Showing posts with label Tablescapes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tablescapes. Show all posts

Friday, November 06, 2015

Holiday Dining Etiquette

With the holidays fast approaching, there are sure to be lots of gatherings, possibly including semi-formal or formal dining events. Whether it's a Thanksgiving feast, a Christmas dinner, a New Year's formal, or a holiday wedding, formal dining can be a bit overwhelming if you aren't familiar with which fork goes with which course. I mean, who knows what all of those glasses and silverware are for anyway?

Today, Liberty Tabletop is sharing proper dining etiquette with us. While we all won't have formal holiday parties to attend, I think there are still some great tips to implement at every holiday dining experience, from Thanksgiving dinner at the grandparents' to your office Christmas party.

Preparing for a formal dining event

There can be quite a bit to remember when you are attending a formal event. There's a lot of preparation to do when you go out for a normal meal or social event, let alone a formal one. Usually, all you have to worry about when leaving the house is whether or not you have your keys, purse, and phone. There probably isn't a dress code on a night out with friends, either, and nobody's going to say anything as long as you look vaguely presentable. And everyone knows how to use a knife and fork, so you're unlikely to have to worry about your table manners.
With a formal event there will be a dress code and everyone is expected to know the proper dining etiquette. While this may seem daunting at first, the rules of formal dining aren't so strange once you get to know them. It makes sense, after going to all the effort with your attire - whether a tuxedo or evening dress - to ensure that your behavior is as sophisticated as your outfit.
Luckily, it's not that hard to remember all the rules. They're quite straightforward once you get down to it. It only takes five minutes to read up on what to do at a formal dining event. From passing the salt and pepper to where to place your dessert spoon, you will quickly acquire the knowledge you need to be the perfect dinner guest.



Thanks, Liberty Tabletop for the etiquette lesson.

"Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot." ~Clarence Thomas

Wednesday, July 01, 2015

Patriotic Tablescape


Ahhh....summertime. The heat, beach trips, long days, barbecues, and, of course, Fourth of July celebrations. Reds, whites, and blues really call to me during the summer. Even in varying patterns and mediums, those colors still evoke pride for the Grand Ole Flag and all that she stands for. So, when I came across some adorable red and white placemats whilst perusing the aisles at TJ Maxx, I knew immediately that I wanted to use them for the Fourth of July. I was especially excited that they were square placemats because those are so hard to find. I snatched the placemats up immediately to use with my square white dishes.



I kept everything really simple. This tablescape is a no-muss, no-fuss spread that embodies the spirit of the holiday without being over the top. I started with a basic white tablecloth then added the red and white placemats and white dishes. Then came the navy linen napkins tied to look like a bow with a simple embellishment in the center.


Next, I added a rag wreath around a red celosia centerpiece which I adorned with a couple of mini flags. And that's all there was to it. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! The only thing that is missing is barbecue, watermelon, homemade vanilla ice cream over an apple pie. Followed by a huge fireworks display, of course.















I hope you all have a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend! I'll see you guys back here next week!

Sources:
*Navy and white rug. Luxe Habitat purchased at TJ Maxx, $12.00
*Set of four square placemats purchased at TJ Maxx, $6.99
*Happy Chic by Jonathon Adler navy frame purchased at TJ Maxx, $3.99
*Small flags purchased at flea market for $.75 each.
*Already had white dishes (Pier One), navy napkins (estate sale.), and mason jars.
*Wreath Centerpiece: DIY wreath. Find the tutorial HERE.
*Red Celosia bought at Wal-Mart garden center. $3.98
*Paper straws: navy ones from the Dollar Spot at Target, red ones from jane.com

Linking up to:

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Southern Entertaining Essential

#1: Versatile Dinnerware

When it comes to entertaining here in the South, I like to keep things simple.  I like to have items on hand that are easily interchangeable and will work in a variety of settings. Having versatile serving pieces are key, especially when it comes to dinnerware. I like crisp, white dishes that are beautiful in any situation or occasion, as well as everyday. 

My dishes are square with more modern lines, but it you prefer, round white dishes would work wonderfully as well. (Mine are from Pier 1 about three years ago, but you can find similar ones here.) Here are some examples of why I love my white dishes and how well they look in a variety of occasions.

*Colorful Children's Party


*Gameday Dinner




*Tricks or Treats Party




*Thanksgiving Dinner




*Girlfriend's Christmas Gathering




I have so much fun with tablescapes!  I really enjoy having dinnerware that is versatile enough to look great in a variety ways. And my family uses these everyday. 

