Buying An Engagement Ring On A Budget: Heirloom Jewelry

There used to be an unwritten rule that a man should spend 2 months’ salary on an engagement ring. There’s no such guideline anymore. It’s more important to buy a ring that you can realistically afford than it is to follow any arbitrary guideline such as that. But engagement rings are expensive, right? How can you buy an expensive piece of jewelry on a budget? By being strategic. Here, we’ll offer some tips to help you purchase that most important piece of jewelry on a budget.

Featured Meghan Markle Engagement Ring Photo from ElleUK

Choose the right setting

Even if your wallet won’t let you buy the biggest diamond in the store, you can get the illusion of a larger stone by choosing the right setting. For example, if you choose a setting that features a ring of smaller diamonds around the centre stone, for example, it will give the illusion of a larger stone, but with a lower price tag.

Go for pavé diamonds

Pave diamonds can make any ring look more expensive. They offer the look of crushed ice, consisting of many small diamonds grouped together. This produces a dazzling, high-end look at a lower price point.

Be aware of size

The price of a diamond goes up exponentially at certain size points. For every carat and half-carat size increase, there is typically a jump in the price, too. One way to sae a few dollars is to do what experts call “buying shy.” Using this technique, look for a diamond that is a little shy of the one-carat or half-carat mark (1.7 carats, for example, as opposed to an even 2) can save you a significant amount of money and you won’t even notice the differential in size.

Opt for gold

Platinum has become a trendy wedding band choice because it has many great attributes, but those advantages also come with a higher price tag. Opting for the more classic gold option will save you a few dollars. If you still want the look of platinum without the high price, choose white gold. White gold isn’t as durable as platinum, but it is strong, resistant to rust and tarnish, and very beautiful!

Pay attention to the cut

Certain cuts of diamonds will cost more than others. Knowing which are the most budget-friendly will go a long way toward saving you some money. An emerald cut, for example, will look bigger than the carat weight suggests.

Buy a set

This can be a challenge if you are trying to surprise your soon-to-be fiancé with a ring, but if you can, buy the engagement ring and the matching wedding band together. By making the purchase in a set like that, you’ll likely get a better deal than if you buy the engagement right now and the wedding band later. Of course, this may not always be possible, but if you can (such as if you are picking out your rings together) this can be a way to save some money.

At the end of the day, choosing the right engagement ring doesn’t have to mean going for broke. There are lots of beautiful and meaningful options at every price point, so there’s no need to spend more than you need to get a special ring for your special someone. Using these tricks, you can find the perfect ring for your partner without spending more than you can afford. Spend as much as you comfortably can, and not a penny more. Your soon-to-be fiancé wouldn’t want you to start out your new life together deeply in debt just so you can buy a bigger, flashier ring.

Collaborative Post

KEHLANI WEARS SHEER LACE AMEN GOWN TO THE 2017 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Kehlani graces the 2017 American Music Awards red carpet in a sheer lace couture AMEN gown. The Italian fashion house is thrilled to dress the R&B artist for her big night. This past year, Kehlani earned her first four hits on the Billboard HOT 100 and tonight she is nominated alongside Beyonce & Rihanna for the ‘Best Soul / R&B Female Artist’

Who: KEHLANI, “Best Soul/ R&B Female Artist”

Site: http://kehlanimusic.com/splash/?ref=

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kehlani/?hl=en

Where: Los Angeles, CA @ the 2017 American Music Awards

What: wears a FW ’17 Amen gown:

Black sheer lace column gown with edgy chain detailing designed and produced in Italy.

 

ABOUT AMEN COUTURE:

AN ITALIAN WINNING COMBINATION OF CRAFTSMANSHIP, EXCLUSIVE DETAILS AND PURE CREATIVITY, THAT MAKES EVERY PIECE UNIQUE AND TIMELESS.

JEWEL EMBROIDERIES, SARTORIAL MANUFACTURING, AS WELL AS STATE-OF-THE-ART FABRICS AND A CONTINUOUS STYLISTIC RESEARCH, COMBINED WITH EACH OTHER IN THE SUCCESSFUL MIX THAT IS THE SIGNATURE ON EVERY AMEN DRESS, A REFINED PLAY BETWEEN OPPOSITES, EFFECTIVELY BALANCING TRADITION AND INNOVA.

H&M Festive Season Collection: Embellishments and Minimalistic Accessories

If you’re the type of girl who likes cutting edge style on a budget, then H&M is the place for you.  This on-trend, chain retailer can rarely be ignored with its mixture of modern and glamorous pieces.

How many times have you walked over to those big red letters?  How many times have you asked, “Where did you get that handbag?”  Or how many times have you glanced twice at someone’s dress?  If the answer to either of those questions is yes, then you too love H&M.

The festive season collection is now available in-stores or online. From viewing the collection, one can see there’s a metallic shoulder bag, rhinestone earrings, and sweatshirt with tulle sleeves.

H&M is a top pick in general when there’s nothing to wear or when you need some style inspiration!

Style + Life + Fashion Women’s Gift Guide 2017: Blanket Scarf, Stainless Steel Coffee Mug, Studded Leather Clutch and More

I am really excited to share the latest Women’s Gift Guide 2017. This particular guide has a variety of items from several different price points.

There are gifts ranging from $8.99 and beyond. Use this post (and print) to share with your significant other or family members. Feel free to tweak it a bit to help everyone know exactly what you would like this holiday season!

It’s also great to use in terms of shopping for the special women in your life. Don’t worry, the next gift guide will include items for men!

Supermodel Martha Hunt x Pluma Capsule Collection Inegal

Supermodel and Scoliosis survivor Martha Hunt teams up with PLUMA to create the capsule collection “Inégal” which debuted in June 2017.  Together Martha and PLUMA have created two beautiful and inspiring designs sales from which will benefit two charities: The Scoliosis Research Society and The Curvy Girls Scoliosis Foundation.

 Caroline 1 in Rhodium

($515.00 in Rhodium, and Gold)

Caroline 2 in Rhodium

($440 in Rhodium and Gold)

The “Caroline” necklaces in the Inégal collection benefit The Scoliosis Research Foundation. The two special edition designs are available in rhodium and 24 karat gold, is handcrafted in Italy and made of plated brass plates with leather straps.  Interlocked, the plates emulate vertebrae creating a metallic spine choker.  ​The designs themselves are named “Caroline” after Martha’s mother who gave Martha the love and support she needed to battle the disorder.  “Caroline 1” has scales or vertebrae that are 2 inches in length while the “Caroline 2” has 1 ½ inch vertebrae.

Alyson in Gold

($39)

Alyson in Silver (Gunmetal)

($39)

The “Alyson” necklaces in the Inégal collection benefit Curvy Girls Scoliosis Foundation – an international network of peer-led support groups for girls with scoliosis. Two special edition “Alyson” necklaces, available in gold and silver (gunmetal), are named after Alyson Gerber who is the author of Braced, a novel about a twelve-year old girl’s first year in her scoliosis brace.  With one side emblazoned with “Inégal” and the other with “Resilient,” the piece is meant to celebrate and honor those who have scoliosis.


​Martha Hunt wears the Alyson in Gold ​

“We created pieces that would honor the beauty of the spine, its simplicity, and genius.  The design also calls to mind how integral the spine is to human life and the burden that Scoliosis causes to the people who suffer from it with elegant simplicity, which is also reflected in the name “Inégal” meaning unequal or uneven.” – Brendan Cannon, PLUMA Creative Director

“Brendan Cannon is a friend of mine and has a pure heart.  Together we discussed the idea of designing beautiful jewelry, inspired by the experience of having Scoliosis, the Inégal Collection.  As 100% of the proceeds of this portion of the collection will benefit Curvy Girl Scoliosis Foundation, I want women who wear the “Inégal” collection to feel beautiful and empowered.”- Martha Hunt

The Caroline​ necklaces from ​the Inégal collection are available online at  LUISAVIAROMA www.LUISAVIAROMA.com

The complete Inégal collection is available online on the

About Martha Hunt

Raised in North Carolina, Martha moved to New York City to pursue a full-time modeling career in 2007. She has worked with many high-end brands and designers, and has been featured in top-tier magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Glamour.  Martha has the distinction of being a Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2015.

Martha dealt with Scoliosis from the ages of 14-18 and finally had a spinal fusion at age 18.  It is a physical and emotional burden during adolescent years Martha felt lonely and insecure throughout the process and being able to relate to the thousands of people that undergo treatment for the condition, she’s passionate about spreading awareness. The need to bring awareness combined with how much research has evolved and needs to improve sparked her interest in becoming an advocate.

She visited Capitol Hill during the last two years, on behalf of The Scoliosis Research Society, asking Congress for more funding for all orthopedic research, through the National Institutes for Health (NIH).

About PLUMA and Creative Director Brendan Cannon

Brendan Cannon is the Creative Director of PLUMA, a collection of chic and elegant accessories produced in Italy by some of the premier luxury artisans in the world.

Cannon’s designs reflect the multifaceted lives and sophistication of women who covet and wear luxury accessories. The precise combinations of luxurious elements like brass with molded resin, high-grade leather, and enamel give an elegant sensuality, allowing the jewelry to become a wardrobe staple.

PLUMA debuted as a capsule collection that was shown alongside designer Jason Wu’s Pre-Fall 2013 collection. The ‘Oro’ suite, collaboration between Cannon and Wu, featured the brand’s signature gold links, brass, black enamel and molded resin. PLUMA officially launched with a full collection for the Spring 2014 season. PLUMA has attracted the attention of celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Robert, Vanessa Hudgens, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Sharon Stone, Kate Beckinsale, Lily Collins, Jessica Paré and Julianne Hough, among others.

About The Scoliosis Research Society

The Scoliosis Research Society is a non-profit, professional organization, made up of physicians and allied health personnel. Our primary focus is on providing continuing medical education for health care professionals and on funding/supporting research in spinal deformities. Founded in 1966, SRS has gained recognition as the world’s premier spine deformity society. Please visit www.srs.org for further information.

About Curvy Girl Scoliosis Foundation

Curvy Girls is a network of peer-led support groups that reduce the emotional impact of scoliosis by empowering girls through mutual support and acceptance to become leaders, make healthy lifestyle choices, improve self-esteem while giving back to the Curvy Girls community. The organization was founded by Leah Stoltz when she was 13 years old on Long Island, NY and now there are about 90 chapters in 13 countries, all led by girls with scoliosis between the ages of 11-22. Learn more at www.curvygirlsscoliosis.com.

Magic City Fashion Week 2017 – Streetstyle Thursday and Macy’s Brookwood

For those that may not know, Magic City Classic is one of the largest HBCU football games celebrated in the south.  It’s the tailgating rivalry between students (and alumni) from Alabama A&M and Alabama State University.

In connection with the tradition, Daniel Grier and Derek De Anre launched Magic City Fashion Week 2017 to recognize the Birmingham fashion community.  MCFW showcased the artistic efforts of designers throughout the week of October 24-28, 2017.

Last night featured Streetstyle Thursday at Macy’s Brookwood in the IMPULSE Department. Christine Lee from Sober Culture served as the host along with runway styling from Magic City Fashion Week Team members Emma Ford, Portia Nichole, and Aliscia Marie.

Free People, Kensi, Rachel Roy, and Jay Walker were the highlighted designers worn by models. The fashion show was amazing and proceeds/donations supported the Birmingham Aids Outreach Organization.

 

High Fashion Jewelry for Apple Watch and Fitbit

The Ultimate Cuff is a selection of high quality, patent pending, modern technology jewelry for the Apple Watch and Fitbit Charge.

With the new Apple Series 3 out, women are going to need a stylish cuff option so they can accessorize their smart watch – which is why the Ultimate Cuff is perfect because it’s affordable, and the interchangeable metallic jewelry cuffs serve as an everyday functional piece of jewelry.

It ranges in price from  $98 – $142, and is a great alternative to the basic leather band, multitude of color silicone bands, or designer straps often costing an upwards of $360.