Wednesday night is garbage night. It has been for the 24 years we’ve lived in our house, and for all of those years, when the hubby is off duty, it’s his job. Needless to say, it’s not a task he looks forward to.
So imagine my husband’s surprise when he walked in tonight, after 48 hours on duty because of training and overtime, to find that the garbage had been collected and taken to the curb and a romantic table with some simple, but good food was waiting for him. I got the idea from a new book by Moll Anderson entitled, Seductive Tables For Two: Tablescapes, Picnics, and Recipes That Inspire Romance. Anderson is a lifestyle and romance expert who specializes in entertaining at home. She also hosts a radio show on XM Talk 168 every Saturday at 5:00 pm EST.
I shopped for her book the other night at my local Sam’s Club along with some easy food and drink to share. Sadly, my local Sam’s Club was sold out of her book, but I was able to obtain a copy in time to take it with me when I shopped for additional items to use in my romantic tablescape today.
Seductive Tables For Two: Tablescapes, Picnics, and Recipes That Inspire Romance helped me pull together the look for our romantic dinner. First I did what Anderson recommended by collecting all of the pieces I had on hand in the color scheme I planned on – in my case pink and green, chosen from the colors from the fresh flowers I was using and items I already owned.
This gave me the info I needed to go shopping for the pieces I felt I were missing. I shopped at my favorite big box blue and yellow store to pick up some additional piece like unscented candles, some new green salad plates, and some linens in the colors I was using.
I brought them home and placed them all on my kitchen island to see how they worked with my existing items. I then used Anderson’s book to give me suggestions for placement, color scheme, and décor as well as ideas on how to layer the pieces for a full and rich look. I knew I wanted a variety of textures so I had tin, glass, patterned, and solids.
At her recommendation, I started with the largest items and worked down to the smallest. I included fresh fruit, flowers, candles, and more to give my tablescape the romantic feel described in her beautiful book which is filled with amazing photographs as well as recipes.
I had originally planned to try a few of her recipes but instead of cooking today I found myself at my doctor’s office, so I went with something closer to her picnic party décor, but with a more formal dinner table. I made ciabatta sandwiches with the items I’d purchased at Sam’s Club a few days before – his roast beef and Colby and mine just Colby – and added fresh fruit, veggie chips, and a frosted brownie with natural maraschino cherries on top that we shared for dessert. The simple fare was a perfect accompaniment to our shabby chic décor and we had a great time catching up over our unfussy dinner.
Anderson’s book is a great read and a really inspirational look at what can be done with color, texture, and scent. I’ll be referring to it often as I’m going to work at making our meal time special again.
Seductive Tables For Two: Tablescapes, Picnics, and Recipes That Inspire Romance
This new book can be purchased at Sam’s Clubs and other book retailers.
Connect with Moll Anderson
- Website: http://www.mollanderson.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mollanderson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mollanderson
Moll Anderson Lifestyle Expert Video
You can also catch Moll Anderson on Access Hollywood on 2/7 as she shares her ideas on how to make breakfast, lunch or dinner special as well as share more about her new book. You can also check out my entire shopping trip and more photos of my romantic table for two here.
I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® #cbias #SocialFabric #SeductiveTables – All opinions are my own
Beautiful table! I find eating at a nicely put together table, with cloth napkins and nice dishes makes the food taste better 🙂
What a lovely table you set!
You’re so very sweet! I love your blog – so amazing.
nice decorating job!
So pretty, very creative =)
Very nice setup, I will have to check into getting this book.
Very nice table scape. Yummy looking dinner too! 🙂
nice decorating idea
Thanks so much!
Love the layers Connie…what a cute table for two
You’re so sweet! Off to check out yours!
Cute table! You aren’t allowed to talk to Michael because I’m not one to take the trash out in the middle of this freezing weather! hahaha
Too funny 🙂 I have to do it when he’s on duty so there’s a 50/50 chance it’s my night 🙂