Easy Thanksgiving Tablescapes

If you are anything like me, life can get crazy busy and you forget all the detailed pieces when it comes to entertaining for the holidays. This year we are actually going to be out of town for Thanksgiving, so I didn't have to come up with a tablescape for guests. I am kind of sad about it. I love setting my table and making it pretty. So this year I am living through inspirational pictures like the ones below.

With Thanksgiving only ONE week away, here are a few quick and easy ideas to make your table look festive without much trouble.

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Take a trek into your backyard or neighbors yard. It is amazing what inspiration you can find for a centerpiece. Grab a stem of colorful leaves, a branch of magnolia or a bunch of pinecones. I love the organic feel of bringing the outdoors in! 

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Emily created an amazing centerpiece from discounted ornamental Kale from Home Depot and craft paper as the table runner. Genius!

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I also love the idea of using what you have in your refrigerator. Grab some colorful fruit to lay on top of garland or tie a sprig of rosemary to a cloth napkin to add interest. 

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This is a neat idea of gathering branches from outside and spray painting them a bright color. It creates a sort of art piece right on your table!

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We can't forget about the kiddos! Did you have a kids table growing up? We sure did!
This idea is absolutely adorable. Grab some brown or white craft paper (or wrapping paper) to cover the kids table. Use jars from around the house for art supplies. This will keep them busy a little longer so you can enjoy your scrumptious meal and the paper helps with clean up. Win Win!

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How about spray painting a charger with chalk paint? Rather than a word, you could write the guest's name on the charger with chalk marker to help identify where everyone will sit for the meal. I also like the idea of using ribbon and yarn that you have laying around the house to wrap the cloth napkins and silverware. Nothing fancy, but helps add so much character and texture.

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Free Printable

This is a great way to get everyone involved in an activity while waiting for the meal and takes the place of a normal place mat or charger. Click the source link to download your own!

As you can see, it doesn't have to be expensive to look amazing. Using what you have around the house is your best bet before going out to buy something. 

What ideas have inspired you? Any tips and tricks you have used over the years to help with the stress of having company?

Tuesday Treats #24 {Holiday Inspiration from around the web}

I hope you are having an amazing start to your week. Is it freezing everywhere in the U.S. right now? I have seen so many pictures floating around social media with tons of snow. We woke up to temps in the 20's this morning. That is brrrr chilling for North Carolina.

At least this weather is getting me in the holiday spirit. Today's Tuesday Treats are all about the holidays. Thanksgiving is only 9 days away and Christmas is 37 days! Yikes! Hope some of these ideas bring you inspiration for the days to come. Enjoy!


**Please remember to pin directly from the source as to give credit where credit is due! Thanks!**


#1: Holiday Ice Cubes:
I love this fun and inventive idea using cranberries and rosemary to bring a little holiday cheer to party drinks! I might just have to use this in a few weeks for my girls craft night.

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#2: DIY Advent Calendar with FREE printables

Do you all participate in creating an advent calendar each year? I can't wait to make this a holiday tradition once these littles come a long. It can be a lot of work creating your own with ideas for each night of Advent, but The Painted Hive has done most of the work for you! Just click on over to the site for a full tutorial as well as Free printables to make your very own. 

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#3. I'm All About that Baste....

Not sure if you are familiar with the Holderness Family or not. But they make amazing home videos that go viral instantly. They are from right here in Raleigh, NC. Their videos are absolutely hilarious and this year's Thanksgiving video did not disappoint. Take a look below. Also...make sure you watch their Christmas Video from last year as well as their Back To School Parody. Hilarious! 

#4: 2015 Sherwin William's Color of the Year
Okay...so this doesn't really have to do with the holidays, but I couldn't help myself. Sherwin Williams announced their color of the year for 2015 and I have to say it is quite fabulous. KariAnne created an amazing office space including the new color. Now if only I was brave enough to paint a wall in my house this color.....

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#5: DIY Foil Accent Pillow
So this doesn't show holiday inspiration either, but hang with me. Wouldn't this easy DIY be perfect for a holiday pillow with words like: JOY, NOEL, Ho Ho Ho, PEACE, Naughty, NICE, Silent Night, etc. Endless Choices in my opinion! You can find some Gold and Silver Transfer Paper HERE. All you have to do is follow Dina's directions. So Easy! I love how they turn out.

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WOW! That was a lot of fabulous inspiration this week. There are some mighty talented people around the web. Now...what has caught your eye this week? Would you try any of these DIY's in your house? And..be honest....Are you a closet You Tube Video Maker? HA!

