Turning 58 CANNOT Be THAT BAD!
Especially when Green HEAD WRAPS APPEAR at YOUR DOOR and you have NO QUALMS ABOUT BUYING ENDLESS FLOWERS!
WELCOME TO MY BIRTHDAY SOIREE!
MY VERSION of a MESSY BUN!
The GREY STRANDS ARE TAKING OVER and I think it looks OKAY!
LA TAVOLA is taking SHAPE!
This is my FAVORITE part about giving a PARTY………….
SETTING THE TABLE.
I wish I could start THREE DAYS in ADVANCE.
THE DRINK DEPARTMENT!
MY THEME WAS CAFTANS & COCKTAILS!
THIS OLD RED CHAIR I FOUND AT THE Salvation Army YEARS AGO……….IN LIVERMORE.
I HAD TO HAVE IT!
THE CHAIR LIVED IN MY SHOP FOR AWHILE UNTIL A DASHING DUCHESS CAME ONE DAY AND BOUGHT IT OUT FROM UNDER ME!
I USED IT AT MY DESK……………, YEARS LATER SHE SOLD IT BACK TO ME AND HAD THE CUSHION ADJUSTED!
MEANING FIXED!
IT WAS A WIN WIN SITUATION!
I WAS HAPPY TO GET IT BACK………
PARTY FAVORS
WERE THESE ITALIAN URNS WITH TAFFY.
I LOVE THE COLORS OF THE SALTWATER TAFFY……..REMINDS ME OF MY CHILDHOOD ON CATALINA ISLAND!
TADAH…………I THINK I MIGHT BE READY!
THE EARRINGS WERE A GIFT AS WELL FROM MY FRIENDS DOWN SOUTH WHO OWN A FEW BOUTIQUES!
THE CAFTAN HAILS FROM AUSTRALIA.
YES, it’s a CAMILLA!
PINK AND YELLOW ARE MY FAVORITE!
TWO OF MY FAVORITE COLORS AS WELL!!
THE CAKE I MADE FROM A COOKBOOK CALLED A TABLE IN VENICE!
I MIGHT ADD IT GETS BETTER WITH AGE!!!!!!!!!!
JUST LIKE ALL OF US!
I ADORE TO DECORATE WITH FLOWERS FROM MY GARDEN.
I was able to NAB THE ITALIAN before the festivities began………..NOT AN EASY TASK!
LOOK HOW WELL WE COMPLIMENTED EACH OTHER!!!
This is another REAL ITALIAN!!!!!!!!!
THESE TWO!
WHAT A JOY TO SEE THESE TWO!!!
MY PHONE RINGS IN SAFEWAY THE DAY BEFORE MY PARTY AND I SEE WHO IS CALLING BUT BEFORE I EVEN SAY HELLO I ASK HER TO HOLD!!!!
I WAS IN MID CONVERSATION WITH THE MANGER OF THE STORE AS SHE WAS TRYING TO FIND ME CANDLES WHICH THEY HAD NOT SOLD IN TWO YEARS!I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT AS I COULD STILL SEE THEM IN MY MIND AT THE END OF THAT AISLE!
SO, ON THE PHONE WAS NEVER MIND DONNA!!!!!!!!
MOST OF MY FRIENDS HAVE OTHER GIVEN NAMES BUT I CANNOT TAKE THE CREDIT FOR THIS ONE!THAT BELONGS TO JULIE……..A COUSIN OF SORTS!
YOU SEE I KNEW DONNA AND TRACY WHEN I WAS ABOUT 18 YEARS OLD!
WE ALL WORKED IN FASHION EITHER IN RETAIL OR WHOLESALE……..
SINCE WE WORKED SO HARD WE WOULD HEAD TO Palm Springs TO RELAX!!!!
THESE TRIPS WERE CALLED THE EXHAUSTION CLUB.
AGAIN I THINK JULIE CAME UP WITH THIS NAME!!!!CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG DONNA!!!
SO, DONNA IS UP VISITING TRACY WHO LIVES ABOUT 20 MINUTES AWAY…………..
THEY WANT TO TAKE ME TO LUNCH ON SATURDAY!I CANNOT GO AS I AM HOSTING A GARDEN SOIREE CALLED CAFTANS and COCKTAILS AND CENA………….
I SAY CAN YOU COME TO DINNER AS I HAD JUST LOST ONE GUEST!
THEY SAY YES!!!!!!!!
SO, THEY ARRIVE IN CAFTANS ON A DAYS NOTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE STORY GETS BETTER………BUT FIRST A FEW MORE PHOTOS!!!
I did a FULL TWIRL so you can see all sides!
SO, IF YOU ALL READ ME YOU KNOW I DO AN AGELESS STYLE POST WITH CINDY ONCE A MONTH!
HERE SHE IS………….SO LUCKY TO HAVE THESE PHOTOS AS SHE IS CAMERA SHY!
CINDY IS A DECORATOR FROM THE CARMEL VALLEY AREA……..
SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAIL FROM INDIANA ORIGINALLY AND COULDN’T BE NICER PEOPLE!
SO, WHEN I TELL YOU TO CLICK HERE ON MY AGELESS STYLE POSTS I AM SENDING YOU TO CINDY’S BLOG!
IF YOU WANT TO PEEK TODAY CLICK HERE!!!!!!!
Todays post is on a KITCHEN REMODEL!
I TOLD THE WIVES TO HAVE THE HUSBANDS WEAR COLORED SHIRTS……….IT WORKED!
This HUSBAND gets an A~PLUS!
FIRST COURSE is ARRIVING………..PESTO PASTA.
BANKSY & WINSTON getting ready for their second dinner!
This is what 4 pounds of pasta looks like…………..
We were 15 people, so about one pound box to 4 people.
Remember we start with this than have a normal dinner…….or CENA!
NEVER eat bread with your pasta…….you are just filling up your tummy with the bread.
You are allowed to wipe the bowl with a little piece however!
To get that last bit of sauce!
BREAD IS A FILLER.It is used if you did not have enough food.
SO, WHEN IN ITALY AND THEY DONOT BRING THE BREAD WITH THE PASTA DON’T ASK!
Let’s finish the STORY I started at the beginning……
SO, TRACY who is featuring a CAFTAN from POSITANO as she just had gotten back from ITALY THREE DAYS PRIOR to this SOIREE has a BIRTHDAY IN JULY ALSO!
Guess who recalled THAT?
IO
ME
LA CONTESSA
ELIZABETH!!!!!!!!
I was SO PROUD OF MYSELF than I ask her “What DATE ARE YOU?”
She says TODAY!!!!!!!!
YOU see I had the party on the 21st as it fell on a SATURDAY, but my DAY is JULY 22.
SO WE BOTH BLEW OUT THE CANDLES ON OUR CHOCOLATE CAKE!
HERE IT COMES!
WE MUST MAKE A WISH!
DOUBLE CHIN IN FULL GLORY!
LOVE THIS PHOTO!
The Table tells a STORY………..
It was LIMONCELLO TIME…see the small green glasses?
Home ~ Made by the ITALIAN.
The GUEST BOOK.
Which was a book given to me by my friends in Florence when we left…..
They all wrote a Good-Bye passage to me.
I should read those again as its been 25 YEARS this past JUNE we arrived back in CALIFORNIA!
Did I ever tell YOU I being THE AMERICAN didNOT want to LEAVE ITALY?
TRUTH!
GIFTS ADORN ME…………HAT, Green Vest, necklaces and EARRINGS!
LOVE THIS PHOTO TOO!
TO ANOTHER GOOD YEAR………..
I ADORE BIRTHDAYS and think they should be CELEBRATED!
It’s a REALLY GOOD REASON to get People together and Eat a meal INSIEME (Together).
Use the GOOD STUFF make the FOOD and SMILE through the whole process………….
It comes but ONCE A YEAR!
The CLEAN UP WARMS MY SOUL!
XX
cindy hattersley says
You and the Italian really know how to throw a party! We were so honored to attend. So many interesting people all who were so delighted to be there. Lovely, lovely…evening!!
