Hey there, Urban Housewives! It’s springtime, and we all know what that means. If you’re a 20-something-year-old woman in, well, really anywhere in the world, springtime also loosely translates to “wedding season.” And this wedding season, as always, we’ve been seeing a lot of articles going around about the load of bologna that is the diamond ring. Sure, we were all duped into paying insane amounts of money (okay, our future husbands were) for a sparkly diamond that isn’t worth its weight in gold, but is that really the whole story when it comes to engagement rings? Turns out, the answer to that question really depends on where you get down on one knee.

In the United States, like in England, France and Canada, engagement rings are traditionally worn on the left hand. But why? Well, many centuries ago, people believed that the vein originating in the ring finger of one’s left hand ran directly to the heart. This vein was in fact called the vena amoris, or “vein of love,” by the Greeks. Turns out that the veins of each finger on both hands have the same structure, debunking the old Latin myth. And not all culture wear engagement rings on the left hand. Engagement rings in Sydney, Germany, India, Russia and Norway are worn on the right hand.

Unfortunately for the fellas, engagement rings have maintained their status as an almost exclusively female accessory. In fact, men didn’t even traditionally wear wedding rings in the United States until World War II broke out. At that time, it became quite fashionable for women to give men a wedding band and wear one of their own in return to symbolize the bonds of matrimony wouldn’t be broken by war. The custom stuck, and by the late 1940s over 80% of married American men were wearing wedding rings. They’ve still got nothing on Nordic men though, who traditional get engagement rings as well!

So which countries spend the most on engagement rings? Well, unsurprisingly, the United States takes the cake with a whopping 50% of the money spent on engagement rings being American dollars. Now, you’ve got to keep in mind though that that may have a lot to do with the fact that the United States is such a big country and marriage is quite an important tradition to many Americans. In the second place spot is Japan, with 15%, and rounding out third is Italy with 5%. Australia boasts the second priciest engagement ring average, at $4,500. And just in case you needed another reason to envy Beyoncé, her engagement ring from Jay-Z is an 18-carat stunner that cost $5 million dollars.

With so much implicit value put on them, the price of engagement rings can often shine brighter than the accessories themselves. But it’s good to keep in mind the rich, romantic history that engagement rings carry, as well as the love and commitment they’re meant to inspire. It’s not all about the bling, after all!

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It was only a matter of time, Urban Housewives. The inevitable has arrived, and I am headed to Los Vegas for a bachelorette weekend with a few of my girlfriends. A friend is getting married, and of course these days it’s impossible to make it through your 20s without hitting Vegas for a pre-marriage party at least once or twice. 

My apprehension is only half-kidding. I mean I’m totally excited for the weekend with the girls! But I’ve never been to Vegas, so I’m not exactly practiced in the art of gambling. How does a gal get seasoned in this stuff? And is it even necessary? Well, it’s obviously not required to be a table games pro before heading to the city of lights, but it certainly does make things a bit more fun.

A friend was telling me that one of the best ways to get some experience under your belt is to play around with online games. Apparently you can even make a little money remotely playing WSoP poker, though I’m not sure my skill level will ever be that impressive! But it’s nice to know there are options to try it out online before taking the plunge in the casinos of Vegas. I have a terrible competitive streak, so it’s going to gut me just a bit to think all my girlfriends know the rules of the table and I don’t! To that end, I may just sneak in a few games online to get a handle on the setups and different kinds of games.

You can also check out the other offerings Vegas has if you’re looking to spend a weekend there. There’s more to see than the craps tables, after all! Vegas boasts a ton of fabulous shows, and the world-class hotels are quite tempting for those of us in need of a little rest and relaxation. After all, what bachelorette girls weekend would be complete without a day by the pool or a trip to the spa? I could spend all day on that massage table, ladies!

So I’m getting over my nerves and getting onto a plane – Vegas here I come! Wish me luck, both with the weather for the pool and the tables for the gambling. Though at the end of the day, I’m more excited about some quality time with the girls than either of those things, so I guess I won’t need too much luck, after all.