Have a wonderful Tuesday my friends! 

Tuesday Treats #23 {Inspiration from around the web}

Hi All! Thanks so much for your sweet comments and emails about yesterday's post. It is good to have a balance when it comes to this thing called life!

Today I am back with a round up of some pretty fabulous inspiration and ideas from around the web. Hope you Enjoy!

***Please remember to pin from original sources! I have linked to all image sources below pictures!**

#1: Flower Arranging Made Easy
Love this quick and easy idea from Burlap and Lace. It will seriously change the way you place flowers in your vase from now on!

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#2: Tonic Living- Year of Change Sale
If you have never checked out Tonic Living's site, then you are missing out big time! I have ordered some fabulous fabric from them and for a limited time they are offering 10% off everything! That includes already made pillow covers and even custom orders. You won't be disappointed with their selection. Click on over and start saving till November 10th!

#3: Free Printables- Thankful Tags

I love Emily's idea on creating a thankful tree. It would be a great family activity where each family member has to write something they are thankful for each night during November. I think I am going to implement this in our home. Take a look at her adorable tags. You can sign up for her archive and get so many free printables throughout the year!

Source & Free Download HERE. 

#4: Black, White & Bold Living room

Do you follow Kristen from The Hunted Interior? She is absolutely amazing at how she can transform a room on a budget. She recently revealed her fabulous living room and I am in love. So many colors and textures. My eyes literally bounce from one thing to the next. To see the full room reveal make sure you stop by HERE. 

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#5: Black and White Pillow Sources

Sherry pulled together a great round up of black and white pillow covers from Etsy! If you are as much of a pillow snob as I... you might like to check out some great sources from Etsy. I love supporting Etsy artists! Click on over to Sherry's post HERE for a full list! 

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Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday! Stop on by tomorrow for a HUGE surprise!!

XOXO

Last Minute Thanksgiving Decor

If you are anything like me I am doing everything last minute these days! I will have to finish shopping for the Turkey and extras tomorrow (the day before) and will have to come up with some sort of centerpiece decorations for the middle of mom's table. If you saw my Thanksgiving Table a couple of weeks ago, you probably thought I was way ahead of the game. Err...not so much since we aren't even having Thanksgiving here this year! I just love putting table settings together. I wish I had time to entertain and switch up my table each week.

If you are running around trying to figure out what to do for your Thanksgiving Decor, I rummaged up a few quick options to inspire you all.


1. Using what you have. Left over pumpkins and/or vegetables to create a neat centerpiece without breaking the bank!

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2. Easy DIY. Spray paint cheap chargers with chalkboard paint and add guest's names with chalk instead of using place cards. I did this with my Halloween Table Setting last year and it was cheap and easy! You could do this before Thanksgiving!

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3. Use Textures. For a bit of an informal look grab a piece of burlap or fabric and drape it down the center of your table for texture and interest. (don't worry about sewing the edges...use a hot glue gun or leave it natural!)

4. Use Mother Nature! Go out and gather neat leaves, acorns, pine cones to create your centerpiece. In the picture below I used magnolia leaves and then added a simple lantern and candle on top. So easy and I didn't have to buy a thing!

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5. You can't go wrong with Candles! Candles create a cozy atmosphere for guests. Load up your table and mantel with as many candles possible.

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Elle Decor

So tell me...are you hosting this year or have you been invited elsewhere? If you are hosting know that decorating doesn't have to be stressful. Just use a few of the tips from above and have fun with it! Cooking on the other hand....good luck! hehe

Thanksgiving Table {Using what you have}

Can you all believe that Thanksgiving in the US is two weeks from today!? I am going crazy thinking about all of the holiday shopping I still have left to do. Everyone might just get gift cards this year!

Since we are staying in town for Thanksgiving I started playing around with items that I have around the house to create a fun and sophisticated Thanksgiving Table Setting. The only thing I invested in this year were these cloth napkins from World Market. The rest of the items I found around my home and I also added some touches from the outdoors. Mother Nature is such an amazing source for making your table a magical vignette.

I just love pulling out all my antique plates and silverware this time of year. My gold rimmed plates and serving-ware were my grandmothers. She loved the holidays and always had her table set days in advanced before thinking about what we were actually going to eat!

The crystal glasses were a wedding present 8 years ago and the gold flatware was given to me by my mother-in law because she never used it! WHAT?? I am crushing on everything gold this year.

I used two different place mats/chargers this year to give the table a little more texture. The bamboo place mats and table runner are from a adorable boutique up in Chautauqua, NY called Home Chic. She is the master at table settings and if you are ever in that area...you must go! The gold chargers are from Michael's last season and you can see that I used them on my last Thanksgiving Table. 

