A Few of My Favorite Things......

A few of my favorites....

I am not quite ready to do another tablescape.  We are kind of in between seasons here.  Or at least it feels like it.   So I decided to organize and go through my tableware.  Putting away the past holidays and trying to get out some fresh spring items.  I had a thought to photograph some of my very favorite dinnerware and accessories.

I haven't been blogging very long, just since last September.  But I have been doing tablescaping for quite some time.  I decided to post some of my very favorite items.  There are some repeats of what are in my blogs, others I have used on my tables but never blogged about them.  If you click on the photos they will enlarge for a closeup view. 


Of all the dishware that I own for some reason this set is my favorite.  I have it in a blue colorway as well.   This color, is my favorite.  The dishes remind me of Mackenzie-Childs style.  They are so whimsical to me.  They make me happy just to look at them.  They were from the grocery store.  Smith's Marketplace a Kroeger company.  Made from ceramic.

I really love the embossed basket design and I love pink.  This plate has a charming vintage feel to me.  The pink plate was from World Market.  The white plate which has a similar design on the edge is from Smith's Marketplace.   I love Easter Baskets of all kinds.
 

   
                                   The adorable yellow little chick's plate is from World Market.

Anything with swans always appeals to me because for one, I think of the Swan Lake Ballet.  Our family has quite a history with dance.

From Pottery Barn the quail plate and plum color linen and velvet runner are my Fall go to dishes.  The plates have some plum in them and it blends so nicely with the runner.  

You have seen the Red Lips Bowls from Tai Pan Trading in a Valentine Tablescape I did.  The moment I saw them I fell in love.  They are food safe and are great to serve a wonderful salad in.

The "I Choose You" salad/dessert plate is so lovely to me.  From Crate and Barrel.  Great message and a beautiful design.

I have had the bird plate and nest bowls for a long time.  When I set up a table with them I actually use the bird plate as a bread and butter plate.  Before we sit down I keep it on the stand and place the nest on a dinner plate.  The little plate stand has shades of the same green on the flowers.   Plate and bowl from a store called Details.  The stand from Thanksgiving Point Emporium.

 Below I have a large green beaded Dragonfly as a napkin ring.  It is quite large even though the photo doesn't show the true size.  The napkin is from Seferra I picked it up in Portland, OR.  I was there for a week taking some Floral Design courses.  Napkin ring from a store in Park City, UT.

I love the deep embossing on the Crown plate.  I see these plates everywhere.  The small Crown plate which is food safe was from World Market.  I love the unusual artistic design of this plate in that it shows just a partial picture of a crown.    

The turkey plate purchased from Pottery Barn a few years ago is one of my favorites.  I love the deep rich gold color.  I love the color gold for Fall.  Don't you?

  

 Loved these turkey's when I saw them at Williams-Sonoma years ago.  They were made for them by the L.E.Smith glass company in Pennsylvania.  I actually ordered most of mine direct from Smith Glass as they gave me a great deal on them.  Gold is my favorite.  I have 8 gold and 8 clear.  I have just 4 in the red.

 The lavender napkins are from a store called Amen Wardy.  I purchased them in Las Vegas at "The Caesar's Shops".  No longer there but I think there is still a store in Aspen, CO.  I loved the little flower crochet around the edge.  Made from linen, so please excuse the wrinkles.  I didn't iron before photo was taken.  I actually do enjoy ironing. 

 Pink and brown chocolate set.  What's not to love.  The colors are unusual together as far as dishware is concerned.  With chocolate written in different languages in an all over pattern.  Great for a chocolate bar or dessert night.  

I like eating from oval plates at restaurant's so when I saw these oval plates just perfect for a dinner size plate I bought them.  Done in a Robin's egg blue with an embossed fleur de lis.  I wanted an oval charger plate, which was hard to find.  But when I saw the metal oval charger plate I thought it would be perfect.  The secret is that the charger plate is really not a charger plate at all.  It is a small chalkboard!  The blue plate is from Tai Pan Trading.  The chalkboards came from Thanksgiving Point Emporium.

