2 Beautiful Table Settings For A Christmas Holiday Tea Party

Welcome to the 902nd Tablescape Thursday! There were a couple of table settings that I didn't get a chance to share before Christmas, and they are way too wonderful to wait another whole year! Selma often hosts fabulous tea parties, and just before Christmas, she hosted a Christmas tea party for the lovely staff who work at the cat clinic where Selma takes her sweet kitties. Selma wrote, "I hosted Christmas … [Read more...]




Let’s Go Inside The Beautiful Tate House Conservatory!

Welcome to the 884th Metamorphosis Monday! Today, I'm taking you back to the beautiful Tate House, aka The Pink Palace, in Tate, Georgia. You may recall that a friend and I visited the Tate House in December, when it was decorated for Christmas.   The Tate House, built from a rare pink marble mined from a nearby quarry, is an iconic landmark in Tate, Georgia.   It really is a … [Read more...]




Feeling Nostalgic This Christmas Morning

Welcome to the 900th Tablescape Thursday! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!  I hope you are having a great one! I plan to celebrate into January because it feels like it has all gone by way too fast. For our Christmas Eve dinner last night, we used this table setting that I put together several weeks ago.   I couldn't bring myself to change it since it's a kitty-themed table, and this … [Read more...]




Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas & These Should All Arrive Before Christmas

It's down to crunch time for completing our Christmas shopping this year. Last night, I put together a list of gifts that were showing they would arrive before Christmas Day. Starting with my favorite winter slippers (actually, I wear them almost all year round) these slippers are incredibly warm and cozy. You'll find the men's slippers available here: Men's Tasman II Slipper, and the women's slippers are … [Read more...]




The Beautiful Tate House Dining Room & A Fantasy Christmas Table Setting

Welcome to the 899th Tablescape Thursday! It was a long, long drive back from Georgia to the Dollhouse yesterday, and I had two rambunctious kittens who kept me awake half the night, so I'm running late this morning.  Last night was the first night that I've seriously attempted to let them sleep in my bed; before, they just wanted to play the entire time and always got booted out. It went very well for … [Read more...]




A $100,000 Christopher Radko Christmas Tree!

Welcome to the 881st Metamorphosis Monday! Before we get into today's post, in case you find it helpful, here's what my pest control company did last week to prevent any more squirrels from accidentally falling down my chimney in the future. (Ha! I can't believe I just wrote that sentence!) They added screening all around the opening, as seen in this photo below.   When the workman first … [Read more...]




A Charming Retro-Style Heater, 9 Gift Ideas + 39 Games Rated 4.7 And Up

I just returned yesterday from a wonderful visit with friends who live in the beautiful community of Big Canoe. On Friday, we toured the Tate House in Tate, Georgia. I'm looking forward to sharing photos from that visit soon. If you live in Atlanta or the north Georgia area, it's definitely worth a trip for their holiday tour. They just added a stunning arboretum to the home. No rooms were off limits during … [Read more...]




Whimsical Snowman-Themed Tablescape, Perfect For The Winter Months Ahead

Welcome to the 898th Tablescape Thursday! I'm posting Tablescape Thursday a little early this week since I'll be busy with some other holiday activities over the next few days. Several years ago, I came across a fun snowman, winter-themed table setting, and I filed it away in my brain as a fun table to create one day. I'm not sure where I first saw it; it may have been on Instagram. Finally, this year, I … [Read more...]




Squirrels In The House & A Nostalgic Christmas

Welcome to the 880th Metamorphosis Monday! Yesterday was a crazy day around here. I wish I had taken some photos, but it never even crossed my mind. I had two squirrels running around inside my home—a Mom and her baby. Earlier that morning, I had come across small pellet-like droppings downstairs and had cleaned them up, wondering if I had a mouse in the house. Within a few minutes of cleaning them up, the … [Read more...]




Another Beautiful Wreath From Lynch Creek Farms, This One May Be My Favorite

Welcome to the 879th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend! For this week's Met Monday, I'm sharing the wreath I ordered this year from Lynch Creek Farms. This will be my third year ordering from them. For reference, here are the Christmas wreaths that I've ordered from them for the previous two years.   Sorry about this terrible photo...note to self, don't take … [Read more...]




Fave Black Friday-Cyber Monday Finds & Fun Stories From ‘Home But Alone No More’

How was your Thanksgiving? I hope you had a great one and got in some time to just relax. My son and DIL hosted this year; my son smoked a turkey, and my daughter-in-law prepared some amazing appetizers and side dishes. I contributed with a squash casserole.   The kittens have kept things interesting! I've lost count of how many times I've pulled them out of the Christmas tree. I also had to … [Read more...]




BNOTP Readers Have Been Asking For This For Many Years, And I Finally Found It

Welcome to the 896th Tablescape Thursday! Several years ago, we had a very big snow event that came through Georgia. It later came to be known as Snowmageddon. It was a doozy! Just as the snow was starting to melt, I got a crazy idea and set a table out on the deck, taking advantage of the snowy tablecloth provided by Mother Nature.   The only centerpiece that seemed appropriate for that … [Read more...]




Exciting Finds: Long Out-of-Print Book Is Back & I Solved The Fridge Fingerprint Issue

It's back in print! What am I talking about? In 1982, Martha Stewart released her very first book titled Entertaining. I'm not sure when Entertaining went out of print, but it's back in print now, and they have done their best to stay true to the original book, right down to the dedications, which even included Martha's ex-husband. I purchased Entertaining many years ago when I finally came to my senses … [Read more...]




My Favorite Holiday Centerpiece, Love It For Thanksgiving & Christmas

Welcome to the 894th Tablescape Thursday! One of my favorite centerpieces to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas is a Colonial Williamsburg-style Apple Tree.   They don't always have to be made with apples; you can use almost any kind of fruit, including small oranges, lemons, and limes. I really like how this tree turned out with lemons and limes. Magnolia leaves make a great base on which to … [Read more...]




3 Gifts For The Home Alone Movie Fan, Plus An Adorable Christmas Decor Idea

I'm so looking forward to the Christmas movie-watching that I know will be taking place over the next few weeks. A couple of days ago, I was feeling Christmas-nostalgic and curled up in the movie room to watch Home Alone right by myself. There's something to be said for watching your favorite Christmas movie (or any movie) alone—like the ability to pause it as many times as you wish to enjoy the little … [Read more...]




A Christmas Tablescape For Cat Lovers Of All Ages

Welcome to the 893rd Tablescape Thursday! I brought up more dishes with me on this past trip back from Georgia. Having just adopted two furbabies, I thought this would be a fun Christmas table to set for my grandsons.   Actually, my son and DIL are pretty smitten with the new furbabies, so I think they'll enjoy this table as much as the boys. These photos were taken early this morning, so the … [Read more...]




My Waterford “12 Days of Christmas” Flute Collection Just Grew A Little

Welcome to the 885th Tablescape Thursday! Many, many years ago, guessing it's been over 15 years now, I was walking through the china/crystal department in Dillard's Department store in Perimeter Mall in Atlanta. It was the Christmas season, and the store was bustling with excited, happy shoppers. The china department was no different, with shoppers lined up behind the checkout desk, arms filled with … [Read more...]




Christmas In July Favorites

Have you been noticing all the fall, Halloween, and holiday decor that's starting to appear in stores? I once asked about that when I was shopping in a Hobby Lobby, why they put holiday stuff out so early. They said that a lot of crafters start shopping during the summer months to be ready in time for the autumn and winter holidays. That made sense so now I don't get so annoyed when I see those goods in the … [Read more...]




Proof You Can Create An Elegant, Beautiful Table Setting Without Breaking The Bank

Welcome to the 850th Tablescape Thursday! Update: I didn't realize the TT party was set to start in the evening—somehow I must have set it for PM instead of AM. Thanks to Mary for letting me know. It should be open now. Sheri set a beautiful table this year that her sister described as a "fairytale" table. I thought the same thing when I saw it, the colors are soft and ethereal—a beautiful vision in … [Read more...]




Crazy Snow Storm, Feeding The Birds, A Special Cranberry Trifle Recipe & Catching Up Christmas

Welcome to the 832nd Metamorphosis Monday! I've been super distracted today due to the weather event we had yesterday and today. Snow, snow, and more snow! Here's how my trashcans look this morning!   I even have little snowdrifts on my windows like the ones I've only ever seen in movies or spray painted on department store windows. lol   My grandsons have been out enjoying it this … [Read more...]




