A Perfect Setting for Cupid

The news has been distressing of late.  The shooting in Tucson has again left us wondering what in the world is happening to our society.  The Tiger Mom made me wonder if maybe I wasn't strict enough with my own children, but then, after reflecting, realizing that my children are happy and well-adjusted, on their way to building a life for themselves.  January creeps on with more winter storms on the way, while I falter on my New Year's resolutions after only a few short weeks!!

So on a positive note, I'm sending a little love your way!  I'm reminded of a great song by Sam Cooke, later recorded by the Spinners, so hum along, as I 'sing' the lyrics for you!

Cupid, draw back your bow, and let your arrow go straight to my lover's heart for me--

Cupid, please hear my cry, and let your arrow fly straight to my lover's heart for me~

Now I don't mean to bother you but I'm in distress, there's danger of me losing all of my happiness, for I love a guy who doesn't know I exist, and this you can fix, so

Cupid with your arrow make a love storm for me, I promise I will love him until eternity, I know between the two of us his heart we can steal, help me if you will~

So, Cupid draw back your bow and let your arrow go, straight to my lover's heart for me!

A vintage Valentine for everyone!

Gotta have chocolate with all this romance!

Thanks to my cousin, Pat, for helping me with my Cupid table, and for letting me borrow some of her Valentine goodies! 

Table runner, white pillar candleholders, centerpiece tiered cake stand--T.J. Maxx

Red plates, red bowls, napkins--Home Goods

White accent plates--Gibson Marquis

White charger plates--Ross

Center Cupid--Michael's

Iced beverages-Tuesday Morning

Wine stems--local gift shop

Cupid short pillar candleholders-Thrift

All other Cupids-vintage

Love and Kisses!!

A Perfect Setting for Birds

Living in a house with two males who love sports is sometimes like living on a different planet.  They speak a different language and see things on tv that I just don't see.  I'm looking at the same tv that they are, yet I cannot see what they are getting all worked up about.  At one point this past week-end, the sports announcer came on and said that it wasn't a good week-end for birds.  I'm wondering which birds he's talking about, did something happen to the birds?  Well, I was informed that he was referring to several teams who had bird names--the Falcons, the Eagles, and the Ravens, I think--because they had lost their games this week.  Feeling sorry for all the birds gave me a little inspiration for tablescaping.  This is actually what started my blog--I needed something to do to occupy my time while the guys were watching sports.

So today's tablescaping is in honor of all those 'bird' teams! 

I've been looking at this table runner from Pottery Barn for a few weeks, so I broke down today and purchased it.  I also got the matching napkins.

Chargers are from Target, and I was surprised to see that they had very similar ones at Pottery Barn (a bit more expensive...)

These little white birds are from Home Goods, I think.  I've had them a while, so I'm not sure.

This little bird is peeking around the vase of Alstroemeria.

Wines are Park Lane by Mikasa, and iced beverages are Gorham.

Birds rest on top of a square white cake plate and are used as the centerpiece.

The bowls are designed with a little bird's nest and eggs on the side.

The plates also have a bird design and they were purchased at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.

Yellow accent plates were purchased at Dillard's last summer.

Sterling is Lunt.

I will say before I leave, that I do try to like sports.  And I really like watching and cheering when my son is playing. Unfortunately, this is the last season that I will get to see him play basketball.  But he will be on to bigger and better things, with a little luck and God's blessing.  Hopefully next year we will be watching college football somewhere with him, and they will continue to speak a language that I don't understand.  But I will clap at all the appropriate times and have fun tailgating!! 

Thanks for stopping by, as for now I'm striving for A Perfect Setting!!

A Perfect Setting's 'New' Bathroom Vanity

It has been a while since I've posted, sorry about that.  I'm not sure whether it's a lack of motivation, inspiration, or what.  I do know I've been trying to get my house back together and change a few things for a little boost to the spirit. 

A friend of ours has a company called New Projet which specializes in interior painted finishes.  He has painted our foyer--

He has also painted our family room, my husband's office, and my son's bedroom (I wouldn't dare post that picture). 

A lot of homes in our area have the standard bathroom vanities and rather than rip out and replace, which is time consuming, inconvenient, and costly, I decided to ask John of New Projet to paint the bathroom vanity.

Bathroom vanity before ...

Bathroom vanity after!  Big improvement.

Thanks for visiting A Perfect Setting, come back later this week for a little tablescaping!!  Visit New Projet's website:  newprojetinteriors.com  Oh yea, picture 15 features the columns he painted  in my home. 

Thanks to Susan for hosting Metamorphosis Monday!

A Perfect Setting's January Blues

January seems to be a month to snuggle in and wait for Spring.  The excitement of Christmas--with its bright lights and endless entertaining--is over.  Flu season is setting in, snow is in the forecast, and baby, it's cold outside.  The corner has turned, however, and the days are gradually getting longer.  Kids are going back to school and there's something comforting about getting back to a routine. 

Today my Snow Babies are playing in the snow!

A light snowfall has covered the middle of the table where the snow babies are playing.

The babies have built a giant snowman in the center of the table.  Crystal candle globes hold a taper and lots of snow.

Giant snowflakes (crocheted by my Mom) have fallen and landed in the Heisey sherbets.  Each one is different!

Blue snowflake plates are hand painted and were purchased at a local thrift, along with the Libbey snowflake glasses. 

This baby is carrying a tree...

This baby is juggling some stars...

And these babies are exchanging gifts, while one baby looks on...

The napkin rings, which are actually bauble ornaments twisted together, hold a white damask napkin.

Two martini glasses hold floating snowflake candles.

My babies have had fun today, hope you have as well!!  The January blues can be a good thing.  Take some time to play.  Thanks for stopping by, hope to see you soon!