Monday Moments

Mondays have become crazy days for me lately! It just seems that the first day of the work week is just packed with "To Do's". Every now and then I have to remind myself to just slow down and breathe. It's nice when something unexpected happens like these lovely ORANGE Roses I found at the market for $4.00. ORANGE is one of my favorite colors. I am using it in my sunroom with soft green and yellow - a very citrus inspired room. I am using it in my family room with turquoise - inspired by my BFF, Bella~Mella.

Many studies have been done on the power of color. A study from the University of Georgia found an astounding 94% of people who viewed ORANGE felt happier in seconds! Warm colors like orange, yellow, mango, peach and coral convey friendliness and warmth, making everyone who sees them happier. Research has proven that the brain's "happiness centers" are actually activated by exposure to warm, bright colors.

So, if you need a moment of happiness in your Manic Monday, try a liberal dose of ORANGE.

Hope your day is filled with happiness and sunshine! Until I see you again,

Happy Decorating!

~Alisa

Sunday Favorites - A re-run "On the Beach"

Welcome to my very first "SUNDAY FAVORITES". This brilliant idea was conceived by Chari over at Happy to Design. Be sure to pay her a visit to read all about Sunday Favorites and to view the full list of participants for this week. You'll be happy you did!

Chari over at Happy to Design had this wonderful idea to feature our favorite posts on Sundays. Many of us have a lot going on during the weekends and don't have time to compose a fresh and new post. Also new readers and bloggers are coming to blogland everyday and the chances that everyone has seen your past post is pretty slim.

This gives new readers a chance to view some of your favorites while letting your faithful followers a chance for a "re-run". S0, I am featuring a post from earlier this year. It's a tablescape that I adore because it reminds me of home, family and my best friend.....

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Okay, so I decided to marry a Florida native about 20 years ago. Up until that time I had never even been to Florida! And I had only seen the ocean one other time and that was in Virginia! Needless to say, not only did I fall in love with Mr. Right but Palm Trees, Seashells, Sandy White Beaches and West Coast Florida Sunsets fell right in line. I started thinking last week that next month is Mr. Right's birthday and wouldn't it be great to have a seafood buffet for his birthday dinner. Grill up a little Salmon in Lemon-Dill sauce, pan sear some Scallops and bake Crab-stuffed Mushrooms with Hollandaise Sauce....hmm. This started me thinking about table decor - naturally. So this week's TABLESCAPE is a forerunner of next month's birthday buffet but Ssh! Don't tell because I want it to be a surprise. This table is all about Seashells and the color of a Florida Sunset.

Burnt Orange linen placemats set the right amount of color punch to play up the white dishes. I love these Shell shaped salad plates. They were a real-deal at HomeGoods and work perfectly with my Ivory dishes from Better Homes and Gardens.

Silver accents and Mercury Glass give just the right amount of glitz.

A real Florida, West Coast sunset. Isn't that just beautiful? Thanks Linda Charlene for the use of your incredible photo! XOXO! Now you see where I got the inspiration to use the orange placemats.

Walking along the beach after a storm is the best time to find little treasures washed up from the depths of the ocean.

The color pallet is very simple - white, orange and silver - but it all glows in the soft flicker of candlelight.


I found these little bronze Starfish napkin rings at BBandB while I was still living in Florida. I pulled an ivory cotton napkin through the ring, then stood it up resembling an Octopus. Okay, work with me here - use your imagination. If you tilt your head and squint your eyes it COULD look like an Octopus.

Last week a Reader e-mailed me asking how many sets of dishes do I own. The answer is one. I do have extra salad plates and bowls or plates only from other patterns but as far as complete place settings go, I have one set, enough for 10 place settings. Most of my tablescapes use common pieces. The differences are all in the linens and the accessories. Invest in a neutral color and style, then you can mix and match to your heart's content.

The romantic glow of candlelight adds ambiance reminiscent of an evening clam bake on the beach.

Now, this little guy won't be center stage during the birthday dinner but I'm sure I'll find a nice place for him to rest.

Here is a close-up of the shell-shaped salad plate. Notice the raised details at the bottom of the plate - it is a cluster of little seashells.

This shell-shaped silver serving platter will most likely hold Peel and Eat Shrimp during the seafood buffet. I have three of these in various sizes. All of them were purchased at Target on a markdown sale. They will make the perfect buffet set-up and keep our seaside theme in tact. Well, I hope you have enjoyed the "Walk Along the Beach" table. Until I see you again,

Happy Decorating!

~Alisa