Blog - Graceful Order

How to Set a Beautiful Table on a Budget

July 6, 2015 · by Maria · 1 Comment

I love to set a beautiful table! Seriously, I think out how to dress the table before even figuring out a menu for my dinner party. But setting a formal table does not have to equate dollar signs. There are so many ideas to curb the cost or even use items that you probably already own. Below are a few of my favorite tips for setting a beautiful table on a budget:

1. Buy fabric by the yard instead of a tablecloth.

This is my first and favorite tip. Tablecloths can be really expensive and if you have a large table like I do, the price tag can be hefty. I prefer to purchase fabric by the yard and either hem it later or just leave as is. Last week I shared a picture of some of my latest fabric finds on my Instagram account.

If you are not already following Graceful Order on Instagram, you can find me HERE.

2. Use good quality faux plants from around the house and skip the fresh flowers.

I LOVE real flowers and I use them when I can but there is no doubt that they raise the cost of setting a pretty table. If you do purchase a small bouquet you can place one flower bud in separate little vases or cups down the center of your table. But to avoid buying flowers altogether, bring in good quality faux plants from around the house and use as a centerpiece.

3. Make your dessert the centerpiece.

A pretty cake on a pedestal or cupcakes on a tiered server can also be a great centerpiece. Pretty, practical and skip the peonies!

4. Add a pop of color with a salad plate or a soup bowl.

White dishes are my absolute favorite. Investing in one set of simple white plates can be inexpensive and so versatile. I would rather add a pop of color using a pretty napkin or a salad plate that I can rest on top. I found these salad plates at Homegoods and I paired them with these white plates that I have had for many years and these light gray napkins that are my new favorite.

5. Add a napkin ring or create your own.

Since I love setting a table, I have collected quite a few dinner party items over the years. If you are only going to have one set of napkin rings, purchase a set that is simple and will go with any color place setting. If you don’t own napkin rings or want a unique alternative – I love using thyme or rosemary as an accent on top of the napkin. Depending on the strength of the thyme, you can even tie it around your napkin like a ring, but I also love the simplicity of a sprig of rosemary resting on a napkin.

6. Print and cut your own place cards.

I didn’t use place cards in this table setting but I usually use them to avoid the confusion of where to sit. Using place cards may sound a bit restrictive or formal but they actually help to avoid that moment where as a guest you have no idea where to sit. You can even use the tines of the fork to hold your simple place card.

7. Invest in cloth napkins.

Cloth napkins definitely make a table setting more special. I probably have 15 sets of different color napkins and I rarely pay more than 1.00 per napkin. If you want your napkins to last and you don’t want to fuss with them too much, always keep in mind what you are serving when choosing the color napkin. If you are serving something with a red sauce, chose a dark color napkin to avoid ruining your light yellow ones with tomato stains.

8. Use white candles inside clear votives to add drama and romance to your table.

This is one of my favorite ideas, especially for events in the evening. If you cluster lots of white candles, they can double as a centerpiece. You can also sprinkle a few around your decorated table as a finishing touch. Keep in mind that your candles should be unscented so that they are not competing with the aroma from your meal.

There are so many options and ideas that keep the cost low and the style high at your next dinner party. What are some of your favorite tips for setting a pretty table?

Short Notice Entertaining for the Fourth of July

June 29, 2015 · by Maria · Leave a Comment

Have you ever decided at the very last minute that you are going to host a get together? Sometimes as a holiday approaches my husband and I will be talking in the morning, sipping on coffee and he will tell me “you want to do a little something for the 4th and invite a few friends?” And that’s how this post was inspired. I want to share with you how easy it is to put together a little party that looks like it took a whole lot more planning than it actually did.

Our backyard (the pool) is under construction, but that is no reason to not utilize the terrace. Just becasue everything isn’t perfect doesn’t mean you can’t create a perfect little nook. I first placed this 4 ft table on the terrace, in front of our kitchen window and got to work.

I then added a blue stripe fabric to the table that I had purchased at Walmart (way less expensive than an actual tablecloth). As a backdrop I used a patriotic pleated fan that I purchased at Target a few years ago. All those fans and flags go on a steep sale right after the fourth and that’s your chance to grab a few.

