Miami - The Long Goodbye

Our idyllic view

As I sat on the balcony of our beloved Miami condo for the very last time, I couldn’t help but think about fate, about destiny, about a convergence of life happenings that brought me there. Decades ago I moved to Miami to advance my career in television production. Ironically, I only stayed at that job position for 1 year but ended up staying 9 more, partnering with Brian and Kevin of Forti/Layne Entertainment producing, editing and co-directing so many wonderful projects.

Our most spectacular view from the balcony.

Obviously, I racked up hundreds of experiences during that decade. However, for this story to come full circle I want to focus on the night I went to a party at a building that jutted out into Biscayne Bay. I have crystal clear images of that night;

  • meeting at my best friend, Emilce’s house, downing some pre-party cocktails

  • packing into a car with a group of friends singing to Santana’s “Maria, Maria”

  • pulling up to the grand building tucked back off the busy, kinda seedy main street of Biscayne Blvd.

  • the warm wind that gusted off the bay as we entered that forced us to walk with leaned intention

  • the spectacular water view from the apartment

  • and finally the seed planted in my brain that I would live there one day

Biscayne 21 as it was known.  Located at 21st Street and North Bayshore Drive off Biscayne Blvd and jutting out into Biscayne Bay.

Fast forward a decade, I moved back to NY having never lived in that building of my dreams while actually living in Miami. I settled back into New York living by buying my first co-op and moving in with my now husband, Juancarlos. Then 2 years later by absolute luck…AKA fate, an apartment in that very building came available. So, I bought it sight unseen. That is how much I wanted to be there.

Our beloved southern home, at just the right height, just the right location, just the perfect view.  Just perfect.

After the closing, keys in hand, I pushed open the door that turned my purchase from wishful dream to glorious reality.

Not a lick of substantial furniture, armed only with an air mattress and some linens.  It was all I needed to feel at home.

514, magical numbers.

At first, we rented the apartment full time thinking it would be an investment property, and then eventually turn into a retirement pied a terre. But after awhile Juancarlos and I realized we wanted this place all to ourselves. Now after 20 years, we were forced out. The greedy glut of overbuilding and erecting enormous monstrosities has bought us out. A developer will tear down the quaint 15 story building to replace it with not 1 but 3 towers of 53 floors each! Yet another part of Miami history turned to rubble. If you have ever seen the movie “Something About Mary” then you have seen our building. It was the one to the left of the singers on the final scene. And oh yeah, they tore down the historic beautiful house that Mary lived in to construct an obnoxiously tall building that used to block the sun on our pool. But what can you do, fight city hall? So, we sold off most of the furnishings, gave away some, packed up the rest and drove back to NY with our memories in tow.

Even with clouds the days were beautiful.

Miami represents a million things to me. My first venture out of my native NY to pursue a career in live television. Being away from my beloved family and all our gatherings. Buying my first car, having 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms all to myself. No more elevator to the basement to wash my clothes, I had a washer/dryer all to myself and only having to deal with my lint, and no one else’s. Meeting new friends that would last a lifetime, Winning awards for my production work. Meeting my husband, being proposed by him in Miami. Having a second wedding celebration there for our friends who couldn’t/didn’t want to fly after 9/11, honeymooning in Miami and the Keyes and so much more. We have hundreds upon hundreds of photos, and I will do my best to inundate you with images so you too can be wrapped in the warm glow that tugged at my heart.

Engagement Party smiles. Juancarlos proposed to me in Miami two weeks before September 11. 

It was a second home, and as such we welcomed our family and friends. For many years, my parents would spend the entire month of February there. Sometimes we would join them and spend precious moments together, by the pool, at the beach, but mostly eating. Who doesn’t enjoy a good meal with the people who bring you joy?

Since Miami had such meaning to us from a marriage point of view, we used to go down in October to celebrate our anniversary. And of course, we would meet up with friends or invite them over for nibbles and drinks, laughter and good cheer. We celebrated not just anniversaries but many a birthday as well, with our dearest fra-mily. Our home was small but mighty in the joy it provided.

Anniversary tapas dinner.

Another year of celebration.

Happy Birthday to me!

Birthday celebration with framily, during a February visit when my parents were down.  See my dad in the background? On this occasion our friends, John & George, hosted at that fabulous house.

From an uncomplicated lifestyle, to enough room to entertain, to a view that never got old, only got better. It fulfilled my every dream from decades prior.

The sunrise that warms our souls and inspired us to get up and get out.

Midday beauty.  Nature’s artistry at work.

Reflections.  Even the tall buildings provided interesting views.

At night the glow provided a different kind of warm.

A glow that filled not just the sky, but my heart.

Never boring, never got old.

Blue, but never the ‘blues’.

One sure way of knowing when I’m comfortable and completely at home is preparing and enjoying meals. And boy, did we do that. If I have a kitchen, I will be stirring up some food of love. Every morning we would take our coffee & breakfast to watch the sun rise. Every late afternoon after a day at the beach we would make a healthy meal and eat on the balcony. In the evening, a cocktail or wine and watch the lights brighten the skyline. It was endless joy.

Balcony moments with my love.

Sun rays reaching towards us to welcome us to another picture perfect day.

Here is a smorgasbord of food offerings over the years.

That balcony was filled with LOVE.

I’ve even had the great fortune of selling my children’s book at the famous Books & Books stores in Coral Gables and Miami Beach, as well as school author visits.

Signing books at the Coral Gables Books & Books store.

Proudly showing off my title at the Miami Beach Books & Books location. (Unfortunately, that store closed after the pandemic.)

A school assembly, getting the kids energized and excited.  There is nothing better than a child’s enthusiasm, and to encourage creativity, imagination and curiosity.  I have been blessed.

Many a time this place has grounded me. I used the beach and the water to find my way, to answer my questions, to assuage my doubts, to remind me of my talents and all the opportunities that the universe has locked and loaded for me.

The ocean vastness was never overwhelming. It showed me the greatness that was far reaching and touched us all.

Moments of thought.

Long walks along the golden sands providing quiet time to reflect.

We frequented a beach that rarely had crowds of people.  Most of the time we had yards of beach to ourselves.

Ocean and sky in various forms.

Seagull happiness

Perfect days

Gorgeous, striking color contrasts

Shining sparkles that bounce off the water as if you say, look at all the possibilities life has to offer.

Each sparkle an opportunity, all rushing towards me.

The quiet expanse that calmed and soothed me.

Sun that would warm my skin and my soul.

The sun and water that rejuvenated me.

The gratitude for all I am given.

My happy place

Happy in our home.

Quality time with my husband, where we walked for miles, talked for days and dreamed up our future.

My personal sherpa.

Together in the place where we met, fell in love, got engaged, celebrated our wedding and honeymooned.  How could this place not have meaning to us.

Just another day at the beach

Change is hard. And this change is not just hard but ironic. Since over two decades ago I made the hard choice to leave Miami to return to New York. To once again further my career, to be closer to family, and be near my beloved city. When the thought of leaving Miami became hard, I enlisted the advice from the popular book, Who Moved My Cheese? Back then, I was so afraid of making the move, of making a mistake. Would I find work? Could I survive freelancing? Would I miss the diversity of work, my friends, the sun and warm weather? But as the book professes, there is Cheese everywhere, and enough to go around for everyone. My cheese may have been moved again, but I know I will find an abundance and variety no matter where I turn.

Togetherness

Sky, sea, land

And so here is the long goodbye, as we drove away from a view that will forever be etched in my mind. With gratitude and love for how much the universe has provided me, I give thanks for all the blessings in my life. And am reminded that the sun shines in the sky, no matter what longitude or latitude in which you are standing.

 

One last goodbye

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce- With Pasta

I like pasta. Hold up. Rewind, I LOVE pasta. Call it an indoctrination from childhood that completely took hold of my taste buds. Since I enjoy eating this multi-shaped, multi-useful, molto delicious carb I’m always looking for new sauces, toppings or items to toss into my favorite comfort food.

Oodles of years ago during my crazy life in the world of television production, I needed quick and easy meals to make. Call it a self fulfilling prophecy but pasta makes for quick and easy meals. Besides a variety of pasta shapes, I always made sure to keep my pantry stocked with items that I could quickly toss into the pasta. Peas, beans, canned tomatoes, capers, anchovies were among the regulars, and jars of roasted red peppers were also their constant companion. When push came to shove, I would boil pasta and then without even sautéing them in garlic and oil I would just throw them on top, add cheese and happily consume. Sounds pathetic, but on particularly long work days even taking that extra step to cook the topping was seemingly too long. But they did their job, and given the chance, roasted peppers can be much more useful and handy. So take my word, keep them stocked in your pantry as a must have staple.

That’s the way I roll. I buy them. My mom, on the other hand, always roasted her own red peppers, and then placed in plastic bags into the freezer. Let me tell you, they were delicious. I literally can still smell their sweet aromas as I ponder her peeling off the skins. But not even that extraordinary olfactory experience arms me with the patience to make them myself. There are some homemade foods I don’t mind taking the time and effort to make. And there are others I am willing to concede buying a store bought version. I will admit that homemade roasted peppers are the bomb, still I’m not motivated. I take the easy way out. (Note: It is funny how some tasks seem too much for one person while for another it’s not problem at all. I get it now when I say something is easy for me it might not be that easy for someone else, no matter how easy I think it is.)

Dreaming of my mom’s peppers made me think of the dip I made a while back using roasted red peppers, walnuts and goat cheese. I featured it in a post entitled: 3 Dips a Dipping. It dawned on me that that combo could create a creamy, no cook sauce that would melt into a big bowl of steaming hot pasta. And even though the dip has walnuts, I think the texture will be great. I do you one further. Toast some extra nuts to sprinkle on top of the pasta to amp up the crunch and bring another level of nutty flavor to the dish. Then I thought that this dish might need some extra zing. So, I made a gremolata to finish it off. The parsley, lemon and garlic are sure to add that fresh zip to the creaminess of the sauce. Now you have had a sneak peak into how my little brain conjures up dishes that my tummy approves. So let’s get started because I’m hungry now.

Roasted Pepper Sauce Pasta set up

 

Ingredients

1 c marinated roasted red peppers
1 1/3 c goat cheese
2/3 c walnuts, roasted
1 lb. pasta
1/2- 1 c pasta water reserved
Olive oil
1/2 t salt
1/4 - 1/2 t red pepper flakes, to your taste

Gremolata (optional)
Remaining Walnuts, chopped
3 T parsley, minced
1/4 t garlic, grated or crushed
1/2 t lemon zest
1 T lemon juice
3 T olive oil
Salt/pepper to taste

Roasted pepper, goat cheese, walnuts

Instructions

  1. Toast the walnuts in a pan over low heat or on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes until lightly toasted. Be careful not to burn them. Set aside to cool.

Roasting any nuts releases the oils and brings out their nutty flavor.

2. Boil your favorite pasta. (I think this dish works best with a shape that the sauce can find its way into nooks and crannies like rigatoni, bow tie or fusilli. I had Papparedelle on hand, so used that.)

3. In a food processor, buzz up the walnuts to a chunky consistency. You don’t want a fine grind. (Remember to reserved the remaining nuts to sprinkle on top.) Remove them from the blender and set aside, Of course, you can rough chop them with a knife.

4. Add the roasted peppers, goat cheese, salt and red pepper flakes. You can add splash of olive oil until you get a paste.

Roasted peppers and goat cheese.

You want a creamy consistency to the roasted pepper/goat cheese mixture.

5. Add the walnuts back in and pulse only until combined or simply stir them in.

6. Meanwhile, chop up the parsley, walnuts, grate the garlic, lemon zest and combine together with lemon juice and olive oil to make the gremolata.

parsely, lemon, walnuts, garlic

7. Once the pasta is done, drain making sure to reserve about a cup of the pasta water. Place the pasta back in the pot and add the sauce and gently fold together. Add the pasta water as needed to help emulsify the mixture. Or you can put the sauce in the bowl, whisk in the pasta water and then toss the pasta.

Ready all your elements to toss together.

Thin out the roasted red pepper sauce by whisking in pasta water. Add as much or as little to your liking.