I really fell in love with these charming and whimsical Nutcracker Ballet plates.  They were different than any I have seen.  I used them in a tablescape on my blog.  They are one of my favorites.  A lot of my family is involved in the Ballet world.  I am not sure who I should give them to one day.

 I collected the St. Nick plates from Williams Sonoma.  Each year for about 7 years they would feature a different design.  I loved the English transferware.  Everyone thinks they were all from Spode.  And when Spode fell on hard times they could no longer produce for Williams Sonoma or anyone for that matter.  The company has since restructured itself but the red and white version is no longer available.  But back to what I said that people think Spode did all the year's of dishes.  The first year plate, which is on the bottom right was actually made for W.S. by Wedgewood.

I used the red crystal Hershey Kiss this year on my Blog for a Valentine's Day tablescape.  Measuring about 5" tall I thought it would be adorable to set on the top plate.  I had thought they were so charming for years.  I purchased mine at Macy's, as they had the best price.  It is one of my favorite's.
 

So many blogger's and my friends have these chargers from Pier One.  They are my very favorite that I own.  The are so intricate looking in a plate stack, they really add to the overall look. 
 

 For some reason I love love love these black and white stripe plates from IKEA.  They are a full size dinner plate.  I used them in my Pirate tablescape.  But, you could use them in so many applications.  Only limited by you imagination.  

The lavender and creamy white dinner plate below is so pretty to me.  I can't seem to get my camera to show the true lavender color.  I purchased the plates on Ebay from a seller that got them from an Horchow outlet

I like glass in all its shapes and forms and have adored the bunnies for years.  I have purchased them all over the place.  I have some larger ones that I bought from L.E. Smith glass, but I love these smaller ones.  Putting them at each individual place setting.  My favorite ones are the purples.

I have used the rabbit luncheon plates every year.  Purchased directly from L.E. Smith Glass.  They are a great size of 9".  The larger glass rabbit is from Smith Glass as well.

 Wings, wings, wings.   Angels, cherubs, fairies, and birds.  I have been able to use them quite often in my tablescapes or a floral arrangement.. 

I purchased the Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead porcelain plates from Crate and Barrel just last year.  I used them in the tablescape of the same name.  The large plate on the right is what C&B calls a cake plate.  My purpose was for a charger plate.

                                                                      Photo below just shows the plate stack.

When I see my green Bunny Toile it helps me have a new and fresh perspective.  I sometimes use my cabbage leaf placemats.

I love the company that manufactured the vinyl spiderweb placemats.  The are so detailed and I love the pierced style.  The finish color is metallic and makes them really stand out.

  

Skull and Crossbones from Z Gallerie.  Great for any Halloween Theme.  The skulls are a darker silver metallic finish.  

                         This Frankenstein is adorable and whimsical.   I love him for Halloween. 

The pedestal bowl and salad plates I have to match are unusual colors for Halloween.  I love the blues in the owl.  I am always looking for something out of the ordinary.
 

I think when people see what you like they get to know your personality.  Hope you enjoyed looking and that you didn't get 
 bored.  Thanks for taking the time to look. 

Please feel free to make a comment.  Thank You.

I will be posting this on Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch.I'm participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch.

Chinese New Year Tablescape

The Year of the Sheep.  Wishing you a gentle and calm year.

We haven't always celebrated Chinese New Year at my house.  For the last 5 years we have done a little something to do so.  My husband and I do Tai Chi.  We absolutely love it.  Such a physical and spiritual experience.  Our teacher always gives the class a little something to celebrate.  So we have been honoring this New Year Celebration because of our teacher's example.


I have set up a small tablescape on a 48" table.  Easy and Fun to do!  If you click on the photo it will bring up a larger photo to see more detail.

