Hi everyone! My name is Janet and I blog over at Shabbyfufu. I am really excited to be guest hosting today on my friend Rhoda’s blog and thought that I’d tell you a little bit about me before I get started with the theme of today’s post.
I love to entertain and can do so outdoors for at least half the year living in South Florida. It’s satisfying to my creative soul to set up vignettes on the table with using food and flowers. Have you ever thought about coordinating the color of your meal with the flowers on your table? When I plan a special meal for guests I love for the tablescape to shine and I often start by creating a floral arrangement using what’s available at the market.
I found some purple lisianthus for the table setting above, and set out a mismatched bunch of place settings with lavender and pink tones. I do freelance work for several magazines (like Romantic Homes) and always have a supply of props in the cupboards for styling. Many of my pieces were collected over time and found at flea markets and thrift shops. It’s definitely possible to create an expensive look on a budget and I love to share my tips on that!
In the garden I used some simple Mason jars and a flea market ironstone pitcher to display seasonal flowers for a party that we hosted at the house.
See the glow of candles in the background? I filled a large vintage bowl with some floating candles and set it on top of the birdbath when dusk began to set in.
I found a set of vintage Chinese paper lanterns a couple of years back and hang them outside just for a colorful and whimsical touch.
They delicately dance and sway in the breezes outside. If you are a fan of hitting up the flea markets and yard sales over the summer, wrap your head around what you might possibly be able to use for entertaining.
  
 For this table setting I made a very easy table runner with book pages for a book club event. I took a paperback and ripped out the pages, did some tea staining and glued them in corners one by one. Not complicated, but admittedly a little time consuming and everyone loved the thought.
 It’s the little touches that mean so much when you care enough to plan for not only beauty, but for comfort. Pillows and throws on a rare evening with a chill on the patio.
Flowers from my garden draped across the table with a collection of various old jars and gathered china in layers.
 I used a duvet cover as a tablecloth in this outdoor setting. I’ve also used sheets as tablecloths and it’s fun to dream up new ways to be creative in entertaining!
Thanks so much for visiting today and for more…please come see me over at Shabbyfufu, or find me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest
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I just want to pull up a chair at one of these magical tables!!
Everything is beyond beautiful!!
OMG I am completely obsessed with fresh flowers!!! I love, love, LOVE this <3
Everything is gorgeous. I know that everyone invited to one of your tables feels very special!
Thanks for inviting me to hang out with you on your blog Rhoda, and for inviting me to hang out a bit with you at Haven as well this past weekend!
Janet your table settings are gorgeous. It was fun to see you here on Rhonda’s blog today.
I would love to hang out at anyone of these pretty tables too.
Kris
Oh, Janet… this is lovely as usual! And so welcoming.
It was a pleasure to meet you at Haven this year!!