Valentine's Day Dinner

I'm sending this old post (complete with bad photography) to a fun linky party.  You can find it here:

Here's the way my post read almost two years ago:

We celebrated Valentine's Day a few days early with some special friends.  The table was a high/low mixture, which I love to do.  The only thing on the table that is strictly Valentine's Day is the salad plate, the rest is just a mix of red and white.

We're still in shock that we had Valentine's Day snow here in Georgia, but it did make for a pretty picture of the pond in the front driveway circle.

Of course, the swan  (egret? stork?) got a pretty ribbon and faux flower.  Isn't the snow pretty on that peony?  The bird always gets the decoration instead of the little guy, because I can reach it standing on the side of the pond surround. 

Next to greet our guests was this wooden plaque from Michael's that I just added pretty ribbons to and hung it from the "speakeasy door".  I forgot to take a picture of the gates which are the first thing guests see.  I hung heart shaped wreaths with faux peonies and lots of ribbons. 

Here's the inspiration for the table and one of my most cherished possessions.  It's a square linen cloth with heart trim that my sweet mom crocheted for me years ago.  It really pops on this red linen tablecloth.

I use it for Valentine's Day and often find a way to work it into the decor of a wedding shower.  I also used it in some way for both of my daughters' bridesmaids luncheons.

The centerpiece was a wicker and wood stand with holes just right for 3 common sized terracotta pots.  I fill them with oasis and then put as many red carnations into them as they will hold.  Then just a few galax leaves make a slight frill around the bottom.  This centerpiece will last for two weeks or more.

Here's a better look at it.  It's chippy and cheerful!

I'm sorry for the quality of this photo.  I forgot to get a close-up so this is over-cropped.  Do you see who came to dinner?  Look closely.  George Clooney!

I put some dream dates on the cardstock flag and asked everyone to pick a seat with the name they most resemble.  It was pretty fun.  Mr. Pressed Pants elected to sit here.  Good choice.  I also put a little glitter embossed and stamped heart on the flag and tucked it into these striped napkins folded in the shape of a heart.  If you Google "heart shaped napkin fold" you'll find several sites with instructions on how to do this fold.  BTW, I took the last seat and it was for Jennifer Aniston.  I hear you laughing!!!!

I chose my mismatched silverplate and the pearl handled knives. 

Glassware was these etched pinky-red stems for water (I'd still like to know more about these.  Anyone?), and Waterford Lismore wine glasses.

These sweet cherub candlesticks held simple white candles. 

The key to my heart, anyone?  I scattered several keys adorned with simple bows around the table.  These keys were actually handed to us when we closed on our first house, believe it or not!  That makes them a very nostalgic addition.

These red chargers are available anywhere and the dinner plates were just some I found at a yard sale.  They are more like pottery.  The red and white plate came from Target last year.  It is plastic.  I never hesitate to use plastic mixed with "good stuff".  Unless you are celebrating a very solemn occasion, go for the mix!  I use these simple red glass bread and butter plates lots of different ways.  Can you see the heart shaped butter pats?

Waterford wine coasters, a French butter container and red s/p shakers finished off the table.

The back of each chair had lots of tulle, ribbons, and a sparkley red heart.  Who doesn't love a sparkley red heart?

As usual, I carried the theme over to the guest powder room.  That small heart shaped box held Altoids.  I got this idea from my best friend.  She always has them in her powder room.  It is so nice to pop one in after garlic bread, ya know?  I just leave the lid slightly ajar and welcome anyone to freshen up!

These frilly flowers and this cherub embossed salt glazed pitcher are made for each other.

And.....as the other powder room says on a vintage postcard......."Valentine greetings" to all of my blogging friends.

You'll find me posted at Between Naps on the Porch for Susan's Tabletop Thursday party.  Be sure to visit for lots of inspiration.

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