For centuries Diamonds have been used to adorn the love of our lives with the ultimate symbol of commitment, romance, passion, and glamour. So what does the symbol of a diamond actually mean? Diamonds are one of the hardest and most valued gemstone out there, so it is very fitting that the most common use for this stone is for engagement and wedding rings. There are so many cuts, shapes, and sizes of diamond that I can’t even imagine how hard it must be for the lucky groom-to-be to pick the perfect diamond.

Each diamond cut has its own ... Read More »]]>

For centuries Diamonds have been used to adorn the love of our lives with the ultimate symbol of commitment, romance, passion, and glamour. So what does the symbol of a diamond actually mean? Diamonds are one of the hardest and most valued gemstone out there, so it is very fitting that the most common use for this stone is for engagement and wedding rings. There are so many cuts, shapes, and sizes of diamond that I can’t even imagine how hard it must be for the lucky groom-to-be to pick the perfect diamond.

Each diamond cut has its own meaning, its own personality, its own definition. If you’re curious to see how your diamond matches up with your personality, you’re in the right place!

Round Cut
This Über popular diamond style is known for its versatility in settings and its ability to sparkle and shine! This ring is the ultimate symbolization of love, it has no ending and no beginning just like the ring itself.  If you like clean lines and symmetry this is the ring for you.
Personality: The personality of this ring is first and foremost a traditionalist. Those that adore the Round cut are typically strong, dependable, and empathic.

Oval Cut
This ring should be known as the illusionist! If you have been self conscious of your hands because they are too short or too small, the oval cut is for you. The Oval cut has the power to lengthen your hand, therefore creating a fabulous feminine look on your hand.
Personality: If the Oval cut appeals to you then you must be a creative at heart with a strong feminine side and a touch of fabulous organization skills. The Oval cut lady likes to let loose once in a while, but overall wants to remain ladylike when she can.

Marquise Cut
This diamond comes with some history. The Marquise diamond cut was inspired by the stunning smile of the Marquise De Pompadour and commissions by France’s Louis XV who wanted a ring that mirror his mistress’s smile. This ring is known for its elongated shape with pointed ends.
Personality: Since the ring was designed after a King’s mistress it is only fitting that this rings personality is sexy, outgoing, zestful and impulsive. If the marquise is calling your name, you have a passion for life for sure!

Pear Cut
The pear cut is reminiscent of a sparkling tear drop, beautiful yet subtle in its appearance. The Pear cut is the individual in the group not only in its design but in its personality.
Personality: Those who love the Pear cut love to be adventurous and hit the town with a fabulous group of friends. The Pear wearers tend to be higher maintenance and demand perfection in all aspects of life.

Heart-Shaped Cut
This cut has to be the most controversial of all cuts. The Heart-Shaped Cut, or more so known as the “black-widow”, definitely is a contrasting idea. This diamond has the highest divorce rate out there. Bordering on fantasy and over-the-top sentiment, this ring can detract from the steady romance of a real marriage and symbolizes unrealistic expectations. Most couples wearing this ring have said to have a Romeo & Juliet forecast, minus the death part obviously; meaning they don’t end up together forever.
Personality: So those of you wanting this ultimate symbol of love, heres what the ring says about you. This ring epitomizes femininity. A gal wearing this ring is a dreamy, pure romantic, sensitive, and has a passionate nature at heart, no pun intended.

Princess Cut
The princess cut can be square or rectangular and is known for its spectacular sparkle and shine. Currently the princess cut is demanding all the attention, being one of the trendiest cuts today!
Personality: Well, the name says it all! There’s no surprise here when the personality matches the name! If you like the Princess cut, be prepared to live up to the name. This lady loves the spotlight, she’s an efficient leader, highly organized and demand attention.

Cushion Cut
Once popular in the Victorian era, this cut is coming back in style. Vintage is the way to go these days so it is only fitting to have a vintage engagement ring as well!
Personality: The woman wearing this cut has an eye for the unusual, but is a pure romantic with a classic look. But don’t be fooled, this vintage vixen has a daring side to her too!

Asscher Cut
This cut is square, almost like an emerald cut but with a pavilion. The Asscher Diamond is a stepped square cut diamond developed in 1902 by the Asscher brothers of Amsterdam, Holland.
Personality: If you are wearing this unique and gorgeous cut you must have an appreciation for the past, and hold sentimentality for your family history.

Every ring has its own set of personality traits, this doesn’t always mean that your ring has to match your personality….but it could be fun! Next time you’re hinting to your loved one what ring you want, why not look deeper and mine for the meaning of your preferred gems!

As daunting as it may sound to you and especially to your fiancé, writing your own vows could be the one thing that will always remain your personal, unique, touch to your ceremony.

So where ... Read More »]]> Hearing those special words, “I Do”, on your big day is something that everyone looks forward to. It is the ultimate symbolization of commitment to the love of your life.  There are numerous options for your vows in your ceremony, but since personalizing your wedding to be trendy, unqiue, and above all else, memorable is the big buzz these days, why not write your own.

As daunting as it may sound to you and especially to your fiancé, writing your own vows could be the one thing that will always remain your personal, unique, touch to your ceremony.

So where do you start?

Well first things first, you need to decide if you and your fiancé are each writing vows separately or if you will be creating one vow together for each of you to recite. Once you have crossed this hurdle, the next challenge is where to start when writing your personalized wedding vow.  Sit down armed with paper and pen and think about why you want to marry the other person. Here are some other things to think about before actually writing out your vows:

-          What does marriage mean to you

-          How did you first meet?

-         How did you fall in love with your fiance

-          What does your partner mean to you

-          What do you hope will be a solid part of your marriage? Trust? Love? Integrity? All the above?

These are all things that you have to consider before writing your vows. These answers will be the main foundation of what you will be promising to the other.  If you’re not sure where to go from there, you can always take a trip down the historical road and check out some famous love poems, quotes, and sayings to add some extra spark to your vows.

If you want to include some humour in your vows, by all means, go for it! Lets not forget, however, if you are going to be using inside jokes between you and your fiancé, it may not always be easily understood or received by your guests.

Once you have a good base of information, sayings, and sentences that you are satisfied with, you must begin the task of combining the literature you have. Try combining a mixture of the answers to your questions above and sentences from famous or traditional love poems and writings. At the end of this make sure you are always including in a vow at the end: “I Promise” or “I vow” to close it off.

Remember this is the foundation of your marriage, the commitment you are making to yourself and to your fiancé. No Pressure!

Photo Credit © Carla Booysen | Dreamstime.com

Sitting at my kitchen table, coffee in hand and a blank canvas in front of me, I can do nothing but ponder at what to write down, what to talk about, how to find the words to describe what it’s like to go through those trials and tribulations of being at the edge of the end of my twenties. Most people would look at me and think that I am crazy as I am about to write and complain about being in my twenties. Most people would say your twenties are the best years of your life; they are ... Read More »]]>

Sitting at my kitchen table, coffee in hand and a blank canvas in front of me, I can do nothing but ponder at what to write down, what to talk about, how to find the words to describe what it’s like to go through those trials and tribulations of being at the edge of the end of my twenties. Most people would look at me and think that I am crazy as I am about to write and complain about being in my twenties. Most people would say your twenties are the best years of your life; they are a time when the world is in the palm of your hands. This only makes me think that their twenties were so mysterious and so confusing, so misleading that they’ve forgotten how their twenties really went. I know that I am not the only one who feels this way about this time in our lives, I’ve had many conversations about this with friends, co-workers and even family, all have the same opinion; you feel nothing but lost in your twenties.

To begin with, the pressures are insurmountable. At this point in your life not only are you dealing with the disappointment that you didn’t end up where you thought you were going to be, but you are trying to deal with everyone else’s disappointment. Maybe disappointment is the wrong word to use, maybe it is just dealing with the surprise that where you thought you were going to end up and where everyone else thought you were going to end up was never really where you supposed to be.

To add on to that confusion of figuring out where you are supposed to be, let’s add on insecurity. Be honest now, no matter how confident the person, the twenties definitely add in some surprisingly overwhelming insecurity. Whether it is in your relationships, your work, yourself, or overall just that feeling that you aren’t doing it right at all. That’s the thing about it, about being in your twenties, no one tells you what you are doing is right. There is no training book on how to start your life, how to pick the right job; pick the right fights, or even the simplest task of picking the right food at the grocery store. No matter how good of an upbringing you had, or how supportive your parents are, you are thrust out into this world to figure it all out on your own.

