Look Linger Love

So, I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year for the first time. Technically it was at my house 4 years ago when Lilly was just 2 weeks old, but that didn’t count because I didn’t do a thing. This time I need to put in some effort. Lucky for me I was invited by Ooh Events to come play in their warehouse, dream up an ideal tablescape, and present it to friends and Charleston creatives last week at their Holiday Tablescape event. So now I’m bursting with ideas to share with you.

I showed up a few days before the event to look around, dream up my space, and pull my materials. Ooh Events’ 25,000 sq ft warehouse is overflowing with the most amazing finds. (Local readers, you really should stop by and look around. I guarantee it’ll inspire you to have a little party.) It’s pretty much a hostess’ heaven and I had a ball cruising the aisles.

Then I showed up for the party!

I totally went with a girly theme. I envisioned some ideal scene I probably discovered on pinterest and rolled with it. Think good girlfriends all dolled up celebrating Thanksgiving under a big oak tree in a field.

Mixed china. Gold flatware. That amazing floral branch chandelier which oh by the way they have a bunch of. Lots of candlelight.

There were a totol of 5 of us that presented tablescapes. Here we are with Ooh Events owner Lisa Thomas.

Sally Bennet of Mirth Studio (which please note is about to launch the most amazing floor tile company) created a lounge space using her painted wooden floor tiles. I flipped out over these.

Barbara Beach (who makes adorable children’s clothes that Lilly wears) created a table that I just wanted to crawl into. This is just dreamy.

Deirdre Zahl (Candy Shop Vintage owner, you’ve seen me wear her pieces) came up with the prettiest Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed table. Isn’t this so fun?

And Perri Stilp (owner of the most quality and amazing children’s camp, Camp Perri) created a holiday table for kids complete with a hot chocolate station and homemade crayons. She’s brilliant.

Extra big thanks to Clay Austin Photography for all the amazing images. He is seriously awesome and was a lot of fun to work with. Squeeze – your drinks always make me happiest at parties around town. Wild Flour Pastry, I must have more of your salted caramel tarts soon. Everyone was talking about them. And lastly a big thank you to Ooh Events for putting on this event. I enjoyed working and partying with all of you.

Photography by Clay Austin Photography.

As I begin this post about prepping for holiday guests, I can’t help but laugh and think about Christmas Vacation. Who doesn’t love that movie?! It’s a December necessity for me or else it just doesn’t feel like the holidays. Hilarity aside, you have to appreciate the love and effort that the Griswolds put into their home to get it ready for their family. It’s all about creating that best kind of feeling and making memories. As a wife and momma I can relate to wanting to create that homey atmosphere. I realize that it’s so much more than “things”, it’s about the people, the experiences, the food, the laughter. But I really love adding holiday touches everywhere, in the family room, dining room, guest bedroom, playroom, and everywhere in between. And Serena & Lily’s new holiday and winter collection is totally doing it for me, I love the festive simplicity of it all.

Those camp throws that the kids are nestled in above are absolute perfection. I want to drape them on the end of every bed. They come in 5 different colors so it should be pretty easy to find one that works. Plus Serena & Lily is currently (well until tomorrow night) offering a really great promo site wide…

Told you. Go check out the whole new collection!

My tree is going to look the best it’s ever looked this year thanks to these Land of Nod ornaments that just showed up yesterday. I can’t even get over those Fair Isle Ornaments.

All the Colors of the Rainbow Ornaments, Fair Isle Ornaments, Winterland Ornaments

Vintage Patterned Ornaments, Nutcracker Ornaments, Hello Bow Ornaments, Sequin Bow Tree Topper

And aren’t my flats festive? Wasn’t even planned. But back to Land of Nod’s Holiday Collection. It is the cutest. These things don’t even scratch the surface of what they’ve got going on over there. I think I also need a few of these Woodland Prep Animal Ornaments. And we just got 4 of these stockings, too. Hop over there and take a look for yourself.

Don’t roll your eyes. I’ve been thinking a lot about this post. It’s November 5th already. Not quite Christmas BUT Thanksgiving will here before we know it and then it just all comes on real fast. Think about how good it will feel to be prepared with a few fun sursies for friends and hostesses. And don’t you know that I have a few holiday themed ideas…

bunny ornament

wood veneer gift tags

vintage ornament

tartan plaid stocking

bunny ornament

lip smudge mug

wood chain

twinkle lights

“here we go a caroling” card

sequin bow

bow ornaments

fox ornament

And hey, if you end up having to keep any of these let’s be honest – it won’t be sooooo bad.