This weekend – we went back home to have an early Thanksgiving with the Hubby’s family.  Saturday AM my brilliantly craft mother-in-law Lynn said “Jess – remember that one centerpiece with the gilded fruit you showed.  I want to do that.  Can you help?”  Of course she was talking about this beautiful centerpiece from Martha that I featured in my Setting A Harvest Table post.  It has pears, magnolia leaves and cedar boughs.  The pears are gilded and the magnolia leaves have been sprayed gold.  Just beautiful and a a great choice!

She already had picked up pomegranates, pears and edible cake glitter.  You can find the edible glitter in the Cake Decorating section of most craft stores.  Luckily, she also has a great big ol cedar tree out in the yard that we clipped some boughs off of – but we didn’t have any Magnolia leaves.  So instead – I clipped off some pretty ivy leaves off of her trellis.  Here are all the supplies we used below.

 

The cake glitter was super easy to work with – you just put it in a bowl and brush it on dry with a paint brush. 

I brushed it on all the fruit and then also put it on the ivy leaves.  Once I got it all arranged in the wood trough Lynn had – I went back over the tops of the fruit with a little more of the glitter.  There now it is perfect.

 

So here it is on the table.  I just love how it turned out – so elegant but super easy. 

 

Everyone kept walking in and watching me put it together and saying, “Well – that was simple!”  Only took about 10 minutes.  So if you are looking for a quick easy centerpiece – this one is a piece of cake.

So what do you think?  Have you ever done anything similar?  Do you think you might try this out?  I would love to know if you think you will!  

P.S. Don’t forget to hop over and enter my giveaway for a $45 CSN Stores gift card!

Linking this up to

Metamorphosis Monday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Table Top Tuesday with Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life 
Get Your Craft On with Kim @ Today’s Creative Blog
Make it Yours Day with Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden
Show and Tell with Becca @ Blue Cricket Designs
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Transformation Thursday with Gina @ Shabby Chic Cottage 
Weekend Wrap Up Party with Jen @ Tatertots and Jello 

Thanksgiving makes me think of Turkeys.  Turkeys make me think of feathers.  And thinking of feathers got me thinking about how you can incorporate them in your decor.  So I did a little searching and came up with some inspiration for you!  Hope you enjoy!

Using a couple of feathers in a jar on a mantel is a creates a rustic look.

Photo via House Beautiful

Love the feather covered lamp shade here – keeps it traditional but not overly flashy.

 Photo via Better Homes and Gardens

Just a gathering of feathers in a bowl can make a beautiful natural display.

Photo via House Beautiful

This centerpiece is just stunning. Love it.

traditional dining room design

 

Using feathers to your dining chairs is another great way to add them in and create a striking presentation.

Photo via Better Homes and Gardens 

Of course – over the last couple of years – feathers have made a big impact in holiday decorating as well.  Here are some great ideas to accent your mantle, wreath or tablescape for the holidays.

Using a feather boa across a mantel creates a winter wonderland look with crystal and metallic accents.

Photo via Better Homes and Gardens 

Here is another great idea.  Stick some feathers in your holiday wreath for a festive look!

 Photo via Better Homes and Gardens

Love these feathered Christmas Trees in this tablescape design.  Certainly cheerful and bright!  

traditional dining room design

So there you go - several great ideas on how to incorporate feathers into your decor. Which one was your favorite? Do you have another idea for how to use feathers?  Lemme know!

We are less than 15 days from Thanksgiving now!   And yes – that also means that we have less than six weeks until Christmas.  Following up on my Hostess Journal post – we should all be prepping now to see if we need anything to set our tables or serve our food.  So if you are hosting this year – I have eight great hostess items that you may need to be able to set up your table and serve all your tasty goodies! 

For starters – everyone needs a big ol platter to bring out the Turkey, Ham, Rib Roast, or whatever the main dish is for your holiday meal.  This one is a beautiful basic that you will be able to use for years!  And you can’t beat the price!

Taylor Platter from Crate & Barrel - $16.95

Or you might want to pass the bread in one of these beautiful ceramic baskets.  They would also be beautiful displaying some seasonal fruit or gourds!

Gallery Square Serving Baskets (Set of 2) from Bed Bath and Beyond - $19.99

Having a large group over for dinner?  Pick up this pack of 12 Dinner Plates that are microwave, dishwasher, freezer and oven safe!  You will have all your bases covered.

Set of Twelve Plates from Crate & Barrel - $29.95

As American’s we love our gravy – and everyone needs a good gravy boat.  Look no further than this basic option from Pottery Barn.  I own this exact gravy boat and it is awesome!  Slightly oversized but perfect to pass down the table.

Great White Gravy Boat from Pottery Barn - $8.00

Again if you are having a large group – you may need a large group of glasses.  I love the catering packs from Crate & Barrel because they are both affordable and come in a large box so you can store them away when you aren’t hosting fabulous parties!

Set of 12 Party Wine Glasses from Crate & Barrel - $19.95

If your having a “sit down” dinner party – it is always a good idea to stock up on some basic “nice” napkins! 

Provence Dinner Napkins (12 pk) from Bed Bath & Beyond - $9.99 

And I just love these – a classic silver napkin ring with a slot to hold a place card.  Beautiful and efficient! 

 Caterer’s 12-piece Napkin Ring/Place Card Holder Set from Pottery Barn - $29.00

Finally we can’t leave out all the various munchies and dips!  Veggies, chips, cheese balls …. mmm I love holiday food!  You will need a nice appetizer tray to showcase all those goodies!

Earthenware 3 Section Tray from Target - $17.99

So there you go – eight great basic hostess pieces!  I like to keep all my hosting pieces white so they can mix and match with anything.  So what about you – do you keep them simple or do you like picking up patterned pieces?   Are you hosting any parties this year?  I wanna know!