An Everyday Christmas Tablescape & CSN Review

I had such a hard time picking out something to review from CSN stores that I think I'm just going to stick to giveaways from here on out!  It is much easier on me!  After days of going through their website, I finally decided on these dishes.  Aren't they pretty?  This is the Pfaltzgraff Woodland dishes.

 

I actually found them in the clearance center, which is probably not for everyone.  The CSN clearance center is, apparently, all returned merchandise {that's what it says on the website anyway}.   I did hesitate for a moment, but a 16 piece Pfaltzgraff dinnerware set for under $50.00 is a really good buy and I figured I'd see what it looked like once I got it.

The dishes arrived packaged really well, boxed and bubble wrapped.  I could not see any indication that they had been a return.

 

 

I examined each and every piece thoroughly.  I did find that there was some scratches in the paint and a few little paint chips but not chips in the actual plates {does that make sense}.  It is a defect in the making of the plates and not something that CSN caused. 

 

Of course, I had to play with them and set a table!  These are everyday dishes and so I set the table in my kitchen.  I plan on getting a lot of use out of these during this holiday season.

I started out with these holiday placemats from Kohls {40% off).  I liked that the colors and pattern seemed to match the dishes really well.  I then started with the dinner plate.

Then layered the sandwich/salad plate {whatever meal you might be having}.  The design is a little different but the outer edge and rim is the same as the dinner plate.

The bowls, which could be used for cereal or soup.  You also have your mug for coffee or tea.

I had this little bowl {it may have come from Kohls last year}, and I love how the colors and the poinsettia design work with these dishes.

Of course, all these dishes wouldn’t be used everyday but as Yvonne at Stone Gable says, it looks much nicer when you have them set out this way.

Overall, I have to say that I was pleased with this item and would not hesitate to order from CSN again.  However, if I had purchased these dishes with this manufacturer's defect, I would probably have returned them, and this may well be what happened.

Linking up to:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch

*I did half this post in blogger on my old laptop and half in Live Writer on my new laptop, so the first few pictures have no watermark because they are “blogger” inserted pics.

Fooling Around With A Fall Tablescape

Nothing spectacular or new here.  I did feel like just setting my dining room table in a simple, but Fall-like manner. 

I love these amber colored drinking glasses that I found at Kohl's last year, on clearance.  They only had the two, but I snapped them up.  Most of the time it is either just me or me and hubby for dinner anyway.

I also found these little amber colored fruit or dessert dishes at Goodwill last year.  I believe the set of 4 was $2.99.  {Ah yes, the picture positioning that reminds me why I love Blogger so much}.

I found these salad dishes and the dinner plates at Pier 1 last year, also on clearance.  I think I only bought two place settings of these as well.  I also found the napkins and leaf napkin rings at Pier 1, regular price.

This little leaf serving bowl I spoke about in my last tablescape; this came from a gift basket that I won.  Just the right size for a side dish.

A couple of more shots of my soup tureen.  I haven't used this yet, but am looking forward to putting my chili or some soup in it.   I was so thrilled the day I found this at Goodwill, as I had been looking and looking, and the day I wasn't looking, there it was!

It's in perfect condition and I even wonder if it was ever used.  Its ceramic ladle was with it and also intact.  Was it an unappreciated wedding gift? Was it stuck in its box in someone's basement and they did a clear out?  Whichever, I am thrilled to be the new owner of it.

Table runner also from Pier 1 last year, regular price, as I was lacking in linens to join in on these tablescapes.  

I'd like to get some more single pieces to mix and match.  I think it makes for a variety of looks on your table without really having to own too many dishes.  I'll have to see what's on clearance in the coming weeks!

Linking up to:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch

My fresh flower giveaway from Sunflowerguy.com ends Friday!  Make sure you enter so you have a chance to win fresh flowers in time for Thanksgiving!

A Tablescape Set For Two

I am linking up to Tablescape Thursday over at Between Naps on the Porch and also to Frugalicious Fridays over at Finding Fabulous.

Since it is mainly hubby and I for dinner now, I decided to get a few things to set up a table for two. This is a very simple setting, but I got some new stuff and wanted to share it.

I hit Pier 1 first to see what they had on clearance as far as dishes. None of these things are sold as going together, but I liked the way the colors worked together.

These colors work great in my coppery dining room.

I found the glasses and the candles at Kohl's; the candles were on sale and the glasses were on clearance.

Here's that gold little basket I recently painted. The candles are called "Chestnut Souffle" and smell so good! They are tied with a ribbon which has a little metal leaf and crystal attached {you might be able to see it better if you click on the picture}. I also stuck in the wooden acorns I found at Pier 1 {not on sale, but I thought they were cute}.

Basket ~ redo of existing gold basket: Free

Candles ~ Kohls: Sale $5.49 each (50% off)

Acorns ~ Pier 1: $14.75 (for 5)

Placemats ~ Pier 1: Sale $9.52 (for 2)

Two-tone Napkins ~ Pier 1: Sale $3.20 (for 2)

Napkin holders ~ Pier 1: Sale $3.20 (for 2)

Charger ~ Pier 1: Clearance $12.38 (for 2)

Dinner plate ~ Pier 1: Clearance $11.86 (for 2)

Salad plate ~ Pier 1: Clearance $7.36 (for 2)

Glasses ~ Kohls: Clearance $7.98 (for 2)

Total: $81.23