Two Dozen

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Hope you all had a great time celebratin' and spreading love to all!

I'm joining Marty, Susan and Leigh again this week. Woot! It's so rare that I get to join in that it's an occasion in itself!

THEME:

"Collecting Two Dozen of Love"

INSPIRATION:

Two dozen beautiful roses and Two "Love" Collection Glassware

Well... This year, I decided that no matter how hectic our pace still is, we will celebrate V-Day. Nothing fancy, but definitely some flowers are involved and since roses are abundant this month, I managed to receive not one, but TWO DOZEN! (How lucky can one gal be?)

This morning, Mr. Man surprised me with a dozen white roses, and some purple and green filler stems to make a beautiful bouquet. He knows I prefer making my own, so he doesn't bother to wait and have a store do it for me.

Our dinner and table plans were simple enough: No fuss and the kids dictate the menu to include them in the celebration. So we used my Wachterbach "Terra Cotta Cherry" dinner plates, everyday American Living white handled utensils, paper heart napkins and Kane Home "Love" Collection champagne flutes from the closing Albertsons nearby.
We just lit some tealights and opted to have a bare table since it will be fully sanded and re-stained soon.
We feasted on Penne Alfredo with Smoked Sausage, Steamed Broccoli and Basil Garlic Bread along with some Garlic Parmesan Wings that we got FREE from Pizza Hut since they messed up our original order.
I transferred the white roses on to one of my smaller cabinets and the lamp light gave it a very romantic feel, fitting of a V-Day picture.

On Sunday, we had a Pre-Valentine dinner to use the cute glasses we got from the Dollar Tree a few weeks back. It's also the Love collection from Anchor Hocking. Only it was brown, pink and burgundy and it had a modern yet whimsical Victorian feel and look to it.
So we used one of our flat sheet sets to provide the pink, burgundy napkins and swirly pink/brown Mulberry Swirl bowl.
...and to highlight the dozen baby pink/mint green roses I got on Saturday. I created a simple bouquet by using some leaves from the bushes out front.
I just put together whatever looked good together. And I found my dancing couple statue and used that.
I think it gave a romantic story to this otherwise simple vignette. It reminds me of young couples who sneak around for that one last kiss of the night. *sigh*

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to ALL!

TABLESCAPING IDEAS: (Brain is so in loooove!) Holidays are known for their colors which makes decorating easy. But if what you have don't seem to "match", it can be frustrating. Why not cater the holiday to your typical color scheme? Blue Valentine's Day perhaps? Why not? Just use lots of candles and white or yellow flowers and your romantic setting is ready!

No Muss No Fuss...

Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
After relinquishing my table from our organizing and decluttering projects, I turned it from a messy heap to something wonderful-twice! For your Met Monday pleasure, I present you not one, but two tablescapes!

THEME:
"Asian Romance"

INSPIRATION:
Target's "Red Solstice" Dinnerware set
I knew that we were going to celebrate the Chinese New Year and since it will also be Valentine's Day, I went with Red and Black!

It took a while to find all the pieces, but I started back in January. As you know, most dinnerware sets at Target rarely go on sale, but this Red Solstice set was at 30% off and since I've waited three years for them to be discounted, I gave in... (I know, it's not my minimum 40% off preference but sometimes compromises have to be made for the things you've been patient with...)

If you've brushed up on your Chinese table etiquette lately, you'll find that minimalism is the key; where "No Muss, No Fuss" reigns. So I did the same with my table. Harmony reigns on a traditional Chinese table and I achieved that by not varying the heights too much, I kept everything low and the colors uniform. The tablecloth is a huge black denim remnant fabric I've had so that's FREE!

I used lowball smoke glasses from Libbey, aptly called, Classic Smoke,
Red is a very auspicious and powerful color for the Chinese, and since it is their New Year, I honored that with tealights undulating on the center representing fireworks and ferocity of a tiger and the red ribbon symbolizing the dragon.

The napkins with Asian motif were from Tuesday Morning last year... 19 cents a napkin. It was a perfect accompaniment to complete the Chinese air of the overall design without giving it too much of a Western take.

