Sunday, October 8, 2017

Set Your Table With Flair--A Shockingly Manic Panic Halloween

Welcome, spooks and specters!!  Thank you for visiting my blog!  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, bar none, right behind Christmas!  I absolutely love it!

If you have been here before, you are aware that I am a Music Manic Fanatic.  I also am a firm believer that music unites and brings people together.  I have always been a person who appreciates people of all different kinds and from all walks of life with music being a strong contributing factor of how I connect with those people.  Whether or not if it was discussing composers with band friends, or dancing the night away to Cumbia, Rock en Espanol, Reggae-Ton, or even BANDA! in my twenties with gal-pals, or taking in a show of a local rock, punk, or ska band, I have always enjoyed it! This was especially true in my youth; I was much less serious and much more carefree.  I was heavy into the music scene, and I especially loved (and still love) alternative rock. 


When I was younger, being an alt-rock goddess meant sometimes you might dye your hair different colors if you wanted to make a bold statement.  One color I had always admired then but never had the guts to try was Manic Panic's Shocking Blue.  If you are a rocker or even a savvy stylist, you know that Manic Panic is the authority on awesomely alternative hair color. 


Here is a peek.  Sooo gorgeous!!!  This one is a classic.  You can order it via their site here.


Here I am trying out a platinum look years ago.


As far as color goes, I only went as far as a purpley-burgundy, because I was a little too chicken quite frankly to push the limit (and test my mother's patience) more than I already had, lol.  So glad I've outgrown those days...but I've never outgrown the whimsical idealism of youth, especially during the holidays.

My favorite type of Halloween décor usually includes some sort of gothic or Victorian element, and when I was perusing the internet, I came across this fabulous damask fabric.   Isn't it beautiful!!?  It's also quite close to and reminded me immediately of Manic Panic's Shocking Blue.  This wonderful damask fabric has now become the perfect topper for a gothy-themed tablescape!

For this year's Halloween, I thought it might be fun to pay homage to this amazing color.  Blue has always been my favorite color, so why not a blue Halloween!!?  I hope you enjoy the post!


I placed these midnight blue chargers to begin the plate stack.

The chargers were followed by these fantastic melamine (shhhh, don't tell) plates.

Super cool!

 

Large smoky goblets, blue flutes, and skully mugs were added for spooky spirits,

and to complete the setting, black napkins held with sparkly skulls and silver flatware.



If you would like to view the tutorial to make these sparkly skully napkin rings, you may visit the post on my blog The Crafting Table here (this photo was snapped with my IPad, and doesn't showcase the true color of the topper or napkin rings, however, it does show the detail of the sparkly skulls).

A more accurate depiction of the color:

To add dimension and a bit of victorian elegance, black candelabras outfitted with elegant blue tapers were placed at either side of the table.


Aren't these gothy-good!!?

I also added silver candlesticks with black tapers at either side of the table setting.



For a spooky-inspired siorée, you can never have enough candlelit romance!!  A centerpiece made of more candles, a silver dish, and an abundance of black and blue prettiness brings all the elements of the setting together and completes the tablescape.
 

Closeup.



Completed Tablescape.


Tablescape details.

Place setting.



This setting works just as well in the outdoors, and here are a few examples:








For a little more spooky charm, I added these standing wrought iron elements to either side of the table, also outfitted with flowers and candles.

What a SHOCKING scene!

I used this fabulous batty stand to set my delicious cauldron cakes upon:


Love it!!

If you would like to view the recipe for my Bubbling Brew Cauldron Cakes, you may do so on my blog Parsimonious Pabulum here.  These are such a fun baking activity for kiddos, my girls loved making them!
 

No Halloween party would be complete without spooky sips shared between friends.  My Manic Panic Shocking Blue Toxic Punch is a great beverage to serve this Halloween, and is also kiddo-friendly!

 

If you would like to view that recipe, it is on Parsimonious Pabulum here.
 

