The Fashionable Housewife

A Fashionable Plus Size Holiday – Dresses

Guest Blogger — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:11:51 +0000

Say hello to Marie, who is guest posting for us today to share a little insight on plus size fashion!

Introduction: “When I bumped into The Fashionable Housewife on Twitter, I knew it could only mean positive things! Sarah-Jean has invited me to share with you, my fashionable insights, for the Plus Size Fashionable woman, as I do over at The Curvy Fashionista.” says Marie.

“Over the next few weeks, please enjoy tips, treats, and finds that cater to you, the Curvy.Confident.Chic. plus size woman, by designers who see fashion beyond a size 12!”

Today’s Treat: Marie Denee

Marie Leggette

The holidays are abound us, with commercial jingles, taunts of black Friday and Cyber Monday in our emails, and social media delights of what is to come. Wishlists are being built and fashioned, the weather is dipping way below cold, and the scent of fireplaces being lit fills the air.

While this season brings about many invitations to joyous occasions to the season’s greetings, you are excited to celebrate with family and friends. But, just like any other fashionista would ask, “What should I wear” or declare, “Time to go shopping!” you know you need to start early as finding something that caters to your curves and style oftentimes eludes you, left to recycle last year’s little black dress- until now!

Dedicated to celebrating fashions and designers who see fashion beyond a size 12, Marie Denee fashions lifestyle apparel and accessories for today’s fashion forward, curvy, confident, and chic plus size woman.

Depending on your event or occasion, Marie Denee procures the dress for your curves- perfect for the holiday season! In no particular order, but with what occasions best suited for, I share with you the top picks at Marie Denee for your fashionably curvy frame…

1. The Sweetheart Color-Blocked Dress

2. The Nia Goddess Dress

3. The Neffie Dress

4. The Tie Neck Zipper Dress

5. The Muriel Double Knit

These dresses are sure to fashion your curves with style, comfort, and ease! What is great about these picks is that they can be worn again, with a switch of accessories and shoes! No worry about having an extremely fabulous dress that can only be worn once!

I am dying to know which is your favorite and which event would you fashion your new dress to. Stay tuned for more from A Fashionable Plus Size Holiday as we tackle what fashionable fits to snag for your Fabulous Plus Size Diva, Girlfriend, or Wife!

You can get 15% off your purchase at www.mariedenee.com with coupon code: FASHIONABLE Coupon will be good till the end of November, so hurry!

If you found this post helpful, please rate it below!

6pm.com Huge Holiday Savings on Shoes And More!

The Fashionable Housewife — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:01:54 +0000

6pm.com is your one stop shop for huge holiday savings on shoes, handbags, clothes and more! They have amazing new sales every day on your favorite brands of shoes. The sales are unbelievable… If you are a shoe-lover like me, be prepared to be in heaven. Imagine checking your email in the morning to see that you favorite brand of shoes are on sale, that day only, for 80% off. Sounds too good to be true, huh? It’s not!

Some upcoming sales I can’t wait to shop:

11/20-11/22 Friday to Sunday – All styles of Softspots Footwear – $19.95!
11/20-11/22 Friday to Sunday – All styles XCVI Apparel – $19.95!
11/21-11/22 Saturday to Sunday – All styles Dr. Martens Footwear – $24.95!
11/22- 11/29 Sunday to Sunday – All styles AK Anne Klein Footwear – $13.95!

Best of all, 6pm is offering FREE SHIPPING on orders of $100+ for a limited time! (Normally $6.95 flat rate shipping.)

And it might seem too good to be true, but get ready for ‘36 Days of Savings’ too! 6pm will have brand new offers every day starting on Black Friday to New Year’s Day!

My TJ Maxx Maxxinista Shopping Spree

The Fashionable Housewife — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:30:13 +0000

Shopping with Jaclyn for over 3 hours in TJ Maxx for her Maxxinista Makeover was so much fun. And even though I tried really hard to focus on shopping for her, I managed to fill a shopping cart of my own!

