The Key to My Heart <3

Give away the key to your heart.

You will need a necklace box (including the cardboard insert), a key on a string, and the ring.

Easy option: Purchase a key necklace. Check out this one or amazon. If the necklace does not come in a jewelry box you can easily purchase one from a jewelry store or online. (See below, Tiffany & Co sells keys!)

If you are a bit more crafty follow this idea:

You can purchase a necklace box at most jewelry stores or you can ask your female friends and family members if they have one laying around. You will need to either find a pretty key or set of keys OR you can purchase something like this. If you are using your own pretty key (you can find these at craft or antique stores or garage sales) I would recommend stringing it through a really pretty piece of ribbon or twine. (Again look at a craft store or you might have something laying around or ask around. Fancy foods come wrapped in ribbon, so do towels, blankets, and pjs.)

After you present the gift box you can use a line that includes "the key to my heart" and "will you marry me?" OR I love the idea of also including a slip of paper in the jewelry box that says "will you marry me?" All you have to do is insist that she take the ring necklace out of the box.

As with most of this blog's ideas (except for James and Steph's proposal story of course), James comments to be sure that you know your intended fiance. Use your best judgment; you have to decide whether she will find this extremely romantic or kinda lame.

***UPDATE: Tiffany & Co. now sells keys! They are lovely and romantic, and I personally love anything that comes in a little blue box, check them out here.

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies

We love doggies. A few months ago I fell in love with a King Charles puppy at a local pet store. James spent weeks thinking about stringing my engagement ring around the puppy's collar. He wanted to surprise me with the puppy and what a surprise it would have been to pick it up and notice the ring! I would have died. James ultimately decided that another dog would have been a huge commitment and something he and I had to discuss at length. We want to get another pup in the future, maybe in a few months he will surprise me with one ;)

** readers beware: you better be damn sure your intended fiance wants a pet.

We Love Wine

James admits that if he had given more time to our proposal, he would have proposed using a customized bottle of wine. As you know, he proposed in upstate NY and while planning the weekendfound this great winery not too far from where we were staying. They can customize the labels on bottles of wine to say anything you might want. They can even include a picture of the two of you!! Readers beware: they have limited off-season hours and can take weeks to create that special something for your special someone.

Steph and James' Proposal Story

So, we are finally getting around to blogging about it. Being engaged is hard work! haha!

James planned a surprise adventure for the two of us after an extremely busy few weeks. After a three hour drive to Saratoga Springs, we went to a creperie for lunch, and then pulled up to the most gorgeous Bed and Breakfast, a 19th century carriage house. I kid you not, I cried when I saw it, the place was amazing! The room featured the original 19th century wood ceiling and the furniture was from the early 1800s.

From adventures in NYC to DC to museums, aquariums, parks, and beaches I expected nothing extraordinary from this particular weekend away. After settling in, James asked me if I was enjoying our current adventure to which I said I was... I was still teary-eyed from the beauty of the area. Then James said, "Stephanie will you spend the rest of your life going on adventures with me?" and I said yes! ! After slipping a gorgeous ring on my finger we enjoyed a bottle of champagne in front of the fireplace. After I stopped crying we went to dinner where James had made reservations at an amazing restaurant. To make the evening even more special, we were lone diners in a sea of gorgeous candle light. We ended the evening at an Irish pub with a live Irish band and some good beer.

Talk about an adventure we will always remember!

A perfect proposal for us! We have talked on this blog about having a proposal that suits the couple, and for us this worked. B&Bs, adventures, and Irish pubs are very significant parts of our relationship.

For those of you who are curious about our wedding, we will be blogging about the process on another blog and will have the URL soon. It looks like it will be August or September 2011.

roses... not cliche

Roses... for most women totally romantic. Why not use rose petals (or her favorite flowers) to pop the question. You can set it up in her room or yours or at a hotel. Let the hotel know that you are doing this and they might help by offering champagne and candles. Have a trail of petals from the elevator to the hotel room or her front door to her room. Easy, lovely, and cheap.

By the light of candles....

Romantic, easy, and memorable.

Spell out "Will you marry me?" in candles... turn off all the lights and what a surprise they will find when they walk in the door. It might be after a late night at the office or a night out on the town. Words to the wise, never leave candles lit unattended.

Candles are cheap, I found these at Target.com

Updated Version of the Ring in a Champagne Glass

Out to eat? When dessert comes make sure the chief knows you want this

Paloma's Nest, Handcrafted Modern Heirlooms

I really love this woman's work... pick any item and get "will you marry me" printed on it.

