Favorite Christmas Presents of 2008

I know this is really late, but one of my favorite Christmas presents of 2009 is this cadmium yellow tea set that my mom got me. One day we were at the mall in Georgia and my mom wanted to go into Teavana, a store that sells all things tea related. I thought, "BORING!" However, I was pleasantly surprised when we walked in to see this eye-catching bright yellow tea set with gold accents. It stood out among all the rest. I walked over to it immediately because it was so striking. I looked at it and proceeded to contemplate on seriously wanting this item for Christmas. Here was my thought process:

"wow, I really like this tea set. I like the yellow, even though it's paired with gold. I think gold and yellow are a good combination these days, whereas in the 90s I used to think it clashed. I really like the shape of the teapot and the size of the cups. And these saucers are so adorable. I could nicely display this on the seven white Ikea Billy Bookcases I want to buy. Even though I'm not one of those people to 'display' a lot of things on my shelf, because I live in New York and don't have space to do so, but if I did, this is something I would want to display. And if I had it on display, it would be easier to use instead of pulling it out from under my bed, which probably means I won't use it, so I must get those Billy Bookcases to go with my tea set. Oh, man, it's a box set so you can't buy more cups and saucers separately? That means I can only invite three people to my tea party - half of which will be roommates. Should I buy another box set of them so I can have more matching cups? I guess I could always keep another tea pot on hand in case this one ever broke - like when I have kids or something. Man, I'm really starting to think about the whole marriage and mom thing lately. Am I really ready for that? I don't know, but I do know that I want this tea set for Christmas."

That was my logic. Anyway, I have yet to purchase the Ikea bookcases, but I'm sure that's my next purchase. In the mean time, I'm happy with my little yellow tea set and can't wait to have a tea party with some girls and air out my white table cloth, bake a round cake and put it on an actual cake stand, eat vegetables and other assorted finger foods such as croissants stuffed with chicken and grapes. It's gonna be so fun.

In case you're wondering, I've only found this tea set through Teavana (it's called "Noble Poppy Bone China Tea Set") it must be made exclusively for them. I've already checked to see if you can buy the cups separately elsewhere and haven't found that you can...yet.

Mare Nostrum by Nymphenburg

I love these plates and this tureen!!! I love them because of the unique subject matter for such fine china - lobsters. I love the vibrant red and orange hues and highly detailed design of the focal point contrasted with the simplicity of the plain white background. I love the silhouette of the plate itself with it's lightly scalloped edge. I love that the tureen isn't overly decorated and highlighted with color allowing the delicate craftsmanship to show as well as letting the playful lobster handle take center stage. I was so thrilled when I discovered this design months ago. I could tell by the Nympehnburg website that they were going to be expensive - whenever the price of something isn't listed online, you know it's gonna be expensive. I figured since Royal Copenhagen plates run around $150 each, these must be about the same cost. So the last few months I've lived my life thinking that one day I'll be able to own these plates.

Well, I recently found out that these plates are ten times the amount that I originally thought. I found a website that lists one Mare Nostrum Nymphenburg plate at $1,200!!! ONE PLATE! Who are these people that can afford china that expensive? Forget about the Tureen - it's $6,700! Maybe one day I'll be able to afford a plate so I can frame it and hang it on my wall as artwork. They really are exquisite; even the name is beautiful, Mare Nostrum, Latin for "Our Sea." Alas, these plates will not be in MY Sea. Why is almost everything I love so expensive...