This holiday brunch tablescape has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
After such a beautiful, unseasonably warm fall, it was such a shock to be plunged into -20 weather! Overnight our bay of Lake Superior began to freeze and suddenly it felt very wintry. I don’t typically relish these winter months – actually, I dread winter – but this year I’m trying to embrace and enjoy all of the seasons, instead of hibernating and waiting for spring like usual. To help keep my energy levels up, I’ve added Emergen-C to my cupboard because it’s an easy way to take the vitamins that help me feel refreshed and replenished. It’s chock full of more Vitamin C than 10 oranges, plus antioxidants (like zinc and manganese), Vitamin B (which helps enhance energy naturally*), and electrolytes (to replenish the body after a winter workout).
Even the cheery packaging is uplifting and it inspired me to put together an orange and turquoise holiday brunch tablescape – a deliciously sunny way to spend a wintry weekend morning!
Is it just me, or does putting a little effort into setting the table make food tastier?
For this holiday brunch tablescape, I let my vintage teak table shine by skipping my usual tablecloth and opting for a pretty polka dot runner in my favorite shade of turquoise (recognize the fabric remnant?). Then I added some fresh cedar boughs and nestled in my DIY dyed bottle brush trees, favorite ornaments, and a handful of cute clementines. The pretty orange napkins, teak candle stick holders, white vase, and brass cutlery were all thrifted finds. The set of three teak bowls is my most recent find. I had been wanting one of those for ages and after a day of running errands with my Grandmother, we hit up the thrifts and – lo and behold – this set was waiting for me, 50% off that day!
Because I have a small dining table, I used the foods served as part of my decor too! A carrot cake (get the easy recipe here) was topped with a gorgeous fresh “wreath” and sliced oranges.
The matcha madeleines I shared earlier in the week looked really cute – and complemented my bottle brush trees! I live for little details like this.
I also made sugar-free, grain-free muffins (with almond and coconut flours, plus homemade applesauce as the sweetener) and protein-packed, cottage cheese pancakes. Healthy food can be delicious too – and cute, with the help of polka dot muffin liners and a sprinkling of shredded coconut.
To complete my holiday brunch tablescape, I dried slices of orange in the oven on low heat for an afternoon and hung them in the window from a tension rod – they looked like stained glass, so pretty! As an added bonus, the house smelled delicious for days.
With the decor and menu completed, I mixed up an easy drink recipe featuring Emergen-C, to help sneak in some vitamins during the busy holiday season. Frankly, it is delicious on its own (and I love the effervescence), but I added a few fresh ingredients for fun!
Mango Orange Pick-Me-Up Drink (serves four):
4 packets of Emergen-C (Tangerine or Super Orange)*
1 cup fresh mango juice (1 mango, 1/2 cup water, 1 ice cube)
1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (2 medium sized oranges)
2 cups carbonated water
*1 packet is best when mixed with approximately 4-8 oz. of fluid.
Pour the Emergen-C packs in a pitcher and add 2 cups of carbonated water – I bought an orange flavored sparkling water for an even more intense flavor.
Serve with ice or a slice of orange – or just a pretty paper straw! I recently went to a party supply store in town for the first time, and have decided that every drink, from now until summer, needs a turquoise paper straw. Maybe even a paper umbrella to hold onto those summery vibes – just a little – while I’m busy embracing winter.
I had so much fun putting together this holiday brunch tablescape and fêtetogether – what a way to feel really refreshed and relaxed. I think I might have to add “brunch more” to my list of health objectives for 2017!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Love the turquoise and orange combo. And that cake!!! So pretty. What an inspiring post!
Thank you! So happy to hear you like it!
Such a cheery table!Definitely give snow shoeing a try. All three of us have a set and love getting out in the snow. It's so quiet and peaceful and doesn't feel like excercise.
Thanks Heather! The neighbors used to snowshoe across the bay all winter, traipsing in front of our house, taunting us with their snowshoeing fun, lol. I wanted to try last year, but of course the bay never froze at all! This year is supposed to be really cold, so I think it will freeze and what a beautiful place to give it a whirl. Happy to hear you really enjoy it!
Tanya, that looks fantastic, all decoration i so vivid and adorable, I have feeling that even napkin is for eating! :)Great pics!
Thanks so much Cathy! I so rarely pair warm hues with turquoise and I have to admit that it really did feel so much more vibrant. So happy to like it!
I am basically in love with your house. I so want to eat in your kitchen! Blue is my FAV color and you nailed it! #client
I didn't know that you love blue too! So happy you love the tablescape, I had so much fun planning this brunch. I don't usually pair turquoise with orange but I love that jolt of orange in my home.
Lovely table- that cake looks beautiful and delicious.You should love snowshoeing. I used to snowshoe with my sisters when I lived nearby. My kids had snowshoes, too but my son was too little and found it difficult. But now that he's bigger, were picking back up this year. We were out on Monday and it was beautiful. Great workout- a little more physical that just walking but doesn't feel any harder. I hope you enjoy.
I'm trying to find enjoyable ways to keep active and fit this winter. In the warmer seasons, it's so easy, but in the winter it's a challenge not to become a couch potato, lol. Thanks for the encouragement.