As you all know by now I don’t enjoy cooking dinner but I what I do enjoy is the organizing of dinner. From spending hours pouring over recipes books trying to select just the right menu to setting and decorating the table. I love a pretty table and I especially love the diversion it provides from my lack of cooking ability. It’s sort of like how a great pair of jeans can make you look 10 pounds lighter. It’s all in the camouflage.
So in preparation of Christmas and my table setting magic I needed to figure out if I could run right out should purchase anything new this year in way of table linens to add to my collection. The problem is when I opened the bottom of my china cabinet this is what I found:
Hard to tell what I have in that mess. Napkin rings were spread out over both shelves, placemat sets were broken up, not to mention all the tablecloths I owned that hadn’t dressed a table in a number of years. It was time for a clean out. I started by pulling everything out and sorting it all by type. Then I did some weeding and purging before adding some of my favorite plastic shoebox containers. These are perfect to contain my napkins and napkin rings and to create some boundaries and limits to what I buy in the future. I also love how neatly they stack and pull out when it’s time to do my thing with the table.
I’m so excited at all the extra space I created for more shopping!
Anyone else enjoy setting the table more than the actual making of the meal?
Cathy says
Laura you must have got that from me. I think the very best part of having company is to make the table look absolutely stunning. I like it when people walk in and say wow.
Mom
jen says
I have 2 drawers for linens like this…..they are organized only because we just moved in.
Mrs. Wilson says
Actually, I like both. But I only like cooking if I have a big budget … which usually isn’t the case. I like cooking though, and would love to learn how to make my table look pretty!
Annie says
okay I’ll cook dinner and you set the table!!
Homemaker05 says
Um… yeah! Making dinner is fun and all… but it involves doing dishes and such! Setting the table is sooo fun! I get a chance to be creative, to use the things I love (I LOVE linens!) and to go over and above for people I love!
Now if only I had a little cabinet like you do… then I really could buy more! 🙂
Forgetfulone says
That looks great! I’m impressed.
Lazy Organizer says
Are you kidding me? I don’t even own a set of napkin rings. Or a table cloth for that matter! I do own a lot of quilts though so if I need something fancy then I grab one, throw a big piece of vinyl over it and we’re good to go.
Love the organizing!
claudiaNindiana says
“As you all know by now I don’t enjoy cooking dinner but I what I do enjoy is the organizing of dinner. From spending hours pouring over recipes books trying to select just the right menu to setting and decorating the table.”
You have described me perfectly with that statement! I’m not a GREAT cook but I am an organizing and styling genius. Btw, I love your site.
Laura says
I like doing both too – although I tend to ignore decorating until after I’ve already put the food on the table. Your organized cabinet looks fantastic! I wish I could hire you for a weekend. 🙂
Marcia, Organising Q says
Oooh, I love a nice table. And if I say so myself, I do set a beautiful table. People go “wow, it’s so pretty” then I know I’ve done a good job. Remember that post on my sideboard? You can go see my beautiful stuff there – and of course I like bright colours!
I have the same weirdness with presents – I like the presentation much more than the actual gift!
Busy Little Bee says
Thanks for the inspiration. This past Thanksgiving, I found myself searching the house for napkins and gave up on the napkin rings.
Lovefrom1stbite says
Oh yeah!! I know what it feels like because that was the thing I was responsible for at home! I definitely used to enjoy it a lot..
By the way you have a very nice blog, keep it up.
A food blogger next door 🙂