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU for making the TREK………..and BEING ONE OF THOSE INTERESTING PEOPLE!XX
Coast and Koi says
such beautiful images ..loved scrolling and seeing your fabulous birthday dinner party unfold ..congrats Contessa to many more
LA CONTESSA says
GRAZIE…………….YES TO MANY MORE and to meeting ONE DAY!
XO
Lillian Plummer says
You do know how to make a party memorable. Good food, caftans and a lovely venue makes for the perfect party. Happy birthday and big hugs.
LA CONTESSA says
CIAO LILLIAN…………..we need to have a back and fourth !!!I will DM you on that Instagram!!
Big Hugs back at you!
XX
lisa thomson says
This whole post is so beautiful for so many reasons! Friends, good food, kaftans, wine, Banksy…just the beginning but the photos are amazing. My favorite is of you full out laughing—so much joy in your face!! I want the recipe for that cake!! Thanks for sharing your friends, family, birthday with us, LA CONTESSA. Stunning as are you.
LA CONTESSA says
YOU should BUY A TABLE IN VENCIE by SKYE MCALPINE.
For the cake recipe……….if you donot want to purchase I will send to you in an email……Let me know!!!
LOVE TO SHARE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
XX
Joy Moos says
Oh My! Where to begin? Each photo was a glorious tribute to you and your friends! The table ….perfect. The food…yummy and that red chair? Divine! But you my sweet were the STAR…your caftan was heavenly; the colours really beautiful……
You looked radiant and I loved each and every entry…
Happy Happy Birthday Contessa!
LA CONTESSA says
OH JOY!
YOU ARE SO KIND!
I’m just HAPPY to see YOU read my BLOG!!!!!!!
IT was a BEAUTIFUL NIGHT!!!!!
XX
Sheila from the luncheon says
What a fun birthday and great photos. You look so great in that caftan–so colorful like the evening. Lucky you and many more celebrations!
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU SHELIA!!!!!!!!
XX
Naomi says
Looks like you had a great time!
Many happy returns to you x
Karen Persson says
Wow, amazing photos and party! You are so talented with all the decorating, combining of colors and atmosphere, not to mention the combination of people! Sooooooooooooooo beautiful! I can only imagine how wonderful your party was and so fun that it carried on into the evening!
I’m so glad and fortunate I was able to meet you and experience your luncheon in May!
Love,
Karenxxooxox
LA CONTESSA says
IT was FABULOUS to find a BLOG written by GREETJE on my BIRTHDAY that YOU TWO had MET UP in HOLLAND!As per my SUGGESTION!
I hope I got the link here if not people scroll back to her JULY 22 POST!
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2018/07/22/meeting-karen-in-a-red-and-white-outfit/
These two met up after I suggested it after meeting KAREN here for one of my instagram luncheons!They both live in Holland and have WONDERFUL sense of humor……….
Greetje has a BLOG about FASHION and is a HOOT!If you are middle aged and like a FUN WOMAN who has NO FEAR OF FASHION FOLLOW HER!!!!!!
THANK YOU KAREN………….I’m waiting for your return!!!!!!
XX
Karen Persson says
Yes, so amazing that you inspired Greetje (you’ll never be able to pronounce that name!) and me to meet! It’s so fun knowing her now!
xoxox
Kathy L says
Love your caftan and hair… and that chocolate dessert looks scrumptious!!
Your photos capture the joy of your birthday celebration with friends. I wish you a year ahead filled with good health, much happiness and adventure.
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU KATHY…………thank you VERY MUCH!XX
Anita says
FABULOUS!
LA CONTESSA says
XX
Hilda Smith says
Really enjoyed reading this and looking at the lovely photos of your party. Absolutely fabulous.
LA CONTESSA says
I hope your husband is doing well and you are able to relax a bit!!!
XX
Rosemarie says
How wonderful to be able to celebrate outside. I loved your attention to detail re your table setting. Beautifully done.
The cake is exquisite – and set on a pedestal – made it especially elegant.
Great idea renting chairs instead of having to store them. People know I’m sure when invited to your place that it will be an evening of memories. A magical evening. Enjoy the coming year.
