over for dinner. The beauty of having yummy mismatched dinnerware and
glassware is it allows for festivities for all occasions. Easily dressed
up or down. I did partial takeout delivery and part cooked so it had the
illusion of a home prepared meal. (Although I fessed up when asked).

My garden seems ridiculously happy.

Flowers and ground cover that was supposed to be a few inches tall
became several feet. All that talking out loud to myself these past
months I think was interpreted that I was talking to my garden.

Inside and outside, my house lends itself to lots of clustered seating.

Even with a spontaneous feast, place cards make a personal touch.

Endless mismatched glassware and plates.

I always buy an abundance of little white votives.
Luxurious and affordable.

Even with the party over, nothing is an eyesore.



At the end of the day, having friends over and being able to enjoy all is really better than any fancy restaurant.

The summer draws to a close and I can start expecting the leaves
to change and the chill in the air.
Lovely party! Well Done!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Lisa
It all looks so lovely. Lucky guests!
ReplyDeleteYes. And this is why you are Rachel Ashwell and I am not. However, I am improving. Perhaps I will one day buy a stove. :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks fabulous & fun.
Nothing better. (Although I have no stove, fortunately all my friends do. LOL)
:) Debi
I always look forward to your posts. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat is that first purple (perhaps pink) and white flower? Lovely.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful party with what is obviously good friends, nothing better. Isn't it times like these that make us realise how blessed we are and our cups truly runneth over.
ReplyDeleteMay every day be a blessing filled with love, family, friends and a beautiful garden, Maureen
How wonderful to read this at bedtime. I imagine you slept very well that night.
ReplyDeleteWishing you joy,
~Julia
What lovely tips for effortless entertaining, Rachel. It all looks wonderful, especially your garden flowers!
ReplyDeleteI love your mis-matched dinnerware!! Thank you for blogging - you are so inspirational :)
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing better then having friends over for a meal. And you make it look so good.
ReplyDeleteLove the dog, my favorite of photos! And my garden has grown a little crazy this year as well! Take care.
ReplyDeleteLovely! There is nothing nicer than a relaxed dinner party with friends in a comfortable and beautiful setting! I just moved to my dream house.. using gallons of white paint like you taught me!!
ReplyDeleteRachel, I tried to send you an email through Michelle at Shabby Chic but it bounced back. Would you email me your email. It's with regards to book signing. xx Elena
ReplyDeletehousewiththewhitepicketfence@gmail.com
Looks like a relaxed and fun get together. Low on stress, high on interesting conversation, good food, and great company. My favorite kind of party!
ReplyDeletePerfect end-of-summer celebration. I imagine many wonderful conversations over your table.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully presented, life should be more about these kind of moments, gathering friends and the best of our shabby chice selves to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures, so inspiring. I love the garden bench with the comfy pillows : )
ReplyDeleteHow true that the world over we are more alike than different. Food, fun and familiarity are equally joyous here in rural Australia as bustling Los Angeles. And spontaneity makes it even sweeter!!
ReplyDeleteGone but not forgotten :0))
ReplyDeleteSee : suchprettythings.typepad.com ...
Such a lovely post : those little things that made you great are still there and appreciated :))
Even though never seen one of those shops myself lol
best wishes Ginny ( in the UK)
Very laid back with elegant and simple little touches. That looks like the perfect spontaneous supper!! Is that your dog? He looks quite content!! : )
ReplyDeleteIt's a pleasure to read your blog. Your post with the story about the Gypsy Moth truly touched me. It reminded me a lot of how I grew up. I have shared it with several of my friends and they have all asked for a copy of it so I referred them to your blog. : ) Many blessings to you.
~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Wonderful blog! So much inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love shabby chic and do my best to paint and redesign my own furnitures :)
This was stunning!
ReplyDeleteI loved it all!
I'm trying so hard to lighten the palette of my Tuscan themed home now! Ugh! It's too hard!
I wanted shabby chic but felt bad for my husband as it's so feminine, so I went with a comfortable Tuscan feel and richer colors, it's nice but I want pastels!
Beautiful EVERYTHING you have here!
All the best,
Eileen
yay for you, Rachel! I can't wait to purchase your new book! Please take care and keep your spirits up! With family, friends, and a lovely, precious home, happy spirits will soar!
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteYou make it look effortless...Thanks for sharing...
Laura
52flea
