8 Questions Brides Ask About Setting up a Wedding RegistryWritten by Blake Kritzberg
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Q: When I signed up at Store X, they gave me a bunch of attractive registry cards to enclose with my wedding invitations. Should I do it, or is that tacky? A: Sorry, but consensus is almost universal -- it's uncouth to include any mention of gifts in your invitations. You can, however, tuck those cards into shower invitations. Perhaps best solution is to include a note in your invitations that reads, "Please see our wedding web site at www.xyz.com" and place your registry information there. Q: How many gifts should I register for? I don't want to look demanding. A: Typically, you'll want to select two or three items per guest. That gives people room to choose instead of locking them into something they don't enjoy buying, or worse, forcing them to guess what else you might like, giving birth to “second yogurt maker” type of gift. If you have many guests, you can avoid creating a 16-page monstrosity for them to print out by breaking up your registry over several stores. At end of day, “more is more.” Many retailers offer discounts on those items you registered for but didn't receive. Many stores also retain your registry for at least 12 months after wedding. You may find it's best to register for everything that you plan to buy, even if you don't expect to get it as a gift; you can then purchase your selections for 10% or 20% off after ceremony. Many brides also find friends and family tapping registries for gift buying ideas for birthdays and other holidays! Q: What price range should I stick with when selecting items? A: Generally, you should register for things you really feel you want or need, without worrying too much about price. Some guests enjoy picking up a number of items in low price range, and sometimes guests will group together to purchase bigger-ticket items. Q: I've set up my registry just fine, but now I’m addicted to checking it online. How can I stop? A: Sorry, there's no known antidote for registry-checking addiction, though it's a widespread phenomenon. Counting to ten, taking deep breaths or distracting yourself with double-fudge ice cream might be worth a shot.
Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by for wedding favor ideas, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver, free wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures at: http://www.favorideas.com
| | 10 Tips For A Home Spa SplurgeWritten by Julie Hunt
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Whatever sponge, cloth or brush you decide on… scrub mindfully and only gently brush your skin. Gentle circular motions will increase your circulation and eliminate toxins and excess water. Another in home spa trick is to mix an ounce of ground sea salt with 10 or so drops of your favorite essential oil. Add water and make a paste so it spreads easily. Apply it to your entire body and slough off dead skin with big circular strokes. This salt scrub will exfoliate dead skin cells, cleanse pores and help your body get rid of any toxins. 4.Draw a bath. Add 5 to 10 drops of an essential oil to bath salts. Grab an extra pillow, put a kitchen trash bag over it to keep it dry and then put a pillow case over that. You just bought yourself 10 extra comfy minutes in bath tub. You might as well take a book too! Follow it with a warm shower and a dry yourself off with a fluffy cotton towel. If someone in house really loves you… get them to toss it in dryer for 5 minutes and greet you with fluffy warmth. If you have a body toning lotion handy, apply to your body (not your face) for additional firming and toning so you’ll look even better in that little black dress. 5.Be nice to yourself. These are your precious rejuvenating moments. Take your time. Pamper yourself and try not to get caught up in have-to’s and should-do’s. Don’t be in a rush. Not only will you lose some of benefits of this quality time to refresh and relax, you may start sloughing off and using rough, damaging strokes. 6.Hurrying has its risks. Without slow, mindful, attentive movements, you could cause inflammation and jeopardize that fresh, healthy, glowing complexion that will make you a bright shining super star. You can actually accelerate aging process by being too rough! Now there’s a good enough reason in and of itself to slow down. 7.Care for your hair. It is taking a beating in these winter elements. Add ¼ ounce of lavender to sixteen ounces of shampoo. Or for oily hair, add ¼ ounce of lemongrass or rosemary to 16 ounces of shampoo. Essential oils can make invigorating scalp massages. Rosemary is awesome! If you decide not to use oils, make sure you at least give yourself a long, sudsy scalp massage. Close your eyes, lay your head back and drift for a moment. 8.Replenish lost moisture to your skin and hair this winter by taking two tablespoons of organic flaxseed oil twice a day. You’ll get rid of itchies and combat wrinkles and sagging skin. 9.Treat your fabulous face. All treatments above were just for your bod. Your face is special and delicate. The skin on your face is thinner and more fragile than your body. Treat your face with extreme care and gentleness. Even though it’s cold avoid extremely hot water, harsh soaps or any drying cleansers. Grab a new wash cloth or small sea sponge, add a few drops of your favorite cleanser (preferably an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory liquid cleanser) and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Apply face firming treatment then put an ice cube inside of a small plastic bag and gently rub over face and eye area for several minutes to tone and plump up skin. 10.Rejuvenate from inside Drink 8 to10 glasses of water every day. Eat lots of whole foods, green vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, nuts and lean protein to reduce inflammation, replenish moisture and bring back a youthful glow. Take 3 full, deep breaths from your abdomen (keep your shoulders still) to complete your simple happy essential home spa experience. The benefits and joy you experience during your at home spa day will be more colored by your desire and your intentions than any fancy, expensive products you can buy. Be mindful, set your intentions and gradually transition in to or out of your work day… always cherishing these simple, sacred rejuvenating moments.
Julie Hunt is a female icon and founder of SHE, the foremost inspiration and personal development resource for women who want to live brilliant, happy, successful lives. Marketing consultant, sales expert, copywriting guru, improvisational actress, yoga instructor, author and just plain cool chick… she’s an inspiration to oodles of women who land every week on her free ‘Essentials’ teleclass series.
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