Getting rid of a zit

Zits or pimples always seem to show up at the most inopportune times, the morning of your wedding day included. So, if you wake up with a zit, or go to bed feeling something working its way to the surface, here are a couple of last minute ways to either eliminate completely or reduce just in the nick of time:

• Wash your face well with a mild/gentle face wash at least twice a day.
• Put a piece of ice in a cloth and hold it against the pimple for 15 to 20 minutes every hour (this works especially well the night before). Remove the ice if it becomes painful.

For a more dramatic treatment, follow the following plan; Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and then remove from heat. Allow the water to cool for 3 to 5 minutes and then add 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil to the pot. Tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial agent that will help to zap the zit fast. Dip the corner of a clean cloth into the hot water and then place it directly over the zit. Leave in place until the towel starts to cool and then dip and reapply. Continue until a large white head appears on the pimple. Wipe down a small needle well with rubbing alcohol and then pierce the very center of the pimple's white head. Do not pierce the pimple more than once or move the needle around, simply pierce once to open the skin. Place a few drops of astringent on two cotton balls and gently press around the pimple. Do not squeeze the zit, rather push straight down on all sides of the pimple, wiping any fluid released with the astringent. Stop if the fluid turns clear or has a bit of blood in it or if the skin begin to become irritated. Crush an aspirin tablet and mix with a small amount of antibacterial ointment. Dab the mixture onto the zit with a cotton swab and leave in place for as long as possible to reduce redness and inflammation of your zit. Bye-bye zit!

Birch Branches

One of my favorite new wedding decor pieces are birch branches used as decoration! I think its really important to bring in natural, earthy elements to every wedding. Bring this organic element into your wedding is sure to turn heads and make a statement! Here are a few of my favorite ways to incorporate branches into wedding decor:

Black Tie Weddings

Hosting a black-tie required wedding will definitely make a statement. Renting or purchasing a tux for the wedding party is standard, however, when you begin requiring guests to dress in a particular fashion, it might be a hassle. A simple solution is to use the wording "black-tie invited" or "black-tie optional." That way, those who own tuxes or don't mind renting one will go ahead and wear them, and other male guests will know they should wear a nice dark suit. Mentioning the formality of your wedding will also help female guests know what they should wear. A woman's dress for black tie is a cocktail dress or dinner dress. Do it that way and everyone will know that your wedding will be formal, and that they should dress appropriately -- tux or no tux. Keep in mind that black tie is traditionally worn only after six o'clock in the evening, or after sundown during winter months.

No-shows

Although its said that you can expect at least 10% of your guest list to be no-shows (closer to 20 if its a destination wedding) you still need to error on the side of caution. When creating your guest list you need to imagine that everyone is going to RSVP yes. Then if your final headcount is lower than you expected, great -- you'll be able to pass that number on to your caterer, rental company, and so on, and the money is still yours. Or, if you have a "b-list" you can begin sending out those invitations.

Road Sign: Destination Wedding

As I was driving down the freeway the other day I had a light bulb moment. How creative would it be to use a freeway sign as the template for your destination wedding invitation (well save the date, really)? Well, I thought the idea was so creative I pulled over to the side of the freeway to write it down before I got home and it slipped my mommy-mind.

Instead of the sign reading the destination and miles (like above) it would read the destination and the date! Example:

Flight to Cabo San Lucas - May 20th

Rehearsal Dinner - May 22nd

Josh & Anna's Wedding - May 23rd

Save The Date!

Nude Bridesmaid Dresses

(From top left to bottom right: Zac Posen, Tomas Maier, Phillip Lim, Preen Line)

Choosing a dress that fits your wedding theme, flatters all the bridesmaids and isn't too pricey is often a challenging task. The current trend is letting each bridesmaid choose their style of bridesmaid dress. Whether you want to keep your bridesmaids dress selection traditional or adopt this new trend, deciding on a perfect color is tough. My advice...go nude!

A nude-colored dress works well with all skin colors and serves as the perfect anchor for almost all color selections. So don't be timid this year...go nude!!

Paint Samples

Can't quite find that perfect shade of green? You're not alone! If your like many of the thousands of brides looking for that absolutely perfect shade and you can't quite seem to find it...I have a solution.

