Author Archives: Kate Sauble

26 Creative and Romantic Ways to Pop the Question

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A romantic proposal on a bridge in the rain.

There’s no wrong way to “pop the question”. But it’s (hopefully) a once-in-lifetime moment that you and your future spouse will remember for decades. Here are our favorite creative proposal ideas to help you find a romantic proposal method that’s right for you.

#1. The airport chauffeur

Need to pick her up at the airport, bus station, subway or train station? Stand holding a sign like the limo drivers, except on yours write (next to her name): Will You Marry Me?

#2. Make a video

You don’t have to have any fancy software these days to make a video. It can be a collage of special pictures with music in the background, or actual video footage of special moments. Post it on YouTube. Be creative in your presentation and find the right moment to tell her to watch it!

#3. A treasure hunt

This works better at Easter or for birthdays, etc. since it might seem obvious on any other day. Write down “clues” on a piece of paper and have her find new clues on the trail to find the ring. When she does, make the last piece say something clever. “Finding this treasure qualifies you as wife material!” or whatever fits your personality.

#4. Artwork

You don’t have to be an artist to get a painting! Take a special photo of the two of you and have a Canvas print made. There are hundreds of places online or even department and wholesale stores that have a photo department. After the print comes, wrap it in fancy paper with the ring taped to the back. It will always be a special reminder to her of your proposal every time she sees it.

#5. The good dream

Gently wake her up in the middle of the night. Shine a flashlight on her finger after placing the ring on it. Tell her you have something important to ask that couldn’t wait another day. Celebrate with a glass of champagne, or coffee!

#6. Friend participation

Get at least four friends together; maybe two couples you both like to hang out with. Give them shirts with misspellings of “Will You Marry Me?” One could be WILL, another U; then MARY; and ME (or your own name instead). You could tell her everyone is wearing shirts for a work thing or game night, etc. Then have your friends positioned so that the message is facing her and ask her in front of them. Or have them all mixed up and see if she figures it out, it’s up to you!

#7. Ask your pet to help

If you cohabitate and have a dog or cat, train your pet to bring her a piece of paper with your message on it.

#8. Make a rose trail

Sometimes you can get roses from grocery stores after they go by. Ask the manager if instead of throwing them away some night to save them for you (since you’ll be plucking the petals off anyway). Then make a rose trail for her to follow and once she reaches the end of your trail, she will find a special box.

#9. Serenade her

Do you have a musician friend who plays the guitar or violin? If not, hire someone to serenade her a special song. The place is up to you!

#10. Graffiti

Not encouraging vandalism here, but if you can get permission to have a tastefully made graffiti mural (maybe on a barn or your property), this could be a very cool marriage proposal idea.

#11. Message in a bottle

Next time you’re at the beach, pretend you’ve found a bottle there (or go ahead of time and plant it for her to find). When she picks it up, she’ll find a personal letter from you, explaining in heartfelt detail why you love her. Or a poem will suffice.

#12. Balloons

Gather enough balloons to fill up the ceiling or floor (depends on whether you want helium or not). Tie the ring on the end of one or put it in one of the balloons and ask her to pop them all. When she finds it, now it’s time to do your thing.

#13. Crowd participation

Everyone has seen the marriage proposal on the big screen at the football or baseball game done, but what if you get the crowd involved? It might take some organizing, but if you can give the ushers a card to pass out to one whole section (preferably the one across from your seats) and put the instructions on one side (i.e. – please hold up this sign at 3:00 p.m. to help me with a marriage proposal), it could work. Make sure she is looking across the field at the right time!

#14. Jewelry store

Tell her you’ll take her shopping for a special piece of jewelry. You can either pick the ring out ahead of time or let her pick it out. Ask her right at the jewelry store! The sales associates can take a picture of the two of you to display in their store case, and she’ll be bringing all of her friends there to see it.

Of course, there are lots of good reasons to buy your engagement online from a reputable online jeweler.

Brilliant Earth offers the best of both worlds with showrooms in nine U.S. cities and the ability to schedule a virtual appointment to shop for rings. Sometimes, there’s nothing more romantic than involving her in choosing her perfect engagement ring!

#15. Take your relationship to new heights

Are you outdoor enthusiasts? Take her mountain hiking to a special spot. When you reach the pinnacle, get down on your knee and tell her you’re ready to journey through all the ups and downs of life with her.

#16. Snorkeling

If you live in a Southern State (or this could be done in the summer), take her snorkeling. After she gets used to the goggles, tell her you spotted the most beautiful mermaid you’ve ever seen. Show her the ring underwater and ask her to marry you. Hopefully she can lip read.

#17. Massages for two

Many massages offer a couples session. Certain types of massages (like Swedish, for example) use hot rocks and oil. While she’s relaxed with her eyes closed, have the massage therapist slip the ring on her finger and tell her that the most special healing rock for her heart has been placed upon her finger. The rest is up to you.

#18. Dinner and dessert

So one could argue whether or not this belongs in a list of creative proposal ideas, but it’s an old stand-by that deserves its place.

If you’re more of a traditionalist and want to take her to a fancy restaurant, have the wait staff come to your table with “dessert” and singing, like they sometimes do for birthdays. Except ask them to sing something else, such as “You are my sunshine” or a song you request.

#19. Horseback

Many girls love horses and have fond memories of riding as a child, or at least wished they had a chance to go. Arrange to take her horseback riding locally and stop off somewhere romantic along the ride.

#20. Limo surprise

Arrange to have a limo pick her up at work one random day. Inside, you’re waiting with a brand new dress, a makeup bag, hairspray and sexy shoes. Tell her you’re going to make this a night to remember. Having a romantic moment is easy when there’s a limousine involved! 

#21. Future together

Go to a fortune teller, palm reader or tarot card professional and give them some props. Take her there someday and tell her you’ve always been curious what they have to say. After she’s there, ask the fortune teller to see the future together with the two of you and use this as your chance to propose!

#22. A Carnival Game Proposal 

Another cool way to propose to your loved one for a totally amazing experience is to get someone working a carnival game at any of your local amusement parks to give the ring to your loved one as a carnival prize. What’s better than winning a game, then looking over to see your special somebody down on one knee?

#23. Make a Box of Chocolates 

If you really want to surprise your loved one and show them that your level of commitment cannot be beaten, then hiding that beautiful diamond engagement ring inside her favorite box of chocolates, right inside one of the chocolates, is another cool idea to take advantage of. Chocolate always makes for a good symbol of commitment! 

#24. Use the Jumbotron

A very popular yet old-school way to propose to your loved one with a diamond engagement ring is to propose at a sporting event, something that should be a great proposal method for all of you sports fans out there. Watch your team win the big game and get yourself a new soulmate out of it too! The deep commitment level you show by letting the whole world know how you feel might just sweep her off her feet. 

#25. Using Those Favorite Flowers

Another cool idea is to hide the ring in a huge bouquet of flowers. This way, she will have something that looks nice and smells better, along with a brand-new engagement ring to solidify your commitment to each other. It’s just not a wedding proposal without some beautiful flowers! Some rose flower petals always helps make things more romantic. 

#26. Breakfast in Bed 

If your special somebody is the kind of person who likes hanging out at home, why not make them a great breakfast menu and put the ring somewhere on the breakfast tray? We couldn’t imagine a more romantic way to wake up in the morning! 

Good luck with your proposal!

No matter which creative proposal idea you choose, do your best to make it unique and memorable. But, most of all, make your proposal special. It’s something she’ll talk about fondly for the rest of her life. No pressure!

20 Anniversary Ideas for a Truly Special Celebration

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Sure, a tasty dinner out at a swanky, fancy restaurant and maybe an evening dancing to a live band is a good way to celebrate and observe an anniversary, but that’s not the only way, and something that only comes around once a year deserves to be celebrated differently than by doing the same kind of “date night” activity that can be done on any weekend.

So why not think of an unusual, unique, untried, or unexpected anniversary idea?

Along that line, here are 8 meaningful approaches to anniversary celebrations and observations:

1. Get chilly with it.

Depending on your ages and health levels, how about a downhill ski resort weekend in the winter?

2. Or get outside somewhere else.

Not a fan of the cold? What about a hiking/kayaking/whitewater rafting outdoor getaway in the summer? Adrenaline will get her heart racing for you all over again!

3. Be kids again.

Not necessarily a great outdoors enthusiast? Well, a weekend getaway to an amusement park would combine adventure in a much more metropolitan manner. While you’re at it, think of something special at the particular theme park you choose, such as “Happy Anniversary Shelly!” prearranged to be found on a certain sign or by one of the park’s characters/staff.

4. Reach new heights.

If neither of you has a fear of heights, and aren’t too squeamish about soaring above the horizon, how about surprising her with a day-long balloon trip complete with a picnic meal, or a gondola ride?

5. Start a theme!

Be creative. Plan your getaways and observances to be synchronized with a theme, such as one year by land (train trip), the next by sea (cruise), and the following by air (balloon), and so forth. She’ll be yearning to hit the next milestone just to go on vacation!

6. Couples who race together…

Speaking of land, if you’re both fitness-conscious, how about entering a cycling event, road race, marathon or local walk. Training together will bring new togetherness and challenges as a couple, while keeping you both in shape!

7. Little surprises. 

If that’s a bit more adventure or exertion than you or your spouse crave, there are always a bunch of ways to make something tame a bit more special, such as starting a new tradition: It could be as simple as hiding several little – or one big – gift(s) around the house, borrowing from the Easter egg tradition, and making your loved one find it. These could be self-created poems dedicated to your mate or their favorite candies, or even as jaw-dropping as keys to a new car.

8. Traditional gifts.

And don’t forget the time-honored traditional anniversary gifts. The first one is paper, the second cotton, third is leather, fourth silk, fifth wood…. 10th is tin, 15th crystal… 20th china, 25th silver, and so on… find a gift that you could keep in your family room for all to see the milestones you have met, from where you started until present anniversary. By the way, it’s never too late to do this!

9. Take a Cooking Class

If you want to do something really romantic for your anniversary, try taking some cooking classes together. Just don’t try to imply that your partner can’t cook and needs the lessons! As far as romantic anniversary ideas go, choosing something that both people can do together, like a cooking class, is something that will allow you and your partner to really bond with each other. If you live in a large city, even better, because the variety of cooking classes you will have to choose from are nearly endless. 

10. Get a Vintage Wine

If you are celebrating a milestone anniversary, what better way to do it than with a bottle of wine that matches the wedding date? Of course, the exact wine is going to differ based on the year, but it’s definitely quite the sentimental idea to consider. If you want to be really romantic, you can always get a bottle of wine that matches the birthday of your significant other. On that note, if you’d like more than just a glass of wine, another great idea for any happy couple is to go on a little wine tasting tour. This way, you get out of the house, you get to spend quality time together, and you can taste some fine wines too. 

11. Breakfast in Bed

When anniversary day comes around, nobody wants to do any heavy lifting, and nor should you have to. For this reason, something super simple like breakfast in bed could be a great idea. Cook up your special somebody’s favorite breakfast foods, put it on a tray, get a nice flower, and surprise your partner with a romantic breakfast in bed. 

12. Have an Intimate Dinner

If you and your special somebody are the type of people who just want to have a special time together, then serving them a romantic meal at home could be the best anniversary gift of all. This way, you get to cook your favorite foods, surprise that special somebody, and spend some quality time at home with them too. A special meal is always romantic! 

13. Throw a Surprise Anniversary Party 

If the opposite is the case, and you’re the type of people who like to have fun and show off a little but, throwing a large anniversary party is another way to go. This way, you can invite all of your favorite friends and family to share in the joyous occasion with you. A big party with all of your relatives always makes for a special night. 

14. Create Wedding Albums 

If spending time with that special somebody is the most important thing to you, and you want to hold onto those memories forever, creating wedding albums is a great anniversary gift. This way, you can showcase your favorite memory and never forget about it again. 

15. Take a Dance Class

If your partner is big into dancing, or wants to learn how to dance, then there’s really nothing better than taking a dance class together. It might not be the first thing on your bucket list, but it’s a good way to end the night on a sweet note. Dance is art, art is emotion, and the dance floor is the perfect place to display that emotion. 

16. Take a Road Trip

If you’d like your anniversary to last for more than just a single day, a really fun activity for you and your partner is a road trip. This way, you can get out of the house, see some new sights, leave the kids at home, and hit the open road for as long as your heart desires. 

17. Go For a Hot Air Balloon Ride 

Hands down one of the best and most romantic anniversary ideas would be to take a hot air balloon ride. Of course, this means that neither of you can be afraid of heights, but if you want an awesome bird’s eye view of the world below, and you want to share that view with your partner, then a hot air balloon ride is always something to consider. 

18. Take a Trip

if you just can’t take the weather anymore, and it’s time to leave the country for a warmer destination, a perfect anniversary idea might be to go on a trip to a foreign country, somewhere warm where you can sip mojitos on the beach and see the sights. It’s a good option for adventurous couples.

19. Have a Movie Night

Some of us work all day, and whether it’s our anniversary or not, sometimes we just want to go home after a long day and relax. If this sounds like you, a cute anniversary idea might be to have an outdoor movie night. Set up some seating and blankets, get a projector, and watch some sappy movies that will remind you why you love each other. Having a movie marathon could be a great way top spend a night together. 

20. Go On a Camping Trip

If you and your partner are outdoorsy, you could always try taking a couples camping trip. Pack your tent, sleeping bags, some hot dogs and marshmallows, and spend a few nights camping out under the beautiful starts. 

There are many ways to observer a wedding anniversary, from the simple to the complex and from the sublime to the ridiculous. It really is limited only by your imaginations and/or comfort levels — and budget, to some extent. The point is, do something meaningful to make your spouse fall in love with you every year again on that day you agreed to tie the knot!

All About Diamonds: The Origins of a Girl’s Best Friend

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Good things do come to those who wait, especially if you’re a diamond merchant, a woman who likes to have a few “best friends” in her jewelry box, or a miner looking to strike it rich.

Striking a new diamond friendship could just be what a woman needs, especially if there is a diamond wedding ring in her future. If you are looking for gift ideas, such as for birthday gifts, then a diamond ring could just be what you need. 

Sure, weddings are an ideal time for diamonds, but you can always buy friend rings as a friendship promise. Yes, this is quite a common practice! Whether you want friendship rings or a wedding band, there’s nothing that comes close to a real diamond. Showing your love with matching rings for couples is a fantastic idea! 

If you think the line at the jewelry store is long during Christmas shopping season or close to Valentine’s Day, it’s nothing compared to the process that creates that sparkling, multi-faceted stone that raised prices and heartbeats.

How diamonds are formed

The evolution of a typical diamond is literally thousands, if not millions of years long. Extreme heat and pressure hundreds of miles under the earth’s surface over prolonged periods transformed hunks of pure carbon into diamond crystals.

Volcanic activity, which results in molten lava rushing like white water in rivers, brings these diamonds to or near the surface via pipes or conduits in the earth’s crust. As they rise to the surface, they cool. Exactly where and how this process occurs will determine the diamond weight, diamond size, and diamond shape. 

They were first found and mined in India well over two dozen centuries ago, but as time went on, they were also discovered in various African countries, Canada, Russia, and Australia. Currently, about two dozen countries on five continents account for most natural diamonds on Earth.

An interesting fact is that although most of us known diamonds as being clear, there are actually black diamonds out there, and yes, some people do think that these look stunning too. 

What is a diamond?

The hardest known natural substances on Earth are also the only gemstones made of just one element (carbon). While most are colorless after creation, some can take on various colors from a variety of other minerals and materials that they come into contact with during their long, gradual trip up to the Earth’s surface. Those colors can be yellow (sulfur and manganese), brown, blue, red, green, orange and pink.

Diamonds are generally indestructible and are the only natural substances that can scratch or cut other diamonds.

Man-made diamonds

Not all diamonds form deep inside the surface of the Earth. Some come from either man-made scientific laboratories or from outer space in meteorites and asteroids. Man-made diamonds have been around for about six decades, and are more prevalent than natural ones, but are also mostly used for industrial purposes.

Approximately 80 percent of the natural diamonds mined each year go toward industrial purposes, and four times as many diamonds are synthetically created to go into industrial use. For this reason, the diamond demand at this time is very high, both for personal and industrial applications. Approximately 25 million carats of natural diamonds go toward jewelry each year, another 80 million carats of natural diamonds go toward industrial use, and an additional 570 million carats of lab-manufactured synthetic diamonds are created for industrial purposes.

That doesn’t mean diamonds are any less valued these days. In fact, the average price of diamonds has increased about 44 percent over the last six years.

Whether friendship gifts, a 21st birthday gift, an 80th birthday gift, or for that special somebody, a diamond always makes for a fantastic purchase. Therefore, if you are looking for a jewelry gift for that special somebody, you might want to check out some of the online retailers as listed below.