Timeless-n-Trendy Tablescape

I love entertaining. Especially for the holidays. So, I wanted to share with you my sweet simple staples that I use for any type of tablescape.

A good friend of mine {a mentor actually} had shared with me many years ago... a secret. Whenever she was out and about and she spotted a sweet deal on pieces for entertaining {plates, glasses, napkins, etc}, she would stock up. She especially liked to pick things up that could be used for many types of parties. And since she is the Hostess with the Mostest.... I listened.

Through the years I have picked up several things. I try to stick to the basic colors that I can use for MANY events: white, silver, gold, brass... and red {which I use for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's Day, 4th of July, etc, etc}.

It becomes quick and easy to assemble a simple, but eclectically stunning tablescape!

I love to mix and match. And I love to use what I have.

These gold chargers I used for my kiddo's Indiana Jones Themed Birthday Party. See, quite versatile.

The white plates are my everyday plates and same goes for the silverware.

I picked up the vintage red plates at an estate sale. I LOVE them! They add a touch of class and balance to the white plates.

Christmas decorating had a new challenge this year. I typically only decorate in red and white.... but in our new digs, we have a lot of teal {note the chairs}. So, I have to think of ways to cleverly incorporate the blues into anything I do. For this tablescape, I decided to add some vintage paperweights I had gifted to me.

The paperweights echo the Christmas ornaments. Perfection!

One thing that is a staple at every meal... is this view!

But, back to the table.... the deer antelopes are authentic. I found these at an antique store for dirt cheap. They had dirt on them, actually. I cleaned the babies and slapped a coat of gold spray paint on them and now they are magnificent! They showed up on my Thanksgiving table this year and I'm sure I'll be using them through the years to come.

Other items on the table are vintage brass and silver pieces I picked up at garage sales and thrift stores. I also placed my clear and red paperweights into the mix to tie-in the blue ones. The gold and silver Christmas trees were purchased at a HomeGoods store last year. They fit perfectly and add a little bit of height without blocking the view of the guests.

Using my staples and things I have collected through the years {i.e. things around the house} provides a Timeless-n-Tendy assortment to effortlessly and quickly choose from... any time. And when I say quick, I put this tablescape together in under 20 minutes!

Vintage + Staples + Eclectic = a TIMELESS-n-TRENDY Tablescape

Foyer Tour

I thought I would get a tour up of our foyer before I start posting any pics with it decorated for Christmas.

After 3 months, we have really started to settle in... calling it our HOME. It is so comforting to us now. I mean, it has been since the moment we moved in.... but, once you start slapping some paint onto the walls, filling it with your finds, personality and memories.... it quickly becomes your sanctuary. Your HOME.

This quote from Stafford Cliff's Home describes exactly what I am trying to say:

"That people could come into the world in a place they could not at first even name and had never known before; and that out of a nameless and unknown place they could grow and move around in it until its name they knew and called with love, and call it HOME, and put roots there and love others there; so that whenever they left this place they would sing homesick songs about it and write poems of yearning for it, like a lover;" -- William Goyen, "House of Breath"

Here is part of our home, the foyer... BEFORE

AFTER

The entrance is painted a different color than the main living area. It's painted the same Martha Stewart's Driftwood Gray as our Master Bedroom {which you can also see from the main living area}.

The guest bathroom, my office and our son's room are located off of the foyer. The colors of those rooms compliment the gray and bring in the greens and blues throughout the rest of the house.

If you recall... wink wink... we LOVE our art.

This church painting is of the Methodist Church in Downtown Fort Worth. It was painted by a local artist and hung in the Dallas Love Field Airport. I found it at an antique store, of all places! The booth owner was very kind to me and gave me a great deal on it {All you have to do is ask. They can always say no.} I was one happy puppy when I brought this home!

The celadon jars were all found at thrift or consignment stores. 

The gold peacocks were a great vintage find. I think they were popular in the 50's or 60's. I LOVE them!

The lamp was from HomeGoods and lampshade was one that was just revamped!

The console table came from a consignment store. 

This other painting holds A LOT of sentimental value. It was given to us by my in-laws. They had picked it up in the first few years they were located in the Dominican Republic {over 40 years ago}.... the country where my hubby was born {less than 40 years ago}. They passed it onto us a long time ago. I had it reframed as a birthday gift for my hubby and it now greets him every time he comes home.

The mirrors I found at various places: HomeGoods, Flea Markets, Consignment Stores and  Amazon.com! I love each and everyone.

This vintage Bully Hill advertisement poster was found at an antique store.... for only $5! Framed and EVERYTHING! It was a FANTASTIC find! One day, I was in the grocery store and actually found the actual advertised New York wine.... bought it.... took it home.... cracked the bottle open {after-all we enjoy a good glass of red wine}... and gagged... because it was disgusting! At least, my hubby and I both gave it thumbs down. You may like it, if you have a different pallet. But, we did not... so sad, I know.

