Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Update 12/17/13

I have so many blog posts planned, but not entirely finished. This is wedding week for me in a huge way. Already I have found my wedding dress (yay!) and tasted some delicious reception food. I still have a meeting with the caterer, florist, and hair and makeup trials to round out the week. Oh, in the meantime, I am organizing and planning up a storm. Plus addressing and applying stamps to the save the dates. Have I gone crazy? I am ready for a nap just thinking about it.

So the blog thing, yeah, things are going to be a bit slow for a short while. Hang tight, I hope to bring you some awesome stuff soon! Thanks for being patient, and awesome!

Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Registry List

Last week, we talked about some rules for wedding registries. I mentioned that I would get you the final registry list that The Man and I came up with when creating our own registry. There may be a few extra items on our registry, but this really helped us organize what was most important. You are welcome to print this out and use it to help you make your own ideal registry.  Happy planning!


Fine Dining
   Dinner Plates (12)
   Salad Plates (12)
   Bread and Butter Plates (12)
   Bowls (12)
   Dessert Bowls (12)
   Saucers (12)
   Teacups (12)
   Sugar Bowl
   Creamer
   Beverage Pot
   Assorted platters and serving bowls (5)
   Cake Plate
   Tiered Server
   Chip and Dip
   Gravy Boat
   Salt and Pepper Shakers
   Red Wine Glasses (12)
   White Wine Glasses (12)
   Champagne Glasses (12)
   Double old-fashioned glasses (12)
   Highball Glasses (12)
   Decanter
   Corkscrew
   Flatware Chest
   Hostess Set
   Ladle
   3 Piece Serving Set
   5 Piece Place Setting Silverware (12)
   Cake and Knife Serving Set
   Knife Block
   Steak Knives (8)
   Paring Knife
   Cleaver
   Carving Knife
   Kitchen Shears
   Honing Steel
   Bread Knife
   Boning Knife
   Chef Knife
Everyday Dining
   Picnic Basket Set
   Pitcher
   Beverage Holder
   Butter Dish
   Sugar Bowl and Creamer
   Water Glasses (12)
   Juice Glasses (12)
Cooking/Baking Tools
   Icing Spatula
   Assorted Mixing Bowls
   Potato Peeler
   Grater
   Pizza Wheel
   Assorted Spatulas and Spoons
   Garlic Press
   Cutting Boards (assorted)
   Measuring Cups & Spoons
   Biscuit Cutters
   Flour Sifter
   Rolling Pin
   Pasta Machine
   Mortar and Pestle
   Food Thermometer
   Strainer
   Colander
Cooking/Baking Pans
   Cooling Rack
   Assorted Baking Dishes, Casserole Dishes (6)
   Muffin Pans (2)
   Loaf Pan
   Assorted Cake Pans (4)
   Ramekins (8)
   Spring Form Pan
   Pie Pans (2)
   Cookie Sheets (2)
   Bundt Pan
   Pizza Stone
   Rotisserie Pan
   Assorted Saucepans (3)
   Steamer
   Wok
   Tea Kettle
   Assorted Fry Pans (3)
   Egg Pan
   Griddle
   Stock Pot
Cooking Electrics
   Immersion Blender
   Blender
   Mixer
   Food Processor
   Toaster
   Waffle Iron
   Panini Press
   Slow Cooker
Home Keeping
   Sheet Set (2)
   Pillow Case Sets (2)
   Euro Pillows (2)
   King Pillows (2)
   Queen Pillows (2)
   Comforter
   Bath Towels (6)
   Hand Towels (6)
   Wash clothes (6)
   Dish Towels (8)
   Oven Mitt
   Pot Holders (2)
Decorative
   Candlesticks (4 total)
   Crystal Vase
   Glass Vase

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

12/11/13 Keeps of the Week

Yep, I'm still on my keep kick. Here are some of my most popular keeps this week (that haven't already appeared on the blog in some form).
Top: Duffle Coat with Faux Sheepskin Hood, Wooden It Be Lovely Desk Organizer, Adrianna Papell Embellished Mesh Dress
Bottom: Amelie Leather Sofa, Sweater with Rhinestone Elbow Patches, Tinley Road Bracelet
There's a lot more where this came from. Follow me on Keep. Click here to read my Keep review.

Also, check out the It Looks Better On Paper Pinterest Page for ample holiday decorating and crafting ideas. If you haven't already, follow me to get updated on all kinds of things like blog posts, home decor, and nail polish.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Valley of Amazement Review

I'd like to interrupt the regularly scheduled wedding stuff to post a quick review that has been a long time in the making. I almost didn't write it, but sharing is caring.

This was an interesting journey for me. I'll keep it brief, mostly because I don't want to sway people away from reading The Valley of Amazement. The book was incredibly dynamic, compelling and well-written. The subject matter is, unfortunately, not my cup of tea.

The book takes place primarily in Shanghai, early 1900s. Vivid descriptions haunt each corner of the novel. As for what the novel is about, it's the story of the struggle for a female's independence in an otherwise male-driven world. It's about the love of family. It highlights hope, and how many hopes just lead to disappointment. The Vally of Amazement follows Violet, and her mother, Lulu. Be prepared to learn about racism and the life of a courtesan. Be prepared for your emotions to get caught in every page.