During Jaclyn’s little maxxinista shopping spree, I helped her find some absolutely fabulous pieces including an Elie Tahari blazer that retailed for $400 and was marked down on clearance for only $39.00! If you haven’t seen the video of her shopping spree yet, please go watch it!

I didn’t find any deals quite that amazing, but I did find a couple items I had been on the hunt for!

Here’s what I found for myself…

All my items that came to only $111.86!!

L to R:

Jaclyn and I totally cleaned out the belt section of that TJ Maxx store…

L to R:

So what do you think of my purchases? I am super excited and I can’t wait to shop at TJ Maxx again!

Thank you to TJ Maxx and RocketXL for providing the gift cards so we could have this amazing TJ Maxx Maxxinista shopping experience!

TJ Maxx Maxxinista Makeover & Shopping Spree

The Fashionable Housewife — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:48 +0000

The Fashionable Housewife teamed up with TJ Maxx to give one lucky gal a Maxxinista Makeover!

What is a Maxxinista?

Maxx-in-is-ta: A fashionista who gets it all for much, much less at T.J. Maxx. She’s a confident, savvy women who never pays full price for this season’s hottest fashions.

Department store prices? I think not. Boutiques that break the bank? Bye bye. This is fashion – direct from designers, to you. You can get this season’s latest styles for a lot less from TJ Maxx because they deal directly with the designers.

Now that you’re smart enough to know what’s in style, be savvy enough to know where to get it for less! TJ Maxx is that answer!!

We took the lovely Ms. Jaclyn on a little shopping spree to TJ Maxx in an effort to teach her how she could round out her Fall 2009 wardrobe at TJ’s for less than $300.

(Sorry the video is so dark! I took it with my camera…)

Can you believe she only paid $39.00 for that Elie Tahari Blazer that retailed for $400?!?! We were freaking out with excitement over that one! And it looks so fabulous on her too…

Here are some close up pics of the items she purchased. Click on pictures to enlarge.

I absolutely love the Tahari shoes she got too! They were only like $30 down from $78 I think? And the Betsey Johnson purse was an awesome score. There were like 5 in the store and this was only one marked down to $22. Nothing wrong with it! It’s flawless and soooo pretty in person!

We definitely turned Jaclyn into a Maxxinista and you can be one too! Become a fan of TJ Maxx on Facebook and then follow them on Twitter!!

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of the makeover!

Thank you to TJ Maxx and Rocket XL for providing the gift cards so we could have this amazing TJ Maxx Maxxinista shopping experience!

Shopping & Goodies for 11/18

The Fashionable Housewife — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:11:13 +0000

The Fashionable Housewife is having a HUGE Sensa Weight Loss Twitter Party with over $4,000 worth of prizes! Join us tonight (Nov 18th) from 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST.

FASHION
Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy is getting back to basics with America’s Basics!

A Few Goody Gumdrops is excited to share this unique jewelry website…Boticca.com. with you!

Beseeninhollywood takes you behind the scenes @ BOXEIGHT Fashion week

Fashion Fille found a fabulous Swatch that looks exactly like the Chanel J12. Get the details here.

Fashion Cents shows you how to wear the season’s hottest trend — FUR! Watch the latest video and then get tons of fur options from faux to real.

Quinta Trends introduces fashion photography: Marco Patiño

Shopping and Info loves subtle sequins on a beautiful cowl neck scarf wrap.

SomeoneSpoilMe.com found a fashionable accessory to combat Morning Sickness!

Style Eyes talks about her love of statement tights especially Wolford Fringed and Henry Holland Tights

TheFind Blog is on a quest for the perfect pair of black jeans + leggings = “jeggings”!

HANDBAGS

Fashion Hippo loves these awesome Calvin Klein Handbags at dirt cheap prices!

You need StrapDiva – No Slip Purse & Handbag Strap that easily snap on to any handbag strap.

SHOES

StyleMaven stylespotted Nicole Richie in a pair of rugged yet refined Modern Vintage Mack Boots.

Did you know that Stylish Vegan Boots are Part of TOMS One for One Program?

