The Twilight Engagement Ring: Proof that a Twilight Fan Will Buy Just About Anything

Infinite Jewelry Co. must have been suffering big time. What else would explain their great desire to partner with Stephanie Meyer and create a whole line of Twilight Jewelry. As far as I can tell from their website, that's all they sell now. The newest addition is the Twilight Engagement Ring.

The hoopla around this ring broke out today, a few days after the new trailer for Twilight Eclipse was released. The trailer included a glimpse of the ring, but apparently that was enough to get everyone excited about this piece of jewelry. If you are a die-hard Twilighter, then this ring is for you. If you have some taste, then you may want to skip it, and have your man get you a real ring. One that wasn't designed for a fictional character.

Here are the stats on the ring:

Available in 14K yellow gold or white gold (rhodium-plated for luster)

13 Diamonds - Brilliant cut, SI1 clarity, G-H color, approx. 1.06 carats

Price: $1979

PS: The $35 Fashion ring (all fake) and the $479 Fine ring (real gold, fake stones) are also available.

David's Bridal Redeems Itself

David's Bridal opened in Manhattan not too long ago. The store is just a couple of blocks away from my office. I pass it everyday on my way to work and everyday on my way back home. Most of the time, the dresses in the window are unimpressive. As is the customer service I've been told. But about a week ago, they put this dress in the window:

It stopped me in my tracks. It was that breathtaking. The picture really doesn't do it justice. I think they must have some new creative minds working for them, because the dresses have become progressively less ugly and more couture-like. A little shocked by the price ($1,150!), considering they are a "discount" bridal store (Home of the $99 wedding dress!). Nonetheless, I think David's Bridal has a winner on their hands with this one.

Gourmet Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

A friend of mine has started an online business selling gourmet chocolate-covered pretzels. So if you are looking for special wedding favors or just a midnight snack she's got you covered.

Check out her wares at Sweet N Salty By Design.

Unique Handmade Bridal Accessories

Looking for unique pieces to wear on your wedding day? Etsy, a site devoted to handmade goods, has a bunch of beautiful unique items that may complement your look.

Here are a few items:

Cashmere cropped sweater jacket $88

Dreamy Night Crystal Special Occasion Headband $30

Personalize your shoes with something blue $15

Velvet Kiss, Ivory Bridal Feather Hair Accessory, Velvet Leaves, Sequins, Ostrich Feathers $50

Vintage inspired hat (Tea with the queen) $385

Special Occasions Felted Bolero $220

Antique Silver and Crystal Earrings $17

Feather Headband with pearl button $49

Hallmark Personalized Photo Plates

Having a party? Want your face on the paper plates? You're in luck. Hallmark Cards today announced the introduction of Hallmark Personalized Plates. The plates give consumers the ability to design paper plates with full-color photos and text. More than 200 plate designs, including birthday, wedding, graduation, pet birthday, baby celebration, retirement and anniversary, are available at http://www.hallmarkparty.com/. Consumer can add their own photos, write their own personal message or choose from among more than 700 unique suggested messages.

The nine-inch paper dinner plates come in packages of 10. Each package retails for $10.

Do You Have $501,640 to Spend on a Wedding Dress?

Yes. This dress costs $501, 640. Why you ask? Because it's ornamented with 10 feet of platinum chain, 33 carats of diamonds, 145.84 carats of aquamarine, white keshi pearls and topped with white south sea pearl pendant suspended from platinum. That's a lot of bling for a dress. This creation is the brainchild of WEtv's "My Fair Wedding" host David Tutera and jewelry designer Erica Courtney. This is a one of a kind dress so you better run fast to Michael C. Fina and stake your claim!

Have Someone Else Pay for Your Honeymoon!

In lieu of a typical wedding registry, a co-worker of mine has decided to register on TheBigDay.com. This website lets you create a registry that allows your friends and family to help pay for your honeymoon. Here's how it works...you create an account with the site and then add pieces of your trip (eg, flights, hotel stays, excursions) at different price points. Friends and family can log onto your registry and purchase parts of your trip. Your account tracks all of your gifts and their givers so that you can send thank-yous. Couples decide how and when to receive their cash funds. Very cool. Because, honestly, when are you really going to use fine china?

The "No Dieting Before the Wedding" Dress

ShapeFX, a company that sells clothes that enhance your good features and hide your bad ones, now carries a wedding gown that they claim will make you look 10 pounds thinner.

Here's the description:

Figure-transforming, pure silk wedding gown developed with body-perfection in every detail. Hidden power-mesh slip begins just under the bust to flawlessly control, slim and smooth from midriff through thigh. Slip has a lacy silicone gripper edge to comfortably prevent ride-up. Built-in soft cups support and shape bust while the sweetheart neckline draws the eye upward and flatters shoulders. Shirred bodice defines the waist and princess seaming while corset-inspired rhinestone embellishment visually sculpts a shapely, hourglass silhouette. Hidden back zip. 43" from waist. Luxurious, double-layered silk with silk organza lining for an ideal, proportion-balancing flare.

The dress goes for $495...which isn't so bad, considering how much you would have had to spend for a gym membership to lose those extra 10 pounds. One negative, it is only available in one style. So you better hope and pray that that friend of yours who's getting married a month before you (and is just as lazy) doesn't opt for this dress too.

Bridesmaid dresses are also available in three colors (pink, lavender, and blue) for $89.

Modest Bridal Can Be Hot!

My good friend Tova Marc owns a bridal store called Couture de Bride in Teaneck, NJ. Her store is a little different from a regular bridal store because she caters to modest brides. What is a modest bride? One that's not big on showing too much skin on her wedding day, but still wants to look gorgeous. Tova designed each one of her pieces. The dresses come in different price points so they can fit any budget. She also sells mother-of-the-bride gowns, tiaras, veils, and shoes. Here are a couple of her creations:





Check out http://www.tovamarc.com/index.html for more wedding dresses and evening gowns.

More Fall Wedding Ideas

Here are some more Fall wedding ideas.

Party Favors:

Apple Butter 10oz jar- $2.98

Mini Pumpkin Pies (you can make these yourself)

Fall Leaf Bookmark $2.98

Maple syrup $3.40

Hard Apple Cider $4.99


Candle Holders $1.43

Centerpieces (minus the flowers)

Target $19.99

Fall Weddings: Apple Inspirations

A friend of mine is having her wedding in November and she's looking to give away candy apples as her favors. Here are a couple of websites that supply large quantities of candy apples for events.

Metro Candy Apple

This company offers a case pack of 20 apples which can be individually wrapped. Although they don't list their prices on the website, they do say that ordering by the case is an affordable solution when you need large quantities.

Candy Apple Shoppe

The Candy Apple Shoppe offers a huge variety of candy apples. Each apple can be individually wrapped and tied with a custom ribbon that has your name and wedding date engraved on it. The Candy Apple Shoppe does offer a discount for bulk purchases: $1 off each apple for orders over 50 and $2 off each apple for orders over 100. The cheapest candy apple is the caramel apple at $7.50 (kind of pricey).

Daffy Apple

By far the best deal around. 24 candy apples for $26! That comes out to a little over a dollar an apple! The apples do not come individually packed so you will need to put them in bags or gift boxes. Daffy Apple sells both:

But why stop at just favors...apples can make beautiful centerpieces too: