Taste of Savannah: "Setting the Perfect Holiday Table" with Annette Joseph

The Savannah Food & Wine Festival culminated this past weekend with Taste of Savannah, an event that shut down Ellis Square & was full of all sorts of food & wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, & food-related learning experiences. One such experience was a demo by the entertaining expert for The Today Show, Annette Joseph, in which she shared her tips & tricks for "setting the perfect holiday table." And she did so with items she borrowed from our shelves right here at The Paris Market. Her demo was wonderfully enlightening & we jotted down a few of her party planning tips:

• Create a party tool kit: Collect all your party materials throughout the year & keep them in one place so you don't waste time running around during the holiday season trying to find things. (For those of you that may be more regular entertainers, a "party pantry" may even be in order.)
• Before you go out & buy something new, look & see what you already have. 
• Think outside the box! For instance, something as simple as tea towels have so much versatility: use them as napkins, place mats, or even mix & match different ones to make a table runner.
• Shop like a prop stylist. Collect things as you see them. Chance are, if you like it, it will most likely go with the things you already have.  
• Don't be afraid to mix & match! Different textures create a more interesting table.
• Give your guests a take-away gift; something for them to remember the event by. For instance, a little bag of pumpkin potpourri. :)
    

Annette will be joining us here at The Paris Market on December 6, 2014 for a signing of her book "Picture Perfect Parties." Check out the trailer for the book below & stayed tuned to our social media channels for more details on the event as the date gets closer.

A Table Tout Le Monde: Backyard Picnic

We can hardly believe that August is already half-way over, but here at the Paris Market we're not ready to say goodbye to summer just yet. We're going to spend time outdoors basking in the warm, late afternoon sun for as long as we can & what better way to do that than setting a table in your backyard or on your back patio & sharing a meal with friends. With this table setting, featuring ceramic bisqueware, handwoven napkins, & handmade wooden napkin holders, you really can't go wrong. And, even better, all the little pops of color help to set the mood for a lovely summer evening. So ring the dinner bell & call everyone to the table because it's time to eat!  

For the Table: Handmade Napkin Rings

When we begin setting our table, whether it be for a simple meal for two or an entire spread for all of our friends and family, we like to be able to bring something that makes the table truly unique. In many cases, napkin rings can seem like an over embellishment and the last thing we want is to make a meal feel too formal and alienate our guests. However, when done right, napkin rings can really add that extra nuance to the table, bringing a subtle accent to the rest of the decor. Such is the case with our latest collection of wooden napkin rings, handmade by Collin Garrity. A beautiful assortment of exotic woods, each napkin ring matches its quality with beauty and undoubtedly brings life to each place setting at the table. Perfect for small or large gatherings, formal and informal, and unquestionably a beautiful accent to your table, these handmade napkin rings are an absolute must have this spring!  

Available at The Paris Market.