How can it possibly be that we've turned the corner of 2011 and find ourselves at December's doorsteps? Time passes by so swiftly, don't you think? To kick off the holiday season, my mom and I hosted our Book Club luncheon celebrating Jan's birthday, earlier this week.
Here is the tale of how this unexpected centerpiece came to be:
Flashback:
Last October my mother was on a mission, trying to locate a particular paint color in her files, which by the way she found as she is the most excellent and organized records keeper I know! Meanwhile, she came across this magazine clipping that she had been saving for years and showed it to me. It was something she liked and hoped to own one day, but since she hadn't seen anything like it, she threw the picture away that afternoon.
The Following Day:
Synchronicity!
It's hard to believe, but the next morning I visited my favorite once a year flea market, in our tiny town of Jefferson and scored this set featured above for my mother. It was complete except for the four little urns which I added and surprised my mother, big time!! It's very much like the one featured in the magazine clipping, don't you think? AND it was a steal! We pulled the photo back out to have a look and it was simply amazing!! Talk about beaming it in!!
We googled and googled trying to find out what something like this is called, to no avail. Finally, I emailed Melenié of Le Petit Cabinet de Curiosites and she knew precisely what it was and has even sold exact sets in her shop. She explained that it is a copy of XVIII th century Niderviller China and called " surtout de table ". She also thinks it looks great on a table!
The flora we used to fill the miniature topiary are things that grow in our garden, Boxwood and Holly. My mom had the idea to use pillars with Jan's birthday cake and place it in the center of the table, repeating the idea of the surtout de table. I found inspiration for the roses for the cake via my friend Samantha, here.
After lunch, my mother gave her presentation on Truman Copote's story A Christmas Memory. If you have never read this, it's a must read! She had us all giggling and smiling and since part of the story revolves around baking fruitcakes, she offered each of the book club members a tiny fruitcake after her presentation. Later that night, I finished the story (the part she didn't read) and had myself a good cry. This story always touches me and is worth the tears, one hundred percent.
Anyway, sometimes life is filled with surprise like finding this surtout de table! And, It's fun to see where inspiration is born and follow along the trail, don't you think? That is why I share these thoughts. I hope today you too, will find something you've been looking for either for yourself, or someone you love!
xox
Constance
Theses stunning Shagreen Earrings are created by jewelry designer, Daidra Carsman. If you live on the East Coast, my talented friend, will be selling her work at a Artisan Gift Market, Saturday, December 4th, 10 -4, at Glen Ridge Church, located at 195 Ridgewood Ave, Glen Ridge, New Jersey.
