a lonestar state of southern

Of all the wedding-related requests I’ve been receiving from y’all as of late, would you like to hear one of the most common by far? Advice on wedding registries!

“Where are you registering?” “Any tips on what to register for?” These are the exact questions I, myself, started asking shortly after getting engaged. The whole idea of creating a single list that covers everything you’ll ever need (ok not really, but you know what I mean) can feel so overwhelming. Where to even begin?

Naturally, I turned to the expert on all things cooking and kitchen-related, my mama! I grew up watching her create the most amazing dishes in our home, and always hoped one day I’d be as proficient a chef as she. Just as I thought, she had tons of great insight into the wedding registry process.

The very first item she insisted make it on my list? The Cuisinart Food Processor! She has used hers for years and years to create some of my lifelong favorites, including this unbelievable cranberry salsa. A gorgeously fresh, unique and delicious treat, I’m thrilled to be partnering with Bloomingdale’s to share this family-favorite recipe with you, along with why the Bloomingdale’s wedding registry program is one of the best I’ve found!

Cuisinart 14 Cup Food Processor // Striped Aprons (also in navy and black)

To start out, let’s chat about why both my mom and I are loving the registry experience at Bloomingdale’s. With all of the choices, expectations, input, and opinions surrounding wedding registries, I knew I wanted an online registry experience that was organized, incredibly easy to use, lovely and convenient. After all, you don’t only want the process of registering to be enjoyable… you want your guests’ gift-buying experience to be effortless and easy as well!

The Bloomingdale’s website alone is so beautifully laid out, easy to operate and lovely to look at. It’s clean, it’s organized, and I feel excited about all of the gorgeous options instead of overwhelmed! Plus, Bloomingdale’s has made their registry not just easy to use, but helpful. Don’t know where to start? Check out this checklist (pun intended) that walks through everything from place settings to stemware. This guide provides amazing insight into best products and brands, and if you’re moving (like we are) you can choose when and where gifts will ship to in the future. A few other perks I’ve particularly enjoyed:

• 20% off dresses, suiting, intimates and more
• 10% off everything left on your registry for six months after your wedding
• 20% off a one-time purchase in the three months after the big day
• amazing gifts with completion

You’ll also find Bloomingdale’s carries all of the best brands, including La Creuset, Nespresso, and the hero of today’s recipe, Cuisinart! And with that said, let’s move into the recipe! Trust me, y’all. It is incredibly simple to make (thanks to this tool) and such a crowd pleaser. In fact, I’m planning on bringing it with me to the Superbowl watch party I’m headed to in a couple weeks!

My Mama’s Cranberry Salsa

• 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries, rinsed and well-drained
• 1 bunch cilantro, washed and spun dry in a salad spinner with at least 1-2 inches of stems removed
• 1 bunch green onion, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and cut into 4-6 pieces
• 1/3 cup lime juice
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch salt

1. Combine cilantro, green onion, and jalapeno into food processor. Pulse until consistently chopped into fine pieces.
2. Add cranberries into food processor mixture. Pulse until cranberries are coarsely chopped. (Cranberries should be in halves and pieces.)
3. Transfer mixture to bowl.
4. Add lime juice, salt, and sugar. Mix.
5. Refrigerate for two hours or until sugar has dissolved.
6. Serve and enjoy!

As you can see, this recipe is so easy, and so unique! The key to the perfect texture? The Cuisinart Food Processor. And now that I have one of my own, thanks to the amazing deal I found on it at Bloomingdale’s, I can’t wait to recreate even more of my mother’s favorite recipes!

You can check out my Instagram Stories today to see a video step-by-step as we photographed this.

I plan on doing a more in-depth post on everything Andrew and I are registering for soon, so leave your questions (and your recommendations) below! And if you’re looking to begin your registry, start here!

Love from Texas,

Kate

Thank you, Bloomingdale’s, for sponsoring this post.