A Beautiful Peacock-Themed Table Setting For The Holidays

Welcome to the 849th Tablescape Thursday! Happy New Year! I hope 2025 is off to a wonderful start for you and your family! Over the years I've shared several beautiful table settings from Warren. Recently, I heard from Warren who said, "Traditionally, I have set my “Candy Cane” tablescape for our big family celebration on Christmas Eve. This year, I wanted to step out of the box and use a different color … [Read more...]




A 3-Christmas-Movie-Themed Table Setting, Can You Guess The 3 Movies?

Welcome to the 848th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you! I hope you're having a wonderful week and spending as much as possible with family and friends! Before Christmas gets by us for another year, I have to share this delightful table setting Elena created this year for her Christmas feast. Elena said, "So when I did the Christmas train tablescape last year, it was very … [Read more...]




Dept. 56 “Christmas Vacation” Movie-Themed Tablescape, Includes Retired Houses

Welcome to the 847th Tablescape Thursday! Several years ago, I created a fun Christmas Vacation Movie-themed table setting.   If you've been reading BNOTP, you probably remember this tablescape.   Since I last shared that table, I've added two more Department 56 lit houses to my Christmas Vacation collection, so I thought it would be fun to share a Christmas Vacation themed table … [Read more...]




A Simple Idea For Wrapping Christmas & Holiday Gifts

Wrapping presents isn't high on my list of favorite things to do, but I sure do like how they look once they are wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree. I've found that watching a movie or listening to a book while I wrap makes the wrapping a lot more enjoyable.   This year, I decided to go with a simple idea for the bow, something I saw in an ad on Instagram, I think for Ralph Lauren. Using … [Read more...]




Love This New Feeder, Delish Popcorn & The Spotting Scope Is Pretty Awesome, Too!

The Spotting Scope has been a huge hit!   My grandsons are fascinated with using it to watch the birds and squirrels. Every 30 seconds they are saying, "Mimi, come look!" (Spotting Scope is available here: Spotting Scope.)   I need to cherish these moments now because I know they won't last forever. Maybe in a few years when they are older, they will want to go on bird … [Read more...]




A Little Christmas Holiday Tablescape Inspiration, Can’t Believe It’s Just 2 Weeks Away!

Welcome to the 846th Tablescape Thursday! I'm currently working on a fun holiday table that I'll be sharing next week. In the meantime, here are a few ideas that I hope you'll find helpful as you prepare your holiday table settings and Christmas Decor. (Click the title of any post to access that post in full.) One of my favorite decorations or centerpieces for a holiday dinner party is a decorative fruit … [Read more...]




Found A Christmas Tree, Plus Adorable Gingerbread House, Gingerbread Man Pillows

Yesterday was a crazy, busy day, but a good one. Though I couldn't fit three large boxes of Christmas ornaments into my SUV for this trip up to the Dollhouse, I decided to take your advice and purchase a tree just to enjoy the lights. This is where it landed, here in the otherwise empty living room. Please excuse the gaps, I just brought the tree into the house yesterday evening and wrestled it into its … [Read more...]




Christmas Dining In The Sunroom

Welcome to the 845th Tablescape Thursday! We are out on the sunporch for this week's table setting.   Since the porch isn't heated, I placed a small electric heater on the porch and opened the door from the living out to the porch. The porch was toasty warm in no time. I would enjoy dining out here any time of the year now that I know how easy it is to warm up.   This was a fun table … [Read more...]




2 Beautiful New Updates For The Front Porch

It arrived early! I ordered this wreath from Lynch Creek Farm around November 24th and it arrived this past Monday, well before the original projected delivery date.    I love how it looks; it's exactly like the photo I saw online! I was surprised by how wet it was. LCF must spray them well before they bag them to ship them out. It was so incredibly fresh, like the greenery was picked that same … [Read more...]




My Favorite Black Friday Finds For Everyone On Your List

There are so many great Black Friday deals going on today! If you're shopping the sales, here are some of my favorites. I really love this Vineyard Vines merino wool, quarter-zip sweater. I've bought their sweaters in the past for my son and he always loves them. A few years back I bought one of their sweaters for him for Christmas that turned out to be a favorite. The next year when I saw him wearing it … [Read more...]




