Planning an Elegant Buffet - How I Catered My Daughter's Wedding From Three States Away

"How does this happen?" you ask. The secret is organization - such as the pros do it - planning every last detail. I will tell you here how you can do it too.

Here's how it started: a few years ago we were planning a wedding for our eldest daughter, a second marriage for her. She chose to be married in Long Island where my sister and her husband have a lovely waterfront property on a point of land. What could be prettier than a wedding ceremony on a Sunday afternoon in July with the Great South Bay sparkling in the background?

So, among other preparations, we set about finding a caterer. The guest list was around forty, a manageable group. It's important to note here that I consider myself a foodie. I never want to ingest a solitary calorie that is not up to my standards. The menus from local caterers and restaurants were sorry in my estimation and pricey for what it was. I quickly concluded that I could do just as well if not better.

Now this was possibly a stretch, since I live three states away in Massachusetts, but I am not one to shrink from a challenge. I enjoy cooking, and just as important, other people enjoy my cooking, and I am not beyond working hard.

My idea of what I wanted to serve was an elegant meal appropriate for a summer afternoon. To me that meant beautiful fresh food, elegantly presented and served cold or at room temperature. This would be a buffet. I knew I could figure it out.

Figure it out. That is exactly what it's about.

Start with a nice clean legal pad and a couple of sharp pencils. The first step is to fashion a menu: four categories, one page each. First, appetizers to be served with drinks. Second, the main course and the third, dessert which will most certainly be a wedding cake and perhaps other goodies as well. The fourth page is drinks.

You do not have to be a wonderful cook. Let me repeat that: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A WONDERFUL COOK. You will come up with one dish that you do well, and keep the rest very simple.

Let us here recall the KISS rule. Keep It Simple, Stupid. What makes simply served foods work is the PRESENTATION, that is the way it's served. For example, sliced tomatoes carefully arranged on a pretty platter with a few sprigs of parsley is attractive and a worthy dish on an elegant table. But let's get back to that list.

Hors d'oeuvres, starters, appetizers, whatever you wish to call them is what people will munch cocktail party style with drinks or champagne, perhaps just after the ceremony. For my summer party, I kept things light - not the kind of food you might expect at a Super Bowl party. Think shrimp. Tiny grape tomatoes in a bowl. An artichoke dip with nice quality crackers. Do a cheese platter with 2 or 3 cheeses with some beautiful grapes or cut up fruit. Remember that cheese tastes best at room temperature - most cheeses are tasteless when cold. (A good thing in this instance.) Use your imagination, but lacking inspiration, consider searching your cook books or the internet.

Write down all the appetizer dishes you like and sort out later. Consider buying a few prepared dishes. You will then rewrite a clean new list with your final choices. Just remember, you want to spend a minimum of time and effort the day of the wedding, so your dishes must be carefully chosen.

Next, the main course. I wanted to have some beautifully done simple meats. I chose sliced cold turkey breast and a big side of poached salmon. (At the end of this article I will include my recipes and methods of preparation.) The turkey and salmon were served on big beautiful platters. The turkey was surrounded with grapes and alongside I served in a nice little dish, a wonderful sauce which my friends could not identify. It was Ken's Raspberry Pecan fat free salad dressing. Perfect. The salmon was served with lemon wedges & dill artfully placed around the fish. Simple? Absolutely.

But that wasn't enough. For my centerpiece I created a large, pasta dish which was served room temperature and prepared just before the wedding party began. It went into a not so big punch bowl and just got better as it waited the hour or two before it was served. I suggest covering and hiding this beautiful dish lest your family pick away at the top. All of the parts to the pasta dish were prepared days before and assembled with the freshly cooked pasta.

Additionally, I served some salads and a platter of sliced tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella cheese, drizzled with olive oil, and decorated with gorgeous fresh basil leaves. Fancy baskets with cloth napkins were filled with fresh breads.

Back to your list. On you main course page, list several candidates. You could choose any dish you make well, or perhaps confer with someone with more cooking and entertaining experience. Or, ask a friend or relative for a recipe he or she makes well and practice making it - or even better, get them to make it for you!

Alternately you could purchase your keynote dish from a restaurant. It will cost more than it would if you make it yourself, but possibly worth the expense if this is a source of stress for you. If you decide to cook the entree yourself, consider carefully and eliminate from the list those that will not work well. Choose a dish that benefits form advance preparation and will be the least work at the last minute.

Next, the third page is the wedding cake. Be sure to order it well in advance from a bakery you trust. If you wish you can also serve chocolate covered strawberries, sliced pineapple, mangoes or whatever else is available or traditional for your family.

Page four. Coffee? You'll need to round up a good sized coffee pot, creamers, sugar and packets of Splenda.

You also need to consider what wine, cocktails, beer, sodas and non alcoholic drinks you plan to serve. How about after dinner drinks? Since you are going to be quite involved with the food, assigning the matter of the drinks to someone else is a stellar idea. Lacking a trustworthy friend or family member, you will have to assume this as well. I am fortunate in having a husband who has had years of training (our previous parties) so I was able to confidently leave this to him.

Let's get back to that list. You have now decided what exactly you are going to serve. Here is where you will work like a pro and take the stress out of this major effort.

You should now have four lists - appetizers, main course, desserts, drinks. These are your master lists that you will refer to even up until the day of the party.

The next step is to make a copy of every recipe you will be using - don't count on your book - have a separate copy. Everything. This ensures you will forget nothing at the last moment.

Once you are settled on what you will serve, the next list is your shopping list. This is a separate piece of paper. Or three. Go over the ingredients for each dish from the recipe pages and make a shopping list. If you will be going to more than one store - I went to Costco and a super market - have a separate list for each store. Check your pantry for the things you think you have on hand and be sure they are fresh and you have enough. If a trip to the liquor store is necessary, this is a separate list.

Let's think about the serving platters you will use. On each recipe page - I like to put this info in the upper right corner, write down the particular serving platter or plate you will use and the utensils you will need (fork, spoon, perhaps both, tongs, etc.)

On a clean piece of paper start another list for serving platters. If you don't already own all of the plates or platters you will need, you could borrow, rent, or go out to Target, TJ Maxx, Home Goods or wherever you know you can get a good looking plate or two without breaking the bank. For me, this list was essential the day of the party, and equally necessary when I was loading platters, layered between towels, into my trunk when I was getting ready to drive to New York!

So now you know what you will serve, what you need to buy in the way of groceries, and what exactly you will be using underneath all this food.
A time line is next - working backward from the day of the wedding.

You must first assess what your preparation will entail for each dish. You will not, for example slice your tomatoes until the last moment, but you will chop any onions you will be using well in advance and have stored in a zip-lock.

Remember where I said the pasta dish was assembled just before the party -once the pasta was cooked? Having all components ready to use is called
MISE EN PLACE. This is a French term that, when it refers to food preparation, means that everything is readied in advance and ready to use - just the way things are done in restaurants. .

Mise en place is a key step is making this entire effort less stressful. So you need to go through your recipes and determine what you can do a day or two in advance, what can be done a few hours before, and what has to be tended to last minute. Say your party is on Saturday. Your Thursday list might include chopping onions and garlic and packing each into airtight plastic bags. You might unwrap your cheeses and rewrap, again in an airtight manor such as tight saran to avoid the commercial packaging hassle when you're down to the last few minutes before your guests arrive. That cheese, by the way, should reappear on your 'few hours before' list to be taken out of the refrigerator to come to room temperature.

As tedious as this extensive list making may seem, the work you do now is your insurance that panic will not set in later AND it will make it much easier for anyone helping you!

Plan how you will arrange your platters on the serving table. Do you know what table you will be using? Perhaps you should think about renting a table. You may need to rent several dining tables and chairs. Also think about table cloths and linens. If you don't want to use paper, elegant dishes can be rented and you can return them dirty. Recently I had a formal party for 20, and rented the items mentioned above for $150. Everything was beautiful - they picked up, delivered, set the tables up and then picked up the next day all in the price.

Will you be transporting your food from your home to another location? Here's how to make that more efficient. Have a separate box for each dish with the prepared components, recipe page and any last minute notes and special kitchen tools packed into each box. Boxes from the liquor store are ideal because they are abundant, smallish and very strong. You can also add cold packs to each box near those foods that are perishable as I did when I was transporting my wedding party food to New York.

Lastly, if this is a large group you will need help. The best of all worlds is to hire someone to help you starting an hour or so before the party and throughout to clear tables and wash dishes. This will insure your guests feeling comfortable about not having to be in your kitchen helping, and you will enjoy the party. You can check in from time to time.

The person you hire need not be a catering pro. You could hire at $10 or $15 per hour a mature high school girl with common sense who knows her way around a kitchen Do what you can afford. If hiring someone is out of the question, you will have to rely on a family member or two to help out.

The Cleverest Baby Shower Centrepiece Ideas

Whether your baby shower is going to be a tea party at home, an outdoor picnic or barbecue or a large dinner at a restaurant, you are going to need a beautiful centrepiece to pull the whole decoration theme together. This article will explore the cleverest baby shower centrepiece ideas.

Most of the cleverest centrepieces have a dual purpose - they are not only a good looking centrepiece but they are also created from items that can be used again. One of the most popular examples of this is the nappy cake (or diaper cake). Much like you would have a large tiered cake at a wedding as a focus, a nappy cake is designed to look like a wedding cake but is created from nappies and other baby items such as clothing and toys. The benefit of using a nappy cake is that they are relatively simple to make yourself if on a budget as you can shop around for inexpensive baby items and nappies but they look extravagant. You can also tie them into any colour scheme by way of co-ordinating ribbons so it's easy to adapt the overall look depending on whether the mum to be is expecting a boy, girl or a surprise!