GIFT IDEAS

Couture In The Cityshares with us a fabulous holiday gift idea Audio Chi Headphones

Jewelry Designer Erickson Beamon Creates the “Glenda Party Bag” Exclusively for Beauty.com

The Fashionable Housewife — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:31:23 +0000

Beauty.com is adding a new designer to their popular bag collaboration roster, this time offering a one-of-a-kind gift with purchase with famed jewelry designers Karen Erickson and Vicki Beamon. Beginning November 16th, shoppers who visit Beauty.com and spend $100 or more will receive an exclusive, limited-time sample-stuffed gift with purchase ‘Glenda Party Bag,’ the perfect chic carryall for your makeup must-haves. Filled with prestige beauty samples, the exclusive set is valued at over $150.

The newest designer bag collaboration from Beauty.com invites famed jewelry designers Karen Erickson and Vicki Beamon to transform the traditional cosmetic tote into a glittering gift with purchase this holiday season. Legendary for their runway collaborations with designers such as Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy, Erickson Beamon is the first jewelry house to be featured in the gift with purchase designer bag series. The accessory features whimsically printed duchess satin, a bijoux zipper pull, embossed gold logo tassel, and lace and pearl embellishments. Spacious, yet pleasingly portable, the ‘Glenda Party Bag’ is a perfect gift for toting beauty staples during holiday travels.

“The Erickson Beamon collaboration offers an accessible splurge for Beauty.com customers,” says Kathleen McNeill, president of Beauty.com. “Whether you’re replenishing beauty must-haves or shopping for holiday gifts, the ‘Glenda Party Bag’ is an affordable luxury.”

The Erickson Beamon ‘Glenda Party Bag’ is valued at over $150 and comes packed with a great assortment of 13 deluxe and full-sized samples from some of the top prestige beauty brands:

The Erickson Beamon ‘Glenda Party Bag’ is one of many one of the perks available to Beauty.com customers this holiday season. In addition to the usual categories, Beauty.com offers a shop by personality gift finder, a video library with dozens of clips from top brands and industry insiders, skincare and hair care diagnostic tools, and other valuable gift offers. Other year-round benefits include “Everyday Free Shipping,” 5% back on every purchase, the free sample center, 100% color match guarantee, and a shared online shopping cart with Beauty.com’s partner site, drugstore.com. A new site feature also invites customers to shop the best beauty buys and value sets in addition to the brand-specific gifts with purchase available. Beauty fans can also get the latest tips, trends, and promotions sent directly to their email by signing up for the free weekly Beauty Bulletin on Beauty.com.

Become a fan of Beauty.com on Facebook to learn more about products and get tips and tricks from beauty experts: www.facebook.com/Beauty.com.

Click here to get the designer bag filled with deluxe samples!
$150 value – free with $100 purchase at Beauty.com!

About Beauty.com – The World of Beauty Online™

Beauty.com, Inc. is a leading online destination for prestige beauty products. The web store provides a highly personalized shopping experience and offers more than 200 brands from widely recognized to niche, hard-to-find products. Beauty.com is wholly owned by drugstore.com, inc.

About Erickson Beamon

Erickson Beamon doesn’t make jewelry; they make fashion. Founded by Detroit natives Karen Erickson and Vicki Beamon, Erickson Beamon’s iconic statement jewelry has dazzled the world to great critical acclaim for over 25 years. No other jeweler is as closely linked to the runway as this dynamic duo, who collaborate with the industry’s most illustrious talent, including Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Donna Karan, Zac Posen, Anna Sui, Dries Van Noten.

Twisted Silver Pinwheel Earrings Glamorous Jewelry

The Fashionable Housewife — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:34:43 +0000

Must-Have Instant Glamor Accessory for Fall 2009

Twisted Silver was nice enough to send me a pair of Pinwheel Earrings, their latest addition to their Salvaged collection. I couldn’t be more pleased if I tried!

These earrings exude old Hollywood glamor! At first, I wasn’t sure what to wear them with. They are so big and intimidating! They have a 2 inch diameter which I thought would look absolutely silly on my small 5′2″ frame. Much to my surprise though, they looked pretty cute!

The model above is wearing the Pinwheel Earrings with the Phatty Necklace, worn as a double-wrapped bracelet. She looks fabulous, right?!

After thinking about it, I’ve realized that you can actually build a stylish outfit around these statement-sized yet amazingly light-weight earrings pretty easily.

Boho Glamor by thehousewife featuring Twisted Silver

Totally boho glam… What do you think?

Use coupon code INSIDERS to take 15% off your order on www.twisted-silver.com

Not to be combined with other offers. Offer expires 3/31/2010

If you like them, enter for a chance to win them in our Twisted Silver Pinwheel Earrings Giveaway (Ends Nov 22)

Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap Shave Butter

The Fashionable Housewife — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:53 +0000

Organic Shea Butter & African Black Soap Shave Butter

What is it: Pure African Black Soap, unrefined organic African Shea Butter, healing oils of Coconut, Black Seed, Juniper and Willow Bark Extract create this age old shaving preparation for fighting ingrown hairs and razor bumps with a vengeance.

How to Use: It can be lathered up with a Shaving Brush (recommended) or with fingers. Remember this Shave Butter is chock full of vegetable butters, botanical extracts and vitamins, NOT harsh soaps and synthetics so don’t expect a lot of foam but expect a rich lather and luxuriously close shave.

Get it on www.sheamoisture.com for $7.99

You can also pick up the Men’s Shea Moisture Shave 3-pc. Travel Kit at Target for only $14.99.

The kit contains Shave Butter, Face Moisturizer, Facial Scrub and a brush. This makes a great gift for the men on your Christmas list. Luxurious enough so that they wouldn’t buy it for themselves, yet practical enough so they will actually use it. And once they try this stuff, I’m sure it will become a regular thing on their shopping list.

DownEast Basics – Fashion On A Budget

The Fashionable Housewife — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:41:57 +0000

Everyone is looking to save money these days, but you might be getting sick of Wal Mart, Target and Forever 21 when it comes to fashionable clothes on a budget. Lucky for you, I found another option that even the most frugal fashionista will approve of!

DownEast Basics offers fashionable and affordable women’s clothing. While they have several store location, none are in the northeast. But I don’t mind shopping online!

You’ll find lots of low priced items that range from classic to trendy. And if you’re in the market for a great a-line skirt to wear with your tall boots, you are going to be in heaven browsing their selection of women’s skirts.

The good people at DownEast basics sent me a few gorgeous pieces to review…

Pretty Petals Skirt
$23.99

Sophomore Top
$14.99

Frosted Flower Cardigan
$34.99

I couldn’t wait to see the items and I was so excited when they arrived! When I pulled them out of the box and put them up to me, I could not believe the attention to detail, high quality items I was seeing. It’s actually amazing to look at the price tag and see how little they cost after seeing how beautiful their clothes are in person. I have a lot of experience with clothing and the items I received were all exceptional quality for the price.

The Frosted Flower Cardigan is a must-have for the Holidays, ladies! It comes in Blue Graphite and Glacier Grey. It’s delicate enough to wear over even the fanciest holiday dresses, but not so much that you couldn’t wear it with jeans either. I think this is a really pretty, very versatile piece.

You’ll also find a cute selection of holiday dresses with prices around $35. And don’t even get me started on the sale section… There are several skirts on sale for only $24 and cute tops for under $20. Plus, this week they are having a special promotion; Get an extra 50% off all clearance items with coupon code FALL50.

Visit their website www.downeastbasics.com and let me know what you think!

Holiday Table Decorating Ideas and Tips

Sarah Polyakov — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:11 +0000

How to Get Through the Holidays
Without the D Word Coming Back to Haunt You

The “D” word you say? Why, whatever could that be? Dysfuntion? Well, of course, not. Dysfunction never shows up around the holidays! It especially never shows up if your mother-in-law is present. Mother-in-laws, after all, are experts in every field, including the field of warding off dysfunction around the holidays. Bless their dear, dear souls. So, what, pray tell, which “D” word could you be referring to? I know what you’re thinking, and I’m actually not referring to the BIG D word either, because that, unfortunately is unavoidable, just like taxes. And both of those things inevitably come back to haunt you, and at the most inconvenient times, to boot.

