Today's post is all about napkin rings, an essential for any holiday table. Plus, I get to break out the rose gold spray paint again which is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I already want to turn everything in sight this color!
Supplies:
Oven bake clay
Cookie cutters
Spray paint
To Make:
Roll out your clay until it's about 1/4" thick.
Cut out the shape of your napkin ring using a knife or a cookie cutter. I used one of the leftover tiles from my marble place cards as my hexagonal guide.
Cut a circle out of the center using a smaller cookie cutter.
Bake at 275° for 15 minutes. Let cool.
Spray paint and let dry before using.
Easy peasy. This idea can be used for so many occasions, depending on the shape of the cookie cutter you use or the color you spray paint them. Let me know if you're going to make these for your turkey table this year!
I found this rose gold spray paint at Michael's and obviously had to get it. I figured out a couple ways to use for it for our Thanksgiving table, and this is the first! I'm doing a sort of mixed-metallics look, based on things I already had for the table (gold chargers for the plates, silver flatware), so adding rose gold to the mix worked out great. I used rose gold for the branches and regular gold for the pinecones.
Okay, so this is probably the easiest post of the whole week. I almost feel bad even calling this a DIY, because I'm pretty sure you can figure it out from the pictures. As far as the branches go, just spray paint them and let them dry before putting them on your table. Obviously, make sure you're in a well ventilated area (like outside) and have some sort of drop cloth or newspaper underneath them.
The pinecones are a little more complicated. You'll need a bucket or container that can hold water that you don't care about getting painted. Fill it with enough water to submerge your pinecones. Spray the surface of the water; the spray paint will float on the surface. Dip your pinecones into the water, and as you pull them out, the paint will drape itself over the parts of the pinecone that break the surface first. You can dip them multiple times if you want a more solid look. Keep respraying the surface of the water when the paint starts to get thin or goes away.
It works best if you dip the pinecones within the first 30 seconds or so of the paint being sprayed. Too long, and the paint starts to solidify a little bit and clumps together. You'll end up pulling it all out as one big sheet and it'll look all clumpy/webby on your pinecone.
I wanted some of the pinecone's actual color to show, which is why I did it this way, but if you want your pinecones to be solid, obviously it's easy to just spray paint those solid too!
This is also a great way to incorporate elements of fall into your centerpiece without having to adhere to a strict fall color scheme. Paint the branches, pinecones, and even leaves a color that goes with the rest of your decorations, and you're golden. Or should I say rose golden?
I’ve got to be honest with you guys–I’m a mess in the kitchen. My mother and my sister are both excellent cooks and bakers, and we usually spend Thanksgiving with my mom’s side of the family. My aunt and her daughters are also all great contributors to the Thanksgiving spread, and I’m usually left feeling a little helpless. Thankfully, my graphic design skills and eye for composition come in handy for the tablescape, and I do get to feel at least a little useful.
Every day this week, I’ll be bringing you guys some great DIY inspiration for a Thanksgiving table that doesn’t rely on the heavy orange and brown shades that normally come around the fall. I wanted this tablescape to feel fresh and modern, and also to be affordable for those of us in our twenties who don’t have a ton of disposable income to spend on decorations (yet!).
This table works great for a friendsgiving celebration, as well as for any kind of group gathering, since the colors aren’t regulated to any particular season.
First up this week are place cards. This is my favorite part of a nicely set table, because I'm selfish and I like my own name! These place cards are so easy but still gorgeous, and guests can even take them as small favors after the meal.
You just need 3” marble tiles and some letter stamps. I chose a smaller set of letters, because my family has too many names that start with the same letter to just use our initials, but you can totally use bigger letters for just initials too! And if you wanted to handletter the names, more power to ya! That would be gorgeous.
Line up the letters and stamp the name using your embossing ink pad across the center of each tile. It helps to start with the middle letter and space the others based on that, rather than starting at one end.
Dust embossing powder over the ink and tap off the extra.
Turn the heat gun on the letters until they become golden and shiny!
It helps to do this part on a paper plate so you can easily pour the excess embossing powder back into the container.
Careful with the heat gun–it heats up the stone too, so make sure to plan for a little cooling time before you have to pick up the place cards and move them around.
And that’s it; I told you guys it was easy! They look so great, and nobody would ever guess you didn’t put in a ton of time or effort.
Thanksgiving is just two weeks away! I've been hard at work planning our tablescape for this year, so get ready for a full week of DIYs coming at ya starting Monday. Thanksgiving is really the last true obstacle in the way before we can fully go Christmas crazy—and let's be honest, I was already on the Christmas train before Halloween rolled around.
This printable is sort of a tradition in our family. Every year, we spend some time during the Thanksgiving dinner writing down the things we’re most thankful for, and then we go around the table and share what we wrote.
I encourage you to use these cards with your family and friends this year. It's always so great to share what we’re grateful for with the people we love.
There's four different PDFs, just click below to open and print! You can use all of the same kind or mix it up amongst your guests. I recommend printing them on colored paper to match your table; it really adds to the overall theme.
If you know anything about me, you know that I love fall and winter. It is the most wonderful time of the year, after all! I love cozying up under a blanket, wearing darker colors during the cooler months, and trying out new trends that always pop up this time of year. You can definitely see some overlap between the trends this year too, which is just a great indicator of how fun they are to combine and experiment with. Check out some of my recent inspirations below, and more on my Pinterest board!
BLUSH + BURGUNDY
There's just something about this color combo that is so dreamy. The deeper burgundy tones really bring deep autumnal vibes to an ensemble, while the blush pink keeps it feeling light and fresh.
OVER THE KNEE BOOTS
I love how versatile these boots are. You can wear them over jeans or leggings to keep a clean line, or with a shorter dress and use their length as a stand in for tights. I need to get myself a new pair this year.
GRIDS AND PLAID
Plaid, window pane checks, whatever you call it, it's everywhere this season. From Target's fall line to scarves to everything else, grids are all over the place and the graphic designer part of me that loves straight lines could not be happier.
LEATHER LEGGINGS
I looove leather leggings. I don't own any (yet!), but I drool over almost every pair I see. They're so cool and casual, and can really add an edgy and dressed up vibe to an otherwise casual outfit.
SEQUINS
I love all things sparkly, and sequins are the perfect way to add sparkle to an outfit without getting glitter all over everything you touch.
COZINESS
I know this isn't reaallllly a fashion trend, but I love it so much I included it anyway. This is the best time of year to cuddle up! Oversized sweaters, wool socks, heated throws, hot drinks...I'm all about it. Bring on the comfiness.
What are some of the fall and winter trends you've been loving this year?
