Celebrate Milestones

From watching the Red Carpet this year at the awards events we get a feel for what is in the year, and what is in is strapless, one shoulder strap dresses, ruffles, colors and CURVES!

For women with hourglass or pear-shaped bodies – fashions are especially geared toward you this. Gone are the days when clothes are for the “Twiggy” or stick-shapes. Voluptuous women are back in style and baby are they back – and you will never look better! You can find a large selection  of formal dresses in our formal wear department.

There’s nothing to stop you now, but keep a few things in mind to take that look for you “over the top.”

If you have listened to all the talk shows and analysts, you will see what is considered a great fashion sense, and what is a disaster.

Fashionistas all agree that Mariah Carey, although wearing some beautiful and expensive clothes, is usually a walking disaster. That is because the clothes she wears are two sizes too small, and she doesn’t leave anything to the imagination.

Queen Latifah, on the other hand, is one of the most beautifully dressed women you will ever find – on or off the Red Carpet. She knows how to dress to accent her positive qualities, and she holds her head high no matter where she is. Self-confidence is her greatest asset. She is comfortable in her own skin, and doesn’t care that her figure is not pencil thin.

Although there are some men who like the “trampy” look, the majority actually want to see their women dressed to entice, but not reveal. In other words, they want the “twins” to play peek-a-boo, but not look like they are going to lunge at you.

Dress for yourself! What are you comfortable in? Just because something looks good on the rack doesn’t mean it will look good on your figure. There are few dresses that look good on everyone. Some of those skinny models look absolutely pathetic in a body-hugging dress that shows off curves, while plus size women look nicer in dresses that accentuate their faces and are fuller in the skirt.

Take along a friend when you shop, online or in a brick and mortar store. Make sure they are good enough friends to you to give an honest evaluation of how you would look. Discuss your positive and negative attributes and emphasis the positive, while tactfully hiding the negative.

Black is a regal and classy color, but you don’t have to wear black or navy just because you are in a double-digit size. Bold colors are very much in, and can make you look brighter and can feel confident in yourself. Choose a color that compliments your complexion.

Make sure you get the right size – if you are purchasing a dress online, measure yourself accurately and go along with the charts provided for that dress. If you are getting a dress that is strapless, but has a flared skirt, be very sure the bust size is right. And, don’t forget to wear a bra. A good foundation can make you look slimmer, and help you stand up straighter. There are many undergarments that can hold you in, and hold you up – all in one, and can be worn with strapless or open backs . The last thing you want to do is have your bra strap showing.

As a final finish, make sure your hair is styled and you have accessories that compliment your look. A hair comb or tiara, with a crystal-encrusted heels or sandals, and evening bag will definitely make you look as good as any of those stars on the Red Carpet.

Baby showers have gone from the traditional “hen party” to include the father – and maybe siblings. It has gone from an afternoon tea party with games and sherbet punch to a party that includes ALL your family and friends. Since the father is just as much a part of the reason for the festivities, he is beginning the bonding process much earlier than the birth itself.

When including the father you MUST asking other men as well, since it will be quite uncomfortable alone amongst a group of women. You also would do well to not call the event a “baby shower,” but more like a “party to celebrate birth.” It will less likely to make the men’s hair stand on end, but the concept will be the same.

A baby shower is the one time when the parent-to-be can kick back and be the center of attention. Soon enough that focus will shift, when the baby arrives. Even so, it is good to get input from the parents as to the guest list, shower registry, and things they feel they need. If you would really like a “surprise” party, at least consult with people closest to the family to make certain you are including all the family and friends who are important to them. Also take into consideration the feelings of some who may want to wish the family well, but are not emotionally or physically able to attend (example: a recent loss of a child, or miscarriage). Send these people a note explaining that you understand if they do not feel comfortable attending, and they should not feel obligated, but want to extend the invitation if they so choose.

For a family baby shower, you will probably want to forego the traditional games. There is nothing wrong with simple mingling. If you feel you MUST have games, you can use your imagination as to options. Perhaps purchasing a photo frame where you can write a message, or a large frame with a mat that your guests can write (with fine-pointed permanent marker) a message for the baby. After the baby is born the family can place the baby’s picture in the middle and have a lifetime keepsake. Another idea would be to ask each guest to bring a photo of themselves as babies, put them up on a board with a number, hand your guests a pencil and piece of paper and ask them to guess who’s picture is who. Have them drop the answers into a basket, and after the gifts are opened announce the winner.

