Valentine Tablesetting

I pulled a few things together to make a Valentine tablesetting on our breakfast table.

I used a mix of crystal, china, silver and thrifty finds.

Started with a freshly ironed 32" battenburg table square. I ironed while watching Barefoot Contessa.

It's old and pretty worn.

 I added two oil lamps filled with red lamp oil. 

Also added an picture of us in a heart-shaped crystal frame.

The Waterford sugar and creamer were a gift from my mother-in-law. I had admired hers and she took note and gave me this set for Christmas. Smart lady. That was my first piece of Waterford and it started my obsession/collecting. Larry never quite forgave her.

I then decided I needed Waterford champagne flutes. I dropped hints to my husband. He's not so good at picking up hints, so I had to get serious. 

1st hint: Aren't those pretty? I'd love a pair. (missed Christmas)

2nd hint: You say you never know what to get me, these would be great. (missed V'Day)

3rd hint: I've decided to go on champaign strike! I'm not drinking champaign again until I can drink it out of a Waterford champaign flute!

I think he's got it!

 We refer to them as my champaign strike crystal. 

 I used silver chargers that I found at a NC community yard sale. They were 8 for $3.00. 

My favorite Hearts and Pines china by Porsgrung from Norway. 

Then to mix things up with a little blue, I added blue heart rimmed plates. 

They were another yard sale find.

 A wooden blue heart napkin ring and a red heart napkin with a blue stripe pulls it together.

 I decided to use my sterling flatware. It's Gorham and the pattern is Medici. 

It's a pattern I liked, then didn't like, and now like again.
Vintage cut glass coasters are used for the stemware.

I had time to polish two pace settings because I was still watching BC.

Flowers are tucked into a silver tea pot.

Tonight's dinner, Shrimp Alfredo. For the recipe, click on  Rita's Recipes.

Champaign anyone?

LOVE......

Links: BNOTP, Valentine Party

Valentine-izing The Kitchen Island

I moved my Hearts and Pines dishes to a wire dish rack on the corner of the kitchen island.

 I found the metal dish rack on sale at Marshalls for $5 a few years ago.

 It's a good spot to display my seasonal dishes and remember to use them every day. 

a wire heart with red gingham ribbon, a set of red and white candles and another thrifted pot holder.

A vintage Valentine hankie trims the wine basket. The hankie is one of many that belonged to my mother. A clean hankie was always tucked into her purse before she went to church on Sunday.

The red checked runner is actually a window valance. It was on sale for $1 because there was only one left.  The vintage red handled kitchen tools are tucked into a tall basket.

Aprons hang on the pantry doors.

A vintage red checked apron and this one that's all-out Valentine.

The towel bar on the end gets red and white Valentine towels.

The hand crocheted pot holder is a thrift store find. The doggies get red bowls.

 Hey!.... This is new!

Don't mind if I do!

LOVE......

Links: A Stroll Thru Life, Coastal Charm, Savvy Southern Style

Kitchen Valentine-izing

The blue and yellow in the kitchen is replaced with red and white.

My "Be Sweet" sign is hung from the cup hooks under the cabinet.

I use those cup hooks for the all signs we make. So easy to switch out.

Easy Chocolate Muffins under the glass dome.

The stack of bowls is from Walmart's after Christmas clearance.

They included a cookie mix.

Kiss the cook.

This was a brown wood box that held gift food items. I sprayed it white.

 Heart measuring scoops for the sugar and flour. The Brighton heart night light is usually in my bathroom. The pottery love heart was a gift from my friend Joanie, years ago. Joanie, do you remember this?

Wrought iron two tiered pie stand hold 2 of my dishes.

 A clay heart shortbread cookie mold, a few heart Christmas ornaments in a silver candy dish, and a red ticking striped basket that holds paper napkins all sit on top of my antique bin that holds the recycleables.

 I put (Ajax) ruby red grapefruit dish wash liquid into a heart-shapeed dollar vase and added a pour stopper.

The doggie's cookie jar gets a red bow and a vintage heart cookie cutter. If you want  them to come running, just lift the lid!

LOVE...... 

Links: Dittle Dattle, BNOTP, A Beach Cottage

Valentine Mug Shots

I always like to change the mugs on the mug rack for each of the holidays. It's such an easy and quick way to get in the mood for Valentine's Day. I love having my morning coffee or afternoon tea in one of these cheerful mugs.

 The coffee station gets a Valentine look with heart mugs by Waechtersbach from Germany.

A red trimmed basket that holds coffee filters sits in a larger basket holding my milk/coffee frother, tea, and a few chocolate treats.

A couple of sweet mugs from a thrift store too, of course!

LOVE......

Links: My Romantic Home, Coastal Charm, Funky Junk

Valentine-izing

My Porsgrund Hearts and Pines china is perfect for Valentine's Day. I'll be using it this month

thru the 22nd, our anniversary 2/22.

I also added a few hearts to the sofa table vignette.

This heart tray sits on the end of the breakfast bar in the kitchen. It gets Valentine-ized too.

I printed a favorite quote on my printer and put it in a frame I had on hand.

Jane Austen-Pride and Prejudice

I've also  added it to my sidebar this month.

Love....

Links: BNOTP

Valentine Basket Storage

I've decorated my blog for Valentine's Day with a new background and a Valentine Playlist. Now it's time to get my Valentine decorations out!

A large laundry basket on the top of my pantry.

Red splints=Valentine items.

A stack of baskets under the corner of my cobbler's bench.

They store more Valentine things.

Gathering on the kitchen island.

Also, time to take down the Christmas photos displayed on the fridge.

Tomorrow I'll be Valentine-izing!

Cheers!