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Charm Cake Tradition

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CHARM CAKE

This old custom is charming indeed: At the bridesmaids’ luncheon, each guest pulls one ribbon from the center of a Bundt cake to find a good-luck charm and message dangling from the other end. Charms are available by mail order, often complete with fortunes, ribbons, and bags; we ordered charms but added our own messages, ribbons, and glassine envelopes. Ribbons can be color coded so single, married, and very young women will choose charms — such as rings or baby carriages — that are appropriate for their situations. Other popular charms include a coin (for luck), an airplane (for travel), and a telephone (for a special phone call). To assemble, bake your favorite Bundt cake, put the charms in the center, and drape the ribbons over the cake; fresh flowers provide decoration while hiding the charms.Source

How to Apply a Self Tanner

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 Everyone looks great with a beautiful summer glow. However, baking yourself in the sun causes sun burn, wrinkles, and can lead to skin cancer. So the best way to get a healthy glow is to apply a self tanner.  To most people a self tanner is a scary thought. They picture a fake, smeary, orange tan but the reality is that self tanners have come a long way. You can find self tanners in a variety of shades, making it easy to get the perfect glow! The hardest part is the application and if you follow these tips that will be a cinch also.

 

Picking Your Product: This is the most important step to ensure you get the perfect tan for your skin tone. You need to test several products to find which one gives you the most natural color. The more expensive tanners are not necessarily the best! Go to the store and try out a few on the inside of your arm and let them develop. You can also ask for samples so you can try different brands at home. Doing these patch tests will help you choose the color that is closest to your natural tan. Also pick a tanner that is tinted. Even though tinted and non-tinted tanners work the same, tinted ones are easier to see. This will make the process of getting an even tan a lot easier!

 


Allow Yourself Enough Time: It will take a good 90min to 2hrs for application and drying time. Although most products promise a 15 to 30 min drying time, it will really take at least an hour for a flawless tan. That may sound too long, but your smooth, glossy, safe tan will be worth it! Think of it as a spa treatment.  The best time to apply your self tanner is a few hours before you go to bed. This is because self tanners do not contain an adequate amount of sunscreen for the day.  


Prep Your Skin:  Wash and exfoliate your face and body thoroughly before applying the product. This will wash away any dead skin which otherwise would make the tan uneven and blotchy. Concentrate on areas that are prone to excessive dryness like your elbows and knees. It is also helpful to moisturize the rest of your body, apply more moisturizer on more porous areas such as your elbows, knees and ankles bones before application as well. Be sure to use a moisturizer that is fragrance free because the fragrance can sometimes affect the self tanner. Also, make sure your legs are shaved or waxed a day or two prior to applying your self tanner. The more often you shave or wax after that, the quicker your tan will fade. If you shave your legs, don’t shave immediately before applying a sunless tanner. This can cause irritation.

 


Let’s Get Started: After your skin is toughly dried, exfoliated, and moisturized, it is time to apply your self tanner. Now, take your time and apply self tanner in one area at a time, working quickly but thoroughly. Gently rub in the self tanner by using a circular motion rather than an up and down motion. This will help prevent streaking. The recommended way is to start at your legs, moving to your arms, then your torso, and finally your face. However be very careful around your hairline and eyebrows to avoid getting tanner on them. Hair shouldn’t tan.

  

Drying Time: You should not put on street clothes, exercise, clean the house, swim, bathe, or do anything that will make you sweat for one hour. You will want to avoid contact with everything for at least 15 min. If possible, however, we recommend waiting thirty min. before putting on a loose t-shirt or night gown. Stay away from any tight clothing like bras or jeans for at least an hour but the longer you can wait the better. Our recommendation is to apply your tanner, let it dry for an hour, put on a loose night gown, and go to bed. The next morning you will wake up with a beautiful tan!

 

Reapply: Reapply self-tanner as you feel the need. Generally it will start fading in about three to four days as the surface layers of skin shed.