8. If you aren’t into the gremolata idea, plate and top with the toasted walnuts.

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta topped with walnuts.

But if you want to add a little extra ‘sum-ting sum-ting’, dollop the gremolata on top as well. I love it both ways, but will attest that the garlic lemony-ness of the gremolata adds a lovely zing that cuts through the creamy sauce.

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta topped with parsley, garlic, lemon, walnut gremolata.

Yup, that simple. A no cook sauce that is creamy and delicious, and also packs some crunch.

The best part about this is that you can make the Roasted Red Pepper as a dip and then use the leftovers for pasta. Or the reverse. Either way, you get twice the benefit.

Postscript: After making all that hubbaloo about how roasting peppers from scratch was too much work, I decided to take it on. I have a very competitive nature and one that thrives on a challenge. So, of course I had to roast my own peppers. WHAT??? Plus, how could I go on and on about the aroma and not tackle the task myself. But true to form it was just as time consuming, and a labor of love process as I had imagined. But that aroma was unmatched. That said, not sure I will repeat that task again, but at least I have a recent try under my belt. Maybe my mom will just give me some of hers next time.

 

Floral Spring Table Setting

A burst of floral joy spread out on a table.

I’ve noticed that every Easter I feel compelled to create a table setting to share with you. I’m not sure why I’m more motivated to bring you another Springtime way to dress a table versus another recipe for Easter. Maybe I feel you all have traditions and a menu you follow and don’t need another recipe. Or maybe the weather made me do it. I think I get so excited at the thought of longer days and warmer temps. It evokes images of flowers, sun and a bright cheery feeling that I want to spread out onto the table.

Colors are incredibly powerful. So much so that advertisers spend a pretty penny researching their affect on consumers. I love how a color can completely change your mood. When I look at the array on this table scape it’s no wonder it brings such joy. Here’s why.

  • Green makes you feel optimistic and refreshed. It also relaxes you partly due its connection with nature and ease on the eyes.

  • Pink is soft and evokes a sense of romance and sweetness.

  • Magenta is bold and energizing.

  • Yellow, of course, is reminiscent of sunshine, smiley faces and the start of a new day, which makes you feel positive, happy and raring to go.

With all those good vibes it’s clear why I love creating Springtime tables.

You know from previous posts that I have a ton of tablecloths and fabrics, but that doesn’t stop me from getting more. Lately, I have been thrifting at a local church and grabbing some fun and inexpensive finds. If you go back to my last post, Rose-colored Salad, the table had a remnant cloth that I recently bought for $2. I loved it because it was a color combo that I definitely didn’t have in my stash. I know, hard to believe there was a color gap in my linens closet, HA.

I have been wanting to use the ‘floral on top of floral’ theme for a while but could never quite achieve exactly what I was envisioning. So, when I saw the stark white cloth with bursts of Springtime flowers I immediately grabbed it. In my utter excitement, I never fully inspected it; just brought it to the register and paid. Once I got it home and opened it up to wash, I realized it was a sheet. You think that bothered me? Not in the least. Once washed, fabric is fabric, and everything has multiple uses. I also picked up the rose & gold rimmed plates and bowls to add to the floral theme. I got 12 of each for $15 (for those, like me, who use their fingers to count, that’s 62¢ a dish!) A fruitful shop of flora, for sure.

The line up: White Sheer for the base, Floral sheet for the runner, yellow/white napkins, Dinner plate with gold leaf pattern, Rose/gold/floral soup & salad plates, Peach candle sticks, Tiffany wine glasses, vintage green/gold water glasses.

In the past, you have seen me lay the more detailed cloth as the main base and then use a sheer or mono-colored fabric for the center runner. This go around I wanted the placemats and dishes to pop so they could take star billing. To do that I switched it up by placing a white sheer as the base. Then I twisted the floral “sheet'“ and threw it down the center of the table.

Using the white sheer material creates a clean base for the plates to shine.

Then I began to build the floral layers, first by using large leaf mats Instead of the usual placemats, Then the dishes with gold leaf pattern topped with my new rose/gold/floral plate & bowl. The floral motif is fairly evident.

