Stephanie Taylor brings you the most recent news from the engagement world. Be sure to check out Engagement 101 TV and watch video from recent events. Got news to share? Email Stephanie by clicking here
Smell Like a Yankee
Your man can smell like New York Yankee Derek Jeter before he plays a baseball game. We can imagine he smells as good as he looks. Derek Jeter Driven Black is the slugger’s best-selling fragrance for his men’s skincare line from Avon. Jeter insists that, “Just like a man changes his clothes for a night out, he should change his scent, too, and Driven Black is perfect for any special occasion.” It is described as a “mysterious blend of saffron, blood orange and dark woods.” Avon.com
Tao’s Naughty Nightclub
“Tao” means the true nature of the world. The true nature of mankind seems to be to eat, drink and party at Tao in Las Vegas. Tao restaurant, lounge and nightclub is the premiere place to have your bachelorette or bachelor party. Before making the biggest commitment of your life, dedicate yourself to rounding up your friends and spending an evening at the luxurious three-level nightclub that features world-class Asian cuisine, core-shaking music and a plush atmosphere. First, you greet live mermaids in rose petal baths. After your meal, step upstairs to the nightclub, where you only stop dancing long enough to step out on the balcony and view the Las Vegas skyline. Or elevate yourself one more flight to Tao Beach, where the rooftop pool bar will make you believe you are at a Thailand resort as you sip spirits in your private cabana. Taolasvegas.com/tao.html
Wed Carpet
Make your wedding day or engagement party memorable by having a real red carpet and backdrop as guests arrive to the party or at your reception. Everyone will rush to pose in front of the backdrop featuring you and your fiancé’s names and wedding date while they mimic their favorite celebrity. Create a wedding blog, and post the pics. Purchase life-size cutouts of celebrities like Angelina Jolie for under $50 to add a fun twist. Redcarpetrunway.com and Hollywoodmegastore.com
Central Park’s Proposal Perks
Not only can you pop the question on a romantic horse-drawn carriage in New York City’s biggest park, but the park also has special staff to help you prepare for your proposal. Castles, an antique carousel, lakes and picturesque gardens are ready to serve as the scene for your romantic day. Central Park staffers can help you pick the perfect spot for your proposal, rent furniture and even help you film the event so that you can recall your special day on anniversaries to come. CentralPark.com
Rock Band
Turn your engagement party into a concert. With Rock Band 2, guests will line up to sing their favorite pop tune. All you need is a Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation or Microsoft XBox and a television. Rock Band 2 has over 50 pop hits from Britney Spears to Christina Aguilera that will unleash the American Idol reject in you. RockBand2.com
Culinary Cuddling
The Institute of Culinary Education holds classes almost every day for you and your beau to learn to cook each other’s favorite dishes. Classes average around $200 for two. Roll sushi, stir up Chinese or even make a pizza pie. You and your amour can learn to create anything available on any takeout menu. https://web.iceculinary.com/icereg/index.asp
Love at the Library
Sex and the City’s Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, almost got married in the New York Public Library because it held so many love stories. Across America there are beautiful public and collegiate libraries that are grand places to hold an intimate cocktail engagement party or a full ceremony and reception. Contact your favorite library to see if this option is available.
Dip your Skin in Sweetness
Sweet Honey Dip Chocolate Brown Sugah Scrub by Carol’s Daughter smells so divine you are tempted to eat the inedible luxurious snack for your skin. Owner and skincare chef Lisa Price, actor Will Smith and his wife, Jada, and rap superstar Jay-Z all own this all natural skincare company. Just scoop and swirl the scrub all over as you take a dip in the bath. You will emerge with supple skin that’s as tasty as your grandmother’s homemade chocolate chip cookies. Your special someone will love it, too. You can find Carol’s Daughter at Macy’s, Sephora and Carol Daughter’s stores around the country. CarolsDaughter.com
Liqueur of Roses
Alizé Rose liqueur is a spirit that will have all your guests flirting with each other at your engagement party and reception in no time. With a pink hue inspired by roses, it has a sprinkle of strawberry, passion fruit, exotic lychee berries and French vodka to stir your taste buds into a fantastic frenzy of flavor. Alizé’s frosted bottles make breathtaking bridal party gifts. Alize.com
Engagement for Love
Love is what getting engaged is all about. When you and your fiancé decide to get engaged, Per Amore has exquisite rings to symbolize your commitment to amore. The rings’ subtle details are a result of an “exclusive marriage of platinum and gold.” The Quoin Edge embossed design with six diamonds is a stunning platinum circle of love that's punctuated with pave diamonds. Hammered with scattered diamonds in platinum and 18-karat gold bi-metal, the Quoin Edge is distinctly divine. Per-amore.com
Ice Floats
Gebrüder Schaffrath has freed the diamond from its setting with the Liberté ring. Liberté’s diamond floats under a slender pure platinum bar, allowing you to see every side of the diamond. Innovative German designer Alexander Leuz believes that allowing the diamond to move causes the diamond to truly sparkle as you wave to your friends to say hi or show off. The diamond will never chip or slip out. Its style is an artistic symbol that love can exceed your expectations. Gebrueder-schaffrath.de/en/
Culture Clash?
Getting married is fun, especially if you and your mate are from vastly different cultures. Dugan Romano, author of “Intercultural Marriage: Promises & Pitfalls” advises couples on how to make multi-cultural marriages last forever. Showing a keen interest in your mate’s culture and understanding that they may not get all of the rules of your culture is also important. After reading this book, both you and your fiancé will be ready to have fun celebrating both of your cultures with family and friends. Interculturalpress.com
Merging Spaces
Don’t argue about planning where to put his nacho-encrusted La-Z-Boy chair in your new love lair. Cecil Hayes, one of Architectural Digest’s Top 100 designers of all time, has written a book to make your domicile divine. “9 Steps to Beautiful Living” gives you easy steps and plenty of pictures to assist you in making your home look amazing. Hayes has designed homes for celebrities like actor Samuel L. Jackson. Use her furniture placement patterns to get a feel of how your furniture will look in its new space. With the book in hand, you are ready to embark on your own couple’s version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. CecilHayes.com
