Summertime Melamine Dinnerware

Melamine Dinnerware

Summertime means outdoor dining in my household, but I refuse to bring my everyday dishes on to the deck where they may break. The alternative? Durable and virtually unbreakable melamine dinnerware. Bonus: these dishes come in lots of cute summertime patterns. Here are some of my favorites!

{1} Target Cravings by Chrissy Teigen Melamine Dinnerware Collection, $2.99-$9.99 {2} Pier 1 Watermelon Melamine Dinnerware, $4.99-$5.99 {3} Nordstrom Rack Anthropologie Paint + Petals Melamine Plate, $4.99 {4} West Elm Summertime Melamine Plates, $8 {5} World Market Cactus Melamine Plates Set of 4, $19.96 {6} Williams Sonoma Iznik Tile Outdoor Melamine Dinner Plates, Red & White Floral, $14.95 – $59.95

10 Pineapple Print Summer Must-Haves

Pineapple Print

I burn, I pine… for pineapple print! This fruit fashion trend is everywhere this summer. Here’s a list of pineapple print must-haves for your wardrobe!

{1} Saks Fifth Avenue MSGM Pineapple-Printed Skirt, $258 {2} LOFT Pineapple Print Scarf, $34.50 {3} Tory Burch Pineapple Flat Slide, $136.50 {4} ModCloth Victory is Pineapple! Backpack, $49.99 {5} Bloomingdale’s Alex and Ani Pineapple Expandable Wire Bangle, $28.00 {6} Topshop Pineapple Foil Print Swimsuit, $68 {7} Nordstrom Nicole Miller Mixed Print Jersey Shift Dress, $320 {8} Target Pineapple Graphic Pocket Tank Gray, $12.99 {9} American Eagle AEO Pineapple Icon Sunglasses, $15.95 {10} Macy’s Totes Auto Open/Close Umbrella, $24

10 Must-Have Items for Your Wedding Registry

Wedding Registry Checklist

I have a lot of friends getting married this year, and the more I comb through their wedding registries, the more I realize that couples are forgetting to ask for some key items! Here is a list of everything you should include on your wedding registry:

{1} Luggage: Chances are you’ve never been able to afford a nice set of luggage. Register for the set you’ve always wanted and break it in on your honeymoon! Be sure to ask for a brand/model that will last for years. (Bed, Bath & Beyond Samsonite Silhouette Sphere II Luggage Collection, $99.99-$329.99)

{2} Dutch Oven: You may think you don’t need a Dutch oven – that a crock pot will do the job just fine. Consider that you can do your prep work with it on the stove, then quickly transfer it to the oven when you’re ready to slow cook. It definitely saves some time and energy and a quality Dutch oven can last a lifetime. (Le Creuset 7 1/4 Qt. Round Dutch Oven, $350.00)

{3} Bathroom Towels: You and your fiance have probably accumulated random towels here and there over the years. Now is the chance to register for a luxurious set! Be sure to register for a few extra sets to have on hand for guests or weeks where there is no time for laundry. (Macy’s Hotel Collection Bath Towels MicroCotton Collection, $10-$50)

{4} Kitchen Knives: A nice set of kitchen knives will make all the difference in the kitchen. Rather than registering for one expensive set, try registering for each knife individually. You’re more likely to receive the full set that way. (Williams-Sonoma Wüsthof Classic 12-Piece Knife Block Set, $1,010)

{5} High Thread Count Sheets: It’s time to toss those jersey knit sheets and sleep on some grown-up high thread count cotton. Again, be sure to register for an extra set! (Kohl’s Jennifer Lopez 600-Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Sheets, $159.99-$199.99)

{6} Tool Set: Registering isn’t all about the kitchen and bathroom! Head to Home Depot or Lowe’s and register for some nice tools. You’ll be grateful down the road when you’re doing home improvement work. (Lowe’s DEWALT 4-Tool 20-Volt Max Lithium Ion Cordless Combo Kit with Soft Case, $319)