Figure it out on your own. That’s the scariest part; on your own. Really you aren’t on your own, well at least I know that I am not, but let me tell you the twenties have this magical power to make you feel like no one in the world can possibly understand how you feel. I know that I am not alone in this journey; I have a great circle of friends and family that are all so supportive of me and my decisions. The thing is though, the pressure is on because it is the decisions that I am making today and the day before and tomorrow that are going to shape the life I live. If I pick the wrong career and make the wrong decisions with work then that just means trying to figure out what it is that I want to do ten, fifteen years later. If I make the wrong relationship choices than well I am sure that we can all imagine where it all goes from there. The list goes on and on.

So the advice that I hear from all over is just to enjoy, just living day to day and enjoying it while I have it. So easy to say, harder to do. The biggest thing missing, I guess, is just trusting in yourself and knowing that what you are doing is what is right for you, for now, for the better. Watch the seasons change and take it all in and enjoy the fact that you are figuring it all out. Make my mistakes, work on my relationships, and make sure that what I do with my days is at least working towards something. Whether it is just that last proposal at work, figuring out this month’s budget, or just making a personal goal for myself. I leave now confused as ever, fumbling through the last years of my twenties and hoping that the thirties come with some more assurance, maybe some more ground under my feet, but really just hoping that it is good enough that I am at least making decisions, making choices, and trying to be the happiest I can be!

I leave you all now with a great poem that I heard from a friend that helps in those times where the twenties seem like they will forever be cursed with indecision and certainty all at the same time.

Advice From A Tree – Ilan Shami

Dear Friend
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of your true nature
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go like the leaves in the Fall
The rest and Quiet renewal of Winter

Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your Roots
Enjoy the view!

In the fashion industry vintage clothing is taking the world by storm, not only is vintage hot for the wardrobe but it is even starting to trickle into the home. It comes as no surprise then that Vintage is all the rave for your wedding day. Whether you incorporate the vintage theme into your décor, your wedding day activities, photography, or your dress; the options are endless and fabulous!

To start your homage to vintage lets begin with your invitations! There is such a large inventory out there of inspiring prints and romantic designs that it may seem daunting to ... Read More »]]>

In the fashion industry vintage clothing is taking the world by storm, not only is vintage hot for the wardrobe but it is even starting to trickle into the home. It comes as no surprise then that Vintage is all the rave for your wedding day. Whether you incorporate the vintage theme into your décor, your wedding day activities, photography, or your dress; the options are endless and fabulous!

To start your homage to vintage lets begin with your invitations! There is such a large inventory out there of inspiring prints and romantic designs that it may seem daunting to pick just one. Sit down with your invitation company or bridal party and start researching vintage style prints and large flowers. Bold solid colours always have the knack of looking like they came from a past era. Check out these fabulous prints and designs from ‘real weddings, Martha Stewart’. http://bit.ly/4auDlL

The vintage thread doesn’t have to stop with your stationary.

While taking your pictures, why not play an old game of croquet in a beautiful garden. Not only will this create some astounding candid photographs and create some wonderful memories, but it will allow everyone to have a blast during photos. http://bit.ly/19v7f7 Croquet was such a popular garden game in the 1960’s and it is pretty easy to play without any mess; must make sure your dress stays pristine throughout the whole day. To add that extra flair to your bridal party’s and your outfits wear a pair of vintage sunglasses they will look amazing in your pictures. http://bit.ly/1VyNcC

To bring the vintage feel into your ceremony you can add some charming old fashioned grab bags with dime-store finds as a takeaway gift for your guests. Displays of fun coloured lollipops and candy sticks are a great way to bring back the nostalgia of being a kid and bring back memories of times past.  Another common yet simple way to bring some vintage into your wedding are through old photographs. Create a display of old pictures from everyone in your family, not only will this bring out some funny old memories but will create great conversations. Vintage at your wedding can be a tribute to everyone’s past at the wedding; take something from every era and incorporate into your special day.

If you don’t’ want your wedding to look too vintage and want a subtle hint of the past, rent an old fashioned luxury car for the big day, or model an elegant piece of vintage jewellery or a pair of marvelous vintage shoes. There are so many ways to create a vintage feel to your wedding, as mentioned before the options are endless. Step outside your boundaries and dare to be different to make your day yours and even more special than you imagined. As our dear Katherine Hepburn said “if you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun”.