    

     Helpful Hints:

    • Apply moisturizer to the areas that are extra porous, such as elbows and knees, to avoid to dark of areas.
    • Less is more, it is better to reapply than to look too dark.
    • If you have any patches, go back with the exfoliater and soften them down.
    • Gloves are the best way to apply a self tanner without getting your palms way to dark.
    • Be aware that different parts of your body “pick up” self-tanner easier than others. For example, some people find that their legs turn brown more easily than their arms or torso, while others find that their faces and necks change color fastest. Experience will help you determine which is true for you. Be careful around your nose, eyes, ears, hairline, and lips. A cotton swab, makeup sponge, or synthetic makeup brush can help blend a thin, even amount smoothly over those areas. To keep light hair from turning color, apply a layer of conditioner or Vaseline over the hairline.
    • Using a makeup sponge to apply self tanner to your face and the tops of hands gives you more control in small areas.
    • Applying self-tanner on your back requires a friend with a helping hand, although you can use a long-handled paintbrush (note that this poses some issues of potential dripping and uneven application if you are not able to blend the product in).
    • Ideally you should apply a self tanner naked. However, if you have to were something make sure it is tight fitting and does not rub (like panties and a bra), and something that you don’t mind getting stained. Whatever you wear should fit tightly enough that you can put the sunless tanner right up to the edge of it without it seeping underneath.
    • 20 volume peroxide developer. Commonly used for hair bleaching, this product (available at beauty supply stores) is your spot "eraser." Dip a Q-Tip in this liquid and apply to areas where you want to remove the tan — commonly, that might be a streak on the inside of your arm or on your heel. (Make sure you rinse well afterward!) Do NOT use this to remove your entire tan or on a large section of your body.

 

Look 10 Pounds Thinner Instantly

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With the holidays just around the corner we all want to look our best. Would you like to look ten pounds thinner instantly? I know I did, so I did some research and found the best tips around for dressing thinner. So here we go…
 
1. Jeans and Denim
~ Light colors make you look bigger, same for tapered legs.
~ Stick with a super-dark wash; it will increase the slimming effect.
~ A slightly flared boot-cut balances out wider hips.
~ Jeans of one tone will slim down the leg.
 
2. Problem: Legs
~ If you your problem area is your thighs wear an A-Lined dress to balnce out your body.
~ If you have wide ankles don’t wear a strap that cuts across your foot, and avoid tiny kitten heels. Wear an open-toed shoe that allows you to see the length of the leg. Wearing a chunky heel will also make the ankle look thinner.
~ If you have chunky legs, never wear a boot that ends at the thickest part of your calf. Always make sure that the boot goes over the calf and even looks a little bit big at the top. Your calf will look thinner.
~When choosing tennis shoes, keep in mind that a regular tennis shoe makes the ankle and calf look chunky. A backless shoe makes the ankle appear thinner because you have the opportunity to see the skin go all the way down.
 
3. Problem: Tummy
~ Spilling out over your too-tight, cute little pair of panties is a big no-no. You need a waistband on your panties that reaches up to your rib cage where there is less flab. Lots of elastic reinforcement will hold you in beautifully.
~ Large patterns on your jacket will make you look inches wider than you really are.
~Big bright patterns can hide love handles and thick arms.
 
4. Problem: Top Heavy
~Underwires are essential. They help push the boobs forward as well as upward. It’s enough to make you look like you’ve actually got a waist—and maybe even lost a few pounds!
~ A V-neck sweater with a tailored jacket over the top will balance out your body and creates the illusion of a waist.
5. Problem: Wide Neck
~Don’t wear stud earrings because they do nothing to bulk out the jaw line. If you have a wide neck, wear wide, dangly earrings.
 
 6. General Rules
~Stay away from sweatpants, sweatshirts and elastic waists, they always add pounds.
~Wearing all one color will accentuate and slim you, but be sure to break up a monotone outfit by using an accent that uses that color and introduces a few others.
~The narrowest part of a woman’s body is just under the chest. Always make sure you accentuate that by wearing fitted fabrics around it.
~A long scarf skims down your center and takes off more weight.
 

How to Add Volume to Flat Hair

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Is your hair lacking in the volume department? Here are some tips and some secret techniques that help pump up the volume!

 

Add Some Color: Adding highlights or lowlights gives your hair dimension. Hair that is all the same color appears flatter.  When adding dimension to the hair, you are creating an illusion of thicker hair with more lift. Multi-tonal hair works like an optical illusion on the eyes, they perceive movement, even where it dose not exist.

 

Layer it Up: Hair styles that have short layers will add volume to the hair, especially those that have shorter layers in the crown. The shorter the layers go the more lift you will have, but keep in mind if you go really short it will create a punkish pixie look. Also keep in mind that the layers should go with the hairstyle. Some styles do not work well with short layers, so you may have to opt for longer ones or a different style.  

 

 


Tease it Up: Don’t get scared we do not mean 80’s style teasing! If you have an area that just needs a little more volume, take that section and tease the under side of the hair strand, then spray with hair spray, let the hair spray dry for a minute, and then smooth out the top side of the hair strand. This technique will add a little more volume to those trouble areas.

