tableofferingsblog.com

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

THINK SPRING!!!!!!

OMG!!! People .   .   . batten down the hatches, we are all in for a rough weather patch. Rushing rivers, overflowing reservoirs, mudslides, felled trees, snow storms, and wind that rivals the likes of the grand daddy of them all, Chicago! Hello .   .   .  what do you think those ropes along Lake Shore Drive are for .   .   . aesthetics?

I know .   .   . I know .   .   .  you are all either scratching your heads, or at the very least shaking them as to where I am headed with my summation of the perils of our present weather predicament .   .   . oh please .   .   . I know how to spot annoyed, disgruntled, or confused readers. Enough said .  .   . time to read on.

The photo above is my way of refocusing all of your attention from dismal to .  .   . delicious. Phew! Thanks to the person who just yelled .   .   . ” think spring”. Exactly!  Sooo .   .  . here is one of my spring tablescapes, bursting with colors of passion, excitement, innovation, and .   .   . come sit with me for awhile.  .  . and see what I’m bringing to the table ©. This table is covered with a cloth of fuchsia, orange like the glow of a setting sun, touches of gold, silver, and sky blue. I mixed patterns of  dinnerware in high jewel tone colors, and polished off each place setting with stemware in dusty rose and lime green.

My absolute favorite cobalt blue for extra special pops of color seen below, in case everyone missed the huge splash of fuchsia! Lol!!!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

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

A staircase is a greeeeattt opportunity to create, decorate, and percolate holiday cheer.

Every itty-bitty, teeny-weeny nook and cranny, shelf, door knob, chair back, chandelier .   .   . wait .   .   . geez .   .   . let me catch my breath. Thanks. Or another option can be seen below. A staircase is a greeeeattt opportunity to create, decorate, and percolate holiday cheer.

I am the happiest camper when I get to do my thing! What’s my thing? Ahhh .  .  . my thing is taking bits and pieces from wherever, and mixing it all up! What’s my definition of mixing-it-up? My staircase is a prime example of mixing-it-up. Look closely, so as not to miss any of my bits and pieces. Some of you just asked for the pieces. O k that’s a fair request and an easy one to answer. Two different size sets of  LED lights, silver bells, glittered snowflakes, Mother-of-Pearl/ gold ornaments, pine cones (both glittered and fresh), Eucalyptus branches, fallen branches and twigs from outside, faux pine garland, silver garland, French wire sage/gold satin ribbon and a partridge in a pear tree!

Of course I haven’t forgotten. Below is a sneak peek of an upcoming holiday dinner party. Silver bells, mixed in with silver chargers cradling a square black dinner plate, topped with a square shaped brushed metal first course dish set against a black on black linen cloth. Matching napkins held by silver mesh napkin rings that also do double duty by holding a cocktail fork. Sterling silver service blends with cut crystal glasses, giving way to a dazzling pop of silver, here, there, and everywhere.

Now on Amazon  http://amzn.to/2ehlCp4 “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER !

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

Recycle! Re-purpose! REJOICE!!!

Of course new is nice .   .   . but .   .   . re-purpose can be very very nice. Liquor  bottles when ‘new’ are indeed very very very nice! Liquor bottles enjoyed and recycled .   .   . also very nice. Now some people would say .   .   . sooo many bottles  .   .   . hmm .  .  . naughty. Oh no! I say very very niiice!  Above, one of many decorative corners ‘all-through-the-house’. A small niche that I carved out for passers-by to grab a nibble or two while meeting and greeting old and new friends. Yes I do have crystal candle holders but some how these decked out bottles capped with snow just says come let’s all cozy-up together and rejoice in the warmth of friendship and good cheer. Snow dusted pine cones, mixed with branches of pine trees and fresh Eucalyptus brings this little corner into the spotlight.

‘Libation-stations’ have been placed here, there, and everywhere making it easier for the flow of guests to satisfy their (almost) every wish. The ‘libation-station’ seen below has been deemed the champagne and wine annex. Snow frosted pine cones,  sparkling glittered branches, Eucalyptus and tinsel intertwined with LED laced French ribbon, and of course dancing flames atop re-purposed bottles make this bar stop a must-not-miss on the way to the buffet table.

