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Mrs. D'orsay, Baltimore/Lancaster UK Age and Occupation: 24, Stay at home fiance (formerly in nonprofit communications) Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web site developer and designer; co-owner of men's skincare shop Engagement Date: August 10, 2008 Wedding Date: August, 2009 Venue: Oakland Manor About Me: I'm a Maryland raised environmental policy wonk/activist/organizer and communications aficionado. In the past year I've lived in Baltimore, MD, Tucson, AZ, Miami, FL and Lancaster, England. In my not so spare time I enjoy planning trips with Mr. D' Orsay, visiting friends and family and crafting like a mo-fo. I also enjoy modern dance classes, rugby and soccer but have been banned by my mother, MOHs, and Mr. D' Orsay from playing till after the wedding. I have an unnatural addiction to cheese and shoes, but love Mr. D' Orsay more than either and can't wait to become Mrs. D' Orsay!
About Mrs. D'orsay

When Mr. D and I first started talking about marriage, weddings, and rings, we went shopping together to see what was out there. I’d try on a few rings here or there, trying to figure out what we both liked best. I’m not much for surprises, and he wanted to be sure we both loved the ring because we’ll both have to look at it for a long time.

One day we decided to go on a mammoth ring shopping excursion. We had ordered a few rings in from Tiffany’s in the sizes and designs we liked, but hadn’t heard a call from them yet. So we went to Mayors, and a few other places in Coral Gables, trying on rings as we went. Mayors was having an event with multiple settings and multiple loose diamonds… but none of the Asscher cuts my heart had been set on. Mr. D and I were both having a difficult time imagining the settings with a mystery stone. Plus at the time, overweight and in the heat of Miami; my fingers were big. So shoving size 6 rings on and off my finger (for literally hours) was much less fun than I anticipated.

Plus, there is just something about jewelry stores that makes me break out into a sweat. I have no clue why, but I just feel under so much pressure! I was sweaty, hungry and in pain when we decided to take a break and grab lunch. Because if there is one important fact to know about me, it’s this - don’t let my blood sugar drop. At least if you want to stay friends with me. Otherwise, you might disown me and my low blood sugar snappy comments.

Feeling refreshed, we grabbed ice cream and sat on a bench, a bench that happened to be in front of Tiffany & Co. We thought, maybe we’ll just pop in and see if they’re there…and the rings were in! Success! The experience in the store with the store manager was completely unlike the previous service we had experienced. they were very laid back and let us take our time and think about which design and ring we wanted. Then, the manager suggested we take a look at it over by the window in natural light. As it lit up and blew our minds, Mr. D just looked at me and said, “That’s the one, it has to be.”

The manager brought us champagne and we purchased the ring that day. Our experience was so fantastic that I even wrote Tiffany & Co. about how wonderful and different from our other experiences it was (no sweats! Well, I didn’t tell them that…). Sadly, when trying to size my finger, we estimated incorrectly. My finger was SO swollen that we still ended up guessing the size to be too large, which is how my ring ended up with a pair of balls.

Did you and your SO pick out your ring together, or was it a surprise?

Tags: |   Link for this post | Share this post: Ring Shopping, or the Abuse of My Left Ring Finger      
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32 Responses to “Ring Shopping, or the Abuse of My Left Ring Finger”

1.
Irishker03
Member
Irishker03 (message)  542 posts, Busy bee

your ring is so gorgeous!

 
2.
TravelBug
Member
TravelBug (message)  64 posts, Worker bee

Complete surprise… and boy did he ever do well! And I agree, your ring is beautiful!

 
3.
Babilu
Member
Babilu (message)  122 posts, Blushing bee

FI also got my ring from Tiffany’s (classic six prong soliaire). Although we didn’t buy it together, we had made several trips there to figure out which ring we liked best. They are absolutely fantastic…even today our sales guy treats us with warmth, and always finds time to chat, ask about the wedding, etc…I love Tiffany’s =)

 
4.
Member Icon
Member
Miss Mojito (message)  6 posts, Newbee

Ring shopping always made we sweat and I swear my finger grew a size just walking into a shop!

 
5.
Gemstone
Member
Gemstone (message)  130 posts, Blushing bee

We shopped together to figure out what kind of ring we wanted, and then he surprised me with the final product, customized with a filigree I had mentioned that I really liked while we were out shopping. :) Best of both worlds.

 
6.
Lillindy
Hostess
Lillindy (message)  4,275 posts, Honey bee

We went looking around so I could express my likes and dislikes. Then, he went back another day on his own and picked what he wanted to buy. :)

 
7.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Moonbeam (message)  1,335 posts, Bumble bee

I have the blood sugar dilemna as well, a friend once gave me the ‘technical’ term for it. Hangry. So hungry you’re angry. It’s such a great word. Your ring is gorgeous, glad you two got exactly what you wanted.

 
8.
bree72
Member
bree72 (message)  368 posts, Helper bee

Yay, we’re ring twins! But he picked it out on his own so that the proposal was a total surprise. It wasn’t even on my radar.

 
9.
Champagne Wishes
Member
Champagne Wishes (message)  486 posts, Helper bee

Love the Legacy with the cushion center stone! We had LOVED Tiffany’s as well. We were on a trip to NYC when we went and just couldn’t pull it all together to purchase it. We were lucky to find something VERY similar to yours!

 
10.
FutureMrsKoontz
Member
FutureMrsKoontz (message)  150 posts, Blushing bee

Both. I had emailed him a list of rings on Ebay I liked to help him get an idea of my style, but he ended up picking which one. It was a nice compromise. :)

 
11.
mary-alice-me
Member
mary-alice-me (message)  1,870 posts, Buzzing bee

Love your ring! I understand about the variety of service in stores. We went shopping together, too, and it was so uncomfortable! I did find one store I liked, but he bought my ring from the web. That was a great experience too!

 
12.
His Barista
Member
His Barista (message)  1,844 posts, Buzzing bee

It’s so beautiful! What a story!

 
13.
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Member
vintage2010 (message)  1,028 posts, Bumble bee

Of course I love your ring! Can’t see it with your band. I too went with FI to Tiffany’s. We hadn’t planned on shopping that day. We were just killing time waiting on our flight home from Hawaii. When we were browsing the counters in the store we came upon our ring. We both went “OOOHHH, Can we try it on?” We then sat there just giddy about finally finding our ring. The sales person was really nice and sent us a congratulations card the following week! Talk about nervous bring the ring home in the FI pocket! LOL

 
14.
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Member
vintage2010 (message)  1,028 posts, Bumble bee

edit: Can’t wait to see it with your band.

 
15.
budgetbeautiful
Member
budgetbeautiful (message)  1,188 posts, Bumble bee

I’m the same way, I wasn’t looking forward to ring shopping because I’m not a fan of sales pressure. Luckily I found my dream ring at the second store.

 
16.
tea
Member
tea (message)  2,659 posts, Sugar bee

oooh so pretty!

the boy and i did the initial shopping excursion together to see what we both liked and what my ring size is. but that was the end of the road for me. he has the final say in with ring he selects so that part will be a surprise

 
17.
evelinej
Member
evelinej (message)  364 posts, Helper bee

Pretty! I liked the Tiffany experience with champagne too!

 
18.
kmattso2
Member
kmattso2 (message)  990 posts, Busy bee

Your ring is gorgeous!! I never got to do the ring shopping experience because I have his great-grandma’s ring…but I can’t wait to do it in about 5 years or so when I get a new one =]

 
19.
Guest Icon
Guest
Kat

Beautiful Ms. D!

 
20.
Miss Yap
Member
Miss Yap (message)  558 posts, Busy bee

Love your ring. I love asher (sp?) cuts. They are so unique. I had actually pointed out a couple of vintage rings to my boy online that I liked. By the time we went shopping together to “look” at rings unbeknown to me, he had already custom ordered and had my ring made. So while I was trying on rings after rings in all these different stores he was just following me around to keep me happy.

 
21.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Mouse (message)  3,354 posts, Sugar bee

Your ring is so gorgeous! I originally wanted an Asscher, too. But we ended up going with Tiffany’s own Lucida. I wish we woulda picked it out together, though–that champagne celebration sounds like fun!

