Source: Comedy Central Presents

Realize it’s possible, instead of telling yourself why you can’t.

Become aware of your self-talk.

Squash negative thoughts like a bug.

Replace them with positive thoughts.

Love what you have already.

Be grateful for your life, your gifts, and other people.

Every day.

Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.

Don’t compare yourself to others.

But be inspired by them.

Accept criticism with grace.

But ignore the naysayers.

See bad things as a blessing in disguise.

See failure as a stepping stone to success.

Surround yourself by those who are positive.

Complain less, smile more.

Image that you’re already positive.

Then become that person in your next act.

Source: Zen Habits

This is a simple reminder that the day is not about you. I write this with an open mind that yes you might be wearing the most awful color dress, or the cut of the dress might make you look a few pounds heavier. Your ex might be standing up on the groom’s side and you may only get to see the bride once during the entire wedding reception, but this 12 hours is not about you.

photo

Planning a wedding is like putting together a huge puzzle, specifically a puzzle where you don’t know what the final picture will look like.  The key is that every bride has a different set of puzzle pieces.  No wedding will have the same pieces, which is why every wedding has a new fabulous final product.  No one can fully understand all of the hoops and twists it takes to gather the couple’s two families together for one day.

Your closest friend or family member has asked you to stand next to them in full support of their new marriage.  I suggest if you can’t fully support them you kindly turn down their offer.   Even if you think the songs of the wedding are outdated, or you are still holding a grudge against the groom from elementary school, none of that matters on their wedding day.

As a bridesmaid you are asked to stick to a pretty tight time schedule and give a lot of your energy to activities such as dress shopping, rehearsals and wedding talk that does not center around you.  Trust me , I understand that this can be wearing and you may even think that your best friend doesn’t care about whats going on in your life anymore. She does.

Maybe you are married and understand, but once you begin planning a wedding there are so many ideas, plans and projects going on in your head it is hard to think about much anything else.  All I can say to the girls standing to the right of the bride is to be patient.  Give the bride a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen.  Let your bride go on and on about how the caterer is being difficult and the photographer hasn’t finished the engagement photos – because when it is your time around you will wish the same.    Don’t complain about the style of the wedding or the music being played, just enjoy it for what it is.  A perfectly designed wedding for your best friend’s day… not yours!

Finally, your opinion does matter.  Each bridesmaid was hand-picked as someone the bride feels has blessed her life.  Hearing rumors of one of her bridesmaids complaining about the cost of the dress or the taste of the food will hurt her. Think about who you are venting to – it will get around.

Just because it might not be your style of beautiful it is hers, and appreciate it for what it is … and thank your friend or family member for all of the time putting the puzzle together for their ideal day!

For The Guys:

Perfect for Tailgating! Check out Vat19.com for details

Black Bar Glasses to hide the identity of your friends after a crazy night.  Order them at Catching Fireflies

Holds 5 Beers..Drink fast boys or it will quickly get warm! —> Catching Fireflies

For the Girls:

I love all of the creative designs these aprons from   offer.  You will have fun picking out a style that meets each women’s personality.  ——>Wrapables

Keep your door open with some style.  I love these high heel shoe stoppers!! —–> Spoon Sisters

Purse size cocktail shakers. Be able to mix up your favorite drink anywhere with a fashionable touch.  ——>Wrapables

Ok Brides, lets be honest with one another.  Does the thought of whether or not your bridesmaids can re-wear their dresses for your wedding truly go through you head?  Do you think about the colors of your chapel or reception first or is the tone that looks best with your maid of honor a strong consideration?  We have all seen 27 Dresses and laughed and the ridiculous designs that some weddings can produce. While at the time the themed dress or outrageous color seemed to fit into the day, how did it fit 1 year later?

What makes a bridesmaids dress re-wearable?

Color?

Style?

Length?

Now we are seeing many more trends with bridesmaids dresses, and I do believe brides are putting more of a focus on their friends than before.

Many brides are working with all black bridesmaids dresses, and letting each bridesmaid choose which style they want.  This is works well so everyone feels confident on the day of walking down the aisle.  During the winter months brides are using floor length dresses which are easily altered to cocktail or above the knee dresses worn to parties.

What are other considerations you put into your choice of bridesmaids dresses?

Jake choose Vienna in last nights finale… I have no comments on where I think that relationship will go.

But next week we will be lucky to experience Jason and Molly’s wedding from a previous season wed.  We watched them as they fell in love and went through their ups and downs on reality TV, so it seems only right for us to tune in next Monday, March 8th.

My personal favorite is to see the details of the day, the color combinations, flowers and attire of the bridal party.  I am not proud that I still shamelessly watch Bachelor, but I am secretly looking forward to next Monday.

Do you think Jake and Vienna will be the next to get married on TV?

Source: Arising Images

You begin by heading over to Lanai or Molokini to snorkel, if you are traveling during the winter months, November – January, you sail right through a large area for whales.  Whales pop up everywhere around your boat.  The law is you must stay 100 feet away from the whales, apparently the whales aren’t aware so they will pop up a few feet away and all we can do on the boat is kill the motor, watch and wait. After a relaxing sail across the water, you come to the island of Molokini and jump into the blue water to see some of the most unbelievable tropical fish you can ever imagine. After swimming for an hour with the unique fish of Hawaii, you are whisked off to Turtle Town where you swim with turtles as big as you.  These turtles will swim right up to you and say hello.

The trip home is relaxing and exciting all at the same time.  Soak up the sun, enjoy the whales and the calming sounds of the water while eating a delicious BBQ lunch on the boat.