I have become a big fan of the roses in a box presentation.
The price tag that comes with a dozen roses in a box- not so much.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
Pick up this bright pink heart-shaped paper gift box by Spritz at Target. Line the bottom of the box and the inner lid with a heart-shaped paper doily.
Pick up a dozen red roses at one of the many flower tents pitched and perfect for your Valentine’s Day flower needs.
Cut plastic wrap to fit the inside of the box. Drop in a fresh flower floral foam round disk or cut a square one to fit. Add water to soak disk.
Cut the rose stems to where the roses rest slightly above the rim of the box. Pack the roses tight and graduate the height of a select few.
At presentation time, loosely weave pink silk ribbon in a zigzag pattern over the top of the bouquet.
A Valentine’s Bit of Trivia-
Considered a founding pioneer in the American Valentine’s industry, Esther Allen Howland first introduced Valentine’s Day cards in the United States in 1849.
Quite taken with an ornate English Valentine she received at nineteen, Esther Allen Howard replicated a styling of the card using intricate paper lace and floral decoration details.
Conversations, estimations, and prognostications for the upcoming LSU Tigers football season has gone from a meow to a roar.
Football fans- this is not a drill.
If you haven’t scouted the recipes, planned the menus, decorations and tailgating tablescapes ideas we’ve got something to talk about as well.
Football fans and the tailgating nation from conference to conference, division to division take their football and tailgating times serious.
Football fans here in the South surely do, and come rain, sunshine, humidity or hurricane, we let the good tailgating times roll.
Tiger Stadium
Tailgating planning and execution is a process that rivals that of an elaborate dinner party.
The selection of a tailgating tablescapes theme and the perfect decor accessories and tablewares can be an entertaining success from parking to parting.
The Local Palate
Tailgating has come along way from the hibachi and red Solo cup days, not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Tailgaters decked out in team attire and colors believe in getting the party started early in game day style.
The old adage football is a religion in the South has a lot of truth to it.
The shall we gather at the stadium loyal gather together to get the pregame ritual kicked off in true Tiger style.
Game day chic includes both a pregame bag and a clear bag compliant with stadium policy.
Team logo and tiger chic flats and sandals bring style and comfort to the look.
For the away games to college towns where fall is actually fall, gold metallic espadrille slip-on sneakers or warm lined suede boots fit the bill.
If real estate is all about location, location, location tailgating tablescapes is all about display, display, display.
Pitch your tailgating tent in a prime location, hang a focal point chandelier, and proceed to impress the crowd with your tailgating tablescapes skills and style.
I begin by dressing the table in whatever choice of table linens fits this weeks theme.
Burlap is the tailgating accessory that consistently tops the tailgating tablescapes must have table linens list because of its durability and inexpensive price tag.
Versatile for table covers and table runners, burlap, the on-trend farmhouse chic fabric, is a very forgiving fabric.
There’s no crying in football or spilled chili, dip, gumbo, cocktails, etc…
Spills happen.
If a stain should occur, cover it up with a serving tray or platter for the duration of your tailgating soiree (a hosting trick).
Between tailgating times, head over to a fabric store or online retailer to pick up or order a couple of more yards of this tailgating friendly fabric.
I really like this artificial grass table runner option.
Dress it up or dress it down style on the field.
Decorating your tailgating tablescapes with pieces in team colors, seasonal accents, and holiday du jour decor never fails to impress the crowd.
My game changer tablescape works with a casual yet elegant theme.
It brings a bit of juxtaposition to the tailgating tablescapes mix with stoneware plates paired with inexpensive faux wood chargers.
Wreaths make fantastic candle rings for tailgating tablescapes, and when football season is over you can use these for home for the holidays decorating.
Birch slab round tree slices, woven trays, and baskets make the extra point as serving pieces and decorative additions for the fall football tailgating tablescape of it all.
Natural Wheat Stacks make the starting lineup for fabulous tailgating tablescapes accessories.
Good look, great height.
Easy to work with centerpiece options include a team mascot figurine, collectible helmet, and a bronze poly-stone football player sculpture.
Arrangements of fresh or faux flowers and plants of the season set a festive and colorful scene.
Crotons, hydrangeas, garden mums, marigolds, branches, decorative feathers, dried lotus pods, magnolia leaves and sunflowers give a festive nod to fall and transport well.
Vases and containers can be as simple as a collection of empty vegetable-sauce-bean cans to dollar store metal vases with rope accents to craft pumpkins to a football cut to accommodate a can in which to house fresh flowers.
When selecting vases and containers, I keep ease of transport, the unique factor, and avoid breakage at all times in mind.
These versatile and sturdy crates add just the right amount of vintage to the look and ease to tote, travel, and tablescape.
Chili and chilly is a delicious tailgating combination for fall game days.
A woven crate basket can pull triple duty as a tailgate supply tote for a hot chocolate with all the fixings, turned upside down and used as the aforementioned fixings display, and holder of fleece throws in seasonal or team colors.
I like items that pull double tableware duty.
Is it an urn for a fall foliage centerpiece or is it a stylish beverage tub?
Tailgating recipes for barbecued anything, Creole seasoned popcorn and lemonade with a kick, cold or hot dips, salads, sandwiches, soups, stews or chili, and tasty tailgating appropriate desserts always satisfy a hungry tailgating group.
A sugar mold also makes an excellent condiment holder.
Gumbo or deer chili served with homemade buttermilk cornbread with pork cracklin’s has Louisiana c’est si bon written all over it.
Toups’ Cracklin’s
Ingredients
5 pounds skin-on pork belly
4 cups lard
Peanut oil, for frying
Cracklin’ Spice (recipe follows)
Directions
Place pork belly skin side up on a cutting board, and cut into 1-inch pieces.
In a large Dutch oven, place lard and pork belly. Do not layer pork belly in more than 3 layers. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently; reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, until skin blisters and turns golden brown. Transfer pork belly to rimmed baking sheets, and refrigerate until cold.*
In a large Dutch oven, pour oil to a depth of 4 inches, and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 380°. Add pork belly in batches, and fry until puffed and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Let drain on paper towels, and liberally sprinkle or toss with Cracklin’ Spice.
Plans for our grand old flag pop and splash style 4th of July bash are coming together.
Traditional Home
You would think color palette inspiration is what I gleaned from the country French aesthetic of this Charles Faudree decorated bedroom.
Oh, it catches my eye and pops the patriotic palette, but what speaks 4th of July to me is the blue and white plates on the wall.
More on that further down the post.
Old Glory proudly welcomes visitors and the 4th of July to Places In The Home.
I never shy away from an opportunity to add a pop of color to interiors or exteriors.
Displaying the American flag and decorative throw pillows in red, white, and blue brilliantly colors my world in true patriotic style.
Our usual cast of characters made an executive holiday decision to hold our 4th of July bash at my brother’s house.
I voted for our 4th of July holiday to look a bit more like this…
but the majority ruled for our grand old flag pop and splash style 4th of July bash to be a home for the holiday celebration.
Relocating our 4th of July bash to my brother’s house puts us closer to the lake and his pool.
Now that’s smart party planning.
My new waterproof bluetooth speaker will make its inaugural debut. It’s not a party without the grooves and tunes of summer.
My Dad was a Veteran and a proud American.
His love of country was rooted in the American flag.
He fought for it, he never shied from his pride in it, and at the end of his life the American flag honored him.
In honor of my Dad, Veterans, and the military servicemen and women who serve our country, our flag flies for you.
What would a 4th of July tablescape be without a red, white and blue centerpiece?
I’m supplying the vase which is actually a cookie jar sans lid and the American flags.
Whatever greenery or flower I can find in blooming abundance in nature’s floral department (the yard) will be the center of centerpiece attention.
I happened to notice how full our neighbor’s magnolia tree is at present, and with their permission to “get all you want whenever you want” I’m thinking a bouquet of magnolias is where this centerpiece is going.
I’m staying true red, white, and blue with the party palette, but the 4th of July patio table will be set with vintage blue and white plates in various china patterns.
Summer sweet corn grown in the fields along the bayou is on the menu.
Some want it roasted.
Some want it cut off the cob and Southern fried with home grown tomatoes and sautéed Vidalia onions.
Some want it boiled, or as it was put to me, the way nature and the farm to table gods intended.
Summer sips, snacks, sweets, sides and sizzle simple is on the menu.
Dave the Builder will lead the barbecue pit crew, I’ll handle the sides, my brother is in charge of beverages and appetizers, and Mama Places In The Home is on dessert detail.
From planning to preparing to plating, our grand old flag pop and splash style 4th of July bash is a family affair.
We’re ready to go 4th, color our world and our holiday, and party in patriotic style.
We hope you all have a fantastic 4th of July.
If things don’t get planning and preparing crazy around here, I’ll pop in with a post next week.
Summer simple suggestions in chic summer style for bedecking interior and exterior settings, entertaining, dishing up summer fare, and outdoor living it up easy peasy is greatly appreciated.
Southern, Northern, Eastern or Western Living- regardless of geographical location, summer living and loving decoristas have got the memo, and it’s all about keeping it summer simple and summer simple suggestions.
It’s kinda sorta tough to kick back, relax and savor the season when you notice heavy equipment sitting on the sidewalk in front of your house and you, the homeowner, have no earthly idea what it is doing there.
Seems our city water department has a little curb appeal water line improvement of their own in mind.
This does not make my summer simple suggestions list.
Progress isn’t always a pretty process, and the installation of a new water lines makes it difficult to achieve summer curb appeal style, but we forge on.
We trimmed the unattractive dead sago palm fronds and within a week new green growth emerged.
Here’s a trick in my simple summer suggestions repertoire for getting your Sago palm(s) summer curb appeal ready.
Sago Palm Care
Outdoor planted Sago palm care involves watering the plant regularly until it takes root.
I like the look and the drought tolerant aspect of the mature Sago palm.
Fertilize at least once a month beginning in spring to aid in active growth.
Covering the base of the plant with mulch will help to protect the roots from cold snaps.
In inclement winter weather or fall freeze, we cover the exposed Sago palm with a heavy duty extra large black trash bag to protect it.
If it’s not one thing, it’s this.
Cue The Rolling Stones, cause it’s shattered.
The lawn and garden guy’s super duper heavy duty weed eater took aim at a loose piece of exposed aggregate, obliterating the exterior glass panel of the patio French garden door.
One simply can’t patio pretty with ugly on parade.
Thank goodness for the friend who frequents our summer patio soirees that just so happens to own a local glass company.
It’s time once again to get your summer soiree on, and the ideas for fun in the sun or evening tiki torch, lantern or string light are flowing.
We’re working with what we’ve got in the front of the house, and if you are like us, you’re getting your porch, patio and deck hangin’ game plan down pat.
Comfortable, fun, relaxing, refreshing, simple, tasty and stylish as chic- this is my number one summer simple suggestions formula for a festive summer gathering.
If Ina Uses It
I read with interest an article listing the pros and cons of a charcoal grill.
The pros outnumber the cons, and personal preference trumps all however, the one pro of the charcoal grill worth mentioning is worth mentioning. Grilling on a charcoal grill ups the flavor quotient and gives great grilled flavor.
3 tablespoons good olive oil, plus extra for brushing the grill
1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
3 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces grated Gruyere
12 small Brioche buns
4 ounces baby arugula
3 medium tomatoes, sliced in 1/8-inch-thick rounds
2 small red onions, sliced in 1/8-inch-thick rounds
Ketchup, for serving
Directions
Build a charcoal fire or heat a gas grill.
Place the ground beef in a large bowl and add the mustard, olive oil, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with a fork to combine, taking care not to compress the ingredients. Shape the meat into 12 (2-inch) patties of equal size and thickness.
When the grill is medium-hot, brush the grill grate with oil to keep the sliders from sticking. Place the sliders on the grill and cook for 4 minutes. Turn the sliders over with a spatula and cook for another 4 to 6 minutes, until medium-rare, or cook longer if you prefer the sliders more well done.
For the last 2 minutes of cooking time, place ½-ounce Gruyere on the top of each burger and close the grill lid. Remove the sliders to a platter and cover with foil.
Slice the buns in half crosswise and toast the halves cut side down on the grill.
Divide the baby arugula among the 12 bottom buns, top each with a slider, and finish with a slice of tomato and red onion. Cover with the top of the bun and serve hot with ketchup.
Culinary experiments put the taste and c’est si bon in the summer entertaining mix.
Summer menus require summer classics, new discoveries and improved additions.
Fried chicken is practically required eating in the South and a mainstay of the summer dining and picnic table.
Once the Places In The Home gang discovered how good the fried chicken is from the deli at our local Kroger, frying chicken at home has become a thing of the past.
Here’s my tip for simply summer impressive- it’s all in the presentation.
I go heavy on the presentation and simple with the preparation.
A pack of mini terra-cotta clay pots from the dollar store become individual s’mores supply pots.
Chippy, rusty, and charming- this vintage Hershey’s Milk Chocolate metal tray would make a great serving tray or decorative accent for the s’mores table.
Vintage ironstone and in the style of vintage table linens set a summer chic table.
A quick trip to an antique shop, garage sale or Goodwill store usually results in an ironstone serving piece find or two.
Vintage picnic wares and baskets bring memories to the table, and can be used for the actual purpose of food and beverage and/or as decorative accents.
Dave the Builder and I bought a vintage picnic table from a fellow antiques dealer with the express purpose of featuring it in a summer display at Hopefully Classic.
I used a vintage picnic basket filled with hydrangeas for a super easy, super cute centerpiece.
You can make quite the keep it summer simple statement with a collection of glass jars or melamine vegetable bowl and whatever flowers, greenery or veggies are growing fresh in your yard or garden.
No garden or flowers on the homestead?
Check out the floral department and produce section of your favorite grocery store.
Mini watermelons on a natural table runner of Pittosporum paired with Lemon Lime Nandina is summer simple and summer chic.
Ears of fresh corn with the husks slightly peeled back in order to expose the corn kernels grouped in threes and tied with woven ribbon of your color, pattern and texture choice or metallic twisted rope is another fresh centerpiece idea.
Bring the sugar, corn syrup, and ¼ cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and cool.
Puree the plums, cooled syrup, and lime juice in two batches, using a blender, until smooth. Stir the plum puree and yogurt together in a large mixing bowl.
Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, leaving about ½ inch at the top, as the mixture will expand when it freezes. Follow popsicle mold manufacturer’s instructions and freeze until solid, about 4 hours.
I saw this VW Bus throw pillow and immediately my thoughts went to summers spent camping with my childhood friend and her family in their VW Bus.
Louisiana is a long way from the California coast, but the Gulf Coast is a fun place to sand, swim, sun and sing we’ve been having fun all summer long, Louisiana style.
The Beach Boys definitely make up the soundtrack of summer.
The Beach Boys – Greatest Hits (Capitol) (CD)
My final summer simple suggestions tip is as follows:
The on the patio, porch, terrace or deck on summer holidays season complete with summer ready spots of relaxation and entertaining decked out to impress is ready to a kick off.
Winter is in the rearview mirror, and we are looking ahead to outdoor living, entertaining, and my favorite, decorating, with the full-on colors, patterns, and textures that visually convey the message summer has arrived.
The warm temps of spring every days and summer holidays is inspiration central for those who love decorating and celebrating their outdoor living life on the patio, porch, terrace or deck on summer holidays.
The image below reminds me of the vintage sewing machine stand I bought at a flea market when Dave the Builder and I were dating.
Dave found a scrap piece of marble to serve as the top and we were in business.
I first used the marble top sewing machine stand as a bistro table, then a kitchen island, then a microwave stand, and eventually a poolside bar/beverage stand.
Nothing fancy by any means, but unique (at the time) and very versatile.
Garden hose be gone, or at least housed in this beehive hose holder.
Do you know what a summer day and this post have in common?
They’re both long.
Summer days, summer nights, and summer holidays- are you ready to show your summer style off on your stylishly decorated patio, porch, terrace or deck?
This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
The beauty of a French themed tablescape is found in the ooh la la factor, and this We’ll Always Have Paris French themed tablescape focuses attention on the it’s all in the details appeal of understated elegance.
Soft lighting, informal china and crystal, and benign neglect to formality describes the European sentiment.
French decor elements bring a palette of both deep and soft blue and green, crisp white, rich brown and citrine, soft gray, and deep wine red to the table.
Vintage pieces make a wonderful contribution to tablecsapes, lending an air of distinction that exemplifies the art of classic French themed tablescape savoir faire.
Grab a free place card template printable, pop over to your photo editor of choice, add your own favorite French themed embellishments, colors and fonts and voilà!
Frame prints or printables such as this menu écrit en français as conversation pieces.
Wall shelf-wall sconces plucked from the clearance shelves at Hobby Lobby have served as my go-to tabletop décor accessory at shop and at home.
The decorative duo immediately caught my eye as tabletop gotta have it rather than wall décor.
When you like the details, finish and presence of a decorative piece, but not in the context of its original purpose, repurpose.
Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly spray a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray. Boil sweet potatoes under tender. Carefully remove from heat, drain, peel and mash sweet potatoes.
In mixing bowl, mix together the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, Southern Comfort, ground cloves and ground nutmeg.
Spread mixture evenly in prepared baking dish.
In a separate mixing bowl, mix together brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour, and melted butter.
Spoon over sweet potato mixture.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Southern Sweet Potato Puffs
Ingredients
southern sweet potato casserole for filling
1 box puff pastry sheets
1 egg
flour
Directions
Allow the casserole to cool before using as the filling for the puffs.
The reason I elect to fill the puff pastry with cooked sweet potato casserole is to work with a dryer filling.
Baking off the casserole absorbs the liquids into the baked casserole, and makes it easier to work with a firmer filling.
The next step in the making of Southern Sweet Potatoes Puffs brings puff pastry into the mix.
I used the defrost in the refrigerator overnight method of thawing the puff pastry sheets.
Unfold 1 puff pastry sheet and place on lightly floured countertop or large baking sheet. Roll puff pastry out using a lightly floured rolling pin. Lightly dust pastry sheet with flour.
Using a knife, cut the pastry sheet into six (6) squares.
Spoon 1 tablespoon of the Southern Sweet Potato Casserole mixture in the center of each pastry square.
Pull corners of each square up over the filling and twist at top to seal. Repeat with the remaining pastry sheet.
Place the pastry squares onto a large baking sheet that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
Beat 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of water together in a small bowl with a fork.
Brush each puff with the egg mixture.
Bake for 20 minutes or until puffs are golden brown.
Note: Southern Sweet Potato Puffs make an excellent small bite appetizer for the holiday cocktail hour.
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Handcrafted Valentine Inspiration
K&Company Embellishments Life’s Journey Keys Metal Art
Get to the heart of the Valentine’s Day matter by working with a theme.
Kiss the calorie counting goodnight and enjoy sourdough heart shaped rolls from Boudin Bakery in San Francisco.
The Local Palate
Gold Faux Wood Charger
Displaying the American flag and decorative throw pillows in red, white, and blue brilliantly colors my world in true patriotic style.
The Beach Boys – Greatest Hits (Capitol) (CD)
Bake for 20 minutes or until puffs are golden brown.