Top 8 Wedding Trends in 2011

August 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The single hottest trend for 2011 weddings is the do-it-yourself ceremony. You heard right. Don’t worry if you’re unsure of how to bring it all together by yourself — we’ve got seven additional great ideas that’ll make the DIY wedding (or any wedding) manageable and fun!  Check out these great trends:

1. Color where it has never been before: the wedding dress. If you are one of those brides-to-be who just can’t stand the boring and expected, add a splash of color. The focus factor really comes into play when the wedding dress itself has a metallic blue trim. Not ready for metallic? Just try a colored satin trim on the dress. A subtle embroidery design in color also works great without venturing too far from traditional. A red crinoline underskirt stirs excitement on the dance floor without affecting the formal pictures.

2. Sparkling veils are dramatic and draw the eye up. A hot trend is the diamond or rhinestone veil. DIY brides can find a dramatic and unique bridal veil on eBay. Getting the veil online keeps you from choosing the one your neighbor refused from the local bridal shop. And when the veil is the standout piece, you want one nobody else has.

3. A touch of whimsy gives the bride a chance to show her fun side. Bring in an old family recipe for the reception for a fun way to include the extended family in the DIY wedding. Maybe granny will cook it up and enjoy everyone’s compliments.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

4. Winter weddings are the best opportunity to bring in faux fur. Make sure it’s high-quality fur, even if you have to settle for less. Use fur cuffs or a fur neckline — just enough to think about your favorite season when you look at your wedding photos.

5. Use non-traditional colors. Tired of yellow, pink, and 1970s baby blue? Then we have good news: Warm, rich orange and chocolate browns are in. Don’t use them together, though. Bright orange is tacky, so stay away from that, but choose the bronzy, deep orange in conjunction with a cream color. You can also try getting bold with red as the accent.

6. All 2011 weddings must have video cameras. These are a big hit at any event but especially at weddings. You can save money and keep in your DIY style by cutting out a videographer. Put one camera on every table so the guests can record a special message to the bride and groom. Bring all of the footage together when you return from your honeymoon with easy-to-use video editing software.

7. Some brides in areas of recent tragedies ask guests to donate to local charities in lieu of wedding gifts. The guests are encouraged to bring a card indicating a donation has been made in the name of the couple.

Bringing personal touches into the wedding is what makes a DIY wedding trendy, practical and quaint. Do you think a DIY wedding should incorporate some of the groom’s personality?

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Recycling Old Clothes

June 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Needle plate, foot and transporter of a sewing...

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Whether your unwanted clothing is ripped, stained, unfashionable, or just too small, you don’t have to throw it away. If it’s not too beat up, you can donate it to Goodwill or Dress for Success or someplace. You can also recycle your old, unwanted clothing into something you’ll use. Here are some suggestions.

  • Does that bright yellow t-shirt not go with as many things as you expected? You can always dye clothing to more desired colors.
  • Old clothing, from socks to t-shirts, can be cut into cleaning cloths, shop rags, or dust rags. Why buy rags or cleaning cloths when you can make your own out of unwanted clothing?
  • Get creative with scissors and unwanted dresses or pants and cut them into skirts or shorts. Sew up the new hems and you’ve got something new.
  • Use old clothing as material for making crafts. Don’t have to go out and buy fabric when you may have some hanging unused in your closet. Use old clothing to make puppets, new clothing, purses, patchwork scarves, and even blue jean drink coasters. Use the buttons, zippers, and cloth – you can make anything.
  • You can cut the clothes up into squares to make a quilt. Maybe make a quilt of all the clothing your kids have grown out of.
  • With two old t-shirts, a sewing machine (or a needle and thread), an old belt, and scissors you can make a reusable grocery bag.

All you need is some creativity, tools, and time and you can turn your old, unwanted clothing into something new. It’s fun, easy, and the possibilities are limitless.

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Match Your Eye Shadow To Your Eyes

March 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When people look at your face, the first thing you want them to notice is your eyes.  You want your eye shadow to bring out the color in your eyes not scare the wits out of little kids.  So it is important to know what shades work with each different eye color, and which shades to stay away from.  The last thing you want to look like is a time traveler from the 80’s.

It is also important to note that your skin coloring and hair coloring also play a factor in what shades are a good match for your eyes.  Fair skin women with fair coloring are not going to look good with really bold colors.  These women should also be light handed when applying eye shadow.  Women with darker coloring and olive skin tones can be a heavier with their eye shadow because it compliments them better.

Blue eyed women should lean more toward earthy tones.  Colors such as taupe, grey and black work well with blue eyes but keep away from blue shadows.  However blue eyeliner will really make blue eyes pop with the right eye shadow.

Hazel and green eyes can go with colors like brown, plum, deep green and gold.  It is important that green and hazel eyes keep away from bright greens, this will give your eyes a washed out look to them.

