A Warm Perfect Setting

If you look at my sidebar, you will notice a brand new blog button!  I must confess that I am not technically savvy enough to create this myself, so I commissioned my friend, Vicki, from Curly Willow DIY to create one for me!  I am very pleased and excited, as I think she did a great job on this as well as my header.  Please visit her wonderful blog and, if you need help as I did, she will be happy to talk to you about it!  Thanks again, Vicki!!

As another birthday approaches, (man, they come so quick these days), my husband suggested we have a get-together to celebrate.  Normally my birthday occurs during spring break, and we are usually away, but this year Easter and spring break are late, and, since I've never had an adult birthday party, I agreed--on two conditions:  one, that no one bring a gift; two, that we DO NOT talk about my age.  My mother and grandmother used to say, when asked how old they were--"I will excuse you for asking, if you will excuse me for not answering".  I love this, and have used it on many occasions, with a twinkle in my eye, of course.  So, I left the party preparations up to him.  WHAT was I thinking????  My hubby is good at a lot of things, party planning not being one.  Our social life has been my baby, and I have had a hard time being patient and not bugging him about this or that.  So, we are meeting here briefly and then going out to dinner.  If you are reading this and didn't hear from him, don't despair.  This is not a big party, just a small get-together for dinner.  I will plan a bigger occasion when the weather gets warmer.  Expect to hear from me then!!

So this week I prepared a table as IF I were having a dinner party for my birthday lol!  Since it's been rather cool here, I dressed the table in warm colors that coordinated with my dining room colors.  Come on in, and we'll look around!

I used a Ralph Lauren damask tablecloth in a deep burgundy color.

I used these candlecups, which can be used on candlesticks of any style, from a small wooden candleholder to a five-arm silver candelabra.  They are great for short-stemmed flowers that you may not be able to use in a vase, and also for flowers with lots of blooms on one stem, keeping costs low.  I loaded the cup with oasis, cutting it out in the middle for the candle.  Flowers should be kept fairly low, to avoid coming in contact with the flame (I didn't really heed my own advice, in this case).

Ready for the flowers!  Since Spring is taking its good, sweet time getting here, I purchased some grocery store flowers, and used a few things from outside to fill in.

A silver champagne bucket holds the centerpiece.  It was not quite tall enough, so I used a silver bowl turned upside down for height, which did the trick.

I used magnolia leaves in the arrangement as well as around the base.

I found this china Greatly reduced the last day of an estate sale.  I thought it went well with the colors of my dining room, so I brought it home.  It is Ancestral by Minton.  I found these silver-plate trays--8 of them-- at a thrift store for $3 a piece, and they are perfect for chargers. 

I purchased these vintage linen napkins at the same estate sale.  I'm using my sterling, which is Modern Victorian by Lunt.  The little turquoise blue plates were purchased at Dillard's last summer, and I think they work well bringing out the accent color of the china.

Crystal sherbets and wines are Navarre by Fostoria.  I am always on the lookout for more pieces of this lovely etched crystal pattern.

Water glasses are Crystolite by Heisey, and I inherited them from my Mom. 

Thanks for stopping by!!  I always enjoy your visits!  Next week, I'm going for something fun and less formal!  As for now, I'm striving for A Perfect Setting!!