Mikasa “Daylight” Giveaway!

This is one of the most exciting posts I have ever created!!! I hope YOU are excited, too, because you have a chance to win a Mikasa “Daylight” gift set!!!!!!!!! It is just TOO pretty….I fell in love with it the moment I saw it!

First, the business end of the giveaway. Rules for your chance to enter and win are:

  1. Leave a comment and become a follower of this blog, Tablescapes at Table Twenty-One. Both current and new followers will be eligible. Scroll to the bottom of this post, or click here to become a follower.
  2. Post photos of your best spring tablescape on the Mikasa Facebook page. Be sure to mention on their Facebook page that you are a part of this fabulous giveaway!!!

That’s it! That’s all! It’s just that easy!!! The contest for this beautiful Mikasa “Daylight” gift set starts right now and runs through March 30, 2011, 11:59 p.m. I will select and announce the very lucky winner here on Friday, April 1, 2011. (Wouldn’t it be nice to get a GOOD April Fool’s Day surprise for once?!!) The winning table will then be featured here on Tablescapes at Table Twenty-One the following week with a link to your blog! So put your creative thinking cap on, pull out all the stops, design & photograph your best spring tablescape, and enter to win! I can’t wait to see all the fabulous entries!!!

Now…pictures of not one, but TWO very different set ups I created using this incredibly versatile pattern.

DESIGN #1

IMG_1292WMThe first design pairs the apple green found in the dishes with lucious purple, and it is suitable for breakfast, brunch or a spring luncheon.

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IMG_1337WMOn a crisp white table linen, I started with a Pier 1 “Natural Flower” placemat and a plain white porcelain charger. While my chargers look great with this ensemble, Mikasa has a fabulous charger in the”Daylight” pattern that would look even better! Atop the charger is the “Daylight” dinner plate.

IMG_1295WMThe final layered piece is the “Daylight” soup bowl. Off-centering the bowl allows you to show off the design on both pieces. Simple glassware and flatware lets the dishes be the star. (Mikasa has crystal glasses in this pattern, though, that would really make your table special!!! Their “French Countryside” or Wallace “Butterfly” flatware – both available through Mikasa.com – would be a hit here, too!)

IMG_1309WMMy husband insisted that the table needed place cards, so I fashioned these using plain white tent cards to which I added a leaf design and piece of natural twig to complement the dishware. OK, Ramon…you were right again! Whatever, man! 🙂

It’s officially spring according to the calendar, but it’s still a bit chilly out. To bring nature in, the centerpiece contains lots of outdoorsy elements including a weathered metal birdcage filled with spring flowers from the nursery. When the weather warms a bit, I’ll plant the flowers in containers on the porch (if I can keep them alive that long!). A Hobby Lobby grapevine wreath on a Pier 1 iron stand adds further texture, color and dimension to the display.

IMG_1308WMI bought this cool clear gazing ball at Z Gallerie last year.

IMG_1335WMA pair of these pretty white birds were a recent purchase from Michael’s.

IMG_1302WMAfrican violets in white ceramic pots anchor the ends of the entire centerpiece.

IMG_1324WMBells of Ireland from St. Patrick’s Day are still thriving, and they go very well with this color motif. Pots of chartreuse pothos would also be an excellent choice.

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IMG_1338WMThe salad/dessert plates and cup & saucer sets are magnificent! The saucer color just blows me away!

There are many, many additional tabletop and serving pieces in the “Daylight” collection. You can bet your bottom dollar I will have several on my birthday and Christmas wish lists!

DESIGN #2
The second look I put together is geared toward the dinner hour to show, in the Mikasa website’s own words, how the “Daylight” pattern is “perfect for casual and formal entertaining alike.” The Asian influence created here was suggested by my stepdaughter in a moment of creative clarity while working on her chemistry homework. Thank you for the suggestion, Robyn!

IMG_0483WMThis is a much simpler, pared down look that really gives the dishes the starring role.

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In many Asian cultures, drinks are not often served with meals. Therefore, I decided to forego stemware for this setting. Starting again with a white table linen, I topped that with a bamboo placemat. Notice how the placemats are turned vertically to hang off the table for the side guests and horizontally for the end guests. This was just a measure for added visual interest on my part. The same white porcelain charger from the first setting was used although, again, the apple green of the “Daylight” charger would look even better. Here I imagined a meal served teppanyaki style (a la Benihana) with a salad, soup (served from the buffet in back), and then the grilled entreé.

