Been A Long Time Since I’ve Seen This Many Beautiful Spring Temptations!

Welcome to the 807th Tablescape Thursday! I definitely have spring on the brain these days. We've been having the most spectacular weather, lots of wonderful sunshine and beautiful blue skies! This wonderful weather put me in the mood yesterday to do some spring shopping, and oh my gosh, I found so many beautiful temptations! This beautiful table was just inside the front door when I visited Williams Sonoma … [Read more...]




20 St. Patrick’s Day Table Settings & A Fun 4-Leaf-Clover Napkin Fold

Welcome to the 806th Tablescape Thursday! St. Patrick's Day is coming up fast, just ten days away! If you need a little inspiration for your St. Paddy's Day celebrations, you'll find 20 festive St. Patrick's Day tables linked below. At the end of this post, I'm sharing a fun 4-leaf clover napkin fold that would look great on your St. Patrick's Day table this year. Happy St. Patrick's Day!  ☘️ Click any … [Read more...]




Romantic Dining For Two, Including A Beautiful Raspberry Lemon Cake Dessert

Welcome to the 805th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Leap Year Day! Earlier this week I shared a beautiful Valentine's Day table setting that Martha created for her Supper Club. If you missed that table setting, you'll find it here: Velvet & Sequins for Metamorphosis Monday—Pretty Daffodils, Too!)   That tablescape had an interesting change made, a twist ending that I just recently learned … [Read more...]




Velvet & Sequins For Metamorphosis Monday—Pretty Daffodils, Too!

Welcome to the 787th Metamorphosis Monday! So I had an exciting weekend! Not! After an appliance repairman diagnosed and fixed an icemaker problem (it's ALWAYS the icemaker, isn't it?!) I spent the weekend giving my refrigerator a full, top-to-bottom cleaning that included pulling out all the shelves and drawers and replacing two smallish light bulbs inside, one of which had burned out at some point … [Read more...]




2 Beautiful Valentine’s Day Tables—One Created By A Loving Hubby & One That’s Budget Friendly

Welcome to the 803rd Tablescape Thursday! I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day yesterday! ❤️  I know for sure Brenda did because she wrote, "I wanted to share with you a Valentine's table setting my husband set all himself and surprised me. Normally I am the lead and he is what he calls himself “the beast of burden” carrying things in and out."   Brenda's hubby created the … [Read more...]




A Festive Mardi Gras Tablescape With A Stunningly Beautiful Centerpiece!

Today was Mardi Gras! I didn't even realize that until halfway through the day. I bet if I lived in New Orleans, I would have been a lot more aware. I was curious about the dates for Mardi Gras—for some reason I was thinking it was normally in March. I did a bit of research and learned that the Carnival season always begins on Jan. 6, which is King’s Day (Feast of the Epiphany) and Mardi Gras day, also … [Read more...]




Romantic Valentine’s Day Table Setting With Heart Cake Dessert & Spring Tulips

Welcome to the 802nd Tablescape Thursday! With Valentine's Day just a week away, I decided it was time to bake some cute heart cakes. It has been ages since I made these for Valentine's.   I did the dumbest thing this time, though! I always, always grease and flour a cake pan when baking a regular layer cake, but for some crazy reason, I didn't flour the heart cake pan after greasing it this … [Read more...]




Cake Flour vs All-Purpose Flour, Swedish Pearl Sugar & Heart Cakes For Valentine’s Day

Many years ago I made these cute heart cakes, filling them with raspberry filling. They were super easy to make and I really loved how they looked for Valentine's Day.   To make these, I used a Wilton Heart Cake Pan. (A printable recipe for these heart cakes is available here: Heart Cakes Recipe.)   I made them once again a few years later, that time filling them with homemade … [Read more...]




Beautiful, Dramatic Valentine’s Day Centerpiece That You Can Make In Mere Minutes!

Welcome to the 784th Metamorphosis Monday! Valentine's Day is just 9 days away. Could you use a fabulous, easy-to-make centerpiece to celebrate? My dear friend, Teresa, shared this stunning photo with me of a beautiful, whimsical arrangement created by a friend of hers, also named Teresa. I loved it the second I saw it! After a few text messages back and forth, Teresa, the owner of this lovely centerpiece … [Read more...]




Spring Valentine’s Day Table With A Most Unusual Floral Centerpiece

Welcome to the 799th Tablescape Thursday! When I awoke at 4 am this morning and came downstairs to set a table for Tablescape Thursday, it was 15 degrees out on the porch. As I type this, the temps have finally reached a balmy 30 degrees. All this cold weather has me yearning for spring! Today's table is a combination Spring/Valentine's Day table with a most unusual centerpiece.   Springtime … [Read more...]




Would You Have The Nerve To Do This? Yikes!

