Happy New Year – 2012 Edition
My New Year’s Eve Manicure!
Happy New Year!
Happy new year!! I hope your 2012 is already off to a great start 
I had a lot of readers ask me for photos of my ring, which you’ll notice above in my New Year’s Eve manicure photo (which is one coat of NYX Be Jeweled with one coat each of Zoya Opal and Zoya Maisie).
The ring was designed by jeweler L T Denny in Seattle, who came as a very high recommendation from a good friend of mine. It was the perfect ring for me: simple, elegant, timeless, with a subtle tapered band with a round solitaire. I had always envisioned white gold, but we went with platinum, because white gold is rhodium-plated and requires re-dipping over time to maintain that “white” look (you can also consider palladium as a platinum alternative). A good jeweler will spend a lot of time educating you before trying to sell you on something–Yelp! is a great place to start looking for a reputable jeweler! If you missed it, Shaun (who is also know as “tech guy”) proposed to me here on Christmas Eve.
- Stila Smudge Crayons for spring [Musings of a Muse]
- Gorgeous holiday red lip [theNotice]
- How-to wear glittery, shimmery makeup no matter the age [BellaSugar]
- A look at Chanel Perfection Lumiere
- A gorgeous polish in W7 Metallic Jupiter [Lipglossiping]
- Ombre lips tutorial [xSparkage]
For those interested in the ring, a few more photos
Discussion and debate are highly encouraged, and we expect community members to participate respectfully. When asking a question, please check the FAQ section (above) for information about purchasing, price, dupes, and the like. If you have general feedback or need technical support, please contact us.
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It’s gorgeous! Congratulations to you both!
Thanks a lot, Anna!
Beautiful! Congratulations again, Christine and a very happy new year you and Shaun
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Happy new year!!
I love how classic the ring it
Clean, simple, sparkling, and minimalistic!
Thanks, Chris! It’s what I always pictured.
Thanks everyone!
Congratulations to the both of you!! Also, your ring is stunning!!!
Thanks, Mahnaz!
This is gorgeous and completely what I pictured for you (kinda funny that I’ve been reading for years now and totally feel like I know what you’d want in a ring…lol
). This looks like what I might want if my bf decides to ask. I know platinum is important for the prong section of the ring but I wonder how it would differ from rose gold…I kinda like the idea of a rose gold ring. 
Thanks for sharing with all of us and congrats again! Shaun did a great job.
Rose gold is beautiful! Most of the jewelry I wear and tend to gravitate towards is silver/white gold so I figured it’d be nice if my daily ring would match those things, but I love the look of rose gold!
Wow! This is amazing, I took one look at this and instantly thought of my friend’s cousin’s ring. Kind of complicated, but we are great friends and to this day she is still like a beauty goddess to me! Her ring incorporated the classical beauty that she seems to give off to everyone, she reminds me so much of you! Thank goodness for all of the amazing role models in this world like you, and I wish you two the best! Congratulations on a beautiful ring!
Thanks so much, Aubrey!
I am honored!
The ring is amazing, lucky girl!
Thanks, Constanze!
Aww… I am SO happy for you!! Congratulations! Beautiful ring, too. ;0) You must be so excited…
Thanks so much, Ericka!
A beautiful ring for a beautiful woman…and I almost cried when I read Shaun’s proposal!!! BTW,you should def do your own makeup as you do such an amazing job.Would love to see an engagement photo.
Thank you!!
I think I will!
That ring is really a classic. And I hope you and Shaun the very best; may your love always sparkle as your ring does
Happy New year!!
Thanks, Ana!
OMG! Congratulations! It’s gorgeous, it’s so you! I wish you guys nothing but the best! I got proposed to as well last June at my surprise 30th birthday party! How exciting for both of us!
Thanks so much, Lisa!
That’s so great – what an awesome proposal!
Splendid! truly elegant, perfect for an amazing person like you Christine,. I really love following your blog, it has everything a beauty fan could ask for, Thank you so much @};-
Again, Congratulations and Have a great new year for the both of you,. =)
Thanks so much, Liz!
MANY CONGRATULATIONS ! and that is a truly stunning ring !
Thanks, Chloe!
