SETTING RECORDS AND TABLES

My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month. As the almost-always-good non-confrontational child, I never thought their marriage would last beyond my sister's rebellious boundary testing years. But it miraculously did and we marked the occasion with a festive photo-taking Facebook uploading family gathering.

I may not have been hugely successful in marriage, but I commend those who stick it out, enjoy it, and even figure out how to make it stronger. I also commend people, like Christopher Jagmin (above, pictured kind of), who figure out how to keep the bridal market fresh.

Check out Christopher's very cool customizable plates that will not only be the delight of your dinner party, but can be the solution to one's wedding party favors. Use at the rehearsal dinner, have caterer wash and put in gift bags, and then give them out as souvenirs or gifts. Though much of his line is spanking new, Christopher collects one-of-a-kind plates from the flea market and gives these "unloved" plates a second life.

Christopher's graphic work goes beyond bridal. It can commemorate a birth or bar mitzvah, or even...get this... your everyday life and desire for well-designed goods!

I met Christopher for the first time this January at the Atlanta Gift Show. He is clever, talented and quite tall. His blog is also amusing.

Rozelle's Linen Legacy

It was another long day at the Atlanta Gift Show. I think I have seen enough for one day. My back-up camera's battery is about to die. I am considering skipping the last two aisles.

The trade show tyrant in me awakens, and uses guilt to keep me on track. "You are here to cover the show. You haven't been here in a year and a half. I can't believe you are thinking of going back to the hotel and reading a book!!" The triumphant tyrant walks all the way to the end of Aisle J on Floor 8. There I discover a new company that makes me very very happy in a bittersweet way.

Sisters Gay (left) and Dinah started Shades of Grey when they bought out the remaining inventory of luscious linen from David Lentjes. David's wife, Rozelle Lentjes, an amazing designer who passes away from esophageal cancer 2 years ago.

Gay, a Birmingham-based designer and Dinah, a Nashville mom with great taste, already owned plenty of Rozelle's pillows. They were fans who are continuing her linen legacy.

This was a wonderful way to end my day.