Little Bit Country

Living in the country is appealing when you imagine the beautiful land, the abundant crops of vegetables and flowers, the docile animals, and the simple, peaceful setting that only a rural life can bring.  But wait, I've never lived in the country.  My green thumb has always been blue, and I break out in hives at the thought of living without neighbors.  Even though I was raised in a small town, it's always been in a neighborhood, and within minutes of a grocery store.  That being said, I still like the idea of it, and I admire all the great people who live and work in the great outdoors.  The closest my family came to country was listening to country music.

My father loved country music, and because he was not in tune with my generation, I was totally turned off by his choices. Now, I find myself listening to the updated tunes of country rock, and singing along with great gusto.  My favorite country singer is Carrie Underwood, and I have been singing the catchy tune called "Cowboy Casanova" in the shower quite often in the past week.  The great thing about country songs is that they all have some great moral or story to tell, and this one is all about being careful about smooth talking guys in clubs.  As I've often told my daughter, watch what they do, don't listen to what they say!

Anyway, red bandana plates were the inspiration this week. 

I decided to use a rustic picnic table, (sorta country?) and topped a white tablecloth with a red bandana.

I came across these boot beer mugs in Goodwill and thought they went well with the country/western theme.

The red bandana plates and matching glasses were purchased at Tuesday Morning many years ago.  I knew I had saved them for some reason!

After I remove the bandana napkin and bowl, you can get a better view of the bandana plate.

I love these white plates by Ralph Lauren, which I found on sale at TJ Maxx this past week.

The red and white bowls are from the Martha Stewart collection at Macy's.  I used solid red plates, and then white platters for chargers, which I also found on sale this past week at TJ Maxx. 

For the centerpiece, I used a leather-look vase, purchased at Greenfront Furniture, a fun boot--which I found at Home Goods, and a Fitz and Floyd western scene, complete with wagon wheel, hat, boots, lantern, and rope (also purchased at TJ Maxx).

Napkin rings and flatware came from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Last look~

For those who read last week's blog, just a quick update:  my son's team lost their first football game, but when all was said and done, he played hard and he played well.  My daughter's college football team beat VA Tech--which was a huge upset!  Go JMU!

Thanks for visiting, please leave a comment, as I strive for a Perfect Setting!!

It's A Jungle Out There

This past Tuesday was my son's last first day of school.  As he ran out the door, I managed to snap a quick picture, much to his dismay.  I'm not sure if all boys are like this as they are growing up, but he hasn't had much to say to his parents in the last few years.  He is very social with his friends, and he would much prefer to be with them rather than us, but I guess that's just his way of growing up and becoming independent.  His summers during high school have been cut short, due to football practice.  When I start to think that he is lazy, I think about football practice. Two-a-days in the extreme heat were the norm and the practices started at 7 a.m.  One week he had to be on the field at 6 a.m.  He gets himself up and he is out the door before we are even out of the bed.  Even though his team hasn't won many games, I believe he is learning valuable lessons on the football field.  I am scared to death that he may get hurt, but I am grateful for the lessons in discipline and respect, and the camaraderie he is experiencing with his teammates.  I know one day he will be proud to tell his children that he played high school varsity football as a starter, and he will carry those life-lessons with him into his adulthood.

This is the beginning of Friday night football, and all those animal instincts come to the surface on the playing field.  This week's table began with a peebly textured taupe tablecloth and a similar textured brown table runner, which I found at Ross.

It was such a beautiful day and the tent colors were perfect for this particular table design.

I used cream-colored plates that had a scalloped-black edge.  The next layer had a black edging and stripe, and the animal print plates were on top, and were purchased at Tuesday Morning.  I used black napkins.

I used amber-colored stems, which I purchased at Tuesday Morning and La Rochere glasses with a fleur-de-lis design.  The votive candleholders were also an animal print.

The flowers were Sam's club bouquets, with acuba added in for interest, in two crystal stemmed vases.

