Friday, January 25, 2013

7 Quick Takes: Bridal Registry Edition


For today's 7 Quick Takes, I'd like to share with you seven items that I either received before my wedding or came across after, that I wholeheartedly recommend for any new bride. So, if you are getting married soon and are at a loss when it comes to creating your registry, or shopping for the bride who has everything, hopefully you will find some inspiration here!

{source}


{source}

{source}

{source}



{source}



{source}


{source}


From the top, Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. Never ironed a pair of men's pants before? Martha's got you covered. Not sure how to clean those granite countertops, that's there, too. As in most things she does, efficient perfection is the name of the game, as Martha covers all the bases of "Homekeeping" (is that a mixed metaphor?).

Next up, also from the queen of clean, is a subscription to Food Everyday. For under $15, the bride to be will receive 10 issues full of easy dinner recipes that are classy without being elitist (if you know what I mean), and quick articles / recipes on such topics as Wine BasicsHow To: Perfect Omelets, and Sunday Dinner (with a Monday menu utilizing leftovers). Beautiful pictures and easy instructions seal the deal on this one as a winner.

Moving on from Martha, let's talk about Dutch ovens. I use my Dutch oven almost everyday; it can go stovetop or in the oven. My husband jokes that if he would have known, we wouldn't have registered for all those "other things!" Le Creuset is the undisputed creme de la creme, but I actually didn't think to register for one, so post wedding I went on a search. When I came across an article in the ever authoritative Cook's  Illustrated magazine that rated this one a close second I was on it. I love my Tramontina, and it was a fraction of the cost. The price has increased since I paid $35 for this piece (unbelievable, I know!), but $59.97 still comes in way under the Le Creuset MSRP of $345.

The next one, a basic tool kit, I received from my sisters. It has been so helpful. Hanging pictures, using a wrench to fix that leaky faucet (don't worry, Martha tells you how to do that in Homekeeping, above),  and a thousand other little things, these tools are so darn handy!

Serving ware, that's number five. Some great looking serving ware can make the simplest of fare elegant and special (presentation is at least 70% of the equation...). We chose basic white because we already had some white Pfaltzgraff pieces that we had inherited. It was a great decision; it is simple, elegant, it lets the food shine and is easily mixed and matched. 

Luxurious bedding. Go for the highest thread count available, just do it. The "marital bed" is worth it. And pick a color that looks good on you. I'm blushing already; enough said!

And the last, one, oh I hesitate to include it, but what the hell... The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Let me begin with a disclaimer: I don't agree with every thing the good doctor says, I haven't read her other books, and I don't listen to her radio show because it annoys me. So why am I recommending her book? Because she challenges the individual reader to evaluate certain harmful attitudes and the behaviors that flow from them, and it places the power to impact change with the reader. Many marriage books seem to point out things that aren't good for marriage but that require both partners to get on board for change.  Rather than reading a book that tells you its bad to have a TV in your bedroom and makes you angry with your husband (because he put a TV in your bedroom), I think its better to focus on how you can effect change by changing yourself. And as a final word, I can imagine a chorus of feminine voices rising up to complain that Dr. L. is too hard on women, etc., etc. My response is that she is hard on women because she is writing advice for women. If she was to write for men, she would be equally tough (or should I say caustic?), because that is just her style. 

Are you married? What bridal shower or wedding gift have you found indispensable? Please leave me a comment below, or find with my sisters on Facebook and share some love!



11 comments:

  1. Without a doubt, my food processor, something I didn't even register for, has been the best wedding gift! Until I got mine, I was completely unaware that you can use one to shred and slice veggies in addition to pureeing things. I use it almost every day and it saves so much prep time for meals.

    On the subject of Dutch ovens, I was disappointed when I didn't receive a Le Creuset (but seriously, what were the odds anyway? I'm ingrateful.), but I did get an unglazed cast iron Dutch oven, and I can't imagine using anything else! I've always had trouble with getting the temperature just right with enameled cookware, but the cast iron is perfect and so easy to take care of. I could go on and on, but I'll stop =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, food processor, that is a good one! Have a great weekend, Stephanie!

      Delete
  2. Someone gave me a cast-iron stovetop griddle. Its just this slab of cast iron, really, that covers two eyes of the stove - I think she found it at Crate & Barrel - but it is used daily in my house, esp since I have a gas stove. You can tweak the heat so precisely on the stove, as opposed to the undependable knob on most electric griddles. It never burns pancakes and heats up immediately. I literally use it everyday for grilled cheese. And since it isn't electric, nor nonstick, it will be around for a very long time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just so you know, Kallah, I made a grilled cheese sandwich as soon as I read this... PS you look great (I was over on your blog but didn't have time to comment!)

      Delete
    2. haha Thank YOU! glad to be responsible for the spreading of some grilled cheese love any day! :)

      Delete
  3. Oh also the best cookbook anyone could've given me for my wedding was Alice Waters "The Art of Simple Food" - it serves essentially as a culinary school in a book - she not only provides all the essential basic recipes, but additionally gives tons of tips for "tweaking" seasonings and ingredients.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I got a tool kit at my bridal shower. I was surprised at the time, but I've used it sooooo much!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I LOVE your recommendation for a Dutch Oven. My mom has a Le Creuset that I covet, but I just can't spend that kind of money on a pot at this point in my life! I really like your review of Dr. Laura's book. I've not read/heard anything from her before, really, but I know from experience how easy it is to get frustrated because WE aren't doing what WE need to be doing--far better, in my experience, to change myself and my attitudes, and let God take care of the rest! I'll have to check out the book :)
    Oh, and my must have: a waffle iron! We use ours all the time and I love it! It's one of those hotel-style flip ones. It's great for a brunch--whip up a bunch of batter and let your guests make their own! Mmmm Saturday morning waffles :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sarah, now I feel like I must have an industrial size waffle iron for when guests come to visit!

      Delete
  6. If you are buying for a European friend getting married, one may notice a higher number of wine glasses, scotch glasses, etc. on the list. These seem to be right up there with towels for them in terms of basics. I think it's good (and easy for the giver) to get the simple things covered (and in the colors they want, while they have the opportunity) so then the couple can decide what else they might need (as far as complicated kitchen gadgets/house-ware) as they go.

    ReplyDelete

Please leave me a comment. If you don't blog, you may not realize that comments to a blogger are like sunshine to the whole of the photosynthesizing world. What I'm saying is, each comment means a lot! P.S. If you have an email connected to your profile, I'll most likely respond there.