Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Modern "Carolyn"

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They're here, they're here!!! My chosen and official wedding china pattern, Noritake "Carolyn"!!! It took only over 12 years but she is definitely worth it!

First of all, did you know that Noritake first came up with the pattern "Carolyn" back in 1948 to 1952? The pattern number is 3055. It's also beautiful and oh so pink with a more bold pink floral pattern and has a gold rim. So, no this wouldn't have been for me. I love pink enough, but I'm a purple girl, so it's missing something, plus I'm not a fan of gold rim remember?

(Courtesy of My Tableware.com)

But in the 70's, Noritake again created a pattern called "Carolyn", pattern #2693, a more modern counterpart. More modern in fact that it lasted 19 years! That would make me about 24 years old and a new bride by October. Before I go on, if you want the back story, read, "Patience is a Virtue".

Ok, moving on... Since most of you already read the how I got this set, now let me tell you how much I got it for and tell me if you think I got it for a steal, ok? A quick recap I went to Ebay and found one seller who had this pattern for much less than an auction I turned down.

The auction that I missed had all that I purchased plus the coordinating crystals (which I didn't like) and much more extras I'm also not interested in, for $275 with sales tax + $34 s/h. As you can see it is also a great deal, but not to me if I wouldn't use the crystals, the butter dish or the s & p shakers. I'm just not into those.

Here's what Replacements gauge the price of each piece for this modern pattern is today.

Replacements dot com Price Quote

If I bought it there, I would have spent $525 including s/h of $9 and no sales tax.

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This pattern is very representative of me...

Though it was introduced in 1977, it was discontinued in 1996; the year I was married. (I wonder why I didn't see it before? "Brain", why do you think?)

The pattern number is also symbolic for me, #2693. I met my husband in 1993 and we got married in October 26, 1996.

Its smaller more dainty design represents my petite stature and the subtle light blue and pink color represent my more feminine side that almost never comes out (lol).

The platinum rim is more me. Gold seems to be too showy for me, and I'm just not that kind of person.

My mother named me Carolyn because she liked the American name of the 1971 Miss Philippines, Carolyn Gornora Masibay who went on to win 2nd place in the Asia Pacific Beauty Pageant in June 26, 1971.

Oh, the best proof of how this is truly the pattern for me? The name Carolyn with Y and no E is the American spelling of the English name Caroline which is the female counterpart of the name Charles, my awesome and gorgeous husband's name... I met my husband here in the U.S. of A. So you see, this is not only MY pattern, it is OUR wedding china pattern.

Ok, ok, I'll tell you now how much I paid... (goodness, patience ladies!) ;-)

I was able to purchase 12 dinner plates, 12 salad plates, oval platter and a set of 4 teacup and saucer for a mere $80.00! By buying all that this seller had in stock of the same pattern, she took off $47 in discounts and the sales tax. Plus, because I picked them up with my dh Charlie, we also saved almost $34 in s/h!

Did I get a bargain or did I get a bargain? Leigh, what's your verdict? ;-)

Now let's see how my style compliments the pattern in this tablescape. Susan, what do you think?

THEME:

"Carolyn, meet Carolyn"

INSPIRATION:

Noritake "Carolyn" 2693 Fine China

It is really that pale pink and the blue is very soft, almost light gray.
I set the table for two just to play with. I was beside myself from sheer giddiness!

Here is before I lit the candles. Since it was white, platinum, crystal, silver and pale shades, I chose to add off white ceramics to give the eye something to stop at and bring focus to the place setting. I was so mad at my run-in with sheer incompetence at Albertson's yesterday that I forgot to buy white tulips for the vase!

Here's with flash on at tight shot.

Perils of apartment dwelling, you are stuck with tight shots. LOL


Bird's Eye View- without flash,

with flash...

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How about a tablescape for one?


Do you see them? I caught the birdies at Target!

I placed a candle in each ceramic lace trinket box and one in a holder behind the vase

How do you like the overall effect?

If you look closely at the flowers, you'll see an odd one, a dark purple!

