The magical Dining Room Makeover has culminated into this beautiful day! You know I love to host Thanksgiving, so what better way to show her off than with a spatchcocked turkey and all the trimmings.
I scoured the internet for the perfect (and affordable, let’s be reasonable here), tablecloth to set the stage but not overshadow. When I stumble into blue and green, something comes over me. I’ve decided that this year calls for Dopamine Dressing – wearing things that make you happy! Blue and green and pink. Always. Forever.
I love a patterned tablecloth! I try, oh how I try, to love a solid. I add table runners, placemats, flowers, and still? It feels so sad. Patterned it must be. I decided on this block print beauty from Amazon. I was torn between this and the purple (more fuchsia-ish), but this felt right.
I wanted sparkle, I wanted glam! This is a debut, after all. Champagne beaded placemats. Is that a question? Not here!
I’ve been drooling over this Ikat print from Pottery Barn since it came out and was able to snag the napkins on clearance! I love the burgundy and pink as well.
Last minute, I decided to make place cards since our group grew overnight! Using Canva, I found this turkey graphic and adjusted the colors to coordinate with my table. They are such a cute, unique touch.
I wanted to use my new ivory basketweave dishes, but it was feeling flat. The moment my Old Havana plate hit the table, all hopes for restraint were lost. I immediately grabbed some pink gross grain ribbon to tie off the napkins and leapt with delight! Restraint? I don’t know her.
Was it relief? Was it a flood of dopamine? Was it all a dream? I don’t really care what it was, I’m just thrilled to step back and see the fruit of so much work. And I can’t wait to share it with the people I love.
In addition to smoked turkey and my usual casseroles (sweet potato and sinful potato), I added a Maple Dijon salad with butternut squash and candied pecans, homemade cultured butter, and did a punch in coupe glasses to dress up the table. It was a hit! We made a sample glass the night before to be sure it was a good choice, and Austin raved all night. Safe to say, we’ll be making more!
I hope you and yours had a blessed and happy Thanksgiving, wherever you are.
xo, Amanda
P.S. Tutorial for these custom china plate ornaments coming soon!
I love to host Thanksgiving! I love the planning, the prep, and most of all: the table scape! When planning for this year’s table, I could not get the brown zebra tablecloth from Mrs. Alice out of my head. The second it went on sale I snatched it up! Who even am I?
That tablecloth has sold out, but here are some similar options.
My “wedding china,” if you will, is the mint Old Havana line from Anthropologie. I say that because Anthro started doing wedding registries a month after I got married… So I would buy myself a few plates during sales or with extra money I had saved, and now have enough dinner and salad plates for 14! I love how the mint goes with so many color schemes. Mint and Lime, Mint and Red, Mint and… Fuchsia!
Bam! There it was, the most gorgeous combo for a fall table: Brown, Mint and Fuchsia. I immediately began the search for napkins. I love World Market napkins, so that’s where I went first. They had the fuchsia I was looking for. I linked a few different options, including disposable if that’s your flavor, below.
While looking around, I saw these adorable Table Dare cards from Anthropologie. I loved this idea! Since I had more guests than cards, I opted to make my own. I scoured the internet for appropriate, and non-humiliating dares (which was a little hard to find) and came up with the rest.
“Recite a Haiku about your favorite Thanksgiving side dish”
“Place a roll in your mouth and let Finn [my dog] take a bite.”
“Draw a turkey using either your teeth or your toes.”
We had so much fun with these!
I attached them to place cards made from marbled paper and dispersed them randomly (making sure that the ones for guests or older family members were the easiest and least humiliating, of course). Then I made sure no one peeked before it was time to play. I love the way the marbled paper adds a little more texture to the table.
I added little coupe glasses, also from Mrs. Alice, with little stars etched on them. They are so adorable pared with my favorite goblets from Belk. And how perfect are these dessert plates from Anthropologie!? They have long since been discontinued, but I’ve found some on FB Marketplace and eBay over the years. You can collect the whole alphabet!