They will love that they have something they will always have. I love the thought of giving it to siblings or children so they can propose to the love of their lives.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18892706

How do they do that?

I recently heard a story about a woman who's bf put the ring on her finger while she was sleeping... I think that is an awesome way to propose (probably because I am a morning person and some of my favorite moments include laying in my cozy bed) but, how do they do it?

Please comment if you have proposed or if you were proposed to this way.

For those who enjoy a good glass of wine

We drink a good amount of red wine in our house... just ask James.

Why not present the ring tied around the stem of a glass of wine?

Prep Time Needed: An hour tops not including purchasing a ring

Cost: Cheap. The only expenses (other than the ring) would be purchasing wine, wine glasses, and dinner if they are needed

Here's How:

Idea #1:

Obviously you need to purchase a ring. You also need to have some wine glasses. For me and James we have about 20 so I would never notice if one was missing but if you only have two or four glasses I would suggest getting an extra one.

Purchase or acquire some ribbon or twine. You could get it at a CVS, a dollar store, or a craft store. You may have something suitable laying around the house. (think of the ribbons that towels, gifts, and some gourmet foods are wrapped in)

String the ring through the ribbon and then tie the ribbon around the extra wine glass and hide it somewhere. You can have the wine glass sitting on the table when they walk in the room.

Have her or him over for dinner. You can ask if they would like some wine pour it with your back facing them and when you return around they will notice the ring. I love this thought because it is casual and sexy. This, however, is coming from someone who adores wine. If you ask her or him for a glass and they decline you will have to wait or come up with something on the spot (which might not be so bad)

Idea #2:
Instead of leaving the glass on the table or handing them the glass, you could set it up and then place the glass in the cabinet. Bring home a bottle of wine from work and simply say, "hey baby can you get us a few glasses of wine" Be standing in the kitchen or dinning room door as she turns around

Idea #3:
Give this idea to a restaurant and see if they will do it for you.

As promised... a Christmas Proposal Idea

I love the holidays... white lights make everything romantic and cozy... I also love traditions. This proposal recipe involves either starting the tradition (or perhaps working off an old one) of giving a loved one a new ornament each year.

For Starters I suggest casually bring this topic up, you can say something like: "I think it would be really cool/nice if we gave each other ornaments every Christmas. Since we are both short on cash I thought it would be nice if we did something that did not involve spending a lot of money but was still thoughtful"

Who? Anyone who celebrates Christmas!

When? Days before Christmas, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day

Price: 0-50 (You have to purchase an ornament that opens or you can make one or use one you already have)

How to:

Idea #1: Place the ring inside the ornament prior to giving it to her/him. Say that you would like to start (or continue) the tradition of giving each other an ornament around the holidays. It is a really nice way to start a tradition.

Idea #2: Place a small piece of paper or ribbon that says "Will you marry me?" in the ornament. Say that you would like to start (or continue) the tradition of giving each other an ornament around the holidays. While they open it you can be ready with the ring.

Idea #3: While decorating the tree you can hand her an ornament with the ring wrapped around it. You can use ribbon to wrap the ring around any ornament or you can put the ring on a candle shaped ornament or on a candy cane. While handing him/her ornaments they will see the ring and you can get down on one knee if you chose!

Idea #4: Share a personalized ornament. Check out these.

A Simple Moment on the Beach

When I think of the beach I imagine sepia-toned photos or black and white images of people with tans and hair blowing in the wind. These kinds of pictures make everyone look gorgeous. Isn't that what you want your significant other to think of when they thinks of your proposal? Plus it makes it easy to decide on a theme for your engagement photos.

Who? The couple who lives near the shore, loves the beach, or will be on vacation near the beach.

When? I do not recommend a winter beach proposal as the wind can be unbearable.

Price: 0-50 (If you live near the shore and visit in the evening it could be free but you may have to pay for parking, beach badges, and maybe a stop on the board walk for ice cream if you chose to have wine or a basket of goodies that could cost you)

How: Take her to the beach: for a walk, to collect sea shells, to see the sunset. You can either have a friend set up a blanket with wine (or bring with you) if you want to set a "mood". Or you can forgo the extras and slide down on one knee with a sunset in the background. Either way you are a winner.

If you choose to have a friend set stuff up for you, I would select someone reliable and maybe ask them to stick around and get some shots of you to!