Brown Paper Packages Tied up with Strings
August 9, 2012 by Shelley
“Brown paper packages, tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things”
-Maria (The Sound of Music)
Go ahead, sing along, don’t be shy.
I mean, how could you not sing that song while unwrapping these “Mystery Boxes” from Pottery Barn.
I felt like a little girl on Christmas morning.
I was overjoyed at the opportunity to be apart of the “Mystery Box Challenge” presented by Pottery Barn. In this challenge, 5 different bloggers received a mystery box full of items to create a tablescape for four. All items received must be included in the table set up. No other rules.
So let’s have a peek and see what I had to work with…
Are your wheels turning? What type of tablescape would you create with this Pottery Barn goodness? A cozy indoor party? A late-summer al fresco brunch? A pool party BBQ?
It was so hard to decide, but with one special birthday boy in my home, (my husband), I decided to to have a “Birthday Boy Brunch”.
This wouldn’t be HIS special brunch, unless a carrot cake was included. So let’s start there.
Drum roll please…. The grand reveal of my “Birthday Boy Brunch”… (why am I so nervous about this?…)
I truly love the details in celebrations. Especially the flowers. Whether it’s a toddler birthday party, a formal dinner, or a BBQ on the back porch, flowers make an event feel special. No need to break the bank, simply pick up an inexpensive bundle at the supermarket. It’s the best five dollars you can spend to make an occasion extraordinary.
Well, I sure hope my birthday boy loved his birthday brunch, because I sure love him.
So there you have it. My first official Pottery Barn attempt. How did I do? Well here is the best part, you get to VOTE on how I did!!! Hop on over to Pottery Barn’s Facebook Page and vote for you favorite “Mystery Box” tablescape. There are some amazing tablescapes that you definitely want to take a peek it. If mine just so happens to be your favorite, GRACIAS! If it’s not, that’s okay too, just get your toosh over there and vote. 
Do you want a Mystery Box? Thought so. Three lucky voters will be receiving a Mystery Box package, containing the items used for the challenge.
Ya, I knew that would do it. You probably aren’t even reading anymore because you have already clicked over to vote, but just in case you haven’t yet…
VOTE HERE!!
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A special thanks to Pottery Barn for including me on this fun challenge, and to the other four extremely talented designers: Honey We’re Home, Making it Lovely, CasaSugar, and Bright Bold Beautiful.
Feel free to take a peek at the other parties I’ve recently thrown. The Twins’ First Birthday, Noah’s Golf Party, Noah’s Clown Party, and the Highschool Flash Back Party.
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*Disclaimer. I was not paid to participate in this Pottery Barn blogger challenge. I did receive product to create my tablescape.
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It’s beautiful, Shelley!
It is GORGEOUS Shelley! You are a very talented designer! You should be proud! {I voted!}
I just found your site through the Pottery Barn contest – your table is so pretty! And while I love all the PB stuff, my two favorite items aren’t even part of the contest – love the test tube holder and the aqua vase. Do you mind sharing where they are from?
So pretty! I voted
I just went and voted. You did an amazing job Shelley!
Beautiful table!
Voted!! Such a gorgeous party set up!! Wish I had a reason to do something this fancy!
I just LOVE it! How beautiful! Or should I say, “Such a very handsome table”? What fun that you were chosen to participate in the Pottery Barn tablescape challenge!
I voted. It’s beautiful.
I voted!! Yours was the best!! So pretty!
What a fun contest! You did a beautiful job!
Surprise packages and Pottery Barn, what a great combination.
I voted! Yours is by far my favorite.
I LOVE your tablescape and all the goodies you got! I would love, love, love a box!
I voted! Yeah!
Beautiful! I love the colors!!
So pretty! I don’t usually “like” pages, but this time I just had too! Great job.
SHELL!!! It looks amazing!! I love it and I want some of that cake! Miss your guts!
Mandi
Love it, I voted for yours. Awesome job!
Gorgeous job, Shelley! The details are perfect. I love that the PB pieces are so classic and versatile, and would love, and I mean ABSOLUTELY L.O.V.E. to win them!
Oh yum! Everything looks so yummy! And your colors are great! Everything is tied in together wonderfully. Good luck!
It really is a beautiful tablescape. Well done!
Voted! Love your table design!!
Voted, looks fab!
Loved yours! I love the lemonade in the large bowl, makes a subtle yet powerful statement to the table
Just love it!! Very Nicely done
Gorgeous table!!!! You’ve got my vote. I totally agree with what you said about flowers making even an ordinary event feel special. So true!!
Hi Shelley!
Your hydrangea in the test tubes are perfection!!! Love your whole setting, just beautiful…
xoxo
Just voted…your’s was my favorite by far! Beautiful work!
How fun to be able to work with the Pottery Barn items! But I love the way you personalized it for YOUR special party. I really love what you said about using flowers for any occasion, and being able to buy them inexpensively! I will definitely be voting!
Love this, Shelley! Great job and it looks like you’re leading in votes! You’re awesome!
Voted! I love the blue accent throughout the table. My favorite color!
And how in the world does one get an opportunity such as this? Sounds amazing!
Table looks great!! I voted for yours because it was beautiful…not because you’re doing a give-away. Just thought you should know
Lovely! I voted! Looks like you’re winning so far!
Gorgeous!!! I voted.
Excellent job, Shelley! (I voted!)
Shelley I love the table…what a beautiful table..I voted…
Love what you did with your mystery box. So beautiful and simple at the same time. I did vote for you. You deserve that vote and all the others.
I voted, and I happened to like yours the best anyways!
I love it! So pretty and fresh! I too love the aqua vase- where did you get it from?
Wow what a spread! The colors were masculine and soothing at the same time. What a smashing party it musta been. Kudos Chica!!
Your tablescape is exquisite! I had no choice but to vote for you!
What a super fun idea! Would love to do this for my Dad’s up coming 75th Birthday! I voted for you, very cute design.
LOVE what you did with it all…and you were my favorite to vote for! Well done!
Absolutely beautiful and I just love all of it. I voted for you.
I think yours was definitely one of the top looks. I voted for yours. You did a great job!
I voted for you! I absolutely LOVE this site, love all of you girls’ ideas, and Pottery Barn is a HUGE favorite of mine. That blue color matches the colors in my living room and kitchen, so of course I am a little biased!
Stunning. What a beautiful setting. That’s the greatest challenge! You rocked it.
I voted. Love the table design! You are VERY talented!
This is so gorgeous!! Good luck (I voted) and awesome work!!!
Hope you win!
I didn’t vote for you just because I read your blog & not the others. I voted for you because I honestly think you did the BEST job of decorating. Maybe it was easier due to the fact that I think you got the best package!!! Very pretty! I hope the Hub enjoyed his “Special” brunch. It looked very yummy!
I do hope you win!!!!