Brown eyed women can wear almost any color they want.  Colors that work well are pinks, purples, deep blues and greens.  A color to stay away from is dark brown, especially women with brown hair and brown eyes.  Play around with colors in these families to see what works best with your coloring.

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Finding The Right Gym Is Only A Few Questions Away

March 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It does not matter if you are joining a gym for the first time or if you are switching gyms if you do not feel comfortable there you are not going to go.  How do you know which gym is right for you?  There are many different kinds of fitness centers that are open these days.  You should be able to find one that accommodates your lifestyle.  Here are some questions to ask when you are going to join a gym.

How fit are you?  If you go to a gym that is catered to bodybuilders and you are not even close to being a bodybuilder, there is going to be some discomfort going to that gym.  If your fitness level is zero, there are fitness centers out there that will accommodate you.  Do not be afraid to ask questions.

What are your goals for fitness?  Are you a die-hard exerciser, a casual once-a-week exerciser or do you go every other day?  If you have a lot of pounds to lose or just keeping up maintenance, this is factors in also to the type of gym you want to join.

What time of day or night would you prefer to do your exercises?  There are some gyms that stay open 24 hours.  There are others who give their members keys for after hour sessions.  Then there are those gyms that have set hours.  Whatever time of day or night that you feel best working out is when you should work out.  Find a gym that works with you on that.

Always keep in mind what you want to pay for membership.  Some can be outrageous and not worth the fee required for membership.

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Summer Fun in Long Beach

March 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You have not really experienced summer until you take in all that Long Beach California has to offer. This is where the rich and famous and the stylish hang out to soak in the sun and have fun. People watching is one of the favorite activities as the sun bathers show off the latest in beachwear and their bronze bodies that they worked on in the gym all winter.

If you want to know what is going to be in style for summer, just visit the shops along Long Beach Boulevard, like Fashion Island. Here you can find the hottest bikinis and tank-inis. Board shorts for guys are always in style on Long Beach, along with toe ring sandals or thong sandals. Shoreline Village at Rainbow Harbor is another great place to shop; it is also one of the trendy spots to have a drink or grab dinner.

While the five miles of beach are the big attraction in Long Beach, California, there is much more to do. The Aquarium of the Pacific is located right off Shoreline Drive near Shoreline Aquatic Park. The most popular exhibit there is Shark Lagoon. If you prefer to get out on the ocean, there are a number of whale watching trips that go out every day or you could choose a more relaxing gondola ride through the canals in the city of Long Beach.

Since Long Beach is such a fun destination, you will want to come back again and again. A great way to make the cost of your trip affordable is to purchase a time share in the city. It could pay for itself over time if you hire a Long Beach property management company to rent it out for you when you are not staying there. There are a number of excellent locations to choose from both on the beach and downtown.

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If You Haven’t Tried Meeting Someone Online Yet, Maybe You Should

March 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable about meeting someone special on the Internet, it’s time to change your way of thinking and get with the times. Online dating is one of the most popular Internet activities, and the industry is growing. New sites spring up every day, and for good reason: They’ve been working. A recent research project shows that nearly one out of every six marriages or future marriages began with an online relationship.

Dating in person is difficult and can be extremely frustrating for someone who is earnestly searching for someone special who is not only interested but is looking for the same things out of a relationship. In the offline world, you’ve probably gone down many dead ends before you found someone with potential. That’s because you didn’t have the advantage of being able to narrow your search or to know people’s intentions.

Regular dating may waste more time than online dating because you have to arrange your schedule just to go through the same old routine at parties and bars. You might meet someone interesting, but what are the odds he or she will be interested in starting a relationship? You might get lucky, but you might also hear, “I’ll call you,” or some other wishy-washy line. Who has time for all that?

Not everyone has time to invest in the social scene. Work, family and other commitments make your time very valuable, and you need to use your time to your advantage.  On Internet dating services, you can start your search with a pool of people who are already eager to start a relationship, just like you are. This does not mean everyone will always be completely honest, but you can increase your odds by looking in the same place as similarly minded people. Best of all, you don’t need to be bothered by anyone who doesn’t appeal to you. When you start searching online, dating takes on a whole new dimension.

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Make Your Child’s Day with a Halloween Surprise

February 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for a surefire way to put a smile on your child’s face, surprise her with the Halloween costume of her dreams! As you see her face light up with the biggest smile possible, you’ll instantly know you made the right choice. But, how do you decide on the best costume for your child? Here are a few ways to make the right choice:

Get to Know What They Like

Spend time with your child to find out what he likes or dislikes. Most boys enjoy pretending to be super heroes or action stars. Little girls often dream of being a princess like Jasmine or a fairly like Tinkerbell. However, your child might be different. Some kids are fascinated with classic movies like the Wizard of Oz or Snow White. Although it’s way too obvious to ask them what they would like to be for Halloween if you want to keep this surprise a secret, you can ask them questions about their favorite books, movies, TV shows are cartoons. If your child isn’t the suspicious type, ask him what he would like to be when he grows up or who he admires the most.