I don't know why, but we really enjoy these little guys. Separate, they are creepy. Together, they are {... well, still a little creepy.... but....} fun!

Here is a little look into our living room from the foyer. Hopefully, I'll post a living room tour soon!

The antique pagoda mirror was an awesome find at my favorite consignment store just 2 weeks ago. It is amazing! I have wanted something like this for a l-o-n-g time! It is a perfect fit, too. And it reflects more light at a crucial point of the foyer. Some things are worth the wait.

The lamps came from Hemisphere several years back. They seem to be pretty timeless and they compliment the mirror nicely.

We really enjoy coming and going from our Double-Wide in the Sky.

We really enjoy our HOME...

"and that out of a nameless and unknown place they could grow and move around in it until its name they knew and called with love, and call it HOME, and put roots there and love others there;"

Candy Cane Sunburst Mirror

Do you have your shopping done yet?
I've had my Christmas shopping done for awhile now. {Yes, I am such a p-l-a-n-n-e-r.}

But seriously, I prefer to get my shopping done early so I can enjoy the Christmas holiday. A time for family, friends, decorations, fun, festivities, eating, cooking, baking, and CRAFTS!

I have been thinking about this craft project for a while now and decided to give it a shot!


A CANDY CANE SUNBURST MIRROR

I started with the following:

7" round styrofoam ring
9" round mirror
12" round styrofoam circle
ribbon
hot glue gun with gluesticks
picture hanger
gift wrap
candy canes...candy canes... candy canes

1. Trim and cut a circle from the gift wrap to cover the 12" round styrofoam circle.

2. Hot glue the gift wrap circle to the styrofoam. {I made slits around the edge to help create a somewhat smooth outer edge.}

3. Hot glue the picture hanger to the back of the 12" styrofoam circle. I placed mine about 1/4" of the way down the center.

4. Hot glue the mirror to the center of the gift wrapped circle.

5. Wrap ribbon around the 7" styrofoam ring. I only hot glued the beginning and ending strands.

6. Hot glue the ribbon wrapped ring on top of the mirror.

7. Start adding candy canes. This can be done in any type of fashion. I decided on this type of pattern to add interest since I wasn't going to get it with various lengths like a traditional sunburst mirror... side -- up -- side -- up... and so on. Just hot glue those puppies on.

8. Hot glue broken candy canes to the top of the 7" styrofoam ring to cover completely.

Since these piece are all unique in length, there is added interested.

9. Hang and enjoy!

Think about all the other possibilities with this method?

Different candy cane colors, different wrapping paper.....

Let me know how your crafting projects turn out!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS CRAFTING/DECORATING!

* If you are interested in checking out this year's Christmas decorations, you can find them here.

I am linked up at The 36th Avenue and Under the Table and Dreaming.

Also, at The Inspired Room and Centsational Girl.

Lampshade Revamp

Happy Day-Before-Thanksgiving!

In my last post, I discussed changes and flexibility.  Well, within minutes of posting.... another change.

I got the call from my kiddo.... he was sick :o( So, I had to meet my dad half way and pick him up.

So, Thanksgiving plans have changed, A-G-A-I-N!

But, today, while nursing my kiddo and preparing for our own little Thanksgiving. I performed more changes throughout the Double-Wide. One change included transforming that yellow dresser in our bedroom. Yes, I said the awesome yellow dresser. I couldn't handle seeing the yellow from the rest of the house. It fit well within the bedroom, but not with the rest of the house. So, I painted it a dark glossy gray. I am loving it so far! But, I want to wait to assemble everything before I make a formal decision. Hah!

Another change I performed was that of lampshade revamps!

I wanted to add some life to these other-wise boring lamps. The base is so beautiful, that I thought the shade needed to match.

Enter in some simple grosgrain black ribbon with a white stitch.

Yes, I performed this task right on our living room floor.  So simple, just hot glued the puppies to the top and bottom.

The most difficult part was deciding to place the ribbon on top or below the seam. I decided below/above the seam... top and bottom.

HALF WAY DONE:

 FINISHED PRODUCT:

I liked it so much, I did two more lampshades in the house.

It compliments the black and white stripes in our bedroom. Adds a touch of elegance, sophistication and "completion".

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Easy-Peasy Potato Soup and a Scarf

The last 24 hours have been filled with such home-bound love-filled cooking, baking and crocheting!

I thought I would miss our fire place. I guess I really don't. I still have an oven--- to bake Cheesy Biscuits and I still have a couch-- to cuddle up on and crochet. So, I am set for the chilly months that {hopefully} are in the near future.

