Pumpkin Wishes and Candy Corn Kisses

Welcoming Fall With a Thrifted, Gifted Tablescape

Welcome to my Fall Thrifted and Gifted table.

Traditionally, we have enjoyed gathering guests

to share meals around our table.  

My husband was an exceptional cook.  Me, I'm a dishaholic

who takes much pleasure in setting a beautiful table.  

I have to say, we were a perfect match!

I used a thrifted tray in the center of our table arranged with a 

 Lottie linen tied with ribbon, a sweet pinecone basket new

to MacKenzie-Childs fall offerings this year, and tucked in a bouquet of fall flowers and a cinnamon whisk for a little fresh baked aroma.

It occurred to me that most of the details on my table were either thrifted through the years or were gifts given me over the years.  

Some of the gifts were even thrifted by the friends who gifted them.  Tablescape friends tend to enable each other!

You've seen these orange crystal flutes on many of my tables.

Yes, these were thrifted by a tablescaping friend who knows my

passion for the color orange, so she sent these my way.

The nice wooden and wicker tray is by Lenox and was a thrifty

Goodwill find over a decade ago.  It is in perfect condition.

The dinner plates in my stack are Artesian Road Collection 

by Tracey Porter, and they were another thrifty Goodwill find.

 Many years ago I happened in at the right time as there was a complete set of these dishes, including a small vase 

and serving pieces, all sitting on a SALE table.  

I scooped up the dinners and the small vase.

The salads, Zanzibar by ClayArt, also a GW thrifty find.

 Note the bamboo detail on both of the rims!  

I love the color and design on these dinner plates which

is similar in feel to these chinoiserie inspired 

linens from Vivo Veronica.  

Brenda generously gifted me some of her beautiful linens 

in several different patterns, including "Lottie" 

in a gorgeous palette of lime green with various delicious 

shades of orange and inspired from a c1850 wallpaper.  

The cream salad plates banded in a dark tan bamboo motif offer a touch of texture and interest, and are a nice compliment to the dinners.  Note the extra detail of the reed lashes on the rim and how the rim color mimics the color of the ruffled velvet placemats by 

Arte Italica Crown Linen Designs.

The green Bordallo Pinheiro leaf plates were a welcome gift!  

They add the perfect touch to my fall plate stack. 

I love that the leaf plates have three feet 

to elevate them for presentation.

Let's talk about these cookies!

I like to add a seasonal theme topper on the plate stack 

as a fun nod to the season or holiday.  

A young stay-at-home mom bakes these in her kitchen.

You can special order her cookie designs from 

Blue Boo Bakery here.

Amber is the dearest young woman, not

to mention she is also exceedingly talented.

One doesn't need holiday specific dishes.

Rather bring a festive look to the table with an

interesting mix of dishes, linens, and accessories.  

Think color, pattern, shape, and texture.  

Then add a touch of whimsy!

I used two of my antique sterling baby teethers as napkin rings.

I started collecting these on a 2018 trip with a friend to attend  

the twice annual Faire de Chatou right outside of Paris.

Last year my friend took her daughter and offered to shop for me.

My own personal shopper.  Now that's a priceless gift!

She came home with three more for my collection.

Sweet treats are served on the larger Bordallo Pinheiro

leaf plate that was in the trio of plates my friend sent my way.

It doesn't take much effort to create a welcoming place

setting for yourself and your spouse or a table filled with guests.

I often keep a table for two set in honor of my chef!

~ Autumn ~ 

My  Favorite Season

It's rich tapestry of colors and textures 

warm both my heart and soul.

Choose gratitude!

Set each place with a joyful heart and 

savor the special times around your table.

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado 

You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn
Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia     Over the Moon @ Marilyn's Treats 

All About Home @ Common Ground  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn
Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner 

Tales of the Traveling Tote Edition #36

Rabbit, Rabbit

Welcome, September 

~ The Cusp of Autumn ~

I've not been on a plane nor traveled since before the fall of 2019,

but a thoughtful invitation to join eight friends and spend a few days in the Hamptons the first week of June offered a much needed

 chance to get away for pure relaxation.

We stayed in my godson's beautiful 

old home in East Hampton.

The village of East Hampton 

is full of historic charm.

Everything was lush and green with

abundant vibrant blooms.

Peonies were growing in the gardens of every home.

Big, gorgeous blooms!

First thing I did was cut 

blooms to bring into the house.

Are you surprised?

We also cut white iris blooms from

the garden and filled this pretty vase.

We ate at charming restaurants.

We shopped the boutiques in 

East Hampton and Sag Harbor.

Mostly we relaxed around the house 

and played Mah Jongg.

We took morning walks along 

the shore of a nearby beach.

One evening we arranged for 

a clambake on the beach.

The dinner was delicious!

It was a gorgeous evening with perfect 

weather, a full moon.   .   .

And sand between our toes!

Five days filled with good friends and lots of laughter.

Just what my spirit needed!

An added highlight for me was lunch with these two special ladies.

Kathleen, Alma, and I first met in 2009 through our blogs.

You may remember Cuisine Kathleen and The Tablescaper.  

Sadly both Kathleen and Alma no longer have their blogs,

but you can find them on Instagram.

@thetablescaper 

@kathleenmiller

Closer to home, I ventured over to Opening Day 

of a brand new independent bookstore. 

First Light Book Shop

Hyde Park Neighborhood ~ Austin, TX

It has a walk up window for coffee 

and baked goods that opens early morning.

Picnic tables under shade trees 

provide space to spend time with friends.

Inside is a coffee bar open all day.

Opening day was filled 

with enthusiastic customers.

I was thrilled to see a special space for young children

set up with small tables and chairs and an excellent book selection.

I couldn't resist this book and a few others.

I'm addicted to children's literature!

Tell me, do you have any independent book stores in your community?

If so, I hope you will support these businesses!

If you are local, please consider shopping

First Light Book Shop

Enjoy the adventures of my 

Traveling Tote Friends 

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul (You are here)

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader 

Jackie @ Purple Chocolat Home (Give Away Here)

A new edition will post December 1.  Please join the fun.

 
Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado 

You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn  Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia   

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life Tuesday Turnaround @ My Wee Abode

All About Home @ Common Ground  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn
Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Charming Homes and Gardens @ Shiplap and Shells  Embracing Home and Family @ The Everyday Farmhouse   Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge