Ladies-In-Waiting Part III

[katrina_33]

Hi, Blue Chica, welcome! It''s so funny how many of us are in the same boat out there. Except for the specific details, I could have written that post!!!

What''s so frusturating is not being able to discuss this openly with our boyfriends. My bf and I usually discuss everything, and I mean everything, very openly. But, I feel like this is the one thing that I just CAN''T bring up too often. To do so would be to put pressure on him, to try to exert control over something I shouldn''t, and to totally kill the idea of romance and surprise that is supposed to go along with getting engaged. If I did kind of nudge the process along (more firmly than I already have been) I think it would kill a lot of the feeling when I was actually proposed to. I might worry (because I''m really paranoid) that he wasn''t really ready and did it when he did because he felt pressuerd. I want to KNOW that this is all coming from him and he''s really, 100% ready and doing it for all the right reasons.

So I''m just stuck! Thank god for this message board! I''m sure we will all look back and laugh someday!

 

[blueroses]

p.s. Lovey, that''s a smashing photo of you and Thurston

 

[blue_chica]

goldengirl, and Croí, thanks so much for the quick, thoughtful responses. You are such sweeties!

I think you both make very good points. I will definitely try to get ahold of myself until a month after the decision on the job is final. He better not start dropping hints again though or I swear I''m going to kill him or propose, depending on my mood. goldengirl, that game sounds like so much fun, I may pick that up. We were doing the "1000 questions for couples" thing, but that sounds like a lot more fun.

Croí - wow girl, you are a brave soul! Planning your wedding without a proposal, and it''s this close? I definitely don''t have the cojones for that...particularly since one spot we''ve talked about, my second favorite, is at his parents'' place in vermont. That could be a tad awkward. However, when you said "Try to enjoy knowing it''s coming. Once it''s here you don''t get the anticipation time back." that really hit home. You are so right. I think part of my problem is not wanting to get my hopes up too high when it''s not a done deal, and if I let that go I''ll be able to enjoy it. I am excited to both be engaged, and to get married, and to spend years and years laughing at each other, especially when we''re old and have saggy butts. I want the whole process I guess.

Which brings me to my next bit...when I first looked at rings I thought I wanted just a solitaire with a bit of flair, so it wasn''t like everyone elses. He asked my girl-friend for some advice (yes, he''s taunting me that much) and she told him nothing but Tiffany''s would do. Serves him right. I then decided I liked 3-stone ones. He was like, um, Tiffany''s 3-stone (price climbing in his head), I said no, I''m a bargain hunter in my core and wouldn''t be able to stomach the "waste" of $$ for the little blue box. Now, however, I''m changing my mind again abou the 3-stone setting, going back to solitaire, but in a z shaped tension set solitaire, like this one: http://www.sndgems.com/gelin-abaci-tension-ring-5.htm. Maybe I NEED the time to figure out what the heck I want better.

Ah, right, this is the fun part if I don''t flip out about it.

 

[goldengirl]

I understand, Katrina!

A quick story: I am on another message board on ultimatewedding.com. I participate in the pre-e thread for girls 25 & under. Their tradition is to start a new thread every 1000 posts, and the girls get together and decide as a group who gets to start the next one...a big deal, because so far, every girl that has STARTED a thread has gotten engaged before the end of it. One girl PM''ed me, saying she wanted to submit my name for consideration to start the next thread as we are getting close. I was honored.

So I explained to Kyle why I "awwwwww''d" the computer and had to give him that background so he would understand why I felt so flattered. He asked how long the threads normally last, and I told him about a month. He got a look on his face like "Wow, just a month?? Eek, I don''t think I''ll make that!!" and started hedging that I wouldn''t "quite" make the deadline. (Which is why I think it''s coming SOONsoon.)

Anyway, in his hedging he was saying that it would put a lot of pressure on him and asked if I was expecting a ring in that timeframe. I said quite frankly that I wasn''t expecting a ring anytime in the next six months, and that I''m really not as anxious as he thinks I am... that I''m happy with what we have now. Then he got this sneaky sort of smile on his face and said "I think YOUR idea of what *I* think is soon, is a little ''off''!" (Reinforcing my suspicion that it could be SOONsoon.)

Anyway, I wanted to share that because I think it''s funny that, in a nutshell, he''s saying "Yay, soon!" and I''m saying, "No, it''s okay really, I don''t need soon, I''m not anxious, take your time, however long you need, no pressure!" A rapid backpedal from anything resembling pressure!!

 

[heartsonfire]

Hello ladies... you’ve all typed so much, I don’t even know where to start. Well here it goes.

