Destined for the Tropics

This week Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish theme is "Destination".  Turns out, I just got back from a destination last week so now I have an excuse to share some pictures with you before I get to my tablescape. 

This trip was one of those bucket list items for avid golfers.  My husband and two of his good friends from high school got the chance to take on the links at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida.  It's an easy three and half hour drive from our home just south of Jacksonville.  We stayed at the Marriot resort there and lived the good life for a few days.  While the men golfed, the wives did some shopping and relaxed at the beach and the pool (s). 

This is the atrium style lobby at the hotel.

This is right outside of the lobby.  It's just beautiful at night with colored lights.

There is lots of seating on the huge deck outside of the lobby including this firepit arrangement.

The beach club is just a short ride on the hotel shuttle and had a beautiful pool too.

I have to admit this was my favorite view of the whole trip!  Twin lobster tails and it was half price wine night at Pusser's Restaurant.  Perfect weather and a great place to spend time with good friends.

Ok, now on to the tablescape...Destination-The Tropics (otherwise known as my Dining Room)

When the time comes to put this house up for sale, I think this is the way I will "stage" my dining room table.  This fits the style of this house and most of  it was purchased before I ever thought about tablescaping. 

It started with this fabric I found at Old Time Pottery.  I finished the edges for a square tabletopper but here I folded it under to make a runner. 

These dishes are from Beall's Outlet, layered over a rattan charger.

I layered two napkins here.  The napkin ring is from Kohl's.

I found these cute placecards on clearance at JC Penney's.  It's just a small chalkboard attached to a clothespin.  These would be easy to make but I only paid $3 for a set of eight.

The glasses are from Pier One. 

The centerpiece consists of 2 sets of candleholders that have that tropical flavor.  The bamboo pair are from Marshall's.

My neighbor saw these pineapple candleholders in a thrift store and told me about them.  I went to see them the next Saturday and the whole store was half off.  Tip: let your friends and family know what tablescaping items you are hunting for so they can be on the look out too! 

These rattan vases are from Ross and I filled them with inexpensive ferns and palm leaves from Michael's and Dollar Tree.  I found the bamboo sticks at Ross but they were too tall.  My husband cut them down and now I have twice as many!

I added the taller green plant so there would be a height variation from the candles.

These salt and pepper shakers are from that same thrift store.  Someone had donated a whole collection of S & P shakers and I picked out several of them.

Once again, I have tried to vary my textures as well as my colors.

This theme is tailor made for my dining room furniture and accessories.

This was shot after dinner on our last night (post lobster consumption!).

Even if you can't get away, you can always fantasize with a tropical tablescape like I've shown you here! 

Don't forget to visit my sister's blog Creating Wonderful Spaces!

I will be dining under the palm trees at the following parties...

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Open House Party at No Mininalist Here

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters