wedding registry: julia knight

I'm so excited to be back with a new wedding registry post!  I'm sorry for the lack of posting in the world of registry items lately, but with so much transition I haven't had as much time to try out new lines and give you an opinion "from the trenches" so to speak.  Today I am thrilled to tell you about Julia Knight, one of my favorite lines for adding a little color to your home decor/entertaining arsenal.  

classic spreader knife

my classic spreader knives add the perfect amount of color to cheese plates

Some of you may know about Julia Knight products, or at the very least you may have seen them in some of your favorite stores.  I am here to tell you that if some of these gorgeous pieces aren't on your registry, they should be!  Saks (and select Bloomingdales) carries the line, and you can often find a few pieces in local jewelry stores.  (In Jacksonville, you can find Julia Knight at Underwoods, and in Chapel Hill, look for Julia Knight at Southern Season.)

lily bowl

cheese tray

In addition to very cool glass pieces, the collection has the most beautiful trays and serving pieces.   AND, be sure to check out the "home decor" section of the site for gorgeous vases and picture frames.

high ball glass

frame
LOVE this frame...what a great way to add a little sparkle to a room!

Don't forget to email me or leave a comment if you have a wedding registry question. 

I love hearing from you!

xo,

PS: I feel like I should mention that my wedding registry posts are not sponsored.  They are my reviews and opinions about the things I use and love that I want to share with all of you!

wedding registry: tableware quantities

Happy Wednesday!  The week is creeping by, but we are half-way there.  Just a few more days till the weekend lovelies.  What is it about summer weekends that make them even MORE appealing than a usual weekend?!

Today I want to share a quick reference guide for wedding registry "numbers."  I found that when I was registering for items, I had a good idea of what style I liked and what colors I preferred, but I had no idea about how much of everything I needed!  Obviously this reference guide should be adapted to fit your lifestyle (and your storage space), but here are some general thoughts:

xo,

PS: Thanks to Carrie for supplying me with so many wedding registry questions/topics.  If you have a question or a topic you would like to see covered feel free to send me an email or leave me a comment.

ALSO: click here to buy the butternut vanilla extract for yesterday's pound cake recipe.  Don't be alarmed by the orange color- it really does make all the difference.

wedding registry: summer entertaining

Good Morning!  Summer is around the corner, and every bride needs a few staples on her registry for entertaining outdoors on a warm night.  Here are a few of my favorite picks:  

Tear Off Napkins

 perfect for outdoor entertaining and much cuter than a paper towel.  Throw them in the wash when you are done and use them again and again!

tear off napkin

Catch-All Tray

There is nothing worse than trips in and out of the house when you are trying to relax with guests.  Make sure to include a large catch all tray to make carrying all of your entertaining essentials easier.  

catch-all tray

Mason Jar Mugs: 

Perfect for icy lemonade at your next garden party or luncheon.

mason jar mugs

Drink Dispensers

A fun way to let guests serve themselves. The only hard part is deciding what to serve...

glass drink dispenser stand

Chalkboard Drink Dispenser Labels

A cute way to make sure no one gets spiked lemonade instead of regular.  Throw them in a drawer with some chalk when you are done and re-use them again and again!

chalkboard drink dispenser label

Galvanized Steel Bucket

The best way to keep drinks cold!  Register for at least two - one for alcoholic beverages and one for waters, soda, etc. to make your entertaining a little easier.  

galvanized drink bucket

xo,

wedding registry: essential baking tools

After a little break, today we are continuing on with more "kitchen essentials" for your wedding registry.  I titled this post "essential baking tools," but really you will likely use these items in your kitchen whether you bake or not.  I find that I use my mixing bowls to make salads or to toss veggies in olive oil before roasting, I use my oven mitts to remove ANYTHING from the oven, and I use my measuring cups for all types of cooking.  Really, you will want these tools in your kitchen if you like to bake, but you will also want them for daily meal preparation.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

1. Mixing Bowls: I love my set from Williams Sonoma.  I have a white set and I use them literally everyday.  I also have a set of nice glass bowls, but I predominately use these sturdy, plastic bowls.  A must have for any kitchen.

