Does it have to be a Diamond?

Does it have to be a Diamond?This is a subject which has been the source of much debate and controversy – and there are as many answers as there are men and women planning to get engaged.
Traditional Solitaire Engagement Ring

An important consideration is the symbolism of the engagement ring. It is not merely a gift (albeit a very expensive one) from the man to his bride-to-be; it is a symbol of his love for her and of the lasting nature of their relationship. As such there is great respect for the tradition of the engagement ring which is believed to have had its origin in Roman times, when the left ring finger was believed to be the start of the vena amoris (the vein of love) that led to the heart.

After this time, the history is unclear, but in 1477 Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg may have started the tradition amongst European royalty by giving a diamond betrothal ring to his fiancée, Mary of Burgundy.

It is only in the twentieth century and especially after the 1930’s that the diamond engagement ring really took off. This can be attributed to De Beers who gave some enormous stones to some starlet; ensured that they were well-photographed and began to make sure that movie scripts included the big engagement scenes, complete with wide-eyed joy at the size of the rocks. Then it was ‘life imitating art’ and all brides to be felt that the proposal was incomplete without the addition of a pure white 2 carat diamond!

However, if an engagement is about a promise of fidelity, then who says it has to be visible in the form of a ring; or if there is a ting, why does it have to be a diamond?

In recent times there has been so much controversy surrounding ‘blood diamonds’ (as depicted in the movie of that title, starring Lionardo Di Caprio). Brides and grooms who do not want that on their conscience can happily check out www.brilliantearth,com or www.conflictfreediamons.org  for a diamond that is “produced under ethical conditions” and whose profit “is not used to fund war”.

Controversy aside, the diamond or not debate is once again a matter of personal taste. If your bride to be feels strongly about having a diamond, then your best response is that she must have one. If she has objections, or prefers something else, then once again, you must cater for her taste.
Other stones like pearls (in all their many shades, shapes and sizes), sapphires, rubies, emeralds and garnets have traditionally been used and are being used in more modern settings.

Our Honeymoon Adventure

"When we think of honeymoons we tend to imagine warm, tropical islands surrounded by palm trees and afternoon cocktails on the beach. However, these days some couples are tending to be more adventurous- and Susanne and Tim are no exception. Read on to hear about their amazing honeymoon adventure..."
Our Honeymoon adventures

Since I can remember I've always loved travelling. Growing up I was fascinated by all the countries in the world and as soon as I was old enough, I set out to explore them.

Aged 18 I booked my first trip to Europe and over the following 13 years I jet-setted all over the world, seeing amazing places and meeting wonderful people. I made a bet with one person I met that I would beat them in travelling to 40 different countries first, which stayed in my mind and was one of the first things I blurted out to Tim when we met.

Having moved to London on a work stint aged 31, I met Tim- also a Melburnian living in London- at a bar one night out and he too had travelled all over the world. As he started listing all the places he'd visited we lost count and got to talking about our lives instead.

Although I wasn't looking for a relationship I was immediately attracted to Tim and within days we went on our first date- to Florence! Our feelings were too strong to deny and as we travelled to many more wonderful places- such as Marrakech, Turkey and Malta- after a few months together we decided to move back to Australia at the end of the year to buy a house together.

But first we took advantage of our time left abroad- travelling to many more beautiful places such as Norway, Amsterdam, Scotland and Poland, then decided to travel to Russia on our way home.

On our flight to Russia after hearing an announcement by the air hostess that diamonds must be declared upon arrival, Tim shook me awake and proposed with a beautiful, sparkling diamond ring! We celebrated in Russia, then London, then soon after with our family and friends in Melbourne.

We married on Elwood Beach on January 14, 2007, and when deciding on our honeymoon we both knew we wanted something a little different to what the "traditional" relaxing honeymoon usually entailed. As my life ambition had become to see every one of the world's 195 countries, and Tim's ambition was to see each of the listed ancient and natural wonders of the world, we wanted to work towards our life goals.

So for our honeymoon we decided to book a 10-day trip to backpack through Vietnam and Cambodia, to add to my list of countries, and also decided to visit Ankor Wat- a temple complex in Cambodia- to add to Tim's ancient and natural wonders. Starting in Ho Chi Minh City, we headed to the backpacker strip and booked our overnight boat trip up the Mekong to Cambodia.

Costing only USD$22, it included bus transfers, boat, visas at the Cambodian border, one night's accommodation and two local village tours on the way. Although our accommodation was only 2 stars it was a massive bargain! And not wanting to have a honeymoon that was all about flash hotels it was just what we wanted, a chance to really get to see the cities for what they are.

Then in Phenom Penh, Cambodia, we found a local motel and spent most of the night time in the famous Foreign Correspondence Club (FCC). During the days we toured the killing fields and met the old Cambodian army teams who now make their living allowing travelers to shoot AK47s!

From the capital, we decided to speed things along and fly to Siam Reap- again booking on the backpacker strip- to see Ankor Wat.

Soon back in Vietnam, we really wanted some "beach time" so we did so in fantastic Mui Ne, the Kite-boarding Mecca of Vietnam! There is a fantastic small boutique hotel there with 4-star beachfront cabins for only usd$40 p/n. Great place to unwind and enjoy the beach, relax by the pool and watch the kites and their riders to their thing.

We loved lugging our full backpacks onto a river barge at 4am on our honeymoon - we wouldn't have had it any other way! Recently we took our 10-month-old son, Lucas, on his first trip and visited The UAE, Jordan and Petra. Both our traveling lists continue to grow and we love that we did something meaningful for our honeymoon, something that reflects as both as individuals, and as a couple.

Susanne MacDonald.

"So although backpacking might not be everybody's ideal honeymoon for Susanne and Tim it was the perfect way to celebrate their new lives together. When it comes to choosing your honeymoon destination think about what represents you- the newlyweds!"

Dealing with family stress

Stress is a part of everyone's lives. Stress can be positive or it can be negative. Negative stress causes a lot of problems like anxiety, confusion, and miscommunication. When there is a lot of stress in a family dynamic, it can be particularly difficult for family members to get along in harmony and it can lead to depression among many people. Being in a constant state of stress will start to take its toll on you physically and mentally. Positive stress can make you stronger as it teaches you how to overcome problems and tackle your fears. However, most people experience more negative stress than positive stress. To reduce the family stress in your home, here are some tips that can help:

Tip # 1 - Spend time together
One of the best ways to reduce stress in the home is to get out of the home and spend some quality time together. Make time to get away for a couple hours and participate in fun activities like indoor sky diving, swimming, and miniature golf. If possible, try to take at least one big family vacation per year. This gives you the opportunity to re-connect as a family unit and to get away from the daily stresses you all encounter.
Tip # 2 - Laugh
Turn off the cell phones, i Pods, televisions, and other things that distract you from having a conversation with your family. Sit around the table and eat dinner together and laugh together. Play board games like Twister and reminisce over past experiences you have shared together. Laughter is one of the best ways to reduce stress and to bring a family closer together.
Tip # 3 - Go outside
Far too often we become slaves to television shows, computers, and other things. Instead of spending all your time inside, get outside and experience the world. Take your family hiking and spend time in nature. Try to get everyone in your family to exercise on a daily basis for at least 30 minutes. Exercise also helps to reduce stress and tension and it uplifts everyone's mood. Regular exercise can help you prepare your body to effectively handle stress. Exercise helps you sleep better and it relaxes the muscles, all which help to reduce stress.

Tip # 4 - Meditation and Quiet Time
Stress can come from a variety of different things; one way to reduce it in the home is to have regular quiet time. Set aside 15-30 minutes where everyone will read a book or close their eyes and relax. Meditation can help to improve your life and it can help you handle stress more effectively. Mediation can bring you inner piece and it can draw you closer together as a family unit so you will be able to handle the different situations easier. Mediation also allows you to focus on specific things, which helps you to concentrate on the needs of your family. Pick a book for the entire family to read together. This is a wonderful way to teach your younger children how to read and it allows everyone to get their mind off the stressful activities of the day and focus on a different world. Reading motivational books can also help you handle problems, especially when it comes to making big decisions like a new job or moving.

Tip # 5 - Rest
Make sure everyone in your home is able to get a proper night's rest. Children need 10 hours of sleep or more, adults need about 8-10. Having a proper nights rest will rejuvenate the body and it helps to decrease stress. Getting a good night's rest also enhances your immune system and it helps to reduce the stress hormone in the muscles.

Insider's honeymoon checklist

Before you go on your honeymoon to that tropical island getaway, pay a quick visit to your pharmacy. You will need to shop very carefully to get all the things you will need. Brides that will fly to their honeymoon destination have quite a struggle with airline limitations, so let’s have a look at your shopping list.
A few pointers and ideas:

    You will be restricted when flying to 100ml of any product and in total to one litre of product. This sounds like a lot, but when you combine all that you need to take with you, you will quickly see that you need to leave essentials at home.
    Buy combination products to take with you like shampoo and conditioner in one and body cream with 30+ sun screen already mixed in. This way you save two bottles.
    Most shops have 'ready to fly' product lines especially packed to pass inspection. You can buy these with confidence or simply decant some of your normal product into 100ml clear plastic bottles. That way you know and trust what you have with you.
    Liquid soap and hand cleaners are essential when travelling so find a product that you simply rub on your hands. You will find that you need a few drops, so a 100ml will get you far.
    Make up combination packs are fantastic and if you can do your base, lips and eyes from one compact you are styling. Take with it your best brush and you are set.
    Any chronic medication you may be on must be accompanied by a prescription from your doctor. This include birth control pills. Some countries will not allow certain medicines in and you may be left without it. Also make sure you have at least a thirty day supply with you.
    Pain tablets should be left in their original package. Always bring something for headaches that you know works well as in foreign countries you may end up struggling to find medication.
    Intimate products are essential as well. You may end up with a rash or irritation from a lot of sex and left untreated you will suffer pain and distress. Talk to your pharmacist – they know from experience what you need and will send you off with the best prevention and cure for that nasty honeymoon rash.
    Lubrication is your responsibility as well. To save yourself some space, this is one of those items your groom gets to carry in his bathroom bag. You choose it though before he arrives with some exotic product loaded with perfume.
    Talking about that bathroom bag – for quick inspection at airports, these must be resealable and clear.

Have fun on your honeymoon and relax, you packed everything you know you may need.

Hens Party Ideas

One of the first decisions a Maid or Matron of Honour must make about the Hen's party is the location. Discuss this with the bride. Do you want it local or are you planning a weekend trip with the girls? Regardless of what you choose, the most important thing is to have fun with the bride.

It is a good idea to hold your hens night at least one or two weeks before the wedding. If you live near wine country, why not try a day of wine tasting with your bridesmaids instead of the usual pub crawl. Local wineries are happy to suggest itineraries. Choose a designated driver or arrange for a car service. Depending on the number of wines sampled and the generosity of the pour, each tasting can easily add up to one or more full glasses of wine.

For the more adventurous at heart, you might want to plan an afternoon of parasailing or learning to rock climb. Perhaps try your hand at scuba diving.

Why not take an entire weekend for a spa getaway rather than a one-night event. In that case you have plenty of options. Consider whether you want a weekend filled with pampering beauty treatments or perhaps one that caters to the soul with refreshing hikes, meditation, and exercise. Sites such as Red Balloons have some ideas available.
LOCATION IDEAS

For a list of great location ideas, access our Bride Online directory and click onto your relevant state.

If you already have plans for a night of bar hopping, spice up the event. Start the evening at your favorite restaurant, and move from club to club, choosing a different atmosphere for each stop. Perhaps after that, a mellow jazz venue. Finish the night at a quiet neighborhood watering hole where you and your bridesmaids can squeeze into a cozy booth and share memories over a bottle of chardonnay.
Some other suggestions:

    Nature Lover - Rough it in tents or enjoy cozy cabins, go hiking in or take in a scenic route.
    Slumber Party - Why not stay in and have the girls/guys over for a slumber party? Mix your own drinks with DigitalBartender.com.

ENTERTAINMENT IDEAS

    Restaurants - Have a lovely meal with the girls and enjoy a fun night telling stories and jokes.
    Clubs - Enjoy yourselves at various venues around town including bowling clubs or night clubs
    Male Reviews - Take the girls on a fun night out at a male review club for exciting entertainment

Need more idea's ?

    Restaurants
    Night Clubs
    Tin Pin Bowling
    Slumber Parties
    Male Revues
    Amusement Parks
    Girls Night In Parties
    Fortune-tellers
    Theatre/Concert

    Weekends away
    Hot Air Ballooning
    Horse Riding
    Hiking
    Camping
    Winery tours
    Parasailing
    Rock climbing
    Scenic walks

Staying close with family when you're far apart

Whether you get married, relocate for a job, or are going to school, most people have family members who live far away. But even though you're apart, you can stay close to your immediate and extended family by simply putting a little more effort in staying in touch.
The following are a few things you can do to stay close with family when you're far apart.

