My bridal shower
This is the story of my bridal shower and my current dilemma.
A couple of years ago (okay, like 2003) I had been living in a cute little cottage in this lush backyard of a dear older couple in Holladay (a great Salt Lake City suburb). And when I say "cottage", I'm serious. It was just a big open little 400 sq ft place...with a little stream running underneath it. You had to walk over a little bridge just to get to my front door.
Oh, I loved that place.
And I loved my neighbors and the women at church.
I grew a lot there.
And I grew out of the 400 sq. ft.
But, when it came time to move, I'm not going to lie, I felt a little jipt (gipt? gipped? jypd? how on earth do you spell that word?).
You see, this neighborhood...these women...my friends...had money.
And I always kind of secretly hoped that while I lived there, I'd get engaged.
Because I knew they would throw me one heckuva bridal shower.
I mentioned it casually to one of the women at church.
I might have said something like, "I can't believe I'm moving before I get a bridal shower!" (after attending a bridal shower where the girl totally scored.)
Well...
The night before I was leaving, I was home packing and my neighbor came over and asked if I could come look at something. Yeah, you know where this is going.
And those sweet women were all waiting for me.
With the "fancy spinach salad" and little quiches and pink lemonade and eclairs all on fancy dishes with pretty fresh flowers.
And the GIFTS!
Oh, my....THE GIFTS!
I got some new towels and a crystal vase and a plant and some stuff for my kitchen. I giggled...then I cried...then I giggled some more.
I got my bridal shower with THOSE women and I loved it.
But...
I didn't get plates.
And, it's seven years later.
And I want new plates.
Thus, the dilemma (am I spelling that right? Why can't I spell tonight?)
SO...help me, will you?
Should I go...
Modern (I like to pretend I'm modern even though I'm not but there is something very sexy about this little set to me.)
French Country (I fight it...but I'm a cottage girl at heart. And the bowl!Look at the bowl!)
or
Traditional? (the pattern I think I really want...but it's not on sale. Do I splurge?)
Vote.
Please.
Pretend it's my bridal shower.
Humor me.
xoxo
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22 comments:
If you can afford it, I vote Traditional. I have traditional and I love love them. You can dress them up or dress them down. You can modern them up or make them country depending on the occasion and what you put with them.
By the way, I love that they gave you a bridal shower. You so deserve it. I remember when I got married I had a cousin that said, "Mindi I have no idea what to get you, you already have everything." One of the side effects of not getting married until my 30's. My response..."Just give me money to pay me back for having to buy everything myself!" Long story short...we walked away from our wedding with several thousands of dollars in cash!
I'm sure when the day comes...at it will! You will do the same.
I heart this story.. como se Dice? ... a lot!
Traditional has stuck around for one reason. The plate is always round.
I bought some plates from Ikea that were reasonably priced that are modern. I use them to spice up the blah-alicious days.
okay, i am in love with this story. i wish i could have been to that shower!! you totally deserve it and so much more.
i think i would say traditional. as much as i just loooove the french country, i think you could do so much more with traditional. like add some colored bowls for different holidays!!
i went with http://www.potterybarn.com/products/emma-dinnerware-white/?pkey=cemma-dinnerware and have LOVED adding fun colors to them.
can't wait to see what you pick!
lets do lunch... cause we are like totally friends now!
Oh! Looks like Erica beat me to the punch! I was going to suggest you check out Pottery Barn too! The Emma collection is beautiful - esp. in green, in my opinion.
So, I guess my vote is traditional...then spice it up with crazy, less expensive peices from Ikea or Target! :)
Oh...and it's "gypped" - comes from Gypsy...
ok, so i am RIGHT with you on the whole modern thing...i'm drawn to modern things, yet i don't really feel like i'm "cool" enough to pull it off...does that make sense?
anyway...love all three choices...funny that your "traditional" choice looks exactly like the plates we have...love them. simple and classic - matches anything. and timeless.
so, you have my vote -- #3!
p.s. got the book in the mail today! THANK you!!!!!!
Since you asked, yes I am up at 4 am (sick baby).
Oh, that's not what you asked?
I love this story. I would have bawled through the whole shower. Lovely little ol' ladies.
And I guess I'm the only vote for Modern. I love those! Am now considering buying them myself...
If they were for me I would get the modern ones. That's just me though
Truth according to Krista: Always, always, always start your dinnerware collection with a traditional set of white dishes. White dishes are clean and classy and look fabulous with any sort of table dressing. They are the foundation of your entertaining collection. Once you have them in your arsenal, you can then add other patterns and sets. But always begin with white. So ... if you haven't picked up on my opinion yet, I'm voting for the Italian Countryside Dinnerware. Amen and Amen.
I like Modern - even though they feel traditional to me because they are white -- it's a bit of both worlds.
So, Dad and I are looking at all the choices including the "Emma" your friend suggested and I say:
"So what do you think?"
(hoping he will really like one of them and I can finally replace what I use every day)...
and he says:
"I like ours."
For the rest of the world, for everyday we have close to 40 year old corelle ware. You've all seen it--white with little yellow flowers around the edge. I greatly dislike it but it won't go away (break, discolor, nothing) so I don't feel justified in replacing it.
And HE likes it!
Farewell to Traditional or even French Country for me but for Laurel:
I think I'd go with the Traditional. That's my vote.
so when we finished talking last night and you said you were heading to bed...??? ;) Shopping online is far better than sleeping! I like the french country. Its so you. Sure traditional may match everything but who needs to match, go different and go big.
Pick the French Country Plates! They are so cute!
I VOTE TRADITIONAL. IT IS CLASSY. AND AS STATED BEFORE YOU CAN CHANGE IT BY ADDING COLORFUL PIECES.
I JUST RECEIVED MY BOOK AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO READING IT. THANKS
Laurel, I LOVE the French Countryside ones. Why fight it-it's adorable! Of course, all these smart peeps have a good point about the traditional white dishes. I admit, I've been hankering after new dishes as well. I got them 10 years at a bridal shower-they're stoneware, sturdy, and WON'T BREAK so I can't buy anything new. Good luck-and don't forget to update and let us know what you end up with!
Well the french country looks a little too "victorian" and the white dishes are just that, white dishes. You should see my dishes. I went kind of modern too but used black and white dishes with square serving dishes! They are great but I've yet to use them and my hubby bought them for our anniversary when we all went to Branson (remember that?!)Anyway, you should go with your heart!!!! Get what you are going to like and use for years to come!
xoxo
I like the Italian Countryside but then, I've used Mikasa's French Countryside (plain white, more rounded looking) for the last 10 years or so. I'm not a fan of square plates - they just seem to 80's Corelle to me. My 40th birthday was sort of like my wedding shower...my friends threw me a huge party and there was a tiered cake. Loved it.
How awesome were your neighbors?? I need to know where you used to live so I can live there and drop not-so-subtle hints about a bridal shower!
gipped
Love this story and love those Women!
Here is my 2 cents...
Always have a set of White Dishes...AND splurge to get a set you LOVE because you will use them A LOT.
My vote is for the Traditional set. You will never get tired of them and you will use them forever.
Now if you find a color, shape, pattern that you like in a few years and it is on sale..buy it, also!
Here is my motto: You can never have too many BOOKS, PAIRS OF BLACK SHOES, OR WHITE DISHES!
My vote is for Modern or traditional. Honestly, regardless of cost, you should get what you really want.
Oh, and as soon as you have the plates you need to invite me over for a dinner party. Okay? Good.
Traditional! Well worth it. Just do it! Love you!
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