GG: Thank you for adding me on the list. It really means a lot to me. That square back RB e-ring looks gorgeous.
By the way... what ifyou are next GG... who will update the list. You won’t leave us... you started this thread.
Blueroses: Last night I was browsing through PS and if you select forum “wish list” there are a lot of diamond & sapphire combo rings
(from e-rings to eternity bands) to find. I am just so disappointed that for some reason I cannot post or past pics.
I tried it with the “mountain icon”... still not working and with “Ctrl + V”. Am I doing something wrong.
NJC: Thank you for the warm welcome. And the same goes for you, if you are interested in diamond & sapphire combo
rings... check out the “wish list” forum. Those rings were beautiful.

Trust me I will be studying to master to post pics today LOL

 

[heartsonfire]

SJS: I wish I was the one who posted the pic... (for some reason I cannot paste pics)... but it was actually Blueroses, who was
so kind, who did it for me. If I just could copy and paste the pics... however if you check www.baileybanksandbiddle.com you
will be able to see the e-ring and the eternity band from different angles. I just love the side view of the e-ring... those little
pave bridges around the basket (oooohhhh I sound so sophisticated LOL) makes my heart jump for joy.

PS: I''ll try to attach the pics... here goes nothing...

 

[heartsonfire]

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah it worked - here is the eternity band

 

[kanne]

blueroses

ah. that pic just slipped in there. don''t you just love it? Thurston''s a Harvard man you know.

- lovey

 

[heartsonfire]

Lovey: Yes, I think I browsed through that tread. Stunning is all I can say. I know which one you are talking about. It’s actually
the larger legacy ring with the 3 bezels. Honestly I loved it when I tried it on in London at Tiffany’s (in Harrods). I felt
like a million bucks, when I tried on a 1.5 (it looked huge! simply amazing)... $$$ chi-ching $$$... LOL... but beau
thought it was to big for my tiny hands. I got a lovely picture (a bit bigger than a normal post card) but as I said I
cannot post it (I will try again though). By the way... that story with your laptop... men don’t always get a lot of
things... last night when my bf came home after meeting his friends... he thought I was still online on PS... well I was
but turned it off and played solitaire... I know men think we are cuckoo... well a little... but it’s fun to share it with so
many... ladies we are not alone... LOL

Ladies enjoy.....................

 

[kanne]

fabulous ritani btw! Very pretty in person too. Love that.

 

[heartsonfire]

ooops didn''t work... try again...

 

[katrina_33]

Reverse psychology, I like it! ; )

Actually, last night I informed by bf that one of my co-workers got engaged over the holidays, but they''d been together for 8 years!!! (I specifically didn''t tell him about the 2 women who got engaged who had been together for less time than us)

We also talked about a good friend of mine who lives with her boyfriend. He asked me if they were engaged yet, and I said no. He asked why, and I said that she wasn''t really concerned with it, they know where they stand, they''re saving up $ for their dream wedding and she isn''t into the idea of being engaged just for the heck of it (like, if your''e not going to immediately start putting down deposits on the wedding). My tone of voice was like "maybe I should take a clue from her!"

And, maybe I should!

 

[kanne]

hmmm. The legacy ring does look like a million bucks! The pic on pricescope is as close as I''ve come to trying it on in person. Some of the Tiffany jewelry is really amazing - design-wise, but also so incredibly marked up. That said, I DO have a pair of RB studs from there (gift from BF) which I adore. Does that make me a hypocrite? Harrods! Ooh la la! Oh that''s right, you were there for work?

 

[heartsonfire]

Lauren: That’s a lovely RHR band... to die for. I can’t wait for you to have it. Have a great top-down weekend with your best friend. Sounds fun to me. Here in the east coast we have to deal with tons of snow. However it’s not too bad today. Sun is shining!

Croi: TY for the warm welcome... I love your ideas with your dress... you are such a considerate bride to be... so sweet... I wish I could post some pics I have collected. Maybe you might find some of them very helpful. If I can’t post them... there is a lovely website you might want to browse into... www.davidsbridal.com and www.fireyourweddingplanner.com (sounds funny but lots of tips to save on a great wedding). Happy dress hunting and have fun on the planning... most important is that you enjoy planning for your special day with your partner for life. All the best!!!

Katrina: Yes, I did see the SMTR post and the different angles. It was breath taking. I was so happy for the girl who got engaged. Love, love it so much!!! But I just feel like you... there are so many lovely rings that catches my eyes... can’t stop dreaming!!!