Photo Credit: tj scenes

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When planning your wedding, it’s easy to become flustered with all the preparations of sending out invitations, getting the venue ready and ensuring the dress fits – read our top tips to avoid becoming Bridezilla in the run-up to your big day.

Keep it intimate

If you’re keen to ensure your wedding is the personal experience you have in mind, plan for an intimate ceremony rather than inviting hundreds of guests. Having too many people present could make the wedding seem impersonal and also bump up your overall costs, so think carefully about who you really want to be in attendance at the ceremony.

In the same vein, keeping things intimate means you can devote more of your budget to making sure each and every guest has a wonderful time, whether it be opting for a more luxurious dinner menu, spending a little more on the perfect wedding venue or choosing a sought-after entertainer for your reception.

Don’t be too hard on yourself

The pressure to get into your wedding dress might induce a desire for crash dieting, but in fact, embarking on a really stringent diet when you’re already under stress can make things worse. Devising your guest list and shopping for bridesmaid dresses can be all the more difficult if you’re working on an empty stomach with a headache, for example.

Instead of deciding on a drastic diet, why not simply swap sugary snacks for healthy alternatives and attend a regular exercise class? Over a period of time, small changes can make all the difference, while exercise will release happy hormones and help you avoid low moods.

Make time for loved ones

When planning a wedding it’s all too easy to be totally enveloped by the preparations, and you may find you’re seeing less and less of your friends and family as the big day approaches. You can avoid this by ensuring you regularly make time to see those dearest to you, whether it’s a weekly night in with a DVD, monthly drinks or even just a quick coffee – regular catch-ups that are not connected to the wedding will be great stress-busters.

However, if your family and friends are keen to get involved in the plans for your big day, find out if anyone has talents you could put to good use. A crafty friend might help you make wedding invitations, while musicians might help out with the entertainment on the big day, so spend some time bonding with your friends and family while working together to make your wedding day a real success.

Stick to your budget

Wedding magazines are great for gaining inspiration but you might begin to feel a little underwhelmed by your own wedding plans after reading issue after issue. If you start wanting to blow the budget, it might be time to take a step back from all the preparations and consider the real meaning of the day. After all, getting married is about commitment to your partner, not about finding confetti that will exactly match the colour of the sash trim on the head table, for example.

Many people spend years paying off their weddings, which typically cost around £20,000 ($31,500). If you don’t want to be one of them, keep the real message in mind and look forward to less debt as you begin your married lives together!

Tom Archer Photography

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A honeymoon is supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, but not everyone has the budget to splurge on every aspect of it. The trick is to prioritise certain areas, such as memorable experiences, and find ways to make other parts cheaper.

Spending quality time together and making memories are the most important legacies of any honeymoon and couples should not have to continue paying for it well into their married lives.

Go all inclusive

Opting to have an all inclusive holiday with Cosmos as your honeymoon is a great idea as the majority of your spending will be covered within the price. This includes meals, drinks and entertainment.

You can splash out on added extras for special excursions or a romantic meal away from the hotel safe in the knowledge that everything else has already been paid for. This is a good approach for those couples who find it difficult to budget while they are away and only count the pennies when they return.

Go out of season

When you plan your honeymoon often depends on the date of your wedding, but going away outside of the usual peak times can mean your money goes a lot further. Check that the weather will still be good in your chosen destination, but if waiting a few weeks after the nuptials saves you cash it can be well worth it.

This option also gives couples something to look forward to when the post-wedding blues set in. Many people also find that they are afforded more privacy as fewer tourists are around out of season, which is an added bonus when you are honeymooning.

Tell people you are on your honeymoon

It may sound a little cheesy, but telling people that you are on your honeymoon can make your budget go further. Everyone enjoys a love story and airport and hotel staff can often upgrade couples at their discretion, so it is worth mentioning.

Look out for deals and passes to attractions

Some couples decide to spend most of their honeymoon at the beach while others like to visit the local sights. Depending on what type of trip you are having, think about investing in a pass to multiple attractions.

