Posts Tagged ‘tips’
- In: engagement
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Planning the perfect proposal is one of the most stressful tasks for a man looking to pop the question. Fortunately, newlywed Ivanka Trump has just launched her New York Proposal Package to simplify the process.
“We understand how challenging it can be for men to not only shop for a ring, but plan the perfect way to pop the question,” said Ivanka, who in turn pledged, “We will plan everything: all he has to do is ask!”
By purchasing any of the diamond engagement ring at Trump’s Bridal Bar in her Madison Avenue boutique, clients are entitled to:
- A complimentary one-night stay at the Trump International Hotel & Tower, or the new Trump SoHo (opening February 1st), both in Manhattan
- Champagne and one dozen long-stemmed roses waiting in the couple’s suite
- A romantic 3-course dinner (and more champagne!) at either hotel’s restaurant
- Breakfast in bed the following morning
Prices at the Ivanka Trump Bridal Bar start at $800. And if you haven’t checked out her jewelry collection, you’re really missing out. The pieces are elegant and breathtaking, just as every bride should be! See the Ivanka Trump collection at ivankatrumpcollection.com.
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For years orthopaedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankle care have been warning women about the perils of wearing high heels. Now a new study by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) details the correlation between the heel height and amount of pain, pressure and strain it puts on your feet.
Twenty-one healthy men and women participated in the study, where each participant stood barefoot on wooden blocks of 2 cm, 3 cm, and 4 cm in height placed below the heel. The study results revealed a significant increase in pressure on the metatarsal heads (the ends of the metatarsal bones that connect to the toes) as the heel height was raised. This increased pressure contributes to pain, callous and bony deformities.
The study authors suggest limiting heel height to no greater than 2 cm (.8 inches) as well as the use of padding at the ball of the foot can significantly reduce discomfort and risk of injury to the metatarsal heads.
The AOFAS website www.aofas.org contains public education resources on the care and treatment of the foot and ankle, including a section titled: Smart Tips for Wearing High Heels. Tips include:
- Wear a shorter heel. A 2-inch heel causes fewer problems than a 4-inch heel. A shorter heel will give an elongated appearance if it is a thin stiletto type rather than a thick or chunky heel.
- Try to save the use of high heeled shoes for functions where you will not be on your feet for extended periods of time; treat them as a limited privilege accessory.
- Take your designer shoes to a pedorthist to have them custom fit to your feet. They may be able to stretch the toe box to better accommodate your feet.
- Try wearing a larger size than usual and insert heel cups into the backs for a better comfortable fit.
- Wear open toe shoes instead of a similarly styled shoe that causes discomfort in your toes. Partially open toe shoes have become more acceptable in many work environments, allowing you to further customize your shoes to your feet.
- Remember that however appealing high heel, high fashion shoes are, your feet need to carry you around for a lifetime. Treat them kindly!
Following the above tips as well as the study data which suggests limiting heel height to no greater than 2 cm (.8 inches) will go a long way in reducing foot discomfort.
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming and tedious; yet the day itself will fly right by. That’s why it’s important for brides and grooms-to-be, to pay careful attention to capturing every moment and perfectly documenting their special day. What many often don’t realize until it’s too late, is that the videography can make or break how they recall these memories for years to come.
Dan Creviston of George Street Photo and Video has helped thousands of couples navigate this process and can shed light on the critical concepts brides and grooms must consider. “With technology changing constantly and countless options to explore, it’s crucial that they know what questions to ask, in order to make informed decisions, avoid the pitfalls and perfect their videography. They only get one chance to get it right,” he explains.
To ensure flawless videos that capture every detail, George Street Photo & Video spotlights the top 5 pitfalls to avoid when selecting a videography package:
1. Not Using Multiple Cameras – Too few videographers actually use dual cameras. By doing so, the videographer can capture multiple perspectives simultaneously and better tell the story. For example, they can capture both the bride walking down the aisle AND the groom’s reaction at the same time. Inside Tip: Many videographers cut corners by only having one HD camera rather than two. Be sure BOTH cameras are HD otherwise the clarity and quality will be inconsistent!
2. Not Going High Definition – Odds are that if you don’t own a large flat screen television you soon will. By going HD, couples ensure their videos are the absolute best quality and avoid limited clarity and pixilation. This option also provides more channels for capturing top quality audio, the best sound mix and retouching is also an option! In addition HD provides widescreen video imaging, and eliminates the appearance of black bars with standard definition view. Inside Tip: There should be no extra charge for HD, so avoid companies that do.
