You Can't Get It Done If You Don't Do It!

While having my morning coffee I was in a funk.   I was noticing the morning sky was showing signs of clearing so to get myself moving I reminded myself of my new mantra 

"YOU CAN'T GET IT DONE IF YOU DON'T DO IT"!

I made this phrase up for myself to help keep me driven to doing things.  It is helpful when I feel humdrum and lazy which is more often than I care to admit!  

I love catching the sun when I take pictures of my tablescapes but in order to catch it I have to be ready to shoot pictures at around 9:00 a.m.- needless to say I had to hustle to get this done!

 I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do but after I read a blog post this morning at Rattlebridge Farm called "50 Shades of Red" the bell went off in my head!

When I saw this quote that was included in the post I mentioned "red is the ultimate cure for sadness" I got my color inspiration to pull a tablescape together.  

What's to be sad about?  Well you just can't help but be a bit sad when the days are gray more often than not and all too short!  Nothing like a punch of red to cheer things up!

 I chose my new HL French wire basket.  The bronze finished rooster took center stage with a white linen napkin to dress it out and I included the rex begonia branches around the sides to finish it off.

I love these plates and they had to be a part of this scape.

I chose to repeat the black coloring with the wood charger and the flatware.

The rooster/chicken? ramekins became my napkin holders.  The rick rack trim and enlarged checkered design work well with these dishes.  I've used a similar combo before as seen "here" 

The view outside is white on white with a touch of gray and green.  Too monotone for me!

I got Dan to move my plate rack and center it on the wall (left-right) which turned into three days of work because of all the nail holes that needed patching then re-painting.  I have left the wall space blank because I'm still deciding on what I'd like to do with it. 

 Just remember- YOU CAN'T GET IT DONE IF YOU DON'T DO IT!!

Now it's time for me to get my slow cooker going for this evening's meal!

I'm joining
Between Naps On The Porch
for
Tablescape Thursday

Rattle bridge Farm

for

Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Snow day- fussing in the dining room!

Another snow day has prompted me to do more fussing around indoors.

You may remember I won a beautiful bowl from a giveaway a couple of weeks ago.  

 It came in last week and I love it! 

From Bonny Neiman Antiques & Artisan

 Via The Enchanted Home

I tried it in a couple of spots including the fireplace mantel but eventually it ended up here in my china cabinet.  It fits in with the formality of my china cabinet real well and it picks up on two newer items I added a little while ago.

 Love these lambs and decided to try them
inside the china cabinet.

I removed everything in the cabinet, cleaned all the glass shelves and hand wiped and dried every piece of crystal!  It was a long afternoon!

The lovely bowl!

I went through my stock of goodies downstairs and brought out this green topiary ball which I think works well in it!

I set my antique watering can on top of the candy dish my daughter brought back from Italy along with the matching gold leafed glasses. I didn't even think about the kind of "garden" theme the two pieces had next to each other until I took the picture and saw this!

My parents brought this ruby red cordial set from a trip to Italy in the late 70's.

So I have a pop of red in the lower area and some in the upper area.

I arranged my red stemware in a circle and with the crystal bowl next to it I thought it kind of looked like a punch bowl with glasses.

We finally put these candelabras up. I used chocolate brown candles instead of ivory and I like how it looks with the wood.

I'm glad I got this done.  It's been too long since I've done a thorough cleaning inside the cabinet.   I guess I'm getting some spring cleaning done early!

I'm joining
A Stroll Thru Life
for
Inspire Me Tuesday 

Ivy and Elephants

For

What's It Wednesday 

Valentine Sweetness

Roses, Wine, Chocolates, and the color Red

all speak Valentine's Day to me!

 In Sept. 2010 I created this rose and artichoke topiary which I blogged about "here"   I pulled it out of storage and pinned these red hearts onto it for my Valentine's centerpiece.

 Last year I picked up these Juliska heart shaped dishes on a sale.  The fleur-de-lis glass plates came from Dillard's during one of their clearance sales and the red & green tartan dishes were on clearance at Cracker Barrel in December.

