Looks like good breeding stock

[loCAtek]

Congratulations Daisy!

[Daisy]

Bargain hunter (read cheapskate) that I am.

I bought the champagne for the toast last week, cause it's on xmas special at Tesco.

and...

Used a staff offer at an online jewellers to get my wedding ring with 15% off and a £50 voucher code, under £200 quid.

I'm going to be well under budget at this rate

[Sue U]

First, Congrats, Daisy! Best wishes, and don't cheap out on the champagne.

I am always amazed at how captivated so MANY Americans always seem to be with all things royal, given that it has absolutely nothing to do with them.

Frankly, me too. I find the whole royalty fetish thing to be rather disgusting, and certainly highly un-American. To me, the cult of celebrity is probably the most disappointing aspect of US popular culture.

I can recall being told, "He's not our kind dear." In fact in the 80's when everything went preppy that was one of the popular little acronyms NOKD. There are many people with money in this country that don't want their kids marrying "beneath themselves". If that is not observation of class distinction then I don't know what it is.

Just one of several excellent arguments for imposition of a 100% estate tax.

[Gob]

Bargain hunter (read cheapskate) that I am.

I bought the champagne for the toast last week, cause it's on xmas special at Tesco.

and...

Used a staff offer at an online jewellers to get my wedding ring with 15% off and a £50 voucher code, under £200 quid.

I'm going to be well under budget at this rate

My kind of girl!!!

[Guinevere]

Congrats, Daisy!

And I second the "don't cheap out on the champers" advice. A decent glass of bubbly is one of the great joys in life.

[Daisy]

I drink champagne far more often than I ought to I bought quite a lot in france this summer, sadly it's all gone now

It's a good champagne, it was on half price so 17 and a half quid a bottle instead of 35.

Bargain!

[Big RR]

Scooter wrote:
I am always amazed at how captivated so MANY Americans always seem to be with all things royal, given that it has absolutely nothing to do with them.


Frankly, me too. I find the whole royalty fetish thing to be rather disgusting, and certainly highly un-American. To me, the cult of celebrity is probably the most disappointing aspect of US popular culture

What? Ae you honestly saying that who the "head of state" of one of our closest allies is has nothing to do with Americans? I am inclined to agree with you re royalty, but only because I don't really think royalty has any real power in the UK, but have seen many posts by some here disputing that and saying that the sovereign is the head of state. I see them more as just another celebrity, and am inclined to agree with Sue on the pointlessness of the "cult of celebrity".

[Scooter]

American obsession with royalty has absolutely nothing to do with the Queen being head of state. 99% of Americans could not even name the German of Italian heads of state.

[Crackpot]

the Italians have a national German?

[Scooter]

Sorry, German OR Italian heads of state.

[Crackpot]

Merkel and Burlisconi Didn't even have to look it up (that's why I likely speeled them wrong)

[Crackpot]

that or general crappy typing

[Scooter]

I said head of state, not head of government.

[Crackpot]

Shit got me then

[Sean]

David Hasselhoff and Sophia Loren...

...probably.

[Sue U]

David Hasselhoff and Sophia Loren...

...probably.

[@meric@nwom@n]

I said head of state, not head of government.

The Presidents of those countries are listed and heads of state. Who is it you think are heads of state in those countries? And please put your sources down to click on.

[Andrew D]

Germany's head of state is Christian Wulff. Italy's head of state is Giorgio Napolitano.

[Gob]

It used to be Michelle Obama, but now women across America are looking to another fashion icon for inspiration - Kate Middleton.
Ever since her engagement to Prince William last month, US media have delved into her wardrobe with magazines and newspapers printing pictures of the future British royal in a portfolio of outfits.

In New York, where fashion is a necessity rather than an option, her feather hats, knee length dresses, and fitted tweed coats have already sparked interest. Ask locals to describe the Middleton look, and the words "beautiful", "elegant", and "sophisticated" are frequently among the responses.

But it's not just what she wears that is creating inspiration in this part of the world. Her hairstyle - chocolate, wavy, tumbling - is also starting to be emulated.

At Cutler Hair Salon on 57th Street, stylist Kelsy Osterman says dozens of women have been coming in and asking for a Kate Middleton cut.

"People get really inspired by all these big beautiful photos of her and I think the one thing they can try to obtain of that beautiful look is the hair," she said. "There could have been 20 women in a day that ask for it."

MacKenzie Doughtery, 24, already has deep brown hair, but wanted a cut that would mirror Ms Middleton's after the man she is dating told her that it was tremendously sexy.

"I love Kate Middleton's style appeal," she said. "She's going to be royalty which is exciting, and the hairstyle is user-friendly and good for a busy girl who's always on the run."

Twelve blocks south from Cutler Hair Salon is another business seeing a boom because of the bride-to-be. The Natural Sapphire Company operates on the 20th floor of an office building. A transparent bullet proof screen welcomes visitors as they enter.

It has the air of an office in overdrive, with staff scurrying around answering phones and typing away on computers. CEO Michael Arnstein said the Middleton-effect - specifically demand for jewellery modelled on her sapphire engagement ring - was leaving him exhausted.

"I've had four hours sleep," he said. "We're being pushed to the limits. We need more staff, we need more stones, more setters, we need more jewellers. It's fantastic but we just can't meet the demand. Kate Middleton has just created this massive market for us and its overwhelming".

Ms Middleton's ring consists of a large sapphire surrounded by small diamonds, and once belonged to William's mother, Princess Diana. Prince William said he gave it to his fiancee because "it was right to put the two together".


The design seems to have been revived more than 25 years after the Princess of Wales wore it. A style that fashion-conscious women in Manhattan may have considered quite orthodox now seems to be experiencing a resurgence.

"This time of year before Christmas, we're usually selling anywhere from three to 10 rings a day and now we're selling 50 to 75 rings a day," Mr Arnstein said. "We've sold hundreds and hundreds of sapphires. Within hours of the engagement we were just inundated with orders."

The rings range in price from $1,000 (£635.80) to more than $100,000, depending on the size of the stone.

Ms Middleton's engagement ring, once worn by Princess Diana, has also sparked interest
As for Ms Doughtery, she has no plans to invest in a ring but she hopes her new hairstyle will bring her plenty of luck.

"Oh I love it, it looks amazing!" she cried. "Hopefully now I'll find my prince!"

So will these Kate inspired trends last - or are they a passing fancy of Americans ahead of the big day in April?

American Vogue's European Editor Hamish Bowles believes Ms Middleton could have an enduring impact in Manhattan, and beyond.

"I think she's extremely elegant and that idea of being manicured and groomed and effectively pulled together actually resonates with New York women," he says.

"There is a classicism in her choices that projects fashion but not outrageously so. I think what's remarkable is that so early in the process she has found an identity of her own and that is something that will enhance her authenticity.

"This is someone we are going to be deeply compelled by for a long time to come."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-cana ... print=true

[Gob]

Royal wedding fever USA style..

In a West Village cafe, Michael Lopez and Anthony Gavasci are weighing up whether to wear top hats when they are in London to celebrate Prince William and Kate Middleton's marriage in April.

A few blocks away, Nicky Perry is planning a royal wedding street party in Manhattan, complete with bunting and Morris Men.

On the far West Side of the city, Peter Hollingsworth is taking orders for Kate and William commemorative bone china.