Yum It’s Saturday morning and wondering what to make for breakfast. Here’s a easy — delicious, AND easy dish to make. I had some leftover brisket and decided to make a breakfast bake. Ingredients: 5 eggs, beaten 1 cup chopped … Continue reading
Hey Everyone!!! Once again, I’m wishing you a happy, healthy and wonderful New Year! Thanks a million for following along in 2015 and I look forward to what 2016 has in-store for us to share with one another. For my first post of the new year, I’d like to talk about being eclectic and venturing outside the norm. So many times, we are stuck in the mindset, “things HAVE To MATCH”. Well it may be true for 90% of our lives, but when it comes to table settings, I think we can break the rule- well at least I’m going to break it.. and I’ll show you how.
Many times, I’ve gone to estate sales, thrift stores, garage sales and would see a plate, saucer, or cup and love the pattern but often times, it’s not a complete set. So, I decided to mix it up! I found different patterns that tend to blend and decided to create my own eclectic setting. I started with these nicely patterned placemats I stumbled across at Walmart. I’m glad I ventured to that isle and found them.
Not bad right? At $1.99 each and having the perfect metallic gold finish, I figured they would pull the look together. Modern placemats mixed with thrift score dishes would create a beautiful table setting. Next I added gold crackled charger plates, which were $3.00 for the set of six at Goodwill. Then, I layered the plates and here is the finished look.
I love soft floral pattern dishes and by using pastel blends of similar looks I was able to mix pieces for a cohesive style. The dinner plates were about $1.50 ea, the bread plates were between $0.50-$0.75 ea, the brass napkin rings were found at Goodwill for $0.59 each and never used. The white linen napkins belonged to my grandmother.
Also featured in my setting are limoges bone dishes, which are rare items to find and they blend with the floral patterns. Limoges is a delicate fine bone china made in Limoges, France and began being manufactured in the late 18th century. You can read more about its history here. At the turn of the century, bone dishes were used to hold discarded chicken or fish bones, because it was considered improper to allow bones to remain on your main plate as it appeared to be an unsightly mess (the Victorians were very neat), henceforth, the use of the bone dish.
I also found the crystal (dumbbell shape) knife rests years ago and purchased them from an antique shop. Knife rests are rarely used these days, but they are very handy when eating. They offer a more convenient place to rest your knife while not in use, instead of leaning it on your plate. Lastly, the gold flatware was a wedding gift. Hard to believe I’ve had them almost 30 years.
As you see, you can create a pretty, delicately balanced table setting using thrift store and estate sale finds by mixing patterns.
The cute little place card is made of porcelain and I found the set at an antique shop about 20 years ago, when I was hosting tea parties.
This is the complete set – Isn’t it the cutest.. Just use a sharpie to mark on them and wipe off with water..
I finished the look with depression glassware I inherited from my grandmother. She had a complete service for twelve with water goblets and wine glasses, plus six smaller glasses (which I used for the children), along with the pitcher, salt & pepper shakers and two serving dishes. It’s really a nice set, so I consider myself blessed to have it.
You see how mixing patterns, styles and eras could blend together to make a beautiful setting? Not only does it look pretty, but it also adds a bit more interest. Have you ever mixed patterns to create a table design? If not, would you? If so please share – I’d love to see it.
I hope this has sparked an interest and the next time you see a pretty plate, get it and build on it to create your own blend of tableware.
I hope you enjoyed my Mix It Up tableware? If so, let me know…. As always, remember, beauty doesn’t have to be costly. Thanks for reading and until next time.. Smooches!
Bon dia, Bon dia!! Hopi tempo sin wak bo, conbai cubo? LOL!!! Ok, ok let me stop… I just said Hello, hello, long time no see… how are you? Yes, it’s me and I’m back from my glorious GG vacation. This year we ladies vacayed to the paradise island of Aruba. It’s been a couple years since we’ve taken our – what use to be- annual trip, so this trip was well deserved. If you’ve been to Aruba, you know what I mean, if not.. please go.. it’s one of the most beautiful islands with the best beaches.
Sand in my feet, breeze blowing softly and music in my ears.. ahhhhhh .. Here’s the story of my travel therapy to One Happy Island.
This year it just four of us who went: Me, Amina, Sharon (my sister-n-law), and Ethel (my aunt who I featured on the blog here)
Our days were filled with sun, sun, sun, and more sun… along with music and drinks!
Our mornings started with a delightful breakfast we enjoyed at Aromi D’Italia.. We were pleased to find a restaurant that served turkey bacon (woo-hooo)!
Walking along the white sandy beach while gazing into the crystal blue waters really takes your stress away and allows your mind to be at peace.
After our first day there, Amina realized she left her sunglasses, so we went out shopping that night to find her a pair. The next day, she was all set.. here she is striking her “check out my new shades” pose heeeeheeee..
