We are coming up on a decade + one, and I agree! I could use another bridal shower or a decade shower at this point! New towels, new tupperware, new pots and pans, please! Some of the things I have used happily and daily for this long could stand to be retired. :)
I do a lot of entertaining, so imagine my embarrassment at Ryan's birthday dinner, when I'd invited over two other families.... and I realize I only had FIVE plates left!! Ten and a half years and three kids have been a little bit rough with the original dishes {hand me downs from my aunt who was replacing her dishes!} I couldn't believe we'd broken so many plates and I hadn't taken stock! I set the "kid's table" with our kid friendly plastic set and then set the adult table with what I had... one place setting short. I was trying to figure out what to do when I decided to set a special place setting for the birthday boy.
Time to buy some new dishes!!!!
I grew up with Grandmothers on opposite ends of the dining experience spectrum. I have "fancy dinner Grandma" and "paper plate Grandma". One of the things I remember from my childhood was the thrill that I got eating "fancy dinner Grandma's" house. I remember being young and marveling over her table, spoons and forks placed where they should, pretty tablecloths and napkins, little crystal coasters with individual crocheted doily inserts! Table pretties just speak to my soul. I always had to be careful in the newlywed days when budgets were TIGHT about going into a Linens & Things or Bed, Bath, Beyond... if I was in the table linens section, it was all over. Grocery money was spent on cloth napkins. I couldn't help myself!
After the birthday party, Ryan told me to buy new dishes.
He didn't have to say that twice!!
I perused online for two days. I had an idea of what I wanted, but needed to see things in person. I spent at afternoon driving around the valley looking at dishes. I came back home and read more online reviews. I hemmed and I hawed and I thought, thought, thought, thought! I wondered what fancy Grandma would do.
I found a set on dillards.com that I really loved. It met the requirements: simple and white, to go with all seasons and decor. But it was fine porcelain china. I thought it would be toast in my children's hands!!! I was back to googling the merits between ironware and stoneware and somewhere in there, a reviewer RECOMMENDED china for families with young children. I did a double take! Really? They said the durability was superior to both ironware and stoneware, both in chip resistance and shatterability when dropped. Our kitchen is tile with granite countertops, so I was HIGHLY concerned about both of those things!!
I did some more hemming and hawing and thinking. I showed Ryan picture after picture online of dishes {met with blank stares!!} I conducted a highly scientific facebook study. I almost got down on my knees and prayed about my dishes!! :) Finally, my mind was made up:
China it is. {But in the back of my mind I was still thinking: please don't break please don't break please don't break!!}
While I'd been searching, I discovered a line of serving pieces that I fell in love with. I ordered my dishes and a few pieces of serving ware.
After MUCH adieu, may I introduce:
Mikasa Antique White
It is SO BEAUTIFUL in person!!! We have been using them daily for about two weeks now and I am SO THRILLED with them. I dropped one of the tea cups putting them away and my stomach just dropped... but it literally just bounced off my granite countertops and didn't even chip!! I still make Grace eat off the plastic {you would too!} but Ben and Leah have used these NO problem. They are dishwasher, over, microwave and freezer safe. They make me GIDDY with excitement every time I set the table. I LOVE THEM!!!
{Someone recently told me they thought Deviled Egg Plates were a joke. You know who you are, LANAE! With Easter coming up, we will be pulling this baby out all the time!! Ryan and our children are big egg fans- deviled eggs and egg salad and egg salad sandwiches all the way! It was an acquired taste for me but I have to say I'm on board these days. Especially served on a pretty plate!!!}
I ordered a few servingware pieces: salad bowl, salad servers, pitcher, egg plate, cheese and cracker tray. I selected things with family dinners in mind and will continue to add to the collection as the years go by and as Ryan needs hints during gift giving occasions!!
Right before I placed my order on the Dillards website, I did a quick google search just to make sure I was getting the best price. Imagine my SHOCK when I found both my servingware and dishes on amazon.com, HALF THE PRICE and with free shipping!! Not only that, but amazon frequently has a "3 for 4" deal on home things where you buy three qualifying items, and the 4th is free!! I was so excited with my find and ended up spending a whole lot less than I was planning!
Well, there you have it: the story behind my new table pretties! {OR, more information about what is on my dinner table than you really cared to know!!}
When can I expect you for dinner? :)
That was fun to read. Now I understand a little more about where your pretty table love comes from, "Fancy Grandma."
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