THE 20-MINUTE TABLE...

How to put together a very last-minute tabletop...

Throw down your fabulously wrinkled linen. Forage for last year's feather decor. Gather your current favorite dishes.

Rummage through Christmas decorations for frosted pinecones and icicles. Combine grandmother's silverware, Ikea black glass votives, and ever-present Moroccan tea glasses.

Line glass vase with textured wrapping paper. Tuck into icy wreath that you've had since college. Bask in the glow. Devour turkey and pumpkin pie. 

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Happy {Give Thanks} Weekend

Well my loves, this is it. The holiday season has officially arrived. Did it catch you by surprise as much as it did me?!

Life seems to have been roaring by so fast and furious lately that I'm definitely looking forward to the break, and to bread with our nearest and dearest.






I'm also planning to use the extra time to put the finishing touches on some new projects of my own. You may have caught my newest endeavour - styling, which was just featured in the latest issue of Rue Magazine. Here's a peak of my suggestions for dressing for your family Thanksgiving dinner.

(Spoiler alert!) I plan to bring those services to you, dear readers (and mass general public who have yet to hear of me), very very soon. So do let me know if you have a problem closet because I am your fashion fairy god mother.

You can check out my tips for your office holiday party and New Year's Eve looks in Rue here, but I can't wait to start offering solutions to your styling dilemmas!

Finally, I have to reiterate how thankful I am for Apartment 34 and the world of blogging. I want to thank our latest blog sponsors, fab fashion line Lesley Evers, favorite Seattle-area boutique Promesse, gorgeous jewelry designer Wendy Mink and Canadian style setter Dace. I love featuring great design and looks I love and these are all at the top of my list.

I hope you have the opportunity to say thank you to someone special in your life this weekend. I got the chance to do that in a guest post at Create Girl today. We shouldn't need a holiday to force us to pay attention to the people that matter to us, but hey, we could all use the reminder now and again!

Happy feasting - till next Monday luvies!
*Mrs. E

Credits: Thanksgiving montage pics via eddie ross, studio patro, and dress design decor. Rue Magazine spread shot by Kim Bamberg, styling by me!

A FOLKLORIC FANTASY TABLETOP

On my snowy lazy day yesterday I spent some time daydreaming up a little Thanksgiving tabletop worthy of a little imagination... 

The feathery dishes are ones I own and I hope to use this year... the rest? A lovely collection of goodies that create a pretty little 'forest' of of white porcelain animals and feathery trees nestled along modern glass decanters to reflect the light of plenty of scattered tealights casting a glow throughout. Add a little shimmer with gold chargers and tie it all together with luxurious twigware. Oh, and a sprinkle of snow, of course!



*resources: ceramic deer and decanters via z gallerie. stemware and charger via crate & barrel. dishes and feather tree at anthropologie. stemware by michael aram.

INTERIORS TO INSPIRE: THE THANKSGIVING EDITION

It's almost here! (Really, where does the time go?) Julie from Chapman Interiors here today taking a break from my usual Interiors to Inspire to bring you a few refreshing tabletops that call for a feast of feasts - after all, this time of year, home is all about entertaining!

Fancy a more modern aesthetic? This first setting is for you - a DwellStudio table using a graphic approach with a traditional color scheme...

(square wine glass, lattice fabric, white plate)

Get a similar look by draping lattice-inspired gift wrap over the narrow width of the table, then top with your traditional white plates, a graphic napkin (I've found some fun paper ones at IKEA), a brown egg and some lovely gold-tone flatware  and you are on your way to a modern celebration.  Don't forget to grab some little pumpkins and give 'em a good coat of white paint for the centerpiece!

For those of you who love a nature-inspired tabletop... 

(white container, pheasant feathers, manzanita branch, textural plate)

Using organic textures and natural elements, this setting is still sophisticated without being stuffy. I'm really loving this simple clean palette paired with the softness of feathers. To pull it all together purchase vases and dinnerware in white that have a natural texture to them, then use branches in the centerpiece for the height, placing feathers along the outside edge of your container so you don't have to invest in so much plumage.

And finally, for the traditionalists who aren't afraid to indulge in a fabulous palette of color...

(cobalt wine glass, blue and white table cloth)

This gorgeous sparkling table from Eddie Ross is the perfect inspiration! He's paired deep cobalt with warmth of the seasonally appropriate ochres and rusts. So lovely and inviting. The key here is that strong pop of blue from the glasses combined with vintage brass elements to create a timeless table. (Tip, if you have a not-so-dripping-with-crystals chandelier over your table, try swagging strands of crystals just for the evening to sparkle things up a bit!)

Get your gobbler ready! Because the time has nearly arrived...

Cheers!
Julie

*images via: graphic modern, rustic feathers, eddie ross' sparkly traditional

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: A GILDED THANKSGIVING!

'Tis the season to be thankful, my dears! Camille from Style Notes here, and today we're dressing up the Thanksgiving table in all its gilded glory. This is the perfect holiday to put a spin on tradition, so we're trading in the usual brown + orange tones of fall for something a bit more glamorous...

Our inspiration comes from an elegantly nostalgic palette of glittering gold with rosy pink accents. I'm imagining a table set with vintage gold-rimmed china and tons of warm candlelight that casts a flattering glow on the faces of family and friends gathered 'round.

Set a pretty place setting that's refined without feeling stuffy. A blush pink runner feels a bit more modern than a full-length tablecloth, and low loose bunches of garden roses are just right at any time of year.

A buffet overflowing with autumn's bounty is a dramatic centerpiece to the Thanksgiving feast (and makes serving a whole lot easier on the host!) Use platters & vessels of varying heights to add visual interest.

Pass around a tray of hot apple cider with orange zest and star anise for the ultimate comfort sip. (And if you're feeling extra spicy, add a dash of rum!)

To set a special occasion tone, create seasonal place cards inspired by falling leaves. It's a gracious tabletop touch that allows the hostess to create the perfect seating chart. Get the DIY details on crafting these little lovelies here.

An indulgent ending to the Thanksgiving meal is a given, and this is the perfect time to break tradition and think outside the pie. This spiced apple cobbler with pumpkin ice cream is brimming with fall flavors; serving it in individual footed compotes adds a dash of chic. Hop over to the menu to get this and a few of my other favorite Thanksgiving recipes...and I wish each of you a joyful day full of great food & counting your blessings!

*images: {row 1} martha stewart, betsy dunlap, rebecca thuss {row 2} martha stewart, instyle parties {row 3} 100 layer cake, skippy designs, williams-sonoma. table & buffet, instyle; cider, williams-sonoma; place cards, camille styles events.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are off on the road, making the rounds with in the future in-laws this Turkey-day.

Even if you're half way around the world and don't celebrate this holiday, are hunkered down at home, or packing up your own car and off to grandma's house, I wanted to share my sincere thanks for all of the Apartment#34 readers.

photos via busy being fabulous and kim ficaro

I appreciate the daily indulgence of sharing my favorite fashion finds, style inspirations and now wedding planning with all of you. And to the community of bloggers - I consider myself lucky to count myself among you. You're all truly the best and I couldn't be more thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Delicious Dining

I'm headed to the future in-laws for Thanksgiving so on the one hand have no stress of menu planning or decorating. On the other hand, I don't have the stress of menu planning or decorating!

While I don't consider myself a tabletop guru (I leave that to the experts), I was really drawn to these simple dining spaces from Commune. Couldn't you just imagine an intimate yet elegant Thanksgiving with only your nearest and dearest around you?

If I were to plan my own table I'd fill it with simple, seasonal items, saturated colors and natural element for a warm, inviting and slightly informal style. 

images via plaisirs simples, lacie hansen, erinheartscourt, 100 layer cake, busy being fabulous

I have a feeling that once we're happily wed, my turn will come soon enough. I'll just bank this inspiration until then.