Make Your Ring Go Bling!

When purchasing your diamond engagement ring, it’s important to take into account the four Cs known as cut, clarity, color, and, of course, carat. But what about after the ring is purchased, you’ve said “yes!”, and it resides on your finger? There’s still one more C for you to put into action: clean!

There’s nothing sadder than a sparkly diamond ring that turns less sparkly from day-to-day wear. From the things you touch to the handwashing you do, it’s inevitable that your ring will get dirty and grimy. We’re not suggesting you take off your ring every time you wash your hands. Sure, it may stay less foggy, but no level of sparkle is worth the accidental tip of the ring down the sink drain. So never ever take off your ring near a sink, especially in a public place!

Instead, commit to cleaning your ring a couple times a month to keep up the bling. You don’t have to take it to a jeweler every single time. Believe it or not, at-home cleaning methods work just as great.

From Real Simple magazine, here is a gem of a step-by-step guide that will help you keep your rock looking shiny and new!

1. Soak the ring
To loosen dirt and grime, let the ring sit for 20 minutes in a solution of 1 cup warm water and 1/4 cup ammonia.

2. Rinse the ring in soapy water
Wearing the rubber gloves, transfer the ring from the ammonia solution to a bowl of warm water and a little dishwashing liquid. Swish the ring in the bowl.

3. Scrub the ring
Using the toothbrush, gently scrub the ring, working the bristles into the nooks and crannies between the diamond and the setting.

4. Rinse in warm water and leave to dry
Be certain to rinse all soap from your ring. Lay it on a piece of tissue to dry.

Yentas Cooking: All Set For Charoset

With the start of Passover on Monday, you may want to take the weekend to experiment with some traditional holiday dishes to complete your seder.

Sure, there are your brisket, chicken, and matzo ball soup recipes. And you could always try to bake up a delicious KFP (Kosher For Passover) cake (meh, good luck. Never found a good one!). But an often-forgotten dish is a Yentas favorite. Perhaps it’s because it’s considered a seder plate accessory, but charoset is to delicious as matzo is to dry.

Meant to represent the brick and mortar that the enslaved Israelites handled while working in Egypt, charoset is actually much tastier than bricks and mortar… not that I’ve ever tasted brick or mortar… but one could imagine it’s… cementy; like the gooey stuff the orthodontist used to take impressions of your teeth before your Bat Mitzvah braces.

Charoset can be eaten alone, as a topping on your entree, or, traditionally, used to make little matzo sandwiches. It may not be the prettiest food to look at (no foodie photographer is lining up to snap pictures at a seder. I mean, do we even need to discuss gefilte fish?), but it doesn’t matter how the charoset looks; it just tastes so good. And it’s made out of apples! It’s basically healthy! There are many different varieties of charoset, but a family favorite is to keep it sweet and cinnamony (yes, that’s a very technical cooking term).

Enjoy this recipe and feel free to doctor it up per your own taste as you go along.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 cups vegetable oil
1 cup walnut halves
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
1/3 cup sweet red wine (consider a Herzog brand of Kosher red wine)

Preparation:
Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. In medium bowl, whisk together sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
In large heavy skillet over moderately high heat, heat oil to 350°F. Fry walnuts until golden brown, about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn. Using skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer walnuts from skillet to bowl containing sugar mixture.
Toss walnuts in sugar, then spread on baking sheet. Cool 15 minutes, then chop roughly.
In large bowl, combine nuts, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, apples, and wine.
Store, covered, at room temperature until ready to serve.

Say Yes to Seder

Passover starts next week and it’s time to take inventory of your tableware and home decor to make sure you have what you need to welcome your family over to eat… and Elijah to drink.

Even if you’re not hosting a seder, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re equipped with the traditional props for this springtime interactive dinner. Think about registering for these items so that when it’s your turn to carry on Grandma Ruth’s tradition, you have your own pieces that reflect your personal style.

ModernTribe Jewish Gifts is the go-to place for beautiful, quality, and funky Jewish home and personal goods. Their Passover shop is well stocked and ready to take your last minute orders.

If you’re going to a friend’s or relative’s house for seder, don’t forget to bring a gift to show your thanks. You’re sure to find what you need in a style you want.

There’s something about getting married or being married that ignites a desire to own traditional Jewish symbols that can be used in the company of your future generations.

Delft Inspired Seder Plate
A classic blue and white seder plate makes a perfect piece in any home. It’s traditional and beautiful, boasting everything that represents the holiday of Passover.