My coworker was kind enough to make the floral arraignment for me. Thanks, Katie! It was so good until I had to rush home for an emergency, causing the flowers to dump over in my car… While cleaning my car, I sat the container on the floor and my dog Daisy ATE MY HYDRANGEAS. Well, didn’t eat them, per se, but they were shredded. Why?? So I had to adjust them the next day sans the hydrangeas.
It was certainly an… eventful Thanksgiving Eve. But Thanksgiving Day went off without a hitch. I desperately needed fun, laid back family time this year and that’s exactly what it was! Beauty can always be found in the midst of suffering, and somehow it’s always sweeter.
During our trip to London, we stopped at Fortnum & Mason, where I fell in love with the Camellia White tea ware. I could not get it out of my head! Just like the cabbage ware for my brother’s baby shower, it was just meant to be. I love the way it plays with my “fancy” china – Anthropologie’s Old Havana line in mint. Perfection.
I started with my favorite, Microsoft Word, and laid out my ideas. The teal glasses are from Walmart’s line with Drew Barrymore, which are sadly out of stock. There are always options for teal/blue goblets online, or in my favorite place to search: Facebook Marketplace.
These placemats from World Market always help keep the place settings from feeling too feminine. I love a girly table, but just like in decor, there should be balance. The tablecloths are courtesy of TJ Maxx, and they have a subtle gold shimmer.
As you can see, my plan included white florals. But, alas, I could only get my hands on peach. That’s okay! Short of ordering in flowers online or from a florist, you just have to get what works the best. I used similar cut glass vases from Amazon.
The napkins are old Hobby Lobby, but these would be beautiful as well! I chose the darker teal napkin rings to compliment the goblets.
We had 14 for Thanksgiving last year, so we had two tables. I love hosting Thanksgiving, and am so grateful for time with family. And pumpkin pie 🙂
With no real reason, other than to document at some level, here are a few tablescapes I’ve done in the last couple of years. I really don’t have rhyme or reason to “how to” make your table look nice, and sometimes I struggle with making them feel full or “finished,” but I love the creative outlet of planning and doing a table.
I did not grow up with fancy tablescapes. My mom would put out a turkey-shaped candle, or Christmas tree shaped candles out on the table with a pretty table runner for holidays. (The table runner I accidentally cut while wrapping presents one Christmas, but we still used it for a few years with the cut pushed together!) But outside of that, it was not something I grew up with. And none of my friends’ families really did either. Growing up the 90s (or earlier, if you’re not a Millennial like me), we all had waayyyy less pressure on aesthetics. While I have always cared about clothing and decor that transcends trends, the time before Pinterest was so much more laid back.
Anyway, since getting married and running my own household, I’ve come to appreciate the process of preparing for guests! Is the cleaning fun? No. But the menu planning, table planning, prep, cooking, table set up… That is so fun for me. Working in a left-brained field that does not appreciate right-brained people is exhausting. This helps 🙂
First up: My Birthday. I decided a couple of years ago that I’d rather set up a fancy table, buy flowers and cook for my birthday dinner with family rather than going out. I get to pick my own menu and make or buy my own cake, and it’s just a lot of fun.
For 33, it was a Kate Spade inspired table. I made silly little signs: “Gemini and Feelin’ Fly” and “Let’s Just Eat Cake”. Peonies + Teal + Green = Perfection.
Next up, Christmas. We don’t do Christmas with family at my house, it’s always Christmas Eve at my in-laws and Christmas Day at my parents. Extenuating circumstances caused us to have a small family get together last year. I saw someone on Instagram make these bow napkins and had to try. They are so easy and adorable!
This next set up was fun. We had 27 seated for our college ministry’s Leadership Team Friendsgiving. We designed our house to seat 20 on a dime, and by turning our dining table, we are able fit way more than we probably should… But clear plastic plates and a festive paper napkin can really elevate a budget tablescape. The only thing semi-precious on the table are the vases and table runners. All else is disposable! These chiffon table runners have been used for holiday dinners and showers; they’re a great, inexpensive item to have on hand and you can find any color you like on Amazon.
Did you grow up with fancy tables? I’d love to hear!
Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour: look with favour upon thy servant Charles our King, and bestow upon him such gifts of wisdom and love that we and all thy people may live in peace and prosperity and in loving service one to another, to thine eternal glory; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme…
Being in England during the Coronation prep was such a memorable experience. What a special time in history to get to watch something unfold that reaches back to the very same Abbey in 1066. How incredible that we have been invited to be a part.
Did any of you get up to watch on TV or attend in person? I tried to talk some friends into a 5am Coronation party, but surprisingly, no one took me up on it! I was wide awake awaiting the family’s arrival to the Abbey. My sweet husband joined me a little later and I had tea and biscuits waiting for us, prepared the night before. Peep the little crown spoons 🙂
The ceremony was powerful. The music, the choir, the seriousness of all involved. I was grateful for the information we got from the exhibit at Blenheim Palace, and on the TV show, The Crown. At one point in the ceremony, the to-be monarch stands before God wearing plain clothing; no embroidery, no signs of State or wealth. That moment is between them and God, where the Divine meets Earth. All kingdoms and principalities belong to Him, after all. I cried, to no one’s surprise. My husband was surprised at how moving it was, he didn’t realize it was a religious ceremony.
Later that afternoon, my family came over for a Coronation Party. I prepared Coronation Chicken, tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, Berries on a Cloud trifle with the Union Jack on top. And tea, of course.
We love sharing about our travels with food from where we went. It’s one of our favorite things to do! My brother or I will set up a slideshow to have our own show and tell, and hand out souvenirs. This is something we started after our honeymoon to St. Lucia, where we made Caribbean food for dinner (including handmade coconut turnovers). It’s now tradition!
A little bunny is on the way! On my last post I shared with you the master plan for my brother’s Peter Rabbit baby shower. Well, all that planning was a success if I do say so myself. Everything went so smoothly, and I am so grateful for the many hands that made it work! Now, let’s get to the good stuff!
The shower was hosted at my brother’s church. They just acquired a new building and remodeled, which made for a beautiful, clean place to host a shower. Fun fact: my husband and I met at this church while we were in college. After we got married and moved away, my brother started going to there and that’s where he met his wife! It was such a fun, full circle moment to have all the people we love in one place.
First things first, the day before the shower I asked one of our college students for some assistance in making the balloon garland. Both easier and harder than you think it’s gonna be… My living room smelled like latex for two days! I eventually shut them in a bathroom with the vent fan on in an attempt to remove the smell! I set up the backdrop on my PVC pipe stand to make sure everything fit, and did have to attach some velcro to the backdrop to attach to the stand (I have permanently attached a strip of the rough side of velcro on the stand).
Aren’t those rabbit balloons just darling!?
I also prepped the party favors, table signs, and decor. For the favors, I placed the stickers from Etsy onto small square envelopes, filled them with a carrot cake teabag, and then attached the shovel shaped teaspoon. They were a hit!
The printables I bought from Etsy made life so much easier! I printed the double sided ones onto cardstock and cut them out. Then I used little clear stands to place them on the tables. They were a little top heavy, so some were a little ornery, but most of them stood upright the entire shower.
How cute is little Peter!? Can you tell I was smitten with him the entire day? I am not ashamed. Finally, I used the other printables to make these signs in Microsoft Publisher. My favorite trick is to pick a pretty, script font for a heading, and then a regular font for the body.
That night, my husband and I loaded the truck so all we had to do was shove the balloon garland in in the morning and head to the shower! I am not a morning person, so I find that it is most helpful to do whatever I can to prep so that the morning is less stressful. Now to the good part!
Welcome to the shower! We welcomed guests with this adorable set up of fresh florals and treats. Our sign in book was a beautiful hardcover edition of a children’s book that will now be filled with notes from loved ones. We asked guests to print their addresses onto thank you card envelopes to help mommy-to-be in these last few weeks. We also placed the party favors on this table to be sure everyone got one.
Walking in to the shower, you were greeted with the smell of hydrangeas and eucalyptus, which were set in mason jars painted white with a touch of gold. Just wonderful! Our white tables were draped with dusty blue chiffon runners for an elegant look. Who says Peter Rabbit has to be completely rustic? Garden Chic is more like it.
