Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST
2. Introduce both sets of parents, if you have not already
3. Select a wedding date, time a possible alternate date
4. Determine the style, size and degree of formality of your wedding
5. Reserve the ceremony site.
6. Plan the reception and book location as soon as wedding date is set.
7. Hire a caterer, if not included with reception site. Discuss menu.
8. Discuss how expenses will be shared with all relevant parties
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Maid and matron of honor: top 10 things you need to do
Your friend or relative has chosen you for her maid or matron of honor! Here are a list of duties and responsibilites you will have in this role.
Congratulations! It is such an honor to be chosen as the maid or matron of honor at a friend’s or relative’s wedding. A bride chooses the woman who is closest to her to stand next to her and support her during this wonderful event in her life. You will be there every step of the way to offer encouragement as your friend takes her step into couplehood. Here are a few duties you will have as the maid or matron of honor.
4) In addition to throwing these two parties, you will need to attend any other pre-wedding events, as well, including the engagement party, rehearsal dinner and rehearsal.
5) You will be the official spokeswoman and coordinator of the other bridesmaids, so make sure they are aware of the different events they will need to attend.
7) Before the actual wedding, the bride will probably be swamped with things to do, such as designing and creating the wedding favors, addressing all of the wedding invitations and shopping for various wedding items like her dress, the guest book, the groom’s ring and decorations. Always keep in contact with the bride and ask her if there is anything you can help her with. She may not want to burden you by asking for help, but she will appreciate the thought when you call.
8) Before the wedding ceremony, in addition to getting yourself dressed, you will be in charge of helping the bride get dressed as well as helping the other bridesmaids with their hair and/or makeup appointments.
9) During the ceremony, after the bride has walked down the aisle, you will want to straighten out the bride’s train (if she has one) for the pictures as well as hold her bouquet once she is situated. You may also be responsible for holding the groom’s ring and handing it to the bride at the appropriate time.
10) Right after the wedding ceremony and before the reception, you will help the bride by bustling her gown (if she needs it) so she can more comfortably walk around and dance and mingle.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
11 Easy Ways to Handle Stress
by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS®
One of the most singificant problems human beings face as a general population is how to handle stress. As a life & career expert, and an acclaimed advice columnist, I have compiled eleven of the most significant ways that you can reduce stress in your life. You may not always be able to make stress dissappear, but you can manage it with some very simple techniques.
1. Talk! Don't hold all your feelings within! Discuss your stressful feelings with someone you trust who will listen without being judgmental or pressuring you to their own point of view. Even if you can't change the immediate situation, talking about it helps alleviate some of the tension you may be feeling. Supplement the verbalizing with something physical.
2. ACT! Be willing to take risk and make change, no matter how small. Try to change the stressful situation, or at least some part of it. Moving forward in small ways helps you feel empowered and in control. Put one foot in front of the other to move in a positive direction. Soon, the stress will lessen.
3. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! If you learn about how your body reacts to stress, you can also learn how to counter that stress. Learn to listen to your body's signals and find ways to reduce your stress, even if it's just "taking five" to clear your mind.
4. BE IN CHARGE! Discover what you need to feel good about yourself and get your needs met. Another way to reduce your stress is to find an interest, hobby or activity where you feel in charge and call the shots. If you really feel out of control, don't stay silent and alone! Seek guidance from someone who is qualified to help you get through the obstacles, and move forward again. If you can't find someone qualified in your neighborhood or you don't feel as though you can talk to someone "in person" try a qualified internet counselor.
5. DON'T OVERWHELM YOURSELF: If you are stressed and overwhelmed, perhaps you are trying to handle too much. Rid yourself of extra duties that aren't necessary or important. Learn how to delegate and how to say "no" without feeling guilty. Ask for help if you need it.
6. GET AWAY: Sometimes a change, however small, can do wonders for your spirit. Forget it all for a while--escape! Go somewhere new for a few hours, or a few days if you can afford to. If not, it may be helpful just to "get away" to a warm bath for a little while!
7. PRIORITIZE: You may not be able to avoid all the responsibilities obligations you currently have, but you can learn how to complete them without resentment and consciously choose how you will handle them.
8. EXTEND YOURSELF: Make your own life better by making someone else's life better. Give of yourself. Volunteer! You will feel empowered, positive, important...and you will be!
9. MAKE SUCCESS HAPPEN! If you can't change the world, change yourself! Learn how to love yourself as you are, while you work towards your goals. Then, make a commitment to yourself to start improving the things about yourself and your life that (you believe) need it. Instead of immediate, dramatic change, learn to enjoy the journey of lifelong self-improvement. You are always a work in progress. For life & career advice.
10. SOCIALIZE: Spend time with family and friends for love and support. Don't be afraid to enjoy yourself! Appreciate friendship and let others know you care about them, too. Love may not conquer all, but it's a great start!
11. LEARN HOW TO BE HAPPY: One thing all of life's winners have in common is a sense of well-being, a positive attitude and realistic goals. Focus on the good things about yourself, and in your life. Nobody's perfect. Learn to enjoy the "little things" that make you happy. Count your blessings. Every day, write down on a slip of paper one thing you are grateful for, even if it's just a sunny day, a friend's phone call, your cat's happy purr. Put this "blessing" in a jar along with a dollar or more. Do this for one month. At the end of the month read all those slips of paper and you will realize that life is better than you think! Use the money to do something really special for yourself, or donate it to charity.