In a previous post where I used the large leaf mats I provided this link in case you wanted to purchase something similar.

Next, I folded the napkins in a way reminiscent of a tulip and used green grosgrain ribbon to emulate a stem. I cut a few small leaves from our rhododendron tree and added them in for more floral flair. I then placed the ‘tulip’ napkins in the cut glass wine goblets which brightened the entire table up another notch.

Then it was time to place the silver and glassware, and candles around the table. To continue tying in the leaf and color scheme, I used my favorite vintage green and gold glasses. If you remember, those were another great find at the Lincoln Road Mall Street Fair in Miami. I am so glad I wrapped those up, stuffed in my suitcase and brought back to NY.

All the colors are working together, and the place settings are the star, popping off the simple white sheer base.

The gold and yellow play nicely together. All the designs of leaves and florals swirl around creating whimsy.

And how can we have a Springtime table without actual florals? I wanted to keep the flowers as close to the colors in the table runner. At Trader Joe’s, I found three that answered the call. All mums, in 3 varieties and colors: Yellow Sundance Chrysanthemum, Magenta Mums & Lilac Mini Poms. My vision was to make the florals feel like wildflowers spread out along the table. To achieve that I used all my mini vintage vases. Arranging and choosing which vase with which flower is a fell thing. Go with your gut and what visually looks appealing to you. Typically, I like monochromatic floral design. In keeping with that the yellow mums needed to stand on their own and be in vases that enhanced their vibrance. The magenta and lilac flowers worked beautifully together.

 

Side note: If you don’t have mini vases, you can achieve the same effect with small juice glasses, or those glass yogurt cups. Look around your own stash to see what works. The goal is to use what you have. Everything has more than one purpose.

Honestly, I am in love with this table. I finally achieved the floral on top of floral design I have been dreaming. It feels so fresh and light and cheerful. And frankly, cheerful is what I know I can use right now. Maybe you can, too.

Happy Springtime. Happy Easter. Happy Passover.

A floral explosion

I think the flowers in the vases mimic the flowers in the cloth.

Happiness running through the length of this table and in my mind.

 

Color your life with brightness & cheer!

Rose-colored Salad with Roasted Beets & Goat Cheese

Years ago I happened upon the stunning pink lettuces known as Millennial Pink or Radicchio La Rosa del Veneto. Back then I created a Pretty in Pink Salad for Easter dinner that had a fair amount of ingredients. After talking to some readers recently, I found out that they wanted simpler recipes* so I decided to create a scaled down version of that salad and test it out for small dinner party. And since it’s almost Easter again, I figured that this edition of the pink salad might be an easier one to pull off for your Easter holiday meal.

*Side note: Given this valuable feedback (which I greatly appreciate) I will be posting some super easy, weeknight meals. It didn’t occur to me to provide simpler meals as I figured they might seem like obvious combos or too simple to warrant a post. But I have since learned that they are helpful. More to come soon.

Back to rose colored lettuces.

There is something about the color of these leaves that grabs me every time. The look and feel is soft and delicate. It makes me feel like I should be hosting an elegant tea party with fussy floral plates. Since the flavor is quite subtle, pairing it with the sturdier structure and definitively more bitter tones of radicchio creates a nice balance. I will admit that these lettuces are not easy to find. Traditional grocery stores probably will not carry them. Since they are from the radicchio family, Italian Specialty markets carry them, which is where I buy mine.

As I mentioned this was being tested out for a dinner party with our friends, Tecla and Scott, up at our country house. Since I knew Juancarlos and I had plans most of the day before their arrival, prep was key in being able to get the meal to the table without too much fuss. This turned out to be a great make ahead, and assemble later salad.

The Main Ingredients: Pink Lettuce, Radicchio, Beets, Goat Cheese

Ingredients

Serving 4
4 medium Red Beets (I figured 1 beet/person)
1 head of Pink Lettuce
1 head Radicchio
1 small shallot
1/2 tsp each of Thyme
1/4 tsp each of Salt & Pepper
Oil
Goat Cheese, I used about 2 tbsp/person

Dressing
1/2 c Oil
2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
2 tsp Whole grain Mustard
3-4 Tbsp Lemon Juice
Salt, Pepper

Instructions

  1. Peel and cut the beets into small chunks. I recommend wearing gloves when preparing beets as they easily stain hands, clothes and anything they touch.

