Gather Together this Fall
This post is sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart.
This time of year as late afternoon eases into evening everything seems to glow.
It is a wonderful time to gather friends close and enjoy a few hours 'basking' in it, so to speak.
Unwind and relax together as the days get shorter and the air turns crisp.
Hosting a few friends is easy when you have the right attitude, a few fool proof serving pieces and comfortable places to sit. The set up need not be grand, just welcoming.
Attitude:
Approach entertaining as if you are the guest, not the host. If you are the guest you are happy to be included, appreciative of the effort and not critical. Be that way toward yourself as the host.
Fool Proof Serving Pieces:
The early evening is a wonderful time to host a gathering. Not only the glow as I mentioned, but the fact that no matter what you serve will satisfy.
At this time of day, guests are delighted with drinks only. Tea/coffee, wine/alcohol anything works and can be the only thing you serve. "Come over for a glass of wine, sherry, champagne". How good does that sound on a fall Friday late afternoon?
That being said, it is extra nice and super easy to serve up a few nibbles to go along with the bevies. What makes this especially easy is to have on hand a few fool proof serving pieces. Out of the cupboard they come and ta da you are ready to entertain!
Three of my favorite types of serving pieces for informal get togethers are a cheese board, a few small bowls and a large glass pitcher. Have these, will party as they say! Well, as I say!
My new favorite such items are from the Better Homes & Gardens collection at Walmart.
No just any cheese board a marble cheese/serving board with a modern gold metal detail & rawhide loop.
Not just any little bowls, a set of three generously sized bowls on a rectangular platter that can be used separately as well. These bowls are perfect for nuts, olives, dried fruits or candies.
Not just any glass pitcher, one with pretty lines & accompanied by 4 glasses. ( a steal at under $13 ).
Ok, drinks- check, food check ... Now comfort...
Scroll to the end for a list of links to all the products mentioned.
Comfortable Seating:
Being comfortable at a gathering means not only a place to sit, but a place to put glasses & such.
The newest addition to my living room, the Nola side table is the perfect resting spot for glasses and much more.
The Nola side table is low in visual noise, high in style and roomy enough to accommodate lots of items.
Position a Nola side table next to a comfy chair and watch your guests settle right in. It is so light weight use your Nola wherever you need a side table.
See the Nola Coffee Table HERE.
To my mind & back, nothing provides as much comfort as a lumbar pillow. Lumbars are just the right size. Your guests won't be perched or looking for a spot to pile up your pillows.
This ivory tassel fringe velvet pillow is the perfect antidote to a long week. Indulge your guests with a few placed on chairs around the room.
This pillow comes in several colors. For the blue fans, the "dusk" color is beautiful! ( The look & feel belies the under $20 price tag. )
More people than chairs or want to gather close around the nibbles? No problem! My answer is well made floor pillows.
The boxed & tufted floor pillows from the Better Homes & Gardens collection at Walmart are fantastic. Well made, supportive and good looking. ( can be used a dog bed too! )
So the gathering is going well...
Day is turning to night and you want to continue the glow of the fall autumn twilight. Just turn on my new fav lamp.
The shade is black on the exterior and gold foil on the inside. Seriously, if I could carry this lamp around with me as permanent up lighting I would!
The lamp is gorgeous and it makes everyone look gorgeous too! All that for under $30 - stop it!
See, it is that easy to gather together your friends this fall - so do it! You'll be glad you did.
** Kelly **
For my podcast listeners ... so yes, that is a "bath mat" in front of my sofa. Right before I was ready to snap the photos a dog of mine, whose name will be left unmentioned, but it starts with E, had an unfortunate incident involving the under layered sisal. Hoping Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart has a replacement available! ;)
If you are not a listener but want to be join me HERE at Decorating Tips & Tricks.
Marble Serving Platter/Cheese Board
Tassel Fringe Velvet Lumbar Pillow
Metal Cage Lamp w/ Black Shade