Engagement Ring Shopping - Finding Unusual and Unique Rings

When you're shopping for a certain item, you're always looking for something that's unique and unusual. Maybe it's really a natural human behavior to look for things that are extraordinary and not be contented to common ones. Like when you're shopping for an engagement ring, you'll really make an effort just to find a special one to give to your beloved spouse to be.

For that groom to be who are looking for different unusual engagement rings, there are many options in finding a unique one. It is really a very stressful task but it's really worth your effort to find the one ring that you're looking for. Just thinking your bride to be and the smile on her face, you'll surely be inspired to search for the perfect ring that she'll certainly love to have.

When you say engagement ring, the first thing that would pop into your mind is a solitaire diamond ring. To make your engagement ring different, why not change the stone or the setting? There are many beautiful ring styles that can be used to modify or to make your engagement ring a unique one.

A tension ring setting will give your ring an amazing appearance if you don't want the conventional prong setting; this kind of setting can also give your stone the same security like that of prong. Instead of using diamond as your center stone, you can use lovely and colorful gems like ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, and aquamarine just to name a few.

These gemstones are available in different cuts and shapes which are equally beautiful as diamond. Also, each stone have its own meanings and brilliance that made them exceptional.

You can also use all-metal rings. These kinds of rings are made up of precious metals with the absence of stone/stones. You can find these rings in different patterns and designs. One of the most famous patterns is the Celtic knot; also, each type of pattern has its own meaning and symbolism.

A two tone engagement ring is extraordinarily beautiful. Most common type of metals used as a combination is yellow gold and white gold. It can be an all-metal ring or you can place a diamond or any other precious stone you prefer as the center stone.

Another option if you want an unusual type of engagement ring is to purchase an antique engagement ring. Getting a genuine antique ring will assure you that what you have is a unique ring. You can get this in an auction or it can be given to you as a family heirloom.

As part of the wedding planning, you might as well include wedding ring shopping alongside with your engagement ring so you can be sure that they will certainly complement each other when worn side by side.

Pamela Kazmierczak writes many articles focused on Wedding Ideas and planning for weddings. Go To her site now and learn more about Different Unusual Engagement Rings Today! Get info, see fabulous diamond ring photos and shop online.

Finding the RIGHT Necktie

Forget "business casual" when dressing for an interview. When interviewing with a small or large business, a professional organization, a political organization or a non-profit entity, the way one dresses matters. For men, nothing matters more than the tie. Much can be said of haircuts, suits, dress shirts and accessories. These will be addressed in future articles. But to be honest, if one wear the wrong tie, the other items of attire will not matter.

Why wear ties? They are archaic. They are uncomfortable. They are difficult to knot and keep looking neat. There are so many choices of colors and styles that it is overwhelming. The simple answer is that ties are still considered essential items of attire for professional men.

What style tie should one wear? Ties have been skinny and wide and back again to skinny. If a tie is too skinny or too wide it looks either dated or faddish. Stay away from both. The tie should be long enough to touch one's belt when tied in whatever knot. While this article will not go into how to tie a necktie, there are step by step directions on a number of men's grooming web sites. Knots vary from full Windsor (big knot), to the half Windsor (medium knot) to four in hand (a simple and narrow knot). I prefer the four in hand. Some men like a "dimple" or a small crease just below the knot. Most men's catalogs show the knots in detail. Some men prefer the tie without the dimple below the knot. It is a matter of personal taste and style.

What ties are appropriate for an interview? In the world of ties, the best ones for interviews are: foulard, regimental stripe and small dot.

The foulard tie has repeating patterns of diamonds, circles (like little tiny flowers), ovals (like little tiny pine cones) or other shapes. The patterns are symmetrical on a solid colored ground. These are not the whales, dolphins, ducks, hunting dogs or golf clubs woven into the tie. Those are club ties. Keep them for the country club functions and point-to-point races. The foulard tie is traditional, understated and speaks volumes about being well heeled.

The regimental tie is based on the ties worn by British graduates of public (U.S. calls them private) schools, universities plus members of clubs and veterans of regiments and other military organizations. The stripe and color combinations vary widely. Stripes are wide or narrow or combinations of wide and narrow. Wider stripes are better with suits. If one thinks the interviewer may be British or from a former British colony, AVOID the regimental tie because they may ask about one's affiliation to the school or unit.

Finally, the dot tie is acceptable and very traditional. While more formal (think Winston Churchill and ambassadors), the tie with a solid colored ground and small, evenly spaced dots is very understated and clean looking. All of the ties mentioned above should be in 100% silk.

What about the other styles of ties? There are more ties than I can describe here. They may be fine for some activities and functions but not for interviews. The other styles of ties include the club ties which were already mentioned, paisley ties which say "I am artistic and intellectual", knit ties which are too casual and colorful madras ties which are good for summer weekends with a blazer. Pastel colored linen ties are in the same category as madras. Solid ties which is safe but a bore. The very expensive patterned fine silk ties from Europe say "I spent way too much for this tie and I am trying to impress you". Save these for wear after the promotion. Avoid ties that say anything on them. One's tie can make a statement without clever words or initials. Finally, there are all the wild ties of random patterns and garish colors. These ties may be acceptable once in a while once established in a career. They are not for job interviews. Some people never wear them and that is fine.

