Pepper Design Blog

Whimsical Summer-Meets-Fall Outdoor Party

Yay! WordPress, the computer and internet connection are all playing friendly again. Turns out a plugin through wp was acting up, deactivating it set everything right.

But back to today’s post… it was just the other day that I was thinking about the coming of fall… the warm, cable-knit sweaters – the butternut squash and hearty chicken noodle soups that Kevin’s sure to ‘throw together’ – visiting pumpkin patches with friends, and then soon after the best holiday of all, Christmas.

But I’ll be the first to admit that I’m hesitant to let summer go. Oh the warm days! The beach trips (did I get in as many as I should have?) and the sundresses that will have to be stored away. And so, here’s to throwing a Summer-Meets-Fall party that marries the best of two great seasons.

The inspiration? Why this absolutely amazing soiree by Melanie Duerkopp and Stephanie Godfrey featured over at Hostess with the Mostess.

What this party does soooo right is the melding of bright summer pastels with the rich jewel tones of fall.

Love the burlap table cloth and LOVE the wooden ‘nests’ hanging in the trees. Looks a bit like the lanterns that I featured in my own bohemian picnic for San Diego Magazine (check it out here).

A closer look at the details:

Mmm! Delicious. Great job, ladies!

Cheery Pastels for an August Celebration

It’s starting to get a little hot. Okay, a lot hot. Some call these the Dog Days of Summer and I have a feeling we’re in for a good one.

But right now all I can think about is pretty pastel fabric blowing in the breeze, as in this beautiful outdoor celebration that would make for an ideal excuse to throw a whimsical summer soiree.

Summer + cherry pie + vintage = favorite reason to throw an afternoon party. Lawn games, anyone?

Designed by Suzanne of She Paperie, this outdoor party was recently featured here at HWTM.com.

I’m especially loving the torn fabric garland, it makes the perfect backdrop for the dessert table and would look so pretty strung around any outdoor event.

Bring on the sunshine!

DIY Morrocan Lamps

Recently Centsational Girl began a terrific little weekly ‘Best of the Blogosphere’ round-up that I’ve really enjoyed checking out. When this idea popped up by Ruffled, it reminded me immediately of these West Elm lanterns that I used in this outdoor inspiration board for the May issue of San Diego Magazine.

Pretty similar, right?

So simple and so lovely – these would look beautiful around a garden party or as centerpieces for a wedding. And I love that they’re made out of the metal found on a used radiator cover!! Really, I know it’s crazy. So resourceful. You could also use upcycled perforated metal sheets or purchase from a major home supply store.

A bit of white spray paint for the metal and an immediate transformation. The clover design is an added perk.

Full tutorial here.

Hope you had a lovely weekend! We traveled out to South Bend, Indiana for my brother’s graduation from the University of Notre Dame. We’re having a great time and I had the chance to celebrate my birthday on Sunday with family while there!