Saturday, April 3, 2021

How to Dye Your Spring Easter Eggs Naturally ~ Plus Recipe for the Best Deviled Eggs


https://c1.wallpaperflare.com/preview/828/780/849/easter-egg-basket-food.jpg
photo courtesy: wallpaper flare


If one is a dedicated foodie; moreover a bit compulsive about sustainability and keeping chemicals off your family’s ingredients menu, then coloring Easter or spring eggs should be made using homegrown, pure ingredients, not synthetic food coloring. Some years ago, I set out to discover – or rediscover – how to color eggs with natural – plant-based dyes. Yes, the fizzie PAAS Easter Eggs is a holiday favorite or tradition. But those pellets are rather scary. 

In search of a better Easter egg, there was the year we pursued the Easter Egg Designs & Craft Ideas | inspired by Martha Stewart where one blows out the inside of the eggs and uses a wax crayon to inscribe the name of family and dinner guests -- I like to use them as place card markers sitting in a pretty egg cup with the beribboned monogrammed eggs hung from forced cherry blossom or pussy willow stems in a seasonal talblescape design.

This decoration is a bit more complicated than straight to dying but if cared for, they last forever.



My quest was to create a natural food coloring for the Easter eggs that will decorate the baskets and tablescape. After some research, including Junior League friends - the plan was to more or less follow the recipe or guidelines as provided by a Katie Fox, SimpleHomemade blog from 2010. Fox was unavailable for an interview.

However the recipe seemed quite doable and fun. Most of the ingredients were on hand, and the others are readily available from the garden or pantry or accessed from the market.

Dyeing Easter/Spring Eggs the Natural Way:
In addition to eggs, you will need white vinegar, water, and veggies, fruits, and spices for colors. Don’t leave out the vinegar – it is a necessary fixative, ensuring that the color will adhere to the eggs.
Reds/Pinks:
• grated beets
• chopped cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• Red Zinger tea
• chopped frozen cherries

Blues/Purples:
• chopped frozen blueberries
• chopped red cabbage
• red onion skins

Yellows/Golds:
• yellow/brown onion skins
• chamomile tea
• ground turmeric
• saffron

Greens:
• chopped spinach

How to ~ Next Steps:
Mix these together to create other colors, as well; for example, reds and yellows combine to produce orange shades. Customize your colors.

It’s a fun and easy way to teach children about colors.
  • Use about 2-3 cups of water in a saucepan for each color. 
  • Add one tablespoon of vinegar and the plant(s) of choice. 
  • Bring to a boil for fifteen minutes before adding eggs.
The chopping of the frozen blueberries and the spinach was easy. Likewise, the grating of the beets.

Rather than use four different pots on the cooktop (after all, there might be a big holiday dinner in prep for Easter!), the microwave was employed.

The natural ingredients were added to coffee cups, with the vinegar and heated for five minutes to a boil.


The best color was the chamomile and yellow onion skins. The yellow was a bright and happy hue.

The red turned out to be more pink. It worked better with the addition of the rest of the beet. Don’t shave it – just cut it up and add to the vinegar water.

The thinking was to turbo-charge the blue color and add a blueberry tea to the frozen chopped blueberries for the test recipe.

After all, the chamomile worked swell. But the blue turned out to be more grayish blue initially. The addition of more vinegar accelerated the blue color.

The only real failure was the green. Which is more than disappointing as the spinach even dyed the cutting board when chopped! Perhaps more spinach and a bigger container to accommodate the intensified plant dye ingredient.

The result was great Yellows, and good Red & Pinks and Blues. Happy spring. Enjoy the egg salad, sans colored shells.


Since I first created this post, commercial food makers must’ve heard the Mom’s cry for Natural & Organic. Consequently, there are now a few brands available and ready to use straight from the retail shelf or online. If the Easter Bunny has you hopping around with too many tasks, here are a few suggestions from which to choose:


ColorKitchen: Plant-based, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Artificial Dye-Free, Vegan, and lots of deep, rich colors:
  • Blue: spirulina extract.

  • Pink: beet powder.

  • Yellow: turmeric.

  • Orange: turmeric, annatto extract.

  • Green: turmeric, spirulina extract.
Even the spice behemoth, McCormick offers all-natural food coloring pack derived from plants: vegetables and seeds.



Chefmaster Natural Liqua-Gels to create all-natural, vibrant food coloring -- they even offer Black in their line:



Egg Salad Recipe:
This is my family-favorite Duchess Deviled Egg Recipe that I’m asked to make every year and share with all for Easter Dinner. Placed on the special, pink, petal deviled egg platter - it’s a glamorous presentation. Don’t you just love single-use dishes and tablescape serving pieces? It’s a lost art to find and use them. A pity. My friend, Sean Sullivan, publisher of House Beautiful, Veranda, and Elle at Hearst - also had a blog, Spectacularly Delicious, (for the culinary chic) - more or less dedicated to these single-use, traditional serving dishes.

