Amidst so much to choose from, decorating and registering can become overwhelming. To sort things out a bit, our new Monday series will invite happy nesters to share insight about the gifts and gadgets that have helped make their homes welcoming and functional.

Our first guest is Blair Stocker, whose blog Wise Craft is incredibly endearing. Blair and her husband Peter work from home in the midst of "frenetic kid energy," raising their children in equal parts charm and chaos. Blair was kind enough to talk a bit about her well-feathered nest:

What is the most loved housewarming or wedding gift you have ever received?
Blair's most loved wedding gift is "a vintage train case for my honeymoon," and her most-loved housewarming gift is just the sweetest: "a picnic dinner to eat outside our new home full of boxes."

What is the most loved housewarming or wedding gift you have ever given?
"Housewarming 'gifts' usually are us lending a helping hand to help with moving or setting up a new home," says Blair. The most loved wedding gift she has given is "a handmade cookbook full of easy recipes and no-fail dishes from my own collection, with room for her to add more."

What is the most useful housewarming or wedding gift you have ever received?
"Our breadmaker; that smell filling the house makes any day better."

What is your favorite home item that you purchased or found for yourself?
"A flawless, pure wool, yellow camp blanket."

What is your favorite little treat {a certain type of flower, hand soaps, towels, sheets} especially for houseguests?
"A really nice candle," says Blair, adding, "Can you tell I'm all about good scents?"

What dishware do you use on a daily basis?
"A wedgewood Ralph Lauren pattern. It is cream, and has the imprint of a sweater's cable pattern around the rim." Since Blair used to design clothing, she feels this is a perfect choice.

Have you ever registered for china or entertaining tableware {or invested in some for yourself}?
"The dishes we use daily are the ones we registered for. I think all dishes should be used; nothing should be too precious." Well-stated by a busy mom!

What is your dream pattern or place setting? "If I could splurge on some for myself, I'd go for a whole set of Heath Ceramics {Coupe} line in French Grey and I'd mix in some of Diana Fayt's {Tea Mugs} from my own collection (or, of course, buy more)."

What is your next dream or goal for your nest?
"We would like to one day move into a modern space, with lots of windows and light...and maybe one day buy new family room furniture (when they kids stop using it as trampolines)."
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Many heartfelt thanks to Blair for being my first guest in the Nesting series, which will start off the week every Monday. I never even thought about registering for or purchasing a breadmaker, but Blair uses hers often and it sounds like such a worthwhile investment.

Her little children will grow up and always remember the smell of fresh bread in the house, their mom slicing into a fresh loaf and buttering it up for them...sigh. It truly is the little things!