Michael Aram Tree of Life Cup
Elijah will want to drink from this cup more than enough times! A beautiful cup to display is the icing on the (unleavened) cake of your holiday table.

Red Pomegranate Ceramic Serving Dish
It’s a sassy server! The stylish pomegranate dish that’s painted red will make your table pop with color. This makes a perfect piece for serving side dishes.

Matzel Toff
Yum! Bring these for everyone at the seder for some chocolatey dessert… or snacking between the four questions.

The Four Questions Finger Puppets
The kids at your seder will love these, but who says adults can’t have a little fun with the four questions, too? We see some good laughs coming your way with the company of these cute lil guys at your table.

Michael Aram Tree of Life Seder Plate
The timelessness of this seder plate makes it a great piece to have in your Judaica collection. The design is modern, but the tree of life brings us back to our natural and symbolic roots. Love.

Scroll Seder Plate by Liz Ross
Slick and sleek. That’s what we have to say about this seder plate. What an interesting and modern take on this traditional Passover symbol! The circular compartments for the seder components perfectly complement the smooth, rounded edge of the plate. Fancy!

Toilet Seat Cover
Add a little potty humor to the potty, er, party. Yes, our people were slaves, yada yada, but they were probably having #2 woes, as well. And so we ask the toilet powers that be to please, please, oh puh-lease, let my people… “go.”

30 Minute Seder Haggadah
Hit your marks and get right to the food! In this Haggadah, everyone gets their nuggets of wisdom and history, but won’t have to wait to eat until next year… in Jerusalem.

Real Weddings | Bouquets

Spring has sprung all over the country and so it’s only appropriate to look at the blooming beauties featured in our collection of Real Weddings. Over the past year, The Wedding Yentas has featured gorgeous weddings from 18 states and four different countries. That’s a pretty impressive sample of how bouquets are created throughout the U.S. and beyond!

Florists are artists who work with all different kinds of species of flowers and natural greenery. It’s always fun to take a collective look at a series of photos to get inspiration and learn about the endless possibilities you can dream up with your florist!

So mazel tov, not only to these beautiful brides who carried these bouquets, but to the flower artists who created them!

Runya & Jason | Beverly Hills, CA
Photography by: Dahl Photographers
Florist: Fiore Designs

Alison & Bryan | Camarillo, CA
Photography by: eight20 photography
Florist: Happy Flowers, Inc.

Cindy & Mario | Austin, TX
Photography by: Katherine O’Brien Photography
Florist: Rosehip Flora

Lisa & Tyler | Newport, RI
Photography by: Armor and Martel
Florist: Toni Chandler Florals and Events

Rachel & Glenn | New York, NY
Photography by: Shira Weinberger
Florist: Melarosa

Emily & Eric | Mitchellville, MD
Photography by: Borrowed Blue
Florist: Homestead Florals

Nicole & Michael | San Francisco, CA
Photography by: Jay Kelly Photography
Florist: Nancy Liu Chin

Amy & Jon | Boston, MA
Photography by: Kate McElwee Photography
Florist: Cedar Grove Gardens

Arielle & Dave | Somis, CA
Photography by: Mi Belle
Florist: Rockrose Floral Design

Stephanie & Michael | Seattle, WA
Photography by: Emmajane Photography
Florist: Elements in Bloom

Lauren & Todd | Chicago, IL
Photography by: Amanda Hein Photography
Florist: Blooming City Flowers

Taryn & Todd | Costa Mesa, CA
Photography by: Joel Austell Studios
Florist: Jenny B Floral Design

Rona & David | Closter, NJ
Photography by: Silk Studio
Florist: Atlas Floral

Katie & Justin | Phoenix, AZ
Photography by: Simply Knot Photography
Florist: Petal Pusher

Heather & Matt: Maui, HI
Photography by: Callaway Gable
Florist: Asa Flowers

Flower Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Some lucky little girls get a head start on their wedding days. The bride, of course, is the leading lady of any wedding, but if there’s a flower girl involved, then the supporting starlet basks in the glow of the spotlight during the ceremony when she skips down the aisle and steals the chorus of awwwwws from the guests in attendance.

The flower girl is the sweetest darling of the bridal party. Sometimes she cries, sometimes she hams it up — either way, flower girls are adorable and it’s fun for them to play dress up.

And dress up they do! There are so many cute flower girl ensembles these days. From tutus to fairies to mini-me brides, the outfits are unlimited and the cute factor is high.

If you have a flower girl in your wedding, make sure to capture this moment in time because, as we all know, flower girls grow up. And then they are brides.