What is the purpose of a Napkin Ring?
I feel like sometimes I find folks on Instagram and I fall into a black vortex of investigation. Holly Holden is one of my latest new instagram loves! If you don’t follow her, you should do so immediately. I love knowing what is considered “proper” and “appropriate etiquette” if situations ever present themselves. Also, I think it is just great to get a little refresh of some basics, like how to address an envelope properly. Ya’ll need to sign up for her Mummy’s Monday Manners newsletter!
She recently was a guest on the Welcome Home podcast (another favorite) where they were discussing Holiday entertaining. The subject of napkin rings came up and I just had to share what she said about them - this is something I never knew!
5 Tips for Setting a Table in a Small Space
Today I am going to share a few my favorite small space and inexpensive tricks to dress your table. After having lived in basements all over Washington DC for the majority of my life, I have become very adapt at figuring out how to entertain in small spaces. For most of my life, my entertaining haul fit in plastic bins under my bed.
Creating a Modern Buffet with Vintage Platters
Today I wanted to share my favorite tips for creating a super easy modern buffet table using beautiful vintage platters. Entertaining with vintage platters is my happy place. Mixing and matching and showing off beautiful old items in a modern setting is exactly what I love to do.
For me, it is all about layers and height. It adds such a level of visual interest and helps everyone see the food better (or what I really care about...it shows off the vintage serving pieces better). Here is a step by step guide to building this buffet.
Introduction to Depression Glass and Patterns
Can you even imagining opening up your box of Cheerios or whatever and finding a piece of shinny colored glass in there? That might actually be enough to get my lazy ass out of bed in the morning.
What is a Caviar Spoon?
Caviar (sturgeon eggs) is a such a delicacy it requires its own spoon. The spoon is usually small (about 6 inches or smaller) and has an oval or shallow bowl to serve the caviar. But, you will also find some spoons larger and more ornate.
However, the material of the spoons is what is most important. Grabbing your silver teaspoon to serve caviar is considered a real faux-paus. Instead, caviar spoons are made of materials that won't taint the delicate taste of this luxury.
Are you a coup or a flute?
There are three kinds of people in this world...those that prefer champagne flutes, those that prefer champagne coupes and those that would rather a bourbon out of the bottle.
It doesn't take much of a genius to figure out that the retro charm of the coupe has my heart. It was one of the first things I registered for when I was engaged, I used them at my wedding and we drink OJ from them on the weekends. It is obvious that I adore them.
The Turkey Platter: A Quick History and Favorite Patterns
If you saw my post on creating a perfect vintage Thanksgiving table then you already know that I think the turkey platter is the star of the show. In my house, the ole gal isn’t allocated to the edge of the table, she’s put in prime location in the center of the table.
Vintage Toast Rack: What Is It and What To Do With It
It seems you can't hardly flip through a magazine anymore without seeing a vintage toast rack on a desk holding stationary or mail. Don't get me wrong, I use one for the exact same thing on my desk.
But what exactly are they and what was their original purpose.
What is a compote?
The easiest way to describe a compote is a dish, bowl or vessel that is on a pedestal or some kind of footed stand. They can be used for a candy dish, a centerpiece, to hold a collection. Simply put, they can be used in lieu of a standard bowl where you want to add visual interest and height!