Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Fires will ignite, passions will intensify, and yes even life binding commitments will be made come February 14th…. Many of us have gathered our kindling, stacked our logs in anticipation of igniting one of our biggest personal  bonfires of the year .   .   . Valentine’s Day. WAIT .   .   . come back .   .   . no need to panic! O k .   .   . so no gathering, stacking, igniting, or possible commitments .   .   . got it! Hey, I’m in your corner .   .   . honest. On the surface this is a day of heart warming declarations of .   .   . you’re so sweet, let’s be friends, not life sentences! Before you all find “other things” to do on Valentine’s Day, let’s take a breath .   .   . go ahead suck that H2O deep into your lungs, like it’s your last breath, then slowly blow it out .   .   . better? Good .   .   . no need to worry .   .   . I have options for you .   .   . read on, it’s all good .   .   . really!

But .   .   .  if .   .   . you are .   .   .  wayyy past the ‘let’s be friends’ stage, then click on the above photo, and peruse. It really doesn’t take much to create an intimate, and cozy atmosphere. Whipping up the visual scape seen above is not as daunting as you may think. A gorgeous hand beaded scarf, that I pressed into service as a tablecloth is one of my special finds while traveling, and puts the ‘ing’ in zing. The glitz schmitzy mixed with my vintage Alice in Wonderland quirky queen of hearts, and bugle blowing rabbit candle holders create a whimsical mood. An old miniature iron Phillip Morris bell captain,  (photo below) heads up the parade of my mystical friends, and has been given the honor of lighting the way to my soirée. Add swirled champagne flutes, hand painted water/wine goblets, deep passionate purple napkins with an outer layer of silver mesh napkins all tied up with silver tasseled cords, and you have the beginnings of a “come into my parlor” setting!!! Not where you’re at??? Then the next paragraph is for you.

Whoa .   .   . breathe .   .   . this part is for those of you who are skittish, and looking for the exits .   .   .  I’ve got you covered. Now if you are testing the waters with one toe, and still find yourself  “in like”, but are not looking to upgrade your status, I strongly suggest that you trade in the cushy floor pillows for a table and chairs!!!  Hang on a minute .   .  . I didn’t say take everything away! I merely pointed out the possibility of removing the over the top visuals so as not to evoke a message of ” no where to run, no place to hide”.  Oh please .   .   . no, no .   .   . you don’t have to turn the lights up to 1,000 watts either! Just keep thinking out-of-the-box FUN, and leave the .   .   .let’s get serious for another time and /or person!!!

Whether you say Valentine’s Day with a card, candy, flowers, diamonds, fancy schmancy boxes brimming with luscious satin and lace, or promises of dreams to come .   .   . Remember .   .   . the most important gift of all is .   .   . telling them that they matter.

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the popular Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and…

© 2014 Sharon Insul / Tableofferings. All rights reserved (Text and Photography)

I WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS and QUESTIONS  .   .   . sharons3@me.com

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