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU for coming by………….I always enjoy hearing from YOU!
XX
Ros short says
Many happy returns for your birthday dear Contessa .What a beautiful celebration , much love & happiness to you ,Ros
LA CONTESSA says
Thank You Ros…………I owe you an email!
XX
No Fear of Fashion says
Now this is what I call a real Italian dinner party. How utterly beautiful, how much work must have gone into this!! I don’t even cook. I can do the bare minimum: potatoes, vegetables and meat. And that is it. No trimmings, nothing fancy. So I look at this in awe.
Such a warm atmosphere, so many great friends. Love your kaftan too. It is beautiful, very becoming. So nice that all your friends responded to your theme.
Greetje
LA CONTESSA says
A LITTLE BIT OF WORK…….BUT ENJOYABLE WORK!!!
I’m LUCKY as I have a HUSBAND who can HELP and HANDLE it!!
YOU know those EUROPEANS!!!!!!
XX
LA CONTESSA says
NO TRIMMIMGS HERE………JUST FOOD that can be served COLD THATS KEY!!!!!
EXCEPT the PASTA MUST BE SERVED WARM………….says THE ITALIANO!!!
THANK YOU for writing your blog POST ABOUT meeting KAREN and POSTING on my BIRTHDAY ONCE AGAIN!!!
SO SPECIAL!!!!!
XX
Jacqueline says
Belated Birthday wishes to you Elizabeth and many happy returns.
Your hair looked beautiful, clothes perfect, the food looked delicious and the decor perfect.
I am 9 years older than you …. you are a Spring chicken!!! XXXX
LA CONTESSA says
I have a DEAR FRIEND who is exactly YOUR AGE!!!!!!!!
WE ALL ARE ABOUT THE SAME!!!!!
XX
Shari Bashin-Sullivan says
Oh what a night that was! I was fully unprepared for the all out glamour of the occasion. I wanted to go home and change but didn’t wanna miss anything. The weather the food and the company were absolutely perfect! You my dear, are a tough act to follow. I’m glad my birthday isn’t until June!
LA CONTESSA says
HA!
WE HAVE A YEAR TO PLAN IT!!!!!!!
Let’s start on it at LUNCH this week!!!
XX
Susie Craig says
I love the exuberance of colours and patterns. You look wonderful.
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU SUSIE……….XX
Helen Bunch says
What a fabulous party!
The table looked amazing and I particularly loved the little green glasses, perfect for your limoncello
Helen x
LA CONTESSA says
THANKS HELEN………..maybe one day you will be able to eat with us?!!XX
Suzanne says
What a fabulous party and all the photos, I throughly enjoyed scrolling through them all. The table setting with that gorgeous green table cloth is over the top and I love your caftan! Just beautiful! And what a festive day to evening, you both really know how to throw a party!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
Mumbai says
Read it just today and even too late I wish you many healthy and happy years ahead.
In such a good mood and shape it’s easy for you to achieve it. B.t.w. Your hair style and
the kaftan are fabulous.
Angie says
Happy Belated Birthday Lovely Lady!Gorgeous As Always!Everything Looked Stunning And So,Much Fun!Lov,Lo,Lov????
Emily says
“Double chin in full glory”. They broke the mold when they made you Elizabeth!!! Happy Belated Bday! xoxo
LA CONTESSA says
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
XX
Cynthia says
Fabulous fun! Love the theme! Happy belated birthday! All was gorgeous!!what a dreamy setting…SPEAKING of dreamy… your Caftan! ?. Catalina Island-does Jack and Faith Osteen ring a ? Bell??
LA CONTESSA says
NO………………..MY cousin had a friend JACK!Who would have been my age 58 NOW!Did they live on CATALINA?We didnot know anyone who lived on the island as we were on the boat most of the time.
The caftan is from AUSTRALIA………….its a GOODY ONE!!
THANK YOU!!!
XX
Cynthia says
Fabulous fun! Love the theme! Happy belated birthday! All was gorgeous!!what a dreamy setting…SPEAKING of dreamy… your Caftan! ?. Catalina Island-does Jack and Faith Osteen ring a ? Bell??