Commitment Issues

It's been an entire week since I last blogged, so I know the anticipation has been building! I am proud to say we officially booked our photographers this week. I included their link in the last blog, but let's plug them again: www.onesixphotography.com We're extremely excited about working with them and confident that our pictures will be absolutely gorgeous!

While the decision to go with One Six for our photography was easy, we've made some decisions about all of this registry madness that were a little tougher. For one thing, I had always had this vision of registering at Williams-Sonoma. I have been dreaming of registering there for probably the last five years or so. Bryan and I ventured to North Point Mall yesterday to assess what sort of items we would select if we take the necessary steps to start a registry with them. And while I love love love that store, we decided against it while we were in there. I can't even explain why, maybe because I'm so happy with the Bed Bath and Beyond registry. But I was able to walk out of W-S without hyperventilating because I hadn't bought or registered for anything (some of their stuff is SO beautiful, though, it really is).

We then ventured over to Pottery Barn and basically did the same thing. We could pick out lots of things that we love in both stores, but when it came down to practicality (versus decorative accents for a home - especially since we don't own one yet), we decided to stick with Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Macy's. There are some decorative things at BBB and Macy's that we feel could be utilized in an apartment and transition to a house, but it makes me too nervous to commit to outfitting the home that we don't have yet. If we do buy a house in the next few months (which we'd like to), thoroughly expect a Pottery Barn registry, but until then, I'm still building up the kitchen/china collections (my loves!!!).

Following our cold feet with regards to W-S and PB, we headed back over to BBB. We completed phase two of our registry there. Phase two was infinitely more successful than phase one! This time around, I had an agenda. I needed to complete our china set (why this wasn't done last time, I couldn't tell you. Probably because I was being pulled out of the store by a crazy Irishman in a football-induced mania.) But all week my mom reminded me, "You are Italian, you need soup bowls. What Italian doesn't have soup bowls? And serving platters, what are you bringing the food out on? And what are people drinking out of, you need fine stemware! How did you not already do this?" And my mom's list went on (crystal, champagne flutes, etc.)
(Side note: Honestly, my mom's input on this registry has been invaluable. Bridesmaid Mrs. Smith has been an incredible resource with her suggestions as well.)

Of course I wanted soup bowls, serving platters, and stemware, oh my! So item #1 that was added: soup bowls. Additionally, we added our fine stemware, the serving platters that match the china, everyday flatware, and a myriad of other items (a pressure cooker so I can make Camille's (Bryan's Mom) famous steak roll-ups; an ice bucket, a Rabbit - the corkscrew thing, not the vibrator, pervs). We were so much more relaxed as we had been given full access to the scanner and we were free to select whatever we pleased. The woman that helped us, Cynthia, was easily accessible when we had questions. And she didn't have to stand there while we argued over what our utensils will be organized with in the kitchen drawers (Bamboo vs. plastic vs. mesh wire). Overall, we have had a great experience registering with BBB.

Our everyday dishes have given us a little bit more of a challenge. I'm starting to think I have some commitment issues when it comes to some of this stuff (I have no problem committing to a man for the rest of my life, but dishes?!?! That is a BIG STEP!). We have found several sets that we like, but don't love. I get it, they're dishes. But come on, I've gotta look at them at least twice a day for a good five-seven years or so (maybe more!?) Not only that, the dishes will set the stage of the decor in our kitchen-to-be. We have to pick "the one"!

Everyday dishes are on our agenda for Thursday night when we head to Macy's. Macy's approach is to host an event where they give you champagne and hors d'oeuvres. I'm assuming this is to a.) keep you in the store longer (and it will given that I get hungry every two hours), and b.) keep the men quiet so the women can register in peace. Oh relax, I'm joking...sort of.

I am hoping we can keep up the productivity but for right now I am going to be a bum and continue to watch the Cowboys get beaten down by the eventual NFC Champion Minnesota Vikings. Go Vikings!