Go to your local Home Depot and go to the paint section. Doesn't sound like an ideal spot for a bride? I promise, I'm not crazy...keep reading. With hundreds of colors in front of it will be easy to put together your prefect palette. That purple that's neither lavender or wine...now has an exact shade. Your days of explaining and getting nowhere are over! This creative way to 'shop' for your perfect palette is not only free but a great way to specify (with all vendors) the exact shade you are looking for. Pick up several samples of each color, so you can hand out a sample to each of your key wedding vendors.

Who knew shopping at Home Depot (for free!) could be so much fun!

Mother-of-the-Bride: Thank You!

Recently I became a mom to a baby boy. I love him so much, and in turn have a heightened respect for my own mom. I think its important to make your mom feel included in your big day, so here's a little poem I found which pays tribute to the woman who brought you into this world.

Mom,

Today I'm walking down the aisle,

But I'll always be just a phone call away.

I'm still you little girl who loves you

On my wedding day.
Thanks for teaching me

To be strong, and loving, and so many things

I'll strive to be a great wife like you

When my groom and I exchange rings.

Honeymoon Destination Guide By Month

When planning your wedding deciding on a destination for your honeymoon is a top priority. The yearly weather of your location is extremely important to consider. Here is a month-by-month guide to help your decision making a little easier.

January & February - Australia, Caribbean & Florida Keys, Central America, Maldives, Mexico, New Zealand, North Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.
March - Australia, Caribbean & Florida Keys, Central America, French Polynesia, Maldives, Mexico, North Africa, South America and Southern USA.
April - Australia, Caribbean & Florida Keys, Central America, French Polynesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, North Africa, South Africa, South America and USA.
May - Canada, Caribbean & Florida Keys, Europe, Fiji, French Polynesia, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico & Belize, Seychelles, South Africa, Thailand and USA.
June - Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Fiji, French Polynesia, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, N. USA & Alaska, Seychelles, South Africa and Thailand.
July - Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Fiji, French Polynesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, N. USA & Alaska, Seychelles, South Africa and Thailand.
August - Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, N. USA & Alaska, Seychelles, South Africa and Thailand.
September - Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Fiji, French Polynesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Thailand and USA.
October - Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Fiji, French Polynesia, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico & Belize, North Africa, Seychelles, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Southern Europe and USA.
November - Australia, French Polynesia, Mauritius, Mexico & Belize, New Zealand, North Africa, Seychelles, South Africa, Southeast Asia and Southern USA.
December - Australia, Caribbean & Florida Keys, Central America, Mexico, New Zealand, North Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.

Brazil, Central Africa and Hawaii always have nice weather and will never let you down when it comes to good weather!

Whitening Your Teeth

Pearly whites that stand out in your photographs is a goal for many brides. Whiter teeth can really brighten up a face and make you look fresher, healthier, younger and tanner! So which method is the best for you?

• In-office whitening treatment by a dentist. In-office bleaching is usually more expensive, but you save by having immediate results.
• Bleaching trays and gels from your dentist or purchased over the counter. This option is effective as well, however the results take longer to achieve. The trays generally need to be worn for several hours a day or overnight, and it usually takes 3 or 4 days before any results are noticed.
• Whitening strips. This method is inexpensive and easy to use. They do work, but seeing results usually takes take longer than the previous two options.
• Whitening Toothpastes. Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives to remove surface stains. Some whitening toothpastes may have additional polishing agents and special chemicals that are more effective against stains than regular toothpastes, but these toothpastes are not designed to actually "bleach" your teeth.

Keep in mind that most whitening treatments will leave your teeth feeling sore and sensitive. AKA; beginning a bleaching regimen directly before a big event might be a mistake!

2nd Wedding Do's and Dont's

Getting remarried? Don’t assume you have to do things a certain way just because it’s the second time around. Here are a few etiquette tips I think are important to remember:

• Wear white. Your still the bride after all!
• Don't expect for your parents to pick up the tab.
• If children from previous marriages are a factor, make sure to include them in the ceremony. You are marrying and committing to them just much as your future spouse.
• Don't plan on getting married in a church. Most wont perform the ceremony if you have already been married before.
• Etiquette state that gifts are not mandatory for a second wedding. This is because traditionally wedding gifts are to help a couple set up their household, and presumably, second time brides and grooms already have their own households. However, gifts are now much more common for a second wedding. This one I will leave up to your own discretion.
• Lastly, Don’t invite your ex-spouse to the wedding. Though you may still be on good terms, other guests may feel uncomfortable -- especially your new spouse’s family -- and you never know how your first husband will react. The last thing you need is an angry ex storming the altar! The focus should be on looking forward, not backward!

