cookie bags

The clever ideas that come out of Martha Stewart Living.....here is how to make these charming cookie bags. If one is in the right mood, one can get lost on that website and spend way too much time looking at all the beautiful images and ideas!

So fresh, from West Elm.

Abaca Chunky placemat here.

Chevron Sketch dinnerware here.

Jali Lattice dinnerware here.

Hand Painted Dotted dinnerware here.

The ikat napkins seem to be discontinued but Sur la Table carries a line of colorful ones here.

block print bargains

Are you a fan of block printed fabrics from India? They are everywhere lately... John Robshaw, Les Indiennes, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma and  Rikshaw sell beautiful products made with block prints.  Full Moon Loom, a store on Ebay,  has authentic 100% cotton block print linens at very affordable prices.  We have been using the 60 x 60" Bagru tablecloth on our kitchen table for the last few years. The cost was $29! I have thrown it in the washer and dryer over and over. No ironing either. They are perfect for casual summer meals on the patio too.

They also sell napkins, tapestries, bedspreads and duvet covers. It would be easy to make pillow covers from the napkins or cut one of the tablecloths. You would end up with several pillow covers for under $30!

from PB last year

Shop Full Moon Loom here.

Pottery Barn picnic

Pottery Barn offers perfect picnic supplies this season.

a classic basket for two

 melamine tableware with rope detail

perfect white melamine plates

stylish picnic tote

plastic hobnail drinkware

melamine platters

Shop here.

pretty porcelain

 This is such an elegant place setting.....it is Syracuse by Haviland, really beautiful.

Also offered in a pretty pink.

Find it here.

spring wine bar

original source Martha Stewart Magazine

le jacquard francais

Hard not to love the gorgeous saturated colors of the table linens made by Le Jacquard Francais. We have a few and just throw them in the washer and dryer with stain remover on any food stains after use. They still look brand new without any noticeable wear to the fabric. Very high quality weaving process to produce a beautiful tablecloth like no other. 

The tea towels make beautiful hostess gifts. R.H. Ballard in pretty Little Washington, VA sells a large selection of Le Jacquard Francais here. They also may be purchased on the e-shop of the company's website here. The company even produces coated tablecloths for outdoor use.

organizing and entertaining with jars

Who doesn't love these jars? They look great on a counter and are inexpensive to find at Target, Walmart and Crate and Barrel.

Look how many are used in this amazing pantry!

Emersonmade's home

We eat lots of beans and lentils. Displaying them on the counters saves space in the pantry  and adds interest to the kitchen.

stylish serendipity photo 

Hanukkah table

Pottery Barn has pretty linens and serving ware for a Hanukkah table, shop here.

Darling, dinner is served by the fire

(in my dreams... my darling does not cook dinner)

House Beautiful

this week on etsy...Waechtersbach pottery

perfect for the holidays and to brighten dreary winters

Shop here.

fall table

Carve out an albino pumpkin and place a vase full of color and variety in it for a beautiful fall centerpiece.

Better Homes & Gardens

pretty place settings

Lulu DK designs, shop here

read her blog here