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

January 9, 2025 by 8 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, New Year's Table Settings, New Year's Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , , ,



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

January 6, 2025 by 59 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Recipes, For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding



A Beautiful Peacock-Themed Table Setting For The Holidays

January 2, 2025 by 8 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Winter Tablescapes



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

December 26, 2024 by 21 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, TV & Movie House Fun Tagged With: , , , , ,



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

December 19, 2024 by 17 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



A Simple Idea For Wrapping Christmas & Holiday Gifts

December 18, 2024 by 22 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , ,



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

December 14, 2024 by 11 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Gardening & Birding, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



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

December 12, 2024 by 10 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , ,



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

December 7, 2024 by 15 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , ,



Christmas Dining In The Sunroom

December 5, 2024 by 23 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , ,



2 Beautiful New Updates For The Front Porch

December 4, 2024 by 23 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Porches & Decks Tagged With: , , ,



My Favorite Black Friday Finds For Everyone On Your List

November 29, 2024 by 10 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: ,



16 Delicious Homemade Recipes For Thanksgiving Day & Beyond

November 27, 2024 by 3 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Recipes, Recipes, Thanksgiving Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,



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

November 25, 2024 by 25 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , , ,



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

November 23, 2024 by 15 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Basement/Terrace Level, Before & After, Christmas Gift Ideas, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , , , ,



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

November 19, 2024 by 9 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



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

November 14, 2024 by 61 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , , ,



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

November 13, 2024 by 11 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Table Settings, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , , , , ,



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

November 6, 2024 by 24 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: ,



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

October 16, 2024 by 9 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



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

October 7, 2024 by 23 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods Tagged With: , , ,



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

July 25, 2024 by 25 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Dining Room, Seasonal Decor, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: ,



Would You Have The Nerve To Do This? Yikes!

January 17, 2024 by 14 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Gift Ideas, DIY Crafts & Sewing, DIY Repairs and Fixes, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



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

January 9, 2024 by 27 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites



Happy New Year! So Looking Forward To 2024!

January 1, 2024 by 16 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Table Settings, New Year's Decor, New Year's Table Settings



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

December 28, 2023 by 10 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Tablescape Thursday, TV & Movie House Fun



Merry Christmas from Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph!

December 25, 2023 by 27 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Recipes, Recipes Tagged With: , , , ,



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

December 22, 2023 by 15 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes



All Aboard The Christmas Train! Merry Christmas!

December 21, 2023 by 25 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Winter Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , , ,



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

December 20, 2023 by 9 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor



An Elegant Christmas Table Setting in Silver and White

December 14, 2023 by 10 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , ,



3 Fun, Easy Gift Wrapping Ideas For Your Holiday Gifts

December 12, 2023 by 18 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas Tagged With: , ,



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

November 30, 2023 by 22 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Inspire, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , ,



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

November 29, 2023 by 8 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , ,



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

November 27, 2023 by 39 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Porches Tagged With: ,



Favorite Black Friday Sales & Some Have Been Extended!

November 24, 2023 by 14 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



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

November 18, 2023 by 12 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



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

November 13, 2023 by 15 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , , ,



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

November 12, 2023 by 35 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: ,



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

October 10, 2023 by 9 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites



A Winter Holiday Birthday Celebration in Purple and Gold

January 5, 2023 by 21 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Birthday Tablescapes, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Winter Tablescapes Tagged With: , ,



Whimsical Lenox Nutcrackers In An Elegant Christmas Table Setting

December 29, 2022 by 10 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Touring 2 Homes Beautifully Decorated For The Christmas Holidays

December 26, 2022 by 10 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor Tagged With: , , , ,



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

December 22, 2022 by 14 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday



My November Favorites + A Few Extras

December 20, 2022 by 6 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites



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

December 16, 2022 by 31 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: BNOTP Library, Christmas Crafts, DIY Crafts & Sewing Tagged With: , , , ,



7 Centerpiece Ideas for Your Christmas Holiday Table

December 15, 2022 by 10 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday



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

December 14, 2022 by 15 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , ,



Caught Some Amazing Sales Today & Finished My Christmas Gift Shopping

December 10, 2022 by 6 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



Cozy Candlelit Dinner with Lenox Winter Greetings

December 8, 2022 by 37 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , ,



Am I Skipping Christmas This Year?

December 7, 2022 by 44 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Holiday Home



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

December 4, 2022 by 3 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



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

December 2, 2022 by 5 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas Tagged With: , , , ,



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

December 1, 2022 by 18 Comments

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...]

