The Essentials Series: #2 Flatware

Remember in The Little Mermaid how Ariel sings "Part of Your World" about her gadgets and gizmos a plenty? To jog your memory, here's the Sing-Along version, my team at SHS belts out our Little Mermaid favorites all the time, and we're all over the age of 24, so sing it out loud and proud.

Anyway, so Ariel uses a fork to brush her hair, well, SOMEONE had to register for that fork when they got married. We didn't have much trouble finding flatware that we loved, and Scuttle didn't have to steal it for us.

Found on our Bed Bath & Beyond registry, is the Nambe Aidan 5 Piece Place Setting Design by Lou Henry. In reference to Essentials #1, we have registered for dinnerware at Macy's, found it yesterday and love it.

The Essentials Series: #1 Dinnerware

Bone China, Porcelain, Stoneware, Earthenware, Glass Dinnerware, and even Outdoor Dinnerware. They make it quite impossible to chose one set of everyday dishes to put on the Wedding Registry. So many options. We want something practical and usable, no pruney dishwater hands for us on an every day basis. No huge flowers or excessive use of platinum or gold. But not simple white either. Currently we are registered for the Lenox Flair Pattern. As the search for another option continues, I stumbled across the lime green glass Erin Dinnerware at Crate & Barrel. Some might call it fate with the lime color and the name, but they're just too much.

Today I visited the River Market Antique Mall, a new favorite place in Kansas City. Sadly, I was shopping for work, not pleasure, but I will go back. Gift certificates are available if you're looking for a unique gift not on the registry. I find vintage dinnerware much more interesting than patterns I've found at Macy's, Crate & Barrel or any other popular options. Pyrex is the newest obsession. Such vibrant colors and awesome graphic patterns.

Pyrex Love is a blog dedicated to vintage Pyrex. On the blog, you can search by dish type, pattern or color. Below a detailed description and history of the pattern, there are links to specific pieces on Ebay. I just might need the book: PYREX: The Unauthorized Collector's Guide. Very impressive site.

Another option for the wedding guest who's looking for a rare gift for the happy couple (okay, Jerrod wouldn't really care if you got us vintage Pyrex, but he'd enjoy what I cooked in it).

Letterpress printing.

For those of you who don't know, one of my obsessions is letterpress printing. Letterpress has gained popularity in the last decade, but it began in the 1400's with the with the invention of movable type printing by a guy you might of heard of named Johann Gutenberg. Letterpress printing is a term for printing text with movable type, in which the raised surface of the type is inked and then pressed against a smooth substance to obtain an image in reverse.

In the 1990's there has been a letterpress revival, known as the 'Small Press Movement' of which I am a follower. I've collected metal and wood type with the help of my Dad and Grandpa's garage sale and local shop finds. Recently, Jana and Bruce bestowed upon the Moore and Beckloff household a treasure, the Kelsey Printing Press 5x8 Model U. (pictured to the right)
More letterpress to come later...

Kansas City Barbecue.

Some of you may be traveling to Kansas City for the first time for the wedding. Not that sharing the joy of Jerrod and Erin's special day isn't enough incentive, but to make it even more worth the expense and time, we wanted to share one of our favorite parts of KC, the BBQ.

Barbecue gained popularity in Kansas City in the 1920s and hasn't slowed down since. The secret to Kansas City-style barbecue is that it's slow smoked for up to 18 hours, usually over hickory. Today, the city's signature food is served up at more than 100 barbecue establishments, each boasting its personal house specialty.

We have tried to dine at the most popular KC BBQ joints and have mixed reviews. Our favorite is in Olathe, Big Bubba's BBQ which shares a building with a dry cleaner. Bubba's has the most amazing burnt ends (those of you who have visited have had the pleasure of trying them). Other KC favorites include: Arthur Bryant's BBQ, featured on Food Network, and Jack Stack Barbecue. We like Jack Stack, especially their onion rings, but were less than impressed with Arthur Bryant's, just not our kind of sauce. Oklahoma Joe's has the best pulled pork and the downtown location was previously a gas station.

Dana suggested a BBQ fountain for the wedding reception. I didn't know such a thing existed, but apparently chocolate fountains are being converted to be used with BBQ sauce for smoked brisket and other meats. Another interesting idea, but there will probably be no fountains at the reception, even those this couple sure seems to be having fun.

Shoes vs. Boots

Bridesmaid dresses chosen, location secured and Save the Date cards in the mail (you'll probably have yours by the time you read this entry!). Time to look for shoes. The colors of the wedding are chocolate, lime green, orange, deep red and goldenrod. Crazy designer color names. Surprisingly, I didn't chose Pantone colors for the invitations.

Shoe shopping online is much more fun than at a shop. You don't have to wear those stupid footy things that I always stick in my purse or pocket after pursuing the shoe store and find later, not a great surprise.

Best shoe sites so far:
Zappos and Piperlime

Lucky for the bridesmaids, chiffon doesn't go with cowboy boots, but I did find those Nascar boots in the wedding colors. I will continue posting interesting shoes as I come across more fun options.

What the bridesmaids aren't wearing.

Finding bridesmaids dresses that are 1. brown 2. pretty 3. in stock and 4. wearable again has been a challenge. Hopefully we have found the one that will work. It looks gorgeous on all the ladies in the bridal party, but it still falls under the #3 issue of stock and sizes. As we searched for dresses, we came across some extra special options that I wanted to share. Peach and lace, while I really am a fan of lace, there will be no pastel colors.

No poofy sleeves, ridiculously large bows, bonnets (though I have threatened bonnets and buffalo riding), or bright orange dresses with badly tacked on yellow straps. The real bridesmaids dresses will be a surprise on the wedding weekend but I promise, no one will be disappointed. Bring your cameras boys :)

Good dress sites for future reference:
Nordstrom's Great online shopping return policy
The Dessy Group Variety of search options
Ann Taylor Celebrations Pretty, wearable styles
Limited stock available
JCrew Weddings & Parties Limited sizes (0-14)