British Expats, The World Is Waiting for You - Top 10 Destinations Around the World

For those who are planning to move overseas, choosing a place to live in is important. With the global economy still shaky, there are a lot of British expats who are coming back home because of the high cost of living abroad. However, all is not lost; it is still feasible for Britons to live move abroad. There is huge possibility of being able to get the best expatriate health insurance benefits, medical benefits, and good living conditions.

Here is a list of the top destinations around the world that are best for retirement.

1. United States - The U.S. is still one of the top places for expats to live in other than Europe. House prices have been slowly going down; hence, it is still beneficial for British expats who want to settle overseas and buy a house in America, particularly in Florida and New York.

2. Australia - With the beautiful beaches and cities, Australia is one of the most appealing places to live in. It is also a favorite destination for tourists and for professionals looking for work.

3. Canada - Another popular destination, though it has lower possible earnings compared to the United Kingdom but you will be surprised to find that there are more than 500,000 Brits live in Canada.

4. New Zealand - This country is known for its amazing landscapes, breathtaking sceneries, and comfortable climate. More than 200,000 Britons have settled in New Zealand.

5. Ireland - Almost 300,000 Britons are living in Ireland to date. Foreigners enjoy this wonderful country because it has the reputation of having the most amazing landscapes around the world.

6. Spain - This remains one of the most popular places where expats from Britain opt to live upon retirement. Climate is sunny and people will love living in Spain's rustic towns and villages. There is a strong community of expats in Spain so a newbie will never feel alone living abroad.

7. France - This country is preferred by people aged 55 and above who dream of living abroad.

8. Italy - Aside from having the most excellent dishes, Italy is one of the most popular overseas destinations because of its warm weather and friendly citizens.

9. South Africa - This has become a popular place for expats due to the viable cost of living. South Africa has warmer weather than the UK and more and more Britons are packing up their bags to move here because of an immanent World Cup stint.

10. Thailand - The exotic culture of this Asian country makes it popular among British expats. Thailand has a rich culture, plus there are great beaches too.

Best Limousine Models For Specific Occasions

The livery industry is a booming one in the United States and Canada. It is estimated that there are around 12,400 limousine companies, and these operate some 126,000 vehicles. Generally, around 11% of these limo operators have fleets of more than 20 vehicles.

The industry provides employment for 275,000 people and transports 400 million passengers annually for a wide array of purposes ranging from airport transfers, business and corporate travel, weddings, proms and other social outings. Its nice to note that The term 'Limousine' is actually somewhat of a misnomer because the industry utilized a diversified vehicle fleet, and they range from sedans, stretch limousines, stretch sport utility vehicles (SUV) and limo buses.

Limousine Models Vary With Every Occasion

There are may varieties of limousines available in the market today. Vehicle models such as Lincolns, Cadillac's, Fords, Mercedes, and many more abound. Limos come in all sizes, ranging from town cars to SUV's and can seat from one to 26 passengers. Some limousines such as the standard Lincoln Town Car can just be a typical rental car. These vehicles, which have a formal, more elegant feel, are highly appropriate for formal occasions such as weddings or funerals.

There are ways to jazz up the usual limo by renting a Cadilac Escalade, Mercedes-Benz or a non-stretch Hummer, particularly for out-of-town trips or bachelor parties.

Limo Services Vary With The Prices

A Limo rental service may vary with the price levels each offers. The most simple and standard limousine service will have the limousine, driver and beverages. When it comes to the driver, make sure that the rental provider will give you a uniformed driver, if the occasion is as formal as a wedding or company anniversary, since the last thing is that one would want for a chauffeur, is to get dressed in casual slacks and a polo shirt.

The availability of alcoholic drinks may be regulated by authorities in certain municipals, therefore you need to check on your local regulations to ensure if any restrictions are in place for alcoholic beverages. The variety of services offered helps to explain why some limousine rentals will charge $45.00, $85.00 or $125.00 an hour. All of the added amenities are sure to be reflected in the prices. The best way to get the most for your money is by comparing products and services equally with other limousine rental providers.

Check Out The Model And Make Of Your Limo

Customers of a limousine rental agency should always ensure that they check out the year, make and model of the vehicle. Many individuals generally prefer a late model limousine which is 2-3 years old.

However, ensure that you do not get fooled by the rental price on the advertisements. Some ads may display an ad which claims $45.00 rental an hour. Always make sure that if such price is being offered, will you get, for example, a post-1995 model? After you have verified the limousines year make and model, learn about the limousine service.

