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Two years ago yesterday!
Based on scientific and unscientific research…okay,
based on analytics and talking to some of you in person, I know that several of
my readers are planning weddings this year.
Last year, a friend asked if I had any advice for
her before her wedding. You know, the stuff they don’t put in the magazines or
on websites. So I gave her some of these tips that I’ve decided to republish
here. Please do let me know if there is something that my married readers would
like to add!
Two bits of pre-wedding week advice:
1.
It’s a
marriage between you and someone you love (I hope). It’s not a magazine shoot.
Do things because they are “you” – not because People Magazine bought the rights to your
nuptials for their next issue.
2.
Weddings
are as only as stressful as you make them. Planning 35 craft projects and
haven’t started a single one? Your fault.
· Boxes, Numbers + Lists
o
Traveling
from my parents’ house to the hotel, we had a lot of boxes and items for the
reception. I’m a crazy organizer that loves lists, so I numbered every box and
item and created a corresponding chart that listed what was in each box and
what needed to happen to that item for the wedding coordinator at the hotel.
For example, box 1 on the list contained the guest book, cake cutter, place
cards, etc. The list on the chart said “box 1” and had a list of what was in
that box. It helped keep myself and the coordinator organized and eliminated a
lot of questions!
o
If you
are getting ready at the hotel the morning of your wedding, include in one
important box everything you need to get ready. I’m talking your earrings, bracelet,
makeup, garters, shoes, something blue, extra copy of your invite for your
photographer, etc. Put everything in one
box – there are so many little things to forget!
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o
Another important
list – your guest list. Print an extra copy in alphabetical order to help you
and the coordinator set up the place cards. OR just in case your place cards are wine charms and bottle openers placed on a cork board with hand bedazzled push pins and someone knocks over the stand with all 200 names....
·
DON’T Call Me, Maybe
o
Assign
your friends and family to be in charge of a vendor so that you aren’t the one
dealing with them the day of the wedding. While my florist had a special
contact number, she kept calling me, but my phone was nowhere in sight while
getting ready!
· After the party, it’s the hotel….
o
This is a
silly and funny thing, but ask you hotel not to put you in a room next to your
guests. The hubs booked a room for his groomsmen in his name, so some awful
booking person put them next to our suite…with a joining door.
· Money Shot List
o
Most photographers
do this, but if they don’t, make a list of what are must have shots on your
wedding day. Again, most weddings I’ve been part of, the photographer has this,
but when they don’t, it can cause the newlyweds to miss shots that they wanted
(i.e. bride and groom with grandparents, etc.)
o
Don’t
forget to tell your family to stay behind if you want them in photos. For
example, if you are getting married in a church and want a shot with your aunts
and cousins, remind them to stay behind after the ceremony or list that in your
program.
· Run-of-Show
o
That’s a
fancy word for what we in the PR business call an agenda. There’s nothing worse
than not knowing what time you need to be where when you are in a wedding. Make
an agenda for your guests and bridal party and email it to them the week of the
wedding. Also share those details with the hotel front desk (or the place where
your guests are staying) so they can direct people to the ceremony site if need
be.
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Run-of-show included in the welcome ice buckets
· It’s YOUR Day
o
The hosts
always sets the tone for the party. If you are dancing, others are dancing. If
you are having fun, others are having fun. If you are drunk, others are likely
getting drunk too. If you look nervous, others will feel nervous too. HAVE FUN.
o
Don’t
freak out if you forgot the 210 menus that you hand cut and glittered (don’t
worry, this didn’t happen to me). You will still get married, people will eat
and have fun and likely, no one will notice!
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For the record, the Smithkowski wedding involved 27
craft projects (not including Shot of Mom’s projects). The original list was
probably 35 (as mentioned above).
Say that title a few times - I dare ya!
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again,
when it’s this hot outside, sometimes the only thing that quenches your thirst
is an ice, cold BEER.
One summer beer that I’m LOVING is Leinenliugel’s
Summer Shandy. Yes, it’s a weird name, and even weirder to try and slur out
when you’ve had a few, but it’s DELISH.
