A Perfect Setting for Brunch

Did you notice my new blog header?  I'd like to give a big shout of thanks to The Tablescaper and Vicki at Curly Willow for making it happen!  Vicki designed this lovely header and I won it through The Tablescaper.  Please visit their beautiful blogs and let them know what you think!!

When I was married in the 80's, I received a place settings for four of Johann Haviland's Blue Garland, plus many accessory pieces.  Later I found out this was "grocery store" china, so I packed it away, even though I thought the design was very pretty and delicate.  Last year, as I was beginning to blog, I was roaming around in a thrift store and came across a set of the Blue Garland.  There were 60 some pieces, and it was priced at $32.  I couldn't pass it up.  Recently I found another set at an antique mall and bought more, so now I have a collection, with placesettings for 18.  Now I know this is plentiful, I have seen it on numerous occasions while visiting Susan's "Tabletop Thursday", but I think it's a pretty pattern, better quality than you will find in most stores these days, and if I have a big dinner party, I can really dress it up or down.

I finally had a real occasion to set a pretty table--my mil was in town with her husband and sister, so I invited them to brunch.  It was also my son's 18th birthday, but in his usual style, he did not want a big fuss.  I decided to use my Blue Garland.  I even had my buffet ready in advance and I was all prepared to spend the extra few minutes snapping photos.  Of course, that was when my camera decided the batteries needed to be changed.  Not a big deal, except I knew my guests were coming any second.  I was able to get two food shots before it died.  Oh well!!  I re-created the table later after the dishes were washed, added candles, and added clean napkins. 

I added the candles and took a few shots later in the day.

I used a blue tablecloth, with battenburg placemats and runner.

Since this was a brunch, I did not use chargers.

A close-up shot of the Blue Garland china.

I used Mikasa's Park Lane crystal for the water and mimosas.

I used white tulips as the centerpiece, on a platter, and added pearls.

Silverplate is Repousse.

Sugar & creamer.

One of the two food shots I got before the camera died--this is 'Breakfast Before' casserole.  Yummy, but not exactly lowfat...

Monkey bread, delish!  Other menu items included vanilla yogurt with berries and granola, fresh fruit, bacon, mimosas and coffee! 

Funny thing, after my hubby's family arrived, his aunt was complimenting the table, and I told her a bit about the china.  She has been in the grocery store industry for years and has this china!  She said it was boxed up, she had given it to her daughter, who passed away recently, and as soon as she got it back, she wanted me to have it!  How nice!  I need to get busy building shelves for my china closet lol!  Have a great week-end, and thanks for visiting with me as I strive for A Perfect Setting!!

A Perfect Setting's Wearing of the Green

Did you notice my new blog header?  I'd like to give a big shout of thanks to The Tablescaper and Vicki at Curly Willow for making it happen!  Vicki designed this lovely header and I won it through The Tablescaper.  Please visit their beautiful blogs and let them know what you think!!

With St. Patrick's Day fast approaching, I have been thinking of tablesettings.  To be perfectly honest, I am not the least bit Irish, but I am all about a great celebration, for whatever reason I can come up with.  That being said, I do not have anything at all relating to St. Patrick's Day.  When I was a child, I did not even have any green clothing, and I would have great anxieties of being pinched for not wearing green.  So my mother would dig through her costume jewelry, and come up with something green that I could wear so I wouldn't be pinched. 

We do have a huge celebration in our neighborhood, as one of my neighbors is Irish.  He will rent a huge tent, hire a band, and the street will be partitioned off.  Hopefully I can dig through my jewelry box and find something that will show my support!

So today, my table is green, sort of, so I won't be "pinched". 

Come on in, and we'll take a closer look.

I found this great ivory lace drapery panel at an outlet store, greatly reduced, and layered it over a white tablecloth.

I tried several different chargers, and decided on these mirrored ones recently purchased at Tuesday Morning.

China is Greenwich by Minton.

Napkins are ivory and are held with a crystal ring.  The design reminded me a little of a clover? maybe? The little butter patty dishes were my Mom's.

I wish I knew the pattern for these wine stems.  I inherited these as well from my Mom's collection. I love the etched design.  The iced beverages were acquired recently from Craigslist!

I remember these candelabras were always on my Mother's sideboard when I was growing up.  They were my maternal grandmother's.

After reading Bill's last post at Affordable Accoutrements on silver overlay, I looked through my china cabinet and found this sugar and creamer.  It looks similar to what he was referring to, but there were no markings, so I'm not sure it's actually silver or an imitation.  I think they are pretty cool regardless...

I added this little vintage clover dish just for fun!

Originally I had planned to use just yellow, white, and green in my centerpiece.  But I saw this bouquet in the store for $9.99, added greenery from my yard and assembled this with a hurricane globe and candle in a silver tray.  The claret-colored alstroemeria blended in with the colors in my dining room.

I recently found this great Maitland-Smith metal urn at an antique mall and just couldn't pass it up!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me today!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

A Perfect Setting for 2 Dishes 4 Ways!

Recently I was reading an article in a fashion magazine which explained how to take 4 key pieces of your wardrobe and turn them into a number of outfits--just with a change of accessories.  So, wouldn't it be fun to do that with dishes?  Now, everyone knows that white dishes are so beautiful as well as functional, they can be dressed up or down, and food looks great in them.  So, I took two white plates--a salad plate and a dinner plate--and came up with four different looks.  The idea was that anyone who has two white plates can come up with great tables at a low cost!  So let's get to it!!

To start the party rolling, let's begin with an Easter setting!

Since the weather was mild, I brought my little white bistro table and chairs to the deck to set my tables.  This Easter setting is just an Easter tree, with Easter basket filler, an Easter placemat and matching napkin, and a bunny napkin ring!

I added a tiny bunny statue that, I believe, came from the Dollar store.

A turquoise colored stem was added, and the Easter setting is complete!

Close up of napkin ring...

On to the next setting, a beach scene!

Using the same white plates and flatware, I started with a white shell placemat.  I added a hurricane globe complete with sand and shells, a sea gull statue, and a lantern.  I used a blue and white striped napkin and placed shells here and there.  Voila, beachy table.

The iced beverage glass is very plain.

On to the next table, that I'm calling the sunshine table.

Same white dishes again, and a yellow flower-shaped placemat.  I added a hurricane filled with oranges and sunflowers, a sunflower pillar candle on a small brass holder, and a small vase of white flowers.  The yellow napkin is being held with a sun napkin ring.  The iced tea glass has "sun" faces!

On to the next and last table, I'm calling it the "dressy" table.  Unfortunately, my pictures didn't turn out so great.  But here goes!!

Again, white plates with a white battenburg runner.  I also used a crystal sherbet, a crystal iced beverage with a silver rim, and a cut crystal wine glass.

I used a three-prong silver candlelabra, an ice bucket with silver tongs, and a milk glass vase with the same flowers.  The napkin ring is crystal and holds a white damask napkin.  I used placemats on the chair bottoms.

Two dishes, four ways!  White plates are Marquis by Gibson.  Thanks for stopping by, please ignore the mess in the yard.  The weather isn't quite ready for a spring cleanup, but hopefully it won't be long!