Being a Bride Has Made Me a Better Guest

My one year wedding anniversary is this coming Sunday. Yay!

 I can't believe how fast this year has flown by.  It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming all of our family and friends to Charleston for our weekend-long celebration.

With all the stress, happiness and, let's face it, pure insanity that can come with planning

a wedding, I've walked away with a few lessons that I want to pass along.  Everything I experienced in being a bride has now made me a more aware, understanding and appreciative guest when being involved in others' weddings.  So, hopefully, these little words of wisdom will not only do the same for you but also help you put things in perspective and enjoy the ride...

• Take Your Time Planning - Weddings are expensive and time consuming, so unless there are other circumstances that require you move the process along at a quicker pace, enjoy a longer engagement.  You only get to be a bride once, so take your time researching and making decisions so you and your fiance can really revel in being engaged. There's no need to rush it and regret any of the choices you make along the way.

• Always Write Thank You Notes - I always knew that this was expected, practically required, so I'm glad my mom did her best to prepare me by making me write thank yous for birthdays, graduations, first communion, etc. growing up.  While engaged, I kept up with my duties after every shower, bachelorette party and even got a handful done prior to the big day.  But it was when I returned from my honeymoon that the real fun began.  The list can get pretty lengthy so I suggest making it a point to stay on top of it and send them out as quickly as possible.  Most importantly, make sure to reference the gift and send a personalized note.  An impersonal, form letter is pretty meaningless to its recipient.  Keep in mind that your guests are spending a pretty penny on, not only your present, but also attending your wedding, so the least you can do is acknowledge and thank them for it.  Nowadays, I've noticed that I'm always on the lookout for a thank you note once I send a gift.  Sidenote: It's been eight months since I sent one gift and still no note :(  Makes me wonder if they ever or received it or even appreciated it.

• Always R.S.V.P - R.S.V.P to EVERYTHING!  People put a lot of time, effort and money into organizing events, so when you receive an invitation to a wedding, rehearsal dinner or shower make it a priority to call or email back your response as soon as possible.  Don't make the bride and/or host have to track you down for your answer.  And, if you say you're coming, don't be a no-show.  A lot of money can be wasted on not having the proper guest count.  Planning for too few can result in not enough food, servers, beverages or tables among other things  Think about having a seated dinner and ten extra people show up...somebody is going to have to set an extra table in the middle of the reception!  Not cool. Aim to high on your guest count and you waste precious $$$ on those that didn't show up (and nobody likes that...especially not dads!).

• Always Buy a Gift - I know sometimes money can be a little tight but if you are invited and especially, if you attend, it's only appropriate to purchase a gift.  After the honeymoon, it was so awesome to come home to open our gifts.  It wasn't even really about actually getting presents, to me, it was more about how everything thing we opened was a small token from our guests to start our new life together.  That sounded cheesy (sorry!), but every gift really did mean a lot to us.  Every time I pull out a platter or pitcher or any one of our lovely wedding presents, it always reminds me of that day and who gave it to us.  It's not about how much you spend on it because whatever you give will be cherished by the happy couple

•  Enjoy the Evening - It goes SOOO fast.  The engagement, the wedding week and the wedding day, boy, does it all go so fast.  Work with your vendors to make sure everything is done in a timely manner so that the week of is as stress free as possible.  Don't fret if something minor goes wrong, stay calm, be nice and figure out a solution.  Try to look at the big picture...When it comes down to it, they're just flowers, it's only a cake and it's okay if you get a little tear in your dress.  Stuff can and probably will go wrong.  Hopefully, if you book good vendors, you won't hear about it until after the wedding but if you do, try and let it roll off your back.  Because when it is all said and done, you're with the people you care most about, you've got good tunes and great food...so enjoy celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime day. This will probably be the one day that all of your favorite people will be under one roof, so make sure to stop and take it all in.

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Mixing it Up.

 1 pair of jeans, 3 tops, 1 vest, 1 white tank= 5  different ways, and of course changing up accessories however you like.

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 2.

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                                            $29.00    Marshalls                                                                       $13.00 Rack room

4.

5.

Mr. Owl Bling Ring $6.50 ,Charlotte Russe

       $13.00 Stein Mart                   $23.00 Dillard's              $19.00 Rack Room

I always seem to find super shoes at a steal, 1/3 of the original price.

The 3 necklaces, can make about 10 different necklaces  using the necklace remix trick. And of course, I love ties, don't ask me why. Have a super fantastic day. Countdown to 2011 in 9 hours.

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5 Things To Do This Year.

Every year I think of things I would like to do before the year comes to an end.  Usually the list is long and I only do one or two things, but this year I have been thinking about doing a short list. This year I wanted to do a doable list and not only doable, but one that might make me want to do more. Life is such a special gift and I waste so much of it worrying about  things that do not matter.  We can do anything we set our minds to do, we just have to take  that first step. Even if that step is so big and you don't know how you will ever start it, you just have to hold your breath and jump.  Believe me I did and I have never been happier.  So here is my list of 5 things to do this year and  here is a Toast to all of you in 2011.  Make this your best year ever. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1.  Take a chance on something you really want to do.
     I know change is scary, but what is the wost thing that could happen? Maybe you could fail, or maybe you would be rejected. The last time I checked  no one ever died from any of those things.  So go a head reach for your dream, take that chance, make the call, jump in head first, you won't regret it.









2.  Eat Better.
     Not Less, just better.  Make better choices, your body and soul will love you for it.











3.  Save $5  a week.
     If you make your own coffee instead of spending money  at Starbucks, right there you save $5 just  like that.   That is $20 a month, $240.00 a year.  That could be extra spending money for a vacation, or that little extra money for something you wanted, or for that bill  that you needed  to pay off.






4.  Change One room in your home.
     You would be amazed at how changing things lifts your spirits. You don't have to spend a lot of money, just moving furniture, making new pillows or a fresh coat of paint on the wall  would do the trick.  Maybe you could use the $5 your saving  every week to spruce up a room. That sounds like a good idea for another blog.:)

5.  Be A Good Samaritan.
     The  Greatest advice my mother gave me was, "Helping others is the best way to help yourself, it makes you quit focusing on  all your problems, and your pain will go away."  That  advice is so true.  Helping others  makes you feel so much better, and it always will.  Give your time and care to someone who needs you.  You could help someone who is  house bound go to the store or cook for someone who  is sick . Time is the best gift, because it is so valuable.   Believe me you will sleep really well at night.

So!!!! There is my not so big  list , as I said I am starting small and working my way up to making this the  

Best ...  Year... Ever!

Me and My Sweet Daughter

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New Uses for Old Things.

OK, I found some super great ideas from the Magazine Real Simple.  I am always looking for great ideas to organize or repurpose, which made this find even more  exciting.  Here are  a few that  I really liked, but there were a lot more.  Links are attached.
Enjoy, and  have a Happy Thursday!

     Berry Basket as Bathroom Storage
                                                                                                         Binder Clip as a Cord Holder

            Paper Clips for Bookmarks                                                                                                             Rocks For Bookends

                                                                                                         Eyeglass case as a Manicure kit
  Film Canister as a Stamp 

              Dispenser

                                                                                                    

    Picture Frame as a Key Holder

                                                                                                Cupcake Carrier as a Knickknack

                                                                           Organizer.

  Shower Curtain Rings as Scarf Storage                                                                                                                    Velcro for the Remote

     Wire Hanger Ribbon Dispenser                                                                                                              Duct Tape for Luggage Tag

           Magnet for your Tweezers                                    Shoebox for your Ribbon            

        Chip Clips  as Clothes pins                                     Desk Organizer as a Cupboard Divider

Wine Corks as Cabinet Silencers                                        Folder labels as Cord Identification
                                
                                                                                               
                                                  



     

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Fun Things To Do.

I came across some  fun things to do while your home with family.   These all are quick crafts and some are ones I want to try for me. Especially the bleach pen.   I am thinking I might do that  on a pair of jeans.   Enjoy every minute with your family everyone . Merry Christmas Eve!  Links attached.:)

            Let it Snow, Tee Shirt                           Button Crafts

                                            Tie Belt                                              Sweatshirt  Shrug

       

                   iScarf                                                                                                                             Bleach Pen Drawing

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Old Fashion Remedies

 I found these old fashion remedies and wanted to share.

This is Polly, my 95 year old Grandmother and an Angel!

GRANNY'S OLD-FASHIONED REMEDY FOR THE FLU: She used to mix 1 tablespoon of horseradish and 1 cup of olive oil and left it to stand for 30 minutes. She would then use it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles.

HEALTHY LOOKING TOES: Soak your toes in Listerine....this powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy.

GRANDMA'S OLD-FASHIONED REMEDY TO REMOVE WARTS: Wart is not only an ugly word but even uglier when you're the one having to look at several on your hands or knees. Whenever I was plagued by a wart, I just naturally ran to Grandma and her garden for the cure. When we had a full moon she would pick the largest dandelion from her herbal garden and would rub the milky substance from the cut end of the weed onto the warts. She would do this three times that night and, like magic, the next day they began to mysteriously disappear.

GRANDMA'S OLD-FASHIONED REMEDY TO RELIEVE COUGH: To treat a persistent, nagging nighttime cough, she would bring two cups of water to a boil and add two sliced lemons, 1/2 teaspoon of either mint or dried ginger, and 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of sugar. After mixing these ingredients and having brought them to a boil, they would soon turn into a thick syrup. Once this occurred, she would add an ounce of her favorite liqueur or brandy. Is it any wonder how a couple of spoonfuls of this warm syrup can cure a cough?

GRANDMA'S ALL-NATURAL HOME DEODORIZERS: Grandma use an aerosol spray?? I don't think so!! However, her home always smelled so nice. How did she do it? Well, to rid her kitchen of unpleasant odors, she would place a small pot of water on the stove to boil, throwing in some cloves, a few sprigs of rosemary, and several lemon rinds. The aroma of this spicy brew filled every room of the house, giving us all that welcomed feeling. And, she always seemed to have bouquets brought in from the garden consisting of roses (her favorite), lavender, lemon leaves, and orange blossoms...what a wonderful way to make your home smell wonderful.

I was also told that if you put Vicks Vapor rub on the bottom of your feet at night and put on a pair of socks, it will stop you from coughing.   I have to try this one for sure.

If anyone has a good remedy please share the love..

For more Remedies go here

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