Another very popular centrepiece idea is the baby bouquet. Flowers have long been used as traditional table centrepieces but a baby bouquet will last a lot longer! Instead of real flowers, the bouquet is in fact made from rolled baby clothing to resemble roses along with artificial flowers and foliage that can then be kept as a reminder long after the clothing has been removed and used. Again it is easy to tie it into the overall colour scheme with the use of co-ordinating artificial flowers and the vase or container used to hold it in. Baby bouquets are slightly trickier to make than nappy cakes but given a little practice and the right materials it is possible to make something beautiful without being an expert.

Another fabulous idea for a centrepiece is using edible items such as a cookie bouquet. Using cookie cutters in baby related shapes such as baby bodysuits, bibs and bottles, you can create cute biscuits which you can then ice and decorate in the baby shower colours you have chosen. The biscuits can be baked onto tall lollipop sticks so that they can be inserted into a vase and arranged like a bouquet. Relatively inexpensive to make and if you aren't a whizz in the kitchen you can get ready made cookie mixes that are foolproof! Again the benefit of this centrepiece is that the contents can be eaten! Either leave them as a lovely treat for the new parents to tuck into or use them as baby shower favours for the guests when they leave. You could even use them as prizes for the baby shower games!

Another centrepiece idea is the washcloth lollipop bouquet. This time not edible but still useful. Purchase washcloths/flannels in the colours of the baby shower (it will look best with a few different shades around the main colour for contrast) and roll them into a sausage shape lengthways, then roll them up into a spiral shape. Lay each one on top of a lollipop stick and then wrap the whole thing in a cellophane bag and secure underneath the washcloth with a co-ordinating piece of ribbon. Arrange a dozen or so in a vase or other container for an eyecatching centrepiece. Flannels can be purchased very cheaply and are widely available in a range of colours and each lollipop can again be used as a baby shower favour at the end for the guests or as game prizes. You could always make a variation on this by using baby bibs instead of washcloths and giving the bouquet to mum to be as a gift at the end of the baby shower.

Bridal Jewelry Sets - For Auspicious Wedding Day

For every woman, to be bride is one of the most memorable and auspicious days. Quite expectedly, brides are very obsessed with predilection towards their feature appearances. From bathing them with aromatic salts to the application of herbal treatments, many things are done to make brides aglow with beauty. While other things are applied for beautification of the brides, bridal jewelries are also one of the significant parts in this respect. They are pivotal to improve beauty of the brides.

Bridal jewelry set gives you a perfect combination of all essential jewelry items such as necklace, rings, bangles and matching earrings. On the wedding day, these jewelry sets offer a collection of all necessary items designed to give you an intended look.

Market is infested with options to choose a variety of bridal jewelry sets intended to beautify your look. They are available in multiple forms such as gold, metals, platinum and silver. Whether you are intended to purchase bridal jewelry crystal or plain precious metal sets, the options are aplenty to choose from. More so, bridal sets are also feasible with precious stones such as sapphires, rubies, diamonds and others. While there is no dearth of such bridal jewelry sets in the market, the selection of particular sets should follow careful analysis of your need and extent of affordability. As such sets are available in different prices; you must consider need and budget before choosing particular set of jewelry for brides.

It is very important for a bride to make a proper choice when it comes to buying bridal set. One of the first things to follow in this regard is not to purchase just because you are enchanted with a particular bridal set. The bridal set you are smitten with may be beautiful to look at, but you have to make sure that it brings perfect harmony to your dress as well. If a wrong jewelry set is chosen, it turns out to be a futile buy when it is not matching with the wedding dress. Even the costly wedding outfits look incomplete with wrong jewelry. You are recommended to take a whole set of factors into consideration like price, style and quality of the jewelry sets.

Bridal sets are worn to create a beautiful look. There is no dearth of jewelers offering myriad sorts of bridal sets to cater all needs and budgets. Even after wedding day, these jewelry items can be used for a long years. You can customize them as well. For example, you can choose earrings or bangles when going out for meal or to attend special occasion. These fashion bridal jewelry sets can fulfill your need in occasion like wedding and anniversary.

Wedding Insurance Comparisons - Facts For Uk and Irish Residents Only

There are quite a selection of wedding insurance policies available, but did you know for instance, that you must 'qualify' by country of residence in order take out a policy?

As an example let's say you are a resident of the Irish Republic, UK insurers will not give you cover. Likewise, to qualify for a UK policy at least one member of the happy couple must be a UK resident. Most U.K. and Irish policies will cover you for a wedding abroad, but very few if any, will cover you for a wedding in the U.S. or Canada.

And then there are other questions to consider, we may not want to think about redundancy or job loss, the wedding dress getting damaged, the rings being lost, the caterer going bust, the venue closing down before the big day, or the wedding being cancelled due to illness, but these are all realistic possibilities that could turn the wedding from dream to disaster, both personally and financially.

Policies give extensive cover but the one thing that cannot be insured is if the wedding is called off due to the couple breaking up; in that scenario WHAT YOU HAVE SPENT TO-DATE is in all probability, lost!

The starting point in deciding whether or not you should have wedding insurance is to complete a budget planner, when you have done that you will have a clear idea of what the total likely cost will be. Having planned how you are going to fund your wedding, whether it be through savings or loans, you will know the potential financial liability you are facing in the event of something going wrong.

In an article like this, we can only touch on the pros and cons of taking out a policy, but take a look at wedding insurance comparison.com where you can download a free user guide that will give you a free budget planner, a range of policies that are available together with the cost of each, details of the policy 'small print' and a range of Frequently Asked Questions by couples looking for wedding insurance.

Bamboo Art Glass Window

If you are into Asian design, you've no doubt considered using bamboo in your decorating. Bamboo designs are very versatile. They can be subtle for a neutral room, but can add a lot to a minimalist design. One great way to decorate with bamboo is through bamboo art glass windows. These glass creations are similar to stained glass and bring a touch of bamboo into your home through elegant, colorful glass.

Bamboo stained glass art designs are available in many sizes. Smaller window hangings are very affordable, and add a lot to a room. Bamboo art glass windows are also available in larger, full-sized windows. You can have one installed above another window, or put a new window in and fill it with a bamboo stained glass panel. If you are really looking to make a statement, consider a large beautiful skylight with a bamboo design built right in.

Bamboo art glass windows work well in any room. If you have a simple bedroom and want to bring some color into it without being gaudy, bamboo stained glass is the perfect choice. The simple designs and neutral colors won't over-power a minimalist spa-like bathroom and can make it feel even more serene. These also work well in living rooms and kitchens. No matter what kind of space you have, a bamboo art glass window will bring more life to it right away.

Bamboo art glass windows are easy to install. If you choose a window hanging design, you can just quickly put it up yourself. More involved designs, however, will most likely require professional installation. Whether you are replacing an entire window, putting a new window where there previously wasn't one, or enhancing an existing window through borders or picture window panels, a professional stained glass contractor in your area is the best choice if you want top-notch results.

Baby Shower Favors And Planning For The Ultimate Baby Shower

Finding out a couple has a baby on the way is indeed good news for anybody. Neighbors, family, office mates and friends are all eager to talk about the name, the presents, the parties, the hospital and the day care to which the forthcoming baby will be all going to have and to stay in when he or she comes out to the world. Close friends and family relations would also be agog to arrange for the baby shower-of course, a baby is baby and the entire world must know you and your partner is going to have one. So prep up with your list and let's plan how to manage the baby shower favors, games and invitation that could be slightly overwhelming.

What month do you wish to hold your baby shower? Is it January-the bleak wintry season; or March-the scalding summer season? Depending on the month that you set the day for your baby shower it is important to think about where you will hold your gathering. If it's overly warm then arrange it in the seaside or the pool side. If the month is notorious for strong wind then decide to have an enclosed party. Set also the theme according to the month. If you are going to have an autumn baby then match your baby shower favors according to what is in fashion. Just remember to mail the invitations earlier in order to help dear friends missing your get-together over a holiday or an out-of-town journey.

If you are expecting a boy, a girl or a twin (whoa!) match also the color and the atmosphere according to the latest fad in terms of baby shower planning. You may want this moment to be memorable not only for you and your spouse but for all your dear friends who desires to bring you prayers and wishes of generosity and good health so you might as well present them in return party favors that are genuinely worthy of their effort.

A candle for instance signifies life and never-ending radiance so if you wish to show your appreciation give your dear friends and friends with an adorable party favor like a baby feeding bottle candle or a hatching baby chicken candle. A cross or spiritual objects in key chains, figurines, book marks or tin cans can also be a suitable offering in view of the event.

If on the other hand you are helping a friend how to arrange a baby shower party, or you volunteered to have the shower party yourself in behalf of your best friend always bring to mind that a kid's first birthday party is totally different from a baby shower party. Decide on off-hand colors and choose themes that are not overrated even for an attendee in his or her middle twenties. From the baby shower favors to the cake toppers to the games for all the expected friends and visitors, everybody have to feel comfy and at ease with all the party preparations. The attendees are not young kids so do not pick overly cute favors and give rather items that show humor or a certain wit in their presentations.