This is only cost effective if you intend to spend a substantial amount of time in museums, palaces and galleries. Many of the big cities across the world offer passes or cards for entry into a wide range of tourist spots. This can save you around ten per cent or even more in the long run.

Embrace what is free

There are often plenty of wonderful things to do in honeymoon destinations for free, such as taking romantic strolls or heading to natural waterfalls. Just because you haven’t paid to do it doesn’t mean it won’t provide a valuable memory.

Some attractions are also free so find out what they are before forking out for the paid ones, as they are often just as good.

Wedding presents

If there are some areas of your honeymoon that you are dead set on and simply cannot do without then think about the option of making them wedding presents. Guests often want to buy a gift and many couples these days often have the items they need for married life long before they tie the knot.

There are some innovative approaches to this with some couples creating a list of the ‘experiences’ they wish to have on their honeymoon and working out how much they will cost. Wedding guests can then select which they would like to buy for the couple.

These can vary from cocktails in a special location or a helicopter ride over a spectacular tourist attraction. Then when you are enjoying the experience you can thank the people closest to you for helping to provide it.

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Interior design is like fashion, always changing and the latest favourites are no exception. Whether you’re an haute couture home stylist or simply searching for a fresh faced front room, take your pick from the latest seasonal looks and put your very own spin on them to create your dream décor. 2013 is an exciting year for interior design and the impact of colour and texture is being weaved with iconic themes in an astonishing variety of ways. From strong block colours and bold lines to pastels and masculine tailoring from the catwalk to your home, this season isn’t short of inspiration.

Kicking us off are stripes. This long-standing trend has been reinvented more times than you can say ‘vertical or horizontal, darling?’ Stripes can be over-used so keep things chic with Clockwork Orange style Seventies block stripes on a feature wall or pair with minimalist furniture for a talking point in the room. Extra tip: bold colours set against thinner black stripes or orange and brown for daring lovers of dark wood are core trends this spring.

For the traditional feminine look, think less chintz, more graphic prints. Delicate lilies, rose petal pinks and a dash of lace are the new face of grown-up girly, whilst cream remains the key base colour here. Modernise this look with clean lines in your lampshades and décor as too many frills and flowers can spoil a classic atmosphere. A lovely touch for those who wish to flirt with this look can be found in a feature wall of iridescent green or pink print wallpaper filled with gilded birdcages, foliage or flower motifs.

Masculinity features prominently in modern home design, with 2013 being no exception. Don’t be afraid to strip back and use black for effect. Block black soft furniture, either matte or with a velvet crush, can be set against crisp white for cool monochrome effect. This look can be high-maintenance with lashings of bright white, but dark wood can be used sparingly and effectively for tailored male chic. To top it off, think sandalwood scents for well-placed feature candles.

Eco-friendly design is always a winner and modern builds suit the green theme emerging this season. This look is more slick than hippie chic and gives a sharp alternative to the plush trappings of more exotic trends found in the spring and summer of 2013. ‘Green walls’ harbouring built-in squares of real foliage are wowing dinner party guests, whilst vibrant block coloured furniture and ash wood are complementing one-off recycled art pieces or vases. Recycled and remodelled furniture is an option and the whole style works well with white walls or real wood floorings.

Last but not least, Eastern promises and African treasures are big this spring, with boho carpets and zebra stripes. Pick a theme and stick to it, with Arabian tapestries or the use of gold lanterns against a purple or red hued feature wall. Or think of dark wood and generously curved feature objects, with a shocking dash of animal prints to complement the Sub-Saharan look.

Then get on the phone and get a party organised, because one thing is sure, you’ll have the best looking living space this year. Enjoy!

About the author: Emma Taylor is a blogger for Cushion Couture – the best place to find contemporary cushions online.

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And if you’d like to go to one of those places but you’re unsure of where to stay, you might consider a hostel. Hostels offer the lowest rates imaginable and steep discounts on food. What’s more, hostels encourage people to mingle with fellow travelers. Thus, they’re ideal for making friends. But lest you believe that staying at a hostel means sharing a room with others, be aware that many hostels let you reserve a private room and a private bathroom. Check out HostelBookers.com for hostels in Orlando.

