Miami Beach Fashion Week: RFS featured with Marina Makaron

RFS was featured with Marina Makaron's Fashion Week debut line last Saturday, March 5.

It was a whirlwind of bright color, leggy models, loud prints and even puppies backstage!!

Here are a few pics from the show!  Enjoy!

One of the models from the show getting her hair done backstage.

Marina Makaron Spring/Summer 2011

Marina Makaron Spring/Summer 2011

photos credit: Marc Andre

Get engaged with RFS!!

We like to meet new people.
We like to network.
We like to make friends.
We like to discuss.
We like to engage.


One catch, thankfully, we are SUPER busy lately which does take from networking.  Perhaps it is because we have so much to offer!

Aside from creating our beautiful selection of conflict free diamond engagement rings, RFS gets involved in charity events, we like to do trunk shows with exclusive selections of estate  jewelry, we like to educate all the clueless men of Miami on diamonds, we like to combine forces with other small business (or big ones),  and we LOVE to utilize new media!!  I suppose you could say we like to be involved... in A LOT.

Rachael explaining the RFS earring giveaway at the Rally For Kids, Pool and Poker Tournament at STK.

Chris and Tara at the hip.e Boutique trunk show.

RFS rings featured by stylist, Dann Weir in a photo shoot for Irene Marie bags.

One of the looks by make up artist, Hope Henderson, who writes a monthly blog feature for RFS

Chris teaching the guys how to buy an engagement ring during Beer, Rings and Wings

So we want to know:

What events would like to see RFS attend or be involved in?  Where would you like to see our engagement rings and wedding bands?

Where would you like to see our exclusive trunk show estate pieces?  Do you know the perfect little boutique?

Where would you like to see RFS events held?

Let us know your thoughts!!

email us: info@ringfingerstudio.com
tweet us: @RingFingerMiami
message us: www.faebook.com/RingFingerStudio

or even get old-fashioned with it and call us!! 786-888-4515

Rally for Kids Pool and Poker Tournament at STK

Rally for Kids, a charity that benefits kids with cancer, (which has some heavy hitting endorsers like Eva Longoria and Gene Simmons) held a fund raising event last night that we were privileged enough to participate in.  Here are some pics from the night, a pool and poker tournament coupled with Grey Goose at STK in the Gansevoort.  

Joel Hock, founder, speaking about the Rally and upcoming events. 

Winners received donated gifts from the Gansevoort and Grey Goose.  

RFS was able to hold our own contest.   We had all of the charitable competitors and spectators guess the carat weight of nine of our FAVORITE RFS engagement rings.  Whoever came the closest won a set of hand cut, amethyst in 14k gold earrings.

Rachael explaining how to win the earrings. 

Jessie Camacho

Chris ruling the poker table. 

We'll be donating a FABULOUS ring for the Road Race and Auction in April, and make sure to check out the Rally for Kids website to find out how you can donate!

Exclusive RFS Trunk Show with hip.e

RFS is collaborating with the upscale boutique, hip.e, in Coral Gables.  On the evening of January 27 at 6pm hip.e owner, Mari Alarcon-Grimalt is extending an additional 20 percent discount to those shoppers that come to see RFS's signature conflict-free diamond engagement rings along with a very special collection of estate pieces that will only be available that night at hip.e.

Come and enjoy drinks and light snacks by fellow Miracle Mile staple, Seasons 52 while shopping Mari's unique mix of apparel and RFS's never before seen estate rings.

This is an event you surely will not want to miss.  Please contact us with any questions at info@ringfingerstudio.com.  You can RSVP here!

Beer, Rings and Wings, January 13, 2011

The morning after has arrived and I would definitely deem Beer, Rings and Wings, our event on how to buy an engagement ring, a complete success!  If you hadn't heard, the invitation to the event that RFS put on last night is above.

Some chicken wings and a couple beers into the evening our guys tested their diamond knowledge, learned  some tips on where to start and some questions to keep in mind when engagement ring shopping.

A casual setting at Buro Miami in Midtown, where our studio is located, allowed the guys to get comfy, ask a lot of questions  and be very involved in discussions with the RFS team.

One lucky guy even brought home a $250 gift certificate he can use towards an engagement ring at RFS!

A special thanks to Miami New Times, Urban Daddy and Soul of Miami for featuring our event on their websites.

Wait one second, you're shopping for a ring (or know someone who is) aimlessly? And you didn't know about last night!?  Not to worry, we will hold more informative events very soon.  Send us your email address to info@ringfingerstudio.com and we will make sure you are personally invited.

2010 RFS Blog Recap!

A year can bring a lot of change and a lot of new blog posts!  After reading through a year in blogs I have decided to point out some special posts all in one place.  Whether you are a new or old friend, here is 2010 and here's to 2011!

In February we debuted our branding which was done by our friends Ashley and Sam at Ashley Brockington Photography.

In April we showed you how we made custom rings.  This is our dear friends Cait's finished ring.  If you go back to the "Cait's Custom Ring" post you can see how we came to this!

In June we were designing new packaging and, you must check out our series of Love letters between Tara's grandparents that will melt your heart.  

We also found these darling mugs from Fishes Eddy! 

In June, we also named ALL of the rings!! 

In July, RFS was featured on the Style channel's "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?"

October... milestones for sure!  October gave us a home at Buro Miami in Midtown!  We got TONS of press and had our grand opening party!  Honestly, you should take a look back at the entire month!


November was so busy we didn't even blog about the grand opening party!  Here are some never before blogged RFS Grand Opening Party pics!

  
In December we kicked it into high gear!  We released two full concierge packages for our local Miamians and people that would like to travel to us called "Love is in the Air" and "Love is in Miami"! 

We started a section of our blog called "Your Story" where we will feature stories you submit about yourself or your friends that will bring an audible "awwwww!" to all of our readers.

Last, but far from least, we released the invite for our event for every man that missed the boat for the holidays and didn't propose, "Beer, Rings and Wings" which will be taking place this Thursday, January 13. 

Now that we have completed our walk down memory lane, we are excited to announce we have a lot in store for 2011, first being a special series of blogs where you get to meet the RFS family!  


Best wishes to all for the New Year!

Send us your Men!!

The holidays are upon us, literally.  Here in South Florida, they sneak right up on you.

We want to let you know that after all the presents are opened, champagne bottles are popped, and leftovers are gone RFS is having a small get-together for those guys that didn't get their act together in time for this year's holidays.

Come, have some beer, wings, and settle down to a comfortable evening with (or without) your friends to learn about diamonds, and how the heck you go about choosing an engagement ring!
Devoted girlfriends, you are MORE than welcome to accompany your guys or you can simply send them to us so you can be sure he does it right.

                                  YOU ARE INVITED!

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS FOR THE MEN ONLY:

Did you run out of time?  We understand it's hard enough to Christmas shop for her but you want to propose and you don't know where to start.  You ask your other married or engaged friends where to go and end up with 7 different names, because everyone's "got a diamond guy".  Which isn't actually helpful at all.  You still feel COMPLETELY confused.  You've never bought jewelry, and this is a BIG one!

We have an EASY resolution for you AND your (semi-deliquent) friends that are in the same boat.  You should all resolve to get educated on engagement rings and start looking, NOW.  Face it, if you want it to be a good year...the easiest way is to make her happy!  You can thank us for your relationship bliss, later.

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS FOR THE WOMEN ONLY:

We are here to help.  If you sig other drops the ball through the holidays and by the new year you haven't picked up the title of fiance yet, send him to us!  No need to drop any more hints.  We will walk him through finding/creating the perfect ring for you.  We PROMISE to help.

Sadie Hawkins would be Proud!

Sadie Hawkins, as we all know it, refers to a dance where the girls ask the boys.  Sadie Hawkins Day originates from the character, Sadie Hawkins, in the Lil' Abner comic strip, by Al Capp, in 1937.  In the comic strip all the single ladies of Dogpatch chased the bachelors and whoever was caught got married.  Somehow, this later transcended into events we know as Sadie Hawkins dances.

More now than ever some wedding traditions are being thrown out the window.

Women proposing to their men would make lovely little Sadie Hawkins proud.  According to an article in Brides Magazine's December 2010 issue, 50% of women polled said that they would propose to their boy if they were sure he'd say yes.  There is even some testimonials featured from women who did the deed and "popped the question."

