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Saturday, March 5, 2011

MY FIRST TABLESCAPE!! YAY!! (oops. I mean... ahem): My First Tablescape


I'm posting my first tablescape! Yay! (Happy dance! Happy dance!)

I must preface this by saying this is most certainly not the first tablescape I planned to post on my blog. Oh no, that first one is still being planned in my head while I am digging through boxes between our home for sale and the new one -- trying to find all the cool candlesticks and those gorgeous green goblets and the awesome salt and pepper shakers I know are in one of those boxes... somewhere...

Tonight was an impromptu dinner for unexected guests dear friends who were visiting nearby. With only two hours notice and no time to get to the grocery store, I started to pulled out all the ingredients for the easiest spaghetti sauce -- ever. It's my "go to" recipe that is always fail-proof and always successful!

I will post the recipe in a later post -- soooo easy. And delicious!

I wanted to get the table set and began pulling out items I thought might work for a simple spaghetti dinner with salad and breadsticks and wine... in the end I was pretty happy with what I came up with.







I had a little spectator in the chair behind the table!
Spaghetti dinners can be a little messy sometimes, so I usually avoid a tablecloth. I wanted to use these dishes and had always planned on using black and gold with them but I didn't have placemats in black or gold.

What's on the table:
Dishes: from Walmart (I know, right?!)
Placemats, napkins, napkin rings and wine carafes: Crate & Barrel (loooove C&B!)
Flatware: Horchow
Gold goblets: JCPenney
Red wine glasses: CB2
Crystal candlesticks: Orrefors

Ever since I found those dishes in Walmart, I can't stay out of the dish aisle there! First place I head to the moment I step foot into a Walmart in hopes I will find some other cool stuff one day.

The wine carafes from Crate & Barrel are amazing. They were about $9 apiece and they're beautiful -- and made in Italy!  

I will post my super-duper easy spaghetti sauce recipe tomorrow!


Thanks for visiting my blog!




I will be linking up with:

Show and Tell Saturdays at Be Different Act Normal
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
Mosaic Monday at Little Red House
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
at

42 comments:

  1. Keetha BroylesMarch 5, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    I LOVE it. Simple, warm, and inviting.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 6, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    I'd sure eat at your house, Carol! :O) Looking forward to your recipe, as well~

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  3. KathleenMarch 6, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Doesn't matter where you buy things if you like them. I just bought some plates in the $ store, and when I took off the label it said Crate and Barrel! Goes to show you!
    Love the table, very sophisticated and great color combo!

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  4. LynnMarch 6, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    I love it! The warm colors look great together and I'm sure you all had a fun time:@)

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  5. The TablescaperMarch 6, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Great table. Very intriguing mix of color. Thanks so much being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  6. Pinky at Designs by PinkyMarch 7, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    You are a girl after my own heart: I just bought MORE dishes at Walmart today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am a real "dishaholic" and can't seem to stop myself!!!! Love your table and would love to have some spaghetti! I will be your newest follower! XO, Pinky

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  7. Designs on 47th StreetMarch 7, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    The colors just grab you from the get go! Lovely table for sure. Sometimes my best tables come together the fastest! Your dishes are so fun and I will now start looking at Walmart closer! :)
    Welcome to blogging and I do hope you'll stop by and visit me sometime.
    Donna

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  8. DianeMarch 7, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Looks fantastic. Looking forward to more tablescapes!

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  9. Deborah Kay at The Paint SplashMarch 7, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    Hey girl, my dishes are from Walmart too! You'll have to check them out. Love your table. Glad you posted. Blessings, Debbie

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  10. On Crooked CreekMarch 7, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Carolyn,
    I adore how you put the dishes, stemware, flatware, placemats, napkins, and candles together with such ease! Stunning show of color choice. Did I tell you that I'm Irish / Italian? Save a place for me, please, dear!
    Fondly,
    Pat
    P.S. Loved your "little helper" in the background!

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  11. By the BluegrassMarch 7, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    How inviting! I love your place mats!
    xo,
    Sena

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  12. JocelynMarch 7, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Very pretty and inviting! Everything is ready for the perfect meal. Great table.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  13. SoniaMarch 7, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    What a fabulous first tablescape!! Love the colors and sounds like your spaghetti sauce is a winner..please do share your recipe!

    Miss Bloomers

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  14. Lori @ Dining DelightMarch 7, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    That's a "hostess with the mostest" when you can invite people over on the spur of the moment, whip up a simple but delicious meal and create an inviting beautiful tablescape to welcome them! You did awesome and I love your Walmart dishes and the stemware goes so well with your centerpiece!

    DD

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  15. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    Beautiful table...sorry I missed dinner!
    Cheryl at My Sister's Cottage

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  16. Miss CharMarch 8, 2011 at 5:08 AM

    What a great colorful table, perfect for serving spaghetti. Thanks for sharing and I love your little baby peeking over the chair.

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  17. PAINTORDIG.blogspot.comMarch 8, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    I love your tablescape-perfect for a simple relaxed supper with friends.Gee, I have never seen such cute dishes at our Wally World! I am your newest follower-after all I don't want to miss that sauce recipe!

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  18. Brenda PruittMarch 8, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    It looks beautiful! I'm sure your guests loved the cozy atmosphere. My every day dishes are Walmart ones.
    Brenda

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  19. Rosie GanMarch 8, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Ooh, congrats. Beautiful colour scheme.
    Rosie

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  20. Happy To Be/ Gl♥riaMarch 8, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Love your wal-mart dishes I need to check them out..very pretty girl..and love the fur baby..Hugs and smiles Gloria

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  21. AnonymousMarch 8, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Pretty impressive for spur-of-the-moment. I'm your newest follower. http://moogieland.blogspot.com/

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  22. FABBY'S LIVINGMarch 8, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    and hey!...I'm your newest follower! I love your FIRST beautiful tablescape, love your dishes and the whole thing goes so well and it gives it a very warm ambiance to your table! I'd love your recipes too.
    Come visit me so we can become closer blog pals! Thanks for sharing.

    XO
    FABBY

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  23. Decor To AdoreMarch 8, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    What a beautiful tablescape! I just love the animal print!

    Have a wonderful day!

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  24. BethMarch 9, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    It looks great, Carolyn. I love the flatware, the napkins and napkin rings and the red goblets. The reds and yellows mix well together. Nicely done.
    Blessings,Beth

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  25. MarlisMarch 9, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    My hat is off to you for pulling this all together in 2 hours! Putting yellow and red together is really charming. Love all the textures!

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  26. Tablescapes By DianeMarch 9, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Hi lovely lady. Im happy to see a new Bloger sweet lady.~~What a beautiful first Tablescapes!!! I LOVE the way you put it all together for your party !!!! Im also sorry I missed dinner with you and your lovely family.
    Im your newest follower on your Blog. I hope you come join my blog sweet lady.
    Diane

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  27. Jo AnnMarch 9, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    How beautiful and what a great job! Can't wait to see future ones you do!

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  28. Debbie@Mountain BreathsMarch 9, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    I love your spectator!! Your red flatware is stunning, and your tablescape is very inviting.

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  29. Alycia NicholsMarch 9, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Welcome aboard the tablescape train!!! Glad to have you! You did an outstanding job...and with such little notice! I'm sure your friends were impressed and delighted with your efforts! They were probably not expecting to be treated to such a lovely table. I look forward to seeing your future tablescapes! Oh...I have a special go to spaghetti sauce recipe, too. It's called RAGU!!! :-) Have a great week!

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  30. MarigeneMarch 9, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Carolyn, welcome to the world of tablescaping...it is addictive! Love the golds and reds, so warm and inviting. So cute how your pup is peering over the back of the chair to make sure everything is just right!

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  31. SarahMarch 9, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Lucky friends to dine at this lovely table. You did a terrific job. I'll have to check out the dishes at Walmart. These are wonderful. ~ sarah

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  32. Slice of PieMarch 9, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Beautiful table ... love the dinnerware and I'm headed to Walmart to find it! The red just pops ... and I love the flatware. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  33. Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net)March 9, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    Carolyn, this is wonderful! Your pictures make me feel like I'm right there about to sit down to dinner. Great plates! I love all the pops of red. I bet your guests loved this table setting...it's beautiful! I got a kick our of that little white head I see peeping over the chair in the family room. Sooo cute! :)

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  34. Carol at SerendipityMarch 10, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    Carolyn,

    Love your tablescape and the Walmart plates. Everything jus goes together beautifully. Looking forward to your recipe.

    Carol

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  35. AnonymousMarch 10, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    Wonderful tablescape Carolyn. Welcome to Tablescape Thursday!

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  36. TessMarch 10, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Your table came out great!! Love those red glasses. Dinner sounds delicious and all on 2 hours notice...in the middle of a move???? WOW!

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  37. CarolynMarch 10, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Thank you everybody for the nice comments!

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  38. The Howell BlessingsMarch 10, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Wow, great supporting comments for your first tablescape (That's to hook you in for more ha ha!) I love the rustic feel of the table against placemats and dishes. perfect for an "Italian" meal. Hope to see more from you.


    Miss Mindy @ The Howell Blessings

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  39. JanayMarch 11, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    Hello, congrats on your First Tablescape, YAY!!! :*) I like the colors,,, nice and warm and I like the elements of texture. LOVE those amber goblets!
    p.s. this is my first peek at your blog --- thanks for sharing!

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  40. Entertaining WomenMarch 11, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    I immediately was in like with your table...everytime I go to buy a new car, I always look for a red car with tan leather interior...my favorite. The red handled flatware is a great appointment. Welcome to tablescaping in blogland! You hit the ball out of the park the very first time! Cherry Kay

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  41. Mid-Atlantic MarthaMarch 11, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    You've put together a wonderful table. Love your new dishes and those great colors. Happy 1st tablescape! Hope well be seeing more.

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  42. EmreenApril 16, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    Lovely... Doesn't look like a first...!! .So warm and inviting...!!

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Thank you for your comments! I love receiving them!