Brides Accessories - Fabulous Shoes for your Wedding Day
Apr 29, 2009 Bridal Accessories, Brides Only
What’s one item that you absolutely need on your wedding day (besides the dress… the veil… the flowers… the groom…) - shoes, of course!
Hey Lady Shoes line of 2009 Spring/Summer Look book is out for you to browse through and drool over their new line of shoes. They have beautiful, unique shoes that will accent any style of wedding dress for your wedding this spring and summer. Whatever your unique Bridal Style is, you’ll be smitten with these fabulous shoes. Take a look!
(Top Left): Looking for something more traditional? Try the classy and stylish Daddy’s Girl.
(Top Right): The delicate detailing and slightly scalloped edging paired with a lovely light blue hue on At Tiffany’s steals our hearts.
(Bottom Left): Fun and flirty with hues of blue and ribbons, Princess Buttercup is sure to make you feel like a queen on your wedding day.
(Bottom Right): Looking for sparkle and bling? Look no further than Straptease, complete with tons of hand-finished rhinestone crystals.
Tags: accessories, shoes
Relationship Mondays: First and Foremost, Prioritize Love
Apr 27, 2009 Relationship Advice
You meet … fall in love … become engaged and then … the sweet bliss of your special relationship evolves into the stress and anxiety of a daily commuter maneuvering through rush hour traffic! So many wedding plans, so many different ideas, so many people to please, so little time and money to make it all work as perfectly as you always dreamed. After a while, eloping seems like a very viable alternative; but wait!
In the midst of feverishly planning the details of your special day, stop and take time to reflect on the following:
1. What is your wedding day really about?
2. Who are you trying to please? and
3. Will the hoopla that’s been consuming your life bring you closer and more intimately connected with the love of your life?
Advice from a Marriage Therapist - Get back to the basics:
Make time to nurture your relationship with your future spouse. Carve time weekly to escape with your lover. Put all wedding decisions aside and plan to just have fun together. Remind one another daily about your appreciation and love for each other.
Similarly, make time for yourself. Remember you are not surrendering yourself into a relationship – you are entering into a marriage to “share and join” in a life long relationship. Prioritize you. Continue doing what you enjoy to, i.e. exercise, hobbies, meditation, learning, and socializing with your friends, to nurture your needs. Keep in mind that healthy relationships are premised upon a balance between:
* Being an individual, taking care of your unique and wonderful self, and
* Your relationship needs, how the two of you connection within this new partnership
These nurturing and fulfilling relationships require individuals to maintain a clear sense of who they are, while remaining close to the people who are important in their lives. Sometimes this special relationship can be graphically described as 2 complete circles. Each individual (two individual circles) chooses to partner with another. The two don’t then replace one of the circles; but join and connect, intersecting and forming the infinity bond.
The lyrics in “For Good”, from the musical Wicked, accurately describes what healthy relationships develop in each participant:
“People come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return.
…I know I’m who I am today because I knew you …
I have been changed for good.”
Finally, RELAX AND ENJOY!!!! This special day will go so fast, but remain forever in your heart. Enjoy it – enjoy one another. Personally, after 29 years of marriage we reminisce about how we have individually changed and grown. And because we have committed to working through obstacles and focusing on the bigger picture of our relationship, we have been changed for good.
* * * * *
Carolyn Gerard is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, specializing in couples and relationship therapy in San Diego. For more information, visit her website at www.Relationships4Life.com, contact her at (858) 756-8171, or cg@Relationships4Life.com.
Tags: relationships
Bachelorette Parties at the Double Deuce
Apr 21, 2009 Bachelorette Parties, Brides Only
What better way to celebrate your last night of freedom than by riding San Diego’s only mechanical bull? Gather your girls and leave the rest to us!
The Double Deuce is located in the heart of the Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego and offers the ultimate in Bachelorette parties! To start, all Bachelorette parties receive VIP treatment: complimentary entry, a free round of shots and a pink Cowboy hat for the Bride!
In addition, The Deuce offers numerous options in terms of budget, space and location within the venue, and can even include extras such as drink specials, catering, party favors and personalized entertainment. The options are endless no matter what the size of your party or whether you are looking for private, semi-private or even booth rental.
With an endless range of package options tailored to meet any budget, our party planning team works one-on-one with you to create a unique and memorable experience for you and your girls. Between the mechanical bull, 4 levels and 2 rooms fully-equipped with dance stages, stripper poles and interactive games, The Double Deuce is San Diego’s top spot for Bachelorette parties!
Please contact Suzannah at (619) 972-7850 to get your party started!
Tags: bachlorette
Relationship Mondays: The Path to Intimacy
Apr 20, 2009 Relationship Advice
Couples wed with the full expectation their marriage will last a lifetime. They believe that being in love is about agreeing, not about fighting. They’re afraid that if conflict exists, something must be wrong with the relationship. They then avoid conflict like the plague until resentment is unmanageable.
Marriage therapist Diane Sollee founder of Smartmarriages.com says, “The #1 predictor of divorce is the habitual avoidance of conflict. What’s sad is the reason that we avoid conflict is because we believe conflict causes divorce.”
What are couple conflicts really about?
When a person experiences distress, the emotional brain becomes activated. The amygdala, an almond size area in the mid-brain, triggers an automatic response to protect and defend. Adrenalin starts pumping, heart rate increases, and the “fight, flight, freeze” safety response is activated. The prefrontal cortex, the thinking/problem solving part of the brain is turned off. What we seek from our partner is physical and/or emotional safety.
Emotion Focused Couples Therapist, Dr. Sue Johnson states, “Our loved one is our shelter in life. When that person is emotionally unavailable or unresponsive, we face being out in the cold, alone and helpless. We are assailed by emotions – anger, sadness, hurt and above all, fear. Losing connection with our loved one jeopardizes our sense of security. We don’t think; we feel and we act.”
She goes on to say, “We all experience some fear when we have disagreements or arguments with our partners. Then we generally do one of two things: we either become demanding and clinging in an effort to draw comfort and reassurance from our partner, or we withdraw and detach in an attempt to soothe and protect ourselves.”
How Can We Effectively Communicate When in Distress?
1. Take a time out. Research shows that it takes 20 minutes for the emotions of the amygdala to settle down. Ask yourself the following:
a. What just happened? What were my initial feelings before reacting in anger?
b. What was said by your partner that triggered your reaction?
c. What do you need from your partner to work through this issue? What are possible solutions?
2. Agree to a time (within a few hours) to discuss and work toward solutions.
3. When talking, use “I Messages”. These are statements about yourself and your feelings. When you express your own feelings, hurts, needs and desires, it allows your partner the ability to put his/her defenses down and to listen to you.
The “I Message” formula is … “When _____ (state what happened), I felt _____ (state the feeling, i.e. betrayed, frustrated, abandoned, I didn’t matter, etc.), and I would like _______ (possible solutions to be discussed).
Creating a fulfilling relationship takes courage. When issues are met with acceptance and understanding, love grows. A very special and intimate bond is forged and become another foundational pillar in your thriving relationship.
* * * * *
Carolyn Gerard is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, specializing in couples and relationship therapy in San Diego. For more information, visit her website at www.Relationships4Life.com, contact her at (858) 756-8171, or cg@Relationships4Life.com.
Tags: relationships
The Wonderful World of Etsy - Handmade Wedding Accessories
Apr 17, 2009 The Ceremony, The Reception, Vendors, Weddings, Weddings, Weddings
If have not discovered Etsy.com yet, take a look at Etsy’s Color Picker Tool. Move your mouse across the screen and “Just Click” on your wedding colors… Etsy.com will then choose items within your color scheme. Fabulous!
And there’s more… this online community of homemade goods has dedicated an entire section to “Handmade Wedding Items”! If you are looking for a unique accent to your wedding, you are sure to find amazing artisan pieces through Esty. Below we’ve chosen a few more of our favorite Etsy items to help inspire you for creating your dream wedding.
Top: (L-R)
Custom UnNaked Peggies by nakedpeggies. Wedding Cake Cookie Favors by cakeboxcookies.
Bottom: (L-R)
Teal and Gold Ring Pillow by 5eizen. Custom Bridal Felt Button Bouquet by RibbonsNBowsBoutique.
Tags: accessories, bouquets, etsy, favors