{7} Cast Iron Skillet: Everyone needs a cast iron skillet in their kitchen arsenal, but not everyone was lucky enough to inherit one from a grandparent. They’re versatile, heavy-duty and cheap. Need I say more? (Target Lodge Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet 12 Inch, $24.99)

{8} Outdoor Grill: If you have a patio, a nice gas grill is a great item to add to your registry. Home Depot and Lowe’s have plenty of great options! (Home Depot Weber Spirit E-320 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill in Black, $549)

{9} Vacuum: This item is frequently left off registries, but it’s the perfect opportunity to snag something practical. (Walmart Shark Navigator Upright Bagless Vacuum, NV22L, $128.99)

{10} Crystal and China: These luxury items may not seem important now, but 40-year-old you will want to have nice dishes and glasses when entertaining at the holidays. Be sure to choose classic patterns so that you’re not struggling to replace and/or add pieces down the road. (Macy’s Waterford Barware, Lismore Collection, $95-$495)

Register at:
Bed, Bath and Beyond
Home Depot – Available in-store
Kohl’s
Macy’s
Target
Walmart
Williams-Sonoma

10 Pairs of Short Rain Boots

Short Rain Boots

Who says a good pair of rain boots have to be tall and clunky? Check out these short and stylish options!

{1} Burberry House Check Detail Rain Boots, $325 {2} Urban Outfitters Hunter Original Two-Tone Chelsea Rain Boot, $125 {3} J.Crew Chelsea Leopard Rain Boots, $60 {4} Zappos Loeffler Randall Rain Fenton, $195 {5} Sperry Starling Rain Boot, $78 {6} Target Women’s Joules® Rain Boot Wellibob, $59.99 {7} Nordstrom Ilse Jacobsen Hornbæk ‘Rub’ Boot, $169.95 {8} Macy’s MICHAEL Michael Kors MK Charm Rain Booties, $89 {9} Tommy Hilfiger Colorblock Rain & Snow Boot, $79 {10} Sorel Women’s Medina II™ Boot, $225

Pantone Color of the Year 2014: Orchid

Pantone Color Orchid

The 2014 pantone color of the year is radiant orchid. Here’s a look at some of the orchid fashion that’s available this spring!

{1} Stella & Dot Serenity Small Stone Drops, $49 {2} Banana Republic Striped Faux-Wrap Dress, $98 {3} Forever 21 Boho Braided Tassel Scarf, $9.80 {4} Target Womens’ Converse® One Star® Orchid Oxford, $34.99 {5} Bluefly Jimmy Choo Orchid Suede Twist Front Platform Sandals, $539.55 {6} Saks Fifth Avenue Mason by Michelle Mason Semi-Sheer Silk Dolman Top, $119.60 {7} John Lewis Adele Cropped Trousers, $45 {8} THE OUTNET Donna Karan Crepe-Jersey Dress, $319.20 {9} Ulta CoverGirl Outlast Stay Billiant Glosstinis Nail Polish Pink Lady 500, $3.49 {10} Tory Burch Robinson Smartphone Wristlet, $155

Spring 2014 Pantone Color: Cayenne

Spring 2014 Pantone Color Cayenne

Add a dash of spice to your wardrobe with this spring 2014 pantone color: cayenne!

{1} Ulta Revlon Color Stay Enamel Cayenne, $7.99 {2} Target Merona® Women’s Chino 3″ Short – Orange Print, $19.99 {3} Buckle Fossil Riley Watch, $135 {4} Guess Rafiya Flat Sandals, $69 {5} Barneys New York Narciso Rodriguez Shoulder Bag, $1,595 {6} Etsy TheArtfulTwig 24k Gold Coated “Cayenne” Vintage Glass Earrings, $45 {7} Lucky Brand Charlie Super Skinny, $99 {8} Nordstrom Adrianna Papell Cutout Neck Crepe Sheath Dress, $138 {9} Nine West Edeline Sandals, $99 {10} ModCloth Boho Bridal Shower Dress, $122.99

10 Cute Measuring Cups

Cute Measuring Cups

Add some pizzaz to your everyday kitchen tools with these cute measuring cups!