For food, you can economize by asking each guest to bring a dish to pass. Have them include a recipe with the dish that others can copy if they really enjoy it. Or, you can have a bar-b-que and ask families to bring side dishes.

Many people like to plan parties with themes. Although the party will be centered around a baby, you can make the theme a little different – like the wild west (which would go along with the bar-b-que) and guests can come dressed in western wear. You will find many different styles of event favors to match your choice of theme, and make your door prize gifts geared along that theme as well.

When sending out invitations, make sure you include the theme for the baby shower and any requests you want the guests to bring – such as baby photo, potluck dish, etc. Also, don’t forget to include a map to the location of the event.

There is nothing wrong with tradition, but don’t be afraid to explore new ideas that depart from tradition. After all, any celebration is just a party!

Acres of RVs, tents and trucks flood parking lots and fields around college and NFL stadiums on football weekends for what is quickly becoming an American tradition – the tailgate party.

Streams of brightly colored flags, tents, chairs, jackets and whatnot stretch on forever to mark the territory of team fans – most of whom are refined and restrained during normal working hours. Alter-egos are unleashed amongst tailgaters defending their favorite team – whether they are in the midst of a winning or losing season. Good natured (usually) heckling of fans for the other side is encouraged, and as all other aspects of the tailgating weekend, affably reciprocated with an offer to join their group, or a have a beer.

Over the years, die-hard tailgaters have formed their own “family,”  meeting at another tailgate party as if they lived next door. Comradarie and lifelong friendships have developed from this social event, with a common ground of team spirit and the love of good food and drink.

Tailgating fans will drive for hours, and arrive days early, to set up their spots and follow their team.  They come laden with team logo merchandise tents, grills, chairs, and wide range of dress to show their support – from stadium jackets to full costume and war paint.

Many tailgaters do not even hold a ticket to the game. Thinking is they can see it better from the view on a television and not in the nosebleed section of the stadium wrapped in a blanket. Besides, in the stadium seats you have to take your place – sometimes next to someone who is irritating, whereas at a tailgate party you can choose who you watch the game with, how rowdy you want to get, and have all the food you can eat right out of the coolers and warmers right in front of you, for much less than stadium prices.

Tailgaters can hold their own impromptu touch football games, toss the ball, discuss the plays without getting “shushed,” and have a blast that does not compare to sitting home or in the stands. Restrained behavior is tossed aside as easily as a pigskin for a football afternoon.

Let’s not forget the food. The air is saturated with smells of sausage, ribs, steaks, and all sorts of baked goods. Some cooked right there and others transported in foil servers and coolers.

Creativity is rampant at a tailgating party. Expensive vehicles are painted with team branding. People  wrap in blankets for warmth, and hold hand warmers.Trucks have grills and seating mounted for easy transport and access. A few put together their own living room – it’s like being home watching the game with a lot more excitement.

True football fans should not pass up the opportunity to attend a tailgate party. It could become addictive – but definitely is worth the experience.

A wedding announcement or invitation customarily means you are going to have to find a gift. Selection of a gift could be a grueling process. Although there are some who look for something quick and cheap, but most people put a lot of thought into selecting the perfect gift, something that no one else will give.

Often people choose items that they would like receive. Although perfect for them, it may not be tailored to the taste or usefulness of this particular couple. Consideration should be given to the needs of the couple, where they plan to live, and their style.

If the couple has signed up for one, their gift registry would be the first place to go for gift ideas. The couple has taken the time to choose what they would like to receive, and even if you don’t select something from their wish list you can get an idea of what their tastes and needs are, and go from there.

It’s always exciting to find something unique, like an engraved wedding certificate holder, or something original that they would like but probably would never buy for themselves, like a day at the spa for the both of them.

You could come up with a clever deviation from the wedding gift, by providing them with a personalized bottle of fine champagne with a message that this is for them to open on their first (or tenth) anniversary.

Of course, money is always a welcome gift. Starting out as a couple always has expenses that need to be met, and you can’t pay for them with a gift, or they may want to save for something special. Although this may seem impersonal, it is always fitting to give cash. If you don’t feel that is enough, include it with another gift item – like a Personalized Hampton Silver Wedding Frame.

Does the couple like to spend time in their yard? Perhaps a gift that they can appreciate each time they go out there to relax would be appreciated. Yard ornaments or planters, such as found in our Summer section would be a lovely reminder every day of your thoughtfulness.

If budget is a concern, there are some wonderful ideas for inexpensive gift giving in this article: Cheap Wedding Gift Ideas from About.com.

No matter the cost, it definitely is the thought that counts, and the couple should appreciate the fact that you were thinking about them when you made your selection.

I recently attended my 40^th year high school class reunion and totally enjoyed the experience – from beginning to end. The organizers did an excellent job of communicating and follow up, had wonderful party favors, great music, and we had a great attendance rate.

What did they do to make this such a success? In one word – organization. Putting together any large party or reunion takes a great deal of planning to pull it off. You need several good people who will commit their time and energy. Many of these parties take almost a year to put together, and several meetings to make sure everyone is on the right track. The first meeting will be to delegate jobs, the next to follow up on the progress. Making these meetings fun and work will keep everyone from getting frazzled, and encourage others to want to help as well.

Planning, good people, and a nice turnout will make your reunion shine – and everyone will have a great time!

A natural, yet casual setting of a beach creates the perfect backdrop for a romantic summer wedding. The water as the backdrop, and the sand as the carpet for your destination wedding – even if the destination is close to home.

A wedding with a beach theme is definitely outside the box, and provides an intimate, yet tranquil setting for the perfect union. A couple who loves adventure, doesn’t shy away from getting their feet wet, and enjoys getting back to nature will definitely find a beach-themed wedding the perfect blend for them.

Couples with a larger budget opt for a destination wedding set in such exotic locations as Cancun, Hawaii, or Barbados. Most couples, however, do not have the money for such extravagance, so choose a local beach, or a beach-themed poolside. You don’t have to let your budget limit your choices.

Beach-themed weddings are casual, but still require a great deal of planning. Exotic flowers, such as white lilies or pink gerbera daisies, can be used to accent the décor. They coordinate so well with the neutrals of the sand. An oceanic theme can be carried over with the use of seashells, starfish and sand dollars. Paper lanterns, candles, and fabric-draped canopies flowing in the breeze enhance the ambiance. Any color in the spectrum will do, although light blue is the most popular color, since it is most associated with the water.

Light fabrics, such as chiffon, are the best choices for the brides and bridesmaids gowns. They lack the heaviness of silk and satin, and billow in the wind beautifully to keep the ladies cool. The men can vie for casual white suits of lightweight material, accented with a colorful cummerbund for a dash of color.

Makeup and hair are casual, with the hair blowing loosely, or twisted up and pinned with pearl hairpins or sparkling barrettes. A long, flowing veil held in place with a dainty tiara will also be appropriate, as would a birdcage veil – short and more casual.

Footwear must also be lightweight and casual. Sandals protect the feet from the heat of the sand, yet allow for free flow of air. Truly adventurous ones go barefoot. For those who would like the best of both worlds, lovely styles of foot jewelry that makes the foot appear to look like you are wearing sandals, will present a formal appearance. Pearls, the jewel of the sea, can be purchased for the feet as well as the neck and ears, to offer the stunning effect you want.

The natural setting of a beach, combined with the romance of candles at night, provide for a most exotic affair – and one that is not long forgotten. Add Beach-themed flutes to toast the couple top off the perfect day!

Traditionally, celebrations are marked with a toast – using a sparkling wine, or champagne and beautifully designed flute glasses. Since it is an integral part of a wedding, this may help you to understand a little about making the best selection.

Long-time domestic wine producers may use the term “champagne” for their sparkling wines (through a legal technicality), however, “Real” champagne is produced exclusively within the Champagne region of France, thus the name “champagne.” Their special way of adding sugar within the bottle to produce a second fermenting produces the carbonation, or bubbly effect. The corking of the bottle with a wine collar allows for the fermenting pressure not to blow the “lid off” before the wine is ready to be consumed. (As a special note: in the mid 1700s workers in wineries in France wore special “catcher’s masks to avoid injuries when the bottles would spontaneously burst from the pressure.)

Today, especially in the United States, most sparkling wines are referred to as champagne.

The differences between wines

There are many differences in wines, depending on the year of production, the type of grapes used, and amount of “vintage” vs. “non-vintage” (vintage meaning wines that come from an exceptional year for grape quality) added to the mixture. Most wines today are a blend of several different vintage years production. The best quality being the cuvée de prestige, top of the producers range. There is too much to go into here, but the basics are that champagne for celebrations are usually either white or rosé. You may want a sweeter wine, or a dry wine. Here are a few examples:

§ Blanc de Noir is white wine produced entirely from black grapes.

§ Blanc de Blanc means “white of white” and is produced exclusively of Chardonnay grapes.

§ Rosé Champagne typically light pink in color,  is produced with red grapes by using a gentle process minimizing the time the grapes are left with their skins.

