misosouper, a shopping blog

Just in time for spring gifting season, Bloomie’s is chock full of new goodies.  While not necessarily cheap, these home goods won’t be something your mama/newly married best friends/hostess whose front yard you’re digging up for a plastic easter egg will hide in a cabinet until you come over.

1.  Stainless Steel Asparagus Pot by All Clad; 2.  The very strange, very appealing Paris Votive by Bernardaud (check out the other patterns, including a Chicago version); 3.  Nambé “Butterfly” Salad Bowl Set; 4.  Michael Aram for Waterford Woodgrain Cocktail Shaker; 5.  Mediterraneo Kitchen Jars by Alessi; 6.  Latte Machiatto Mug by Konitz; 7.  Jungle Jubilee by Lynn Chase–one big serving piece is all you need; 8.  Jardins Du Monde Ceramic Collection by Juliska–a set of dessert plates from this lovely line is a more than generous gift; 9.  The Ice Cream Scoop & Stack by Cuisipro makes perfect ice cream plops; 10.  FrouFrou by 1891 by Sferra Sheets are actually more elegant basic than over-the-top froufrou; 11.  The Eva Zeisel for Royal Stafford “One O One” Teapot will make your design-minded friends swoon; 12.  Dustbuster by Alessi; 13.  Clare Flower Pots by Marc Jacobs Waterford; 14.  “Banana Brothers” Salt/Pepper Set by Alessi (do kayaking monkeys really need commentary?); 15.  “Tea Over Ice” Pitcher System by Tea Forte.

Perfect in both concept and execution:  this little cup comes with its own wooden lid, which can be used to keep your tea warm on your way to work, then as a coaster when you get there.

Yes, Halloween is around the corner; and no, that’s not why I like these plates.  I’ll use them in April, August, and January, just to remind my dinner guests of their own mortality.

Isn’t that creepy enough?

So unabashedly swank: if you were ever to serve brunch to stuffy future in-laws or your elegant boss, this mid-century toast rack salvaged from the London Ritz would be your table’s coup de grace.

When Mr. Misosouper and I married seven years ago, we didn’t register for any “fine” china; I zapped a set of Fiestaware with my gun, and figured that someday, when we had a dining room (at that point, we didn’t even own a kitchen table) and a fully-funded 401k, we’d buy something we really loved, price be damned. (Sidenote: I understand that some wedding guests like to purchase expensive gifts. But asking Cousin Tillie for a $278 pie server? Really?)

That day of reckoning, the day of dedicated dining areas and vested retirement plans, has arrived. I want this set of gloriously bird-flecked china, deep down in my soul. Is it too late to register? Never mind. I suppose we’re on our own for that $1450 gilded teapot.