Black Bridesmaids Dresses

Black is becoming a top choice for bridesmaid dresses. But it can easily seem too serious or even dull. Make sure to add in color where you can (coordinate with the flowers and rest of the wedding colors) and most importantly make sure its not 100 degrees out in the middle of summer. A sweaty wedding party will not make for pretty pictures!

Black gowns are most appropriate for an elegant evening ceremony and don't belong in a July beach side wedding.

Warning: A group of gals all dressed in black can look more funereal than festive so make sure you add other creative splashes of color so your wedding doesn't look like a funeral.

Should I Invite My Ex?

Should I invite my ex to the wedding? Well, it depends...
Whether you choose to invite your ex or not will depend largely on: Your current relationship with your ex, how close the two of you are, the reasons for your break-up, the comfort level of your spouse with the presence of your ex at the wedding as well as your motives for wanting them to be there at your wedding.
How to tell if its the right decision...

You have no other motives for inviting the ex besides wanting them to wish you well in your new chosen life and wish them to be present on your big day, along with all our other close family and friends.

Ditch Your Phone!

I'll keep this real simple. Your cell phones don't have a place on your wedding day. Let someone else do all your communicating to the outside world. Let your maid of honor be in charge of handling all calls that come in on your phone.

Cheap Wedding Flowers

Wedding flowers can cost you a bundle, but there are many ways to save yourself a lot of money.

• Check out wholesalers in your area.
• Make sure your flower is in season.
• Get married on a Friday or Sunday.
• Don't get married around a major flower holiday (aka, valentines day).
• Have bigger tables so you need fewer centerpieces.
• Make sure to use a lot of greenery.

Choosing seasonal flowers can really make a difference. Here is a list of flowers sorted by season:

Winter:

• Freesia
• Holly
• Ivy
• Amaryllis
• Roses
• Evergreens
• Poinsettias
• Mistletoe

Spring:

• Blossoms (cherry, pear, apple)
• Sweet Pea
• Peonies
• Daisies
• Lilac
• Roses
• Tulips
• Magnolia
• Hydrangea
• Larkspur

Summer:

• Daisies
• Stephanotis
• Lilies (Calla, Casablanca, Lily of the Valley)
• Black-eyed Susans
• Begonias
• Zinnia
• Snapdragons

Fall:

• Roses
• Sunflowers
• Aster
• Dahlias

Celebrating 2 Wonderful Years of Marriage

Well Evan and my 2-year wedding anniversary has come and gone and needless to say, I feel so fortunate at this point in our marriage. Although this year feels so different from the year before I wanted to take a minute and say that I love you more today than any day before. Evan, you're the best husband a girl could ask for, and already an amazing father and role model for Connor. Thank you for loving me completely everyday. Happy 2-year wedding anniversary. I cant wait to celebrate our love for the rest of our lives.

Late Thank You Notes

Wedding etiquette says that you have up to a year to write thank you notes. My opinion isn't so lenient, I think wedding thank you's should be sent out within 3 months of your big day. If you feel the need to say time has completely gotten away from you and you feel horrible that it has been so long, say that too.

But, don’t use being late as an excuse not to write. Even if you are still sending notes after your first anniversary, rest assured, its never too late to be gracious!

Destination Weddings

More and more couples are heading to exotic locales to say, "I do." If you are considering jumping on the bandwagon, consider the following before packing up your bags:

• Decide where you want to travel to. Make sure its a good time of year so both you and your guests can make a vacation out of it.
• Consider everyone. If your great grandma Mildred doesn't fly, and she is a vital part of your wedding...well, the destination better be drivable.
• Money. Destination weddings are a great excuse for your guests to use this trip as a vacation. With that in mind, make sure you invite all families. You thought you didn't want kids to attend, well too bad! This is one time where you must suck it up because families travel together. Kapish?
• Determine how long you want to stay. Are you also going to honeymoon on this island?
• Finally, remember that there are choices you will have to either a. hire someone to make for you or b. make over the internet.

Not being in the same town (or even country) as your wedding locale can be a blessing or a curse, so make sure you plan well so both you and your guests can enjoy your wedding in paradise.