What about colors? With navy suits, ties in yellow (the old power tie), red, maroon and light blue (the new power tie) are acceptable as the dominant color or the ground. With gray suits, ties, in navy, light blue and maroon are best. Do not wear brown, black or tan suits to a job interview - ever. Avoid green, pink, purple and orange ties for interviews. Green ties can be nice for the country club and weekends but not generally the office. Since one are wearing a white shirt for the interview, it is always nice to have a foulard with a touch of white as an accent, a regimental stripe with one of the stripes in white or silver or a dot tie with the dots in white to pick up the white of the crisp dress shirt.

Sources for the right ties include: Brooks Brothers, Polo Ralph Lauren, Jos. A. Bank, some department stores (but be careful), J. Press and Ben Silver. All these quality gentlemen's stores have web sites and catalogs that one can review prior to making one purchase.

Following these tie rules will not guarantee one a job. Being qualified and coming across well during the interview are essential. Having the right tie will insure that the interviewers are not distracted by the tie. It also insures that the tie is saying all the right things about the job candidate.

George F. Franks, III is the President of Franks Consulting Group, a Bethesda, Maryland based management consulting and leadership coaching practice. Franks Consulting Group's clients include businesses, non-profit organizations and individual leaders. You can contact Franks Consulting Group at: franksconsultinggroup@gmail.com
Franks Consulting Group is on the web at: http://franksconsultinggroup.com
George's weblog is: http://consultingandcoaching.blogspot.com

What is the Best Site For Finding a Mate Online? Finding the Best Dating Site For You

One frequently asked question about finding a mate online is, what the best dating site? There various ways of zeroing in on the best dating site for you. Notice the words "for you". What's good for someone else, even your closest friend or twin sibling may not necessarily be good for you.

First and foremost, finding a mate online requires that you know what you want. This might sound obvious, but there are many who don't know what they want beyond "a date", "a girlfriend/boyfriend", "a partner" and the like.

To find out what you really want, try filling in the blank after the phrase "I am looking for _". Among the things that would go into that blank include:

1. A fun partner: This can be short term or long term, but nothing serious. Marriage is out of the question (though things can and do change).

2. Dating only: This too can be short term or long term and open-ended. This type of relationship could get serious down the road. Most traditional dating relationships fall in the category.

3. Marriage: Yes, you can find a mate online to tie the knot with. Be specific on whether you want children or not, and whether you are willing to marry someone with children.

4. Adult adventures: Besides erotic pursuits, fetish and alternative lifestyle interests fall in this category. The good thing about online dating is that you can get just about anything you want, and lots of people ready to "play". Seeking a mate with whom to explore your wildest fantasies or fetishes? You will find good company online.

5. Niche interests: Like big women? Love dogs? Seeking a fitness partner? Want someone in the military? Or even a roommate? Virtually all interests and passions are represented online, from mild to wild.

Finding the Best Dating Site for You

You have probably discovered that there are thousands of dating sites online. Making the right choice is often not easy. It is worth repeating that the way to find the best dating site for you is to narrow down to the ones that best fit your needs.

Having decided the type of relationship you want, here are 6 basic categories of dating sites to choose from:

1. General dating sites: These are profiled-based. You search and get found through personal profiles posted on the site. They usually (especially the popular ones) have huge databases of singles. You may to be very specific about what you want to avoid having to go through endless profiles. Those seeking casual dates and those who like to get to know someone before committing to a serious relationship are better served here.

2. Matchmaking sites: These are for people looking to find a mate online for a serious, long-term relationship or marriage right from the start. They are personality and compatibility based. Matchmaking sites do the matching for you, but some also allow you to also do your own searches. Expect to answer a comprehensive questionnaire, in multiple-choice and essay questions.

3. Speed dating sites: These sites organize online or real-life events that let you meet several potential mates within a short period of time. This can be done online or a live speed dating event, and sometimes a bit of both.

4. Religion/ethnic based: These are categorized together as there is quite a bit of overlapping. Christian, Muslim, Jewish, LDS, Catholic, Buddhist, Asian... you name it; if you're seeking a mate of a certain faith or ethnicity, you will find good company online.

5. Niche dating sites: These are based on very particular and narrow interests or passions. Examples include; dog lovers, fitness lovers, big beautiful women (BBW), big handsome men (BHM) and more.

6. Adult, fetish and alternative: These cater to adult interests. Adult means just that: anything goes. Fetish and alternative sites cater to those who want to venture beyond just the "adult" and into things like spanking, S&M, BDSM, and the like.

Seeking the best dating site for finding a mate online? Now see the best dating services of various interests compared side to side, pick the best one for you and sign up free. The author David Kamau is an online dating expert and is offering free top-notch dating ebooks today.