Ladies Who Lunch...

For this week's tablescape, I decided to do a light table, with just a touch of whimsy.  Last year, my mother-in-law gave us this lovely set of fall placemats and napkins. I thought the colors would be perfect for a light, fall luncheon with girlfriends.  They are an off-white jacquard, embellished with pinecones and pine sprigs. The pattern is from the 'Autumn Classics' collection by Benson Mills.

(The Placemats)

(The napkins)

I thought this runner provided wonderful pattern and texture.  I love the thick fringe!

I chose to use all of the white pieces that I scored on my thrift search last week.  I thought they would keep the setting light and fresh, yet, still be appropriate for fall.  

I brought in these animal print plates, as chargers, to add a fun touch of whimsy.  (I really just used them for their border pattern.)  I think they compliment the white plates beautifully.

And, I wanted to use my leaf plates one more time, for a pop of color!

Instead of colored goblets, I chose crystal stemware...I wanted to keep everything dainty for the ladies!

The centerpiece remains simple...an olive green vase, with a stem of fall berries, leaves, and glittered gourds...

As a fall accent, I created my own version of a cloche. I filled a faux croc plate with mini pumpkins, pinecones, and a few fall leaves; and covered it with a glass cake dome...

Doesn't the tapestry provide a wonderful backdrop?

I am now ready to enjoy an afternoon of laughs and fellowship with my closest girlfriends!  (I may even serve up the recipe in my previous post!)  

I hope you have been inspired!  Happy Decorating!

Passionately Artistic

Linking to:
The Tablescaper-Seasonal Sundays
The Thrifty Groove-Thrifty Tablescape Party
At The Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday
Stuff and Nonsense-Fridays Unfolded
2805: Potpourri Party
Common Ground-Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm Of Home-Home Sweet Home
Passionately Artistic
Between Naps On The Porch-Tablescape Thursday
House of Grace-Twice Owned Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesday
A Stroll Thru Life-Fall Cloche Party
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Tuesday's Treasures

Three Mango Seeds-Motivational Monday

My Fall Entry Is Coming Together

It's beginning to look like fall here...

Have you seen the October issue of Southern Living magazine??

www.southernliving.com

 If so, then you know there's a lot of fall inspiration there for your front entry! With the rain and cooler temps that we have had over the past few days, I finally feel like fall is in the air. So, I decided to get out and start working on my front entry.

As you can see, I haven't gone too crazy! I added my wreath and a couple of pots of crotons. I used a couple of black bistro chairs as plant stands.  I also added a few pumpkins...for that 'pop' of orange.

The crotons pack a punch for adding seasonal color:

(I plan to add a small pot of ornamental cabbage, to the right of the chair, in this hole...lol!)

UPDATED PHOTO: I got my ornamental cabbage and a few more pumpkins and squash!!

As you can see, I haven't added my seasonal flowers (pansies and mums), just yet. It's still very warm here. However, my sweet potato vine and vincas are still going strong in my urns!

Here are my vincas in the landscape:

Once the temps cooled a bit; and we got a litle rain, these plants really started to spread!

These will probably stay until the first frost kills them off. (Gotta get my money's worth out of them!) The same holds true for my large urns of sweet potato vines:

UPDATE: I added an ornamental cabbage, additional pumpkins, and squash to this side, too!

I usually use a wreath that is very 'leafy'. This year, I chose to do something with more fall accents:

I love the combination of the pumpkins, gourds, and pinecones...

Love the mossy detail here...

I also adorned the entry with two pumpkins flanking the front door. I added a leopard print bow and a floral sprig to the stems; and hot glued my signature crosses to the front.

(A pot of ornamental cabbage will be flanking my little sign.)

UPDATE: Got my ornamental cabbage!!

That's my fall entry, so far.  Later, the pansies and fall flowers will be added; but, in the meantime, here are some of my summer flowers/plants...still going strong!

My knockout roses:

My elephant ears and jasmine:

My bougainvillea:

My lantana:

My caladiums:

And my yuccas:

So, as you can see, it is still very warm here! While the calendar officially says it's fall, we have a few more weeks before it truly begins to feel like fall.  Hopefully, I have captured a little bit of the autumn season, here. I hope you have enjoyed your visit!! Have a great day!!

Linking to:

Debbiedoo's Magazine Copy Cat Challenge

SAS Interiors-Trick or Tip Roundup

One Artsy Mama: CSH Thursday

Not Just A Housewife-Show Me What You Got

Sumo's Sweet Stuff- Market Yourself Monday

The Southern Institute-Creative Me Monday

The Project Queen-Link Party

Home Savvy AtoZ-Homemade Monday

You're Talking Too Much-Meet Me Mondays

Be Colorful-Motivated Monday

Under The Table and Dreaming

Between Naps On The Porch

Debbiedoo's Newbie Linkie Party

Dittle Dattle-Amaze Me Monday

The House in the Roses-Show Off Your Cottage

Lolly Jane Boutique-Whatcha Got Weekend

A Southern Daydreamer-Outdoor Wednesday

Boogieboard Cottage-Masterpiece Monday

Just A Girl-Show and Share

The ArtsyGirl Connection

Creation Corner-Friday Link Party

Simply Sweet Home-Friday Favorites

DIY by Design-Fall Into Fall

Home is Where My Story Begins- Home and Family Friday

Chic on a Shoestring Decorating-Flaunt It Friday

Home Savvy A to Z-Freshmen Friday

Finding Fabulous-Frugalicious Friday

My Romantic Home-Show and Tell Friday

Decor to Adore

French Country Cottage-Feathered Nest Friday

At The Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday

Ohh Baby Designs-Fabulous Friday

Stuff and Nonsense-Fridays Unfolded

2805: Potpourri Friday

Katherine's Corner-Thursday Blog Hop

The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home

Southern Lovely-Show and Share

Kristen's Creations-Share Your Creations

No Minimalist Here-Open House Party

Savvy Seasons by Liz-Autumn Arrives Party

Type 'A' Decorating-Anything Goes

Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesdays

Three Mango Seeds-Motivational Monday

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Tuesday Treasures

Verse for today: "...Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 25:14

P.r.o.j.e.c.t. P.i.n.k.

In lieu of today's usual post, I am uniting with other bloggers and painting my blog pink today, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.  Today's post is a repost of a tribute that I did to my mother on 10/3/11:

As we all know, October has been designated as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month". My beloved mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 and passed away from the disease on Palm Sunday, April 9, 1995 at the age of 58. With no family history of the disease, it just goes to show that ANYONE can be affected. 

After seeing so many inspirational posts out in blogland, over the weekend, I decided that, this week, I would do a tablescape in honor of my dear mother. This table features a photo of her and some of her personal items that I love.

I started this setting with my own wedding china and crystal. Mom's advice to me: "Get a basic white pattern that is versatile. And don't pick out the most expensive china in the store. Remember to consider what others would like to spend." LOL! Guess what? Mom was right! Not only did I receive EVERYTHING on my registry, I received extras!!! My china pattern was 'Wedding Band', by Mikasa. The crystal is 'Bretagne' by Durand. The gold flatware was mom's.

Mom had a great collection of vintage demitasse cups; but, I chose these for this post:



This is my favorite photo of my mother from her first year as a school teacher. She taught 11th grade English and served as the school's librarian. If you notice, in the bottom right hand corner, this was signed to my Dad, while he was still her boyfriend. (smile)

A small collection of her brooches and pins.  I wear these occasionally:

Her pearls...I love wearing these...classic:

This was our family bible...I leave it open to her favorite passage, Proverbs 3:5-6...

Ladies, the clock is ticking. We MUST find a cure for this vile disease! Please support your local fundraisers for breast cancer research...our own lives depend on it!

Verse for today:
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  Proverbs 31:10


Linking to:
The Artsy Girl Connection--P.R.O.J.E.C.T. P.I.N.K.
PLEASE GO OVER AND SEE ALL OF THE INSPIRING STORIES!!
HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY!!

The Blog Love Continues...

Well, The Versatile Blogger award has come back again this week! I am so humbled by the support I have received since I began my blogging journey! This week, the award came from two great ladies that I need to thank for even thinking of me!!