Mr. Gingerbread Man and his many stories live on! Hahaha! During November and December, whenever I shared about this adorable Kate Spade Gingerbread House bag, the emails, pictures, stories, and comments I received from BNOTP readers, friends, and my daughter-in-law were the best! This fun bag stole the show and was always the topic of conversation everywhere it traveled. I could write a blog post doing … [Read more...]




My December Favorites, Favorite Updates In Real Time & A Very Special Gift

Thanks for all the great suggestions and tips for saving and removing the wax that's left over when a candle is finished. I love the suggestion a couple of you mentioned about putting it in the freezer for a few minutes. I had read about that online, but then forgot to mention it in the post, so thanks for that reminder! I will try that in the future, for sure. I have such a variety of favorites to share … [Read more...]




Black And Silver Sequin Table Setting, Great For New Year’s Eve Or For Halloween

Welcome to the 797th Tablescape Thursday! Happy New Year! I hope your 2024 is off to a great start! Unfortunately, mine started out with a yucky cold. I had planned to make the drive from Ohio back home to Georgia on Tuesday, but I caught the cold that's been going through the family and it finally caught up with me on Monday. After a sleepless night, I didn't feel up to the 8-hour drive back home on … [Read more...]




Happy New Year! So Looking Forward To 2024!

Welcome to the 779th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy 2024! I hope you had a fun New Year's Eve. I spent it with friends and family which seemed like the best way to kick off the new year. I have two wonderful decor and centerpiece ideas to share with you for this week's Met Monday. My dear friend, Teresa, loves traveling more than anyone I know. She and I have shared some wonderful adventures over the past … [Read more...]




Still In Christmas Mode and Up To Our Necks In Legos!

Welcome to the 796th Tablescape Thursday! We are still in full Christmas mode here, as I'm sure so many of you are, too. It's been a week of feasting,  Monopoly, Christmas movie watching, afternoon naps, bike rides on new bikes, eggnog drinking, Lego building, caring for neighbor's pets, more feasting, more napping, more Monopoly, and a lot more Lego building! This week feels like a fun, mini-vacation … [Read more...]




Merry Christmas from Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph!

Welcome to the 778th Metamorphosis Monday! Merry Christmas! Just popping in on Christmas morning to share a cute idea for breakfast/brunch for the little ones on Christmas Day, or really any time of the year. I made these cute reindeer pancakes for my grandsons this morning and they loved them!   They are super easy to make--just make one large pancake for the head, a medium side pancake to … [Read more...]




Beautiful Spode Christmas Tree & Festive Tartan Plaid, A Perfect Match For Christmas!

Happy Friday! I can't believe it--Christmas is almost here! I have one last beautiful Christmas table setting to share with you!   Maureen set a colorful, festive table for her Christmas holiday dinner and I'm in love with all the tartan/plaid in this beautiful table!   Such a beautiful centerpiece! Maureen found the black metal basket in her centerpiece in Pier 1. The two … [Read more...]




All Aboard The Christmas Train! Merry Christmas!

Welcome to the 795th Tablescape Thursday! Merry Christmas! I have a wonderful table to share with you today--Elena has created a beautiful table for Christmas!   Do you recognize some of the scenes on the tablecloth? They are a hint to the wonderful dinnerware Elena chose for her table.   If you were a big fan of the Better Homes and Gardens Heritage Christmas dinnerware that … [Read more...]




3 Christmas Table Settings, 2 Beautifully Decorated Homes & A Sleigh Coffee Table! ♥

Ginger's Christmas Table Setting: Such a fun, festive table from Ginger! Ginger wrote, "I retired to the Lake Chapala area of Mexico 13 1/2 years ago where the weather is usually perfect. Here is one of my patio Christmas luncheon tables. There is nothing subtle about Mexico, obviously, and I embrace that."   Brenda's Christmas Table Setting & Christmas Decor: Brenda wrote, "Christmas at … [Read more...]




An Elegant Christmas Table Setting in Silver and White

Welcome to the 794th Tablescape Thursday! I've been battling computer server issues this week but I think my host company has finally found the issue. I have painters arriving this morning to do some touch-up work on the ceiling in the garage, so it has been a crazy week! But all is well now because we are jetting off to the south of France this week for a beautiful Christmas table setting dressed in … [Read more...]




3 Fun, Easy Gift Wrapping Ideas For Your Holiday Gifts

Every year the decision looms--how will I wrap my Christmas gifts this year? Sometimes I make a trip to HomeGoods or a nearby store to check out the gift wrap, but for other years, I have enough to work with in my current stash of wrapping paper. If you're looking for a few gift-wrapping ideas this year, here are three ideas that I've done in the past that were easy and stress-free. Option 1: One idea … [Read more...]




