Table Setting Ideas | Grin and Bake It!

Category Archives: Table Setting Ideas

Written on November 3, 2009 by Kate

I knew the day was coming, I just didn’t realize how soon it would happen. I’m not prepared. What do I say? Is honesty always the best policy? Are there exceptions when you consider the fact that we’re only young once? I have absolutely no clue! What I am certain of, is that being a parent is, by far, the hardest job on Earth!

My son came home a few days ago and reported in his very matter-of-fact way that a few of the other third graders were saying that there was no such thing as Santa. So I said what I was always told, Santa comes to those who believe. I’m not sure that satisfied him (or me for that matter), but it at least bought me a little time.

My son is very intellectual. I’m sure if he thought about it, he’d question the physics of a sleigh in flight, and the improbability of it soaring all over the earth in the span of one evening. I’m sure he’d argue that all of the world’s presents could not fit in such a small space, and certainly he could look at my chimney and realize that you’d have to be a size double zero to fit down it. I guess, the truth is, that we believe in it because we want to believe. It is only when peer pressure kicks in and forces us out of this magical state that we, sadly, come to the realization that it isn’t real.

This leads me to these beautiful, milky-white cupcake stands, pictured above, that I’ve been pining over for quite some time. Does the same logic apply…if I believe in the Cupcake Fairy, is there a chance that she will leave these in my kitchen one night while I’m fast asleep? These have been out of stock for a long time and are finally available again. And if the Cupcake Fairy doesn’t come soon (or Santa – hint, hint Mom!) , I may have to break down and buy them.

These custom fairy cake toppers, from Wee Cute Treasures, are handmade in Ireland, and available on Etsy. How cute would these be on top of a birthday girl’s cake? Cupcake Fairy, can you add one of these to my wish list?

I do have a bit of an obsession with cake stands. I think the simple ones make the biggest statement and are the most versatile. Here are a few of my current favorites.

(Left: Pottery Barn White Top Right: Farmhouse Wares Scalloped Bottom Right: Rosanna Rococo Black)

Gift Ideas, Parties, Products, Table Setting Ideas

7 Comments - Leave a comment!

Print This Post

Written on October 23, 2009 by Lynda

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Planning on having a Halloween Cocktail Party? My friends got together for a girls night out last night. We were asked by the hostess to bring an appetizer and a drink. I purchased a small loaf of sourdough bread and cut it on the diagonal to create a larger surface. I cut into each bread slice with a pumpkin cookie cutter. Surprisingly it was quite easy! I dyed olive oil orange by adding yellow and red food coloring and whisking it until it turned orange, then brushed the pumpkin cutouts with the orange olive oil, and sprinkled them with small amount of garlic salt. I toasted the bread at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes until the edges a slightly browned. I cut a 4″ X 6″ piece of pate with mini Halloween cookie cutters. For the eyes on the ghost, the cat and the bat I used black sesame seeds. When the toast cooled I placed the pate on top.

For the second appetizer I tried to create a spider. I used 8 toothpicks and placed 3 pieces of shrimp on each toothpick. For the head I used baby bella mushrooms and stuffed them with crab (see my recipe for crab cakes). I baked the stuffed mushrooms at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. To assemble I placed two toothpicks of shrimp together to form the body (six legs). The stuffed mushrooms attach to the toothpicks and become the head. My simple recipe for shrimp sauce is catsup (1 cup) + horseradish (1 tablespoon) to taste.

Candy Corn Martini - 1 part Rose’s Mango + 2 parts candy corn infused vodka*

*1 cup candy corn + 2 cups vodka – mix and refrigerate for one day and up to 3 weeks.

Appetizer, Breads, Candy, Drinks, Gourmet Group, Holidays, Martinis, Parties, Recipes, Table Setting Ideas

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Print This Post

Written on October 9, 2009 by Kate

8 Comments - Leave a comment!

Top row: candle in pumpkin, sunflower arrangement, pumpkins with ribbon, Bottom row: glitter pumpkins, orange flower pumpkin, pumpkin arrangement

As promised, more fall centerpiece ideas, and this week it’s all about the pumpkin. From simple to crafty to elegant and practical, here are a few extreme pumpkin makeover ideas. You can hollow out your pumpkin and turn it into a vase or if you’re pumpkin-less, make your own floral pumpkin (which looks gorgeous on the white cake stand). Add a little ambiance by turning your pumpkin into a candle holder. And sometimes simple can make a bold statement. How easy is it to wrap ribbons around mini pumpkins and display them together. You know I’m a sucker for sunflowers. They always scream happiness to me. You can add some height with sunflowers, by keeping the stems long and arranging them in a hollowed out pumpkin. And if you’re all about the bling, try Martha’s glitter pumpkins. She provides detailed instructions on her site.

