Prepping for Virtual School... just in case it happens again.

July 27, 2020

As I've been preparing my own classroom for this upcoming school year that could potentially consist of weeks doing virtual school and weeks in the actual school building something hit me, I need to also have home prepared for just in case my child is in virtual school. 

My plan for the summer was to begin working on Kindergarten things, making sure he was as ready as possible when he began. With Reading/Language not being his favorite subject, my plan for this summer was to hit letters and sounds hard. 

So I organized myself a little three drawer corner of the dining room and plopped a Kindergarten style calendar on top. I even stole my basket I use to drag back and forth from intervention/computer lab in Louisiana. 


Here's a peek at what's inside and what I'm keeping on hand incase we end up in virtual school! 


Magnetic calendar from Target - lists day, month, weather, seasons. 

In my basket: twist up crayons, markers, dry erase markers, a dry erase board and eraser, reward stickers, glue sticks, scissors, permanent markers for me, water color paint, stylus, and pencils. I've also got pencil grips.

Drawer #1: Small treasure box type rewards for days he might need one, My 4 Weeks to Read reading program, a zippy bag of the magnetic parts from my calendar. 

Drawer #2: Bible lesson book, handwriting practice book, clear page protector for dry erase on worksheets (I've got math and handwriting in there now), Fun I Spy activity book, Dry Erase Letters and Numbers practice book, alphabet cards, Summer Brain Quest for his age group. (My plan is to get the Brain Quest workbook for his grade as well as the flash cards when we complete the summer workbook. They actually have a set of flashcards for kids starting at age 2, and I'll be getting it for Elliot on his birthday.) 

Drawer #3: Plain sticker dots for activities (matching letter or numbers), Letter and number puzzles, dry erase board, blank books I found in the Target dollar spot as a reward (he loves illustrating a book), his hand me down Mobi-Go and Leap Pad. The Leap Pad can be used whenever since it's all learning but the Mobi-Go is just games and it used as a reward. 


I've also got paper on hand and I need to restock my construction paper. We also practice on Khan Academy Kids. ABC Mouse, and Duolingo ABC on my iPad, hence the stylus. 

This is all super simple and paired down. I just like keeping everything organized and in one place. As soon begins I'll probably print out worksheets that his teacher uses in virtual school. I also know my reading program isn't the one being used in school, but in the event he is needing extra help I have this on hand to help me teach him. 

I know Louisiana and Alabama are both doing this, but your local PBS stations will be airing lessons. I saw the lineup for Louisiana on Facebook, so surely the Alabama one is floating around somewhere. If PBS is doing this for these states it is very likely others are as well. 

If you have students in other grade levels, just think of having a set of their school supplies on hand. It also wouldn't hurt to have some sort of workbook for each subject they take to help as extra practice. There are also many websites that offer extra practice, trust me your teachers are pulling worksheets from there as well. Teacher stores and Amazon are great resources for finding workbooks. If all else fails... some teacher somewhere taught that lesson and posted it to Youtube or TeacherTube. 

I realize I don't have craft materials in here, I'm just not that mom and recognize it. If you are, go for it. I'm not crafty for a whole host of reasons. 

Anyway, I hoped this help if you are trying to think of how to organize a school work station. You really don't have to have a whole room or area for school work, you can just keep it organized in one space and pull out what you need. Honestly, I might keep this up over the years for homework too. I'll just need to add a pencil sharpener. 
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Why Your Home's Appearance Matters

July 23, 2020

Even if you are not selling your home in the near future, or you are not particularly interested in home design, your house's appearance is incredibly essential for several reasons. This article will cover everything that you need to know about the impact of its appearance and how you may be able to improve this.



Does it increase the selling value of your home?      

Your home's appearance matters on a financial level because a good design can increase the sale value of your home and encourage potential buyers to put in reasonable offers for it. For instance, buyers will pay more for homes that have the latest appliances, have little repair or maintenance needs, and that have features such as fireplaces and hardwood flooring.

Additionally, it can also allow your home to sell much more quickly than if you avoid freshening up your décor. Although most potential buyers will want to renovate your home anyway, by ensuring that it has excellent décor, you will be able to grab the attention of visitors at viewings, show you home in a good light, and enable buyers to imagine themselves living in your house.

How can it enhance your quality of life?

However, the appearance of your home can not only increase the satisfaction of buyers, but it can also help to improve your quality of life and mental health. If you are living in a well-decorated home, it is likely to have a positive impact on your mood, allowing you to be more productive and to be happy with spending time at home. This is the case if you focus on creating relaxing spaces, with features such as pleasing aromas, bright light, and comfortable sitting areas. Some of the best home features to increase your quality of life include investing in plants and flowers and pinning up treasured photos and memorabilia. You should try to keep your home clean and tidy for the ultimate positive impact on your mental health and your home's appearance.

What are some of the best ways to improve your home's appearance?

One of the best ways to improve your home's appearance is to install new windows from timberwindows-direct.co.uk. Their range of high quality and durable window features will enable you to increase your home's curb appeal with minimal maintenance or upkeep required. You might also consider switching your door for a newer option, as this is one of the first areas of your home that guests interact with.

You should also concentrate on the exterior of your home by curating your garden space. For instance, you should repaint and fix your fencing, varnish your outdoor furniture and decking, and weed your paths and flowerbeds to ensure that these can stay neat and professional. You might also consider adding outdoor furniture to your garden or landscaping features, such as fountains or ponds. Other popular options include installing window boxes, creating a path up to your front door, and painting your home's exterior walls.

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Our Trader Joe's Bi-Monthly Haul Must Haves!

July 22, 2020

In the past year of moving, now juggling a toddler on top of our big boy, and the biggest time thing that I saw coming but you don't know until you are there... full time ministry. 

I've had to learn to reorganize my time, or better plan it out. And y'all know I'm a loon when it comes to planning anyway. On Wednesday and Sunday nights when I am on my own with the kids I need something easy, generally Wednesday is leftovers to make it super easy. 

But Sunday night is the night I live for... Trader Joe's freezer meals. 


We are fortunate enough to live close enough to a Trader Joe's to justify making this haul now. In the past I just grabbed a fun item or two when we would be in Baton Rouge. 

Let me tell y'all why I love their freezer meals though, they are by far the best quality and taste I've had from any grocery freezer meal. 

I just can't deal with hum drum tolerable, otherwise I'll just tough it out and actually cook. But Trader Joe's, especially their Asian style freezer items are on par with our favorite Chinese takeout... if not better. 

So let's go down the list of my favorite go-to items, as well as a few fun ones I picked up this month. Since their stock rotates so often the fun items tend to change. 


First up is the Chicken and Pork Gyoza, I buy a bag of stir fry veggies to go with each and serve it with the Island Soyaki Sauce (not pictured because I still had some in the fridge). 

I picked up their premade Acai bowl this time as well, one for each of us, for a night we want something lighter. Jeremy loved the Acai in Brazil last summer so it's always worth a shot to try. 

Two more regulars are the Steak and Stout Pies and Pepperoni Pizza Mac and Cheese Bowl. Both are delicious and not even remotely healthy. But that isn't the theme of Sunday night. The theme is fun and easy take-out-esque food, not macro counting friends. 

I also grabbed two Butter Chicken with Rice & an Aloo Chaat as a side for that. I could eat all of the Indian all of time, but Jeremy isn't so hot on Tikka Masala so I'm often on my own here. 


A friend of ours swears by the Brown Rice Fusilli Pasta and I finally jumped on board... it's every bit of amazing. You can't tell it's gluten free. So I got two bags this time. 

I also grabbed, but I'm not sure you can see it two of their pizza dough bags, pizza sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella. The plain crust (I also got the garlic herb) was great, this was our dinner this past Sunday night. Harrison loves to make pizza. 

