Christmas Brunch

Each year, my Nashville family gathers for a very special occasion: Cousins' Christmas Brunch.  As we all travel for Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is a fun opportunity to celebrate the holidays together, a grown-up version of "the kids' table."  I chose a box mailer for the invitation with names in metallic on the front, tied with silver tinsel string.  Inside, the invitation rested on a bed of Christmas tree branches to give a nice holiday scent when opened. 

For the table, I wanted a very crisp and clean color palette: white tablecloth, silver chargers, Juliska Country Estate dishes, hammered silverware, grey monogrammed placecards, mercury glass votives, assorted glasses, white hydrangeas and roses with painted silver leaves and winter berries.  A small gift rested on each plate in a white lacquered box wrapped with white and silver tulle.  Cable knit vases, vintage ornaments and silver antlers added some texture.

I was pleased with the outcome of an etched vinyl applique which, similar to a sticker, was applied to an antique mirror.  This easily removable element added a nice touch.  I placed this on a small table to create a special mimosa corner in the room.  Here, I was happy to also debut my new favorite decorations: cut glass glitter reindeer with fur stoles adorned with snowflake and silver bell elements.  Bling on the holidays!

For brunch I served a breakfast casserole, fresh fruit, toast with sweet orange marmalade and zesty lemon cream cake.

We visited and laughed for a few hours before watching holiday movies and enjoying red-velvet cupcakes with eggnog filling and buttercream icing.  

It was a real treat to spend the day with loved ones and I had a wonderful time hosting.  The only downside to Christmas Brunch is that it happens only once a year. 

Modern Spin on Milk Glass

I recently saw this collection of white porcelain vases on Pinterest.  These similar-but-different containers immediately caught my eye, a great mixture of size and texture.  Inspired one could assume from antique pieces of milk glass, this new collection differs only in its apparent matte texture vs. the somewhat translucent quality vintage pieces have.  This set is priced appx $75. 

While in Mississippi this weekend, I came across a couple of vintage milk glass pieces I found interesting.  The goblet pictured below was $6 and the compote $1.5.  Milk glass can be a tricky thing to incorporate into your decor.  It can be a fresh and beautiful addition, but only when done tastefully.  Far too easily it could go from chic to granny.  I plan to pick up pieces from time to time at yard and estate sales with the goal of having ten to twelve by December to use in a holiday party tablescape full of these white containers filled with flowers and candy!

Holiday: Letterpressed Gift Tags

After a wonderful Thanksgiving, I'm starting to look forward to my favorite holiday... Christmas!  I always enjoy the search for the perfect gifts and equally enjoy wrapping them for my loved ones.  This year, I've discovered some really great letterpressed gift tags that will add a special touch.  Some are elegant, some more fun and unique.  I highly recommend these as you prepare for the big day!  All were found on Etsy. 

Inside Scoop: Sale and Holiday Open House This Weekend

My friend Scarlett Scales has one of the cutest shops in town and everything is 20 percent off this weekend!  Scarlett's shop is preparing now for an awesome holiday open house Saturday.  Great architectural antiques, re-purposed lighting, antique cast iron urns, ironstone, small painted tables and more. They will be closed Friday to prepare for the open house, tents will be set up outside to accommodate this event so stop by Saturday for this great event and pick up some antiques or holiday gifts for yourself & others! Pictured below are some of my favorite things Scarlett is known to often carry.

Saturday, November 6 · 10:00am - 5:00pm

Scarlett Scales Antiques

212 South Margin Street
Franklin, TN

Repurposed: Shot Glass

As you know from my napkin/pocket square post, I enjoy exploring creative functionalities of items to give them an expanded purpose. While doing dishes today I came across my Ralph Lauren Glen Plaid shot glasses and thought of some fun ways they could be used, other than the obvious.

1) Below, I've used the shot glass as a place card for a table setting. You could easily add taller elements and make it a stand for a table number.

2) With the holidays sneaking up on us, I thought it could be fun to use as a pedestal for vintage ornaments.

3) Perhaps the most functional use is, however random, storage for items such as Q-tips on a vanity.