Southern Lady Celebrate Beautiful Thanksgiving Tablescapes 2013

Autumn makes me come alive with the brilliant colors that surround us. It’s time to celebrate again with our wonderful fall decorations. Pumpkins, nuts, berries, and bronze flowers all go together beautifully. The lovely frame that surrounds this letter was made by Edna Ross of Dallas, Texas. I spoke at an event there and had the privilege of meeting her. I fell in love with her tablescapes and fall décor. And being the gracious lady she is, she had this frame sent to me. I have a photo of my grandchildren in it now and think of her genius use of autumn nuts and leaves every time I look at it. I hope you have the most beautiful autumn ever. Show off your creativity as we celebrate this wondrous time. Set a…

It takes a village to pull together our magazines. The process begins with the editors who produce the preliminary themes and ideas and pass them along to the food and prop stylists. Then the test kitchen staff develop and test recipes that fit the motif. Next, the photographers capture the images that begin the visual process, which then go to those who give us the words that describe the fascinating experiences in the photos, as well as comments and notes on each individual recipe. But in the end, it’s the creative graphic designer who seems to have the magic eye for pulling all the parts together into a final product. Meet Miles Walls, who plays this role for Entertain Decorate Celebrate. He has the golden touch that makes the issue cohesive…

Modern Twist Nothing sets the mood like gorgeous open-faced white roses. Here, these blooms, simply tied with gold twine and placed in a variety of glass cylinders, transform this table instantly. The combination of gold accents and pops of orange add a modern touch to this welcoming table. Curious and Clever This Thanksgiving, wrap an oatmeal container with a map of the world, and let the children have fun exploring other lands, just as the Pilgrims did aboard the Mayflower. Continue the explorer theme with our ship place cards found at celebratemag.com. Then finish with a rustic touch—place wheat in the container, and place a jute-wrapped jar at each setting. White Elegance Pumpkins mixed wi th cr i sp white linens and votives make a simple yet dramatic tablescape. Tape off the stems, and spray-paint…

I love to entertain. Whether planning an intimate dinner party or a blowout birthday celebration, it gives me joy to create a special time when family and friends can forget about the stress in their lives and enjoy being together. I savor those moments. Fall is a particular favorite for gathering with loved ones. The weather is delightful, the scenery is breathtaking, and the holiday season is not yet pulling everyone in a million directions. From creating a guest list to planning the perfect menu and tablescape, hosting brings an excitement and energy that is hard to match. Though I have a lot of fun being a host, it is also nice to be a guest. I have some friends who are just wonderful hostesses— they always seem to have an…

Event planner and designer Alicia Falango’s philosophy has always been that life is too short to not love what you do everyday. From a young age she learned to appreciate floral design and entertaining from her mother, who owned a floral company. While pursuing her degree in sociology at the University of California in Santa Barbara, Alicia worked in catering and at restaurants and bars. It was then she realized that a career in the service industry is where her passion lay. In 2001, she launched her own company, Alicia K Designs, and hasn’t looked back. With the support of family and friends, her business has grown to be one of the most sought-after firms in the country. Though she has planned many unique and stunning affairs, designing a friend’s wedding…

There is no better season to gather around a campfire than autumn, when you are surrounded by fallen leaves and crisp fresh air. Whether you host a party at your favorite campgrounds, at a local park, or in your own backyard, everyone will enjoy spending time outside and bundled up near the fire. It ’s always better to travel light, so go with portable serving pieces and blankets. For a picturesque setting, bring along a few lanterns to provide light as dusk approaches. Make-ahead foods that travel easily, such as the pimiento cheese spread and prepackaged fajitas, are a must for camp-style entertaining. Finish the night with s’mores bars that allow guests to get creative mixing and matching toppings for their desserts. Warm blankets are a must for this adventure. Use them…