If you liked it then you shoulda....

I think the best part {okay maybe not THE best} about getting married is the jewelry; diamond jewelry to be specific.  There's something about the sparkle that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  I mean who wouldn't say "Yes! Yes! YES!" At the sight of one of these!

Of course when my hubby asked me to spend forever with him I said "No! No!!"  But that's a story for another day.

There are so many deliciously beautiful diamond cuts, settings and even colors to choose from, it's so hard to choose just one.  Thank goodness you usually end up with 2 -- engagement ring and wedding band -- or even more if your lucky.  I'm of the belief that after getting some years under your belt you should be able to trade up.  I mean everyone expects to get bonuses, tips for good service right?  So why shouldn't we wives get bigger diamonds for making it to 10, 20 or 30+ years without strangling our hubbies?!?  Okay I'm being cheekish, but it's a nice idea. :)

So with that in mind and the hope my hubby might one day offer to enlarge my beautiful ring, I still like to peruse the engagement rings from time to time. 

I really love the ring above from Tacori.  I love Asher cut solitaires and I like the traditional lines of the band, and of course the fact that the band is covered in diamonds.  I like my rings to sparkle no matter what direction you view it from.

Engagement rings are a very personal style.  So ladies, don't leave it up to your intendeds. Leave very specific hints around for him to find: an open web browser with an image of the ring that you want;  an "errant" printed picture of your ring left on the printer.  Or better yet, send him anonymous emails from the jeweler or designer's websites. The more hints the better because remember Diamonds are forever....

Bridal Mecca

Before there was Say Yes to the Dress, before there was a KleinfeldBridal.com {love love the gown search option!}, before there was Kleinfeld Kollection, before there was even a Kleinfeld Men {man have they grown!}.... I was a Kleinfeld bride.  

Nearly every NYC bride-to-be takes the obligatory pilgrimage to Kleinfeld.  Just a few short years ago, that trip was indeed a pilgrimage because the showroom was located in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn {for non-New Yorkers, that's really really far}.  When my bestie was engaged in her search for the perfect dress, we traveled to Bay Ridge to the then humble showroom that had nearly every wedding dress on the market.  From a simple silk sheath to a densely embroidered lace and crystal princess gown.

Shortly thereafter, when it was time for me to go, we no longer had to make the long trip to another borough; the mecca had moved to Manhattan!  And it's the perfect location.  Just off of Seventh Avenue in the über-fashionable Chelsea district.  With multiple levels, a dream-inspiring showroom and expansive fitting rooms.  I was smitten the moment I arrived.

The staff is in a word -- Amazing!  I don't know how they can keep so many wedding dresses, styles, designers in their head so that you can just give them an idea of what you want and they can go and immediately pull dresses that may work.  I wanted to try on everything, but of course your time is limited so you have to stay focused.  Even so, the best detours can lead to unexpected delight.  

I found my dress after deciding to try on a fashion-forward BLUE dress that I saw on a mannequin in the showroom.  Little did I know that it would be love at first wear.

Wordless Wednesday...Wedding Cake Don'ts

What you do NOT want your wedding cake to look like.