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Archive for September, 2010

September 30th, 2010 What Women Like In Men’s Jewelry

I had a friend the other day ask me an interesting question: “What do women like in a mens wedding rings?” My first thought was to say “What does it matter what a woman thinks about it, it’s just showing that you are married?” The more I thought about it, though, I realized he meant what his wife thinks. I gave him some quick answer about just asking her, but as the night went on I found myself thinking more about that question. What exactly do women like in a piece of jewelry that we are never going to wear? I frankly never gave a second thought to the kind of wedding ring that my husband has on because I didn’t help him pick it up (though I love the one he got for me).

So what exactly do women like in a men’s wedding ring? Well, it probably differs depending on what women you ask. I’m a very “bare bones” person when it comes to jewelry. I like the look of the piece more than what adorns it, so I’m pretty basic in what I like in a men’s wedding ring. Other women, though, like things that are bright and shiny and hence like stones. Of course, whether they like it on their guys rings might be different then what they like on their own. Argh, so confusing, I know. Traditionally men’s rings are more bare bones, though that has more to do with guys tastes then a women’s. As far as I’ve been told (and gathered from my friends), men don’t like their rings that show off too much, they just like them to be there on their finger.

A lot of women, including myself, like a lot of the new metals that are being introduced into the market. Everything from palladium to black ti is being used on rings and men, apparently, are eating it up. They look industrial as well as classy. Plus with grooves, and maybe even a single inlaid diamond, they are versatile and both stand out and lay back at the same time (if that makes sense). Unlike, say, gold or silver, these types of metals seem to match men’s personalities a bit better. Though, again, whether or not your woman will like it varies.

When it comes down to it, though, the best way to make sure that your woman likes what you pick out in a men’s wedding ring is to either A) talk with them about it or B) have them come with you to pick out his and her’s rings. This shouldn’t be a guessing game, and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask. To be completely honest, most women probably haven’t thought about what they like in men’s jewelry. It can be a learning experience for both of you.

Kimberly Green has spent too much time shopping for mens wedding rings for her husband.

September 29th, 2010 Finding His and Her’s Wedding Rings

Mens wedding bands do not get the respect they deserve thanks, mostly, to the fact that they are typically rather boring. Sorry, it had to be said: typically, they don’t really stand out. Not to say they are bad, I actually kind of like simple jewelry; I’m not one of those girls who are all about the bling. The thing is, though, is that when it comes to jewelry the more bland (for lack of a better word) the piece is the less attention it gets. When a man gets a wedding band he typically gets either a straight gold or silver ring: no grooves, no sparkly stones. And because of this, no one ever pays attention to them. Until now, that is, thanks to a plethora of new precious metals and designs on the market that are revolutionizing the way we look at men’s rings.

In addition to the traditional gold and silver that men are used to when it comes to wedding bands, companies are now offering rings in such metals as titanium, timoku, black ti, palladium, and more. These rings come in a variety of different styles and can come carved, adorned with an inlaid diamond, a gold rope, or another type of precious stone to really make their piece shine. These new types of rings are big business in the jewelry world because they are well loved by men and women alike. In fact, some companies are offering his and her wedding rings in these styles so both the bride and the groom can have these exciting new designs on their ring finger.

While many couples decide to get separate styles of wedding rings, there are some that really enjoy having matching rings. While a women’s ring might have multiple diamonds and a men’s ring might be a standard ring with possibly one inlaid diamond, having matching rings are a very favorable idea to couples who enjoy the symmetry of the entire thing. In a way, it means more to share the same style of ring as a sign of eternal love and commitment. For these couples, a quick look online will yield many more results then were available just five years ago. Many women are also beginning to get into the idea of having different metals in their rings so his and her’s black ti or palladium rings may be very appealing to her.

From personal experience, one of the best things you can do when it comes to picking out wedding rings is to go out and do it together. Looking online is great as is talking about it, but unless both of you go out to try the rings on in person, you are missing part of the decision making that will be so important for the rest of your married life.

Author Kim Green knows how hard it is to shop for mens wedding bands.

September 28th, 2010 Getting Wedding Favors Out of The Way

When you are in charge of putting together a party, it’s the little things that you have to think about in order to make sure the party goes well. In a way, it’s a metaphor for life: it’s the little things that will derail your biggest plans. It’s like if you’re going on vacation and you spend five days planning the most perfect route and packing everything you need, it’s forgetting that little bottle of sleeping medication that will totally derail your whole trip. This analogy also works when you are planning a wedding. After six months of planning the biggest, and smallest, details, it’s typically the one little thing that you forgot to put on your list, or that you put off to the end, that will cause you the biggest headache. This is why you need to start thinking about wedding favors soon then later.

Wedding favors are exactly what they sound like they are: little gifts that you give to your attendees as a souvenir of your nuptials. Wedding favors can typically be split into two distinct categories: keepsakes and edible favors. With keepsakes you are dealing with things that you hope a guest will hold onto that will remind them of the ceremony or reception. One of my friend’s gave out little picture books of all of the important moments in their life together (including a picture of their wedding, which I was impressed that they added in just under three hours). Another of my friends gave out eco-friendly bamboo coasters as well commemorative golf balls (he is an avid golfer).

While keepsakes are nice, unless you get something that you know will be used, such as the bamboo coasters or something else for daily use, they have a tendency to be tossed into a drawer and thrown away during the next spring cleaning. Essentially, your keepsake turns into a waste of money. A cute waste of money, but a waste of money none the less. That is why many couples decide to go a different route and give away candy based wedding favors. Some companies offer personalized candy favors such as mint tins, wrapped candy, and even mini-gum ball machines. While these keepsakes might be used sooner than later, at least they will be used. Other couples decide to make their own chocolate candies by simply melting chocolate, putting them in pre bought molds and packaging them in plastic. Because, c’mon, who doesn’t like chocolate.

There is a lot of website out there that specialize in offering wedding favors for upcoming nuptials. And make sure to tackle them sooner rather than later so they are out of the way before they become any type of annoyance. You have much bigger fish to fry.

Author Kimberly Green loves how wedding favors can make life easier.

September 27th, 2010 Protecting Your Business

When you own a business, or are even in charge of running a certain franchise or location, you don’t just have to worry about making sure your product get’s to your customers in a timely manner, but also that the product stays safe while it is in your possession. Security is important for any business, not just because of the products you process or the supplies you keep, but also for the emotional and physical well being of your employees. Because of this, you need to make sure that you have good security measures in place to protect your business not just from burglary, but also from any type of vandalism or criminal loitering that may take place. You need to think about prevention as much as stopping someone, or at least catching someone, who is in the act of doing either to your business. The good news is one of the best tools for prevention, as well as to catch people who are breaking and entering is all in the same: a security video camera.

Criminals don’t like to be seen or, in fact, even noticed when they are committing a crime. They like to be completely invisible, and the last thing they want is confirmation. That is why most criminals will only go after a business when they are sure no one is watching. And to these types of people, a security camera counts as someone who is watching. While some might be brazen enough to go after a heavily secured and recorded building, chances are most criminals will just move on. Heck, if you can’t afford a real security camera then even a fake one will do more help than nothing at all.

If you are looking to put in a security system for your business it’s important to come up with a budget and look around to see what a variety of security companies, or security camera installers, will offer. Its best not to skimp on a cut rate security company as you want someone who knows the best way to not just properly alarm your store but also tape it. What good is having security camera’s if your business is full of blind spots. Also, make sure that the cameras are noticeable as they will help dissuade would be shoplifters from stealing.

Security cameras will also allow workers to feel a little more comfortable in their surroundings, knowing that if someone were to happen someone is watching. If you run a warehouse or even a large building, talk to companies about getting a nice bulk rate on security equipment or possibly some free installation. That could save you a lot of money.

Author Kim Green feels much safer after installing a security video camera.

September 24th, 2010 The Real Newport Beach

When people think of Newport Beach, California they automatically think of one thing: opulence. They think of fast cars, big houses, beautiful people, Newport Beach jewelers, big malls and big bank accounts. It’s not that people have the wrong idea about Newport Beach: it is home to many wealthy people, big houses, good looks, and many fine jewelry establishments. It’s just that that is not all Newport Beach has to offer. Newport Beach is also one of the most beautiful places on the west coast of the United States. If you focus only on the people who live there it’s like going to Yellowstone and only looking at the Old Faithful geyser: you’re missing the rest of it.

For all intents and purposes, the most beautiful part of Newport Beach is the coastline. What makes it so spectacular is how varied it is. From inlets that house marshes, estuaries and wetlands, to high cliffs and rocky shores which feature some of the best tide-pools in the areas, Newport Beach has something for everyone. For those who want to lie out on the beach Newport Beach has that. If you want to go boating in a safe harbor or on the open ocean, Newport has that. If your goal is to spot wildlife on shore and out at sea, you can check out the small crustaceans and fish of the tide pools, marvel at the beautiful birds that dot the estuaries, and even spots dolphins and migrating whales from the cliffs. Plus, there are plenty of public and private beaches to test the water out at.

This is not to say that the inland doesn’t have charm. Most of Newport Beach is built on hilly terrain, which means that hiking is available in many non-developed locations (there are a surprising amount of them left in the area). Newport Beach follows the blueprint of many other Orange County cities by providing a variety of large, medium and small parks for its residents and visitors. These parks are available in many neighborhoods and ad some green to almost any part of town you’re in. In fact, Newport Beach has a lot of wide open, non-developed areas, which is part of its charm. Unlike many surrounding cities, you do not feel overwhelmed by your surroundings.

As for the shopping and such, it’s all not just about large shopping malls and mainstream stores. There are many locations around town where you can find quaint little shops that sell jewelry, knickknacks and art. These are the places you’ll definitely want to visit when you come to the Newport Beach area.

Author Kim Green looked into all the Newport Beach jewelers when shopping for her own wedding ring.

 

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