Becky Home-Ecky, I am not.  (Occasionally Rebecca Homewrecka … but that’s another blog.)   I have brunches and dinner parties all the time where people are forced to serve themselves.  If you think I’m going to serve you anything, you will starve to death.  And, typically, the lone decoration on the table is usually a half-used roll of Bounty paper towels.  (Once I actually left a bottle of Pledge on the table.  Oops.  I tried to play if off like it was a condiment.)

I have no desire in spending hours perfecting how a table should look before my guests arrive.  You know where the plates are … you know where the silverware is … get it your damn self.  The only saving grace in all this is that I can actually cook, so my guests are guaranteed a great meal.  And my booze cabinet is usually stocked, another bonus.

When I shot my most recent “What The Chic” for Halls … the theme was how to mix-and-match designs to get the most out of the look/feel for your table.  I guess you could say the theme was about creating a theme.

This was a particularly interesting “What The Chic” to shoot.  Not because of the dazzling decorated tables, of course.  Interesting because I’m sporting facial hair.  I teetered between shaving off my beard before the shoot, but opted against it.  I probably would have spent more time looking at all the designer’s handiwork if I wasn’t so busy checking myself out in the mirror.   Should I have shaved my face?  Should my beard be longer?  Really, the tables are delightful … but so is my red scruff, yes?

Never let it be said that I don’t throw some fab parties.  I just could not possibly care less how the table looks.  Just grab your plate, sit down and start eating.  Enjoy.  You’ll leave with a full belly and great conversation.  Screw Martha Stewart.   Paula Deen would be proud as punch!