Get the Look: Valentine’s Day Table Setting

February 11, 2016

source

Setting a pretty table is one of my favorite things to do and Pinterest supplies me with an abundance of creative ideas and inspiration. I’m typically not one to decorate with pastels but this gorgeous table decor felt like the perfect Valentine’s Day table setting. It exudes elegance but it’s not fussy. And I just love the warmth the mix of pinks and gold creates. With all this beautiful inspiration, I thought I’d show you how easy it is to recreate this look for Valentine’s or whatever special occasion you might be celebrating…

Silk Flower Arrangement // Gold Charger Plate // Brass Taper Candle Holders // Glass Votive Holders—1/2/3

Luminous Coupe Dinnerware // Gold Flatware // Pink Linen Napkins

Metal and Glass Terrarium //Pink Wine Glasses

♥♥♥

Three Styling Tips for an Elegant Table:

♥ Gold and metallic finishes will make the entire table feel more expensive

♥ For a dramatic centerpiece, arrange flowers to fill the table side to side and top to bottom

♥ Create layers with candles using different size, shapes and styles of candle holders

What’s great about all of these items is that they can easily be mixed and matched with seasonal decor to create a table for Easter, a ladies luncheon or even a New Year’s Eve celebration.

If you were creating this Valentine’s Day table for two, how would you put your own spin on the decor?

FIVE Champagne Cocktails to ring in the New Year!

December 31, 2015

via Hunted Interior

Are you ready?

Is your champagne chilled?

Are the toasting glasses ready for a midnight toast?

As we bid farewell to the old, embrace the new and welcome all the good that will come our way, it’s the perfect time to indulge in a glass or two of bubbly as we celebrate the new year.

Here’s are round-up of 5 of my favorite Champagne Cocktails to help you welcome 2016!

♦♦♦

Blackberry Thyme Cocktail

via StyleMePretty

Ingredients:
FOR THE BLACKBERRY SYRUP
1/3 cup blackberries, plus 8 more for garnish
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
FOR THE COCKTAIL
1 bottle of Prosecco or champagne
FOR THE GARNISH
4 sprigs of thyme
Instructions
In a small saucepan, bring the blackberried, water and sugar to a boil. Turn to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain blackberries and let syrup cool.
Add 2 tbsp. of syrup to the bottom of each glass. Top with champagne and add in a sprig of thyme and 2 blackberries!

Champagne Margaritas

via The Kitchen Is My Playground

Ingredients:
For 2 Margaritas:
4 T. Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice
2 oz. white tequila
2 oz. Triple Sec
1 T. fresh squeezed lime juice
6 oz. brut champagne/sparkling wine
For Sugared Rims & Garnish:
About 1 T. turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
About 1 T. granulated sugar
Lime wedges
Directions

FOR SUGARED RIMS: Combine turbinado and granulated sugar in a shallow dish. Wet the rim of each glass, all the way around, with a lime wedge. Dip each rim into the sugar to coat. Set aside.
FOR MARGARITAS: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice, tequila, Triple Sec, fresh lime juice, and champagne. Gently shake two or three times.
Strain into the prepared glasses and garnish each with a lime wedge.

Raspberry Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

via Heather Christo

Ingredients:
-8 tablespoons pomegranate juice
-1 pint raspberry sorbet
-4 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
-chilled champagne
Instructions
1. Freeze your glasses until frosty.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of pomegranate juice to the bottom of each glass.
3. Add a few small scoops of the raspberry sorbet and 1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds to each glass.
4. Top with chilled champagne. (I continued to top off the glass with more champagne as I drank, because there is more than enough sorbet to flavor several glasses full if you wish.)

Honey-Almond Champagne Cocktail

via Freut Cake

Almond Champagne, chilled
Honey
1-cup Blue Diamond Oven Roasted Honey Almonds

Directions:
1. On a cutting board, chop almonds finely.
2. Rim champagne glasses dipping them in a plate of honey then in the chopped almonds.
3. Fill glasses with almond champagne and serve.

French 75

via Super Golden Bakes

Ingredients:

1 lemon
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) gin
1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup or sugar
1 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup (2 ounces) dry Champagne, chilled

In cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into chilled Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine.

via

Cheers to 2016!

p.s. I’ll be back to a regular posting schedule next week. See you then.

