Spring Table Decorations: Butterflies and Bowties (An Easy 6-Ingredient Greek Pasta Salad with Feta Recipe)

Y’all, I’m not gonna lie- I kind of feel like I’ve kind of fallen behind on starting on spring in our home because I’ve been so involved with all that #organization, but, today all that changes! Today, I’m finally sharing some easy spring table decorations with a spring fling table that is easy enough for anyone to pull together. I hope that all my tables have simple components that are easy to pull off but seriously, this table is pretty dang easy and the centerpiece makes a big statement for any spring party- from simple dinners to showers. To go along with the simplicity, I’m also sharing the most simple Greek pasta salad recipe ever. (Like, don’t-laugh-that-I’m-posting kind of simple.)

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My inspiration for the entire setup was recalling this sweet little stash of butterfly clips my mom had. Since I had a visit planned a couple weeks ago, she graciously let me borrow them to bring them back to Georgia to play with. I’ll be honest. Before this table was simple, it was pretty involved and difficult. When I stepped back to observe my work, to be honest, it was pretty much a wreck. I had envisioned a garland of limbs with small floral buds weaving down the center of the table. What I selected ended up looking more like a small campfire of woody kindling than a sweet butterfly farm. I tried to add to it – moss, flowers, etc. – before ultimately deciding to scrap the whole idea and go simpler. I went out to my yard and snipped a few branches with fresh green growth, put them in a vase, and ta-da! I had my base.

Fresh Spring Butterfly Dinner Table Idea for Spring Parties

Whimsical and stretching naturally in all directions was the look I was going for and these branches achieved that so much better than (what was basically) stiff, straight flower sticks. The butterfly clips are so light weight that they were able to be clipped to even the most thin branches to resemble that “floating” look you see in real life.

Butterfly Clips on Centerpiece Table Branches

The branches are tall enough to clear all the head space around the table and the limbs stretch more horizontally down the table and less on the shallow sides.

Monarch Paper Butterfly Clips

While my first plan took over an hour to construct before ultimately tearing it down and starting over, this simple centerpiece literally took a few minutes. It would even be perfect for a kitchen island or arrangement all on its own; here is the result.

Butterfly Centerpiece with Paper Monarch Butterflies

I’m kind of in love and am now thinking of all I’ve been missing – like, I’m thinking I need to do some serious research to see what else is available on clips for other arrangements. I’m not sure where this specific set of butterflies came from but there are a ton of options online. You can scroll and tap to shop a few I rounded up below.



Butterfly Clips on Spring Table Centerpiece

Each of the place settings are made up of simple white, everyday dinnerware (HERE) and the hyacinth chargers (SIMILAR) remind of me a butterfly basket/net. Very casual and simple- just like the concept, centerpiece, and menu. I have the full place setting sources linked at the bottom of this post 😉

Easy Spring Party Table Idea with Butterflies

Another fun little table addition are these terrarium-esque mossy ranunculus arrangements. When I was working on my original centerpiece, I ended up cutting them down to nestle in the “firewood logs”. I wanted to find a way to still use them in the table so I gathered the little guys and split them between bud vases before putting the bud vases in my small, round vessels and surrounding them with moss. Again, these would be adorable all on their own or in the living room on a side table/bedside table.

Ranunculus Terrariums on a spring table with moss

Yellow Monarch Butterfly Clip on Spring Branches

Easy, Whimsical Spring Party Table with Butterflies

Paper Monarch Butterfly Clip for Spring Table

Butterfly Spring Table Decorations with Butterfly Clips and Branches from the Yard

Pretty Spring Table Centerpiece with Butterfly Clips

Eleant Dining Room Side Board with Mirror and Lamps

Large Spring Branch CEnterpiece for Butterfly Spring Table

Paper Clip On Butterflies for a Fresh Spring Table

Spring butterfly centerpiece with whimsical branches

So, what goes with these simple butterflies? Simple bowties. Bowtie pasta that is 😉

This past weekend, I made my first spring salad of the season- an easy 6-ingredient Greek pasta salad. Again, it’s so simple I almost feel silly sharing but I think most of the time, when people think of pasta salad, they think of Italian dressing, tomatoes… you know, the standard. By restraining yourself and subbing the dressing, you can switch it up with this yummy Greek version – perfect for dinner side or barbeques.

Easy 6-Ingredient Greek Pasta Salad with Bow Ties and Feta


6-INGREDIENT GREEK PASTA SALAD


Ingredients

  • 1 box bowtie pasta 
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1 6-8oz. package feta cheese
  • 3/4 jar kalamata olives
  • 1 English cucumber
  • 1/2 bottle Greek salad dressing

Instructions

  • Boil pasta for 12 minutes, drain, and pour into large serving bowl
  • Dice red onion and cucumber, finely; add to pasta bowl
  • Add kalamata olives (can slice or add whole) and feta cheese
  • Add about 1/4 bottle to bowl and stir well. Refrigerate. Before serving, add another 1/4 bottle and stir well. 

Easy Greek Pasta Salad with Only 6 Ingredients- Quick Side Dish Idea

Told you it was simple 😉 But seriously, delish.

Easy Butterfly Centerpiece with Spring Branches

My full spring home tour will be going live next Tuesday (woo!); subscribe to receive my email updates below and don’t miss a thing 😉

Chargers (SIMILAR) | White Casual Beaded Plates | Centerpiece Hurricane Vase | Mini Latte Bowls | Crackle Wine Glasses | Tapered Candle Holders | Pillar Candle HoldersGold FlatwareNeutral Table Runners | Striped Napkins | Dining Chairs – Linen | Bar Cart12-Light Chandelier | Mirror: Homegoods – (SIMILAR) | Dining Table:  (84″ in Salvaged Brown) | Buffet: (72″ in Distressed White) | Curtain Panels: (98″ in White) | Rug: HomeGoods- Safavieh | Lamps: HomeGoods – (SIMILAR) | Silver Tea Service: Family Heirloom | Paint: Lauren’s Surprise by Sherwin Williams | Flooring: Nottaway Hickory in Weathered Saddle

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7 Comments

  1. 3.13.18

    Kelley, it’s gorgeous. Simple, yet so elegant. And agree, would be perfect for any spring occasion.

  2. 3.13.18
    Gretchen (Nan) Thomas said:

    Love the end result! Hooray for butterflies and bow ties!

  3. 3.14.18
    Susan Carr said:

    Dear Kelley, love the branches with the butterflies!

  4. 3.14.18
    Tammy Loro said:

    OH MY GOSH Kelly! It’s beautiful! I need that salad NOW! While not as vibrant/detailed as yours, Dollar Tree has butterflies in the craft/floral section 2(?) in a package for $1 🙂

  5. 3.15.18
    Sharon said:

    You have reminded us all that it is usually the most simple design that makes the biggest impact. A few just-budding branches in a clear vase, along with some fresh-faced ranunculus tucked into spring-green moss makes such an elegant statement for Spring! I just love it! (I may look for some clip-on dragonflies to add to my decor!)

  6. 4.16.18
    Ivory said:

    Oh my, your tablescape looks fanstatic, I could see myself entertaining in a space such as this. I love everything in your dinningroom. Nicely done.