White Dishes

Recently, I read THIS POST from Yvonne over at "Stone Gable" on collecting white dishes.  Since I've been growing tired of the "grapevine" pattern that we have used for everyday dishes for the past 21+ years, I thought it might be time to give this idea a try.  Imagine my delight when I found these four square dinner plates on clearance at Target!  Winner, winner.  Chicken Dinner!  AND, I should tell you that I passed them by the first time I saw them.  When I went back a few days later, they were marked down an additional $1+.  Baa-daa-bing!  Sold.  I purchased the FOUR that were left on the shelf.

A few days later, Laura at "Finding Home" made this Easy Plate Message Board.  Do you see where this is going?  I couldn't resist using one of my new plates for this project.  After all, the writing wipes right off -- and the plate is dishwasher safe for a good clean-up.  [The writing is not baked on in this particular project! Therefore: not permanent!]

This was my first effort, and I love the way it turned out.  Even better?  I love the fact that I can change out the message for something else.

I got to thinking more about the white dishes, though -- and wondered if I'd find any more at different Target stores in our area.  We have five Target stores that are within a reasonable driving distance.  Four are along one route in our city, one of those being slightly off the beaten path, and the fifth is in a different direction altogether.  I decided to hit the first four in one day while the weather was good.

I was looking for 12 dinner plates, and 12 of the matching salad plates.

First store ~ I found eight square salad plates to match the dinner plates I had purchased, and one more dinner plate, bringing me up to five.

Second store ~ I found four more square salad plates.  Though they already had clearance stickers on them, they weren't marked down as low as the first store, so I asked an employee (who was going around with a price scanner/sticker printer thingy) if there was any chance that my plates were being marked down further today. She scanned the tag on the back of the plate, and said, "YES!"  Can you see me grinning?  Another dollar off per plate!

Third store ~ I found matching bowls that I'm considering.  They weren't on clearance yet, so I'll watch their price for a while longer.  No plates at this store!

Fourth store ~ I found five more square dinner plates, bringing my total to ten. These were the only plates that I did not pay clearance price for.  Interesting that none of the dishes in this particular pattern were on clearance at this store.  I'm glad that I went for it though, as the website shows that they are not in stock in the fifth store, nor are they available online.

I'm happy as a clam.  I came home, peeled off every clearance sticker (and there were a kazillion of them, having apparently been on clearance at many different price points) and put my new dishes in the dishwasher. We even used them for dinner that night.  Now... I just need a corner to stash the old dishes in until that garage sale.  GAH!  That's the SECOND time I've said those words on my blog lately.  People are starting to call me out on this whole garage sale idea.  Better start getting my act together.

Thanks to Laura for inspiring me to write on my white dishes, and to Yvonne for inspiring me to "collect" white dishes.  Now, when I see white dishes or accessory pieces on sale/clearance here and there, I will feel better about grabbing them up in order to set a nicer table, while keeping my dishes coordinated.

White for the WIN!