Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is usually all about food, rather than table decor, but there are so many great fall colors that can be incorporated into a Thanksgiving tablescape.

Some of my favorite items to decorate my table are:

Goards

Mini Pumpkins

Bittersweet

Fall Themed Candles

Some people have special Thanksgiving china that they pull out each year. I prefer to stick with my white china from Wedgewood and use tablecloth's, runners, and cloth napkins for pops of color. 

Your table can be as simple or elaborate as you like. If you have a crowded table, a great option is to lay down a table runner, place a small floral centerpiece in the middle and add a fall-colored taper on either side. 

I like polish the silver, wash the dishes and set my table the day before Thanksgiving so that on the day itself, I have one less thing to worry about. 

Here are some great Thanksgiving tablescapes to help inspire you as you plan your own table.

I know that if don't have experience with entertaining, or if it's your first time hosting, creating these table set-ups can be kind of scary. No need to freak out! 

Sometimes less is more and all you need are some pumpkins and fall-colored votive's in the middle of the table.

If you are like me, and entertaining means "go big or go home,"but you are at a total loss on how to decorate your table, then just do what I do in a pinch. Copy something from pinterest! There are thousands of pictures of tablescapes that you can easily copy, gourde for gourde, candle for candle. Just make sure you find a good photo that shows the entire table set-up.

Good Luck & Happy Thanksgiving!

Tablescape Credits

Top/1/2/3/4/5

Tea Time in Boston

My love of tea comes from my mother, who has been a lifelong tea drinker. As a small child, I remember asking my mom for tea and asking her to put it in a sippy cup with one ice cube so that I could drink it with out burning my mouth.

Since I don't drink coffee, tea has become my key source of caffeine, but I would drink it even without caffeine. I find tea to be incredibly soothing, and I never drink less than two cups per day.

Another tea bonus is that it goes so well with my a couple of my other favorite things: cookies and pastry. This is where making time to enjoy a formal tea comes in.

I don't often have the time to visit a tea house or restaurant and sit and enjoy a formal tea because I'm so busy with work and school, but I make a point to go about four times a year to my favorite tea spots. 

I usually go with my Mom, sisters or a close friend because we have the opportunity to sit for a while and catch up while we enjoy the tea service. A formal tea never rushed and you have plenty of time to enjoy the tea sandwiches, pastry and, of course, tea.

There are plenty of places in the Boston area that offer lovely formal teas.

Here are a few of my favorite places:

The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons

They have a great selection of teas to choose from and they offer two different types of tea, the Four Seasons Tea, and The Royal Tea. I like The Royal Tea because it involves champagne, which I am always in favor of. 

High Tea in the French Room at the Taj Hotel

The French Room is such a pretty room and they have an extensive tea menu and all kinds of tea-appropriate cocktails, sherries and aperitifs. There is something for everyone here, and I was to take a man to tea, this would be the place. 

Afternoon Tea at the Boston Harbor Hotel

The water views from the restaurant inside this hotel are amazing, and that alone is reason enough to check it out. They hotel is very popular for weddings and they do a lot of bridal party teas. The set-ups are lovely and often feature rose petals and champagne. 

Afternoon Tea at the Wenham Tea House

This tea house, located on Boston's north shore, is a favorite of my mother's and one of the oldest tea houses in the country. They offer formal afternoon tea service or a la carte tea, where you can pick and choose the items you like.

Tips for Taking Tea

Make sure to make reservation ahead of time. Most places only make enough pastry and sandwiches to accommodate their reservations and may not accept walk-ins.

Check to see if their is a dress code. Some places are more casual than others and you don't want to feel out of place. If you are unsure if  their is a dress code, the safest bet it to avoid wearing jeans. Pants and a nice top will work almost anywhere. 

Call ahead if you have allergies. Many items on a tea menu could pose problems if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. Most places will be happy to accommodate special requests if you give them 24 hours notice. 

Does anyone have a favorite place where they go for tea? I have never been for Tea at the Ritz on Avery Street. It seems a bit modern over there, which isn't my style. If someone has been, please share. I am interested to know what it was like.

