Entertaining Notebook

Do you struggle with trying to find a new way of laying your table? Do you wish you could dream up ideas for centerpieces at a moments notice? Do you have good ideas but can't seem to remember them when you need them?

Even the professionals have trouble remembering good ideas, so take a leaf out of their book and keep a notebook with different ideas you come across during the course of your every day.

Where to find inspiration:

• Restaurants, bakeries, cafes, coffee houses

• Store windows and displays

• Farmers markets and flea markets

• Friends and acquaintances

• Libraries, museums and historic places

• Books, magazines, newspapers, catalogs

• Television programs and advertisements

• Websites

What sort of things should you look out for:

• Where do people entertain? Outside? Inside? What room?

• How do they set the table? 

• What sort of tablecloths, napkins, dinnerware, do they use?

• Do they have centerpieces or floral arrangements?

• What sort of lighting do they have?

• What sort of food combinations do they use?

• What beverages do they serve? How do they serve them?

What to put in your notebook:

• Written descriptions of the idea

• Photos

• The date and where you got the idea

• Where you could use the idea

• Cut out pictures from magazines or catalogs

• Print out photos or articles from websites

• Website links or contact details for companies and stores that stock products you could use

• Write or print out menus or recipes

Collecting information:

• Have a small notebook that you carry with you all the time because you never know when you might see something you could use.

• Use an app on your phone, such as Evernote, to effortlessly collect and organize a variety of inspiration, including photos, recipes, and useful links to trusted suppliers.

• Create Pinterest Boards to collect images, recipes and inspiration for gatherings.

• Go old school with a large ring binder with plastic sleeves where you can place printouts, magazine clippings, recipes, photos and samples. Separate the binder into categories that are appropriate to you. For example:

• Holidays

• Brunch/Lunch Party ideas

• Dinner Party ideas

• Where to source items for entertaining

Remember to visit your notebook and folder on a regular basis not just when you need some ideas, it may even inspire you to do something different.