For you, Mom

This tablescape was inspired by my mom, and her love for angels. I thought about her as I was setting this table. She was very creative and I felt like she was looking over my shoulder as I put everything together.

I love to take things from inside the house and use them outside. But, even more, I love to decorate inside with outdoor items. That is why I love to put topiaries on tables.

In my mind, this birdcage is actually a gazebo, and this angel statue is in a garden.

I fell in love with these dishes from TJ Maxx!

I love the design and colors! The charger and grapes came from Hobby Lobby.

I buy a lot of angels.

I bought three crystal candlesticks at a thrift store. I gave up on trying to find two that matched, so all three are different. I paid $1.99 for each. Then, I made a discovery about this one!

I love happy surprises!

I had the burgundy napkins and made the floral ones.

This bowl just had to come home with me, too!

The bird cage was $9 at Ross. I spray painted it gold, and then finished it with a faux patina paint.

I think these plates are so elegant!

One of these glasses is from Ross and the other is real lead crystal. Can you tell which is which?

It was getting dark and time to light the candles. Not really, I just closed our wood blinds.

I hope you enjoyed my tablescape! Thank you to Susan at Between Naps On The Porch for hosting Tablescape Thursday!

Please stop by my sister's blog at Robin Flies South...

Are you having trouble reading menus, or like me, you like to hide your reading glasses from people? Be sure to check out today's post at Elaine's Wonderful World!

The Big "O"!

I am always in pursuit of the big "O" but it doesn't come naturally. Of course, I'm talking about ORGANIZATION. And, I'm sure not getting better as I get older. Combine a bad memory with too much stuff to keep track of, and you have one big mess!

I knew I needed some help! This will give you an idea of what I was dealing with.

This started out as my staging inventory. Then I discovered tablescaping, and things grew out of hand. And, I have another five complete sets of dishes elsewhere in my house. The deciding moment for me was when I bought the same dishes twice! I knew I needed some way to get ORGANIZED!!!

I created this for my tablescaping, but it certainly would work for any obsession hobby! The first step was buying a photo album. These are not as easy to find as they used to be. I didn't want anything fancy. I found this one at OfficeMax for $12.

I loved that I could slip a tablescape photo in the cover!

I always choose black because I have two black dogs and two black cats, and well, you get it.

It's very important to put something in the album that identifies who it belongs to, in case you leave it someplace. A phone number is all you need. I never lose things in stores. Just in my own house!

Now, you just add the information you need. Eventually, I will add more, but this just gives you an idea!

I took photos of my dishes and glasses, and did that ever give me an idea of how many I have! I will eventually add candlesticks, centerpieces, colors and sizes of tablecloths and napkins, etc.

And, then I printed them, and cut them out!

They are organized by dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, etc.

I write in how many I have and where I bought them. As I start to use this book, I will write down prices, too.

You can even include fabric samples! See if a smart phone can do THIS!

I think this will definitely prevent me from buying the same thing twice, and I feel good and ORGANIZED!!!

Thank you to Between Naps On The Porch for hosting this Metamorphosis Monday! I also need to thank Mr. Wonderful, who is still waiting for the Italian dinner I promised to cook for him tonight!

Be sure to visit my sister's blog at Robin Flies South...

And, you are always welcome to visit Elaine's Wonderful World!