Fun items you see here - Jalapeno Limeade (holy amazing-ness), Everyday seasoning (loving it), Pineapple Carbonated Spring Water (I always treat myself to a flavored bubbly water when there), Dark Chocolate PB cups (a now staple), and Popcorn in a Pickle (best pickle flavored item I've ever had). Oh yeah, the gummy lobsters. They were gummy lobsters... I need sour or something. 





Aww, here's the Mozzarella, pepperoni, and pizza dough! By the way the Trader Joe's Mozzarella is the best shredded mozzarella I've ever purchased. It cost more than I want to spend on the regular (about 4.99) but it actually had taste. Unlike everything I've ever bought from Kraft. 

I grabbed a few kombuchas while there too, we started using Shipt and only get Winn-Dixie and Publix where we live. Y'all they price their kombucha like it has gold in it. So I've been getting it from Sam's Club in a case or pick some up elsewhere if I can. And as a long time Bucha lover can I just point out that I love that this has become more mainstream and I don't have to go to a health food store to buy it. 

Who else remembers the great kombucha crisis of 2010-ish? 

I also grabbed a Vit-C juice shot - fun food category, my allergies have been bad with the trees flowering at the house. 

Also, baby spinach & a shallot because I needed another side this week and I have a great recipe for a warm spinach salad. 


More of the big gun items! 

BBQ Chichen Teriyaki, Mandarin Orange Chicken, Beef & Broccoli, and Kung Pao Chicken - all with a bag of the vegetable fried rice as a side. The Orange Chicken is my FAVORITE! 

I got us each a Bibimbap Bowl too, spicy and yummy. 

Finally a new item (to me) I thought I'd take for a spin - Chicken and Mushroom Pelmeni. It's Russian, we haven't had it, and I'm always up for a good time. 

That brings me to SIXTEEN meals. Plus a side or two and some snacks. 


I spent $145 this time and this will actually get us through 3-4 months of Sunday nights. 

Because of snacks this comes out to about $9 a meal (but isn't really... snacks) and even at that it's cheaper than if we were to order takeout on Sunday nights. Plus I can whip this up quick and everyone is happy. 
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Coping Tips for Long Travel Plans

July 15, 2020


Traveling is an exciting and fun time, no matter the length of the trip, whether it’s a big family getaway or a more intimate couple’s vacation. No matter how exciting, however, that doesn’t mean that travel can’t take its toll, especially when you’re moving from place to place with exhausting itineraries.

To be better prepared, here are some helpful tips for best coping with extensive travel.



Think Carefully About Transport

Whether it’s a plane journey, a hire care, public transport, or all of the above, how you choose to plan your journey is going to make a significant difference to your energy levels and state of mind.

Try to plan your flight for a time that is going to fit in best with your routine, especially if you have young children. It may be wise to book an early morning flight rather than a flight at 2 a.m., for example.

It may also be significantly easier (and less tiring) to hire your own car rather than depend on the schedule of public transport, especially if this will mean many stops and changes.

Remember to Pack Pain Relief Items

Traveling is going to be more difficult if you end up suffering with pain. Even something as simple as a headache can be disruptive and uncomfortable if you’re out on the road without any pain killers, with stores many hours away.

Be sure to pack a small pain relief kit with you for long journeys, with emergency items like pain killers or even cooling relief gel, which may help with sore muscles if you’re planning a lot of physical walking or movement. It’s always better to have everything on hand just in case, even if you don’t use it.

Sleep and Rest is Important

Naturally, you want to make the most out of your trip, which means you might want to spend less time sleeping and more time doing. However, you shouldn’t neglect a good night’s sleep and a chance to rest between demanding activities.

Especially if you’re traveling long-distance and will be suffering from jet lag, setting aside a day or two initially to catch up on sleep and adjust to the time difference will be key for your energy levels and wellbeing.

