Outdoor Table Top

I did a little window shopping for you this week, saving you a lot of gas money.  Here are some of the gorgeous outdoor table top displays I saw.

The weather has been mostly delightful the past week (except the wicked wind storm that took down our neighbor’s 20 foot tree).  That meant patio time every second possible for me.

And patio time inspired me to search out what’s new in outdoor table top. Which happens to be one of my favorite things to search out at the beginning of the summer season. 

Now, I have THREE sets of outdoor dishes so I am not in the market to purchase, just to admire.

Several years ago (as is many, many) I purchased the cutest and best sized dishes from World Market.  Then I purchased serving pieces that coordinated.  And the next year they would have slightly different pieces, but still completely coordinating with the year’s before.  It was fun to add a new piece or two without completely scratching the old.

For the past couple years, they seem to have new patterns that do not coordinate.  So I just admire them.

Here’s what I found for you (and what I loved!):

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn was my first stop because they have had the cutest cloth napkins for the past several years.  Really, it’s the napkins. 

And this year.  The napkins are frayed!  I almost got inspired to come home and take my fork to all my napkins and fray them myself.  If you saw my post of DIY Cropped Jeans, you’ll know what I’m talking about.  😉 

And then.  Their displays were all gorgeous.

The Chambray Tile Melamine collection is drool-worthy and it’s on clearance.  For whatever that is worth.  Because the sale price comes down to more than $10 a plate.  For plastic.  I don’t mean to be critical here.  That’s just more than I’m paying, but I’m drooling!

The Asfi set was displayed and is very similar and lovely.  It’s currently priced at $108 for a 12-piece set, so slightly less money.

The bold navy blue Medina line is exactly the same in melamine as it is in stoneware.  Also very prettily displayed.

Williams Sonoma

The table setting a WS may be a bit over-the-top with just a bit too much pattern, but the Nashville Floral Melamine set is stunning!  These would be especially useful when dining in your secret garden.

World Market

WM is one of my favorite places, but to be honest, it’s been a bit disappointing the past few years.  I keep wondering if they’ll stay afloat because their merchandise is spotty.

But in any case, I did catch their Alfresco collection and their Bali collection.  While not as swoon-worthy as PB or WS, they are very affordable and I know they hold up well over the years.

Around Town

The wicked wind I mentioned earlier prevented us from cruising at Lake Pleasant with DFs Gary, Suzanne, Alex, Joni and Suzanne’s daughter Kayla and hub Daniel. 

We still managed to have a good time with a drink at Dillon’s on the lake.

Kayla is expecting in September and is a newlywed, so it was so fun getting to know her and Daniel and I wish their new family the best!

DFs Cindy and Kevin are our theater buddies.  Sunday we saw A Soldier’s Play at Gammage in Tempe and then had dinner out.

We always have such a good time with them.

Trip of a Lifetime

Several of our friends are traveling now and are on trips of a lifetime.  Chris and Bob were bummed not to join us in Death Valley, but seem to be doing just fine in Italy!  What a wonderful vacation they are having. 

Our friends have always worked so hard and are enjoying this season of their life and it’s heartwarming to see.

Wrap Up

What I’m Reading and What I’m Eating will have to wait for another post since this got so long.  Blessings for a wonderful week!