Finding that Special Costume

Even if your town has a full-service costume shop, it can be hard to find kids costumes. Instead of spending hours searching through the retail store, take a look at some of the online costume shops. While your child will notice a shopping bag, most kids don’t give a routine delivery a second thought. Not only will you find the perfect choice at a great price when shopping online, but this purchase won’t spoil your surprise!

By spending a little time with your child and listening to their likes and dislikes, you’ll quickly find out what they really want to be this Halloween!

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Party Planning Tips

January 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Whether you’re a seasoned event planner or you recently offered to host your first get-together, parties take some planning and creativity. The idea is to plan ahead and pay attention to detail to make a lasting impression.

Think about the kind of atmosphere you want to create. Not only are colors and tastes important, but also consider to smells and audio. Light scented candles or boil a pot of water with citrus peels and spices. Play some appropriate music in the background as your guests arrive.

Consider going with a theme. Theme parties don’t just have to be for kids. Popular seasonal parties include St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s, and the Super Bowl. If your party is during an off-season, throw a murder mystery or disco party. Other themes include toga, potluck, pajama, costume, or pet party. Don’t have an excuse to have a party? Have a movie party. Base your party and theme around a chosen film you and your guests will view. For more fun, have them come in costume.

Plan your menu according to your party’s theme and event. For a movie party, get creative with popcorn and candy. For theme parties, have a cake that represents your chosen theme. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, but if you’re a whiz in the kitchen, now is the time to show off your skills.

Play party games. Everyone loves a fun game and they can help guests break the ice. Consider giving away prizes or offering rewards to motivate guests to let loose.

Send your guests home with personalized party favors. These can double as centerpieces or table decorations and can be ordered to fit your party’s theme or colors.

Above all, have fun with it. Party planning is enjoyable and rewarding when your guests leave with smiles on their faces.

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Natural Alternatives to Household Products

January 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The rind of a lemon is exceptionally bitter, w...

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Just about everyone is switching to organic products these days. They’re healthier for your body and the environment, but don’t limit your organic splurges to food. Since the air inside your home is more polluted than the air outside, it’s a smart move to choose chemical-free alternatives around the home.

Vinegar is a natural cleaning wonder. When diluted with warm water, white distilled vinegar can be used as a glass cleaner, coffee pot stain remover, floor cleaner, and fabric softener. Add an equal part of salt and you’ve got a natural mildew remover. Combine 1/2-cup vinegar with 3/4-cup ammonia, 1/4-cup baking soda, and 1 gallon of water and you’ve got a super strength all-purpose cleaner.

Lemon is another excellent cleaner. A paste of lemon juice and borax makes a heavy-duty toilet bowl cleaner. Mixing equal parts lemon juice with cream of tartar gives you an ink spot remover. And adding a tablespoon of lemon oil to one pint of mineral oil makes furniture polish that rivals Pledge.

Baking soda has long been known for its cleaning properties. If you’re switching to fluoride-free toothpaste and avoiding chemical whiteners that can erode enamel, brush with baking soda once a week for an instantly white smile. Combined with vinegar and boiling water, baking soda can clear clogged drains or clean tile. As a laundry pre-soak, a paste of baking soda and water can be applied to spots to lighten stains.

Apple cider vinegar is a must-have for pets in the home. As a household product it removes pet odor. As a health supplement, when added to pet’s drinking water, it alleviates arthritis, joint pain, allergies, and corrects pH balance. Combining apple cider vinegar with warm water in a spray bottle can be used to apply to itchy skin, hot spots, or even in pet food to increase appetite. It’s also an excellent ear cleaner for both cats and dogs.

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Casino Games as a Hobby

January 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The next time you find yourself with some downtown or between jobs, instead of viewing it as a problem, why not see it as an opportunity and the perfect time to start a new hobby? Taking up a new hobby doesn’t have to mean learning golf or embracing rock climbing; it can mean learning something really fun like how to play online casino games. Not only are the online versions of old favorites like blackjack and poker fun — you might even earn some extra cash while playing.

If you want to win at online gambling, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure you set a daily betting budget. It can be as high as you like, just make sure that it won’t break the bank if you lose it. Second, go light on the chance games. Slots are a lot of fun but can be a real money drain. Stick to games that are based on rules and odds instead of just relying on blind luck.

The best game to start off with is probably Blackjack, which is popular because it’s half chance, half skill. The digital version is just like the in-hand version; you win by getting closest to 21 and beating the dealer. Hint: the dealer usually stops at 16, so if you get a 17 you might want to stay.

If you think you want to learn a more complex game, poker is the game of choice. It takes skill, luck and a keen sense of the odds. Hint: learn the odds of each hand. It may take awhile to learn, but it will give you an edge.

Online casinos are now very popular around the world and pay out quickly. You enter all your information when you register so everything goes smoothly, no matter how much you win. Give it a try and who knows – you might be a natural.

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