Thanksgiving Table

This year Josh and I are hosting Thanksgiving at our apartment for his family.  It's going to be a packed house, which is all the more reason it has to look (and taste) perfect!  I've spent the last few weeks perfecting the menu, sending out an Evite, and accumulating decorations for my dining table.  This week alone I've come home with new things every night and last night Josh finally asked I stop buying!  He always like to put on a great party, but the little decorative details aren't something he focuses on.  He even made the comment that it didn't need to "look exactly like a magazine".  My response was simple, "Well of course it does!"  See, I LOVE holidays!  And while Christmas is the star of the show for me, Thanksgiving is a great kick-off to a wintry wonderland. 
Last year I spent a good few hundred dollars on Christmas decorations.  I had to start from scratch from ornaments for the tree, displays for every open table, a wreath, and even lights for our quaint Juliet balcony.  It was glorious for a first run.  Since last October I was out of town for 3 out of 4 weeks I didn't get to do any Fall decorating so the best season deserved the honorable first run that Christmas got last year. 
I started buying little things here and there before Halloween that could transition between the two holidays, but the impact was minimal until last night.  I completed my look with chargers and napkins folded nicely on top.  The best part of my table is that it cost me only about $110 and I can use every item for 2 or more holidays!!  I chose to pull plum and citron green with my orange because it gives it a modern feel and it compliments with our dining chairs and rug fabulously.  Most of the decor is from World Market- and on sale now since it's so close to Turkey Day.  But the chargers were the best steal at 2/$3 at Michael's!  Can't wait to put my traditional Thanksgiving meal on my modern table!!

Wedding Registry: Where Do We Start?

Growing up, my mom would always take me with her to Crate & Barrel to pick out gifts for bridal showers or weddings.  We would print the list and pick a theme within that list.  For example: wine- we would get a set of wine glasses, a wine stopper, and maybe even a book on wine- or a bottle of it- to add to gift.  It was always so much fun for me!  New Orleans (where I live and am getting married) doesn't have a Crate & Barrel but Josh and I are still going to register there, along with places that exist here.  Since we'll be in California for Christmas, it would be a great time to register... but where to start?!  I already know that a must on my list is a Kitchen Aid mixer and a vacuum and Josh is really into ceramic knives and anything for grilling (and anything from the Black & Gold shop), but when it comes down to brands- aside from the Kitchen Aid mixer- I have no idea where to start!  Pots and pans, knives, vacuums, sheets, towels, and I'm sure the list goes on and on... I need a list of your favorites and least favorites for your household goods!