{1} ModCloth Bubby’s Matryoshkas Measuring Cups, $14.99 {2} Kirkland’s Cherry Red Measuring Cup, Set of 4, $14.99 {3} Macy’s Lenox Measuring Cups, Set of 4 Butterfly Meadow Figural, $43 {4} Sur la Table Lemon Measuring Cups, Set of 4, $19.95 {5} Anthropologie Milk Bottle Measuring Cups, $24 {6} Target Cake Boss Countertop Accessories 8-Piece Melamine Measuring Cups & Spoons Set, $16.99 {7} Pier 1 Imports Zinnia Measuring Cups, $14.95 {8} Blue Rose Pottery Garden Butterfly Measuring Bowls, $49.50 {9} World Market Hedgehog Measuring Cups, $12.99 {10} Bliss Home & Design White Pear Ceramic Measuring Cups, $35

10 Cute Kitchen Canisters

Kitchen Canisters

Add some vintage charm to your kitchen with one of these must-have canisters!

{1} Sur La Table Absinthe Canister, $14.95 {2} MacKenzie-Childs Flower Market Large Enamel Canister, $86 {3} Ruche Livia Gray Medium Jar, $28.99 {4} Target Threshold™ Stoneware Canister with Lid, $11.99-$17.99 {5} Williams-Sonoma Le Creuset Enameled Stoneware Canisters, $45-$129.95 {6} ModCloth The Kind Kitchen Canister, $21.99 {7} West Elm Labeled Kitchen Storage Canisters, $19-$39 {8} Pier 1 Imports Ivory Embossed Canisters, $16.95-$14.95 {9} Kirkland’s Owl Canister, Set of 3, $39.99 {10} Neiman Marcus Kate Spade New York “About Town” Canisters, $75

Navy and Yellow Bedroom Decor

Navy and Yellow Bedroom Decor

Navy blue and yellow are currently a very popular color scheme in home decor. Bring the nautical duo into your home with these items.

{1} Etsy CarolynCochrane Flower Photography, $30 {2} West Elm Essex Upholstered Bench, $249 {3} Anthropologie Neolithic Frame, $28 {4} Bed Bath & Beyond Kate Spade New York Little Star Comforter Set, Full $149.99 {5} Target Room Essentials® Texture Decorative Pillow, $19.99 {6} Etsy miaandcoADzif Floral Wall Decal, $29.21 {7} World Market Yellow Crinkle Voile Curtain, $14.99 {8} Pure Home Surya Jill Rosenwald Fallon Sunshine Yellow Rug, $78-$908 {9} District 17 Hourglass Stool or Side Table, $338 {10} Serena & Lily Navy Laurel Lamp, $168

10 Colorful Kitchen Appliances

Colorful Kitchen Appliances

Energize your kitchen space with one of these brightly colored kitchen appliances!

{1} Bed Bath & Beyond Babycakes Cupcake Maker, $29.99 {2} Stonewall Kitchen Retro Green Drink Mixer, $169 {3} Big Chill Retro Microwave, $595 {4} The Cook’s Warehouse Mavea Pitcher (Eggplant), $39 {5} Sur La Table Dualit Yellow Two-Slice Toaster, $239.95 {6} Crate & Barrel Cuisinart Waffle Maker, $59.95 {7} Target KitchenAid Artisan 5 qt. Stand Mixer – Tangerine, $349.99 {8} Bodum EILEEN Coffee Maker, $30 {9} Teavana Chantal Turquoise Loop Tea Kettle, $59.95 {10} Kohl’s Cuisinart Smart Power Deluxe Blender, $129.99