My husband once gave me a card with a picture of a field of red tulips and peeking out of the corner was a white tulip bud. On the inside of the card it said,

"You're a rare find."

This is for my husband, for letting me get this beautiful pattern...

He's my "rare find"...

I actually spent the entire Monday afternoon looking for the perfect setup for these plates, but unfortunately, with Easter coming up, most linens were scooped up! But I do not fret about that, I will keep looking until I find just the right pieces to compliment this pattern and show off "her" romantic side... I waited over 12 years to meet her, what's a few weeks?

TABLETOP GOODIES:

Noritake "Carolyn" Fine China - Ebay, 12 sets /4-pc placesetting; $80

Hampton "Lace" SS Flatware- Walmart, 46 pieces; $40

Gorham "Flowering Meadow" Crystal Stemware- Tuesday Morning, goblet and flute; $5 ea

"Two Bubble" Glass Candleholder- Hobby Lobby, 2 sizes; 80% off

Mikasa Crystal Vase- Macy's, 1996; FREE wedding gift

Home Heritage Lace Trinket Boxes- Big Lots, off white; $5 ea

Holiday Time "Winter White" 12" taper candles- Albertson's, closeout 2006; 10 cents ea

White Tablecloth

Gold Single Drape Panel

Bird S&P- White, Target $5 / pair

FITTING MENU:

Mediterranean Baby Greens

with

Lemon Olive Oil Drizzle

Pureed Navy Bean and Ham Cream Soup

Prawns and Portabello Risotto

Steamed Maine Lobster

with

Scampi Butter

Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee

Spearmint Lavender Herbal Tea

To all of you, a big thank you and to our gracious hosts, I hope that you continue to feed this obsession of mine- "Thrifty Tablescapes"!

Thank you Leigh and Susan!

115 comments:

  1. Just beautiful! I love the story behind it too. Perfect!

    And those little birdies.....love them!

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  2. Chandy...I'm just so happy for you, my friend!!! Your patience was certainly rewarded with this beautiful and exqusite china!!! Ohhhh...I do love the pattern, the soft colors...I certainly see why you fell in love with it! And...I have to agree that all of the info concerning this beautiful china and how it relates to you is certainly uncanny!!! Ohhh myyyy goodness...just $80 for a 12 piece place setting...really that's a steal darlin'! Hehe!!! Congratulations...I'm so pleased for you and you've set a beautiful table with your new china!!! Lovely!!!

    Happy Easter, my friend!
    Chari

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  3. *Great story, & I so enjoyed the "rare find" part!!! Everything looks sooo pretty with the candles lit!! Congrats & thank you for sharing! Best, Linda (P.S. I LOVED those first plates~~~ the ones with the pink to hot pink~ DIVINE, I thought!)~~~

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  4. Ladies, thank you and yes I love this post too after I read it again. ;-)

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  5. Hi Chandy,
    This is so similar to my Noritake set. Mine is called Blue Willow and I got it in 1985 or so. You got a great deal my friend and your setting is so lovely. Cindy

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  6. What a beautiful classic tablescape. Thanks for spreading the word about my giveaway and good luck to you. Happy Easter.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  7. Wow! What a deal! It was truly meant for you! So pretty! :D Jewel

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  8. Oh it is so gorgeous!!!! Wow, what a bargain.

    When I was working in the china,crystal, silver department at a May Company store, I learned Noritake is a very good investment. I don't have any Noritake but I've begun looking around, here and there. I can only hope to get the bargain you did!

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  9. WOW! Your patience really paid off! Beautiful china...and such a lovely story to go along with it!
    Happy Easter!
    ;-D

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  10. Just beautiful! I love the beautiful pattern and your patience paid off!

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  11. very pretty, patience is a virtue

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  12. Good morning and thank you ladies! I am in love with this pattern more and more...

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  13. Cahndy! YOU . Got. A. Deal!!!!!

    I am honestly so excited for you. I love the whole story....how you waited for it. The name, the spelling, the color (I am a silver vs gold girl too), the pattern....it all was meant to be. And at a steal of a deal price! Wow! I am jumping up and down for you!!!!