I inverted a plastic beverage bowl to create a little height for the drinks, which I placed on a galvanized tray.

This little white pail holds the straws – of course, red and blue (they were leftover from our boys’ birthday parties).

Another pail holds a ton of glow sticks. Kids love those and they also go on sale after the fourth so stock up.

Now onto the food. Like I said this is last minute so we won’t be fussing over preparing a ton of food. Enter hot dogs, everyone loves a good hot dog.

Another item that I usually have on hand is pesto in a jar. You can dress up any dish with pesto by adding it to pasta, or in this case creating a little caprese salad.

And you already know that I had a ton of salsa on hand since I shared my recipe last week. You can find it here. So I just opened up a bag of chips and this is always a crowd pleaser!

So let’s add some sweets to the mix. I purchased these already made from the store but they are so easy to make at home. Simply layer vanilla pudding with masserated fruit and top off with whipped cream. The other container has pudding with crushed cannoli and topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips. It looks super fancy but it’s also super easy. Of course you can also buy a ready-made cake.

This whole party is laid back but we do need some plates and utensils. I found these gorgeous plates at Sur la table (60% off!) and the best part is that they are plastic!

Here is one last tip for outdoor entertaining: Place a plant on the table that repels insects. I chose this lavender plant but basil and rosemary work as well.

I hope you enjoyed these tips and that they inspire you to gather more often despite short notice plans.

How are you all celebrating the 4th this year?

5 Fast and Fresh Weeknight Meals

June 22, 2015 · by Maria · 1 Comment

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, Birds Eye®, and Tyson® but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FastFreshFilling http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

This week I am partnering with Tyson and Birds Eye to bring you 5 quick and nutritious meals that are perfect for any night of the week, but especially hectic weeknights. So I headed to Walmart to find the Tyson® Grilled & Ready® Chicken Breast Fillets which are fully cooked and a few of the Birds Eye Steamfresh® Protein Blends (I chose Asian and Italian style).

The first meal I worked on is Chicken Teriyaki over vegetables and grains from Birds Eye Asian style blend. While I placed the chicken with a tablespoon or two of teriyaki in a pan to quickly heat it up (since it is already fully cooked), I heated the protein side dish in the microwave. It all came together so quickly and check out the finished product!

Next I thought of one of my kids favorites, chicken quesadillas.

These were even more flavorful than the ones I have made in the past because the grilled chicken adds a another layer of yumminess.

I added the quesadillas to a grill pan and just like that – meal numero DOS was complete!

Next up is an easy and healthy meal using bib or butter lettuce, chicken breast, and the italian protein blend.

I carefully separated the lettuce leaves so that they would serve as “cups” for the rest of my ingredients. I added some parsley and avocado to the mix and there you have it – Meal number 3.

Healthy and filling!

Moving on to something more decadent – Chicken Spaghetti Alfredo. While I cooked the pasta until it was al dente, I heated up the chicken and the alfredo sauce in a pan. I added the cooked pasta and let it absorb some of the flavors and…

Mangia Time! Dish number 4 was delicious and there were no leftovers!

If Taco night is a staple at your home, you will love how quickly this last dish comes together. I already had fresh salsa and flour tortillas in the refrigerator so this was a cinch to prepare.

I finished off my tacos with avocado slices, cilantro and queso fresco (any crumbling cheese will do).

Five easy and delicious weeknight means done in no time! Using chicken that is already cooked cuts so much prep and cooking time in the kitchen! You can also feel good about using Tyson chicken breasts because they are 100% natural and have no preservatives or hormones added. The Birds Eye veggies have added proteins which round out your meal. And a table full of happy and full family members rounds off your night.

What is your favorite quick weeknight meal?

Delicious Roasted Salsa

June 15, 2015 · by Maria · 2 Comments

Today I shared the picture below on my Instagram stating that I was about to make salsa. Some wanted to know details about the recipe and others had questions about freezing it. So here is one of my favorite salsa recipes – I hope you love it!

Ingredients:

20 tomatoes (Roma tomatoes)

7 jalapeños

2 onions

7 garlic cloves

1 large bunch of cilantro

1-2 tablespoons of salt (depending on the size of tomatoes)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375.