The black wood chopsticks, a combo of the Japanese and Chinese styles were from our local Asian market... $2.50 for 5 pairs.
The placemats were my everyday ones I got from Walmart back in 2008.
I love this shadow shot, it reminds me of the typical red Chinese lanterns that are quite visible this time of year...

Right after my idea "ding!" with my Morrocan bedroom, I was inspired to tackle more Valentine's Day ideas. So here's the other tablescape!

THEME:
"Just The Two of Us"

INSPIRATION:
"Hugging Couple" Statue from Ross
On the same table, I changed it up to accomodate a more romantic tete-a-tete... Back in December, I saw these plates in Kohl's that for the longest time, were on sale for 50% off but they weren't moving much (yes, I went back several times... lol)
It has a beautiful damask floral design in matte gray finish on creamy white, finished with gold rim. When I first saw this set, I fell in love! So of course, it was on my mind to use it for today!

I also have this very fluid pearlescent purple statue of a hugging couple from Ross (2008), for $15. It inspired me to use it as my centerpiece because it gave away the motif of the table without much else needed to support it.
I only used a few and staggered red glass mosaic votive candle holders to illuminate the statue and table.

The red check tablecloth, a 75% off find at my local Kroger's-$5.00. The goblets were my Luigi Bormioli set that I've had since 1996. On top, of each plate is a 75% off Target find last December- clear salad plates with a silver rim. It complimented the utensils, Lace by Hampton.
A dark silhouette shot...

This plate is called, Spirit of the Season by St. Nicholas Square. On December 30th, we hit Kohl's for some much needed winter clothing, then of course, I had to see the housewares clearance section. Lo and behold, 9 of these were at the very bottom of a non-descript rack, not tagged at all! So I approached a couple of sales associate and they scanned at 70% off. I thought, good but you know me, I always have to ask...

So I did. "Well, since these are the last 9 plates you have, and you'll be putting it on 80% off soon, can you just give it to me tonight?" I was stunned when they said YES! I headed to the Customer Service and had the discount redone there but since they messed up, only giving it to me for 73% off, I came back and again was floored that they gave it to me for a total of 88% off!!! I paid $1.68 each after tax! Yeah!!!

TABLESCAPING IDEAS: ("Brain" was busy...) Use the colors of the theme you are going for to save money and not worry about being bogged down with the typical symbols of a particular theme.

Susan, thanks for letting me join in today and thanks for all of you who "heart" me today!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tabletop Metamorphosis

Hosted by Susan of "Between Naps on the Porch"



You remember the ones above, they are the past Valentine tables I've done but here's a hint of what's to come... What do you think is the mighty, but V-day appropriate CHANGE... I will make with this set?
Target's "Red Solstice" dinnerware set
TABLESCAPING IDEAS: ("Brain" is seeing red...) Tablescape is not always about themes and holidays. Sometimes, all you need is a crisp looking table ready for any guest to arrive and join in.

I apologize for not participating more often this time around. My time is divided into planning how to reduce, reuse and repackage our stuff to ease our pending move. We know we need to move before the new school year starts, so the packing has been commencing. Albeit, slowly, but it's getting done and that's what matters right now.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you at your blog! Susan, thanks for being a great host!

"Brain" Takes on Albertson's!

So last night, we went grocery shopping and found some great Buy 1 Get 2 Free deals, even on shrimp! $24.98 for 6 pounds of 31/40 shrimp, which makes it $4.16 a pound! It normally is about $10-12 a pound. Sa-wweeet!

Anyway... so we were ready to check out when hubby strategically parked by this cart full of Clearance V-day items, and on two sides of the cart, on red paper with black bold font, "50 cents on all Valentine party goodies". ("Brain" quickly took command and said, "Dig for next year's idea, Carolyn! Dig, I say!")

I happily obeyed and found some cute items. I was a little bit confused (and so was "Brain") about the different prices on the green tags. But I gladly put them in the cart thinking that that all will be sorted out. ("Brain" was more nervous than I was, but we go back a while so she trusted my instincts; kind of...)

