The Perfect Ring

It's the all important question in many relationships, "will you marry me?" I do find myself looking at engagement rings on line or staring in at rings on shop front windows. One thing does astound me though, is the price many rings are, and is this a realistic ask? 

For those that want to get married, it will be the most special ring in your life that you will wear with pride maybe even holding your hand up in the air to show it off,but would you be willing to show it off if it cost under a certain budget? I asked a few people their thoughts on buying this all important ring and I got very mixed reactions! One person I spoke to said he felt a pressure to spend a certain amount on an engagement ring. One woman I spoke to said price didn't matter as long as she loved her ring. I have met people who have gotten engaged and well lets just say they have felt the need to tell me their ring was expensive. Of course, I was delighted to hear this because we all know the more money you spend the more you love someone! One couple I spoke to, decided to get engaged and went shopping and purchased the ring together. I spoke to another lady who said, price didn't matter to a certain extent. I do agree we don't want a ring whose stone is going to fall out or one that makes your finger black from wearing it!

I am no diamond expert and honestly I can't tell the difference half the time between what's an expensive diamond and what's not. I have seen rings costing close to €10,000 on jellewers windows.  I was never an expensive person and I never will be. I will never be the the person flaunting the price of my ring. Price is not the deciding factor on whether I love the ring or not, it's design and the fact that my partner spent time choosing this ring for me is what will win my heart.

I have heard people say they can't afford an engagement ring but really where did all this hype and pressure, to splash the cash come from? It is one of the biggest marketing scams, diamond companies of course set the rule, 10% of your annual salary or three months salary is what one should be spending. According to The Dailymail, the average engagement ring costs three weeks salary. The extra pressure to buy a diamond ring, confuses me. What about the other beauties of the earth such as pearls, sapphires and cubic zirconia? Diamonds are a girls best friend. Are they really if your engagement ring puts your partner in depth and you can't purchase your dream wedding dress? 

non diamond engagement rings!

perfect ring

Diamond Heaven

Which is your favourite ring above? One costs a whopping €8,000 and the other €750. Can you tell the difference? Of course types of diamonds change the price, but with both resting on 18 carat white gold it's a big unnoticeable difference! 

This whole pressure of buying a ring with a certain price tag gets me thinking, have people forgotten exactly why they are wearing the ring in the first place? Like a lavish wedding, but that will be a rant for another day!!

Remember, i

f buying diamonds, please purchase conflict free diamonds!

Let me know your thoughts 

LOVE CAT

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Kala Gel Nails Limerick

One of my worst habits in the world is when my nails reach a certain length I'm chewing on them.  Being at work and wearing no make-up and seriously dressing down, it would be nice to have some bit of glamour in my everyday life! I had been thinking about getting gel nails done for a long time but I was reluctant to so as many salons are charging €50 for a full set and €40 for a refill. To even justify spending this every three weeks was a thought that was not even going to come into my head. Well that was until my friend, Lisa, recommended a salon she goes to.

 Kala Gel Nails is a limerick based nail salon situated on Thomas St in the city center. At €30 for a full set of gel nails and only €25 for a refill, this is the perfect location to have your nails pampered. Being a gel nail virgin I had no idea what to expect! I must say the service, I received in this salon was exceptional. Karolina, Kala's nail technician is not only very accommodating to last minute appointments but she also offers are very welcoming service and offering great advice. I have been to her twice and she has been so obliging to doing the designs I bring in with me. She has a great eye for detail and offers brilliant advice to applying the final touches to your new set of gel nails. 

I highly recommend this salon to any one who is thinking of getting gel nails or already has them. With a wide range of  gel colours, glitters and nail accessories you are sure to be walking out of Kala's Gel Nail Salon in style!

Here are designs I have had so far!

I'm already scouring the internet looking for inspiration for my Christmas nails. Watch this space!

Be sure to check out and like her face book page.

facebook.com/pages/Kala-gel-nails-Limerick

LOVE CAT

xxxx

Christmas shopping OOTD

My last post was finding your perfect Christmas dress and coincidentally I met my sister in law  today for a catch up and a Christmas dress browse! Sequins are every where, but some shops really take the biscuit and charge an arm and a leg. I never got how dresses of the same material and similar design can vary so much from shop to shop. I guess labeling has so much to do with it! She didn't pick one up today but I can't wait to see what she does get eventually!

I love my high waisted trousers from River Island. I have been looking for a stylish pair of  black trousers for a long time. Black trousers can look very office like, but the cut and shape of these is very fashion forward. I adore the gold buckle detailing, a main factor to my purchase. River Island have these style of trousers in many designs. They have a houndstooth pair that flew out the door and I really hope they come back in! Every one should have white shirt in their wardrobe. I love the sophistication and character it brings to an outfit. What do you think of the green necklace with the green jumper? I wasn't sure about it at first, but I really like it. The thick gold chain breaks the two greens together. I'm wearing another one of Catrice's lipsticks. Orange is a great alternative to red. I've kept the rest of my make-up natural for my day look. 

Trousers - River Island

Jumper - Topshop (old)

Shirt - H&M (old)

Necklace - Awear

Lipstick - Catrice Ultimate Colour 060

LOVE CAT 

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