Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table®

How to celebrate the 4th of July? Hmm. This is a question that I ask myself each year. Sooo what have I come up with this year? Well .   .   . funny you should ask. This 4th of July I will be an invited guest. Yup! Yippeeee!!! I know! Sooo exciting! Dining on the sand, while waiting for the fireworks to be shot into the sky from a barge. Who doesn’t love a fireworks show?

Since I be will a guest .   .   . yay! .   .   . I have decided to make this all about what’s involved in being a guest. More specifically .   .   . what to bring the host/hostess? Having created many celebrations, from full blown formal weddings, and sit down dinners, bridal/baby showers, picnics, barbecues, and even some ‘just because’ events, I celebrate anyone who creates/hosts an event. Whether it’s a gathering of 6, 60 or more, and done with or without the help of a planner, I believe a show of hands and appreciation is warranted. I have given hostess/host gifts that cover spa treatments for the home, as well as a great bottle of wine to enjoy while munching on some of the goodies after the guests have sent their thank yous. The amount spent does not say thank you .   .   . the thought does!

HAPPY 4th of July!!!!!

Now on Amazon  http://amzn.to/2ehlCp4 “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER !

FOR THE KIDDIES in your life …It’s all about those adorable sisters! Listen to my children’s books live radio interview bit.ly/29QSJPd
I am sooo Lucky!!!  AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon http://amzn.to/1qh38Zf

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

       

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Pleasssurre! Hmm .   .    . after rolling that word around for a few seconds it conjures up sooo many possibilities.

The word pleasure as seen in the dictionary is defined as enjoyment and entertainment, contrasted with things done out of necessity. Well helllo .   .   . I for one am always up for entertainment and enjoyment! What’s your pleasure? A bottle of fine wine, an ice cold pitcher of Sangria heavily laced with summer fruit, a tall frosted glass of cold summer soup, or perhaps your pleasure leans more toward the visual aspect of ‘the table’.

Umm .   .   . hello .   .   . of course I took the liberty of segueing into tables .   .   . because .   .   . tables are what I do .   .   . remember.  For the summer months I tend to lighten my tablescapes, as well as my menus. Featured below is a tray that holds a drink of your choice and a plate of light summer finger foods to ease you into the evening. I am always on the look out for smaller serving trays that will do double duty for just such an occasion as twilight dining in the garden, on the balcony, or cozied up binge-watching your favorite series, with your person of choice. I have found small trays in the oddest of places, such as super markets in the house wares section, tag sales, flea markets and even hardware stores . Candles??? Of course candles always come into play, whether it’s afternoon tea, cocktails, appetizers on the deck, dinner, or dessert and a glass of delicious port. Candles do more than light the way to ambience, they set the mood as well, by selecting from some of the most amazing and delightful scents of floral, spice, or even scents from the sea.

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further, help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  IndieBound.org             “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER  http://getBook.at/Tableofferings.

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!”  Books 1, 2, & 3 AVAILABLE on …

Amazon      Barnes & Noble     IndieBound.org

Book1  http://getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   http://getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   http://getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

Dishing it up/ with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile…
and see what I’m bringing to the table®

If your going for a .   .   . zippier .   .   . zingier .   .   . wow .   .   . whoa .   .   . be still my heart .   .   . helllllo .   .   . oh yeah look at me kind of a tablescape .   .   . then you have come to the right place!!! First, click on the above photo. Notice the more casual yet edgy feeling that you get with the above table setting. Nooo? .   .   . Oh wait .   .   . I see some of you waving your hands and saying, me, me .   .   . yes I see it!!!!! I am proud of those who have just said yes! The few no’s take heart, stay calm, and breathe because .   .   . I’ve got you covered!!! Now all you have to do to change your no to a yes is read on .   .   .

Instead of the all to familiar ho hum, same old, same old matchy-matchy. I made use of my surroundings, and allowed the tree trunks (felled) that hold up my very large glass top to become part of the table setting, as well as the vintage Asian-like area rug seen through the glass top. I purposely picked dishes that replicated some of the rugs color palette, and intentionally alternated not only plates but flatware, and stemware in colors best suited for the individual place settings.

A tablescape is pretty much like decorating a room, sometimes all it takes is a tweak here, a tweak there, to go from nice to sensational! Go ahead check out the tablescape below and compare with the photo above. I have used the same basic components in both photos, but .   .   . then I did what I love to do. Two of my guests had been to a dinner with a similar setting as the one above .   .   . soooo .   .   . I replaced it with a crisp white on white French table cloth, a different mix of colored napkins, reversed the flatware, and changed the colored stemware combinations! By covering up the glass table top, I eliminated the au naturel (felled) tree trunks, and rich jewel toned area rug, and refocused every ones eyes to the crisp white and jewel toned tablescape. Same dishes, flatware, stemware, and dining room .   .   . but two totally different looks. My two guest who had been at the first table setting, asked when, and where I had gotten some of the new pieces on the table .   .   . hmm .   .   . I rest my tablescaping case!!!

