The End of my Williams-Sonoma Era

My WS loves

Baby food maker

I was given the idea by a friend who had worked at Crate and Barrel and scored an amazing hutch/table I was caught admiring at her house.  She told me how much fun she had working there and the purchases she made.  I was sold!  We didn't live by a Crate and Barrel, but even better we had a Williams-Sonoma.  When we registered for our wedding I did not even know this store existed.  I wept when I finally was introduced to their fantastic towels and every kitchen gadget you could think of that we had missed out on registering for.  Andy was working at a local baseball school at the time and I was bored at home until 9 each night.  After Peggy's Crate and Barrel testimonial and my nightly boredom, I ran to the mall to apply to be holiday help.  I instantly loved everyone and ate my weight in holiday candy and cider.  I knew there was no turning back.  As the holidays ended I begged them to keep me and against their better judgment they did!

Popover pan

My managers catered to my ever changing needs when Andy changed jobs and I started changing diapers.  I have truly met the most caring people during my 3 years there.  One manager became like a post college guidance counselor to me.  We'd share stories, cupcakes and ice cream and helped customers from time to time.  As tired as I would be from working all day at the Court I felt reenergized walking into our beautiful store, seeing the people I loved and products I am passionate about.  I am sad to be closing before the bride-to-be's start coming in to register.  I was so uneducated about kitchen products (had no idea not to use metal tools on non-stick pans!) before I started working at Williams-Sonoma.  I like to school the brides on what I think know they need.  Mother's day was also one of my favorite times, when the dad's come in with their kin searching for the perfect gift for their mama that I always had 15 suggestions for, "She'd love a Vitamix/Kitchen Aid/Mini Pie Maker!"

One of my fav cookbooks on
my Tuscan cookbook holder

I cried when I got the news of our store closing.  A lot of our customers were heartbroken but mostly concerned with where we were going.  And of course some just lookin' for the deals!  If you don't like kitchen gadgets but do enjoy sweatpants with sparkles on the butt, you are in luck our store is being replaced by a Victoria's Secret Pink.  I'm going to try and go down to the JCrew that has been calling my name since it came in last summer.  I can't confuse D, whenever he sees a mall (any mall, even the one by my parents) he says, "That where mama works."

Sesame Street apron and Boos cutting board

I feel I am leaving with so much more than I came with and I'm not referring to my new Wusthof set.  I now have a passion for cooking and the quality products that make cooking easier.  It warms my heart that I am passing that love onto D that grabs his apron at the sight of the Kitchen Aid coming out.  Even though you are leaving me Williams-Sonoma I can't thank you enough for the memories, education, amazing products and friendships that will last a lifetime, much like the warranty on my pans!

        I will always love you WS!              

So sad to watch these doors close at 6:00pm today.

Christmas Wrap Up

Elmo = smiles

The tree is down, the reindeer plates are up for the year, the coziness of the holiday season is gone.  The swags are still on my windows but that is because of pure laziness on my part and the few inches of snow piled on them.  I'll get them down before Valentine's Day...maybe.  As everything is being put away I am reflecting on the holidays that seemed like they flew past me at 90mph.  Crazy hours at the store and running from house to house its easy to see the most wonderful time of the year is the busiest.  We had our annual Christmas Eve dinner with Andy's parents and little sister.  We go to mass first then dine on prime rib and Yorkshire pudding.  Shelly was sad it was her "last" Christmas, since next year she'll be a married woman - a feeling I am familiar with!  Christmas morning we watched Christmas Story and opened our gifts.  Dada insisted D needed a glove this year.  He loves it.  But he has been using it to launch the ball similar to a lacrosse stick, my lacrosse playing Uncle will be very proud.  We then (surprisingly) glided with ease through having Christmas with my parents in the morning, lunch at my grandparents, a nap on the road, and were at Andy's parents in time for his Texas sister and her family to arrive and start our final Christmas!  Exhausting yes, but totally worth it getting to see our entire family.

Henry calling Chuck E. Cheese to see if they're opened
Featuring my mom's gift - PB Grand phone

Hawaii 2007

We then spend New Year's Eve with Andy's side and their usual themed party, this year it was a Luau.  I donned rain boots, a hat, scarf and a bathing suit.  We spent Christmas as a family in Hawaii back in 2007.  If there is one thing I know if you are going to Luau in Hawaii this time of year, these items are key!  I eventually did put pants on.  We took LRC to a new level this year.  One round we played with 3 lottery tickets (Shelly won) and the second we played with 3 $5 instead of the normal $1.  I am proud to announce we Andy won!  It came down to him and I, so it was a win/win situation.

We are looking forward to spending our winnings, adjusting to the changes 2013 has already brought (a new Judge at the Court and the closing of my Williams-Sonoma store), turning 30, trips and the many happy couples that we get to witness marry this year.  Happy 2013!!

D and Greyson in Papa's chair