Chopsticks are traditionally and correctly placed to the right of the dishes on a chopstick rest, but I liked them here on the edge of the plate instead. For those who have not yet mastered chopsticks, Mikasa’s “Rockford” stainless flatware is the perfect substitute!

I used plain white cotton napkins, folded to resemble a Japanese obi (sash). A fortune cookie rests atop each napkin. According to Wikipedia, “fortune cookies have been summarized as being ‘introduced by the Japanese, popularized by the Chinese, but ultimately they are consumed by Americans.'”

I wanted the centerpiece to convey a feeling of tranquility and simplicity. A bamboo tray lined with smooth river rock and neat rows of square votive cups is my version of that. Tall square vases filled with blooming cherry blossom branches flank the lighted piece with a few additional votives placed on each end.

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The tranquil Asian theme is carried over to the buffet. A matching bamboo tray holds cups and saucers ready for tea after dinner. A neat stack of soup bowls with Pier 1 miso spoons awaits a healthy portion of egg drop or sweet and sour soup. (If you want to go more authentic, Mikasa has a beautiful 10 oz. rice bowl in the “Daylight” pattern!!! There is also a fabulous 20 oz. rice bowl for serving!) The teapot shown here is from Pier 1, but…you guessed it!…Mikasa has a stunning tea pot in this gorgeous leafy pattern! (On my wish list, Ramon!)

So….that was a lot of pictures!!! I hope you were able to get a little inspiration from these diverse settings. I will feature other table settings using the “Daylight” pattern in future posts when I can finally get outside in the fresh air!

Remember…to enter: just leave a comment and subscribe to follow this site below, then hustle on over to Mikasa’s Facebook page to “Like” Mikasa and post your most enlightened spring tablescape! I will announce the winner on this blog (no fooling!) on April 1! Happy tablescaping, and good luck!

Last, but not least, I’m linking to Susan’s Tablescape Thursday again this week!
Join us, won’t you?

80 thoughts on “Mikasa “Daylight” Giveaway!

  1. Hi, Kathleen! I don’t think you have to be a member of Facebook to go to their site. Many friends who aren’t on FB view photo albums I post just by my sending them a link. No privacy breaches included! 🙂 It may not be possible to post on there without an FB account, though. Thanks for stopping by. I hope your week has started off well. We’re gearing up for storms here. The winds are howling and the skies are threatening. Tornado weather. Yuk! 😦 Have a good one!!!

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  2. These are just beautiful! I love how you showcased them in various tablescapes! I have such a weekness for green, as you may have noticed in my last few tablescapes. These would be the crown jewel for sure!!!!! I love the simplicity of the asian setting. I see yet again you are tempting me with those Pier One placemats! Sheer torture!!!!!

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    • Hey there, Deb!!! Yes, I KNOW you love the green! These dishes are so pretty AND dishwasher safe (that part is important to a lot of people…ME included!), and I could think of many ways to use them in different tablescapes. I would have to hike up my entertaining quotient to use them in all the ways I’d like to! PLEASE enter the contest. You do such pretty tables. As for the placemats…sorry! Girl, I LOVE those things! You’ll probably see a lot more of them this summer. We have a TON of parties on tap. Hope my back holds up! Have a great day, and I hope the incoming storms miss you guys!

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  3. What a cool rendition of their dishes. You certainly made them shine. They are beautiful and they are going to be so very versatile! OMG! a fabulous giveaway indeed. thank you for hosting it and thank Mikasa for indulging our passions with their gracious gifts.
    Your centerpieces are lovely in each setting. The tall vases with the flowers and the wreath and birdcage on the spring table. How well these dishes would do an Asian theme. The bowls have such detail! I’m a sucker for that color green! Great job Alycia!!

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    • Hey, Marlis! Thank you!!! I LOVE these dishes! They are perfect for spring and summer!!! I can’t thank Mikasa enough for this incredible opportunity to showcase this incredibly beautiful pattern. I’m slated to teach a Communiversity class this fall, and this is one of the patterns I’m going to use to show students how they can take them from one season or look into another just by changing out a few accessories. Have a wonderful day! I hope it’s not raining or snowing or anything goofy where you are!!! 🙂

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    • Thank you, Anne! I hope you will become a follower and enter the contest! I tried to go to your blog to check it out, too, but was unable to find it under the address you entered. I’ll try again later. It’s early, and I probably just am not thinking clearly! 🙂 Thank you so much for coming by, and I hope to talk to you again soon!