Image source Orlando, Florida Universal Studios: kamoteus

Speaking of hostels, the website hostelbookers.com recently named Orlando among the world’s ten best destinations for vacationing families; you can read that article here. Orlando, of course, is chock-full of theme parks and resorts. These sprawling dreamlands, like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, are bursting with thrill rides and special-effects-laden shows. In addition to the mega-parks, though, there are quieter, less-heralded Orlando attractions. For example, Gatorland is a family-owned park displaying live alligators and many other reptiles besides. It’s worth the trip to Gatorland for the alligator-wrestling demonstrations alone.

Image source Walt Disney World: cdharrison

Now, while everyone knows that Orlando targets families, many people think of Oahu – the most populous of the Hawaiian Islands – as a romantic getaway, a place for honeymoons. But this paradise provides tremendous opportunities for families, too. Adults and children can go on nature walks, snorkel, take surfing lessons, enjoy water sports, attend luaus, and learn to hula. And that’s just for starters. Especially alluring are the warm weather, the beautiful beaches, the twinkling lights of Honolulu, and the stunning sunsets, all of them impossible to forget.

Image source Grand Canyon: grand_canyon_nps

Speaking of splendor, Arizona’s Grand Canyon is so stunning it can be hard to catch your breath upon first glimpsing it. This beloved national park likewise offers a range of activities. A bus tour will give you a good overview. Then, if you and your family feel adventuresome, you can hike, rent bicycles, ride mules, or join a whitewater rafting expedition.

The Grand Canyon area provides a fine example of a family-oriented hostel: the two-story Grand Canyon International Hostel in downtown Flagstaff, about ninety minutes by car from the Canyon. This hostel opened in 1995, though the building itself is decades older. It’s a gorgeous property, replete with displays of indigenous art. As a special bonus, guests are supplied free breakfasts.

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With 2013 now well and truly in full swing, many families will be looking at ways to get their finances in check through more efficient budgeting. Many people may have made New Year’s resolutions at the start of the year with a promise to get those household finances sorted for the up and coming year but haven’t quite got around to it as yet.

If you’ve been promising yourself that you will get the family finances sorted, now is the time to act. It is all too easy to keep putting off this potentially daunting task, but once you make a start on budgeting more effectively you will find that the task becomes a lot less daunting.

Five ways to budget more effectively

Keep track of your income and outgoings: These days, it has become more important than ever for families to keep on top of income and outgoings. Set up a spreadsheet on your computer or even use an old fashioned accounts book to log exactly how much income the household has and exactly what has to come out. This means listing all of your monthly outgoings, including bills, debts, shopping, subscriptions, etc. and logging down how much will go out each month for each one. You will then be able to calculate your final figure for both income and outgoings, enabling you to see how much disposable income you have left at the end of each month.

Cut back on borrowing: While whipping out the credit card or dipping into the overdraft may seem like a good idea at the time, this is something you should try and avoid unless it is an emergency. It is important in the current climate for families to avoid spiralling debts, as otherwise you could gradually see your outgoings rising while your income remains the same.

Think about the future of the kids: With so many financial issues to deal with, many families get caught up in the here and now rather than considering the future. If you have young kids, it is important to think about them when looking at your household budget. Look at opening special bank accounts for children where you can not only teach your kids about the value of saving by encouraging them to put money in but you can also put money aside to save towards your child’s future.

Streamline your outgoings: Many families end up spending more than they realise each month, often on things that they do not want or need. This could include unused or unnecessary subscriptions, gym memberships that are no longer used and a variety of other payments.

Switch and save: There are probably many services that you pay for each month on which you are paying over the odds. This could include utilities, broadband services, and insurance plans. Take a look and see whether you can get better deals from other providers, as switching could save your family a considerable amount of money each month.

Many of these are simple, basic steps but can have a huge positive impact on family finances.

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