Simple and sweet, fun looks like it was had by all, your garden looks gorgeous. Loving the Old Texan Bench with the 1940's floppy floral pillows.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me about the images from your Sumptuous Settings & other Lovely Things...I haven't picked it up in a while...hmmm now where did I put that book....oh found it sorry Rachel must go and read your book for now....until your next post, see you then.
Hugs
Kirstie.
I love your little displays...and everything else! So simple, yet comforting...your guests must feel very loved!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel~ Love your pretty dinner party pictures. ~Mandy
ReplyDeleteFabulous as always!
ReplyDeleteI know it was a difficult choice, but I miss your store. I could have lived there.
I used to go in to buy some little (or big) trinket just to bathe in the beauty and the light.
Best to you in all you do in the future, I know it will always be chic!
absolutely, simply, beautiful. I love nights like these...thanks for letting us share in it!
ReplyDeleteI so miss entertaining like that! I went back to teaching last year, and with four children I have just not had the energy. I really need to make an effort to have friends over for dinner this year. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDelete~Brighton
Great evening party with friends, loved the picture with the votives...love the clear glass with white candles
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your new book, I have all your other books and enjoy them often...thank you for sharing your great ideas with us ... Regards, CarolAnn
Lovely simple and elegant. I am living in the UK now and am snatching up all sorts of great mismatched dishes.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, I much prefer a relaxed dinner at home with friends to going out. Thanks for the great photos!
That chandelier is gorgeous--as is the entire scene at the dinner table.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to see you enjoying life. And interesting that you are also chronicling your inner journey this way. I'm rooting for you and quite excited to see how it will all manifest.
xoxTish
Love the photo of everyone at the table, I can almost hear the laughter and conversation.
ReplyDeletethanks for a beautiful blog and lots of inspirations...
ReplyDeletelove pia
How lovely! I find that the more I make my home something I love, the more I want to share it with the people I love.
ReplyDeleteDo you have an email account? I'd love to send you a photo of the lovely dishes I found -- I thought of you when purchasing them at the flea market.
Many congratulations for your new book! I received it today and I love it. I think it´s your best book ever! :
ReplyDeleteMany greetings from Belgium,
Marjolijn
JOY, LAUGHTER, PEACE... THATS WHAT I SEE.
ReplyDeleteHUGS FROM MAINE
Everthing looks gorgeous,Rachel! I can't wait for the new book.I think I'll buy it for my birthday present to myself :)
ReplyDeleteLovely post! I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your post! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLots of LOVE and God bless,
Maria
Hello, you have the most fabulously wonderful site here and I had to leave this comment for you ! Your posts are beautifully written, creative and original too, and you have interesting pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt's all perfect !
Thank you for sharing your site and best wishes.... 'Happy September'....
Great looking photos!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to getting my hands on your new book too.
Thank you Rachel, you have made my day!!!
ReplyDeleteYour party looked so very fun! I would love to have you come visit us for a booksigning at our store. We carried your merchandise in our storefor over 12 years and had a trunk show event planned before everything happened. We so miss your products gracing our shelves! We are just outside of Washington DC (40 min) and have many wonderful customers who loved your products.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Nancy Hilliard
Beekeeper's Cottage
42350 Lucketts Rd
Leesburg, VA 20147
beekeeperscottage@yahoo.com
www.beekeeperscottage.com
hola Rachel pase a saludarte , que tengas una hermosa semana
ReplyDeletesaludos
Effortless because you have done all the hard work already... finding your special china pieces, glasses, linens etc over time, make for one less thing to concern you when preparing for a special meal...you are a very wise lady, Rachel! Glad you enjoyed your evening!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say also, that I have bought your latest book and am loving it...I think that you have given the old royal coronation china a whole new feel...I never considered them to be 'shabby chic' before, but they so has your style. (I have an Alexandra and Edward plate that has always been one of my favourites)
Be happy,
Niki
what a fun post. easy and breezy and do-able! thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletelooking forward to what's "coming soon!"
xo
Me encantó tu fiesta!!!
ReplyDeleteSaludos,
Daniele da Luz Larri
http://detalhesbordados.blogspot.com/
Hello Rachel, just wanted to let you know I received your new book, oh my gosh, I love it, love it. It was worth waiting for, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Madeline
Rachel
ReplyDeleteExcuse my English.
I learned today (to read the blog) what happened to their stores Shabby chic. I am very sad truth.
He had the dream of one day meet them, maybe when you reopen again .....
You inspired me a lot. Here in America, its program still going on television and I watch all the episodes.
I love their products and dream about buying your books!
Brazilian Greetings!
Daniele da Luz
Rachel I received your book today, and I love it! Thank you for doing such a special book - I cannot wait for your "opening soon" as I have missed it so much! Corinne
ReplyDeleteI am just wondering what is this desert ? It looks so tasty...
ReplyDeleteI am always curious of new recipes, or always ready to eat something good (a little too much, by the way !)
I don't know if you read old posts. I went out and bought your new book today. The reason that is such a big deal is, I don't pay full price for my decorating books. I usually wait untill they show up in the Thrift Store-I'm very patient! Not for this-I couldn't wait. Sooo tonight I will be on the sofa with my blanket(I always have one even here in Florida in the middle of the summer) and your beautiful book getting a whole lot of inspiration! Have a fun Friday
ReplyDeleteSue-Orlando,Florida
Hi Rachel I just received your new book today. It is beautiful! Thank you Rachel for taking the time to write another book for all of us who love SHABBY CHIC. I will keep you in my prayers. God Bless You
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to buying the book and meeting you at your book signing at Susan's (Bluesprings Home)
ReplyDeletein Costa Mesa.
Peace and Love,
Susan
Oh, how lovely~ you everything with such style and grace...
ReplyDeleteKaren
Your new book is simply stunning - as I knew it would be!
ReplyDeleteRachel, Thank you for your glorious new book! Your homes are beyond gorgeous, and you continue to inspire on so many levels. As always, your writing makes one feel as though welcomed into these spaces for a tea time visit with you, love that. Wishing you all the best with all of your upcoming events!
ReplyDeletePaige xo
Rachel, you are a true inspiration. I've just read through your entire blog (in one sitting!) and read that you had to close your stores. Yes that is very sad but that doesn't mean that Shabbychic is gone. You ARE Shabbychic, your ideas and your heart and that is something that no one can copy and steal. I believe everything happens for a reason and look forward to seeing a new, stronger, re-invented and evolved Rachel come back. After all we are all shaped by our experiences be it good or bad.
ReplyDeleteGoodluck for the future, and please keep blogging.
cheers,
Leoni - Australia
Oh WOW, this is a great post & you have the most gorgeous site here. I had to stop by to leave this comment for you – and to say hello of course ! Your posts are creative and original and you have interesting pictures. It's all perfect ! Thank you for sharing your site and best wishes....
ReplyDeleteI would rather have a dinner invitation to YOUR house than to the White House! (don't think I'll ever have to decide on either. :) I rec'd your book from Amazon today & I've had the most marvelous 'rainy Florida Saturday' reading it & losing myself in the gorgeous photos. Well done & congratulations. ~Sue~
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely dinner. We miss you Rachel. You have been our favorite designer for years. Looking forward to seing your new store on Montana since we happened to leave nearby. The Eliots
ReplyDeleteRachel, your latest book is beautiful and your most inspiring to date! It just proves that true Shabby Chic style never fades (in fact just like my beloved Rachel Ashwell for M&S duvet sets which are still going strong and getting better with each wash!!)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you konw how much I LOVE your newest book, Shabby Chic Interiors! You have out done yourself this time. And I love the size of it too. So many delicious photos!!!Thank you for another fabulous book to add to my library.
~Debra
Welcome back Rachel, you have been missed!
ReplyDeletexo
Thanks so much for sharing. So looking forward to the future.
ReplyDeleteCindy
Dear Rachel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts and allowing us to get a glimpse of who you are. By letting us in on many of your personal thoughts and journeys we have a better understanding of who Rachel Ashwell is as an ndividual, giving your timeless patterns even more depth. Your lovely designs always evoke a feeling of calm, peace & tranquility.
Simply, that comfortable feeling of being home.
Thank you for that. I am looking forward to what is to come. I know it will be heart felt and special.
Wendy
This is beautiful! Your blog is perfect, I look forward to every single picture.
ReplyDeleteSteph x
ADORO TU ESTILO!!!
ReplyDeleteYour home and style of entertaining is always of inspiration to me. This was a party well done. I love the relaxed ambience.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to grabbing up a copy of your book and most of all, utterly joyus that the times have turned in your favor!
Jane
How fun to see you in a natural setting of daily living...You are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBravo! What a wonderful celebration.
ReplyDelete