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    • Good morning, Vernice! Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it! I hope you’re going to enter the contest. You set lovely tables, and I would love to see you in the running! Have a beautiful day and an even better weekend!

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    • Good morning, Tess! Thank you!!! I am SO ready for spring! We are expecting “measurable” snow here over the weekend, so I’m glad I didn’t get my pansies out there just yet. I hope it’s better where you are! Have a great one!!!

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  4. This is yet ANOTHER beautiful table, Alycia. I have been too busy to tablescape lately, but I’m so glad I took some time to come visit some of my favorite blogs.

    I love the dishes and your table. I had not been able to figure out how to follow on here before. (I’m daft with any new format… sigh.) I’ll try clicking the link to try tonight.

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    • Hi, Debbie! I should have checked all my email. Your subscription is good to go! You are now an official follower!!! Hooray! Looking forward to seeing your best Spring table on the Mikasa Facebook page. Remember…the contest ends on March 30, 11:50 p.m., and judging will be on the 31st followed by announcement of the winner on April 1. Thank you so much, best of luck, and have a fabulous day today!!!

      Like

  5. Your tablescape is so pretty, so relaxing and so serene, Alycia. The bird cage is perfect for spring. Love the beautiful plates and that shade of green is so pretty…Christine

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    • Thank YOU so much for stopping in, Cherry! I am always glad to see new visitors! I sure hope you will enter to win these gorgeous dishes! They are truly beautiful and great for spring and summer entertaining! Have a fantastic week, and come back to visit again soon!

      Like

  6. OH my goodness! My favorite thing is DISHES and my favorite color is green! I had to stop myself from hyperventilating when I saw these! What a fabulous gift!
    Oh…I got lost, LOL…I’ve been a follower and was just looking for something else that I thought I saw here when I stumbled across this! I’d LOVE to win it!

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    • Hi!!! Thanks for stopping in! I’m so glad you did! I know what you mean…those dishes are FANTABULOUS!!! I want to make sure that you are properly registered to enter, so to become an official follower, you will need to subscribe below or go to the “Subscribe” tab above. It will give you instructions on how to subscribe/follow. I sure don’t want you to miss out on this great chance to win! I get a little email from WordPress that tells me when someone becomes a follower, so I will be sure to drop you a quick line to let you know you are “officially” hooked up. Have a great night, and thanks again!!!

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  7. These are absolutely lovely. That green is just the perfect shade for spring. I would love to enter, but I haven’t a clue as to how to follow you. Call me a techno idiot, but I tried. Drop me a line to help me out here!

    Thanks for your sweet, sweet comments! I have to admit, that comments are the icing on my cake!

    Like

    • Hi, Jacqueline! Just go to the tab at the top of my blog that says “Subscribe” and click on it. It will give you full instructions. It’s really easy. Basically, you have to scroll to the bottom of any page on my blog, click the box that says “Notify me of new posts by email” (or something like that!), put in your email address (which on one but me will see), and then click “Subscribe”. You will then almost immediately get an email to the email address you entered from the Word Press people. Be sure to follow what it says to do, otherwise you will not be subscribed. It’s basically just confirming that YOU signed up. It’s a measure to keep bloggers from signing up unsuspecting people. I will shoot you a quick email once I receive confirmation that you are officially subscribed. Good luck!

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  8. Hi ALycia, I am now subscribed by email. Does that make me a follower? I would love to win this set so please enter me in your gieveaway. I really like the color and design. Thanks for letting me know about it. I don’t know how I missed it. I guess it’s because the pictures attracted me that I went straight to them…Christine

    Like

    • Good morning, Christine! I’ve not yet received an email indicating that you are a follower. Once you signed up, you should have received a confirmation email. They ask you to push a link to confirm that YOU did indeed subscribe. (I think this keeps bloggers from signing people up without their knowledge.) The email would have come to whatever email address you submitted. Let me know! I want to be sure you’re in on this!!!

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  9. You had me when you glued that twig on the placecard. I never would have thought of that. Very creative with the hand colored green leaves also. Then you stacked the teacups with the curve of the handle creating an art form. I’m still in awe. But then I saw the tray with river rocks to create the oriental theme which amazed me. I love the salad plates in this pattern because of the way the branch is placed across the plate, but I must say that Daylight is the wrong name for this pattern. The name is a marketing disconnect between the green leaves and the name. Love that acid-y green color. Of the two tablescapes, I liked the second one best. Bravo! Very creative tablescapes!

