Sunday, January 31, 2010

Silver Sunday V and My Blogaversary Giveaway Winner

One of the fun events going on recently has been the Silver Sunday parties hosted by Beth at Gypsy Fish Journal...there is some beautiful silver out there and you can join in or see what everyone is displaying this week by clicking here

I found this Silver makeup set on eBay last week.  It is Godinger and marked 1988.  This set came in a little velvet roll-up clutch so that it can be carried in a purse or make-up case for traveling.



The set includes a small mirror, two make-up brushes and a brow brush. 


I posted a tablescape this week using my silver teapot napkin rings.  These little teapots are so cute and were another eBay find from back in the summer.  You can see the entire tablescape by clicking here



Thanks so much to everyone who joined me in my Rooster-licious giveaway, celebrating my first blogaversary.  I used the random generator to pick a winner from the 59 entries....and the winner is No. 42, Joan (Patriotic Mom) at Americana By Candlelight.  Congratulations Joan, please email your mailing address and I'll get your package out to you early this week.

All The Best,
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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Southern Living At Home @ Southern Inspiration

Several people have asked me about Southern Living At Home as I use a lot of their beautiful items in my tablescapes. I love SLAH items and there is a wonderful lady here in blogland, who is a Southern Living At Home consultant. Besides being totally precious, she is a great person who offers quick turn around on your orders. You can find Suzanne at her blog, Southern Inspiration. Please check out her blog and her link to the latest SLAH catalog...happy shopping.

I'll be posting the winner of my Rooster-licious Blogaversary giveaway later today. 

All The Best,
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Friday, January 29, 2010

Happy Birthday To My Aldie

There are few more joyous occasions than birthdays, where we celebrate life and love.  Alden turned six years old on Wednesday Jan 27.  This seems so unbelievable to me on one hand, that he can already be six and then on the other hand, it seems like he has been a part of our lives forever.  His birthday party will be tomorrow, but we could not let him go empty handed on Wednesday night, so after everyone was home from work we paid a visit and had a quick treasure hunt to find a small surprise.  Nothing fancy or elaborate, but he loved it.

X marks the spot - start here....'digging' underneath, he found a clue of where to look next. 


Had to get a hug for a clue in there somewhere


Final clue leads him to the prize. 



I would do anything on this earth just to see this happy face.


Alden has to spend the night at least once a week with us and visits as much as he can get away with after school.  He is always full of hugs and kisses and telling us he misses us.  He is so fun to be around and has a great imagination.  You never know what he will do next from putting on my lipstick to be the Joker, to sticking rubber worms all over his body, lightsaber fighting which can break out at any time and you would be surprised at the various items that can be used as lightsabers.  He also loves to talk and made sure to keep Santa and Mrs. Claus engaged in deep conversation this past Christmas.

Happy Birthday my precious boy!!


All The Best,
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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Calm and Serene - Tablescape Thursday

Each week, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch hosts Tablescape Thursday.  The participants continue to grow and why not, this is a great party.  Click here to see hundreds of beautifully scaped tables from the talented folks who participate. 

My table this week is calm and serene with differing shades of white and just a teeny touch of black, not really even enough to mention.



There is nothing more beautiful than layering white dishes.  Flatware is Gallery from Southern Living at Home. White dinner and salad plate are my everyday Gibson.  Chargers are marked with a B and are from Home Goods, so not sure of the brand or maker.




I love this white pineapple from Tabletops Unlimited that I found at Home Goods.  This figurine is a good size and I'm on the lookout for another so that I will have a matching pair.  The detail is gorgeous.  Astoria salt and Pepper are from Southern Living at Home




White and green in a floral arrangement in a greek urn is just the right touch for the centerpiece.




Candlelight, who doesn't love the soft glow.




Another Tabletops Unlimited piece....cluster of grapes.




Victoria compotes from Southern Living at Home make beautiful votive holders centered on each placesetting. 




I found these cute silver Teapot napkin rings on eBay last summer.




If you have not signed up for my Rooster-licious Blogaversary giveaway, be sure to check out my post here.



All The Best,

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Monday, January 25, 2010

Tabletop Tuesday - Dining Room Sideboard

I'm joining Barb at Grits and Glamour for Tabletop Tuesday.  I really enjoy this party each week and encourage you to join Barb here to see some beautiful tabletop vignettes from around blogland. 

This week, I'm sharing my tabletop from my dining room sideboard server. 



I normally use my Dept 56 townscape screens for Christmas and then pack them away...this year, I left one on my sideboard server and am enjoying it as a background for this vignette.   I've brought in pops of color with my faux fruit displays.  Click here to see my post on how to make the glass display stands.



My silver coffee set adds a little glitz and glamour to the setting. 






