Favors were homemade shortbread and lemon curd. These had special meaning since they were both from my great-grandmother's recipes.
My mom made most of the food herself from Ina Garten cookbooks. Everything was garnished with herbs from her garden. I used my great-grandmother's sewing basket for the centerpiece.
Isn't my granny cute? I told her she had to wear her old flowery hat from the '40's. At 90 she's a writer and a painter and an all around active, artsy gal that people of all ages adore. Happy Birthday, Granny!
Chelsea, you amaze me once again! Everything looks so sweet...
Posted by: Emily@oncewed | August 11, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Chelsea, I just love this. It's gorgeous, personal, and so warmed my heart! Your granny is a love. I wish her more birthdays just like this one!
Posted by: mary | August 11, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Wow, this is all so amazing! The flowers are breathtaking, the colors of the drinks look delicious and the cupcakes are so cute! Plus of course your grandma looks so sweet in her beautiful flowery hat, what a party!
Posted by: Jen | August 11, 2008 at 05:41 PM
how fantastic, chelsea. everything looks gorgeous, and by the looks of it, i think granny would be a perfect candidate for a ban.do. she looks amazing.
Posted by: jen | August 11, 2008 at 05:51 PM
she is lovely!
Posted by: joanna goddard | August 11, 2008 at 05:54 PM
The hat is utter perfection. I don't have words!
I love the sewing basket as a centrepiece. You're a genius!
Now, can I please have a glass of lemonade and one of those tasty cupcakes?
Posted by: Jane Flanagan | August 11, 2008 at 06:09 PM
Gosh this is just the sweetest... love the pictures!
Posted by: Parsiri | August 11, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Oh how perfect - I love it!
Posted by: Kathryn | August 11, 2008 at 07:03 PM
how special is this celebration! everything looks wonderful chelsea........very special!
Posted by: nadia | August 11, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Just found your blog from design for mankind, what great photographs!
Posted by: Rob | August 11, 2008 at 09:38 PM
This is so perfect! I am in awe! The decoration is absolutely beautiful! Your grandma is adorable! I want to get to her age as active as she is!!!
Posted by: Bertie | August 12, 2008 at 04:09 AM
oh, it looks like such a lovely garden party. your granny is gorgeous - she reminds me of queen elizabeth with the pretty hat. i love that she's artsy and would love to see her paintings.
Posted by: cindy k | August 12, 2008 at 04:46 AM
Looks like it was a great party. Those favors are too cute!
Posted by: whatever DeeDee Wants | August 12, 2008 at 06:28 AM
WHAT a lovely party!! ;) And how cute is your grandma??? xxM
Posted by: melissa davis | August 12, 2008 at 07:22 AM
What a splendid affair! And what an excellent choice of favors! I'm a huge fan of Ina, so I know the food was comforting and classy!
Posted by: amanda | August 12, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Chelsea, the garden party looked beautiful! Loved all the cupcakes, and your grandmother looked just lovely with her flowery hat.
Posted by: this is glamorous | August 12, 2008 at 10:02 AM
What an AMAZING party! Your grandma is gorgeous. I love every perfect little detail!
Posted by: Sara Christine | August 12, 2008 at 11:14 AM
i absolutely love your granny!!!
mine was also very active, she knitted, embroidered, saw, read, went to vote on the last elections we had here in mexico, she excercised in her still bike, kept a notebook were she wrote all the proverbs and popular sayings she knew and worked until the day she passed away. i admire people like that, that make the most of their lives everyday.
what a gorgeous party for her did you have!!
Posted by: jo | August 12, 2008 at 11:39 AM
simply adorable. I thought it was from a magazine, this is amazing!!!!
Posted by: Jessica | August 12, 2008 at 12:06 PM
stunning, stunning, stunning...ok it's now on my life list to hire you to throw a party for me.
Posted by: joslyn | August 12, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Beautiful celebration, amazing granny.
Posted by: Jeska | August 12, 2008 at 01:37 PM
The party looks like it was lovely and your granny looks so happy!
Now I want to know how I get a hat like hers...
Posted by: Alexis | August 12, 2008 at 04:29 PM
You did an amazing job on this. It looks absolutely beautiful! I'm sure she loved it!
Posted by: Ansley | August 12, 2008 at 05:42 PM
What a glammed out granny par-tay! Love it all and I see that the talent has been running for generations. How wonderful.
Posted by: Seleta | August 12, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Awe how great! What a sweet party and a lovely hat! I want to be like your granny when I grow up! :-P
Posted by: Kelly | August 13, 2008 at 06:28 AM
Hi...i love your website. All of this looks sooooo yummy! Do you mind passing on the recipes for your shortbread cookies and lemon curd.
Posted by: Tammy Nguyen | August 13, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Lovely party. That hat! and I want to give your grandma a big hug.
Posted by: Leslie | August 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I just discovered your blog through a posting on Oh Happy Day. I'm hungrily looking through all your lovely posts. Beautiful work! Thanks.
PS - Do you know who makes the rectangular porcelain baker used for the party?
Posted by: Kyla | August 13, 2008 at 01:18 PM
So sweet, love it all! Hope all of you had a great time.
Posted by: d. Sharp | August 14, 2008 at 09:15 AM
So sweet, love it all! Hope all of you had a great time.
Posted by: d. Sharp | August 14, 2008 at 09:16 AM