Love is Your Color

One of the first recorded accounts of an engagement ring was in 1477 when the Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring 24 hours before their wedding. This introduced a tradition that has spanned several centuries and continents. 


For the next 400 years, diamonds were only a luxury for the extremely wealthy, because diamond mines weren't discovered in South Africa until 1870, making diamonds even more rare than today. Because of this, the engagement ring of choice for very many was a colored stone. Long before lab created stones, rings were set with precious and semi precious jewels to signify love and commitment. 


Along with many of our ancestors, hundreds of European royals choose sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and aquamarines for their engagement. 



Whether you're looking for finger coverage on a budget, or hoping for something different than the ever common diamond, a colored stone engagement ring is surely something to consider. Now, enough of my blabbing.. on to the eye candy!

Aquamarine and diamond baguette ring made by Daniel M Jewelry

Stunning Leon Mege custom-made yellow diamond ring. For sale on consignment at Jewels by Erica Grace.

This beauty is a Single Stone creation, with a breathtaking sapphire center stone.

This one is too beautiful for words. A mahenge spinel set in Jewels by Erica Grace's Kylie halo. Look at that color!

Leon Mege Emerald and diamond three stone ring. Drooling yet?

Here Comes the Mother of the Bride

Oops. I'm a day late! I meant to post this yesterday, but I was busy spending time with my wonderful momma.. Anyway, in honor of Mother's Day I wanted to post a few adorable mother of the bride dresses. Finding a cute and appropriate MOB dress can be more difficult than finding the wedding gown. Today I'm featuring looks from Sarah Danielle, Caterina, Siri, and Val Stefani. I hope all of you moms had a wonderful day yesterday, you deserve it!

 

Obsessed

I am seriously in love with this post from Benign Objects, so I had to share.

Oh.. And Did I Forget to Mention?

I'm sitting here, watching Grease play on ABC family and about to click submit to another blog post, when I realized I haven't blogged about the very exciting news in my life!

You see, I've been obsessed with weddings since I was a kid. In 8th grade we could write a research paper on any subject, and I chose the History of Wedding Traditions. I know, I know. I'm a total freak! It's been such a joy to help brides and their families with planning their weddings, and it's something I hope to do for a very long time. I even told my mom once, or twice, when I was younger that I thought the perfect proposal was to be all dressed up and on a bridge. Who does that?

So a couple of months ago when my handsome boyfriend went to talk to my parents, my mom said, "You know you have to find a bridge, right?"

Somehow all of this was lost on me, as I was wandering around the Botanic Gardens on Easter Sunday with my sister's, boyfriend, and brother in law. You see, they had convinced me that we should take pictures for Mother's Day at the gardens and have them framed for a gift. I was not even cluing in to the fact that something was up when we were standing right in the middle of a bridge taking a couple of posed pictures in our Sunday best. It wasn't until that wonderful man handed me a little purple Easter basket with an egg inside that I realized something was going on. The egg rattled, and my hands started to shake. LUCKILY it was just a jelly bean inside, because that ring would have hit the bridge! But he was down on one knee, and said some wonderfully sweet things that I don't remember. That's the thing no one ever tells you-- I haven't the faintest idea what he said. I was so excited it all went in one ear and out the other.Well, I forgot everything except that all important question, "Will you marry me?" Of course I said yes, and was treated to a limo ride home to an Easter brunch with family and friends.

I'm spoiled rotten, huh?

So anyway, now I not only get to help other brides, I'm also getting to plan my very own wedding! It's been great so far and we are so excited. Look for pictures next spring! Until then, I'll give you all a picture of the bling, because that's all anyone cares about!

Would You Like a Spot of Tea?

I've been up since 4am to watch the Royal Wedding coverage. I think I could use more than one cup of tea to get me through the rest of today.

Was that wedding beautiful, or what? I loved seeing all of the funky hats, but the most wonderful part was the anticipation leading up to Kate's arrival.

There had been so much speculation of what her gown would be. I myself had always thought it would be a full skirt, like she had, but I wasn't convinced it would be lace. What a pleasant surprise, it was. Her gown, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen was reminiscent of one of my favorite gowns of all time-- Grace Kelly's. Hopefully this is a sign for the return of the lace sleeve wedding gown.

Kate MIddleton's incredible gown.

Grace Kelly, in 1956.

The music, Westminster Abbey, a prince, it could not have been more of a fairytale. Kate Middleton was so composed and regal. I would have been a giggling buffoon, had I been in her shoes.

I will remember this morning for the rest of my life! I sat in my living room with a robe and a tiara, nearly brought to tears by the marvelous ceremony. My phone is nearly dead from the frantic text messaging I did with family and friends. I think Twitter may explode!

What a morning!

Now, how will I get on with the rest of my day? My life now seems dull and common!

Retro Cocktails

Signature cocktails are a great way to mix up the regular wine and beer options, without footing the bill for a fully open bar. After a trip to The Usual in Fort Worth, I'm convinced the best spirits for a vintage inspired reception are Prohibition Era cocktails. 

My favorite mixed drink in the world, the Moscow Mule, was also a top choice for my grandfather. It's pretty, tastes great, and packs quite the punch.

Moscow Mule

It calls for 1 ounce of vodka, 1tsp sugar, fresh lime juice, fresh mint, and 1/2 a cup of ginger beer. A lime is the perfect garnish. 

One of the more popular and delicious drinks is the Sidecar. You'll need cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice shaken over ice. Rumor has it this drink has origins in France, but it was still all of the rage back when it wasn't allowed to be. 

Sidecar

For your whiskey lovers, it's hard to say no to an Old Fashioned. This delectable cocktail has 2 oz of bourbon, 2 dashes bitters, 1 splash of water, 1 tsp sugar, a maraschino cherry and an orange wedge to garnish. Drink up!

Old Fashioned

You Can Never Have Too Many Aprons

Still haven't found the best idea for your bridesmaids, mothers, or shower gifts? I have a thought for you! A few weeks ago, I went to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX to see the Apron Chronicles exhibit. I was really excited, because I've started quite the collection of my own. The exhibit is very unique and interesting, a great way to spend time with my mother and aunt. Hung across the ceilings are countless vintage aprons. Along the walls are stories from men and women, young and old, sharing American tales of aprons and the people who wore them. We even got to try on a few beautiful aprons ourselves...

Anyway, maybe it was the fact that I received a sewing machine the night before, maybe there were too many adorable combinations, but an idea popped into my head! Make each of your bridesmaids their very own, personalized aprons. Use their favorite colors, concepts, or trimmings.

For your eco-friendly mate, use recycled fabrics. If you have a girly girl for a friend, cover hers with lace and frills. They are bound to be something that the women in your life will love for years to come.f.

If you live in Fort Worth, this weekend the museum is having a soiree to celebrate the end of the exhibit. Bring the women in your life, grandmothers, cousins, and best friends, and go check out some incredible American history.