IT'S ALL ABOUT BEING IRISH!

I think this time of year, everyone finds a little bit of Irish in them. Things suddenly turn green, food, drinks, clothes, decorations and tablescapes!

For the past week I've been on the hunt for Leprechauns. I have seen several but not had any luck in catching any...until now! I caught one in my "lucky" Leprechaun catcher.

So, I thought I would celebrate with a St. Patrick's Day luncheon!

My Leprechaun is named Mr. O'Malley. He tried to bribe me to let him go with big shamrocks full of smaller chocolate shamrocks.

When they didn't work he showed me how he could make an endless supply of chocolate shamrocks and also provide me with several pots of gold.

I told him I would think about it and decide if I would set him free after my luncheon tomorrow or not.

Until then, I'll show you my green tablescape.

I wanted my table to be greens and white only. I even bought green flatware! I found this great set of four at Ross for only $9.99.

I thought that was a good price but I still didn't want to buy them to only use once. So I thought about it and saw me using these several times. Now that we have Sunny CA weather again, they would be perfect to use outside for a Garden theme, a floral theme or a BBQ with several bright colors being used. Even Christmas time. Sold, I brought them home and I'm glad I did.

I used a white tablecloth that I put green place mats on so I thought white napkins would be perfect.

I had searched for St. Patrick's Day napkin rings but wasn't able to find any that I loved enough to buy.

But, I had these little shamrock ornaments from a few years ago. Then I noticed that the place mats had been tied up with the green ribbon. I ironed the ribbon and cut into four pieces and it was perfect to add the shamrock to. Napkin rings cost nothing this year! YEAH!

Here is the whole table. I decided to use the large shamrocks with chocolates as little favors for everyone to take home. I'm also going to share the pots of gold with my guest too.

I didn't have a chance to do the place cards yet and since we are not eating until tomorrow I don't have any food out.

Come back tomorrow and that will be done.

So what do you think? Should I let Mr. O'Malley go or keep him to fulfill my every wish and make me rich?

I'm linking today's post up to Cuisine Kathleen's blog. She is having an Irish Party or "Sharin' of the Green Party". If you have not yet been there please click on her name to be taken to her blog. There is a lot of Irish fun going on over there!

Don't forget to wear green tomorrow. If you don't you could be in for a lot of pinches!

My giveaway is still going on so please leave me a message so you will get your entry!

A LITTLE ST. PATTY SNEAK PEEK

OK, I know I should still be on Valentine's Day but, I'm always thinking about the next holiday. Well, to be honest, I'm already several holidays ahead but since St. Patrick's Day is the next one, I wanted to give you a peek as to what I'm planning.


Like I did with Valentine's Day and Halloween, I'm going to have a St. Patrick's Day luncheon. So, I've been collecting things for my tablescape.

I had seen some darling shamrock plates at TJ Maxx and I had them in my cart ready to buy but the line was way to long. So, I put them back and said I would go back the next day or stop at another store and get them.

Sadly, they were gone! Not to be found in any TJ Maxx or Home Goods or Marshalls near me.

I had to give up that idea I had and go with a new one. I thought I would go with plates that I could use at other times as well. Why spend money on plates I can only use one day a year?

I found the green and white polka dot salad plates and thought they would be perfect. I got them, not thinking the green was a hard green to match.

After checking out, I noticed, right at the check stand, were some St. Patrick's Day place mats and the green matched. I quickly got back in line and bought them.

Once home I still wasn't sure what kind of plates I could use to go with the funny color green salad plates. I figured I would just find some plain white ones and go with those. I could always pull in more St. Patrick's Day feel with the decorations and shamrock napkins or napkin ring holders.

Then, as luck would have it, I stopped at a thrift store and found these white plates with the green boarder. I didn't have the green salad plates but thought the green looked like it would match up.

When I checked out I was thrilled to find out the "blue" price stickers were on sale for 1/2 off and these plates only cost me 49 cents each! What a deal!

Once home, I remembered I had some white lace chargers and I put them with the plates. They went great!

I know my photos make the greens look like they are not a good match but in person the colors look different and they are great together. With the place mat pulling all the greens into together.

I even found great green glasses to use!

I love these glasses. I found them at the World Market and they were only $2.00 each. They come in blue, pink and clear also. Sure they have a Fleur De Lis on them, which isn't Irish, but who cares! The color is a perfect match and I'm going to use them.

So that's it! That's all you get for now. No more or it will spoil the surprise once it's all put together.

What about you? Are you planning anything for St. Patrick's Day? Do you plan way ahead of time like I do or just use what you have when the day comes?

Wait until I show you what I found for Easter and at such a bargain price too!