DECORATING WITH LANTERNS

You can find lanterns of all shapes and sizes these days. They're a great way to decorate both inside and out.

Add some of the following decor in or around your lantern for decoration:

Rocks

Food

Flowers

Seashells

Looking to add some color to your lanterns? Try some colorful lanterns or colorful candles.

There are also many different styles whether you prefer a vintage look or a more exotic look.

Don't want to worry about candles? Several stores have battery operated candles, some even with timers that look pretty real. I especially like the ones from Pier 1. Be careful placing them outside this summer though, they'll still melt outside in the heat.

Now get creative and have fun with lanterns. They're the type of decorative accessory that you can easily change with the seasons and with different styles.

Candlelit Dinner

One of my favorite things to do is plan a nice, romantic dinner. I cook up some scrumptious food and my husband and I sit and chat for awhile. I love using lots of candles too! I'll always add some to the table centerpiece. Recently though I placed a collection of candles on top of our sideboard  which is next to the table. I went to antique and consignment stores and purchased candleholders in various shapes and sizes and added cream colored candles. This collection then sits in front of a mirror which reflects even more light.

You can easily do this too. The candles holders cost next to nothing. You can do whatever color or shape you like, just tie them together with the candle color. In this case, I chose cream. If you don't have a mirror on the wall, you can purchase a mirror piece from a craft store like Michaels to place underneath.