Eat in Style, and Save!

Saffron Marigold - Updated: August 6, 2014

According to a recent article in The Washington Post, eating out is the single biggest discretionary income expense for Americans.  It follows that tweaking one’s dining habits can mean real savings! The writer says this:

To make this easier, figure out why you’re eating out. Is it because you’re bored with the same food you always cook? If so, look for an appealing new recipe online and make that instead of going out or getting takeout — cooking at home is almost always cheaper than a meal out. If you usually go to restaurants to meet friends, try organizing a potluck instead. Everyone saves and still has fun, so you won’t feel like you’re depriving yourself.

I’ll add that along with festive food, unique table decor always makes meals at home feel special.  Personally, I love a good meal out, but there is just nothing like sitting down at your own beautiful table with friends or family.

Since it’s Friday, let’s get inspired for the weekend with some great tables and delish dishes!

Ivory Peacock Feather Print Elegant Tablecloth

1. Grilled Eggplant with Caponata Salsa, Smitten Kitchen
2.  Grilled Citrus Swordfish, Steamy Kitchen
3.  Dark Chocolate Mousse, Elizabeth Davis via The Age
4.  Dance O Peacock Tablecloth, Saffron Marigold

Purple Blue Moroccan Vintage Print Tablecloth

1.  Moroccan Chickpea Soup, BBC Good Food
2.  Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Artichoke Hearts and Goat Cheese, My Recipes
3.  Moroccan Honeycomb Pancake Dessert, Lebanese Recipes
4.  Sultan’s Palace Tablecloth, Saffron Marigold

dining in in style

1. Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad, Closet Cooking
2. Wild Mushroom and California Walnut Soup
3.  Strawberry Buttermilk Sherbet, Southern Living
4.  India Rose Tablecloth, Saffron Marigold

Well, I am satisfactorily hungry now, and full of good ideas for some weekend entertaining! I hope you’ve gotten some good ideas too.  If you like the Saffron Marigold tablecloths you see here, keep in mind there are many more!  All are 100% cotton, handprinted, fairly traded and gorgeous!