 

Use Do Dads: Do Dads, are simple hair combs with hair extensions attached. You choose the color to match your own or a contrasting color for an edgier look. To get the lift, you fasten it on just as you would a traditional hair comb by combing it in against the grain of your hair.

 
Use a Volumizer: Volumizers are designed to add lift and body to the hair. They are available in gels, mousses, and spray versions. These products are applied to the roots of towel dried-hair, lifting hair with your fingers as you apply.  Our favorite is the spray mousses. These products make it easier to apply because you simply spray it on. This comes in handy in those hard to see spots in the back of your head.  


Use a Curling Iron: If used properly, a curling iron will give a great lift. This is because of the intense heat generated. The correct way to use a curling iron is to start at the crown of the head, take hold of one-inch sections of hair and lift vertically, wrapping hair around the iron, as close to your scalp as you can. Then spray with a firm hairspray, for a firm but still flexible hold.

 

Hot/Cold Blow-Dry: Blow-drying will give you a good lift if used with a medium to large round brush. The trick is to place the brush as close to your scalp as you can, then pull your hair straight up from the base of your head, following the brush with a blow dryer on high heat, and then follow with a blast of cool air which "sets" the style.

 

Use Velcro Rollers: A few strategically placed Velcro rollers will give your hair terrific volume. After hair is washed and blow-dried, curve one-inch sections of the hair you want lifted around the roller (small rollers for a slight lift and large for a higher lift). Three or four rollers should do the trick. Leave rollers in for about five minutes, remove and arrange newly lifted hair with your fingers. It’s recommended you don’t brush at this point, as brushing could "deflate" the set.

Eight Save the Day Wedding Fixes

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We have all been there, you have this utterly horrendous day, where either, your heels breaks, your bra strap breaks, or something else awful and annoying happens. Well don’t worry girls!!! I have some quick fixes so that you may avoid a wedding fiasco. So take a deep breath, get a pen and some paper, cause your going to want to take notes on this one!  

 

 

 

 

1. Make-Up Stains

 

 

Make-up stains are the absolute worst! You can go from looking super chic to super sloby in about two seconds flat. You can refrain from this embarrassment by keeping baby wipes in your purse. If you are a mom like me these are very convenient! Baby wipes can be used to remove or reduce makeup stains on clothing. Plus they are handy for removing lint from clothing and dirt from shoes. They are the all in one product!

 

 

 

 

 

2. Run in your Hose

 

 

We have all been there, we look down and are hose is unraveling before our eyes and if we don’t stop it soon, we’ll have nothing left! I am exaggerating of course, but this is the feeling we get when we look down and see a run starting. Well, this is a super easy fix! Use clear nail polish to stop a run in its tracks. Hair spray is another good short-term solution.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Broken Bra Strap

 

 

Grrr… this is the most annoying of all! But luckily this is the easiest fix of them all. All you have to do is use a small safety pin to fix the broken strap, and ta-da, your bra is fixed!

 

 

 

 

 

4. Broken Heel

 

 

Picture this you are walking along and all of a sudden you loose your balance and almost fall flat on your face. You think what just happened? Then you look down and see that the heel of your band new Jimmy Choo’s just broke off. Do you cry? No, well maybe a little, but then you pick yourself up and super glue that baby back on! Super glue also works great if the sole of your shoe comes loose as well.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Loose Button or Fraying Button Threads

 

 

A loose button can quickly turn into a missing button. Here is another instance when we can use our handy dandy clear nail polish! Okay, that was probably too much enthusiasm, but hey the stuff works for everything! All you got to do is dab the top of the button with a little clear nail polish and this will prevent it from completely falling off.

 

 

 

 

6. Static Cling

 

 

Static can always pose a problem. One minute your skirt is exactly where it should be and the next it is cling to the top of your Buttocks! To prevent this embarrassing mess, you can do one of two things. First you can slide a metal hanger over your panty hose, under your skirt, pants, or blouse. The second choice, which I personally prefer is to use a fabric softener sheet.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Fallen hems
For a make-do hem in a hurry, use short pieces of masking tape or duct tape to fix a fallen hem. Lighting professionals and musicians usually use duct tape or gaffer’s tape for their equipment, so locating some at an event shouldn’t be tough to do. On a side note, toupee tape can also come in handy for this problem ‑- but good luck finding someone who will admit to having it on them.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Stuck zipper
Stuck zippers can be a real nuisance. Try rubbing a bar of soap or a wax candle onto the problem area. With a little manipulation, the zipper should come unstuck.

