Touring on Blogland

Last week Patti introduced me on her feature of Touring on Blogland at her wonderful blog PandorasBox.  Her blog features great ideas, photography and lots of food ~yum!  Be sure to read all her posts on her stunning MacKenzie Childs collection.  Thanks for inviting me to share a little about myself.  Here's my answers for the questions. 

What am I working on right now? Right now I'm planning for fall decorating, entertaining and of course tables!  I have an idea for using my new milk glass collection in my design in the dining room this fall.  Also, I have an idea for some cute painted flatware for Halloween.  Finally, my daughter is getting married in fall, 2015 so we are just beginning planning for her big day.

How does my work differ from others in this genre?  I think my work differs because I like to use a combination of vintage and new items to set tables and entertain.  I think entertaining should feature both pieces you have inherited by family or find and easy to clean up pieces such as dishwasher safe and paper items.  I am not a total DIY girl, I like to mix in a few pieces I've crafted along with items we can buy at the store and then vintage pieces.  Finally, I think my work is in a price point that most people can afford, which makes it more accessible to everyone wanting to just add a new piece or two each season.

Why do I write / create what I do?  I began blogging in 2009 as a way to creatively share my ideas for parties, decor and entertaining.  My daytime job is in the accounting profession and therefore entertaining and decorating allow me to express myself in a creative way totally different than my career.

How does your writing process actually work?  I would like to say all my posts are planned out weeks ahead of time and scheduled accordingly, but in actuality my posts generally are written organically from ideas thru reading on the porch, points of inspiration in my travels, based on the seasons or in great pieces I buy at antique stores and estate sales on the weekends.

Patti also featured Poppi at With a Dash of Color.  Please be sure to visit her blog this week too!

Whooo's ready for fall?

Are you a summer lover and wish it would last forever~

or a you ready for fall and cooler weather?

I'm definitely ready for fall

mostly because I do not take the heat very well

and have to hide indoors, but also

because I love the colors and textures of fall.

 Today I took a little me time to sit down

with my cutie pie owl tea for one pot

and a place set for a bite of dessert to enjoy,

 while reading a few fall inspiration books

and magazines.

 I love Carolyn Roehm's ideas and style.

Her Fall Notebook is a great planner and inspiration tool.

The napkin and plate were both found at 

Cwonder online.

The napkins are no longer available, but the plates 

are on sale!

The flameless candle is a QVC find

online here.

If you have not read Ms. Roehm's blog and books

you should check them out as they are a great source

of inspiration!

Hope you are enjoying the season -or anticipating the next one

Thanks for stopping by~make it a Beeutiful Day!

I'm Joining:

Tablescape Thursday at:

http://betweennapsontheporch.net

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Simple & Sweet Fridays
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Mosaic Monday
Tea Cup Tuesday with Terri
A Return to Loveliness
Cottage Style Party
Ivy and Elephants

Floral Journey

As I mentioned in last week's post

Freshen Your China

the icing on the cake of my table last week

was the centerpiece arranged

by Oberer's Florist.

 Earlier this summer I purchased a copy of 

Flowers with Southern Lady

and in addition read one of my favorite

weekly blog authors, Ms. Hoffman DePiano's

The Ribbon in My Journal blog post

on an arrangement she had prepared.

 I have always wanted to do my own flower arranging.

Feeling inspired as I often do after 

reading many of my favorite blog authors,

I was determined to create the centerpiece for this table.

I had the depression glass compote selected,

purchased roses and floral foam

and embarked on my creation last Sunday.

Typically my centerpiece style is dump and fluff

or select a non floral item such as a decorative piece.

I even posted some ideas for this style

in my post Dump and Fluff in 2010.

 Pick and vase and buy some flowers or

 select items like pumpkins

 and roosters

 sunflowers or roses to hilite the theme of the table.

Even though I was armed with inspiration, flowers and tools

it became a big hot mess!

I can only share my creation with you, my friends,

as I know we support one another in a non-threatening creative

environment ;)

Needless to say I have learned to leave the arrangements

to the professionals until I can spend some time

in floral classes (which Oberer's offers)

after I complete my CPA certification exams.

This should make my local florist happy

and shield you (and myself) from future 

hideous attempts similar to the arrangement above!

What new hobbies or interest are 

you trying out this fall?

I'm Joining:

Met Monday at:

http://betweennapsontheporch.net

The Scoop at:

http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/

Inspire me Tuesday at:

http://www.astrollthrulife.net

Wow Us Wednesday

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Simple & Sweet Fridays
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Freshen Your China

 Do you have an inherited or 

estate sale find set of china hiding in your cabinets

you are not sure how to use because the colors seem drab?

