Don't even get me started on Alana - I simply adore it!! Okay, I love the name, too! ;)

Do you get Cash's catalog? They mail Waterford without shipping & handling!

Hey honeychile,

When I registered for my wedding, I was told that Waterford never discontinued any of their crystal patterns, and why I specifically chose Waterford. I needed that reassurance since my family's Thanksgivings are HUGE and I wanted to know I could always get a new glass if needed!

I have Waterford's Elberon crystal and Wedgewood's Signet Platinum as my china pattern. Both simple and elegant... I didn't want to get something I wouldn't grow to hate in 20 years.

:eek: FREE SHIPPING?! Sign me uP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

http://www.cashs.com/catalog.shtml

Here's Alana (which means "darling" in Gaelic):

http://www.cashs.com/images/products/74AL24.jpg

And I just love this Lismore Centerpiece/Compote bowl!!

http://www.cashs.com/images/products/743601.jpg

Of course, the perfect way to get your Waterford is the duty free shop in Shannon Airport! That's where my parents got the punch bowl that they've given me!


ETA: There's a three day sale right now!!

everyday:
williams-sonoma tuileries dinnerware
oneida juilliard stainless
pottery barn retro collection glasses

formal:
francis I
noritake silver palace (same that daddy bought my auntie when she got married)
cristal d'arques classic wine glasses (just like bree van de kamp!), iced tea glasses, highballs, old fashioneds, and tea pitcher
waterford lismore champagne flutes
waterford lismore martini glasses

i'll also be inheriting mom's old country roses and cobalt blue with gold trim (no idea the pattern!) someday. she was married in the 70s and has gold flatware, for which i don't really care.

trivia: charlotte york had bernardaud constance for china.

Bumping because the topic came up on another thread and I am interested to know which patterns you ladies chose. I fell in love with Burgundy (Reed & Barton) because I love the classic lines, although the rest of the women in my family all have substantially more ornate patterns.

China: Cavendish by Wedgewood
Silver: Chippendale by Towle
Crystal: Statuesque by Lenox

When I was in the 5th grade, I fondly remember my mother taking me to the store and her asking me to pick out my sterling silver pattern. Each year after that on my birthday and Christmas I would receive a couple of pieces to "my" pattern. By the time I got married I already had quite a nice collection. I have since carried on this tradition with my daughter. Everytime I look at my silver it makes me think of my mother and puts a smile on my face!

Before that other thread gets hopelessly derailed-

China: Wedgewood Seville (with the silvered edge)
Crystal: Marquis by Waterford Caprice

My sister got Grandmama's Chantilly silver which was probably great grandmother's. I received the George IV but its not a complete set - but I have Grandmama's tea set.

Grandmama used to throw a lot of parties so I also have a demitasse set, an ice tea set, the sherry set, the brandy set - basically I am all set to have Exec board or Panhellenic teas at my house. : )

China/Crystal/Flatware: Wedgwood Sterling collection
Everyday crystal: Marquis by Waterford (got a deal at Marshall's of all places)!
Silver: from an antique shop (gift from my mother-in-law)
Coffee/Tea service: silver from antique shop (bday gift last year from my mother-in-law)

I use my coffee service and china coffee cups all the time. I work primarily from home, so sometimes I need to add a little bit of class while wearing pj's!

And there's nothing wrong with classic lines. Mine is as simple as you can get. My husband (a prof chef) says that food is the only decoration you need (he had to approve the china)!

I once read a response to the question, "what is middle age?" The person asked gave a detailed explanation, but ended with, "When I turned forty, I started using the china and silver everyday."

Well, mine is still packed, but once we're in our more or less forever home, out it comes on a semi-daily basis!

KKGAlumDGMom, you are a wise mother! My mama knew that I was the only granddaughter on her side, so I'd be getting all of the china and silver there (mismatched as it may be). So, I just picked complimentary patterns and mix them together. Seriously, how many people do you know who have some antebellum silver and china?

I love this tread! We had a similar tradition with my grandmother on my mom's side. When we graduated high school we picked our china pattern with her. Then all the women in the family, gram, mom, aunts, etc would buy a place setting for special occasions.

I picked Federal Cobalt Gold and gram always asked me if I was sure that i would love it for many years. I did then and I do now. The pattern was discontinued so hopefully my pieces will last.

It eventually came out that gram was horrified that I picked a pattern with gold. How would I have appropriate silverware? Sadly we lost her too quickly due to pancreatic cancer. When my mom and I were taking care of the house after she passed we found a full set of flatware with gold accents. She had purchased it but never had the chance to give it to me. It worried her that much, so she took matters into her own hands! She also left me her "casual" china. It is a great collection of mixed whimsical pieces.

My china is displayed in her sister's china closet. She insisted that I take the dining room set when I got my first apartment. It is a great way to to remember them. And yes, I had two full sets of china before I ever met my husband!

Love my china and silver!! I use it all frequently.

Sterling: Wallace Rose Point. It was my mom's pattern and I love it. She lived in a small town where the jeweler gave each newly engaged girl a sterling spoon (back in the day when you purchased sterling flatware at the jewelers). She selected something painfully plain. Her SIL said, "Honey if you go to the trouble to have sterling, get something that LOOKS like sterling. If you choose that pattern you might as well get it in stainless and save some money." She was right, so my mom exchanged it for Rose Point and we both loved it. I added to her set and have service for 12+

China:
Lenox Lace point
Fostoria Americana plates (1920s version)
Lenox Holiday
Reproduction English hunt china w/pheasants (don't remember brand)

I use the fall-themed pheasant china every day Oct-Nov, then use Holiday daily during all of December.

When I was in HS I was in LOVE with Lenox Castle Garden and was talked out of it when I registered for China. I still regret that and would love to have a complete set.

Glassware: Waterford Alana and old Fostoria American (1920s)

I love to set a pretty table! who else spends a lot of time on "tablescapes" and pretty centerpieces, accessories, etc?

Reed & Barton Francis I
Wedgwood Runnymede Blue
Lenox Tuscany Crystal (plain so as not to compete with the China and Flatware.)

OK, I love this thread...

China: 'Liberty' by Lenox
Christmas China: 'St. Nicholas' by Fitz and Floyd
Silver: 'Fairfax' by Gorham
Crystal: Water and Flutes/ 'Kildare' by Waterford Iced Tea/ Miller-Rogaska
Everyday pattern: 'Baskets' by Villeroy and Boch
Flatwear: 'Melonbud' by Gorham?