A Swan Party for a Rare Bird

My sweet friend, Anne, deserved an epic birthday party, but while I would have loved to have taken these six women to Bali for an extended vacation, I had to settle for a girly luncheon on a weekday in Georgia.  Never the less, it was a wonderful day and we all showered her with love and hugs.  My  partner in crime and co-hostess was our dear, mutual friend, Judy, who is an amazing hostess and cook.  

The Swan Coach House at the Atlanta History Center is an Atlanta tradition and many, many special times have been celebrated there.  We couldn't get everyone there for the afternoon, so we settled for our version of a Swan House luncheon.  Our menu was chicken salad in a pastry cup, frozen fruit salad,  and cheese straws, just like the iconic lunch at the Swan Coach House.

The table was refined and lovely, just like Anne.

 

I used a charger made of white feathers, and a Juliska-like white plate with heirloom silver.

These embroidered organdy napkins in a simple fold were topped with a simple feather, tied with a tag for a placecard.  

These fine, etched glasses were my choice to add more understated glamour.  (Someday I'm going to learn to photograph glassware.)

Chocolate swans in these paper swan boxes were the favors.

The powder room had a smaller swan with the same flowers.  These plastic swans came three to a set and I ordered them from Wayfair.  They are really planters. 

I used white hydrangeas for the body of the swan, and lisianthis  to represent the tail feathers.  

Then I stuck some real feathers in to re-enforce the idea.

For the pre-lunch drinks, I made these swan straws that I found on Pinterest.

I started with these styrofoam balls from Michael's,

and these cute paper straws from Target.

The straw easily goes through the ball, and then a pipe cleaner and feathers finish it off.

The feather chargers started out as a couple of cardboard circles,

and a bag of feathers.

I glued the feathers to the circle with tacky glue and then backed it with another circle, white sides out.

It took me a very short time to make eight of these.

Here's the way I wrapped her present.  I used the Silhouette Cameo to cut a swan and a crown out of cardstock and added tulle and feathers and some vintage tinsel wire.  

I would love to show you a  photo of these ladies at lunch, but I have a policy of protecting our guests' privacy.  Just imagine six beautiful women with even more beautiful hearts.  We couldn't possibly express to Anne how much we all love her, and how much she inspires us to be better women.  She's one of God's very best.

Joining:

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The Style Sisters

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My Romantic Home

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Cedar Hill Farmhouse

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Rustic and Refined

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French Country Home