I am referring to, of course, the holiday dinner! Yes, it’s that time of year when the whole family, full of smiles of mirth, shows up at your door just positively glowing with holiday cheer! The TV is graciously indisposed, the remote controls have taken ill, the latops have been retired for much needed repose, and even the iPods are all nestled snuggly in their beds, dreaming of what iTunes will soon be put in their heads.

The Carpenters croon in the background, “Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays, because no matter how far away you roam, if you want to be happy in a million ways, for the holidays you can’t beat home, sweet, home!” At last, the whole gang is together again, beloved faces beaming, and bellies ready to eat!

But, let’s talk turkey here. If one wants to enjoy the turkey to its fullest, one must have a lovely sensory experience during the entire act of dining. So, I shall not be recommending great-great grandmother’s twice-removed secret for making such a tender bird that you will positively be the envy of all of your friends, because, alas, that grandmother does not have such a secret to spare, so I am afraid my pockets come up empty on this count.

What I will show you how to do today is to create a holiday table that is not only a conversation starter, but one that is whimsical, one that is a work of art in its own right, and one that reflects your own individual style.

This year, I grew so weary of seeing turkey serving platters with, you guessed it, a giant turkey depicted in watercolor on the platter. I do believe that our guests are absolutely of superior intelligence and grace, and they do not wish to be reminded through visual representation that it is indeed a turkey they are eating, and specifically, what that turkey might have looked like when it was alive and sporting beautiful plumage, and a face, for that matter. I also grew weary of woodland animal themed flat ware. I don’t necessarily need to have a pheasant on the handle of my salad fork, and that goes for Mallards too. I do not require twin turkey salt and pepper shakers staring lifelessly across the table, as everyone tries to salt and pepper their food as inconspicuously as possible.

So, I have a new holiday approach for my table, and I have thrown out all of the rules. I have simply written a “Dear John” letter to traditional holiday decorating and told this bland and predictable gentleman, who is holiday decorating, that I was no longer in need of his services. And, I have taken up with a very unpredictable, whimsical, and creative decorating style who suits my tastes perfectly.

1. The Table Cloth

It all starts with a table cloth as the foundation of any good meal. Just like undergarments enhance a woman’s beauty, and hide flaws that might otherwise be seen, a good table cloth has the same function. Though not directly noticable, it allows the rest of the table to shine.

I have really gone out on a limb with the table cloth I have chosen this year. And, I have chosen it specifically because it’s a table cloth with a conscience. There is an online company named Mayan Traditions that sells fair trade Guatemalan textiles. I have purchased several table cloths from them in the past and have been very pleased with the quality of their products, which are top notch. Moreover, by purchasing their products, you are helping support Guatemalan families who may otherwise have few, if any, real options for employment. In other words, you can be fashionable, and have a big heart too. We must also not forget that the first settlers owe their winter survival to the Native Americans who helped prevent them from going hungry, and a table cloth made by people native to the Americas is a way to pay them honor during this holiday season.

One example of a Mayan Traditions table cloth

2. The Flatware

Now, I know that even though modern society has become quite conservative in how many pieces of flatware are placed on the table, there will always be a Nellie-Know-It-All at everyone’s dinner table who is quick and ungraciously ready to point out the lack of proper flatware and improperly folded napkins. In her day, each napkin was laboriously ironed for 5 hours, and that iron was heated over a large indoor hearth fire. You’ll be able to recognize this Nellie-Know-It-All by her spectacles, which she purchased in 1860, and by the unrelenting expression on her face that most of us could only achieve by sucking on two sour lemons, and for 5 hours, at that. The only time Nellie-Know-It-All manages a smile is when she is correcting someone else’s lack of etiquette, and even then, her smile is more of a grimace. Because, the poor Nellie-Know-It-All also banned real smiling from her life in 1860.

