These beautiful napkins were the inspiration for this tablescape. I have used these napkins only a couple of times in the past, usually bringing out the orange or green. Obviously, there are a lot of other colors in this napkin to choose from, so I decided to try to use the napkins in a little different way than I have in the past. I really wanted to bring out the yellow, but I don’t really have much to choose from in the way of yellow dishes, so I needed to add another color to complement the yellow. I pulled out my placemat box and went through them, not really liking any of the colors that I have to go with these napkins. I was putting away the red ones that I had just used for the Fourth of July when I thought to hold up the checked napkin next to one. Amazingly enough, the reds matched perfectly, and I really liked the look of the reds and yellows together. So I went with it.

I topped the red placemat with one of my white Nikko plates. I tried several types of dishes for the top layer, and none of them worked quite well.

I am trying my best not to spend any money on my tables {I did fall off the wagon a few days ago, and I will share that later}, so I settled on The Friendly Village.

That may seem a strange choice, but there is some red in the pattern, and I have used these dishes with red accents on tables in the past. I tried several sizes of plates and bowls, then settled on the large bowls. I thought that they looked best with the octagonal plate. I folded the napkin lengthwise and placed it between the plate and bowl, and I actually thought that it looked pretty well together.

For the flatware, I went back to the mix-n-match because I thought that the playfulness of it would go with the colorful atmosphere of the place setting.

I had a problem choosing glassware, however. Nothing that I tried looked right. I really wanted to rush right out and purchase something that would work, but I contained myself! I finally settled on the red glasses that usually just come out at Christmas. I had used them for the Fourth of July and not put them back up yet, so I tried them out. They really are not exactly what I wanted, but they will do–at least, until I can spend money on tables again-[my own restriction]!

Then I turned my attention to the centerpiece. One of the reasons that I picked the yellow out of these napkins was that I was realizing how many accent pieces with yellow that I own but have rarely or never used in my tablescapes. I inherited this Hall teapot from somebody (not sure who), and I really like it. By the way, I have been doing some research for my business and one source says that the Hall Aladdin from this post is worth $265. Pretty good investment for my $5, wouldn’t you say? Of course, it’s only worth it if someone pays that for it, and I don’t see that happening!

I have two Salem china bowls that go together, and I keep them displayed in the dining room all the time. The larger one belonged to my grandmother, and I found the smaller one in an antique mall years ago. I couldn’t resist purchasing it to go with the other one.

I don’t know if you can tell it, but both of these bowls have a leaf-typed of edge. I think it’s supposed to be lettuce leaves, but it could be cabbage. This is a common pattern in vintage china, but I’ve not been able to find an approximate date and/or value, mainly because I’m not sure what to call them when I search.

To make the bowls show up well, I displayed them on stands. Of course, I will take them off when I get ready to use them to serve food. To balance out these items, I chose my two small pitchers that have yellow in the pattern.

I thought that the vignette needed something a little smaller to help balance out the look.

I do like the final look, but I really have a lot of ideas of how I can do this tablescape better.

But since I am on a self-imposed spend no money regimen, I will stick with this one for now.

For a bargain update, I did really well at CVS today. I had a coupon for $4 off any $20 purchase that expired today. I have cautioned in the past that you have to be really careful with the specials at CVS (or any store, for that matter). Case in Point: A couple of years ago, I had a $5 off any $25 purchase at Dollar General. When I went there, I put everything that I needed on that shopping trip in my cart, then had to add some stuff to make it reach $25 so that I could use the coupon. That was when I realized that the store’s ploy at giving out the coupon worked! I spent $ that I would not have normally spent to save $5! If I had only spent money on just what I needed, I would have spent less than $20! Duh!

So I almost let that coupon expire, but then I thought that I would just go look at some cleaning supplies. I was almost out of Swiffer refills, so I went to that aisle first. Glad I did! I normally pay $7.98 for the large size of Swiffer refills, and CVS had them on sale for $7.49. As I have mentioned in the past, I don’t buy in bulk, but do purchase multiples of items that are on sale. So I did purchase 3 packs, which were normally a savings of $1.47. But I actually saved $5.47 because of the coupon. Score! I love a good buy!

I do have one more update for you, but I won’t get into it in this post. Be watching for my news in the next few days. Until then, happy bargain hunting!

I am joining: A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday, Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life , Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado Lady,   From the Farm at Sunny Simple Life, Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, Metamorphosis Monday, Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage ,  Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday,  Under the Table and Dreaming for Sunday Showcase ,  The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home, Cuisine Kathleen for Let’s Dish, Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours,  Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill , Cottage Style at Lavender Garden, Homemaking Paty at Hope in Every Season,   The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday, The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday, What’s It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants; Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now, Meet Me Monday at You Are Talking Too Much,  Spotlight Saturday at Classy Clutter, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Efforts and Assets at Hickory Trail, Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound, You’re Gonna Love It Tuesdays at Kathe with an E, Mop it Up Monday at I Should Be Mopping the Floor , Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style ,  Make it Pretty Monday, Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House,Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style,  Create It Thursday at Lamberts Lately,   Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring,  Tuesday’s Treasures at Uncommon Suburbia,  Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life, Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters,Open House Party at No Minimalist Here Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage , Tips and Tidbits at The Stone Gable, Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine’s Corner , Sizzle into Summer at DIY by Design