Your ring is sparkling and the word is out. You’re engaged and everyone wants to know one thing: When is the ceremony? While you may have to get back with them on the exact date of the Big Day, there’s another special day for you and your main squeeze to consider as you make plans – the engagement party.

Not every couple decides to host one, but engagement parties are a fun option for duos looking to celebrate before saying “I do”. While it’s a fantastic way for the bride and groom’s families to meet and spend time together before the wedding, engagement gatherings are a great way to build excitement and give a sneak peak to your wedding day too.

So if you see an engagement party in your future, how will you celebrate? Do you want to party like a rock star or host an elegant, low-key dinner with friends and family? Party planning guru Jes Gordon says before you starting touring venues and scanning the shelves for the cutest invitations you have to ask yourself one question: Why do I want to do this?

“Parties take time and effort – not just for you but for your guests too,” Jes wrote in her book, Party Like a Rock Star. “Good reasons for getting together will not only make it worth your time but your guests’ time as well.”

Even before asking “Why?” Distinct Event Planning advises brides and grooms to consider “How?” It’s so easy for wedding budgets to turn into runaway budgets, when couples don’t map out all of their expected expenses or when excitement pulls them away from the financial game plan they created.

If you crunch the numbers and find that your engagement party is a-go, consult with a professional party planner to help turn your ideas into reality and maximize your money. It’s easy to image amazing color schemes, music, and the perfect food and venue, but pulling all the pieces together and assessing your options is better left to the experts, especially if you plan to host a large or extravagant gathering.

A professional party planner will work with you to come up with a party concept based on your style as a couple – whether it’s “red carpet fabulous,” or “backyard casual.” Then select a venue, menu, music, decorations and the other details to make your day shine.

Planning the event yourself is also always an option too. Before you begin just be sure to map out all you need to do and when it needs to be done, down to the smallest detail. Ask knowledgeable friends to review your to-do list to make sure you’re not leaving anything out. Then consider your other time commitments and who’s actually going to roll up their sleeves with you. Party planning done right is serious business so choose wisely!

No matter what you decide, an engagement party is a fabulous event to look forward to!  Happy Planning!

Lucretia Williams is the owner and lead consultant of Distinct Event Planning, LLC. Their mission is to ensure that they offer you the best and most professional wedding and special event planning services. Lucretia can be contacted at (614) 577-1844, info@DistinctEventPlanning.com or visit her at www.DistinctEventPlanning.com.

Valentine gifts will not be the only things flying off the shelves this season. Between now and early spring, thousands of grooms-to-be will be scanning jewelry counters for the perfect ring. If your ring finger has a little bling headed its way, it’s time to share your ideas for an ideal engagement with your honey.

Being able to express your ideas to your mate is the cornerstone of any great relationship, right? So why not get some practice in as engagement season unfolds.

Don’t have the ring yet and unsure of what you want? Try visiting the websites of popular jewelry retailers with your fella first. Stores like Kay Jewelers, the Diamond Cellar & Zales each have hundreds of rings to view online and the sites allow you to narrow your search based on cut, metal and price. Looking online before heading into a physical store offers a pressure-free way to window shop for the perfect piece. No waiting in line at a busy jewelry counter or high-pressure sales await you when you do a little virtual viewing from home. Plus, you can carefully compare each store’s policies on returns, repairs and other services in peace. You might even discover “online-only” deals that clerks may honor in-store.

Once you have a good idea of what you want, talk openly with your honey about your wedding budget and how the ring fits into the “bottom line” of your big day. Be sensitive to what he can afford and respect the boundaries of your overall budget. Keep in mind most stores offer deals on ring upgrades. Your dream ring may not fit into the budget now but stores offer great exchange programs to customers looking to upgrade to bigger and better pieces later on.

After talking over those serious budgeting goals, head to the store for a little playtime. Nothing gives you peace of mind like trying things on before you buy. It’s best to find out firsthand, if your online pick really compliments your personality and if the design is practical for your lifestyle. Trying rings on and talking with a professional about the pros and cons of each piece lets you do that.

Find your Favorites, discuss your Finances, and see if it Fits – ring hunting never looked so easy. Happy shopping!!

Lucretia Williams is the owner and lead consultant of Distinct Event Planning, LLC. Their mission is to ensure that they offer you the best and most professional wedding and special event planning services. Lucretia can be contacted at (614) 577-1844, info@DistinctEventPlanning.com or visit her at www.DistinctEventPlanning.com.

By Sandra Gurvis

What is this obsession with “wives?”  First came the Stepford Wives, a bestseller made not once but twice into a popular movie; "Desperate Housewives," a TV show now in its 8^thand self-chosen final season; and “The Real Housewives of [fill in name of major city here]” franchise courtesy of Bravo TV wunderkind Andy Cohen.  Even my own novel, Country Club Wives, addresses this phenomenon.