Cutting the Guest List

Sure, you want to be a nice person and avoid hurting any one's feelings. But the truth is, "nice" can be very expensive in wedding terms. A bulging-at-the-seams guest list is a common wedding planning occurrence, and can be handled quickly and painlessly. You are probably feeling so excited about sharing this your big day with everyone you know that you just can't bear to leave anyone off the list. But, most of us can't afford to invite everyone we know to our weddings, so start the cutting!

First, go over your list with your fiance and put each guest into category A, B, and C. The As are the absolute must's. This will usually include family (immediate family, I'm not taking about the 3rd cousin that you met at a family reunion when you were 5), and close friends, friends who without being there you couldn't live without. The B list is for the people who you would really like to be a part of your big day (good high school friends, sorority sisters, neighbors) but wouldn't completely RUIN your day if they couldn't attend. And your C's, well those are the people who you think you should invite but don't really want to.
Now, your C list goes in the garbage and you can re-examine your B's. If you still need to cut, here are a few more pointers:

• Don't invite anyone you haven't talked to in five years.
• Don't feel obligated to let single people bring a date.
• Don't invite coworkers.
• Don't let your friends bring their children.

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner guest list can include just the two of you, your immediate families and the wedding party. Or, it can be a larger event, including all the out-of-town guests, it's up to you. The reason many couples do include out-of-towners (especially when the rehearsal dinner is the night before) is so they're not left stranded in their hotel rooms. It's all about being a good hostess. However, if you don't invite them, you can include a list of restaurants or things to do in the area on your wedding website.

If you want to go for something a little different and invite more people (while not breaking the bank) you can make it less formal (appetizers and drinks only) and present it more like a 'Getting to Know Eachother' cocktail party.

Dress Shopping

Choosing the perfect dress is an overwhelming task and really sets the tone for your whole wedding. Sometimes what you think will be the best for your body shape isn't what will look best on your body. Remember these simple tips, and hopefully wedding dress shopping will be a little less daunting:

• Start looking through wedding magazines nine to twelve months before the wedding date. Look for silhouette, embroidery, etc. to give yourself an idea of what you love and what you don't like.
• Book three appointments to begin. Go to a boutique, a showroom, and a department store for a different variety of dresses. Make sure to call ahead to see if reservations are required.
• Wear appropriate undergarments (aka, no lacy black bra and underwear) wear something similar to what you think you will need to wear under your wedding dress.
• Don't bring everyone you know to go dress shopping with you. Go with a select few (two or three, max) and only bring people who are supportive, honest and know your taste. If your sister always gives you a hard time about your style, don't bring her to your first appointment. The day is all about you and what you like!
• Be honest with yourself and your stylist about your budget from the beginning. If you have an absolute maximum of $3,000.00 make sure they know not show you ANYTHING above that price range.
• Remember, most dresses are custom made, so be creative. If you love the embroidery on one dress and the bottom of another, ask the stylist if they can contact the vendor and ask if there is a way to combine the two looks. You'll never know unless you try.
• Try on a couple gowns that the stylist suggests. This is what she does for a living, so she probably knows what will look good on a bride’s specific body type.

In summary, I think its most important to trust your instinct. If you go with your gut, you wont be disappointed and you'll never wonder 'what if'.

Plus 1

A friend of mine recently got engaged and asked me to help her with her guest list, one question in particular, “Who should I extend a plus one to?” I remember struggling with the same question, and here is my short (and hopefully simple answer). There are a few different situations and things to consider, so here it goes:

1. Either you’re letting each of your guests have a plus one or your not. If you are not, you need to decide why you aren’t.
2. If the person is married, a plus one is necessary, whether you have met (or like) their spouse or not. Sorry, but for me this is non-negotiable. Example: if you’re letting everyone but your friend Tami, whose husband you hate, invite a plus one, I see you running into a few problems. If your friend Tami is important to you, it’s not your decision on whether her husband is a good guy, he’s her husband and unfortunately for you, now a guest at your wedding.
3. If the person is younger (and therefore not married) but has a boyfriend who she has been dating for years, I think a plus one is something you should extend.
4. Everyone in your wedding party deserves the invitation to invite someone to the wedding, whether there are seriously dating someone or will bring a random bum from the side of the road. Remember they are doing a LOT for you, letting them have someone there to dance with, etc. is a nice invitation to extend to the people in your wedding party.
5. If you’re having people attend a destination wedding you must remember that people are spending a good amount of money to be at your wedding and will probably use the time to have a mini-vacation and attend your special day. Destination weddings should extend a plus one (and, if applicable, an invitation for children) to all guests.

At the end of the day, it’s your wedding and you can invite whomever you want. My thinking was that I wanted to piss as few people off as possible, and if it was important for a friend of mine to bring their boyfriend, whom id met only a few times, and I had the room (and money to do so), why wouldn’t I?

Photo Booth

Can’t decide what to give away as a favor at your wedding? Current trends show that a photo booth is a great way to give guests something they really want, a picture of themselves!

Shake it up a little, have the machine automatically print two copies of the picture taken. Put the guest book table right next to the photo booth with some glue and markers. Your guests can take one copy home with them and put the other in your guest book. What a fun way for you and your guests to remember your big day!

Valentines Day Wedding Ideas

Are you one of the many brides who want to get married on Valentines Day? If you do and want to make your guests feel special too, here are a few ideas which are sure to get you wedding high-fives:

• Make it a black tie affair. Have all guests come in formal attire, men in tuxes, and women in black dresses. Have your bridesmaids wear black and at the reception/ ceremony have pink OR red chandeliers, crystals and flowers everywhere.


• On your RSVP card request that all guests individually write something to their valentine and seal it in the RSVP. On your wedding day have TV’s set up somewhere scrolling the message from each guest to their valentine.
  
• Instead of a traditional wedding cake opt for sweetheart shaped cupcakes with sweet messages on the top of each.


• Make sure your DJ has a song request list for guests to dedicate songs to their special someone.
  
• Since candy and chocolate are such a huge part of Valentines Day, have a candy bar set up with a special fruit and chocolate dipping station. Nothing says I love you like a chocolate dipped strawberry!

Engagement Pictures

Here are a few fun ways to use your engagement pictures:

• Use them in a picture stamp on your wedding invitations.
• Put them in your guest book. This way people can see the pictures and will have a picture to sign around instead of a blank page.
• Put them in frames and put a different one at each guest table. It might be a good conversation starter.
• Gather pictures of you and your soon-to-be-groom from the beginning of your relationship until now (including your engagement pictures), put it on a loop and let it run silently in a corner throughout the cocktail hour and/or reception. Your guests will get to know you even better, and is a good way to show your journey as a couple.

However you decide to share your engagement photos, it’s a good idea to incorporate them into your wedding in some way. Guests will enjoy looking at them, and chances are you spent a good amount of money on them, so you might as well use them as much as possible.

Pregnant Bridesmaid

The church is booked, the date is set, think you’re off the hook with difficult decisions, think again. Choosing bridesmaids is a difficult task many people overlook. How do you choose a bridesmaid without offending someone and still asking the people who want to be a part of your wedding day? This is question many brides struggle with.

The thing to remember is that choosing a bridesmaid should be about the women that you want to share your special day with. When the bridesmaids have been chosen, think about your friends/relatives and whether one might be pregnant at the time. While pregnancy is exciting and wonderful, it is a challenge to outfit a pregnant woman when her waistline is fluctuating weekly. This does not mean that you should exclude friends who are trying to get pregnant, but be aware of the risks. Anyone who is expecting to deliver within a timeframe of 30-45 days before your wedding date should consider stepping down; otherwise she’d need to step out in great rush during the ceremony. You want to hear wedding bells ringing, not ambulance sirens wailing!

Loosing weight before the big day

Everyone wants to look good at a wedding whether they are the bride, groom, attendants or guests. Losing weight before a wedding can be done. It takes commitment, but hey your going to have to get used to that, so listen up ladies (and gentlemen). Here are a few quick tips on loosing weight quickly:

• Increase your exercise and change your routine. Do some cardio everyday, but make it fun and interesting. Exercising doesn’t have to be boring!


• Get enough sleep. I say 8 hours, minimum! Yep ladies, that’s right, put down those wedding books and take a Tylenol PM. You and your body will thank me later.


• Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is really important and will help you not look so sleepy on your wedding day.


• Don’t add any sugar or creamer to your coffee in the morning. You would be surprised how much of a difference this will make.


• Cut carbohydrates, but not completely. It’s still an important way to give your body fuel and energy.

Most importantly, set an attainable goal. Allow the appropriate amount of time to loose your desired weight and don’t be unrealistic. If you already weigh 115 pounds, it’s going to be tough for you to loose 15 pounds. And don’t forget, its always ok to cheat and break your diet when it comes to cake tasting…it is an important part of your wedding after all.