Let's Talk About Diamonds!

After all, they are a girl's best friend!

There are lots of trends in engagement rings, princess cut, round, 3 stones, etc. Every person is different and will all like a different style. I always knew I liked round solitaire rings because they said "engagement" to me more than something like  3 stone ring.

I do think this 3 stone ring is gorgeous however!

Ring Here

My sister's ring is actually very similar to this one and I really like it on her. 

Although Hearts on Fire diamonds are very expensive, I fell in love with them as soon as I started looking at engagement rings. I gush at some of their styles. The below ring is a style I have seen popping up a lot lately!

The square version of this ring seems to have been popular for awhile but the circular style came around much later. 

Finally here is a picture of my ring!

This picture DOES NOT do it justice. When T.J. and I get our engagement pictures done I will make sure they take lots of shots of my ring. I love the twisted band with the diamonds on each side. I think it gives the solitaire a little something more and makes it more unique. I wonder what kind of band will be a good match with this ring? I'm thankful my fiance really took the time to ask me what I liked and really take my opinions into consideration. The ring is from a local jeweler Stafford Jewelers. I think that smaller  jewelry stores are really the way to go. My ring is custom made and no one else will have an exact copy of it. In other words, it didn't come out of some factory where they sell millions of the exact same ring to people worldwide. That makes me feel special.

Finally a nice little quote we heard from a jeweler "I've never had anybody bring it back because it's too big."

:)

Finally if you are a guy 

A bit about T.J. and I

T.J. and I met when I was still in high school and he was in college. At first the age difference was a big deal to me even though it was only four years. I grew up with very strict parents so I decided to hide it from them. Well, that wasn't a good idea because when they actually found out they were furious. I love them for it now though because they were just being good parents. They love T.J. now and my whole family really gets along great with him.

Our first official date: Transformers movie
First date when T.J. picked me up from my house and met my parents: Wicked at the Aranoff Center, Cincinnati

 Four years later, these firsts seem like they happened so very long ago. T.J. is now moved in to his first condo. I have my first career. We have our first puppy. Here he is!

 When I met T.J. I didn't necessarily think he would be the person I was going to marry, but I grew into that love. I don't really believe in love at first sight. Only lust. To really love someone you have to get to know them on a pretty deep level.

My advice for anyone would to be to keep good communication. I never hold back from telling T.J. when I'm mad about something. He never does either (although he rarely gets mad because he's so easy going.) My biggest opinion is not to rush into marriage! T.J. and I have been through so many life changes together and I feel like we can overcome anything because of it. We have both grown and changed as people and doing that together shows that our relationship is strong. Besides, take your wedding all in. Hopefully you'll only have to do it once! Get your education or some kind of long-term career first so you can have some sort of stability. I've seen lots of people start on an unbalanced foot, and I feel like that only takes away from things you want to do as a couple.  I hope that by us waiting awhile to get married, we will also be able to accomplish more of our goals. I can't wait to start school again! Here's to savings accounts for traveling the world, buying a motorcycle, and getting our first house! Plus... dating is totally fun. (T.J. still tries to woo me with flowers and surprise reservations and scavenger hunt date invites.)

These are just my thoughts!

I like to hear about other people's love stories too! Share!

The top picture is the most recent.

My wedding Plans thus far...

I haven't gotten very far. T.J. and I were engaged in March but I was still finishing up my Bachelor's degree and we didn't want to set a date. We waited for awhile to try and see if I could get a job before we planned a date but I got too ansy and we started planning anyways! Our wedding will be in June 2012.
The details I have so far:

• We are getting married in the Catholic church that I grew up in. T.J. did not grow up Catholic and I am thankful that he is open to getting married at my church. (you'll learn how sweet he is.)
• The reception will be at a banquet-style facility not far from the wedding venue. Here is a picture:

        I have to admit, I never exactly pictured my wedding being at a place like this. However, I will say they  do so much work for you that it makes your life a little easier and less stressful! I also started to feel overwhelmed with how many places were out there. All I really cared about what getting married, crazy I know!

•  I want my colors to be grey, accented by bright oranges, yellows, and pinks! 
• I want my wedding to be most of all-FUN! I literally said that when we meant with the lady. The most important part of the day is that all of my guests have fun. I don't have a stuffy, proper personality and I don't want my wedding to reflect that. T.J. and I just like to laugh, A LOT!

In order to try and keep up with this posting thing, I figured I'd write down some of what you will see in the next posts (and also as a post-it to myself, SHHHH!)
Our engagement story (A great story)
Discuss the Pinterest my best friend started for me (she's a crafty fashion designer, I am a slob)
Brainstorm session for asking special people to be in my wedding
Tips for how to stay stress-free (including my favorite-stop being a diva, nobody likes you)
Wedding websites, books, and materials.

 

I can't believe I'm starting another blog and praying I'll keep up with it!

Seriously, keeping up with a blog is so hard. In my last blog I tried to hunt for hobbies, but hobbies were expensive and then I got a full time job-making me actually busy. In addition to that I am already planning a wedding. So, I am going to try and keep you updated in all of the wedding planning as I am invovled in it. I hope this works out and keeps me stress free, which I am determined to be through this process.

Lauren Ritter (yes... it really is soon to be Bitter)