Easy Holiday Appetizers

December 18, 2015

Easy Holiday Appetizers

With Love From Kat

Like me, I know many of you will have family staying with you for Christmas. Since cooking isn’t on my favorites list, I’m always on the hunt to simple and quick snacks and appetizers I can whip up. I look for recipes that use food items I keep on hand so a run to the grocery store is not needed.

Here are FIVE of my favorite holiday appetizers that will be on rotation at my house in the coming days.

This recipe had me at mozzarella and smoked and there’s nothing more satisfying than a warm, gooey cheese dip on a cold day.

Smoked Mozzarella via Love Grows Wild

I love a classic ham and cheese sandwich and these sliders are the perfect bite size treat for a casual lunch.

Ham & Cheese Sliders via The Girl Who Ate Everything

Alone or as a side dish with dinner, these petite potato bites are as cute as they are delicious.

Loaded Hasselback Potato Bites via The Comfort of Cooking

These prosecution bites are the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

Cranberry Brie Prosciutto via The Brunette Baker

Everybody loves meatballs and this classic pineapple infused recipe is the best.

Pineapple Meatball Poppers via Cooking and Beer

I’ll be back tomorrow with more holiday cheer!

Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour-Part 2

December 9, 2015

Welcome to part 2 of the Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour. It has been such fun to partner with my 8 fellow bloggers to bring you lots of holiday inspiration.

If you’re coming over from Love Your Abode thanks for stopping in and if you’re one of my regular readers, thanks for your continued love and support! Did you see all the amazing details in Yuni’s decor this week?! WOW, I didn’t think she could top last week but she sure did.

This week on the tour we’re focusing on our entertaining spaces and how we celebrate the season. Entertaining is such a joy and this year will be extra special since my brother now lives in Atlanta and my mom is coming for Christmas.

When I think of holiday entertaining I think of family dinners at a beautiful table so I got a jump on things and set my table for a Merry & Bright Christmas dinner. Playing off the color theme from my Christmas tree decor, I created a classic red & white tablescape with a few fun touches.

***One of the special touches to my table are these DIY placemats I made featuring a Merry & Bright printable art piece from Christina’s Etsy shop, My Love Note Designs ! I’ll be sharing the how-to and more details on the placemats tomorrow so stay tuned.

I wanted a lush looking centerpiece so I used a greenery candleholder in the center of the table. To dress it up, I added mini ornaments and decorative ornament sprays.

And to add layers to the table, I used three different linen pieces—a white tablecloth, a wide red and white stripe runner (made from simple cotton fabric) and a solid red runner from HomeGoods.

I hung a wreath on the mirror and added the metal Noel sign in the middle. I made the bow from ribbon I picked up at Michaels.

I layered each place setting starting with the DIY placemat, a red charger and white china. The Merry Christmas plates are from HomeGoods.

My vintage gold silverware and brass candleholders add a touch of metallic shine to the table. The holly leaf candleholders were a flea market find–one of my favorites ever!

These cute red and white check bags came from the dollar spot at Target and I’ll be filling them with small gifts/treats for everyone at the table. (p.s. I added the rhinestone M sticker to personalize it)

So the console table on the back wall wouldn’t feel left out, I created a beautiful flower arrangement using a mix of fresh and faux flowers and greenery. More on how I made the arrangement later in the week.

Another special touch at the table are the chair cones I tied to the back of each chair. I’ve had these metal cones for years and this year I filled them with a cedar spray, a piece of garland and mini ornaments.

Entertaining at our house also involves a cocktail bar so I added a few holiday touches to our gold bar cart.

The Merry & Bright wall plaque is from Kirklands. I saw it online and had to pull some strings to get my hands on one. I added the cedar sprays, bow and ornament clusters to make it just a bit more Merry & Bright.

And because no holiday is complete without hot chocolate, I snapped this last night as I was addressing my DIY Christmas cards.

Here’s another glimpse of my tree. I made a few changes to it since last week and replaced the chalkboard I had over the table with this mirror I had stashed in the garage. I just love this entire vignette.

And you see that cart next to the table with wrapping paper in it? I’ll be sharing that little project on Saturday. So fun and easy!

I hope you’re enjoying the Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour. The fun doesn’t stop here…the next stop is OMG Lifestyle Blog. You’re going to love what Elaine has to share this week and if you missed her decor from last week, you can check it out here.

And you definitely want to check out all the other bloggers on the tour…

Confetti Style (yours truly)

OMG Lifestyle

Design Asylum Blog

Refresh Restyle

Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

I’ll be back next Wednesday, with part 3 and the tour finale. We’ve got more holiday decor to share and I’ll be doing a wrap up of my Merry & Bright Holiday Home!