§ Pinot Noir is a white wine made of  black grapes.

§ The Brut wines  – Brut, Brut Natural/Brut Zero, or Extra Brut  are dry to extra dry wines that contain 3-15 grams of sugar (Note: Brut is the most popular wine and very food friendly); Sec, 

§ Extra Sec or Extra Dry Sec contain 12-35 grams of sugar per liter; Demi Sec contains 33-50 grams of sugar per liter; and the sweetest of all

§ Duo contains more than 50 grams of sugar per liter.

The right selection for your celebration

Of course, you can always choose whichever one you wish, but the basic rule of thumb is that you serve red wine with red meats and white wine with white meat or fish.

• With beef, steak or lamb, a dry red wine, burgundy or Italian red wine would be good.
• Serving fish, you will want to stay with a dry, crisp white wine, or a fruity red wine that contains no tannins – otherwise it could leave a metallic taste combined with the fish.
• Poultry, pork and veal usually follow the rule of white wine. When serving chicken, and you wish to use a red wine, choose a fruity variety. Turkey, however, is a little different since it contains a large amount of both white and dark meat. You may want to choose either a red or white wine that is fruity and tart in this case.
• Sparkling wines without tannins in the fruity variety are best with spicy foods.

Opening Champagne bottles

You have often seen someone open a bottle of champagne and the wine spills out. This wastes much of the champagne. The proper way it to hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle. Using a corkscrew to hold the cork, rotate the bottle (rather than rotate the cork).  The cork will ease out with a “loving sigh,” rather than a pop, but it will maintain its flavor and avoid turning the cork into a projectile that may injure a guest.

Serving Champagne

Champagne is usually served in a champagne flute, that consist of a long stem with a tall and narrow bowl, thin sides, and an etched bottom. design and make similar, more affordable flutes. It is always served cold, and the ideal drinking temperature is 43 to 48 °F). Often the bottle is chilled in a bucket of ice and water before opening.  Champagne buckets are made specifically for this purpose, and often have a larger volume than standard wine-cooling buckets (to accommodate the larger bottle, and more water and ice).

We hoped we have made things a little easier to understand about champagnes and sparkling wines.  You may want to click here:  About.com, for more Champagne and Sparkling Wine Basics.

Asking someone to become your Maid/Matron of Honor is an honor that should be taken seriously. You have chosen someone who you feel is your best friend, and who you want to be there to help you through the jitters, the planning, and the brightest day in your life.

The job of a maid/matron of honor is limitless. She will be your emotional support as well as the one who you can depend on to offer constructive criticism – give with all the best of intentions. She will make you laugh, be there when you are feeling frazzled and need a shoulder, and will help you plan one of the biggest milestones in your life.

Included in the Maid/Matron of honor’s duties are:

• BE THERE when the bride needs support.
• Shopping with the bride and her court for their dresses and accessories (Note: the court, including the Maid of Honor, pays for their own dresses and accessories).
• Being the liaison between the bride and her court, and keeping everyone on top of what is going on – showers, parties, fittings, etc.
• Helping the bride to send out invitations, choose wedding colors and décor, stay on schedule for meetings with caterers, bakers, wedding halls, and making a checklist of what has to be done.  <b>Note:</b> Don’t forget Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue – you want to keep the traditions alive, even at a modern wedding.
• Helping the bride and groom to choose and register for gifts and needed items for their new home together, and letting friends and family know where they have registered (You may want to include that in the invitations).
• LISTEN – the most important part is to be a sounding board for the bride and what she and her groom want – not what the family wants them to do. This is THEIR day.
• Host or cohost a shower for the bride, and attend ALL showers or wedding-related parties, and plan the Bacherlorette party (making sure you get input from the other bridesmaids).
• Keep, or delegate a responsible person,  a record of all the gifts received at various parties and showers.
• Coordinate arrangements for lodging and transportation for all the bridesmaids to ensure they get to the rehearsal dinner, the wedding and any other necessary events.
• Help the bride and bridesmaids with their trip to the beauty salon for hair and makeup for the ceremony.
• Assist the bride with her train and veil, before the ceremony and when she arrives at the alter.
• Hold the groom’s ring during the ceremony. To ensure you won’t lose it, put it on your thumb or forefinger.
• Clutch the bride’s bouquet while the couple exchanges vows.
• Witness the marriage license, along with the best man.
• Stand in the receiving line next to the groom, unless the attendants are to circulate and there is no receiving line.
• When the bride changes for her honeymoon, take charge of her gown and arrange for safe and dry storage until her return. ceremony.
• Assist the other attendants in seating guests, placing presents, and inviting them to sign the guestbook during the reception. You also will want to make sure to collect any gift envelopes brought in and keep them in a safe place (not stored with the other gifts).
• Because this day will be hectic and stressful, the bride may forget to eat. Make sure she takes a moment to keep her energy up by getting her a plate, refreshing her drink, or instructing the wait staff to do so.
• The Maid of Honor may need to help the bride bustle her train for easy dancing at the reception.
• The Maid of Honor is required to dance with the best man during the formal first-dance. Also dance with other groomsmen, the groom, and others.
• Toast the couple after the best man. (This is optional, but it is a nice touch.)
• For the stressed-out bride, laughter can be as effective as venting. Keep her laughing, keep plenty of tissues on hand, and pack a compact mirror and lipstick in your purse for easy access and emergency situations.

