Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Is your bra doing its job?

So many women suffer from wearing the wrong kind of bra. Whether it wrinkles in the cups, the underwire pokes your side, the band rides up, or you're spilling out the cups, it's an issue that is easily fixed. At home in a non-padded bra or braless, measure directly under the bust (or around the bottom of the band if you're in a bra). Make sure the tape measure is level and snug. Round to the nearest whole number. If the number is even, add 4 inches. If it's odd, add 5 inches. This is your band size.
Now wrap the measuring tape loosely around the fullest part of your chest (at the nipple). Round to the nearest whole number, and this is your bust measurement.
Finally to calculate your cup size subtract your band size from your bust measurement then refer to the chart below. Example 37 inches bust -- 34 inches band = 3 inches which is a 34C.

The difference in inches: 0 1 2 3 4 5     6         7
Your cup size is:                AA A B C D DD DDD,F G

Here are the types of bras you should be wearing based on your cup size.
If you have an A cup:
A bra that molds to what you have or a soft-cup style with or without underwire for a more natural look. For a believable and not over enhanced push-up, choose pads that sit at the base of the cups and not the sides.

If you have a B or C cup:
Make sure your bra is made of sturdy material. Avoid anything flimsy or stretch otherwise you won't get the right support. If you want more shaping choose a bra with a vertical seam that goes down the center of the cup.

If you have a D cup or larger:
Choose bras with cups that have 3-part construction with vertical and horizontal seams so you can get more lift and shaping. For a smoother look under clothing choose a molded T-shirt bra with boning on each side of the band or reinforced panels inside the cups to get your breasts front and center.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Say cheese!

Who you pick to photograph your wedding is important. You'll be showing off that wedding album for years to come (Facebook, new friends, kids, grandkids). So we have some tips on how to pick the right photographer as well as making sure the photos turn out beautiful!

1. When you're meeting with potential photographers ask to see photos from 5 or 6 weddings, including photos from the last wedding they did. Photographers typically only show off their best work.

2. The rule is typically 1 photographer per 100 guests. If you're going with just 1 see if they have an assistant (different from a second photographer) who can help set up shots and handle equipment.

3. Picking out the right wedding package can be overwhelming. Try to pick out the one that has the most of what you want (do you really want 100 wallet-sized photos?). You can always order more. Most photographers these days give you a CD so if you want to order more from Walmart you can.

4. Things to include in your contract:

  • Everyone's contact information
  • Dates, times, and addresses of all wedding locations
  • Name of and contact information for a backup photographer
  • Package details
  • Date the proofs will be available
  • Photographer's copyright policy (do they care if you take the CD to Walmart for more prints?)
  • When and how you will receive your album, prints, or CDs
  • Total cost (itemized)
  • Reordering prices
  • Deposit amount
  • Payment due dates
  • Cancellation and refund policy
5. Prior to the wedding show your photographer both flattering and unflattering pictures of you and your fiancé. With their professional eye they'll be able to tell which angles flatter you both. When you're posing try putting your weight on your back leg, stretch out your other leg in front of you, and face the camera. Victoria Beckham is infamous for this striking slimming pose. Ask a friend who isn't in your bridal party to hang around close by with powder and lip gloss for touch ups between pics (this will also make you feel more glamorous).

6. Weddings can be chaotic and 50 things are going on at the same time. The photographer might miss an amazing moment you and your friends had. If it's important to you to catch that moment on film, ask everyone involved to recreate it so the photographer can catch it.

7. Think about renting a photobooth. The picture quality is good, and this will keep your guests entertained as well as giving them something memorable to take home. You can still have a photographer for the wedding and for capturing special moments like cutting the cake and dancing with your dad.

8. You can definitely ask your photographer to dress appropriately for your wedding, but be aware that they need to be comfortable so no tuxedos or ballgowns. Most wear either all black or black pants with a white shirt so they don't stand out.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

To have and to hold.... What's my line?

Of the many details that go in to planning a wedding, one of the most overlooked is the writing of the vows. Couples tend to wait until the last minute which usually results in telling the officiant to just use some traditional vows. Your vows should reflect the two of you and your relationship. Using the traditional vows off the Internet is fine, but what you say to one another should be more than just words. Think about sitting down with your officiant and talking about what matters most to the two of you. Faith, love, commitment, trust--all important and personal to each couple. If you don't have an officiant yet, take time as a couple to discuss how you want your vows to relfect the two of you then pick an officiant who will best honor your wishes.
Also you can consider incorporating your parents or even all the guests in to your vows. Have your officiant ask if your parents will support and encourage you. Face your guests and position your officiant with his back to them so they can see your faces. You might even consider having the groom wear a wireless mic that will pick up everything the two of you say.


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Food

Last week we talked about having alcohol at your reception so it's only right that we now talk about the food. There are a few things you need to think about before you decide what to serve at your reception such as which dining option is right for you. You'll need to decide when and where you are getting married. Think about what food will be in season and easy to access. Such as having a wedding in Oklahoma in January and wanting king-crab legs. Think about having food from farmers markets, and Oklahoma is known for having several good wineries that would be happy to cater to your reception to show off their product.
Once that is decided you can figure out which dining option works best for you: sit-down dinner, buffet, cocktail party, or a casual barbeque. Each comes with its own pros and cons, and each fits a certain couple. If you're quiet and reserved and want to relax at your reception, a sit-down dinner is often best. If you're wanting to keep things small and casual, think about having an outdoor barbeque.
Also you'll need to consider how much each guest is going to cost you. If you're wanting a four course meal but can only spend $10 per person, you may need to reevaluate. Think about doing cocktails and hors d'oeuvres for a larger reception. This is ideal for couples who are wanting more dancing and mingling and less eating.
Don't forget that this is your reception. That means the buffet or dinner should have foods that you like. This isn't the time to worry about your diet or your waistline. But, just a warning, if you're both in to Thai food but have guests or family members who only eat burgers and steaks you may want to have a mix of Thai and a few American foods to appease those guests. Last but not least, have fun with the food options. If you think mini hamburgers are adorable, go for it!