If Cinco de Mayo isn't on your radar, you might want to reconsider. Commemorating the Mexican victory in the Battle of Puebla (yes, we looked that up), Cinco de Mayo is an entertainer's dream — between the bright colors, good food, and those margaritas, May 5 is going to be your new favorite holiday. Start addressing the invites because we have everything you need to dip chips in style at what is bound to be your annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. Viva la Mexico!
If you're looking to get your friends together and celebrate Mom in style, then do it with a brunch! Aside from good company, brunch is the perfect way to toast to your leading lady. Knowing that no two moms are alike, we've created three tablescapes — casual, elegant, and outdoors — to make Mother's Day special. Find the one that's right for you (and Mom) below!
The Elegant Brunch
An elegant brunch will set this Mother's Day apart from the rest. Keeping the bright colors mute, we chose a neutral palette of golds and creams beginning with the tablecloth ($70-$80). Metallic touches are key; incorporated through gold-rimmed butter plates ($50), bamboo spreaders ($145), and napkin rings ($48). Since we're going all out, monogrammed glasses ($50) seemed fitting, as well as a crystal vase ($59) filled with tulips or her favorite flower.
The Casual Brunch
Think of the casual brunch as one step above breakfast in bed. For this type of tablescape, it has to be something where guests feel comfortable and Mom feels special. Make any table fit for a special occasion by covering it with a bright, patterned tablecloth ($40-$50). Then, add complementary pops of color through paper placemats ($15) and simple yellow plates ($5). Continue to layer with touches of yellow through gingham napkins ($20) and vintage tumblers ($8). A bright pink pitcher ($40) will showcase mimosas perfectly, and pink utensils ($22) give plastic forks a run for their money. Lastly, ditch the stuffy flowers and scatter these tiny succulents ($30) around to complete your tablescape.
The Outdoor Brunch
Aside from stylish, an outdoor brunch has to be functional — after all, it is outside! Simplicity is key and starts with a texture like linen placemats ($38) and napkins ($32). Add color and pattern with plates ($36) that are anything but boring and glasses ($5) fit for homemade Bloody Marys. A large tray ($24) makes bringing food from the kitchen easy, and we consider gold utensils ($40) essential. Lastly, complete the look with a rustic flower box ($18) and roses.
Relative to some holidays, Easter brunch can be just as stunning when kept simple. Inspired by this fresh and minimalistic Easter tablescape, we couldn't help but picture this type of setting beyond Easter Sunday. Although the simple DIYs are just what we had in mind for Spring, neutral pieces like linen napkins and a white pitcher can be used as entertaining staples throughout the year. Keeping the entertainer in mind, here a few tabletop essentials that work well now and later.
It's true — floral arranging can be intimidating. Don't worry, though, because we will show you the only three vases you will ever need, plus tips on which flowers look best in each! You are going to be so pro, you don't even know.
Bring the luck of the Irish to your tablescape with a few key pieces just in time for Saint Patrick's Day. When it comes to your traditional Irish feast, dishware for your stew and stout will make your meal memorable, while green linens and gold accents offer a lucky touch. Once your table setting is complete, the only thing you'll need to do is pour the Guinness!
When it came to planning Courtney and Philipp's California casual wedding, attitude and feeling set the tone, rather than a distinct theme. Seeking a celebration that was relaxed yet elegant, vintage touches and pastel colors filled every detail of their outdoor wedding. A creative couple of sorts, the San Francisco locals who met through work tied knot on July 14, 2012.
With help from wedding planner Genevieve Roja from Lily Spruce, they decided to begin the planning process by drawing touches from the deco details on Courtney's dress. They then found a grand, carnival-like tent for the reception and a unique variety of flowers to inspire the color palette. From the hand-calligraphed invitations to the pastel linens, every part of the wedding planning seemed to reflect the ease of the couple, until their dream venue canceled — two-and-a-half weeks before the wedding!
Upset and in a rush to find a country venue to accommodate all that had been previously planned, the couple found Krug Winery, a stunning property with breathtaking grounds in St. Helena, CA, to come to the rescue. Creative accents like bell jars, refurbished vintage pieces, and cultural traditions completed the couple's earthy yet elegant wedding.
Photo courtesy of Juliette Tinnus
This Valentine's Day, create a sweet tablescape inspired by the romance of the holiday. Join our host Brandi Milloy as she preps for a dessert party complete with rose petals, florals, romance novels, and love letters. See what's being served — chocolate-dipped strawberries, sugar-coated candies, white-chocolate-enrobed pretzels, and cherry-garnished flutes of Champagne, for a start! — and learn how to re-create it all when you watch our video.
Special thanks to Edward Marc Chocolatier, Paper & Pigtails by Kori Clark, and Sweet and Saucy Shop. On Brandi: dress by Givenchy from Forward by Elyse Walker, necklace by Capwell & Co, bracelets by Kenneth Jay Lane. Featured music: Showstopper by Brandon & Leah.
While I was touring the Sunset Smart Home, I was captivated by this lovely bouquet. If you're looking for an easy yet striking bouquet for your Fall or Thanksgiving table, this is a great example of how working with less can often produce major results. By sticking with a single color, this bouquet is a knockout. And for more of an autumnal punch, use a hue associated with Fall, such as orange, burgundy, or brown for your flowers.
Love the look of this single-hued Fall bouquet? Rely on unusual choices such as protea, rose hips, and pyracantha to create a similar bouquet. Other orange favorites include tiger lilies, gerbera daisies, orange roses, and birds of paradise. For a burgundy bouquet, look to dahlias, helianthus, ranunculus, and coxcomb. For a brown bouquet, mix eucalyptus pods with monkey paw, curly willow, and brown calla lilies and chocolate sunflowers.
Intrigued by these unusual choices? Check out our post on unusual flowers for Fall nuptials for even more ideas.
CasaSugar Community member lindaleeinteriors just posted this photo of a modern, rustic, organic Spring tablescape in the Lovely Little Vignettes group.
Want to share a tablescape or Spring decorating vignette from your home? Add photos to our Lovely Little Vignettes group!
Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member CourtneyOutLoud from the Lovely Little Vignettes group:
Who says that Valentine's Day has to be about red hearts and cute cupids? Why not go wild and put your "lust" front and center on this holiday for lovers? I say go for animal prints this season - it's a fun twist on the traditional Valentine's Day theme.
