Tablescapes
Corelle Dinnerware Sets: An Honest Buyer's Guide
Which Corelle set to actually buy, the lead-paint question on vintage Corelle, and how it compares to porcelain and stoneware. The honest third-party review.
May 9, 2026
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26 articles, newest first. Jump to a topic, or just scroll.
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Home BarLemon Drop Cocktail Recipe: The Proper Version + 4 Variants
The proper Lemon Drop recipe with the right triple-sec ratio, plus 4 variants: martini, shot, spritz, and non-alcoholic. Plus the technique most recipes miss.
May 9, 2026
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Home BarVodka Cocktail Recipes: 8 Drinks That Teach You to Mix
Eight vodka cocktails as a learning path: start with a vodka soda, finish at the Vesper. Real recipes, real ratios, what to buy, plus non-alc variations.
May 9, 2026
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HolidaysChristmas Cocktail Recipes: A Host's 5-Cocktail Menu
Stop scrolling lists of 24 Christmas cocktails. The 5-cocktail menu framework hosts actually use, with batch-able recipes, hot drinks, and a non-alc option.
May 8, 2026
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HolidaysChristmas Dinner Ideas: A Hosting Plan for 6, 12, or 20
Christmas dinner ideas for actual hosting, not 100 recipes. The menu formula, day-of timeline, drink math, and what to skip. Scales from 6 to 20.
May 7, 2026
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HolidaysFriendsgiving: A Hosting Plan for the Thanksgiving You Want
How to host Friendsgiving, the menu framework, potluck logistics, scheduling around real Thanksgiving, and what to skip. For 6 to 16 friends.
May 6, 2026
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Holidays4th of July Menu: A Cookout You Can Actually Enjoy
A 4th of July menu calibrated for hosting, not the grill. Seven dishes, mostly make-ahead, so you spend the holiday with guests, not standing in smoke.
May 5, 2026
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HolidaysMother's Day Brunch Ideas: A 5-Dish Menu (Not 38 Recipes)
A 5-dish Mother's Day brunch menu, with make-ahead timing so you sit at the table instead of standing at the stove. Frittata, fruit, bacon, coffee, Mimosas.
May 4, 2026
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TablescapesThanksgiving Table Decor: A 3-Path Framework
Stop scrolling 62 Thanksgiving table settings. Pick one of three paths, follow the 3-5-7 rule, and use components that don't go in the trash on November 27.
May 3, 2026
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Home BarGin Cocktail Recipes: 8 Drinks That Teach You to Mix
Eight gin cocktails as a learning path: start with a G&T, end at the Last Word. Real recipes, real ratios, what to buy, and the non-alc gin variations.
May 2, 2026
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Home BarMocktail Recipes: 12 Drinks Organized by Occasion
Twelve mocktails organized by when to serve them: brunch, summer, dinner party, holidays, and the kid-friendly classic. Real ratios, no sad juice drinks.
May 1, 2026
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Home BarNon-Alcoholic Spirits: What to Buy and What's Overhyped
Honest reviews of non-alcoholic gin, whiskey, tequila, and aperitifs. Which brands are worth the price, which to skip, and the rule that makes mocktails better.
Apr 30, 2026
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Home BarShirley Temple Mocktail: The Proper Recipe + 4 Variants
The classic Shirley Temple recipe with real grenadine, plus the 4 variants people search for: Dirty Shirley, Cinderella, no-grenadine, and the Sprite version.
Apr 29, 2026
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Home BarVodka Mocktails: 6 Recipes That Taste Like Cocktails
Two ways to make a vodka mocktail, virgin recipes that mimic real cocktails, plus drinks using non-alc vodka substitutes. 6 recipes and what to skip.
Apr 28, 2026
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Hosting How-ToFinger Foods for a Party: The 5-Category Framework
The 5-category framework hosts use to build finger-food menus, with per-person math and make-ahead timing for parties of 8 to 30. Skip the 113-recipe lists.
Apr 27, 2026
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TablescapesCharcuterie Board: A Hosting System (Not a Photo Op)
Build a charcuterie board that actually feeds guests: the 3-3-3 rule, real per-person amounts, and the assembly order that prevents sweating cheese.
Apr 26, 2026
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GlasswareWhiskey Glasses: The 3-Glass System (Not the 12-Glass Set)
Why a Glencairn, a rocks tumbler, and a Highball are all the whiskey glasses you actually need. Plus what to skip and which ones are worth the money.
Apr 25, 2026
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Home BarCocktail Shakers: The Type Bartenders Actually Use
Why a Boston shaker beats the 3-piece cobbler for home cocktails, the 3 sets we'd actually buy, and what to skip. The honest cocktail shaker guide.
Apr 24, 2026
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Home BarBar Cart: How to Set Up a Real Home Bar
What to actually put on a bar cart, the 8 bottles that cover most cocktails, the carts worth buying at every budget, and what to skip. No styling fluff.
Apr 23, 2026
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TablescapesDinnerware Sets: What Material to Buy and What to Skip
Stoneware vs. porcelain vs. bone china vs. melamine, what pieces actually matter in a dinnerware set, and the 3 sets we'd buy at every budget.
Apr 22, 2026
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TablescapesHow to Set a Table: The 3-Tier System for Any Dinner
How to set a table for everyday, dinner parties, or formal occasions. The 3-tier system, the one rule that actually matters, and how to scale for 2 to 8.
Apr 21, 2026
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GlasswareChampagne Flutes: What to Buy (and What to Use Instead)
Champagne flutes, honestly: when they're the right call, when a coupe or wine glass is better, and the 3 sets we'd actually buy at every budget.
Apr 20, 2026
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GlasswareMartini Glasses: What to Buy (and Whether You Should)
What a martini glass is, how it differs from a coupe, why bartenders often prefer the coupe, and the 3 sets we'd actually buy at every budget.
Apr 19, 2026
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GlasswareCoupe Glasses: What They're For and Which to Buy
Coupe glasses, explained: what they're for, what cocktails they hold, how they differ from a martini glass, and the 3 sets we'd actually buy at every budget.
Apr 18, 2026
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TablescapesSilverware Setting: A Practical Guide for Real Dinners
The right silverware setting for a casual, dinner-party, or formal table, with a clear diagram, a what-to-skip list, and budget-tier flatware picks. No stress.
Apr 17, 2026
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Hosting How-ToHow to Host a Dinner Party: A 5-Day Plan That Actually Works
How to host a dinner party for 6, a real 5-day plan, hour-by-hour day-of timeline, menu formula, drink math, and what to skip. No hosting performance.
Apr 16, 2026