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    • Hi, Summer, and thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! I am particularly fond of that salad plate, too. It just reeled me right in! I really like the way the pattern can so easily be carried over from a daytime theme into an evening soiree. “Acid-y” green…perfect description! I like it! Thanks again for stopping by, and I hope you will enter the contest. This is such a huge prize for some very lucky winner!!! Have a great day!

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  10. I so look forward to your tables each week and keep wondering how you can continue to come up with such wonderful ideas. I keep them in the back of my mind….all I need are all the pieces to work with!

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    • Thank you, Linda. YOU’RE the one!!! I keep telling you to get down with your bad self! 🙂 I hope you get a chance to relax and enjoy the weekend. Take good care, and thanks again for stopping in!

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  11. Gosh, I am so impressed that you mastered two tables for this post! They are both beautiful, and I love the color of the leaves on those Mikasa plates. I had to laugh at your comment on my post, because when I was getting out my Godinger stems, I thought of you and wondered if you had the Mandarin china as well!! I will go to the Mikasa fb and post my table, but probably in the am. I am a follower of Mikasa and I think I’m a follower of your blog (I want to be, not sure if I did it right) anyway, I will try it again just to be sure!! Thanks!

    Like

    • Ha! That’s funny!!! I try to channel your spirit each week now to see if we’re going to have similarly themed tables! We are indeed two peas in a pod! I don’t have you on my subscriber list, so please do subscribe and enter!!! The key to it is to respond to the confirmation email that is sent to you via the email address you enter. Try it again, and I’ll be sure to shoot you a note to let you know when it goes through! I’m really excited about this giveaway!!! If the dishes were ugly I would be pretty laid back about the whole thing, but they’re so pretty and I was able to think of several different settings for them right off the bat. Okie dokie…I’m going to go downstairs now and put together one last floral arrangement for my Mom’s retirement party tomorrow. I just remembered that the ladies’ bathroom will need a litte something-something. Have a hullaballoo weekend! (Remember that show?) See ya!

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  12. Both tablescapes are stunning. I really like the simplicity of the last one the best. The sparkle of the candles and the flowering branches really compliment the dishes nicely. I am so excited to find someone else that has the Danish Princess flatware! It’s my first set of real silver and more than likely not my last. I just love it. I found a very bad website that has alot more serving pieces for the set. I am so tempted to get every piece but am resisting so far! Thank you so much for visiting! I had a hard time finding you, but I finally did. So glad that I did too!

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    • Good morning, Maggie, and thanks so much for dropping in to visit! I’m sorry you had trouble finding me. Many people have a space for the URL in the comments section, but I don’t see one on yours. Is there another way we can leave a URL so that you can just click on that to go straight to our blog post? I’ve never been able to figure out what to do if there’s no space for our URL. I’m glad you were ultimately able to find me, and I hope you’ll come back again soon!!! We are now the official Danish Princess twins! 🙂 My Mom gave me both her Danish Princess and Royal Danish collections last year. I love them both and look forward to using them whenever I can. SO glad to know someone else loves the pattern as much as I do! Thanks again so much for dropping by to visit, and have a wonderful & safe weekend!

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  13. Beautiful dinnerware, Alycia! Love your two tablesettings too. Very creative with two very different looks. Your sideboard looks pretty too. Nicely done!
    Blessings, Beth

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    • Hi, Beth, and thank you so much! Please do not think me ungrateful for your kind comment. I have been sick since last week and am just now returning to the computer. (Hooray for that! I felt SO disconnected from the world!) I really appreciate your comments. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  14. I didn’t see my comment, so I am here again…lol..I just posted my Spring tables cape on Mikasa’s Facebook from you blog. I wanted to make sure my comment was here. Again, I love this fabulous dishes. You have created two different looks with them, which makes them ever so versatile. Thank for hosting this great Giveaway. I always look forward to seeing what you create.

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    • Hi, Linda. Alycia has been out sick. I did see your entry on Facebook, so you are entered in the contest. I’m sure Alycia will get back to you when she is feeling better, but I wanted to let you know she is not ignoring you. As the husband, that is my new job. Good luck!

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    • Hi, Laura. Alycia is out sick but wants me to remind everyone that if you are entering the Mikasa Giveaway you have until tomorrow (Wednesday, 3-30-2011) at 11:59p.m. to become a follower of this blog and to post photos of your best spring tablescape on Mikasa’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/mikasadining. I’m sure Alycia will get back to you when she is feeling better, but I wanted to be sure to remind you. As the husband, that is my new job. Good luck!

