THANKSGIVING TABLE HACK

I usually end up decorating the family table for Thanksgiving each year, but this November I had little time to plan, and even fewer pieces to plan with. Using one of the last fall-ish looking bouquets snatched at Target, some of my mother's Japanese pottery, and a few florist frogs, I decided to go austere. The Japanese have a cultural tradition of purity in design, particularly with flower arranging (the various flowers and stems can exemplify the heights of heaven, for example, or tell a story). The only story I was telling was less is more - but I gave it a shot, and we ended up with a colorful centerpiece!

If you find yourself unprepared like me, you can do the same - place florist frogs (any craft store has them) in a pretty bowl, cut thick stemmed flowers to taste, and just add water. Happy Thanksgiving!

FINIAL FRIPPERY

I have a real thing for finials (because I have a real thing for lamps - accessorizing accessories is so addictive!). Finding an unusual one is an imperative to buy. The right lamp will show up eventually for a match made in lighting heaven. Or, you can stack the decks a bit with one of these fantastic finials from Hillary Thomas at Chic Shop. They would make the most average Target ceramic go glam!

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