Hello Mardi Gras!

I have been thinking quite a bit about Mardi Gras and all the beautiful tablescapes I've seen out here in blogland.  I love the colors used for Mardi Gras along with all the fun, festive and sometimes even gawdy decor. No offense Y'all but I really do love it!  Hehe!

Since I am not from New Orleans, and haven't ever attended Mardi Gras, I didn't realize until this year that the colors themselves actually have some symbolism until I read that on another blog this week.  Sorry, I forget who you were but here is the official symbolism of the colors I found online;

Purple Represents Justice. Green Represents Faith. And Gold Represents Power.

(taken from this website; http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/ ) This is a wonderfully informative site about the events, traditions and history of Mardi Gras in New Olreans, check it out!

I have wanted to do a Mardi Gras tablescape for a few years now but felt like it would be kind of silly to do one when; 1.) We don't actually celebrate Mardi Gras, or live in a state that does.  Though I did see there was a community near my sons home in Charleston that did this year.  Huh?  2.) I am not Catholic, but am Protestant and therefore do not adhere to the more common rituals of penance and various traditions associated with Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday and Lent.

But...I do think you all may be on to something here!  I kinda like the idea of a celebration the day before Ash Wednesday, which for me, while not observed publicly, much like Lent is a day or time of reflection that I've come to recognize as signifying our need for a Savior for the forgiveness of our sins. Technically if I'm correct, Mardi Gras is actually the culmination (or the end) of Epiphany celebrations, but I like thinking of it as the kickoff or the beginning of Easter, if you will.  Is that so wrong?

So with all this in mind, I set about creating my very first Mardi Gras Tablescape this year.

I started by pulling out one of my handmade gold colored tablecloths for my round table.

Gold to create a "powerful" first impression.

Next I pulled out one of my favorite pieces of purple fabric to use on the lazy susan.  It must have worked because I am really pleased with how well this entire tablescape turned out.  Purple is for "justice" all right!

While I was upstairs digging around for fabric, I spotted this purple glass candle holder that I just had to add.

Look closely, I think that's a Fleur De Lis on there too!  

Because I really wanted to create a dramatic centerpiece I decided to add all the masks.  The purple, green and gold masks all came out of one package from the DT, with a few extra to spare.  

My favorite part of the centerpiece was the idea to use my very own mask I purchased from New Orleans many years ago while traveling there with work when I was a travel agent.

It's certainly not one of those more elaborate and detailed masks you can buy down there but is just so special and beautiful to me.  I was quite young back then and on a very limited budget too.  I love how simple it is and reminds me of someone wearing makeup.  It also reminds me that yes indeed, like it or not we all wear a mask to some extent don't we?

Next, it quickly became all about birds, beads, and doubloons.

I already had the two birds in my craft room upstairs.

I purchased these beads and coins from the DT as well.

How fun!

My final addition to the centerpiece was a few small pots of yellow and purple flowers.  I already had them as well, purchased from a clearance sale at Michaels.

I really love how this turned one turned out!

I decided to use my Gourmet Butlers Pantry dishes because I think they work very well here.  I also think the design on the plate looks sorta frenchy too, right....maybe?  LOL!

  Since I needed to add some green to my Mardi Gras tablescape I decided to add my green raised wheat plates. You can just think of this as a big heaping plate full of "faith"!

The final topper came with these adorable paper napkins that I purchased from the DT.  I also purchased the paper plates that coordinated with them but decided against using those for this setting.  I love how these napkins have some white in them to match my dinner plates.

My stainless silver is my wedding flatware.

It is from Oneida and appropriately named, what else?  Louisiana!

My glasses are from my mothers mother.  I love the gold etched rims.  Even with all their wear and tear they are still so beautiful to me!

 I am so excited about this tablescape I can hardly wait until the Mr get's home.

Happy Mardi Gras! 

  I know it's actually Ash Wednesday today and that Mardi Gras ended yesterday but I do hope you will overlook that one little small detail.  I'm so limited on time, was off today and since tomorrow is;

Tablescape Thursday at BNOTP

I figured why not go for it.  I'm so glad I did too!

I hope you enjoyed your visit here as well.  If you did, be sure and leave me note.  It's always nice to hear from you.  Be sure and pop on by the party to see more beautiful and very talented tablescapers.

Have a great day and great weekend everyone!

Christmas Day Tablescapes

We had quite a busy Christmas this year hosting both my family on Christmas Eve and then my husbands family on Christmas Day.  It is a lot of work but, Oh, so wonderful getting together with family to celebrate!  

I only remembered to snap a few quick photos of the tables just seconds before the guests arrived on Christmas Day so there aren't many here to see but thought I'd share them with you anyway.

At the kitchen table I only needed to set the table for five this year.  My kitchen table has two large leaves that we insert during the holidays.  Usually we have to extend this table when my husbands family comes and even then still need a folding table in addition to the dining room table.  Not this year though, as a portion of the family did not make the trip up for the holidays.  So I only needed the kitchen table without sleeves and the dining room to accommodate everyone.  It was a wonderful afternoon but they were truly missed!

 I used my old Christmas china called Holiday Ribbon from Belks in the kitchen combined with my darker green glasses.  I think the green goblets are Libby.  The Christopher Radko cookie jar served as my centerpiece paired with candles and Santa salt and pepper shakers.

In the dining room I used the new plaid tablecloth that I purchased from last years after clearance sales at Walmart.

I kept the centerpieces simple in both of these rooms.  Since I had to move them in order to clean the linens after the first nights use and because I like to keep the table less cluttered when family is sitting around the table, I decided less is best.  

In my dining room I used the Butler's Pantry china combined with the Holiday Gatherings salad plates, both are from Lenox.  My lighter green goblets are from the Better Homes and Garden collection sold at Walmart.  My cloche filled with sparkly white, gold and silver balls served as our centerpiece.  Very simple and casual just the way we like it!  

I realized while setting these tablescapes this year how limited I was on holiday linens, specifically napkins.  Having to work first thing on Monday morning for our after Christmas sales at SteinMart has it's advantages!  I was able to snag a few bargains for myself to help resolve my limited amount of Christmas linens.  I'll be sharing a sneak peek of those with you soon.  But already, I am dreaming of next year's tablescapes!

I am joining BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday.  Please be sure and visit this link to check out many more beautiful settings. I bet there will be plenty to enjoy from the holidays!

Here's wishing you all many blessings for a Happy New Year!

First 2011 Holiday Tablescape

Whew!  There is nothing like a day off to get caught up on the Christmas decor.  I still have one more tree to go but I've finally put away all the fall decor and cleaned up the bulk of the mess from bringing out all the Christmas decor.

Since I don't have to go in today until 1:00pm, I had a little extra time this morning to put together a centerpiece and practice a little holiday setting too.  Wanna see?

 It's morning y'all, so your getting lot's of streaming sunlight in these photos.

Before we get into the dishes let me show you my centerpiece.

This was a basket I bought last year at a yard sale and spray painted white.

I filled it with a swag of greenery...

...and stuck in a few inexpensive picks that I already had.

I surrounded the inside of the basket with more of my leftover tulle ribbon to act as a filler.

Then topped it off with a bow that I had made last year for some wreaths I hung on my inside windows.  

Simple and cute!

Oh, and I found these adorable votive candle holders this year at Ross.  They were very inexpensive, only $3.99 for a two pack.  I bought two packs!

The beautiful Irish tray linen underneath was won in an online auction this summer from a fellow blogger at, My Place To Yours.  I love it!

Okay ladies, now let's talk dishes!

I am so excited to break out my newest holiday dishes I purchased last year!

The plaid salad plates are from Lenox and are part of the Holiday Gatherings collection.  I purchased them from Belks.  I have wanted these plates for some time and they had stopped carrying them but brought them back last year so I snapped them right up.  Wouldn't you?

I just love how they look with my Lenox Butlers Pantry Gourmet.  Honestly though, they would also look fantastic with any white, red, or green dishes for that matter!  Belks is carrying them again this year, I may have to seriously consider adding on a few more.

Then I decided to add my green checked napkins to keep it casual.

I'm sure most of you are very tired of seeing these bamboo flatware, but here I go again!  So sorry, but I really think they just work here so well, don't you?  Come on!

My pretty green goblets were from Walmart.  They are some of that great stuff from the Better Homes and Garden label.

Yes, I think this setting is really working for me.

I like how well this is also working with the rest of my Christmas decor in the kitchen.

Like my tree!  Yesterday, I found more elves I had bought last year and added them to the tree.

I also added "old" Mr. and Mrs. Claus in here too.

Look who I caught watching me through the glass doors.  Hey Misty girl!

I also hung a few of my oldest elves off the chandy...

...along with a few old ornaments as well.  These were some hand me down glass balls that I painstakingly hand glued each and every sequin on one year.  Don't you know one fell while I was attaching it yesterday and shattered.  I hate when that happens!  Urgghh!

Well, here's my first holiday setting of the season!  How do you like it?

Thanks so much for joining me today for

Tablescape Thursday.

I really appreciate the visit and hope you enjoyed what you saw.

I can't wait to see all your tablescapes and decor this year too!

Have a great day everyone!