Let Us Eat Cake

  I tend to cook and have a party at my house each year, and this year, I thought it might be nice if I give myself a bit of an upgrade when comes to the sweet stuff of the evening – I found this Colorful Beaded Dessert Server set for $15 at Pier 1 and decided to let their color play up front and center as I’ll use this wonderful Pottery Barn Gabriella Cake Stand for $49.00. The price is a little steep here, but given the great quality and basic white, you could use this for many a thing!

I think the cake stand is a grossly under used item when it comes to multitasking. I’ve used mine as a place to put my gingerbread house at Christmas or my appetizers on when I have brunch and need them to stand out. Consider getting a set of different sizes and stacking them for a tier display…of cupcakes!

I found these great larger candles at Party City, these Striped Birthday Candles come in packs of twelve for $4. I thought that their size would actually overkill on the cake, but they really look cool! Plus, I think I'd be able to use them in a smaller candle stick holder and use them for outdoor parties even, I really enjoyed these colors – a white cake, with white icing, my favorite, would look great with these!

I’m always loving the neat uses for things that I can find at a restaurant supply company. I found this great find recently for way cheaper than you’ll find at usual market stores. At Jeans restaurant supply.com, they’re Champagne Bucket & Stand only rand $39.55! There is something fantastically luxurious like this at such an easy price! Plus it means I can up my budget on the bubbly!

And finally, what girl doesn’t love flowers? I found these great daisy bud vases for $2 at Crate & Barrel. I thought they’d make a great “big” display if I strung 10 of them down my bar area with little flowers in them. It’ll be a big splash of decor rather than the one large bouquet, plus, I could sprinkle a few random ones here and there for a great theme but one that won’t break my wallet!

Whenever you do celebrate, take in the moments with friends. Each year is a gift!

Take a Seat

I’ve recently been taking a look at my entry way “hall” which currently holds my butler’s cabinet that houses all of my serving ware. That said, I’m starting to wonder if it’s more functional and space liberating to put a bench in order to place bags, shoes, etc…as I flop through the door after a long day.

Right now my top winner is the Pottery Barn Windsor Bench. It’s steep at $399, but it’s a classic, open shape that I can see being utilized as both table and bench. My only downfall here is that I’m going to end up adding a hat tree or hooks in order to store some items, but the style factor is worth it here.

A little more sparse, but definitely high on the inspiration and design factor is the Ikea PS RASKEN. At it’s $99.99 price tag, this is a piece that I could love and leave elsewhere. I see it as a lovely bench, but it could easily double as a low table in my den later if I find something else. My only regret is the nude color of the wood, I’m thinking this might require a refinishing so that I can blend it in with my more traditional decor better.  Loving the open bottom for a neat storage box or two. Lots of possibilities here!

This next bench reminded me of one my grandmother had at her house when I would visit it. The storage seat is perfect! This Target Country Style Bench – Black at $149.99 is a steal for the detail and storage possibilities. The black blends well in the space and I’m even seeing some pictures being taken in it – so double as a photo prop area! :)

Finally, if I were really looking for a shock and awe entry way, this Crate & Barrel Paterson Blak Storage Bench with Wheat Cushion and Panel ($547.95) is an indulgence. It would definitely redefine my space and say HELLO to anyone who entered my house!

Bedhead

Pottery Barn’s Laurel Organic Duvet Cover & Sham - ($39.00-$129.00) say sweet end to the day. A bit of the vintage print of a little girls room meets all-grown-up tailoring in this set. The good blue color reminds me of robin’s egg and sweet days of spring. I feel like climbing out of this on a Sunday morning might make me yearn for a stack of pancakes with a smiley face on top – the set gives me something smile about.

 

Cb2: urban mandala bed linens ($19.95-$89.95) - I adore this print. Easy stick figure-like buildings come to life in a large medallion. Black and white makes it easy to mix and match other patterns here, or keep it in it’s modern format with some minimal accessories. I see this shining in a college apartment or a techie’s dream loft.

Target: DwellStudio for Target Casablanca Bedding Collection ($24.99-$79.99)  - a touch of colonial added to a sky of clouds for me. The green is a nice touch of grass to lay my head. DwellStudio has turned out several patterns for Target – very pop ideas in a classical twist. I like the clean lines in what could have become a stuffy damask print.

Walmart: Hometrends Ellington Complete Bedding Set, Red / Black ($39.00-$54.00) - I’ll face it, I’m a Walmart girl, but I’m usually not a bedding at Walmart girl. This geometric find has me rethinking what my guest room looks like! The red and black go perfectly with the Macintosh colored walls I sport. I like the black and white play here and the bold print is big enough to mix with a smaller print sheet if you could find one. Decent price, decent look, have at it!

Ikea: Lusy Kloss Duvet cover and pillowcases ($29.99-$39.99) – I’m a big Ikea fan. Sometimes I think their bedding is a little basic for me, but some how this Twister meets Bingo marriage could win me over. I picture it with an understated bed in a room that needs a little bit of whimsy. If you did the “regular Ikea thing” with minimal color, an orange lamp on a light oak desk, kept the walls a nice shade of grey even, this could make the mundane, a piece of art.

Look at them Stems

 Pottery barn - Montana Goblets, Set of 6 - $75.00 – I know, the price tag is sticker shock unless you’re getting married or these are a gift. But that said, I adore the flat bottomed simplicity that doesn’t mean “boring wine glass shape.” It still has that beautiful clear glass that shows off those nice reds and bubblies, but doesn’t have the etchings that leave an expensive wine hide behind the glittery exterior of the vessel.

 

Crate & Barrel : Ona Large Pitcher $26.95 – I couldn’t help but include a pitcher in this post. This is one my favorites. I love anything you can use as a vase too – saves on cabinet space!  My only caution here – it can sweat and get slippery. It’s easy design fits in with any table decor, can be used for showcasing a fantastic sangria and when not in use, makes a nice bit of art on a shelf.

Walmart does simple yet elegant again.  Better Homes and Gardens Set of 4 15-Ounce Wineglasses, Green $12.00 are a steal compared to your “nice glassware”, heck, it can be your nice glassware. This shade can mix into a Thanksgiving or Christmas table just as much as you can an Easter set up. While I have a hard time committing a color to my regular tableware, this basic wineglass can definitely be used for everyday dining.

 

Cost Plus World Market: Novica Contoured Wine Glasses, Set of 6  $52.95 – I adore these glasses as they look like something my grandmother might have had. The glint of blue in their reflection paired with the subtle edging make them vintage cool. Given the wide mouth and sturdy design, these could be great for a parfait or pudding when dessert is arranged.

 

Pier 1’s Tortoise Glassware can be had $6.50 - $9 a stem.  This bold look lends itself well to a tropical table, or even a dark wood charger beneath a white plate. I see this also going well with a mustard or orange dish, something that sings to the array of browns and ambers the mottled glass carries.

   

Finally, last, but not least is Ikea’s NÄRHET Red wine glass $4.99. I like the detail on the stem without detracting from the basic wine glass. I would use this for an everyday stem for sure. It has a bit of mod look to it, with the entire line you can elevate that basic dish set to a little more sophisticated style. Besides, anything looks neater with a wine glass! ;)