Blue Chica: Welcome on board. I feel the same way sweetie... you are not alone... these ladies will help you go through your thoughts and emotions. I’ve been here for a day and I feel so much better. Reading your post I felt I was the one talking. I guess it’s very normal... and we all never thought at first... each of us thought that there is something wrong with us... but it’s just the feeling of wanting something so badly... well now you know you are able to vent here! If I would tell you what I was or still am going through you would think you are a saint. Well let me just phrase it like this... I thought I am the only woman on this planet who is not going to be engaged... hence so many around me started getting engaged (those who actually don’t deserve it... ladies don’t get me wrong but those woman are vicious... just horrible... ?gold diggers?)... then everybody around me just get married... attending weddings every quarter... then woman suddenly getting preggy... what about meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... I got all scared coz suddenly I felt my time was ticking and I will not get any younger... so Chica.... I hope you feel better now. Feel free to let it out (since we all can''t talk to our bf''s about it w/o seeing their eyes roll)... well I feel so much better again... LOL. I love it here!!!

 

[blue_chica]

katrina_33: yes, you are right that what causes all of this engagement anxiety is that in order for it to be as magical as we grow up thinking it should be, well, we have to give up control. You want something so badly, and want it to be great, but you''re not allowed to control it? ACK.

Oh well, so it goes, back to looking at rings.

 

[goldengirl]

HOF, there are three things to check when attaching photos: first, make sure it is one of the accepted file extensions like .jpg or .gif; second, make sure it is less than the maximum file size (don''t remember offhand, but I know the max file size is listed on the attachment page); and third, it has to have a UNIQUE name, ie, it has to have a name that no other picture uploaded to Pricescope has ever had. So you may have to rename your file something weird like DamnedSexyRitani8675309.jpg or something like that.

Try those and if you are still getting an error, tell me what the error says.

Oh, and I started this thread (dang, and the one before that!! sigh) but I''m not the original lady-in-waiting. I''m maintaining the list because I''m the only one that stepped in after MelissaSue graduated!

When I get to cross my name off (yippee!!!) somebody else will step in, I''m sure. Somebody who spends too much time here, like me and all the secretaries before me... somebody like blueroses, appletini, or lovey??

(I''d say Croi, but she''s going to have her hands full planning her wedding!!

) Really anybody can do it, I have to say I''ve been a lousy secretary because before I stepped in, the secretary was practically the next girl to go!!!

MS, you lasted all of what, a week??

BlueChica--I LOVE those offset tension rings!!

 

[appletini]

Hello Ladies! I''ve been in my busy time at work, so I''ve been taking quick breaks to read everything, but haven''t had time to take notes and respond...there has been a lot of posting today, so I''m not even going to try to keep up.

GG: i love the romance cards...good idea!

Also I love the wedding bands with sapphires, a big fan of the eternity band w/ sapphire baguettes--saw that while browsing online earlier in the week...might have to be an anniversary RHR.

The waiting game is no fun. Blue chica do not propose to him, I don''t want you regret later not getting that special proposal from him that really want. I think a lot of us have our days where we are exceptionally e-ring psycho, good thing I''ve had work to distract me this week.

Yesterday I turned my move out notice into my apt office, it was sad, and then the girl was asking why, and I told her that we were getting close to engagement so I was going to move home to save some money and also not have to worry about the timing of the lease with wedding plans. Well she just got engaged and proceeds to tell me where she got her e-ring. It was pretty, but so not my taste at all. I looked up the website, which is actually a local place, and they had some pretty antique looking settings with huge stones (3+ ctw), but when I looked at the specs, the quality wasn''t very good and also had minimal detail, and random certs. which of course was why they were priced $10K and under when an accceptable stone would be so much more for the same size.

Also I really like the Ritani that we saw last Friday, but the setting is $4.5K (it is gorgeous and it does make a 1ct center look a lot bigger) which is almost 1/2 of our budget, and I would really like to maximize my stone as much as reasonably possible, and the other Ritani setting I like is $2K big difference. But BF really likes the more expensive setting, he''s only seen pics of the other one, so I guess I''ll have to take him to see it in person to see if he changes his mind.

 

[blue_chica]

Thanks so much everyone. Before posting I was really beating myself up for being so over-eager and pushy. At least now I know I''m fairly normal!

It''s really not about "the ring" in the end, it''s about the guy...and I''ve got the guy already so I''ll just keep reminding myself of that and calm down about the process and the trimmings.

 

[heartsonfire]

GG: You’re so clever... so proud of you! Go girl power! GG your second story “No Pressure” is so funny... I really had to laugh out loud reading it. You crack me up! GG thank you for the how to post pic tips!

