Tag: engagement ring

simplicity, sparkle & shine: the christmas gift guide

Happy holidays! Each year we do a little shopping, focusing on the witty, thoughtful and elegant things that we’d love to give and receive.

Of course the best things in life aren’t things at all, so we’ll begin with a link to our favorite charity, Cycle for Survival.

Secondly, can we agree to forget ugly Christmas sweaters? Instead let’s start a gorgeous holiday sweater trend.

Here’s one for him. One for her. For the girls. And for the boys. This proves once and for all that adorable and elegant can totally coexist.

We love gifts with a cause, so check out this stationery that benefits Sanctuary for Families.

Is someone you know getting engaged? This Kate Spade ring holder is perfect. We can imagine a hopeful boyfriend wrapping it up and when she opens it, he’s down on one knee with the ring to go with it! Lovely.

Got kids on your list? Nothing feels as special as a personalized gift. Make it easy on yourself, and go here.

Got a fashionable lady-who-has-everything? Light up the room with these message candles by Kate Spade. They’re the real deal: witty, sleek and soy!

Know any at-home mixologists? These cocktail napkins take it to a whole other level stylewise.

This is intriguing: it holds your technology on your dashboard, so it’s perfect for using your phone as a GPS. Very budget-friendly and who wouldn’t want one?

And lastly, there are a few more charity-based gifts that caught our eye. Kiva gives loans to women to develop businesses, and when they pay back, you get to invest in another woman entrepreneur. Amazing!

And World Bicycle Relief gives people wheels, who really need them. Very cool charity, don’t you think?

We love gifts that make the world a better place, don’t you? Keep spreading the joy and kindness everyone, it makes a difference!

Black & White wedding dresses and holiday windows

“Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second.” ―  Mattie Stepanek

This week, we’ve been browsing the internet with a designer’s eye. There’s been so much interesting color and contrast to love, we collected it here to share with you!

Like amazing black and white wedding dresses. These are done so very well.

Holiday displays! We love them so.

Hidden treasures of MOMA, according to art critic Jerry Saltz.

Why are blue velvet couches so great?

How do you organize your books? May not be the most practical, but arranging by color is the prettiest.

How pretty is this little eye shadow collection? It’s so shimmering and jewel-like.

And of course, there’s this.

Our featured image is Macy’s holiday window.

Have a colorful and creative weekend, everyone!

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we love: doing everything better

“What ever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.” ― Walt Disney

This week, we’re learning how to do more things, even better. So here are some clever ideas how to do a lot of things, a little bit better. If you have any great tips to share, tell us in the comments!

Here’s how to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

How to eat the healthiest lunch.

How to dress. The 10 fashion commandments, by J Crew’s Jenna Lyons.

How to get superhuman energy.

And here’s how not to mess up your day. (We love the part about only wearing clothes you love. So true!)

How to start a houseplant collection.

How to start a necklace collection.

How to peel a head of garlic in 10 seconds.

Use it to make the best garlic bread.

And how to feel glamorous every morning, without fail.

How to take natural and relaxed group photos. Check these out. So much fun.

And last, but not least, how to find the perfect engagement ring.

Have a swell weekend, everyone!

Featured image via.

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We love: Apple cider donuts & fall nail colors

The important thing is to be in love with something. ― Ray Bradbury

Or someone. ― Jeff Cooper

So here we are, with our weekly list of fun links and diversions. We hope you find something that inspires you.

Here’s something amazing. (A GoPRo camera strapped to an eagle.)

Something old. (Guy discovers a Van Gogh in his attic.)

Something new. (A wedding theme we’ve never seen before: Moon & Stars.)

Something cheap and chic. (Nail polish colors for fall.

Something seasonal. (Old fashioned apple cider donuts.)

Something virtuous. (A lemony salad.)

Something unexpected. (Bright eyecolor and a chic bun.)

Something understated. (Beautifully calming greys.)

Something light. (Beautifully calming white interiors.)

Something sparkly.

Something social.

And something real.(Our featured photo, a groom, overcome with emotion.)

We hope your weekend is really something!

We Love: Octavia Asscher Cut Diamonds & Strawberry Scones

The indulgent weekend. It doesn’t have to be anything too involved, but the rainy weather and fall busyness have us craving some coziness and luxury. So what do you have planned for the weekend ahead?

Going somewhere elegant? We loved this timeless and easy evening look. Simple hair, a boldly lined eye and a nude lip. Add the only Little Black Dress you’ll ever need. You’re perfect and you’re done.

Need a little more glamorous inspiration? Here’s Kate Middleton looking every bit the immaculate princess.

Staying home? Nothing says love like crumbly, fragrant Strawberry-Buttermilk Scones with your morning coffee.

Unless it’s an adorable proposal featuring our Naomi Engagement Ring and a stunning Octavia Asscher Cut diamond!

Set the mood with an exquisite scented candle, and let the magic begin.

If you have a little more ambition (and more of a budget to work with) Matthew Williamson’s wallpaper designs for Osbourne & Little are so luxe and amazing. We love the tiger print for a powder room or walk in closet.

