A Simple and Chic Friendsgiving Table

If you follow along on Instagram then you know that right smack in the middle of the One Room Challenge dining room makeover, I hosted some co-workers for a little friends, fun, and feast.

For those of you that are fairly new here, you may not know that I am the Managing Editor of Hallmark's blog highlighting our highly-celebrated creative community of 500+ in-house artists. Obviously one of the perks of this job is working with creative people all day every day. So while I'll admit to being a little intimidated having them over, it's always so cool to invite creative people into your home. (Okay, let's be honest; I welcome the excuse to invite any friend into our home!) But I feel like other artists respond to the quirkier aspects of our decor. And that always makes me feel a little less...weird.

Same could be said of setting the stage for a great meal. Just like with my home, I wanted something with a neutral base and plenty of personality. (Ahem...enter ze brass menagerie.)

I picked up an ivory linen tablecloth and some funky, vibrant table runners, but in the end, decided to scrap the runner and keep the table more neutral. I'm going through a neutral life stage. Less visual noise is calming me...and I need all the calm I can get with a toddler and pregnancy hormones :)

White everyday dinnerware and my vintage Thai bamboo flatware (similar here) kept things warm and fresh. Vintage tumblers housed what I can only assume was the most delicious Sparkling Cranberry Orange Sangria ever known to man because Ali made it. (I really need to stop hosting parties while pregnant.) She also provided a spread of sides. Which is genius, if you ask me, because I suspect only a select few of us get actual joy from cooking a huge turkey twice in one month (or year, if you're me). It was all so incredibly delicious. (Ali detailed and linked the entire menu here.)

 Florals aren't really my game, but I wanted to give it a shot. I played around with incorporating produce into the arrangement and tabletop. I love that the centerpiece really took center stage this way! It was great for conversation, too. "Is that...kale...in there?"

Why yes, yes it is. Details on how I did it here.

The other standout was the place cards. One of my coworkers hosted a feather-painting workshop with several Hallmark artists, and the results immediately inspired the place settings.

Those watercolor floral napkins don't hurt anything either...

Details and downloads for the place settings available here.

All in all, we had a crazy good time, and I'm really excited to start making this an annual tradition at our house. I'm curious -- how many of you are hosting Friendsgiving this year? I feel like it's a real thing now, which is so so awesome. 

This post is in collaboration with Think.Make.Share and Gimme Some Oven. All opinions are my own. Photos courtesy of Jane Kortright for Think.Make.Share.

Art Inspired // Giulia Bianchi

sconces // painting // votive holders // chandelier // vases // chairs (similar) // table // sideboard

I fell hard for the fig painting by Giulia Bianchi. Seemed just right for a sophisticated, feminine dining space. I'm also going to need to come across a burl wood treasure soon because I can't stop thinking about it.

Interiors // Javier Castilla

My immediate giddy reaction to this space by Javier Castilla proves that I have not completely abandoned my masculine tendencies. I am in love.

Nuevo Estilo, spotted via Mimosa Lane

If Eric's place had been dressed like that when we met, I would have been undressed in a hot minute.

TMI?

Also, no, I still have not had this baby.

TGIF indeed.

Monday Blues // 33

Jeffrey Bilhuber

ummm...nails.
I love anything with that collected over time feel with irreverent use of color.

Also, this happened yesterday:

This is the door from our kitchen/eat-in to the garage. I've been wanting to paint it for-ev-er, but have been going back and forth between a bold color or black. Black feels classic and safe, so I knew I had to try this first. I love the color long time, but I didn't get immediately giddy upon seeing it hung, so I'm not sure it's staying. It was also 11pm after a long weekend of moving my mama and having Eric out of town, so we'll live with it for awhile before making any rash decisions. Plus, I think he would kill me if I made any such demands right away. So more on this later.

Home Depot patio reveal tomorrow, ya'll!

I'll be posting a bit later than usual -- 9am Central.

Happy Friday + Chairs

Hallelujah! We are in possession of two of these bad boys. Dear Greyhound, please treat me right and deliver their 4 friends today. So I don't completely lose my mind with anxiety. (My sweet husband would tell you it's too late. I was absolutely crazed this morning getting to the bus station.)

I know they're begging to be reupholstered. Be gentle with your fabric judgments. They can hear you.

*Scored these via Scowters. Have you heard of Scowters yet?? The bestest.

Happy Friday!!

Monday Blues // 15

Lonny Magazine

Sometimes a little splash is all you need.

Love the sweet little wreaths hanging in the windows, too.

monday blues

so perhaps that little build-up on friday wasn't such a good idea. may or may not have left me frozen in indecision yesterday, trying to concoct the most riveting and dynamic comeback post you've ever seen....which i'll be doing none of. let's ease back into this, hmmm?

i have to admit that it's hard to get back to my regularly scheduled program after an amazing whirlwind weekend with my college roomies. it's been years since the four of us have been able to get together without an alterior motive, so this trip back to the alma mater was long overdue. and even though my arms don't appreciate the delayed sunscreen application from a day of football tailgating (holy lobster), my heart is full. i miss everything about seeing those ladies everyday. there's nothing like the friends with whom you can pick up right where you left off, am i right?

feeling a little bit of the monday blues as i gear up for the week ahead...i figure they might as well look good.

miles redd as seen in architectural digest // branding by september industry

man, that particular shade of blue kills me!

girls dinner // summer tapas party

about time for a second installment, don't you think?

just like last time, we're keeping things casual with a smorgasboard of deeeelicious tapas and red sangria (one of my personal faves) on the porch, all of which were deceivingly simple.

 first order of business? getting that patio table set. we went with a graphic fabric swatch (one of the girls has this on hand for an upcoming sewing project), but a tablecloth, blanket or quilt will do just as well. if you're forced to go solid, use napkins, dinnerware and accessories to add pattern and texture. there really aren't any rules! one or two standout items (umm...hello! that gorgeous turquoise vase bursting with peonies) can really make the table come to life.

then it was time to get our grub on. in the true spirit of spanish tapas, we divvied up food responsibilities, each with two apps to share. i opted for roasted red pepper hummus with pitas and delectable little herbed goat cheese, strawberry basil sandwiches. there was also beet salad, pimentos, spicy lime shrimp, artichoke crisps, and edamole (that's edamame guacamole).

we stuffed ourselves silly, to say the least.

stringing up some lights added serious ambiance, and allowed us to keep the party going a liiiiiiiittle later than anyone intended....but such it is when ladies find time to get together, right??

laura conjured up some festive belly bands for our glasses o' fruity delight (diy details here).

the girls over at ampersand are detailing how you can get the look yourself.

and for your drinking pleasure, a recipe card for that delicious red sangria from yours truly.

 available for download here.

mandatory group shot:

all photos courtesy of the very talented eric linebarger

awwww.

also, if you're like me and are sometimes challenged by the task of creating the perfect dinner mix, this one sure delights the earlobes.

hope this inspires you to call your girlfriends for a little dinner fun of your own! ox

 { find our previous dinners here }

interiors // nick olsen, superstar

you guys. if you haven't seen nick olsen's spread in the latest issue of veranda, you need to run to your nearest newsstand.

do not pass go. do not collect $200.

i spooned my copy last night.

a peek at what i'm talking about:

interiors by nick olsen as seen in veranda magazine // photography by melanie acevedo

also, nick, get on it with a portfolio site, will you? i need an easier way to stalk your work.

type tuesday // edible cookbook

pages of gorgeous type and instructions for making lasagna??!? i just died 1000 times!

genius concept by korefe // via good design makes me happy

talk about a conversation piece!