Oooo, and you’re showing your MANICURE! Ring is beautiful. Simple, elegant, classy. Just like my style. Congratulations, again.
Haha
It is really beautiful, congrats once again
I got married in October, and we also went for platinum for our wedding bands : we wanted something “white” (I mean silvery, not golden), and it appears to be the nicest, most durable choice. Here, it’s not even much more expensive than white gold anymore but the quality is much higher.
After a few (very) disapointing experiences with stores specialized in wedding jewelry, we ended up getting our rings at… Cartier! Customer service was just flawless, and surprisingly, the prices tend to be lower than their competitors.
We were extremely pleased and we definitely recommend Cartier, although we would never imagine getting into such a “chic” store before.
I got a picture of our wedding bands (with my bouquet!) here: http://goo.gl/UZNua
So gorgeous, Lulle!!
Congratulations Christine! We wish you happiness, good health and prosperity
And the ring is absolutely gorgeous.
BTW, my BF also proposed this Xmas Eve. So I just couldn’t help but grin when I read this.
Congrats, Lazeny!
Once again, CONGRATULATIONS! =)
Such a beautiful ring!
Thanks, Arantza!
Congrats Christine, your ring is stunning!!!! You will make a beautiful bride
Thanks, Julie!
Beautiful! I love a simple, elegant ring. Congratulations!
Thanks, Pam!
here’s how you can tell I’m a nail polish girl – I kept squinting at the nail polish wondering why there was so much hand in the way before I noticed your ring
Congratulations! Beautiful ring and what a great start to a new year!
Haha!! Love it
Thank you!
Lovely! Congrats!
Thank you, Heather!
Gorgeous!!!! =D Good job Shaun!!
Thanks, Anna!
Congrats u guys.. Very happy for u
Thanks, Asha!
Christine, I can’t see!! That big ole rock is blinding me!!
Congrats again hon, wishing you a lifetime of happiness and love XOXOXO
Thank you, JoElla!
Oh, that is a gorgeous ring, Christine! Love the round cut. Did you go to pick it out together after he proposed or did Shaun pick it out for you?
Congratulations on your engagement! I can’t wait to be hear more about your wedding planning and such in the near future
I picked it out – there’s no way he wanted to put that kind of money into something without my input, LOL!
Thank you, Michelle!
That’s a beautiful ring. And you’re going to be a beautiful bride, Christine! Congratulations again.
Thanks, Kathrina!
Wow, beautiful ring. Well done Shaun, and congratulations to you both again.
Thanks so much, Carolina!
Congratulations Christine and Shaun!! It’s a gorgeous, stunning ring full of fire and brilliance. Lucky girl!! How romantic. I wish you both the best and a marriage full of love, joy and prosperity!
Thanks, Jean!
Aaaaawwww! Thank u! So pretty and congrats!
Thanks, Kawai!
Lucky guy! Congratulations Christine!
Thanks, Stephanie!
Great way to start your New year. Congrats to you both!
Thank you, Kareen!
What a gorgeous ring and such a great way to bring in 2012! Congrats and best wishes! p.s. – I would also love to see posts about your wedding planning since you have great tastes
.
Noted, thanks!
Congratulations! I hope the diamond is certified cruelty free!
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Congratulations Christine! Stunning ring!!
Thanks so much, Alexandra!
Oh, I did miss the engagement! Congratulations!
Thanks!!
Very nice, elegant and modern! Congratulations. Since I come from a family of jewelers I thought I would pass along a tip – since you have a four-prong setting, it is good to check the condition of the prongs every so often (in a few years, with wear, or if you accidentally bang your hand really hard), since if one prong fails, the diamond can fall out. My mom has had customers wondering what the sharp thing poking their foot in the shower was, before realizing it was their diamond! With platinum you are less likely to get the wear that causes prongs to fail. Even when it does wear, is no problem to get it fixed, since with the new laser welding tools, they can fix things in a snap!
So good to know! Thank you for sharing the advice, AS
Congratulations Christine! Happy new Year to you!
Thanks, Tracy!
Congratulations on your engagement! Your ring is lovely and classic, and will never go out of style. Have you gotten used to calling Shaun your fiance’ yet?
Haha, it was very easy!