Back to the Devilishly Delicious Duchess Egg Recipe:

  • Place room temperature eggs into a pot with water covering the eggs. 
  • Bring the water to a boil, cover, remove from heat, allow to sit for 10-15 minutes. 
  • Add cold water to the pot and remove the eggs. Allow to cool. This method makes it easier to remove the shells, keeps the whites pure - especially important in making egg salad and deviled eggs (no grey or bluish whites.) It also provides a rich, creamy yolk.
  • Six eggs, removed from shells and broken up with a fork. 
  •  Add diced and chopped red onion to taste, even amounts of mayonnaise and sour cream -- I also add a dollop of creme fraiche, teaspoon of chives - or to taste. A ¼ teaspoon of dry mustard, and a splash of briny pickle juice (straight from the jar). 
  • Mix well and refrigerate. Can be used in lettuce wraps or on salad dish with arugula or market-fresh lettuces and asparagus from the garden. 
  •  Sprinkle with good paprika. 
  • Cut the eggs along the length of the egg using a warm knife (running warm water over knife after each cut so that egg debris doesn’t litter up the next egg white. 
  • Remove the yolks from the egg and set aside. 
  • Mix all the above ingredients into the egg yolks, (be sure to dice the red onion very fine.) 
  • Arrange the egg whites on a special deviled egg platter - or use a plate. 
  • Place edible pansies or other flowers around the eggs - not only is it pretty but the blossoms will prevent the eggs from sliding into one another. 
  • Using a pastry bag, pipe the egg yolk mixture into the egg white “shells.” There are swirls and scallops options that will elevate the deviled egg to elegant, edible, entertainment to grace the cocktail bar, brunch or dinner tablescape. 
  • Dust with paprika and garnish with cornichons nestled around those edible flowers.
Food Moves
While for many, there is still a sheltering in place due to the pandemic, albeit even if a bit modified, but if you are traveling or just eating outdoors, there’s the dodgy issue of transporting your homemade menu items to the other end of the celebration. And hopefully, there’s bound to be leftovers, so “Food Moves” is a challenge.

Some years ago I was introduced to the Snapware®: On-the-Go Collection. After all, we are all such a very mobile cohort. We need to take our homegrown food with us - to holiday celebrations - or now that it’s spring - out to enjoy nature at one of the your town or city’s many beautiful parks. The company says, “...The Snapware® brand helps you keep your everyday life in motion, by offering innovative storage products for food and craft supplies, to pet and home products.”

Early on, I test-drove the product line and can heartily recommend the solutions for a number of reasons. One is the containers are made of glass. In a world of too much plastic, including plastic wrap, it’s important to make the switch to storage solutions that are sustainable, clean - and easy to use. The dishes can go from refrigerator to the oven to dishwasher.

I use them at the counter when cooking to hold food scraps - for compost or for a soup’s mirepoix. This tip was given by author and celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse at a Snapware cooking demo I attended. He also said using Snapware changed his life. Really?! That’s a bold statement. Lest you think this is brand advocate hyperbole, I can readily assure you it is not. From a cooking and storage and transport standpoint, there is could be no better friend to the home cook and kitchen manager than Snapware. At a recent World Kitchen event, their many American-made brands were on display, including CorningWare | Chicago Cutlery, Corelle and Pyrex. These products are like having your mother helping in the kitchen - smart, experienced and trustworthy - you know you can count on them; they won’t let you down. Further, the line continues to evolve and improve. There are now a number of transportable food storage Snapware containers with Ice Pack included that will keep the food food chilled. The company has designed the containers so that the ice doesn’t melt into the food: the ice pack fits underneath or top of the lid. The sizes range from a 3-cup to a 5-cup container with removable divider trays to keep food elements separated when the ingredients are distinct. All the products in the line are well-made, stackable, and the lids come in happy, bright, crayon colors of blue, green, aqua. Your food will love jumping into these containers and will return the fresh, tasty love.

Here’s Snapware’s impressive specs: The Snapware® Total Solution® Glass containers with inserts complement the growing trend of consumers switching from processed foods to fresh foods in the kitchen. These items combine the Snapware brand’s trusted airtight leak-proof lids with inserts that preserve freshness and encourage healthy eating.

Very affordable price points from $5.99 to $12.99.

There’s also a line of colorful, Snapware® Entertain-A-BowlsTM Line: The new Entertain-a-Bowls are spill-proof, are pretty enough to be used to serve right on the table, as well as storage for an on-the-go foodie obsessed with freshness and carrying handles provide easy chic transportability. All bowls are available in a fun pop of color outside with polished white bow interiors. The bowls are easy on the wallet too; $8.99 to $24.99.

