Putting politics aside this President’s Day, let’s celebration fabulous fashion-forward First Ladies and their eye catching jewels! Starting with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis,one of the most stylish women ever, her look is often imitated, but never matched. Simple, classic, and with elegant style, Jackie O has been a muse for generations of trendsetters and designers alike. Before her iconic style, pearls were known as the ugly duckling of jewelry.
Pearls have always had a prominent place in political history, dangling across party lines around the necks of some of the most influential First Ladies. Barbara Bush was known for wearing her three-strand costume pearl necklace while in the White House. They became so popular that many companies created replicas and sold them as “First Lady Pearls” or “Barbara Bush Pearls.”
1st Row: First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson 2nd Row: Jackie Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Barbara Bush
Nancy Reagan often opted to wear a matching gold necklace and bracelet set over the classic pearl look.
Michelle Obama, favors the First Lady Pearls, yet her fashion-forward style doesn’t stop there. Our current First Lady has been seen wearing statement necklaces, large drop earrings, and fabulous vintage brooches.
Mrs. O’s attention to detail and flawless beauty is one to admire. Jackie O created trends while Michelle O has really spotlighted today’s high fashion styles.
On January 11th, 2008 I arrived for what I assumed would be a typical Friday at work. After about an hour on the job, one of my bosses came in and handed me an envelope marked, “Katie.” My boss then instructed me to open the envelope and follow the instructions enclosed.
After opening the envelope, I found the first clue of a large scavenger hunt. This first clue, and three others I uncovered in order, eventually leads me to the top floor of a hotel on Carolina Beach.
In a room on the top floor I found the fifth and final clue, which instructed me go outside to the balcony, which looked out over the beach. When I ran to the balcony I looked down and saw “KATIE WILL YOU MARRY ME?” written in the sand, with my boyfriend Albie standing next to it.
I scrambled down to the first floor, but couldn’t find access to the beach from the hotel. I eventually just circumvented the building entirely and ran out to the beach to meet Albie with a beautiful ring in hand, and the rest is history.
As one year ends and another begins, we all do a personal review and decide what areas need revised. Year after year, we all make over the top resolutions to go to the gym every single day, or swearing off our favorite food! To put it simply, most new year’s resolutions are unrealistic (go figure)! So this year, why not make some easy resolutions you can actually stick to!
Take the stairs
We all see that vacant stairwell while waiting for the crowded elevator and think, “I really should take the stairs.” Although the elevator is easy, taking the stairs will incorporate exercise into your day, and hey, by the end of the year, you may even drop a few pounds! Now don’t the stairs look like a better option!
Unplug
Can you remember a minute that passed by where you weren’t in electronic overload? In this day in age, we are all wired, all the time! This year, invest more time living in the moment and turn off your cell phone during social occasions. That text message or phone call can probably wait, and unplugging for a while will make your face-to-face time more valuable. Honestly, how much information do you retain with your face glued to your phone? Also, those walks in the park may be more enjoyable if you aren’t stopping to tweet about it!
A little eye contact, please
In this age of communicating through all kinds of at-a-distance contact, face time with other people is a rare and highly appreciated skill. Making eye contact is an easy way to show people around you that you’re interested and engaged.
Instead of setting yourself up to fail this new year, cut yourself some slack and get back to the basics. Keep your long term goals and reward yourself as you take the little steps towards them. Pick a few of our suggestions and make some resolutions you are sure to keep! Did you make a new year’s resolution? Leave a comment and tell us all about it!
After only one month of dating, Jenna’s mother and stepfather came to visit and met Brad. While Jenna was at work, Brad couldn’t pass up the opportunity to express his intentions of marrying her. After two months of dating, he began looking for the perfect ring and found it (he hoped). He consulted her sister and his own sister to make sure that he was on the right track and went with his original choice. Two weeks later, he drove all night to West Virginia to enjoy a Bob Evans breakfast with her dad. He made it back to Raleigh in time to have dinner with Jenna that evening, so she had no idea that he had been gone.
After exactly three months of dating, Brad bought the perfect ring (she agreed) and when the afternoon became free unexpectedly, he decided to propose that day instead of waiting any longer. He asked Jenna if she wanted to explore a hidden waterfall that they had discovered together previously and requested that she bring her camera to take some pictures. At 95 degree temperatures, Jenna reluctantly agreed. After a little walk on a forest trail, Brad asked Jenna to sit on a rock overlooking the waterfall. He presented her with a long box for their “three-month-iversary,” which contained a necklace and earrings. Much to her surprise, the box also contained a poem that he had written her two months prior. This time an additional stanza had been added. As she read the poem aloud, she noticed Brad fumbling around in his pocket. With the ring ready, Brad offered to read the final stanza:
It was an early Sunday morning when John proposed. John had gone downstairs to make breakfast and I had fallen back to sleep upstairs until my dog jumped up into the bed. When I opened my eyes I noticed my dog had a note attached to her collar.
I grabbed the note, opened it up, and read, “Mommy will you marry Daddy?”
John then walked into the room, keeled down on my side of the bed, presented me with the most beautiful ring I had ever seen and said, “Will you marry me?” Of course I said yes and we married on May 22, 2010!
Recent Comments