Cut up the tomatoes and onions into large chunks and spread onto a baking sheet pan. Remove the caps off the jalapeños, then cut the jalapeños lengthwise, and remove the stem and some of the seeds (read tip below). Add the 7 whole cloves of garlic. Toss everything onto 2 sheet pans.

Heat tip: In order to keep the heat off your hands, you may want to wear gloves when cutting up the jalapeños. For really hot salsa, do not remove the seeds of the jalapeños. For medium-hot salsa remove the seeds from half of the jalapeños. For medium salsa, remove all the seeds from the jalapeños. For mild salsa, hold the jalapeños under running water and remove the seeds and inside membrane of the jalapeño.

Place the trays in the oven and roast for about an hour. Check the trays after 45 minutes so that the roasted tomato mixture does not burn. You should see a bit of char on the edges of the onions or tomatoes, but nothing should look like it’s burning.

Remove the trays from the oven and allow to cool slightly. When you can handle the contents, place them in a bowl and take them over to your food processor. I suggest you do the following in 2 or 3 batches to avoid over filling the processor.

Place a good amount of the roasted tomato, onion, jalapeno and garlic mix into the processor, I then add a small bunch of cilantro and a bit of the salt. Process until desired consistency and then add to a large bowl or container. Continue to do this in batches until you have used all the roasted mixture and the cilantro bunch (and the salt to taste).

Now we are ready to place your yummy salsa into jars. This makes about 4-5 large jars depending on the size of the tomatoes you use and the jars, of course. I like to use a canning funnel for this because it makes pouring easier. The salsa will still be somewhat hot at this point.

After placing in the refrigerator for a few hours, you are ready to break out the nachos!

Freezing tip: When I make 5 jars of this salsa, I like to freeze a jar or two because I know that we won’t go through so much salsa. The problem is that salsa once frozen can get a little watery. If this does happen, you can always chop up some Roma tomatoes and add them to your defrosted salsa, which should fix the consistency.

For more great ideas for Mexican night, check out the links below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Summer Bedroom Makeover

June 8, 2015 · by Maria · 154 Comments

I love the feeling that I get when I walk into my bedroom late at night, after cooking dinner, doing dishes, reading bedtime stories, and I can finally peel the sheets away and get into my comfy bed. You already know that I have a weakness for white bedding so when I started to collaborate with JC Penny HOME a few weeks ago, I knew exactly the bedding that I wanted. But I already have nice bedding, right? Yup, I love my plain white comforter but I thought I would change it up for the summer by adding a fun pattern to my usual plain white choice. I chose this comforter set from the Eva Longoria Home™ collection, called Marrakech. I ordered it online and within a few days these beauties arrived at my door.

Arranging it on the bed was the exciting part. I like how the bold print stands out from the crisp white background.

Changing the comforter in your bedroom can have a huge impact on the overall look of the room. Even if you don’t like your existing bedroom furniture it is way less expensive to make a pretty bed than to buy a pretty bed. This collection’s sale prices range from $129.99 to $169.99, and each bedding set includes a comforter, two shams and a bed skirt (which I didn’t use because my style of bed does not require one), and the coordinating decorative pillows are available from $34.99 to $39.99 each, also currently on sale.

The collection definitely has options and they are all inspired by her travels around the world, so you are sure to find one that fits your own personal style. The one that I chose was inspired by Moroccan lattice. It is a modern take on a traditional pattern. I love how the coordinating pillows which are sold separately “match” but they are not in the exact pattern as the comforter set. It definitely adds a more high end feel to the overall look.

When asked to describe her bedding collection Eva Longoria said, “Each bedding ensemble offers a unique aesthetic inspired by Moroccan lattice, the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, the serene lavender fields in Spain and ornate Moorish tiles that give any room a touch of worldly elegance. By drawing inspiration from these beautiful and exotic places, I can help others create a home that is stylish, yet casual and inviting.” I am only featuring one of the styles, so I encourage you to check out the whole Eva Longoria Home™ collection.

Of course I always love to end these posts with a giveaway! You can enter the giveaway by simply answering the following question: What’s your favorite piece from the Eva Longoria Home™ collection?” Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 JCPenney gift card.

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