Get these products now for an organized spring cleanup. And use them in your fresh-food prep - and get out to the parks and enjoy the season and nature.  

 

Happy Natural Spring. Enjoy the Holidays. Cheers!


Friday, March 26, 2021

Learn How Lava MaeX CEO Doniece Sandoval Brought Dignity To Her Community: View My Ladies Who Lunch Conversations on Facebook Live Interview & Discover What Radical Hospitality Is

 

Forget the Ides of March; its spark of a civil  war. 

While the month of March is named after the Roman god of war, Mars, I find the month really one of the happiest months of the year. 

There’s an abundance of things to celebrate: It’s the start of spring, the traditional partying surrounding St. Patrick’s Day, and then there’s Pi Day -- and the premiere of the year’s celestial Supermoons. 

And of course, we salute Women’s History Month and International Women's Day.


But after some thoughtful introspection, I got to thinking… 

Then a wee bit more research to support a burgeoning theory. Ultimately, I came full circle to very much embrace the March moniker and its war myth as it related to this blog post. 


I found that not only was the Mars altar in Rome dedicated by Numa, the peace-loving semi-legendary second king of Rome; moreover, I read that there is a connection to “a kind of life force or virtue that is an essential characteristic of Mars.”

And then I saw this: “As an agricultural guardian, Mars directs his energies toward creating conditions that allow crops to grow, which may include warding off hostile forces of nature.” 

I added the italics to mark the correlation of where I’m going with this.


Clearly, I was feeling ~ and seeing ~ more of the connection and cosmic link to my March 10th, Ladies Who Lunch Conversations special guest.   

The incredibly inspiring, visionary community advocate who triumphs over such systemic adversity that would stymie, thwart, or even freeze lesser spirits is Doniece Sandoval, the Founder & Advisor, LavaMaeX 

I hope she will forgive me but I now see that Doniece was indeed at a kind of “war” with the lack of providence and care for those not living in a structured home. The “those” are the folks we most often refer to as “homeless.” I recoil from this label. There is so much more to their human condition than a lack of housing but that’s what these people are called so I’ll honor them and the reference in this way. 

The point is, Doniece is an acknowledged idealist and activist ~ a warrior ~ who has been consistently recognized for her work “restoring dignity to Californians experiencing homelessness.” Amen. 

She talks about when the idea was born and as noted on her James Irvine award, “When she encountered a woman on the street crying, “I will never be clean!” Learning that San Francisco has only 16 public showers for as many as 7,000 people living on the streets, she got to work.

She discovered that San Francisco planned to replace old public buses and promptly crowdfunded $75,000 to secure and retrofit the vehicles with showers and toilets. 

Together, we laughed about how when she first reached out for her Go-Fund me campaign, she asked for monies for a “little project” she was starting. I was all in. 

Little project? Now look where that little project is. 

So impressive. Networking and good karma matters… 

You can do it too.


City buses become showers for the homeless - CNN Photo, courtesy of CNN.com


Sanguine Solutions and Radical Hospitality

On my Ladies Who Lunch Conversations Facebook video interview you’ll hear and see how Doniece’s assiduous efforts to conceive, create, and construct a means to demonstrably change her community’s streets is no less that kind of life force and essential characteristic of the god, Mars. And that the god ~ or shall we say, Goddess, created conditions that may include warding off hostile forces of nature, well, that’s Doniece! (see how the connections really do resonate?)


Doniece single-handedly produced a concept that she’ll be the first to praise her team for, yet she, nevertheless, brokered the way for the community to become part of the solution.

You will hear and see her journey from idea to overcoming seemingly insurmountable hurdles to achieve success. Granted, it’s a success that needs to be achieved over and over, every day. But Doniece created the template from which her team at Lava MaeX ~ and other committed, socially responsible candidates can follow. 

 


Ladies Who Lunch Conversations on Facebook live event. 

I have been abundantly blessed to know Doniece for many years. Her elegance, strategic thinking, and ultimately, her compassion, are indeed heroic. 

Doniece is a true “She-Roe!” 

She always has been. It’s been a privilege to know her and work with her. 

I am so very proud that her story will ennoble and elevate your own perspective. To spur you to take action. To better your community. And in doing so: yourself and your family.  

Doniece offers practical advice, networking options and hope…  Enjoy her perspective and style. 

And her concept of Radical Hospitality!


As in every genuine Ladies Who Lunch experience ~ just like we all did meeting up at our homes, gardens, local restaurants, or museums, Doniece and I share some laughs, near-tears about some of her experiences with her “clients” and the unfairness of so much… And a Lightning Round of favorite things. Plus our champagne toasts. I’m still smiling. 