 

 

 

 

How to Get Full Lashes From Smashbox

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I am always looking for ways to make my eyelashes seem fuller. So while browsing the web I found this little tip from Smashbox.com. Check it out and I hope it helps you like it helped me!

 

 

 

1. If you want lush lashes without clumps then start with a primer, like our best-selling LAYER LASH PRIMER. Lori says primer is far more crucial to creating longer, thicker looking lashes than your mascara. “Mascara is harsh on lashes,” explains Lori. “That’s why primer is so important because it protects and coats lashes, and helps the mascara go on smoothly.

 

 

 

2. Use a volumizing mascara such as our LIMITLESS LASH MASCARA (it also has a gentle remover on the other end), and wedge the brush right into the roots of the lashes, and wiggle it back and forth. Not only does this make lashes look thicker but it also acts like an eye liner creating a line across inner rim.

 

 

 

3. Use a curler. Make sure you get a high-quality curler that matches the curve of your eye. Wait at least five minutes to allow for mascara to dry before curling (so lashes don’t stick together), then gently squeeze for ten seconds: first near the roots, then in the middle of the lashes, and finally right near the tips. This creates a gorgeous swoop shape.

 

 

 

4. If you want even more lash then fake it, try cutting a band of our MAXI EYES LASHES in half and applying to the outer corners of the eyes

 

 

 

 

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Get Rid of Dark Circles!

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Dark under-eye circle can be a deal pain and for those of us with allergies or bad heredity we have to battle the raccoon eyes everyday.But no one wants to have those dark circles on thier wedding day. So have no fear ladies, there is a way to hide those hideous monsters.

 

 

 

  1. You have to us an under-eye moisturizer. This will keep the concealer from caking up on you. Plus it will help fight those wrinkles if you buy the right one.*wink*

 

  1. Now you have to find the right concealer. You will want a concealer that has a yellow or orange tone, and is one shade lighter than your foundation. This color will hide that blueish-purple tint that normal color concealer can leave behind.  

 

 

 

  1.  When applying the concealer, do not apply only under the eye. You should apply it all around the eye area, and be sure to blend well. Use your fingertips to dab a little concealer under the eyes, starting on the inside edge and blending out.Set the concealer with a light dusting of translucent face powder so that it stays put. And to avoid drawing attention to your under-eye area, don’t apply eyeliner or mascara to your lower lashes.

 

 

 

  1. Usually the corner of your eye is the darkest part. You can counteract this by using a white shimmer pencil. Some companies manufacture a blueish or white pencil just for this purpose.

Tips on Getting a Flat Tummy

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Are you looking to get those perfect summer abs? Doing the following exercises will get you well on your way to that coveted washboard stomach. This regiment works every portion of your stomach muscles. Leaving you with abs to die for! Do one repetition of a hundred, of each of the following exercises and you will see results in no time flat.

THE TRADITIONAL CRUNCH

 

1. Lay on the ground with your feet firmly on the ground and your knees in the air. Place your arms behind your head for support.

 

2. While keeping your stomach tight, lift your head up off the ground.

 

3. Lower your head back down so it almost touches the ground.

 

Tip: To avoid bending your neck forward and straining it, try keeping your eyes on the ceiling while doing the crunches.

THE BICYCLE CRUNCH

 

1. Lie on your back placing your hands behind your head for support. Lift your legs in the air so that your legs form a 90° angle.

 

2. Move your legs in a bicycle motion. When your left knee is closer to your body, reach your right elbow to it. When your right knee gets closer to your body, bring your left elbow to it.

 

THE SIDE CRUNCH

 

1. Lay on the floor as if you were doing regular crunches. Starting at your waist, turn your legs completely to the left side. Place your hands behind your head for support.

 

2. Lift your head up slightly off the ground as if you were doing a regular crunch.

 

3. Lower your head back down so it almost touches the ground. After desired number of reps is achieved, repeat exercise on other side.

 

Tip: To avoid bending your neck forward and straining it, try keeping your eyes on the ceiling while doing the crunches.

 

* This is great for getting rid of those love handles!

 

THE REVERSE CRUNCH

 

1. Lay on the floor with your arms supporting your neck. Keeping your legs together, bring your knees up so your legs form a 90 angle.

 

2. In a slow movement, bring your knees in towards your chest.

 

3. Move your knees away from your chest, bringing them down a little past the starting position. Do this at least 100 times a day and this will get rid of your flabby pouch to reveal the six pack that lies beneath! *This is great for getting rid of a flabby pouch.