I'm having a Rooster-licious blogaversary giveaway.  You can enter by clicking here.

All The Best,

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Met Monday - Dishware Storage

If you have 'dish' love, you probably also have dish storage issues.  I have a hall closet full of display items - candleholders, glassware, flatware, etc - and my China Cabinet and buffet server are crammed full so I needed some other options.  While I ponder what other closet I can take over, I am using hat boxes to store some of my chargers, plates and salad plates. 

I purchase my boxes from Hobby Lobby when they are 50%, which is about every other week.  The differant size boxes range in price for 4.99 to 7.49, so at 50% off this is a very reasonable storage alternative.  These boxes are just the right sizes for my chargers and plates...the salad plates are a litte small in diameter based upon the smallest box size, so I just stuff empty plastic bags around them so they do not shift as I am moving the boxes around.  Use sheets of bubble wrap or tissue between the dishes and stack them inside the containers.  Just measure your charger and plates and when you get to HL, pick up the corresponding size....I will probably keep my items stored in these boxes even when I move them to a closet, as this gives the dishes extra protection. 



This 14 inch box gives me plenty of room to store ten 9 inch plates...I could use the smaller 10 inch box, but I like having more room around the edges which makes getting the plates out a lot easier. 


Just stack the boxes in an empty corner and they provide storage and look good.



You can even use the boxes as a display pedestal. 


I keep an inventory list on my computer of all my tabletop display items, plates, flatware, etc along with the date and place I bought the item and any branding or other descriptors (ex. if I buy a silver piece from an Antique shop and it provides the name of the item or a date, I keep that on my list since it is not marked directly on the item).  I also add a picture of the item and the quantity.  When I need something, I know exactly where it is and how many I have etc.  You could also label each of the boxes by using a tag on a string and just tape the string to the inside of the box and let the tag show underneath the lid...you could turn the box so the tag is in the corner and not showing, if using as a display in your room. 

I hope this idea helps with some of your storage needs, it has certainly helped me with some much needed clean-up and organization. 

I have a Rooster-licious Blogaversary giveaway going on, so please click here to get the details and sign up. 



Please click here to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch as she hosts another Metamorphosis Monday, and shows us all the great changes going on around Blogland.
All The Best,

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Saturday, January 23, 2010

Silver Sunday IV - Silver Dresser Set

I'm joining Beth at Gypsy Fish as she hosts the fourth Silver Sunday.  To see all the beautiful silver displays from other party participants, click here.

When I was a teen, I received a silver dresser set as a gift from my parents.  At the time, I thought it was pretty and I used it often.  At some point, I lost track of the set and I have no idea what ever happened to it.  I found a beautiful set at an Antique shop that reminds me of the one I used to have, but I wish I was smart enough when I was growing up to keep some of these items.




Items displayed on a silver tray







I love intricate detail on my silver pieces...this dresser set has some great scroll  and floral work.



Displayed on a silver tray, I have added a small white pitcher and bowl set and a silver lidded cosmetic jar.


I am having a Rooster-licious giveaway for my Blogaversary.  Please click here for the post and instruction on how to enter.  I'm accepting entries through Friday Jan 29.

All The Best,

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Friday, January 22, 2010

Foodie Friday - Brownies and a Rooster-licious Blogaversary Giveaway

I'm joining Michael this week for Foodie Friday.  To see Michael's decadent creations as well as other deliciousness brought to the party, please click here. 

Chocolate brownies are one of the most versatile desserts around.  Quick and easy to prepare, they are ready at a moments notice for hungry guests.  They can be dressed up or down and can be modified to work in casual or elegant entertaining.   Cut-out shapes with a dusting of powdered sugar can be a casual pick-up as a finger food or drizzled with chocolate syrup and garnished with a strawberry or raspberry, takes these treats to the next level. 



A chocolate frosting and sprinkles on square cut brownies make a tasty dessert.




Cream cheese frosting is elegant in it's simplicity...soft, white and tasty, this frosting is delicious teamed with the deep richness of a chocoate brownie.







I'm celebrating my one year Blogaversary with a Rooster-licious giveaway.  If there is one thing that we love, its a little bit of Rooster with our day. 



I have a Rooster plaque.



A Rooster plate and stand.



Beautiful Rooster measuring spoon set.  I love the detail on this set.






And a Rooster storage/display box. 




All you have to do for an entry is :
  • Leave a comment on this post, letting me know just one thing that you enjoy about my blog
  • You don't have to become a follower, although I would really appreciate it if you really want to. 
  • For a second chance, post about my giveaway on your blog and come back and leave a seperate comment letting me know that you have done.  
  • That's it...easy peasy

Giveaway will be open until midnight on Friday, Jan 29 and I'll draw and announce a winner the following day. 

All The Best,

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