That’s right – it’s official! The NEW Hearts On Fire retail store is officially opening later this month.
As the first of many new U.S. stores…we couldn’t be more excited to make this announcement! This first boutique will be located in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada…but don’t worry if Vegas is not in your near future. There are several more Hearts On Fire stores already in the works for later in 2012…in cities across the country.
It is a diamond jewelry store experience like you’ve never seen before. Stay tuned for more details and pictures in the next few weeks!
Are you as excited as we are?
♥ HOF Girl
In the spirit of “Marathon Monday,” today’s post is a guest blog from my sister J, who is running the Boston Marathon for the first time on Monday, alongside two of our own amazing Hearts On Fire family members! They are all an inspiration to me and so many others…so please enjoy!
Marathon Monday. To many, this exciting phrase might not mean much, but here in Boston…it means everything.
For some, it’s the Super Bowl of running…the goal every runner strives to achieve. For others, it’s a day to celebrate…a major holiday where roads are closed and work is canceled. And starting early in the morning, eager fans spill outside to line the entire 26.2 mile course.
Last year, I joined the sideline crowd with lululemon’s cheer station on “Heartbreak Hill.” As one of the hardest stretches – and where runners need the most support – we arrived early, pumped music, and danced with motivational signs.
I still remember watching contestants pass by: Wheelchair competitors, with flexed arms and sweat pouring. Military crews in full uniform. The amazing Kenyan on his way to win. And the very last charity runner, winning a personal battle for both himself and someone else. And I knew in this moment, “I want that.
Fast forward one year later, and I could not be more honored, excited and – let’s be honest – terrified to participate in this monumental day.
Because, boy – I had no idea what I was in for! What spectators don’t see are the struggles with chaffing. Or trekking through snow…in the dark. Or determining if it’s even possible to chew and breathe at the same time.
That’s why the incomparable support of Boston’s sideline – from Newton to Boylston Street – now means more than ever before. It’s funny, but I’ve learned you actually do hear the things people say along the way. “You’re almost there!” starts at mile six. “It’s all downhill from here!” as you approach Heartbreak Hill. Or my personal favorite, “You’re looking great!” Really? With spit foaming at the mouth, and salt crusting to my face, I doubt it – but hey, thanks for making me think I do!
So, if you are in Boston on April 16, go stake out your spot and cheer on the 
runners. Because, we can train all we want and eat the right gel packs during the race, but it’s that smiling face, that crazy cheering fan that is going to pick us up and push us forward when we think we have nothing left.
And honestly, it really doesn’t matter what you do – hold a sign, hand out high-fives, or yell any ridiculous phrase. Because those small gestures mean more than you will ever know.
Have you ever experienced the thrill of a marathon? Or stood on the sidelines and cheered the runners on? Let us know!
♥ HOF Girl
So it’s time for the guest list. Take a deep breath, because this seemingly simple 
task will likely become one of the hardest elements of wedding planning.
Some people have very limited budgets, but lots of friends or family. Some people have parents who want to control the entire list. No matter what the issue may be….it’s not easy to deal with.
We tried to get a good handle on our guest list early, since a lot of major wedding planning decisions are dependent on the number of guests you’re inviting, including venue, food and bar options. But regardless of our efforts, finalizing the list was definitely one of the most stressful parts of the entire process…and these 3 issues were some of the biggest questions:
How Do Our Families Split Up the List?
The easiest way to handle a guest list is to decide on the final number, and then split up invites between both families and the bride and groom. But who gets more? Let’s start with the traditional – if the bride’s parents are covering the cost, they technically should control more of the list. However, size does matter…and if the groom has a much larger family, it is appropriate to give them a proportionate number of guests.
If the bride and groom are covering the wedding costs, it’s a bit different. You now “control” the list, and it would be fair to give equal distribution for your family/parent’s friends.
My advice? Before anyone starts adding invites, get a “wish list” from all involved parties. Then, devise a cut-and-dried formula for dealing with any discrepancies. For example, maybe parents’ close friends can be kept, but coworkers will be cut. Just be open and honest with everyone involved. This way, you don’t have to worry about hurting feelings or getting any surprise invites added on.
Does Everyone Get a Date?
This one is simpler than you think – “No.” Anyone married or engaged should bring their significant other, and anyone in serious, long-term relationships should get strong consideration for dates as well (but it’s not required). Everyone else? Unless you have room and probably an unlimited budget, there is no need to give everyone a date. Think about it this way – any “+1s” you pass out take away from other true friends or family possibly getting an invite. Most singles don’t expect to get an invite to a wedding anyway, and have more fun trying to meet someone there!
Regardless of your decision, I’d recommend that you handle it pretty straight across the board – if you are allowing some people to bring their girlfriend or boyfriend, but not others, it could get sticky.
How many do I invite? And do I over-invite?
I know a lot of people think they have to invite everyone they know, but I really recommend keeping your wedding manageable and personal. Remember, you do have to greet and thank every person who comes, and you want to spend at least a little time enjoying your wedding right?
For the number of invites, statistics will tell you 10-20% of who you invite won’t come so many people over invite based on that. But honestly, it all depends on your unique situation. My advice? Err on the side of caution, and be realistic. Even though our wedding required travel for 90% of our guests, we were one of the first of our friends and family to get married, and almost everyone we invited still RSVPed “Yes” to attend the big day.
The best advice I can give? Finish the list, send the invites, and then forget it. You can’t please everyone, and you shouldn’t try to. No matter what you do, someone will complain about you not inviting your aunt’s third-cousin’s daughter’s boyfriend….and that’s okay! Remind yourselves that it’s your day, and just enjoy celebrating with those who can make it there with you.
Good luck!
♥ HOF Girl
Every girl dreams about the day she’ll walk down the aisle in her flowing white wedding gown. She tries them on, she cuts out magazine pictures, and, today, she likely has a Pinterest board full of perfect wedding gown ideas
But when it comes down to the big moment, how do you actually find “the one”? How do you avoid making costly errors?It’s harder than you think, but it doesn’t mean you have to stress about it or not enjoy the experience!
Based on my own experience and observations from others, here are seven great tips to remind yourself during the process:
1. Plan for YOUR wedding – What time of year is your wedding? Is it casual on a beach or a formal affair? When it comes down to it, you can really wear whatever dress you want, but keep in mind, certain styles are more appropriate for some events than others.
2. Set a budget (and stick to it!!) – This one is SO important! Decide at the beginning how much you want to spend and don’t over spend when you get into the moment. Trying on dresses that are out of your price range can be a deadly mistake…so just remember you honestly can find beautiful dresses on any budget.
3. Have ideas, but branch out too – It’s great to know what yo
u want, but don’t be immediately turned off by other possibilities. The stylists at these salons are professionals and are great at recommending flattering styles for any woman. Love lace? Give beading a try! Love A-Line? Try a trumpet flare! You never know what you might fall in love with…
4. Don’t bring an entourage – I know we’ve all seen the ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ episodes where a bride-to-be brings 10 of her closest friends and family…and the appointment goes horribly wrong. As hard as it is to leave people out, especially those who are just excited and mean well, but really do keep your appointment to 2-3 people max. The rest can always come back for fittings or other events to feel included.
5. Choose a dress for YOUR body type – It’s easy to fall in love with a dress on a six foot, size two model…but let’s be honest, that’s not the body type for many of us. Are you petite, big-busted or broad-shouldered? Take time to choose a dress that you love on yourself – one that is comfortable, realistic and flattering…and one that makes you feel confident and beautiful while wearing it.
6. Don’t wait for the “Ah-ha!” moment – Again, TV makes us believe that we are all going to break down in tears and have this amazing feeling of finally finding the perfect dress. While you should know deep down that the dress you choose is perfect and “the one” for you, it’s okay to not have that big moment. When you think it’s the one, it probably is. And that leads into the next tip…
7. Don’t over think it – When you make a decision, stick to it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve tried on two dresses, or two hundred dresses. I only went to two dress shops and when I found “the one” I was so nervous to actually pull the trigger. I felt like I should have tried on more dresses, just in case. But I got great advice to stop before I confused and overwhelmed myself, and I am so glad that I did!
What did you go through to find your perfect wedding dress? Is there anything you are worried about?
♥ HOF Girl
When it comes to popping the big question…getting her to say “Yes!” should be simple and straightforward. She should love you, no matter how awkward, nervous or tacky your proposal may be. But unfortunately for all the guys out there…it just isn’t that easy.
Why? Because, most girls consider the marriage proposal the second-most important day to the actual wedding day itself (shocking to hear after all the time that goes into choosing that perfect diamond engagement ring, right?).
There are tons of websites and “helpful” friends who will give you pointers on how to do it “right” and how to make it special. But, honestly…I think it’s more important to just remember a few simple tips on what NOT to do…and then just work your magic from there.
Number One? Don’t overthink it, and I mean this. Anyone will recommend that you plan, practice and be creative. But, we’re also not saying to over do it to the point where you stop acting like yourself and your girl get suspicious, or worse – annoyed and angry. Trust me, I’ve heard sad stories of break-ups that happen moments before a planned proposal…
Second, don’t listen to your friends (or TV shows) who tell you to make it big and 
public. These kind of flashy proposals are right for some people, but more often than not, it’s not what she wants. It doesn’t have to be alone, on the couch on a Tuesday night…but just take a minute to think about what will make you and your girl happy and comfortable before dropping down on that knee.
And finally (and most importantly) – don’t tell too many people beforehand. It’s okay, and understandable to check with her best friend, mom or sister to get advice on the ring…and to talk to her Dad to get permission. But try (as hard as it is) to not tell all of your friends, or worse, any more of hers. The more people you tell, the more risk there is of the surprise getting blown, plus I guarantee she’ll love spreading the exciting news herself afterwards.
From here…my only advice is to be as thoughtful, creative and spontaneous as you please! Good luck!
♥ HOF Girl
Just when I thought wedding planning couldn’t get any more time consuming….I hit the 100 day mark. Now, as I enter the last three months of my planni
ng period I am realizing that, boy, there is still so much to do!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s incredibly exciting at the same time. I now actually feel like I am getting married and am looking forward to the wedding, and even more, the honeymoon! But, only 100 days? As the to-do lists pile up, how will I possibly handle all of this?
Well, my goal is actually pretty simple – continue to enjoy every moment of this experience. A few weeks ago I was starting to stress out, with decisions around invites, wedding rings, final confirmations of vendors, dress fittings, and more, but after a minor break down I took a step back. And I realized that no matter what these events are meant to be fun and I absolutely don’t want to miss out on that.
So, that is the attitude I am taking from now until the big day this summer. I am fully aware that the closer I get, the more hectic things will seem…but I am striving to not let it break me. My tip? Get organized and schedule time to get things done. Maybe that’s only because of my Type A personality – but, hey, I think it could help quite a few of you too!
Any other words of wisdom from previous brides? How did you handle the last few months of wedding planning?
♥ HOF Girl
Wow, it’s already March!? Are you in as much disbelief as I am??
Maybe it’s the slew of holidays and long weekends that have just passed us by. Or maybe it’s the fact that this winter has been rather “spring-like” in general (especially for those who are more used to blizzards and frigid temperatures), and we are now starting to get a bit more daylight back in our lives – but whatever it is, the normally dreary winter weeks are just flying by!
Now, I’m definitely not complaining – as there are only 19 more days until Spring and warm-weather fashion is in full force! Everywhere I turn – online, in stores, in magazines and ads – I see bright colors, dresses, shorts and tank tops. But even more in trend this Spring season? Accessories!
Seriously…if you love to shop as much as I do, you’ve definitely noticed that accessories seem to be all the rage right now. Clutches, watches, bangles, earrings and necklaces – no matter what your style, it seems there is something “in style” for 
you!
But, I’ll be honest, as much of a fashionista as I consider myself, sometimes I hesitate when it comes to spending my money on these seasonal favorites. Being a little classic deep down, there is something I always love about traditional stud earrings or a simple diamond pendant to complement my everyday look. And if I can add in fun, new clothes instead, these “timeless” accessories give me the polished look I am going for, all with a fashion-forward twist.
But that’s just me! Some people prefer to keep their clothes simple and go crazy with accessories instead. What do you prefer when it comes to fashion this season?
♥ HOF Girl
Chances are, your husband-to-be took a good amount of time deciding on the 
perfect diamond engagement ring to propose with – so why do so many people blow off how important choosing a wedding band to complement this meaningful piece of jewelry is? A diamond ring that signifies your union as husband and wife, a diamond ring that you should love and cherish every time you look at it.
Is it really just as simple as choosing the wedding band that perfectly complements your engagement ring? Many diamond jewelers, including Hearts On Fire, offer matching wedding bands to help make the decision easy, but this isn’t necessarily the right answer for everyone.
I recently went through this dilemma myself. As I continue to (so quickly!) approach my 2012 wedding date, there are more and more decisions to be made, and next on my list is ordering wedding bands! I thought this would be fairly simple – as I had my eye on a certain diamond band for several months now – but when it came time to sit down and decide, I’m left completely unsure of what to do…
Now, I know how my fiancé felt when he was choosing my engagement ring. Since these rings are traditionally worn together on your left hand, it’s important to consider the look of the two rings together and how they fit your hand, personality, and style. But there are really so many options that work!
Luckily for me, I’ve narrowed it down to two options, both of which look beautiful with my engagement ring - but they are also very different options. So what do I do?
1. I could choose the Perfectly Matching Band. This is what I alway
s thought I would want, since many engagement rings and wedding bands are designed as a set and fit together, side-by-side, with a seamless look. As many women do, I like the perfect symmetry and appearance of two matching rings, each with diamonds of the same size and shape and a similar design in the metal. But then…
2. I could also choose a More Unique Band – one that still complements the look and feel of my engagement ring, but stands out on its o
wn as well. After trying on different designs, I realized that an exact match didn’t necessarily make me happier, and I know that this unique look is becoming increasingly popular with women who may choose to wear their wedding band (or engagement ring) alone or on a different hand. While that isn’t the route I think I will go, I still think that this design option might be right for me!
In the end, every woman is different when it comes to choosing the right wedding band. I absolutely recommend trying on different designs of diamond rings, even if you think you know what you want, in order to ultimately choose the perfect wedding band for you.
So what will I choose? Any words of advice before making the big decision?
♥ HOF Girl
When people buy luxury jewelry, especially diamond jewelry, they often think that the diamond is the only part that matters. I won’t deny that, yes, your diamond quality is incredibly important, but the precious metal that you select to surround your diamonds should also play a crucial role in the decision-making process.
When I first looked at diamond engagement rings, I didn’t understand the differences in my metal options. I knew I didn’t want yellow gold, so that left white gold and platinum as my options (note on another lesson I learned: silver isn’t something that should be used with high-quality diamond jewelry!). But which would I choose? To be honest, I thought platinum was just a more expensive version of white gold and to me, I didn’t think it mattered. But, boy was I wrong.
Not wrong in my selecti
on of white gold for my engagement ring – because it’s still dazzling and I truly love it – but wrong to not give myself the benefit of understanding the options. Because, especially when it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands, jewelry that you will hopefully wear for the rest of your life, this decision is one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
So, what do you really need to know about platinum versus gold? Here are a few pointers that are easy to remember:
- Before getting into the details, know that this decision is usually a personal choice. So guys, the safest bet is to pay attention to the type of jewelry that your lady already wears.
- The price differential? While gold and platinum are currently trading at comparable prices, platinum has historically sold at a higher price tag due to its denser metal (however, with that denser metal comes more durability and more protection against wear and tear!)
- The upkeep differential? All fine jewelry needs a little TLC over time; however, white gold needs more care to help retain its luster. Both white gold and platinum will dazzle again after occasional polishing, but white gold will require the rhodium finish to be re-done from time to time.
- Something important to know? Some people have allergic reactions to wearing gold; though it’s usually an allergy to one of the metals in the alloy, often Nickel.
The bottom line? Luckily, you can’t really make a “wrong” choice (well, unless you buy yellow gold when she clearly doesn’t want that…) as white gold and platinum look about the same and both truly dazzle. Platinum is a bit more expensive and white gold needs a bit more upkeep…so what would you choose?
♥ HOF Girl
