"The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret." 
- Henny Youngman

But seriously folks, marriage is one of the biggest events in one's life.

This is true in most societies in most countries.  The traditions may vary from culture to culture but for the most part marriage pretty much starts with getting engaged.

Getting engaged is definitely an exciting, fun time.  Grooms-to-be go to great lengths to find imaginative ways to ask for their beloved hand in marriage.  It can range from the traditional romantic evening on bended knee or a sky diving trip. 

A friend is going to pop the question while swimming with dolphins!  I don't know, something smells fishy to me.  His girlfriend can't even swim.  Maybe he has a flipper fetish.  Anyway, the next step is usually the engagement ring.

"Marriage is a thing, which puts a ring on a woman's finger ...
and two under the man's eyes."

The engagement ring is a very big part of the marriage tradition.  Many people say it's the best part... in Hollywood I wonder if it's the only part.  Celebs should have to put a million bucks in escrow before they get married and they can get it back if they manage to stay married for at least 5 years.  They need to take a lesson from my brother-in-law.  When asked what is he and his girlfriend of 25 years waiting for, he says, "We're still getting to know each other."

Marriage is a three ring circus:
engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffer-ring.
- Emo Phillips

An engagement ring as a visible sign of their love and commitment. A classic, single diamond solitare is traditional but couples are taking cues from celebrities occasionally opt for a ring with other gemstones.  For example, Princess Diana's sapphire and diamond ring made a big impact but diamonds remain the most popular choice.  They have a timeless look, they maintain great value, if you choose wisely and have always symbolized security and strength. 

At the cocktail party, one woman said to another, "
Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?"
The other replied, "Yes, I am, I married the wrong man."

The other trend we see also probably because of celebrity media is size. 
Bigger is better, these days. For example:

Katherine Heigl's ring is a 3 carat pear-shaped diamond flanked by pave diamonds set in platinum and Salma Hayek's ring is an over 5 carats, oval-cut diamond with trillions.  In an Us magazine article, Neil Lane estimated its' value at $200,000!

Tracey Edmonds was sporting this fancy yellow emerald-cut diamond with white diamond baguettes also set in platinum.  Lane estimated this stunner at $400,000.  Her marriage to Eddie Murphy didn't even last long enough for the flight back home!

One of my personal favorites is Eva Longoria's ring.  It's platinum with a 5 carat emerald shaped stone flanked by two smaller stones.

How to choose a ring:

The best way to go about purchasing an engagement ring is to first set your budget.  A reputable jeweler experienced with diamond jewelry can help you choose the best quality diamond for your price range. 

There are many styles in stock to choose from but if you have a particular design in mind, it's possible to purchase loose diamonds and have them set to way you want.  For example, Abazias Diamonds has a great 3D Ring Builder on their website.

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As I've mentioned, getting engaged is when you make both a personal and public commitment to get married and to spend the rest of your lives together. 

So I leave you with this final joke pearl of wisdom:

"Marriage means commitment. Of course, so does insanity."

Nothing cheers me up like a private joke, and what's more private than my underwear?

I don't know about you but humor is a big part of my life. 

I love funny.  All kinds of funny - be it intelligent humor, slapstick, stupid dummy funny, sarcastic humor (imagine Charlie Sheen's expressions on Two and a Half Men.  I gave that show 1 season max when it first aired.  I was wrong.  There is some real humor there, not just laugh tracks stuff). Ooo and I love offensive humor and let's not forget politically incorrect humor (A Black guy, an Irish Nun and a Rabbi were at a bar...okay, okay, I'll stop.)

Wanna know what else is cool?  Cheap humor!  For just a couple of bucks you can crack yourself up at WebUndies.com and possibly make gift-giving less painful. 

Here's a hint: Everytime you hand a guy a gift box, in his head he's saying "Oh please, not another tie, don't be a tie."  He may smile and say wow but he's not impressed unless it's a really great quality tie with awesome colors formulated just for guy eyeballs (they see things differently, you know).   It's just like when you got socks for Christmas as a kid. 

WebUndies.com  may be the internet's largest source for novelty products such as boxer shorts, loungepants, pajamas, panties, camisoles, and t-shirts for all occassions. They have products for men, women and children. Their products make great gifts for birthdays, holidays, Valentine's Day, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Graduation...well, you get the picture.

Here's to you my male blog-a-holic friends!  I picked this one just for you.

Blogworthy boxer shorts for men

Earrings, make-up and more recently tattoos and piercings are accepted forms of body cosmetics. Surprisingly, no jewelry is available for the one physical feature that is most important in social interactions, the eye.

Enter the “JewelEye” implant.  This concept can be upsetting to some, especially conservative doctors, developed by Dr. Gerrit R.J. Melles (MD PhD) at the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery.

What the heck is it?

Long Answer (My version): You voluntarily, at no threat of your family being killed or world annihilation, willing take a plane ride to Amsterdam, drop off your bags (which should include an 'Idiots Guide to Braille' textbook, just in case, you know).

You then take a short train ride to Utrecht, where a place called Retina Total Eye Care Clinic, which under the guise of a luxurious spa (a ruse to lure unsuspecting sheep into a hellish trap of unspeakable tortures) serves you such vile swill as tea or espresso, (most likely spiked with sedating potions with no name) so that you cannot flee for your life when Agent X729 drags your semi-lifeless body into the back chambers of corporal mutilation. All this can be yours for a mere 800 Euros!

Short Answer (Their Version): Cosmetic Extraocular Implant —  They implant a small piece of platinum jewelry under the surface of the eye.

Supposedly, there is no damage to either visual performance or mobility of the eye.

Apparently, healing is uneventful and involves nothing more than a course of antibiotic drops such as Tobramycine.

Allegedly, you don't have an irritated, ouch-who-threw-sand-in-my-eyes feeling.

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Amsterdam is known for it's ease in obtaining what other cities may consider lude — prostitutes, gambling, drugs, so why not eyeball torture if that's your thing. 

What's next, maybe a 'Your Insides Out Transplant'...

Spring Is Here! With the addition of more than 600 new items this week, Vivre.com has spring fever! The new products showcase the latest trends for spring in Ready to Wear, Handbags, Shoes, Jewelry and Home Décor. From canary yellow to vibrant blue and coral red, spring is all about color in fashion and home décor. Butterfly motifs are everywhere, and natural classics, the spring wardrobe staple, are always in style.

Eva's Obsessions: "Vibrant hues inspired by the pop art movement of the west bring out your most colorful self this spring."

What's New in Living: "Entertaining Spring - Set the scene for bright times all season long with pieces that bring in the magic of the outdoors."

What is New in Style:  "With colorful clutches and vibrant new heels, get ready to step lively all season long.

• Leather flat espadrille by Castaner      
• Large croc tote by Nancy Gonzales 
• Butterfly Tank by Borbonese             
• Rubber Watch by Ike

New Arrivals for Spring at Vivre.com

Ricki Freeman by Teri Jon Crepe Dress - Sleeveless

Closeout Sale! Save 39% (almost gone!)

This dress has a scoop neck that is slightly gathered. A fashionable band and bow treatment sits above the waist, with a graceful paneled skirt below. Great by itself, or with a dressy jacket or wrap.

Classic & classy yet fun to wear.  Great investment since it will be in style forever.

Christina Aguilera has 11 piercings. She has five piercings in her ears and one piercing each in her nose, her lower lip, and right nipple.

As for the rest of her body piercings, she said one's in a place known only to her doctor and her boyfriends.

Aguilera said it's diamond-studded, "really beautiful and expensive."

Tommy Lee, formerly known as Pamela Anderson's husband, has an eyebrow ring and ear plugs.

Fergie, a member of The Black Eyed Peas is the proof that eyebrow piercings are HOT!

The Former Jane's Addiction guitarist, and host of TV reality show "Rock Star:", Dave Navarro, is also reknown for his sexy body piercings. His body jewelry collection stretches from nipple piercings to large gauge ear piercings.

Professional basketball star Dennis Rodman is as well known for his colored hair, tattoos and piercings as for his playing ability.

As far as body piercings go, Janet Jackson has both her ears pierced, one nipple pierced, her septum, her navel, her tongue and supposedly a genital piercing (never seen it, don't ask).

Janet's "wardrobe malfunction" during the Superbowl half-time show with Justin Timberlake, exposed her body piercing to the world. This celebrity's piercing was no fake. Jackson's nipple was almost fully visible, covered only by a nipple shield.

Nipple and navel piercings continue to be one of the most erotic forms of body art worn by women. Paired with an exotic piece of jewelry, the nipple piercing can be a source of sensual arousal.

Pugster Body Jewelry - Great selection of belly button rings at Pugster!
Choose from birthstones, letters, animals and more.

Prints are the hot trend for this year. Often overlooked, designers are making a big splash with prints this year, and PromGirl has a large selection of prints for you to choose from. Whether you want a bold pattern, romantic floral, playful animals or even whimsical polka-dots on your dress, they have them all for you. 

Of course after seeing the Oscars, it looks like red will be very popular also. 

Whether you are looking for a hot red prom dress or an exciting and trendy print dress for a party or special occasion, you will find it at PromGirl.

Plus size prom dresses also available.

 Hot print dress perfect for homecoming this season.

Curvy Prom Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Sizes 14-44

See more on Celebrity Prom Dresses