2. Collapsible Measuring Cups: These are one of my very favorite kitchen items.  My little sister gave these to me for one of my bridal showers when she was just 12- she had great taste even then.  They also make a smaller set for Tbs. and tsp. measurements.  These are perfect for a small kitchen where space is a premium.

3. Silpat Liners: Another must have in any kitchen.  Whether you are baking cookies or roasting veggies, or just heating up a sandwich in the oven- these keep your baking sheets in top condition.  Don't be fooled though- the square is the size for a standard cooking sheet and the one pictured here is for a jelly roll pan.

4. Rolling Pin: While this is a debatable essential, you will find that if you need one and you don't have one- there is no other kitchen tool that really does the job as effectively.  I have tried to use a water bottle or a big tervis tumbler, but take it from me, this doesn't work.  Moral of the story- add a rolling pin to your registry, when you need one, you will really need it!'

5. Baking Set: Even if you don't bake, I think it is still smart to have at least one cookie sheet, a muffin tin, and a cake pan (round or square.)  You never know when you will have a craving for a box of brownies and having the tools to whip up a batch will make life much easier.  I like the Williams Sonoma Gold Touch line- it's non-stick and bakes very evenly.

6. Oven Mitt: Invest in two!  I always wear them when I take things out of the oven and I love the mitt because it covers your whole hand and arm.  It is amazing how quickly you can burn your arm or hand on the door of the oven when you reach in to remove something with just the half mitts or a dish towel.  Grab a pair and keep them handy- I promise you will thank me.

Do you have any other baking tools that you think are essential?

xo,

wedding registry: when to register

Happy Wednesday!  The weekend is in sight friends...just hang tight!

Today I thought I would address a question that many of you have asked:

"When should I register?"  

My immediate reaction is to say register as soon as possible after your engagement.  (Note, this does not mean you should, under any circumstances, register BEFORE your engagement...even if you have seen the ring and know the question is coming in a matter of days- don't go there.)  My suggested timeline would be to get engaged, CELEBRATE, set a date, then register.

ring / champagne / calendar / gifts

As people hear about your engagement, they may want to purchase a small gift of congratulations.  While they may or may not look to a registry to purchase a gift like this, people always appreciate any guidance you can provide via a registry about your preferences.  Also, people will begin throwing showers and engagement parties.  Often guests will look for your registry in order to purchase gifts for these celebrations.

image

If all else fails, you MUST be registered before your wedding invitations are mailed.  Once guests receive invitations, a number of them will want to send you a wedding gift in advance of the big day.  The formal wedding invitation is the trigger for many people to not only RSVP, but also to search for your registry....SO make sure it's there and up to date!

If you have a wedding registry question, feel free to email me, leave me a comment, or post your question on the "Ask a Wedding Registry Question" page at the top of the blog!

xo,

wedding registry: kitchen tools

Good Morning!  Today I want to talk about kitchen tools.  AND, not just any kitchen tools, but kitchen tools you will actually use.  I know it's easy to go into Williams Sonoma, Sur la Table, or any other kitchen shop and think that you absolutely won't be able to start your married life without that melon baller, pasta maker, or jam spoon.  Rest assured dear readers, I'm here to tell you that you can and will make it without them.

If you are like me, going into a kitchen store can be an overwhelming task.  When I was registering, I had never had my own kitchen, I could make approximately three things (scrambled eggs, cereal, and toast), and I relied heavily on my mom and mother-in-law to tell me what I would actually need.  So today, I want to pass that wisdom along to you.  Keep in mind, this is a list of the basics that I think every kitchen should have.  As you cook and find favorite recipes and meal preparations, you might want to invest in the sushi maker or pastry bag.  Starting off though, these are the essentials...

ladle / tongs / slotted spoon / flipping spatula / oversize spoon / mixing spatulas

A few quick notes:

1. While most stores sell a "set" that has all the kitchen tools you will need, I found it was much more fun and useful to customize a set myself.  We got the set Williams Sonoma advertises, but I have gradually taken things out and added things of my own over the years and now it houses the most used and functional tools in the kitchen.

