An Exciting Book-Movie Themed Table Setting: Godzilla Strikes Again!

Welcome to the 665th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! When Elena has family over for a birthday celebration, in addition to setting a beautiful or whimsical table for the grown-ups, she always creates a special table just for the kiddos in the family. During a recent gathering, she created an amazing table that captured the fascination of both the kids … [Read more...]




How to Make Whimsical, Floating Teacups for an Alice in Wonderland Party

Welcome to the 638th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! A few weeks back I shared this wonderful table setting Elena created for her daughter's birthday. Elena went with a whimsical Alice in Wonderland theme, a favorite of her daughter's.   As part of the decorations, Elena created these beautiful, magical floating teacups.   Every … [Read more...]




A Delightful Alice in Wonderland, Cheshire-Cat-Themed Birthday Celebration

Welcome to the 654th Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Last week I shared a delightful, whimsical Alice in Wonderland table setting Elena created in celebration of her daughter's birthday.   There were little ones present at this birthday celebration, too, so Elena set the cutest table for the kiddos going with a Cheshire Cat … [Read more...]




Fanciful, Enchanting Decorations for an Alice in Wonderland Birthday Party

On this past Tablescape Thursday, I shared a whimsical Alice in Wonderland table Elena created in celebration of her daughter's birthday. If you missed seeing that enchanting tablescape, you'll find it here: Alice in Wonderland Birthday Celebration Table Setting.   In that post, I also shared the festive way Elena decorated her sideboard for the party.   I didn't get a chance … [Read more...]




A Whimsical Alice in Wonderland Table Setting Featuring Singing-Talking Flowers from the Garden

Welcome to the 653rd Tablescape Thursday, a blog party sharing beautiful table settings for all occasions! Almost 5 years ago, I posted this delightful table created by Elena, a lovely reader, now friend, of BNOTP. (View that previous table here: Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Party.)   Elena has done it again! Recently, she created a wonderful, whimsical table for her daughter's birthday … [Read more...]




A Jungle Safari Table Setting: One for the Grownups and One for the Kids

Welcome to the 568th Tablescape Thursday! We're dining outdoors for this week's Tablescape Thursday.   I've been itching to use these melamine jungle/safari themed plates since purchasing them earlier this summer. (Jungle print plates are available here: Jungle Plates.)   I couldn't make up my mind if I wanted this to be a fun table for the grownups or one for the kids, so I … [Read more...]




Shopping the Big Tabletop Sales & the Cutest Peter Rabbit Plates for Spring and Easter!

I stopped into both Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma today and picked up some really cute things for spring. Both shops have some great sales going on right now. Pottery Barn has all of their tabletop items on sale, 25% off and their Easter goodies are on sale up to 40% off. I scored some adorable napkins for 40% off. You'll find the sale here: Tabletop Sale. I had to check out this pretty blue and white … [Read more...]




Beauty & the Beast Birthday Table Featuring Beauty & the Beast Collectibles

Welcome to the 528th Tablescape Thursday! Happy to say I have turned the corner with this yucky cold/virus I caught my last couple of days in Egypt. The fever is gone and I'm finally starting to get my energy back now, which is good since the holidays are upon us! Thanks so much for all your comments on yesterday's post. I'm so glad you enjoyed our crazy adventure at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract … [Read more...]




A Shark-Themed Table Setting for a Special Boy’s Birthday Party!

Welcome to the 519th Tablescape Thursday! These embossed chargers I recently shared in a post just arrived a couple of days ago. They are still in their packing boxes in my entry, been so busy I haven't had a chance to unpack them, yet. I was impressed with the shipping/packaging, each charger is individually boxed and well padded. I couldn't resist opening up one to see how they looked. Love them and … [Read more...]




Dining Outdoors for Summer: A Mostly Child-Friendly Table Setting

Welcome to the 502nd Tablescape Thursday! I've been visiting with family the last couple of weeks and we've been having so much fun! We've been doing a lot of grilling, or I should say my son's been doing a lot of grilling. I'm obsessed with corn-on-the-cob cooked on the grill now, don't think I'll ever be able to eat it any other way. Yum!   With all this dining outdoors, I decided to … [Read more...]




A Playful Dinner for Two

Welcome to the 486th Tablescape Thursday! I had expected to be home by now and was planning on creating a table for this week's Tablescape Thursday. With all the snow and ice moving in across the southern states yesterday, I decided to delay my return by a couple of days. Getting stuck on the interstate or a side road somewhere didn't sound too appealing! The temps are supposed to start rising today … [Read more...]




A Birthday Dinner Celebration with a Vintage Vogue Fashion Theme

Welcome to the 463rd Tablescape Thursday! Recently Elena and her beautiful family gathered together to celebrate the birthday of four family members. Elena lost her dear sister, Anna earlier this year so for Elena this party was more a celebration for Anna who would have turned 63 last month.   Elena wrote, "As I’m sure you know, a new tablescape can come to life based on one pretty thing … [Read more...]




17 Charger Plate Ideas for Your Next Dinner Party

Welcome to the 454th Tablescape Thursday! Whenever I set a table for friends or family, I often use a charger plate underneath the dinner plate. I love the way they enhance a setting, adding another pretty layer and providing a base for each place setting. They are also practical as they help catch drips that would otherwise fall on the table or tablecloth. Back in early 2008, before I ever began … [Read more...]




We’re All Quite Mad Here! An Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Party

Welcome to the 415th Tablescape Thursday! Last October, Elena threw a fabulous Mad Hatter Dinner/Tea Party for her parents who were celebrating their 86th and 87th birthdays! The party was a big celebration and Elena ended up setting five tables, three indoor and two outdoor. Elena created the cutest "tipsy teacup towers" to use as centerpieces for each of the tables. The main dining table here in the … [Read more...]




Where Did You Get That Flatware?

Welcome to the 409th Tablescape Thursday! I've been out of town visiting with family for the last five days and just got back late yesterday evening. Since I wasn't home to create a tablescape, I thought it might be fun to put together a post all about flatware. Flatware is to a table setting what jewelry or shoes are to an outfit. The right flatware can be the perfect finishing touch to a beautiful … [Read more...]




A Beauty and the Beast Princess Birthday Tablescape

Welcome to the 339th Tablescape Thursday! Recently, Elena put together a “Beauty and the Beast” princess birthday party for her daughter, Susanna. Elena said, "Even though she’s 27 years old, she will always be (to me) my beautiful Belle, my favorite Disney princess." The table Elena put together would be great for any Beauty and the Beast fan, no matter the age.   Elena placed a pretty … [Read more...]




A Winter Tablescape With Snowman Spice Cake Centerpiece

Welcome to the 330th Tablescape Thursday! My tablescape today is a winter themed table setting with a very special centerpiece. It's so special that it's practically invisible. What? You don't see it? It's right there--on the pedestal in the center of the table. ;) I knew by the time the centerpiece I planned to use was ready, it would already be getting dark out. Since table settings look so much … [Read more...]




Frightfully Fun Tablescapes For Halloween!

Welcome to the 317th Tablescape Thursday! Ever since I met Marie a couple of years ago, Halloween has taken a huge leap forward in the FUN department. Marie lives life with tremendous joy and I have to tell you, it's contagious! Recently I took you on a tour of the outside of her home all decorated for Halloween. We're going inside this week for Tablescape Thursday and I can't wait to share the tables … [Read more...]




Hootin’ It Up For Halloween

Welcome to the 316th Tablescape Thursday! The owls hooting up a storm in my backyard recently must have been the inspiration behind this table setting. (Hear that recording here: Night Sounds From The Porch)   I found Mr. Owl in Wal-mart around this time last year. He's actually a cookie jar. I placed him atop two cake pedestals to give him some height in the center of the … [Read more...]




Silver for an End of Summer Table Setting

Welcome to the 313th Tablescape Thursday! Such a beautiful day to be out on the porch! I headed out to the garden to cut the last of the purple phlox. It's almost completely finished blooming for another year but I managed to find just enough for our centerpiece. It smells heavenly, I wish I could share the fragrance with you.   A couple of years ago I came across a table setting showing … [Read more...]




Alice In Wonderland Birthday Celebration With A Cheshire Cat Piñata

Welcome to the 307th Tablescape Thursday! Our Pinterest Tablescaping Group Boards Thanks so much for the wonderful response to the post I sent out late yesterday evening about the new group boards I'm creating on Pinterest. So far we have over 135 members! Whooo Hooo! Those are going to be some amazing boards and I can't wait to see what you'll be pinning! The invites will be going out today and … [Read more...]




Whimsical Valentine’s Day Tablescape, Alice in Wonderland Style

Welcome to the 283rd Tablescape Thursday! Happy "day-before" Valentine's Day! I love creating whimsical table settings and I love creating themed tablescapes. This table setting is a combination of both, a Valentine's Day setting with an extra-large helping of whimsy on the side.   It all started when I stopped by the dollar store about a week ago to check out their gift wrap. While there … [Read more...]




A Booo-ti-ful Setting for Tablescape Thursday

Welcome to the 262nd Tablescape Thursday! My friend, Marie, has six adorable, much loved grandchildren. When they visit her home, they eat at the same table their parents ate at while growing up. Love that! Marie creates the most whimsical, fun table settings for her grandchildren for all the holidays throughout the year. Can you guess which holiday the table is dressed for now? Yep, … [Read more...]




Raiding the Garden

Welcome to the 261st Tablescape Thursday! Pssst, we have a problem.   Someone has been raiding the garden!   The lettuce is gone, the brussel sprouts are missing...   And all of the carrots have vanished!   Who could be behind this?   Do you think? Could it be?   He's been a very busy bunny!  His basket is loaded down … [Read more...]




I’m Late, I’m Late–For a Very Important Date!

Welcome to the 259th Tablescape Thursday! A few years ago I came across Alice in Wonderland dishes in Tuesday Morning. I was pretty much ruined from the moment I saw them. It took visiting several TMs and ordering a few pieces on eBay, but I eventually collected enough to set a full table. I've created several fun tables over the last few years with this china; I'll link to those at the end of this post … [Read more...]




Summer Dining with an Edible Flower Garden Centerpiece

Welcome to the 258th Tablescape Thursday! Summer is winding down but it's not over yet. Are the stores in your area still stocked with yummy watermelons? They are still available here. It just isn't summer without cutting up a juicy, sweet watermelon or ten! I read an article the other day where someone made the claim that seedless watermelons don't taste as good as watermelons with seeds because they … [Read more...]




Children’s Valentine’s Day Table Setting

Welcome to 230th Tablescape Thursday! Thanks so much for all the great comments you left on yesterday's "Brass is Back!" post.  You made some amazing points and I so enjoyed hearing your perspective on the resurgence of quality brass pieces in the home.  I especially love that so many of you don't let the latest trend pressure you into changing or discarding that which you truly love. If you've been … [Read more...]




3 Party Table Settings with Coca-Cola Dishware and Coke Memorabilia

Welcome to 226th Tablescape Thursday! Greetings!  How is your week going?  I've been dragging my feet taking down my Christmas decorations.  I decided this year to not rush things and just enjoy them a little longer. The last few weeks we've been touring the wonderful home of Governor and Marie Barnes decorated for the Christmas season. Today we're going down these stairs for a tour of the … [Read more...]




Children’s Party Table for Movie Night

Welcome to the 178th Tablescape Thursday! I'm not exactly sure where this tablescape came from.  One minute I was using a gift certificate to purchase napkins for a Valentine's Day table setting, and the next thing I knew, I was off to the movies.  I think the shift may have had something to do with stumbling across these cute popcorn containers for $1 each at Dollar Tree.   For the … [Read more...]




Carved Watermelon Whale Centerpiece

Carved Watermelon Party Centerpiece This past Tablescape Thursday, I shared a table setting with a carved watermelon centerpiece.   (View that tablescape here: Summer Tablescape with Carved Watermelon Centerpiece)   For a party many years ago, I cut the top off a watermelon and hollowed it out to hold fruit.   That was cute, but I've always wanted to try my hand at carving one … [Read more...]




One Last Summer Tablescape

Welcome to the 160th Tablescape Thursday! If you've been reading BNOTP for very long, you know I love summertime. I'm always a bit sad to see it go.   Since the first day of fall is still a little over a week away, I wanted to share one last summertime table setting here on the porch.   I had fun creating the centerpiece.  It's carved from a small … [Read more...]




A Lovely Easter Tablescape

Marilyn recently shared pictures of a wonderful Easter tablescape and they were just too lovely to keep to myself another whole year before sharing them with you. Marilyn created this a beautiful table setting for her family and it is completely delightful! Love this view of the table! China is Old Country Roses by Royal Albert...so elegant! Marilyn even created a bunny rabbit … [Read more...]




A Valentine’s Day Table Setting with a Sweet Centerpiece

Welcome to the 128th Tablescape Thursday! Today I'm sharing a Valentine's Day tablescape with a fun, tasty centerpiece. I've posted the tutorial showing how it's made Ice Cream Candy-Car Sundae.  This sweet treat makes a great Valentine's Day or birthday gift. You'll love how easy and inexpensive it is to make. Also, you'll find a tutorial for the napkin fold I used in this tablescape here: Pocket Napkin … [Read more...]




Alice In Wonderland Tea Party

Welcome to the 102nd Tablescape Thursday! A few months ago I stumbled upon a miniature Alice in Wonderland tea set...it was love at first site. We celebrated with an Un-Birthday Party out on the porch. This evening I've set up a tea party just for you in the guest room. Actually, there's room for two so, if you don't mind, I think I'll join you. Brought up a couple of the wicker … [Read more...]




Whimsical Le Ballon by Villeroy & Boch

Welcome to the 101st Tablescape Thursday! 67. What is that number? That's how many knock-down gorgeous tablescapes I have visited so far, from our 100th Tablescape Thursday celebration last week. :) As you can see, I'm still have quite a few more to go...and I WILL visit each lovely link. If I haven't been by your blog yet, I'm coming! Unfortunately, some folks are not using permalinks...big … [Read more...]




You’re Invited to An Un-Birthday Party, Alice in Wonderland Style

Welcome to the 92nd Tablescape Thursday! Is today your Un-Birthday? Awesome! It's mine, too! Let's celebrate! Here's your place...don't forget to eat your napkin ring! Curly flatware works for our fun tablescape. The bowls all picture Alice swimming in her tears.  That's a lot of tears! Which salad plate would you like? Alice? The White Rabbit? The Mad … [Read more...]




An Impromptu Tea Party, Mad Hatter Style

This morning I heard such a ruckus going on in the upstairs family room! I hurried down the hall and threw open the door to see what in the world was going on in there! Look! It's a tea party, Mad Hatter style...and I wasn't even invited! Umpf! I don't know which I'm more obssessed with these days...this precious Alice in Wonderland china designed by Paul Cardew. Or these adorable sock … [Read more...]




Hawaiian or Tropical Table Setting

Welcome to the 50th Tablescape Thursday! Wow, Can you believe it, it's our 50th Tablescape Thursday! And two weeks from today is the one year anniversary of Between Naps on the Porch! I'm hoping to do something fun that week, still scheming and plotting. Speaking of scheming and plotting...there's been a lot of monkey business going on this past week. Do you remember the tease pic I shared at the end of … [Read more...]




Easter Table Setting with Egg Tree Centerpiece

The 33rd Tablescape Thursday! A little Easter tablescape... Closed the shutters a bit...so we could enjoy the candlelight. Happy Easter! :-) China is Ma Maison, designed by Dario Farrucci for Tabletops...bought it last summer at Home Goods...love that store! A view of the dinner plate... Chargers are from Neiman Marcus or Horchow...forgot which. I saw them again recently … [Read more...]




Popcorn Party & Game Night with Trivial Pursuit

Welcome to the 26th Tablescape Thursday! It's game night, grab a Coke and come join in. In pursuit of some fun, I'm hoping you won't think it too trivial if I share this little tablescape, and a little tale of a night I'll never forget.   Many, many years ago, when my DH was a Captain in the U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps), we were invited to dinner at the home of one … [Read more...]