First, JoAnn, over at Jo's This and That, stopped by to drop off the award. I must admit, I was truly honored because I have admired JoAnn's blog, since I first started this journey. She creates some of the most beautiful tablescapes, vignettes, mantels....gosh, everything!! If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting JoAnn, you're truly missing out!!

 

Then, I got a surprise email from Brooke at Cupcakes and Cucumbers! Brooke has one of the cutest blogs! She is definitely not a one-dimensional girl! She is a professional photographer, but gives great insight on recipes, travel, and markets & festivals. Please stop by and show her blog some love! 


Now, the rules state that I should thank the person who sent it to me; and to tell you 7 things about myself, that you may not know. I feel like I've told you pretty much everything before...so, this is tough! LOL!! Ok, let's see...


1) I am an only child- And I didn't grow up to be a spoiled brat!


2) I have had the same best friend for over 25 years...Love ya, Donna!!


3) I play the piano. I used to be the Sunday School musician at my childhood church!


4) I love to watch reruns...drives my kids crazy!!


5) I secretly love some shows on the Disney Channel...shhh, don't tell my girls!!  


6) When I'm feeling stressed, I like to clean house! It's therapeutic!


7) I coached my girls' cheer squad in pee wee football. We won first place at competition, with a cheer and mini-pyramid, from my high school days! LOL!!


Now, the second part of this award states that I should pass it on to 15 newly discovered blogs. However, many of the ones that I am thinking of have either already passed it on; or they have just been awarded!  The following blogs are some that I recently discovered; and feel that they are truly inspiring and full of great ideas. Please go by and visit them, if you haven't already!

ANTIQUECHASE

Adventures of a Happy Redhead

Far Above Rubies

Adventures in Decorating

Three Mango Seeds

I also want to give a special thank you to Diane Cayton-Hakey at The Blue Ridge Gal!  Diane is responsible for my header and my new button...she truly is an ANGEL, especially for newbies like me!!!  Thanks, Diane!!!  I so appreciate you!!!!

Thanks for stopping by today; and enjoy your weekend!

Bringing What's Outdoors In...

With a drastic drop in temperature, over the past couple of days, I decided to bring in some things from the patio area. One of those things was this iron shelf, that I got from Hobby Lobby, a couple of years ago.  I normally use it, on the covered patio, to hold things like plants, lanterns, and decorative accents.  I decided to bring it in today, and use it in my foyer. The deep bronze color is a perfect match to the foyer chandelier.

I started searching the house for items that I could just move around. However, the first thing I knew I wanted to use, was this arrangement, I scored at Goodwill last week for $3.99.  (I didn't include it with the other post, because I wanted to share it with you here!)  When I saw it, I thought it had "good bones".  I loved the pheasant feathers, the pomegranates, and the urn!  However, as you can see, it needed to be fluffed and the shiny gold urn was a 'no go'. 

So, using the same technique that I showed in my last post, I eliminated the shiny gold. Then, I fluffed up all of the original greenery; and added some sprigs that I already had. I rearranged the feathers, polished up the pomegranates, added in some grapes; and placed it on the top shelf. This is the finished result:

The pomegranates will easily transition into Christmas... I'll simply remove the fall accents and add some holiday picks to it!

Then, I began my scavenger hunt for accessories. I have tons of stuff to 'play' with! 


I started with the mosaic votive holder, from my Salvation Army haul, and placed it on a bed of pheasant feathers...I love using feathers for texture!  I used a scented tea light to provide a warm fall welcome for guests!!

***Updated photo: I embellished the votive holder with a small crown...Not bad for a 99¢ find, huh?

Next to the votive holder, I added one of my favorite photos of my daughters, holding hands, walking across an old bridge, into the sunset...(all together now....awwwwwwwww)...LOL!!!!  I dressed it with a small tassel...

Next, I added an orange embellished candle, surrounded with a leafy candle ring...

On the next shelf, I used the finial from my previous post. I also added a slim book box that I had lying around...

On the bottom shelf, I used a ceramic leaf plate. The color brightens what would have been a very dark space. I surrounded it with some fall accents...

The end result is a welcoming display in the corner of the foyer.  These items will easily transition out for the Christmas season; and provide a wonderful display space.

That's my post for today! I hope you found something here to inspire you; and Happy Decorating!!