There was a section where the magazine questioned men on the street, most of them thought it would be awkward or weird.  Surprised?

Also, according to Brides' December issue, a whopping 6% of men wear engagement rings!

Would you propose to your guy?

And if you did, would you buy your desired hub to be a 'Manrock'?

By the way, RFS could design, if wanted, men's engagement rings or 'Manrocks'.

Conflict-Free Info and Options

RFS does ONLY conflict-free diamonds in our engagement rings.  

WHAT DOES CONFLICT-FREE MEAN?

The term conflict-free, in reference to diamonds, is the opposite but stems from conflict diamonds, which are diamonds that originate from regions or areas that are controlled by groups opposing the internationally recognized government.

An example of this would be rebel terror groups using the diamonds to fund their terror acts.  These groups enslave (among other horrid things) local populations to mine the diamonds.  

You can check out more in depth information here on the United Nations Website: 

http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html

WHY SHOULD YOU WANT A CONFLICT-FREE DIAMOND?

RFS asks why would you want the symbolization of your love for your significant other to have such a negative history?  You now have the option to have your engagement ring represent your love wholly.

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RFS came across another jeweler doing their part not selling conflict supporting pieces.  

Monique Pean creates jewelry from fossilized woolly mammoth ivory.  By the ivory being fossilized and from woolly mammoths there weren't any elephants killed simply for their ivory (which had become such a problem it is now illegal).  Below is a set of earrings by Monique.  Kudos!

  

Choosing an Engagement Ring with RFS

Choosing an engagement ring is not an activity you can practice to master and end up with the perfect ring.    For the majority of us, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  You have one shot to get it right.  Stressed yet?   Where do you start?  Google? Then what, follow us on Facebook or Twitter? (which you should)  STRESSFUL!

For those of you that (unfortunately) choose to remain anonymous this post will give you some insight into how we do, what we do, and an idea of the options available to you.

First, we will tell you about us.  RFS started in Brooklyn with only about 20 customizable options for conflict-free diamonds and recycled metals.  We've made it all the way to Midtown Miami and now offer 150 customizable engagement rings.  Conflict-free means the diamonds have not funded any wars or spurred any human rights violations.  Using recycled metals helps reduce the effects mining has on our planet.

We will then walk you through choosing a ring from our 150 customizable options and choosing a center stone by teaching you the 4 Cs (carat weight, color, clarity, and cut).   You will then choose the metal; palladium, platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and pink gold.

The 4 C's:

Feel better yet?  After we have showed you every option and taught you how to figure out what is best for you, we will help you create the perfect ring.  Now that your prepped, come see us!

Next up.... the proposal, but that's all you! :)

Your story :)

This is the first (hopefully, of many) of YOUR STORIES.  If you have any fun, funny, adorable, thoughtful, unique, or heart-melting engagement (or wedding) stories send them our way and you may find yourself on the RFS blog. 

Josh and Kerri - Our friends from Syracuse, NY.

Josh is in med school at SUNY Upstate and is your textbook nice guy (no really, they do exist).

Kerri is a very energetic, fun-loving teacher with a hard not to love, infectious laugh.

Josh and Kerri went to the same church as kids, where his father is a minister.  Kerri's two brothers and Josh were childhood friends.  Josh eventually moved away.

Years later, they ran into each other at Al's Whiskey Lounge, in downtown Syracuse.  Picture.... former cigar bar, huge wine and liquor selections and a WIDE array of cheeses to be paired with the wines. 

Josh, the ice-breaker, commented on Kerri's cheese plate, perhaps after a drink or three.  She later learned, he was sincerely interested in her cheese.  He likes cheese. 

A couple dates and two and half years later.  Josh popped the question.

Josh and Kerri went hiking at the Taughannock Falls in Ithaca, NY. 

He set up the camera in front of the falls and set the timer to catch them both in front a beautiful background. 

Ehh, a little displeased with the photo, Josh stayed put and sent Kerri to set the timer again.

This time, at precisely the moment the photo was being taken, Josh got down on one knee and proposed to Kerri.

OF COURSE, she said YES!

Josh and Kerri are getting married this Memorial Day before Josh starts his residency (perhaps we can get him to choose Miami and bring Kerri with him).