A Few Dinner Plates For A Thanksgiving Table

Many people back in the States have asked me what I'm doing on Thursday.I'm working.  Thanksgiving is an American holiday.If I had an oven/kitchen/apartment bigger than a shoebox, I would host a Thanksgiving dinner but on Saturday (which is what the majority of expats do here).My future apartment will have more space and I will entertain more.In the meantime, I can admire these lovely plates that would be perfect for my Thanksgiving dinners.For an informal table:The Marbury Dinnerware Collection from Crate and Barrel.  You can put a charger underneath with more color or a pattern.The Charlotte Street Collection from Kate Spade.  I had to have at least one white plate with blue trim. The Eclectique Dinner plate from Williams-Sonoma.   It's a pretty dish made in France. For a more formal table:The Renaissance Collection by Wedgewood.    A classic.Anmut Platinum by Villeroy & Boch.   One word... elegant. The American Dinner plate by Hermès.    The blues are gorgeous.Hmmm, not seeing a lot of variety here.I do appreciate china with flowers but for my table I tend to keep it simple because my floral arrangements are colorful.  Also, I like to mix and match my dinnerware.  Having plates in a similar color palette makes the table more cohesive.For those who are celebrating, I hope you have a fantastic and Happy Thanksgiving.      

Stylish Simplicity - Williams Sonoma - Rustic Italian Platter

The holiday season is upon us.  Lights have just started to go up in my neighborhood and I saw a few festive window displays this morning on Via Condotti and Via Babuino.I haven't seen any panettone movie commercials.  Several friends have assured me they are coming.  Excellent.One of my goals for 2014 is to entertain more.  Yes, I know it's a little early to think about these things. I can't help it.My apartment is small but I had a friend, Susan, in New York City who lived in a studio that was smaller than my place and yet she had dinner parties, Oscar parties, cocktail parties, let me introduce you to my new spinning teacher parties, etc.Her space had a different layout.  However, I can still be inspired by many of her fantastic ideas.My mom, like Susan, has a great selection of serving trays and platters.  Some she received as wedding gifts fifty years ago.I actually enjoyed setting the dining room table when my parents had dinner parties.  My mom was occupied with cooking, my dad was the bartender, and us kids were "in charge" of the table.Okay, so my mom really had the last word about what was going on the table. When I was old enough, it was my job to iron the tablecloth and the napkins.  While I STRONGLY dislike ironing my sheets (it takes forever), this party prep was fine with me.The last time I was in St. Martin, one of my friends (and former boss) was on the island and stopped by for a visit.  I looked through my parents' collection to find the right tray for aperitivi and thought about all the fun holiday dinners and parties. I also realized that I need to step up my platter game.This one is gorgeous.  It's from Williams-Sonoma and made in Umbria.This shade of blue is one of my favorites.This platter is stylish simplicity.