You can see part 1 of my tour here.

The Sounds of Christmas–My Favorite Holiday Tunes

December 6, 2015

I know many of you will be in the thick of holiday decorating this weekend. While you at, why not play some holiday music. Here’s my 2015 Holiday Playlist along with one of my favorite holiday videos in case you’re looking for some music inspiration! Enjoy!

all songs available on i-tunes

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Entertaining

November 30, 2015

There’s nothing like entertaining during the holidays. From sit down dinners to causal cocktail parties, creating a festive setting for a holiday soirée takes only takes a few special pieces. Here are my gift picks for entertaining-ware that will make you the star of the party!

SERVEWARE

No. 1 A fun twist of traditional Christmas plates– Dapper Animal Plates

No. 2 A beautiful tray with a festive message–Plated Brass Tray

No. 3 A fun accent on the dinner table–Reindeer Salt-n-Pepper Shaker

No. 4 Tilt Bowls are perfect for serving up any type of holiday finger food {available in red and clear}

No. 5 A sweet little tiered stand to sever up sweets–Gilded Petit Four Stand

No. 6 Dots & stripes to glam up the buffet–Metallic 3-piece Cheese Knife Set

♦♦♦

DRINKWARE

No. 1 Because cooper mugs are cool–Copper Mugs

No. 2 No matter how you say it, say Cheers to the season! Cheers Champagne Flutes

No. 3 A chic way to serve wine, water or just about anything–Bird’s Beak Glass Carafe

No. 4 Personalize a party with these Acrylic Stemware Glasses {set of 4}

No. 5 Hot toddies call for classic Santa Mugs

No. 6 Why not serve custom martinis in festive martini glasses–Set of 2 Stag Martini Glasses

FUNWARE

No. 1 Indulge their sweet tooth with a fun Deer Candy Jar

No. 2 Gift your favorite cookies in this classic Winter Cottage Cookie Jar

No. 3 Whoever gets theses Santa Hat Lidded Bowls will be Ho, Ho, Happy!

No. 4 A personalized platter makes a great gift–Melamine Holiday Tray

Inspiration: Christmas Entertaining With A Color Twist!

November 18, 2015

If you can’t tell from recent post here on the blog, I’m really getting in the Christmas spirit. Today I’m bringing you an inspiration board I created for a colorful holiday party.

The concept for this party was a casual, chic party table with a twist on traditional Christmas colors.

Here’s a look at each item and tips for creating your own festive holiday table!

Whenever I can’t find cloth table linens to fit a theme, I turn to wrapping paper. With just about any design and color option available, wrapping paper is a cost-effective and simple way to dress your table. TABLE RUNNER: Snowy Tree Wrapping Paper

Most table settings I create incorporate a charger plate. Chargers help to add impact to a table and are also part of the layering that every table setting needs. I recommend you buy a set of gold, silver and red chargers so you have colors that will work with every table setting your can imagine. CHARGER PLATES: Gold Charger with Fluted Edge (my favorite gold charger design)*

One of the basic tabletop items I think everyone should own is a set of classic white dinnerware. White plates will give you tons of flexibility to mix and match patterned salad/dessert plates and bowls. DINNER PLATES: Round White Dinnerware *(you can’t beat the price of these plates)

Novelty salad plates are an easy way to bring pattern to the table for the holidays or for any season. I love to pair square salad plates with round dinner plates for visual interest. SALAD/DESSERT PLATES: Green and White Chalkboard Christmas Plates

Entertaining is so much easier when you have the right serving pieces. A tiered stand can be used in lots of different ways and works just as well on a table as it does on a buffet. SERVING STAND: Gold Two Tier Stand

Holiday entertaining by candlelight is a must in my book and these Christmas tree shaped candles are the perfect accent to compliment the paper runner design. CENTERPIECE DECOR: Pearlized Christmas Tree Candle **(these would make a fun hostess gift too)*

Gold flatware is just one of the elements that helps to add a touch of glam to this tablescape and it ties in with the other gold accent pieces which helps to create the theme. FLATWARE: Gold Flatware (I also love the design of this silver flatware set)*

I like the idea of placing wine in an ice bucket versus placing the bottle on the table. When not used to hold wine, the bucket could hold flowers or even be used as a serving bowl of a salad or bread. ICE BUCKET: Hexagon Ice Bucket