Black and White Wedding Invitations - Where Style Meets Tradition

If you just got engaged and are now starting on the long path of planning the wedding then a black and white wedding invitation is a great way to show off the elegance of your wedding. But don't think for one moment that your invite will be boring just because you are going with a traditional white wedding. Now days there are dozens of different designs and styles of invitations to choose from in the black and white realm so don't be afraid to add a twist to a classic invite and make it uniquely yours.

Here is a list of the different styles you can choose from as well as an example of each so you can make the best decision for your special day.

Traditional - There is nothing wrong with sticking with the classic beauty of simple black and white invitation. A traditional style will have clean sharp lines and elegantly styled lettering.

Tea Length - A tea length wedding invitation allows for slight twist on the traditional by allowing for a long narrow look and feel but offers the same clean lines and elegant lettering you would expect to see on the traditional style.

Vintage Style - A vintage wedding invitation incorporates a little vintage flair by adding a vintage pattern as a border or background in order to give you a unique style and design.

Photo - Just because you went black and white doesn't mean you have to rule out the use of photos on your invitations. Adding a photo to an already elegant design can let you put a little more of your own style into the invitation. A fun idea that many brides do is they have their photo in black and white but add just a touch of color by putting their names or wedding date in color to make it really pop.

Folded - A folded design is not necessarily a style but has to do with the invitations overall size. Unlike a single sided invite a folded invite has 2 panels that fold in to create a perfect square. A folded style is a great choice for anyone that is looking to additional room for additional pictures.

So don't be scared to mix it up a little no matter which style and design you go with you will always turn heads with its timeless beauty and elegance and is the perfect way to announce your special day.

A Review Of Two Unique Professional Wedding Planner Software

Anyone planning for a wedding must go to any length to make the event successful. One way to succeed in the process is to make use of quality professional wedding planner software packages. These are unique programs that can help you plan your wedding very well. They are quite different from free wedding planner software programs. You have to pay some cash to have them. Let's take a review of two best software programs that can help you a lot in planning your wedding.

1. I Do Wedding Couple Edition

This is one of the best legitimate software packages you can always use for your wedding planning. It comes with a free trial version which you can use before paying for the product. The "I Do Wedding Planner software" come with a user-friendly interface and other unique features. You don't need any training to operate it. You can easily download the trial version. Later on when you decide to go for it, you'll then pay to download the full version.

Features and Benefits

The I Do Software helps in keeping track of all valuable information about your wedding. It comes with a wedding checklist that helps you a lot in mapping out what you intend to do and achieve in the wedding. You can use the software to arrange the reception arena very well. It comes with easy drag and drop feature for fast execution of tasks.

You can equally use the software to prepare and print addresses on your invitation cards and the envelopes. The software tracks all your wedding expenses. It has a 30 day free trial period. It manages and tracks all your wedding guests, invitations and the RVSPs. The current download price of the software ranges from $30 to $37.

2. Wedding Assistant Software Package

This is another unique wedding planner software package that can give you value for the money you invest in it. It's actually one of the best wedding planning software many people are using today.

Features and Benefits

The wedding planning software comes with a budget screen that helps you track all wedding expenses. You can always print out the reports in an excel sheet. The software comes with automatic backup feature that stores your wedding plans in case of any mishap. It has a comprehensive wedding task list including a planning calendar that allows you to enjoy multiple views. This helps you to plan your wedding tasks with suitable dates.

You can easily create a comprehensive guest list with the software. It comes with a guest's list builder that helps in tracking the names and addresses of the expected guests. The software has a unique wedding gift registry for tracking of gifts you receive during wedding. You can always use it to track all your wedding expenses as well. The current price ranges as from $29 to $ $35.

Going for the best Software

It's always better to read various reviews such as the one above before you chose software for your wedding plans. In most cases, the software packages you pay for usually have better features that then free ones. You're sure to succeed well in planning your wedding when you go for the paid versions. You can always purchase them online from reliable portals.

Tips For Home Printing Wedding Invitations

Making your own and home printing wedding invitations is a great way to save money on your wedding stationery. You've carefully thought about your design and now you're ready to print, but before you do, make sure you read these essential tips for home printing your invites.

- Practice - always do a trial run on your chosen paper. Think about whether the paper looks good? Does the design look OK on your chosen paper colour and size? Do you have good balance in your layout? Is it as you expected? If the answer is 'no' to any of these, it's back to the drawing board!

- Trim your trial run to your finished size (if you need to). This will check that the design fits as intended. It's best to get this right on your first one before you start printing out 50 or so invites!

- Print extras as part of the same batch - that way you'll have spares for any mistakes. I'd recommend at least 10-15 extra print outs for practice cards and as reserves for any mistakes.

- You can also print direct on to pre-made blank cards. Check the weight of paper your printer will take - mine easily takes a 250gsm paper stock, but check your own manufacturer's guidelines.

- Print out any practice cards on the 'draft' or 'fast' setting - it'll save your ink. Then when you're happy, run the invites out at the highest quality.

- For illustrations, pictures or photos - print on the highest quality for the best result.

- Some papers, such as vellum don't absorb the ink so it just sits on top of the paper until it is dry. This means that it's susceptible to smudging. In this case, print out individual sheets and remove them from your printer tray. Dry the print outs flat as individual sheets - not on top of one another.

- Also, print out vellum on 'fast' or 'draft' quality - they'll dry much quicker.

- Don't use watercolours or soluble pencils to add colour to your invitations. Inkjet ink is water soluble, so it will run and smudge with contact with water.

- Use a copy shop if you have any large amounts of cutting or copying to do. A copy shop will also copy onto special papers. This is especially useful for inserts - so use a template, print out one and then let the copy shop copy and cut it to size.

Three Unique Ideas for Wedding Invitations

It seems like lately everybody is looking for ways to make their wedding invitations stand out. Themed wedding invitations have been growing in popularity, and thanks to social media sites like Pintrest people are coming up with truly unique ideas to invite their guests to their special day. If you want to invite your guests to your wedding in a meaningful and different way, try some of these invite ideas.

Make a Video

Who said that all wedding invitations need to be on paper? If you or your bride/groom to be has some camera skills, it's time to put them to the test and make a video for your guests. Take time to write out a simple script with your fianc矇 so you know exactly what you want to say to your guests. Your words don't have to be the only thing with meaning in your video; you could choose to shoot it at locations that are meaningful to you and your future spouse. When you talk about the date and the location try to shoot the scene where you're getting married so your guests can see where you'll be having the ceremony. They'll be able to get a sneak peak of the affairs, and have a picture in their mind about what the ceremony.

Make it An Event to Remember

Take time to think about the last big event you went to at a club or other arena. Your friends probably told you about the event, but do you remember how alluring the poster for the event you saw was? If you want to make sure that you have a full house on the day of your wedding, take some time to create some unique themed wedding invitations to look like an event flyer. It'll have all of the information clearly on display for your guests, and you and your fianc矇 get to have a little fun creating a truly unique wedding invite.

Brush Up on PowerPoint

The last time you worked on a PowerPoint you were probably either in school or working on a presentation for work. PowerPoint presentations don't all have to be for serious affairs, and if you've made great PP presentations in the past you may want to power up Microsoft Office again so you can make one for your wedding. Pick some of your favorite couple pictures and include them in the background of your favorite slides, you can even have your song playing the background.

Perfect Wedding Flowers

Flowers are perfect for any occasion. They are beautiful, fragrant and lighten up any room. It is no wonder, brides pay particular attention to the types of flowers they want at their weddings. Wedding flowers play a big role in the theme of the wedding. However, flowers are seasonal even though new technology allows almost all flowers to be available all year-round, the costs vary from season to season. So, if they are seasonal flowers, they are much cheaper and much more readily available than unseasonal flowers. Of course, people can not plan their wedding based on flowers.

One of the most popular wedding flowers is Calla Lilies. These beautiful, white flowers are perfect for weddings. They complement the brides dress and look lovely, if used in a bouquet. The most wonderful thing about these flowers is their ability to withstand heat. Most couples opt for a summer wedding, as the warmth and sunshine brings out the happiness of the couple. Calla lilies are especially complementary to summer weddings as they do not wilt easily. They can last longer than regular flowers.

Another wedding flower you may want to consider are Gardenias. Gardenias are very popular choice for wedding flowers. They are wonderful for corsages and their lovely fragrance adds to the beauty of the flower. Gardenias work very well when placed around a closed wedding hall or inside wedding. They are usually placed in shallow bowls of water. Even though Gardenias are costly, not many are needed to show off their splendor. Just a few provide enough fragrance to last the entire course of your wedding. They are also popular when it comes to bouquets as they complement other flowers.

Orchids are probably seen at every wedding and rightfully so. They are available all year-round, so finding some for your wedding is not at all a problem. Orchids are delicate, however they are resistant to heat also. They can retain moisture for long periods of time and make beautiful flowers for decoration purposes.

If you are hoping to have a wedding during the winter, you might want to stay clear of Calla lilies and orchids. They are strong and long-lasting flowers, but they can bruise and wilt easily in cooler places. A flower that is both beautiful and an ideal choice for weddings is tulip. Although tulips are available around the year, there is a drop in the price during the early winter months of the year. Tulips can be used during the summer too, but they are vulnerable to heat and are likely to wilt and lose petals fast. They can last longer in cooler temperatures. A fun fact about tulips is that they actually grow even after they have been cut. So, from the time they are placed around the wedding till the end of the reception, they might actually have bloomed a little more than when they are cut.

Lastly, we have the most popular flower: Rose. Roses are available throughout the year and come in hundreds of different varieties. They are a wonderful choice for wedding as they symbolize love. They can be used as center pieces, in bouquets or even as corsages. Roses may be fragile during summer, because they are more prone to bloom early. However, they can be used during winter as boutonnieres.

Free Bridal Shower Party Invitations With Modern & Elegant Printable Templates

Bridal shower is a fun part in planning a wedding. It is a chance to really relax and spend quality time with close family and friends before the hectic wedding schedule kicks in. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked during the initial planning process.

Similar to the wedding, you need to decide who to invite to the party, where to register for gifts, what to do for fun, where, when. Planning all of this alone is a daunting task.  On top of the planning, all of these info needs to go on the bridal shower party invitation that you need to send out in time for your guests to work it into their calendars.

By the time you have all the information and guest list together for the shower party, you are probably also out of time and budget. Here are a few ideas that will help you make a unique bridal shower invitations and save you time and money:

Forget the formalities: remember bridal shower is a party, not a ceremony. It is suppose to be fun, relaxing, and wild. Leave the old formal invitations for the wedding. Choose or make something funny, colorful, or even a little crazy to reflect the bride's personality. When shopping for bridal shower invitations, think about your friends, not your parents.

Have a theme: think of a theme for the party and incorporate it into the design of the invitations. It is not just a weekend party or girls get together. It is a once in a life time party for the bride to be and her friends. Theme parties are always more memorable and exciting.

Make it original: don't just go to a grocery store and buy a set of boring invitations or spend hundreds or thousand of dollars on formal invitations. Spend sometime thinking and making invitations that no one has. Your friends will appreciate the fact you took the time to make something special and the bride never forget the joy you brought her.

Packing Ideas and Tips For Traveling

Knowing how to pack a suitcase is essential to being a good traveler. Ever wonder how to pack light and still stay in style, my suggestion is to pick a basic color that you enjoy wearing and then add two other accessory colors and when you do this it will look and feel like you have several different outfits, for the males it is easy just a different shirt or tie and they are set.

The first think you want to do is start making a list of all the different items you will need for your trip, mentally take a note of all the activities and places you will be visiting and what you will be doing there so that you can gather all the items you will need for them. Pack a couple of plastic coat hangers in your bag, it seems like they never have enough hangers in the hotel rooms, if you pack plastic ones they weight almost nothing and are very handy to have.

When packing liquids remember they can expand under pressure, so never fill to the top and/or take some out if it is a new container. Toiletries should be as small as possible, and packed in sealable plastic bags for protection against spillage.

Pack each outfit in its own large re-sealable plastic bag, the rolling method works well for this packing style. If you have bulky items like for skiing use space bags that suck out all the air, you can fit so much more in your suitcase. The only word of caution here is that you want your suitcase to be packed firm so the contents won't shift and also you want to keep in mind to pack so your clothes will unpack wrinkle free.

Guard against lost luggage woes by packing your plastic bag(s) of toiletries in your carry-on bag, along with your most valuable items, and one change of clothes. Put all of your camera and computer items together in one carry-on bag, it will be easier during inspection, and then easier to put it all back together again after inspection.

Be vigilant in removing metal and in packing your carry-on. You also need to be aware of metal and batteries etc in you checked luggage, as that sometimes sets off an inspection alarm and may delay your luggage, it is easier to carry these items in your carry on so they can inspect them during your personal check in, rather than delay your checked in luggage.

No matter what type of bag you are packing, you will want to avoid spilling any liquids on your clothes or equipment and when you arrive at your destination unpack your bags as soon as possible after you get into your hotel room.

Why Use Glass Hanging Vases for Your Indoor Flowers

Gardening is very popular at all times of the year. If you live in a colder climate you simply switch to growing flowers and plants indoors during the winter months. This is where using decorative glass hanging vases comes in very useful for you.

When hanging anything in your home, from plants, to family photos or works of art, you want everything to compliment the look of your home. Using coloured glass hanging vases can help you keep the theme and style of any room intact. Larger windows can easily accommodate one of the multiple plant hangers complete with glass vases. Try adding our dragonfly and butterfly accessories too.

Glass vases which hang, are available from many parts of the country, but ones from Vermont are certainly attracting more attention, both locally and across many states. The reason for this is that the glass hanging vases are handcrafted with special care and attention to detail. Many of the vases are styled to help a home owner add that extra decorative flair to their home.

These Vermont vases come in different colours including green, blue and rose, with names such as Raindrop, Fancy Round and Victorian. So no matter if your home is traditional or more modern you can easily find glass hanging vases to suit your decor.

The glass hanging vase is surrounded by a hanging frame made from copper and often decorated with stained glass. Creating a beautiful work of art or centrepiece for that bay window, simply add coloured beads to jazz up the look even more.

You won't have to look very far to find cuttings to grow in your glass vase. Snip a piece of your favourite plant or herb and place inside the vase. Then fill with spring water and your cutting is ready to take root and grow. Because the roots are continually growing, the water inside the glass vase will not turn brown or start to smell. As is the case with cut fresh flowers, which are dying, as this is what causes the discoloration.

Glass hanging vases can be ordered online directly from Vermont and make great gifts for any time of the year. Christmas, wedding and anniversaries are a great time to give these glass hanging vases as a gift. Try giving them when a friend or family member moves into a new home. What an easy and inexpensive way to decorate a new home.

After the Big Day: Proper Wedding Announcement Etiquette

When it comes to weddings some people focus on making a big impression on their guests during the actual ceremony, but some people like to wow their guests after the ceremony with special wedding announcements. Your wedding announcement should reflect you and your partner's personal tastes, and it should ideally help reflect the theme of your wedding. Planning a wedding can be very expensive, but your announcements don't have to cost you a lot of money. You can find affordable wedding announcements almost anywhere online, and if you use your imagination you could come up with an announcement that's both unique and budget friendly at the same time.

Show, Don't Tell

Many marriage announcements contain a single picture of the newlyweds and information about the date of the ceremony, but some people like to add a little more. In your announcements you could choose to include pictures of the wedding parties, and a nice picture of the reception. Your friends will be able to use your announcement as a keepsake, and also look at the multiple pictures of your special day to truly remember just how special it was.

Keep in Mind Friends and Families who Couldn't Attend

Your announcement should function as a keepsake for friends and family, and also act as a way to inform guests who couldn't attend your ceremony about your marriage. This may sound like more work, but some newlyweds find it easier to make one kind of announcement for guests who were able to attend and another for loved ones who weren't able to come. You general wedding announcement can just be a simple statement of the date of your ceremony, and the announcements for people who couldn't come could contain some pictures of the ceremony and reception so they can see what it was like. Also remember that you don't have to spend a lot of money to have memorable marriage announcements. You can find beautiful cheap wedding announcements and fill them with your detailed memories, and that will be enough to show people your wedding who weren't able to attend.

Be Timely

The general rule for wedding announcements is to send them out the morning of the wedding, but some brides and grooms don't have enough time to stop at the post office on their way to the chapel. Ideally you'd like the announcements to arrive relatively soon after the wedding so it's still fresh in everybody's mind, so you don't have to stick to the day of rule. Just be sure to send them before your honeymoon, when you come back too much time may have passed.

Coordinating Hostesses for a Shower

So, you've decided to celebrate the birth of a child or a wedding by throwing a friend a shower. A critical component of an event like this is to take advantage of the old saying, "Many hands make light work", and ask a few friends of the honored person to be hostesses.

How you organize and coordinate your hostesses will determine how smoothly your event will go. (And how much work you may actually be able to share and not do all by yourself in the hours leading up to your event.)

Here are 8 tips on how to coordinate your hostesses and help them to make your event a wonderful experience for everyone involved.

1. Try to have at least one hostess for each 5% of number of people you plan to invite. This will make sure there are enough ladies to run the shower smoothly.

2. Set expectations early on what will be the financial/contribution responsibility of each hostess. Some people choose to ask each hostess to bring an assigned item and an additional gift to contribute to the "Hostess Gift" that will be presented to the honored mom or bride. You might consider asking each hostess to bring a set amount of money - like $25 each (the budget will depend on time of day, expected refreshments, etc.) and ask each to bring a pack of diapers as a great gift for a new mother or make an additional contribution to purchase something from a registry.

3. Set up a mode of communication and set some guidelines. You might consider asking that all suggestions and questions go through one person. Otherwise you may have dozens of emails flying through all of your accounts. Consider setting up a Facebook account for your event and ask all the hostesses to join the group.

4. Make a list early of the activities associated with the shower, when they need to be done and when and where. Send this out to all the hostesses early so they can choose what they'd like to do. These activities might include hand addressing invitations, taste testing cakes, ordering napkins, planning for flower arrangements, planning the layout of the food table, layout of chairs, any games or party activities, and beverage selection and preparation.

5. Send out weekly communications letting hostesses know where things stand and keep them posted on events so their excitement level stays high.

6. Be open to suggestions but keep in mind that you may have to say no as part of the process. Pick your battles and try to keep all your friendships in tact. Everyone has an idea of what they'd like to see and you'll have to handle things delicately. Pre-planning can eliminate some of these types of surprises.

7. Keep it fun. Allow for enough time to set up. Make sure things that can be done in advance are done in advance so setting up your decorations, making tea and preparing food is all you have to worry about at your big event.

