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Sunday, December 27, 2015

Set Your Table With Flair--A Romantic New Year's Eve

Hello, friends!  I don't know about you, but part of me insists that Christmas isn't over, and I want to hang onto a bit of the euphoria it brings.  Alas, reality eventually sets in, and I begrudgingly must admit it's over...booo!  It is almost another New Year!  For me, the New Year may not bring those same feelings, but a feeling of a fresh start, of life anew, and a whole new list of goals I don't intend to keep ;)

When ringing in the New Year, I like things low-key, intimate and uncomplicated.  Today, I will share a few simple ideas to help your New Years go off without a hitch!  I hope you enjoy the post!


Start Early
Admittedly, I am still trying to master this one.  It can be challenging with a gaggle of hobbits in tow...but the earlier you can start preparing for your evening, the better.  

I begin early, with all the accoutrement necessary.....



Nothing fussy, pretty silver and uncomplicated flowers,


Simple white plates and linens,


Ornaments that bring in a little bling



Glasses for my favorite type of spirit for the occasion, Moscato D'asti.


Add Some Sparkle


Adding a little bit of pretty bling is an easy way to make your event a bit more upscale.  

A simple boxed cake becomes lovely just by adding a bit of gold!  I began with a plain cake.  I cut off a portion to make it as even as possible.


I placed the cake in the refrigerator and prepared a beautiful crusting buttercream frosting.  To make a traditional crusting buttercream, I used 2 pounds of confectioners sugar, two teaspoons of almond extract, one cup of Crisco shortening, and 1/2 cup plus two tablespoons milk. 

Mix the extract and Crisco shortening together.  Add the confectioners sugar one cup at a time, mixing thoroughly and adding milk sporadically as needed.  


I laid wax paper on the cake stand.  This will ensure your surface remains clean while frosting.



I placed the cake on top of the waxed paper.  Moisten the cake with a bit of water so the frosting will adhere.



I worked the frosting onto the cake by covering it up with a Viva paper towel and slowly running over it with my hand over the towel and a small spatula-shaped cheese knife.  This buttercream works sooo well!



Now that I have a smooth surface, it's time to add golden sparkle!  The easiest way to do that was by using some Wilton treats I found at my local Michael's.  

Edible spray paint


edible stars and gold dust....brilliant!


First, the spray.



Next, the dust....so pretty!



Edible gold stars!




I removed the waxed paper and added some gold stars to the platter as well.



A sparkly ribbon makes for more pretty!



This is the first time I've used a crusting buttercream, and I think I'm in love!



Gold stars were also added to the glasses.  I dampened the rim of each glass and rolled it into the stars.  You could also add a little in the glass once the bubbly is poured!


Strands of sparkly lights enhance the ambiance of the room


as well as the setting.



The ornaments (ball drop!) at each setting



are adorned with pretty ribbon as well.


Simple, uncomplicated elements combine to add romance and a bit of upscale fun!



I will be on a small hiatus as I vacation with my family.  I thank each person who has stopped in to spend a bit of time with me, and for all of the kind comments!  I wish the very best for all in 2016!!
Until next time....


From my collection:
Table linens and napkins, generic, TJMaxx/HomeGoods
Cake plate, Ralph Lauren Pavilion
Plates and saucers, Ralph Lauren Club Collection 
Punchbowl, Antique Reed and Barton 
Stemware, generic
Ornaments, TaiPan Trading




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. 

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Thank you for stopping by! ❤









Thursday, December 24, 2015

Season's Greetings 2015

Wishing each of you and yours the very best this holiday season!




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, December 18, 2015

Set Your Table With Flair--Opulent Christmas Outdoors



Hello, friends!  Thank you so, so much for taking time out of this most busy season to spend a few moments!  We are so close to Christmas, and I am putting together the final preparations....I am rushing about to make little bags for each of my kiddos' classes.  This year, little monster trucks and Barbie dolls along with small treats like candy canes and snowmen for each boy and girl in my kindergartener's class....scented body wash and hand santizers with flavored lip balm and mini Star Wars ships and Halo figures for my older daughter.  Sweet little somethings for their teachers and Boy Scout leaders....this is a tradition I've carried for years and years, since my eldest was 8 (14 years almost!).



I love, love, love the season of giving!  It's hard to believe my older daughter will soon be in middle school, and my last little hobbit will soon leave the nest daily for a full-time school day.  It can be bittersweet.


I am also putting together my tablescape for this year's Christmas.  As I flit about with Christmas tunes playing, inspiration hit me.  Angels We Have Heard on High and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing are two songs I remember from my childhood.  This year's tablescape will reflect a bit of the true meaning of Christmas, because to me, it is so much more than a season of giving.  It is a season for remembering the greatest gift of all.


There is something wonderful about the crisp winter air as I work my table!  A brilliant white damask, a very full garland woven down the table, candles, and a golden lyre.



A bit of symbolism is found in a lyre centerpiece.



Premade chargers were placed next.







Adding vibrant red roses and chrysanthemums to the centerpiece, fluff, fluff...fluff.



And more flowers down the length of the table.


Clear plates were added to showcase the pattern on the chargers; I didn't want to cover them up too much...and gold flatware for a bit of pretty.







A little bit of joy, 





white saucers, and vibrant red napkins held by gold crowns indicative of His kingdom.












A couple of candles in tall golden pillars complete the tablescape.



A few more shots:















From my collection:

White damask tablecloth, TJ Maxx/HomeGoods
Flatware, Wallace Silversmiths Grand Duchess Collection, Horchow/Neiman Marcus
White saucers, Ralph Lauren Whipstitch Collection
Red napkins, generic, TJ Maxx/HomeGoods
Gold-imprinted stemware, TJ Maxx/HomeGoods
Golden jeweled crowns, Tai Pan Trading
Garlands, Hobby Lobby
Large gold pillars, Ross
Golden lyre, candlesticks, and angels, all, thrifted
Damask chargers, Yours truly


If you would like to view the tutorial to make your own chargers, you may view the tutorial on my blog The Crafting Table here.




Until next we meet, Holiday Blessings.....




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! ❤








Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Prepping Your Brick for the Holiday Season

Hello, friends!  Last week, I shared my wreath which was hung from a mantle-less fireplace.  Today, I am sharing a quick post about how I accomplished this simple task. 


Prepping the Stone
I absolutely love a warm fireplace during cold weather, don't you?  Our modest casa is an older one, so sometimes the inevitable happens...when we use the fireplace, soot makes its way onto the stone because of our very old-fashioned screen.  It can be rather unsightly!  When I attempted to hang the wreath, it looked horrible with all of the soot behind it, which wasn't terribly noticeable until I snapped some photos.  Hate it when that happens!    ='(



I always use a broom with firm bristles to remove as much soot as possible when I routinely clean the stone.  For deeper cleaning of the stone, this vinegar solution, a scrub brush, and paper towels did the trick.  This simple solution came from The 99¢ Store and it worked like a charm!



The vinegar doesn't seem to effect the mortar, and it worked quite well.  Here is the before:  Yikes!


and after:


Anchoring a Wreath to a Mantle-less Fireplace
To anchor the wreath to the fireplace, I used these easy-to-use brick anchors I found at Joann's Fabrics.  The instructions are simple, and you can use these indoor or outdoor, and likely I'll use them for our stockings, too!





Voilà!








Until next time...






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! ❤