Colorful glasses are a great investment and will add that bold pop of color that every table needs. These glasses accent the green in the runner and salad plates so that the table has three different pops of the key accent color. STEMWARE: Green Wine Glasses (HomeGoods always has a great selection of colorful glassware)*

Pattern mixing is key to bringing your holiday table to life. The gingham plaid dinner napkins provide a great contrast to the oversized pattern of the paper design and further highlight the navy color. LINENS: Blue Check Dinner Napkins (these would be easy to DIY if you can’t find your color)*

When it comes to a centerpiece, I use items that will add height, style and a unique touch to the table. These gold reindeer do all of that along with adding that glamorous touch the decor called for. DECOR: Gold Reindeer Decor (the fur collar is removable so you could change the look from year to year)*

So when it comes to setting your holiday table, do you have any tricks or tips you use? Leave me a comment and let me know.

I’ll be sharing my own holiday table soon. Stay tuned.

Three Entertaining Ideas spotted at the Country Living Fair

October 27, 2015

Last weekend the hubs and I stopped by the Country Living Fair for a quick trip around the park. I didn’t have anything specific on my shopping list and love to go to the fair because it always so inspiring.

While I didn’t spend much money (a whopping $3.00) and didn’t take many photos, I did come across three entertaining ideas I really loved.

♥♥♥

I’ve always loved setting a table to unique paper products but never thought of using vintage player piano rolls as placemats. The rolls are functional and add so much character and charm to the table. I was so smitten with this idea that when I got home I went on a search of player piano rolls and found tons of really affordable options on Etsy.

The next idea I spotted takes the music theme to a new level. Pages from a music book were set up as a collage and used in place of a placemat and runner on the table. I love the eclectic feel of the this table and think it would be really fun for a causal jazz themed dinner party or entertaining around Christmas. I’ve scored some great sheet music books from Goodwill over the years so keep your eyes open when shopping.

The third entertaining idea I saw so such a simple touch but really added a lot to the table–fabric silverware pockets. I spotted these at the Cutlery Couture booth, which was packed with shoppers. The ladies behind this company use simple fabrics and everyday embellishments to create these fun pouches.

As usual, there are always a few items I pass up at the fair that days later I wish I would have gotten but I did pick up business cards from those vendors so I can order online.

If you’re wondering what I bought, it was these three brass stencil letters for a holiday project I’m working on.

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Silk Flower Arrangement // Gold Charger Plate // Brass Taper Candle Holders // Glass Votive Holders—1/2/3

Luminous Coupe Dinnerware // Gold Flatware // Pink Linen Napkins

Metal and Glass Terrarium //Pink Wine Glasses

Three Styling Tips for an Elegant Table:

via Hunted Interior

Blackberry Thyme Cocktail

via StyleMePretty

Champagne Margaritas

via The Kitchen Is My Playground

Ingredients: For 2 Margaritas: 4 T. Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice 2 oz. white tequila 2 oz. Triple Sec 1 T. fresh squeezed lime juice 6 oz. brut champagne/sparkling wine For Sugared Rims & Garnish: About 1 T. turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw) About 1 T. granulated sugar Lime wedges Directions

Raspberry Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

via Heather Christo

Honey-Almond Champagne Cocktail

via Freut Cake

Almond Champagne, chilled Honey 1-cup Blue Diamond Oven Roasted Honey Almonds

Directions: 1. On a cutting board, chop almonds finely. 2. Rim champagne glasses dipping them in a plate of honey then in the chopped almonds. 3. Fill glasses with almond champagne and serve.

French 75

via Super Golden Bakes

Ingredients:

1 lemon 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) gin 1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup or sugar 1 cup ice cubes 1/4 cup (2 ounces) dry Champagne, chilled

In cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into chilled Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine.

Cheers to 2016!