But, in 2009, we do not fall into the habit of placing 12 different pieces of flat ware service next to each plate. Not only do we not have the table space, we don’t have the storage space, and most of us would be hard-pressed to find anyone alive who would actually *know* how to place so many flat ware pieces. Then, there are our unfortunate guests, who looking at the flat ware might decide that tonight is the night we have a conspiracy to end their lives, and we will likely do it by poking holes in them with all of those strange looking forks we have set out. After they realized we have not conspired to end their lives, then they will certainly conspire never to speak to us again. So, should you have a Nellie-Know-It-All at your table who balks at the fact that you don’t have the same flat ware as she used during the winter of 1860, you may just smile knowingly at her and say, “Oh, 1860? What a charming year! Why that would make you at least 149 years old! My what a simply divine treat to have a relic from the past dining with us tonight!” Then graciously thank Know-It-All Nellie for, out of all the houses she could have dined at, being 149 years old and all, you have been graced with the prescence of having her at your house. Indeed, what a treat! This is guaranteed to keep Madame Nellie occupied with the slow and tedious mastication of turkey for the rest of event. In correct society, it’s one hundred mastications for each bite, you know.

Onward to the topic of flat ware. I am no “Miss Manners”, nor am I attempting to be. Having gotten that out in the open, I prefer a 5-piece place setting, preferably rendered in stainless steel, and dishwasher safe. This place setting from Horchow has a lovely lion motif. The lion is rendered in the style of Renaissance Italian carvings, that are usually seen widely depicted in fountains and garden statues. I like the lion because it is versitile, and classic, and could be used year-round for any formal dinner. If you don’t like a lion motif, the Horchow website has all kinds of flatware rendered in stainless steel and some in other materials.

The designs are quite creative, ranging from the minimalist to the ornate… www.horchow.com

Lion Flatware

horchow.com

3. The Placemats

Now here is where I am really going to mix things up. The rest of the table is going to appear as if it were put in a ‘blender’, only this blender helps you achieve art, rather than puree. Here is the approach we are going to use. We are going to use pairs of placements, and each pair will have a radically different style than the other. For instance, you could choose two English floral, two paisley, two Japanese cherry blossom, two Indian textile inspired, two minimalist design, two striped, two dotted. The possibilities are endless. But, here is the pitfall you must watch out for. You may choose radically different designs, but you must ensure that the colors you choose compliment each other AND the tablecloth. So, this will require some real creativity and problem-solving on your part. And if you are a creative, problem-solver, you are going to have an absolute ball designing this table.

I went to Pier 1 and was able to find different placemats, in different styles, and all in colors that complimented the table cloth that I chose. Here are some examples of what Pier 1 has to offer:

The Diamond Placemat

Pier1.com – $3.96

The Sunset Placemat

Pier1.com – $3.96

The Red and Brown reversible placemat

Pier1.com – $6

The Green and Brown Reversible placemat

Pier1.com – $6

The Embroidered Green and Brown placemat

Pier1.com – $2.88

Cherry Blossom Placemat

Pier1.com – $4.95

Brightman Placemat

Pier1.com – $4

Yes, these placemats are VERY different in style, but the colors they are rendered in do not clash with the other placemats or with the tablecloth. Of course, your idea of clashing, and my idea of clashing may be completely different, and that’s cool. Differences make the world go ’round. My goal is to put the concept out there and have you alter it to your own individual taste and style. The possibilities for an interesting holiday table are literally endless, and I am hoping you will be able to take these concepts and not only create a holiday table to be remembered, but also have a ball creating your theme.

4. The Napkins and Napkin Rings

Because we have chosen interesting colors and patterns for the tablecloth and placemats, I am going to recommend using a cloth napkin, in ONE solid color. I used reds, oranges, greens, and browns for the tablecloth and placemats, so I would choose a chocolate colored napkin. The chocolate color is very rich and inviting, but it also blends with the setting. But, the chocolate colored napkin is also a girl’s best friend because it isn’t difficult to clean. Lipstick stains? Too much gravy? Red wine? This napkin can handle them all with grace and aplomb.