On our breaks from the sun, I had the most delicious fish sandwich. It was grilled grouper with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and the most delectable aioli sauce..(I fell in love with it, so much so, I had the chef give me the recipe – now I’m on the hunt for aji mojido – which is what they used to mix with mayo)
On another day, we had massages done at Etnika Spa, located on the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort
I immediately fell in love with the decor.. it’s so Zen-like (I wish I could have brought this little guy & basket home with me)
The earth tones were so calming and soothing…
Here’s the outdoor sitting area located next to the spa
For playful times,they had these giant outdoor board games for chess and checkers players.
Or if you wanted, you could shoot a game of pool on the outdoor pool table..
and of course beach volleyball was a given. How could you not enjoy a good game with this backdrop
At a restaurant where we dined, these two men serenaded us with the lovely tune “Hello” by Lionel Richie (awwwwww… how lovely)
On another night after dinner, we stumbled upon an Outdoor Club “South Beach Lounge” and the DJ was pretty cool.. He enjoyed giving us Jersey Girls a shout-out! We danced our meal off that night – chuckles..
Another day out and about, here we are exploring the town. We had so much laughter going on.. I loved, loved, loved my time with these ladies.
We ventured into town for a day of shopping. Pookie was quite happy with her purchases..heeheee..
Even though she blamed us for the purchases….. Yea Right!! I told her to blame it on the boogie- LOL
Meanwhile, I found a cute kitchen accessory, that pretty much described my struggle.. So it had to come home with me..
How many of you feel me with this– lol…
I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this stunning window design at Dolce & Gabanna
While there, I learned a neighborhood friend was there as well, so we all got together on our last night and had a wonderful dinner. The evening was filled with more laughter, joy and good times.
This vacation was absolutely fantastic and I look forward to our next Girlfriends Getaway. I treasure these moments, because having my sister and girlfriends in my life is definitely something I need to maintain a good balance and times like these are essential to my continued well-being. It’s so funny, because as I sat there, thinking about life and filling my head with dreams, I opened my eyes and saw this cap sitting in the sand and said to myself “WOW” that’s me.. I’m always a dream-chaser.
I’d like to believe you enjoyed reading about my Girlfriends Getaway and hope it inspired you to gather up your besties and hit the road for a getaway. Until next time, I’ll chat with you soon.. Smooches!!
I have to give a big thank you to the Marriott Stellaris for such impeccable accommodations. You can learn more about Aruba – One Happy Island by watching the video clip.
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and had a gobblin’ good time! As for me, I totally enjoyed my time. I visited my family back home in New Jersey and after the big turkey day, while everyone was mall dashing,we spent our day thrifting. My sister had been telling me about a new spot (new to her) she stumbled on located in Hillside, NJ, it’s called Kathleen’s Closet. She has made this her go-to spot to check out the goodies. Well, if you’re ever in NJ, you may want to check out this spot. Here are the goodies I found while there.. This mid- century coffee table wasn’t a bad deal at $25.00 (I could imagine seeing this piece with a fresh coat of paint and shiney gold paint for the leg’s brass fixtures.
The rattan shelving units were $20.00 (I would remove the bottom doors because of the hole and replace with baskets). All in all, not bad a bad price!!!
This rattan table base was only $10.00 and was still sturdy. Although finding a glass top would be difficult, but in the meantime, I would use it as a plant stand, by placing several different pots and create one big display (and of course paint it)
Not my taste, but this plaid chair wasn’t a bad price either for $15.00- no holes, tears or stains.
Leather top side table $10.00 (can you believe this??) In great condition
Spotted this wooden bar cart – Oh the possibilities with this and do you see the price – yes – $10.00
Other than missing the door handle, (easy fix) there was nothing wrong with it. This baby came home with Amina, and I can’t wait to see what she does with it.
Spotted this brass and smoked glass lamp for a mere $5.99 – and YES! it came home with me. Just needs a new shade and I have a beautiful new lamp.
This mid-century china cabinet was a cheesey $45 (smh) can you believe that.. and it lights up! Solid wood from Drexel Heritage Furniture.
Last but not least.. this double mirror Thomasville dresser – swallow hard- $40.00 –I’m ready to pass out!!
I can’t F-N believe this! All the hardware, all the drawers, nothing and I mean NOTHING was wrong with this piece.. the only thing that was really wrong —- IT DIDN’T COME HOME WITH ME!!!!!
Boy did I wish I had a U-Haul
Now here’s the clinker… You see how low the prices were, but if you were there on Black Friday, you got an additional 50% off your first 5 items.. So can you imagine… all these good pieces would have been even lower. They had several other nice pieces but these were the ones I wanted to share with you. Although we didn’t partake in the Black Friday frenzy, we did support the ShopSmall Saturday, which was equally appreciated. I know I’m a bit behind with this post, but I’ve experiencing some hand issues again.. and have been resting my hands from the computer. This week, I’m headed to the sunny island of Aruba for one of our Girlfriends Getaways – Yaaaaayyy… so I’ll be sunning and funning . When I get back I’ve got another goodie makeover to share with you.. in the meantime, have great week! Smooches!