Whether serving sloppy joes or duck à l’orange .   .   . I still say presentation, presentation, presentation! It’s not what you serve .   .   .  but how you serve it!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  IndieBound.org             “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER
http://getBook.at/Tableofferings.

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!”  Books 1, 2, & 3 AVAILABLE on …Amazon      Barnes & Noble     IndieBound.org
Book1  http://getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   http://getBook.at/lucky2
Book3   http://getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

They say ‘everybody loves a good mystery’. Well I’m not clear on who ‘they’ are but I was willing to give it a shot.  An intrigue that comes cloaked in questions, gleefully leading to copious amounts of speculation and yes, even a touch of frustration .   .   . yummy! Think of the above table as a dinner that serves up a side dish of secrets. By using an aubergine color for my blank canvas, and then dialing the color way, way up with a brilliant yellow linen topper, and vibrant red, splashed here, there, and everywhere with complete abandon .   .   . o k  .  .   . so I got carried away .   .   . shesh!  Sooo .   .   . red splashed about with great purpose?  Fine. Frosted olive colored dinner plates, red cut crystal glasses, bread and butter plates with horn handled butter knives.  To add just a teeny-weeny, itty bitty extra one two punch, I added pink and lavender tapers, without blocking anyone’s view, and votives for that flattering look. Now for my mystery dinner, please read on.

Shown above is an ancient pouch filled with ??? placed in plain sight for all to see .   .   . but .   .   . of course there’s a but, isn’t there always? Oh sorry .   .  . the but? Ahh .   .   . yes the but, is simply a no touchy- feely rule for the duration of this adventure. What was that? How long will dinner last? Let’s just say this will not be a slam dunk!  Along with the first course comes the beginning of a story filled with twists and turns that unfolds layer, by layer like that of an onion. All my guests will need, in order to get pointed in the right direction, is to listen to my story while hearing what I have to say. When, where, what, and how, can and does take a dinner party to a whole new level .   .   . Truly!!! Um the mystery? You will have to come to dinner for that one.

Now on Amazon “a collection of…Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescapper” getBook.at/Tableofferings

It’s all about those adorable sisters!  Live radio interview bit.ly/29QSJPd

I am sooo Lucky!!!  AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon http://amzn.to/1qh38Zf

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

       

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

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Dishing it up/ with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table©

Let’s hear it for ‘Taking Mothers Day to the Street’ .   .   . excuse me! .   .   . you all call that a cheer? Hmmm .   .   . O k, no problem .   .   . you can reserve judgment. If you don’t want to cook, set a table, and clean up keep reading.  I’ll get back to you naysayers when your finished. Whether you choose picknicking, an outdoor concert, someones backyard bar-b-que, or a hotsey-totsey, fancy schmancy restaurant .   .   . I say bring the ambiance with you. Whoa people, now you’re vocal? Fence sitters where were you a few minutes ago? Oh please you know who you are .   .   . those of you who couldn’t throw a measly cheer my way .   .   . hmm? No hard feelings .   .   . because .   .   . I’m loving all of your cheers now!!!

I am not suggesting a once a year trek to the altar of the mother-n-the-hood, and then back down the mountain as fast as your little legs can carry you. Of course .   .   . I get how much you love those that you are honoring, but let’s face it .   .   . in the past you’ve signed up the eat-fest, a fistful of flowers, and .   .   . even went the distance by picking out a card .   .   . Ah ha .   .   . yawn!!!  At the end of the day you’ve walked away patting yourself on the back, and congratulating yourself on a mission well done .   .   . right? .   .   . wrong! .   .   . whoa Nellie .   .   . not so fast Kemosahbee. Where is that touch of you’re sooooo special, and important in my life? No, no this is not going to be a difficult task .   .   . relax, breathe .   .   . this is not an exercise in punishment. Promise! Read on…

It doesn’t matter if you’re celebrating your mother, step-mother, 2nd stepmother, or 3rd stepmother,  grandma, great grandma, or mother-in-law. If you’re lucky enough to celebrate any or all of the above .   .   . I say .   .   . knock yourself out, without knocking yourself out!

Yes, yes, a bouquet of flowers are lovely, and a Mothers Day card as well. What? Are you waiting for, your star in the mail? Oh please .   .  . you really can do much better than that!!! Come on people you know I’m right! Here let me help you. Isn’t one of the many reasons you luv, love, LOVE reading my pearls of wisdom for my fresh take on the ho-hum? Thank you one and all .   .   . o k please! I’m starting to blush on the second round of applause!

