"beau" or no?

I won't be hosting Christmas this year, but I still can't resist a bit of holiday table inspiration! Here I'm honing in on the napkin. Do you like the idea of the bow shape or not? Just curious? More then anything I like the added punch of color these napkins add.
images: Coco and Kelley, My sweetrandomness

At the table

Often times you can create beautiful table settings by mixing what you already own! With a few simple additions like ribbons, gourds, pears, place cards, flowers, natural found objects your table will look smashing! Are you entertaining this year?? if so, good luck and happy cooking. 

xx, Julie

Image credits: board one: Eddie Ross blog - Country Living, Martha Stewart, Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Eddie Ross via Lonny, board two: Country Living, Pink Wallpaper, Martha Stewart top row, Hostess blog, ?, Martha Stewart

November - Recommended Reading

I can never resist a beautifully set table. In honor of the upcoming holiday season, I'm recommending Alberto Pinto's Table Settings. His book is packed with inspiring ideas and tips! I would love to start a collection of mixed vintage dishes and glasses..My issue right now is storage! I'll think of something. At the moment, I'm feeling like I need to overhaul my life, get rid of unused "stuff" and refine my belongings. Big, unexpected life changes force you to sort of analyze your life and well being don't they?

Have a great day!

Seriously, break out the china

{I have long loved this image and Kelly Wearstler's china patterns for Pickard (below) - am very into these colors right now!}

My husband and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary last night {not sure where the time goes}, we relaxed at home over dinner, wine and dessert with our three year old son. {Emerson our 7 month old daughter was sleeping - this is a rare occasion really}. After reading Amy Dragoo's quote via La Dolce Vita yesterday, I decided I had to break out our china! Here's Amy's motto: Life is too short, eat off the good china! I couldn't agree more Amy. It's the simple details, that make the difference! So tonight, I encourage you to "eat off the good china". It was really nice, I think I'll do it more often...

Dreaming of..

stealing a moment in a warm sunny place..It's about this time of year {every year} that I start to get the winter blahs.....I love the retro feel of the pink umbrella above. In fact I love almost all of Santa Barbara Designs umbrella's..

I would love to have a beach bungalow in a place like the Bahamas someday! I imagine my space would be fresh, clean and "under decorated". {think Tom Scheerer's beach spaces} {isn't day dreaming fun?}

The pure simplicity of this gorgeous outdoor dining spot is magical!

What's Cookin?

Keep your Thanksgiving day dinner table simple {because I'm sure you're as busy as I am} + earthy with natural decorations and layered plates in warm color tones..

Are you cooking the whole Thanksgiving she-bang? or just helping with a side dish..

I'm just helping out this year, so I've decided to bring whipped sweet potatoes a la Ina Garten..click the cookbook below for the easy recipe!

while we're on the topic of dinners..The Obamas' hosted a state dinner last night..{wouldn't you just love to experience an event like that just once in your life? } here are a couple photos via The Huffington Post. Michelle's elegant gown was appropriately design by Naeem Khan..

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!

Images: top two: the hostess blog {via Country Living}

Why not = Plum + Lavender

Typically warm colors like umber, orange + brown are associated with Fall. I love the unexpected use of plum + purple! Images five and six are from Martha Stewart Living, Nov. 2009. I think a purple table setting would be gorgeous for Thanksgiving. There are also instructions in the magazine on how to assemble that beautiful sweetgum-fruit wreath. I can post them if you'd like. {just leave a comment} Sweetgum fruit can be purchased here.

Images: ?, ? Oprah Magazine, Pillows: from the amazing shop Niki Jones, Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, flickr, James Merrell, Kelly Wearstler - i know this image has been around but i still think it's beautiful.

Where I'd like to...

DINE

This is a snapshot of David Jimenez's 2008 table at Diffa. . I love David's fearless style.

I always crave warmth, candlelight and color at this time of year. I'm thinking, turkey day table inspiration? The orange is classic fall but the blue would be unexpected. I've also been dying to paint a wall deep turquoise, this shade is perfection. I just returned from the paint store with similar swatches in hand....

Image: Habitually Chic