It has been a tradition for the last 5 years, to crochet a scarf for my kiddo. It has been something in which he also participates. He chooses the colors of the scarf, every year.

I only know one "stitch" {or whatever it's called}. My mom taught me when I was 8 years old or so. And all I do is make scarves or blankets. You think I would learn something new, but I have fun doing just this.... I really don't need to expand. Crocheting has gotten me through recouping from major heart surgery about 2 years ago. It has served it's purpose. It's relaxing, comforting and satisfying. This year's color... is red!

So, as I was crocheting away... I thought some Cheesy Biscuits sounded great with hot Potato Soup. I wasn't up for a lot of kitchen work. After all, I was enjoying crocheting. So, I decided to whip up my Easy-Peasy Potato Soup!

3 Diced Large Potatoes 

3-4 Diced Carrots

1-2 cups Frozen Sweet Corn

Milk ~ 1-2 cups

Mrs. Dash Original Blend

Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle

1. Cover carrots and potatoes with water {just enough to cover the vegetables} and boil until tender.

2. Remove ~ 1 cup of cooked potatoes and place in a separate bowl. Add Mrs. Dash herbs and smash with a fork. 

3. Add smashed potato mixture back into soup pot. This helps thicken the soup.

4. Add milk and corn to pot.

5. Boil and then simmer until ready to serve. Stir occasionally. 

Garnish with 2% cheddar cheese and enjoy!

This is actually a low fat {when using skimmed milk} recipe and not too high in sodium, either.

Easy, hearty, warming and scrumptious! My boys LOVE it. I'll add left over sausage or hamburger... if I have it on hand. 

I also love my Whole Wheat Cheesy Cheddar Biscuits with this soup. I altered this recipe a few years ago:

1 cup All-Purpose Flour

1 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1 tablespoon Featherweight Baking Powder {no sodium}

2 tsp Truvia

1/2 c Melted Unsalted Butter

1 cup Skim Milk

1/2 cup 2% Cheddar Cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Combine flour, baking powder and Truvia.

3. Stir in milk and butter just until moistened. Add cheese.

4. Spoon-drop biscuits onto a cooking tray.

5. Bake biscuits for 12-13 minutes.

6. Serve and enjoy!

Again, lower fat and lower sodium. Not too shabby.

Here's to cozy, hearty, warm, relaxing, and delightful meals.... and those crocheting projects that lie ahead!

Thankful

Since Thanksgiving is only a week away {I seriously can't believe it!}... I thought I would type out a few things that my kiddo stated he was thankful for in our new neighborhood.

Back story: Kiddo takes a Homeschool Art Class at a wonderful museum around these parts.

This week, the class focused on an artist who currently has an exhibition. He uses maps and other objects in his artwork. He likes to layer and layer and then sand and sand and remove bits and pieces of the layers, for a unique effect. Something, I totally dig. Anyway, he likes to incorporate his neighborhood or places of origin or topic locations into those art pieces. So, they asked the kiddos what their neighborhoods look like...

Most said similar things: sidewalks, dogs, animals, children, playgrounds, trees, flowers, bicycles, etc, etc.

My kiddo said, I have a different neighborhood. I live in a condo, but I still see dogs, trees, flowers, not many children, not many bicycles... but outside my door, I have a cool hallway and 2 elevators! I have 2 swimming pools and 2 fitness centers {yes, he refers to them as fitness centers}... I also get to walk down and get the newspaper for my dad and get coffee on the weekends. I live in a different place, but I love it! I get to see my dad every day.

For the things that are meaningful to him, I am thankful.

For his excited heart, I am grateful.

For his love of family and home.... I am blessed.

We live in a "different" place, but we love it!

Why'd it have to be snakes?

I have the Indiana Jones theme looping in my head. Partly due from our adventurous weekend... and partly from my kiddo's 7th birthday party.

My baby.... is now 7. He will inform you, that he is NOT my baby.
I, however, will inform you that he will ALWAYS be MY baby.

But, his 7th birthday party was not for babies!
That... he was quite proud.

We kept it small, since it was our first birthday celebration in the double-wide in the sky. But, it did not lack pizzaz, fun or adventure!

Here is how we laid it out:

First was a photo shoot for the b-day party invites. Kiddo dressed up like Indy. White shirt, pants, and belt we already had in his wardrobe. The hat, whip, and bag were special surprises for him. He was over-joyed! So, we did a complete costume photo shoot. Make up and all.

We used eye liner and eye shadows to create the hairy chest and manly beard. Smudged a little black shadow around for a dirty effect. He had a blast!

Then, came the party invites. We took selected images from the photo shoot and I created a collage on the front of a postcard sized invite. I then created the information on the backside of said postcard. All graphics and fonts were created in a simple Word document. Easy-peasy.

