The (Ugly) Truth About Acorns

You've probably seen them...the packages of half-faux acorns from Pottery Barn...the perfect little autumn decoration.  Fill a jar, scatter across the table.  But at $14, I thought they were a bit pricey,

especially when the real thing is lying on the ground for the taking (as long as you beat the squirrels to them).  So on one of my walks, I filled my pockets with the nicest acorns I could find.  I was quite enamored with my collection...until several days later when (gasp!)...I discovered white worms crawling out of my pretty little acorns!!  Talk about unwanted house guests.  Thank goodness they were not on my dinner table!  So as you can imagine, I look at these pest-free acorns from Pottery Barn in a totally new light. They are worth every penny!  Nonetheless, the acorns are the inspiration for today's autumn tablescape.  If you need desire fresh, inexpensive and seasonal table linens, march right over the Home Goods.

That's where I found this lovely rust and floral Ralph Lauren tablecloth.  Instead of a runner, I dressed up the middle of this table with this charming burlap striped ribbon from Hobby Lobby.

They really had an interesting collection of natural fiber ribbons of various width.  All you need is a little imagination.  And while I normally don't feel the need to match my napkins, I couldn't pass these up.  So they would not get lost on the cloth,

I turned them into a pretty little raffia-wrapped bundle and set them atop my plain white plates.  These plain white plates were in turn set atop my favorite navy blue plates

(The Blues by Arabia of Finland).  And because I love to layer, I added simple jute mats...

...they really help the blue plates to stand out.  I know I've been using them a lot lately, but tis the season, so here are my gorgeous

brown Lenox wine and water goblets.  Oh...I just remembered these chunky acorn candle pots.

I've had them for years, Crate & Barrel, I believe.  A Fall tabletop is so easy to accessorize.  The more the merrier.  I'm so glad these cute corn husk flowers from...

...(Serenade in Wheaton) get to come to the party again.  Of course, a bit of candlelight is in order, especially since it's dark at 4:30!  I chose these shiny mercury glass tea lights and nestled them here and there, and also these antique Chinese brass candle sticks.

These were always on display in my parent's home for as long as I can remember!  What a nice memory to bring them out again.  And last, but not least (they are the star of the story today)

I've scattered handfuls of darling little Pottery Barn acorns all over my plates.  You have most likely started your holiday preparations, but please spend a few relaxing minutes checking out the fabulous ideas at the following parties.

Centerpiece Wednesday (The Style Sisters)Tabletop Thursday (Between Naps on the Porch)Feathered Nest Friday (French Country Cottage)Home Sweet Home Friday  (The Charm of Home)Potpourri Friday (2805)Seasonal Sundays (The Tablescaper)Let's Dish (Cuisine Kathleen)Open House Party (No Minimalist Here)

Take another look, one year ago: Marigolds and Lemons

Fall in Love with Fair Trade

I had so much fun with Tabletop Stories first anniversary, but now it's time for some fresh new tablescapes. It has been quite a while since I featured merchandise from Ten Thousand Villages...and the store is just packed with wonderful items right now in preparation for the busy holiday season.  So let's begin with this lovely Paisley Botanical block-printed tablecloth from India.

Rusts and deep tans and shades of grey, all on a cream background, give me so many colors to work with.

Of course, there are napkins to match.  I love to use my glossy grey dinner plates whenever I get a chance.

I've layered them with my own dark brown chargers sitting atop natural jute placemats....

...neutral but very warm.  I have added these cute little black patterned salad/appetizer plates.

My rustic Southbeach glassware gives the table a nice casual feel.

There are hundreds of decorative accessories at Ten Thousand Villages, including these Pillar onyx votive holders from Pakistan.

Available in several heights, each candle holder is unique...with colors ranging from beige to rust to deep brown.  I chose to use this Guapinal wooden bowl as a vase by simply inserting a small drinking glass inside.

Made in Nicaragua from Brazilian Cherry, each bowl has its own unique natural border.  When not being used as a vase, this little bowl could hold your keys, or nuts, or M&Ms...yes I think it would make a perfect M&M dish!  And what's a party without party favors.

My guests will be going home with these darling river stones, carved and polished by artisans in Haiti into smooth hearts.  If you are ever in my neck of the woods, I encourage you to visit the Ten Thousand Villages store in Glen Ellyn.  Of course, all of the merchandise that I featured, along with so much more, is always available at tenthousandvillages.com.  I have lots of parties to visit this week.  I hope you'll join me!

Centerpiece Wednesday (The Style Sisters)

Tabletop Thursday (Between Naps on the Porch)

Feathered Nest Friday (French Country Cottage)

Home Sweet Home Friday  (The Charm of Home)

Potpourri Friday (2805)

Seasonal Sundays (The Tablescaper)

Let's Dish (Cuisine Kathleen)

Open House Party (No Minimalist Here)

Unconventional

Who knew that setting the table could be so much fun?  Today's tablescape sort of just...happened!  January 6...in Chicago...and it is 54 degrees and sunny.  A friend called and asked if I'd like to meet her for lunch.  Well, of course.  Lunch happened to be at a restaurant in beautiful OakBrook Mall...where there just happens to be a Crate & Barrel.  Hmmmm.  While the new treasures for Spring are making their way into the store, there were still plenty of holiday bargains.

These Keaton Terra Cotta placemats suddenly caught my eye, mostly because they were square.  They will fit nicely on my not-so-large dining room table.  And surely I must have some napkins in my stash at home.  Sold!  Indeed, I had these Lila napkins, also from the Crate.  This is when the fun started.

Why not turn these not-rectangle placemats on their side.

Why not fold my napkins into squares to match the placemats....and plop them in the center of the bowls!  I'm on a roll.  Taking cues from the stripes on the placemats, I positioned my Aero flatware all around the plate.  Who says there are rules?

To maintain the playful mood of the table, I chose my South Beach glassware by Joseph Aboud.

Nothing else was quite in the "right"place, so I positioned the wine glass and water goblet on the corners of the mats.

Flowers just did not seem like the proper accent for this tablescape, so I opted for my ever-so-verstaile candle holder instead, this time filled with black beans.  I just could not be happier with how this table setting came together...and all I bought were a few placemats (that were on sale) !  Up next...The Year of the Dragon.  And stay tuned for future postings...a series entitled "What Was I Thinking? A Tablescape Challenge in Three Parts!"