So, we proceeded to get things checked out and when these items did not ring up at 50 cents each, I wanted to just abandon them. ("Brain" urged me to speak up and so I sweetly asked, "I got those at the Valentine Clearance cart that says 50 cents for all, shouldn't they be part of those since I found them at the bottom"?) The cashier man said, "No, but I can bring it down to 50 cents. The next set of items were the same story, so I said, "No, I don't want them then" and only paid for a few. But when I checked my receipt, I found that all of my purchases did not ring up at 50 cents! I was livid ("Brain", she was ready for a fight)!

And so we took things to the Customer Service. While waiting there, the night manager comes by. ("Brain" noticed and quickly said, "Stop him!") And of course, I did by asking him to come with me and clarify my recent purchase. The whole time, my awesome family was watching in the sidelines with dh bearing the smile of "Watch out, Mister!"

He sees the cart with its bold red sign and "Brain" took over. She asked, "This clearly says 50 cents for Valentine goodies and I dug out a few items, but your cashier won't honor it because none are ringing up 50 cents. Is this is a mistake on your store's part? It's very misleading". The tall, mustached but kindly-faced authority agreed with me and clarified that I should have gotten everything out of the cart for 50 cents each since that's what the cart said. Mind you, I didn't pull out cosmetics or batteries, I pulled out Valentine goodies! He quickly goes to their office and fixes the "faux-pas" while I waited my turn at the Customer Service. Then "Brain" remembered the two other items I had to give up at the register so we both went back to it, grabbed the items and declared to the cashier that their night manager said that I am right- Of course, he meant "Brain" was right...

So finally, my items get refunded and rung up again- at 50 cents each. But what's better than 6 items ringing up at $3.24 is the fact that two of them is a great smelling candle and a red vase that used to be $8.00 each!!!

"Brain" took on Albertson's and won- again! What were you expecting? Plus, she's happy at the fact that because she spent more than $50, she also saved an extra 10% from the store's "Get $5 off for purchase of $50 or more".

Yay!!! "Brain" wins again! Don't you just love "Brain" and her gutsy ways of taking on commercial giants? Love her!!!

Wanna see? Do ya really, do ya? Ok....

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Alright, alright... "Brain" says it's ok to show them now...



"Brain, brain don't go away! If you do, I'll be broke today!" (And repeat!)

As for next year's idea? Isn't it obvious?...

Love Bug

Here you go...

My 2009 Valentine's Day tablescape!
THEME:"A Love Bug Bit Me!"
MY INSPIRATION:
Anchor HockingLove Bug
slim & straight Glasses
Yes, just like the Jonas Bros., I too, got hit by the "Love Bug".
(I found this at our local Dollar Tree for, yes, $1 each!)

Back in January, while every store is busy cleaning up their New Year retail clutter, my dh and I went out to go search for another yearly planner in the Dollar Tree near us. Suffice it to say, there were none yet so, naturally, I wandered off to the Valentine aisle they had up on the front end of the store.
I didn't pick it up right away because of the other cheesy (and I mean cheesy) Valentine junk, but when dh disappeared for maybe 10-15 minutes into the next set of aisles, I took a second look and the idea just hit me like a ton of bricks!
I picked up 8 and after finding Charlie, I immediately told him I wanted to do another Valentine's Day table. With one look, he expressed that "What now?" curiosity and "Brain" and I were off explaining. And since he had to work that night, he approved of the idea! (Thank you, Honey! You're the best!) I also found this cute decanter (also $1) to hold the drink (you know, just like in nice restaurants). The slim and straight look of these glasses was perfect for the little hands of my 6 & 9 year olds-they loved using it! Plus, when I found some Sansi black bowls with white polka dots at Ross, a few days later, the whole theme came together. (Such a lovely thought it was, "Brain" was very delighted at the idea.)

The following placesetting was a mixture of great deals from Walmart, Kroger & Ross (bought over time since January).
If you've been following this blog, this theme had been shown in snippets. I wanted a fun but formal looking table and the polka dots on the lady bugs guided my theme.

(Love that!)

For starters, to emphasize the fun side, I placed the utensils in the bowl tucked under the napkins. I originally wanted a red tablecloth, but those went first when Christmas Clearance (CC) hit. I knew I wanted to focus on the "Love bug" concept, so I searched for black round placemats, and last minute, I found some at Ross. (Yes!)The look of the napkins provided a sense of lightness to the tablescape. To extract the hearts on the glasses, I opted to use solid red votive holders and red heart-shaped tea lights.
By having the glow come from the table up, romance was achieved; though it looked formal, I also achieved a fun, romantic, family friendly table; tall candle holders and taper candles would have given it an air appropriate for Oscar Awards night type of gatherings. (Didn't want that!) The flowerpots were elevated onto cake stands so the main centerpiece was balanced out on each side. Both flowerpots were also placed on opposite sides, diagonal to each other to create movement while maintaining symmetry. By sticking with red, white and black, the green of the leaves seem to disappear.

DH surprised me with flowers (red roses and carnations) from Walmart, so...
I made those part of the centerpiece! (Gotta love that...) It made such a difference in creating a high enough focal point on the table without overwhelming it-I originally wanted to just use the desserts as the main centerpiece of the theme; gourmet fortune cookies, individual cheesecake brownie cups and Ferrero-Rocher's Rondnoir dark choc balls for extra sweetness, after dinner. Yum!!! (We're talking chocolate overload!)
My three kiddos and dh, all said, "Wow!" Of course, I had to try out the candles; it was so romantic that my teen said, "I just really like that, that's why it's my favorite. And not just because you used black!"
Now that's a compliment! (Did you notice how slim the table was? It's the new one! It was perfect for the job!)
TABLE GOODIES:
Corelle white salad plates; MINE (Back in AZ)Anchor Hocking Love Bug Glasses; Dollar Tree- $1 eachGibson Chrome Bamboo utensils; Ross- $18/ 20-pc box
Black round placemats; Ross- $5.99/4 Sansi black w/ white polka dot bowls; Ross- $2.49 each
Red plates (6), ribbons and runner; Walmart-total $26
Bordallo Pinheiro "Daisy" white cake stands; Marshall's- 50% off each
Big white cake stand- FREE (FreeCycle)
Heart cake stand, Sur La Table- 56% off
Red heart candle holders, Walmart & CVS- 10/$9 total
Red votives; Tom Thumb- CC, $2/4
Paper "Love Bug" Boxes- Hallmark
(indulgence @ 6.95 each)
Red polka dot pots, Kroger- $5 each
White tablecloth and 6 napkins; Kroger-CC, $8.50

MENU: (I decided to make it light; nutrition and portion wise)
Italian Wedding Soup (Campbell's)
Heart-shaped pasta with shrimp and chicken
tossed with lemon juice, olive oil and parsley
Hands-on salad (lettuce wrapped salad)
Grape Sierra Fizzy (it was requested) (I know, I know... these are not light, but each person only had 1!)
Individual Cheesecake brownies
Fortune cookies
Chocolates

I hope you like it, too! If you do, make sure you tell me! Ok, love ya!

And the Winner(s) Is (are)...

Ok ladies... I employed my most neutral people on this drawing: three very tired (and sleepy) kiddos that now hate me because I made them stay up late while I did a dry run on the tablescape, cut all the entries (on each, the name of the person and who referred them. Which turned out to be a lot, since you were all awesome!!!)

Each child, though sleepy, wanted more than anything to dip into this pot and help out their "Mama" to find the deserving winners.


There were more entries than we all anticipated. (Awesome!!!) Each sleepyhead took turns dipping; I told them to wait to open the papers until all have an entry from the pot. And behold, as if "Father Time" was feeling sorry for my children being sleep deprived by their psycho mother, all three drew the SAME NAMES!

Without further ado... here's the recipient(s) of the two $30 Target Giftcards.

(Drum roll, please, "Brain"...)

(Did I mention "Brain is an accomplished drummer?" Not!)

(Ok, "Brain", just announce it already!)

Lara of Overstuffed!!!

And since I referred her and it's my giveaway, she gets both giftcards! Congratulations, Lara!!! Make sure to give me your address of where you want me to mail your new awesome shopping tools! (Yes, ladies, giftcards are tools!)

Wow, giveaways are hard on the heart... Don't forget to congratulate her!

I'll have to wait a few hours to post the V-day tablescape. I'm exhausted!!!

Here They Are...

... The beautiful Target giftcards that the ONE or TWO lucky recipient(s) will get just by:

Commenting on any post
Referring this blog to their friends
and / or
Becoming a Follower

I want to thank all of you for helping me feel great about this blog. I hope you continue to follow as my adventures never seem to cease.

It was great reading your thoughts on my LOW LOW BUDGET TABLESCAPING ADVENTURES.

Maybe, when dh can somehow scrape up some extra OT, I'll have another GC giveaway! Or maybe even afford to giveaway a whole dinnerware set! (Cross your fingers!)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

I will announce the winner on Saturday, V-day, after 5:00 PM.

I will have my darling trio to help me with this momentous occasion! Who else would I employ? I'm cheap, remember?

So you have until tomorrow night at MIDNIGHT (12:00AM) to bring in those entries.

Any late ones will not be entered. Sorry, but I have to be fair...

"Brain" Strikes Again!

And this time she waged war on Sur La Table! With "Mouth", Charlie and me. (Of course, she won!)

Do you remember the first "ITEM OF THE WEEK" on the sidebar? It was this cute, whimsical 8.25" x 3" red embossed heart cake stand. Anyway... I ordered this cutie on Feb 2, full price (I know, I know... But it was soooo cute!- I, too, am subject to weakness from time to time, ain't I?)

Back track to Feb 6- I saw this cutie offered down to $8.99 or 40% off (Woo-hoo!!! I'm free from the bondage of retail cuteness angle! I can now spare my fingernails that are now down to pathetic nubs from guilt.)

Fast forward to Feb 10- Charlie and "Brain" cornered me into dialing for an explanation.

("Brain" was fuming... DH was in the living room with us when he too, asked, "What's up with that? They didn't ship it until the 10th? What happened to your order? You need to call them.")

("I'm on it before you even thought it. Carolyn, dial already!")

So I dialed and a nice lady picked up the call. Charlie was mouthing out what I should be asking. (Man, I feel so bossed around!) To continue, I politely asked why my order didn't get processed to be shipped the next business day from my order date. The associate, after looking up my order manifesto (I like that word, so business like), she sheepishly with a cute nervous laugh, declares, "I don't know what happened, ma'am. That shouldn't have happened. I don't know what to tell you."

("What kind of an explanation is that? What are they gonna do about it? Ask, Carolyn, ask!")

DH is also intently waiting for me to continue the conversation so I did; I asked, "Well, now that it was just shipped today, is it still guaranteed to arrive on Valentine's Day? That's obviously when I need it." The embarrassed lady on the phone says honestly, "I understand that. But I don't know, ma'am, because it says here 5-7 business days. I don't think so..."

Now, it was my turn to get upset! "What?! That's the only reason why I ordered it! Why even order it if you can't guarantee it, or now that I can't use it for what it's intended for?

("You stick it to 'em, Carolyn! Atta, girl!")("Brain, just let me handle this, will ya?")

(But "Brain" couldn't let it go; so questions like, "What are you going to do about it, Sur La Table?" "Don't we need to be compensated for this inconvenience?!", were spit out through "Mouth". She mostly listens to "Brain" too, before me. I'm just a puppet really...)

The lady finally said, "I can't stop it to upgrade your shipping for free nor can I give you anymore discount, but what I can and will do for the inconvenience, is to give you back your shipping fee of $5.50. So that means, your card will be debited back that amount as well as the 40% off discount." I finished the confirmations and hung up. I relayed everything back to anxiously waiting Charlie who planted himself in front of the desk.

("That's more like it! You did well, grasshopper...") Then they let me gloat with them.

Afterall, I saved $11.51 or 56%!!!and they took off the tax, too!
It arrived this afternoon, two days before V-day! So got my money's worth!
VICTORY once again! "Brain" - 2; Walmart & Sur La Table - Zippo!!!
(Ok, tell me this isn't cute enough to snatch up at $15.oo; I dare ya!)
Charlie was pleased as well- how can he not? A $20.50 acquisition, but we only dented the account by $8.99? The "what now" question was pacified, too, since it will be put to use for EVERY Valentine's and/or our Anniv Days- for both Dating and Wedding... Whew!

"Brain" says hello to all, "Mouth" too! And they both wonder... How was your day?

Cheap Romance

I don't mean the tawdry kind! (Get your minds outta the gutter! :D) This post is to help you create a lovely evening without breaking even Junior's ceramic porker.

No moolah to spare this V-day? Want to stay in but still enjoy some much needed romance?
Then try these time-saving but definitely effective romantic dinner tips!

1. Find a fun pasta recipe- with either colored or shaped ones (as long as it is different).

(Both Marshall's find for $9.00!)
2. Find a quick interactive dessert- petit fours, sandwich cookies, fortune cookies, strawberries.

3. Romance your beverage- do a mock cocktail or add food coloring to your clear drink. Adding strawberries is also a good idea.

4. Use sheer ribbons- to tie napkins or a flower.

5. Make it bubbly- add 1 can of ginger ale, 7-up or club soda to a 1/2 glass of any fruit juice.

6. Keep it clean and sexy - find any pink or red napkins to add a touch of romance.

7. Think mobile- food trays are a great way to transport your "private" feast to the budoir!

Pasta with Shrimp or Chicken
1 bag of fun pasta
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 lemon juice
1 tsp. garlic
Parsley (fresh, chopped fine)
Black pepper or red pepper flakes
1/4 lb. shrimp or chicken (cut into thin strips)

Cook pasta accordingly; set aside
Heat up oil
Add pepper and garlic
Salt shrimp or chicken
Saute shrimp or chicken
Add lemon juice
Take off heat
Pour sauce over cooked pasta
Toss well
Put into individual plates with meat on top
Top with parsley

Start with a small salad with red tomatoes

Enjoy with mock cocktail. (Delicioso! Mwah!)

What about the dessert? That's up to you! (Do I have to tell you everything? Lol!)

Love is in the Air...

Since this is my very first post here, I am so excited to welcome all of you! I hope you can get ideas on how to make your tables as beautiful as you can get it without breaking the bank.

Ok, here we go...

It's February and that means the air is rife with love, passion and fun.
And... it's 2009, a year of possibilities and creativity in light of this weak economy. To kick off this blog, here are a couple of my past Valentine tables. Hope you like them as much as I did! As promised, each design will be explained in detail.


VALENTINE'S DAY 2007

THEME:
"SWEET HEARTS"
MY INSPIRATION:

Wispy hearts on red rimmed white plates

I love, love Target's $1-2.50 section, so one time during early February, while in the store, I saw this beautiful red plate (above; originally $2.50 each) and noticed how many there were still, so I waited a week. I scraped some money to buy six (there's 5 in our family). Every day that week was painful! I wanted to get them, but bills had to be paid. Finally, we get there and they were slashed down to 50% off!
Not much were sold, making me question if the wait was worth it. I quickly squeezed my cart in there and started to weed out any badly fired or chipped, cracked ones- in other words, the uglies! Out of almost 30 plates, I found exactly 12 good ones, but since I can only afford 6, I had to leave the other 6 behind. Just as I was about to back out, a manager saw me and asked if I was okay (I wasn't, the other 6 are screaming for me to put them in the cart with the chosen ones!)
Well, I told him my situation (that I was stalking these plates, oh yeah I told him!) and would like to know if they can offer any more discount. I told him that he won't be able to sell any of the ones I left behind since most are broken, badly fired that bubbles were noticeable and some have fissure cracks (of course I proved it). He left then came back, and told me that I can get them for 50 cents each! Yes!!! So, spent $6.00, and got 12! Yay!

