Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Things My Mother Left Me - {Holiday Hostess}

{Are you ready for the holidays yet?}

Since I can remember, I have always grown up in a home where holidays were a big deal. I remember my mom decorating and prepping days, weeks, or even months in advance sometimes! It was all planned out to the smallest detail, and I remember loving helping her set up the night or two before. I knew it was holiday time when I would wake up in the morning and walk into the family room or dining room and see a set table with centerpieces, plate ware, the works!

So you can see where I would get my desire to obsess over having Thanksgiving at our house for the first time. It's kind of a big deal. Soooo, we had some work cut out for us. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you might have seen me make a comment about something I called "Table Day," which is me referring to the greatest day ever (other than my wedding day of course). Jim and I have been searching the globe for the perfect table-right color, size, quality, price, etc.-and while we paid a little more than we wanted to in the end we really did get an awesome "Last Supper" style table. We needed something quite large to help house the crowd this Thursday and hopefully for years to come.

Therefore, here is me being like my mom; table runner, plates, glasses, napkins, centerpieces...the works.

Literally the origami folded napkins that my mom taught me how to make when I was 8.
The cake stand from our wedding.
I used burlap as a table runner-you have to be careful because it can be kind of messy-I let mine air out for a few days too (smells a little musty, but no one should be able to smell it over the delicious meal). 
Flower arrangement that I put together from supplies bought at Hobby Lobby. I went when they were having a 50-80% off fall floral sale!
The infamous table.
"Infamous" always makes me think of "The Three Amigos" if you know what I'm talking about.
The Spread

And of course I would not end this without including a DIY tutorial on folding your napkins...

Start with a basic paper napkin, color of your choice (obviously).

{Step one} Unfold the napkin completely and lay flat

{Step two} Fold the top corner of  side to the center and crease, kind of like you used to do with these guys.

{Step three} Flip tha' whole thing over!

{Step four} Repeat step two but now on this side.

{Step five} While holding down the middle, delicately pull the flap from the underneath side of the napkin, one side at a time. You will probably have to mess with it a little and lightly tug on some of the edges.

{Step six} Continue tweaking until all four side are done and you are satisfied with the symmetry. 
(psst, I think the second one looks like deer ears:)

{Final touches} If you would like you can put something to weigh down the center and keep your little flowers from flying away; I chose a little peanut butter cup from Trader Joe's.
Also, if you would like them to be a little smaller you can always repeat step two before you flip the napkin over.

Well there you have it, all of my admitted secrets of me being a perfectionist like my mom. Jim keeps making fun of me saying that this Thanksgiving is my "coming out" party. First I had to figure out what he was talking about and then I had to argue that I'm not being anal about it all, "I just want things to look nice." 

Hopefully you all have great plans for Thanksgiving, whether you're the one planning or not!

Keep it real,

Roo

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9 Comments
Anonymous Anonymous said...  

Kelsey, I could not be more happy for you. Watching you grow into a woman and having such inventive ideas, and a wonderful path to follow. It really warms my heart. I can't wait to see pic with the food on the table. Dakota & I made our table centerpiece. (also with 50% off and the base was on clearance & I love it) I'll post a pic on my profile. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, & gives hugs to everyone from all of us. ~ Paula

Anonymous Liz said...  

Hello cutest napkins! And so easy! Cute tutorial and how special that your mama taught you.

I hope you and Jim have a wonderful holiday <3

Blogger RooFresh said...  

Paula, thanks for reading! I had fun doing up my table-can't wait to see your pictures!

Liz, I hope you and Glenn have something something fun planned-and I'm sure I'll read about it. ;)

Blogger Elaine said...  

What can I say....perfect.
Let them all say what they want, they can't take away the ahhhhhh that comes with a table well set and happy full bellies.

Blogger Unknown said...  

WOOOOOOW!! I'm in love with that picture of the table from the side. I can't wait to see this in person! You go girl!!!

Anonymous Iz said...  

I love it!!!! You are so creative. Teach me.

Blogger RooFresh said...  

You have to come to my house first Iz! (I know I know I need to go to yours!)

Blogger Ashley Bagley Nielson said...  

So cute! I've got to try this

Blogger RooFresh said...  

Thanks Ashley!

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