Setting the table for dinner... Solution style.

If you gave me a sheet of blank stationary, and asked me to list all my favorite things, besides chocolate, it would go a little something like, "Candle light, white starfish, black and white photographs, hugs from my babies, winks from my man, laughter with friends and family, cloth napkins, good meals shared with loved ones, chalk boards, a good book, a glass of chilled white wine, my new Pottery Barn Magazine, white dishes, soft pillows, etc." 

When I realized that my side of the family was planning to gather in celebration, I decided to use some of my favorite things as inspiration to setting a pretty table.  (Another one of my very favorite things...)

My love affair with cloth napkins began when I was about nine.  Someone took our entire family out to eat at a very nice restaurant, and I tasted lobster for the first time.  I still remember the feel of crisply ironed linen across my knee.  When I began gathering items for this celebration, I realized that I didn't have any new cloth napkins.  I wanted something original and yet fun.  My solution, was to cut up an old white table cloth, since we don't have the table it was meant for any longer.  I hemmed the sides and ended up with eight crisp squares.  I got out my silk screen box, paint, and silk screened the word, "eat" on each of them. (I also happen to sell these on Etsy- though they sell out fast!)

My table top is white, but I wanted to add a little bit of texture, (on a cash budget) so I purchased a half yard of some loosely woven fabric.  (It cost me around a dollar.)  When I got home, I frayed the edges by gently pulling one thread at a time from the sides.  I then cut them neatly in a nice straight line.  No sewing required for this project- just a nice sharp pair of scissors.

Then I had a slight panic, because I realized that I only have five matching glasses.  (Dangit, I keep meaning to replace those...) I grabbed a bunch of canning jars that I didn't end up using this year.  For place cards, I found a scrap of black card stock, cut out a bunch of tag shapes, and used a piece of chalk to scrawl each person's name.  I used twine to tie them around each "tumbler."

I had a bunch of candles that were just loose, but nothing small enough to place them on.  Then I remembered the saucers from the pots I painted earlier in the Spring time. I snagged those and put candles into them.

After scattering a few starfish here and there, I placed small, black and white photos on each plate.  Since we were going to be with family, I found photos that included various memories, and placed a different one on each place setting.  (You can order a sheet of four wallet sized photos from Costco, very inexpensively.)

I do believe my table has finally come together! 

I love looking at photos of pretty table settings. Even if they are mine... (giggle)

My husband doesn't quite understand this... but he goes along with it because he's a really good man.  He smiles and says things like, "Oh wow... these are nice... um... jars?" And is gracious enough not to say, "Honey, why are we drinking water from jars?" 

Celebrate each pretty moment.