This table was back in Mesa, Arizona, 2007. My husband and I were students and couldn't afford to go out. I was doing Coupon Sense so I also saved mucho dinero there.

TABLE GOODIES:
Kisses Candy- Hershey/Safeway; (B1G1F + doubled coupon)
Grapes- Safeway; (99 cents/pound)
Heart-shaped string lights- Target;(2006)(90% off)
Strawberry napkins- Target; (2006)(25 cents/pack)
Clear vase- (FREE- Gift bouquet)
Glasses- Target; (2006)($2/4-pc box)
Placemats- Walmart (2007)($2/4 pcs)
Tablecloth-Gray- MINE
Chip and dip heart plate- Target; (2007)(50 cents)
Paper heart box- (FREE- VT Gift)
Candleholders- Albertson's; Close-out (2006)(1-cent ea)
Lazy Susan- Mangowood, Target; (2006) (FREE-Birthday Gift)

MENU
Steamed Rice
Penne pasta with shrimp
Broccoli and Beef saute
Hershey's Kisses
Grapes
Red Grape juice with Ginger ale

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THEME:
COUPLES ONLY (2006)
MY INSPIRATION:
Nikko "Precious" scalloped plates

Think back to October 1997, I'm an almost one-year old bride and we were in Costco salivating over everything! We were poor of course! My husband and I had just decided that whatever big purchase we make, it would have to be a gift for a significant event (like our momentous 1-year anniv) so we wouldn't get into a bad spending habit. The moment I saw those plates, I wanted them! But, I managed to pry myself away (for a few minutes, lol), went around the whole warehouse and found myself back in front of the plates again.
Finally, Charlie asked me, "Do you really like those?" (I think all the drool from my mouth to the big puddle on the floor wasn't a big enough hint, so I had to tell him, after swallowing, yes, yes, yes (imagine eyelashes batting too), pleeeeaaaseeee!
Did we dash for a cart and grabbed them? No, we had to add to the 1-year anniv to justify the steep tag per box of 4 placesettings. That's when we decided to host our very first Thanksgiving as a couple! So, these plates were also my very first Thanksgiving inspiration! (No, no pictures of those, too busy washing 8 plates, bowls and salad plates for 16 people! Trust me, exhausting but fun, plus no one noticed! Yes!)

This design came to me in the summer, but I've since catalogued it as a Valentine repeat, so here it is in this post.
We hosted a dinner for another couple that was taking over a project that I've handle for a while in our church. When Audrey told me that it would only be her and her husband Derek, then this whole concept came together. Plus, my hubby brought home two dozen of the darkest red carnations I've ever seen. I thought they were roses! Notice the wrought iron planter? I used that to hold the roses when the food were served.
The day before, my then 1st grader's teacher came by to drop off some clothes that might fit her, saw the table and she said, "your table reminds me of that host on Food Network, the one who makes her table? Sandra Lee. Yeah, your table looks like something she'd do." (Wow, I loved that compliment, boosted my obsession, I mean my confidence!)

TABLETOP GOODIES:
Tablecloth- Pearly White, Alberston's closeout- $2
Plate, salad plate and bowl-Nikko "Precious"- FREE (Anniv Gift from DH)(1997)
Silverware- Farberware "Cameo"- FREE (Sis' Thanksgiving Hostess gift)(2000)
Placemat- Plastic white stripes- Albertson's closeout- 10 cents each
Glasses- Reminiscent of my Debut Gold crystal, Target- 50% off (2005)
Candle holder- Easter Garage sale find- 50 cents each (2006)
Candles and tealights- Thanksgiving 2005- Michael's, total $5
Mini roses- Basha's 3 for $5

MENU:
Pork Adobo
Steamed Rice
Veggies
Dessert (cheesecake I think)
Ice Water
I made the menu simple because I didn't want our guests to feel that they have to act just so. Despite the daintiness of the table, the food was of the messy, stain everything variety, so no prissy posturing that night. The dessert was served afterwards.

I hope you liked this preview for this blog for those who love to "make up" their table for any occasion.

Don't hesitate, celebrate!