Wedding Registry Wish List

Forgive me if I sound materialistic, but one thing I can't wait to do when I get married is register for gifts! And this is not only because I love shopping. My friends and their husbands-to-be have an absolute blast selecting their registries -running around stores being goofy and romantic, while they pick out the things that will make up their new lives together. I look forward to doing the same one day.

That being said, here's my wedding registry wish list. Enjoy!

1. A Kitchen Aid, in a fun color like this one. It's going to sit on your kitchen counter anyway, so why not let it stand out?

2. Crisp, comfy sheets with some character. These are from Anthropologie and they're just begging me to curl up in them with a good book.

3. Dyson Ball Vacuum. I'd actually enjoy vacuuming if I had one of these!

4. Table lamps with some character. This Crate and Barrel lamp has a great mid-century/modern vibe.

5. Romantic bedding with a designer touch. Found this at dwellstudio. I love it because it's got a very classic look, and I think it would appeal to both men and women.

6. I don't know if couples register for china any more, but I hope so because I love this patten from Vera Wang for Wedgwood.

7. Every wine connoisseur needs a sensible wine storage unit. This one is from Pottery Barn.

8. A great way to get your latte expenses under control: make them at home! This espresso maker from Cuisinart would be a great addition to a lazy Saturday morning.

And if you're wondering, yes I realize that some items on my "wish list" are hundreds of dollars... but that's what wish lists are for! What's on yours?

Diamonds: They Never Go Out Of Style

Ok, time to talk diamonds. Specifically, diamond engagement rings. There are so many options available I can barely keep them straight! And not that there's anything wrong with the ever-classy diamond solitaire, but here are several rather unique designs showing off the latest trends.

This ring, found on the Style Me Pretty website, is called a "split shank" engagement ring. I read somewhere that the split band helps to emphasize the center stone. Added bonus - more surface area to cover in diamonds!

This gorgeous ring (and stellar photography) are from Lemongrass Photography's Facebook page. A circle of smaller diamonds encircling a larger center stone has been popular for a long time, and this ring in particular shows a modern take on that classic style.

Here's a ring you don't see every day:

A diamond in a setting like this doesn't have to be insanely large to look beautiful and draw attention. Especially in times like these when we're all pinching our pennies, antique and vintage rings can be more affordable, and have charm and character all their own.

Below is a second vintage ring I found, showing another of today's trends:

This art-deco style ring has an elaborate, highly structured setting... architectural, one might say. Again, this is one of those designs that draws attention to the center stone. Lovely.

Prepare yourself for this last one; it just might blow you away:

This humongous yellow diamond is probably something only Carrie Underwood can buy. Although they aren't for the faint of heart (or wallet), colored diamonds are sure-fire show stoppers.

All of these rings are insanely beautiful, don't you think?! Did I leave any trends out? Tell us in the comments.