"plates" news and stories

• If your plate is larger than 9 inches across, you're probably eating too much.
• Many Kansans are quick to turn their noses up at turnips, but it seems everyone wants locally grown sweet potatoes.
• A small-town barbecue-joint bartender made it all the way to the big time -- sort of. He went before Judge Judy in a carding case.
• A mom on a budget hits three grocery stores to find the best deals.
• One writer says the numbers don't lie when it comes to determining our national sandwich -- and he believes the clear winner is peanut butter & jelly.

FINGERFOOD Party Plates are sure to be a smash this holiday season - a tiny, little smash.

The Party Plates are actually small platters affixed to rings which, as you can see, you can wear while you hold your drink.

These are perfect for hors d'oeuvres (and hand-feeding your cats, and dinner parties thrown by Barbie). My only concern is that they look a little unwieldy, like you might have to master the art of the FINGERFOOD Party Plate, certainly before attempting it while drinking.

Ten reusable plates are just $9.95 from The Spoon Sisters, and they actually recommend bringing your own to a party as a "conversation starter." That would require a level of bravery I don't have, but I would think it fun to pass these out to guests at a party of my own!

Just not over the carpet, naturally.

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Last week, in preparation for my first houseguest since moving back home to Atlanta, I took myself on a mini shopping spree at a local housewares boutique called Heliotrope. First thing, I found what I came for. Diffuser of fragrance reminiscent of Tuscan herbs? Check. White ceramic pitcher to use as vase in guest bathroom? Check. Set of silicone coasters? Check. Thrilled to find what I wanted, I nevertheless couldn't yet leave the adorable and treasure-rich shop. So I browsed.

And browsed. And coveted. The apple of my eye? All things Charley Harper. A Modernist and self-proclaimed "minimal realist," Harper is a favorite of design aficionados, beloved especially for his streamlined wildlife prints. At Heliotrope, his images appear not only on puzzles and calendars, but also on all manner of tableware: cocktail napkins, plates, dishtowels, and some particularly precious salt and pepper shakers.

My favorite motif in the collection is the red cardinal, with its fans of wings against a white background, pictured here on the appetizer plates. The colors would work for Christmas table settings, but the look would work any other time of year, too.

Tracy Porter is a tabletop hero.

Plugged by Horchow as "Not your grandmother's dinnerware," Tracy Porter's stunning pieces come in interesting shapes and eclectic patterns, drawing on nature, gothic architecture, retro prints, and her own whimsy.

The collection at right, the new Tracy Porter "Auguste Coq" Dinnerware collection, lends your table an intelligent sense of fantasy. In the gallery below, see the exotic kaleidescope "Katsina" collection, the French paisley and peacock "Artesian" teapot set, and more.

Tracy Porter has an extensive line of lifestyle products, including purses, lighting, jewelry and more. Check it out here on her website, which is dedicated to the idea of "enchanted living." I can totally get behind that.



Purchase everything here at Horchow.

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At every major meal event, I have to limit my mother to one "food in a food" -- meaning one dish where the plate/bowl is also edible. It's true that serving food this way can make for a killer presentation, but there's a fine line between killer and overkill, so I try to limit her to one dish. That said, here are some fabulous for serving food inside of food this fall...

1. Fall yams served in orange cups, from Epicurious.

2. Pumpkin souffles inside pumpkins, from Martha Stewart

3. Roasted butternut squash pastina served inside a pumpkin (or inside winter squash, perhaps?) from Food Network

4. Clam chowder in a bread bowl from yumsugar

5. Cappuccino Mousse in chocolate cups from All Recipes

6. Stuffed bell peppers from Simply Recipes (this counts because the recipe just looks so good!)

7. Lemon sorbet in frozen lemon shells from Homemade Ice Cream Desserts

8. Fruit salad served in melon from Fine Living

Have a beautiful serving idea of your own? Please share!