And since nothing feels as good as making a difference in someone’s life, check out charity:water, a truly inspired way to care for people in need.

Have a spectacular weekend!

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Scarlett Johansson Engaged

Glamorous movie star Scarlett Johansson is engaged to be married! And the lucky man is French journalist Romain Dauriac. 

Duriac proposed with a vintage Art Deco engagement ring about a month ago, but Johansson debuted it earlier this week at the Venice Film Festival.

The couple began dating 10 months ago, and haven’t yet announced any specific wedding plans.

Congrats to the beautiful and talented couple!

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ask jeff cooper: buy me a ring

The question we hear most often from our clients is, “How do I pick a ring?”

The next most frequently asked question is, “How to do I get him to pick a ring I love?”

There’s some sound advice with a sense of humor over at East Side Bride, but we thought we’d offer some sensible advice from our experience.

If you want your love to propose, just nurture your relationship. Be thoughtful, be affectionate, be a great listener, but also have a life of your own so there’s some intrigue and mystery there.

Most people can’t gracefully come out and say “here’s what ring to get me.” But there are some ways to subtly influence your partner’s choice. If someone is thinking of proposing, they will take notice when your taste in rings comes up.

1. Tell your mom, sisters and all your girlfriends what you like. “I really love princess solitaires. No yellow gold. I love anything by Jeff Cooper.” Keep it simple and they’re sure to remember when he comes to them for advice.

2. Compliment rings you love in his presence, and be specific. “Your solitaire engagement ring is fabulous! What brand is it?”

3. Use language that helps your partner describe your personal style. You could say, “I love old fashioned jewelry. Or, “My style is really sleek and simple.”

4. And finally, if you don’t mind being a little more obvious, Like’ and ‘Share’ rings you love on Facebook, and repin them on Pinterest.

If you get a ring that’s not what you have in mind, you have two choices. Make the best of it, or ask to exchange it. As with any gift, graciousness is key. Be positive and grateful. We’ve known many brides who’ve said something like, “This ring is so beautiful I want to cry. You are the best fiance a girl could ever want. It is a little fancy for me though, how would you feel about us picking our something simpler?”

Your partner proposed to make you happy, so compromising on a ring is only as big a deal as you make it.

Love our featured image? It’s the Heidi Cushion Eternity Set from our vintage inspired Heirloom Collection.

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Summer Bride & Backyard Wedding Style

As summertime fades into fall, we have this bittersweet desire to hold on a little while longer. We’ll miss gorgeous vegetables and flowers from the garden, swingy summer dresses, and the sound of kids playing in the sun.

So here are some inspiration links to make the most of that Indian Summer feeling. Enjoy!

This backyard engagement party looks so fun and casual. We love the bowls of summer fruits and the playfully mismatched roses and carnations. Why be serious? It’s summer!

Speaking of nothing serious, we love this inspiration shoot, too. It’s based on reminiscing about summer: swimming pools, bikes and picnics.

An easy 70s outfit that screams summer.

We also love Mod for summer. The bateau necklines and short hems are so carefree and amazing,

A mojito taste test.

And light, beautiful Italian recipes for summer.

The featured image is our eternally blooming garden of our Laurel Collection. See them all here.

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Allison Hannigan & The Anniversary Ring

There’s more than one occasion to buy (or receive) a fabulous engagement ring!

Push presents are really popular, as are mother’s presents. But an anniversary ring says he would marry you all over again, and who doesn’t want to hear that?

Alyson Hannigan got a giant round solitaire engagement ring from her hubby Alexis Denisof to celebrate ten years together.

The actress tweeted, “My hubby @AlexisDenisof surprised me with the most romantic day of my life yesterday! Which included another proposal & ring! I said YES!”

The happy couple was originally married on October 11, 2003 in Palm Springs. They are set to renew their vows later this year with their kids along.

Want to see what a Jeff Cooper round solitaire looks like? Here’s Chloe, a round solitaire from our Classic Collection.

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Engagement Ring Trend: Mixed Metal Wedding Rings

White gold and platinum settings will always be popular, but we’re seeing adventurous brides (and grooms) gravitating toward mixed metals for a cool, personalized look.

It’s not just edgy fashionistas and bohemians! In the tradition of classic beauty Audrey Hepburn and her stack of mix and match wedding bands, modern brides are mixing metals, and it looks totally chic.

Keira Knightley surprised everyone with her wedding outfit, then surprised us again, by combining an understated two-carat solitaire diamond in a platinum setting with a simple yellow gold wedding band.

Kate Middleton also dared to mix metals. As the world knows, Prince William proposed with Princess Diana’s blue sapphire ring set on a platinum band. Her wedding ring is a simple yellow gold band fashioned from a nugget of Welsh gold, a royal tradition.

Some brides feel that mixed metal wedding sets free up more options for mixing metals in all your jewelry and accessories, but most brides stick with (and love) a matched set.

This year we designed some of our wedding sets with rose gold accents for a mixed metal look within a perfectly matched set. The featured image above is the Larissa Rose Set, from our Laurel Collection.

What say you? Love it or leave it?

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