My Five Favorites - Entertaining Accessories

 I can't even believe it's October, and as much as I hate that the year has flown by I do 

love everything about fall! Entertaining is right up there at the top of my list, and I'm

 in the mood for some fall cooking, aka comfort food in my book, and get-togethers with

 friends and family.

 This month for My Five Favorites we're sharing Entertaining Accessories,

I'm sure my pals will have some some great ideas for me to add to my inventory!  

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

I'm thrilled to introduce our guest this month, Kelley @ Kelley Nan. She couldn't be more

perfect for our topic ~ her tablescape skills are unmatched, and her style...stunningly elegant!

Oh, and she makes it look effortless! 

It's easy to access her beautiful collection of tablescape photos here!

How gorgeous is this Fall Table she put together this year?!!  

Here are a few of my go to entertaining items that I couldn't live without:

#1

Domed Cake Plate

A cake plate isn't just for cake ~ this is my favorite to take anything up a notch!

 Actually, years ago our tenants left it behind and gifted it to me when they moved out of

 state. :) I saw this very similar one, the price is CRAZY inexpensive and 5 Star Reviews!

I use mine for everything ~ cakes, pies, pastries, breads. 

It's great for brunch items like quiche, or ramekins of yogurt or granola.

It even makes sandwiches feel a bit more gourmet.

#2

Simple DIY Table Runner

I love using a fabric table runner to add a pretty dose of color and pattern.

 It couldn't be more simple, just a yard or so of fabric, with the edge ironed under.

The black and white stripe fabric is an IKEA print. 

** I spy a cake plate!**

#2a

In addition to the fabric table runner, 

a collection of tall candles always make a statement!

#3

Kate Spade Salt & Pepper Shakers

These were a gift from a friend a few years ago, and I loved them so much I've

since gifted them as well.  

Fairmount Park Stripe & Dot Salt & Pepper Set are my favorite to give your table

that eclectic flair. The black, white and gold color combination and simple bold 

print easily mix with other serving piece patterns.

#4

White Hotel Dinner Napkins

I've had my same white dinner napkins for years, maybe 15 or more. You all 

know I love a bargain but it's worth spending more for quality here, they've been

bleached a zillion times, are perfectly square and still look like new. Mine are

from William Sonoma, but I'm wondering if the quality has changed over the years,

some of the reviews are iffy.  

  

#5

Mini Mason Jars

Everything is more fun served in a cute little mason jar, right? They're ideal for

 individual appetizers and desserts. I found mine at Walmart,

 I have 24 of the 4 oz jelly jars, and 24 of the 8 oz jelly jars.  

I like to do mini pies in the fall and strawberry shortcakes for summer BBQs. 

One of my popular posts of the past is how a friend and I have amassed and share

 ALL the basics for entertaining!  

Stop by and check out these talented friends' favorites:

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

Kelley @ Kelley Nan

You might like these previous Five Favorites, too:

Displaying DIY ArtworkWays to Mix Metals

DIY Projects

Fabric

Decorate an Outdoor Space
Pillow Projects
Decorating for Spring
Decorative Accessories
Home Organizing Tips
Quick & Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas

Paint 

TGIF ~ The Gems I Found

Happy Friday friends!  

I always love checking out the end of the week posts of friends around the blogosphere.
You know, where they list posts that caught their attention. I love the variety,
randomness, design, and coming across a new-to-me blogger mixed in with
a favorite seasonal recipe or a dose of fashion!

Some of my favorites:
  

Emily's Saturday 6, Rene's Link Love, Kate's Weekend Reading, 

Jen's The Love List,  Beth's My Favorites this Week, Albertina's Friday Links,

I've planned to post one for the last couple Fridays but got stuck on a name,
 the curse of being detailed! I've settled on one, and here are 'The Gems I Found.'

My darling blog friend Katie @ Miss Dixie created a fabulous IKEA Hack!

How chic are these Frontgate Adour Raised Pet Dishes wouldn't they look
great mixed among your summer flower pots!
A fun Mother's Day gift for a dog lover (hint, hint, family).

37 Diagrams for Everything You Need to
 Decorate Your Home

Almost 3 million views on Buzzfeed and I'd never seen this! 

These diagrams are a great cheat sheet for all areas of decorating.

Sandra Van Reikhoff @ Divine Day Photography - Silvia Galli @ Sposiamo VI Wedding Planning 

Simple, elegant table setting at this wedding is perfect inspiration for an
al fresco gathering...soon!

Stripes & Pom Poms - yes, please! This would be a super easy DIY!

This pretty and practical book with step by step arranging tips was just released,
 and is on my list!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!
I'll be back next week with a fun DIY project.

Spring & Easter Table Setting

Happy Monday, peeps! :)

I was chatting with a friend and she mentioned that she wished bloggers would

share their entertaining tips, tables settings and recipes for holidays in time for people

to be able to take advantage of them. Yikes, I know I've been guilty of rushing to get 

things put together and posting them after the fact.   

I have good news and bad news.

The good...I put together this cheerful Easter table setting to share with you.

The bad...it ends up we're not hosting Easter this year. 

Which probably isn't a bad thing after all since I still have my unfinished buffet project

 in the dining room. And, that also explains why you only see close ups of the table. :)

The inspiration was this indigo tablecloth I found at Goodwill. Remember when I showed

 you my trash to treasure scores. I love the raised white embroidery and block print style. I

layered a black and white striped runner I had from my nephew's wedding last summer.

I included my DIY candelabra for fun! 

Simple grocery store lilies and wheat grass I planted add lots of color and texture. 

I love to collect small vases to sit at individual place settings. Yay for spring,

I finally have a few sprigs of greenery and little flowers to cut. For a variety of

heights I used a glass cake plate to display wheat grass planted in inexpensive

 terra cotta pots, painted gold.  

Aren't those little peeps poking their heads out of the cracked shells cute? :)

Just crack open a few eggs, wash them and let dry and set the peep inside. 

Tomorrow I'm sharing our hands down all-time favorite dish

for Easter Brunch. I don't know anyone else who makes it and

it's sinfully delish!  

a pretty peach wedding...

Hey everyone, I'm sorry for the sporadic posting lately, life has been extra busy.

If you remember I helped with the decor for my nephew's wedding this past Sunday,

 and I have a few wedding photos for you, although not as many as  I was hoping for. :( 

When I wasn't busy decorating and taking care of inevitable little details, I was eating,

 drinking, dancing, crying at the toasts, waving sparklers and enjoying the special day

 with our families...getting caught up in all the fun and not focusing on taking blog photos.

 I'm so sorry, but I promise to share some of the pretty professional photos with you.

Until then...

It was beautiful setting with an open pasture just beyond this gazebo

where the ceremony took place.

The bride chose varying colors of peach and coral, with black and white.

I did lots of simple diy decor to help them keep it budget friendly. I used black

Ikea lanterns I had at the end of the rows. The baby's breath was ordered in bulk from

 Costco. (They offer several varieties of flowers). Down the center aisle we did bundles 

tied onto the chairs with long peach ribbons. Here is a close up of the lanterns when I

 was putting them together.

 

If you're a long time reader you may recognize those columns and urns from my dining

 room a few years ago. More recently they were outside in our garden.  

The waterworks are about to begin...again. :)

 The reception....we had a florist do the large spheres of baby's breath on the

oversized gold and silver candlesticks and I did the black and white stripe runners

 with Ikea fabric. We borrowed several of the glass hurricanes from a friend of mine. 

 The bride liked the watercolor table numbers, a super easy diy. I used watercolor

paper and watered down acrylic craft paint. 

     

We kept the theme and used the watercolors for a few other signs as well.

A large canvas on an easel directed guests when they arrived. 

This framed sign at the Memory table, along with a collection of 

special photos. 

And, outside on a table with sparklers.

I found these cute patterned boxes a year ago on a clearance rack at Michael's 

and thought they'd be perfect for favors, but we didn't decide what to put in them

until about a week before the wedding. It ended up being a pretty addition to the

table setting and so cost effective, around .65 for each favor. I bought the flowers

 in four packs from Home Depot and planted them in the boxes the day before. We

also painted the white plastic handles gold to make them look more high end. 

The photographer was taking a fun shot of the wedding party and I was watching

from behind.  

They were blessed with a gorgeous day, and an intimate group of family

and friends who love them and the opportunity to share in such a special day!

Congratulations Dustin & Megan! 

  

kate spade inspired valentine table...