 “I think it’s terrible and demeaning to women,” observes my friend Lisa, a highly intelligent and successful computer software engineer.  “Think about it – it sets us back almost 50 years.  What the heck was women’s lib for?”

 Yeah, but…it’s so much fun to get a glimpse into the lives of the rich and vapid, whose biggest problems seem to be to learn how to cook a chicken without first dousing it with dishwashing liquid ("The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills") or persuading the gals at the country club that you really can afford the ginormous house with the indoor/outdoor pool and tennis court even though you’re single without any visible source of income ("Big Rich Texas," Style TV’s offering in the genre).   Discussions of and experimentations with various types of plastic surgery; shopping sprees and séances; trips to exotic places in the Caribbean, Africa, and Middle East can all be experienced by simply flipping on the TV.

 Best of all are the fights and drama.  Will Teresa from the New Jersey housewives toss another table or her goomba of a husband out the door and how will Phaedra from the Atlanta franchise fare with her funeral parlor undertaking (no pun intended)?  Even being kicked off/leaving the show can be parlayed into a new career; just look at Bethenny Frankel’s multi-million dollar “Skinny Girl” franchise and her TV show, although somewhat less so with former archenemies Danielle Staub and Dina Manzo of New Jersey who became a stripper and an HGTV host, respectively.  And then there’s arguably the biggest failure/success in Housewives history, when former DC Housewife/Obama gate-crasher Michaele Salahi dumped her bizarre husband Tareq for Journey guitarist Neal Schon.   Now that’s entertainment!

 OK, so my friend Lisa has a point. These shows hardly depict us women as the highly competent, intelligent, compassionate and productive creatures that we really are.  But what about all those reality shows about bad restaurants, fashion disasters, child beauty pageants, over-the-top weddings, even not-so-fine art?   There’s something for almost every interest, taste and nationality. No matter what the platform, the same sort of silliness and undercutting goes on there as well.  And yes, a lot of it is fast food for the brain and you do wonder what these people are really thinking when they talk into the camera (and whether you would do the same if it would allow you to quit your day job).

 But for me, it’s a chance to escape the humdrum of everyday life and reflect on how I would handle it were I that situation (not likely, but still a fun mental exercise).  And you never know when an in-depth knowledge of wigs, Kelsey Grammer’s odd personal habits, and designer show/charity event faux pas will come in handy. Pass the remote, please!

Freelance writer Sandra Gurvis is the author of fifteen books, including COUNTRY CLUB WIVES, a satire about women, money and homeless animals in “New Wellington” Ohio, available as an e-book from the Women’s Bookstore and soon to be released in paperback. More information can be found at www.sgurvis.com.

As I mentioned in the previous blog entry, The Time for Women is Now, there are several forms of Feng Shui. Some require no formal training, but the more complex the method, the more training one should pursue. Below are basic descriptions of the more popular methods: 

Classic, also known as Traditional Feng Shui

Based on the two original types first used in China thousands of years ago, classic Feng Shui consists of principles from Form and Compass Schools. Contemporary classic Feng Shui is related to and utilizes a variety of modalities that include physics, magnetic influences, algorithms, numerical trends (called flying stars), Ming Gua, Bazhai (four pillars), geomancy,and other applications. It is the only method that considers the space/time dimension. Classic Feng Shui evaluates the land, man’s impact to the land (buildings, roads, etc.), time, and then people in the space. 

Black Sect Tantric Buddhism (BTB),also called Black Hat, Black Sect, and Western Feng Shui

This method reportedly has its roots in the pre-Buddhist, Bon religion of Tibet. It was influenced by Indian Buddhism, and later incorporated some traditions of Chinese Feng Shui. In the 1980’s it was brought to the West (Americas) where it has blossomed. This may be because of its easy application. BTB uses a modification of the Wen Wang (Later Heaven) bagua and is superimposed on a site, building, room, etc. utilizing a door or entrance as its anchor. Its remedies include the use of crystals and mirrors. BTB emphasizes the flow of chi, mantras, and transcendental practices. 

Intuitive Feng Shui

To feel or know (from an inner voice) what is needed in a space for placement and remedies. This utilizes shamanism and also evaluates people and their lifestyle. Practitioners may or may not have formal training. Please note the term Intuitive Feng Shui is trademarked by William Spear and should not be confused with an intuitive approach to Feng Shui. 

Vastu Shastra  

A traditional Hindu system based on directional alignments. It is primarily applied in Hindu temples, although it covers other applications (including poetry, dance, sculpture, etc.). The foundation of Vastu is traditionally ascribed to the mythical sage Mamuni Mayan.

May you be exceedingly, generously, and joyfully blessed,©

Diana Garber, President & CEO (Creative Environment Officer)©

Master Feng Shui Practitioner

Intuitive Concepts, Inc.