April 26, 2018

Victorian Garden Party


 This month has been a roller coaster and while there is much to tell, honestly each thing deserves it's own post. We will start with Emma's 17th birthday party.



All week the forecast promised rain. The day dawned wet and grey with no chance of clearing. The day before we made the call to bring in the outside table so we could accommodate the group of 11 girls.


Miraculously, an hour before the party, the skies cleared, the sun came out we were left with the most beautiful day we had seen this spring. We were able to scramble and set up croquet, wrap the fence and tree in tulle and put benches, quilts and pillows around the yard.


We started with food and kept it simple with finger sandwiches, nuts, fruit and sparkling beverages followed by dessert.



After opening presents, the girls played a rousing game of croquet while we cleared and cleaned up and I set the room up for straw hat decorating. The table was full of ribbons, flowers and other embellishments.


I always love to see how the girls make a project their own, creating something that is unique to them. That is my favorite part of any creative gathering.


Afterwards it was back outside for more croquet and an extreme amount of photographs.


I love how Emma's friends get into the spirit of her parties. These events have taken on a life of their own. This year really was my favorite so far. I kind of wish we had saved it for the final hurrah next year, although I've already started planning that one!


Honestly these parties are exhausting but I enjoy them so much and Emma helps so much and is so appreciative. I don't even try to hide the fact that I'm living my birthday party dreams vicariously through her.


I adore these last two pictures. I want you to take notice of the purple croquet ball in the picture above. While they were playing, people were actually stopping behind the house to watch them as if they were watching a movie. I think people didn't quite know what they were seeing.


This last photo could have been taken 100 years ago. Such lovely girls and so sweet to come celebrate our girl on the occasion of her seventeenth birthday.

19 comments:

  1. Absolutely lovely! What elegant young ladies. The photos are darling.

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  2. Jen, I just can't even!!! Goodness, so lovely! I totally hear what you are saying about living vicariously through her with your party dreams! Her and her friends are just beautiful! And the food! And straw hats, want one! So glad the heabens opened up for this special day!

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  3. What a wonderful party! It does look like a movie set!

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  4. I can only imagine how exhausting it is to have a party like this, but in the long run, worth every moment! This is something out of a dream.

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  5. What wonderful photos! It looks like an amazing party.

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  6. JJ will you please adopt me? Would that be weird since I'm older than you?
    Loveliest garden party ever.

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  7. Oh my goodness, Jen! What a darling party! I love your photos, and everything about the party....all the details are so cute! And your home DOES look like a movie set, inside and out!!! I love it!

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  8. What a gorgeous party! Love the Victorian theme.

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  9. So gorgeous! I'm going to show this to Hope because I think that she will love it! I also love doing theme parties for her. They are so exhausting but so fun & satisfying.

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  10. Lovely party. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

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  11. Hello!!! You could change the setting on your camera or computer to sepia tone for that last picture....then it really would be like a 100 years ago!!!
    Lovely party!

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  12. Oh how lovely! I am clapping with glee at the party. Not only are you making wonderful memories for Emma but for all those girls too. They will remember your parties for ever. :) Kit

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  13. This day will stay with the girls forever and one they will share with their daughters. Its so good to see you share on your blog and that things are somewhat back to normal. Its definitely been a cold spring.

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  14. A beautiful looking party... Such a lovely way to celebrate your daughter's special day

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  15. So beautiful and so fun! I wish we'd been half this creative. Happy birthday to your darling daughter.

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  16. Exquisite. Delightful. Perfection. I too am living all of my birthday dream parties through Emma's birthday celebrations. I think this one is my favorite also. I've loved china teacups & teapots from Europe since I was Emma's age. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos, Jen. Makes my heart smile knowing there's still so much beauty in the world.

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  17. Happy Birthday Emma!!

    I absolutely love her parties ~ you always do such a great job, and I too, love how all of Emma's friends dress for the party.

    *Where did you get the white bird vase?
    *Where di you get the stray hats?

    TIA :)

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  18. Happy Birthday to your beautiful girl! What a perfect fun party! You all really know how to do it right!

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