Author Archives: Julie
Christmas Tablescape 2023 {It’s All Set}
Changing things up seems to be the name of my game this holiday season. Therefore, it has taken me longer than ever to get my decorating done. Of course, it’s all fun for me so I haven’t minded, other than the fact that I’m a little behind schedule on other holiday must-do’s!
At any rate, I’m sticking with my theme of change (not to mention my other theme this year of simplicity) with my holiday table and I am loving the new look!
Today’s Christmas tablescape is part of the monthly tablescape series, It’s All Set.
You can see the beautiful tables my friends are sharing at the end of this post.
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Christmas Cards Made Easy
A long time ago before I was married and had children, sending Christmas cards to friends and family was no big deal. The entire process took about 20 minutes.
Seventeen years and two children later, I find that the whole Christmas card routine is a much bigger ordeal. And, yes, I do mean “ordeal.”
Up until a few years ago, I wrote a letter to friends updating them on all of our family happenings. I took pictures of the kids, had photo cards made then tracked down current addresses while my husband fiddled on the computer to create a mail merge from his spreadsheet to mailing labels. It always took a few tries to get the labels to line up just right so that was a job in and of itself. When everything was good to go, we stuffed and sealed what seemed like a million envelopes and then put a stamp on them before they finally landed in the mail box. See what I mean? Ordeal.
Then last year, I teamed up with Minted.com for my Christmas cards and let me tell you, they changed my life!
Well, not really but they simplified the process and that was a big deal! (more…)
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Thanksgiving by Candlelight
If you have been following my blog for awhile, you know that I enjoy creating tablescapes — especially for the holidays.
I have to confess that I haven’t gone the simple route every Thanksgiving, but with each passing year, simplicity seems to be my mantra — go simple or go home!
This year, my “Thanksgiving by Candlelight” table reflects my desire for keeping things easy, yet pleasing to the eye. And, of course, it’s in keeping with my casually elegant style.
I just love the warm and cozy glow of candles burning in the center of the table as dinner time arrives and the sun sinks deeper under the horizon.
Normally, I love the layer plates upon plates, but this time I kept the layering to a minimum, using only a beaded gold charger and my beloved Spode Delamere dinner plates.
I topped it off with a small picture frame used as a place card for each seat and called it done.
I love this idea because you can also give the frame as a little gift to your guests as they leave! How fun is that?!
Although this table is simple, it subtly marries texture and color and gives a feeling of the fall harvest and the warmth of the season.
I always, always try to incorporate candles in to my tables, but have never photographed them lit before.
I guess I was afraid the warm glow wouldn’t come through. But today’s rainy weather provided the perfect opportunity to show you what my table actually looks like when I’m ready for my guests to arrive and dinner is about to be served.
There’s something about candle light that makes you want to linger at the table for conversation and camaraderie, doesn’t it?
You might notice that I didn’t place any napkins at this table. That’s because this year — in keeping with my simpicity mantra — I’m using paper napkins. And, no, I haven’t even bought them yet. When I do, I will place them under the picture frames, or maybe just keep them in the kitchen in the buffet line.
Today’s Thanksgiving table is part of the monthly tablescape series, “It’s All Set.”
I hope you’ll visit the links below to see more beautiful ideas from my friends!
StoneGable
Designthusiasm
The Enchanted Home
Shabbyfufu
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Simplifying Thanksgiving and a Giveaway! {Thankful to bHome}
Now that Halloween has come and gone, it’s time to get serious about the upcoming holidays.
One of my favorite things about this time of year is getting together with my blogging friends to bring you inspiring ideas for holiday entertaining, decorating and more.
This week, I’m joining a very talented group of bloggers from bHome to bring you ideas, inspiration and thoughts about being thankful during the Thanksgiving season.
A complete list of the participating bloggers and links to their sites is at the end of this post. (more…)
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