To augment and give you more context to our lovely conversation - and do note Doniece’s charming hat and sublime tablescape!  Doniece Sandoval inspired Lava MaeX’s work to transform the way communities see and serve people moving through homelessness. 


She founded the organization in 2013 as a solution to the lack of showers and toilets available to her unhoused neighbors in San Francisco. 

According to her incredible bio (trust me, I can’t write this story any better than this! So here is her bio as provided by Lava MaeX: “The nonprofit, then called Lava Mae, started out with two retrofitted city buses and has grown from a three-person team to a staff of 24, with operations in San Francisco, the East Bay, and Los Angeles. In early 2020, Doniece restructured it as LavaMaeX, a nonprofit accelerator that trains communities around the world to deliver street-based services. 

Early in LavaMaeX’s development, Doniece conceived the philosophy of Radical Hospitality—delivering an unexpected level of care—based on her belief that opportunity unfolds when people are treated with dignity and that people everywhere will rise to the level of respect they receive. The concept continues to guide LavaMaeX’s work.

Today Doniece is focused on giving communities around the world the tools and knowledge they need to serve their unhoused neighbors. The LavaMaeX DIY tool kit, which launched in 2017, has been downloaded more than 3,000 times from the nonprofit’s buildIt platform, and LavaMaeX has trained, advised, and inspired more than 170 communities to build their own mobile hygiene programs. 

A former marketing executive with a long history of community involvement, Doniece moved to San Francisco following two years of volunteering with the Red Cross, helping the survivors of 9/11. 

Prior to starting LavaMaeX, Doniece was chief external relations officer for ZERO1, an organization dedicated to showcasing the work of some of the most fertile minds in art, science, design, architecture, and technology. Before that she was head of marketing at the San Jose Museum of Art, where she grew a young adult audience and raised the museum’s brand profile regionally. 

Doniece also led communications for the Family Violence Prevention Fund (now Futures Without Violence), worked with corporate brands such as Coca-Cola and ToysRUs.com, and helped brand a host of small San Francisco–based design companies. 


She has earned numerous awards and honors for her work with LavaMaeX, including Nonprofit HR’s Women to Watch (2019), a 2017 CNN Hero award, a 2017 James Irvine Foundation Leadership award, and the KIND Foundation’s KIND People Award (2016). In March 2019 she was a Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Stanford University’s Haas Center.


In 2020, Doniece stepped away as LavaMaeX’s CEO into an advisor role. As an expert source, Doniece brings street-seasoned insights to topics such as scaling and replicating a social enterprise or nonprofit; solutions for ending the cycle of homelessness; and how communities can harness the power of collaboration and partnerships to address pressing challenges.”


Pick me up. I’m fainting with pride and bristling with respect for this extraordinary Lady. Cheers to you, Doniece. I humbly thank you for being such an exceptional guest at my Ladies Who Lunch Conversations. 


If you are as inspired as I am, and perhaps want to reach out to Doniece, you can find her here on LinkedIn and her Instagram or Lava Mae’s Facebook 


Next up: Wednesday, March 31st, I will host the artist and humanitarian, Jordan Robinson. 


Cheers to Ladies Who Lunch and our incredible networking and support of our glamorous gal squads.

Cheers to Ladies Who Lunch ~ that's me taking a photo of a Madison Avenue store window on my way to a ladies lunch! Talk about Karma! 



Some of The lyrics to Ladies Who Lunch: 

Here's to the ladies who lunch

Everybody laugh

… Choosing a hat

Does anyone still wear a hat?

I'll drink to that

Here's to the girls who stay smart

Aren't they a gas?

Rushing to their classes in optical art

Wishing it would pass

Another long exhausting day

Another thousand dollars

A matinee, a Pinter play

Perhaps a piece of Mahler's

I'll drink to that

And one for Mahler

… Just to keep in touch

I'll drink to them

Let's all drink to them


Let's hear it for the ladies who lunch

Everybody rise

Rise

Rise, rise

Rise, rise

Rise, rise

Rise


Thank you. Cheers, my dears.


Monday, March 8, 2021

View Inspiring, Intimate Career Journeys & Celebrate the Promise of International Women's Day & Women's History Month with Ladies Who Lunch Conversations & Pretty Tablescape!

 


At last… A true reason to celebrate. In fact, we are marking two joyful observances that have Women and Girls as the featured, honorable celebrants as the object of our collective solemnization. 

That makes sense, doesn’t it? Women are doubly talented. We manage to juggle ~ another word for doubling or more ~ managing work, home, and community. 