Easy Holiday Appetizers

Smoked Mozzarella via Love Grows Wild

Ham & Cheese Sliders via The Girl Who Ate Everything

Loaded Hasselback Potato Bites via The Comfort of Cooking

Cranberry Brie Prosciutto via The Brunette Baker

Pineapple Meatball Poppers via Cooking and Beer

all songs available on i-tunes

SERVEWARE

No. 1 A fun twist of traditional Christmas plates– Dapper Animal Plates

No. 2 A beautiful tray with a festive message–Plated Brass Tray

No. 3 A fun accent on the dinner table–Reindeer Salt-n-Pepper Shaker

No. 4 Tilt Bowls are perfect for serving up any type of holiday finger food {available in red and clear}

No. 5 A sweet little tiered stand to sever up sweets–Gilded Petit Four Stand

No. 6 Dots & stripes to glam up the buffet–Metallic 3-piece Cheese Knife Set

DRINKWARE

No. 1 Because cooper mugs are cool–Copper Mugs

No. 2 No matter how you say it, say Cheers to the season! Cheers Champagne Flutes

No. 3 A chic way to serve wine, water or just about anything–Bird’s Beak Glass Carafe

No. 4 Personalize a party with these Acrylic Stemware Glasses {set of 4}

No. 5 Hot toddies call for classic Santa Mugs

No. 6 Why not serve custom martinis in festive martini glasses–Set of 2 Stag Martini Glasses

FUNWARE

No. 1 Indulge their sweet tooth with a fun Deer Candy Jar

No. 2 Gift your favorite cookies in this classic Winter Cottage Cookie Jar

No. 3 Whoever gets theses Santa Hat Lidded Bowls will be Ho, Ho, Happy!

No. 4 A personalized platter makes a great gift–Melamine Holiday Tray

Whenever I can’t find cloth table linens to fit a theme, I turn to wrapping paper. With just about any design and color option available, wrapping paper is a cost-effective and simple way to dress your table. TABLE RUNNER: Snowy Tree Wrapping Paper

One of the basic tabletop items I think everyone should own is a set of classic white dinnerware. White plates will give you tons of flexibility to mix and match patterned salad/dessert plates and bowls. DINNER PLATES: Round White Dinnerware *(you can’t beat the price of these plates)

Novelty salad plates are an easy way to bring pattern to the table for the holidays or for any season. I love to pair square salad plates with round dinner plates for visual interest. SALAD/DESSERT PLATES: Green and White Chalkboard Christmas Plates

Entertaining is so much easier when you have the right serving pieces. A tiered stand can be used in lots of different ways and works just as well on a table as it does on a buffet. SERVING STAND: Gold Two Tier Stand

Holiday entertaining by candlelight is a must in my book and these Christmas tree shaped candles are the perfect accent to compliment the paper runner design. CENTERPIECE DECOR: Pearlized Christmas Tree Candle *(these would make a fun hostess gift too)

Gold flatware is just one of the elements that helps to add a touch of glam to this tablescape and it ties in with the other gold accent pieces which helps to create the theme. FLATWARE: Gold Flatware *(I also love the design of this silver flatware set)

I like the idea of placing wine in an ice bucket versus placing the bottle on the table. When not used to hold wine, the bucket could hold flowers or even be used as a serving bowl of a salad or bread. ICE BUCKET: Hexagon Ice Bucket

Pattern mixing is key to bringing your holiday table to life. The gingham plaid dinner napkins provide a great contrast to the oversized pattern of the paper design and further highlight the navy color. LINENS: Blue Check Dinner Napkins *(these would be easy to DIY if you can’t find your color)

Ingredients:
For 2 Margaritas:
4 T. Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice
2 oz. white tequila
2 oz. Triple Sec
1 T. fresh squeezed lime juice
6 oz. brut champagne/sparkling wine
For Sugared Rims & Garnish:
About 1 T. turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
About 1 T. granulated sugar
Lime wedges
Directions

Almond Champagne, chilled
Honey
1-cup Blue Diamond Oven Roasted Honey Almonds

Directions:
1. On a cutting board, chop almonds finely.
2. Rim champagne glasses dipping them in a plate of honey then in the chopped almonds.
3. Fill glasses with almond champagne and serve.

1 lemon
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) gin
1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup or sugar
1 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup (2 ounces) dry Champagne, chilled

Holiday entertaining by candlelight is a must in my book and these Christmas tree shaped candles are the perfect accent to compliment the paper runner design. CENTERPIECE DECOR: Pearlized Christmas Tree Candle **(these would make a fun hostess gift too)*

Gold flatware is just one of the elements that helps to add a touch of glam to this tablescape and it ties in with the other gold accent pieces which helps to create the theme. FLATWARE: Gold Flatware (I also love the design of this silver flatware set)*

Pattern mixing is key to bringing your holiday table to life. The gingham plaid dinner napkins provide a great contrast to the oversized pattern of the paper design and further highlight the navy color. LINENS: Blue Check Dinner Napkins (these would be easy to DIY if you can’t find your color)*