Vietri and the SweetBriar Collection

When MacKenzie-Childs announced they will be coming out with the SweetBriar Collection in 2018, as soon as I saw it, it reminded me of my Vietri Collection. Joe is referred to as the "Vietri Man" at the local gift shop where he buys gifts. 

These photos of our Vietri Italian dinnerware are from Valentine's Day a few years ago.  The dinnerware is called "Incanto", and we have five different patterns that we mix and match, and like the casual yet elegant look.

This pattern is called "Lace". The footed bowls are called "Stripe".

This pattern is called "Emblem".

This pattern is called "Flower".

I'll have to see if the MacKenzie-Childs SweetBriar collection matches the Vietri. I may add a few pieces if that's the case. 

Over the weekend I posted about our trip to NYC with the Traveling Totes to NYC. Seven bloggers and five hubbies. Two bloggers in our group couldn't make it this time.  Since our common interest is MacKenzie-Childs, I couldn't resist taking pictures at the NYC store and drooled over their seasonal displays. 

xo, Debbie

Birds Nests, Pussy Willows, Pansies and Pearls

I've been a busy gal hosting three dinners in two weeks thus the delay in sharing this post. I was the April hostess for our dinner group, and chose "Stepping Into Spring" for the theme. There were birds nests, pussy willows and yellow pansies everywhere in the house. Confession time - I rarely wear an apron, but a special friend gave me this owl apron for Christmas and it came complete with pearls. I love it! 

We sent out invitations about two weeks before the dinner.

I made a goat cheese and pesto nest, and there was much conversation about it. The inspiration came from the beautiful blog Home Is Where The Boat Is, and the recipe can be found on the Southern Living website. It was a big hit.

I found these beautiful yellow napkins at the Jewish Community Center's semi-annual thrift sale in February. I bought 12 napkins for $1.50. My sweet mom shared pussy willow branches from her tree, and I made simple napkin rings. 

Each guest took home a potted pansy, seeds and a cinnamon whisk (for crumbs) from Trader Joe's.

                              I made these adorable vintage place cards from Country Living for the table.

We used our white Vietri dishes, and decorated the table with pansies and nests.

My friend Gwen made the beautiful lemon tart with a chocolate almond crust.

Our entree was a whole roasted loin of pork. Big and dramatic, so it's great for a party. I ordered a "Frenched" loin of pork with the chine and feather bones removed. Seasoned the pork before baking for about an hour and twenty minutes. After letting it rest for about 15 minutes, Joe removed the strings from the meat, sliced, and we served it with a dijon mustard sauce.

Joining these hosts:

Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish

Beyond Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday

Thank you for visiting! 

xo

Debbie

THE MONTH OF HEARTS

I brought out the reds and pinks for the holiday we love.  I did an easy mantel with Joe's help. (His idea, not mine) He has a great eye for making sure everything is "lined up". He guided me to make sure the "L" and "E" alphabet mugs from Anthropologie were in alignment with the frame of the mirror.  The red fabric hearts are empty boxes of Valentine's candy from past years.

We are having a small gathering tonight since we have plans to eat dinner out on our anniversary on Valentine's day. I found heart placemats at CTS two years ago on clearance, and the centerpiece was made using Rose petals freshly plucked from the store shelf .

I used layers of Vietri Italian dinnerware that make both of our hearts go pitter patter. The dinnerware is called "Incanto", and we chose this because the textures play well together. We have five different patterns that we mix and match, and like the casual yet elegant look.

This pattern is called "Lace". The footed bowls are called "Stripe".

This pattern is called "Emblem".

This pattern is called "Flower".

I am loving the Luminara faux flame votive candles, especially because they came with a charger and don't require batteries. They look so real!

You may recall when I posted about Joe being referred to as the "Vietri Man" at the local gift shop where he buys gifts. I am going to print pictures of our Valentine/Anniversary table so he can take them to the shop. 

With Valentine's day fast approaching, here's a cute origami idea for your kids, hubby, friend, etc. Click here to read more. How About Orange

I'm joining Seasonal Sundays with the Tablescaper,  Bargain Hunting Laurie's annual Valentine's party  and  Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish.

 Happy Valentine's day....♥.. ♥... ♥....

CHRISTMAS DINING WITH VIETRI

While I am out walking,  I take a short break to admire the Vietri pottery plates on display in the window of a gift shop. I reason with myself that if I can't live in Italy, perhaps I can enjoy beautiful dinnerware from Italy. Joe has heard me talk about Vietri. Recently, he surprised me with four Vietri iridescent glass snakeskin plates. He knows that I like green and says he is still looking for the WHITE ones I want love ;o)

While I was decorating our sun porch for Christmas, I placed a centerpiece on the Mackenzie Childs table and was happy with just that. Too busy this year to fuss! Then the Vietri snakeskin plates popped into my head since they are a few shades of green. We are  loving the beauty of the glam snakeskin plates, using them for appetizers and an occasional dessert. The pictures really don't do the plates justice, but here is my humble attempt of what they look like during the day. 

Here's an evening shot. Since we have only used the dishes for finger foods so far, I didn't include flatware. Besides that, I think they need matching snakeskin forks ;o) Hmmm, I wonder if they make them.

This is what the table looks like when we use it in the evening. Very dark these days.

Here are the white Vietri dishes that I adore.

courtesy of Vietri

These snowflake dishes would look great on a table during the holiday season and even through the winter. 

courtesy of Vietri

I added some sparkly Christmas trees that I bought several years ago.  Look - no snow on the lawn yet! This is the mildest fall we have had in many years. Even the tulips are starting to sprout. As long as they don't bud, they will be fine next spring.

courtesy of Vietri

TODAY I AM VERY MERRY FOR:


*Getting together with mom and my two sisters to make Christmas cookies! I bought a seven pound can of almond paste...yup, we'll use the whole can to make mom's famous almond paste cookies ;o) We give quite a few away to mom's friends at church.

* The beautiful weather we had while visiting family in New York City last week. The Saks Fifth Avenue Snowflake and Bubble projection show is spectacular. I've included a Youtube link to the 3D Projection mapping show if you are interested. 

click here - Saks Fifth Avenue

* For the talented indivuals that bring us joy by creating a 53 foot long Gingerbread Village for the holiday season. It's on display at the Turning Stone Casino and takes months to assemble!  In case you would like to make your own, I've included the recipe for you but you'll have to reduce it ;o)  OMG, 1,200 eggs!!

I am joining:


 No Minimalist here for Holiday Dining

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Gingerbread Party @ Cozy Home Scenes

Thank you for stopping by!
Debbie