You all have sat by patiently waiting for my suggestions for ‘Taking Mothers Day to the Street’, and here they are. It starts with a basket, tote bag, keepsake box, or a very wide brim summer hat (which will be part of the gift), that gets filled with all things happy, fuzzy, and not ho-hum. Saved greeting cards from the person(s) you are celebrating all tied up with ribbon, or raffia. Photos, letters, from when you were just a wee one, special occasions from camp to graduation. What better gift can one give, than  sharing special memories with those that helped create them?

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !!!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  IndieBound.org             “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER   http://getBook.at/Tableofferings.For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!”  Books 1, 2, & 3 AVAILABLE on …Amazon      Barnes & Noble     IndieBound.org Book1  http://getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   http://getBook.at/lucky2 Book3   http://getBook.at/Lucky3 Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Oh no! It’s not a figment of your imagination. Indeed, the world is spinning ever-so-much-faster then when you were little. Can we stop this feeling of spinning out of control brought about from the computer-generated, make-believe, virtual environment that has become part of our every day-to-day life? Hmmm .   .   . of course you can! We all have the power to disconnect .   .   . but, but, but .   .   . hang on .   .   . you all do realize that by disconnecting from your technologically-driven world, caring family as in mother/ grandmother, and friends could potentially become less accessible. And my Tableofferings™ ‘pearls of tablescaping wisdom’ could not fill your screens weekly!

Speaking of pearls .  .   . lol .   .   . I just can’t seem to help myself! Remember.   .   . I am a writer/published author/spinner of words .   .   . ergo .   .   . my shameless segue to my centerpiece as seen below. What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than to gather gorgeous gifts from the sea, highlighted with none other than pearls dripping over a turquoise bowl in the shape of a sea-shell. Psst .   .  . the beautiful turquoise shell is plastic.

Now that I have your attention, and your camaraderie let me say a few words about Mother’s Day. If you are fortunate to have your mother, mama, mom, mommy, mater, ma mère, grandmother, great-grandmother, or even an ‘extra-mom’, it all comes down to memories shared and new ones yet to be made. It’s not about the cost, but the thought that counts. Below a simple glass pedestal filled with oversized sea shells and more pearls with a touch of crystals.

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  IndieBound.org             “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER  http://getBook.at/Tableofferings.

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!”  Books 1, 2, & 3 AVAILABLE on …

Amazon      Barnes & Noble     IndieBound.org

Book1  http://getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   http://getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   http://getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

Dishing it up / with Sharon

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Rise to the occasion!

How many times have we heard, or been told to do just that .   .   . rise to the occasion? Well .   .   . I’m here to tell you, that when it comes to tablescaping that’s exactly what I do. While desserts are usually a visual feast all on their own, I, being the inveterate tablescaper, am always aiming for loftier heights, as shown in the photo above. Two simple looking cakes on their own, but elevate them to different heights .   .   . shazam! .   .   . pow! .   .   . wahoo .   .   . yummy, yummy, come to my tummy! As you all can see, these stands are not amazing works of art .   .   . BUT what they do, is get your eyes on the featured prize. Read on…

Cake stands have been around since just past the caveman moving into his first above ground digs. O k .   .   . sooo maybe a slight exaggeration! It has been said, that cake stands  began during the Victorian period .   .   . hmm, um .   .   . do I know unequivocally, of course not!!! As a side bar .   .   . I personally am going with my caveman theory! Pedestal stands for cakes run the proverbial gamut. Stands are available in new and vintage glass, crystal, pottery, wood,  sterling, pewter, etc.etc.. What, you haven’t a cake stand .   .   . oh my! What to do, what to do? I’ve got it!!! Check out the  above photo. More basic ideas can be as simple as a plain old garden variety clay flower pot, inverted with a plate secured on top using a glue gun, or a candleholder with a plate on top. Not fancy schmancy enough for your table? No worries .   .   . a quick flick of the old paint brush, or a spritz of spray paint. Still not doing it for your taste or look .   .   . hang on .   .   . you all know I have more ideas up my sleeve .   .   . right? Ahhh .   .   . to those of you who just said I always do .   .   . thanks!!  So here are some more fun embellishments you can experiment with in your moment of artistic madness. Rhinestones, sea shells, ribbon, buttons, plain or embellished, or go totally crazy and decoupage. Ha ha .   .   . oh yes indeed, this is a horse of another color. Now is the time for you late creative bloomers to step out-of-the-box, and go absolutely wild!!! Think everything from tea bag wrappers/tags, pictures of yummy desserts, recipes, copies of invitations appropriate to the occasion, etc., etc., etc..

Thanks for all of your e-mails … Keep them coming!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier.

