Six Fundamental Mistakes When Selecting THE Ring...

Six Fundamental Mistakes When Selecting THE Ring...


Now that we are in the Holiday Season, Chanukah is well underway and Christmas is right around the corner, couples young and old are getting engaged.  This is what, we in the wedding industry, call "Engagement Season".  Buying an engagement ring can be a bit overwhelming, or so I hear.  I have never bought one so I turned to my wonderful husband on what advice he might have for a gentleman buying THE ring.  He directed me to the Robbins Brother's website, http://www.robbinsbros.com/.  They are "The World's Largest Engagement Ring Store" and are very helpful when it comes to educating their clients on pick the best ring. 

Here are some of the mistakes Robbins Brothers advises to avoid, when selecting a ring:

1. Don't buy a ring without the Manufacturer's Trademark stamp.

2. Beware of gold that may be under-karated, even if it's stamped.

3. Beware of buying a diamond that may be fracture-filled to temporarily hide inclusions or laser-drilled to remove dark inclusions.

4. Beware of buying a diamond of lower color than promised.
 

5. Beware of buying a diamond of lower clarity than promised.

6. Beware of buying diamonds that have less carat-weight than quoted.

 

For more tips and a fabulous selection of engagement rings, visit The World's Largest Engagment Ring Store, Robins Brothers.  They have retail stores located in Dallas (close to the Dallas Galleria, off of the North Dallas Tollway,  14080 Dallas Pkwy. Dallas, TX  75240) and Arlington, if you live in the great state of Texas and in Southern California.  My husband got my ring at the Dallas location and we HIGHLY recommend them.  The staff was very helpful.

http://www.robbinsbros.com/

This is a very important purchase, she will wear this for many years to come, hopefully the rest of her life.  Be sure to get the best quality for your money.  Personally, I would prefer quality over the size of a diamond.

Best Wishes,

Tiff

http://www.diamondeventsbytiffany.com/

ICE @ the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas

Ice at the Gaylord Texan

Gaylord Texan has the ICE experience every year but 2009 is different because they have How the Grinch Stole Christmas on display. In fact, that was what most of the exhibit featured. This was our first year to go and we had no idea the line would be SO LONG. It took longer to get thru the line than it did to walk thru the exhibit...and we bought tickets online BEFORE we got there...AND we were the first in line for our "seating". I think they sell so many for each "seating" that they get so far behind. Do not go thinking you will see the exhibit at 5:30...or even 7pm if you buy a 5:30 "seating".  They did have a few distractions while we were waiting.  There were a group of carolers that did a few songs and a lady with a really cute monkey.  He was not shy and seemed to enjoy the attention....much like David.

Every time you turn a corner or walk thru another door, you think it is time to go in...Ha ha ha...FOOLED again, you are just going to stand in another LINE. Then they give you the coats / parkas (whatever) and you get all bundled up and start getting in the mood to experience ICE...and then you wait in another LONG line...and burn up because you put on the coat. LOL.

Once you FINALLY get in, it is really cool. The sculptures are beautiful. I love Grinch so that was fun. I cannot imagine how long this takes to build...so let's look on their website at http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-texan/lone-star-christmas/the-ice-experience.html. "ICE! will be created by dozens of artisans who migrate to the Dallas / Ft. Worth area each year from Harbin, China to craft this elaborate attraction out of nearly 2 million pounds of ice. It takes them nearly an entire month of 12-hour shifts to transform the refrigerated tent where the exhibit is held into a remarkable icy wonderland."

You do not even realize this is in a tent. They say it is 9 degrees, and I believe it. Even though you get a parka, dress warm and bring gloves.



My favorite part was the ice slide. It was actually made of ICE. I am a big girl and was a little uneasy about going down the slide...but I am glad I did. I would have liked to go again but, of course, the lines were too long.

                

All of the major scenes and memorable characters of Whoville were featured. The colors were beautiful. My niece asked if they used Kool-Aid to get the ice to change colors. We teased that we were going to taste the ice to see. I do not know what they used but it was pretty.

At the end of the exhibit, there were other sculptures of the typical Christmas scenes. I do not remember other religions represented, it would have been nice to see something about Hanukkah. Shame.



After waiting in the lines, I felt rushed to get thru the exhibit. Maybe there is a less busy time to go. We went the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so maybe a...Tuesday morning would be better. LOL.

All in all, this was a fun outing...but we all agreed it is not to be a family tradition.  We did enjoy the Gaylord and all the pretty holiday decorations.  We try to get out there every year.  I will blog and post some photos of the hotel later this week.  If you have a chance, get out and see the hotel....and if you have over two hours to stand in line...go see ICE. 

Tiff

http://www.diamondeventsbytiffany.com/

Budget Tip for a Fun Holiday Party

Here we are, the holiday season. This means gifts, family time, making memories, and PARTIES!!! If you are one who likes to host parties but your budget does not have much wiggle room, there are ways you can still be a wonderful host without breaking the bank.

One of the best ways to save on any party is to not host at a mealtime. Instead, have a dessert party. One of the wonderful things about the holidays is all of the yummy sweets. Christmas cookies, cakes, tarts, candies, and pies...OH MY!!! Hunt thru your recipe box and pick a few to serve, or better yet, introduce a new dessert you have been wanting to try (you might want to have a trial before your guests arrive). We all have family favorites that bring back memories, so invite your neighbors over and share.


Here is a new and colorful cookie I want to try this year.  I found this on http://www.epicurious.com

Seven-Layer Cookies Gourmet

 Deep almond flavor and sophisticated apricot and pure chocolate accents give these cookies a cosmopolitan air.






Yield: Makes about 5 dozen cookies
Active Time: 1 1/2 hr
Total Time: 11 hr

4 large eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
1 (8-oz) can almond paste
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
25 drops red food coloring
25 drops green food coloring
1 (12-oz) jar apricot preserves, heated and strained
7 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped


Special equipment: a heavy-duty stand mixer; a small offset spatula

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 13- by 9-inch baking pan and line bottom with wax paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 ends, then butter paper.

Beat whites in mixer fitted with whisk attachment at medium-high speed until they just hold stiff peaks. Add 1/4 cup sugar a little at a time, beating at high speed until whites hold stiff, slightly glossy peaks. Transfer to another bowl.

Switch to paddle attachment, then beat together almond paste and remaining 3/4 cup sugar until well blended, about 3 minutes. Add butter and beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add yolks and almond extract and beat until combined well, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, then add flour and salt and mix until just combined.

Fold half of egg white mixture into almond mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.

Divide batter among 3 bowls. Stir red food coloring into one and green food coloring into another, leaving the third batch plain. Set white batter aside. Chill green batter, covered. Pour red batter into prepared pan and spread evenly with offset spatula (layer will be about 1/4 inch thick).

Bake red layer 8 to 10 minutes, until just set. (It is important to undercook.)

Using paper overhang, transfer layer to a rack to cool, about 15 minutes. Clean pan, then line with wax paper and butter paper in same manner as above. Bake white layer in prepared pan until just set. As white layer bakes, bring green batter to room temperature. Transfer white layer to a rack. Prepare pan as above, then bake green layer in same manner as before. Transfer to a rack to cool.

When all layers are cool, invert green onto a wax-paper-lined large baking sheet. Discard paper from layer and spread with half of preserves. Invert white on top of green layer, discarding paper. Spread with remaining preserves. Invert red layer on top of white layer and discard wax paper.

Cover with plastic wrap and weight with a large baking pan. Chill at least 8 hours.

Remove weight and plastic wrap. Bring layers to room temperature. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat. Keep chocolate over water.

Trim edges of assembled layers with a long serrated knife. Quickly spread half of chocolate in a thin layer on top of cake. Chill, uncovered, until chocolate is firm, about 15 minutes. Cover with another sheet of wax paper and place another baking sheet on top, then invert cake onto sheet and remove paper. Quickly spread with remaining chocolate. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

Cut lengthwise into 4 strips. Cut strips crosswise into 3/4-inch-wide cookies.

Cooks' note:

Cookies keep, layered between sheets of wax paper or parchment, in an airtight container at room temperature 2 weeks.

Enjoy.

Tiff
http://www.diamondeventsbytiffany.com/