CasaSugar

Nice and New: Simrin Fall Table Linens

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:08 PDT

I'm not the type of person who redecorates with the seasons; I have a hard enough time just finishing decorating each room in my home to begin with. But I do love to introduce seasonal tabletop décor. That said, I love color too much to go all browns and grays when Fall comes around.My latest obsession is Simrin's new Fall table linens! The Verdant Placemats ($22), available in navy, brown, or gray, have a broad-scale, modern, William Morris-inspired botanical pattern with a dark base and enough pops of color to keep it light. The Fan Placemats ($22), available in gray, mauve, or turquoise, have a graphic, monochrome, Art Deco-style pattern. Both can be interchanged with the new Optic Napkins ($18), Geo Napkins ($22), or Herringbone Napkins ($22), and the mix of patterns and colors will surely create an engaging table setting. What do you think?

Toddler Table Time: Five Products That Keep Tots at the Table

babysugar — Tue, 18 May 2010 12:10:57 PDT

It's a mom's dream to have the entire family seated and eating! Keeping kiddos glued to their chairs while dining out can get tough as tots are interested in their surroundings and can get restless if the food takes a while so be prepared. Throw a few goodies in your purse to keep them occupied. Check out these options!

Guess What This Placemat Is Made From?

CasaSugar — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:30:53 PDT

This luxurious-looking placemat is made from a natural material. Can you guess what it is?

Roundup: Pretty, Poppy Placemats

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 May 2009 05:30:52 PDT

Whether you're entertaining the same old friends, serving a weeknight dinner for your sweetheart, or feeding new pals, it's always nice to switch up your tabletop décor. One of the most affordable ways to do so is with placemats. Growing up, my mother always had a vast collection of placemats, which made setting the table each night more of a pleasure than a tedious task. So, I thought I'd introduce a few pretty, poppy placemats into your vocabulary. To see my finds,

Guess What These Placemats Are Made From?

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:00:22 PST

I made these placemats from something which, despite my efforts to be eco-conscious, occasionally ends up under my kitchen sink. I plan to cover them in contact paper or laminate them to make them more durable. Can you guess what they're made from?

Mommy's Lil Helper: Kikkerland Maps

babysugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:00:04 PST

Do you know the capitals of all 50 states? I'm guessing the chances are slim. You may have at one time and will again when your tot reaches third grade and must know them by heart.

Help him along with these magical Kikkerland US Placemats ($13). If you want to keep them for longer than one meal, laminate them and keep them for future dinners, craft projects, or family geography lessons.

A tad outdated, the maps are from 1895 so you'll be missing four of the 50 states. Can you guess which ones they are?

Nice and New: Simrin Farmyard Placemats

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:30:30 PST

You may not enjoy the scent of cow manure or the sound of a rooster's crow at the break of dawn, but you can still bring a little farm life into your home without counting Babe as one of your dependents. Velocity has introduced Simrin Farmyard Placemats ($36) into its collection of fashionable table linens, and I think they're just the thing to give us all a taste of the old days, short of rearing animals ourselves. The placemats are made from 100 percent cotton, and can be easily machine washed and dried. But that shouldn't prevent you from line-drying them out in the pasture, if you so please.

Etsy Find: Mr. Casual and Miss Noble Placemats

CasaSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:30:48 PDT

The Petek Guven Mr. Casual Placemat ($49) and Miss Noble Placemat ($49) are two cheeky characters well-trained in etiquette, who'll give your guests a good laugh before they're served the first course. Each placemat has two slits on each side which work as fork and knife holders; so unfortunately, the placemats cannot accommodate the silverware required for a seven course meal. I love how Mr. Casual sports a watch, and Miss Noble a bracelet: it adds personality! What do you think? Are they too whimsical for you, or just playful enough?

Steal of the Day: French Floral Placemats

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:11 PDT

Much like shoes and handbags, you can never have too many placemats - or any table linens, for that matter. They're simply an effortless accessory that dresses your dining room up or down. Inviting the parents over? Go classic with simple white, perhaps a monogram. Having a casual brunch with friends? Try the Elsewares French Floral Placemats ($19.99, reduced from $26). Their bold poppy print will bring personal style to your table, while their dishwasher-safe polypropylene material makes them durable enough for everyday use. Available in burgundy, red, or black and white, you can buy all three and mix it up, depending on how rouge or noir you might be feeling each day.

Lil Find: Personalized Placemats

babysugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:00:58 PDT

I'm always looking for a cute birthday present that can be my standard gift for the year. When someone recently gifted my friend's son a few personalized placemats from Olive Kids ($10 each), I knew I found a winner.

With more than 40 designs, including popular holidays and traditional boy and girl themes, each heavy-duty laminated placemat is personalized with a child's name. The themes have helped to direct our dinner conversation, and allow us to practice our letter recognition.