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For our table this year we’ve selected an elegant Thanksgiving tablescape featuring neutrals!  Utilizing neutrals creates a stunning and sophisticated way to celebrate one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving!  I’ve been spending lots of mental real estate, planning months ahead, for our new menu for this year and of equally important how the Thanksgiving tablescape will come together.  This blog post is your Step by Step Guide to Creating a Stunning Neutral Thanksgiving Tablescape.   Most years for our Thanksgiving tablescape has featured bold orange, earthy browns, navy blues, strong prints, and tons of color.   But this year pairing back to the simplicity of a neutral palette, just feels right.  The total look feels more elegant and yet relaxed, the hallmark of what we hope our Thanksgiving hosting experience will be with our family this year!  Just like the leaves here in the mountains, the yellows and golds are the first leaves that sweep across the mountainscape, signaling that full beauty of Autumn is here!  Gold accessories like the oak leaf napkin ring and charger pairs so beautifully with neutrals.   And the best news for last is this Thanksgiving Tablescape took on a $100 Challenge.  Almost everything on the table was purchased as part of a $100 budget including: gold chargers, silver floral urns, oasis foam, fresh floral, napkins, tablecloth, votives, and cutlery.  Here are some disclaimers: this step by step guide will show you how to achieve a similar look for your holiday table and this budget below is representative for a table setting for eight.  And I colored outside the lines, blowing the budget a little and I am pleased!   Not only am I feeling great about the price tag and staying within budget, but also the overall look achieved!  This budget however does not reflect the platinum China and crystal goblets; which could easily be substituted with simple everyday white plates and clear glassware you already own.  Neutrals: Versatile and Easy to Transition When I stop to consider which pieces get used the most in our entertaining arsenal: neutrals win hands-down!  Neutral pieces have the most versatility and can be used throughout the change of seasons and pair beautifully with a few bright pops of color or minimal seasonal decor pieces.  And neturals have a superpower that they can be combined with any color from the spectrum and still look amazing making them great investments for your family! Neutrals are the perfect solution for anyone looking to create a timeless tablescape.  Timeless and classic neutrals like beige, ivories, taupes, and soft grays transcend time and can be featured in any decor style.  Providing the perfect backdrop in this tablescape to really make the metallic accents of gold and silver shine.   Thanksgiving Tablescape: Tablecloth and Napkins We’ve selected a neutral base which includes: the tablecloth, napkins, and crystal drinkware. Perfect for the Autumn season, the tablecloth is a subtle nod to Autumn and features a neutral leaf pattern.  Here’s a step-by-step description to help you achieve this look: Neutral Leaf Print Tablecloth First step, the base for our tablescape this neutral-colored tablecloth incorporates a leaf design in muted ivory, beige, and subtle hints of taupe. This tablescape creates a subtle and elegant foundation with the leaf motif that allows the gold accents to shine. Learn more… White Cloth Napkins Celebratory dining occasions like Thanksgiving, really call for a cloth napkin. Not only do they look great on your place setting but it just feels elevated to have a cloth napkin.  White napkin linens which are a great inexpensive item to purchase that can be used with almost any tablescape.  And as a parent, I believe it’s well worth the extra effort of creating a formal place setting so my children know the proper dining etiquette and feel comfortable at a beautiful table.  For this look we used a simple rectangle fold, which looks great with these gold Red Oak leaf napkin rings.  Learn more… Noritake Crestwood Platinum China Opting for this simple and elegant Noritake Crestwood Platinum china set in white with a platinum border is stunning! The clean backdrop will make your antique gold chargers and other accents stand out.  The mix of gold and silver is elegant with the play of the platinum plate edge and silver floral urns are stunning with the gold accents in the napkin ring and charger. This set is a service for eight and when you consider the price per piece is under eight dollars per item; it’s a great value and perfect for anyone who loves to entertain! Learn more… Antique Gold Chargers Gold has characteristics that are warm and inviting just like the Thanksgiving season itself!  Place these gold chargers beneath each plate to add a touch of opulence. These charges have a rich, warm hue that will contrast beautifully with the neutral plates and create a luxurious base.  I purchased the ones used for our Thanksgiving tablescape from the Dollar Tree for a $1.25 each.  And I love the way the edges of this particular charger play off of the bamboo root cutlery.   Learn more… Godinger Crystal Goblets You will love these crystal goblets. The cut design in these crystal goblets is beautiful and size of the goblet is the essence of hospitality, as it holds enough of your favorite beverage for an entire family-style meal.   For crystal, these are very affordable for a pack of four. Learn more… Bamboo Root Cutlery  The natural texture and warm tones of bamboo will contrast beautifully with the gold accents. And I love how the bamboo brings in a bark like element that is echoed in the chiseled edges of the gold chargers.  Learn more… Leaf Napkin Ring For our tablescape the season accessories are minimal: the subtle leaf pattern tablecloth and gold oak leaf napkin rings.  Oak leaves symbolize strength. And we love oak leaves and use them liberally in our home decor.  We have four sets of oak leaf napkin rings that we use throughout the

