Rosemary & Thyme

It is December ladies...Time to put our best decorating ideas forward, thoughtful presentations and pull out our very best to let every one of our guest know this time of year is special.  Because Christmas comes but once a year, we must make our tables fun, festive and sparkle a little.  No, sparkle a lot...  Bring in the reds and greens with flowers, candles, linens and china to make a festive statement. For this table setting, I focused on a fun and festive holiday theme with a nod to the past and a little nostalgia.  Some greenery, snowmen and winter village pieces found at Michael's...  I started with some scrapbook paper with a holiday theme..  Chargers from Pier 1, Johnson Bros. dinnerware, Mikasa Wine Glasses and Reed & Barton Flatware.  I finished the look with napkins from Pottery Barn and a few touches of ribbon mixed around the greenery.  A celebration not to be missed. So bring on the glitter, greenery and the baking...My philosophy for the holidays is

It is a very nice weekend.  Weather is just amazing..  I have been cleaning the house and organizing the all my china.  I am running out of room.  My collection of vintage treasures keeps growing..  But I think it is time for a break..  I put a good day's work.  And a lovely dinner with my sweetheart sounds like the perfect way to enjoy the rest of the evening. I wanted to make it special..  It is Saturday night you after all..  So while organizing my basement, I came across my Spode Delamere dishes and thought they were just perfect for the occasion.. I also had a set of beautiful and delicate Irish placemats and napkins that my sister-in-law Lilly brought me from her trip to Barbados.. These will certainly be the main characters and inspiration for my table this evening.  I want easy elegance.  Pretty crystal, elegant flatware, candles, a good bottle of wine.  You get the idea.  Great reward for a very productive day. Here is my interpretation of a perfect evening with m

I did it again... Another set of Tea Cups I could not leave behind.  They were just there waiting for me, looking so sad and lonely..   The colors and the flowers were so soft and delicate.  So femine..  I could not believe that noone had snatch them up yet..  So when I saw the price and learned that they were actually made in the US, I just had to have them.  These tea cups were manufactured by the china company Homer Laughlin from East Liverpool Ohio. They have been manufacturing pottery since 1871.    My pattern is called Eggshell Georgian circa 1940..  Not rare, just beautiful.  Please take a look.. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  The temperatures are supposed to be pretty nice here in our area.  Perfect for taking my little pooch to the park and antiquing..

Have you ever wanted to experience classic Afternoon Tea in an refined and iconic setting...Whether you are looking for a special way to spend an afternoon or have a bigger celebration in mind, the  Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel  will not disappoint.  One of my favorite Tea Rooms in NYC.. There are several options for afternoon tea at the plaza, including The Classic, The New Yorker, Chocolate Tea (with chocolate fondue!) and Eloise Tea (particularly suited to the younger set.) From the moment the doors opened in 1907, The Plaza became an international icon of splendor and luxury. With a heritage rich in history and history-making events, the legendary quality of The Plaza is unmatched. Over the past 100 years, The Plaza has hosted a variety of celebrated personalities, including the mischievous Eloise, George M. Cohan, Truman Capote, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and The Beatles. Long a part of Plaza tradition, the romantic and timeless Palm Court has served as a se

Boy..  It truly  has been a testing and difficult week here in the East Coast.  The destruction and loss here has been overwhelming.  I see the images on the news and the desperation of the folks affected by the hurricane and it is heartbreaking.  I can't even begin to imagine how we will recover... But our hearts and faith are strong and sometimes that is just enough to move forward.  We have been one of the fortunate ones to have power restored.  However, I have many relatives that are still without heat and electricity. So to try to keep my mind occupied and in a positive note, I am putting together a quick post to share some recent flea markets finds.   I have been putting together a decent collection of vintage Tea Cups and Butter Dishes.  Most of them floral designs.  But I can never leave any pretty Tea Cup behind regardless of its design. A few weeks ago, I visited the Flea Market in Lambertville, New Jersey,  a great place for us always in the search for vintage