Having versatile dinnerware tops my list for essentials for Southern entertaining. What would be your top item?

Linking up to:
 photo WYWW1_zps9fe7dbe8.png


Tuesday, January 07, 2014

2013 Year In Review

2014 is in full swing, but I couldn't leave 2013 behind without first naming some MVPs from this past year.   Now is the perfect time to catch up if you are new to Cultivate Create or missed any posts.  Thank you all so much for reading!  I truly do appreciate you all.

Most Memorable 
First. Post. Ever
Most Improvement
Kitchen Remodel

Most Colors on One Wall
Chevron Wall


Most Mixed Metals
Mixed Metallics Fall Centerpiece


Most Vermin
The Great Mouse Debacle of 2013


Most Posts in a Series
Revising Home Series


Most Pinned Post
Get the Printable here. 


Most Anticipated (by me)
The Chapel Market
Most Viewed Post
My Struggle
Most Blue
Painted Front Door


Most Input From the Neighbors
How to Stain Vinyl Shutters


Most Pumpkins
Little Pumpkin Baby Shower


Most Thankful
Thanksgiving Tablescape

Most Christmas Spirit
Home Tour
Hope you enjoyed! I can't wait to see what 2014 holds for Cultivate Create. I'm excited at the possibilites!



Thursday, November 14, 2013

Budget Thanksgiving Kid Table

This kid table decor cost me less than $6 for four place settings. 

I wanted a no-fuss kid table. One that I didn't mind if it got spilled on, stained, or a little messy.  If your kids are anything like mine, there is bound to be some sort of mess by the end of the meal. 

I wanted to give the kiddos a fun area, but I didn't want to spend a lot of moolah. 


I raided the dollar aisle at Target after Halloween and scored lots of dollar items for only 30 cents each.  





These are wine bags.  I have no use for them as wine bags, but I loved the cute sayings on them.  I grabbed them knowing that I could think of another way to use them.  I stuffed them with plastic bags so they would stand up and greet everyone with their cute sayings. 









I already had napkins, forks, sodas, pumpkins, burlap, and twine.  Most items were leftover from fall decorating and my sister's Little Pumpkin Baby Shower

Let's break it down. How much did I spend?
At Target--(75% off dollar aisle items) 
*wine bags                   3 @ .30
*Treat cups                 1 @ .30
*Felt pumpkins          4 @ .30
*Turkey tea lights      2 @ .30
*Happy Harvest sign 2 @ .30

At Hobby Lobby--(last year 75% off end of season sale)
*place cards          1 pack @ .50

At Dollar Store
*plates                    1 pack @ $1

For a total of................... $5.10 plus tax 


Simple, but inexpensive and something that the kiddos can enjoy!



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Thanksgiving Tablescape and Thankfulness

November.....the month of thankfulness.  

A time when we all reflect on our blessings and maybe tell each other a little more often how much we appreciate one another. A time when we thank God a little more often for what He has done for us and given us so undeservedly. A time when we actually think about all the things that we so often take for granted. 

We gather around the table in homes, eat together and enjoy being together.  We smile. We laugh.  We are thankful. 

I wanted to create an inviting space to sit down together for a nice Thanksgiving meal. A space that invites smiles, and laughs. One that spurs on love and openness and thankfulness.




I used my daughter's scalloped bulletin board as the base for the centerpiece.  I then added in gold and neutral pumpkins that I already had from this centerpiece.  Then I walked around my yard and gathered magnolia leaves, twigs, and pinecones for a more natural look that brought in some of the greens and yellows from the plaid tablecloth. 








I used a gold paint pen to write names on magnolia leaves for place cards. The silverware was tied together with jute twine with a sprig of rosemary to adorn it.  I purchased the embroidered napkins at Target for only $2.99 for a set of six. (I am thankful for 75% off at Target.)


The black paint on the cork board is chalkboard paint. If you didn't want to use magnolia leaves as place cards, you could write the names of your guests on the board itself in front of each setting......


.......or you could have them each write something they are thankful for. 












There are so many things to be thankful for. Don't you agree?

Linking up to: 
Metamorphosis Monday on Between Naps on the Porch
The DIY'ers on Home Coming 
Tuesday's Treasure at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Happy Hostess




Follow this blog with bloglovin

Follow on Bloglovin

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...