Words Worth Repeating

Number 76 of the Laws of Modern Women

Everyone has those days when nothing is going right, and sometimes we take our frustrations out on other people. 

But....

 You're bad mood isn't an excuse for forgetting your please's and thank you's and good manners aren't just for the days when you feel like being nice.

Bloggers note: I know that some people think that things like manners & etiquette don't matter any more but I completely disagree!! The people that think that way are the jerks who can't get off their cell phone long enough to say hello to the person at the check-out counter. I know you are busy, tired and have "more important" things to do, but please, be kind enough to remove your phone from your ear and have a human interaction with someone once and a while. Maybe if you did, people like me wouldn't have to create blog posts about how to be a decent person. 

Does anyone know where you can find the rest of the Laws of  Modern Women? I found this one on Pinterest and I am interested in reading the rest of them. Thanks!

East Coast Obsession: Monograms

I have always loved monograms because I am crazy about the idea of personalizing something. When something is monogrammed, it shows that someone took the time and effort to make it special. 

There are so many monogram styles to choose from, but I prefer to keep things classic and traditional because monogramed items are meant to be saved and, hopefully, passed on to future generations. It's a lot like dated wedding photos. That blue tux was stylish at the time, but 25 years later, not so much. Best to keep things classic.

Here are some popular monogram styles

Some of my favorite monogrammed items are:

Stationary

Notebooks 

Thanks to Carly at College Prep for turning me onto May Books

Address Stamps

Linens

Silver

Although I love monograms, there are some items that I don't like to see monogramed because I feel like it's a bit much.

Some items include:

Plastic or Acrylic Cups

Every single one of your picture frames (one is enough!)

Men's shirts (when the monogram is visible). Do you need it to remember your name?

Plastic monogrammed necklaces. If you want a monogrammed necklace, invest in a gold or silver one. It looks so much nicer. 

Does anyone else feel like certain things shouldn't be monogrammed or am I being harsh?

There are several methods that can be used to monogram something, and the right method depends on the item you want to monogram.

Some methods include engraving, etching, debossing and embroidering.

You can learn more about these methods from the nice people over at Pottery Barn.

If you are unsure about creating a monogram for yourself or someone else (an engraved wedding gift is very thoughtful!) check out Little Miss Monogram Shop for some helpful hints.

I am always on the lookout for great places that monogram, so please post a link to your favorite boutique or online store in the comments section. 

ECL Required Reading: Magazines

I have been an avid reader of magazines since I was about 11 years old and every month, I scanned the news stands for the newest magazines. I remember going from store to store looking for the latest issue of one title or another and not stopping until I found it.

The reason I love magazines, particularly lifestyle and fashion ones, is because they help inspire my lifestyle. I get up-to-date information on everything from  the latest fashion and lifestyle trends to recipe and tablescape ideas. When something catches my eye or appeals to me, I tear it out and save it so when I want to cook something new, or go clothes shopping, I already have ideas to take with me.

The world changes faster than anyone can keep up with and it's hard to sift through all the information and content. I feel like a great magazine staff does that for you. so when you flip through the pages of a magazine, you are only seeing the really good stuff. 

As I have gotten older,  realized how much smarter, not to mention cheaper, it was to just subscribe to my favorite magazines and have them sent to my house. 

I find the easiest way to subscribe is through the publishing or magazine website. I do this for many reasons.

It is safe, secure and legit

They often have deals where if you subscribe to one title, you can get another similar magazine for very  little money

You have an account so you can easily pay a bill, cancel a subscription, or send one to a friend as a gift.

The major magazine publishers for U.S. magazines are:

Martha Stewart

Conde Nast

Hearst Magazines

Time Inc.

I know that some people prefer to read magazines digitally these days, but I still prefer to hold it in my hands, the old fashioned way. Another reason I like to have a physical copy is because I like to save the really good issues to look back at later. I don't find it as inspiring to look back at the digital issue. That being said, there are a couple of lifestyle magazines out there that are only available digitally and I happily read them online because I don't want to miss out on the great content. 