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  15. Hi Alycia! I’m late leaving a comment we have been out-of-town, but I confess I was by earlier for a sneak peak~ I always look forward to seeing what you bring to the table!

    I love your two different tables using this pattern! I am an apple green fan(atic)~ it IS energizing & soothing. I love the touch of the fortune cookie on the obi napkin fold and it goes without saying that I love your garden-inspired table! Your little twig place cards are so creative & such a good idea…Ramon with his suggestion of votives last week & then place cards this week obviously has picked up a few things from your entertaining 🙂

    Thanks for hosting such a generous giveway from Mikasa. I’m already a follower!

    Like

    • Hi, Mary. Alycia is out sick but wants me to remind everyone that if you are entering the Mikasa Giveaway you have until tomorrow (Wednesday, 3-30-2011) at 11:59p.m. to post photos of your best spring tablescape on Mikasa’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/mikasadining. Also, I looked at her blog subscriber list and don’t see your email address on there. If you are entering the contest you will want to be sure you are a subscriber. You can do that by scrolling to the bottom of this page. The trick is to be sure to CONFIRM your subsription with the follow up e-mail that you get from Word Press. If you don’t confirm it, you are not listed as a subscriber. I’m sure Alycia will get back to you personally when she is feeling better, but I wanted to be sure to remind you about all this just in case you are entering the conteest. As the husband, that is my new job. Good luck!

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  16. Good morning Alycia,
    It’s been a very long time since I’ve checked in with you. I spent most of the winter in Florida recouping from foot surgery. It’s so good to be back home despite the cold weather. All of us midwestern folks are more than ready for spring!
    Both of your Mikasa tablescapes are stunning! I have admired that pattern many a times and it would be a happy addition to my china hutch. The bird cage looked wonderful……I too use a similar centerpiece in spring. The Asian table was creatively gorgeous! I hope you don’t mind if I borrow a few of your ideas.
    Maybe you could shed some light on a question…..Since I don’t have my own blog, will it be possible for me to complete the sweepstakes process at the Mikasa site and have a chance of winning? If so, how many pictures would it require?
    Thanks very much!
    Happy Spring!
    Cindy
    I will sign up to be a follower if I’m not already.

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    • Thanks, Cynthia. Alycia is out sick but wants me to remind you that if you are entering the Mikasa Giveaway you have until tomorrow (Wednesday, 3-30-2011) at 11:59p.m. to become a follower of this post (see below) and photos of your best spring tablescape on Mikasa’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/mikasadining. I’m sure Alycia will get back to you when she is feeling better, but I wanted to be sure to remind you just in case you are entering the contest. As the husband, that is my new job. Good luck!

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    • Thanks, Cindy. Alycia is out sick but wants me to remind you that if you are entering the Mikasa Giveaway, you have until tomorrow (Wednesday, 3-30-2011) at 11:59p.m. to become a follower of this post (see below) and post photos of your best spring tablescape on Mikasa’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/mikasadining. I’m sure Alycia will get back to you when she is feeling better, but I wanted to be sure to remind you just in case you are entering the contest. As the husband, that is my new job. Good luck!

      Like

  17. Pingback: Mikasa Giveaway « Tablescapes at Table Twenty-One

    • Hi, Dana, and thank you! I’m glad you liked the Asian-inspired tablescape. My stepdaughter suggested that she would like to see that, so I obliged. I’m glad I did! Thank you for subscribing! I hope you like what’s coming this Spring and Summer. I have lots and lots of great parties planned here at the house, and I am still playing catch up with all the requests for other people’s party ideas. I always look foward to your feedback, so keep it comin’! Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks again for stopping by!

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    • Thank you, Majlinda! I so appreciate your kindness! I hope you will stop in frequently to check out the new posts. I have lots of events planned for the spring and summer, and I plan to post each one. Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

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    • Hi, Christine! Yes, doing better. I hope to be able to get out of bed for a bit tomorrow. I’ve been feverishly working from my bed on my husband’s VERY slow laptop. I am anxious to get back to my desk with my turbo fast computer!!! Have a great weekend, and thank you so much for thinking of me!

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  25. Hi, Alycia! Happy Easter! I was going through some of your older posts and came across this one. OMG! I wish I had seen this at the time! I love this pattern and it’s definitely on my bucket list. I love how you used it in the Asian tablescape! What a clever idea! This will teach me not to miss your posts in the future. LOL!

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