White Orchid Melody Blog

Start Simply. Live Greener.

One of the biggest examples of our insane American consumerist culture is the wedding registry. Don’t get me wrong. It is a fabulous invention. You get gifts that you want and will actually use. That sort of living by design is one of the tenants of simple living. Unfortunately it also tends to be a consumer free for all. “Let’s buy everything now! Even if we don’t need it (or have room for it) now, we might need it some day. So, we should put it on the registry, right?”

Well, no, actually. Those premade lists are to help stores sell products not to help you design your life. So is there a better way to do it?

One of the things I’ve talked about here before is the idea that simple living is not necessarily frugal living. It is about making good choices so that you get value for the money spent. It is better to buy a more expensive quality product, than a cheap item that will have to be replaced over and over again. Buy products that are made to last. It saves money over the long run and it is much better for the environment. So with a wedding registry think about quality over quantity. Think about good basic items that will last over the years. Save the decorative items for your own (hopefully more creative and resourceful) shopping.

Here is a suggested registry list from Real Simple. It is, in fact, on the simple side–much better than the mammoth list at The Knot.

From that list, what are some good quality items that can multi task and last you a lifetime (or at least a long time)? Let’s start with the smallest room in the house.

Towels - Go ahead and register for good quality fluffy white towels–bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths. Make sure the bath towels are 52″ or longer. You can always accent your bathroom later with inexpensive hand towels in different colors.
Shower Curtain – Go cloth! Skip the crappy vinyl liner and get a nice white, water resistant, washable cloth liner. You can layer a more decorative curtain on the outside as your style and preference change over time.
Trash Can – A small stainless trashcan (with a lid) always looks good and you’ll be glad it has a lid if you get a pet or have a baby later!

Bathrobes - There is a good chance you already have these. If not, they make a nice gift for each other. Think about snuggling up together in new robes at Christmastime!
Bath Mat – This is a great way to add a personal touch to your bathroom decor. Find vintage rugs from a flea market or check yardsales and craigslist. I’ve been much happier with a cotton rag throw rug in the bathroom than I ever was with those rubber backed “bath mats”. It is washable, water absorbent, and lasts much longer.
Soap Dish – This is another decorative item. If you use bar soap, a cute vintage saucer from a thrift store or grandma’s house could look great. If you want a pump for liquid soap, look for something well made. I found that the $10 pumps from Target end up getting discolored or corroded on the metal parts after only a short time. I have a slightly more expensive one from Crate and Barrel ($20 maybe?) that looks brand new after 6 years.
Toothbrush Holder – You need somewhere to store your toothbrush if you don’t have a medicine cabinet. But a toothbrush holder with the little holes? Pass. They are not easy to clean and they are only good for that one thing. If you decide you don’t like it anymore, there isn’t really anywhere else in the house you can use it. Try a cool vintage glass cup instead.
Hamper – Personally, I think hampers are ridiculous. You put clothes into one container only to have to transfer them into another container to transport to the laundry room. I don’t like housework well enough to add extra steps to the process! Get some laundry baskets and store them in the closet if you don’t want your dirty clothes lying around for the world to see.

The idea is to lay a good foundation of quality items. Then find creative, earth friendly ways to add your personal touch. Stay tuned for Part 2!

My last post was kind of whiny. I really don’t have much to complain about. Living in Italy rocks. I guess I just get a little bored sometimes. I feel like all I am is a mom since that is how I spend most of my time. But that is only a part of who I am, not the totality. My darling husband was kind enough to point out to me what I already know–that I’m not doing “nothing” over here. I’m actually doing quite a lot to grow and develop myself during this quiet time in my life. I’ve been making art, and improving at making art. I’ve been reading a ton, both classics and personal development books. I’m constantly self reflecting and searching for how I can be the best “me” possible. It’s just a quiet kind of work. And so sometimes I need to make a little noise.

Living here has shown me so many new things about how I want to live. Even if I went back to St. Louis tomorrow, I’d live a very different lifestyle than I did before. It is amazing how much a person can change in a year. There have been a few pivotal times for me. I think my senior year in high school and the transition to freshman year in college changed me enormously. Then, going out into the real world and working pushed me out of certain comfort zones. The year Brian spent in Iraq did, too. But moving here has surpassed even both of those, simply because I’ve nothing to distract me from myself. That can be intense at times. There are highs and lows, but I’m growing everyday…growing closer to being Who I Really Am.