(source)
The beer is a fresh summer ale with a hint of
lemon. It reminds me of Bubba’s Lemonade, but without the grain alcohol of
course!
And snaps to the Leinenliugel’s website for
including this AWESOME recipe for Grilled Shrimp
Tacos!
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Three decades ago when Shot of Mom was knocked up with yours
truly, she craved ice cream. All winter long, she wanted ice cream. That
craving must have had an influence on me because I love me some out of the
womb.
So when co-worker and sometimes reader Brittnee told me
about the Yonanas
machine, I was hooked in like 2 seconds. Now that I have one in my possession,
my life has changed.
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This machine has an awesome name and awesome concept. It
makes an ice cream or yogurt like substance with just fruit. No added sugars or
milk!
You just peel and freeze some bananas and fruit for 24
hours, then put them down the Yonanas shoot and ta da! Looks, smells and taste
like ice cream!!
Run, don't walk, to the store and buy this now. They sell them at Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond - I say go to the triple B and use a coupon. Another plus? It's dishwasher safe!
The Yonanas site
has a ton of recipes (some include chocolate and wine!). Yes, my life has just
changed.
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Do a happy dance because it’s the
freaking weekend!! Whoo hoo!
· I’m always looking for new ways
to sneak alcohol into sporting events. Enter the flask SEAT CUSHION. Seriously, why didn’t anyone
think of this sooner!??! This allows you to sneak in way much more than a flask
or wine jugs!
· Celebrity first dance songs via
the Daily Mail – one is very ironic.
·
THANK YOU Mod Cloth for making my Friday more bright with
photos from one of my all-time favorite movies – Troop Beverly Hills.
· How GORGEOUS are these EK Thongprasert necklaces (via Moda Operandi
via Ruby Press)
And
ONE EXTRA one from Cup of Jo – seriously.
How did I NOT learn this in college?! The meaning of the lines on your Red Solo
Cup. Mindbottling.
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(source)
Do you ever get a little stressed at work? What do you
do to relieve that stress?
For me, I relieve stress by looking at shoes. No, I
don’t have some strange foot fetish (although my own feet were perved on in
college. Yes, my piggy toes were Miss March! Ask me about it sometime).
Shopping is a horrible habit of mine, but my number
one stress reliever. While I can’t leave my desk and shop, I like to take a
brief moment to browse the shoe departments of my favorite sites. It’s my own
little two minute escape.
So if you are feeling a little stressed at work
today, let me bring some eye…I mean foot candy to you! (Bonus – some of these designer stilettos
are on sale!!!! – said in best Oprah voice)
(source)
Father’s Day is on Sunday and if
you are looking for last minute drink recipes or gift ideas, I’ve got you
covered this Thirsty Thursday.
The weather is going to be
AWESOME here in Pittsburgh, so if you plan to do a little BBQing, here are some
sippers for Sunday. I tried to find a base spirit that dad would enjoy simple
(i.e. with some Ginger or Cola) and some recipes for the ladies to enjoy too.
That way, you only need to buy one bottle and can please everyone with the
cocktails!
· My dad’s favorite spirit of the moment is Crown Royal. He drinks his with some Ginger Ale, but that’s a little too manly for me. TheBar.com, a site run by the makers of Crown, have some more girl-friendly recipes like Crown Royal Black and Raspberry, Pomegranate and Crown, Royal Stretch, and Crown of Roses.
· My dad’s favorite spirit of the moment is Crown Royal. He drinks his with some Ginger Ale, but that’s a little too manly for me. TheBar.com, a site run by the makers of Crown, have some more girl-friendly recipes like Crown Royal Black and Raspberry, Pomegranate and Crown, Royal Stretch, and Crown of Roses.
- This is a pretty crazy idea, but if you are having a big party, why not pull inspiration from a wedding featured on The Loveliest Day and create a Whiskey Bar. You and your family can taste different blends to figure out which one you may like best or at all!
