my new favorite things

i stumbled across this website this morning, and i am just loving all this fun, funky melamine stuff!

as the mother of a very energetic and rambunctious almost 4 year old, we ~~like~~ love unbreakables. in my house, i don't get to break out the fine china as much as i'd like to, but we always have nice family dinners at the table every night. however, i always feel like my daughter isn't completely 100% included since she uses different dishes and glasses then my husband and me. i love my every day ceramic dinnerware patterns {i have so many to chose from, i never get tired of them!}, but our daughter has a few boring plain melamine dishes.

i guess my using different dishes always makes me feel a little incomplete. i doubt she cares, but maybe she does. now that i have found french bull melamine i really don't have to worry about excluding anyone. i love this stuff!!!!!

Ring_set

how much do you love this set? it's perfect for you and your kids, but you could even break this stuff out when you have a late summer backyard BBQ as a great alternative to boring, environmentally UN-friendly paper plates.

i just ordered this set to use for a little sweet girl's 5th birthday party. i can't wait to incorporate the pattern {which has served as my inspiration for this "sweet" party} into all the "sweet" design elements we're using for this. how cute will candy and cupcakes look on these adorable plates?

i think this one is my favorite! i love that the bohemian paisley is coming back. my neighbor's 10 year old little girl is such a little fashionista, i just know she is the next SJP, and she has given me her seal of approval on these fabulous plates.

she is having a back to school bash and has ~~requested~~ demanded that absolutely no pencils or apples be included in the decor, so these will be perfect for this little trend-setter.

i also think they'd be perfect for my 'say goodbye to summer' party as well.

and that is what is so great about these sets. you can use them for your kid's parties, your parties, and everyday dishes.

i also ordered this utensil set for myself as well as gifts fr 3 of my great friends. what a great gift to give the chef who has that funky, child-like spirit.

this last one is a bit more elegant. i think these would be perfect for those more grown up outdoor parties. maybe an evening garden cocktail party. i love the weight the pattern gives each plate. i can see my favorite 'fancy cocktail party' recipe!!!

slow-roasted beef tenderloin

1 beef tenderloin, between 5-8 pounds
1 bottle soy sauce
1 bottle worcestershire sauce

use a big ziplock bag and pour both bottles of sauce over the tenderloin in the bag. seal the bag and marinate for at least 24 hours.

slow roast at about 225 degrees until the meat reaches your preferred level of 'done-ness' i am a huge fan of very rare steaks, so i usually take this out when it reaches an internal temperature of about 140.

slice very thin and serve with artisan rolls. put out horseradish, dijon mustard, and an assortment of sliced cheeses for these delicious, gourmet cocktail sandwiches.

send me pictures of what you do with this stuff!!!!

have fun and happy eating!
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