Yes, I know it’s only July and I promise I’m not trying to rush things but WhisperWood Cottage is having a scouting party for Cottages & Bungalows magazine and I really would love to be part of their magazine! So, I’m sharing some Autumn table loveliness a little early! This is a photo shoot that my dear friends Pat Roberts, Sherry Spencer (the mother/daughter dynamic duo behind Southern Blooms), Jen Fariello (photographer extraordinaire) and I created a while back. I love it so much that I felt it was worth sharing it with you and the magazine!
We set this lovely farm table (built by Pat’s husband Jim) up in Jen’s yard which was filled with all these gorgeous leaves – just begging to be a carpet for this scene. I think this vignette is a great fit for Cottages & Bungalows magazine because it’s a whimsical blend of rustic and cozy elements (that you might find in a cottage) with some finer items like crystal stemware and beautiful porcelain plates – as if you’ve raided your grandmother’s china cabinet and hauled it outside. To continue that blended theme, we mixed and matched the chairs around the table combining a bench, 2 windsor chairs and some plain ladder back chairs. I really like mixing chairs – in fact, I’m on the hunt for some fun chairs to mix up around my dinner table now, but that’s a whole different post! I also love the hanging lanterns from the trees. Imagine how lovely they will be at dusk with flickering candlelight!
At the table we mixed and matched dinner plates but placed them all on these marble chargers for continuity. I like to find some uniting elements when mixing and matching to keep a table from feeling a little too random. All of the lovely plates, chargers, flatware & crystal are from Festive Fare. Check out their site here to rent them for your holiday table!
I made these custom place cards & menus for the table – I really like interesting shapes but they are quite time consuming so I think they are perfect for small dinner parties like this – not for big groups…
This fruit, vegetable & flower centerpiece is just so stunning I don’t even know where to begin! It has red cabbage, eggplant, grapes, pears, figs, ferns, berries, roses, pheasant feathers and much, much more! I also love the grass in the lanterns on the table too! Aren’t Pat & Sherry so talented? I was at a photography workshop last week (trying to brush up my photo skills for the blog!) and got to photograph more of their work which I’m excited to share with you soon. Stay tuned for that.
I also made these little drink stirrers – perfect embellishments for crisp Apple Cider!
And finally, what’s a Thanksgiving (or any party for that matter) without a delicious dessert? For this one I whipped up these mini ginger pumpkin pies and they are so yummy! Click here for the recipe.
Please say a prayer for me in this attempt to be scouted by their magazine 
I’m also linking this up to the Lettered Cottage and The Style Sisters!
Happy Celebrating!
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July 23, 2012 at 10:22 am, Jill Flory said:
Those photos are BEAUTIFUL! They really should sit up and take notice over at Cottages and Bungalows! Good for you putting it out there!
July 23, 2012 at 10:49 am, Jennifer said:
Thank you Jill!!! You are sweet to say so! I was a little nervous about “putting it out there” I rarely win anything – but I’m hoping that even if I don’t win, I may still get my foot in their door! My fingers are crossed and I’m praying!
July 23, 2012 at 11:05 am, Lucinda said:
Such beautiful pictures!!! You have the most exquisite taste!!! Keep up the good work!!
July 23, 2012 at 11:07 am, Jennifer said:
Thank you SO much!! I’m thrilled you like it!!
July 23, 2012 at 12:57 pm, Marion said:
Fall is my favorite time of year so this just jumped out at me. Personally it did my heart good to see it in July!
Thanks for sharing it and the very best of luck to you!
July 23, 2012 at 3:19 pm, Jennifer said:
I {heart} Fall too!! It’s absolutely my favorite! You’re right – it’s kind of a nice break to look at Fall when it’s soooo hot out. I hadn’t thought of it from that perspective
July 23, 2012 at 8:23 pm, Kim V. said:
Beautiful! I could see this in Cottages and Bungalows, I’m a subscriber. I love it
July 23, 2012 at 8:27 pm, Jennifer said:
YAY!! Thanks for your vote Kim
Hopefully the editors will agree!!
July 24, 2012 at 12:03 pm, Diane | An Extraordinary Day said:
What great photos. Every detail is lovely. I can almost smell the leaves and the crispness of the air. And that leads to an appetite for your yummy dessert!
Hope C&B pick’s YOU!
July 25, 2012 at 10:09 am, Jennifer said:
Thank you so much Diane!
July 25, 2012 at 7:07 am, Ginny Justice said:
I completely agree with Diane from An Extraordiary Day. Tom and I so miss autumn in Virginia. If we could just bottle it and bring it to Florida! Thank you for sharing this beautiful work by you, Pat, Sherry, and Jen. You continue to inspire. And Good Luck with C & B. They would be so lucky to have your work displayed!
July 25, 2012 at 10:10 am, Jennifer said:
Thanks Ginny!! I think it’s Virginia’s “best” season! I love it!!
August 08, 2012 at 10:01 pm, Keeping it Cozy said:
This is stunning! I love every little detail! And the photos are gorgeous.
August 09, 2012 at 9:56 am, Jennifer said:
Thank you so much!! I’m so happy you love it!
August 09, 2012 at 4:18 pm, Ginger said:
I wish it were a voting contest, you would have my vote. What a gorgeous setting. I would have thought it came out of a magazine. Good luck!
August 09, 2012 at 7:45 pm, Jennifer said:
Thanks Ginger!! That’s so kind of you! I just found out that I’m a finalist and am bouncing around my living room!!
Fingers crossed for the big announcement on Monday! Thanks for your “virtual” vote of confidence!!!
August 13, 2012 at 3:14 pm, northern cottage said:
wow – just so completely stunning – makes me want to run through the leaves and take a seat at your gorgeous table!
August 14, 2012 at 6:19 pm, Jennifer said:
Thank you so much!! What a kind and lovely thought
September 25, 2012 at 4:38 pm, Natalie @ TheShadyAcre said:
Beautiful!
September 28, 2012 at 9:18 am, Jennifer said:
Thank you Natalie! That is so kind of you to say!!
October 03, 2012 at 12:36 am, The Style Sisters said:
Gorgeeeous! If they don’t notice you they are missing something great! Love the whole idea if setting up outside …especially in this picturesque setting! All your details are amazing..I want to go back and study the pictures more! Cme link up to Centerpiece Wednesday on my blog and share this with us!
Karin
October 03, 2012 at 5:11 pm, Jennifer said:
> Hi Karin! Thanks so much!! I just linked up to your Centerpiece Wednesday party! Thank you so much for inviting me!
I’m really enjoying exploring your blog too!! ~ Jennifer
October 11, 2012 at 10:36 am, 10 Thanksgiving Table Ideas - Cherished Bliss said:
[...] via Celebrating Everyday Life [...]
October 22, 2012 at 9:51 pm, {31 Extraordinary Days} Thinking Ahead to Thanksgiving | An Extraordinary Day | A Place of Joy and Inspiration said:
[...] with every detail right down to the placecards put together by my friend Jennifer Carroll of Celebrating Everyday Life. Isn’t it [...]
October 29, 2012 at 5:36 am, Thanksgiving Inspiration on Hometalk | The Happier Homemaker said:
[...] this amazing tablescape from Celebrating Everyday Life that would be perfect for Thanksgiving. (And shows that perhaps I have an affinity for feathers [...]
November 10, 2012 at 7:01 am, Recreate and decorate said:
That is beautiful!
November 12, 2012 at 9:18 pm, Jennifer said:
Thank you so much!!! What a delightfully kind comment!! Thank you for visiting!!
November 16, 2012 at 6:56 am, {Thanksgiving DIY} How to make your own Thanksgiving Centerpiece - Celebrating everyday life with Jennifer Carroll | Celebrating everyday life with Jennifer Carroll said:
[...] If you’d like a little more Thanksgiving tablescape inspiration check out my Outdoor Harvest Table! [...]
November 17, 2012 at 2:01 pm, Christine said:
I ADORE this! thank you for the inspiration!
November 19, 2012 at 10:13 am, Jennifer said:
Thanks Christine!! It was a wonderful table to create! I’m so glad you like it too!!