Sunday, March 29, 2015

Spring Tea Table Decorations- Peeps Centerpiece



Each year, my church has a ladies tea.  We have a different theme each year and table decorators decorate their tables with pretty dishes and something that ties it to the theme.  This year's theme was "Seasons."  I used it as a reason to use some of my thrift store finds to decorate a spring themed table.  The other bonus was my table had mostly young ladies under 12 years old, so I was able to be a little more whimsy!

First the plates, sauces, and 4 cups were from a little church thrift store.  They are marked "Made in England", "Snow White Regency Johnson Brothers", and "Ironside Johnson Brothers."  I got the set of 8 plates, 7 saucers, random small and medium bowls, and 4 cups for $4.  Yep!  That is is.  I added in 4 other "Made in England" cups from the local Habitat Restore for $2 and had a set (except for one saucer- I thought I had 8!).  The cups are all in great condition and the plates, bowls, and saucers are in various states- some chips, discoloration, etc.  But many are in good condition and certainly good enough for my sweet young ladies so I did not have to worry!

I used a few other pieces, not so clearly seen on the picture above- a piece of milk class, a swirl milk glass bowl, a Princess House cake pedestal, my Pampered Chef trifle bowl (flowers inserted), and a crystal cut candy jar.  My flat ware was an old set of my grandmothers.  The glasses were new from Marshalls ($6.99 for 8!).

Overall the table was very low cost.  The candy was probably the most expensive part (and the potted plant). I did a Peeps centerpiece (I made entire Peeps Pinterest board) but used toothpicks (rather than hot glue) so we could eat them later.  I filled the tea cups with paper Easter grass and jelly beans.  The candy dish is filled with Robbins eggs candy (later I taught the girls how to decorate their lips with them!).  I provided some cute zip lock bags so the girls could all take home their candy later.  Each girl also had a place card with a 2.5 x 2.5 frame from Michaels.  Not only was it cute, it filled up the table.  The church provides the lunch on a plastic clear plate, so I added some felt flowers to my plain white plates for a little color and some thick pink straws.

Overall, it was quite cute, low fuss, and user friendly for young ladies.  I thought it turned out nice!  Hopefully you will be inspired and not feel tea decorations have to be overly done.  I will post pictures of other beautiful tables soon!

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Fairwinds China- For Sale

Update- This lovely China sold.  :)




I have not listed this yet on Etsy. My friend's daughter is going on a mission trip in 2016. Some kind person donated this Fairwinds china set. It is almost perfect except for one cup and one bowl with chips. I am selling it as a set for $220 or by the place setting (5 pieces) for $20 each. There are 5 perfect place settings. Altogether there are 18 dinner plates, 15 salad plates, 10 small bowls, 1 small bowl with a chip, 15 saucers, 10 cups, and 1 cup with a chip. A nice set. Comment for details. I will add to Etsy in a week or so.












Vacation Home Decor- Use Thrift Store Finds



My parents have a vacation home they spend some weekends visiting. Not wanting to spend a lot of money in kitchen items, my mom shopped discount consignment stores and thrift stores for kitchen gadgets and dishes. She has china for dinner dishes and random vintage items for cooking and serving.  This Corningware roaster and two tea pots are three of her items she added to her kitchen. Of course, these are the same pattern as some of her wedding gifts in 1969!  Thrift stores have affordable kitchen wares for your current home, vacation home, or camper, if you are so lucky to have more than one "home".  They add character and are useful tools to have around.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Another child post- toddler stages and dishes

I cannot help it!  I am a mom of three!  My oldest two are 9 and 11. We were well beyond toddler years when #3 came into our world. So now I am back to toddler dishes with our sweet girl. She is an expert with a fork and loves to have her own big girl silverware at dinner. We also have a few smaller dishes for her to eat off and not break. This bowl was from a set with got in a monthly subscription service.  It is made from bamboo and is indestructible!  And it is just perfect for a bowl of cereal.

We we again be out of this stage soon but until then I will treasure little fingers and little bowls! 

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Easter Dish Inspiration- Table Decor Ideas

Easter is such an amazing time- celebrating the resurrection of Jesus and celebrating Spring!  My family always gets together for a Easter meal and an annual Easter Egg Hunt at Mimi's and Papa's.

Decorating for Easter can be fun too.  While I am not too much into rabbits, I do love tulips and flowers of all kinds.  I love the freshness of Spring decor!  And with Easter falling a little late this year, we will all be ready for Spring... even here in Florida where it is already 86 degrees.

I made a quick Pinterest board on Easter decor using tablescapes and pretty china.  Maybe you can be inspired with your own table decorations.