    It is absolutley gorgeous, and worth the wait. I also love the sweet tulip nod to your husband, Charles. Your tablescape is beautiful! I can imagine that you both will have a nice romantic meal sitting there.
    Congratulations, Chandy! This is great!!! Hugs!

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  14. What a steal! I'm always checking the thrift stores for my mom's china pattern.

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  15. What a bargain you got! I love your table...beautiful and elegant! Have a great day!

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  16. What a really lovely table and I love the simplicity of your table.

    Have A Great Table Scape Thursday
    from Roberta Anne

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  17. Very elegant!

    Christi @ A Southern Life
    http://asouthernlife.com

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  18. Just beautiful, you and the china! I love how sentimental you are, and that you are so talented! You know Carolyn, you really could make a living doing this sort of thing because you can really do it!

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  19. are you a pro at bargain hunting or not?wow.you did great girl.i know how proud you must be of yourself.yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.and they are lovely...Ann

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  20. Thank you ladies, she is beautiful and she is mine!

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  21. Leigh, I am still jumping up and down! LOL

    Ann Hanson & Ann; thank you I still can't believe it, I have to look and reread this post and look in on the boxes to make sure it's here!

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  22. Your table is so pretty...very elegant. Sorry about missing the CB plates. I did get them a while back, so I would have them for Easter. Happy Easter!

    Gina

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  23. So pretty and delicate! I love those trinket boxes on the table and the way they light up. Everything looks gorgeous!

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  24. Well done and well worth the wait. I recognize those bird S&P's. Will they be travelling away from your tablescape soon? :0)

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  25. Gina, I know, I'm bummed out!

    Janie, I just found those!

    Ellen, yes they were not happy I cornered them for a tablescape! LOL

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  26. Hi Chandy -- I bow down to you... 80-dollars for service for 12 in Noritake china? You RULE. :-)

    Lovely pattern, too -- so delicate and dreamy looking, very feminine. I love the story of your patient wait. I also love the touching tribute to your husband. Good husbands are simply wonderful!

    All the best ... Cass

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  27. Thanks for visiting my blog, I love your table, the lace trinkets boxes are adorable! Happy Easter, Mary @ Boogieboard Cottage :O)

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  28. I'm so glad you all love it with me! I am still pinching myself to see if it is real! LOL

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  29. I have a Noritake Carolyn teacup. Your tablescape is lovely and the candle picture is beautiful!

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  30. What a great story, a great bargain and a great table. I hope you enjoy your new dishes for many years. It sounds like you found a winner for a husband, too.

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  31. Ceekay and Zoey; thank you! I love how the pictures turned out and I will enjoy them for sure!

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  32. Hi Carolyn! I'm jumping up and down for you! Oh, I love your dishes and am so glad you've gotten them after all these years! I like these better than the pink ones too!
    You have birdie salt and peppers too! Oh, joy! Now you can join us all on the 15th.
    Happy blessed Easter to you, sweet friend,
    Shelia ;)

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  33. What beautiful china. I love all the meaning behind it. You got a great deal!

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  34. $80! Are you serious? I need someone like you to go shopping with.

    I love the little stories you tell here and there throughout your post, like the reason for your name and how it's perfect that your husband is Charles :-)

    Beautiful tablescapes on this post!

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  35. That is a lovely tablescape - such a beautiful job! Linda

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  36. Thank you ladies! I am loving this post myself!

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  37. Your tablescape means so much more because of the story behind it. Too precious! And such a deal!!!!! I've sold too many dishes on ebay in the past. Now I am kicking myself, as I would love to be using them in my tablescapes now. I love the idea of a single flower being a different color & the reasoning behind it. Beautiful china for a beautiful person.

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  38. Oh, I just love that sweet little story, the fab bargin you got on your china, the beautiful table setting pics, especially with candlelight, and Platinum edging is my fav too !

    Have a joyful Easter !
    LOL,
    Lynn

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  39. Kim, thank you so much! I am still in awe of how much it complemented me... Hugs!

