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simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

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The Early Fall Table

September 15, 2022 By Kristin No Comments

Hello! Can you believe Labor Day has come and gone, and fall is upon us? I adore fall (it’s by far my favorite season of the year), but I have to admit, it’s hard to let go of those warm summer nights. If you’re lucky, there may still be a few Indian summer nights over the coming weeks, so to take full advantage: play games, have family dinner out on the patio, catch fireflies, go for an evening walk, host a dinner and pretend summer is still in full swing 🙂

No matter the company (maybe it’s just you and your spouse/partner, and kids), I urge you to set a beautiful table and enjoy a family-cooked meal out under the setting sun and stars. This time of year is when you see me (temporarily) break my love affair with neutrals. As the summer comes to a close and we prepare to welcome a burst of autumn color, I tend to gravitate towards earthy golds, dark pinks, burgundy, and mauve. These moody, rich tones seem like the perfect bookend to summer, while hinting at what’s to soon come for fall.

Now, when I said set a nice table for dinner, I meant, set a nice table! Don’t get me wrong, with three littles and very busy schedules, we often eat off paper plates — there’s no risk of breaking anything, and clean up is so easy. But for one night, bring out the real plates, cloth napkins, light some candles, and enjoy what life was like in simpler times — when families always used real plates, and dinner was a special time each day to come together, slow down, honor traditions and give thanks.

One of my favorite shops to pick up colorful table linens is Couleur Nature. The Jardin table runner in red & grey is one of my favorite purchases — the colors are gorgeous and it makes setting a coordinated table a breeze. There’s a variety of colors in this cloth to choose from, so it’s simple to find complimentary flowers, napkins, glasses, etc. It also comes in a table cloth too.

As you can see — I stuck with burgundy, mauve, and dark pink for my decor, with splashes of pretty amber colored glass. These amber water glasses from Anthropologie are stunning.

Some rustic gold candlesticks are just enough to make the evening feel special without being “stuffy” or too formal. Anthro also has a gorgeous assortment of richly hued candles here, including a rose/mauve collection. A few small amber jar candles (thank you Bullseye’s playground at Target) add dimension and variety.

For my flower arrangement, I stuck with the same deep burgundy tones, and kept it simple with just a couple different flowers — nothing elaborate or complicated. Again, there are so many ways to dress up this table runner. In the summer, big fluffy pink peonies would look delightful, as would soft, white hydrangeas if you’re looking to tone down the color. Sunflowers or blue hydrangeas are another option. For a romantic evening with a table for two: roses — red or pink.

A beautiful, yet simple way to wrap things up (and one of my favorite ways to complete a table setting) is to tuck your silverware in a napkin, tie it with a piece of twine, and slide a flower, rosemary sprig, or small piece of greenery in the twine. Again, this is just enough to be special, but not formal. And don’t worry about pressing the napkins! This is a low-key dinner with the people you love, not a wedding — the wrinkles give your setting a nice texture, leaving it just a little undone (perfect in it’s imperfection).

To close, let me share my inspiration for this post! Last week I read an article about a woman who had recently lost her husband (their kids were grown and had moved out), and she talked about how they had always taken a very practical approach to everyday life. They had nice things, but they never used them, they always saved them for later or for special occasions. After losing her husband, however, she realized, life is short and precious, and it made no sense to keep all the wonderful things they’d collected over their life together away in cabinet or packed up in a box. Although she can no longer enjoy these things with her husband, she talked about how she now makes an effort to enjoy the beautiful things she has — she’ll have dinner on their wedding china every now and then, she’ll wear the expensive cashmere sweater she received as birthday gift for no special reason (other than because it feels good against her skin), or she’ll open a nice bottle of champagne and have a glass with dinner.

She’s right — it’s so easy to get bogged down in the day to day and forget to enjoy the wonderful things we have right in front of us. Whether that be a special item we cherish or just the gift of time with the people we love. We save them for later and we put off quality time, but why? What if later never comes? Or, what if it comes too late?

Enjoy the beautiful things you’ve collected and the special people in your life. Take time to prepare a healthy meal. Set the table. Light the candles. Eat a leisurely dinner with the people you love. That’s my challenge to you during this beautiful season of transition.

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see also

  • The Essential 25 Capsule Collection Vol. 1: Spring & Summer 2020The Essential 25 Capsule Collection Vol. 1: Spring & Summer 2020
  • Bedroom RevealBedroom Reveal
  • Essential 25 Lookbook: Look No. 4Essential 25 Lookbook: Look No. 4
  • Essential 25 Lookbook: Style #3Essential 25 Lookbook: Style #3

Filed Under: Family, Home Tagged With: autumntable, autumntablesetting, dinneralfesco, dinneroutside, fallentertaining, falltable, falltablesetting, outdoordinner, outdoortablesetting

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Hello, I’m Kristin

Hello, I’m Kristin

Welcome to my blog, The Crisp Little Lookbook! In this space, I offer tips on how to take an intentional and meaningful approach to everyday life, welcome simplicity, and celebrate femininity and beauty. Whether your goal is creating a warm, beautiful home, building a timeless wardrobe, graciously welcoming and entertaining guests, or preparing nutritious food your family will love, I encourage you to slow down, eliminate excess, and identify the beauty in the everyday ordinary.

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A guide to a more simple, organized & fulfilling life, 1 image at a time. Wife, mama to 3 under 5, recovering attorney & lover of all things neutral.
Spring is finally here! I’m ready 💛 #goodbyew Spring is finally here! I’m ready 💛 #goodbyewinter
Looking for a quick, healthy, and satisfying break Looking for a quick, healthy, and satisfying breakfast?  Only requirement: you must love dill! 

