The Lenox website tells me that this set is crafted of Lenox fine bone china; includes dinner plate, luncheon/salad plate, all purpose bowl, and tea/coffee cup; microwave, oven, freezer & dishwasher safe; guaranteed chip resistant. I want something that will travel to the East coast and back and eventually hop the pond to Europe with us. The problem is that I also want things like a couch and a dresser, which I am not going to be able to buy if I am spending thousands of dollars on place settings (I would like to have at least 10 place settings and I still need to buy silverware).
Do you have another set you would suggest in place of them? I want all white, simple, timeless. I want something that I will keep forever. Something that will be worth shipping for hundreds of dollars to Poland. And I wanted it to be something I can use every day.
What would you do? Keeping in mind that we plan on moving somewhere around once a year until we move to Poland......
Recaps of the honeymoon to start soon, even though it will just be one or two posts, but it will be one or two posts with one of the best videos EVER.
If you took this photo at your own wedding, I probably made fun of you for it. Feel free to make fun of me. It wasn't my idea, but I didn't reject the suggestion after it was made.....
17 comments:
Lol. Whose idea was it?? I don't even remember. I'm thinking one of the guys...
That china is gorgeous, good luck finding some that are a bit more affordable!
If you want a set of china to last forever, I would contemplate buying something cheap for the time being while you are in the U.S., and buying the set you truly want down the line when you have the $$ for it. You may never find something that you like as much, which will hold up as well (that's the important part) that you can afford now, and you may regret not getting your "dream" set. Rather than spend a decent amount now and not love it, why not buy a cheaper temporary set, and get your dream set later? If you're going to have a use for it -- lots of big family dinners -- it's definitely worth the money. Get it when you can make the purchase, perhaps as a gift to yourself when you do make the move to Poland. The real china is worth the investment if you will use it, especially something that sounds as great as guaranteed chip resistant, oven, freezer, and dishwasher safe!
I love lenox!
I have two suggestions to maybe find it cheaper: Lenox has outlets across the US - check their website, maybe they have it (you never know). We found our everyday at the outlet (still selling it in stores too); it was about $15-25/setting cheaper.
Also, Replacements Ltd. carries all china patterns you could imagine, some discounted (even discontinued styles) - when they have sales, they are great! http://www.replacements.com/china/L.htm (I already checked - they carry Lenox, but I'm not sure of the pattern name).
Good luck finding the perfect China! It is a difficult decision.
I wanted the same thing and then maybe I will splurge for $$$ china later. I got the following from Target. It was cheap but much nicer than I was expecting, and very durable. http://www.target.com/Aurora-Dinnerware/dp/B0002J9RDA/sr=1-14/qid=1224680176/ref=sr_1_14/601-2507591-0231368?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aaurora&page=1
I'm afraid I cannot help you with china... We got Royal Doulton (s/p?) china that is white with a platinum line around the edges. It's quite pretty, but not something you'll use everyday or is dishwasher safe.
I had this picture done. I was afraid that I was going to be too heavy, so I had a self concious moment. Then, the photographer proceeded to tell the groomsmen to lift me in the air. I thought it was going to be like in a chair position where I would be sitting, but she wanted me to lean back. (It also happened the the two shorter groomsmen would be supporting my shoulders, so I was on a backwards incline.) I'm not the hugest fan of heights and I was already quite emotional, so I started freaking out. Not my proudest moment.
Oh Jenna, you didn't!
(Oh yes she did!)
What a shocker... That Bride in cheesy posed wedding shot.
*shakes head*
:P
I went with Williams Sonoma Apilco set.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku5439237/index.cfm?pkey=capilco%2Dtres%2Dgrande
Its not necessarily fine china but it is beautiful white porcelain that has a nice feel to it. (I have an ornate set from my grandmother)
I actually switched out the salad plate for one with color but I have a thing for pure white. It just looks so clean and you can match it with any linens you want.
I kind of agree with ethidiumbromide... I would maybe wait until you can get what you want. Maybe a Christmas present to yourselves in a year or two??
The other option would be to buy it a little here, and a little there. You wouldn't start out with 10 settings, but you would eventually build up to that - and you wouldn't have the one big payment. You could spread it out.
For right now, I'd buy something that looks similar, but was inexpensive.
It's kind of a bummer trying to decorate and set up a house! You want it all, and you want it all at once, but you can't afford it all.... I've totally been there! It's hard. Just figure out of what importance each "big" thing you need is, and go from there.
I love your pattern! I recommend checking our Ross Simons for your china (or other china you might like). They have great prices. My lenox pattern was there 8 years ago.
http://www.ross-simons.com/
They seem to be having a sale, too!
we registered for this: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=20&f=6261
It isn't super fancy, but it is white and classic, and can be put in the dishwasher, which was a must for me :)
Ohhhh! I'm also a Royal Doulton Bride! Jenna, check department stores often. Our china was ALWAYS on sale at either Dillards or Macy's during our engagement...it was weird...one would have a sale on it and then the other. Our guests were able to buy it at a very reduced rate!
Love, love, love your style! And...this being my first comment and all...I will try to dispense some china advice (being a single gal completely unschooled on the subject).
As you will be moving a lot, the shipping/stress of packing/mental torture of will it break would be a lot to handle. I got similar place settings from Crate & Barrel recently that is lovely. Also, since it seems like you love all things vintage, what about piecing together a collection of vintage finds? My mother has done this through the years and to say that I treasure it is a vast understatement.
Can't wait for the recaps!
P.S. Hi, I'm Stephanie :)
Someone already mentioned it, but I was going to mention Crate and Barrel. They have many varieties of all white china and everyday dishware. We registered for the "Claire". For $57 you get a matching dinner plate, bowl, saucer and tea/coffee cup. There are many options less expensive, and Crate and Barrel has a free shipping for select orders over $100 promo right now:)
Bed Bath and Beyond has Mikasa for $35 a setting:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=102966&RN=780
Or they have their own china, and if you break a bowl, you won't cry for spending a lot of money on it.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14611649&RN=780
Your suggestions were ALL so helpful and wonderful. I decided to give up my unrealistic dreams because of your practical advice. We ended up going with a set by Emeril at costco, Porcelain, freezer, oven, microwave, dishwasher safe.
Who was it that suggested buying vintage pieces? I can't find your comment, but somehow you know me better than I know myself :)
That was me with the vintage :) That is how my mother put together her china collection and it is simply beautiful...plus it's always so fun to hear about when/where she got each piece. Enjoy your new china!
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