image via dermstore.

I’m dubious because I think I would look like a clown in electric blue eyeliner.  But, because research is part of my gig, I’ll give it a shot.  I’m already married, but I’ll report back if another diamond comes my way after wearing it!

And then there are some men who love the element of surprise.   Spending time to pick out the perfect ring without her having to guide him is part of the excitement. 

Some men find a happy medium between these two by bringing in a close girlfriend or sister to weigh in on the bride’s preferences.

There is no wrong or right way, right?  Well, what about the bride who doesn’t like the ring?  I read an interesting article about this today, with a three step plan for asking him to change it.  I first wondered to myself how often this actually happens.  All I had to do was type “what if I don’t like my” in the google search box, and “engagement ring” is the first thing to come up! (“Baby” is the second, which is really humorous to me.)  So, if a lot of women are searching for the answers on google, you know it happens often!

Mara Opperman says in her article, that if you don’t love the ring, you have to tell him in order to replace it.  I haven’t decided whether or not I agree yet, but her three steps to breaking the news to your new fiance are as follows: 1. Decide what you do and don’t like about the ring, because if it’s something like the setting, perhaps that could be changed without replacing the entire ring. 2. Open some wine and wear something he loves before you tell him. 3. Tell him in a warm and honest way that you love him and appreciate him, but want a ring you will admire forever.

What do you think?  If you don’t love the ring, would you tell your new fiance?  Or, do you see it as your own responsibility to tell him what you like BEFORE he goes shopping? 

Or…

Did anyone get ENGAGED?!  Congratulations to the couples out there that shared that moment yesterday!

Love is not just in the air, it’s also in the press.  I’ve been reading about a lot of late-in-life love stories lately.  One couple in Massachusetts had been engaged 64 years ago.  They broke off the engagement, went their separate ways and married and had families.  They were reunited in 2010 when they were both in the same cemetary, VISITING THEIR DECEASED SPOUSES!  Imagine that!  When they finally married, the groom gave the bride the SAME RING that he had given her all those years ago!  Really amazing.  You can read the full story here.

Just click here for the info.  Reservations take precedence over walk ups, so call right now!

                                                                                                                               photo via here.

                                                                                                                                 photo via here.

                                                                                                                                  photo via here.

What do you think of these petal-saturated blooms? 

If you plan on having one of these parties, be sure to clue your guests in on the theme or color you’re aiming for.  If you’re making it yourself, or gathering your own materials, make a day of exploring your favorite resale and antique shops for unique and affordable finds.

Not so creatively inclined but love the concept?  Purchase one from a talented artist on etsy.com.  Just look at this glamorous one!

photo via here.

photo via here.

photo via here.

We offer elopements for the bride and groom only, up to 10 guests, or up to 50 guests. All you need to bring is your rings, the marriage license, and a photographer if you wish.  Click here to view our elopement packages.

Make this Valentine’s Day one you will never forget.  Also, make it your future anniversary!

Check out the red and pink ones, that read “kisses” on the cover.

Tiffany & Co. Kisses Book

A perfect Valentine’s Day gift, especially with a love note written inside.

They also have another one, in the iconic Tiffany blue, that reads “something blue.”  This would make a perfect gift for a bride, and the “kisses” would be perfect for your bridesmaids!  The sales associate told us that when she got married last year, her husband gave her the blue one on their wedding day, with a letter written inside from him.  What a wonderful keepsake!

www.tiffany.com

I can’t really answer that. A fashion editor at Glamour magazine developed the recipe and passed it to a co-worker in 1982. The coworker made the dish for her boyfriend, and he proposed within a month. Other women in the office got their hands on the recipe, and three more were engaged soon after!

In 2003, the magazine ran the recipe and called it “Engagement Chicken.” Letters began to pour in from women claiming they were engaged shortly after cooking the dish for their boyfriends! The recipe is now featured in the cookbook 100 Dishes Every Woman Should Know.

Here’s the recipe.  For my readers not yet engaged, if you make this chicken and he proposes, contact me immediately!  I would love to feature you on the blog.

Engagement Chicken, via here.

Serves 2 to 4

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (approximately 4 pounds)
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, plus 3 whole lemons—including 1 sliced for garnish
• 1 tablespoon kosher or coarse sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Fresh herbs for garnish (4 rosemary sprigs, 4 sage sprigs, 8 thyme sprigs, and 1 bunch fl at-leaf parsley)

1. Position an oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the giblets from the chicken, wash the chicken inside and out with cold water, then let the chicken drain, cavity down, in a colander for 2 minutes.

2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place the chicken breast-side down in a medium roasting pan fi tted with a rack and pour the lemon juice all over the chicken, both inside and out. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper inside and out.

3. Prick 2 whole lemons three times each in three different places with a fork and place them deep inside the cavity. Chicken cavity size may vary, so if one lemon is partly sticking out, that’s fine. (Tip: If the lemons are stiff, roll them on the countertop with your palm before pricking to get the juices flowing.)

4. Put the chicken in the oven, lower the oven temperature to 350°F, and roast, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

5. Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Using tongs or two wooden spoons, turn the chicken breast- side up. Insert a meat thermometer in the thigh, and return the chicken to the oven and roast for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the meat thermometer reads 180°F and the juices run clear when the thigh is pricked with a fork. Continue roasting if necessary. Keep in mind that cooking times in different ovens vary; roasting a chicken at 350°F takes approximately 18-20 minutes per pound, plus an additional 15 minutes.

6. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. And here’s the secret: Pour the juices from the roasting pan on top of the sliced chicken— this is the “marry me juice.” Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon slices.

I love that this photo was found on the Tory Burch website.

 

Perhaps as a test, I will cook Engagement Chicken for my husband.  Maybe I’ll get a diamond for Valentine’s Day!

 

 

This year tangerine tango is no mystery: bright orange! Will you pull some of the year’s cheerful tone into your wedding? If you’re not sure how, here are some ideas.

Starboard Clothing Gingham Bowtie

Clementine Centerpieces

Orange shoes pop!

J. Crew Bridesmaid Gown

Dreamy tangerine bouquet