We are a sad, stunned bunch in Denver today, but still love our Broncos!
Congrats to the Seattle Seahawks, their fans and all my Pacific Northwest blogging pals!
It was a well deserved win, and who couldn't be happy for Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson?
Moving on...

  

These Kate Spade salt and paper shakers were a favorite birthday gift from a couple
 months ago, and inspired my Valentine table setting.

 I love Kate's signature style, it's sophisticated, playful and she has a way with
 stripes and polka dots.

I was a little giddy when it dawned on me I had a couple gift wrap patterns that would tie
 in perfectly to use as a table runner and place mats. The pink and gold stripe is from
 TJ Maxx, and black and white polka dot from Hobby Lobby.

 I've had the antiqued gold letters for a year or so, they were in the Hobby Lobby clearance
 section, guess X and O aren't popular initials. I used some of my leopard ribbon from
Christmas to tie around the napkins for another bit of pattern.

 Mr. Simple always inquires about our table decor so he can coordinate gift wrap on
 presents for me! :)  Ha Ha!

If you're looking for a fun girlfriend birthday or hostess gift I highly
recommend the fun salt and pepper shakers!
Are they something you'd like?  

thanksgiving table and my dad...

So, we've had a change in plans for Thanksgiving this year, we usually host

 about 12 -15, but my brother asked if I cared if they hosted this year.

Umm....no, that would be perfectly fine! :)

This is the best...my mom relayed to me what my sweet dad said...

 "Well, what will Pam do, she needs to show the Thanksgiving table on her blog."   

Too cute, huh? 

I was looking forward to sharing my Thanksgiving table in fresh bright hues of

 orange and green with crisp white linens and serving pieces.

 Here's a peek at what would have been...

The plan was to show you how with a few simple changes I used the same pieces for

 our Thanksgiving table as I did for this fancy girlfriend birthday party.

Same runner, same green geometric napkins, same white serving pieces.

You can check out the pretty party here.

I changed out roses for Pyracantha (shrub with orange berries) in my

old silver urn style trophy, added a few orange books and a small silver bowl

with fuschia mums from my yard.

davesgarden.com

Every fall I'm reminded I'd love to plant one of these Pyracantha shrubs in our yard
 (mine came from a neighbor).
In my eyes, those vibrant orange berries far outweigh the multitude of sharp thorns.
I've read they are fast growers, as much as two feet per year, and the best time to plant
 is fall. It's on my to-do list! Maybe next year my Thanksgiving table will be a repeat.

One week from today, Thanksgiving dinner, I can't wait!!

share and chair alike...

You all know I love to entertain friends and family, and setting a pretty table and
  and all that goes with it is half the fun.
My friend  (I featured her gorgeous home in these posts
Builder Beige to Black Beauty and Builder Beige to Breathtaking) and I began combining
 resources years ago, we don't just borrow from each other, we actually purchase the same
 items. We have a large collection of nice pieces that we share, like dinnerware for 24.
The best part, we only have to store our half!
These are the items we've amassed over the years...

Pottery Barn White Dinnerware - Service for 24 - 12 each

William Sonoma White Hotel Napkins 24 - 12 each

(Actually, I gave her a set for her birthday - thoughtful, huh?!! I promise she really does love to entertain.) 

I highly recommend these, they still look great after years of use!

Mikasa Martini Glasses 16 - 8 each
I saw them at Costco a few years ago, and picked up one for each of us.
Besides drinks, these are fun for serving desserts, ceviche, shrimp cocktail, small bites.

Mason Jars 8 ounce 48 - 24 each
Great for serving Margaritas nestled in a bucket of ice, I used them for a
 Cinco de Mayo get-together, salad in a jar for picnics,
pie in a jar for a crowd.
 

Collection of assorted white ramekins, perfect for small bites and appetizers like
I serve at my annual girlfriend Christmas party.

Votive candles 36 each
Nothing beats candles en masse!

 And, my newest addition which I'm sharing with my mom, bamboo folding chairs.
I saw them on Craigslist recently, she already had two, I purchased these 6 for $80! She'll
keep four and I'll keep four. I can't tell you how excited I am about this find, I currently
have 8 chairs stacked to the ceiling in a corner of my basement - they are all going!

So that's our system for sharing our collection, do you do anything similar?

Wishing you all a happy summer weekend!!