16 Delicious Homemade Recipes For Thanksgiving Day & Beyond

Welcome to the 844th Tablescape Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving—it's almost here! Since I know so many of us are busy preparing for visits with family and friends, for this week's Tablescape Thursday, I thought I'd share some favorite recipes that you may find helpful for Thanksgiving Day and beyond. Click on any link below to access a printable version of that recipe. Delish Breakfast Casserole: My … [Read more...]




Hanging 13 Wreaths, This Year’s Front Door Wreath & Loading Up The Sleigh

Welcome to the 826th Metamorphosis Monday! It's been a busy week as I prepare to head north again. I started to hang the wreaths on the windows earlier in the week and found them all painted shut. Even though the painters had the windows slightly raised when they painted the exterior this past summer, the windows still managed to weld themselves shut during the intervening months.   Thankfully, … [Read more...]




What I Bought During The Early Black Friday Deals—Never, Ever Thought I’d Buy This!

I made a rather big purchase for the basement in the Dollhouse recently. As I was thinking about that choice this morning, it reminded me once again how so many of the choices I make when decorating a room are guided through raw emotion and fantasy. I know that sounds weird, but some rooms do that to me—immediately bringing a scene into view, like a motion picture playing in my head where I can envision the … [Read more...]




17 Favorite Gift Ideas To Delight You & Your Loved Ones!

I've had several requests to put together a post with favorite gift ideas since Christmas is just barely a month away now. The goodies I'm sharing today are those that I know to be awesome because either I own them myself, or I've given them as gifts in the past and they were well received. Please feel free to bookmark this post to refer back to if you haven't yet started your holiday shopping. Over the … [Read more...]




Introducing A New Member In My Holiday Figural Family—Help Me Name Him!

Welcome to the 842nd Tablescape Thursday! It was so nice here yesterday, so I couldn't resist placing this table out here on the porch.   My favorite dinnerware to bring out this time of year, Spode Woodland, is currently in Ohio right now, so I thought I'd set a winter-themed table, instead. Besides, I just added a new "character" to my family of centerpieces during my recent shopping trip … [Read more...]




My Faves For Holiday Entertaining & An Advent Calendar I’ve Stalked For Years Is On Sale

Are you busy decorating and planning for the upcoming holidays? It was definitely a wake-up call for me when I stopped by HomeGoods a few days ago and found it packed with happy shoppers. It made me realize how close the holiday are upon us! You could really feel the excitement in the air; everyone seemed to be in such a great mood! One of the first things I always look for each year as the holidays … [Read more...]




Add A Bit Of Whimsy To Your Decor—Especially Love The Holiday Ones!

Thanks so much for all your thoughtful and helpful comments on my previous post. I read all of them and appreciate so much your input. After I pull together a few more of the pieces that I hope to add to my office, I should have a better idea how I feel about the rug. I'll be sure to share those updates if/when they occur. Again, thanks for all your input and ideas! Now that Halloween has passed and we … [Read more...]




It Has Turned Cold & I’m Craving A Warm, Cozy, Snuggle-Worthy Wardrobe

It has turned very cold here in Ohio. The lows have been in the 30s at night. It's been almost that cold in northern Georgia, too. Though I don't like cold weather, I do like an excuse to wear warm, cozy sweaters. I've always had a soft spot for snowflake sweaters! This is one of the prettiest ones I've seen, love the design! It's currently on sale 30% off here: Snowflake Sweater.   One of my … [Read more...]




My September Favorites for Met Monday, Plus 3 Tempting Items Currently On My Wish List

Welcome to the 819th Metamorphosis Monday! Whenever I'm at the Dollhouse, there are always a lot of Before and Afters to share. If things go as planned this week, I'll soon be sharing how the dining set I ordered looks in the dining room. One update I made recently for the Dollhouse dining room was adding silk-wrapped bulbs to the dining room chandelier. Here's how those style bulbs look in the dining room … [Read more...]




Dollhouse Dining Room Updates & Mail Served On A Silver Platter ;)

Welcome to the 826th Tablescape Thursday! I finally figured out why everything is so hectic when I'm here at the Dollhouse. It usually goes like this: Today, I had two appointments scheduled. Just two. I had a shutter company representative stopping by at 8:30 to take an order for some plantation shutters, and later this afternoon I have a meeting/call with a developer to look into a new blog design. That … [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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




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...]




Ending the Year with 3 Truly Beautiful Christmas Holiday Tables

Welcome to the 692nd Tablescape Thursday! Though Christmas has passed, I couldn't pass up the chance to share three beautiful tables Warren set during the holidays. Warren said, "On 12/17, we held a family celebration of our son-in-law's 60th birthday. (I can hardly believe I am old enough to have a 60-year-old son-in-law!) In honor of his birthday, I set a new tablescape which I called the "Holly … [Read more...]




Delicious Spiced Champagne Punch: Great for Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning

Just popping in on Christmas Eve morning to suggest a really delicious champagne punch if you're looking for something to serve on Christmas Eve or with your Christmas morning breakfast or Christmas Day brunch. Note: You'll want to make it a few hours before you plan to serve it to give it a chance to cool down and to chill it before mixing in the champagne.   I often make it the day before I … [Read more...]




This Magical Christmas Dinner Begins Here in the Foyer with a Very Special Memory

Welcome to the 691st Tablescape Thursday! I have a truly beautiful table to share with you for this week's Tablescape Thursday. Jackie invited us into her home this week and before we enter the dining room, let's pause a moment to enjoy this wonderful, memory-filled centerpiece she has created for her entry table here in the foyer.   Jackie said, "This past summer, my Mom gave me my sled … [Read more...]




A Peacock-Themed Christmas Tree & A Festive Laundry Room

Recently I shared the beautiful Christmas ornaments, Norma, a lovely BNOTP reader, painstakingly makes each year for her Christmas tree. Each year, Norma chooses a different theme/color scheme for her tree. This year she chose a Peacock them and her ornaments turned out beautifully! (To view a brief tutorial sharing how Norma makes her ornaments, check out this previous post: Handmade Christmas Ornaments … [Read more...]




These Shoppes Are Still Promising Delivery by Christmas

It's 4 days before Christmas and if you are still shopping online for gifts, these are my favorite shops that are still saying they can get your gifts to you before Christmas. Talbots has a sitewide 40% sale going on right now.   They are promising delivery by the 24th for all orders placed by 2:00 PM today. You'll find the sale here: Talbots.   Ralph Lauren is advertising … [Read more...]




The Magic of Christmas Lights, Truly Enchanting!

Welcome to the 673rd Metamorphosis Monday! My friend, Teresa, and I have had some fun adventures over the past few years, including a trip to Egypt that I don't think either of us will soon forget.   Sadly, we live many states apart but recently we were able to spend a week together at her beautiful home.   Teresa and her hubby, Frank, have their home beautifully lit for … [Read more...]




Awesome Stocking Stuffers & Gift Ideas, Plus I’m Crazy About My New Floor Lamp!

Happy Weekend! I bet you are busier right now than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs! I hope this post helps with the last-minute rush for gifts and stocking stuffers. But first...how about a bit of decorating! Recently, I shared a new update to my bedroom. I finally got around to adding draperies to the windows, something I've wanted to do for a very long time. During that process, I … [Read more...]




2 Beautiful Tables, A Snowy Christmas Mantel & A Lovely Hand-crafted Church

Welcome to the 690th Tablescape Thursday! Jackie shared her beautiful Thanksgiving table just after Thanksgiving. It was so pretty, I couldn't wait another whole year to share it with you!   Being a Thanksgiving table, Jackie went with a color scheme in beautiful autumn browns, reds, creams, and deep greens for this tablescape.   Of course, being Thanksgiving, there had to … [Read more...]




So, You’re Not Going To Believe What I Just Ordered!

Initially, I tried to resist, but in the end, it was futile! Soooo, a month or so back I tripped across this new, just-out LEGO set while shopping for Christmas gifts online. These days, I never look at LEGO sets unless I'm specifically shopping for a gift for one of my grandsons. I used to buy them all the time for their dad who loved them as much as they do now. This new set caught my eye because it … [Read more...]




All The Things! A Gift Giving Guide for Christmas & the Holidays

How's your Christmas/Holiday shopping going? If you're struggling a bit or looking for some last-minute items, here are some of my favorites. You hear me rave about L.L. Bean's Wicked Good Slippers allll the time because my son and daughter are always asking for these when their birthday or Christmas rolls around. They are crazy about them! They come in a ton of different styles.   This is … [Read more...]