Therefore, let’s raise our glass to celebrate International Women's Day (IWD) today, March 8th.  According to IWD it is one of the most important days of the year to:


  • celebrate women's achievements

  • raise awareness about women's equality

  • lobby for accelerated gender parity

  • fundraise for female-focused charities


March not only celebrates International Women's Day to mark the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women but it also hosts Women’s History Month here in the U.S. 


Since its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed the resolution which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week” commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.


I think it also makes so much sense that March should be the month to celebrate women. 

After all, it is the season of change - spring is thrumming, it’s the time of rebirth. 

And who better than our uber-mother, Mother Nature, to serve as a kind of backdrop to honor women and girls.


Where to Celebrate with Me and My Guests

This celebration of women is really the foundation and backbone of my initiative to produce my  Ladies Who Lunch, Facebook Live monthly Conversations. 


My goal is to offer a learning platform for all of us. These artisans and entrepreneurs are masters of their craft. 


I am so excited that I get to talk to my artful guests to explore the captivating & inspiring stories about their extraordinary art & learning journeys~that make our lives better, richer. 

They share their challenges & tips on how to turn a talent, hobby, or dream into a well-lived life. 

Once a month, I interview a remarkable person ~ mainly, or primarily, a woman (wink. Because… Well, women are so inspiring and supportive) to talk about their journey.  


My first guest describes these pillars of accomplishments as the “gentle people.” 

I couldn't agree more; my guests are “regular” people who were determined to better their lives and their families and communities. They took a leap of confidence and used their brains, hustle, strength, talent and girlfriends :) to achieve success. 

At Ladies Who Lunch, these life legends and pioneers share their story: their tips and advice on how they made it, (it’s not all rainbows!); how we connect with others to elevate the communication and collaboration. 

We aim to lift women up ~ to empower ladies to greater success.


Our networking ~ especially with great dames ~ changes our lives. 

Our conversations can spark a new idea, a business, a love, a travel adventure, and more.  Of course this was much easier pre-pandemic.  But we can do it together at Ladies Who Lunch.  


The first interview was February 10th with the award-winning interior designer and networker extraordinaire, Toni Sabatino. Thank you, Toni. You and your style ~ and your fascinator ~ are too fabulous!   

For those of you who haven’t yet seen this popular post on Facebook (or YouTube or LinkIn), here is the link, below. 

Please enjoy the pretty-in-pink tablescape, the bubbly conversation ~ and the champagne toasts!  

And I humbly ask that you Follow and “Like” the fledgling Ladies Who Lunch platform.

Ladies Who Lunch Premiere: Conversation with Interior Design Toni Sabatino


Next Up

My next guest is the astonishing Doniece Sandoval, Lava Mae founder and community activist and entrepreneur. Lava Maia is a free global online community of homeless service providers bringing mobile showers and other care services to the street.

Doniece has changed lives in a profound way.  She’ll change yours too…


Please look for the link, Wednesday, March 10th. This will be a fascinating, remarkable, conversation.  

And my tablescape is springtime green, brimming with happy hope. Green is rejuvenation… (Do you want to see a sneak preview?)


Cheers to Women and Girls. We are changing the world.


Monday, February 15, 2021

Pink Dreams: How to Design a Blushing Romantic Tablescape plus The Color & Language of Flower Love Explained




Did you you know that every blossom gets “spanked” at the airport when the flowers land in the US?!  Yes, Federal Agents “spank” and physically hit and shake the plants to make sure they are free of some hijacking pests or bugs.

I saw the news report on CBS TV a few years ago and it stuck with me.  I am re-posting two of my most popular Valentines post from past years. 


The CBS News Valentine’s Day feature told the story of the “Superbowl of Flowers.” Here’s the newscast link:  "From Rose Farm to Table.

The news piece features the roses from Columbia (some years ago when I worked at BBG, we hosted rose growers from Columbia who were looking to improve their rose flower yields with reduced amounts of chemicals); the same style of growing is used in Ecuador. I worked garden design and menu development there for several years during the winter season; I saw first-hand the incredible rose production and preparation for shipping.  From the broadcast, I learned Miami is the Flower Hub for the US, with 91% of the country’s flowers coming through the airport there. That’s 22 million flowers a day!  


Plants are the source of All Valentine’s Day Gifts! 

Valentine’s Day offers passionate plant lovers a holiday like no other. Besides the many luxury gifts designed to woo a special someone -- including chocolates, champagne, fragrance, and jewelry -- glamorous, glorious flowers, blooms, and blossoms are the Valentine gifts sure to elicit that romantic swoon.  The thing is - all those other luxury gifts are inspired by and composed of --- plants!  

Think about it - chocolate comes from a plant bean, champagne from a grape plant, jewelry is most often a flower or blossom rendered in earth’s metals of gold, silver or diamonds. So why not go with the original gift of romance - the authentic messenger of love?  Plus, there are legends and stories about most every plant and flower, right down to the meanings of color and the mysterious effect on our ardent -- and lustful -- desires.

