HOSTING AN OUTSIDE GATHERING: CREATING A TABLEWARE LOOK

This past weekend, we had a couple of friends over for a BBQ.  It was an intimate gathering; my husband's best friend was introducing us to her fiancé.  It was a great chance to meet him, catch up and hang out.

Even though this was a small gathering, it gave me an excuse to create an outside tablescape.  I decided I wanted to cover the outside table but didn't want to spend a lot of money on a tablecloth.  A runner wouldn't work on our square table.  So, I hit Jo Ann's store in search of fabric that would go great outdoors; something causal but fab.

I found this taupe/brown and white checkered pattern.  Only problem: I needed to do some alternations to fit on my table.  Let me just mention, I don't own a sewing machine and I can't even sew a button (nicely).  But, if you're like me, they make a great no sew product.  It's fabric tape that you iron with.  Works great!  I have rolls of it.  To finish off the look, I added some ribbon as trim.

Fabric and ribbon purchased at Jo Ann's fabric. 
The image on the right is a better depiction of the color tablecloth and ribbon.

Have any mason jars?  Why not dress them up. 
Here, I added some striped string, tags and alphabet stickers to create a personalized look. 
 

Create a summer drink like the one above.  Found this drink recipe from BHG (lemon thyme, peach nectar).  We added a little Capitan Morgan white rum to spice it up.

 

 

 

 

It was so much fun creating this look and sharing it with friends.  I hope I've inspired you to create your own look for the outdoors.

xo,

WILLIAMS SONOMA HOME . . . ALL THINGS GREEN

 

 

 

Have you seen the new Spring 2014, Williams Sonoma Home catalog?  You know, the big 10 1/2 x 13 x 1/2 one, with all the beautiful photos for your viewing pleasure.  I was drawn to their different shades of green collection.  Lovely patterns, textures in shades of green, ranging from teals, seafoam, aqua and mist.  These fresh colors, along with contrasting neutral tones complement each other.  Each space is refreshing, with a calm and serene feel to them.  Definitely a space to just relax.

Here's more from their collection:

Love the old look of this distressed chest and the marbleized green accessories.

Adding the same marbleized vases to this room with a mirrored console piece creates a more glamorous look

Love the green cabinets in this kitchen

Want to see more?  Check out Williams Sonoma Home's website here.

THEY CALL IT MELLOW YELLOW . . . FOR FASHION

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To continue with my love of spring colors, today I'm sharing the color yellow for you fashionistas! Yellow is such a bright and cheery color.  I instantly feel happy when I see or wear yellow; don't you?  It pairs nicely with cream, beige, grey, white, navy or black; make a bold or soft statement (depending on your look).

I own a few pieces of clothing in yellow and it compliments nicely with my olive skin.  I'm looking forward to adding to my wardrobe, some of the latest looks I've spotted.  Take a look at some of my favorite finds!

Image (left) via Prepfection.  1// 2// 3

xo,

WARM WEATHER LOOKS FROM . . .

 

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Since I've been on a Spring kick for the home, I decided to keep the momentum going for you fashion gals.  Here are some cute inspiring pastel looks from Forever 21.  And, you definitely can't beat the price point.  You can add these pieces to some of your high items to create a FAB look! 

 

For more looks, check out Forever 21's website here.

Have a great weekend!  The weather here on the east coast is supposed to be in the 50's (whoo hoo)!

xo

 

ACCESSORIZE YOUR HOME WITH BLACK & GOLD

 

In yesterday's post, I talked about the color black (Fade to Black).  Since I'm on a roll with all things black, you can call this part two of my discussion (lol).  Definitely, something worth talking about because designers are certainly coming out with great accessories in black.  Today, I'm sharing looks in black and gold since that's what's trending right now.  Even though I call it a trend, I think some of these looks can be carried and kept for years.  As the saying goes . . . "everything old is new again".

 

There are two companies I'm sharing in my post today:  Nate Berkus for Target and Z Gallerie.   I'm so impressed with some of the brands Target has brought into their stores.  Pairing up with some great designers like Nate Berkus and Threshold has made a huge impact.  The other company I'm sharing is Z Gallerie.  This company never disappoints with their accessories!  I always look forward to the looks they come out with.  You'll always find a Z Gallerie item in our home.  I just wish they would reopen a store in NYC.  Closest store is in McClean, VA :(

 

Take a look at some of the new items from these two companies:

 

  NATE BERKUS + TARGET

 

 

Image - Target

 

 









Aluminum Enamel Decorative Box







Decorative Starburst



Frame with Brass

Oblong Gold Foil Pillow





Earthenware Faceted Platter

























 







Emerson Pillar Holder

Urban Pillar Holder

Urbane Canister





Urbane Vase







 







 







 

 

 

 

 

 

MY CHRISTMAS TABLESCAPE FOR 2013

  

 

Happy Monday BFs (blogger friends).  What a busy weekend!! 

 

I'm finally able to sit down and share with you my Christmas tablescape.  This year, I created a soft, simple color scheme: rose gold, creams, greens with accent touches of blue/green.  The jumping off for my color scheme was a tablecloth I purchased from Wisteria last year (on sale).  I knew I had to create a look with this beautiful tablecloth.  The second inspiration was a snowflake tie-on I purchased at The Container Store, along with wired ribbon.  And, I found the perfect ornament plates from HomeGoods!  I pulled these looks together, along with some old decorations used in previous table designs.  Adding baby's breath flowers around the garland with white lights, completed this Christmas table setting.

 

 

Ikat napkins from West Elm (sold out); rose gold flatware (West Elm); ribbon, The Container Store; ornament plates from HomeGoods

 

Majestic Reindeer (sitting) in gold (currently sold out in gold) but others on sale at Z Gallerie

Majestic Reindeer in gold from Z Gallerie (currently sold out); snowflake ornament from The Container Store

 

Added gold letter stickers to plain candle holders and added faux snow

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays . . .

xo

 

DISPLAYING YOUR LOOK WITH . . .

 

 

 

The Coffee Table Book

image via Pinterest

I don't know about you but my mailbox has been stacked, almost daily, with magazines from different companies displaying their featured products; especially for the holidays. 

My coffee table is stacked with them and they're not a pretty site. Every time I go through the stack, more follow.  As I'm browsing through the various magazines; looking for inspiration and for Christmas gifts, it hit me! . . . looking at these stacks of magazines . . . I don't have any coffee table books.  Well, that's not entirely true . . . I have huge one that was given to me as a gift (entitled, Earth from Above).  But I would like to create my own look; using coffee table books that interest me and represent my style.

So, I did a little research on the coffee table book and why we dress up and style our table with these large, hardcover books.  The coffee table book began in the 1960's and credit was given to David R. Brower.  He was executive director of the Sierra Club.  Brower came up with the idea to have a series of books (nature books) where the image on the page was big enough to be dynamic.  The first book was, "This is the American Earth" and was published in the 1960s (photographs by Ansel Adams and other text by Nancy Newhall).  This became a series entitled, the "Exhibit Format" (20 series).

I think we've come a long way to creating the look of the coffee table book; displaying our favorite books; whether it be fashion icons, interior designers, nature, architecture, etc..  We're dressing them up with flower arrangements and with accessories (candles, art, sculptures, trays, mirrors, etc.).  And, it's not limited to the "coffee table".  These hardcover books are on ottomans (used as coffee tables); on desks, dressing tables, in walk in closets and entry tables.

One book I must have on my coffee table is the iconic, Coco Chanel!  Stay tuned for the look I'll create. 

Here are some inspirational pictures I want to share with you (images via Pinterest).

stacking books in the same color tone but different size, creates a visual image to the space. love the pop of color!

Adding an accessory like this candle creates a stylish look; anything in three's completes a look visually

 

What are some of your favorite coffee table books?  Do you have a display in your home?

xo