3. Not Understanding High Definition Technology – Making sure that you are truly getting the highest quality HD shooting sounds simple, but can get quite confusing if you don’t know the particulars. For the highest quality and clarity, you must have HD footage prior to uploading into an HD format. For example – you must shoot in HD, then burn onto a blu-ray disc. Inside Tip: Some videographers shoot in standard definition and burn onto a blu-ray disc – this is not truly HD! Make sure to know the difference so you aren’t tricked.
4. Not Requesting Multiple DVD Formats – It’s only a matter of time until you have a blu-ray player, so get your wedding video on an HD blu-ray disc as well as a standard definition DVD. This is important to enable your video to maintain top quality and clarity for the future! Inside Tip: There should be no additional charge to obtain copies in both formats.
5. Not Chatting With Your Videographer A Week In Advance – It’s important to discuss all details with your videographer before the wedding day, so check in one week prior so that instructions are fresh. Discuss all your expectations and if you have specific requests, express them clearly. This is especially important for locations as churches, synagogues, mosques and chapels may have specific areas that cannot be filmed. You don’t want any unwelcome surprises!
How to plan your beach wedding
Posted on: September 24, 2009
- In: wedding
- 2 Comments
Photo by planetka
Planning that perfect beach wedding? Before you get ready to say “I Do”, make sure you have all the logistics figured out.
Minoo Hersini, Creative Director at Au Ciel Design Studio, gave Marvelous Girl several great tips to ensure your stellar beach wedding runs smoothly:
- Research locations. Inquire about the rules and regulations of the particular area where you will tight the knot. Based on those regulations and your budget, make your guest list.
- Send a “Save The Date” at least 9 months in advance and request a response two months prior to your wedding.
- Make several copies of all your documents, passport and photo IDs (at least two).
- Ensure all requirements are indicated in your contract such as the permit for the location, limitations in regards to the number of guests, décor, sound, alcohol, food, chairs, canopies, etc. Also, try to have witnesses present if possible. Public beaches require permits and are usually limited to a certain number of guests. Private beaches also require permits, yet, the owners usually give you more leeway.
- Watch out for the weather! Always plan for rain and thunder even though that type of weather is not expected during that time of year.
- Plan for transportation to and from your wedding location.
- Be on site at least 3 to 5 days before. You will have enough time to verify all details and if needed, you will be able to rearrange certain aspects of your wedding.
- Buy fancy flip-flops for your guests if your wedding is directly on the beach. You are not expected to provide travel and accommodation for your guests. If they accept your invitation, the expense is usually considered as your wedding present, however, the bride usually provides accommodation for the bridal party.
- Lastly, the ideal situation is to rent a house by the beach. Therefore, you will be able to utilize the beach for the ceremony and the house for the reception.
For more information about Minoo Hersini and Au Ciel Design Studio visit www.Au-Ciel.com.
Get runway hair
Posted on: September 21, 2009
- In: Beauty | fashion
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The bun was the hot hairstyle on the runway during Fashion Week. A chic bun is a great style for any hair type, any event and any outfit. The only issue is keeping the bun to stay put.
Celebrity hair stylist, Philip Pelusi and his Tela design team created chic little chignons for Caroline Seikaly’s Mercedes Benz fashion week presentation at Tela Design Studios.
The secret, according to Philip Pelusi, is to spray the length of your hair/ponytail with holding spray before twisting your hair into bun. The hairspray gives texture to the strands, allowing them to be easily manipulated. Most people spray the bun after, when they are already have the hair pinned and set, this is a much less affective method in keeping the hair to stay in place.
- In: budget | wedding
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With the recession being part of our lives today, most brides and grooms are quieter in the way they project and plan their wedding. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be “au courant”. Minoo Hersini, Creative Director at Au Ciel Design Studio shares these great tips on how to be “in” for a 2010 wedding.:
- Be selective of your guest list. Include close family members and friends.
- Find unique venues such as barns, art galleries, studios and homes instead of large ballrooms.
- Chose communal tables (long table seating) verses individual 8×10 tables.
- Use candles to substitute pin lighting.
- Stick to some classics. Utilize a clean, floor length and high quality cotton tablecloth.To add flavor, use elongated mirror runners and different textures to create a mood.
- Flowers are a key element for weddings. Work with creative floral designers to guide you through this process.
- Chose menus that will reflect your way of eating. Serve simpler and healthier dishes instead of heavy meals and have them sampled.
- Incorporate natural elements for table decorations such as leaves, bark, branches, grass and moss intermixed with flowers.
- Create a signature cocktail. It is more fun and original than an open bar.
Lastly, simple elegant weddings require good taste and vision. Consult with professionals for ideas.
Photo by doriana_s
Your special little someone is about to arrive and baby is going to need an equally special birth announcement – after all, this is his/her debut and first impressions are everything. It may seem like an easy task, but once couples get started they may find it more challenging than they initially thought.
