach.


Click here to see where I may be partying this week.

And don't forget to come by on Tuesday's
for the link party.
 


40 comments:

  1. very pretty! i love the blue starfish! i have been decorating with a little coastal but yours looks way better...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh how beautiful. I love the blue and white and your starfish and shells are perfect for a great coastal table. This looks so inviting. Makes me feel cool to see. It is so hot here, that cool anything is good. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love how the blues of your table just pop! I really like the turquoise chargers and their interesting edges. I also like the transformation of your candleholders; they look great in white.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your tablescape makes me feel cooler already-and I'm in Philly! Enjoy:@)

    ReplyDelete
  5. i hope you felt the cool sea breezes a you played~

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fun fun table.. I too have thought of spending time in the freezer.. getting into the car after work is pure misery. Your blue and white is so pretty. and so cool.. thanks for sharing.. xo marlis

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Kathe!

    Great idea to bring the beach to your landlocked home. A little spray paint made a big difference with the candleholders.

    Your table looks fantastic!

    Thank you for joining our celebration today.

    ReplyDelete
  8. really great! My mom is a breach fanatic, so I may have to borrow some of your ideas for her Christmas gift.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are very good at putting tablescapes together! I am horrible at it, so I'm going to try to keep these pictures in mind when I have to set one up for my dining room reveal.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the blue and white tablescape!!! I hear you on the heat - it is crazy hot even for us here in Texas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really love this, and I enjoyed and related to the story of the whole inspiration and execution of it. You made me smile.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AAaah I feel cooler already!
    Our humidity finally went down today here in TN, but it's still HOT HOT HOT!!!

    Love the aqua plates!!!

    ~Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow! You did all of this based on a basement mirage??!?! Way to go!!! I LOVE those wine goblets, and yes, they do remind me of bubbles! Great find from GW!!! The Kansas City area's record high for this day in recorded history is 102. It was 102 at 1:00, so I'm guessing we broke that record today. On September 1!!! What the heck??!?!?! We're expecting about the same tomorrow. Ugh! :-( Looks like we'll all get some relief next week, though, so hang in there! Have a great holiday weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very pretty, love all the aqua and white...it is VERY hot here in the plains...waiting for cooler weather!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I wish I could create something so beautiful when I'm in a daze. I just end up walking into a wall...lol...Loved your style of writing too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. You sure worked wonders with that spray paint! I love how beautiful your table looks - - and all on a dime. That's always inspiring. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I featured your blog today on my post. I hope you will stop by and grab my I've Been Featured button. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorgeous, Kathe! Love the blue and white. Your chargers are adorable as is your centerpiece. Have a great wknd!
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful and your story is perfect! I felt like I was with you with my head in the freezer dreaming of the beach. You have inspired me to to think about a beachy tablescape before it is time to bring out the pumpkins!
    ~~Linda

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lovely post~ your table setting is so pretty too! Thank you for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi
    So Beautiful :)
    and do not miss...

    S
    A
    T
    U
    R
    D
    A
    Y

    S
    H
    O
    W

    O
    F
    F

    WELCOME :)
    HÃ¥kan ( The Roseman)

    ReplyDelete
  22. love your writing lady!!! so glad you got a blog to play with!!!! I almost spit my drink out when I was sipping my pop and reading...and came across the word FUGLY.....OMG hunny...I am known to say stuff like that and haven't met a blogger yet who is brave enough to be that kind of silly...hahahahha!!!! I LOVE IT!
    I am so glad you stopped by this weekend for a little visit...it was good to see you...and i am very excited to see you blogging!!!! I am your newest...(and probably silliest) follower! lol

    ReplyDelete
  23. oh my this is AMAZING! i never expected this to be so well done D: This is the check out girl at arc!! This is also more of my personal blog lol so it's kind of dead , but my other one is on another site! I'm looking forward to reading more interesting an amazing entries like this one!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a great way to bring the beach to you! Love your pretty beach accessories and colors. I can see why they would cool you down a few degrees! Very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Glad you reposted this for I love the idea of your head in the freezer! This summer is just the same hot and then hotter. The beach tablescape is cool and refreshing. I like your candleholders painted white!

    Thanks, Pam

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is so pretty, Kathe! You really transformed those candlesticks! The blue is so pretty and looks great with the linens. Your photos are wonderful! Funny how the whole "hot" thing works for 2012, too!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ah, yes! this is a cool and refreshing table, Kathe. Just what I need for these hot Texas days. Thanks for sharing this one again. It deserves to come out of the archives and blow its cool breeze through Blogland.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I remember this post, Kathe!!! I remember thinking how pretty the color of the chargers was...and still love that color!!! This is without a doubt a great way to take a mini vacation in your mind! Temps have finally cooled off here. Highs in the low 80s the next few days. Hallelujah!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Your table setting brought back the beach full circle, and it looks fantastic! I love the turquoise and white color mix and all the sea shells. Beautiful setting! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think we had the same idea this time! The colors on your table are so cool and refreshing. Love your jar of shells for the centerpiece. That table runner is so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your table is a perfect way to cool down. I give you extra points as you went out in search of items to complete the vision. I would have hard pressed to leave the coolness of the basement. I could be jealous as there are very, very few basemants in my town.

    ReplyDelete
  32. love the tablescape down the center - awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh my your fugly candlesticks are really quite handsome now! I do love this table. it reminds me of sun, surf and sand.. the colors are perfect. I wish I had a basement!! Kathe, this is just perfect. xo marlis

    ReplyDelete
  34. Very fun tablescape.n loving the color scheme. Your table reminds me of the ocean. I needed to be refreshed in this heat.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I feel for you with the heat. I live by the river and we are getting more cooler weather. We have got some rain finally . I actually haven.t had to use a fan the last few days and could eat on the deck.Love your beach table.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Kathy with a K -

    Thanks for stopping by and joining my blog!

    Randee with two E's

    ReplyDelete
  37. OH you clever clever lady:) Yes, I can just feel the sea breezes and the salty smells of the beach just looking at your tablescape:) I could do with that cool anything this time of the year. I just got back from checking on my daughter and her kiddos in Houston. Can you imagine us being crazy enough to go to Houston in August. But you know "Grandmothers" we don't let anything stand in our way of seeing grandbabies.
    I am just getting around to letting you know I nominated you for a fun award. If the weather is not too hot then come on over for all the details, hehehe

    http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.com/2012/08/one-very-lovely-blog-and-very-inspiring.html

    ReplyDelete
  38. Aqua is my favorite color for a tablescape...beautiful. Love the chargers!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Very pretty! The chargers are wonderful.
    Hope you get some cooler weather!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

    ReplyDelete