This was my Valentine’s Day floral gift this year.  Such a beautiful mix of roses, and other blooms. 


 

Say It With Flowers

Over time, flowers have taken on meaning beyond their sheer beauty. Perhaps it was the garden sprites or Garden Goddesses that sprinkled their fairy dust  -- adding more romance to nature’s jewels as symbols of virtue and ardor and love. 

For example, my Peruvia lilies are noted as a symbol of devotion. Peruvian lilies can say to a companion or loved one that you will always be there for them and that you trust in your lasting bond, according to Proflowers 

Further, my pink roses signify grace and elegance; Stargazer Lily, often referred to as the “floral celebrity” represents wealth, prosperity, innocence, and purity

 

In years past, I often created these pretty floral designs for my Valentines Day tablescape decor. This is when those sweetheart candies were readily available. Sweethearts had been a candy tradition since 1860s when those signature sayings on the candy hearts were launched. The candies were off the market until 2020 when Spangler Candy brought the treats back; this year there are new sayings inspired by music. Sweet. 


I created these happy looks with tulips ~ their meaning is “Perfect Love!” And red tulips are “most strongly associated with “true love.”  Well, I love them… 

Did you know the word tulip comes from “turban?”  See, tulips originated in Persia and Turkey and residents there wore the tulips in the turbans - so western Europeans mistakenly gave the tulip its name ~ mixing up the flower with the hat. Sigh...

For my Valentines floral candy confection, I place a glass inside the vase, line it with the Sweethearts who have made an encore performance, and is once again the best-selling Valentines Day Candy. They are so fun. Oh, and the tulips are placed in the glass that is nestled inside the vase and hidden by the Sweethearts. 

  

What does all that floral color mean? According to Michael Skaff, FTD, as reported by ABC-TV Chicago: 

Red is for passion and love. These are best suited for the person who you are on clear terms with, like you're both in love or serious about dating.

White is for purity, renewal and freshness. If you've messed up recently, these may be a good way to make amends.

Yellow is for friendship. These are best reserved for someone you're close with and care about very much.

Purple is a complex color that can evoke a variety of different emotions; integrity, fantasy, enchantment. This color says "I'm intrigued by everything you do." 

Pink can mean flirtation, femininity. It's also evocative of passion. It's a safe color for those flirtatious relationships that may still be in the "honeymoon" phase.

Orange is for desire. You wouldn't normally think of Orange on Valentine's Day, but the color can say how much you desire your loved one. 


Speaking of color, I thought I’d insert a popular blog post from two years ago here. It too, still resonates… 

  photo: Angie Lambert 

Pink is powerful. Pink is unconditional love and nurturing.  

I surely must’ve had pink power whispering in my ear while I was contemplating what the Valentine’s Day Tablescape would look like this year.  

Albeit, if I’m being totally honest, at the time that the design concept was gradually coming to me, I think I was channeling unabandoned romance; unbridled “pretty,” along with pink’s luminous textural art; its ability to blend or play with other colors and, well, its ability to elicit pure delight!


With pink as the inspiration, I took out those pink accessories I had in my tablescape collection that would work here, and then set out to shop for what I hoped would be the “fulfilling” design pieces.  


I had already decided I wanted tulle as a defining design element.  

After all, who can deny tulle is a dreamy, cloud-like confection?  It’s the perfect pink tutu gliding en pointe in our dreams.  It’s the dreamy pink prom dress.  Pink petticoats fluffing pretty princess dresses.   

And yet, Power Pink is not just for dames.  

Think about a dreamy man’s sexy sport jacket. (and socks.)  elvis wearing pink blazer singing performing on stage.  


So Pink it was to be.


Mother and I went to a local Joanne’s fabric store and after poking around with this and that - Voila!  I found not one but two widths of pink tulle -- on rolls!  C'est formidable!  

I also found some faux florals -- on sale -- that I determined I could amend to make a kind of flower display.  And they were Peonies -- my most favorite bloom -- so naturally, they stole my heart.  

I also found pretty faux floral napkin rings.  

Usually, I shop the floral district in Gotham - for both real and faux florals.  But these choices adapted (or yielded) -- to my design!  And I think you’ll agree.  

I cut the faux floral pieces to create a more natural-looking display in the champagne glasses that worked as my vases. 