Here are five tips for creating the perfect birth announcement for your little bundle of joy:
1. Select a card that shows your family’s style—unique and individual to represent you and your new baby.
2. Selecting a photo—choose one with sentimental value that evokes a special memory.
3. Keep it simple—a simple introduction followed by the birth details such as name, weight and birth date is ideal.
4. Save time and money by using an Internet photo card company, like www.photoaffections.com. Easily select a template and then insert the photo and text. Once complete, the birth announcements are delivered directly to your home.
5. Research photo card company websites prior to the birth. Then, insert the photo and information to complete the project when baby arrives. Traditional etiquette suggests birth announcements be sent within 6 months of the birth.
- In: budget | business | fashion
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Ryan Kohnen, a 29-year-old entrepreneurial phenom and author of the book Young Professional’s Guide to Success, provided Marvelous Girl with the top 5 ways to dress for an interview for less than $100 below:
1) Go monochromatic. Dressing in one color is always polished and can make up for the fact that your suit isn’t Armani.
2) Develop a relationship with a tailor. Even a $20 pair of Gap dress pants are interview-worthy if they fit right.
3) Discount retailers and off-season sales are your friends. Last season’s perfectly fashionable castoffs can be yours for often one quarter of the price.
4) Separates are an option, especially in neutral colors. A navy cardigan can replace a navy jacket-especially when paired with a navy pencil skirt.
5) Limit jewelry. It can tend towards expensive or showy, and neither will do you any favors while you’re looking for work.
In Kohnen’s latest book he pulls together the advice of over 70 CEOs, top executives, and community leaders- people like Cindi Bigelow, President of Bigelow Tea Company; Hala Moddelmog, CEO of Susan G. Komen For The Cure; Essie L. Calhoun, Chief Diversity Officer of Eastman Kodak Company; and Ellen J. Kullman, CEO of DuPontÑand to not only help readers find jobs, but how to do it.
Your wedding is suppose to be one of the most memorable events in your life. However, in the current economic situation, you are probably cutting back on expenses for your special day. But just because you’re making cutbacks doesn’t mean the event can’t be fabulous!
That’s why Minoo Hersini, Creative Director at Au Ciel Design Studio, has some vital tips on how to respect your budget while still having that fairy tale wedding you always dreamed of. It may be simpler than you thought:
- Invite less guests. Limit attendees to your close family and friends.
- Look into unusual spaces such as barns, galleries, studios, rooftops. Also, consider the use of your home and your friends and families.
- Choose a location that is in a close vicinity to your guests.
- Create a more casual environment by sampling food dishes.
- Create your own cocktail. Find an original name to reflect your wedding.
- Use the most creative people in order to give you the simple solutions for décor.
- A great DJ is the way to go instead of live music.
- Encourage your guests to donate to a specific charity of your choice.
Despite cutbacks, there is an upside to the recession according to industry research firm IBISWorld. The average cost of a wedding dropped by more than 20 percent in 2008, and is expected to decline further by 8 percent this year. While some of this will be due to consumers cutting costs where possible, prices are expected to average lower than previous years.
“While some couples are putting off their ceremony until the financial time is right, those who can afford it should consider getting married in 2009,” said Toon van Beeck, senior analyst with IBISWorld. “They may get more bang for their wedding buck.”
Remember Cher’s closet in Clueless and how bad you wanted to plan your outfits on your computer too? Well, My Fashion Plate™, a hip virtual style community and wardrobe management tool, allows women to do just that!
The website helps you maximize your wardrobe, includes free, personalized virtual closets, custom Body & Style Analysis, and real-time tips, wardrobe assessment and advice from professional stylists.
“While living in Manhattan and struggling to manage my own wardrobe as a result of a tiny closet and even smaller budget, I dreamed of having a high-tech closet that would allow me to easily create and organize my outfits as well as my own personal stylists to have on hand for expert fashion advice,” said Jessica Mandeville, founder and CEO of My Fashion Plate. “I created My Fashion Plate to offer the luxury of those tools in an online destination any fashion lover can use. Fashionistas everywhere can now have access to exclusive styling tools, allowing them to make the most of their wardrobes before even opening their closet doors.”
For fashion mavens envious of the personal styling services celebrities enjoy, the site makes expert styling services available to anyone – most services start under $5. The website’s social networking features also let users leverage style advice from peers to put together amazing looks. Marvelous!
Congratulations to the five winners of the Look Book service giveaway from My Fashion Plate!
Heather Brewer, AZ
Denese Rodden, MI
Allison Haspel, GA
Ashley Tombley, WV
Lisa Mascaro, CA
Marvelous Girl Has Moved! 