Check to ensure that the vehicle is properly licensed. The vehicle should be licensed by the Department Of Motor Vehicles as a for hire limousine-service vehicle. Many limousines carry $1.5 million insurance liability coverage, and certain requirements are required for the vehicle to be licensed and registered. The reasons are simple, because in the event of an accident, having a limo that was was not insured as a limousine for hire would be the last thing you would want to hear.

Broward Limousine - http://browardlimousine.com

Brides Beware, Honeymooners Prepare - The Wedding Planners Guide to Mosquitoes

Summer is a popular time for weddings with many brides-to-be intent on taking full advantage of the season and all it has to offer by holding an outdoor garden wedding. Unfortunately, summer is also mosquito season. And while Winston Churchill probably wasn't the first person you thought of when you got engaged; he knew a thing or two when he said "He who fails to plan is planning to fail".

Attract, Trap, ENJOY!

The one thing you do need to plan for with a summer wedding, especially if it's going to be outdoors, is mosquitoes. To help create a 'no-fly zone' at your outdoor venue, consider a mosquito trap - they work by attracting, trapping, then killing mosquitoes.

Most mosquito traps are designed to catch immediately there are any mosquitoes around however, should be set up at least 2-3 weeks in advance of the big day. That's because it typically takes that amount of time to disrupt breeding cycles and reduce mosquito populations. This will help decrease the risk of getting bitten as well as the possibility of getting sick from the many diseases mosquitoes carry.

Cost, coverage area and guest safety should be taken into account when deciding on the best trap for the job. Eco-friendly, Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps don't use pesticides or propane, instead these multi attractant traps mimic the smell and sight of prey, fooling mosquitoes into sensing a blood meal close at hand. When they get near, powerful fans sweep them into the trap's catch container where they eventually die

Source Reduction

Make sure that there are no areas of 'standing water' where mosquitoes can breed. Bird baths, buckets, wheelbarrows, pot plant saucers - anything that holds water is a potential mosquito nursery.

Repel

Mosquito repellents should be regarded as staple for any outdoor event. However while repellents provide excellent personal protection, they don't actually kill mosquitoes. That's why you need mosquito traps.

The downside is that the majority of repellents tend to leave one looking wet and shiny in all the wrong places. The only thing worse than mosquito bites - photos of the bridal party with noticeable shiny spots.

Off! Smooth & Dry formula is different and comes recommended by those in the know - bridal photographers. Apparently it leaves the skin looking perfectly untouched every time, and better yet, it seems to work to keep those bothersome biters away.

What to Wear

The majority of brides wear white or cream - the perfect color choice for avoiding a mosquito attack. Mosquitoes have well-documented color preferences and are attracted to dark colors, especially blue and black. So spare a thought for the groom and maybe give a nod to the season AND mosquitoes by replacing that black tuxedo jacket with a natty white dinner jacket.

Don't be a Mosquito Magnet

According to U.S. entomologist Dr Jerry Butler mosquitoes look for the highest rates of human attractants. "Mosquitoes use odor to sort attractive people from the unattractive people to find those that are most tasty."

What are those attractants? According to Butler, natural excretions through our skin and breath, plus skin care products. Many of the ingredients found in cosmetics will also attract mosquitoes and while a repellent may offset that, more often than not, the cosmetics and creams will last longer than the repellents.

Avoid fragrances in soaps, shampoos, and body lotions by investing in some 'fragrance-free' products. Strong scents will only attract mosquitoes to you. If you're having a hard time locating a good range of FF products, check out the baby section at your local drug store or supermarket. You won't need to spend a fortune either.

Here are just a few suggestions of readily available OTC products:

- Dove Sensitive Skin bar soap

- Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Body Wash

- Dove Sensitive Skin anti-perspirant

- Cliniderm Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner

- Dove Unscented Extra Hold Hairspray

- Lubriderm Sensitive Skin Therapy Moisturizing Lotion

- Neutrogena Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer

- Almay make-up

Alternatively, buy on-line. White Rabbit Beauty is a company that promotes quality, cruelty-free beauty products and has an extensive range of fragrance free skin-care, hair-care and make-up.

Bite Treatment

A bride's worst nightmare: waking up on the morning of the wedding to a mosquito bite....on the face. To prevent infection as well as reduce the itch, wash the bite with soap and water. Next apply an ice-cube to numb the area and reduce the swelling. Place a towel/face cloth between the ice-cube and skin, and leave in place for up to 20 minutes.

For a more high-tech solution you could try "Click that Itch", a revolutionary new insect bite treatment that helps relieve the itching and swelling caused by mosquito, midge and sand fly bites. It works by emitting an electrical pulse through the bite, stimulating blood flow which in turn disperses the histamine that causes the irritation.

Cover up any residual mark or marks with a yellow-based concealer. Pat on lightly and feather out the edges so you don't have a light ring around the spot, then apply your make-up over the top.

Table Decorations - Light Up

Citronella candles repel mosquitoes, unfortunately a number of humans are put off by the smell as well. One of the newest mosquito repelling candles on the market are citronella free. Bite-Lite™ candles contain a unique combination of lemongrass and spearmint essential oils. Not only do these candles look and smell great, they repel mosquitoes at the same time. Include them in your table decorations to help keep you and your wedding guests 'bite free'.

For added insurance include a few marigolds to your bridal bouquet and table arrangements. Mosquitoes find their smell particularly offensive and tend not to go anywhere near them. Yellow and orange are the most common colors however marigolds come in a variety of colors including pinks, reds and creams.

If you think all this mosquito prep is a bit of overkill - just consider that the most dangerous creatures on the planet are neither lions nor sharks, but tiny mosquitoes. That's because mosquitoes infect over 700 million and kill more than a million people across the globe every year through the transmission of viruses and parasites.

While no one thing is guaranteed to make your wedding completely mosquito free; the use of mosquito traps, repellents and other sensible control measures, should help create a safer, more enjoyable outdoor space for the bride, groom and guests.

But Wait.....there's more!

The Honeymoon

Amid the excitement and stress of wedding and honeymoon planning, most couples overlook the need of protecting themselves from tropical diseases. Mosquito expert Howard Carter of Incognito warns; "Honeymooners are risking an unpleasant start to married life if they do not remember to take precautions against malaria and other tropical illnesses."

The company's research shows that more than half of people on their honeymoon are bitten by an insect and of these; almost 10% will have their honeymoon ruined because of illness and even hospitalization. 20 per cent - mainly women - will develop scars from the bites.

Malaria is endemic in areas of Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East and some parts of Europe. Honeymooners visiting these destinations need to protect themselves against the disease. A helpful website, Malaria Hotspots, provides travel tips and maps which identifies those places affected by malaria.

In addition to Malaria, the global incidence of dengue fever has grown dramatically in recent decades, with about half of the world's population now at risk. Over the past thirty years 50 dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Pacific Island countries and territories and in 2011 dengue fever re-emerged in North America after a 50 year absence. There's currently no vaccine for dengue and experts recommend prevention is the best protection.

So whether you're honeymooning at home or abroad, include a bottle of insect repellent in your bridal tote and it really will be a case of "Happy is the bride that the sun shines on". (F.Grose, 1787)

50th Wedding Anniversary Invitations To Celebrate A Half Century Of Commitment

50th wedding anniversary invitations are an invite for individuals to celebrate a half century of love between two people. A couple that has survived this long have likely built quite a legacy in those fifty years. Their children have produced grandchildren and there may even be great grandchildren in the mix. The generations just keep building and this one particular long-lasting union is the foundation to all of that. On the flipside, this union have likely suffered great loss to family members and friends that were close to their heart. When the rollercoaster ride of up's and down's has weathered the storm for the past half century, there is a definite need to celebrate. And in fifty years time there are likely many people touched by the presence of these two people, perhaps individually or as a couple. Family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Needless to say there should be no shortage of invites going out.

Your 50th wedding anniversary invitations should display some delicate design significant of the occasion. For instance, the 50th wedding anniversary is popularly referred to as the gold anniversary. The likely party décor will include things like golden paper doilies under plates, china with white gold trim, gold ribbons and tassels around napkins or the back of chairs and gold candlesticks or votive holders decorating the table. You may want the engraving of your invite cards; say the initials of husband and wife, the year of the marriage and wedding anniversary, etc. to be done in gold letter or the card invite to be decorated with gold trim to reflect the occasion.

There is nothing more special than a couple marking 50 years together, especially in this day when many marriages can't even make it 10 years! All wedding anniversaries are a time of celebration and reflection but half of a century together is even more noteworthy and special. A likely theme of the anniversary party will be "Then & Now". Maybe the DJ will only play music from the year the two were married with guests receiving a compilation CD. There may be slide show presentations of old movies. Another nice touch would be to include the "Then & Now" theme in their 50th wedding anniversary invitations. Decorating the invitation with an original wedding photo or another photo from their youth complimented by a photo of the couple as they are today could do this.

The Real Cost of Wedding Insurance Policies

With the continued growth in the cost of weddings in the UK it is not surprising to see the wedding insurance industry becoming increasingly competitive. There are now more companies offering wedding insurance than ever before, and each company is often offering a whole range of different policies - up to twelve different types of policy in at least one case.

