While in Hawaii, Brit and Nick talked quite a bit about marriage. I think we’re all sure that it’s going to happen. It’s just a question of when. And where.

I know Brit wants a diamond engagement ring. I understand that because I remember how I’d picked out the one I wanted 3 decades ago. And she has circled quite a few rings in magazines to give Nick hints about what she wants.

I’ve just passed a site onto Brit and will be emailing it to Nick, too. I want them to make sure they know as much as possible about diamonds and how best to make this important purchase. Abazias.com does more than sell diamonds and diamond rings; they educate.

Granted, I love how easy it is to choose your diamond cut, your price range, carat size, clarity and color. I love that you can use their website to build your own unique ring. But the section of this site that sets it apart from every other diamond site I’ve seen is the Diamond Education pages.

I always have a good feeling about companies that are willing to keep the marketing buzz words at a minimum while focusing on educating the consumer. I like being educated. Abazias.com offers the usual information on the 4 C’s and the difference in their own diamonds but also give an interesting History of the Diamond and even a nice article about Diamond Politics. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a diamond site give such a thorough commentary on diamonds. Well done, Abazias!

I realize that many people are leery about making such a sizable purchase online. Abazias knows that, too, and offers an extensive FAQ that addresses this concern as well as other questions. They’ve also gone the extra mile to offer a list of certified independent appraisers from across the country. It seems that they’ve gone beyond the minimum requirements to assure the quality of their products and the integrity of their company.

I feel much better about Nick and Brit making such a big purchase now that they have this great resource. I just hope Brit lets me help her design her ring. I’ve already designed a few as a test run and I think I’ve got some great samples to show her. Oh, okay, I’ll let her do it herself. I guess I’ll just have to design an anniversary ring for me.

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I’ve been buying my contact lenses online for about 7 years. I get great prices and excellent service. When I buy my glasses, though, I always buy from my eye doctor. I never even considered buying online. Imagine, the online shopping queen, not buying her eyeglasses online! I’m embarrassed.

My current glasses are very simple wire frames but I’m looking for something a little more trendy. My face it getting older and I need glasses that don’t look like they belong to my gramma. I’ve found several Goggles4u Eyeglasses that I’m seriously considering. Besides the great prices, there are some excellent tips on measuring for the right fit.

So far, I’ve narrowed my selection down to 3 styles. But for just $25.99 per pair – and free shipping, too – there’s no reason to limit myself to just one pair. I think I’ll start with two then add to my collection. I can see a new shopping obsession in my future!

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I’ve always done things a little different than the norm. I guess that makes me a rebel. And it’s no wonder that my kids are the same way. They do thing their way.

That’s why when Nick and Britanie get married, their daughter, Kendyll, will be their flower girl. In fact, I imagine she’ll be a very big part of her Mommy and Daddy’s big day. That may not be how most couples do it but it doesn’t matter. We go with the flow here.

It will be important for Kendyll to look just as beautiful as her Mommy that day. She’ll need a gown that let’s her shine, too. Now I know that in the end, it will be Britanie who gets to choose the colors and styles for her wedding day. That doesn’t mean, though, that I won’t have a little bit of a say in it. Luckily for me, Brit and I have very similar tastes.

I’ve found several beautiful dresses at http://www.pinkprincess.com. No one will be surprised to know that I really like this flowered one because it reminds me of dandelions. But that’s my obsession. I’m pretty certain that even if I could talk Britanie into it, my own son would say, NO WAY. He’s been surrounded by dandelions here at home, you know.

Whatever Brit picks out will be great because the prices here are really reasonable. They offer fast shipping and if you respond through this blog post with the code BlogPPP27 before February 28, 2007, you can get 10% off these already low prices. Now that’s a great deal!

I’ve been going through their online catalog and I’ve found quite a few dresses and gowns that I need to come back to for later. These dresses will be perfect for Easter and Christmas, as well as those special events.

And it isn’t too early to think about Kendyll’s First communion, either. I’ve raised enough kids to know that these major events creep up on you without even knowing it! There’s no guarantee that I’ll be able to find my daughter’s dress to pass down to Kendyll when the time is right. (I can barely remember where my coat is from last night!) So we’ll surely need to buy a new one for her. There are so many beautiful dresses to choose from that I’d better start right now.

And lets not forget accessories, either. Every well dressed girl needs the right shoes, the perfect purse, and that special hair adornment. Yes, Kendyll will be dressed like a princess no matter what the event is.

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What do you do with two teenaged girls who are bored? You pull out your manicure/pedicure stuff, hair styling stuff and makeup and have a makeover party.

Maggie, Amanda and I had a wonderful time getting pretty this weekend. They bickered a bit over who would do my French Manicure so I gave one girl the right hand and the other got the left. Both were happy.

And since Maggie has had both a professional manicure and pedicure, she knew about the hand massage and taught Amanda how to do it. Yes, that felt good, especially since my wrist doesn’t like this laptop keyboard lately.

Ahhh, the joy of girls!

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For as far back as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by cosmetics. I love makeup and skin care. I’ve spent more on lotions, potions, serums and salves than I have on clothes. Seriously. I love toiletries that much!

I know there are some fine products in drug stores and such but I really get excited about the high end stuff. I used it all and usually lay down my cash for the things I need to travel to the city to buy. Or buy online

An online store I just found has some excellent brand names like SkinCeuticals. I’ve used a few of their products, in sample form, and have been looking for the best place to purchase. SkinAct seems like a great source since it allows me to shop for various brands.

For example, SkinAct carries MD Formulations, one of the top skin care lines around. I’ve been wanting to try their entire Anti-Aging kit and SkinAct has it at a great price.

I was surprised to see that SkinAct also carries Guinot because it is a very exclusive line. I love pampering myself with skin care but I also love to pamper the men in my life. Guinot makes an excellent Men’s Balm for after-shaving comfort.

With such great products, I was curious about the other lines that SkinAct carries. I’d never heard of Eminence Organic Skin Care before so I had to check that one out, especially since I love anything organic. I was impressed with many of the active ingredients in this line, especially the Bearberry Extract in their skin lightening serum. I love serums and sometimes make my own. Bearberry Extract is one of my favorites! How nice to find a line that offers the naturally wonderful ingredients I’ve come to love, already prepared in luscious serums.

I’m making my list right now for SkinAct. I feel a night of pampering just around the corner.

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I don’t like to admit this but I will. I’m a slave to fashion. Note that I didn’t say I’m a slave to trends. I examine trends carefully and adopt only those that suit my own style. Fashion, though, is a passion. The right look, the perfect accessories, and I’m just beside myself with excitement. Yeah, it’s embarrassing.

Naturally, I know about many of the top brands, especially in women’s fashions. I have a couple Coach bags, a small Prada evening bag. I have a healthy collection of vintage Stratton compacts and some very fine footware. If you ask me about these companies, though, I really couldn’t tell you much. I don’t know the history (except for Stratton) and I’m not even sure where to find it.

A fashion company that I have read about recently is Belisi, makers of some of the most beautiful men’s ties I’ve ever seen. According to Belisi – How it Started, a young bartender, wanting to provide better for his wife and child, came up with the idea. Peter Belisi was struggling to make ends meet but knew he had to look the part of a success to be a success. So he invested every bit of extra money he had in nice ties. His customers in the trendy Palm Beach area noticed his ties and his fashion expertise, complimenting him on his style. And from there, his idea was born. He would sell trendy, luxury accessories at an affordable price, embracing the theory that “accessories are the start, not the finish of the design-inspired look—with the right accessories, even average garments are transformed into winning style.”

Peter Belisi learned quite a bit from his Palm Beach clientele, including the idea of Luxury with Meaning. Belisi was inspired by the wealthy Palm Beachers who were so generous with their charities that he adopted that philosophy for his own company. With every purchase, no matter the size, Peter Belisi will donate a portion of that purchase to the charity of your choice. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anything like that before. I’m impressed.

Mr. Belisi says he’s getting into handbags now. Wonderful! I have a feeling I could easily become his best customer.

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Living in a small town in West Virginia means many desirable products just aren’t available. Yes, i can travel to Pittsburgh but so many times that just seems like too much of a hassle. I’m a busy woman, you know.

With the internet, though, I can shop anywhere in the world and compare prices for the best deal, too. Case in point: fragrance. There are so many great scents but too many of them just aren’t offered in any of the stores around here. When I make it to Pittsburgh I’ll pick up a new fragrance and make notes (really, I literally write this down!) of the fragrance I still want to buy. I do the same with makeup and purses and shoes.

Until now, I’d have to wait for my next trip into the city. Now I just get online and buy. I’ve been comparing prices at brick & mortar stores with those online at SparklingScents. I think I’ll make Sparkling Scents my online source for fragrances.

Just look at the prices for the Jessica McClintock Perfume and Fragrance. I don’t think I could beat that locally, even during a sale. And Sparkling Scents carries other quality fragrances, too, like Michale Kors and Kenneth Cole. What a great selection! Oh, my! I just found Angel by Thierry Mugler at a huge savings!

Whether you’re wanting to treat yourself or you’re a guy with a wife or girlfriend to buy for, Sparkling Scents is definitely worth a look. And a sniff.

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I love sunglasses. Doesn’t everyone? The main reason I wear contacts instead of glasses is so that I can buy and wear various sunglasses.

I buy sunglasses whenever I go on vacation or travel. I buy sunglasses for special events and occasions. I guess I’m kind of obsessed with sunglasses, almost as much as I am with shoes and purses. I mean, let’s face it, even when I’m having a “fat day” my sunglasses, shoes and purses fit me.

Since I’m not planning a vacation right now I’m looking on line for some new shades. And I’m loving the sunglasses I’ve found at CTS Wholesale Sunglasses. Their new styles for 2007 are awesome.

The one thing I hate is when I go to a site or a store and find 15 styles that all look alike. I like variety. And CTS new 2007 lineup definitely offers variety.

I love the rounded look of the New Buckle sunglasses, probably because I like Gucci. But I also like the more squared look, too. And while I was looking around there, my son let me know he wanted the Great Poker Sunglasses while his girlfriend fell for the Rhinestone studded ones.

I couldn’t possibly go through every pair of sunglasses on the site because there are just so many fantastic styles. And if you think the retail prices are great, just look at the wholesale prices. If anyone is looking to resell sunglasses, you really need to check out CTS Wholesale Sunglasses. Great prices and styles that appeal to a broad range of tastes. How can you beat that?

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My hair is curly again. It didn’t take much, really. Just some water and poof! Curls!

I like my curls. My daughter likes my hair straight. My husband and sons all like my hair curly. I wonder why my daughter is so adamant about straightening my hair?

Anyway, here is a side by side comparison. First, the picture from the other day and then, a picture from today.
[myginpage=myhair]

That straight hair just doesn’t fit my personality. What do you think?

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Maggie straightens her hair. Her hair isn’t as curly as mine but it does have a nice wave. And she’s always wanting to straighten my hair.

Now, you have to understand that I straightened my hair every day during my teens. I started out laying my head on an ironing board while my cousin ironed my hair with a real iron. I then graduated to jumbo curlers and “wrapping.” I don’t have pics of my hair wrapped but I do have this one from my jumbo curler days.

So today Maggie talked me into letting her straighten my hair with her ceramic straightener. It was much faster than the old curlers and seemed to last longer, too. But I just don’t like it. Ilike my curls. The only advantage to the straight hair is that it looks longer. It reaches to my bra band in the back. When it’s curly, it just covers my collar. Yeah, my hair is that curly.

And now, here is my hair, straight. Oh, yeah. When it’s curly you can’t tell how uneven it is, either. I really need a trim.

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