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  40. Lynn, hello! I know I love the bargain and the fact that I have some now! LOL

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  41. Beautiful china, congratulations!
    Happy Easter, Chandy!

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  42. Beautiful china at such a great price! Wishing you many years of enjoyment with them.

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  43. Beautiful story! I love how simple yet intricate the pattern is (is that possible?)

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  44. Awww, your hubby sounds sweet! And your table looks great :)

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  45. i am so glad i found your blog...my hubby always complains that i do not have best sense to buy all this neat stuff...now i can get some fine ideas from your blog...

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  46. Such an elegant tablescape and a nice story too.

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  47. Great story. Happy SITS day

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  48. Cool. I have a Nortiake 587 (Not Gramatan 587) that I purchased from a friend of my who inherited his Uncle's house. It was in the attic, still in the original gift boxes from his wedding in the 50's. Some boxes still had the gift cards. I got 8 plates, 12 cups and saucers, 12 B&B plates, 12 soup bowls, 12 berry dishes, 12 luncheon plates, platter, veggie dish, and gravy boat with attached bottom all for $75. Pretty good deal eh? Happy SITS day.

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  49. The color scheme is sublime!

    Congrats on your SITS day!

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  50. Just beautiful and thrifty!!! I have never used my china!!! After reading this I am going to plan something special so I can use it!!!

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  51. Really lovely, and a great deal! How fun to see it all come together. Happy sits :)

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  52. I love the simplicity of "Carolyn" very pretty.

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  53. Beautiful china, and I love the story behind it. :)

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  54. I have no china. I need some china!

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  55. That is an expensive hobby you have. ;-) Do you have a lot of storage area? I only have room for one set of extra dishes- Christmas dishes.

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  56. the china is beautiful. im more of a simple type of gal, so when we got married in 2001 - we didnt go with china.

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  57. how cool to see the connections between self & the pattern. i do that too.

    also, that's an awesome deal you got!

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  58. You got an awesome deal! I really loved reading your story behind them. Fun!

    Happy SITS day!

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  59. OMG! That is my wedding china pattern. I was married in 1982. I can't believe it sells for so much now...but I'm not selling.

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  60. We have almost the same anniversary (though I was married 2 years b/4 ) October 30, 1994!
    I picked out Noritake "Halls of Ivy" pattern which is discontinued. But I got a similar pattern at Bed Bath and Beyond for a lot cheaper and I can put it in the dishwasher! I have four young kids so I put the Noritake away for now! Great story!

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  61. That is such a pretty pattern. The light blue is awesome. Good deal too!

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  62. Gorgeous! And that menu sounds to die for!

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  63. OH MY HECK!! I've been to your blog before!!! Because of you I had to have those bird salt and pepper shakers and I traveled half of Utah to find them!

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  64. It is always so fun to get something you really LOVE! Those dishes are beautiful.

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  65. I love the birds. So pretty! Happy SITS day!

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  66. How pretty. This was so neat...

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  67. What a sweet story and post. Beautiful! And happy SITS day!!

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  68. Love how you pair a menu with a table setting. Nice! Happy SITS!

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  69. Happy SITS day! You are really talented!!

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  70. those are exquisite pieces hun! love them!

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  71. Amazing story of how this china was destined to be yours. I love sweet things like that. What beautiful china, and an even more amazing tablescape. Again, I am going to have to come here often for ideas once I get a table!

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  72. What a fun story and I do love Carolyn!

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  73. happy SITS day

    www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com

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  74. Lovely! This is very similiar to my Grandmother's fine china.

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  75. I love those lace candle holders. We have a big lots but I always forget about it!

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  76. Love the story. My mom has Noritake China that my dad got her when he was in the service years and years ago. It's got some blue flowers on it and a silver edge. I joke that I get them when they die, because they are simply stunning. I love your pattern too and what a steal. I'll be over for dinner soon! :) Happy SITS day.

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  77. Aww I love your story and that china is gorgeous! All of my china is in a box in the garage! :0!

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  78. Great story! It's all so lovely too! You're so talented!

