I love love love stripes and I love all things Italian. I thought I’d mix my two favorites for my favorite man’s birthday dinner.  He (my husband) told me long ago that he HATES surprise parties, so that is what gave me the idea to throw him one : ).

One of the many things I love and miss about Italy is friends having dinner parties. The mouth watering food, smooth wine and great conversation always made for an eventful night.

My inspiration was black and white stripes.

I moved all the furniture out of our pool house, rented a long table and bamboo looking chairs.

I bought candles, Panna water, oranges (I was tired of lemons ) and long Italian bread sticks for table decor

I ventured off to Ikea for candles and found that they sell fabric by the yard for 8$.. I found this adorable black and white striped fabric and began cutting.

I came home and started cooking and decorating…

Here is the EVOLUTION of the table

The moment he walked in…. Oh… and he was very happy as well as  shocked that I pulled off a surprise party ..he coudn’t believe all the lies I told him to pull it off. hahhahahahahaha