Nostalgic Christmas: Beautiful Snow-Covered Cottages & A Charming Gingerbread House

Welcome to the 792nd Tablescape Thursday! Yesterday was an interesting day with a few false starts at setting a table for Tablescape Thursday. It started with me discovering that the centerpiece I had planned to use was way too wide for my dining room table, so I had to completely scratch the table I had originally planned. As I worked on ideas for another table, I started feeling a bit queasy. I lay down … [Read more...]




It’s Currently Sold Out–But I Found It + Fave Phone/iPad Stand & A Puzzle Board Hack

Recently I decided to resubscribe to Netflix. I had unsubscribed years ago because I didn't really care for much of their programming. The reason I decided to give them one more try is that I'd like the ability to watch movies while walking on my treadmill here in the office. My treadmill has a slanted thingy that I could lean my iPad against, but it's really low so would be kinda hard to view. Then I … [Read more...]




This Year I Ordered My Fresh Greenery Wreath Online & Here’s How It Turned Out!

Welcome to the 774th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? I hope you had a great one! Have you started working on your Christmas and holiday decor? I spent most of the weekend doing a bit of Christmas decorating and lots of organizing. You may remember a few months back I moved all the Christmas decor I had stored here under the bonus room eaves (including my window wreaths that normally were on the … [Read more...]




Favorite Black Friday Sales & Some Have Been Extended!

Whoo, hoo! The sales are amazing today! This adorable gingerbread bag that I purchased recently at 50% off, has just been marked down another 25% for Black Friday! You'll find that amazing sale here: Gingerbread House Bag, Half Off + An Additional 25% off! The cardholder is also discounted another 25% here: Gingerbread CardHolder.   Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I can't wait to wear this … [Read more...]




3 Beautiful Tables for Thanksgiving With Handmade And Cherished Family Heirlooms

Welcome to the 791st Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! I have two beautiful tables to share with you on this wonderful Thanksgiving Day. Sheri set this special table for her family's Thanksgiving. A family member celebrated their birthday a little before Thanksgiving and the table was also used for that special occasion.   Sheri said, "Mike made the cedar box … [Read more...]




A Wish List Item I Finally Purchased AND Some Great Holiday Gift Ideas!

A few days ago someone left a comment that they were having a tough time finding the Newman's Own Lemon Pepper that I mentioned during a previous post that was about making Lemon Pepper Chicken. They also mentioned that they thought it was being discontinued. What?! That put me in a bit of a panic and I immediately bought two more. I hope it doesn't get discontinued since it's my favorite for seasoning … [Read more...]




2 Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Settings, Lovingly Prepared for Family

Welcome to the 790th Tablescape Thursday! I have two delightful tables to share with you for this week's Tablescape Thursday! Kathy has her Thanksgiving ready for her family, and it's beautiful!   I was so excited to see Kathy set her table with Plymouth Turkey dinnerware. I've seen this pattern when visiting my local William Sonoma, so it's exciting to see it in a real Thanksgiving table … [Read more...]




A Peloton Seat Upgrade, Paul’s Pot Pies & Favorite Puzzle/Lego Advent Calendars

Welcome to the 772nd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! Have you started your holiday shopping? I did a bit of shopping for family this weekend, and I ended up picking up something for myself, too--a very special bag. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: Cutest Thing Ever--I Couldn't Resist! Plus, It's On Sale 50% Off. For this week's Metamorphosis Monday, I have a smallish … [Read more...]




Cutest Thing Ever–I Could Not Resist! Plus, It’s On Sale 50% Off!

Over the years, Kate Spade has produced some of the cutest, most adorable handbags you can imagine or dream up. As much as I have always loved them, I've been able to resist getting one. Until now.   When I saw this enchanting Gingerbread House bag, it was instant love and I knew I had to have one. Of course, it didn't hurt that it's on sale 50% off right now! (Gingerbread House Bag is … [Read more...]




A Cozy, Warm, Candlelit Table For Fall, Mixing The New With The Vintage

Welcome to the 789th Tablescape Thursday! My favorite table settings, especially during the fall and winter, are always by candlelight.   This time of year, when nightfall begins arriving so early, I crave anything that feels cozy, warm, and comforting. Candlelight definitely gives me that.   A few days ago I purchased these rattan chargers that are currently on sale. I … [Read more...]




A Washer Update, A New Purchase + 4 Beautiful, Affordable Designs for Thanksgiving

Welcome to the 771st Metamorphosis Monday! Did you make it through the time change okay? I thought I read a couple of years back that we were going to stop the changing of the clocks every fall and spring. Does anyone else remember reading that? I guess something didn't get passed or make it all the way through for it to become a reality. I was really looking forward to that. I've just returned from a … [Read more...]




The Last Halloween Table Setting for 2023! Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Are you ready for your Trick or Treaters this evening? It's going to be very cold here in Ohio tonight with temps in the 30s as we head out with the boys for trick or treating. Just a few days ago, we were enjoying short-sleeve weather--wish it could have lasted just a few more days! I still remember the year I was here for Halloween and it snowed! That was a first--Trick or Treating in the … [Read more...]




Eek! Uninvited Guests Crash Jackie’s Halloween Dinner Party!

Welcome to the 787th Tablescape Thursday! This is our last Tablescape Thursday before Halloween is here, and I have a very creative, fun table to share with you this week. Recently, Jackie had a special dinner party planned with friends, but before her dinner guests arrived, some uninvited dinner guests crashed the party! Yikes!   Jackie said, "This year the theme is ''An Evening with … [Read more...]




3 Whimsical Halloween Tables + A Gardening Project That Ended With A New Tablecloth

Welcome to the 786th Tablescape Thursday! I have not one, but three delightful Halloween tables to share with you today! BNOTP readers are so creative and I know you'll find these tables as imaginative and fun as I did. Recently, Norma, who lives in the south of France, was having some extensive landscaping and structural work done in her garden that required some very large equipment. Would you ever … [Read more...]




Adorably-Scary, Figural Halloween Pillows at Budget-Friendly Prices

A few years ago I came across these adorable fuzzy pumpkin pillows in Pottery Barn. Though they were a bit on the pricey side, I couldn't resist collecting one or two.   They came in three sizes/colors and I liked them so much, I ended up collecting the whole bunch. Hard to see but the smallest one is a deep green color.   They seem to end up in a different place in my home … [Read more...]




A Whimsical Halloween Table Set With My Absolute Favorite “Halloween” China

Welcome to the 785th Tablescape Thursday. It's gettin' chilly around here so I had to take advantage of the warmer weather today for at least one more table setting here on the porch.   This table is similar to the one I set for Halloween last year except for a few changes in the tablecloth, glassware, centerpiece, and its location here on the porch.   The arched-back, … [Read more...]




My September Favorites & Some Are Prime Day Deals! Perfect Timing for Holiday Shopping!

Thanks so much for sharing yesterday how autumn is looking in your area! I loved reading your comments--they made me feel so much more connected with what you're experiencing where you live. We are way behind here in leaf-color-changing compared to so many of you. It was really interesting hearing from those who live in areas that don't necessarily experience a big change--a great reminder that fall isn't … [Read more...]




Porch Decorated for Autumn With Hints Of Halloween

Welcome to the 767th Metamorphosis Monday! I had a bit of fun out on the front porch this weekend.   Having just purchased these black and white striped bench cushions this past summer, this is their first autumn here on the porch.   The cushions are currently on sale in several colors/ patterns here: Bench Cushions and here: Bench Cushions.   Since were only a … [Read more...]




Whimsical Fitz & Floyd Halloween Serving Pieces, Hidden Away & Almost Forgotten

Welcome to the 780th Tablescape Thursday! Today's Tablescape Thursday is a bit different. As mentioned in an earlier post this week, the next few weeks are going to be crazy busy, at least my definition of crazy busy. Ha! I got a bug in my bustle a few weeks ago, actually, it started around the time I was having the new irrigation controller installed in the garage. In order to install an outlet on the wall … [Read more...]




Planning a Last-Minute 4th of July Table-Celebration, So Many Wonderful Finds!

Welcome to the 770th Tablescape Thursday! It has been a crazy week around here. The plumber has been here checking to see if I can move my washer connections to another wall in the laundry room for a possible future laundry room renovation, and he's coming back today for a follow-up. The roof cleaning company is also coming back today to touch up a few places that didn't come clean when they were here … [Read more...]




3 Special Table Settings Featuring Beautiful Vintage Tablecloths!

Welcome to the 762nd Tablescape Thursday! Oh my gosh, it's been a wild week around here! I had planned to complete the work on the unfinished part of my basement at a gradual pace over the next couple of months, but I got a bee in my bonnet and decided to go full-steam ahead. I'm eager to get my workbench and freezer moved back into the room as soon as possible, so that means going ahead and scheduling to … [Read more...]




A Ray of Sunshine On A Beautiful Spring Day!

Welcome to the 758th Tablescape Thursday! I'm currently visiting family and it has turned cold again! I jokingly told my son and DIL that their weather hates me because it was in the 70s just before I arrived and goes back up to the 70s the day after I leave. Hope you are seeing some sunshine and warmer temps where you live! Recently I heard from Norma, who lives in the south of France. Norma said, "I am … [Read more...]




A Spring Table Setting With The Most Adorable Bunny-Themed Dinnerware

I have a wonderful spring table setting to share with you today! Brenda, a lovely BNOTP reader, set a beautiful table for Easter and I found myself wanting to collect everything I saw on her table. lol I know you're going to love it as much as I do!     In this photo, we get a glimpse of the dinnerware Brenda chose for her table--do you see the adorable bunny … [Read more...]