This week I setup a "dress rehearsal" for an 

upcoming luncheon I'm planning early fall.

I pulled out this set of china purchased last winter

in basement back shelf of an antique shop.

I wanted to freshen it up a bit so I added a few table items

that you might try too with your set.

First a picked bright colors -

pink and yellow here -to perk up the colors in the china.

Then I mixed in some vintage glassware in sunny yellow

The two drinking glasses and these baby juice glasses

with a yellow daisy pattern I used for votive holders.

I used new covered butter pat dishes

on top of the saucers that came with the set

since they had no tea cups.

I also used these brown rod iron

bee napkin rings.  You know I love bees!

 Finally I perked it all up with these matching

placemats and napkins I bought on clearance
at One Kings Lane.

 I love how all the colors pull together!

 The icing on the cake was the floral centerpiece

I asked my local florist Oberers to put together

working off the placemat and china colors.

 I took in this yellow depression glass compote

and they were able to make my arrangement

in one half hour!

 Here's the back of the china in case you are curious.

Next post I will share more about my 

attempt to floral arrange like a professional.

I setup another fall lunch table last year

with my Grandmother's china here.

Thank you stopping by 

and I hope you make it a beeutiful day!

I'm Joining:

Wow Us Wednesday

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at:

http://betweennapsontheporch.net

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Simple & Sweet Fridays
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Milkglass Collection

Today I thought I would share part 

of my milk glass collection

I started this year.

 I was lucky to come across most

of the pieces in the china cabinet on one shopping trip

 I just love their different shapes

and the texture of the hobnail.

 I can't wait to use some of these

pieces this fall. 

 I also was able to purchase

two more lots at an estate sale this summer

 Those are still boxed up ~

 because frankly I don't think all of it will fit

in the dining room without look like I have a problem!

I think the oranges of fall will look great

mixed in -stay tuned!

Thanks for visiting today.

I'm Joining:

Met Monday at:

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

The Scoop at:

http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/

Inspire me Tuesday at:

http://www.astrollthrulife.net

Wow Us Wednesday

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Simple & Sweet Fridays
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Tory Burch Home

 I love Tory Burch traditional and classic sense of style

in her line of clothing, shoes and handbags,

so I was happy to read about

her new Home Collection.

 Blue and White spongeware pieces

mixed with linens in blue and white 

makes a classic table setting.

 Set of Four Salad Plates are $100

 Set of 2 Dinner Plates are $78.00

For those that find that price point

too high for their taste

One Kings Lane is featuring

 Q Squared Melamine plates

Appetizer Set of 6 $27.00

Dinner Set of 6 $54.00

Thanks for stopping by today!

Photos courtesy of Toryburch.com and One Kings Lane

I'm Joining:

The Scoop at:

http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/

Inspire me Tuesday at:

http://www.astrollthrulife.net

Wow Us Wednesday

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at:

http://betweennapsontheporch.net

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Simple & Sweet Fridays
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fiesta Ware Outlet Shopping

You may have noticed in a few of my recent tables

I used these turquoise Fiesta dinner plates

from the Homer Laughlin China Company.

 So today I thought I would share where I purchased

four place settings of these this Spring.

You can buy Fiesta ware a lot of places,

even Kohls carries it now I think, however,

the Homer Laughlin China Company

official Fiesta Factory is in Newell, WV.

 It's a long drive from Louisville to Washington DC

about nine hours if we are blessed with light (ha!) traffic

as we approach the city.

My husband and I take this trip about once a month

as we have an office in Louisville and an office in DC.

Imagine my delight when I discovered about 1/2 way

thru the trip (at exit 67) is Newell, WV!

 We stopped by the outlet one trip home this Spring.

Located in a modest strip mall is a Fiesta Heaven!

 They sell first quality china in every color in the rainbow.

 But the real finds are in the back room 

where seconds and offs are marked down.

 Yummy piles of colorful dishes everywhere!

I love to support American made products.

Homer Laughlin was founded in 1871,

you can read more about their history here on their website. 

 And the history of Fiesta ware here.

 I hope these pictures have brightened your day!

 Do you have a Fiesta ware collection?

I'm Joining:

Met Monday at:

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

The Scoop at:

http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/

Inspire me Tuesday at:

http://www.astrollthrulife.net

Wow Us Wednesday

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Let’s Dish

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at:

http://betweennapsontheporch.net

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Simple & Sweet Fridays
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/