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Hi Everyone, 

I just can’t believe that DishingwithDiane.com is a year old already.

The year just flew by and I have had so much fun sharing my stories, my tablescapes and my recipes with you.

I want to thank all of the DishingwithDiane members for your support and I love your comments and feedback. I feel as if I know you all personally and we are old friends.

Please share and ask your family and friends to become members and join the fun.

Well, we are starting year number TWO, but before we start we have to have a celebration!

My favorite color combination is black, white and gold and I have the perfect dishes in just those colors.

I am breaking out the fine china. (I really shouldn’t say breaking and fine china in the same sentence. Gives me a chill). Back to the celebration tablescape.

I am using Lenox fine china in the Minstrel Gold pattern. I fell in love with this pattern immediately because of the color combination and the floral shapes. The dishes feature beautiful gold and black flowers on a white background, trimmed in gold.

The dish description said it was inspired by the Art Deco theme. I am a big fan of Art Deco. I should have been born in the 1930’s.

Choosing a tablecloth was not a hard choice for me. I bought this Kate Spade (love her too) tablecloth last year and had it packed away. You guessed it, I bought it because of the color combination and now is the perfect occasion to use it.

I was originally keeping it for a New Year’s Eve tablescape, but a Blogiversary is a very special occasion.

Black, gold and a pale blush polka dots on a white backgroud. Kate Spade features a lot of polka dots in her collections. If you are a fan of polka dots, Kate Spade is the place to look. I guarantee you will find something you love.

There is so much pattern going on with this tablecloth, I decided to use black napkins instead of the matching napkins to tone it down a bit. You don’t have to “match” everything- there are no rules.

I still wanted that celebration feeling so I am using rhinestone napkin rings.

With this color combination, there really was no other choice than to use black placemats and gold chargers. Now everything looks complete.

Once again, I am using my everyday, silver and gold flatware.

This flatware goes with everything.

Well, we have to have a “good luck” toast, so this calls for my Waterford champagne flutes. For more sparkle, I set the table with the matching goblets. 

For my centerpiece I wanted something simple and elegant, so I brought another piece of my Waterford collection out of storage; the matching vase to the champagne flutes. I brought the vase to my favorite florist for an all white arrangement.

My florist John is simply the best! He knew exactly the vision I had with the white flowers and the crystal vase. John has been my florist for many years.

If you are ever in need of a florist, call

 Raindrops & Roses Florist

 in Bay Shore, NY and ask for John. You will never be disappointed.

To add to the sparkle, I placed the vase on a mirrored disc. 

You know by now how much I love candles, so I added crystal candlesticks on each side of the vase. These candlesticks are rimmed in gold and I filled in the candle base with gold glass pebbles and I added a clear tapered candle, speckled in gold. They were placed on mirrored discs as well.

 I had a few gold votive candles that I thought would bring a beautiful glow to the table. These candles are leftover party favors that I once used for a New Year’s Eve party.

I did mention there would be a celebratory toast, so to chill the Prosecco, I am using a gold wine cooler. I love the bold pop of color the wine cooler brings to the table among all the icy clear crystal.

I love using confetti on my tables and this table called for “special celebration” confetti in white, silver and gold. A combination of tiny champagne bottles and champagne glasses covered in glitter. 

I think just a sprinkle around the mirrored discs would be enough. The confetti would get lost directly on the tablecloth with the polka dot pattern.

And NO celebration is ever complete without some eating involved, especially dessert? My husband bought me a “One Year Blogiversary” cake.

Of course, decorated in white, gold and black filled with lemon curd and raspberry mousse. Two of my favorite fillings.

I have the perfect cake stand for this occasion and I am so excited to finally have a chance to use it. I found it online during one of my retail therapy sessions and just couldn’t resist the beautiful wavy design of the glass and the gold border. 

I was waiting for the perfect occasion to use this cake stand, but I never thought that the occasion would be a Blogiversary.

A last minute touch of some “2016” party danglers hanging from my dining room fixture and my celebration tablescape is complete.

(photo courtesy of amscam)

 Bob and I are going to enjoy some cake and a glass of Prosecco and celebrate this very special occasion.

 I wish you could join me for DishingwithDiane.com “1st anniversary”.

I will be thinking of you and your support throughout the year.

I am truly grateful to all of you.

On to year TWO of tablescapes, stories and recipes…

Place Setting

Table Details

Kate Spade “Logan Park” tablecloth from Macy’s

Black napkins from Amazon

Rhinestone napkin rings from Amazon

Black woven placemats from Bed, Bath and Beyond

Gold charger plates from Pier 1

Gold & Silver flatware –every day set

Champagne Flutes and Goblets from Waterford Crystal

Crystal vase from Waterford Crystal

Crystal candlesticks from a wedding gift (1988)

Gold cake stand from Bed, Bath & Beyond

Gold votive candles from Kate Aspen

Mirrored Discs from Michael’s Arts and Crafts

Wine cooler from Target

Confetti from Party City

“One Year Blogiversary Cake” from Alpine Bakery, Smithtown, NY

Until my next post, make every day a celebration!

Diane

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