In honor of romance and Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing the Love Boat theme engagement party we co-hosted with Sistah B and her husband at their home in Charleston.
Both my eldest son and nephew are getting married this year, and everyone couldn’t be more thrilled and happy!
Since we were already gathering for a week over Thanksgiving, it seemed the perfect opportunity to celebrate. Not only does our mother live in Charleston, but so do both my niece and spouse, and nephew and his sweet fiancé. Plus, eldest niece and her daughter traveled from Seattle for the holiday, and Sister A flew in from Florida.
Hubby and I rented a house with our sons and fiancé V, within walking distance to Sistah B’s waterfront home. She and her husband actually live on Folly Beach, the last barrier island across the water from Charleston. It was a wonderful setting for a joint Love Boat theme engagement party!
So now that you have a general idea of who, what and where, let’s raise anchor and set sail to party (warning, rocky seas with numerous corny puns ahead lol)!
Looking for a quick and easy way to set a Valentines Day table without investing in specialty holiday dishes? Then, learn how to make a draped, heart-shape napkin.
It’s one of 20 different Napkin Folds for All Seasons, Holidays & Occasionsthat I’ve included in numerous tablescapes over the past few years. I’m a big proponent of using napkin folds to enhance a setting and raise the bar in terms of table styling. Not only that, but if you already have the fabric napkins, there is no additional cost.
Another major benefit is that fabric napkins are reusable and easy to store — taking up little space. And, they aren’t breakable like dishes and glassware. That’s a big part of the appeal for me. As a life-long dish addict, I have an extensive tableware collection, and am maxed out on storage space. Incorporating unique folds (or by changing the napkin color and pattern) allows me to continually update the styling of table settings.
Since sharing the Romance & Red Roses Reign on Sweetheart Table, I’ve had numerous requests on how I folded the soft draped heart. Let me show you how to do the moderate difficulty heart-shape napkin in five illustrated steps.
As part of this year’s Valentines Tablescape Blog Hop, I’ve pulled out my West Elm Dapper Animal plates to set a romantic table.
Depicted on the whimsical plates are either a gentleman owl sporting a monocle and top hat, or lady penguin wearing a dazzling diamond necklace. It’s perfect Puttin’ on the Ritz attire for an evening out on the town to celebrate Valentines Day.
Originally, I purchased six plates for a New Year’s Eve dinner party. To ring in 2022 with our sons and eldest’s girl, I used them to serve five a meal of surf (crab cakes) and turf (filet mignon fondue), while sipping champagne.
It was the first time we’ve all been together for New Year’s Eve in a very long time. As a result, the ‘kids’ had never seen the plates before. That’s when it dawned on me that I was only getting use of the awesome dishes once a year! Right then and there, I decided to build a romantic table setting around them for Valentines Day.
Please pull up a virtual seat at my Puttin’ on the Ritz little soiree — formal attire is not required!
For Valentines Day this year, I’ve styled a sweetheart table that’s decorated with classic symbols of the holiday — red hearts and roses.
Accompanying the table setting is a queenly centerpiece with a beautifully decorated chandelier overhead.
I’ve carried the theme to the nearby kitchen island, with a coordinating topiary and individual place settings on the bar.
There’s even a heart-shaped wreath hanging on the door.
And what’s a sweetheart table without napkins folded in the shape of a heart? Because not only am I ever the Queen of Theme and Debbee, but also of Hearts this Valentine’s Day, lol!
Today, I’m sharing a variety of heartwarming Valentines Day ideas that celebrate love and friendship.
It’s taken me awhile to get back to blogging while regrouping after Christmas, doing physical therapy twice daily, slowly resuming normal activities, and trying to catch up on household chores.
But then, the violence and attack on our democracy Jan 6th shattered that view. It felt like a nightmare instead of reality, and undermined any sense of optimism for 2021. I was horrified, scared, deeply depressed and angry. How about you? A sense of paralysis set in for several weeks, with no motivation to do anything that wasn’t necessary — until the inauguration helped to lift my spirits.
And like song says, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” Now more than ever! So join me friends, for a roundup of Valentines Day ideas, along with a few new ways to celebrate love and friendship.
It’s time for the first tablescape hop of 2020, and I’ve set a pink Valentines Day table and island bar in the open kitchen.
I’ve also incorporated a few sweet Scottie dog accents. They elicit many happy memories of Fibber McGee, My Fuzzy Funny Valentine.
Our hostess, Chloe of Celebrate and Decorate, has changed the scheduling for tablescape hops. Previously, the weeklong format ran Monday through Friday, with four to five new tables each day. Starting with this Valentines Day Tablescape Hop, all stylists publish their posts on the same day.
I like the change and hope you will too? No longer will it be necessary to check back throughout the week. Instead, you can hop to your heart’s content via links at the bottom.
If you’re new to Debbee’s Buzz, or coming from Liz’s Be Mine Table, a warm welcome! Hope you find a sweet idea or two for your own Valentines Day table.
Thanks for buzzing by! I'd love to hear from you, please leave a comment.
Hi! I'm Debbee, a maker of all manner of things, who likes to incorporate themes into craft projects, holiday and seasonal decor, table settings, and parties. My friends call me, the Queen of Theme lol!
Home is the suburbs of Pittsburgh, but I also enjoy exploring the world with my husband. We raised two wonderful sons and are now early retirees.
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Meet Glenfiddich "Whiskey," a brindle coat Scottie and full of vim and vigor!