My new love happens to be at my mom’s, as we speak, getting a makeover. I can’t wait for the big reveal. I fell in love with a Crown Prince pumpkin this week and couldn’t resist it. Okay, it’s not Prince Charming, but it also won’t leave its clothes on the floor or dishes in the sink! Have you seen these pumpkins? They are a beautiful blue gray color. Next week I’ll be sharing a few “not your ordinary” pumpkin centerpieces - and will reveal my Crown Prince pumpkin.

-Anxiously awaiting Prince Charming’s arrival on my doorstep!

Centerpieces, Holidays, Parties, Table Setting Ideas

8 Comments - Leave a comment!

Print This Post

Written on September 24, 2009 by Kate

3 Comments - Leave a comment!

Place cards are not just for weddings and formal affairs. Using them at your dinner parties and family gatherings can add a personal touch and show your guests how much you care that they’re part of the festivities. Of course, the cynic in me will add that place cards are also a way for the hostess to take control over where the guests are seated.

In our family, we’ve had an unspoken place card tradition since I was little. To this day, when my mom hosts a party, she sets her table the night before. This always gave the rest of us plenty of time to decide who we were and weren’t going to get stuck by (I mean sit by!). When the Queen of Entertaining was busy in the kitchen, one of us would sneak in and move the place cards around. If I remember correctly, my dad was the one who started it, but my sis and I caught on quick. By the time guests arrived, there were always multiple seating arrangements.

Do you remember making these origami fortune tellers during recess when you were a kid? My best girlfriend and I were recently reminiscing about these. We used to write the names of who we might marry, how many kids we’d have, and what we’d drive. Isn’t this a fun idea to use them as place cards? They can also double as your party menu.

Another clever idea that won’t cost you very much is to put together these spice jar favors. They can be used as both a name card and a unique party favor. They’re perfect for a shower or a tea.

Check out the other ideas below. Hope you’re inspired! I know I am!

Votive With Tag, Eucalyptus Leaf, Lamb’s Ear Leaf, Cupcake Name Cards, Maple Leaf With Favor Pouch

Favors, Holidays, Parties, Products, Table Setting Ideas, Tips

3 Comments - Leave a comment!

Print This Post

Written on September 10, 2009 by Kate

1 Comment - Leave a comment!

If you read my apple martini post, then you know I have a slight aversion to apples (and it has nothing to do with the taste). As a little girl, in Missouri, I would go apple picking with my family. And as a mom, I’ll never forget taking my son apple picking, not long after he learned to walk. He was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen!

I love this time of year. In California, we usually only have one season – It’s called “sunny”, and when there is a change, like drizzle, or fog, or God forbid hail, our weathermen get absolutely giddy! We’re talking big news! Try teaching kindergarteners here the four seasons. They often just don’t get it because our weather is usually so stable. Since it tends to be hot this time of year, my son and I have a few rituals that we do to make it feel more like fall. He told me just yesterday, “You know mom, it’s not fall until we make our caramel popcorn.” Yikes, he sounds just like his mom!

I also love finding ways to celebrate fall with my decor. Check out these apple centerpiece ideas. In case you’re wondering, the picture in the center is a bowl and canister filled with apple martinis. It was used both as the signature cocktail and the centerpiece for a baby shower. Love that!

Hope you’re inspired! More fall centerpieces to share next week!

apples in basket, apples and gerbers, floating apples, red apples with beads, apples in tall vase, apples in apple martini bowl, apples with branches, apples in twig basket, fruit with candle display,

Centerpieces, Holidays, Parties, Table Setting Ideas, Tips

1 Comment - Leave a comment!

Print This Post

Baking my way through the trials and triumphs of life!

Category Archives: Table Setting Ideas