2. I prefer non-slip tongs - they much easier to use and I am much less likely to drop the chicken, kale, or whatever else I am picking up than I would be with regular tongs.

3. The oversize spoon can be metal or wooden, or you could use both.  I switch between the two, but you could go either way.  One word of warning- a metal spoon gets HOT if you are using it to stir soup or something else on the stove.

4.  Mixing spatulas are definitely the workhorse of our kitchen.  Whether we are baking cookies, roasting sweet potatoes, cooking eggs, or almost any other recipe you can imagine, we are using these guys.  I have four of these and they are all well used and loved.  These are a MUST.

I will be back in the next few weeks with more items geared towards baking and other specialized cooking to round out the list.  In the meantime, do you have any other kitchen tools to add to the list?

xo,

wedding registry: emile henry

Hello!  Sorry for the late post today.  I got my first taste of what the real world will be like after graduation when I had to be at a breakfast meeting in Raleigh at 8am.  I am going to miss my student schedule where my first class doesn't start until after 9am...

Continuing on my theme of wedding registry favorites, today I am excited to share Emile Henry bakeware.

emile henry

We added this to our registry on a whim and I am SO thankful that we did!  I use it almost everyday and it is so easy for cooking, baking and it is even cute enough to use on the table for serving. The color selection is great and the line has multiple shapes and sizes of bakeware to fit any need.  I especially love their bread pan- it is deep enough to make a large loaf of bread and the bread always bakes evenly.

emile henry

We registered for our Emile Henry at Williams Sonoma, but I imagine it is available at multiple kitchen stores.  Any other great registry items to share?

xo,

wedding registry: price ranges

Hello!  It's finally Wednesday which means we are half-way to the weekend.  My last spring break starts this weekend so I am super excited...

For today's wedding registry post, I want to discuss a more sensitive topic...price.  While my previous posts have encouraged you to find a fine china that you love and think outside the box in terms of registry items, not much has been said about the costs of these items.  While you should definitely register for fine china, silver, crystal, or anything else that you love and will cherish, it is also important to register for items that are just as special but may be purchased at a lower price point.

image

The idea in creating a registry is to create a balanced registry.  This means having your fine china listed along with a can opener, spatula, and bath towels.  This is especially important if you anticipate guests attending pre-wedding showers or other events where they may purchase you multiple gifts.  This concept applies equally if you are getting married at a young age when your friends may have less disposable income than they might have once they are a few more years into a career.

image

I think a good rule of thumb is to have your registry items clumped into thirds.  One third should be $40 or less, 1/3 between $40 and $100, and 1/3 in the $100 and up range. This will give your guests lots of options in a variety of price points.  Also, it is important to monitor your registry often.  If you find that all of the gifts in one range have been purchased, it might not be a bad idea to add additional items in that price range.

towels / baking dish / china

The most important thing to remember, however, is to be gracious and thankful for any gift you receive.  Thank you notes are a MUST, and I suggest starting them as gifts begin to arrive.

xo,

wedding registry: fine china

Good Morning!  Thank you all for the fabulous response to last week's Wedding Registry Question.  I'm having fun with it and I hope you all are enjoying it as well.

Today we focus on fine china.  I know lots of brides struggle over whether or not to register for something that is: a) so expensive, and b) not used that often.  I'll put your worries to rest right now and say...register for fine china.

Raynaud, "Allee Royale"

While you may not think you will use it (and you may not right away), one day you will host your boss for dinner, throw a surprise birthday party, or host Thanksgiving dinner, and I promise you will want fine china.  This is the one time in your life when lots of people who love you want to purchase beautiful things for your future.  Register for fine china (and silver, and crystal) and let them help you build a collection.  You are much more likely to purchase one or two more salad plates in ten years (when you decide you want to use your china) than you are to buy an entire set because you didn't register for it in the first place.

Royal Crown Derby, "Old Imari"

Now that we have that settled, here are a few things to think about when you are choosing your china:

1. How much will you need?  Typically, people register for 12 place settings.  While this is a good rule of thumb, you may consider getting extra plates (or entire place settings) if you have a large extended family, or if most of the gatherings you attend now (ie: Thanksgiving dinner) have significantly more than 12 people.   Keep in mind- it never hurts to have extra plates in case one breaks.

Philippe Deshoulieres, "Orsay"

2. What other pieces do I need? A typical place setting contains a dinner plate, salad plate, bread and butter plate, and a cup and saucer.  All of these pieces are sold separately giving you the flexibility to chose things that reflect your personal taste.  For instance, if you don't typically drink tea or coffee after dinner, you might chose to get more salad plates in lieu of cups and saucers.  Finally, don't forget about serving pieces!  At a minimum, you will need a large platter, a medium platter, and two vegetable serving dishes.  Keep in mind that just like having extra dinner plates, having extra serving pieces is never a bad idea.

Herend, "Rothschild Bird"

3. How do I chose my pattern?  Unlike last week's post about everyday china, for fine china you should consider a pattern that you will love forever.  Some brides know their pattern from the time they can walk, some chose their mother's pattern so they can combine sets when entertaining, and some have no idea.  No matter your situation, think about finding something classic (ask your mom or grandmother) and find a color scheme that you love.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Herend, "Chinese Bouquet"

Chinese Bouquet is a beautiful, classic option.  Herend makes tons of accompanying serving pieces and this pattern comes in blue, green, and rust.  Definitely one to consider!

Royal Crown Derby, "Derby Panel Green"

Derby Panel Green is our fine china.  I love green and gold and the accent salad plate sold me.  It also comes in a red color that would be fun for Christmas time.

Herend, "Princess Victoria" paired with Signature Monogram Charger

I love the idea of mixing different patterns to get something unique.  This is Herend's Princess Victoria paired with a custom, monogrammed charger.  This picture shows the two monogram options available, but the charger or plate would only feature one.

Herend, "Golden Edge" /Bernardaud, "Athena Platinum"/ Royal Crown Derby, "Carlton Gold"

Finally, neutrals are a good option.  They can mix well with other pieces you may acquire later and they are always classic.

I should also mention that I love the other patterns sprinkled throughout this post.  That Old Imari gets me every time!  What do you think?  Do you have any favorite patterns not shown here?

xo,

wedding registry: choosing your everyday china

Good Morning!  After a little de-railment last week (hello no internet when I woke up Wednesday am?!) I am back to start off my new "wedding registry" series.  I know registering can be an intimidating and daunting task, but it can also be fun and not stressful- I promise.  One of the first things many couples decide on when they start their registry is everyday china, so this is where we will start our series.  (Note this post pertains to "everyday"china- check back next week for a post on fine china, silver, crystal, etc.)  

To get us off on the right foot, here are my 3  things to keep in mind when registering for your everyday china:

1. Food looks best served on white or off-white, solid pieces.  It is also easier to mix in colored and printed napkins and serving pieces if you have a solid and neutral base.  This is not to say that if you love blue and white pieces,  pattern, or a certain color you shouldn't register for it, but if you are undecided or indifferent, I would recommend white.  

image

2. Chose something you love, but don't worry about whether it is something you will love forever and EVER...this will be used everyday and will likely be chipped and replaced by the time you have at least a few little ones.  Do try to chose something that you won't be tired of in the next few months though.

image
Probably not the best choice for longevity's sake

3. Versatility and utility are KEY when choosing your everyday china.  The perfect china will be micro-wave, oven, and dishwasher safe AND have lots of matching serving pieces in a variety of sizes.

microwave / oven / dishwasher

4. Pottery is beautiful but can be heavy and chip easily.  It is a great option for some, but remember the plates will get heavier and heavier every time you have to lift the stack in and out of those high kitchen cabinet.  Keep this in mind if you are considering Vietri...

image

Keeping these tips in mind, here are my top picks for everyday china...

Remember, I will be answering questions about wedding registries each Wednesday.  Feel free to leave me a comment, send me an email, or check out the "Wedding Registry" tab at the top of my blog to leave your question!  

xo,