Wanting to do al fresco?

I am looking (actually yearning) for some new summer dinnerware. So why I am having so much trouble finding the perfect set? I am noticing there is not an abundance of patio or melamine dinnerware out there…..I even checked our usual suspects like Pottery Barn, William Sonoma and I have to saw I am not impressed.
Pottery Barn has gone very basic and very Americana….and WS has a lovely coral motif but still not what I am looking for.
So I started to surf and found a few other options that are nice – but have I become this picky that I still haven’t found the set I am looking for?
Macy’s
Crate & Barrel
Jonathan Adler
Smith and Hawken – really nice and they’re a heavy, durable melamine!!! Close but they look similar to the china I want to replace…..

While all of these are lovely, I am still looking for a sophisticated, stylish set of melamine dishes. I wish I made it to Target in time to get the Orla Kiely collection….If anyone has any suggestions let me…..

Oh and by the way, check out working class studio for these “fashion plates” great for a girls night in! Chat again soon from…..desperately seeking nice summer dinnerware

Holiday Dinnerware

Ok, I think I have a growing obsession for holiday dinnerware. I know I have an obsession with paper plates (can’t really talk about it now perhaps a post is in order), but I am beginning to realize the paper plates are filling a void on my entertaining table set-up.

I adore holiday themed or Christmas themed dinnerware. I find myself surfing for patterns all season long – walking down aisle seeking tiny appetizer plates with beautiful or novelty designs. But the out come is always the same – I don’t have a set yet. I would love one of these sets from Crate and Barrel– I would use them as soon as Halloween was over and keep using them till the first thaw – considering we have about 5 months of winter where I live I think I would need 2 sets.

Target always has some great designs which usually always including serving pieces like trays and bowls. Here are several patterns I would consider for my own table.

Lenox is another great china source for Christmas and holiday pieces – here are a few I like

– and you can also find some retired collections on ebay etc. that are still as beautiful today as they were when they launched!

Now Pottery Barn (and PB Kids), is a no brainer for dinnerware, but honestly I don’t think these sets are new – I recall seeing these (or something very similar) last Christmas.

If you know whether these are new for this season let me know – or I’d have to conclude that PB is very “green” this year, as in recycling last years line up!

Macy’s also has all the top names in china flaunting their holiday colors and patterns. Now these are really a “collection”. I really like Fitz & Floyd’s “Town and Country” collection – timeless.

A great line of dinnerware (be it Holiday or everyday) is Waechtersbach.

The collection Willie & Emma or George & Gracie (who are the friends of Willie and Emma), are both fun whimsical designs that are sure to bring holiday cheer to every event you have!

Now if you have a chance to get to Marks & Spencer (in the UK) then plan for an entire day of shopping!

Here is this year’s holiday dinnerware collection from M&S and I think it is my fav!

I hope you enjoy looking at these as much as I do…and if you have a set of dishes you use at Christmas or during the holidays please share.
PS: I also added the latest Kate Spade winter dinnerware collection – which is another I love!

Creating a warm glow for the holidays

There is nothing more impressive then the warm glow of the holidays along with the fresh scent of gingerbread or pine. I have found some beautiful items for the holiday season that are sure to add to the Christmas spirit.
Pottery Barn’s metallic bark candles pair natural materials with a glitter finish. Each is wrapped with real bark that was gathered from trees legally harvested for furniture making, then trimmed with a layer of holiday shine. All are unscented wax, and the largest size has three wicks.
PB’s mercury glass votives provide all the sparkle and shine you need for the holidays. Mercury glass was first produced in the 19th century. These double-walled mercury glass accessories are hand blown and silvered between the sealed layers, using an antiquing process that mimics the look of the originals. PB offers them in a set of 4, one of each color.

While traveling this year I came across some other beautiful mercury glass votive holders with matching tray and pretty tea light holders. Also, while traveling I came across these great silver candles holders with bright bold and colorful holiday images.
I love the dome shaped ones here – you place the tea light inside and it can sit tabletop of hang…the candles’ glow is outstanding when wrapped in the bold colorful red interior.

For something really different check out the Lumen Candles at red envelope.com. Illuminated by flickering flames, this oil lamp casts lively, festive shadows through its delicate cutouts. The shadows change with the lamp’s position—the closer to the wall, the more detail; the farther away, the more intriguingly abstract.

Evelyn and Crabtree always have wonderful holiday home fragrance sets…here are a few.

Noel Fragrance Keepsake Candle is a gift within a gift; this exclusive compact-style ceramic carrier holds a fragrant (spicy evergreen fragrance) NOEL candle. Couple this with their beautiful room diffuser (last year’s design shown here – I think its nicer then this year) or poured candle – and your space is guaranteed to be filled with soft candlelight and festive fragrance.Or how about these diffusers from Pier I. The green one has loose jingles bells within the bottle and the mosaic glass one is exceptional too! The large glass block with potpourri and craft snow is also a lovely addition to your home.

I hope these inspire you to add a little holiday scent and glow to your home – or maybe even all winter long!

TREATS only.....

Show off your ghoulish side this Halloween with devilish treats and ultra-cool dinner and dessert ideas – both spooky AND fun!

Halloween is one of the most entertaining holidays to decorate for. Some people keep it simple, while others go all out and make their homes a spooktastic creation.

Pottery Barn carries an array of bone, skull and spider accessories that can set the tone – or for a classier look, their baroque salad plates do the trick. For devilish treats check out William Sonoma and Horchow both of which will tempt you.

But nothing beats Martha Stewart – every Halloween she seems to steal the show. Her selection of Halloween treats is unbelievable! This year her website includes a recipe of what I think is one of the most spectacular cakes…. bootiful… with delicately whipped ghost atop a dreamy white frosting! I can’t wait to indulge! Her cupcake and cake stencils are fun and the boonilla shakes are great for kids. Looking for something a little more adult? Martha’s goulish petit fours mashed potatoes are a special addition to the ordinary meals! Happy trick or in this case.....treating!