- Bourbon is such a dad spirit, and they tend to keep it on hand. So a way to girly that up is this Fancy Bourbon Punch (yes, the name Fancy is in the title).
- For dessert, how about a little Beerimisiu from Serious Eats. It would make any Irish-Italian man happy!
Don’t underestimate the power of
the alcohol store for last minute gift ideas!
- Think Three Wise Men: Does your dad like Jim Beam, Jack Daniels or Johnnie Walker? Stick with an original bottle of that OR try a new flavor or more expensive bottle from the line.
- One Word: Beer. Craft beers are so popular right now.
- Mini Me: Not sure what your dad likes to drink? Or does Daddy drink a lot? Buy him a variety of mini’s!
- Cubans & Rum: Think Havana Nights. Go for some sugars, rum and a Cuban shirt!
Seriously, screw Macy’s. For last
minute gifts, the liquor store has a lot of possibilities!
Oh and if you aren't around your dad this year and you are looking for a boozy gift - just get wasted a drunk dial him. Bonus points if you sing him a song or preform a poem while intoxicated!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Laters, Baby. I'm Going To Meet Christian Grey.
Image sources: Book, Charlie
Tango T-Shirt, Garland, Confetti,
Some
E Cards, Grey Goose, Party Favor
Unless my lady friends have been living under a
rock, you’ve heard about the 50 Shades of Grey book series. You know, guy
friends probably know about this too. I’m guessing your wife has been obsessed
with the book, but you don’t mind her attention elsewhere because it may be
helping you in other ways. Meow!
I must say, this one had me at a relationship
contract. Will she sign it or not? Then I was HOOKED.
Let me be honest – the writing is awful. I’m not a
great writer, so when I call writing awful, it’s awful. And I wasn’t hooked for
the raunchy sex scenes. Rather to just find out “how is this going to end.”
A co-worker mentioned that the first of the three
books was the topic of her book club and a light went off in my head – this is
a GREAT party theme for your next GNO (in honor of Miley’s engagement – that is
short for Girls’ Night Out).
Here’s how I’d plan a PG-13 50 Shades of Grey party
Décor
- · I mean the color theme of this party is more obvious than the fact that Reese Witherspoon was expecting – it’s a GREY party! Grey tablecloths, napkins, plates – you name it, a shade of grey is the color!
Invite
- · In Christian Grey style, and email invitation will suffice. Don’t forget to sign it “Laters Babe.” Bonus points for securing a Christian Grey email address or creating a Grey Enterprises letterhead on your email : )
Food
- · Of course all of us ladies love it when Christian tells Ana that she needs to eat more (and wear designer shoes). So food is important at this party!!
- · The book is based in Seattle, so how about so seafood. I’m thinking an oyster bar!
- · Some “plain vanilla” ice cream with red Twizzle ropes.
Drink
- · What about a Charlie Tango Mango Peach Sangria?!
- · If you’re looking to party, maybe a shot of Christian GREY GOOSE! Or a BJ shot ; )
Activity
- · I’m going there – this would be a sex toy party. I mean you’ve got to!
- · And of course you need to discuss the books!
- · Save up your celeb magazines and have guests make a collage of the actors and actresses that they would cast in the movie. My picks? Armie Hamer and Lily Collins or Lucy Hale.
Favor
- · LOVE this idea from Pinterest – a “Stop biting that lip” gloss!
(source)
What are your plans for the weekend? The Smithkowski’s start our wedding season
with some Pittsburgh nuptials! Whoo hoo!
·
A fascinating story from the New York Times on how Target knows A LOT about you.
After reading this, last night I looked way too into the coupons that I
received!
·
I read about this site by a Pittsburgh person
and I kinda love it – Epic Small. Rather
than setting a long list of big goals for yourself, do one, small thing each week
·
I’ve been feeling a little uncreative lately, so
I started reading Imagine: How Creativity Works
by Jonah Lehrer. I’ll be sure to provide a full recap upon completion, but so
far, it’s very intriguing.
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