I definitely didn't imagine using them for a Valentine's table, but they gave me the kind of countryesque look I wanted.

I saw this sweet Love Letter Pocket bag made by Kathy's Creative Home Expressions blog.  I visited her Etsy page and had to have it.  I tied it to the chair and added some roses.

 I've set out this sweet port style wine which is lovely paired with appetizers or desserts such as chocolates or brownies.

I elevated the topiary and added a lace doily.

The napkins are covered in hearts and I chose to set them in the stemware for added height.

 I added these little birds to represent "love birds" 

I dressed out this chocolate brown candle with a ribbon and a napkin ring

A cute find at Hobby Lobby

 A few sweets for the soul!

 Romance

Valentine Sweetness

P.S.- The ruby red berry and thread plates by Juliska are 
on sale at Neiman Marcus right now. 

I am joining
Between Naps on the Porch
for
Tablescape Thursday

Bargain Decorating With Laurie
for
Valentine's Par-tay

Romantic Confectionery Cloche Valentine's Table

I wrapped together a bit of romance and some confectionery goodies in this Valentine's Day tablescape.

 I used some cloche's to display some of my elements.

I reused the plastic wrapper that the flowers came in. I cut and arranged the flowers, then I cut off several inches from the bottom of the bag, wrapped it around the flowers and lowered it into the vase. This way it hides the stems and added some color!

 Another confection was added with that big heart shaped cookie!

Dan and I like a little sweet something after we eat so we each have a personal cupcake to satisfy our sugar tooth! 

These cute little personal sized cloche's come in 

handy for desserts!

 My Mikasa stemware works it way in nicely.  

I fell in love with these Ralph Lauren plates. Both came from T.J. Maxx about a year apart. The red chargers were purchased for Christmas but work well for Valentine's Day too.  I used three napkin rings to pop some more red in and to highlight the silver!

  We like some bubbly but not too much, so I was delighted when I found these half sized Champagne bottles.  

The flatware has a tailored look that pairs well with the black and white Ralph Lauren plate and contrasts nicely against the red runner.

 

I didn't add any chocolates (just yet) because Dan usually buys me some! I used inexpensive flowers just in case someone brings home some roses!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm joining the following parties

Cloche Party 

  and

Between Naps on the Porch 

 Tablescape Thursday

Here's a Romantic Video

My Funny Valentine

 

 

Glowing Holiday Dining!

Dining for four...

 A few days ago I showed you my everyday table arrangement.  

Today I've added a table setting for four.

 No doubt you've seen these dishes before with other bloggers.  I found them last year but never had a chance to do a tablescape with them.  

Today I layered two chargers on top of a square  placemat.

The silverware is an old set of my mom's. They are called Reflection by Rogers circa 1960's

  I got these placemats last spring and forgot about them.  

I found them while I was rummaging through my linens and I

decided their bright green coloring would be a great backdrop 

for my chargers and dishes.

The dinner plate is adorned with a charming Christmas scene- it's

called "Christmas Home" by Royal Stafford

 These red poinsettia plates are by Maxcera called "Honey Poinsettia"

 The napkin rings were a bargain I found while nosing around at Bed Bath and Beyond. Clearanced at $ .99 each. 

The little bowl tops the dish stack off beautifully! I like the repeat of the 

green, red and white throughout the layers.

The red stemware is from the French Countryside collection by Mikasa which

I've had for several years.  I love their ruby red coloring.  

I should get at least one more set to coordinate with these water goblets.

 I added a few more candle votives to the setting for more holiday glow!

 I used my Murano dish my daughter brought back for me  

from Italy for some chocolate candies.

We are chocoholics!

 Down inside the mercury glass hurricanes I have a scented candle.  

A gentle perfume lingers through the air.

I chose to not cover the table so it's shiny top would add to the glow of the table.

Thank-you for joining me and viewing my

Glowing Holiday Dining table for four! 

I will be joining 

Cuisine Kathleen for
Let's Dish 

Between Naps on the Porch for

Tablescape Thursday

and the Homespun Christmas 
Link Party at  
Stonegable