Oh What Fun...

Oh what fun I have had creating this blog and setting the table these past few months, especially over the holidays.  I gave thanks, inspired you with lots of red and green and even had a visit from some sketchy Santas.  Now it's time to finish off the year with a bang!

I think I have energy for one more party, so bring out the bling!   I just adore the combination of silver and gold.

This tablescape begins with a silver and gold metallic striped table runner from West Elm.  

From the bottom up...a simple black placemat helps to show off my silver chargers.  

Next are these gorgeous snowflake plates from Crate & Barrel.  I just had to have them, along with the coordinating bubbly salad plates.  The black handles of the Aero flatware pop on plain white napkins.

For my centerpiece, I found these fabulous silver and gold branches at Target and simply plopped them into a pretty white porcelain Rosenthal vase.

All I needed to finish off my table were some sparkly snowflakes tossed here and there...

...and a scattering of mercury glass tea lights.  And for New Year's Eve, what party would be complete without a few noisemakers and party hats!

A special thank you to my photographer, Laura, for all of her hard work and enthusiasm and of course, her marvelous photos.  Thank you also to Between Naps on the Porch for allowing me to share my work with all the fellow dish lovers out there.  See in in 2012!

Inspired

Oh, the joys and perils of being a dish-a-holic.  I know I'm not the only one with such problems.  The holiday season rolls around, you're out window shopping (wink, wink) and you stumble upon a stunning tablescape.

You wish you could buy it all...every placemat, napkin ring, candlestick and shiny bauble.  This very situation happened to me at Pottery Barn last year.  So pretty, yet so simple.  Hmmmm...maybe I don't need to buy everything.  Maybe I already some things around the house to recreate this look.  I can do this!  So here is my version of a festive tablescape with inspiration from Pottery Barn.

All that I needed to purchase were these pretty deep red napkins embroidered with big white polka dots. 

How cute this silverware, Aero, from Crate & Barrel, looks tucked inside these linens.

This peppermint striped runner was already part of my stash.

Surprise, here are my favorite plain white plates, looking lovely atop brown wicker chargers.

These shiny red goblets, (Crate & Barrel circa late 80's) always have a place at my holiday table.  A few mercury glass tea lights, collected from here and there, along with some fresh red poinsettias, help set a festive mood.  Pottery Barn inspired me, and I hope have inspired you to set a simple, fun and festive holiday table.  Make sure to visit Between Naps on the Porch for lots of holiday tabletop cheer.

What's Green and Gold and Red All Over?

The holidays always present a problem to a dish lover...so many Christmas plates...so little time to use them all.

Thanksgiving is a delicious memory, but now tis the season for red and green.

This table starts with a classic plaid tablecloth, layered with a red and green linen runner.

A garland of greens and pinecones has been dressed up with a splattering of green and gold and red baubles.

Tiny bands of red and green fill the borders of these dinner plates which sit atop shiny red chargers, while...

salad plates, adorned with holly berries fancy things up a bit.

Looking lovely are my big shiny red water goblets and deep green wine glasses.  Sitting on golden brocade napkins, this stunning new silverware steals the show.

A simple hurricane holds a chunky red pillar candle.

The Table is set.  The presents are wrapped (thanks to help from a little champagne and curling ribbon)!  Now all we need to do is to fill the house with family and friends and share the joys of the holiday.  This table has been a lot of fun, but now I can't wait to see the other fabulous ideas at Between Naps on the Porch.

Champagne and Curling Ribbon

The holidays...so much to get done...not always enough time for fun.  The answer? Multitask!  One of my favorite events that I have been hosting is an annual Gift Wrapping Party. Here's how. Invite a few girlfriends over.

Ask them to bring their presents, some fabulous paper and ribbon, tags, etc.

Open a bottle of champagne and get creative.  Don't forget to break for lunch.  Oh, and remember, you're really really busy...so this time it's perfectly fine to pick up something fabulous at your favorite grocery store.  May I suggest chicken salad on croissants, a simple salad and a fruit tart!

I think my friends are going to love this table setting.

I could not resist this vintage inspired fabric and made myself a set of napkins

I've had this pink-on-pink checked tablecloth for years, and I think it looks just perfect. All that this pretty table needs is the good old plain white plates.

And for my holiday girlfriend lunch, I brought out my loveliest glassware...

...Romantika water goblets from Crate & Barrel (circa early 90's) and mint green champagne flutes purchased long ago from the Horchow catalog.

See..wasn't that fun?  And everyone goes home with wrapped gifts and a little holiday cheer (thank you, champagne!!)  Make sure to stop by Between Naps on the Porch to see what my fellow dish friends have come up with for the season.