Check out my progress on Reader Request: Dishware
There are three things in life I always enjoy shopping for: shoes, food, and dishes.
So when I received several comments asking about where I acquired the various dishes I feature in my daily posts, I was giddy to share the details in this week’s Reader Request post.
Here’s just a portion of my dishware collection:
I know. It’s just Margot and me living here at the B-Hut, but you’d think I’m feeding a family four based on the amount of dishes I own.
Anyway…I digress. Here’s a summary of how I amassed such a stockpile.
Everyday Dishes
For food photography purposes, I really think plain white plates are ideal. The plates I use for my food glamour shots are Oneida’s Chefs Table line. I was sent these for free for the purposes of reviewing on the blog (click to read the review!), but Oneida is available in most department stores as well as online.
I also recently purchased a set of clear glass plates. They really make food “pop” with color. I bought these at Wal-Mart of all places—less than $20 for a 12-piece set. What a steal!
Accent Plates and Serveware
I love shopping at TJ Maxx for all kinds of items, but particularly for cute accent dishes. The advantage to TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshall’s, and other discount retailers is that they sell their dishes (for cheap!) in open stock—meaning that you can buy just as many as you need, without having to invest in a whole new set. That being said, I seem to have an inherited compulsion (thank you, Mom) to buy items only in groups of 4, 6, or 8. Hence my dearth of free cabinet space.
I’ve also had good luck at places like Pier One and Crate & Barrel.
Fine China
Confession: I picked out my wedding china at the age of 12. Being the consistent girl that I am, I still love the pattern I chose more than 10 years ago:
My mom indulged me back then and let me have one place-setting of this “Pearl Innocence” pattern when we were shopping at a Lenox outlet at the beach. The only times I bust this out is for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Just for Fun
One of my favorite dishes of all time is the Yoder household’s “Birthday Plate.”
What items do you love shopping for? Are there any others out there who love dishes as much as I do?!
Enough about the dishes—let’s get onto the food that was served on them!
Before heading off to my last exam, I made a big strawberry smoothie topped with Love Grown Foods granola.
Once home, I intended on making black bean hummus with homemade tortilla chips. I got the hummus part down, but the chips…not so much. After two burned batches, I gave up and salvaged what I could; there were enough veggies for dipping anyway.
Tonight’s meal featured an old fave, Orange Sesame Tofu, along with a newbie, Ellie’s Sesame Stir-Fried Chinese Greens.
This side dish was nothing exotic, but it was a nice accompaniment to the tofu. It’s good for me to try new ways to prepare vegetables; all too often I just steam up the greens and call it a day.
Alright, I am off to celebrate my freedom! No more classes…at least until the fall semester starts in two weeks. Good night!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Haha love all the plate pics! you have adorable ones. I love shopping for fresh fruits and veggies. The farmers market is where its AT
love all of your dishes! I can never decide which ones to buy when I’m in the store and usually end up buying clearance ones that are the last ones on the shelves. makes things more interesting with no dishes that match! life of the university student, haha.
I loved all plates, but especially the ones from Crate and Barrel and your wedding China from Lenox!
Yay!! You are free! Enjoy your break!
First off, you are very organized, my friend. Way to go; that’s a skill not everybody has
My fav places to buy dish ware are Crate and Barrel, Home Goods, Anthropologie, World Market and Pier one!
THanks for doing a post on where you purchase your dishes- I’ve always been curious as you have wonderful taste
BroccoliHut Reply:
August 5th, 2011 at 11:53 am
I had you in mind while I was writing this post! You are one of the few people in this world who shares my love of dishes:)
I was actually out at Ikea tonight checking out their dishware. I was tempted to buy some items, but my issue was deciding how many of each to buy. I’m like you – I need to have at least 2 of each dish, because then I can at least serve one other person in the same dishware. Ideally, I would have 4 of each, but because I want these dishes solely for food photography, and don’t really have storage space, I can’t justify it. I have a feeling I’ll be back tomorrow to buy a few things. The great thing about Ikea is that a) it’s cheap, and b) it’s open stock
Oh…and don’t get me started on all of my good Mikasa Cheers barware glasses – mom convinced me I couldn’t just have 4 of each (as they came), that I needed 8 of each. I have pretty much ever glass in the line…that’s a crap ton of glasses.
BroccoliHut Reply:
August 5th, 2011 at 11:52 am
I am very jealous that you live near an Ikea! I’ve only visited a few times while I was traveling, and I wanted to buy everything in the store!
That’s too funny I have that wedding china and I love it. I picked it out because I feel like in 20 years I will still love the way it looks.
My family has that same “You are special” plate! That was a big reason why I looked forward to my birthday dinner haha.
BroccoliHut Reply:
August 5th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Me too! I still use it every year on my birthday
I absolutely *love* shopping for dishes as well. A girl can never have too many.
I love the dishes you chose for your wedding set. Stunning. I love the accents.
BroccoliHut Reply:
August 5th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
I love the china too! The only downside–hand-wash only. Wouldn’t want the pretty details to wash off!
I love shopping for dishware too! Really, any kind of kitchen or eating related thing is fun to shop for. Your dishes are so cute! TJ Max and other stores like that are great and thrift stores can have some really unique bargains too.
As a fellow graduate student I say ENJOY YOUR SUMMER no matter how short it is ; ) I’m working all summer but it is a nice change from classes
So many great pictures!! awesome post
I love the see through class plate! so COOL!!
I love dinner plates and I got my love of nice dinner plates from my mom. My mom get a whole set of Denby Dinner Plate, Bowl, Salad plates, and Chargers for Christmas last year and she was so HAPPY! I am NOW very pleased to be able to use her nice plates!
Do you keep your special plates in a different plates so that guests and family members dont use them?? I personally have certain plates and bowls that I dont like others to use! lol!