The Beloved Chocolate Napkin
(But, please don’t eat it. It’s a napkin, after all).

Pier1.com – $2

Now we’re back to being bold. When selecting napkin rings, this is the time to get creative again and start pairing in two’s. We’re going to follow the same concept with the napkin rings as we did with the placemats. We’re going to select pairs of napkin rings that follow a similar color scheme but can be rendered in radically different styles. Now we’re venturing into very tricky territory because we have to not only consider the tablecloth and placemats, we also have to consider the flatware we have selected. Using the example I have started, I am going to stick to earth tones for the napkin rings. Here are my favorites, which I also found at Pier 1:

Oops! I already broke my ‘earth-tone’ rule. Sorry, ladies!!

Hammered Steel

Pier1.com – $3.95

But then I took my rule back…

Beaded Earth-tone Napkin Rings

Pier1.com – $3.16

Silver and Red Bells
(to pull together stainless steel and beads)

Pier1.com – $2.95

A Simple Pine Cone
(just to prove I do remember it’s the holiday season!)

Pier1.com – $2.18

A lovely Lotus flower
(to symbolize “peace on Earth and goodwill toward men”)

Pier1.com – $2.95

5. The Plates

And just when you thought I had broken every fashion rule possible, and you were ready to 411 the fashion police, I have decided to choose a more traditional plate motif. I absolutely love what the Anthropologie website has to offer this season. Here, I am going to encourage you to choose the same plate. Yes, the same plate, and 10 of them at that, or 20 of them, if you can fit 20 guests at your table. If you can do that, you are a better Hostess than me!! I tip my bonnet to you, ever so demurely.

So, let’s sum up what we have looked at so far. We have a Guatemalan tablecloth topped with placemats with clashing patterns, but that are in the same color family. And we have our best friend the chocolate napkin that allows unconventional napkin rings to take the limelight. We just love the humility and self-sacrifice of our friend the chocolate napkin. She is absolutely ‘the wind beneath our wings’. And she will possibly even politely hide the discarded turkey wing of one of our guests.

But, now, we must usher in the real star of our dinner, the plates. So, now I am going to unveil a plates that I would choose to tie this look together, and to show our guests that, yes, indeed, there is a method behind the madness. They are about to experience a holiday meal that is a high art form. So, let’s choose an absolutely conventional plate. If you have been paying attention to the article, you’ll see that this last sentence was tongue in cheek. Of course we won’t choose a conventional plate! Why, that would defeat our entire purpose. And who gives a hoot what anyone thinks– not the wise, old owl, I dare say!

The Owl Plate

Anthropologie.com – $24

I have chosen the ultimate in whimsy, a lovely, large-eyed owl with the phrase “C’est Chouette” hovering just above her head. For those who are not francophiles, “C’est Chouette” is slang which means “That’s cool!”. Surely, since you have just created a dinner table that no one else on the planet has thought of, you might as well have the wise, old owl on your side, announcing that everything is very cool. Yes, even she agrees that you are the most chic Hostess on the block.
But, your guests don’t have to know that the owl is also dishwasher and microwave safe. What a gal!

6. The Glasses

Assuming that you are serving wine, I am not going to ask you to break a centuries old tradition by pouring wine into the vintage Coca-Cola glasses that McDonald’s was giving away for free a couple of months ago. I am hard to offend, but dare I say that if someone were to ruin this table by placing awfully colored glasses that even McDonald’s *had* to give away for free, I would stand offended. So please, use red wine glasses for red wine, and white wine glasses for white wine, and martini glasses for martinis, in case your family is the kind to bring up untoward events of the past. In this case, having a stiff drink handy would be a matter of sheer survival.

In summary, go out on a limb with our wise, old owl this year, and throw out the turkey. That is, throw out the turkey theme. But, you may also literally throw out the turkey in case an ex-boyfriend should choose to darken your doorstep this holiday season.

I wish you and yours and very lovely and prosperous holiday season!

-Sarah Polyakov