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as a former contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

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

Hmm .   .   . How to work off some of that turkey dinner? I’ve got it! Instead of using the treadmill,  I’ll take the stairs, and while I run the stairs, I might as well decorate them for the holiday’s .  .   . Right? Sooooo here is the first installment of my holiday decor. It took no less than 35 trips up these stairs to put this staircase into a festive mode. Yes indeedy, I kid you not! Phew!!!

Some of you may recognize the folk art painting on the wall, as the same one that is in my new book ” a collection of… Tableofferings on Amazon http://amzn.to/2eosx10, and to create a visual flow from the book that sits just below the banister that in turn brings the eye up to the painting and at the same time to the tricked out banister! My approach to creating a tablescape, staircase, or a picnic in front of the fireplace are all approached with one thought in mind .   .   . to make it magical! With a combination of frosted garland, silver metallic garland, copper glittered pine-cones, gorgeous sage with gold accented fabric, snowflakes, mother-of-pearl ornaments .   .   . wait .   .   . let me catch my breath! O k.  More of what went on this banister creation reads like the who’s who of decorative”stuff”! Ready, here goes .   .   . fresh .  .  . yes, yes .   .   . fresh eucalyptus branches. Go ahead, close your eyes, and take a deep cleansing breath! Yes sure, take another one, I’m good with breathing deep! Along with the eucalyptus, I tucked bundles of extremely long twisted wine vines, here and there .   .   . and .   .   . then caught it all up in the twinkle of my  absolute best buddies, the battery driven mini-lights.

I snapped the below photo from the top of my staircase,  so as to give you all a different perspective of my banister creation. Take note of my little guardian angel,  serenely sitting beneath the banister for all to see. There are a few more ingredients that I haven’t mentioned .   .   . BEADS!!! Yup .   .   . necklaces strung here, there and everywhere creating another place for conversation and speculation. Stay tuned for my next holiday project.

My NEW BOOK is finally out there for all of you to see!!! http://amzn.to/2ehlCp4

THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH .  .  .

This is the time of year when emotions run deep, and excitement builds to an all-time-high. Our calendars becomes peppered with celebrations and gatherings as the appreciation for the bounty of our lives begin to take center stage. What better place to share? Oh that’s easy. Believe me. The ‘best-place-on-earth’       .   .   . will always be across-and-around your table? Dining table, kitchen island, coffee table or card table it really doesn’t matter, as long as you bring them to the table. Pictured above is the perfect example of an Autumn table segueing into a Thanksgiving ‘gathering-table’ chucked full of mixed textures, and rich colors that scream Thanksgiving! Do you hear it? I do. Listen again. Ahh there it is .   .   . Come sit with me for awhile . . . and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

As seen in both photos above, I started with a base rich in earth tones .   .   . but not to worry .   .   . it can be anything from a table linen, sheet, quilt, or even just plain yardage. Now comes the fun part.  This is the part that I call creative building .   .   . aka layering driven by your imagination. People take a breath. I hear someone gasping! Go ahead take one more deep breath. This is the easy-peasy part .   .   . honest. All you need to do is look around you and borrow .   .   . yes borrow! You know what I’m talking about. It’s all about your decorative pieces placed here there and everywhere around the house, or the almost forgotten goodies that you have closeted away. Time to commandeer a few of them to add texture, layers, eye appeal and most importantly .   .   . curiosity and conversation! Remember to place candles about the table for that much sought after flattering light. Your guests will thank you for it!   STAY TUNED FOR MORE HAPPY THANKSGIVING IDEAS!!!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as a former contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

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

Inquiring minds want to know and .   .   .  I have the answers! Don’t be silly. Of course not all the answers .   .   . butttttt .   .   . I do have the answers to what liquid goes into what shaped glass and why!

Sooooo .   .   . pull up a chair, take five, and see what info I’m bringing to the table. I picked a ‘few’ types of glasses shown above for ‘show & tell’. As the weather transitions to the lower digits, I find serving after dinner drinks to be a super way to  change up the evening. Wait! Stop!  Before you rush off to the liquor store let’s cover a few points. Phew! I thought I almost lost a few of you! Let’s take a second to nod to champagne and the glasses it has filled over the years. In the above photo, is one of my favorite fluted champagne glasses because .   .   . it just feels right, under my finger-tips. When holding a glass of bubbly it’s best to keep your fingers on the stem so as not to heat up this elixir of life. Next you have your tried and true stemmed wine glasses. Red wines are generally served in a larger bowl and white in the slightly narrower and shallower glass. Port ( below photo) is usually served in a slightly shorter stemmed glass with a full bottom and narrower rim, and is a great way to finish a hearty meal.