I honestly struggled to read this one. I would read a bit, and then put it down, hesitant to pick it back up again. I'd like to say it is the time of year (full of holiday cheer), but I've mentioned before that dramas, or any book with a good bit of strife, just ends up causing me stress instead of enjoyment. I prefer a simple, entertaining book to a thoughtful drama any day, no matter how well written. I decided to read the book based on the author's name instead of checking the inside cover.

If you like dramas, ignore this review. I know there are many glowing ones, from people far more qualified to review books than I am. The subject matter is interesting, and it certainly is never boring. If you are like me, then I would say pass this one up. There are other books from my Fall Reading List that I certainly enjoyed more.

This concludes my Fall List. The Winter Reading List is in full swing!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Twelve Rules for Wedding Registries: A Guide

The Man and I finished our wedding registries this weekend. While a lot of the product research and sifting through hundreds of silverware patterns was certainly tedious, the daydreaming part was super fun. Registering can be a gateway dream though, so be careful. After the registries were complete, I found myself looking at houses online. You know, to store our gifts.

All partial kidding aside (it totally happened), there is so much information out there on the wedding registry, it can get a bit overwhelming. Yet, none of the lists or rule guides completely covered me. There wasn't one tailored specifically to my situation. You guessed it, I made my own rules. And I am sharing.

1. Etiquette. Don't assume people are going to give you gifts. The wedding is about celebrating your life with your future spouse. Gift giving is just a nice gesture, but shouldn't be expected.  That being said, don't put your registry information in your invitations. I've read this everywhere, so it must be true.

2. To go along with #1, it is perfectly fine for your mother and future mother-in-law to tell anyone who asked where you are registered (feel free to insert "father" in any place that "mother" was, you never know who's the talker). It is also fine to include registry cards in your shower invitation, since the shower is about showering the couple with gifts for the future, and you aren't throwing that yourself anyway. If it's tasteful, the wedding website can also play host to your registry list. 

3. There are tons of registry checklists on the internet. I suggest that you take a few of the lists, and create your own. If you search registry checklist on Pinterest, many good ones come up. The places you register will have their own lists. Making your own list doesn't take very much time, and will help you determine what is most important to you. For me, having someone buy me a bathroom scale seemed distasteful (because having pie pans is so much more important than a scale...), therefore it didn't make the list. I already love my mixer, so that didn't need to be on the list. And I desperately need a pizza stone and secretly want a bundt pan, but many lists did not include these as items. Update: Here's an example of my list. Please note, our list is only going to vaguely resemble your list.

4. Gifts should range in price from $5 to $500. If someone gets you a set of fancy mixing bowls, and still have $5 more they want to spend, they could add in a whisk to round out their gift. You shouldn't expect people to spend a certain amount on you (see first point above), so giving a variety of options takes a lot of the pressure off the giver.

5. Register with at least two but no more than three places. You want options, but don't want to spread yourself too thin. Think places that would be easily accessible to most of your guest, with many storefront locations as well as a website. Who knows how your guests feel most comfortable shopping? We decided to register at two places. It just made more sense from an organizational standpoint, we had a blast shopping at these two places, and too many more registries might have taken us off the deep end.

6. When you are registering, think about the longevity and usability of the items on your list. You want these items to last, not just by being durable, but also to appeal to your style now and twenty years from now. This being said, The Man and I didn't register for everyday china or fancy duvet covers or any item that we weren't entirely sold on. My tastes change just too frequently to commit to everyday china or bedding for life. We don't even have a house yet, so who knows what will match, and how often I will change my mind. And if you aren't sure, wait until you are.

7. Read reviews. Not just the ones on the website where you are registering for the items, but view consumer reports or the best "blenders" of 2013/2014. Just because the picture looks awesome and the three people who have had the item for three weeks says it chops in half the time of their 35 year old blender, doesn't mean it's the right one for you. The gift-givers are going to assume that you've already done your homework, and the item they are buying is the absolute best item for you. Make them right.

8. You are going to have to include some crystal and silver items on your list, no matter how old-fashioned you think they are. People like to give gifts like this, and you will be happy to have that crystal vase whenever you have stuffy, important people over to your house a few years from now. Just trust me.

9. There are things that you shouldn't register for. You're smart, so a lot of these don't need to be said. Just make sure you don't choose are things that are only for or appeal to one half of the couple. This isn't a Christmas list, it's a list of items that will help build your life together. Things like video games, food, and trips to the Opera should not be on your registry list, unless you are a hardcore gamer couple, and a large chunk of your guests share your enthusiasm. Or that meal and Opera trip is part of your honeymoon.

10. Speaking of honeymoon, there are many websites out there that provide honeymoon registries. I think it's a really interesting idea, and could be awesome if done right. (Here's an article I found that talks whether or not honeymoon registries are tacky). The Man and I decided that a honeymoon registry wasn't right for our new family, but mostly because we are young and just starting out. But you should consider it as an option.

11. Be sure to utilize the freebies that most registries offer. You get FREE STUFF because other people purchased items on your registry. Most registries offer a purchasing discount for the leftover things on your list after the wedding. This definitely helps in finishing off your china patterns, or getting the last few items that you think you NEED for your life together. (All you need is love!)

12. Have fun with it. It's super interesting to find out what you and your significant other both like. And the dreaming... yeah, it's pretty amazing. Plus, you get to run (carefully) around with a laser tag gun while people pour you mocktails. And remember, it's not about the things, it's about the time you spend with your loved ones.

This is the start of your married life. Love it.
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