 
22.
miss sweden
Member
miss sweden (message)  36 posts, Newbee

It’s a gorgeous ring you got there!

I saw my ring at the very start of our relationship, actually. It’s a family heirloom, and I guess M wanted to make sure that I liked it early on. I kind of forgot about it after that and was really surprised over how much I love it on my finger now!

 
23.
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Guest
Nicole-Lynn

We went to a couple different stores to look so he could get an idea of what I liked, etc. He is ultimately picking out which one he wants to get me and surprising me with it when he proposes! :)

 
24.
Jessie516
Hostess
Jessie516 (message)  4,039 posts, Honey bee

What a beautiful ring! We didn’t shop together, he surprised me with my ring. I gave him some direction, but the ring itself was a total surprise.

 
25.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Bruschetta (message)  5,553 posts, Bee Keeper

Beautiful! We picked everything out together. No champagne, but I did have a celebratory Panera salad after we settled on the diamond ;-)

 
26.
LovestheBear
Member
LovestheBear (message)  875 posts, Busy bee

I agree with you–the service at Tiffany & Co. was amazing. We walked in nervous, sweaty and uptight and walked out with cheesy grins.

 
27.
Guest Icon
Guest
Elisabeth

I have the same ring! But with a pink sapphire in the middle instead of a diamond. I LOVE it (and love yours!)

 
28.
Member Icon
Member
BucknellBride (message)  85 posts, Worker bee

Haha….I’m no fun to be around when my blood sugar drops either. When BucknellGroom and I were watching the Incredible Hulk, and Bruce Banner says, “Don’t make me hungry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry,” we both started cracking up, because that’s totally me.

We bought all three of our rings at Tiffany’s, and at least when I was there for the purchase of our wedding bands, I was pleased with the service we received. At other stores, I’ve often felt really rushed or pressured, but that wasn’t the case at Tiffany’s for me.

We discussed ring styles, and I pretty much knew it would be one of two, but the final decision was up to him.

 
29.
honeymyheart
Member
honeymyheart (message)  763 posts, Busy bee

we purchased our rings (engagement and wedding bands) together at tiffany & co and were so happy when the brought out champagne for us :) your ring is beautiful!

 
30.
peachesandtulips
Member
peachesandtulips (message)  165 posts, Blushing bee

My ring was a surprise but he knew I loved the Legacy at Tiffany so it’s similar (round brilliant cut but a halo with an art-deco look). We have bought a lot of jewelry there though and the service is always fantastic!

 
31.
Member Icon
Member
bjarrett062009 (message)  12 posts, Newbee

I’m the same way when my blood sugar drops… watch out! My poor husband is usually the one who’s around when this happens so he’s learned to deal with it and he gets me food REAL fast! I’ve tried to keep a granola bar or something small on hand if I know I’m going to be out for awhile with nothing to eat.

I hate trying rings on because I’m always scared that they’re going to be too small. And sometimes when they’re a little snug I freak out, which makes me panic/sweat/ and my finger swells… AHHH!

 
32.
KatieBug3017
Member
KatieBug3017 (message)  1,434 posts, Bumble bee

Success! I am a Floridian, and it is so frustrating to know that your hands swell!!!!

 


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Mrs. D'orsay Mrs. D'orsay, Baltimore/Lancaster UK Age and Occupation: 24, Stay at home fiance (formerly in nonprofit communications) Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web site developer and designer; co-owner of men's skincare shop Engagement Date: August 10, 2008 Wedding Date: August, 2009 Venue: Oakland Manor About Me: I'm a Maryland raised environmental policy wonk/activist/organizer and communications aficionado. In the past year I've lived in Baltimore, MD, Tucson, AZ, Miami, FL and Lancaster, England. In my not so spare time I enjoy planning trips with Mr. D' Orsay, visiting friends and family and crafting like a mo-fo. I also enjoy modern dance classes, rugby and soccer but have been banned by my mother, MOHs, and Mr. D' Orsay from playing till after the wedding. I have an unnatural addiction to cheese and shoes, but love Mr. D' Orsay more than either and can't wait to become Mrs. D' Orsay!
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