Significance of Newborn Hospital Pictures Newborn Photography: this article is all about taking your own hospital newborn portraits and capturing the moments you meet your baby for the first time!  This article helps you plan ahead for this momentous occasion with photography tips, pose ideas, and resource guide of inspiration.  The first time you meet your baby is a profound and indescribable experience. You are overcome with emotion and love; it’s hard to describe how much love you feel for someone you’ve just met!  Meeting your baby is a precious memory you’ll want to preserve and capture to enjoy pictures for many years to come.  This article is all about newborn photography helpful photography tips, pose ideas, and resources for taking your own hospital newborn pictures!   Newborn photos become a time capsule, transporting us back to that special day in time, preserving the details of that special day—the tiny fingers and toes, the wrinkled forehead, the blissful expressions of new parents—as if frozen in time.  These photos hold a unique power to evoke emotions and memories for your child as well who will reflect on these photos as they grow older, providing a glimpse into their earliest days and the love that surrounded their arrival.   Now that I’m a Mom of two these tips and resources are what we utilized for baby number two’s hospital newborn photos. The photos from baby number one’s hospital newborn photos included the linens provided by the hospital and did not include any of these thoughtful injections of color and props.  I wish there had been resources available to help first-time parents plan for hospital newborn photography at the hospital.  If this article is helpful for you in planning your newborn photos at the hospital please let us know in the comments below.  Photography Tips for Newborn Photography of your Newborn at the Hospital Capturing those precious first moments of your newborn baby’s life in the hospital is a wonderful way to preserve memories that you’ll cherish forever.  Newborn Photography sessions at the hospital are difficult to schedule and book because your baby may come unexpectedly.  And if the hospital offers photos of your newborn, the quality of those baby pictures is not great.  If photo packages are offered it’s generally a trained nurse that will take the pictures, not necessarily a trained photographer.  This is where you’ll want to be prepared to take photos or have a trusted friend or family member be prepared to help you enjoy this heartfelt photo opportunity.  Here are five tips for taking beautiful and memorable photos of your new baby in the hospital: Newborn Photography: Five Photography Tips for Newborn Portraits at the Hospital Use Natural Light: Whenever possible, use natural light from windows to illuminate your baby. Soft, diffused natural light creates a flattering and gentle glow, perfect for taking your own hospital newborn pictures. Keep the focus on your baby as the main subject of the photo: in the hospital avoid cluttered backgrounds or distractions that may take away from the focus on your little one. Include Family Members: If siblings or grandparents are present, include them in some of the photos with the newborn. Sibling interactions and family bonding moments make for heartwarming and memorable photographs.  Make sure you have someone take a picture of both parents with your newborn, trust me this will become one of your most cherished pictures!   Use Props Thoughtfully: include a curated group of props in your photos, choose ones that are simple and meaningful. Check out the resources in the last section of this article for inspiration.  Check out the resource guide below for Newborn Portraits at the hospital for ways to personalize and add a special touch to your photos. Document Details: Don’t forget to document the little details of your baby’s first hours, such as their hospital bracelet, tiny feet, and the first time they open their eyes. These details may seem small now but will become cherished memories as your baby grows.  My husband and I have tons of photos of newborn hospital photos and even captured short video clips of both of our children as newborns and the sweet coo-ing noise they made while they were in the hospital – so precious!  I always enjoy looking back at these first hospital newborn photos, which is an exquisite moment in time –  becoming a parent and having a family! Newborn Photography: Eight Pose Ideas for Hospital Portraits When planning for newborn hospital pictures, you want to capture the essence of those precious first moments with your baby. Here are eight pose ideas to inspire your newborn hospital photo session: Family Introductions: Capture the reactions of family members meeting the baby for the first time. Whether it’s the joy on the faces of grandparents or the curiosity of siblings, these moments are full of emotion and love.  If you have older children, include them in the photos to capture the special bond between siblings. Encourage gentle interactions and cuddles between the baby and their siblings for heartwarming photos. Close-Up Details: Take close-up shots of your baby’s tiny features, such as their fingers, toes, ears, and nose. These intimate shots highlight the unique beauty of your newborn and make for timeless keepsakes. Parent-Baby Bonding: Take photos of each parent individually with the baby, both parents together with the baby, as well everyone together as a family. Note -make sure you ask someone to take a picture of Mom and Dad together with baby – trust me, this will be one of your favorite pictures! Skin-to-Skin Contact: Cuddling skin-to-skin is not only beneficial for bonding but also makes for beautiful and intimate photos! Cradle Pose: Position the baby in a cradle pose, with their head resting in the crook of your arm or nestled against your chest. This classic pose highlights the baby’s profile and creates a sense of security and comfort. Hospital Room Environment: Incorporate elements of the hospital room into your photos to document