the mixer & the crystal, part II

Okay, I would be remisce if I didn't include photographs of this stuff. Also, got a really interesting comment from Melissa G that I totally want to share:

I think you may change your mind about the Crystal. I didn't really care for it, but my MIL insisted that we register for it. I pretty much planned to return it for store credit after the wedding but something made me hold on to it, and I'm so glad I did. I don't love it because it's fancy or expensive. I like that it makes a dinner feel special. To me it represents our wedding and our marriage. And a kind of tradition. We make it a point to use it at least once a month because what's the point if it's only going to take up storage?

Hope that doesn't sound like assvice. Just thought I'd lend some experience.

Melissa, that's actually awesome advice. I really enjoy the feedback because not many of my friends are married (except you Heather!) and so my lifeline to this stuff are my mom and future MIL, and neither of them has been through this in about 30 years. So, you know, even if I'm being snarky it's just because I'm trying to be cute, if you're reading you are totally allowed to disagree! And both Steph and Heather mentioned that their mixer was a good thing.



I'd be lying if I didn't say that I'm pretty sure this thing is going to get some use. And it's such a pretty color (my favorite since childhood, in fact). Thanks, Mom.

The crystal really is quite lovely, and actually, as far as crystal goes, these things are pretty useful. BT-dubs, I mention the brands & patterns not to be a jerk off, but in case you really like it, then you know what it is! Future MIL gifted a lovely, simple vase because I always have flowers in the house . . . well, any time I have anyone over anyway. So yes, this will get, and already has gotten, some use. The brand is Mikasa, the pattern is Patridge.




My Memere bought me a lovely trifle dish, not too big, not too small, and with a scalloped edge so you don't have to fill it all the way. My mom has always made use of her trifle dish, and there's no way I can't fill that with lady fingers and cream. The next couple to come over for a four-person dinner party is in for a treat. The brand is Shannon by Godinger and the pattern is Dublin.



Oh! And one of Dan's cousins actually sent us our very first wedding gift almost immediately! I absolutely adore this soup dish. It has three pieces: there is a leaf-shaped plate underneath the cabbage-shaped tureen and the rabbit poking out is the handle for the lid. To say I got a bunny-rabbit soup dish really doesn't do it justice, but the photos sure do.




The card that accompanied it said it came from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but sadly I can't find it anywhere online, which is just too bad. The dish is so beautiful and I would never regift it, but I would certainly buy it for someone else (thereby regifting a really great idea). For now I'll just have to live knowing I have a relatively unique item, how unusual it is to not be able to find something online!

The tureen is a reproduction of a common Bohemian tureen theme with a rabbit in a head of cabbage, and from what Dan tells me, his family has some history in Prague. This is the kind of kitchen thing that is pretty enough to live in the living room. Man, I just really love it.