Make family a priority.
You can still make keeping in touch with family a priority when you're far away. Schedule times to call family members on the phone to chat; for example, maybe you want to call your brother every Sunday, or your grandmother every other Tuesday. If you have a hectic schedule, making time for phone calls is important in ensuring that you stay in touch with family. This will help you to stay close to each other even when you're far apart.

Remember important events.
Get a calendar and write down important events in your family and extended family, such as birthdays, weddings or graduation dates. Then, when that date rolls around, be sure to make a phone call to let them know you are thinking of them on their special day. It's also a good idea to send a card a few days before. This is a great way to show them that you care about them and are mindful of them even when they are far apart.
Start a blog.
Many people have jumped on the blogging bandwagon, and blogs are a great way to keep family members updated on what's going on in your life and your family's lives for free. Sites like www.blogger.com are free to start up. Make it a point to blog once a week about you-what's going on with your kids, trips you've taken, and other things family will want to hear about. It's also a great way to post pictures. Send your family members links to your blog and encourage them to start their own.
Plan visits.
Traveling is expensive, but if you're planning family vacations, make it a point to try and do things in areas where you can see family. This is a great way to catch up face to face when you are living far apart.

Take advantage of phone plans.
Many cell phone carriers allow you to make unlimited calls to a certain number of people, even if they do not have the same provider as you. This is a great way to be able to keep in touch with family without having to worry about keeping track of your cell phone minutes.

Get kids involved.
Even if they don't see them very often, make sure your kids stay in touch with family as well. This could be coloring a picture for an aunt for her birthday, or sending thank you notes to family members who have given them gifts.

Send packages.
If you have a family member serving in the military or living overseas, sending care packages now and again is a great way to keep them up to date on what is going on at home, as well as show them that you love and care about them.
Moving away doesn't mean you can't stay close to your family. These are a few things you can do to stay close to your family even when you're far apart.

Strengthening family relationships when you have a hectic schedule

Families now are busier than ever. With hectic work schedules and other extracurricular activities, sometimes it can be difficult to keep your family a priority and strengthen your family relationships.
But neglecting your family for work can result in marital problems and compromised relationships with your children. But there are still plenty of ways to strengthen your family's relationships even if you have a hectic schedule.
The following are a few tips to help you make sure you are balancing your home business and family:

• Identify your priorities. The first step to making sure your family stays a priority even though your schedule is hectic is to actually identify your priorities. Make a list of what you think is important in life, and then work to divide your time accordingly.
• Eat together. Strive to eat as a family together at least one meal a day with no interruptions. This could be at breakfast before school, or in the evening at dinner. During this time, keep the TV, cell phones, and other devices off and focus on the family. This is a good time to catch up on each others days and the activities that are going on in your family's lives.
• Involve your family in daily tasks.Strengthen your family relationships by including them in your hectic schedule! For example, if you have to run errands, bring the kids. Or, spend a Saturday morning doing chores together as a family and then go out for ice cream together. If you work from home, set up a "desk" for your little ones to "work" with you too.
• Make a date night. Stay connected with your spouse even though you have a busy schedule by having a date night every week. Make it a must during the week, and don't answer any work-related phone calls. Focus on things other than work while you are on your date.
• Delegate your work. With some responsibilities, especially if you are in a management position or you have a business and you have a specific idea about how you want things done, it can be easy to take everything on yourself. However, this allows other important things, like your family, to take a back seat. If you have work you can delegate, do so. This will allow you to strengthen your family's relationships.
• Schedule alone time with your children. Another way you can make sure to strengthen your family relationships is to make sure you spend a little time alone with each of your children each day. This could be as simple as letting them help you with chores around the house or driving them to school each morning.
• Take care of yourself. In making sure your family stays a priority, it is also important that you take some time for yourself. A hectic schedule can be very stressful, so make sure you get enough sleep, exercise, and down time for yourself so that your family will actually enjoy your company when you're with them.

These days, most families have hectic schedules that make it easy for more important things, like family relationships, to take a back seat. However, neglecting to strengthen your family relationships will result in more serious problems later on. These are just a few things you can do to ensure you are strengthening your family's relationships.