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Shhh .   .   . listen. Do you hear her? No? Hmmm. Try closing your eyes.

Oh pleeease .   .   . listen again. Ahh .   .    .  yes! Now you’ve got it! Familiar loving, nurturing, and encouraging words that will always be part of us. In fact it’s part of what defines us, to be passed on to the next generation. What makes these words and acts of emotion different than those of our peers? Oh that’s an easy answer. Our mother’s, step-mother’s, grand/great grandmother’s, and others who have filled-in-the-gap as mother figures have championed us in the face of adversity and who’s applause resonate loudest with our victories.

The cake seen above with its cascading pearls sparked the idea of a Mother’s Day garden party. A floral patterned table cloth will create a bright canvas to hold sparkling white dishes, brilliant red glasses, and silver mint julep cups of red and yellow roses set at each place setting. To continue the Mother’s Day theme, I will use my collection of faux and real strands of pearls mixed with giant sea shells and stunning coral as my centerpiece. To all of the strong, caring, unwavering champions  .   .   .  wishing you the HAPPIEST of Mother’s Day and .   .   . not only should you let them eat cake .   .   . but as much as they want!!!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

Dishing it up /Sharon insul

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®



There are many of us who have warm fuzzy feelings about our Mother’s Day memories. Now that my mom is no longer in the present I find that my need to express warm, fuzzy and loving feelings have found other deserving recipients. Why shouldn’t a daughter, granddaughter, niece, or a newly minted mother receive a few fun trinkets along with a bucket load of bravos, for what at times can and will be a daunting task of love .   .   . aka .   .   . learning to navigate through the minefield of motherhood.


One of my favorite celebrations, when I was a kid, was Mother’s Day. With all of the designated holidays throughout the year, why was this one so high up on my happy list? Easy question .   .   . simple answer. Mother’s Day always allowed me the perfect opportunity to create anything and everything that would show my mom just how very special and loved she was. Even as a young child my direction was always toward the light. The light of creativity of course. Give me a Kleenex and I would present her with a rose, a box of toothpicks would turn into a village. At three years old a needle, thread, and bits of fabric would always yield a new wardrobe for my doll. Well here I am .   .   . a few years later (Lol) .   .   . and still moving toward the light .   .   . of creativity. I give you a simple gift idea for Mother’s Day.  Yikes! Stop! Nobody panic! My suggestion does notrequire a needle and thread. But what it does require is a little bit of shopping. Yahoo!Come back! Wait .   .   . till I tell what your running off to shop for. Phew!  Take one plastic hard hat seen below, that can be found in any party store, and fill it with tons of pampering goodies that scream you deserve tons of pampering . . . for all of the daunting tasks you preform 24/7′!  


Now on Amazon  http://amzn.to/2ehlCp4 “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER !

FOR THE KIDDIES in your life …It’s all about those adorable sisters! Listen to my children’s books live radio interview bit.ly/29QSJPd
I am sooo Lucky!!!  AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon http://amzn.to/1qh38Zf
Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and…
Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

One of my favorite celebrations, when I was a kid, was Mother’s Day. With all of the designated holidays throughout the year, why was this one so high up on my happy list? Easy question .   .   . simple answer. Mother’s Day always allowed me the perfect opportunity to create anything and everything that would show my mom just how very special and loved she was. Even as a young child my direction was always toward the light. The light of creativity of course. Give me a Kleenex and I would present her with a rose, a box of toothpicks would turn into a village. At three years old a needle, thread, and bits of fabric would always yield a new wardrobe for my doll. Well here I am .   .   . a few years later (Lol) .   .   . and still moving toward the light .   .   . of creativity. I give you a simple gift idea for Mother’s Day.  Yikes! Stop! Nobody panic! My suggestion does not require a needle and thread. But what it does require is a little bit of shopping. Yahoo! Come back! Wait .   .   . till I tell what your running off to shop for. Phew!  Take one plastic hard hat seen below, that can be found in any party store, and fill it with tons of pampering goodies that scream you deserve tons of pampering . . . for all of the daunting tasks you preform 24/7′!  

There are many of us who have warm fuzzy feelings about our Mother’s Day memories. Now that my mom is no longer in the present I find that my need to express warm, fuzzy and loving feelings have found other deserving recipients. Why shouldn’t a daughter, granddaughter, niece, or a newly minted mother receive a few fun trinkets along with a bucket load of bravos, for what at times can and will be a daunting task of love .   .   . aka .   .   . learning to navigate through the minefield of motherhood.

Now on Amazon  http://amzn.to/2ehlCp4 “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER !

FOR THE KIDDIES in your life …It’s all about those adorable sisters! Listen to my children’s books live radio interview bit.ly/29QSJPd
I am sooo Lucky!!!  AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon http://amzn.to/1qh38Zf

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier