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

Stocking Stuffers for Him

Stocking Stuffers for Him

Some of the best gifts come in small packages! Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffer ideas for a whiskey connoisseur or a grill master, we’ve got plenty of ideas for the man in your life.

{1} Sur La Table W&P Carry-On Cocktail Kit, $24 {2} Carhartt Acrylic Watch Hat, $9.99 {3} Nordstrom Fossil Leather Passport Case, $50 {4} Perpetual Kid Bacon Bandages, $5.99 {5} Williams-Sonoma Open Kitchen BBQ Tool Set, $30 {6} Tervis Star Wars™ Stormtrooper Helmet Wrap with Lid, $18.99 {7} The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream, $25 {8} Crate & Barrel Set of 12 Small Whiskey Rocks, $19.95 {9} Etsy journeywoodworking Bamboo Pen, $30 {10} Bespoke Post Vermont Maple Sriracha, $15

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

Thanksgiving Salt and Pepper Shaker Sets

Thanksgiving Tabletop

Give thanks this holiday season for family and friends. And cute Thanksgiving tabletop decor. Shake it up with these salt and pepper shakers!

{1} Pottery Barn Hanging Acorn Salt & Pepper Set, $39.50 {2} Williams-Sonoma Fig Salt & Pepper Shaker Set, $24.95 {3} Pfaltzgraff Harvest Corn Salt and Pepper Set, $9.99 {4} Jo-Ann Stores Autumn Inspirations Leaf Salt & Pepper Shakers, $9.99 {5} Pier 1 Imports Pumpkin Salt & Pepper Shakers, $9.95 {6} Macy’s Michael Aram Pear Salt and Pepper Shakers, $99 {7} Vagabond House Pewter Pilgrims Couple Salt & Pepper Set, $114 {8} Sur la Table Pine Cone Salt and Pepper Shakers, $15 {9} Fitz and Floyd Harvest Salt And Pepper On A Tray, $25 {10} Crate & Barrel Set of 2 Turkey Salt and Pepper Shakers, $9.95

Easter Tableware

Easter Tableware

On the hunt for cute and affordable Easter tableware? Prep your table for Easter brunch with these fun options!

{1} Olive & Cocoa Nest with Marble Eggs, $74 {2} Pottery Barn Easter Wine Bottle Toppers, $20 {3} Pier 1 Imports Easter Egg Platter, $29.95 {4} Crate & Barrel Set of 2 Bunny and Chick Salt and Pepper Shakers, $9.95 {5} Sur la Table Easter Jacquard Table Runner, $14.99 {6} World Market Bunny Embroidered Napkins, Set of 4, $17.96 {7} Pfaltzgraff Pale Pink Dinner Plates, Set of 4, $24.99 {8} Macy’s Villeroy & Boch Easter Delight 3-Tier Server, $80 {9} Williams-Sonoma Yellow Banded Easter Platter, $59.95 {10} Villeroy & Boch Play! Sunny Day Cutlery Set, $150

Gift Ideas for Men

Gift Ideas for Him

I know from experience that finding the perfect holiday present for the man in your life can be stressful. Here are a few gift ideas for men to get you thinking!

{1} ThinkGeek Hot Rod Heated Travel Mug, $24.99 {2} Pottery Barn Stag Decanter, $119 {3} West Elm Gentlemen’s Hardware iPad® Case, $49 {4} Fossil Estate Framed Travel Kit, $80 {5} The Art of Shaving After-Shave Balm, $40 {6} Urban Outfitters Pia Wallen Cross Blanket, $99 {7} Everlane The Weekender, $95 {8} L.L.Bean Men’s Handsewn Slippers, Fleece-Lined, $39.95 {9} Williams-Sonoma IPA Beer Making Kit, $44.95 {10} Macy’s Cufflinks Inc. Cufflinks, 2GB USB Cufflinks, $100

Must-Have Thanksgiving Tableware

Thanksgiving Tableware

Celebrate the season with these Thanksgiving tableware items!

{1} Macy’s Homewear Harvest Table Linens, Maple Leaf Felt 72″ Runner, $60 {2} Crate & Barrel Staub® 3.5 qt. Pumpkin Covered Casserole, $239.99 {3} Pottery Barn Acorn Leaf Bowls, Set of 4, $34 {4} Pier 1 Imports Painted Berries Stemware, $8 {5} West Elm Pinecone Salt + Pepper Shakers, $18 {6} Z Gallerie Paramount Dinnerware, Sets of 4, $51.80-$79.80 {7} Bed Bath & Beyond Yankee Candle® Thanksgiving Collection Turkey Candle Holders, $7.99-$14.99 {8} Stonewall Kitchen Gala Short Beverage Glasses – Ruby, $39.95 {9} Sur La Table Embossed Thanksgiving Serve Platter, $50 {10} Williams-Sonoma Printed Thanksgiving Turkey Tablecloth, $89.95-$99.95

10 Throw Blankets for Fall

Throw Blankets

Whether you’re reading by the fire or watching a movie with your significant other, these cozy throw blankets are the perfect way to stay warm this fall!

{1} West Elm Metallic Basketweave Throw, $89 {2} The Picket Fence Orange Rust Cashmere Throw, $725 {3} Alder & Co. Throw Blanket, $185 {4} Williams-Sonoma Stewart Dress Tartan Lambswool Throw, $199 {5} Pottery Barn Martin Fair Isle Cozy Knit Throw, $129 {6} Pure Home Eco Ikat 6 Spice and Pomegranate Throw Blanket, $150 {7} Z Gallerie Mimosa Throw – Aubergine, $59.95 {8} Frette Double Face Throw, $525 {9} Ralph Lauren Home Cabled Cashmere Throw, $595 {10} ABC Carpet & Home Soup Home Charcoal Knit Blanket, $175

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

10 Summertime Chip and Dip Bowls

Chip and Dip Bowls

If you plan on entertaining this summer, these colorful chip and dip bowls are a must-have for simple appetizers!

{1} Bed Bath & Beyond Hot Tamale Ceramic Chip & Dip, $44.99 {2} Haleh Boutique Magenta Chip and Dip, $88 {3} Target Threshold™ Melamine Chip and Dip Bowl, $16.99 {4} Williams-Sonoma Marisol Chip & Dip Set, $59.95 {5} Bloomingdale’s Villeroy & Boch New Wave Eye-Catcher Chip & Dip Server, $172 {6} Mikasa Countryside Chip N Dip, $99.99 {7} UncommonGoods Salsabol, $48 {8} Macy’s Espana Serverware, Chip and Dip, $19.97 {9} Sur La Table Floreale Melamine Chip and Dip Dish, $13.96 {10} Lenox Classic Fjord Apple Green Metal Chip and Dip by Dansk®, $100