Copycat Magazine Challenge: Easy Entertaining

I finally got my stuff together in time to participate in one of the coolest linky parties out there, the Copycat Magazine Challenge at Debbiedoo’s.

The challenge is simple — but more challenging than you might think: find an inspiring image in a magazine (or on a blog) and copy it. The copy doesn’t have to be exact, but the inspiration should be clear.

My inspiration:

I tore this page out of the June 2012 issue of Better Homes and Gardens because I liked a piece of furniture on the flip side. But as I was paging going through my idea file for ideas to copy, I spied this photo of an easygoing, beachy tablescape. And I decided I wanted to go to that party.

So, I set about creating my own version.

The great thing about this copycat was that I already owned most of the elements I would need to recreate the magazine spread. The only thing I purchased for this was the glass, bought on clearance at Christmas Tree Shops for 74 cents.

My pitcher isn’t an exact replica of the magazine version. It was a recent yard sale find for $1, and I wrapped it with some jute twine to make it look like the one in the photo.

The handle was easy to wrap. I just tied my twine on and started wrapping it around, hiding the knot and tucking the loose end to hide it.

To cover the base, I turned the pitcher upside down, tied the twine on and wrapped up the pitcher. When I was finished, I looped the end of the twine through the last row of wrapping and secured tightly, snipping away the extra twine.

 I staged my party atop a table I painted. I pulled out some Southern Living at Home plates I’ve had for years. My “napkins” are actually dishtowels from Ikea, the shells are from a jar I had in the attic, the utensils are my “fancy” stainless, and the flowers are two dried leis I keep in my office as a memento from our trip to Maui for my brother’s wedding.

The magazine spread wouldn’t have been complete without a pitcher of make-it-yourself Starbucks passion tea lemonade.

After my grueling photoshoot, I settled into a lawn chair with a magazine and treated myself to that glass of tea.

I would have invited the neighbors, but they weren’t home.

Still, I think I captured the look and the spirit of the Better Homes and Gardens  magazine spread. Entertaining doesn’t always have to be fancy or take a lot of work. And sometimes it’s fun to make the effort, even for a party of one.

Linking up to: