are you that girl?

it's fascinating to see which designers attract which brides and vice versa. so we took a totally non-scientific approach to the topic and thought we'd match up the dozen designers at our ultimate ring event with the type of girl we envision selecting one of their designs as the ring of her dreams.

if you consider yourself arty, funky, offbeat or simply singular, we see you orbiting the powerfully particular universe of todd reed and alishan. todd's unique work with raw diamonds is absolutely magnetic to a certain audience (full disclosure: i'm a todd girl; more about that in a future post.) alishan's handcrafted rings are a little frillier, but far from fussy – think teeny, intricate, artistic carvings and you're headed in the right direction.

below: todd reed, alishan

slinky? sensuous? dramatic? look no further than etienne perret or the colorful world of omi gems. even before etienne blew us away with his ceramic bands, his sense of style was always in a class all its own. omi gems colored stones are intentionally sensational, not shy. you want drama? you've got it.

below: etienne perret, omi gems

the classic, vintage, society girl can go easily from kirk kara to ambar to mona taner to precision set. lots of diamonds and sparkle turn all their very pretty rings into heirlooms you can only wish you'd inherited. or add a twist to traditional and sashay down the aisle in a just-a-step-away beauty from sholdt or maevona.

below: kirk kara, ambar, mona taner, precision set, sholdt, maevona

finally, we have the ultra-modern, sleek sophisticate. if you can walk past coge or gebruder schaffrath without turning your head, you'll leave us scratching ours. their designs are straight out of a modern art gallery – just the thing for the way, way, modern bride.

below: coge, gebruder schaffrath

so that's our match game for today...we hope to see you at the ultimate ring event friday and saturday, february 24 -25. let us know which girl you are...or which girl you're marrying. did we get it right?

defining "ultimate."

can there really be a shopping experience perfect enough to warrant being called "ultimate?" i mean, really? shopping? but think about it: what if all of the best options for something you wanted to buy could magically materialize in one place at one time? wouldn't it be easier for you to pick out the perfect pair of pumps? a suit? what if it was cars? or houses? ok, reality check.

but what if it was all the best options for one of the most important purchases you'll ever make? what if it was a carefully curated selection of engagement rings and wedding bands? you'll probably have the rings far longer than the pumps, suit, cars and house combined. and they're conveniently small and literally hundreds of rings to choose from can actually fit in the same place at the same time.

above: todd reed's imagination + raw diamonds = a fresh, unique, one-of-a-kind statement.

which brings us to i. gorman's ultimate ring event. because it is exactly that. twelve international designers, whose collections cover every category from classic to artsy to ultra-modern, will all be in the store, for two full days (february 24-25 if you want to mark your calendar now) to cater to your every whim. try on every ring in the place. talk to a designer about creating something that's "a little of this and a little of that." or brainstorm with any of them to come up with a ring that's yours and yours alone. ask questions. pick diamonds. sip champagne. take advantage of free parking (this particular ultimate event is really all-inclusive...) it's a very fun way to purchase something really serious. the ultimate in serious fun, i guess.

above: etienne perret's ceramic bands are stunning in their simplicity.

one last thought. in case you were expecting a dictionary definition, how about this: "being the best or most extreme example of its kind." yeah, just like that.

what is it about a sale?

four little letters. so innocent. so compelling. so seductive. the strongest women i know are reduced to well, you know. perhaps because by changing just one of those four little letters, we find another equally seductive word: save. ah. 10%, 20%. possible to resist, perhaps. but 50, 60, 70%? there is no power in the universe, short of kryptonite, to keep me from caving to 70%. you?

the real beauty of i. gorman's annual sale is the beauty you get to take home with you. the sale lets you finally get those earrings you've longed for but just couldn't justify at full price. or it lets you explore a secret side of you -- giving you a pass to toy with something that isn't necessarily "you" as you have been, but you as you could be.

last year's sale ended with me owning my first piece of gellner, but not what you might expect. the necklace is a little rocker-chic; an oxidized chain clasped with a tahitian pearl. i. love. it. it goes with anything and everything and i swear that when i put it on i feel just a little bit edgier than i did a second before.

this year's sale isn't over, but i already know that the antonio bernardo "open cage" earrings (i name jewelry...why not?) will finally, finally, finally be in my ears instead of in i. gorman's case.

two amazing bargains. two beautiful pieces to love. color me happy.

ps. the sale only lasts through valentine's day. don't say i didn't warn you.