8. Send a Thank You note. The hostesses you have worked with have just had a great time, worked really hard, and contributed money and time to the shower you are coordinating. If you'd like them to work with you again, jot off a quick Thank You note the day after your big party. They'll appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Relax and enjoy this wonderful time with friends and family. Don't forget that a little pre-planning, preparation and communication will help your wedding or baby shower hostesses work together for great event.

Wedding Insurance And Keeping Down Your Wedding Costs

We are talking here about keeping down the cost of the wedding and not the cost of the wedding insurance, although with the right information both should be achieved.

With the average cost of a wedding hitting the 瞿20000 mark in 2010 and with the new austerity measures being instigated by everyone from the government down to the individual, we thought it would be a good idea to look at how to make some cost cutting measures to our wedding plans without making it to austere.

One of the first things that you need to do is establish a budget and stick to it. Constantly adding items to the list is the sure way to finish up with an extravaganza that you can not afford.

This may sound old fashioned, but it is a good idea to open a joint savings account and decide upon a monthly amount you want to pay into it. If you prefer you can open a cash-ISA and we would suggest that you have a look at the WHICH best buys for that.

Whenever you make any payments for items or services, use your credit or debit card. These items will usually need to be for more than 瞿100 to qualify for the protection that debit and credit card companies, VISA and MASTERCARD offer under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. This will ensure that if your purchases or services fail you have the possibility of a claim under their various headings depending upon which card type you used. Remember that there is also a facility called 'chargeback' that is available when using these types of card whereby the card company will try to retract the payment from the retailer, however you should check this out with your card company first.

Unless there is a particular reason not to, why don't you try and get married on a weekday. Statistical data has shown that considerable savings can be made simply by having your wedding on a day other than a weekend.

As we have mentioned in earlier articles, you may find that you have some cover for your wedding items if you have household contents insurance. You will need to check your policy or better still, contact your insurance company or insurance broker and ask them what cover you will have. Some companies have a special cover that operates during the month before and the month after the wedding, but it only covers things like the wedding presents for loss or accidental damage.

With the current economic climate it will serve you well to try and negotiate with suppliers on the price of their services. With business likely to be a bit on the slow side, they may be able tot make some reductions in their costs if you are prepared to commit to their services.

We may have ridiculed Aunty Margaret and Aunty Dot in an earlier article, but it really would cut down costs if you cane get reliable friends and relatives to chip in and help with things like the cake for example.

One final suggestion is that you have a buffet instead of a traditional sit-down meal at your reception. More and more people are opting for this as it gives more choice to guests and reduces the cost of waiters and waitresses.

Living With a Classic Car

There seems to be as many reasons for owning a classic car as there are owners. For some owning a classic can simply be an investment, whilst for others it provides a gateway to the nostalgia associated with days gone by. Whatever the individuals reasoning, owning and driving a classic car certainly makes a personal statement.

A lot of people will agree on the fact that they don't make cars like they used to, and driving a beautifully restored classic car provides an escape to the days of motoring bliss, if only for a short while. These same people naturally congregate and form the various clubs, rallies and shows that appear around the globe. All of these provide the enthusiast with a much needed medium with which to vent their enthusiasm, and it's a much needed outlet for a very absorbing hobby. It keeps them from driving their families mad! Clubs in particular are very important to the classic car owner, as they provide a forum through which they can discuss technical problems and gain otherwise hard to come by sage advice.

On a lighter note, whatever your reasons for owning a classic car, there are a couple of notable side effects which you should be aware of. For instance, you may have gotten by living next door to the same families for 20 years or more with only the occasional hello, but as soon as you bring your classic out for a some detailing you will suddenly find them flocking towards your driveway for a chat. Those decades of tactful avoidance squandered! Secondly, it is worth noting that all classic cars have an innate Crowd Appeal, and in a way this is what makes them a classic. If the sun is shining and you do feel like taking your classic to the shops, bear in mind that it will take at least twice as long. You'll find this out on your first trip as your waving through the crowds to stick your bags of groceries in the boot whilst having ten or twenty questions fired at you!

Wedding Anniversary Invitations for Your Special Occasion

Customizing Your Wedding Anniversary Invitations

Everyone knows that the majority of couples are unable celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary so if you know someone who is, it should be a special occasion to be enjoyed and remembered. Special occasions like these require lots of planning so you'll want to ensure that you devote sufficient time to find the right custom wedding anniversary invitations. As you are selecting, be mindful of the theme and the milestone, as many people will want to make these a part of the celebration.

An anniversary wedding event is significant, which is why you want ensure proper planning is done for even the most minute detail.
It makes no difference who you are planning the celebration for - your parents, your grandparents, or another lucky couple, taking the time for planning the affordable party stationary will be well worth your efforts.

Fortunately, you will find hundreds of 50th wedding anniversary invitation options online, and many of these sites will even create a design just for your special occasion. All you need to so is simply contact the website, and they will create a custom invite based on your special needs. This added advantage to online shopping ensures that you get the one-of-a-kind, personalized card that will be perfect for your party.

50th Wedding Anniversary Party Planning

It may seem like just another celebration, but an anniversary party can become a huge event that includes lots of people honoring the occasion. Customizing the invites for wedding anniversaries ensures that you will get bridal stationary that is centered around what you want, whether it is the number milestone or around the hobbies of the couple who are being celebrated. Making decisions about the color, design, or invitation wording that you will want to use will ensure you get what you want and need to make it as personal as possible.

Unique Wedding Anniversary Invitations With Your Own Personal Touch

When you use the personalize and instant preview features available online, you can make bridal stationery that will be totally unique and you will love. If you have been somewhat hesitate about shopping online because you have been apprehensive about not getting what you purchased, fear no more as online shopping has proven to be the most efficient and effective means of shopping.

The instant preview allows you to see what you are ordering before you check out, and a few sites will even send your proof via email to make sure it is exactly as you want. If you notice some changes that need to be made, they will be made a no cost to you. They strive to make it as stress free as possible when buying your anniversary wedding invitations. You will be totally amazed at how easy it is to get the invites that you are looking for.

Celebrating Golden 50th Anniversaries should be fun for the couple and everyone who attends. By planning all of the details, your party will come together to create something that people will remember for a very long time. Take your time to find the right 25th Wedding Anniversary Invites, and you will be well on your way to setting the tone for a fun and exciting celebration.

How to Verify a Reputable Online Tungsten Wedding Ring Retailer

When it comes to shopping for tungsten rings or for wedding rings in general, shoppers have a wide variety of on-line retailers to choose from. In fact, there are so many on-line retailers to choose from, shoppers often feel overwhelmed and cannot tell the legitimate retailers from the untrustworthy retailers. Fortunately, there are some signs that shoppers can use to gauge the safety and security of a website.

First, let's talk about security. The last thing one would want is for there credit card information to fall into the wrong hands. If a website does not use a third party encryption service such as "Verisign", the preeminent software in e-commerce encryption services, then the buyer should beware. Verisign has become the leading encryption software to use for on-line transactions. All reputable retailers who take the security of their customer's personal information seriously use Verisign. There are many retailers who try to cut costs by using cheaper unknown data encryption software. Although all encryption software companies claim to do the same job, there are different levels of quality. It is a bit like cars. All cars do the same thing, which is get you from point A to point B, but obviously we all know certain cars are more reliable and secure than others. However, just because a website has the Verisign logo displayed on their site does not mean they are actually using their software. Many unscrupulous websites try to exude an image of trustworthiness by stealing Verisign's logo and displaying it on their site illegally. The quick and easy way to tell if a website is really using Verisign is to simply click on the Verisign logo displayed on their site. If it opens a new window taking you to Verisign's site where it displays the retailer's website address and location of the business, then that retailer is using genuine Verisign encryption software. If not, then leave that site immediately.

Second, just because a website is using encryption software does not mean you information is completely safe from hackers. A website should also be using software that deters hackers from hacking into the retailer's site to steal your personal information. The industry's best software for preventing hackers from gaining access to your personal information is "McAfee Secure". Check for the McAfee Secure logo on a retailer's website to make sure your personal information is safe from cyber criminals. Again, there are many shady retailers who simply copy the McAfee Secure logo and put it on their website. Unlike Verisign, you cannot click on the McAfee Secure logo to see if it is real. Instead, look for today's date on the logo. If a website is using McAfee Secure, it scans the website everyday for security holes and if it passes the security scan, the McAfee Secure logo will display today's date on the logo itself. A website that simply stole the logo and put it on their site will not have today's date.

Third, few websites are trustworthy and reliable enough to get an invitation to join the "Better Business Bureau" or BBB. They are an independent agency that rates businesses on ethical business practices and customer satisfaction. If they are part of the BBB's network of accredited businesses, they should have the BBB's logo on their site and you should be able to click on it, and it will take you to the BBB's site where you will see their rating. Of course, the letter grade of the business is important, but you should also pay attention to the number of complaints the business has had. At the BBB, two businesses can have the same letter grade, however; one business can be more reputable than the other. What consumers need to do is review the number of complaints filed against the business. Even if one company has had the complaint resolved it, it still means they did something to make a consumer upset enough to file a complaint. Therefore a business' rating and number of complaints should be taken into account, when deciding to purchase from which company.

Fourth, if a website is not rated by an independent third party, such as the BBB, or even if they are rated, you should type in the business's name in a search engine, such as Google and see if there are any negative customer experiences within the on-line community. Some consumers may find it too much of a headache to launch a formal complaint against a company to the BBB, so they just go on-line to websites such as http://www.ripoffreport.com, http://www.complaintsboard.com or just write in their own blogs about the negative experiences they have had with businesses. When you do a search, make sure you scroll all the way down and see all 10 search results on page 1. You should go to page 2 for the next 10 search results also, just to make sure there are really no complaints from other shoppers on-line.