If you have a packed itinerary, be sure to give plenty of time between activities for rest and for downtime, instead of rushing from point to point and risking burn out.

Think About Personal Entertainment

If you’ve any form of long travel, whether it’s a long flight or car journey, then think ahead regarding what to take to keep yourself (and everybody else) entertained. You may think you’ll be able to cope with a few hours in a car without anything to do but enjoy the scenery, but this can quickly become uncomfortable, especially if younger children are involved.

Be sure to take books, electronic devices, music or anything which will keep everybody entertained. If you don’t end up using it, at least it was always there as an option!

 

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Organization Tips for Planning a Family Vacation

July 14, 2020


There’s a lot of weight on your shoulders when planning a family vacation. With more people involved in travel planning, there are more potentials for things to go wrong (i.e. lost passports, forgotten phone chargers, temper tantrums, etc.). As the person doing the planning, there is one crucial thing that will ensure your vacation goes smoothly: organization. The more organized you are, the less you’ll encounter problems and the better you can deal with them if they arise.


Pre-book EVERYTHING

Anything that you can pre-book should be pre-booked. It will ensure that everything is taken care of in advance and reduce your chances of forgetting things. You’ll have enough to deal with already without adding on unnecessary hassles, such as figuring out where you’re going to park or waiting in huge lines for tickets to attractions.

Pre-booking has the added perk of saving money on almost everything. Booking in person means the companies can mark up the prices, as they know you have no option. Book your JFK airport long term parking in advance to ensure you’ve got a spot on the day and don’t risk any hiccups that could cause you to miss your flight.

Use checklists

Nothing beats an old-school checklist to ensure you’re organized and don’t forget anything. Don’t risk trying to remember everything yourself and instead use premade lists that you can find online, so you don’t miss something crucial. There is likely something you may not have thought of that someone else has. If your kids are packing themselves, give them each a checklist so they can go through and tick off all their items.

Use checklists for everything. Have a packing checklist, an airport checklist, a camping gear checklist, and a hotel checkout checklist. Use whatever type of list is relevant to your holiday. It may seem excessive, but it’s the best way to ensure you’re on track, especially when you’ve got the kids running around.

Take advantage of your smartphone

Smartphones are extremely helpful and efficient when it comes to keeping people organized. Take advantage of all the fantastic smartphone apps that can make planning your vacation a breeze. You can use apps to book flights, accommodation, transport, excursions, and more! There are translation apps for when you’re in a foreign country and taxi apps that will provide you with a driver in minutes.

Google maps will help you get around anywhere on the planet without getting lost. With the kids in tow, the last thing you want is to get lost in a new city. You can even mark locations on the app and create a route for your daily activities. You can also use planning and checklist apps to plan out your whole vacation and itinerary. There’s almost nothing a smartphone can’t do. 

Planning a family vacation is hard work. It takes a lot of careful planning to ensure the whole family is happy and stress-free during their time away. Make your life easier by using these tips to keep you organized and fully relax and enjoy your holiday.

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Three Ways to Get in Shape on a Budget

July 13, 2020

With the rising temperatures of the summer months bringing plenty of opportunities to show off your body, following several months of an enforced sedentary lifestyle due to the coronavirus lockdown, you might feel that it’s time to get into shape. With gym memberships and sports equipment proving costly, you might think that you cannot afford to work exercise into your monthly budget. However, exercise and improved fitness are possible for anyone, whatever your budget and ability. Here are three ways you can get in shape while sticking to a budget.



 

1.   Use coupons to buy equipment

When starting an exercise regime, you need, at the very least, gym clothes and supportive sneakers. This equipment list can grow if you’re taking up a specific sport, obliging you to buy anything from yoga mats to baseball mitts, all of which can quickly become expensive. You are probably aware of using coupons to buy groceries and other household goods, but did you know that you can also use coupons to purchase exercise and sports gear? Dicks Sporting Goods coupons, for instance, offer you discounts on essential sports equipment to help you carry out your new fitness regime without breaking the bank.