Event planning, whether it’s for a wedding, birthday, anniversary or just for entertaining, can be a daunting experience. It’s always good to write down your ideas before you begin to shop.

Here are a few of the basic things you will need to decide

• First and foremost -What is your budget? Make sure you know how much you have to spend. It will be the guide to the entire event. If you are on a tight budget, don’t invite 200 people, rent a hall and go all out. There are economical ways to plan a party that will make it just as wonderful, and a lot less of a problem later on.
• Write everything down. You need a calendar and a notepad to carry around with you at all times. You will want to jot down ideas you have, as well as things you see you may want to check out later. You can find wedding planners and organizers by clicking here. Don’t forget the pen!
• How many people do you want to invite? This is YOUR party, so don’t be pressured into inviting people you don’t know, or adding to the list to appease someone. If you don’t want children to attend, make that clear in the invitations. How will you extend the invitations. Please keep in mind you should give ample time for your guests to make arrangements. If many are from out-of-time, even more advance notice should be given before they receive the formal invitation.
• Where will you be hosting this event? Will you need a large room, or are you having a garden or beach event? You will need to know whether to book a room, or rent a tent. You never can depend on the weather for outdoor events.
• What theme do you want (example: Asian, Romantic, Birthday, etc.)?
• What colors do you wish to use? Keep in mind that it is always best to stay under three basic colors, as a rule, one basic color and two coordinating colors. You do not want it to be too busy.
• What kind of atmosphere do you want to create? This may depend on the theme, but you can lay the groundwork for how the event will progress by creating the atmosphere. For example: if you want a fun and whimsical wedding you will put a zany topper on your cake, add fun favors to the table, and probably want bright and jazzy colors. A more sedate and romantic theme could call for black and white, with red highlights.
• What kind of food will you be serving? Are you going to hire a caterer? Will it be a full course meal, or cocktail-type party with hors devours and finger food?
• How do you want to serve your guests? Will it be a sit-down dinner, buffet or a community event type where people bring their own dishes to pass.
• Will you be serving alcohol? Will you buy the first drink and then they pay for any more themselves, or will you have a champagne fountain. (Idea: we have drink tickets that you can pass out at the seats, good for one drink, that will keep your drink costs down and make it easier to keep track of who has been served. You will find these tickets, in different sizes, colors and themes click here to view tickets.
• Will your guests have assigned seating, or can they choose any seat they wish?
• Will there be music? If so, what type of music will appeal to most of your guests? Keep in mind, if you have an older crowd they will not likely want to hear heavy metal. Try to find something that has a broader appeal. You can hire a band or a DJ, or just if your budget is really tight you can utilize a CD player.
• Will you be using flowers (fresh or silk), table favors and decorations, etc. You will want them to follow your theme and decor. Fresh flowers need to be ordered well in advance.
• Will you be hiring a photographer or videographer? You will want some reliable person to record your event – whether a professional or Uncle Joe.

If you are allowing children to attend, employ at least two people to handle the children in an area that is set aside from the rest of the party. Cranky children, or children that are tired or bored, have been known to disrupt many parties.

Simply put, the better you have things planned and organized, the better your event will go. There is NEVER such a thing as the PERFECT event, but in the long run it is the celebration with family and friends that makes it perfect – not whether you forgot the party nuts.

We want to thank you for viewing our blog and we hop we can bring you new and exciting information in the future. Our object is to give you tips, ideas and updates of information and products.

If you have anything you would like us to explore, we will be glad to do so. We encourage any comments. Our only request is that every comment left here will be respectful, and no profane language, or abuse of other visitors, will be tolerated.

We hope you enjoy our blog.

Celebrate-Milestones staff