I write this post with trembling hands...
As you know, my original wedding china pattern was Noritake's Halls of Ivy. It is a beautiful ivory and gold fine china with embossed ivy leaves all around. Even back in 1996, I have never been able to afford it, but it was the most inexpensive placesetting pattern in Macy's at that time. So being a soon to be Mormon bride with a groom to be who wasn't thrilled about my need for a wedding china, he and I reluctantly decided that we will have to agree on the pattern and combined with the inexpensive (not really) price tag, we chose it.
My boss at the time, a single man, didn't mind picking up two placesettings plus two of our crystals to help us get started. But that's it since 1996... And for the fact that I'm deathly afraid that I'll break the possibly only fine china I'll own before I can complete it, we used it only once.
But my love of all beautiful dishes never died and my husband slowly realized it when I stood in front of the Nikko "Precious" plates we found in Costco in 1997. We came back to it twice and after agreeing that it will be my 1st wedding anniversary present and for hosting our first Thanksgiving dinner with family, we bought it. The fever grew, and since then, we have decided on every dinnerware we've purchased or at least, he found a way to like them. LOL
As I am a self proclaimed tightwad, I became very picky and never regretted my choices. I have had good friends ask me what I want for Christmas or birthday and I tell them, I want dinnerware! I even joined Freecycle to find more.
Anyway, as many of you have had a peek at my collection and wish list, I have never forgotten my desire to complete a wedding china pattern that I would love forever. At first I thought it was Noritake "Sampaguita" because it was made in the Philippines. But no, because I already have a lot of green dishes in my Bordallo collection.
Then I thought it was Mikasa's "Love Story" since it is only swirls of ribbon and it's not gold (Not a big fan of gold rimmed dishes, except for one, Target's Holiday '08 collection called "Snowfall Splendor" in Gold.
I also thought that I found my pattern in 222 Fifth's "Gabrielle", but no to that pattern as well though it is unbelievably pretty.
But then, just a few weeks ago, I posted about dinnerware named after women, and to my surprise, Noritake, my favorite fine china maker, created one called "Carolyn". Yes, named after me! I was shocked beyond belief! But again, "Brain" helped me block this out... or so she thought...
I've since looked it up and just last week found over 80 pieces (12 placesettings) of this pattern being auctioned in Ebay for a fair amount of money and only one person bid. This included the crystal goblet in the same pattern, but I was only really interested in the plates. I've found my crystal goblets, so no problem there.
Yesterday afternoon was the last day to bid and I almost did! I found myself registering in Ebay and I got as far as putting in the next highest bid, but something stopped me. I just couldn't! So I quickly erased the number and closed the site to prevent any accidental clicking... Boy, was my heart heavy! So close, but not quite! But it felt good to walk away because that's money I didn't have to spend, you know?
Then last night, when I revealed my hesitation to my husband, all he could do was smile and feel a little disappointed for me. I thought of it no more, but while he got ready to go to work, I felt the need to look if the auction was extended or a similar one started. I scrolled down and I saw pieces of Noritake "Carolyn" being sold inexpensively by one seller! And she had each 12 dinner and salad plates, a platter and 4 sets of teacups and saucers. All very inexpensive!
To get to the point, I went to email the seller for some clarification and found out that she works near where I live! And because I wanted to buy everything in the pattern she was selling, she gave me a discount! A good discount! So, for pretty much the same amount of pieces, I bought my official wedding china pattern- NORITAKE "CAROLYN" for a third of the auction bid price!
Yes! Patience won out again! I am very grateful for my husband who didn't push me either way, for my friends Heather and Michelle who thought this pattern is made for me and that I deserved it.
I will share with you all the details why during one of the memes, maybe Thrifty/Tablescape Thursday? Leigh, Susan, what do you think?
Thank you for reading. I love you all for experiencing this with me through this post!