Check them out if you like:

Sweet Lemon Magazine

Matchbook Magazine

OK, now onto the physical magazines! Here is a list of the magazines that I subscribe to and have delivered to my house every month. 

Vogue

InStyle

Glamour

Allure

Elle

W

Marie Claire

Town and Country

Tatler

Martha Stewart Living

Martha Stewart Weddings

Architectural Digest

Vanity Fair

Boston Magazine

Boston Common

Boston Magazine and Boston Common are regional lifestyle magazines that I read because I live in Boston. For East Coasters not in Boston, there are plenty of great regional magazines to check out.

New York - Gotham or Hamptons Magazine

Washington D.C. - Capitol File

Greenwich - Greenwich Magazine

Miami - Ocean Drive Magazine

Charleston - Charleston Magazine

General Southern Region - Garden & Gun

If you are wondering about Martha Stewart Weddings, no I am not getting married, but don't start judging yet. I have gotten some of my best tablescape and party theme ideas from Martha Stewart Weddings. If you minus out the wedding dresses, the magazine is a great resource for menu planning, new color combs, themes, and party invitations. If you like to throw parties, engaged or not, I highly recommend subscribing to Martha Stewart Weddings. 

I am always on the look out for more great magazines to add to my monthly reading list. If you have a magazine title worth sharing, please comment below!

First Lady Fashion

Well, now that the election is over, we can get down to business. The business of fashion that is! 

My love of following fashion in the White House stems from the legacy of the amazing Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who is easily one of the best dresses women of the last century. 

Mrs. Obama wore Jason Wu at the last inauguration and she did not disappoint!

During last nights victory party, she wore Michael Kors, the same designer that she chose for the victory party in 2008.

Last night

2008 Election Night

Who do you think the First Lady will choose to design her inauguration dress?

I would love to see Michael Kors design it. His designs are always so classic and they always have a distinctly American feel to them which is very appropriate for the occasion.

In honor of the start of the designer predictions, I am taking a look back at some of the best  inauguration dresses from past First Ladies.

Enjoy!

Mrs. Kennedy in Ethel Frankau of Bergdorf Goodman  

Mrs. Bush in Michael Faircloth

Mrs. Nixon in Karen Stark for Harvey Berin

Mrs. Reagan in James Galanos

Preppy Style: Sexy or Dowdy?

One thing that is is synonymous with the east coast lifestyle is preppy clothes. I happen to love preppy clothes for their clean lines and classic style. I know that the "Prep " look sometimes gets a bad rap and many people complain that preppy clothes are dowdy, boring, elitist or even (I apologize for the language but there is not equivalent) douchey.   

But I disagree!

I know that sometimes, when worn the wrong way, they can be all of those things, but done right, the preppy look can be sexy, fun, current and fashionable. 

Don't believe me? Continue reading and see what I'm talking about.

Classic trench and button down

Gwyneth Paltrow does preppy 

The ultimate British preppy, The Duchess of Cambridge

Adorable striped look

And I'm not just talking about the ladies. There are some pretty sexy preppy guys out there!

I love a man in a bow tie!

Pop of preppy color

Casual Preppy

Hello hot JFK Jr. lookalike

See what I mean? Preppy isn't what it use to be,  it's no longer just for country clubs and ivy league schools. 

The best thing about the classic preppy look: It never goes out of style, so when you look back at pictures of yourself in 10 years, you won't cringe and think "what the hell was I thinking?"

Looking to shop for preppy clothes? Check out some of my favorite shops for preppy gear:

Brooks Brothers
Ralph Lauren
J. Press
L.L. Bean
Lilly Pulitzer
Jack Wills
J. Crew
Kiel James Patrick

What are your favorite preppy brands?

*Note from the Blogger*

Very sad to report that Ralph Lauren is closing its collegiate label Rugby. Luckily for us, Ralph Lauren has many other brands that offer the preppy essentials.