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

November 18, 2022 by 7 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor



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

November 12, 2022 by 12 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



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

October 11, 2022 by 6 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



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

September 7, 2022 by 20 Comments

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...]

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

September 4, 2022 by 6 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



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

August 27, 2022 by 14 Comments

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...]

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

April 8, 2022 by 20 Comments

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...]

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

March 3, 2022 by 17 Comments

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...]

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Ending the Year with 3 Truly Beautiful Christmas Holiday Tables

December 30, 2021 by 39 Comments

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...]

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

December 24, 2021 by 18 Comments

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...]

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

December 23, 2021 by 25 Comments

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...]

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A Peacock-Themed Christmas Tree & A Festive Laundry Room

December 22, 2021 by 12 Comments

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...]

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These Shoppes Are Still Promising Delivery by Christmas

December 21, 2021 by

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



The Magic of Christmas Lights, Truly Enchanting!

December 20, 2021 by 20 Comments

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...]

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

December 17, 2021 by 17 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



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

December 16, 2021 by 11 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Fall Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Thanksgiving Table Settings, Thanksgiving Tablescapes, Winter Tablescapes Tagged With: , ,



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

December 14, 2021 by 55 Comments

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...]

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

December 11, 2021 by 4 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



Toy’s Delight, A Fantasy Christmas Table Setting

December 9, 2021 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 689th Tablescape Thursday! Merry Christmas! I hope your December is going amazing and is not too stressful. I had a rather stressful day yesterday involving a delivery gone very wrong--can share more on that later in case you're interested, so this table didn't get set until very late last night. Some of the photos were taken last night but I was also able to snap a few this morning. I … [Read more...]

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25 Beautiful, Festive, Fun Ways to Decorate & Prepare for Christmas

December 6, 2021 by 26 Comments

Welcome to the 671st Metamorphosis Monday! Here they are, rounded up all in one post, some of my most favorite ways to get ready for the Christmas holidays! I hope you find this helpful as you decorate, craft, cook, and prepare for Christmas! You may want to bookmark this post for future reference if you see something you would love to make or do as Christmas draws closer. Also, please feel free to … [Read more...]

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Handmade Christmas Ornaments, Inspired by the Colors of a Beautiful Peacock

December 1, 2021 by 16 Comments

I have a wonderful Christmas DIY decorating idea to share with you today. Norma, a lovely BNOTP reader who has become a friend over the years, makes the most beautiful handmade ornaments and flowers each year at Christmastime.   You may remember Norma from this post when I shared a beautiful table setting she created for friends where she decorated the entrance to her French cottage to look … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, DIY Crafts & Sewing



Decorate a Tree for Your Home Office–Love the Snowman Tree Topper!

November 29, 2021 by 14 Comments

Welcome to the 670th Metamorphosis Monday! Every year, my friend, Teresa, decorates a Christmas tree for her home office/study.   It's filled with a mix of colorful, fun ornaments, many collected during Teresa's many travels around the world.   I love a full tree, one filled with a plethora of ornaments. It makes it even more special when the ornaments carry so many memories … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor



11 Favorite Christmas Decor Books + Two On My Wish List

November 28, 2021 by 7 Comments

Do you have any favorite Christmas or Christmas-decor-themed books that you love pulling out this time of year? I have several that I always relish looking through to get the ideas flowing for my holiday decorating. I've gathered all my favorites together below in case you could use a bit of inspiration for your Christmas or holiday decor. The only one I was hesitant to include in this post was Martha … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Home Tours, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Table Settings, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



20 Toys They Will Love Getting for Christmas This Year

November 19, 2021 by 15 Comments

Do you have little ones on your shopping list? In today's post, I've put together a list of both play and learning toys that I've given to my grandsons in recent years. These are the ones they always ask me to play with them whenever I visit. If you've got little ones on your shopping list, I hope you find these ideas helpful. My oldest grandson has always loved this game, now the youngest one really … [Read more...]

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Sharing New Dinnerware and Chargers for This Holiday Table Setting

November 18, 2021 by 31 Comments

Welcome to the 686th Tablescape Thursday! Happy November on this beautiful autumn day!   It's not often I have new dinnerware AND new chargers to share with you on a Tablescape Thursday, but I have both to share this week! Since the lighting wasn't the best when I took these photos yesterday, I've added a few photos to the end of the post that were taken in just the light coming in through … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday



Affordable Dinnerware, Perfect for Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas & All Winter

November 12, 2021 by 14 Comments

Popping in with a quick post to share a super affordable dinnerware that I just purchased. It's perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or really it would be great to use all fall and winter long. I saw this pattern online recently and fell in love with the design! I love the toile design around the outer edge of each plate, but what really got me were the lit houses and the beautiful winter … [Read more...]

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Beautiful, Sparkly, Red Christmas Chargers, Should I Buy Them in Green, Too?

November 11, 2021 by 45 Comments

Welcome to the 685th Tablescape Thursday! I wasn't able to complete the table I was working on yesterday in time to take photos--just got too late of a start. But I did pick up some new chargers that I'm sharing in today's post. Would love your thoughts on if I should also buy them in the green color, as well! I can't wait to use them in a table this holiday season. Before I share the chargers I … [Read more...]

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Awesome Sales, Hostess Gift Ideas & Gifts for Your Special Loved Ones

November 10, 2021 by 12 Comments

I love this time of year! I can feel the excitement of the upcoming holidays in the air, especially when I visit some of my favorite places to shop this time of year. I have a lot of different things I want to share today, so we'll be jumping around a bit in today's post. I think that's the way my brain works anyway. lol A while back I set a fun, mystery-themed table for Tablescape … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



New Purchases for the Holidays & An Item You Asked About is Back

November 2, 2021 by 7 Comments

Before I forget, wanted to let you know this adorable Christmas Vacation Wrapping Paper is back in stock. I had several folks ask me about it last year and I couldn't find it in stock at that time, but it appears to be back for this year. This has to be my favorite Christmas wrapping paper ever!   I love the whimsical design plus, it's really nice quality paper. There's also a lot of paper on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: , , ,



Shopping Ahead for Christmas & My Fave Cashmere Shop is Having a Big Sale!

October 30, 2021 by 8 Comments

I always start my Christmas shopping a bit early. This year, I've been hearing about all these cargo ships that are stuck off the coast of CA and how there could be shortages of some items. That got me motivated to go ahead and get my shopping done for my two grandsons just in case the shortage rumors turn out to be true. I've been eyeing this awesome robot for them for some time. When their dad was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds



Advent Calendars for the Tea, Coffee, Chocolate & Wine Lover

October 17, 2021 by 6 Comments

A couple of days ago I shared some of my favorite Advent Calendars that have just come out for the holiday season. Most of the ones I shared in that previous post were beauty-themed, although there were a few surprises like this over-the-top beautiful Wedgwood Advent Calendar. If you missed that previous post, you'll find it here: They are Here! The Most Beautiful Advent Calendars of the … [Read more...]

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They Are Here! The Most Beautiful Advent Calendars of the Season!

October 15, 2021 by 10 Comments

Last year I put together a list of some of my favorite Advent Calendars but unfortunately, many of the ones I had wanted to share were already sold out. Every year they go quickly! In August when I shared a post about a book I was purchasing and a few gift ideas I had for Christmas, Barbara kindly left this comment on that post. Thanks so much for the reminder, Barbara! I'm getting this post out early this … [Read more...]

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A Special Book Inspired This Post, Starting My Holiday Shopping Now

August 28, 2021 by 15 Comments

Recently I was scoping out books on Amazon and I came across a book that looked amazing and was available to be pre-ordered. Extraordinary Voyages combines our love of fashion, particularly Lous Vuitton fashion, as well as our love for travel. That makes a lot of sense since Louis got his start in 1854 making beautiful trunks designed for travel. How wonderful it would be to own a vintage or antique LV … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods



Nancy’s Beautiful Porch Addition Helps Keep The Snow at Bay

March 1, 2021 by 31 Comments

Welcome to the 631st Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! I love it when I open up my e-mail Inbox and find emails like this one I received recently from Nancy, a reader of BNOTP. Nancy wrote: Dear Susan: I hope all is well. I'm one of your fans and blog subscribers. I have owed you this thank you letter for a long time. I moved into my current house 5 years ago in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Halloween Decor, Porches Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



A Beautiful, Bird-Themed China Pattern for Wintertime: Lenox Winter Greetings

January 21, 2021 by 61 Comments

Welcome to the 643rd Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Recently I was chatting with a lovely BNOTP reader about our mutual love of a wonderful, bird-themed Lenox pattern called, Winter Greetings. I realized during our email exchange that it's been years since I used that pattern in a table for Tablescape Thursday. I don't know why I never think to bring … [Read more...]

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A Beautiful Idea to Keep Those Spirits Up Through the Cold Winter Months

January 8, 2021 by 23 Comments

These long dark days of winter can sometimes feel a bit drab. Personally, I'm not too prone to feeling sad or depressed during the winter because I love snuggling up inside reading, puzzling, or just plotting little decor updates for the spring season. But I know winter can be hard on a lot of us, especially after the rush of the holiday season has passed and we put away all the holiday decor. Sandra, a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Decor, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: