Archives: April 2010

Who Scratched My Ring?

Posted by Claudia Endler, Modern Jewelry Designer on April 22, 2010

You just got engaged! Your ring is gorgeous! You show everyone and anyone, even the bank teller. You admire it while driving your car with the sunlight picking up its sparkle. Then one day, you look down and see a scratch. Oh no…that was not there before! You try polishing out with a polishing cloth. That doesn’t work. How did this happen?

Your engagement and wedding rings are usually made of precious metals, like gold or platinum. When jewelry is worn, its surfaces undergo changes. No metal is so hard that it will not acquire personal traces of wear. Polished surfaces become more matte. Matte surfaces gradually become shinier. Every piece of jewelry develops its own unique character of the person who wears it. This is a natural process.

photo: Papermart

In order to keep it well…it should be stored separately, not in a pile with other things. A soft cloth, velvet bags or trays will keep them from being scratched.

Photo: October Company

Metal against metal also scratches.

Photo: Olsen Twins News

When wearing rings stacked together they rub against each other dulling the surface. Take them off and put them on with the same surfaces facing each other that way the outsides stay polished as long as possible. I keep a jewelry ring holder next to my bed and put the rings on the same way I take them off.

Photo: Urban Outfitters

Photo: JewelrySupply

Use gloves or better yet, do not wear fine jewelry while doing housework, working out, lifting weights, gardening or using chemicals and such. Stay away from chlorine and other bleaches, including the swimming pool.

The better care you take of your jewelry the better it will look. And for those who put some wear and tear on those rings and are unhappy about the result, a good jeweler should be able to refurbish them.

Filed under: Guest Experts, Jewelry & Rings

April 22, 2010 by Claudia Endler, Modern Jewelry Designer

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A Daisy Day

Posted by Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com on April 21, 2010

Since Spring is in the air and flowers will be blooming soon, I thought I’d share some inspiration for planning a wedding around your favorite kind of flower. If you’re having trouble deciding on ideas for your wedding, using your favorite flower as a starting point is a simple solution.

My all time favorite flower is the daisy. Daisies are bright, everyday and playful. They seem to transform any space into a happy, sunny setting and are perfect for a casual Spring or Summer wedding. Here are some ideas in beautiful inspiration boards for using your favorite flowers in your wedding details …

Photo Credit: YourStarrStuddedEvents.com

Photo Credit: InTheDetailsBlog.com

From invitations to escort cards, fashion to favors, centerpieces to sweets … you can add your favorite flower into any of the wedding details.

Photo Credit: BrendasWeddingBlog.com

Photo Credit: Snippet and Ink

Keep in mind that the type of flower you choose and the color will play a big part in the overall look and feel of your wedding. Be sure that you choose flowers and colors that will communicate your intended mood and atmosphere on your wedding day.

Filed under: Flowers, Our Team

April 21, 2010 by Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com

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Simple Approach to a Beautiful Wedding

Posted by Nordica Photography, Photography Experts on April 21, 2010

If you didn’t manage to come up to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, you certainly missed an amazing time! But, if you were lucky enough to come here, there’s a good chance you visited the Jewel of Canada: Stanley Park.

Well, aside from this park being stunningly beautiful for just about any outdoor activity that pops to mind, it’s a popular wedding location. As was the case with a wedding we photographed there last week.

This wedding was our first of the season, and it reminded us of a very important aspect with wedding photography and dealing with the bride and groom: Keeping it simple.

With this particular couple, we felt that it was very important to limit complicated poses, unorthodox positions or moving spot to spot to spot in order to get a diverse range of pictures. Sometimes that is perfectly alright, but with some people, being able to read them and understand that over-thinking the photography is sometimes detrimental to the results.

So, our advice to you brides and grooms out there! Communicate with the photographer you’ve selected before the wedding and if you are feeling uneasy or nervous about anything, a surefire solution is to ask him, her or them to keep it basic!

These are the some of the results from our simple approach to a beautiful wedding. Voilá!

Photo Credit: Nordica Photography

Photo Credit: Nordica Photography

Photo Credit: Nordica Photography

Filed under: Guest Experts, Photography

April 21, 2010 by Nordica Photography, Photography Experts

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The Dish on Dinnerware

Posted by Caron Cooper on April 20, 2010

Are you preparing to register but don’t know a lick about china? Read on… The search starts with assessing your needs.

If you already have an everyday dinnerware set, this is your chance to register for a set of china, maybe even fine china. Choose a formal five-piece setting. There are many options, like porcelain, stoneware and bone china. (FYI: the bone ash in bone china is made from cattle bones. Here’s the Wiki for more info.)

If you’re like me, you’ve been promised your grandmother’s china for years. In that case, register for an everyday set…or two. Everyday sets can come in four- and five-piece settings.

Every newlywed should have a set of white — it goes with everything!

Bernardaud Dinnerware Collection (Louvre, Naxos)

kate spade "Wickford" Dinnerware Collection

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Dinnerware, Spring Lace Collection

Lenox Dinnerware, Opal Innocence Carved Collection

Waterford "Grafton Street" Dinnerware Collection

Mikasa Dinnerware, Antique White Collection

Wedgwood

Denby Dinnerware, White Collection

Martha Stewart Collection Dinnerware, Avenue Square Collection

Vera Wang Wedgwood Dinnerware, Naturals Chalk Collection

Calvin Klein Home "Basso" Dinnerware

Metallic designs are classic, and they are perfect during the winter holidays. (Just remember—no microwave, no dishwasher.)

Noritake "Pearl Luxe" Dinnerware Collection

kate spade Dinnerware Collections (Sonora Knot, Larabee Road)

Pickard "Bracelet" Dinnerware Collection

Waterford Dinnerware (Crossroads Steel, Alana)

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Dinnerware, Glen Plaid Collection

Lenox Dinnerware Collection (Opal Innocence Scroll, Simply Fine Twirl)

Charter Club Dinnerware, Grand Buffet Platinum Silhouette Square Collection

Consider choosing a set that combines metallic with a color. I love these blue and silver sets!

Mikasa Parchment

Vera Wang Wedgwood "Vera Lace Bouquet Iris" Dinnerware Collection

Monique Lhuillier for Royal Doulton Modern Love Dinnerware Collection

Colorful collections are great for everyday use and entertaining. Are you inspired by flowers, gardens, birds, abstract designs?

Villeroy & Boch "New Wave Acapulco" Dinnerware Collection

kate spade "Gwinnett Lane Crème" Collection

Wedgwood Chinoiserie Green & White Fine Bone China

Wedgwood "Dynasty" Dinnerware Collection

Wedgwood (Ethereal, Golden Bird)

Waterford "Golden Apple" Dinnerware Collection

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Dinnerware, Mandarin Blue Collection

Noritake Dinnerware Collection (Yoshino, Colorwave Blue)

Villeroy & Boch Vivan Bourbon

Lenox (Bellina Gold, Spring Vista, Simply Fine "Flutter", Simply Fine "Flourish")

kate spade "Gardner Street Green" Dinnerware Collection

Royal Doulton "Enchantment"

Villeroy & Boch "Petite Fleur" Dinnerware Collection

Remember, everyday dinnerware is sold in box sets or as individual place settings and pieces. Check out both.

How many place settings do you need? Think about the size of your growing family and/or the amount of entertaining you expect. I suggest 12 settings, but no less than eight.

Filed under: Our Brides & Grooms, Planning & Resources

April 20, 2010 by Caron Cooper

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Interview with Kristy Rice of Momental Designs

Posted by Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com on April 19, 2010

Kristy Rice is the talented woman behind the handmade, custom invitations and stationery of Momental Designs. Kristy believes “Weddings are joyous yet fleeting occasions that deserve the utmost in creative details.” Since her business was born in 2003, Momental Designs has been dedicated to crafting beautifully hand-painted and designed wedding stationery with the highest standard of quality.

Momental Designs offers the option of unique and completely custom wedding stationery for engaged couples. They strive to work with couples to create a design that truly represents the couple’s personalities and vision.

See some examples of their stationery below the interview …

Photo Credit: Momental Designs

Photo Credit: Momental Designs

How long have you been in business?
We are entering our 8th year in business.

What inspired you to start your business?
I loved working with people after 7 years in the retail industry. I figured that drawing and painting in some fashion every day surely had to lead to making a living. I combined the two along with the idea to fill a void in the wedding industry and thus Momental was born!

Tell us why you think your business is successful.
We listen to our clients, love to get to know them as people and pride ourselves on an innate ability to translate their vision into fine art on paper. Our custom process is streamlined, highly personal, stress-free and uncomplicated; all traits that resonate well with busy brides.

What makes your business unique?
The Momental Team is made up of lifelong friends who share, among other things, several degrees in art and education. Jessica, Kelley, Jaime, Steph, Joy and Linda ensure that each bride feels empowered and delighted by their Momental experience. As professionals, we possess the skill and talent to create exquisite, breathtaking designs. As friends, we understand the importance of the personal touches that transform each finished product into a breathtaking work of art; one that tells a story of life, friendship, and love.

Is there a particular niche you target?
Meticulous, artistic, creative, professional couples planning a heartfelt wedding. Many of our couples DIY elements of their celebration regardless of budget.

What is your company’s philosophy when working with wedding couples?
Brides collaborating with us have the rare opportunity to make visually stunning personal statements. Our hand painted designs capture emotions not easily expressed in language. We believe a Momental Design should enable brides to share heartfelt sentiments and blend details that hold deep personal significance for the couple.

My fabulous team of friends are by my side every day and make our custom wedding invitation studio the most fabulous place to be; at least in my opinion! We laugh, create and enjoy life everyday. But most importantly we are dedicated to envisioning and creating handmade custom wedding invitations as fine art with the belief that a worry-free process is key to a successful design experience.

How do you help couples customize their weddings?
Custom design is actually more of a progression than a process, as each design is completely unique. We begin with a bride’s vision, which evolves to create a finished product that is tailored to your personality. We pride ourselves on guiding clients through every decision. We strive to anticipate their questions, manage your timeline and make meaningful design suggestions that suit your vision.

At what point in the planning process do you typically work with couples?
We work with most of our couples about a year out from their wedding date.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your business?
Our hand painted, original artwork filled designs are central to what makes a Momental Invitation so unique. Take a look at this post which tells our story from the beginning.

Here are some examples of Momental Designs‘ stationery. As you can see, each set is totally unique …