Robin Flies South...

A blog about decorating and tablescaping with an emphasis on creativity and smart shopping over cash!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Cinco De Mayo Time!

On the fifth of May, when you see the flags and the celebration of Cinco De Mayo, understand that it is not just Mexico that is being celebrated. It is victory, democracy and a love of one's heritage. Why not invite friends over for a Cinco De Mayo party and educate them as well?

Cinco De Mayo falls on a Saturday this year so why not put together a party for friends or family?   Mexican food is very inexpensive and easy to prepare.  The variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts is endless and don't even get me started on the drinks!  This week I put together a table with a subtle Mexican theme perfect for May 5th or really anytime you want to serve dinner with a Mexican flair.


I bought these runners last year at Tuesday Morning for our Cinco De Mayo (CDM from now on!) party and because the colors go well with my Dining Room. They have a cute little ball fringe on the ends that adds a nice touch.  I used them on our outdoor table with one on each side of the umbrella.  If you read this blog regularly, you know that umbrella pole drives me crazy! 


For my place settings I started with place mats from IKEA (you can find these lots of places). 


The chargers are from Kirkland's (on sale of course!). 


The dinner and salad plates are from Ross and the appy plates are from the Rustic Rose here in my town.


The margarita glasses were a gift but you can find some at Dollar Tree, Old Time Pottery or just about anywhere.  The water goblets are from Pier One (on clearance of course!).  Here's my tip regarding Pier One.  They list all their clearance items on their website along with what stores still have them available.  I usually find what I'm looking for at the Pier One in the less "trendy" area.  I was able to find 6 of these glasses there and they took the coupon that I thought would only be good at their new store.  Always ask if stores will take your coupons even if they are expired or they are for a specific location.  The worst they can do is say no!  I'm always amazed that Bed, Bath and Beyond takes any and all coupons.


I layered a gold napkin with a rust patterned one (Tuesday Morning).  The napkin rings are from Kohl's (clearance).


I would love to have a collection of real Mexican pottery but until that happens I will settle for these knockoffs (made in China! gulp!) that I found at Ross.  I found the pitcher first.


A week or so later I found the matching bowl.


A week or so later I found the matching tray.  And that was it!  Never to be seen again!  I'd love to have more pieces to make a display in my china cabinet.  I guess I can't complain when all 3 pieces cost me less than $25.  They have a nice weight to them.  For some reason I like things heavy.  Pottery, fabrics, glassware, you name it, I want it to feel heavy in my hand! 


I put 2 bowls together to make candle holders (tablescaping isn't brain surgery or I'd be in trouble!)


Believe it or not, I got another week out of my Easter flowers (at least some of them!).  I added a few faux sunflowers and some cuttings from my yard to fill my pitcher.  I added some faux blue berries to bring out the blue in the pitcher.  I love these colors and for once these go great in my Dining Room.  I have some plans for my Dining Room in the future but please don't tell my husband.  He will think I've lost my mind to want to change it after only a year and a half!


My husband told me a funny story years back about one of his co-workers.  His wife had wanted him to remove a wall in their home and he kept putting it off, probably because he really didn't want to remove it.  I think you can guess what happened.  He came home from work and there was a big hole in the wall!  I can just see her now with a sledge hammer in her hand!  I think my husband told me this as a cautionary tale.  I have no upper body strength so I don't think he has anything to worry about!  Sorry, back to the tablescape...




I hope I've given you some ideas for CDM.  I'm still not sure what we are doing yet but I definitely see a margarita (with salt!) in my future!


Get ready for this upcoming event at Robin Flies South...


My sister Elaine, of Creating Wonderful Spaces, gave me a set of "Jungle" print placemats for Christmas and she happens to have a set too. On May 3rd we will both be using them in our tablescapes so be sure to see how each of us makes them our own! You can see the results of Sister Act 1 HERE where we both happened to buy the same appy plates.

Be sure to visit my sister at Creating Wonderful Spaces.

I will be linking up to the following parties...
Fiesta Cinco De Mayo Party at I Savor the Weekend
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Let's Dish! at Cuisine Kathleen
Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
























32 comments:

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I love your table and especially your knock-offs from Ross! That just sets the stage for your party atmosphere.

PAT said...

Fabulous Cinco de Mayo table!

We finally have a Ross in our neck of the woods. I definitely need to pay a visit.

ellen b. said...

Yippee for Cinco de Mayo. We enjoy celebrating with great Mexican food and margaritas! Fun table....

Aledia said...

Beautiful Tablescape, I wish we had a Ross! :(

Your dishes are just perfect for Cinco de Mayo. Thank You for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Aledia @ Plum Perfect

Diann said...

What a wonderrful, pretty and fun Cinco de mayo table! I love the dishes and the pottery. Everything works together beautifully! Visiting from LD!

Marlis said...

cute finds at Ross. We do a bit of CDM around here each year.. but I'm wondering how the horses (derby) will do with the bright colors.. Great table.. Love your pretty dishes and the pitcher is fabulous.. xo marlis

Meredith said...

What a fun table! Love your Pier One glasses and those runners are so festive!

Alycia Nichols said...

Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite holidays to decorate...and eat!!! We eat a lot of Mexican food around here as a rule (I'm a former Rodriguez), but there's just always something special about Cinco de Mayo. I love the runners you used, and the dishes and other decorative accoutrements look great! Good idea to use the 2 bowls for a candle holder!!! Your floral centerpiece looks great! Those Fuji mums can just about live forever, can't they? :-) Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo celebration! Unfortunately, we'll be out of town in a very small city that probably doesn't have good Mexican food! :-(

Mary said...

Robin~ I'm always looking for a reason to enjoy a margarita with guac & chips :) Your runners with the ball fringe are wonderful with your DR and pottery!

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Very pretty Cinco de Mayo tablescape! I have mine planned for next week, such a fun theme.
I can't really swing a sledge hammer either, funny story. Enjoy your Margaritas!

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Our favorite fun food around here is anything Mexican--the kids always choose tacos or burritos or fajitas for their special days, complete with mexican music...so I have dishes and linens to go with the food! Love your ideas. I won't tell your hubby because I know all about how important timing is when you want to spring something on them! Ha ha! And I ALSO have that annoying pole in the middle of my table too! Sometimes I just want to cut it off or cut a hole in my linens. Happy Cinco de Mayo! Linda

Marigene said...

I really like that color combo, very pretty. Love the runners.

Diane said...

I suddenly feel like drinking a Margarita - ole! Great table and I really do love that pitcher - what a wonderful centerpiece. Those runners are great, too. Thanks for sharing!!

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

Fabulous Cinco de Mayo table! Love the runner and those dishes.
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)

Kathleen said...

I love your take on Cinco de Mayo! No one here celebrates it here, except me! And that is because I found these great colorful dishes for 50 cents I have to use!
I did my table already, but I am saving it for next edition of Let's Dish. We will be celebrating gson's First Communion and Kentucky Derby that day!

Love your runners and dishes! Great job!
Thanks so much for linking to Let's Dish!

Cottage and Broome said...

Your table display was beautiful! I love Mexican food and think it is in order for Cinco de Mayo! Thanks for sharing, Laura

Scribbler said...

Nice take on a Mexican theme! I keep seeing Mex food on this party, and now I think I am going to see if I can find some! I might even have a Margarita!

Anonymous said...

I'd like to join in the fun of your Cinco de Mayo celebration. You'd think, living in Texas, I'd do something special on this day, but I just enjoy the efforts of others. Oh, what are you preparing to serve?

Chubby Chieque said...

Very educational note...

Hmmm... that's a shame coz I don't have any Mexican touch at home. TY for reminding, this might be the next collection then.

GOrgeous treasures in a beautiful home.

Happy TS.

Greetings from rainy Stockholm,
/CC

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Great knock off you got and the runners are perfect, they bring the Mexican table theme together beautifully! I love your dishes and the pitcher centerpiece. I'd like to make a Mexican table, but I don't think I have anything as terrific. Thanks for sharing your inspiration.
FABBY

Barbara said...

CDM is a big deal here in AZ and as I was setting my table today, I was thinking that next week would be time for a CDM table. I love your runners and how they set the mood for the table. Made in China or not, that pottery is beautiful!

A Perfect Setting said...

Hi Robin, I know what you mean about the umbrella pole. I usually just take it out, but it's a hassle. This table is so festive and perfect for the occasion, everything--from the china to the runners--just looks great together!! I'm ready for a marguerita, senorita!!

Elaine said...

I haven't seen a tablescape that doesn't look good with your wall color, but this one looks especially great! I love the use of two runners, and the colors are gorgeous. Clever use of the bowls, and your pottery is beautiful! I don't think I have seen it around here.

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Very nice table for a fun occasion!I love the festive pitcher with the flowers. Pretty!

Kathe said...

Love the pitcher, bowl and plate you found! As you know, I love me some Pier 1 deals! The goblets are perfect! Thanks for all of inspiration! I plan on putting together a CDM table this weekend.

Anonymous said...

I love your Cinco de Mayo table! It's just beautiful. I love the napkin rings.

Entertaining Women said...

I like your earth toned adaptation for Cinqo de Mayo. Here in Tex-Mex country, the tendency is to use bright/clear colors....also wonderful. I would have never known your great pieces were made in China...I would have thought that they were from Mexico. Your did a great job on your design. Cherry Kay

Cathy said...

Great table for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. We are having a CDM party at the office and I am sure Marq.....& Mexican food or on the menu. Love all the colors yu used.

Cathy's Cupboard Calamity<;)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I love doing a table for CDM and yours is a great inspiration! I will have to get it together for next weeks Let's Dish! Hugs, Linda

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Oh I see lots of fun, laughs, and a good time coming up for a party using your tablescape. Good job and maybe I need to look for a Ross near me.

eleven-o-one said...

I'm having a CDM party this year but I know it won't look as impressive as that! Those are beautiful dishes. Love the whole set up!
Fran

mzzbev said...

WOW, wow, wow! I'm looking around at tablescapes for Cinco de Mayo and yours is PERFECT!! I need to make a run to Ross (we have one in our small town) and I hope I find what you found. I've also been in the hunt for Mexican pottery. Even went to a small tienda (Mexican store) we have here and you would think they would have something and all they had was the grinder which I'm not ready to spend $20 on just yet. Anyway, please, please come share this post at my Fiesta-Cinco de Mayo linky party. I need more tablescapes and yours would be perfect! The link to it is: http://isavortheweekend.blogspot.com/2012/04/fiesta-cinco-de-mayo-linky-party.html. Hope to see you there!!!! Gracias, -Bev