Finally, something to look for that has nothing to do with third parties, is the business' actual policies on returns, exchanges or warranties. Reputable retailers of tungsten wedding bands should have a return and exchange policy that charges no fees. Many retailers know their products are not the best quality and quite a few customers will want to return or exchange their purchase. They deter this by charging fees for exchanging or returning rings. They even charge for something that is not the customer's fault, such as ring size exchanges. Customers are ordering rings on-line and cannot try them on first, so it would be logical that sometimes when a customer receives a ring it is too loose or too tight and would need to exchange it for a different size. This should be free of cost to the customer. Also, when it comes to tungsten wedding bands, there should be a free lifetime warranty because these rings are touted as the most durable rings on the market today. Retailers that carry rings of lesser quality know that they do because they charge fees to customers for exercising their lifetime warranties.

Hopefully, shoppers will be able to make a more informed decision when shopping for their wedding rings after reading this article. I hope the information provided in this article will lead couples shopping for a wedding ring to find a reputable on-line retailer of their choosing.

Decorating Ideas for a Sports Themed Christmas

The latest craze in Christmas decorating this year is the Sports Themed Christmas! Pick just about any sport, any team - college or pro - and you'll be able to find all kinds of decorations to suit every taste.

The list of things you can choose from seems endless, but here are a few of the ones you can use in your Christmas decorating:

* Ornaments - these come in glass, metal, or plastic and some of them are even collectibles

* Christmas Stockings and Garlands - hang these on the fireplace in your game room to show your team spirit

* Villages which can include reproductions of your favorite team's home stadium

* Christmas wreaths - these usually feature a snowman and snowlady all bundled up in their team's colors and logo

But the sports fun doesn't stop there, because you'll also find holiday Santa and elf hats, window clings, table runners, snow families, tabletop decorations, centerpieces, nutcrackers, string lights, night lights, and just about anything else you can think of!

If you're giving a gift to a big sports fan, you'll want to consider using their team's wrapping paper and ribbon.

You can even find personal items such as holiday design clothing and jewelry, all with your favorite team's logo and in their colors.

Or consider lighting up your whole neighborhood with an animated or inflatable sports lawn figure or a window light-up player to let your friends know which team your home roots for.

It's possible to design your entire holiday color scheme around your favorite team's colors, and dress up your whole house and yard to match. Your Christmas tree can be decorated in your team's colors and matching tree trimming ornaments and accessories. You can use your team's matching light strings around your tree, and even string them across your fireplace mantle or over doorways, entwined with team logo decorated garlands. Just let your imagination be your guide.

If you'd like to take it a step further, consider team logo towels, washcloths and soap dispensers for your bathroom, and sheets, pillowcases, shams and comforters or bedspreads for your bedroom, or tea towels for your kitchen. Even available on the market are things like ceramic helmet serving bowls and wine bottle cork stopper sets.

Christmas d矇cor is available in most of your favorite teams from the NFL, MLB, NCAA, NHL, NBA, USL, and even NASCAR and others.

Whatever you decide on this year, just remember to shop early. This fun sports d矇cor is usually in limited supply around the holidays and only available for a short time. Once an item you have your heart set on is out of stock, it likely won't be available again during this holiday season.

How To Get A Loan - 5 Great Ways

Generally, most people would agree that debt consolidation just simply sucks. But despite this fact, they still remain very tempting for people struggling to transfer their so called debts to a better arrangement. But as how they would say it, with will comes a lot of ways. Do some research, try to swerve a bit, connive with some, be cunning, or you can blag if you want to and you'll surely find yourself in a better deal.

Research

Spend time with your computer or laptop and do some research online for loan terms offered with low interest rates, but always do it as soon as possible, as rates that go below 7% will vanish quickly unnoticed. If you are just persistent enough, you will find a decent loan option out there.

Connive

When looking at a deal, you'll see the APR (annual percentage rate), and probably the safe-looking word 'typical' attached to it. This means that the good rates are given to around two-thirds of approved applicants and the bad rates are offered one-third of the remainder applicants. This also means they have the option of choosing the clients that they want. Out of ten, there is a possibility that seven will be rejected so that the "typical" rate will be given to two of the three remaining applicants.

Therefore, if you happen to have a bad credit history, or you simply don't fit the lender's required profile, you could be rejected with the offer or given a worse one. If you have a feeling that you won't be one of the favored applicants, it might be best to try to look for lenders offering a balanced rate for all approved applicants.

Blag

If you give loan providers a call, they will be more likely to give you a quote given the details you provided with your finances. If they turn you down, then at least it happened without another search mark on your credit record, which can give a negative effect on your ratings by the way.

Swerve

Let's see the facts that really matter. You'll have more chance of getting that typical rate when you apply for payment protection insurance (PPI), and you'll really have a better chance of getting your loan approved. Sad But true indeed.

The best advisable way is to get a quote, and highly mention that you're planning on getting a payment protection insurance. Then - here's the trick - instantly change your mind: ask them to remove the cost they gave for PPI and simply re-quote. If getting a quote only is not possible, then just take out the policy that includes a PPI. Be advised that you will be given an ample amount of time and the right to cancel the policy within 2 weeks (some providers allow 30). They should inform you on how to this process can be done, and a written letter will do the trick, so take the loan and remove the PPI.

Always remember though, if you fail or simply forget to cancel out on the PPI, it will cost you. Never forget to cancel it!

Be cunning

When shopping for a loan, make sure to be resilient and check everywhere. Ask some friends, check every alternative, but keep in mind that whatever you intend to do, never go to your bank as much as possible, as they tend to be a very expensive option. So what other alternatives are there? Here are some extra tips:

• Don't actually get a PPI!

• And if offered, don't get a variable-rate loan, the rates seem to be rising as time goes by.

• Stay away from secured loans.

• Never rely on the APR, as this can edited or manipulated. Instead, seek the actual monthly cost and the total amount repayable (the TAR).

49 Signs of a Cheating Husband - Watch Out For These Red Flags To Find If Your Husband Is Cheating

You just feel it in your soul. The 'signs' are there. Every fibre of your being is telling you that your husband is cheating on you. But is he?

Have a read of this article, and see how many of the signs are applicable to you.

1. He is less attentive in the bedroom:

Now this one may be difficult to measure, because it depends how active your sex life is on the whole. It is a very personal area, and a lot of couples who, for example, have been married for a long time, or are particularly stressed, may find that that initial spark dampens in the bedroom.

This is perfectly normal. My advice here is to listen to yourself. Only YOU can know whether or not the way that your husband behaves in the bedroom is 'different' to his usual behaviour, but it is common practice if he is 'getting it' elsewhere then his sex drive when he comes home may be significantly reduced.

2. He seems to be working out more or maybe for the first time ever!:

If your man suddenly develops an interest in 'working out', it could just be that he has decided he needs to lose a few pounds. Of course, it could also mean that he is trying to get (and keep) the interest of a younger, fitter play thing.

Men of a certain age in particular, are prone to suddenly deciding that they need to appear younger, and this can be triggered by the interest of another woman.

Men like to pump iron or go for a run, in order to feel energised, and this of course not only works on their physical appearance, it also boosts their stamina. If your husband has always been one for working out then trips to the gym may become more 'frequent' as they can be used as a smokescreen to cover dates with his Mistress.

3. He is constantly working late:

Similar to the gym, if he suddenly begins calling to tell you that he'll be 'working late', be aware that this could be just another cover up for a night out with his Mistress. But before you jump in at the deep end, try and work out what is going on at work.

If for example, a big event is due, then this could explain the increase in hours. If nothing seems out of the ordinary, and the extra hours become rather frequent, have a think about dropping by his place of work!

4. He develops a new sense of style:

Perhaps he was once a stylish individual, with the latest secret weapons. But as the years went on, he became more of a 'casual jogging bottom' kind of guy.

This suited you just fine, as it showed that he was comfortable to be himself around you. But if your man suddenly begins to turn up with new shirts, shoes, aftershave, but never seems to do it for you, then you have to wonder who is benefiting from it all.

5. He becomes the boy who loves his toys:

There is the old saying 'boys and their toys'. Perhaps your husband has always had his eye on flashy new things. Perhaps from time to time he would buy them, or maybe you could never afford them. Has he suddenly decided to buy that flashy sports car? Has he splashed out on the latest phone?

If you notice a change in your guy's spending habits, or a general loosening of the wallet strings where perhaps he used to be controlling, then again, he could well be out to impress someone. He could even be leading a double life, and a new car for example, helps him express his 'other identity'.

6. He decides that he wants more time with 'the lads':

Has he suddenly decided that he wants to spend more time out with the guys? Maybe he did this when you were dating but since being married, weekends are spent at home with take-out, or hanging out with married friends.

Has he suddenly developed an interest in going it solo with his friends? It could well be that he needs time to air a problem with a guy friend, as they do this, just as we do! But if it becomes something regular, it could be possible that he is really out with another, or he is out 'on the hunt'.

7. His friends act differently towards you:

Linked to the above, if he is out with friends, then may suddenly act a little different towards you, because they are feeling guilty of knowing that your husband was kissing another woman in the club last Saturday.

On the other hand, if he was not with his friends but was out with his Mistress, and asked them to cover, things may go one of two ways. Either they will avoid you as they do not want to have to be asked any questions, therefore requiring them to lie. OR, they will over compensate, by going into every single detail of their clearly thought out story.

8. He suddenly has to take a lot of calls from his 'friend':

It could simply be that Bob has split with his girlfriend and needs some advice, but if your husband is spending a lot of time on the phone then you do have to wonder who to.

9. He gets a lot more calls about 'business':

Similar to the above. It could be that there is a problem that he has to deal with at work. But if that is the case, then he will not mind you hearing in on the action. If every time your husband gets a call on his cell phone, he takes it to the other room, or even worse, goes out, you can begin to wonder exactly who it is that he is talking to.

10. He does not want these extra calls from his friend or work and so keeps his phone turned off:

If he has suddenly decided that he prefers to keep his phone turned off at home, it could mean that his Mistress is threatening to call him, wanting to let the cat out of the bag. If he fears getting a lot of calls or text messages, perhaps because they have had an argument, he will turn the phone and leave it like that.

11. He is spending more and more time on the internet:

It could just be that he is using it for his business. Again, this all depends on the general circumstances in his life. But if for example, he was not usually one for surfing the internet but is suddenly showing an interest in how it all works, particularly things like social networking and messenger, then it could well be that he is trying to find every avenue through which he can chat to his girlfriend.

12. He has secret email accounts:

Have you noticed when you go to log into your mail provider, that it shows the last address to log in and it is not one that you recognise? Or perhaps the same happens on messenger, or Facebook. Perhaps he has a secret account that he uses for him and her.

13. He is spending more time online when you have gone to bed:

Perhaps he says he is going to stay up and watch the game, but when he thinks you are sleeping, you can hear the tapping on the keyboard. Perhaps you have gone to the kitchen to grab some water and unexpectedly caught him on webcam? Question to ask, is why he is doing this, when he has a wife in bed?

14. He is careful to clear the web history:

If you share a computer you will know whether this something that he does regularly, or not. Has he suddenly started to clear the web history? Just what is it that he is trying to remove all evidence of?

15. You find receipts for goods or hotel rooms that were not shared with you:

One of the old clich矇s. But if you find receipts for gifts, hotel rooms, trips, restaurant bills, that were not spent with you and are not accounted for by his work, then you are probably looking at facing facts that your husband is seeing another woman.

Before you accuse him of this however, take a photocopy of the receipt, and keep it somewhere safe. Do not take away any evidence that you find, as this will alert him onto the fact that you are onto him and he will be more cautious.

16. You find things on credit card bills that cannot be explained:

Very similar to the above, but one that you are much more likely to be able to keep track off, especially if you have joint accounts, or he leaves his post lying around from time to time. Just remember that it is illegal to open another's private mail though!

17. You start to get nuisance, silent calls:

Has your phone been ringing at home but when YOU pick up they hang up? It could be that your husband's other woman is getting close to telling you about their affair. Perhaps she is just intrigued about what kind of woman you are.

Maybe she has fallen in love with him and views YOU as the 'other woman' and becomes a little obsessed with you. There all manner of reasons behind this sort of behaviour but a good move is to get caller ID and then present the number to your husband and calmly ask him if he knows the number. Watch his expression and reaction carefully.

18. He comes home and takes a shower almost right away:

If he has spent the afternoon with his Mistress, he will want to shower as soon as he gets home. Sometimes, he will even avoid kissing you hello, insisting that he has to dash to the bathroom first. This is because he may smell of her perfume, or even worse, smell of her body scent! He will want to remove all traces of this as soon as possible. Smell is a very personal thing, and we all know what our partner smells like normally and when something is up.

19. He is creating arguments that seem to be over 'nothing':

This may be a sign of several things. For a start he may be feeling so guilty, that he is stressed, and when people are stressed, their tempers fray. Or, maybe he is looking for reasons to create tension, so that he can justify his actions in his mind by believing that YOU are the one at fault, or he wants an excuse to storm out of the house and go and see his Mistress.

20. He seems to be distant and cold:

This could mean that he is just having an off day. But if you used to talk and share things, and now he seems to be distant, then it could be that he is avoiding intimacy on an emotional level with you because he wants to avoid 'feeling' close to you as it will make him feel guilty.

21. He has unexplained marks on his body:

It sounds obvious, but sometimes, the most obvious things are that way for a reason. This is especially worrying if the two of you are no longer enjoying sexual relations. You know the sort of things to look for - nail marks, scratches, even love bites!

22. He avoids undressing in front of you:

This links to tip number 21. Perhaps he does have a mark that he is attempting to hide, so he may take a shower before bed and undress and change there. Or perhaps he wants to change with the lights off. You will know if he changes his usual routine.

23. He avoids putting his dirty laundry in the basket:

Does his dirty laundry appear to have reduced in load? It could be that he does not want you to discover stains, scents or items that you are not familiar with.

Perhaps he is taking his stuff to the laundrette during his working day. One thing is for sure, if clean clothing suddenly appears, but you have not washed it, then he is either getting it done at the laundrette or by his other woman.

24. He starts giving you Extra attention:

A lot of the information so far, has been about him seeming distant and withdrawing. But some men attempt to hide their infidelity by showing their wife a new interest and attention.

If he suddenly seems friendlier, more attentive and like he is making the effort, when he has not done so for some time, it could be that he is trying to throw you off the scent of his affair. Of course, he could be wanting to rekindle your marriage, so don't just assume that this automatically means that he is cheating.

25. He starts buying you gifts... and more gifts:

Carrying on from tip number 24, if your husband suddenly begins to splash the cash on you, coming home with flowers, and chocolates, these could be the actions of a man who is feeling guilty and has something to hide.

26. He begins to act suspicious of YOUR actions and turns into Mr Paranoid:

They say, that those who are often most paranoid, are actually the ones with something to hide. A cheater often imagines that if they are behaving in such a way, then everyone else must be too! Has your husband suddenly started questioning you about your actions and friendships? This is a great tactic to turn the tables and focus to you, but it could also be that he is genuinely wondering if you too are capable of infidelity as the subject is playing on his mind.

27. He accuses you of an affair:

This is the next step on from tip number 26. Often his suspicions may escalate, and he will go out of his way to fully accuse you of having an affair. This is a great tactic, as it not only puts you in the frame (and not him), it gives rise to arguments, so he can spend more time out of the house, and may even be used as a catalyst for having a final excuse to leave you, if and when he decides to take this step.

28. He plants seeds of doubt in his and your friend's minds:

If he is really clever, then he may even ask your friends, or perhaps your mutual friends, whether he thinks that you could be seeing someone else. This plants the seed in their minds, so if and when you finally ask them the same thing about HIM, they believe that you are thinking this because of your own actions. He can also use it as an excuse if he ever does decide to leave you as he can say that he had known about your affair, and had chosen to move on.

29. He begins to tell you stories about how he thinks so and so is cheating:

Does cheating seem to be your partner's new favourite topic? It could be that he is trying to work out whether or not you suspect anything. Plus, he may want to know how you would handle things if you should ever find out that he has been cheating on you.

For example. If he asks 'what would you do if you were Susan?' - If you say that you would try and forgive and forget then he knows that he is onto a safer bet.

30. He decides that you should spend more time with the girls:

If he suddenly decides that you should spend more time with the girls, it could be that he is trying to free up some of his own time so that he can see his bit on the side but know exactly where you will be and when you are due to come home.

31. He suggests that you take a girly vacation!:

He may even go as far as to suggest that you take a trip away. Perhaps he even treats you to it, a spa break, a weekend away. This is basically packing your bags and sending you off so that you are as far away as possible and on a schedule that he has planned, so that he can enjoy more extra marital time, without wondering if he'll get caught.

32. He suggests that you get a new haircut, or treats you to new clothing:

It could be that he wants to treat you so that you do not suspect he is cheating. Or it could be, that he is used to the way that his new lady looks, and is wanting to spruce you up a bit so that you too can appear just as attractive in his eyes. Maybe she has had a new haircut and it is the first thing on his mind. Is he suggesting things that would not normally have come up in conversation?

33. He takes you window shopping and asks your opinion on things:

It's sickening but true! He may even ask your opinion on things, and make it seem like he is considering getting you a gift, but secretly he has no one else to ask advice on what to get for his Mistress' up-coming birthday!

34. He begins to wonder what he has done with his life:

If he is frustrated, it could simply be the start of a midlife crisis. But it could be that he has found happiness elsewhere, and is questioning his whole existence. Falling for another woman may make him wonder if he married the right person in the first place, whether his children should ever have been born, and whether he is too old to make a new start.

35. He changes your usual hangouts:

Has he started taking you to a different restaurant? Maybe even a different supermarket? If his Mistress has found out where you are likely to be, he may fear that the two of you will run into each other, so may start suggesting nights out at a place in the next town. You get the idea. Of course, he may just want to shake things up a little but he could also be hiding his secret and leading a double life.

36. He stops wearing his wedding ring as often:

Has he 'forgotten' to put it on when he heads out the house? Maybe he even hides it and claims to have mislaid it? One thing is for sure, if he is seeing someone who does not know that he is even married, the last thing that he will be wanting to flash, is that little band of gold. He may also remove it because 'out of sight is out of mind' and he does not want a constant reminder of you when he is already feeling guilty when out with her.

37. Starts to kiss 'differently':

If the kissing and contact has not stopped, he may still want to be close to you but something just seems 'different'. Couples develop their own unique kissing style, that has its own rhythm and pace, with its own little quirks. Has he started to kiss in a different way? Perhaps incorporating things such as lip biting when he has never done it before? It could be that he is now so used to kissing another woman that he forgets how he kisses you.

38. Sex is not the same as it once was:

If you are still sexual, and this contact has not ended, then perhaps he just seems to be acting distant in the bedroom, or is performing in ways that are unusual for him. He may suddenly start trying out new positions, and it is like he has swallowed the Kama Sutra! Like with kissing, this could be that he is developing new habits with his other lady friend, and these are sticking - even when it comes to you.

39. He suggests more outrageous sexual activities:

Outrageous for you two that is. I am not suggesting that anything beyond missionary is 'outrageous'. But if he suddenly demands that you spice things up and try out swinging for example, it could be that he is looking to bring up the topic of being sexual with other people - and may be looking to introduce it into your marriage.

40. He begins to call you by pet names that you have never used before:

Does he call you babe? Has he never done this before? This may be common if his other woman is younger than you. Perhaps he has got used to calling her such names, in order to impress her, and accidentally slips onto the end of his sentence to you.

41. He calls you by the wrong name:

As obvious as this one sounds, yes, it really does happen! A Freudian slip of the tongue, calling you by her name, is something that is actually common. If this happens, don't let him squirm out of it too easily. If you are unsure whether it means that he is seeing someone else, flip it over and look at it from this angle - how on earth could there be any confusion over the name of the woman he married and supposedly loves?

42. You find stray hairs on his jacket, and clothes:

There may be little signs left around that point to evidence of this other woman's presence. The odd stray hair could just be from the woman he stood next to on the train, but if you find them regularly and they are quite obviously not from you, you may have to wonder who has been that up close and personal with him.

43. You find her possessions in odd places:

Yes it really can happen! Just like in the movies! Perhaps she even planted those panties under your car seat because she secretly wants you to find out about their affair, as she is hoping he will leave you. One thing is for sure, however they got there, if you find suspicious items in your husband's possession, be pretty sure that he is seeing another.

44. You find lipstick on his collar:

Again, another old clich矇, but if he is not careful about washing his own clothing then you may find the odd mark that leaves no doubt in your mind that he is spending time with another woman. Lipstick marks, foundation lines where she has had her head on his chest, you name it, but even the best cheater is bound to slip up from time to time.

45. You find unusual items in his car:

Not as obvious as the underwear scenario, but just empty drinks cartons on the passenger side. Or take away wrappers from places that he would not usually eat in. It could be that they were out in the car together and he forgot to clear away the evidence.

46. Your car seat keeps on moving position:

This is one that not many people would ever consider. But have you noticed that when you get into your car seat, especially if it is the passenger one, you have to keep re-adjusting the seat position?

Maybe she is a taller model, and needs that extra leg room or perhaps they stop in the countryside, and make out on the seat. If it keeps magically moving you can bet that it is being used frequently by someone else, or for something else.

47. He says that he needs space:

Space from whom, what? YOU. He may not say this. He could pin it on an unexplained depression. But if your husband announces that he wants some space, it is a good sign that he has something or someone on his mind, and needs time away to work out how he feels. This is especially even more evident, if he does not want to discuss what is bothering him and seems resistant to your advances to try and clear the air.

48. He suggests a trial separation:

The next step up from wanting space. If he decides that you should take a break but as far as you are concerned, you did not see it coming, then it could be that he has met someone else and wants to test the waters of being separated from you, before he takes that final step.

Almost like test driving a car, he can see if he misses you and still have time to come back, and he may also spend this time living with his Mistress, to see whether or not he is making the right decision.

49. He tells you 'it's not you, it's me':

If ever you hear this line you know that it actually IS you. Okay, it may not be your fault. But what he really means, is that it's him who wants to get away and it is you who he wants to get away from, whether it is your fault or not. He is just trying to soften the blow, and not have to really explain his actions or wanting to leave.

The old 'it's not you, it's me' line is a great way of avoiding any real discussion as he can act confused, depressed, and at the same time, can leave you but not leave you feeling rejected. This eases his conscience and you are less likely to want to try and sort things out there and then if you have no idea what the problem is.

Medical Billing - Electronic Or Paper Claims

Sometimes there are things in life that are very obvious. In the medical billing world, this isn't always the case. Many on the outside would automatically think that electronic billing of claims is the sure pick over sending paper claims via the United States Post Office. And while electronic billing certainly does have its advantages, is it really the be all and end all of medical billing? In this article, we're going to take a good look at each method of sending claims. Sometimes the grass is greener but sometimes it isn't.

Let's take a look at the facts of each type of billing. With paper claims, you have to either manually fill out the claims by hand, especially if you're a small office and can't afford expensive software, or at best you need the software to fill out the claims as they are printed off your dot matrix or laser printer. Most software products for this industry don't support Inkjet printing. For that matter, most carriers won't accept anything but laser quality anyway.

With paper claims, you also have the wait. Because insurance carriers are desperately trying to move on over to electronic billing, they process paper claims at a snails pace. It could be anywhere from 30 to 60 days to get paid on your paper claim. This is not a maybe. This is indeed a fact. Paper claims get paid slower.

Another fact of paper claims is that they carry the additional cost of having to keep forms in inventory. These forms are not cheap. Even if you get them included in your software package, the cost of billing a paper claim, at least on a per claim basis, is much higher than electronic transmissions.

Another fact of paper claims is that they have to be mailed. This adds the cost of postage to the already high cost of paper claim billing. Plus, with paper claim billing, there is always the chance that a claim can be lost in the mail. While this is not necessarily a given that it will happen, it is a definite possibility.

Now, let's look at the facts of electronic billing. For starters, electronic medical billing is faster. The claims are literally transmitted to the insurance carrier in a matter of seconds, depending on how big the claim file is. Larger files do take longer, but for the most part, this is a much quicker process.

Electronically billed claims get paid faster. There is no question about this. Insurance carriers do this as an incentive for medical billing agencies to use electronic billing methods.

Electronic billing requires software and transmission hardware such as a modem or an Internet connection. This adds an expense to electronic billing that you don't have with paper claims. This is a fact. There is no way to send claims electronically without some kind of software and transmission device.

Those are the facts of each. On the surface, it appears that electronic billing is the hands down choice. But before you make that decision, you must realize that unless you have a large enough client base to justify electronic billing, the cost of the software alone might make it unprofitable. Plus, with electronic billing, you're going to have technical issues that you won't have with paper claims, meaning you're going to have to hire a networking staff and other technical persons.

The truth is, there is no perfect world with either paper claims or electronic transmission. So please consider all factors before deciding which way you're going to go.

Secret Wedding Ceremonies

Fans of "The Office" got to watch Pam and Jim have two marriage ceremonies: the "official" one for family and friends, which was preceded by a secret one for just the two of them. Secret wedding ceremonies are not just for television characters; this is something that people actually do in real life. This is what you should know about secret wedding ceremonies, from the why to the when to the how.

Let's start with the reason why an engaged couple might decide to have a secret wedding ceremony. The most common one is for the same reasons why Pam and Jim had their private vows on "The Office": you feel as though the wedding day is becoming all about everyone else. So many couples get roped into having the wedding of someone else's dreams that it increasingly feels like the real reason for the entire day gets lost in the hoopla. Having a private ceremony with just the two of you can be a way to recapture the idea that the whole point of having a wedding is to celebrate the love of the bride and groom as they pledge to spend their lives together.

It is also the case that some couples may have secret ceremonies for practical reasons. Perhaps one of you lost a job and is suddenly without health insurance. A quick marriage to get the person onto their spouse's insurance plan might be in order. This often occurs when the couple is already engaged and in the process of planning a big wedding for all of their family and friends. The quick trip to city hall to make it official for legal purposes can still be followed by the original celebration that was planned.

When having a private exchange of vows, there are several key things to keep in mind. The most important one is that if you truly intend to keep it a secret and let everyone assume that they are watching you tie the knot at the big wedding, the secret must be held very closely. The reality is that "the bride and groom are already married" is way too big a secret for anyone to keep, so your best bet is to share the news with no one. Imagine how offended your immediate family would be to learn that you got married without telling them or inviting them. And think about how cheated many guests will feel about watching a marriage ceremony that is just for show. This is why a couple who chooses to have a secret ceremony should keep it between themselves.

Of course, a private marriage ceremony is a monumental occasion, even when you plan to follow it with a large public wedding. It will likely be low-key, but you should still make the effort to make the event special. The bride should wear a pretty dress along with some delicate handcrafted bridal jewelry. The dress worn to the secret vow exchange will likely be much less formal than the main wedding gown, perhaps simply a lovely day dress in your favorite color. If the handcrafted bridal jewelry you have chosen to wear on the official wedding day works with your more simple dress, by all means wear it, or opt for a different set if it is too opulent for the occasion. Certainly the bride should have a bouquet, and it would be nice to hold your ceremony in a location that is beautiful and meaningful to you, whether that is overlooking a gorgeous lake or right in your own living room.

A pre-wedding marriage ceremony is a big secret to keep, but in some cases, it is the perfect way for the bride and groom to have a quiet moment to reflect on the start of the marriage with all that it entails. When the wedding ceremony is secret, it can be all about the love shared by the bride and groom, without any focus being pulled away from the deeper meaning of the occasion. Most couples who have had secret vows before the official wedding have also found that they were able to relax and enjoy the big wedding in a way that they had never expected.