One Kings Lane

So I know I have mentioned this website before, One Kings Lane, but I am excited because I made my first purchase and finally received it in the mail! Of course, I bought a fun kitchen tool and some precious votives. Candles tend to last longer than flowers, so it is a bit more budget friendly. I put some pretty mint green candles inside for a fun summer color. Who doesn't love the fun ambiance that candles give? Plus it has a really fun polka dot pattern that the light reflects. They are modern and playful, perfect for anytime and can spice up your table decor when you swap out the candles for other colors.

The fun new kitchen toy I bought was a cheese curler. First of all, I didn't even know that they made these or what exactly they did. It's really self explanatory, though. You put the cheese on a circular wooden board and turn a metal slicer. This in turn creates perfect cheese curls that I will now be using on every dish possible. It would also be great to use for a wine and cheese night because you can get a little taste of the cheese without having to eat a thick slice. Plus they are super cute and add the perfect finishing touch to any dish. If you haven't had a chance to visit the website (https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/jennahowe), make sure that you do so immediately. They have new sales every day and so there are always new things to look at. Let me know what treasures you find!

Fresh Take on Flowers

Photo credit: Michael Partenio

If I had a million dollars, I would want fresh flowers in every room. There is something about the bright colors, interesting shapes, and wonderful smells that keeps me smiling. Some of my favorites are the iris and the orchid, but I usually use alstroemeria. Known as the Peruvian Lily, it comes in so many different color combinations that I usually have a few different options. I look for ways to combine flowers and the ambiance of candles and saw this precious piece on Pinterest. It was a great twist on displaying flowers and perfect for my small table. These super simple votives are actually cordial glasses filled with water with a single daisy placed on top. Top with a ribbon covered tea light and you you good to go.

Another great way to spice up flowers in a vase is to add slices of lemon or lime to the water. It won't hurt the flowers and adds a great spring touch to the arrangement. I used these beautiful orange pink alstroemeria and tied a cream ribbon around the vase. I don't have that many vases and ribbons can change the look of the arrangement in a second. If you are feeling even more creative, you can line a cylinder vase with the slices for a more polished look. The free floating pieces make it less fussy and more playful. Oranges would also be a great fruit to slice and use as well. If you want to forgo the flowers all together, fruit can also be another fantastic go to for table decor.

Post a picture of your favorite arrangement, and hopefully these summertime hints will help keep your flowers looking super summery.

Lazy Days of Summer

This time of year means sunny days, visits to the pool, cookouts, and entertaining galore. Though I do have to admit that I miss the summer days when I got to wonder the streets of Rome, taking in all the sights and history, and of course sampling the local cuisine. The one interesting thing that caught my eye was the simple table decor, usually a single flower in a vase or a candle. What I found was life in Italy is simple, but pure... food, wine, friends, and family. Too often I don't stop to take the time to appreciate the little things in life. A great wine is one of those little appreciations. This great wine came from the grocery store and was very pleasing to the palate with an even nicer price. It was crisp and clean, pairing nicely with spicy pasta and veggies.

I found this great craft idea of beaded votive holders, which would be perfect with any summer tablescape and reminded me of the late night, outside summer suppers. I can't wait to try these out to see how the beads play with the light. They were really simple to make, which was an added bonus. Really all you do is thread beads on wire and hot glue the strand to the votive, add a candle, and you are all set. What more could you ask for when you need last minute decor. So, uncork the wine and light the candles because this is the perfect start to summer!