You can view my tablescape with all of these elements added alongside the wonderful music of Bach on my Instagram feed here:



I feel that Toccata and Fugue in D Minor sets just the right atmosphere for Halloween!  It's a classic.  If you are looking for music inspiration, have no fear.  I have comprised a list of fabulously frightful favorites of mine for this Halloween, and you can pin it if you like as well!  This is a completely comprehensive list with a little bit for everyone!!  I hope you enjoy it!  If the font is too difficult to read, simply click the photo on your mobile device and it will open an enlarged version of the list!

 


I hope you are cozy, warm, and due to the events everywhere across the United States and its territories, SAFE wherever you are.  Remember, enjoy the playfulness of Halloween, and never be afraid to let your frightfully fabulous freak flag fly!!



Until next we meet--


From my collection:
Blue chargers, generic, CV Linens
Skull "Dead Earth" melamine plates, custom made for Zazzle by Spooky Things
Black candelabras, found on Amazon
Silver dish used in centerpiece, Wallace Silversmiths Baroque Collection, Local Antique
Silver flatware, Wallace Silversmiths Antique Baroque Collection, Horchow/Neiman Marcus
Smoky crystal goblets, Shannon Crystal Collection by Godinger
Black Skull mugs, Williams-Sonoma
Cobalt blue flutes, generic
Batty Cake Stand, HomeGoods
Black napkins, generic, HomeGoods
Silver candle holders, Godinger, Local Antique
Wrought iron outdoor candelabras, Ross Stores
Blue floral, all, Walmart
All candles with the exception of the black tapers were ordered from Amazon.  The black tapers are from Hobby Lobby.

Please feel free to join me and other FABULOUS bloggers as we Happily Halloween HOP along with Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home !  Such a fun party full of fantastic Halloween inspiration, and I hope you'll join us!






If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,  

The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 
Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

Follow me on Pinterest!!  Please be sure to kindly follow the board guidelines, as it takes time and effort to find fabulous pins across the Internet and Pinterest!  Thank you!  

Thank you for stopping by! ❤

Sunday, August 27, 2017

A Farewell to Summer

The punishing heat of Summer's days are soon at an end.
Another year begins; to school, the children I will send.






God changes the trees, the weather, and all of the land.
No more swimming, surfing, or running along hot sand.


Glorious Fall arrives, over Summer ne'er shall I weep.
In my heart, its memories shall I cherish and keep.





It's almost Fall, Y'all!




-Until next time


Clumsy attempt at poetry, yours truly
Flowers, local grocer, not bad!
Little bucket, bought plain from Tai Pan Trading.  French detail and lettering was added by yours truly.  You may view the tutorial of how to add lettering to a galvanized bucket in the archives here.



If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,
The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 
Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

Follow me on Pinterest!!  Please be sure to kindly follow the board guidelines, as it takes time and effort to find fabulous pins across the Internet and Pinterest!  Thank you!  

Thank you for stopping by! ❤

Friday, August 18, 2017

Set Your Table With Flair--Mindfully Mediterranean Mise en Table

Hello, friends!


I hope that everyone is enjoying the summer, and staying cool wherever you are.


This Summer, with the temperatures here in southern California soaring well past the 100s, it definitely makes me think of the Mediterranean countryside.  If you have read any of my posts, you know that I am an avid lover of music; thus, as par for the course, today as I plan a special dinner, I am listening to and reflecting upon one of my favorite composers, Isaac Albéniz.  He was a pianist whose works were originally composed solely for piano.  Several of the pieces were later transcribed for guitar, and have become classical guitar standards.  The Suite Española is one of my favorite works in classical music.  Comprised of several pieces, the works reflected the area for which they were composed.  You may listen to one of my favorite pieces of the Suite Española entitled Sevilla as interpreted by famous guitarist John Williams here:  It may not work via my site, but the YouTube window will open up upon clicking.






Albéniz was inspired by the cities of Andalusia, and the pieces were meant to reflect the region.


