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With a little bit of planning, you can have a wonderful and romantic dinner for two at home - perfect for Valentine's Day or an impromptu date night

Keeping the Romance Alive

Valentine's Day and Anniversaries aren't the only time to think about that all important aspect of your relationship.  You can make any day a day for Romance with some thought and planning.

When my husband and I got married, I already had two sons and 'time alone' was pretty much nonexistent.  As we added another son to the mix even the little bit of time that we did have alone was all but gone.  I like to think that anytime we are together {even if it's on the way to pick up one of the boys} is special but it's still important to carve out some time for just the two of us and it's easy to do when you set up something special at home.

First, I had to find just the perfect space.  Our dining room table was too big and not a cozy enough space and our bedroom is too small, but, on the other side of my craft room there is an area that I could use.  Now that I had my space it was time for the five must-haves. 

FLOWERS
 
IT'S BEEN PROVEN THAT WOMEN AUTOMATICALLY FEEL MORE ROMANTIC WHEN IN THE PRESENCE OF BLOOMS.  {This is so totally me!}
 
 
I chose a large bouquet of pastel-colored poms from a local warehouse club.
 
 
I divided the flowers into three vases placing the largest bunch in a milk glass vase, the next in a cut crystal vase and the final in a small glass bowl which was then placed in a vintage enamelware pot.
 

MUSIC

MUSIC IS THE MOST VERSATILE LIFESTYLE ACCESSORY, SO DECORATE YOUR TABLE WITH SOUND.

For this part, I had my husband compile a playlist of our songs.

Our Playlist:

Harry Connick JR-The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Goo Goo Dolls-Iris
Dean Martin-Volare
Dean Martin-You Belong to Me
Gene Austin-Ain't She Sweet
Frank Sinatra-Fly Me to the Moon
Frank Sinatra-The Way You Look Tonight
Nat King Cole-Unforgettable
 
 
FABRIC
 
LINENS CAN ADD THAT BIT OF PIZZAZZ TO SPICE UP YOUR TABLE, FROM THE COLOR TO TEXTURE AND DETAILS.  THERE ARE SO MANY CHOICES!
 
 
I wanted to keep the fabrics and colors I chose nice and light with just a splash of color.
 
For the base, I chose a lace tablecloth that would puddle on the floor.
 
The next layer I chose was a square linen tablecloth that I tied together at the corners with some satin ribbon.
 
 
 
 
 
The final topper was a vintage card table cloth in a salmon-like pink and white with black outlines ~ perfect for my 1970's card table and the black chairs.
 
To soften up the chairs and make the lunch a bit more comfortable I added a jacquard pillow to each.
 

COLOR  

COLOR IS A MARVELOUS FORM OF ENERGY.

The room I chose has light yellow walls on two sides with the opposing walls being a pale blue.  There are also lots of windows in this room and an adjacent sunroom.  Nice, airy and bright.

LIGHTING

WE ARE MOVED BY LIGHT, SO USE THIS EASY TOOL TO CREATE THE PERFECT SENSUAL ATMOSPHERE.

For lighting, I chose a simple shabby-chic candelabra, a floater candle perched in a brandy snifter, a tea light, and a pale pink jar candle.

 

 

 
MENU
 
Lobster bisque soup
 
Salad wedge with blue cheese dressing
 
Shrimp cocktail
 
Chocolate covered strawberries
 
Coffee flavored chocolates
 
Pink bubbly pop, champagne, or wine
 
 
 
 

My romantic day in with my husband was so much fun to plan and our lunch was a nice time to just relax and enjoy each other's company.

 

 

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27 Comments

  1. Randi - Dukes and Duchesses says:

    So pretty! Nothing beats candlelight!

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks, Randi ~ my oldest son always worries about fires so I can't burn candles when he's around ~ I made sure he wasn't home for my lunch ~ sometimes he's like having an old grandpa around. ; )

      Reply

  2. I love how your table turned out. I love that flowers bring out the romantic side in us! The shrimp in the glass is such a good idea! What a romantic setting! I need some ideas with my new romance so this book would be perfect!

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks, Mimi ~ the book is definitely a must-buy. It has so many wonderful ideas and lots of visuals.

      Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  3. Connie Seattle Mom Blogger says:

    Simply stunning! So inviting!

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you so much, Connie!

      Reply
  4. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says:

    Love the layers of fabric on your table ~ so pretty & your music choice too!

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks so much, Maryann ~ I had a lot of fun setting this up ~ I just wish the linen tablecloth had stayed UNWRINKLED...that thing was brutal...I kept ironing and ironing. ; )

      Reply
  5. Rebecca E. Parsons says:

    awesome job...love everything you did!!! layers and layers of beauty and yummy food. love it!!

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks so much, Rebecca ~ I really appreciate it.

      Have a great week (loved your table as well!)

      Reply
  6. carolyn ~ homework says:

    Beautiful and romantic! What a sweet table Plus, I love the playlist - the classics!!

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks so much, Carolyn. My husband is awesome with music ~ he always picks the perfect songs for parties, etc.

      Reply

  7. Hey MB! GORGEOUS photography and great ideas!

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Malia....you are so sweet ~ thank you!!!!

      ~hugs, Mary Beth~

      Reply

  8. what a beautiful romantic setting! so pretty!

    Reply

  9. How lovely! My dear heart is making me a special dinner for St. V's Day. I bought a boxful of pretty etched crystal for 2 bucks a few weeks ago. You have inspired me to drag it in, wash it and use some of the pieces for drinking, desserts, nuts, truffles, etc. What a nice touch they will make to our table!

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      I would love to see your table, Nancy, and what a sweetie you have to make you a special dinner.

      Enjoy your Valentine's Day!

      ~hugs, Mary Beth~

      Reply

  10. Love your table! I love this idea of just carving out a moment and making it special. Life is always so hectic that we often times forget how important this is. I definatly need to do this.

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks so much, Summer. We really enjoyed it ~ my plan {hopefully}, is to do a lunch or dinner like this every few weeks with my husband.

      Have a wonderful week!

      Reply
  11. Angie @ CCC says:

    Lovely Mary Beth!!

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks so much, Angie ~ yours was so beautiful ~ just like everything you create!

      Reply
  12. Mary Beth says:

    Very good recommendation, sweet Anne! May I ask the name of the book that changed your life? I am a new Moll Anderson admirer and I would love to add a few of her books to my Amazon wish list!

    Thanks for the kind comment and have a fabulous weekend!

    ~hugs, Mary Beth~

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks so much, Anne!

      Reply
  13. Tarin @ Office chairs says:

    Wow. I love that table setting.
    I am excited for Valentine's day too. I am having a date with my mom and I have a surprise for her.
    I hope she will love the vintage heart key I found on etsy.

    Reply
  14. Chelsea @ Someday I'll Learn says:

    This is so beautiful! I love all the bright colors.

    Reply
    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks so much, Chelsea!

      Reply