    Mariel
    www.oneshetwoshe.com

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  79. Those are gorgeous. And I LOVE bargains! Happy SITS day!

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  80. Oh! Oh! I have those same birdies from Target! LOVE THEM! I also have a cow butter dish and calf creamer that matches!

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  81. Those are beautiful and I absolutely love your appreciation for these prints!

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  82. I think your "story" of the dishes makes them even better!

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  83. Good for you for being able to pick a pattern! My husband and I can never agree, so we've never even bothered... but ooh, I'd sure love me some fine china!

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  84. Love the story behind the dishes! Thanks for sharing!

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  85. another pretty table

    visiting from SITS!

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  86. My heart is all puffy now from all commenting love. You're all the best!

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  87. Just lovely... :)
    Congrats on your SITS Day!!! SUch a great blog you have!!!

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  88. WOw, you definitely got a bargain! Beautiful!

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  89. I LOVE the story behind your china! I too got married in '96 - it's a good year :-)

    I like the pattern I chose for my china...but never thought I'd actually use it. I got 4 place settings...and then a few years after we were married, I decided to become a Creative Memories consultant. But we did not have the money for me to sign up or place my first order. So...I decided to sell that china on ebay. I managed to sell it for more than you would pay for it on sale at Macy's - and I got EXACTLY the amount of money that I needed. It was kismet :-)

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  90. You are so talented! I love the dishes on this post, they are simply beautiful!

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  91. Wow....the story makes it even more beautiful!!!! love it!

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  92. Thank you ladies! I do love that pattern and can't wait to use it more!

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  93. I have to say, your dedication to tableware is like nothing I've ever seen!

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  94. That is an *awesome* story! The china is beautiful.

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  95. I don't know very much about china - now I know where to come to find out more!

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  96. Wow, what beautiful china. I love that you have such a personal story to go with it. I've never seen anything like your table setting, stunning.

    ~ Becky
    http:beckyandjames.com

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  97. I was an eBay Power Seller and yes, you definitely got a good deal!

    Noritake was my late MIL's favorite!

    Happy SITS Day!

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  98. Here from SITS and a vintage dishes junkie. I love the symbolism behind your plates. I am coveting your pierced candle votives!!

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  99. You really got a great deal, and that pattern is really lovely and elegant....beautiful!

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  100. Oh wow! I love the silver edge on those plates. So pretty!

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  101. Thank you to all of your wonderful comments!

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  102. Love the vintage dinnerware! If possible, I'd fill my home to overflowing with beautiful vintage dinnerware!

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  103. this makes me want to collect china now!!

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  104. That would make eating alone almost do-able! ;-)

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  105. Hello you all! Thank you so much!

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  106. Hi Chandy. I came across your blog by chance and I'm so glad I found it! Like you I truly love the Carolyn design and I have a Noritake "Carolyn" 36 piece Dinner Set for sale if you know of anyone who maybe interested in it. It is still in its original packing and has never been used. Unfortunately, I have no use for it and it's a shame to be still sitting in a box when it should be out and enjoyed like in your beautiful photos!! I love your blog BTW it is so full of enthusiasm!!

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  107. I have this same pattern. My mom started my "hope chest" when I was 14. That is how old I was when I picked "Carolyn" in 1977. I've rarely used so it is in pristine condition. I was thinking of selling, that is how i came across your blog. Im glad i did. Thank you for you have made me remember and i have fallen back in love with my china.

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Niceties first

HELLO AND WELCOME to this blog dedicated to my obsession of tablescapes, and ONLY TABLESCAPES!
That means that whatever I post will be redirected to tablescapes or you will see tablescapes or the dishes and glassware that I used AND wish to use.
I hope you like you what you see; but you can't do that unless you take the tour- the TABLESCAPE TOUR that's on the side bar! I'd also love to take you on my adventures on finding great dinnerwares to display and use while leaving some serious change in your pocket, so stay a while and see all of my great deals!
Wanna know the reason behind the madness, too? Then make sure to read, Why this blog for my philosophy.