A giraffe towers over the setting, while a baby leopard looks on.  Elephant salt and pepper shakers by Fitz and Floyd, add to the animal menagerie.  Two textured decorative balls also adorn the mix.

A camel holds a leopard pillar candle.

That's an outdoor fan you see in the background.

And of course, what's a jungle without monkeys!  These two are holding hands while they support two black tapers.

A tea cart holds a pitcher, tray and glasses, and bowl.  Down below the theme is carried through with two wooden animal print bowls.

Thanks for visiting today!!  Please leave a comment as I strive for a Perfect Setting!

Sweet Virginia Bees

For the past several years, I have had the pleasure of meeting up for a fun week-end with my girlfriends from my hometown. Most of us have known each other since we were children. Even though we all have been apart for many years, it is such a comfort to know that when we do come together, it is as if we have never been apart. Girls from the South love a good party, and we are all about it. But most of all we love the fellowship we have with each other--the laughing, the crying, and did I mention the laughing? We share family stories, we talk about the good ole days, we eat, and we dance!! So here's to my sistas--may we continue our ya ya week-end for many years to come!

A relaxing dinner outside was on my mind after the excitement of my week-end. The buzzing bees reminded me of all our activities and conversations!

I began by using yellow flower placemats from Home Goods.  For my black and yellow theme, I added my basic black plates.  If you look closely, you can see a bee flying above the hive!

I added a lighter yellow salad plate, which I just bought on sale at Dilliards, and then the darker yellow flower bowls, which are the Martha Stewart brand from Macy's. 

I found the cute pitcher and bee hive at Goodwill, and filled the pitcher with daisies and some crape myrtle.  The cute bee napkin rings came from Sur Le Table and I used a combination of yellow and black napkins.

The saltcellars match the bowls.

The glasses are the bee old-fashioned La Rochere glasses (I think you can buy them from overstock.com) and the wine goblets were purchased at Tuesday morning many years ago.  Can you see the little spoons in the saltcellars?

Woops, accidently left a tissue on the table, not very good manners.

By candlelight... Looks like some activity in the bee hive!

Thanks for visiting today!  Please leave a comment, as I strive for a PERFECT SETTING!!

Time To Let Go?

Several of my friends are getting ready to take their son or daughter off to college for the first time.  Senior year is a time of so many "lasts".  The last game, the last recital, and last family spring break, the last week, the last dinner...  I experienced this with my own daughter, and I was a wreck--I was flooded with so many memories and emotions!  When I walked away from her in that dorm room, I just couldn't hold in the tears.  Good thing my husband was there to drive us home.  The year turned into a year of  "firsts"--sorority rush, the first college tailgate and football game, the first formal dance...  This summer she (finally) turned 21 and talked us into taking her and some of her friends to Las Vegas to celebrate.  How did we go from Chuckee Cheese to Vegas??  Before we left, we had our family celebration, and I decided on a black and white color scheme.  After bringing out the dishes, I thought the design needed a bit of color, and went with a lime green tablecloth.

I used black plates, and black and white floral salad plates, which I purchased from TJMaxx a few years ago.  The white napkins are trimmed in black ribbon, I adore the bow in the corner, and they also came from TJMaxx. 

The wine glasses are Mikasa Park Lane, and the glasses are rimmed in silver (I've had them for many years, and can't remember where I purchased them)  I used three black vases down the center of the table, calla lilies in the center with some ornamental grass from the backyard, and the other two vases with just greens.

 I used two black tapers in crystal candle holders on either side of the center vase, and two more that are shorter on the outside of the other vases.   The glass votive holders were purchased at Pier 1.  I used three black metal votive holders, and added crystal strands and table gems, to add sparkle.

We enjoyed our family dinner, and the kids had a ball in Vegas.  I've often thought of how wonderful it would be to go back to the sweet baby days, but I know I never would, because I would miss the beautiful young woman I see before me today!

My little friend watches all the preparations from his favorite spot.

The ladder adds a bit of class, don't ya think??

 Thanks for visiting today!  Please leave a comment, as I strive for a perfect setting!!