A Colorful Saint Patrick’s Day Table Setting, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Welcome to the 755th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Saint Patrick's Day--it's almost here!   Usually, when I put together a Saint Patrick's Day table setting, it's almost always just in the colors green and white. Not sure why, but when I started thinking about a Saint Patrick's Day table this morning, I was craving color, lots of bright springtime color!   This is definitely the … [Read more...]




12 Table Settings for Saint Patrick’s Day + A Fun 4-Leaf Clover Napkin Fold

Welcome to the 754th Tablescape Thursday! I had planned to set a table this week in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, but I had such disappointing news at my dental appointment yesterday, it zapped all the creativity right out of me. I'm getting a "second opinion" on Friday, but I'm sure it will probably be the same. With Saint Patrick's Day just a little over a week away, I hope you enjoy this … [Read more...]




A Woodland-Themed Valentine’s Day Table With A Touch Of Spring

Welcome to the 750th Tablescape Thursday! Happy (almost) Valentine's Day! I put this table together very late last night and it was super cloudy out as I took these photos. I long for sunny days! Spring is coming, we just have to hang in there a little while longer.   My Australian friends are winding down their summer. I've always wondered what it would be like to experience Christmas in a … [Read more...]




5 Whimsical Ways to Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day Table

Welcome to the 749th Tablescape Thursday! With Valentine's Day just a couple of weeks away, here are a few fun ideas to spice up your Valentine's Day table. I am definitely not the most experienced baker but these heart cakes were super easy to make.   The hearts can be filled with raspberry jam or whatever you wish. (Find the cake recipe I used here: Make Raspberry Heart Cakes for … [Read more...]




This Will Have You Dreaming Of Spring–Guaranteed!

Welcome to the 747th Tablescape Thursday! I've been working on a table but it's not ready for prime time, so yesterday I decided to take a little trip to my nearby Pottery Barn to scope out the new Valentine's Day, Easter/spring goodies. Currently, we are in a yucky, never-ending rain pattern here, so PB was the only store I visited. There was just 1 table set in PB and I didn't take any photos of it … [Read more...]




A Cozy Valentine’s Day Table by Lamplight

Welcome to the 746th Tablescape Thursday! I'm starting to think ahead to Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day dinners are usually romantic affairs for two, but I couldn't resist setting a full table.   Yesterday was busy around here with appointments. The storage room in the basement was measured for its door and other repairs were being made, so it was kind of late before I had an opportunity to … [Read more...]




A Winter Holiday Birthday Celebration in Purple and Gold

Welcome to the 745th Tablescape Thursday! Happy New Year to you! Thanks for all your well-wishes on my previous post. I'm not quite 100% yet, but getting there! I have one last holiday table to share with you. Though this table definitely works for Christmas, I think it would be wonderful to enjoy anytime during the winter months. Warren has always wanted to set a purple table during the holiday season. … [Read more...]




Whimsical Lenox Nutcrackers In An Elegant Christmas Table Setting

Welcome to the 744th Tablescape Thursday! Do you ever shop for Christmas collectibles or Christmas decorations in the after-Christmas sales? I never think to do that but after hearing about the amazing find Warren and his wife, Kathie, came across last year, I think I need to start! Warren said, "Kathie and I prowl the stores after Christmas looking for decorating bargains. Last year, The Christmas Shop … [Read more...]




Touring 2 Homes Beautifully Decorated For The Christmas Holidays

Welcome to the 726th Metamorphosis Monday! I hope as I write this, you are enjoying a warm, relaxing, cozy time wherever you are. It's been super cold here in Ohio over the past few days. I've never lived where I saw negative temps! Notice the "feels like" temp: -31°! That's scary cold! As I type this, it's 17° outside and feels like 8° per the weather app on my phone, plus, more snow is expected today. … [Read more...]




Jackie’s Beautiful Dining Room Is Dressed And Ready For Christmas

Welcome to the 743rd Tablescape Thursday! Oh, I have such a treat for you today! I had planned to drive up to see family for the holidays this Friday. Well, Mother Nature had different plans! A big winter storm was predicted to hit Ohio this Friday so I had to leave two days earlier than planned which disrupted my plans for setting a table this week. Now the weather has changed again and it looks like the … [Read more...]




My November Favorites + A Few Extras

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you! I just realized yesterday that I had never gotten around to sharing my November favorites. This time of year, Cutemol always makes the list as I'm using it at least once a day to avoid having my fingertips crack in the dry cold weather. Cutemol is a life-saver. My daughter-in-love loves it so much, she subscribes to it for monthly deliveries. It's also a miracle … [Read more...]




It’s Finished! Welcome to My Cozy Bookstore Book Nook

I should have known when I purchased a book nook kit I wouldn't be able to leave it alone until it was finished. I'm the same way when doing a puzzle. I'm always so eager to see it completed, it calls my name and haunts me until it's done. When I last shared this Bookstore Book Nook that I had just started, it was only this far along: a few pictures and a couple of shelves on one side wall, and a cute … [Read more...]




7 Centerpiece Ideas for Your Christmas Holiday Table

Welcome to the 742nd Tablescape Thursday! Over the past few weeks, my internet has been cutting in and out. With all the rain we've had recently, it's gotten 10x worse. The cable company is supposed to arrive any time now so this post will be short on words, but hopefully, you'll find it helpful as you prepare your holiday tables this year. Sometimes the toughest part of setting the table is coming up … [Read more...]




3 Fun, Unique Gift Ideas, Including One for the Person Who Already Has Everything

I'm always trying to think of fun gifts for my friends and family. I usually try to give them something from their wish list, but I also like to sneak in something they weren't expecting--a little surprise, or maybe even a BIG one. Ha! Explosion Gift Boxes: If you have someone on your gift list who is impossible to buy for, one idea is an Explosion Gift Box. I purchased two of their Halloween Explosion … [Read more...]




Caught Some Amazing Sales Today & Finished My Christmas Gift Shopping

I've been shopping for Christmas gifts over the past week and I've found some wonderful treasures. If you've got a few friends and loved ones still on your list, I hope some of these suggestions will be helpful. So when you're shopping for gifts, you have to buy a little something for yourself, right? Hee, hee. I have been wanting one of these adorable book nooks for a long time, but the ones I always … [Read more...]




Cozy Candlelit Dinner with Lenox Winter Greetings

Welcome to the 741st Tablescape Thursday! We're dining by candlelight in the dining room this week. Why do I have the sudden urge to insert "with Colonel Mustard" into that sentence? ;)   Most of these photos were taken by candlelight or the early morning light coming in through the windows, along with a little bit of light from the lamps on the sideboard. One great thing about taking these … [Read more...]




Am I Skipping Christmas This Year?

Have you ever read the book, Skipping Christmas, by John Grisham--THE John Grisham who normally writes exciting mystery/adventure novels? It's a good one if you haven't read it. It was eventually made into a movie that was similar but not exactly like the book. So am I skipping Christmas? Well, not exactly, I did get my favorite Christmas decoration up--the wreaths. Those are always an absolute must, I … [Read more...]




Sharing Two New Purchases That Would Make Great Gifts or Stocking Stuffers

When I shop for Christmas presents each year, I always try to shop for those things that I already know the recipient wants or has on their wish list. If I don't have that information to go on, then I look to those things that I enjoy and know to be wonderful or add value to my life. One of those "add-value-to-my-life" things is this Hagerty Jewelry Keeper that's designed where we can actually see our … [Read more...]




Can You Guess What Robin Used To Create This Charming Christmas Village For Her Holiday Mantel?

My son was always a huge Lego fan growing up and he often received a Lego set for birthdays and Christmas, but I never expected to buy a Lego set for myself. Then Lego produced the Home Alone house and they had my full, undivided attention. Ha! I was so influenced by that home when I saw the movie, I know it subconsciously influenced my choice of home--including the one I've lived in for the past 33 years. … [Read more...]




My 4 Favorite Christmas-Winter China Designs & What I’m Adding To My Collection From The Sale

Welcome to the 740th Tablescape Thursday! If you've ever wanted to purchase a beautiful, classic, never-going-out-of-style Christmas china, this is definitely the time! The sales are excellent right now for all my absolute favorite Christmas and Winter designs! Are you a fan of Lenox Holiday? It doesn't get much more classic than this gorgeous pattern. I chose it for this whimsical Christmas table … [Read more...]




Thanksgiving Table with Spode Woodland, Waterford Araglin & Towle King Richard

Welcome to the 739th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year, but after the freezer was delivered yesterday, I put together a small table for four late last night that I hope you'll enjoy. This post is a mix of photos taken last night in low lighting and a few taken this morning in the natural light coming in through the breakfast room … [Read more...]




26 Festive, Beautiful Ways to Decorate & Prepare Your Home for the Holidays!

I'm so ready and excited to add wreaths to the front of my home! I hope to get that done this weekend. I know a lot of you have started your decorating, many are already done!  It's exciting and fun to have our homes all decorated and festive for the holidays, especially when family we rarely get to see visits us for Thanksgiving. In today's post, I've rounded up 26 ideas that I hope you'll find helpful … [Read more...]




A Special Halloween Birthday Tea Party

Welcome to the 738th Tablescape Thursday! Selma throws the most amazing tea parties! In a recent email, Selma wrote, "I wanted to do something special for my granddaughter for her birthday, and my first thought was a Princess Tea, but when her mom mentioned how much Gia loves Halloween, I asked (Gia) if she wanted a Halloween Birthday Tea. The answer was, YES! So, you know how it goes with the grandbabies-- … [Read more...]




