I don't normally shop at K-mart - no reason in particular, it's just not on my regular route. I usually end up at Target for those sorts of shopping errands. But today, I made a special trip. After seeing several posts regarding some cool K-mart finds (via super eggplant and not martha), I decided to go check things out for myself. I found the fruity dishes sported by Mariko, but I had been hoping they were melamine instead of china. I love the design, but they would work much better for me as picnic/patio dinnerware rather than everyday indoor china. I also found the Chromatherapy dishes featured in not martha, and I really liked them. A couple of problems:
(1) I've always read in the foodie magazines that simple white dinnerware is the best way to feature great food. That way, the color of the dishes doesn't clash with the food, and the food can be the center of attention. Ok, I know this sounds a bit snobby, but it made some sense to me. That said, I love dishes, and I'm constantly falling in love with all the new, fun patterns and colors out there. So, I'm not a total purist!
(2) We have a perfectly serviceable set of dishes that we got a few years ago. The set might have a few chips and scratches here and there, and yes, a couple have been broken, but overall they're working out just fine. Blame it on my Depression-era (read: frugal) grandparents, but I find it hard to justify getting a new set when I don't need one.
So, I probably won't get the Chromatherapy dishes (the greens are really pretty!) even though they're a great buy and practical (dishwasher and microwave safe).
But, I did come home with a bunch of dishtowels that I fell in love with. They're inspired by vintage dishtowels, with updated color palettes. Of course, I don't need all these dishtowels, but I'm thinking of some possible crafty uses for them.
And, to save the best for last, I finally found my much sought after dark chocolate peanut M&Ms! These were reportedly released on April 2, but I haven't had luck finding them anywhere. Turns out, K-mart had them! I'm a huge peanut M&M and dark chocolate fan, so when I found out these were coming out, I just about drove Jerry crazy with all my whining about fruitless searches. How are they? Yummmy!
Oh, those dishtowels are quite beautiful! Guess I, too, need to make the journey to our semi-local KMart. I'm also on the search for a set of melamine dishes, though....hmn...where to look.
Posted by: amanda | April 13, 2005 at 05:01 PM
Love the dishtowels and hadn't heard about those dark chocolate M&Ms....Mmmmmm.
Posted by: Jan | April 13, 2005 at 06:15 PM
Kmart is definitely not somewhere I regularly shop, but just last week I went in search of more dishtowels (I have Martha polka-dot ones from there that I love). Instead, I came home with the Chromatherapy dishes in the blues and the greens. I love them, but they do occasionally clash with what's for dinner.
I never would have made it home with those M&Ms...I would have plowed through the bag in the car.
Posted by: Stephanie | April 13, 2005 at 06:41 PM
nice score on the dish towels, they look pretty enough to be turned into zippered cary smalls! DARK chocolate m&m??? i had not heard of this deliciousness... definitely going to kmart now. have you tried the midnight milkyways? i never liked the regular mw's but i have to say the midnight ones (apparently midnight means dark chocolate to the mars company) are really good. also for cute summer melamine dishes, check out the brightly colored line at pottery barn kids. they might be small, but who needs big portions in the summer? and who knows, there may be a bigger set at pbteen. which i have to admit loving!
Posted by: hannah | April 13, 2005 at 07:16 PM
I went to kmart last week for the dish towels...
Posted by: Melanie | April 13, 2005 at 08:05 PM
I scooped up a handful of dishtowels myself. I agree with the white dinnerware thing. I used to hate plain white dishes, until I got a set from Ikea for fifty cents a piece. Someday I hope to find the perfect, good-quality set of white dinnerware. Everything just looks so good on white plates!
Posted by: aoi wowie | April 13, 2005 at 10:05 PM
You got some of the same dish towels that I did, great minds think alike, eh? ;) Kmart is always full of surprises even though I dislike going there. I'm hoping with Martha out of jail that her section will be booming again soon. Pretty dishes too, I didn't see those, maybe next time :)
Posted by: Cassi | April 14, 2005 at 12:03 AM
Those dishtowels are lovely. I'm sure you'll come up with some wonderfully crafty uses for them! Looking forward to it... :)
Posted by: Amanda | April 14, 2005 at 10:12 AM
Have you thought of making kitchen curtains with those dishtowels? I turned some cute ones(with embroidered veggies) from Target into curtains with those ring clips. No cutting or sewing, so you preserve the towel in case you find another project for it.
Posted by: VaxGirl | April 14, 2005 at 11:50 AM
Yeah, those hand towels are very cute! I have to say I am loving my fruity plates! My food always looks like crap anyway, so any visual distraction is welcome. Kmart. Can you BELIEVE it? And hey, candy quests are always the best!
Posted by: Mariko | April 14, 2005 at 01:05 PM
oh-man! the dishtowells!!
wow-they could be an apron or handbag or something? too many options-thank you!
Posted by: amy k. | April 14, 2005 at 01:17 PM
Dark Chocolate Peanut M&Ms?! I can't believe I'm missing out on those! I hope it's not just a fad..
Oh, the dishtowels are great, too--I just got distracted by the candy.
Posted by: molly! | April 14, 2005 at 06:48 PM
oh i have SUCH kmart envy. i badly want those dishes!
:)
but, yah, i dont NEED them.
Posted by: tania | April 15, 2005 at 11:58 AM
A few weeks ago my mom got me some Martha Stewart dish towels with vintage looking butterfly designs. I promptly washed them and put them in my "crafty" pile.
Posted by: Sandy | April 23, 2005 at 02:17 PM