Ring Bling

Picture this: five jewelry stores, two starry-eyed impressionable twenty-somethings, one budget.

This past weekend Mike and I went wedding ring shopping. 

If only more opportunities to shop for my own bling, of worthy value, exist.  I enjoy the respect commanded when you walk into a jeweler and ask to see their wedding rings.  Immediately they show you the way and ask what you want in a ring.  They also glance at the woman's left hand, to get an idea of your price range, I'm sure.  Not as enjoyable.  However it did lure great complements, and a free cleaning.  I also saw my diamond under a magnifier. Shiny

A few things learned:

Men's rings:  The selection of materials boils down to four main metals:  titanium, tungsten, gold, and the platinum family (to include palladium).
-Stainless steel is also available, lower on the price scale.
-Above that, tungsten falls as the rarity of the metal becomes more scarce, but the price is still competitive. Warning: you cannot cut tungsten.  If it gets stuck, then you're stuck.
-Titanium is slightly more expensive, but still on a affordable scale.  Recently, titanium rose in popularity for it's durability, cost, and dark gray coloring. The same 'no-cut' warning applies to titanium.
-In gold, the higher the karat the higher the value (24K is pure gold, as the numbers reduce, the gold parts reduce - as signified by the number preceding the K).
-Platinum runs the most expensive.
 There are many styles. Mike prefers a simple, brushed band with satin edging.  Also in considering the life of the ring, getting it stuck on your finger presents cause for worry when you physically cannot cut it off!  We will most likely choose a gold ring for this reason. (please don't cut my future husband's finger off to save his life if the ring gets stuck!)

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For women, the metals listed above are available for plain rings.  Most wedding bands for women come in gold and platinum, though.  The design possibilities are endless.  Plain bands can be dome or flat. Dome bands are raised, flat are, uh, not raised (like the one pictured above).  Stones can be added by prong set (prongs grab and display stones) or channel set (the band holds the stones inside it, like a channel).  The total carat weight of the stones (tw = total weight) is listed.

There is also the "wrap" option where a band wraps around your current engagement ring, giving the illusion of one ring.  The two rings come together and can even be soldered.  In this case, wearing your wedding band without the engagement ring then looks odd, as there is no engagement ring in the center. 

After looking at many bands, I found the technical term for what I like: a channel set, 1/2 carat total weight of stones, alternating sapphires and diamonds, in white gold.  My birthstone is the sapphire, which I love (understatement).

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We found a jeweler who said they could make both items for us at exactly our price point!  The cost of gold right now is high, so she could only guarantee the price for one month.  We had her write it down, just to be safe.

We also plan on visiting the jeweler who made my engagement ring, to see what he can do for us.  Plus we like him and want to give him our money, I mean business.  Hopefully he likes us as much and wants to go below our price point.

We have a direction and a promising jeweler already. (And we are ahead of schedule!) 

WOOT!

What does your ring look like, or what would you design your ring to look like?

Keeping Kosher, Wedding Style

Mike and I keep a Kosher kitchen.  Broken down to the simplest form, this means we never mix milk and meat, have separate milk and meat dishes, along with separate utensils, pans, pots, spatulas, etc. We also only purchase Kosher meat. As a vegetarian this effects me less than Mike.  All in all, the discipline is easy to maintain.

Kosher symbols, heckshers, ensure the food is Kosher, and identify the certifying organization.

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When it comes to our wedding we considered having a Kosher caterer provide the food.  However, there are two main reasons we decided to go with a "Kosher style" from a normal caterer.

Reason one: Price.  Kosher meat costs more.  Having a mashgiach to oversee the Kosher kitchen and preparations raises the cost of the product, too. Overall, our budget does not allow for a Kosher meal provided by a Kosher caterer.

Reason two:  The cake.  When you serve meat as an entree, or anytime you eat meat, strict observers wait 3 hours after to consume milk products.  This means serving a parve, or non-dairy/non-meat wedding cake. (Parve is like Switzerland: neutral territory. Of course most cakes never have meat)  A non-dairy cake does not taste as good as a buttercreme lathered milk included cake.  There are companies that specialize in parve cakes who do amazing things with substitutes.  You pay dearly for that talent, too.

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So "Kosher style" it is.  You will not find cheese burgers, milk laden slabs of meat, or pork-wrapped-shrimp. However the meals served are tasty just the same!  Also if you are someone who keeps strict Kosher and attends our wedding, we allow you to choose to eat the milk based hors d'oeuvres since milk before meat is OK.  Although, I'll gladly eat your extra brie. and cake.  What these guests do get are their very own, outsourced, Kosher certified meals in their own saran-wrapped packages.  100% Kosher = happy guests and bride and groom.

This wasn't all without craziness though.
First we offered observant family members the vegetarian entree.  No dice.  Because it's not prepared in a Kosher kitchen they will not eat it.  Ok, so fish? No, not that either?  Thankfully every caterer we are in "talks with" gladly picks up these 12 outsourced meals for us from a local organization. You probably saw it as one of the options during the catering tastings.  We don't get to taste them ahead of time, though.  We trust it will be fine.
Watch them cost $300...
 (some money saving efforts, huh?)

We want our family to attend and eat, so we do what we can with what we have.
And we'll have our cake and eat it too!

Green Bride Review: Organic Excellence

Did you know that chemical companies are not required to conduct safety tests for toxicity?  Did you know that many of these chemicals are including in our everyday products?

Daily we expose our bodies to chemicals in the environment surrounding us.  While avoiding car exhaust and trace amounts of pollutants in tap water might not be totally possible, you can avoid absorbing parabens, petrochemicals, and phthalates by choosing the right body care product from Organic Excellence.  Your skin is your body's largest organ, absorbing many chemicals into the bloodstream simply by the products we place on it.

According to Organic Excellence's site:

"The Environmental Protection Agency has identified hundreds of chemical ingredients in personal care products alone. Over 51 commonly used chemicals have been determined to be "endocrine disruptors." Also known as Xenohormones, these synthetic and natural compounds mimic hormones in the endocrine systems of both humans and animals." 

You can avoid placing unknown and unnecessary chemicals into your body by simply reading the label.   Take Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate for example, a harsh, toxic sudsing agent.  One purpose is to provide the lather and the soapy quality we expect when using shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.  However, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate is a corrosive agent containing low levels of carcinogens. {source} While the FDA monitors the use and effects of Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate in individual bottles/uses, imagine having this chemical in every body care product you own.

I'll stop scaring you now. 

Organic Excellence's products boast 100% chemical free products.  

I received full-sized bottles (16oz) of Organic Excellence's Wild Mint Shampoo and Wild Mint Conditioner to review.

"The ingredients in these products are formulated to add body and luster while preventing split ends and hair loss, and promoting growth.  Special ingredients also help to protect from sun damage and environmental pollution." 

Let me tell you, both the shampoo and conditioner are LOVELY!  The mint scent really perks your senses and gets you going in the morning.  At first I was skeptical about the lack of sudsing, but then remembered this is because there are no sodium laurel sulftaes.  The shampoo still does get foamy, just not super sudsy.  It works well and does a great job, leaving your  hair clean and chemical free.  The conditioner works just as well - and the scent is the same.  After a week of using both products my hair feels great.  There's no waxy build up and they both rinse clean, easily.   I cannot tell a difference between my previous shampoo/conditioner and Organic Excellence, aside from my hair actually feeling lighter.

For only $15.95 each, this price compares well with other "salon quality" hair care products!

I'm sold!

Organic Excellence also sent me sample sizes of their shampoo and conditioner, as well as their Spearmint Bodywash.  Again, the light mint scent graces this product as it cleans without chemicals.  I was also lucky  to receive sample sizes of their Joint Pain Therapy and Inflamation Relief Therapy, which I used on my neck just yesterday.  These are lovely because they don't wreak of chemicals or metals, and work to soothe muscles and joints.  Samples of their Skin Renewal Therapy and Anti-Aging Therapy were lovely treats for my face!

I highly recommend Organic Excellence's products to you.  Their high quality and competitive price are mere details next to the steps taken towards protecting your body.  

"Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed medical doctor. Organic Excellence does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have or suspect a mental or physical health condition, please see your healthcare provider."

 Disclaimer:  These opinions are 100% honest and my own.  Organic Excellence provided me with samples of their products for the purpose of this review.

 

The Photographer I Heart

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we met with our first photographer this week.  Leah of Studio Juno is A-MAZ-ING. (bold, underline, italicized)  A friend referred us to her, as they are longtime friends.  I scoped out her site and instantly fell in love with her approach: what I feel is a combo of candid, journalistic and artisty. PERFECT for me!

See, about a year ago for my birthday (yes that means my next bday is on the horizon) I purchased myself a Canon Rebel dSLR.  My sister dabbles beautiful in photography and I love the freedom it gives her to capture moments skillfully, easily and without too technical mumbo-jumbo. (Yes siiiister I mean that)  At the time I was about to throw my digital point and shoot at a wall.  The timing and finances were right for me to purchase a "big girl camera."  Mike even bought me an intro class for my birthday.  And now, well let's just say it makes blogging even more fun!

All that to say, knowing how to use a "professional camera" is a blessing and a curse.  I look at photographs now with a keen eye, taking in their approach, exposure, focal point, aperture, etc.  I truly understand (or begin to understand) the art of photography.
And I want nothing less than perfect, artsy, candid, slightly overexposed photos for my wedding.

No pressure or anything.
To me the food, band, venue -- all this pales in comparison to the photographed memories of the day.
This is my highest vendor priority.

I think I've found what I'm looking for in Studio Juno.
You tell me:

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The above photo taken at the Carnegie Institution where WE will be married!

I love knowing she's shot there before = comfort swells in my crazy bridal head.

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Gah.

Love it.

{All photos by Studio Juno}

Winner, Winner, Giveaway Cleaner!

Thanks you to everyone who entered my Green Nest nontoxic cleaner Giveaway.  To all my new followers, Hello! Feel free to snoop around and read about my upcoming wedding!

Using Random.org, the winner is... Julia! 
You have an email waiting for you and 48 hours to confirm.
(Bryan, NO FAIR complaining that you didn't win.  I don't want to hear it!)

The one detail I left out of this giveaway was that Green Nest sent me all the products.  Oops on their part.  Now I get to fork over the lovely shipping costs!  So winner, you might get a lovely hand-turkey or some other crap from me, since I get to be the one to box it up.

Stay tuned for the next Giveaway from Simple Green Naturals: 7 bottles of cleaner valued around $35! (Because a clean bride is a happy bride)

And remember to access as many computers as possible to vote for me to win Blog Guru from Wedzilla!  Simply find my icon for Crowning Victoria and click on the arrow next to it! That's it!
(Two easy clicks = one vote for Vicki!)

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In wedding-planning-related-news, because I'm crazy and trying to accomplish as much as possible in the summer before I go back into the classroom, we met with our first wedding photographer yesterday.
And I'm in love.
And of course she's slightly over budget for the time-line we want.

She had me at "I love my photos overexposed one-third stop."
Sigh.
Good thing we have PLENTLY of time to wash cars and shovel snow for extra moolah.
I'm not above that.
So internet friends, please send me your cars to wash.  I'll return them squeeky clean.

Bridesmaids Dresses, Round 1

This past weekend I experience real inner excitement for my wedding.  It came from having 3 of my 4 bridesmaids together and shopping for bridesmaids' dresses!  I felt giddiness for the day all four of my girls come together to witness Mike and I say our vows.  (I even Squee'd a bit!)

What am I looking for in a bmaid dress? Um, well, ya know, coverage ... something so that no one goes naked.  [read: I have no idea] Most likely something knee length (aka "cocktail length").  Also I like straps.  Apparently the bmaids dress world thinks all female attendants wear strapless dresses and all brides totally dig that style.  Show me something that will keep the girls up!  Not those wimpy spaghetti straps!

It also complicates things a bit that each of my girl's body type differs from the next.  Honestly, who thought that women of varying body types should all wear the same dress?!  Along with the same-dress-same color option, I am also considering the same-color-same-fabric-DIFFERENT-dress option.

We began our search at a boutique in Georgetown.  Thankfully this mom-and-pop store actually relaxed a bit and allowed us to do our own thing.  At the same time, a little direction is nice sometimes.  It was more like a small store with easy going owners than a true boutique.  The girls pulled different items off the rack and made use of the dressing room, sporting some great and not-so-great ridiculous options.  I found that I like the designer Alfred Sung by Dessy.

After, we found ourselves in a true boutique (well, big store but small store mentality) whose collection paled in comparison to the first store!  Again the girls dived right in and pulled almost everything to try. You never know how something will look on you, versus on the hanger.

I think the hardest part of bridesmaid dress shopping is not trying to find the right style for 4 different girls, but finding something you (the bride) love yet they are going to wear.  It's really hard and honestly might be my least favorite part of wedding planning thus far.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my girls!  I LOVE shopping with them! I do NOT love trying to please 5 people at once.

My trusty How To Plan A Wedding Book thankfully agreed with me.  (I should really start reading these chapters BEFORE, instead of after, each endeavor)
Knowing that I'm not the only bride who finds this tedious makes me feel tons better.
Also, knowing that honestly I'm the only one who needs to be 100% in love with the dress is nice, too.

So as of now, there are two great bridesmaids' dress options:
1) 4 different styles by Alfred Sung
or
2) a Lorenzo style that may or may not be around in 10.5 months

But I need to put it aside and focus on bigger pictures items.   If I focus on this detail for too long my head will explode into Bridezilla, and no one wants that!

The bright side: I have awesome bridesmaids!

Catering Tasting B

Preface: In efforts to support all businesses encountered on this wedding planning journey, Caterer B shall remain nameless.  I'm not here to bash anyone who is doing their honest job to earn some money.  If the fit is not right, then that's it.  Unless we can work out some details that Caterer B might not be for us.

On Saturday Mike, Meagan (bridesmaid from Atlanta) and I traveled 60 miles round trip out to Maryland to meet with Caterer B.  The Chef invited us into his home for a private tasting.  There's something to be said for someone starting out a business and using their home to further their cause.  At the same time, it's no fancy personal room decked out with dishware and flatware options.

The Chef explained he chose white linens for our tasting to focus on the food.  He provided us with a swatch book to choose from over 50 colors of linens.  The same teal tablecloth presenting at Windows Catering tasting is available.  I might need to do some heavy duty internet searching to find those lovely votive holders from the last tasting, regardless of the caterer we choose!

Caterer B's company specializes in signature drink options to complement soft beverage choices.  Three different specialty lemonades graced our table: passion fruit & vanilla bean, strawberry, and peach, along with ice tea.

The Menu:
Passed Hors D'oeuvres
1. Spicy Sesame Salmon on Cucumber
2. Goat Cheese & Leek Tarts
3. Beef Tenderloin Slider with Carmelized Onions
4. Small Stationary table with crudites Shooters, Vegetables/Fruits, Breads and Humus

First Course
Plated Mixed Greens Salad in Cucumber Collar with Champagne Vinaigrette

Plated Dinner Options
1. 'Coq Au Vin'
or
2. Squash, Asparagus & Peppers Wrapped in Grilled Eggplant in Aromatic Tomato Sauce
or
3. Tenderloin of Beef*
or
4.  Kosher Meal (outsourced)

*We took this option off the menu prior to the tasting, however The Chef wanted us to see the options available to us.

All served with Herb Roasted Potatoes,
Lemongrass scented Broccoli and
Red wine Shallot Sauce

Dessert
Wedding Cake, coffee available

The signature drink options were a nice touch, however we are not in need of four choices and chose the peach lemonade (due to the alcohol pairing versatility!).

The Hors D'oeurves ranged in impact.  You can never go wrong with hummus and cheese, ever.  The Goat Cheese & Leek Tarts wowed us.  The spiciness of the salmon left us searching for water.  We understood they are striving for impact and texture versatility, however we are not out to shock our guests into gulping down their cocktail.  The slider also felt out of place, as far as wedding fare goes, however Mike enjoyed it.

The Mixed green salad complemented the meals nicely.  We all enjoyed the champagne vinaigrette!

The entrees ranged in success.

The Coq Au Vin, a traditional French dish made by marinating chicken in red wine, tasted largely of wine with a side of chicken.  Also it contained bone, which might be messy for a wedding. The meat was dry, even with the sauce.  We brought this up and The Chef agreed to change it to a breast of chicken and a whole different recipe.  We decided Coq Au Vin is gourmet and are looking for something more recognizable for our guests (and not so wine-y).

The Vegetarian Entree rocked my socks all the way to China and back.  I hardly shared.  The combination of all those vegetables, wrapped in eggplant, made my dinner.

The Tenderloin of Beef was a nice touch, but not a necessary option.  We do not have room in our budget for it, and it didn't rock any socks.

All entrees came with a side of potatoes and broccoli, practically making me barefoot yet again.  They shall stay (in mah belly!)

Thanks to me asking about cakes, The Chef decided to take on a bakery partnership!

There were three options for us to try: Lemon with butter-creme and fondant, Chocolate Peacan with butter-creme, and Vanilla with Raspberry filling and butter-creme.  The beautiful presentation included three topper-sized cakes!  There were no measly, tiny slices served!

The Raspberry icing in the Vanilla cake was nice, but nothing special to me.  Meagan swore by the icing on the Chocolate Pecan cake. Not being a huge icing fan, I took her word for it!  Being a super-huge-fan of chocolate cake, my expectations were high and not met.  The Lemon cake was more dense and moist, but again nothing to write home about.  All in all the cakes left me wanting more, however Mike (who says of himself that he will eat any baked good and has no standards when it comes to sugar) loved it all. We are not tied to this baker and will explore other options here.

Meagan found the large spoons on the table hilarious.
As did I!

Overall, we need to work out a few things with Caterer B.  While he is in our budget, he might not be in our wedding.  We put out Requests for Proposal to 5 more caterers this weekend to see if it is possible to find a caterer in our budget who tastes good too!