And finally, our piece de resistance, the food table. Is it possible to be in love with a food table? I say a resounding yes! The backdrop was perfection, surrounded by the balloon garland. A small word of warning, be cautious not to place the balloons too close to a light… it will pop right in the middle of your event… All popping aside, balloon garlands are a great way to hide the edges of a backdrop. Everyone loved the carrot floral arrangement. All the florals were put together by my Aunt Kim and her daughter Angelina. What a labor of love!
If you have ever read Peter Rabbit, you know that while trying to escape from Mr. McGregor, Peter gets caught by the fence and has to shimmy out of his sweater. So we recreated that scene with the perfect picket fence and a 12-18mo sweater, attaching the sweater with thumbtacks.
The food was so good, and there was hardly a crumb left. Especially of the cake, masterfully created by my Aunt Dana, who makes all our family cakes. She made our wedding cake that is still talked about to this day. Check out those trees! They are rice crispy treats!
My cousins were so kind to follow my crazy Pinterest ideas for a carrot shaped cheese ball (I need this recipe, it was to die for!) and chicken salad stuffed cabbage! Last minute, we decided to nix hollowing out a real cabbage and use a cabbage bowl, and I think we both breathed a sigh of relief! The ladies who did the drink table went all out, using leftover carrot stems and other greenery to make a garden of tea and punch. Check out that ice ring!
It was such a beautiful day. I hope that my brother and sister-in-law know how loved and supported they are. We are ready for you, Elliott!
Never able to get a good picture with this ham… But we love him!
“Now run along, and don’t get into mischief.” – Beatrix Potter
I will certainly try, Ms. Potter, but I can make no guarantees! Anyone else feel they get themselves in a bit of a pickle when planning a party? I truly believe in entertainment on a budget and using what you have. But sometimes a theme comes along that runs so closely with your personal style and, well, budget lines get a little hazy!
When my sister-in-law expressed interest in a Peter Rabbit baby shower for my first nephew, I knew this was going to be one of those moments. I’m sure if you were to stick me, my blood would run blue and green, not red! My husband’s grandmother once told me, “you like colors blondes should like!” when I told her I really didn’t care for the color red.
Cabbage ware, and gingham, and floral arrangements with carrots began to swirl in my head, so I enlisted my Aunt Kim got to work.
As with most plans, I started with my favorite layout program: Microsoft Word. I know, my husband teases me all the time when I send him screenshots of my latest Word creations. But Microsoft Word is my most trusted friend. I can make it do just about anything I want without expensive downloads or the need for YouTube tutorials. Simply copy and paste the photo you want to use, change the format to be either in front of or behind text, and remove the background. I’m not sure when they added the background removal tool but it has made my life so much easier! Voila! An easy, peasy mock-up ready in just a few moments.
My first stop: Etsy. Don’t you love Etsy? A simple search for Peter Rabbit turned up several wonderful choices for invitations, backdrops, gifts and more. I chose a backdrop and stickers for party favors to start. Then I decided to get a few printables for easy table decorations.
Next stop: Amazon. While I’m really not a fan of using Amazon for everything (call me old fashioned, but I don’t want other shops to go out of business!), it does offer affordable options for table decor. I selected a balloon garland in just the right shades of blue, green and beige. Then tablecloths and runners, and the cutest shovel shaped teaspoons I ever did see!
All this talk of gardens and vegetables reignited the flame for cabbage ware. You know, the lettuce looking stuff your grandparents had on display but never used. Dillard’s released a cabbage collection with their Southern Living line last spring and I about fell off my chair! I was so self-controlled every time I walked into the store (though it didn’t stop me from picking it up and dreaming of all the garden parties they would inspire). Alas, my self-control could hold no longer the more I pictured our food table. How on earth was that table going to come together without green cabbage bowls?? It won’t!! So I hopped on over to our local Dillard’s and bought what I could.
Whew, NOW it’s a party! I have a wonderful family who puts on showers for every wedding and baby, and with 70 of us and counting, it gets to be quite the run of showers! My sweet aunts and cousins, along with a few of my Sister-in-Law’s family and friends are helping to cover food, drinks, flowers and other miscellaneous items.
The House on Ladd 