Crunches on an Exercise Ball

 

1. Rest your body on the ball in a way that your neck, head, and part of your shoulders do not touch the ball. Hold your head up by placing both arms behind your head.

 

2. While keeping your body steady on the ball, lift your head up as if you were doing a regular crunch.

 

3. Lower your head back down to starting position.

 

Tip: To avoid bending your neck forward and straining it, try keeping your eyes on the ceiling while doing the crunches.

The Ab Reach

 

1. Lay on the floor with your right foot resting on your left knee.

 

2. Lift your shoulders and neck as if you are doing a regular crunch, however reach your left hand above and over your right foot.

 

3. Lower your head to just above the ground. After desired number of reps is achieved, repeat on other side.

 

To get the optimum results you need to incorporate cardio exercises into your exercise plan. This is because crunches can only tone the abs; it cannot get rid of the layer of fat on top of the abdominal muscles. Only way to lose the fat, is to do some form of vigorous aerobic exercise like skipping, jogging, cycling and so on for no less than 30 minutes 3-4 times a week. These exercises help increase the metabolic rate, causing your body to use up all stored forms of energy, your fat. Aerobics exercises target specific areas of body fat, while weight training increases the body’s overall metabolic rate. So in a way it enhances the action of aerobics. When you get rid of the layer of belly fat, you can start doing crunches.

Including Your Children in the Wedding

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FLOWER

Including your own (or your fiancé or both of yours) children in your wedding can be a lovely way to unit two families or reiterate the love you have for your child or children. If one of you already has children, you may decide that you want to include them in your wedding. Many couples include them in the ceremony itself, and some couples include them in the vows. Here are some ideas for including your children in your wedding. Remember these are simply ideas it is ultimately up to you, so make it special.  

Hands Ceremony      

Use a re-written version of the Hands Ceremony as one way to include our children. While the ceremony little resembled the initial Hands Ceremony, we did keep the line mentioning “whose hands will hold our future children” with a few revisions. We simply stated, “Whose hands hold our children” and listed their names. This is merely one example of how a common ceremony reading can be converted to include your children. Another way we included our children was to have them stand with the wedding party (it was a purposely timed to be a short ceremony for this exact reason).

Unity Candle                                                                                                           

 If they are older (pre-teen and above), a unity candle ceremony might be appropriate. Have the couple light one candle, and the child light the other candle. Once they are lit, both can light the middle candle together. The unity candle is a symbol of family unity and can be used in a variety of situations.

Family Medallion                                                                                       

Another solution is the “family medallion”. This is a necklace that has three intertwined circles on it. Each circle can represent a person (such as Bride, Groom and Child) or the circles can represent mixed families (the bride and her children, the groom and his children and adopted/step-children). Any combination of three will work with this type of unity device. The idea is that the family becomes united like the circles on the medallion.

The Kissing Ceremony                                                                                       

  In the Kissing Ceremony, the groom and bride said traditional vows then they said vows to the child. Instead of a ring, they sealed the vows with a kiss. The vows were along the lines of “With this kiss, I swear to love you unconditionally, to do my best to raise you correctly and to take care of you in sickness and health”. It’s a very moving ceremony that imbues a lot of emotion into the event.

After Wedding Gifts                                                                                         

 Other parents wait till after the wedding is over in order to express the solemnity of the joining of the families. The joining of families is often commemorated with a gift or a heart-felt discussion. If the child is very young, a heirloom gift may be purchased. Be sure to engrave the date, the name of the couple and the child’s (or children’s) name on the gift to symbolize the joining of the family rather than just the bride and groom.

Children’s Vows

Children’s vows usually take place toward the end of the wedding, after the ring exchange. They can be simple worded vows, spoken by the parents alone if the children are very young, or be participatory, involving everyone. They should include a promise to love, nurture and support them, and make them feel that they are an important part of the new family. Some couples like to give the kids gifts, like jewelry in the form of a family medallion, as a symbol of their new family bond.

Sand Ceremony

You can use different colors of sand for each individual (and even different vases if you wish) which are then poured into the one large container representative of your family.

_______________ and ______________, today you join your lives together. These bottles of sands of various colors symbolize your individual spirits of you and that of ____’s daughter_____. Each container is unique, representing who you are. As these containers of sand are poured into a third larger container, the different colors will join together to form something quite beautiful. You are joined together today, not only in marriage, but as family.

This is just an idea but you may personalize it however you like.

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