As support for this floral design treatment, I will share with you that even though I’m a passionate garden designer and floral arranger dedicated to using “real,” seasonal flowers (along with some exotics) to amplify a holiday celebration, I have used faux florals for some years - without feeling too cringeworthy - for my clients who need floral compositions with no maintenance - or because the thought of importing so many exotics along with their attending transport footprint, gives me pause… 

And then, in October of last year, one of my true entertaining, garden, and floral “she-roes,” the ever-glamorous Carolyn Roehme posted on Instagram about her “evolving” perspective on the use of faux.  She mixes real and fake.  What a nice vote of approval for a process I’ve enjoyed pursuing - albeit with some reluctance. So yeah!  I LOVE Ms. Roehme.  We must be garden sprites from another life… 


The Tablescape 

When designing a tablescape - which is clearly distinct from setting a nice table -- is that, foremost,  you are telling a story -- creating a kind of display that will delight your family and guests.  

A memorable table design is infused by the occasion.  

Then the creative, artful execution comes into play.  

There is the deliberate, thoughtful, layering of a dynamic, designed composition.  After all, even the best home tablescapes as opposed to one-off events table decor - can be modified and updated as a holiday transitions.  Think Winter Holiday to New Years’ or Lunar New Year to Valentine’s.  You can add and modify the foundation layout.


Fast forward to my pre-Valentine’s Day with family, followed by a Ladies Who Lunch / Galentine’s Day luncheon.  

I was over the moon with their heart-clutching and sighing reactions!  As a home entertainment designer, that is exactly the reaction you hope to elicit.  I live to delight family and guests!  


The Tablescape Design Process for Romantic Tablescape

Picking up where I left off shopping for the elements...  

On the table, I started layering the tulle runner. I went back and forth. And back and forth.  And back and forth.  I sincerely thought it would take a few of these end-to-end goal post efforts.  But like any good design project, the ultimate determination is in the look.  

Rather surprisingly - I used all 25 yards of tulle that was on the roll.  

I wanted that cloud-like, ethereal look. 


Next - I needed to work in the string lights -- both white and pink.  

I make sure to put the battery operated switch on the upside in the whatever table runner I create in order to gain easier access amidst the tablescape’s many splendored accessories. 


The faux flowers I strategically cut and anchored in some of our hand-blown heart  Waterford crystal champagne flutes from the Millenium Series - filling the base with fragrant, violet, French Lavender seeds.  

I often use table mirrors -- or a number of a variety of mirrors - from vintage cosmetic compacts to cocktail coasters to wall-hanging mirrors as a key element of the tablescape design.

 

Here, I want to point out, is a key DIY Tablescape construct that makes it such an extraordinary art form  - and that is - repurposing or using a thing in a new way.  

One’s eye for the “what if” needs to be so wow-worthy in order to elevate the “nice” - to the heart-clutching.


I used the pretty pink ballet music boxes from last year, as part of the tablescape anchor - and used it as the concealed surprise with an amuse bouche for one of our dinners.  For the rest of our entertaining meals, I left the music boxes open, filled with - what else -- pink feathers.  This pink feather texture adds a sensual layer to the look. 

 


I bought pink strands of hearts, and later added a pink flower light strand. And because I’m so smitten with flamingos, I got these adorable ones at Joanne’s that must be used for appliques… And in the same way, I used the airy pink florals, scattered on the pink tulle runner.  



I brought out my pinkish, glittery placemats I had from Christmas, years’ past.  

I purchased new Lenox Blush settings - they were just too pretty in pink and gold - and I’m thrilled with their look. I have mixed and matched with my other table settings for so many other occasions.  I think they look especially sweet with green, glass plates. 


More of the artful layering-in included gold and pink glitter, of course (because as I always say, life is too short and you can’t have too much glitter!); gold beads and “pearls”along with those Conversation Sweetheart Valentine’s candy that they stopped making (I kept a stash! But then, before I could complete this post, I read of the Sweethearts’ comeback in the NY Times yesterday!) This year is just their second making the Sweethearts and their back with classic sayings like “Hug Me” and “Cutie Pie,” in addition to sayings inspired by classic love songs like “At Last,” “I’ve Got You Babe,” and “Love Me Tender,” according to the company’s spokesperson.  Isn’t it “sweet” that the idea to pull inspiration from love songs came from their commitment to bring a smile to someone’s face, with music. 


The Pretty in Pink February Tablescape is a delight in the day - and especially fetching at night, especially with all the ornamental string lights bouncing off the crystal and amplifying the glow of the fireplace. 



When setting the table for guests, I wanted to use a holiday-appropriate place-setting name cards.  So, naturally - it was a heart-shaped card.  I purchased a pink heart stamp - and Mother helped in the design:

I tied gold and pink ribbons through the hole and set in the green holder stands.  

Subsequently, I asked my brilliant botanical artist friend, Jean Gaulle if she could shrink up one one of her truly outstanding pieces of art -- Look at this! 

 - and shrink it down so I could show off her art on the name cards.  It was a lovely addition to our Ladies Who Lunch / Galentines celebration. Thank you, Jean.  

