Inspiration to Reality... Thanksgiving

Acorn Squash BeforeAfter

Head Table Set for Thanksgiving

"Kids" table set in the adjoining room

Thanksgiving Preparation

The day before Thanksgiving I went on a hunt for baby pumpkins, let me just tell you this is not the easiest thing to do so close to the holiday. Apparently after Halloween everything automatically switches to Christmas/Holiday decorating and all the pumpkins become evergreen trees and wreaths. So I had to get creative and use acorn squash (side note last night I discovered Whole Foods had the baby pumpkins I was looking for of course after the fact). Anyways I bought metallic gold spray paint and set up a station in the garage and sprayed the squash and a bunch of dried hydrangea I had from the summer, and sprinkled the hydrangea with loose gold glitter. I couldn't believe how well the gold covered the squash, only needing one coat they were instantly transformed, and the glitter on the hydrangea reflected subtly under the light.

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is over and we have already decorated for Christmas at our house, but what I loved about this table is that the gold spray paint can be used for other centerpieces, (i.e. sprayed chestnuts, pomegranates, Boxwood, poinsettias etc.) Happy Holidays!

Table Components:
Natural Burlap Runner, Jo Anne Fabrics
Tan Linen Hemstitch Linen, Target
14 Karat Gold Spray Paint, Jo Anne Fabrics
Gold Glitter, Martha Stewart Collection, Michael's

Decorating for Thanksgiving...

I love Thanksgiving! It has always been my favorite holiday and time of year, and since we moved into our house 3 years ago we took over hosting it. This year we have 16 people between our families. It is the only holiday throughout the year that we are all together on one day, which is one of the reasons I love it so much!

I also have so much fun thinking about the design of the tables. Last year I was inspired by a page in Real Simple and did a nontraditional centerpiece with beautiful coral peonies, orchids, ivory burlap and a manzilla branch . Our dining room is a mix of chocolate and ivory colored walls, and a capiz shell chandelier hangs in the center. I love the idea of mixing different textures, colors and natural elements.

This year, being obsessed with all things metallic and glitter I was inspired by a tablescape I found on Martha Stewart and this incredible collection of candles. I would love to know what you are doing for your Thanksgiving table design, and what you have been inspired by.

Thanksgiving Table Inspiration

via Martha Stewart

via Martha Stewart

Valentines Special Delivery... Gourmet Galley Catering

Decorating with Doilies, Easy and Fun!The Invitation/MenuAnna Lathrop (Owner of Gourmet Galley) making the special delivery

To start, Artisan Cheeses and Fruit

Winter Greens, VinaigretteLobster Bisque Cedar Roasted Salmon, Plum Sauce

Red Wine Braised Short RibsSinful Chocolate Cake, Fresh Berries

*Unfortunately my pictures, shot with my point and shoot, don't do the food justice.*

Last Week husband and I received the most incredible Valentine in the mail from our friends at Gourmet Galley Catering. It was truly one of the nicest gifts we have ever received! An offer to drop in with an intimate, four course dinner for two, hand delivered by Anna Lathrop herself. It seriously doesn't get much better than that!

The menu was carefully crafted and a pure culinary experience from start to finish. We began with artisan cheeses and fresh fruit that we paired with Pink Prosecco, moved on to Lobster bisque and Cream of asparagus soup (sans garlic and specially prepared for me), next we enjoyed a Salad of mixed greens with a delightful vinaigrette dressing and crusty bread with melted sweet butter, the Entree was Braised short ribs for Adam and Cedar plank salmon for me, with the most delicious plum sauce, they both melted in our mouths. For dessert we ended the evening with truly the most sinful, decadent, chocolate cake we have ever tasted, accompanied with fresh berries and whipped cream. It is a night we will always hold close to our hearts and a memory we will cherish for years to come! Thank you to the team at Gourmet Galley for making our Valentines Day so very extra special!

About Gourmet Galley:
Gourmet Galley is a boutique style caterer with an incredible passion for food, menu creation, and take great pride in customizing the experience for you and your guests. To learn more about what they do you can visit their website or daily blog.

Paper, Doilys and Lace... Valentine's Decorating for your Sweetie

Doily Table Runner, image Ashley Ann Photography

Paper Poms, Tissue Paper Candles, via Martha Stewart
Lace Votives, via Good HousekeepingGold Paper Doily Luminaries, via Martha Stewart

Vellum Doily Luminaries, via Martha Stewart

Doily Envelopes, via Martha Stewart

Valentines DIY Ideas:

1. Lace Doily Table Runner (For our Valentine's Soiree at Chamard Vineyards last weekend I made a lace Doily runner out of gold and white paper doilies and strung them together with thread, it is great alternative to the real one pictured above and super easy. You could also take the white doilies and spray them with other colored glitters)
   
2. Paper Poms (I searched all over for red and pink poms last week but only could find white ones, I didn't realize it would be just as easy to make them on my own, I just needed packs of tissue paper. This is a very time consuming project but if you want to do them hanging over your table for fun, whimsical pops of color you would only need to make a few. I also love the idea of making small ones to be used as napkin rings. Another fun way to use paper poms is to use branches, you can cut out in your backyard, spray them gold, and wire a couple paper pom flowers throughout, similar to my Thanksgiving centerpiece.
   
3. Tissue Paper Candles (I can still remember making these when we were growing up, tissue paper glued to clear glass votives, super easy and gorgeous when lit)
   
4. Lace Votives (These are the perfect detail on the table and can also be made with lace ribbon or paper)
   
5. Lace Doily Luminaries ( I love these! Using gold doilies or white over translucent vellum you can create two totally different looks)
   
6. Doily Love Note Envelope (This is such a cute idea, pictured about they used the envelope for escort cards, I love the idea of writing a love note inside the folded doily and setting it on the table for your valentine to read)
   

Decorating for the Holidays... Modern Christmas

I just adore the pink tree that Making it Lovely purchased this year for her living room. It is beyond fabulous, now if only it came in yellow it would be perfect for the Red House! Even though almost everything about our holiday decor is purely traditional, passed down through our families, a story behind almost every ornament, I am thinking I may have to incorporate some modern accents this year. Inspired by this post my wheels are spinning!