I like to keep the table simple and elegant. If there are too many items, then there isn't room for the food! I added some touches of nature with some fresh magnolia sprigs from my mom's yard. I also pulled the little white boo pumpkins from our Fall Mantel.

One of my favorite touches to this table setting are these adorable sweet gums that fall from the trees around here. I gave them each a little spray of gold paint and added a little velvet ribbon in the similar color palette pulled from the napkins.

I love the simplicity of this table setting but also the elegance with the gold, white & crystal combination. You could use some of these same ideas for Christmas and New Years by adding some colorful glass ornaments in place of the pumpkins and a sprig of holly or rosemary in place of sweet gums.

Have you all started thinking about the holidays? What are some of your favorite vintage items you like to decorate with?


Linked to:  Serenity Now & Liz Marie Blog

Tuesday Treats #4- Inspiration & DIY from around the web

Welcome to Tuesday my friends. We have officially entered the cooler weather here in NC. I knew once I decorated my mantel it would happen! hehe

Today I have some special treats from around the web. If you have miss the last three you MUST go here, here and here. So many ideas from other fabulous bloggers and designers out on the web! I just love sharing my finds with all of you. Hope you are enjoying this series as much as I am. ENJOY!


Number ONE: DIY Paper Garland
I love this idea because it could be used to decorate so many events! You could add it to a nursery for some color, use it as a backdrop for pictures at a party or string it across your mantel for Halloween or Christmas! All you need is card stock, scissors and a sewing machine. Stitch the shapes all together and Wah-la! Too cute. Click the link above for specific instructions.

Number TWO: Black, White & Gold Gallery Wall

You all know I have a total design crush on Emily A. Clark. She just knows how to style a home and she did not disappoint when it came to her bedroom gallery wall. I love how she displayed her family photos around the armorie. The large pictures really make a statement and the black and gold frames create a timeless vignette. Love.Love.Love!

Number THREE: 8 ideas for creating a Thanksgiving Table
I know we are over a month away, but my friend Abby wrote a great post on how to create a Thanksgiving Table with textures, colors and even ideas for the kids! You must click the link above to see how to create lovely table settings for your guests!

Number FOUR: Chic meat and cheese tray
Speaking of entertaining, but girl Courtney is the Queen of entertaining and hosting parties. Her table settings and appetizers are always fabulously displayed. She just posted a how to video when it comes to creating a chic meat and cheese tray. You will knock the socks off your guests if you follow her little tricks!

Number FIVE: Iron On Graphics for Baby Shower Activity

I have been in the phase of hosting baby showers for about 3 years now and I am always looking for different and creative ideas that I have never seen. I have participated in my share of baby shower games and activities....to be honest most are boring and really who loves to participate anyways!? People are there to eat and see the mama-to-be open her gifts! When I found this adorable idea I knew I had to share! This will definitely be my next baby shower activity as soon as the next friend is about to pop! If you are interested.... there are some great iron on graphics Here. 

WOW! Such a great round up of Treats this week! Which is your favorite?

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a fabulous rest of your day!

Our SC Vacation {Charleston & Savannah}

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are back in action today after a wonderful week in Hilton Head, SC. What a beautiful place! This was the first Thanksgiving since we have been married (2005) that we haven't cooked Thanksgiving Dinner in our own home.
We stayed at a condo with my in-laws which was right on the golf course and close to all sorts of bike trails. My mother-in law and I enjoyed some thrifting at the local shops and the boys played golf each day. The beach was also only a couple minutes away. So we got to enjoy a little sunshine too!

Hilton Head is about 2 hours from Charleston, so we were able to enjoy a day in the old historic town. 

There is so much history and beautiful architecture there. I could spend weeks just walking up and down the streets and peeking through the windows! Too bad no one invited me into these beauties!

We ate at one of the most delicious places: Amen Street 

Fabulous Calamari, White beet salad and...... Pumpkin Pie Creme brulee!! 

We also got to enjoy a day in Savannah which is only about a 40 minute drive from Hilton Head. This was my first time experiencing the magnificent Live Oaks and walking the streets of the old haunted city. 

My Sister-in law even got to join us for the day!

I wouldn't have minded if someone offered me a tour of their fabulous home! Sadly they did not.

Another city of amazing iron work and architecture!

It was such a wonderful trip with my in-laws. We enjoyed the relaxation, sight seeing, shopping and of course the eating! How did you all spend your Thanksgiving this year?