Gift Ideas for the Holidays & Sharing a Special Love of Mine That I’ve Never Shared Before

With Christmas just 43 days away, I'm sharing some of my absolute favorites that I know from personal experience make great gifts--either for you or for someone else. Before we go holiday shopping, if you plan to hang wreaths this year, especially outdoors, the shop where I purchased mine when I replaced all mine a few years ago, has them back in stock again this year.   The bows with the … [Read more...]




Entering Into the World of James Bond for Halloween This Year, Happy Halloween!

Welcome to the 718th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Halloween! Did you go to any great Halloween parties this year? Jackie, a lovely BNOTP reader who has become a friend over the years, hosts an amazing Halloween party each year! She always chooses a theme for the party, then completely transforms her home around that theme. You may remember last year's theme which was Star Trek.     If … [Read more...]




Gifted Stemware Sets The Theme For This Halloween Tablescape

Gina, a lovely BNOTP reader, received some fun stemware this year as a gift, and it was just in time for Halloween!   I love the color scheme of this Halloween table setting! The orange really pops again the black and white.   Gina included her ravens from Hobby Lobby in her centerpiece. I need to do a search to see how to tell Ravens from Crows. Anyone … [Read more...]




A Spooky, Fun Halloween Dinner Party, Plus, Some Clever Ideas for Your Halloween Decor

Welcome to the 735th Tablescape Thursday! Norma, a lovely BNOTP reader whose tables I've shared before, recently had friends over dinner. She created a whimsical table setting with a fun Halloween theme.   Norma always finds the neatest things in her local charity shops in France, so many of the items she used in her decorations were thrifted.   Norma said, "I made the napkins … [Read more...]




Autumn Foliage, Sunshine Puddles & Last Minute Inspiration for Your Halloween Porch

Happy Autumn! It's definitely looking like fall here in Ohio. Our unseasonably warm temps have vanished and we're back to cooler weather now. The trees are so beautiful, they take my breath away!   I love driving down the tree-lined neighborhood streets and soaking in all this glorious autumn color!   Speaking of autumn colors, Hobbes, one of my son's kitties, is dressed for … [Read more...]




Take a Tour of This Beautiful Home Decorated with Lots of Halloween Whimsy!

Welcome to the 717th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently, my friend, Teresa, who lives in the great state of Texas, was invited to tour a beautiful home that was all decked out for Halloween. Teresa asked the lovely homeowner, Ann, if she could take photos of her fun decorations and Ann graciously agreed. Thanks so much to Teresa and Ann for sharing this wonderful tour!   Ohhh, I think I see a … [Read more...]




Shopping The Early Access Sale And A Favorite Out-of-Stock Item is Back!

Back in 2015, I made a small change to my front porch that had a huge impact. I changed out this dinky, not-so-nice-looking doormat for a bigger, better one.   I was amazed by how it transformed my entrance! What a dramatic difference a doormat can make! This one below looked beautiful for many years. After about 5 years, I decided to order a new one since the original one shown below was … [Read more...]




Decorate Your Home for Autumn with Whimsical Touches of Halloween!

Welcome to the 715th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy New Week! I have a delightful fall decor makeover to share for this week's Met Monday! Jillian is all ready for Halloween and Autumn and the fun starts right here at the front door.   Please note: This area is designated for "Broom Parking Only, Violators Will Be Toad!" Ha!   Eeek! Bats everywhere! Love the cattail … [Read more...]




Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.” A Candlelit Table for Halloween

Welcome to the 732nd Tablescape Thursday! I rarely buy new dinnerware these days since I have plenty for entertaining and such, but every once in a while I'll stumble across some salad plates that steal my heart and I can't pass them up.   One of my favorite Halloween decorations, maybe even my favorite, are these spooky blackbirds that I came across quite a few years back in Hobby Lobby. … [Read more...]




It’s Here–My Fortnum & Mason Bespoke Hamper Arrived & It’s Delightful!

The Fortnum and Mason hamper I ordered a few weeks back arrived this week. If I ever make it back to London again, I would love to visit their Piccadilly store in person. In today's post, I thought I'd share what I ordered. I also have a sneaky plan for the hamper, looking forward to sharing that very soon.   When I placed my order, I chose their "Large" size hamper. I knew it would be a … [Read more...]




Even Better Than I Expected! Love It When That Happens!

It is sooo nice when you order something online and when it arrives, you discover it's even better than you had expected. That's pretty much the way it always is when I order from L.L. Bean. So many things have changed over the years with so many companies going out of business or just not offering the same level of goods or services that they have in the past. L.L. Bean is one of the few companies where … [Read more...]