Liqueurs, and cognacs? I am trying to remain calm .   .   . people, people there are virtually tons of amazing choices, flavors, and new experiences just sitting on your liquor store’s  shelves screaming to be  opened, tasted, and savored! Yellow vintage schnapps glasses, cut crystal brandy snifters, and the unique shaped glasses, perfect for Ouzo, Grand Marnier Cordon Jaune, Galiano, Rémy Martin, Tawny Port etc.. What ever your next get-together with friends .   .   . make it interesting .

Now on Amazon  http://amzn.to/2enSgsv    “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Also available in book form very, very, very soon!

FOR THE KIDDIES in your life …It’s all about those adorable sisters! Listen to my children’s books Live radio interview bit.ly/29QSJPd

I am sooo Lucky!!!  AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon http://amzn.to/1qh38Zf

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as a former contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

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

Cauldrons and candles .   .   .

Having declared that Halloween is not just for the wee-ones, I made my guest list consisting of my nearest and dearest witches and warlocks to help keep the ghosts and goblins away!  Now my particular party will not begin until all the little trick or treaters have filled their bags to the very top, eaten their fair share and been sent off to dream about next year’s costume. Pictured below is a sneak preview of the buffet table being readied for a crew of hungry ghost and goblin sentries. The entire house will be lit by candlelight (only) and fog pots placed in large cauldrons to bring this party to it’s maximum spookiest experience! What could be spooky about cauldrons, and candles? Well, let’s see .   .  .  darkened corners holding who knows what! Excuse me .  .  no can do. Nah ah .   .   . it is way to early to give away my little .   .   . um .   .   . let’s call them surprises. Booooooo!!!

But what I will share with you, is one of three gathering stations in the kitchen as shown below. Why some tables in the kitchen? Oh please .   .   . no matter what’s going on in the rest of this bat cave, the kitchen is always the main draw. But . .  .  Halloween revelers use extreme caution when seeking treats at other gathering stations in uncharted territory! Billowing fog swirling around mini tables covered in netting, pooling to the floor, hiding some very scary surprises! What was that? Nope    .  .   . no long table. First of all there are too many costumed guests to fit at one long table, and besides half the fun is letting everyone circulate. Batman and Darth Vader need room to twirl their capes, while all of those princesses need room to be seen         .    .    . right!

My BOOK is finally out there for all of you to see!!! http://amzn.to/2ehlCp4

Now on Amazon  http://amzn.to/2ehlCp4 “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Also available in book form !

FOR THE KIDDIES in your life …It’s all about those adorable sisters! Listen to my children’s books Live radio interview bit.ly/29QSJPd

I am sooo Lucky!!!  AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon http://amzn.to/1qh38Zf

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as a former contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

Save

Save

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

Cauldrons and candles .   .   .

Having declared that Halloween is not just for the wee-ones, I made my guest list consisting of my nearest and dearest witches and warlocks to help keep the ghosts and goblins away!  Now my particular party will not begin until all the little trick-or-treaters have filled their bags to the very top, eaten their fair share and been sent off to dream about next year’s costume. Seen above is a sneak preview of the buffet table being readied for a crew of hungry ghost and goblin sentries. The entire house will be lit by candlelight (only) and fog pots placed in large cauldrons to bring this party to it’s maximum spookiest experience! What could be spooky about cauldrons, and candles? Well, let’s see .   .  .  darkened corners holding who knows what! Nah ah .   .   . it is way to early to give away my little .   .   . um .   .   . let’s call them surprises. Booooooo!!!

But what I will share with you, is one of three gathering stations in the kitchen as shown above. Why some tables in the kitchen? Oh please .   .   . no matter what’s going on in the rest of this bat cave, the kitchen is always the main draw. But . .  .  Halloween revelers use extreme caution when seeking treats at other gathering stations in uncharted territory! Billowing fog swirling around mini tables covered in netting, pooling to the floor, hiding some very scary surprises! What was that? Nope    .  .   . no long table. First of all there are too many costumed guests to fit at one long table, and besides half the fun is letting everyone circulate. The Batman’s, and Darth Vader’s need room to twirl their capes, while all of those princesses need room to be seen!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as a former contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.