My plate stack is just what we'll need for "take-out".  The black, red and white plates were from Target several years ago.  White dinner plate, just something I had.  The chargers I purchased many years ago at Dillard's.  I really loved the black metal rim with the woven center.  Flatware for those of us who aren't very good at using chopsticks.  But chopsticks are included in the setting for the people gifted enough to use them!  The single black goblet is all we'll need, as we will only be drinking water.

  

I placed a different Red Envelope propped on each glass as our gift.  The Red Envelope is given as a gift for sending good wishes and luck.   Usually a little money is put in these packets, but the real significance is the red packet not the money.  Red being considered the color of energy, happiness and good luck.

The centerpiece is a simple, versatile ceramic lantern that I use quite often.   On my blog I have used this lantern in the Beach theme tablescape.  This time I placed a large red candle in the center.  I surrounded the base with some Dogwood blooms.

The Asian inspired linen toile tablecloth is from Williams Sonoma Home.  The napkins from Pottery Barn.   I am embarrassed to say how little I paid for them.   I shop quite a bit at what I call a 3rd tier Pottery Barn outlet.  By this I mean #1, you have the actual store, and sometimes they have great sales.  Number 2 these stores (P.B., W.S., West Elm and more) are under the same umbrealla of companies and are all affiliated, they have their own outlets, not in very many states actually.  Where I live I would call the store I get much of my tableware and linens from a 3rd tier store.   Many are out of packaging, returns (which are not necessarily used), discontinued items, items that had been monogrammed are the majority.  I have removed so many monograms, I couldn't possibly count.  Prices have been great.  But at their special tent sales, Wow Oh Wow.  the prices can't be beat!  Sometimes the price is 90% off.

Closeup detail of the Asian toile design.  This table is 100% linen which drapes beautifully.
 

The folded up corner shows the separate banding sewn on the cloth.  This banding goes all the way around the tablecloth.  I am not a person that says prices but I am making an exception.  This cloth originally around $200,00 was purchased by me for ten dollars, that's right, ten bucks!  It was new, just out of original packaging.  Most always the outlet will draw a line through the name brand on the tag to prevent a return to store.  The tags don't even show or as I do on all my napkins, I cut the tags off. 
  

If I really want something, I wouldn't wait to see if it ends up at the outlet.  I would just purchase at the actual store.   But, I do ask if there are any coupons, or discounts.  You would be surprised how many discounts are out there.  Military (retired. active or not), student discounts, online coupons.  It never hurts to ask.

 I will be posting this on Between Naps on the Porch at Tablescape Thursday.I'm participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch.


Thanks for looking.  Please do feel free to leave a comment.....

Candlelightsupper Style Your Table: Mardi Gras

Candlelightsupper Style Your Table: Mardi Gras: M a r d i G r a s ! Whether you celebrate Lent or not, it is so much fun to celebrate "Fat Tuesday,"  Mardi Gras in French.     ...

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras!

Whether you celebrate Lent or not, it is so much fun to celebrate "Fat Tuesday,"  Mardi Gras in French.    

My inspiration for this tablescape all started with the Mardi Gras salad plates.  I bought them over 10 years ago and hung them on my daughter's wall as a decoration.  I found them at T J Max.  Each of the 4 plates have an antique reproduction of a Mardi Gras scene.

If you click on the photo's they will enlarge for a better view.  I would love it if you left a comment.  Thanks....

 Each of the 4 place-settings have a mask I placed at the top of the plates.  I purchased them at a store called Annastasia's Attic in Gardner Village.  The store is no longer there but she does a smaller online business.

Even though each place setting varies with the individual Mardi Gras plates, my photo below captures the full placesetting.

 I went all out for Mardi Gras.  There is so much detail & I have lots of photos.  Please take a moment to check them out!  Future tables capes for the next while won't be so elaborate.  Seriously the majority of items on this table I have, and use around my home.  I brought them together for this celebration.  

In the background between the candles and bust, and behind the King Cake, I have an outdoor plant stand.  I never used it outside.  Originally green, I sprayed it 3 shades of gold and antiqued it.  I use it in my bedroom next to the bed on a Seafarer's chest I use as a nightstand.  I needed a place to store my crown's.  I have collected crowns for a while now.  Mostly handmade crowns that I see at Boutique's or Specialty shops..

 If you follow my blog's you will notice I use Christmas/Holiday Crackers (poppers) quite often.  Below I have a closeup of the one's used on this tablescape.  They are vintage (1950's) crackers from old store stock.  I love the colors and silver glitter.  They came with a corsage on the top for decoration.  I carefully removed the corsage and placed a glittered and jeweled Peacock feather on top.

  I love this beautiful lady.  I purchased her last August at Home Goods.  It was an early Halloween decoration.   I used her in my "Day of the Dead,"  "Los Muertos" tablescape.  The mask is permanently on her face.  But you can do so much with her.  All crowned, jeweled up and ready to party.....

 The headpiece is mine, and I have used it, for '60's parties, dress like a Hippie party, Mardi Gras, and Halloween.  It would be great for New Year's too!  A person at a place called Thanksgiving Point Emporium made it for me. I love it!  There are more pictures below.

 Napkins are doubled.  Gold organza on top of a turquoise gold beaded one underneath.  Napkin rings I purchased on Ebay about a year ago.  They were a great price...

 Plates for the rolls   A small gold plate on top with its own charger plate underneath.
   

 No Mardi Gras party would be complete without a King Cake.  Made with yeast for leavening instead of baking powder or soda  As a lot of cakes made in Europe are still done today.  I purchased the mix to make this cake from World Market.  It came complete with the glaze and colored, glistening sugar as well.  I didn't use the baby that came with it, I used one I bought in New Orleans that has the baby attached to a crown. 

The history behind the Mardi Gras King Cake:  The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th Century.  These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the 3 Wise Men bearing gifts 12 days after Christmas calling it the feast of the Ephiphany, 12th night, or King's Day.

The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King Cake to honor the 3 Kings.  The cakes were made circular or oval to portray the route used by the King's to get to the Christ Child and confuse King Herod, who was trying to follow the Wise Men and kill the Christ child.  In these early King cakes, a bean, a pea or a coin was hidden inside the cake.  The person who got the hidden piece was declared the King for the day or was, or was said to have good luck in the coming year.

In Louisiana, Twelth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season, which ends of Mardi Gras Day.  The beans, peas and coins have been replaced by a small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child.  The person who gets the bay is expected to to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake Party.
IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED ANYMORE TO PUT THE BABY IN THE CAKE AS SOMEONE MIGHT CHOKE ON IT  
 

  I have found so many uses for these goblets.   They were so inexpensive.  I purchased them at my local Smith's Grocery Store last Easter.  They came in this color, purple, and green.

The tablecloth is a purple pin-tuck tablecloth.  The cloth is purple but photographed more blue.  I have placed a  small woven Mardi Gras colored runner on an angle under the corner centerpiece.

The lady who made this head-piece for me, used jewelry and other little pieces to decorate it.  Some vintage finds.  Old pins, brooches, feathers, '70's grapes, feathers.  My 2 favorite items are a vintage jeweled rhinestone airplane, and a musical Base Clef pin.  I love it!  The price I paid was very reasonable. . 

 On the back of the gold stand holding the crowns, I hung a turquoise green and gold star.  This is a back view.

 Gold metallic burlap embossed candles and candlesticks from Pottery Barn that I use in my home everyday.  I added a crown candle pin to one of them and added just some stick-on jewels, that can easily be removed.  Each of the candles are wrapped with Mardi Gras ribbon.

 I will be posting this on Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch.  A truly GREAT Blog.
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Thanks for looking.  I love comments!  Please feel free to leave one.  Thanks for looking.

I'm participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch.