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setting the table: 18 holiday ideas

As casual as our Holiday get togethers are, we rarely (and by rarely I mean never) set the table formally. But after seeing all kinds of great ideas on Pinterest, it sure does make me want to start! For those of you who intend to take your event decor to the next level, here are 18 awesome Thanksgiving and Christmas table setting ideas that look pretty easy to replicate.

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FOR THANKSGIVING

1. Gold Pumpkins

2. Autumn Harvest

3. Colorful Fall Arrangement

4. Leaves & Acorns

5. Neutral Feather

6. Magical Gourd Garden

7. Navy & Gold

8. Sophisticated Silver & Lavender

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FOR CHRISTMAS

9. Doily Runner

10. Glittery Pinecone

11. Silver & Gold

12. Book Page Runner

13. Classic Holly

14. Fresh Green & White

15. Joy Place Card.

16. Burlap & Chocolate

17. Simple Rustic

19. Sweet Succulents.

All pictures link back to their original source (if known)

please don’t take my sunshine away

I want to know – does anyone actually like when the clocks move back? I most certainly loved the “extra” hour of sleep the other night, but now that the sun sets at 5pm I just want to throw on some pj’s and go comatose after dinner. In memory of Daylight Savings Time, here’s my tribute to the sun – well, in the form of sun rooms.

My dream home would most definitely have a sun room in it. Let’s think about this…It’s a room completely devoted to the big, bright ball of light in the sky. You can soak up that Vitamin D without even going outdoors. Perfection. If you’re lucky enough to have one, here’s some really cool designs I’ve come across.

I know Emily just posted this like a day ago but I saw this and instantly felt myself 8th grade style crushing this room. I’m just so in love I can’t look away. Every single room in that Curbly house is pure gold. I love that the wall color (Sherwin Williams Sea Salt) enhances the room so much, and makes it feel so light and airy.

This next one is more neutral, but the warm tones, rich natural textures, and fireplace make it feel so cozy, even though the furniture is very streamlined.

Caption this one? Okay. Cozy, yet stylish and chic. I’m digging the “lived in” feel to it. I really like how they made a somewhat small space seem larger and more interesting.

Retro approach to the modern sun room. I’m loving that white wall and all those windows!

Classic and sophisticated all in one pretty package.

This last one shows that these rooms can function for more than just a lounge area or reading nook. This little dining area would be great for a candlelit dinner for 2 or a small get together with friends.

Which one is your dream sun room?

(all photos link back to their source, if known)

working girl cuisine: tomato bisque

Hello November! New month = new blog segment!

In this new feature, once a month I will spotlight a recipe that even the girl on the go can prepare and serve with ease. Often times after a long hard day making bank, I don’t feel like cooking. But instead of spending all my money I just made on fast food or going out to eat, I’ve found some good go-to, cost-effective recipes that are not time-consuming and make for some amazing leftovers.

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Truth be told I don’t even like tomato soup. But when I came across this recipe my whole world changed. (Actually, when I first had Beach Bar‘s famous tomato soup my whole world changed. And this recipe is very similar to that, so all you Beach Bar lovers back in Michigan & beyond: take note!)

Yes, this amazing soup may be a little on the rich and hearty side, but it’s super easy to make, and absolutely PERFECT for the crisp fall weather. There will be plenty of leftovers to share, but I’m not lying when I say that this soup actually is better the 2nd day or 3rd day.

TOMATO BISQUE (6-8 servings)

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter
1 onion, minced
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp basil (dried)
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 cans diced tomatoes
5 cans Campbell’s tomato soup
2 cups half and half
1 8oz stick of cream cheese, softened at room temp
Mozzarella cheese, shredded or freshly crumbled (optional)
Garlic croutons (optional)

Sauté butter and minced onion together in a large saucepan for about 5-7 minutes on medium heat.
Add seasonings, diced tomatoes and tomato soup and mix together.
Add the half and half and cream cheese ( note: the softer the cream cheese the better it mixes in. You could even put in the microwave for a few seconds before adding)
Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Turn up heat to high for a few minutes until soup is very hot, almost bubbly. The reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for at least 10 minutes. (The longer the ingredients mix together the better the soup will be. I think it tastes best a couple of days after you make it.)
Top with mozzarella cheese and garlic croutons if you desire, and serve!

Happy weekend!!! xo

home renovation: living room

Now that the Texas summer heat is gone, it’s time to start thinking about the home renovations once again. As you remember, our home that we bought earlier this year is a 50’s Ranch style with a Mid Century feel that needs (many!) updates. We ripped up the floors and installed beautiful walnut hardwood throughout and painted, but now its time to furnish this B.

No better place to start than the Living Room, which I hope to have complete just in time for the Holidays.

This was our last setup at our previous home. I splurged on my Lee Industries Chairs & Verellen Sofa from Pizitz when I was still living in Florida….so when we moved from the beach to the 1920’s Bungalow Cottage near the river, these lovely pieces worked perfectly.

Of course I’m keeping the sofa and chairs, but I wanted to bring some other pieces in to tie what I have together and make the home feel more modern. We painted the walls in the Living Room Worldly Gray by Sherwin Williams, so I’m going to bring in more of the charcoals and grays into the room.

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, then you remember when I came home with this little treasure. This Zinc top Chest for $75 is now our Coffee Table.