A Graduation Celebration...

Hosted by Susan and Leigh
THEME:
"I Did It!"

INSPIRATION:
Commencement Colors and "Snowfall Splendor" Dinnerware"
One of you asked me if I'm going to do a graduation tablescape. And I said YES!

I took the cues from my blue and gold commencement attire and added cream and white to tone down the jewel tones.

The dinnerware I used is my Target's 2008 Holiday line called "Snowfall Splendor" in gold (there's platinum, too). My husband bought it for me (50% off) for my birthday right after we got back from our Christmas vacation with his fam up in Utah.

This is probably the second time I used this pattern due to storage problems. It got stuck in the very back up on the highest shelf upstairs during a redo, but I have them down now so I know I'll be using them more... I opted for a subtle graduation theme so I focused on the colors I wore at my own commencement but I did leave one great clue (other than the name of the post...) Can you spot it?

I found the blue basketweave plastic placemats and fabric napkins at Anna's Linens today. The napkins scanned at $1.99 each which was fine for me, but when the lady saw another sticker inside with the same barcode for 99 cents, she adjusted the price and saved me $8.00! Woohoo! I used my gold plastic chargers from LNT GOOB sale for extra 40%off the last clearance price of 50% off!

Leigh, this is my great thrifty find- this contemporary glass vase was thru Freecycle! I adorned it with plastic bead necklace, $1 and 9-in gold ribbon, cost me a penny.

The tealights were 22 cents each and the smaller wine goblets were from Goodwill, 99 cents (I saw some at Ross in Fountain Hills, AZ) and the bigger ones, Gorham's "Rose Serenade" for $4 each at Tuesday Morning.

The white mums were from May 11th, so it's more than paid for and the candlesticks were from Ross last January, normally $20 each, I paid $7 each.
The tablecloth, a flannel twin flat sheet, turned inside out. The other side have blue and pink flowers. So another FREE tablecloth!



So here you are, another beautiful and thrifty tablescape from yours truly to kick off any graduation party! I had a lot of fun doing this table. I'm glad I was given this challenge. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Let's all go to visit Susan and Leigh and see how many more ladies played with their dishes and found great deals! Thanks for peeking! Have a great Thursday!

A Splash of Red, Blue and Gold

Our hosts today are Susan of Between Naps on the Porch, Sally of Smiling Sally and Rhoda of Southern Hospitality.

Today for my Thrifty Treasure, I'm sharing this RED basketweave bowl I got a few months back in Hobby Lobby. It is normally $30 but I snagged it at 80% off and only paid $6.00! Woo-hoo! Given there was a small but noticeable chip but I can easily cover that up, you know? I noticed the great shade of red right away though it was on the top shelf and at the opposite of the end of the aisle.

Here's the middle... I just love that detail.


The roped edging is so adorable, I couldn't believe my luck. It's a rather shallow bowl so it's versatile in its use. I'm so psyched about that! :-D

Now for some Blue and Gold... and a little met along the way...

This little Asian lady went from hoping to become a college graduate soon enough to admiring the cap and gown with Phi Theta Kappa regalia (honors)...

(at the hotel just before we took off to Phoenix for the ceremony)

To actually trying them on... (keep an eye on the tassel now...)

And then becoming a full pledged college graduate with an Associate's degree in Elementary Education! (the tassel's been moved from Right to Left) Yay, me!!!


It's been a long drawn out 2-year program. I started in 2006 and endured much hassle and delays, but if you ask me if I'd do it again, I'd say, you bet! I remember telling my teen in the car on the way there, "There's nothing like a college graduation. High school ones are wonderful, but you just can't describe a college graduation."

Maybe it has something to do with "the real world" is all that's left or other career avenues await you but knowing that I've finished college (though still deciding where and when to start my Bachelor's program since we'll be moving again next year), I just can't describe the ups and downs I felt during all of Friday, the 15th.

I congratulate all those who graduated this year and I offer my endless and sincere gratitude to my wonderful children and husband, my mom, my wonderful SIL Maggie, and great friends (blog, distant and neighbors) who expressed their love, support and shared in my happiness.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all...