Tabletop: A Green and White Country Brunch

Last weekend our friend Jessica was visiting us from Florida. It was such a treat to have her at "Pond View," and to indulge in all things country together. On Sunday, I cooked up a big brunch that was full of our fresh finds from the local farmer's market. I set an inviting green and white tabletop to tie in with the expansive green surroundings. I find it always makes guests feel special when you take the time to style a tabletop just for them. I layered two different patterns and finished the table with simple fresh cut cosmos and hydrangeas from the garden. I arranged the hydrangeas in three separate vases and then pushed them close together - this helps create scale without fuss, and afterwards the arrangements can be spread throughout the house.  We sipped mimosa's (a mix of pink grapefruit and orange juice - fresh squeezed) and lingered for hours as we took in the quietness of the countryside.

Tabletop: Classic Blue and White

Blue and white is my ultimate favorite color combination. It always looks chic and classic. With the Fourth of July upon us, I set-up a small patriotic garden party on the lawn.....

Tabletop: Red, White and Blue

What's not to love about the Fourth of July holiday? We are celebrating our big, bold and beautiful U.S of A in warm summer weather with friends and family!  We plan to get the party started early by having a red, white and blue themed BBQ this evening. Here is a peak at the tabletop thus far. It's all about playful fun with a hint of country chic...

Tabletop: Dogwood Inspired

The dogwood tree in our front yard has been blooming beautifully for weeks. It's got twice as many blooms on it now than in this picture. The off-white flowers have a delicate, almost ethereal look to them. Every spring when they start to bloom, I can't help but snip a few flowering branches.

Tabletop: Blush Pink Peonies

Happy Friday, my dears! Yes, I am still featuring peonies, and plan to until the season has come to it's very end. This was a set-up for an impromptu Sunday brunch...

Tabletop: Garden Green + White Peonies + Gold Touches

The prolonged winter has made me more giddy than usual about the garden. I am drawing all my inspiration from the spring blossoms,  and of course the peonies have taken center stage.

Tabletop: A Peony Arranging Party

The peony arranging party was all about girly fun and celebrating spring. Once we completed our garden arrangements, we sat down for a leisurely lunch under the tulip tree in the front yard. The pink peonies in silver cups set the tone for the tabletop, and I complimented them with light pink napkins,  pretty pink cocktails and heirloom silver. We could not have asked for a better spring day....

Tabletop: Spring Awakening

Last weekend, we combined two family birthday's into one big dinner party. My mom and my cousin cousin Kacey are both Pisces and their birthdays are just one day apart. With my parents visiting us in CT and Kacey living just 20 minutes up the road, we concluded that a party was a must. Plus, Kacey and I are both married to off-the-boat Irishman and they always like a reason to have a party, especially when it will most likely go late enough to carryover into St. Patty's day - which it did! 

Thanksgiving Tabletop: Beachy Elegance

Many of you may be spending Thanksgiving in a warm climate or perhaps you are heading out to the beach regardless of it being off season. With a view of the ocean or a sea breeze nearby, you may not be in the mood for a traditional Thanksgiving color palette. Instead pickup on your beach surroundings and go for Ikat pattern placemats or tablecloth in stone blue and gold. Weave in some seasonal elements such as sparkly gold leaves and fall flowers, along with a mix of heirloom silverware and vintage glassware for an an inviting table that is dressed up "just enough."

Thanksgiving Tabletop: Classic Country with Modern Flair

Good morning, lovelies! With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, we have been whipping up recipes and creating tabletop inspiration to help with your planning for the big feast. First up, is a tabletop that is a mix of classic country with some modern flair. 

Tabletop: A Glamorous Yet Spooky Halloween

With Halloween being just one day away, I thought I would share some last minute inspiration. After attending a few costume parties this month and getting my usual fix of haunted houses and scary movies, I was in the mood to have a low-key intimate gathering that was all about glamour infused with some spookiness....

Tabletop: Persimmon & Green

In autumn, the scale of the trees surrounding our house becomes much more prevalent. The changing of the leaves creates a panoramic view of bright persimmon and green. Inspired by the colors, which are clearly visible when sitting at our dinning room table, I put together a similar color palette for a Sunday brunch....

Tabletop: The Autumn Glow & Seasonal Elements

My new thing on the weekends is making sure we are home by 4pm so we can bask in the autumn afternoon glow. During this time of day, the light perfectly reflects off the trees, the changing colors of the leaves are highlighted, and the sky is a robin's egg blue and usually cloudless. The beauty of our CT surroundings becomes truly apparent. I recently invited some friends over to share in this beautiful time of day........

Entertaining: Old School, Preppy Tailgate

With lots of autumn sporting events on the horizon, I put together some inspiration for an old school, preppy look (think "Love Story" meets Ralph Lauren) that would work for many a tailgate.  Be it for a horse race, a college football game, or a gathering with friends after shooting or playing paddle tennis, this buffet style tablescape exudes a healthy dose of preppy nostalgia. 

A Mid-Summer Dinner in Ireland

As summer is coming to a close, I have been thinking about our recent travels and primarily our trip to Ireland. We did and saw so many wonderful things while we were there, but what was truly special about the trip was the amount of time we got to spend with Victor's family. Relishing in the unusually beautiful weather (80 degrees & sunny!) and the long evenings (light until 11pm), we shared many leisurely dinners outside.

One evening, we had dinner at my sister-in-law's who lives in a farmhouse about 10 miles outside the town of Sligo. Only a few miles from the sea, the air is fresh and the surroundings are breathtaking. Built in the 1700's, the farmhouse exudes true Irish charm and the enclosed courtyard offered a perfect setting for a mid-summer dinner party.

Entertaining: Zinnia Inspired Indian Summer Tablescape

While I am looking forward to all that fall offers, I can't help but wish for a few weeks of Indian Summer. It's tough to say goodbye to carefree beach days and outdoor dinning. As I walked through the garden at Chamard last weekend, the colors of the zinnia's inspired me to put together an Indian Summer tablescape.

Tabletop: NYC Terrace Dinner Party

This time of year, in the early evening, the weather is absolutely spectacular. The light has a warm glow, accompanied by stillness in the air. The humidity has dissipated and it has cooled off just enough to want to spend every minute outside. Last week, I took advantage of this gorgeous weather and had a dinner party for six on our terrace in NYC.

Tabletop: A Summer Sunday Dinner at Twilight

Happy first day of summer y'all! I have spent the last 3 days eating and drinking my way through the Carolinas and had an absolute blast! So far we have traveled over 600 miles in a car and been to five cities! Let's just say, I have had my fair share of shrimp and grits and so many other off-the-chart delicious southern dishes!! I will be sure to share all the details next week. Feeling inspired by good old southern charm and heritage, I thought I would share a tablescape I put together a couple weeks ago for an early evening Sunday night dinner party that definitely has an air of sophisticated southern elegance.

Tabletop: English Garden Style Luncheon

Embracing all the time I spent in the garden this weekend and of course the peonies, I put together a  simple English style alfresco luncheon. Playing up feminine details with a mix of vintage linens and vases, this was a super easy table to set. 

Tabletop: Summerscapes

Summer has unofficially kicked-off and it's time to take the party outside (well, not today if you are in the northeast), but we can start to plan. It's all about good friends, good fun and a summerscape.....