Seriously, (y’all need to follow Jean on her Instagram - and get an original Jean Galle piece of art for your home.  I’m so very proud to highlight, display, showcase my very talented friends. Always.  


In terms of the tablescape, a bit more layering was in order to get to perfection: 


    

2021 Update:

I used many of the same elements from a few years ago and changed it up with some key features: mainly, the gold chariot that we purchased at last year’s auto show (It seems like another life when we could attend a big show in a public place…) Anyway, Bill painted it gold and I place a few silk leaves and a tea candle inside and it looks like a Cinderella coach or carriage. And I use it at the center of the table. 

I also had purchased these Italian red wine glasses for an Independence-themed tablescape; the red works here for Valentines and Lunar New Year.

         

I kept the candelabras from the Christmas gold and white table decor, along with the elegant white orchid. 


 

For a lovely view of the pink tablescape in the daylight, please visit my newest Facebook page: Ladies Who Lunch

It was the premiere interview with the fabulous interior designer, Toni Sabatino. She too designed a very pretty-in-pink tablescape at her home just in time for our lunch interview. Also, please sign on as a glam-fan on the page?  We’ll be doing monthly interviews with those folks who are masters at their artful crafts!  Fun, too. 


Following the work on the tablescape - it was time to design the entry hall.


Keeping with the theme of pretty in pink - I started with a smaller width tulle - only two or three layered wraps - red candlesticks I found at the antique shop - on sale; gold and white candles i had (I don’t light them anymore); the gorgeous gold candle holders my niece Marissa gifted us at Christmas (you’ll recognize them from the holiday tablescape); pink string lights, and then when I learned it was the Year of the Pig for Lunar New Year’s, I got these cute pink pigs (banks) with gold wings and crowns!  

In the black plant urns I added cotton candy! The cream colored maple cotton candy from our Union Square Greenmarket and the pink (and blue) cotton candy from Dylans Candy Bar. 

It’s all so frothy and pretty! (And to think some folks told me it couldn’t work….)




I bring the tiered candy to the table for more sweet desserts or leave in the hallway so that guests can take a few for the road...
 



The favorite menu husband Bill’s Asian Miso soup -- with pork, ramen, spinach and egg. It is delicious.

 

And handsome, too. 


My heart-shaped beet-burgers are so terrific; I’m thrilled that guests love them too.  

Beets, chick peas, rice/quinoa, EVOO, and garlic - whizzed up in the food processor and shaped into hearts -- served on a bed of beet greens sauteed in anchovy paste and EVOO, and baby greens.


The Ladies brought champagne and some extraordinary pink treats! 

 

Local Flowers

And not to douse the aforementioned floral ardor, this is a perfect occasion to highlight the ahem, ground-breaking work of one of my favorite floral visionaries: Debra Prinzing

Just as I espouse growing edibles and eating food that is locally-sourced, Debra has championed a more sustainable floral business/”industry” using locally-grown ornamental flowers.  

Termed a “Slow Flower” Movement, she advocates for growing your own flowers or buying from local growers.  For many of the same reasons.  Do we really need to have billions of exotic flowers flown in every day?  

If we can recalibrate our floral aesthetic, we can enjoy glamorous floral designs and practice a more eco-friendly and sustainable environment - not to mention creating lots more local jobs.

Prinzing has authored two books on this important subject: The 50 Mile Bouquet: Seasonal, Locally Grown Bouquets from the Garden 

and Slow Flowers: Four Seasons of Locally Grown Bouquets from the Garden

Debra’s news release quotes: “The book follows Prinzing through 52 consecutive weeks during which she challenged herself to pick, arrange and photograph a seasonal bouquet using only local ingredients. She sourced flowers, leaves, branches and seedpods from her own garden, from friends' gardens, and from the meadows and fields of her favorite flower farms. Like an easy-to-use cookbook, Slow Flowers features vivid images of each finished bouquet, a thorough ingredient list and step-by-step design instructions. Special "takeaway tips" share expert flower growing advice and eco-design techniques

Slow Flowers demonstrates that living in the moment - each season - is just as rewarding for flower lovers as it is for foodies who cook seasonally-inspired menus."

Floratopia: 110 Flower Garden Ideas for Your Yard, Patio, or Balcony by [Jan Johnsen]

Another terrific book by one of my favorite landscape designers and authors, Jan Johnson is her newest book coming out February 16th, Floratopia. I reviewed her last book, Gardentopia

According to the Floratopia’s bio/overview, the book, Floratopia: 110 Flower Garden Ideas for Your Yard, Patio, or Balcony showcases beautiful flower varieties and offers illustrated design ideas that will have you seeing the potential for colorful flowers, both annual and perennial, in all kinds of outdoor spaces, large or small.


Enjoy the glamour of the garden in every season…