  2. In a bowl, combine the dry spices and oil, whisk and add the beets to coat.

3. Place the beets on a baking sheet and roast at 425 degrees until lightly browned and tender. Set aside. (You can make these a day ahead and store in container in the fridge.)

4. Cut 1/2” thick rounds off the end of the radicchio and secure with a toothpick. Chop the remaining radicchio into shreds. (If you are preparing this ahead of time, place in a container with a dry paper towel on top, or wrap with paper towel and place in plastic bag until time of assembly)

Side note: It occurred to me that it would be easier to place the toothpicks into the radicchio first, then cut rounds. Work smarter.

Beautiful long radicchio

Radicchio slices, ready to be skewered

Place the toothpick through the middle to hold the leaves together.

5. While the beets are roasting, grill the radicchio rounds in a pan with olive oil, salt, pepper until charred and softened. (If making ahead, let cool, then store in fridge in a sealed container.)

Grill until just browned and softened.

6. Wash and separate the outer leaves of the pink lettuces to find ones that can be used for the cups to hold the salad, and place them on individual plates. Chop the remaining lettuce and radicchio for salad base.

The size of this lettuce are ideal for lettuce cups.

Chop the rest for the ‘meat’ of the salad.

7. Thinly slice the shallots.

8. To make the dressing, simply whisk together all the ingredients.

9. To assemble, place the pink leaf on the plate, then fill with the lettuces and the beets. Place the grilled radicchio on the plate. Top with goat cheese and sprinkle the shallots on top and drizzle with dressing.

Note: This can be a hot/cold salad as well. Simply warm the beets and radicchio right before assembly.

I love using the larger leaves as a cup to hold the salad.

A colorful mix to start the meal.

This salad was enjoyed by all, as there was not a single leftover on the plates.

Here are just some of the other dishes we served. Since this was my first real dinner party at our country house, I was getting my entertaining feet wet and wasn’t able to photograph the full menu.

You know me, I always set a table, even in the country. I brought the floral cloth and napkins from our home and then used the placemats and dish & glassware from the country house. As you can see, this is a simple table set up. It doesn’t have to be all decked out to feel purposeful.

Simple table setting

I used a remnant material to add some color and fun to the table. It doesn’t have to be all jazzed up, just a tad of effort to make it feel special.

Another wonderful evening with our friends… country entertaining that warms my heart.

Tecla and Scott. The best dinner guests.

 

Affordable Holiday Table Decor

This holiday season snuck up on me. Can’t say that I’m as prepared as my usual list making self. Maybe you find yourself in the same situation. So, when thinking about what I could offer you for this holiday I looked to see what have been the most frequently viewed posts. It’s no surprise that the various table setting and napkin folding posts take top billing. (I’ve included those links below). If you’ve utilized those you might be in need of a few new table decor ideas. Since my holiday season has been beyond busy for a litany of reasons, I don’t have time for super fussy decor. But does that mean my table should be bare? I think not. These ideas are intended to be simple, elegant and affordable. Time’s a wasting, so I’ll stop my yapping. Here we go.

These first two ideas are a bit more home grown, but add a sense of whimsy to a place setting. Typically I do not assign seats with place cards when I entertain. I let people choose where they want to sit. That said, I’ve always felt that having the host choose where guests sit elevates the dining experience. There is a certain sophistication to it. Plus, if the host is truly thinking about table conversation, careful placement encourages people to interact with other guests. For this holiday season, I subscribe to this thinking and will be telling people where to park themselves.

Wanting to keep it simple and organic, as well as something you all could easily re-create, I pulled out my scissors and scrolled through my garden looking for a hearty, long leaf. I cut Rhododendron leaves which were ideal in color, size and sturdiness. I found some decorative paint in my stash and painted the tips and stems gold . You can also use a Sharpie or one of those gold paint pens from an art store, such as Michaels or Target. Then I scripted the names on the leaf. That’s how simple this is.

The next little DYI project is for those of you who don’t have seasonal napkin rings. This one is right out of the creative crafts bucket. You’ll need:

  • Toilet Paper Rolls

  • Double sided tape, or regular tape rolled to double sided

  • Snipped greens from the garden

  • Scissors

Next:

  • Cut the roll into 3/4” rounds (or whatever thickness you prefer).

  • Wrap the tape all the way around the roll, or you can try glue. I just didn’t want the sticky fingers that often times occurs when using glue.

  • Trim the greens to small, manageable pieces and place them around the taped part. Add tape or glue to tack down the fronds or if you want to cover more of the roll.

Once you’re done playing, slide your holiday themed napkin through the ring. Then lay the leaf place card against white plates set on a gold charger with a deep green velvet placemat and you’re all set.

Cost: $0 since I had the paint, and the leaves and greens were from my garden, and the roll of toilet paper, well…

Now, onto centerpieces. I like when the table decor allows for guests to see across the table. A low profile centerpiece does just that. Bear in mind that this idea is for those who like to have a permanent centerpiece as it is not meant to be removed for dinner.

Simply place a neutral runner or fabric down the center of the table. This could be brown kraft paper, burlap or muslin. I used two rolls of natural burlap I purchased awhile ago at Michael’s Craft Store. The more earthy toned the better for this theme to keep the feeling of nature. I like to add the candles first in order to have a sense where to place the other decorative elements. From there you just start filling in the spaces using the greenery trying to tuck the end stems under other greens. Add some pine cones to fill in the gaps. I bought this whole bunch of greens which included a Quesnelia flower for $8 at Trader Joe’s. I had the pine cones from my garden. A beautiful, warm centerpiece for $8!

This next one is a variation on the above idea but using actual large leaves or large leaf placemats instead of the natural colored runner. I picked up these placemats years ago when I was hosting private events at Despaña in Soho, NY. I used them a multitude of ways back then, and they are still coming in handy. You can find these in various stores, but of course Amazon has everything under the sun. Thus you’ll be able find a fairly prolific selection of leaf types in the link above. Lay them down the center of the table, and as previous, place the candles first. Since the base is green, I suggest leaning into more white florals and pine cones for this version to create more contrast.

And because I’m a sucker for options, if you like the above two ideas but need them to be removable, then build the centerpiece on long wooden boards, or trays. This way the entire centerpiece can be lifted to create space for food platters.

I created all the centerpieces directly on top of my dining room table without a tablecloth. You can either use placemats for your place settings or lay down a neutral tone cloth first. Your choice.

The last, simple but elegant centerpiece is a trio of vases in varying heights of all white flowers. What I love about this design is how the monochromaticity elevates even the most common flower. By utilizing a single color, you create more impact, allowing you to use affordable, inexpensive florals to create something stunning. Sure, red & green are lovely for the holiday season, but they are visually abundant this time of year. Which is why I adore a Winter White theme. For me, it is elegant simplicity. The best part is that you can easily lift these off the table if you need the center space for food platters. Added bonus; when you don’t need them as a centerpiece, you now have three separate floral arrangements to spread throughout your home. I used the large leaf placemats to anchor the entire centerpiece, allowing for the candles to feel more integrated.
I used 4 types of flowers, all purchased at Trader Joe’s for a total of $24. For less than one of those multicolored, mulit-flower bouquets I was able to create a stunning, sophisticated and abundant centerpiece.

  • Roses $10

  • Carnations $5

  • Veronica $5

  • Alstroemeria $5

I hope these give you a few more holiday decor ideas for your table this season. Wishing you the happiest and healthy of holiday seasons. As you know, I love hearing from you in the comments. Let me know what you think and if you used any of these or other ideas. Thank you for your loyal readership.

For more table setting & holiday ideas, check out these posts:

Napkin Folding - 5 Basic Folds - Countless Options

Table Setting - A Multitude of Options

Napkin Folding - A Few Festive Ideas

Thanksgiving Table Settings - Casual to Elegant Although this post has a Thanksgiving/Fall feel there are elements that can inspire any holiday table.