The simple invite read:

YOUR DOSSIER
Mission: Kiddo's 7th Birthday Celebration


Timeline: xx pm - xxpm


Location: ..... {specific information}


Mission Liaison:
Joanne Herda
Contact Mission Liaison promptly to ensure your passport is activated for your adventure!


Just a little fun!

Then, the day of the party arrived!

The previous planning and preparations were about to become tested.

Cue Indiana March at the elevator entrance to our hallway.... Raiders of the Lost Ark movie poster.... and a sign stating: "To the SNAKE PIT"!

Indiana, himself, greeted guests.... and so did his padres.... dressed in Raiders of the Lost Ark t-shirts.

Even though we didn't do anything too elaborate, I enjoyed decorating the cake and snack tables.

This was A LOT of fun!

The crates were created as little gift packs for our guests. I had purchased wood boxes from the craft store {on sale for $1 each}. I used my letter stamps and wrote "Keep Out" and "Property of Mr. Jones", etc. I assembled one specifically for the birthday boy.

Simple things were used: rock candy, ring pops, gem bouncy balls, gold mine gum, rubber snakes, gold chocolate coins, etc. A little bit of hemp cord to wrap it all up and some distressing with stamp pads... and a little take-home crate was born... filled with treasures.

I used the crates, as well as, a WHOLE bunch of other items to decorate the cake table.

I used every day items I had around my home. The idea was for it to be a set-up of lost treasure. Silver urns were garage sale finds from a long time ago. I used paper sacks as liners and whaa-laah... they became utensil and chocolate rock candy holders. 

To create the table landscape, it was really all about layering.

1. FABRIC: A neutral table cloth.... a faux leather fabric remnant.... a piece of light colored burlap remnant.

2. FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS: I layered the wicker and gold chargers. These were already owned items I use for multiple occasions. I like to stick with neutral items that can be utilized for various events and holidays. I also had a little wooden antique stool I used to add height to a section of the table. I use various books, etc under the fabric to add other areas of height. The cake, though, was to be the area of highest elevation... that was in the center of the table.

3. SERVING TABLEWARE: This is where some of those old silver urns came into play and a lot of my white milk glass collection. I used a vase to hold a bouquet of napkins. And other pieces to hold the sweet treats.

4. ACCESSORIES: That's where the gold coins {chocolate candy}, diamond gems, brass decor elements from around the house, rubber snakes and rats, jewelry, etc. come into play! I just had fun and scattered them around the table.

5. THE FINAL POP: Spider webs! They didn't block access to the goodies, but I did drape it over the entire table. It added the final touch of our lost treasure/feel.

I essentially, did the same process with the snack table, but I left off the webs. 

I had these vintage brass candle holders and kiddo LOVED the fact that they were like the Holy Grail.

Now, onto the party.

Guests arrived and we mingled a bit. We had Raiders of the Lost Ark playing on the TV as background interest. It was a fun little addition. 

Once we had a chance to catch up and all guests arrived, we held a scavenger hunt.  Now, this was a BLAST! Hubby and I were the Jungle Guides.... hats and all....

All clues were given as direct Indiana Jones quotes from various movies.

Example:

“I’m like a bad penny. I always turn up.”

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Find a penny.

Once the item was found, the Jungle Guide snapped a pic with their phone. The first team done headed back to the snake pit for the final task. We live in a high-rise that is connected with a hotel. It was A LOT of fun, because the guests of the hotel were trying to help us with our clues. And the front desk was EXTREMELY helpful!

Can I say, the "DAMES" beat the "DUDES"! This made for a sad birthday boy... but, oh well. We were in competition! And we had some die-hard competitors on the Dames team! Way to go girls!


We ended the Scavenger Hunt with one last task... "Wrap your Jungle Guide up like a mummy!"

And then, there was the CAKE!

I had googled so many Indiana Jones theme cakes. But, in the process of my many searches, I found a collectors bust of Indy. And I thought.... BINGO.... a cake topper!  This will be EASY!

And it was!

Kiddo loves peanut butter and chocolate. So, we had a lot of peanut butter and chocolate items on the cake table. Cookies, popcorn, and the cake! I doubled this recipe and had 4 layers in the cake. It was fantastic! And EASY!

Added a few Chocolate Rock Candies...

... and we were good to go!

After cake, came PRESENTS!

Then, the party was over.

The kiddo ended the day's events with a melt-your-heart-with-sweet-and-loving-sentiments-that-would-make-any-mother-fill-with-pride speech.

Even though, there may be a whole bunch of planning, preparations, gifts, cake, etc.... it really comes down to the simplest of things..... LOVE.

CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE?