Showing posts with label Bridal Shower. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bridal Shower. Show all posts

Saturday, February 13, 2021



Avoiding wedding stress during a global pandemic

Planning a wedding can be stressful enough, without the added uncertainty and confusion that Covid-19 has now brought into our lives. You may have had to postpose, reschedule or even cancel the date you planned to wed. With this imposed change it’s understandable if you’ve found yourself going through a mix of emotions like sadness, loss, anxiety and perhaps even a pinch of guilt, telling yourself, “others have it worse”. And while that might be true, what you’re going through is valid and it’s ok to be angry, cry or feel anything in between.

Here are a few tips to help you keep calm and avoid getting caught in extra stress while navigating the wedding realm through Covid-19.

Surrender and slow down

Often the stress associated with planning a wedding is brought on by the constraints of having to organise everything by the set date. Take this deadline away and you may find the pressure eases. Having an abundance of time – and for those facing lockdown, time at home – gives you the opportunity to slow down and spend however long you need on researching, considering and evaluating what exactly you and your partner want to create for your wedding day.

Keep connected as a couple

With the wedding date halted, this downtime is also a great opportunity to focus on your relationship, which can so often become an afterthought. Plan time together where your focus is outside of the wedding and instead focus on your dreams for married life together. If you need a helping hand, signing up for a Pre Marriage Counselling program can help you plan for your marriage and set you up with the necessary skills to talk honestly and openly together about any topic, in a way that brings you both closer.

Take time to relax

Whether it’s doing some yoga, getting a massage, meditating, taking a bath, reading a book, burning some essential oils or going for walk in nature, taking the time to intentionally calm your mind and nervous system is key to taking care of yourself and alleviating stress. By keeping well rested and relaxed, using whatever techniques work best for you, you’ll be better placed to manage the wedding planning process, combined with the chaos of Covid-19.

Have a backup plan

With various restrictions coming and going, and then coming back again, trying to keep certain plans in place will be challenging. If you can plan for the unknown by developing a Plan B or even C, you’re going to be better placed to manage the unpredictability that comes with having a wedding during Covid-19. Protect you and your partner’s feelings of being disappointed by considering an alternative to your original plans, keeping in mind the things that are most important to you both.

Share the Load

Stop telling yourself that you should be able to manage the stress of wedding planning and Covid-19 confusion on your own. When life gets tough, the best thing we can do is reach out and share the load with another. You and your partner are in this together – now and for the long haul. You need each other in those moments of stress, to help each other cope and co-regulate. When you can find a way to talk and share these with one another, you create a sacred space for you both to feel heard and supported. Connection, especially with a loved one, is the best antidote to anxiety.



Bookmark and Share

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Health and Wellbeing


Eat, sleep, namaste, repeat: Top 3 Gold Coast wellness retreats


What do carrot sticks, spirulina and straw diets have in common?
They will all have you de-railing your detox train before it has even left the station.
Once you see what the Gold Coast Hinterland has on offer, you won’t ever want to hear the words ‘juice cleanse’ again. There is only one way to detox, and you have a first-class ticket to the top 3 wellness retreats on the Gold Coast.
GWINGANNA LIFESTYLE RETREAT
Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
Imagine you and Hugh Jackman, making eyes over a glass of organic wine. This is not a joke. In fact, Australia’s hottest export is a part-owner of Gwinganna and visits the retreat on the reg. Holy Wolverine!
Apart from the eye candy making its way around the 200 hectares of hinterland and rainforest, Gwinganna offers a space to relax and digitally detox from our fast-paced, technology-driven world.
Everything about this place forces you to slow down, from the strategic planning of the daily itinerary to the way the Tallebudgera Valley property is designed. The entrance to the spa is actually blocked by a sensor-operated waterfall, forcing you to enter slowly and mindfully after waiting for the waterfall to break. I’m relaxed just thinking about it.
Whether spoiling yourself for just a weekend or an extended stay, you can expect to spend your time indulging in meals designed to help support and improve digestion and liver detoxification, reduce inflammation, improve gut bacteria and balance blood sugar levels. Meals are fresh, local and organic, with the majority of produce harvested from the on-site gardens and orchard.
Your day begins watching the sun rise while practising the ancient art of Qi Gong. This is followed by a walk or hike and then a variety of yin and yang activities throughout the morning.
Have you ever heard of equine therapy? Yep, we’re not horsing around. Gwinganna has a menu of equine experiences aimed at providing you with tools and insight into managing challenging situations through working with horses. No previous horse experience required!
But back to your itinerary… After attending one of many informative wellness seminars, your ultra-delicious lunch is served, and you can rest that organic food baby during Dreamtime (from 2pm – 7pm). This is the time you’re encouraged to rest, take a bath, enjoy a spa treatment, read a book, anything that helps you to relax, unwind and take a break.
EDEN HEALTH RETREAT
Eden Health RetreatNestled in an ancient valley known for its healing energy, you can be forgiven if you’re wary of being dropped in the wilderness at the end of the Currumbin Valley and forced to sing “kumbaya” around the campfire.
This couldn’t be further from the truth at Australia’s longest-established health retreat. Eden is a tranquil residence offering a state-of-the-art program that has guests coming back time and time again.
The Eden philosophy will take you on a transformative self-journey, with activities focused on challenging your mental and physical state.
Upon arrival, you’ll be individually evaluated so your retreat program can be tailored to suit yours truly.
Your early-start mornings (we’re talking 5am, still-dark kind of early) will see you practising Qi Gong on the beach with the sand between your toes, followed by a jog (yes jog) up the mountain to watch the sunrise over the water. Lucky the view is so spectacular.
Afternoon activities can include an Eden drum circle, Tibetan yoga, kayaking, a glow worm walk, bike riding, nia dance or a physical and mental challenge like the giant swing. Bet you never thought you’d have to face this again after Year 9 school camp, right? Wrong.
Opt for all the activities or none. The choice is yours. But if there is one definite must-do during your stay, it’s a walk through the Eden rock labyrinth – a metaphor for the journey to the centre of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who you are. 
NIRVANA WELLNESS SANCTUARY
Nirvana Wellness RetreatYoga mode: Activated.
Whether you consider yourself an apprentice yogi or your headstand puts others to shame, the Shanti Yoga Nirvana Wellness Sanctuary caters for all yoga levels and is calling your name.
Nirvana puts the well in wellness, with a programme tailored to relaxation and rejuvenation. Forget tangible luxuries, expensive treatments and lush accommodation. Nirvana’s simplistic, soul-cleansing experience will have you feeling at one with nature in no time.
Let’s start with the rural setting in Beechmont where you’ll be meditating above the hills of the Gold Coast Hinterland. How’s that for serenity?

The Queenslander-style accommodation and retreat facilities are run with a focus on renewable energies so even just attending means you’re doing your bit for the environment. And that's a tick in everyone's book!

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Tea Party Girl

You don’t need to have frills, high heels, jewelry or an up-do. Now, that’s not to say that you can’t add those features to your ensemble, but beautiful, comfortable tea party dresses for women need none of those things.
During summer, the hot days can drag by. Whether you’re working in an office, or getting messy in the garden, taking an hour for afternoon tea is a great way to reconnect with yourself. A tea dress is a great way to make that connection enjoyable. It’s just not the same when you plunk down on a couch in your work clothes to escape into a short moment’s rest. Taking time to change clothes, and enjoying the dress you choose, turns your afternoon break into a truly relaxing experience.
Tea dresses are perfect, especially in the summer. They are light and breathable, loose fitting and easy to wear. While lighter colors traditionally rule this roost, modern vibrant colors are making their way onto the scene.  In the cooler months, a simple, classic cardigan in a neutral color will usually go with most dresses and give you a sense of cosiness in your outfit.
So, head to your closet, quickly change into a dress that makes you look great, or feel great (or both!) and enjoy a quiet setting in your pretty outfit. Wearing tea length dresses is the wardrobe equivalent of stopping to smell the roses. Yes, jeans and a t-shirt are comfortable, too, but they’re not elegant. You can skip the dressing nicely option, but you’ll miss the whole point of afternoon teatime elegance.

“When you add afternoon tea dresses to your wardrobe, you give yourself a gift that enhances your whole life and lets the elegant you shine.”


Dressing for Tea Allows Room for Creativity

There is no hard and fast rule on what makes, and what does not make, a good afternoon-tea dress. This lets you have freedom to express your personality in your choices. Gone are the days when afternoon teatime held a strict dress code and every invitee also needed a parasol. These days, you can make your outfit style all your own.
If you choose to take your teatime to the next level and turn the event into a tea party, the opportunity for creativity is even grander. Friends make dress-up time so much more enjoyable. Here are a couple of ideas:
If you’re enjoying green tea or Matcha green tea for your daily time of tranquility, try incorporating the Japanese culture. A kimono-style short dress makes a wonderful selection. Even flowy dresses that feature oriental patterns or colors can help add to the ambiance and enhance your elegance level. Other cultural garb, such as saris from India or togas from Greece should open your eyes to countless opportunities. You can take the theme idea as far as you’d like, there are three hundred and sixty five days a year to try out a new one. The point is to keep your tea dresses pretty, comfortable and fun.

Beauty plus Comfort Equals Elegance

Imagine yourself in a beautiful couture dress. Now, think of how difficult it is to breathe, how hard it is to keep the train clean and how impossible it is to sit down for long periods of time or walk without tripping.
We are not talking about dresses like that. Tea dresses allow you to feel the beauty that comes with comfort, and that’s a pretty profound thing. When you’re comfortable, you’re relaxed and happy. When your comfortable clothes are pretty, things get elegant. The stress melts from your day, any feeling of frumpiness disappears and even bad-hair issues seem less important. You start to see the small, beautiful things that constantly surround you, and you embrace them, all because you choose pretty elegant dresses for your time of respite.

Elegance Spreads to Other Parts of Your Life

After a few weeks of habitual elegance and afternoon teatimes, you’ll start to see the vines of elegance gently twist their ends around different activities you take part in. You’ll even see the elegance start to seep into your décor. Your tea dresses are more than simple fabric, they’re a conduit to your inner elegant goddess. She’s the woman inside you who understands the beauty of existence and strives to make herself a part of it. And, believe it, she’s there.
It doesn’t matter what your personal style is, there are styles for you.  Take advantage of flowers! Even the simplest dresses benefit from a few well-placed blooms and fresh leaves.

The Edgy Girl: Tea party is not the same as prim and proper. Dark colors are acceptable for modern tea dresses. So are short cuts, fringe and metal bedazzlement.
The Fashionista: The goal of afternoon tea dressing is easy, comfortable simplicity. So, utilize your trendy talents with ultra-cool accessories. Think hats, sashes, or ankle bracelets to use in making your tea dress fashion statement.
The Professional: No, your suit does not count as a tea party dress. But, please keep the pencil skirts and low heels.
The Busy Mamma: Here’s your chance to enjoy something that’s just for you. Keep your afternoon tea attire separate from the rest of your wardrobe so you won’t associate them at all with chaos. That way, no matter which of your tea dresses you choose, it’s clean, available and wrinkle-free so that you can concentrate on elegance.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Wedding Parties

Reconciling who you want to include in your bridal party with who you're expected, requested, or even told to include can seem like an ordeal. With friends and family anticipating or assuming they'll be asked, it's easy to get confused and resentful. After all, this is supposed to be your day, your way, right? Relax. Choosing your attendants needn't be a nightmare. Prioritizing what's important is the key to arriving at a list that pleases everyone—even you.
bridesmaid dresses

Photo Credit: R.E.M. Video and Photography

Choices, Choices

The most obvious question is how many attendants to ask and who should be your maid/matron of honor. While etiquette books suggest one usher per 50 guests, protocol surrounding the number of bridesmaids is fuzzier (12, however, is the limit). "What's important is that you include those people to whom you feel closest," says Deborah Jones, owner of A Wedding In Minnesota, a bridal consultancy in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Also consider where you'll be standing at the altar or huppah, and how many people can fit on either side of you. Aesthetically, the same number of attendants on both sides looks best, but there is no rule that says they have to match.
Start by writing your wish list of attendants. Next, add your fiancé's picks, and those who would make political sense(your brother's wife to make him happy, for example). See if there are natural groupings that would make choosing easier: all sisters, all school friends, just one sister and one friend, etc. If your list is still unwieldy, consider the following to help you eliminate people or decide their role.
First, think about their responsibilities. The maid/matron of honor is generally the bride's right-hand woman before and on the day of the wedding. Her main duties include planning the bridal shower and helping the bride select her gown and address invitations. The bridesmaids assist the maid/matron of honor and bride. All typically pay for their own dresses and travel expenses.
Second, evaluate your needs and expectations. Is this a gala affair with many details you'll need help coordinating, or a small, no-fuss ceremony? Are you the type of person who surrounds herself with friends and needs a sounding board for every decision, or do you have only one or two close confidantes?
Do you expect your attendants to devote a significant amount of time and money to your wedding? Would you feel comforted knowing that all of your bridesmaids lived in town, mere minutes away for minor emergencies? If someone says she can't afford to participate, can you make up the difference (and not take it personally)? Be honest with yourself: Are your expectations reasonable? Will you get mad if someone can't help out as much as you'd like due to her work or family commitments?
Third, factor in the lifestyle and current situation of those you intend to ask, and how it meshes or clashes with their responsibilities and your needs. For example, what if your sister lives in Alaska and your best friend just lost her job, or if another friend is so swamped with work or a new baby that she barely squeezes in a phone call, much less time to plan a bridal bash. All these circumstances impact a potential maid's ability to do the best job possible. That said, even if someone can't be there physically, she may still provide valuable moral support. So decide what's most important to you.

Popping the Question

Now the fun part—asking people to be in your party. Some brides try to avoid disappointing anyone by asking people they don't really want to participate, assuming they'll say no because they're too busy or won't be able to afford it. Big mistake: This approach can easily backfire. Some people are so honored to be included that they'll move the world to make it happen. Only ask those you'll be thrilled to hear a "yes" from.
If there's someone you want to ask but are concerned she'll feel pressured by time or money constraints, create a scenario in which each of you would feel comfortable backing out gracefully.  Let her know she's one of your top choices but you understand if she has other commitments that make it difficult for her to take part. If you're willing to cover expenses, ask her how she feels about that. If she knows how important she is to you, she'll probably feel flattered, not insulted.
If you expected a friend to say yes and she doesn't, don't be offended. Chances are it's no reflection on you. Your friend is simply doing you the favour of being upfront and honest about the time and money she wants to devote to your event, an occasion she respects enough not to ruin. 
If someone does accept and later seems unhappy with her decision, try to determine what's really going on. 

Blood Ties

Resolving conflicts with parents and in-laws isn't always so simple. Sometimes an edict is handed-down and that's that. For example, you may be told your sister will be your maid of honour, whether you like it or not. If you have a big enough party, it may not matter—a lot of your friends are included anyway. If you were planning on a small party, consider making it bigger to keep the peace.
Even if you can enforce your will and leave out a family member who expected to be included, consider the effect your stubbornness will have on family harmony. "If you deliberately leave out someone your parents or in-laws want included, you may be making a bigger statement than you intended," notes Claro. Their conspicuous absence is a visible declaration of your rejection. When it comes down to it, would including this person really ruin your wedding day? Or will the repercussions of leaving her out sully family relationships for years to come?

Wedding party selection can be a total beast what with all the DIY and destination weddings and mixed families. 
Bookmark and Share

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Engagement Party Planning 101

ou've got the dress sorted, now it's time to think about wedding beauty. We've put together these 20 bridal make-up tips, with a little help from the experts, to make sure you look flawless on your big day.
image: http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/00008135c/e13d_orh1000w646/Bridal-makup-L.jpg
image: http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/00008135c/e13d_orh1000w646/Bridal-makup-L.jpg
  


Simply say 'I do' to the following bridal make-up rules and prepare to wow.

Do:


1. 'Make sure you have your trial at least three weeks, but no more than 5 weeks, before your wedding. If you plan on using fake tan for the big day, have a test run before your make-up trial so that your artist can see what colour your skin becomes with the tan,' says M·A·C Senior Artist, Rebecca Butterworth.

2. 'Wear a white t-shirt if you’re having your make-up test in a store so that you can see how the make-up looks against a pale colour and take a picture of yourself in day light (with no flash) to see how it looks before you purchase anything,' says celebrity make-up maestro Caroline Barnes.
3. 'Emphasize your eyes by brightening any darkness under them with corrector and concealer,' says Bobbi Brown.
4.' Bring references to your make-up trial. Start looking for images of make-up that you really like and bring them with you on the day. Try to identify what it is you like about the make-up in the image and take into account that if you have the skin colour of Dita Von Teese then the make-up of Kim Kardashian won't necessarily translate onto you,' says Rebecca from M·A·C.

5. 'Remember that bridal make-up needs to have enough colour to compensate for the whiteness of the dress. There’s a big difference between everyday clothes and a wedding dress, so there should be difference in your make-up, too. Start by making sure your skin looks even and smooth, and then add colour to your cheeks and lips to give them a glow,' says Bobbi Brown.
6. 'Use individual eyelashes – they’re a brilliant way to make your eyes stand out and look far more subtle than a full strip. Go for differing lengths to create a really natural fluttery look and nestle them in between your natural lashes rather than fixing them on top,' says Rebecca.
7. 'Focus on the most important elements of your look, such as beautifully natural-looking skin, softly groomed brows and feathery lashes. If you get these basic factors right the rest of your make-up will fall into place,' says Caroline Barnes.
8. 'Research application methods as they might differ slightly from your everyday make-up routine. For example, if you prefer to line with a shadow, make it last longer by applying it with a slightly damp eyeliner brush,' says Bobbi.
9.' Go pro. The best wedding make-up should last as long as you do so I love M·A·C’s Prolongwear range which includes foundations, concealers, lip and eye products that provide superior wear that will see you through your wedding day and night,' says Rebecca.

10. 'Finish your make-up off with a highlighter shade on the browbone to make the eyes really pop. Go for a light matte shade, and pat onto the outer corner of the brow bone so subtly draw attention to this area of your face,' says Bobbi.
image: http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/0000782b9/a2ca_orh1000w646/Bridal-make-up-tips-L.jpg
image: http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/0000782b9/a2ca_orh1000w646/Bridal-make-up-tips-L.jpg
  


Don't: 

1. 'Have your make-up test done anywhere with overhead fluorescent lighting. If you have a professional make-up artist coming to your home, arrange a time when it’s still daylight outside,' says Caroline Barnes.
2. 'Let a make-up artist hijack your look. For a lot of people, their wedding is a time when they can really take pleasure in having someone else do their make-up, but I think there can be a temptation to just indulge in the experience and take on all sorts of suggestions from the make-up artist - someone who may not know you or how you like to look particularly well. I'd advise real caution here; you don't want to surprise your intended at the altar by turning up looking like someone else. Whether you're hiring a make-up artist or doing your own, I generally think that the best bridal make-up is simply the most exquisitely polished version of how the bride usually looks - after all, you want to look beautiful rather than your make-up,” says make-up artist and Lancome UK Make-up Artist Ambassador, Alex Babsky.
3. 'Trowel it on. It’s a total myth that your make-up has to be plastered on for the photographs. Lots of wedding photography is done in natural light, and if you choose a heavy base the make-up will look obvious. In terms of flash, you just need to ensure that your T Zone is matte and that can be achieved with fine translucent powders and blotting powders, not layers of make-up,' says Caroline.
4. 'Go for anything too trend-led. It's worth bearing in mind that you'll have to live with photos from your wedding for the rest of your life, so it's best to avoid statement looks and opt for something more classic; that glittery eyeliner you saw on a Parisian catwalk might look super pretty and modern now, but chances are it'll look tired and dated in twenty years' time. This isn't to say that you'll have to make yourself up in a symphony of beiges though if you're used to a more punchy make-up - vintage wedding dresses in particular can look breathtaking with a classic old Hollywood lipstick colour,' says Alex Babsky.

How to plan a wedding: your 12-month guide
5. 'Be scared of going a bit brighter. Neutral, brown, and pale lip colours can look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one or two shades brighter than what you would normally wear. If you usually wear a neutral hue, it should be worn as a base, with a pink or rose colour on top. If you typically wear dark lipstick, use that as the base, and apply a brighter pink on top to give the colour a lift. Pinks, roses and plums are all great, classic choices for brides,' says Bobbi.

6. 'Just apply make-up to your face. Instead, extend down your neck and over your shoulders if necessary, this will ensure you face is not a different colour or even texture to your body. Everything should look uniform to create the most natural look possible. An easy way to blend uneven skin tones together is to use a light fake tan. Do this the day before your wedding not the night and beware of darkening your skin tone too much as the effect it actually the deaden the look of your complexion,' says Caroline.
7. 'Forget to decide what kind of maintenance you’d prefer for the day. For example, are you happy to check you're looking okay throughout the day, or do you want to just forget about your make-up once it's on? Waterproof mascara is an obvious requisite, but it's also worth considering cream eyeshadows that really set - you can be sure they'll stay where you put them,' says Alex.

8. 'Go too dark on the eyes. Define your eyes by applying colour in the crease, but avoid using a shade that’s too dense, as it can detract from the eyes themselves,' says Bobbi.

9. 'Go too glossy or too matte. It's best to avoid lipsticks at either end of the texture scale; too glossy and they'll only last five minutes whilst too matte and they may leave your lips dry and cakey by the time it's the moment to kiss your groom. A moisturising, satin-y finish lipstick is best for a wedding - this kind of formula will keep your lips looking their best and will wear off the most evenly and naturally; several thin layers, blotted between applications will give the most long-lasting finish,' says Alex.
10. 'Rush. Allow at least 45 minutes to an hour for make-up application on the wedding day,' says Bobbi.

Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/cassie-steer/544615/bridal-make-up-tips-the-10-dos-and-don-ts-you-need-to-pay-attention-to.html#vJd6ThlvpcfuZtU6.99
You've got the dress sorted, now it's time to think about wedding beauty. We've put together these 20 bridal make-up tips, with a little help from the experts, to make sure you look flawless on your big day.
image: http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/00008135c/e13d_orh1000w646/Bridal-makup-L.jpg
image: http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/00008135c/e13d_orh1000w646/Bridal-makup-L.jpg
  


Simply say 'I do' to the following bridal make-up rules and prepare to wow.

Do:


1. 'Make sure you have your trial at least three weeks, but no more than 5 weeks, before your wedding. If you plan on using fake tan for the big day, have a test run before your make-up trial so that your artist can see what colour your skin becomes with the tan,' says M·A·C Senior Artist, Rebecca Butterworth.

2. 'Wear a white t-shirt if you’re having your make-up test in a store so that you can see how the make-up looks against a pale colour and take a picture of yourself in day light (with no flash) to see how it looks before you purchase anything,' says celebrity make-up maestro Caroline Barnes.
3. 'Emphasize your eyes by brightening any darkness under them with corrector and concealer,' says Bobbi Brown.
4.' Bring references to your make-up trial. Start looking for images of make-up that you really like and bring them with you on the day. Try to identify what it is you like about the make-up in the image and take into account that if you have the skin colour of Dita Von Teese then the make-up of Kim Kardashian won't necessarily translate onto you,' says Rebecca from M·A·C.

5. 'Remember that bridal make-up needs to have enough colour to compensate for the whiteness of the dress. There’s a big difference between everyday clothes and a wedding dress, so there should be difference in your make-up, too. Start by making sure your skin looks even and smooth, and then add colour to your cheeks and lips to give them a glow,' says Bobbi Brown.
6. 'Use individual eyelashes – they’re a brilliant way to make your eyes stand out and look far more subtle than a full strip. Go for differing lengths to create a really natural fluttery look and nestle them in between your natural lashes rather than fixing them on top,' says Rebecca.
7. 'Focus on the most important elements of your look, such as beautifully natural-looking skin, softly groomed brows and feathery lashes. If you get these basic factors right the rest of your make-up will fall into place,' says Caroline Barnes.
8. 'Research application methods as they might differ slightly from your everyday make-up routine. For example, if you prefer to line with a shadow, make it last longer by applying it with a slightly damp eyeliner brush,' says Bobbi.
9.' Go pro. The best wedding make-up should last as long as you do so I love M·A·C’s Prolongwear range which includes foundations, concealers, lip and eye products that provide superior wear that will see you through your wedding day and night,' says Rebecca.

10. 'Finish your make-up off with a highlighter shade on the browbone to make the eyes really pop. Go for a light matte shade, and pat onto the outer corner of the brow bone so subtly draw attention to this area of your face,' says Bobbi.
image: http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/0000782b9/a2ca_orh1000w646/Bridal-make-up-tips-L.jpg
image: http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/0000782b9/a2ca_orh1000w646/Bridal-make-up-tips-L.jpg
  


Don't: 

1. 'Have your make-up test done anywhere with overhead fluorescent lighting. If you have a professional make-up artist coming to your home, arrange a time when it’s still daylight outside,' says Caroline Barnes.
2. 'Let a make-up artist hijack your look. For a lot of people, their wedding is a time when they can really take pleasure in having someone else do their make-up, but I think there can be a temptation to just indulge in the experience and take on all sorts of suggestions from the make-up artist - someone who may not know you or how you like to look particularly well. I'd advise real caution here; you don't want to surprise your intended at the altar by turning up looking like someone else. Whether you're hiring a make-up artist or doing your own, I generally think that the best bridal make-up is simply the most exquisitely polished version of how the bride usually looks - after all, you want to look beautiful rather than your make-up,” says make-up artist and Lancome UK Make-up Artist Ambassador, Alex Babsky.
3. 'Trowel it on. It’s a total myth that your make-up has to be plastered on for the photographs. Lots of wedding photography is done in natural light, and if you choose a heavy base the make-up will look obvious. In terms of flash, you just need to ensure that your T Zone is matte and that can be achieved with fine translucent powders and blotting powders, not layers of make-up,' says Caroline.
4. 'Go for anything too trend-led. It's worth bearing in mind that you'll have to live with photos from your wedding for the rest of your life, so it's best to avoid statement looks and opt for something more classic; that glittery eyeliner you saw on a Parisian catwalk might look super pretty and modern now, but chances are it'll look tired and dated in twenty years' time. This isn't to say that you'll have to make yourself up in a symphony of beiges though if you're used to a more punchy make-up - vintage wedding dresses in particular can look breathtaking with a classic old Hollywood lipstick colour,' says Alex Babsky.

How to plan a wedding: your 12-month guide
5. 'Be scared of going a bit brighter. Neutral, brown, and pale lip colours can look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one or two shades brighter than what you would normally wear. If you usually wear a neutral hue, it should be worn as a base, with a pink or rose colour on top. If you typically wear dark lipstick, use that as the base, and apply a brighter pink on top to give the colour a lift. Pinks, roses and plums are all great, classic choices for brides,' says Bobbi.

6. 'Just apply make-up to your face. Instead, extend down your neck and over your shoulders if necessary, this will ensure you face is not a different colour or even texture to your body. Everything should look uniform to create the most natural look possible. An easy way to blend uneven skin tones together is to use a light fake tan. Do this the day before your wedding not the night and beware of darkening your skin tone too much as the effect it actually the deaden the look of your complexion,' says Caroline.
7. 'Forget to decide what kind of maintenance you’d prefer for the day. For example, are you happy to check you're looking okay throughout the day, or do you want to just forget about your make-up once it's on? Waterproof mascara is an obvious requisite, but it's also worth considering cream eyeshadows that really set - you can be sure they'll stay where you put them,' says Alex.

8. 'Go too dark on the eyes. Define your eyes by applying colour in the crease, but avoid using a shade that’s too dense, as it can detract from the eyes themselves,' says Bobbi.

9. 'Go too glossy or too matte. It's best to avoid lipsticks at either end of the texture scale; too glossy and they'll only last five minutes whilst too matte and they may leave your lips dry and cakey by the time it's the moment to kiss your groom. A moisturising, satin-y finish lipstick is best for a wedding - this kind of formula will keep your lips looking their best and will wear off the most evenly and naturally; several thin layers, blotted between applications will give the most long-lasting finish,' says Alex.
10. 'Rush. Allow at least 45 minutes to an hour for make-up application on the wedding day,' says Bobbi.

Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/cassie-steer/544615/bridal-make-up-tips-the-10-dos-and-don-ts-you-need-to-pay-attention-to.html#vJd6ThlvpcfuZtU6.99


You don't need an excuse for a celebratory bash—you're engaged! Party on with our engagement party primer.
Party guests at dinner table with wine glasses
PHOTO BY A SIMPLE PHOTOGRAPHY
The purpose of an engagement party—usually scheduled no later than three months after the big announcement—can be threefold: to share the news of your imminent union with future wedding guests, to introduce your families to each other, and to celebrate the impending, well, celebration. Tradition has it that the bride's parents host the initial gathering, but the groom's parents can then throw their own party, or both sets can come together to host the fete. As you decide, here are five things the hosts should keep in mind:

1. Your Family Should Give You Time to Breathe

An impromptu family gathering the weekend after your partner proposed is the perfect opportunity to break out the vintage champagne, but don't schedule an all-out opulent affair during the first month of your engagement. You both need some time to revel in just being engaged. Plan to have an engagement party two to four months after the question was popped. That gives you the chance to envision your eventual wedding—a crucial element to consider when deciding on the type of event to throw.

2. Find Out the Size of Your Wedding

Everyone who's invited to the engagement party should ultimately be invited to the wedding. Otherwise, guests might wonder what they did at the engagement party to insult you! That said, if you decide to host your own wedding and keep the list small and you want to throw an extravagant engagement party, go for it. Just be sure to let people know that the wedding will be small so no feelings will be hurt when guests aren't invited to the wedding. If you're worried that your friends will think you want to have a big bash solely to garner gifts, include a nice note in the invitation that requests no presents.

3. Consider What Will Make the In-Laws Most Comfortable

Since the engagement party custom was actually designed to help you start building bridges between your families, consider their style. If one of you has a very formal family, an impromptu picnic in the park might not be the most appropriate setting for getting to know one another. Likewise, a five-course sit-down dinner attended by all your friends might be a bit intimidating for them. Settle nerves by including as many people from their side as you can reasonably accommodate.

4. Register for Gifts Beforehand

While guests have not brought presents to this function traditionally, increasing numbers do today, so it's only fair to provide guidance. Register for gifts in the low to middle range—a $500 cappuccino maker is not your typical engagement present. If some guests arrive bearing gifts, just be sure you unwrap them after the party or away from the crowd, so people who came empty-handed won't feel uncomfortable.

5. Remind Yourself That There's Still a Wedding to Throw

Every host wants to plan an unforgettable affair, but you never want to upstage the main event. Try to create a different mood for the engagement party while maintaining your own style. You won't want to force a casual cookout if you (and your guests) favor formal parties, and vice versa. But if your guests are up to it, set apart a black-tie affair with a sit-on-the-floor, buffet-style engagement bash; preview a semiformal daytime wedding with a swanky cocktail party, ties optional; or balance a destination wedding with a home-cooked dinner party.


Bookmark and Share

Monday, January 11, 2016

Great Ideas






In 2011, on the hunt for a unique gift and struggling for inspiration, Katie Dobson found herself at her favourite car boot sale knee deep in boxes of chipped china. This is where she found it…’it’ being a rather sad looking silver spoon, which unbeknown to her was soon to become the inspiration for what is now The Cutlery Commission!  Using her old steel letters (tired remnants from Katie's silversmithing days) and a hammer, she stamped the words ‘HEY SUGAR’ onto the spoon and there and then…fell a little bit in love. It’s been a cutlery love affair ever since!
Soon after the ‘HEY SUGAR’ epiphany, and with Katie's creative passion reignited, she started sourcing silver cutlery to stamp and give as special gifts to friends and family. Amazingly word spread and within months she went from a part time crafter to ‘The High Commissioner’ of The Cutlery Commission working with a team of six ‘Spoonettes’!  Just four short years later The Cutlery Commission is now sold in Liberty & John Lewis, two leading retailers in the UK as well as a number of smaller boutiques.   
On September 1st 2015, The Cutlery Commission launched in Australia.  As dedicated tea drinkers,  friends and business partners Jo Coles and Laurie Creasy have joined Katie in her quest to spread the love via her hand-stamped spoons 17,000 kilometres away in Sydney.   They hope you fall in love with the story and the spoons,  just as much as they did.  



The Cutlery CommissionAustralia - Jo Coles & Laurie Creasy
Having both had corporate careers before kids, Jo Coles and Laurie Creasy began their own boutique PR agency in 2009. Fast forward 6 years, 2 more little ones, another on the way and one interstate move, Lily Blue Communications is running well and they are excited to have taken a leap of faith once more, with their latest business venture - The Cutlery Commission Australia! 

It all began when Laurie's best friend Lizzie sent her a gorgeous hand-stamped cake slice for her Wedding in 2014. Instantly falling in love with her hand crafted gift, she started to follow The Cutlery Commission on Instagram.  After sourcing 20 personalised tea spoons for a Beauty Media Press Kit and sending a teaspoon/cake fork/Pimm's stirrer to anyone celebrating anything, she watched the stream of delight flow from one recipient to the next and wondered if the spirited super mamma on the other side of the water might consider her as a distributor.  

Originally founded in the Cotswolds England in 2012, Katie Dobson is the brainchild behind The Cutlery Commission, also known as The High Commissioner.  She is without doubt an innate entrepreneur and lover of all things lifestyle .  Katie lives in The Cotswolds, a beautiful part of South Central England - just around the corner from Laurie's friend Lizzie (small world… connection of dots! ) 

There's something about a cup of tea, something very comforting and almost calming about a sip or slurp of your favourite brew.  Perhaps it's part of their Brit DNA or that fact that Jo and Laurie just love a good cuppa?  Whatever it is, they are thrilled to be launching a brand that stems from the lifestyle of lady that seems to mirror much of their own, a mere 17,000 kilometres away, back in the Motherland.

And here they are...a few months in with a talented group of local Spoonettes hammer ready, spreading the love via bespoke butter knives and other silver -plated mementos launching The Cutlery Commission in Australia. 

Bookmark and Share

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Azurite Health and Wellbeing




 SIGNATURE WELLNESS PROGRAMS

New Beginnings Cleanse

The New Beginnings Cleanse is an all encompassing wellness program, that specialises in detoxing of the mind, body and spirit.

Learn More. 

Weight Management Program

Enjoy healthy and delicious specialties, making you healthier and happier. Azurite designed the Weight Management Program to pamper your senses. Even though you are undergoing weight management, your sense of taste will still be tantalised and embraced with luxurious flavours, offering you a path to the next level of wellness.

Learn More.

Classic Detox Program

Unhealthy habits can take a toll on your body and health. Long periods of eating unhealthy food and overworking yourself can also cause toxin build-up in your body. Get rid of harmful toxins and achieve optimal health with a holistic detox program, which features Ayurvedic, Thai and alternative detox methods. Enjoy a specially designed detox juice cleanse and a program catered to suit your condition with the aid of a professional therapist. Yoga practices are also included to balance your body’s energy.

Learn More. 

Holistic Beautifying Programme

Embrace your inner youth and look just as good as you feel with Azurite’s Holistic Beautifying Package. Reverse the effects of time and get back to good habits of healthy living through a natural and truly rejuvenating experience.
This unique programme will revitalise the body and mind and make you look and feel younger each day. Only the finest premium organic skin care products are used to enhance your skin and bring out its natural youthful glow. Our spa and fitness team will also aid you in adopting a youthful and sustainable lifestyle by encouraging happiness of the mind through nutritional concerns and an appropriate schedule of meals, exercise and sleep.

Learn More. 

Rest, Relax and Rejuvenation Programme

A four-day-and-three-night itinerary of expertly orchestrated treatments and activities, which are intended to provide ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation, as well as setting guests towards a course of better health and well-being.

Learn More. 

Stay Well Program

Simple is sometimes the best. Azurite designed this package for guests who are focused on boosting their well-being and vitality through a simple path.

Learn More. 

Sleeping Well Program

In today’s bustling and frantic world, the benefit of getting a good night’s sleep has become paramount. Stress is in all aspects of day-to-day life, whether work- or play-related. Time is a commodity that we are all short of, and less time is being dedicated to sleep. A good night’s sleep is as important as healthy eating and regular exercise. Quality sleep restores our energy levels and helps us maintain good health and well-being. It revitalises our skin and mind, leaving us more refreshed and alert. Last but not least, it prepares us for a new day, making us more productive and efficient. Thus, good sleep is a jewel. Surrender your body, mind and soul with Azurite, where you can develop and enhance the quality of your sleep.

Learn More. 

WELLNESS RETREAT & REJUVENATION PROGRAM
Royal Cliff Hotel Group


Wellness & Rejuvenation Retreat

Royal Cliff has partnered up with Azurite to deliver the ultimate in exclusivity, wellness and rejuvenation. Various elements are combined for a perfect recovery with Cliff Spa treatments, rejuvenating activities, healthy cuisine and luxury rooms surrounded by an intimate relaxing environment.

Learn More. 





  
Bookmark and Share