A Unique Birthday/Holiday Gift Idea + 2 Awesome Sales from Two Favorite Stores

Thanks so much to Gail for letting me know about a sale I would have surely missed. Gail knows how much I love Fair Isle sweaters, especially the beautiful ones L.L. Bean carries every winter. This one below was one I purchased a few fall seasons back and I still wear it often during the winter months. It' sooo warm!   They have some really pretty ones on sale right now. This one has been a … [Read more...]




Celebrating the 4th of July with a Patriotic Table Setting! Happy Independence Day!

Welcome to the 718th Tablescape Thursday! I haven't had a chance yet to thank you for all the wonderful suggestions left on my June 24th post. They were all incredibly helpful. I will do a follow-up post very soon because I think I may have figured out what was causing the issues I've been having--more on that real soon. But I just wanted to say Thank You and let you know how much I appreciated each and … [Read more...]




8 Patriotic Table Settings for the 4th of July

Welcome to the 717th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Summer! I can't believe how fast spring went by. I just realized Independence Day is less than two weeks away! For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I'm sharing some festive, fun ways to celebrate this year. I hope you find these tables helpful as you plan for your 4th of July celebrations. Click the title of each post below to see more of that … [Read more...]




Springtime Table for Two, A Celebration of Beautiful Spring Flowers

Welcome to the 709th Tablescape Thursday! The geraniums on my deck are really starting to bloom. They inspired this week's table setting that's all about beautiful spring flowers. I love this time of year when everything is waking up and coming back to life!   Just a cozy table for two...   Happy, happy geraniums...       You may remember … [Read more...]




Spring-Easter Table Setting + Sneak Preview of a New Addition to the Screened Porch

Welcome to the 707th Tablescape Thursday! Yay! It's porch time again! We've got 70+° weather on tap for the whole week so it's practically a sin to spend it inside every day. I spent the last couple of days cleaning away the pollen from the porch. Still have more cleaning to do to ready the porch for spring and summer, but it's getting there. How is the pollen in your area? It's been pretty intense here … [Read more...]




My Catan Obsession: The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had Playing a Game!

Do you enjoy playing board games? I've never been that interested in them, especially if they drag out for a long time. Also, with so many board games, it often feels like the same old game every time you play it. Well, my thoughts about board games completely changed on my last visit to see family in Ohio! My son introduced me to the game, Catan, and I am officially hooked! During my visit, my son told … [Read more...]




3 Happy Spring Table Settings

Welcome to the 706th Tablescape Thursday! Last night we had a huge thunderstorm here. Unable to sleep because it was so loud and there was so much lightning, I got back up and was sitting at my desk, reading,  when a super loud, explosive thunderclap/lightning strike happened. Simultaneously, I heard a loud, ear-piercing pop close by. It was so loud, it sounded like a firecracker had gone off a few feet … [Read more...]




Elegant Spring Table with a Hand-Crafted Centerpiece & a Nod to the Gilmore Girls

Welcome to the 705th Tablescape Thursday! Recently I received an email from a lovely BNOTP reader. Sheri said, "I just created a Spring tablescape for my dining room that I thought I would share with you. It all started with the candle in the centerpiece. A sweet, dear young friend won a silent auction of a bag of goodies that were "Gilmore Girls" themed. She knows I am a HUGE fan and she bid on it and … [Read more...]




Antique Bavarian China in a Beautiful Candlelight Table Setting

Welcome to the 704th Tablescape Thursday! St. Patrick's Day was a week ago but I couldn't wait until next year to share a beautiful table setting Warren created and shared with me just a few days ago. Warren put this beautiful table setting together for a recent family gathering. Warren said, "Recently, eleven members of our family gathered to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with our traditional buffet … [Read more...]




Daffodils, Daisies, and 4-Leaf Clovers for St. Patrick’s Day

Welcome to the 702nd Tablescape Thursday! The daffodils in my front yard are blooming--they've been blooming for the last couple of weeks--I love seeing their sunshine faces so much!   Every year when they bloom, it makes me want to plant even more. I currently have them around the gas lantern (above), in this island under the Crepe Mrytle tree where I'd love to place a Little Free Library … [Read more...]




An Elegant, “Dress-up” Dinner Party for 10

Welcome to the 701st Tablescape Thursday! I have a wonderful treat for you today! Recently, I received an email from Warren about a special dinner party he and his wife Kathie hosted in their home. Warren said, "After setting too many holiday tablescapes, I felt like I had lost my mojo and was suffering from "tablescaper's block." (I am in all of Susan's talent and skill to have created over 600 … [Read more...]




A Valentine’s Day Celebration with Friends

Welcome to the 698th Tablescape Thursday! Valentine's Day is just a few days away. Jackie shared a table with me recently that would be perfect for inviting friends over for a Valentine's Day celebration and the first thing I noticed was her beautifully decorated chandelier!   So pretty! Love the beaded garland! It's a little hard to see since the chandelier is on in the photo below, but … [Read more...]