I'm around diamonds all day which means I'm around engagement rings which means I'm around recently enagaged couples who are about to get married. At Blue Nile, you've pretty much heard it all when you provide engagement rings to thousands of couples. It's actually quite nice that our customers feel so connected to us and enjoy sharing their big day with a customer service representative or PR. I very well may be the farthest from a wedding expert but I've been to enough weddings to formulate an opinion. A few of these tips I've shared via Twitter but have expanded upon them. First and foremost, these tips are of my OWN opinion. I don't expect anyone to share or agree with me so take em, leave em or don't even read em! And there you have it.
 

Classy Wedding Tip #1

Ask for donations to your favorite one or more charity in lieu of gifts or wedding favors. If you're fortunate enough to have a wedding, give back. It'll feel just as good as saying "I do."

Classy Wedding Tip #2

Limit your number of bridesmaids to 3-4 at very most. Nobody wants to be at the end of 10 girls PLUS a terrible view. First-hand experience? My lips are sealed. 

Classy Wedding Tip #3

Going smaller is undoubtly going to be more intimate. Let's be honest, does one really talk to 500 people on a daily basis? For "$250 a head," I don't blame George Banks for ending up in jail.

Classy Wedding Tip #4

It's the cut, stupid. The carat isn't half as important as the cut. So make yourself a diamond expert and do your research before you pop the big question.
 
 

Classy Wedding Tip #5

It's about the marriage, not the wedding. Kim Kardashian (along with 50% of America) has shown us that an expensive wedding does not a happy marriage make. Spend more time prioritizing what it means to committ yourself to a life together instead of a four hour event.

Classy Wedding Tip #6

Walk down the aisle with both your parents. Do you really want to take a page out of the 1930s playbook? My mother plays such an incredible part in my life that I couldn't imagine asking her if she could politely "take her seat in the front."

As Fashion Publicist for the leading online luxury jewelry retailer, you are correct in assuming that a portion of my job is to befriend stylists and dress their clients. Game 1 of the "World Series of dressing the Stars" began this past weekend at the Golden Globes. Game 7 of the series is of course, The Academy Awards.

Introducing Hollywood-based stylists and their assistants to Blue Nile's Red Carpet collection was a gigantic step for our company.

 In the past six weeks, we've dressed stars like Helen Mirren, Maria Menounos, Penelope Ann Miller and Giuliana Rancic. Having a first-hand look into what goes into dressing someone for an award show, starting with the gown and ending with a handbag and jewelry, was incredibly helpful.

So much credit goes to the stylists and publicists who are constantly bombarded with showrooms, meetings and fittings the week before the big show. From Brad Goreski's assistant Thomas to Miss Golden Globes 2012 herself, Rainey Qualley, all made time for Blue Nile and for that I'm so thankful.

It's an incredibly rewarding, but demanding job that consists of extreme multi-tasking, product intuitivness, and the realization that there is no guarantee. Spending countless hours to perfect our jump into celebrity-ladden Los Angeles has already paid off and I couldn't be more proud of our team.

A special shoutout to my security guards & LAPD's best, John & Jesse, who always ensured I was in good hands.

And of course, any type of success wouldn't be possible without the support of my colleagues and my mentor, Aimee. My dear friend Aimee has provided invaluable feedback, is always lending an ear and has never stopped believeing in me. I am so blessed to have her.

Now, the show must go on. 10 Days Until the SAG Awards.

When Jamie Michelle Peha propositioned that I do a blog post on the Seattle Wine & Food Experience, I stopped her right there and THEN with a resounding YES!

If there are two things I love it is culinary excellence and a FABULOUS glass of vino.
 
On Sunday, February 26th, experience wines from around the world as an amazing array will be offered by nine regions, with a special focus on our friends south of us in Oregon.

And speaking of Oregon wines, the King Estate Pinot Noir is one of my all-time favorite wines so make sure you pick up a bottle.

Jamie says, "Unlike other events in the area, the Seattle Wine & Food Experience offers a comprehensive tasting that allows for a greater understanding of wine for the consumer."

Attractive and sophisticated in nature, the fourth annual event includes an oyster and sparking wine pairing and featured participation by Seattle's best restaurants (Tavern Law, Serafina, Trellis, Wild Ginger and Lola among MANY others).

Admission to the event is $49 per person and includes access to all areas of the event plus drink and food. A portion of ticket sales will benefit The Giving Grapes Foundation.

You can purchase tickets here.
 

And for 1 LUCKY reader, we have 2 tickets to this fantastic event! I, of course, will be in attendance and look forward to mingling with the winner!

**Doing all three steps increases your chances of winning**

1) Follow Seattle Food & Wine Experience on Facebook & Twitter.

2) Follow JVP Media on Facebook

3) Leave a Comment Below Saying Why You Need To Attend this Event!

Terms and Conditions: There will only be one winner chosen at random on Thursday 12 PM EST. Winner will be notified by email. Contestants who do all three steps will have a greater chance of winning.

For more information on the festival, click here. Thank you to Peha Promotions for this opportunity! For more information on Peha Promotions, click here.

Not more than 24 hours ago, I returned from an extraordinary vacation on gorgeous Ambergris Caye in Belize. Six days was just enough to get a real feel for the island, its hub San Pedro & the local attractions. The service was spectacular at our resort Coco Beach, the people friendly, and the food plentiful. I decided to compile a list of local suggestions that I recommend to anyone traveling to this great country where the economy is based mainly on agriculture and the tourism industry_.

Best Dive Team  - Chuck & Robbie's

The good people at Chuck & Robbie's took good care of us during our dives. A local friend of ours said they were the best dive shop in town and he was spot on. If you get on a boat with Dive Masters Giovanni & Big Sexy then consider yourself quite lucky.

Best Local Gift To Take Home - Marie Sharp Hot Sauces

With a variety of Habanero sauces, Marie just may be the hottest (no pun intended) thing to hit the country since the British. I bought a handful of travel size sauces for family and friends. Great on eggs, potatoes, and of course Mexican cuisine.

DO: Take a plane instead of a water taxi from Belize International Airport to San Pedro. It will save you time (an hour and 15 minutes to be exact) and you'll get a great look at the reefs.

DON'T: Eat out for every meal. If you stay at a resort, you'll most likely have a kitchen. Take a trip to a local grocery store in San Pedro and cook up something local and fabulous!

DO: Buy a bottle of alcohol at the Duty Free store. Drinks are never cheap and you'll be glad you got that huge bottle of Mount Gay Rum for $18.00 US.

DON'T: Drink the local water. You don't want to risk any potential stomach virus so stick to bottled water and/or purified water taps that are installed in the rooms at many resorts.

DO: Go stargazing. The stars are magnificent in Belize on a clear night.

Now go have the trip of a lifetime. You better BELIZE it!

For more info on Belize, check out http://www.travelbelize.org/.