Time for New Placemats

My fun find for the day comes from Pier One.  We just re-did our kitchen, (check back tomorrow for the first installment), so it was time for some new placemats.  I found these at Pier One, and they work perfectly with my existing chargers and dishes.  They were on sale for 20% off, so I got 5 for $20.  Love how different and bright they are.

Setting the Table for the Perfect Holiday Party

 My Christmas table is my favorite of the entire year.  I got the placemats, chargers, and goblets at TaiPan for about $2 a piece.  I used my own red and white plates. 

 The berries came from TaiPan for about $6 a tube.  (They are twice the price at Rod Works.)  I use three tubes for my table.  The silver branches came as a two-dimensional tree from TaiPan.  I hated how it looked, so I cut it apart and put it in a tall vase that I already had.  I love how it is now three-dimensional and adds a bit of whimsy to the table.

I got the green balls from Rod Works for about $3 each.  I love the color and texture.  You can't go wrong with layering lots of texture and patterns to your holiday table.



I made the wreaths for about $4.  I bought the wreaths and berries at Roberts.  Tying them to each chair just adds the extra touch I was looking for.  Again, you can buy premade wreaths at TaiPan for about $7, but with a little hot glue and time, you can make your own for less!  Stay tuned for Friday's post about hosting the perfect party this Christmas.  Don't forget to check Monday's post for the perfect game to play at your holiday parties!

Pinecone Place Card Holders

 I loved the idea of using pinecone as placecard holders for your Thanksgiving Table.  I used cinnamon scented ones, but you could easily send the kids outside to gather their own.

I used the same pressed paper as used on the journal for the placecards.

Doesn't it make it look complete and oh so charming?  Thanks to NBC's show "Parenthood" for the idea!

Napkin, Napkin, I Need a Napkin

Target has all of their napkins and napkin rings on sale this week.  I found this one yesterday and thought it was the perfect color scheme to add to my table.

Cloth napkins are a must for any fancier table setting.  I got the four-pack for $7.19.  I loved how the green added a new color to my table.

Setting the Perfect Thanksgiving Table

 I am so excited with how my Thanksgiving placesettings look.  TaiPan is where I found everything.  The placemats were my starting point and cost $3.97.  I loved the gold and the jute, so I looked for chargers and plates that would work.  The chargers were $2.97, the cream plate $5.97, and the gold/yellow bowl was $2.97.  I loved the detailing on both the plate and the bowl.  I added the sprig of acorns for $2.97 and the gourd came in a bundle of gourds for around $6.

 For the chairs, I bought these sprigs for $2.97.  They had some hideous leaves that I hated, so I simply took them out.  Don't be afraid to dismantle sprigs and other bunched items.  I have found I always like it better when I put my own personal touch on it.  The gold ribbon was $2.97 for an entire bolt of 15yds.  Tying wreaths, and sprigs onto your dining chairs makes a world of difference. 

 I bought these turkeys a few years ago and love them.  Although TaiPan is sold out of them, they have other turkeys that are still 50% off.  Also, Real Deals in Lehi by KFC and Broadbents on 100 East in Lehi still have a good selection of Thanksgiving decor on sale.  I simply added the corn this year.  If you don't have a lot of decor for a holiday, start with getting a few key pieces and then add each year.

Here's my finished table.  I love setting my table for the different holidays.  It puts a smile on my face to walk into my kitchen and feel like I'm looking at a magazine page. 

Pottery Barn on a Budget

Lisa and I have flipped through the pages of Pottery Barn magazine for years admiring the beautifully laid out pages and hoping one day our homes would look just like it.  With disposable money it probably would...but we feel why spend the big bucks when it can look just as nice for much less!   

This is a picture of a table setting I really liked in their catalog...

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn catalog

Leaf plate...$10, dipping bowls...$6, set of four white dinner plates...$48, twig charger...$16, place mats...$8, for a grand total of $88 (which you times by four at least to decorate your whole table!)

Here's my version of the fall dinner plate...

Leaf plate...$3 (Walmart), fall pick...$1 (Jo-Ann's), dinner plate (set of 18)...$15 (Ikea), white distressed charger...$3 (Tai Pan), place mat...$2 (Walmart), for a grand total of $24!

I must say IKEA is the place to go for so many different items, but this was a great find...$15!  And they  have this set in a variety of colors.

Last time Lisa and I were at Tai Pan we saw a beautiful spray tied to the back of a dining room chair.  Unfortunately each one was $20.  As we wandered through the store I found some cute picks for $3 each...and Lisa had the great idea to just use them to tie to my chairs!  I really like how they turned out.

My table is now set for a Thanksgiving feast...oh how yummy it will be!

I will say I still love to receive the Pottery Barn catalog in the mail and find much inspiration from its pages.  Occasionally I even splurge and purchase something I LOVE and know I won't find anywhere else.  You too can get a free catalog in the mail by visiting here.

Fun Find Monday

My fun find for Monday comes from Scrooge and Marley's.  I found these darling spiderweb doilies there and they make the perfect centerpiece for my Halloween plates.  I got the package of four for $5.  This month's gift certificate drawing is for a $25 Gift Card to Scrooge and Marley's (100 East State Rd in Lehi.) Remember if you are a follower or bring someone new and leave their name in a comment, you'll be entered into our drawing.

 Here's the centerpiece for my Halloween table.  At TaiPan, I got the "Boo" sign for 3.97, the bead garland for 3.97, the sparkly leave sprig, and small berry garland for $4. The tin pot was one I had in the closet.  I just spray painted it black.  I simply deconstructed the sprigs to make an arrangement in the pot.

 Rod Works has darling Halloween ribbon for $1 a yard.  I simply wove it through the light fixture and attached the bat.

 I added one of the black sparkly leaf sprig behind the berries to make it look more Halloween. 

My favorite way to decorate for holidays is to set the table for the holiday.  I did my entire table, plates and placemats included for under $20.   The plates and skeleton ornaments came from TaiPan.  The placemats from Target for $2.50.  Now I am ready to host a Halloween dinner.