 

2.   Use the sidewalk as your gym

A monthly gym membership can be expensive, especially if you don’t use it enough to make it worthwhile. On top of this, you might feel self-conscious about working out surrounded by gym bunnies. However, a gym membership isn’t essential to get in shape: all you need are a pair of running shoes and the great outdoors. To build a running regime, start with walking, then gradually build in longer spates of running, and you’ll soon be running for miles every week. Your neighborhood, or a local park, is the perfect place to begin a running regime, and what’s more, you can admire the natural scenery while working out, rather than the line of treadmills in front of you.

 

3.   Follow online fitness videos

A staple piece of fitness equipment in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the humble workout video has made something of a comeback during the coronavirus lockdown. Why not try yoga and Pilates or a dance-based workout like Zumba? Or go retro with a Jane Fonda aerobics video? Whatever you are in the mood for, you are sure to find a video workout for it. You could even make your video workouts a social event by inviting your friend around to join in—but make sure you actually see the workout through to the end! As well as streaming sites such as Amazon Prime, YouTube are excellent resources for classic aerobics workouts for free. The platform is also home to some excellent fitness YouTubers who offer regular workout videos that provide you with the experience of attending a class in the comfort of your own home. For instance, subscribe to Yoga with Adriene for yoga videos, or Pamela Reif if you want a full-body workout.

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I Wanna Be Loved Bayou

July 8, 2020

This past week I headed off with the kids to visit family in the bayou state! 

If you're reading this and didn't see me just know... I'm on a time crunch every time. While we weren't able to visit my MIL this time, she just had surgery and Covid sucks, we are usually driving all over creation to make sure we spend time with her and my parents. Not to mention we have to work in time with our best friends and our second family. 

I'm awful at photos when we get to see our New Iberia family, We were too busy eating fried crawfish poboys from Bon Creole and then generally not pretty enough for a pic. I've got a shot or two of Kali and Brandon that Harrison took but I can promise you she'd never answer my text again if I posted them 😂. 

So just know, we sat, chatted, drank coffee, and hugged the people we love. Even if I'll die without photo evidence. 


I finally located a CFA with the Frosted Coffee. 

It was amazing. 

I was mistaken in thinking that the coffee level was gonna be low and was wide awake at 2am. 

When will I ever learn 😂, this reminds me of that time my step-MIL was driving us back from Tennessee (after that awful wreck that destroyed my beloved Mustang) and we stopped at this cool gas station that had a great coffee bar right outside of New Orleans. WORST. DECISION. EVER. Someone forgot to alert Emily to the fact that past noon all coffee is off. I was 4 pm. At 2am a. Tylenol PM couldn't even take me down. 


We finally got to my parents house and I lived my best Vi-Lou life. Or Miss-Lou. Whoever you want to call it. 

For those of you not familiar, Vidalia is on the Mississippi River and it is what divides us from Natchez. As a kid we had to drive into Natchez for nearly everything. Vidalia is tiny... and they'll write you a speeding ticket if you don't slow down and get a good look. 

Now for the photo above, Elliot spent a good chunk of time in that window sill pushing cars to the end... and subsequently having me send them back. 


Bath time - also known as a time where Big Booty Judy kept bumping the stopper and ending bath time early. 

When my parents remodeled their bathroom the tub has built in stopper you have to push just so, Elliot always pushes it just so. 


As per tradition... Rolling 'N' The Dough had to be visited. I almost need a couple days and a sitter just to get to everything I love in Downtown Natchez. 

This particular day I went to lunch with Mom and her teacher friends at The Camp (which is under the hill if you are visiting). 

To explain Under the Hill - Natchez is all bluffs and Vidalia is all areas that could easily flood and surrounded by levees (Louisiana 😑). To get to Under the Hill you have to go down a bluff and get to the river where there are a few restaurants. I think this area was a port at one time. It has also been the landing spot of a riverboat casino or two. 


Cotton Candy cookie dough this time! I took me a week to finish this. It's not diet cookie dough by any means. 


Dad's two year old ducks finally got their ducks in a row and hatched a baby. She was really fresh, umbilical cord still showing and her little beak still appeared damp. 


Which means Harrison got to finally live his dream of petting a baby duck. 


Sadly the dumb ducks aren't that great at babies yet. The mother tried to sit on more eggs and the baby got under her... no more baby duck. Now Dad wants to get axe the ducks, I personally want to process them and find some recipes. These are some big old meat ducks. 

Give it a year and something else will be in that backyard. We've had ducks, chickens, quail, Egyptian pheasants, doves, rabbits, and surely something I've forgotten about. The dumbest of all the critters being Bob White Quail... they don't seem to have a will or instinct to live. 

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Let the World Know: How to Share Your Wedding Photos

July 6, 2020

Getting married to the person you love is a once in a lifetime moment and one of the happiest you'll experience. Months go into planning your special day, and it's only natural that you'll want to remember it forever.

Wedding photos are the best way to reminisce on the day you and your partner united as one. Your closest friends and family members are going to want to remember the occasion as well.  

Read on to learn all of the best ways to share your wedding photos. 


Create an Online Photo Gallery

Online galleries are often used by photographers to share their wedding photography with the bride and groom so that they can choose their favorite pictures. You can also create your own gallery or use the one the photographer put together to share your wedding photographs with your loved ones. 

If you decide to create your own wedding website, there are plenty of website builders that make it easy.

Here are just a few of the options:

  • Extra
  • WeddingWire
  • Wedding Jojo
  • The Knot
  • Luvbirds

Use Social Media Platforms

Most people have a social media account that they use every day. The great news about sharing your wedding photos on a social media platform is that it's expected, so no one will be put off by seeing your photos. 

On most social media platforms, you can choose whether your photos are shared with the whole world or just your group of friends. 

One of the best aspects of sharing through social media is the option for people to tag others, like, comment, and share your photos.  

Facebook and Instagram

Facebook and Instagram are two of the most popular social networks out there, so chances are that anyone you want to share with will be able to see your posts.

Both platforms also provide a story option, so you can post a large amount without filling up people's feed. 

Part of what makes Facebook unique is the option to create a photo album, so you can put all of your family wedding photos in one place. 

Facebook has also broken into the video market with live video and the option to post videos. If you or a family member shares a wedding video that someone wants to download, they have that option as long as they know how to download videos from Facebook

Instagram, on the other hand, is a great choice because you can create your own wedding hashtag. Other people who attend your wedding can use this tag too. This makes it so anyone who looks up the hashtag can see your whole collection of wedding photography. 

Flickr

Flickr is a less popular platform but made specifically for photo-sharing with groups. In fact, billions of photos have been uploaded to Flickr since it was created. 

Simply form a group, and everyone can share their images with that group. 

You can also download the Flickr app and use other people's photos for wedding inspiration. 

Pinterest

Pinterest is another great platform for finding wedding inspiration.

After your wedding, you can upload your own wedding decor, planning tips, and ideas to share your photos with the world. You might just help someone else out along the way. 

Photo-sharing Apps

While all social media platforms have apps, there are separate apps you can use that are made specifically for sharing wedding photos. These apps make sending your high-quality wedding photos easier.

When choosing a photo-sharing app, look at the features they offer to find the one right for you. Some allow commenting on photos, while others feature the option to order prints directly from the app.

Apps will also differ in price, varying from free to premium plans. 

Some examples of highly reviewed photo-sharing apps include:

  • Veri
  • Eversnap
  • Wedding Photo Swap
  • Google and Apple Photos

Make a Physical Wedding Album

Not all methods of sharing wedding photographs require the internet. Rather, you can create a physical wedding album to place in your house on a shelf or table. 

Not only is this a fun way for you and your house guests to remember the event, but creating a wedding scrapbook can be fun. There are plenty of gorgeous wedding photo album ideas to inspire you. 

You can also frame some of the best photos and hang them around your house. 

Sharing Down the Road

Months or years past the wedding date, you may get the urge to share your wedding photos on social media again. 

But how do you do this while staying relevant and without annoying your followers? 

There are a couple of opportunities that are perfect for sharing, no matter how much time has gone by. 

You Have Something to Celebrate

Certain celebrations are perfect for sharing an old wedding picture. These include anniversaries, birthdays, and promotions. 

Anniversaries are a time to cherish your time together, and it's only natural to share a moment from when your lives officially came together. 

You or a loved one getting a promotion is also a good time if the post goes into how supporting each other got you there. 

You can even share wedding photos on a friend's birthday if the photo is of the two of you together.  

Throwback Thursday 

Throwback Thursday or #TBT is the perfect opportunity to share a wedding picture. The whole point of #TBT is to look back at a time in your life, and your wedding is a pretty important time!

Just make sure that you don't post one every Thursday, or it might get old. 

Put Your Wedding Photos Out There  

Now that you know how to, it's time to get your wedding photos out there for the world to see. Or at least share them with your friends and family. 

Your wedding will be one of the most important and special days in your life and signifies a great turning point. What better way to remember and cherish the occasion than with beautiful photos?

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to visit my wedding blog for more wedding-related advice. 

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How to Find the Perfect Wedding Band to Compliment Your Engagement Ring

July 3, 2020

Your engagement is an exciting time that is filled with anticipation for the next significant chapter in your life as well as the love and support of those around you. It is also, however, a time of planning and preparing for your wedding day. Everything that has to be organized for the big day, even if you are planning a smaller wedding, can accumulate into one majorly overwhelming list.

 

While many of the things you will need to organize will prove to be tedious and time-consuming, several items are incredibly fun to manage. For instance, trying on wedding dresses and selecting your hairstyle are both things that can make you feel glamorous and elegant. Then there is the process of finding the perfect wedding bands for you and your husband-to-be.

 

Jewelry shopping is one of the more fun outings that you get to embark on before your big day. Finding the right wedding band to compliment your beautiful engagement ring can be a bit of a task, though. Here are some suggestions that can help you to find the perfect ring to symbolize your official union as a married couple.



 

Start with the Metal

 

Firstly, you will need to select the metal that you want to be the primary focus of the wedding band. Some brides want to mix and match metals to provide a bit of contrast, but most typically opt for consistency. When you go with a silver band to accompany your silver engagement ring, for instance, the final pairing will almost look like one cohesive ring as opposed to two separate pieces sitting side by side.

 

If you are sporting a gorgeous silver engagement ring and want to find a complimentary silver wedding band that pairs with it flawlessly, have a look at the silver jewelry at Fjewellery.co.uk for inspiration and options. You might be able to find some other silver pieces to wear on your wedding day that will help tie your whole bridal look together.

 

Stones or No Stones?

 

Traditional wedding bands are known to be simple rings of metal with no stones or embellishment. These can make for a classic look that easily compliments either simple or extravagant engagement rings. The overall look will be clean and simple to not overshadow the engagement ring that you already have.

 

If your current ring is on the simpler side, though, with perhaps a larger stone surrounded by a halo of smaller ones, you can create a complimentary look by going for a wedding band with similarly shaped smaller stones. Such an eternity band can add some extra sparkle to your ring finger without overpowering your engagement ring.

 

Some brides decide to go all out by fitting an eternity band that has larger stones with their already impressively ornamented engagement ring. Consider adding a pop of color, too, by selecting a band that has diamonds that alternate with other stones such as rubies or sapphires.

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