Twinkle: I feel for you... I had to go to the same dilemma but have you tried a ring with micro pave comparing to a traditional Tiffany’s setting with him. My beau is also a very traditional man. And I do respect his choice for me. However like you... I didn’t want to sound spoiled but wanted him to notice my own style and my hearts’ desire. I’m not sure if he will get me the one I love... but I’ve slightly pushed it towards my desired style... because he saw me how happy it made me wearing the e-ring and matching band I loved. I hope you both compromise for the ring you both will adore. Fingers crossed!

Croi: So funny... I am also not engaged yet but started looking at wedding magazines from the day (3 months into the relationship) we both said that we want to spend of our lives with each other... in fact I have bought my wedding shoes already, my tiara and a lovely necklace (in London). My dress I picked out from my sis’ magazine (a pic she emailed me) and I will have it custom made with matching veil and bag. I will have it made in either Feb or March. I’m so excited and I bet you are too Croi!

Blueroses: Oh my, Reena’s e-ring was a stunner... showed it to bf last night... I was surprised he liked it... I loved it!!!

Katrina: Just like you... I am so thankful for having this message board and of course you ladies. It will be very sentimental to me one day. Knowing I went through the pre e-ring with all of you.

Blue: That ring is lovely... everything will be just fine.

Lovey: Don’t be silly! That doesn’t make you a hypocrite. Harrod’s is truly lovely and really upscale (you pay for the name indeed)... however was fun shopping there! I got my bf a LV key chain for his b-day. And they have the most amazing bags section and my bf’s favorite section was the upscale food court. By the way it’s the only place where you can buy Krispy Creme. Yumm!

Appletini: Good luck to both of you. I hope you find the e-ring you both love and also in the budget. All the best.

 

[njc]

Lauren - I LOVE LOVE LOVE that setting!!! Have fun wearing that beauty!

HeartsOnFire - The diamond/sapph combos in the wish list are totally droolable! I love all of them too!

Have a good weekend ladies and good luck to everyone!!! I want stories/pics to keep busy on monday!!!

 

[heartsonfire]

NJC: I''m glad you like them... I thought they were fabulous.

GG: I tried to attach the legacy rings pic but still not working. I changed the name and I made the pic smaller. No luck. Still says
undefined. Oh well... have to try again.

Have a lovely weekend ladies... heading out to meet my bf... have a good one

Ciao Ladies

 

[blueroses]

GG, are you saying I spend too much time here? Whatever on earth could you be talking about!!!!????

You are an INCREDIBLE secretary, and I''m sure one of your fellow-list-obsessed ladies (including me) would be honored to take the reins when the time comes.

So, ladies, I am a mess: I took heartsonfire''s advice and went on over to the wish list thread (which I guess I''d never really paid much attention to) and now I have been sucked in to a VERY dangerous site: http://www.estatediamondjewelry.com

Be afraid. Be very afraid. Some gorgeous settings w/ asscher, cushion, old mine, etc. I mean, I guess it''s nothing that different from what I''ve already seen but it''s always exciting to have fresh antique ring-fixes. Like a DRUG, I tell you!!

Also some gorgeous eternity bands.

Oh, and check out this incredible sapphire eternity band.

 

[MelissaSue]

katrina - I just wanted to say that I picked out my setting without ever seeing it in person (I saw a few similar ones so I could get the general idea..but I had only ever seen mine in pictures...) I almost think that made it more fun.. because it was a little bit of a suprise.. Even though I knew what I was getting, I had never seen it in person.

to blue chica (and others)pseudo (or actual) wedding planning is a really good way to kill time while waiting for your man to propose. Guys don''t MEAN to take forever.. they just do.. We just have to do our own thing and wait around for them! And blue chica - definitely keep looking into settings you like! I have always wanted a 3 stone because i knew my center stone was inherited so it seemed logical that he could buy the other two stones. I do still like solitaires though.. but with some extras.. sidestones or pave or something..or at least an interesting setting.. classic 6 prongs just don''t excite me.. I have already told my fiance that SOMEDAY I want a big honkin solitaire..

oh that reminds me of twinkletoes - try to encourage your man to get what you want.. but don''t be too pushy. Ultimately he should WANT to buy what will make you happy, right? and if he ends up going with the plain setting, I''m sure you''ll STILL LOVE IT!

Thats all for now

Melissa

 

[goldengirl]

blue, put down the mouse and STEP AWAY FROM THE ESTATE JEWELRY!!

I don''t even look for rings anymore, guys.

No, I''m serious!! I kept falling love with more and more (expensive, lol!) styles and I knew it would just make it too hard to make up my mind. I went the pseudo-planning route instead. He''s going to be amazed that I have the whole thing planned by the week after he proposes. LOL!!

Course, then what happens? ..you all post YOUR rings (or dream rings) here and I fall in love with them. I don''t even have to go looking, they find me!!

 

[katrina_33]

OK, with all of the antique style talk around here, I thought I''d get you all in trouble by re-posting my massive list of antique and antique style links again!!!

http://www.nelsonrarities.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.oneofakindjewels.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.antiquejewelryforsale.com/main.html - antique pieces

http://www.estatediamondjewelry.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.antiqueandestate.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.diamondten.com/ - antique pieces, new pieces, antique style mountings

http://www.estate-sales-online.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.masterpiecejewels.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.tnsdiamonds.com/NewAntique1.htm - antique pieces, new mountings, antique style mountings. Tacori discounter.

http://www.topazery.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.valentinasgifts.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.aprioriantiques.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.carolinesjewelry.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.isadoras.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.solovey.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.stardustantiques.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.indygem.com/ - antiques, new jewelry, antique style mountings

http://www.indygem.com/PlatinumAntiqueSemiMts-1.htm

http://www.gordonclark.com/ - antique style mountings

http://www.fusarojewelry.com/ - antique style mountings

http://www.martinflyer.com/ - antique style mountings

www.jackkelege.com – antique style mountings

http://www.peternorman.com/frameset.html - LA jewelry store, custom jewelry

www.wannabuyawatch.com – antiques, antique style mountings

http://www.engagement-ring-mountings.com/ - great selection

http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/ - custom jewelers

Happy obsessing!

 

[Molson]

Wow, I haven''t been on in a few days. I had a lot to read, I liked it. Thanks for all the welcomes and welcome to the other girls as well.

GoldenGirl, just wanted to comment that I totally understand your thing about wanting to buy the fall decorations on sale!! I so missed my boat on that one. We are most likely getting married next December and wanted to buy lots of white lights and candles on clearance. And since no proposal I was a little too bummed to shop, now I''m kicking myself!!! I hope to still find some steals on the internet. And I swear the conversations you write between you and your bf could be written my me!! I can totally see my bf and I having the same sort of conversations, you know what I mean?

I know my bf has ordered the ring (and actually it''s ready) so I''m really getting myself in trouble with so many pretty rings out there!! I''m not second guessing my decision, I know I will love it. But, it''s tough. I looked at so many and really loved a ton but none just screamed me until I found the prong set eternity band with round diamonds. I am so in love!!!! I showed numerous pics to my bf and he had one of them custom made but I have no idea which one. So, it is still going to be a surprise which I love!!!! I''ll try to find a couple pics I showed him and post them.

 

[blueroses]

Molson, I love that you''ll get a little bit of a surprise while still knowing the general idea!


Gals, how pathetic is it that I''m kind of sad about Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston separating?!

 

[KBerly]

hi chickies

just wanted to check in and say i enjoy reading all the "LIW" threads, even though i might just read and not respond

i noticed my name was slowly creeping to the top of the list

i have been given the go ahead to start searching for my diamond and setting, woohoo! so maybe sometime this year?? haha.

HOF, i am in love with the e-ring and w-band, just bu-tee-ful!

Well, i am off to check out all the wonderful websites katrina contributed, i think i have visited them at least once before, but just like the SMTR thread, you can''t look just once!

 

[katrina_33]

Date: 1/7/2005 9:17

9 PM
Author: blueroses
Molson, I love that you''ll get a little bit of a surprise while still knowing the general idea!





Gals, how pathetic is it that I''m kind of sad about Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston separating?!

Not pathetic! Keep in mind that I work in the entertainment industry, but when the announcement circulated in an office email, you could just hear the gasps, "Oh No!!!"''s, and "Holy sh*t"''s one office to the next as people checked it. One woman yelled "oh my god, I have to call my mom!" (hopefully half kidding at least!)

It is a bit sad, in a way that most celebrity splits aren''t at. I could usually care less! Don''t know why! Maybe because she seems so wholesome and deserving of being happily married. (Not that everyone isn''t, but she is very relatable and "girl next door" for a lot of people)

 

[MelissaSue]

okay.. i''m kinda sad about the brad pitt/jennifer aniston thing too! I am just hearing of it on here, at least officially.. (is it official.. i''ve heard the rumours for months). They were just a good couple and not annoying or overexposed or anything.. awww.