A birthday celebration at Cindy Hattersley’s beautiful new home and more Sunday favorites with Cindy and Mary Ann in Northern California. This was the perfect excuse for a visit. First a night in San Francisco with Mary Ann and then on to Cindy’s for a birthday celebration in Salinas, California.
My favorites today have to do with this quick, but meaningful trip to see the girls in Northern California. Cindy hosted a beautiful party with delicious food, a gorgeous cake, and the perfect weather for a garden party.
Cindy’s new (old) home
As many of you know, Cindy and her husband sold their home and moved to their home that was once a rental. They have completely renovated the Spanish Revival home inside and out, keeping the old charm. Mary Ann’s 65th birthday was the perfect reason to come together for a celebration and the chance to see Cindy’s home. The party took place in the walled garden and the day could not have been more perfect for a birthday party.
A mix of old, new, high, low for perfect harmony
Cindy and her husband completely reimagined the outdoor space using some of their furniture from their former home and mixing in new pieces from local shops and places like World Market. Cindy has a way of making everything look seamless combining new with old, high-end with more moderate pieces like the all-weather dining chairs from World Market. She used a bench from her former home in front of her detached office and a mix of outdoor pillows in warm neutrals with every shade of black and gray.
You don’t need a large backyard when you utilize a small space perfectly
Cindy’s backyard proves that you don’t need a large yard to have a beautiful space for enjoyment and for entertaining. Every area is well considered for lounging, dining, and just enjoying the garden. Right when you walk into the garden, they have created a fountain that sort of sets the tone in the best possible way. The space is all pea gravel with mulched beds, foundation plantings, and beautiful planters with a mix of topiaries and plants.
Adding a mirror in the garden creates a whole new dimension
A pair of chairs with a mirror reflecting the fountain on the side of the garage. In front of Cindy’s detached office, a large bench re-purposed from their former home fills the space perfectly.
In front of the fountain and under the mirror, large comfortable chairs, perfect for reading, having a glass of wine, or a morning coffee.
A beautiful fall tablescape with a mix of linens
Cindy uses a mix of napkins, woven placemats, rustic plates and glassware from Anthropologie. Mary Ann did the party favors. A small candle and bottle of matches with a personal tag for each guest.
A fountain as a focal point in the garden
A gorgeous birthday cake from Blue Aces Bake Shoppe
And now on to the other Sunday Favorites that all happen to be ideas from A birthday celebration at Cindy Hattersley’s beautiful new home
After all, this was a party of bloggers, so naturally, there were many wonderful ideas floating through the air that day! Here’s who was in attendance.
Cindy Hattersley – Our host
Mary Ann – Classic Casual Home – The Birthday Girl
Kim – Northern California Style – Our other birthday girl
Elizabeth – The Vintage Contessa
Juliet – Make Mine a Spritzer
Heidi – Heidi Michelle Art Studio
Mary Ann’s guest room – Mary Ann just updated a post on how to make your guest room feel like you are staying at a hotel. I can tell you since I’ve had the opportunity to stay in Mary Ann’s guest room on multiple occasions, she thinks of everything! Check out her post here!
Juliet shared her individual charcuterie ideas using mini breadboards from the dollar spot at Target. I could not find a link, probably because they were from the dollar spot, but Sheri Silver made “jarcuterie” that are so cute and individual as well! Perfect for Thanksgiving.
Kim was wearing a look that we were all talking about from style expert @allisonbornstein6 – She called it “Recreating Olsen Twin Looks. Leather joggers, a menswear striped shirt, and gold jewelry.
Elizabeth was wearing this fun Bubble Puffer Vest from Free People in her favorite color! She got the magenta pink one too!
Gifts for the hostess
Hi Annie,
So lovely! What a gorgeous space, and dear friends to hang out with is heaven! I love the tiny boards idea for appetizers, brilliant. And one day l am going to take out all our grass and put in pea gravel it looks so relaxing. Happy Fall Annie and thank you for the post:)
Wow. Annie…your photos and attention to detail are so GREAT! Isn’t Cindy’s home so charming? Love your gift ideas too. I see the salad tongs that I gave Kim! Miss you already!
I knew your pictures would be beautiful! Thank you Annie for coming and sharing our new/old home. It was such a fun celebration. Mary Ann is so lucky to have a friend like you that would travel so far! I am so glad you came!
Annie,
Your photos, capture perfectly, Cindy’s incredible setting for Mary Ann’s birthday. Thank you for the glimpse of friend’s gathering in celebration.
We feasted on your vegan squash side last evening because we wanted to test it for the two vegans who will join us for Thanksgiving. The complex flavors create a perfect dish and will be enjoyed by all.
I love your posts because they offer ways to enhance simplicity as we navigate down sizing and greater care of earth.
Warmly, Diney from Camano Island
Hi Diane! I’m so glad you enjoyed the squash recipe! Simplicity is the way to go…for all the reasons you mention and more! Happy weekend! xx
OH HOW WONDERFUL I GOT TO RE-LIVE IT ALL OVER AGAIN!
A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND SO GRATEFUL YOU MADE THE TREK FROM BACK EAST!IT WAS SO GOOD SEEING EVERYONE!
LOOKS LIKE YOU SPENT A FEW DAYS IN CARMEL……………..ALWAYS WORTH A VISIT!
NOW DID Mary Ann KEEP THE SHIRT OR EXCHANGE IT THAT IS MY QUESTION?
I HAVE A GIFT CERTIFICATE THESE LADIES GAVE ME FROM LAST YEAR THAT I NEED TO SPEND AT TANCREDI!!!
I better get myself DOWN THERE TO SHOP!
XXX
Annie, what a fun post! I felt so happy to be with you all that day and being in Cindy’s gorgeous backyard was like being at a resort! I love all these ideas- especially the table and Mary Ann and Cindy made it so beautiful. Thanks for the kind shout out. I get a lot of inspiration from Allison- she’s amazing. Juliet’s cute boards were $5 at Target when I went, but they didn’t have enough so I used another. Both ideas by her and Sheri are so pretty and perfect for now!
Thanks for getting a chance to remember that fun day again! Having you there made it so special! xo
Kim,
It was so fun to be in California with you and the girls! I feel so lucky to be a part of this group!
Did you end up using the striped boards that you posted? I would love to see a photo!!
xo
Oh, Annie, your photos of Cindy’s courtyard are amazing! Her courtyard is amazing! What a lovely luncheon and I’m thrilled to finally meet you in person. I hope you’ll be back to the Bay Area soon. xo
I hope so too! It was so nice to meet you in person, although I felt like I knew you already! That’s the fun thing about blogging! xx
too much fun! love it all! laura in colorado
Hi Laura in Colorado! It was so fun! An amazing experience! I grew up in Denver, btw. Such a beautiful state!