Rehab

Sneek Peek! My garden Tablescape Thursday.

Hi, my name is Janie and I'm a tablescape-aholic. I've finally come clean and admitted this to myself after my family has confronted me.  I'm obsessed with tablescapes and since I've found the blog called "Between Naps on the Porch" it has escalated, as I've seen that there are others out there like me and I've seen what they can do.  I felt empowered by their ideas and inspired to create my own.  

It started out innocently enough with a love of pretty dishes and fabrics. Fond memories of my first fix still bring a smile to my face:  I remember when we bought our first set of dishes when I was 19.  We were in the china department of Selfridges and I felt a thrill as the clerk handed my husband and I each a box of "Eternal Beau" by Johnson Brothers.  

I remember the giddiness and the anticipation as we carried those  boxes on the bus, tube and finally, the 3 blocks to our flat.  The rush of adrenaline as I set my first table as I took them out of the box!!! Oh, the joy!

Then I would buy plates here and there for different holidays. Not expensive, but they made my heart beat faster as I created a new scene for Christmas or Easter.  I remember one Christmas when my mom bought me a set of 8 chargers for Christmas. Holy moly!!!  Be still my heart!  A whole new dimension was brought to the table.  ( I think I inherited this from my mom.  She would buy beautiful things and put them in the knick knack cabinet, not quite knowing what to do with them.) I looked for other ideas and couldn't find anyone I knew who went beyond the normal tablecloth, dishes, glasses and flowers when they set the table.  I bought books that would lead me in the right direction but somehow lacked what I was looking for. I thought I was weird and just department stores did that kind of thing to sell their wares! Years and years passed and I was able to keep my tablescaping under control.  

I would say in the last year it has escalated and it has definately gone out of control since I discovered the other tablescapers out there.  The internet opened up a whole new world for me!!!

Every Tuesday I eagerly signed on to my blog immediately scrolling down to the pink dish icon that read tablescape tuesday.  I clicked on each website and marveled at what each person did.  I began scouring HomeGoods in search of the perfect dish.  Traveling to 2 or 3 in one day to get more of that perfect placemat, dish or plate. (HomeGoods never seems to have 8 of anything.)  I decided  that it  was time to invest in some real china: Tiffany Holiday China   and/or  Roayl Crown Derby Panel Green China and accent plates. (I found this china pattern in a magazine and tore out the page and placed it in a safe place so I wouldn't forget how beautiful it was).  Some real crystal to make my table sparkle.   They are on my Christmas list.

Royal Crown Derby, Green Panel and accent plates

 I hunted on the internet looking for that perfect deal.  After all, I've read on numerous blogs where people picked up the whole set of china on ebay for $14.99 including shipping!!!!  Could there be something out there for me!!! Waterford crystal for $5.00 a glass (hehe).  My dream china for $20 all in!!!  One person said they always bought something for their table whenever they were away on vacation!!  I beat myself up for not thinking of this:  STUPID, STUPID STUPID!!! (nevermind that when I'm on vacation, I barely have enough money to be there, let alone buy expensive items for my table). 

So as I created my tablescape this weekend for Thursday.  Presenting my new chargers that I recently purchased at HomeGoods (which I just stopped by after taking my sick child to the drs. because it was so close, I'd just be a minute while I checked to see if they had four more chargers to complete my set.  They did!!! Rejoice!!! My tablescape was then complete.)  By the way, when I was in the store, my sick daughter decided to drive my car around the parking lot just to see how it felt!  Mind you she does have a drivers license, but I do not allow my kids to drive my car.  They have their own cars and I think they should experience the thrill of driving an expensive car when they can afford one of their own.  I busted her, but not after I came out of the store and went up and down three different aisles looking for my car, thinking I had lost my mind!  I could have sworn I parked in this aisle, hmmm, maybe it was over there.  I get there, no, hmm, I know I parked here... I then saw her roll up and park- BUSTED!!! As we drove away and I scolded her,  I told her she better not tell her other sister she drove it because the other sister hounds me constantly to drive it, but TOO LATE!!! She already texted her that the steering wheel turned like butter and the gas pedal felt like heaven under her foot!  But, I digress...

On Valentines Day, I had one table set for our Valentine's breakfast and the other set for next weeks Tablescape Thursday.  My husband looked at the table and remarked how beautiful it  was, but that from now on, I was to use only things I HAD on my tablescapes!!!  My heart stopped beating and I felt a mild sense of panic!! My children began to tell stories of my various HomeGoods escapades and my husband's eyes grew and I felt my face turn red with embarrassment.  It was all true.  I admit it. I've now committed myself to tablescape rehab, where I will not enter a HomeGoods store for.....awhile.  One day at a time!