The area where we reside is very warm and it resembles not only Mediterranean countries, but Tuscany as well.  There are even an abundance of wineries nearby; the terrain is so similar which is perfect for cultivating grapes (this is also why I have vines on my property).  Today, I am taking my cue from Maestro Albéniz by bringing a bit of the beautiful Mediterranean countryside to my table, and also adding a dash of Tuscan charm, just right for entertaining during the late summer.  I also will be participating in a fabulous blog hop hosted by one of my favorite bloggy pals, Katherine from Katherine's Corner.  We would love to have you visit all of the wonderful posts in this fun summer tablescape hop!  I hope you enjoy! 


The table began with a simple white cloth, embellished with a rustic burlap runner.




A runner of grape vines and bougainvillea fresh from my garden adds a bit of Summer romance to the setting.


Isn't this bounty beautiful?

Placemats of rattan emulate the provincial elements of the countryside.
 I kept things simple with white china, shown here:
 and clear glass.  Shown here.
 


Each place setting was outfitted with a mini pedestal to designate seating.


I wanted a casual atmosphere, so extra flatware for dessert was displayed in this rustic wrought iron silverware caddy.


I planned a special menu for this dinner party, and the elements were also meant to reflect the beauty of the region.  The menu is situated at the head of the table in wrought iron.


A close look at the evening's menu:


Premier:  Salade de Bougainvilliers et les feuilles de vigne avec les fraises


I wanted to keep it whimsical, so the salad was served in a fun silver wheelbarrow with an accompanying pitchfork and shovel style fork and spoon.


So cute.



If you would like to view the recipe for this salad, you may do so on my blog Parsimonious Pabulum here.



Plat Prinicpal:  Gaspacho Blanc


The gazpacho was served in a simple silver bowl placed inside a wrought iron trivet.

If you would like to view the recipe for my white gazpacho, you may visit the post here on my blog Parsimonious Pabulum.


Après:  1.  Gâteau au Citron avec infusion des raisins blancs  2.  Glace au Vanille à la Lavande


1.  I plated the Naked Lemon Cake with White Grape Infusion on this antique-styled cake plate.


If you would like to see the recipe for this very delicious (and simple, a boxed cake was used as a base...shhhh) you may view the post here on Parsimonious Pabulum.



2.  The Lavender Ice cream was served in the aforementioned simple dessert glasses. 
You may view the recipe at Parsimonious Pabulum here.


Vin:  Moscato d'Asti


Completed table.


The evening definitely was a success, and I hope you have enjoyed this post.  These ideas are perfect for a mid-summer's siorée!  Enjoy the rest of your summer!




Please be sure to visit all of the other lovely bloggers in this wonderful hop!






















***Update***


I was so preoccupied with my sick poochie, I forgot to list where all my pretties came from!! 


Apologies! 


From my collection:


White Dinnerware, Ralph Lauren Whipstitch Collection, Horchow/Neiman Marcus
Rattan Chargers, Target
Silver Flatware, Wallace Silversmiths Antique Baroque Collection, Horchow/Neiman Marcus
Beige Crocheted-edge tea towels, Boutross Linens, Horchow/Neiman Marcus
Wrought iron silverware caddy and trivet, SteinMart
Silver Bowl, Ralph Lauren Wentworth Collection
Silver-plated Wheelbarrow, Pitchfork, and Shovel Set, Godinger, Horchow/Neiman Marcus
Wrought Iron Book stand used for menu, Tai Pan Trading
Antique-style cake stand, Tai Pan Trading
Dessert glasses, generic, Homegoods
Wine glasses, generic
Mini cupcake stands used for place settings, American Atelier Bianca Collection, TJMaxx




If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,  

The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 
Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

Follow me on Pinterest!!  Please be sure to kindly follow the board guidelines, as it takes time and effort to find fabulous pins across the Internet and Pinterest!  Thank you!  

Thank you for stopping by! ❤