Crack two eggs in a bowl, add a splash of milk, and whisk until fully combined.

Heat a mini skillet (I linked to a few of my favorites here) to medium heat and add a small dab of butter, coating the bottom of the pan. 

Add the egg mixture to the skillet and cover. Reduce heat to medium-low, and let cook 2-3 minutes.  Check that egg is cooked through (you may need to cover and let cook another minute or two). Gracefully (Julia Child-style), flip the egg over, then add shredded dill havarti, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt (love @maldonsalt ). Cover and let cook about one minute more (just until cheese has melted). 

Remove from pan to plate and sprinkle with fresh chopped dill. 

Serve with toast or your favorite fruit!  And if you want to add a little healthy fat to the mix, top with half an avocado.

Bon appétit! 💛

Follow my shop @thecrisplittlelookbook on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKhome
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“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatev “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 
- Philippians 4:8

It can be incredibly difficult in our post-modern culture to fill our minds with beautiful, just, and honorable things. It seems as if we’re in a race to see who can best glorify the grotesque.  Pop culture hasn’t met a boundary it isn’t willing to breach. It indulges and celebrates the darkest elements of humanity… music, movies, art, architecture … they don’t even attempt to stir your soul anymore, they’re focused on one thing, and one thing only: defiance.  Defiance against all that is good, beautiful, and true. 

One of the primary reasons I spend so much time creating beauty in our home is because I want it to be a refuge from the madness outside. I want my children to feel the goodness in this space, and to see evidence of God’s grace, creativity, and power. I want them to live everyday what the Apostle Paul commanded in his letter to the Philippians. 

Your environment and your mind are your destiny, so make them beautiful. 💛 #beautymatters
Meet Snowdrop, Jane, and Misty Morning … three p Meet Snowdrop, Jane, and Misty Morning … three prints I’ll be releasing in my Etsy shop (coming soon) … my pretty little quail was a gift for someone special, (so no prints of him) though maybe I’ll do another one in the future! 💛 #madewithlove
Sharing some of my favorite spring sweaters today Sharing some of my favorite spring sweaters today … flowers anyone? 💛 

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#liketkit #LTKSeasonal
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Hi 💛 Hi 💛
If you want to create beautiful things you need to If you want to create beautiful things you need to consciously surround yourself with beauty … starting with your workspace!  I finally got mine in working order, and I’m in love with this cabinet … it’s actually meant for a bathroom vanity, but why not an art supply cabinet?? 💛 #creatingbeautifulspaces 

Follow my shop @thecrisplittlelookbook on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

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Sunday morning breakfast was the yummiest homemade Sunday morning breakfast was the yummiest homemade popovers with honey butter and strawberry jam 🍓… grab a popover pan and whip these up (so easy)! 

Preheat oven to 450F … briskly whisk 3 eggs & 1 1/2 cups whole milk in a large bowl. Then whisk in 1 1/2 cups flour & 1/2 tsp salt until all lumps are broken up and dissolved.  Mix in 2 Tbsp melted butter & 1 tsp sugar. 

Place the popover pan in the oven for 2 mins, then remove and fill each cup three-quarters full with batter. Bake for 20 mins, then reduce heat to 350F and bake for another 20 mins. Popovers should be golden brown on top. Remove from oven, turn them out of the pan (they’ll just pop right out!) and serve immediately! 

Great with whipped honey butter or preserves. If you’re looking for a good jam, @stdalfourusa is our favorite … their strawberry rhubarb rivals my grandma’s recipe 💛 #crisplittlesundaybrunch
My first piece ✨ … I still need to receive pri My first piece ✨ … I still need to receive prints and launch my Etsy shop before I start selling, but this is your preview!  Each print will come with a unique fabric matting, sourced from a couple of my favorite local fabric stores. I’ll have individual prints, and some sets as well. My original intention was to include birds, botanicals, and maybe some landscapes, but I suspect they’ll be some fun wanderlust and whimsy thrown in too!  I’d love to hear your thoughts … what would you like to see hanging in your home?  Happy weekend all! 💛 #wonderandwhimsy

Follow my shop @thecrisplittlelookbook on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit 
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Hello! Well, after a very long drawn out sick per Hello!  Well, after a very long drawn out sick period (anyone else dealing with post-COVID monster viruses?!), we’re back … but with some changes. After giving it much thought, I’ve decided to give the blog a pause for awhile. 

I’ll still share weekly looks, home inspo, and nuggets of wisdom, but it’ll all be here and on Pinterest. 

One of the biggest challenges we all face, myself included, is how to manage our time, prioritize what we cherish most, and accomplish our goals. While I enjoy the blog, managing it has taken precious time away from other goals. If I’m honest, goals I’ve been too afraid to pursue. No more.  I’ve been wanting to start an art business and write a book (or two) for awhile. It’s clear to me that the blog has become a pleasant distraction, and a place for me to hide. 

Finding time for my husband, three small children, part-time homeschool, endless activities, a part-time law professorship, and creating a beautiful space to call home takes time and work. I don’t outsource much, I do it all. 

And to all the other full-time mamas out there, while many people may look at your life and think, “what does she do all day?”, you know the truth.  It’s work. It’s tough. I’ve done both — full-time as a lawyer and full-time as a mommy.  Homemaking and mothering is so often unnoticed and taken for granted, but I truly believe it’s the most important work.  And one day, the fruits of your labor will be realized. 

In the meantime, be ruthless with your free time.  Paint the picture. Start the business. Write the book.  Time passes so quickly … make the most of it 💛
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