Pier Inspiration tablescapes

 

Now don't these just look like fun. F. U. N. In capitals, with a bit of awesomeness mixed in around the U. I could see these outside on the patio. With some bright dishes, bright napkins. Probably pick more than one color. What would you serve in these goblets?

Not much shopping in Lubbock, Texas. Trust me, for a city this size, it's really a dismal place to shop. Not lamenting, just the facts m'aam. So, as I popped into Pier One this week (no not being compensated, just needing inspiration) with an open mind, a bit of time and my new phone. 

And then I spotted these napkin rings. Chartreuse? Turquoise? Red? Twelve of each or mixed? You tell me.  What dishes? Plain white? Some with lots of color?

And these were on sale.. yep. beaded, white-silvery magnificent napkin rings. These would be as cute with denim napkins and white dishes as with wonderful china.

See how Pier One popped that red beaded napkin ring on the orange napkin? Love the joy found in these dishes.. Gotta love the colors!!!

And then there were darling bunnies, yellow dishes and this fabulous pale green feather tree. Do you have Easter ornaments? Or some for the spring? I think two of these darlings need to come home with me. And some bunnies too. So simple and easy to use in vignettes or on a table.

Still debating these dishes. Really having a struggle. Should I or shouldn't I? I love the scalloped edge. I cannot..... should not bring anymore dishes into this house. Notice those faux drippy branches.. wouldn't they be pretty neat in a vase or pitcher, brighten up a corner for sure.

Love the large elephant plate. I have no spot to put it, but the colors are fabulous. There were lots of less bright,more sedate items for those of us who shy away from the bold and beautiful.

And then I saw these. Burlap Bunny ears on a burlap napkin ring. And I loved the pale green crochet trim on the yellow check napkins. What a cute statement these would make..

Pier One

Just look how darling this setting is (Pier One website). I love the green plates and the lace. The rustic placemat, the cute candle rings. 

Pier One

See how great the scallop plate looks in this setting? Cute birds, shiny napkin rings and napkins. 

Pier One

I saw these white dishes also. Silver charger with the red dinner plate. On a white placemat with red flatware. 

Pier One

What a cute idea for Valentine's Day! The chalkboard glasses are looking good. Cute frog.. ribbons tied in a bow around napkin and flatware. 

I hope you got some great ideas. I know I did. Got the creative juices flowing. I'll be sharing over at Cuisine Kathleen's Let Dish and Susan's Tablescape Thursday. I do hope to see you pop in over at those great venues!

A Wistful Winter Tablescape

It's been the weirdest winter around here! My tulips are breaking ground. What in the world am I gonna do when the next freeze comes? Oh well. Snow? Non-existent. It's going to be a really bad spring with no moisture around here.

Today, I'm sharing our New Year's table. It fits the bill for Cuisine Kathleen's January challenge to create a winter tablescape. 

I loved being able to find more of the snowflake chargers at Hobby Lobby this year. Previously only had 6, now I have 20? Yep, these will get lots of use. 

I used two antique lace runners down the center of the table. And also placed the rustic hand-made box on top of them. Using the glittery, white jingle bells certainly gave it a fun look.

The turquoise glass plates add just the right bit of color to the table. Dinner is buffet style, so no salad plates!

I used fresh greenery, white candles, white pinecone ornaments, turquoise glass ornaments and large snowflakes in the box.

 

I love to use rock salt in the bottom of the glass hurricanes and set candles on top of the salt. Sort of looks like snow drifts in the containers.

With this many dishes on the table, there isn't really a lot of room for much finery.

Can you believe that the napkins have no starch in them? Yessirree Bob! I like to iron my napkins while they are damp. I take them out of the washer, stack them flat and then slip them into a plastic bag and iron them the next day. Using as hot an iron as your fabric, mine is linen, can stand, iron them dry. You will not need any starch!

Because the box is quite rustic and sets the tone for the table, hunky glasses were de riguer! The larger cut crystal came from the dollar tree. We use them quite a bit when we entertain outside. This time however, there pretty design which reminds me of snowflakes, graces this table to welcome the new year. 

I also used more rock salt and some smaller candles in the swirly Cheers votive holders from Mikasa. 

 

I've had these snowflake napkin rings for quite some time. I believe they came from Dillards years ago. Here you can see the different snowflakes on the chargers.

 

 

I even hung some crystal looking snowflakes and a strand of the same from the greenery in the chandelier. 

Cast:

Chargers - Hobby Lobby

Turquoise Glass Dinner Plates - TJMaxx; Artistic Accents

Silver - Old Company Plate

Water Goblets - Dollar Tree

Champagnes - World Market

Napkins - Linen Hemstiched

Napkin Rings - Dillards

Joining the parties at Cuisine Kathleen's and Susan's Tablescape Thursday. See you there!

If you want to know what we've been up to, click HERE to visit Santa Fe with us!

We ran away!

source

I was sick for our anniversary and for New Year's. I had cataract surgery on the 8th. Just really well enough to have it since the cold just would not leave. Then our son broke his kneecap. Not sure if surgery is needed or not. We will find out Thursday. So we ran away! I wish Santa Fe had had this much snow, the lack of precipitation is going to play havoc in the spring. But it was beautiful anyway!

Warning!! Picture heavy post.. so I'll leave the monologues out, ;-).

Regan thinking that he could hide in the suitcase. You know that white cats are invisible, right?

My favorite color on the portals.. Turquoise. 

One of my favorite stops! I have to keep adding to my addiction collection of Jil Gurule ornaments.

Saw this cute advent calendar in the store. A styrofoam ring covered in ribbon or red tape and then boxes hung by ribbons.

Love this jacket, the colors, the large collar, the mix of fabrics. Great inspiration for myself. Didn't buy this, but did find a blouse in guess which color? Turquoise, of course.

 

Went into Packards on the square. Had to look at some rugs. Not sure I want this much red in our living room but maybe under the dining table. Will have to photoshop it into a picture. Do you do that?

Packards has these gorgeous silver goblets that have a tinkling sound in their stem. I love the champagne flutes, but really love seeing the bubbles. Thinking water or wine instead.

 

And then there is the stunning placesetting! black and silver. just stunning.

 If my son had tall ceilings in his apartment, this would be the perfect chandelier... guitars, music and cowboys!

There wasn't much snow at all. But the temps were cold, cold cold.. except in the afternoons when we strolled about in sweatshirts!

 

On to Cielo. Needed a few more glasses. And to admire their fabulous objets d'art for the table. Got to meet their buyer.. fantastic guy!

A close up of the wonderful runner on the table. Painted and beaded linen.

Why the fisheye was on on the camera, who knows. sorry.. don'tcha love the green napkin used under the placemat. Look at the flatware! Why does black, white and green always looks amazing?

From there on to the Swiss Bakery! Might I recommend their Apfel Strudel. The proprietress is from Wiesbaden, Germany. We did have a nice chat.. in German, too!

Thought this might be fun to do next Christmas or for any outdoor event.. Weave the lights through the stuff at the base of the plants/twigs, etc. 

Things Finer is another one of my favorite haunts. Always love their windows. Apparently I'm not the only one as this time there were many waiting to snap a shot of the Haut Couture Pooch!

Came in for a bit of warmth and to change before dinner.

Then it was off to Ore House at Milagro.

Where they serve these delightful amuses-bouche while you are contemplating the menu.

I had the salmon and Mr. CJ had the steak.. both had us swooning!

This is their cute courtyard where it's fun to sit - in the summer!

Dinner and breakfast and a quick break at La Fonda. I guess we have been steady customers for 30 years. wow. This was a new one for us a Hornipolitan.. I'll share this beguiling recipe soon.

I do love just walking by the art that seems to be on almost every corner.

No turn around here? Really?

 Poem. This cute little basket would make a great place to store almost anything. Easily made. But much faster to just buy!

 

As was this cute bunting in the window.

Next to Poem is this cute candy store!

Sorry, taken with my phone, yeah that was another treat.. the on button quit working.. getting a new one tomorrow.. which one?

On our way out of town..... can you believe this? I expected $4/gal!

Other places of interest:

We always eat at Cafe Pasqual's!

Browse the boots at Back at the Ranch.

Go into the Luchese flagship store on the Plaza.

Shop at the Chile Shop where she displays her own pottery designs,

add to the talavera collection at Guadalupano Imports,

Browse in Cowboys & Indians,

Visit the Indians selling their beautiful wares under the Portal,

Look for bargains at Ortega's.

Dine at Coyote Cafe, the Shed, La Fonda, 

enter into bead heaven on Marcy street,

check out Overland Sheepskin Company,

hit a couple of resale/consigment shops,

the outlet mall (got some turquoise Le Creuset this trip),

and visit Jackalopes!

Already planning to go back. April? August for sure....see you there!