This means that not only is it more important than ever to think seriously about wedding insurance, but also to think carefully about what you really need, and what you don't. A typical wedding in the UK now costs anywhere between 瞿16,000 and 瞿25,000, which is a staggering amount of money, and often represents the second biggest financial commitment that anyone takes on in a lifetime.

What often surprises people more than anything else is the fact that what can initially feel like a fairly low budget wedding can quickly become a very expensive one. For example, things such as the Groom's wedding outfit can cost a great deal more that you might think - often 瞿600 just for a tails jacket. The whole suit might well cost as much as 瞿1,000.

The venue is clearly going to be expensive, but today even a marquee can cost several thousand pounds to hire, and when you start to add in other costs that are easily overlooked such as buttonholes, complimentary drinks and the DJ you can very quickly start to see a reasonable budget looking like the Gross National Product of a small European country.

For example, if you're planning on offering a complimentary glass of champagne for everyone for the toast, you could well be looking at 瞿500. With photographers costing up to around 瞿3,000 and then your car hire, wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses and rings you can start to see just how it all adds up. This is why wedding insurance is now so important.

You wouldn't buy a house without having some kind of insurance in place. In fact, in the UK you're not even able to get a mortgage for a property unless you have decent cover. The same is true when you buy a car, as you're legally obliged to have cover. Yet although these two major purchases require you to take out some form of cover, no one requires you to take out wedding insurance, despite the cost of your wedding being more than most people ever pay for a car, and in some cases about the same as it costs to buy a small starter home in some parts of the country!

This seems an astonishing situation, and one that needs addressing. For couples to risk around 瞿20,000 with no protection seems madness, yet every year a staggering number of couples do just that, and often simply because no one has thought to recommend that they do take out wedding insurance.

Wedding insurance policies start from as little as 瞿20, and can offer protection up to around 瞿50,000, which means that whatever your budget, there's bound to be a choice of policies and levels of cover to suit you. But it will mean that you'll have to plan out how much you're willing to spend, and your rough budget so that you make sure you take out enough wedding insurance cover without paying for more than you need.

Simple Facts About Wedding Rings

One of the most exciting things when planning your wedding is choosing your own palladium wedding rings. This is something that will symbolize your commitment for the rest of your lives, so make sure that you make a good choice. If you don't know where to start, you can always ask some of your family and friends who are already married. You can also browse the internet for some ideas. A lot of websites that specialize in this field will really be a big help. Window shopping is also a good option; take time to look around and ask questions from jewelers. Understanding the difference of each wedding ring will help you come up with a decision. To learn more about it these pieces of jewelry, here are a few simple facts about it:

• The way you wear your wedding ring will depend on the culture and tradition of your country. Some people wear this piece of jewelry on the middle finger of their left hand because anatomically, there is a vein in the middle finger that directs blood straight to the heart. In some places, others usually don't do this because they believe that it's cursed. If you're not sure on how to go about it, it would be best to ask or observe married people.

• If you want to buy cheap wedding rings, don't shop for it during peak season or go to places where more affordable prices are offered. However, if your partner is not around and you don't have his or her ring size, you will not be able to accomplish the task. To solve this dilemma, you may ask your significant other to let you borrow a normal ring in their size. Another option would be to draw their ring on a paper which can easily be scanned and sent through email.

• The ideal time to buy a ring would be six months before your actual wedding day. Purchasing it months before will give you the time and money to focus on other important aspects of the upcoming event. Aside from that, this will give you more than enough time to choose the right ring for you and your fianc矇.

• If your rings are loose, don't worry because it can be fixed. If you can't visit a jeweler as soon as possible, you can buy a ring guard to hold it for the mean time. These pieces of jewelry can be adjusted in many ways. If you want, you can specify a method that you think would be best for the situation.

• Since these things will require you to spend a certain amount, it would be best if you save for it beforehand. If this won't work, you can just settle for shopping using your credit card. Just make sure that you pay for it when the bills arrive, so that you won't have any debts.

Buying palladium wedding rings is not that stressful. If you want a good set, take note of the factors that were mentioned above. Just like what people always say, if you want a good outcome, you have to work hard to attain it. Set goals so that you will have something to look forward to and everything will also be more organized this way.

Helpful Tips on Announcing Your Engagement and Inviting Guests to Your Wedding

The days when wedding invitations came in one size and color are long gone. Today couples invest a lot of time and effort in designing a wedding invitation that not just accomplishes the task of inviting guests to the wedding but is also a great memento.
Designing the wedding invitation and getting it printed should be one of the first items in your wedding plan. Ideally, wedding invitations should be sent out to guests at least six weeks before the wedding so that they have plenty of time to make travel arrangements. If your wedding is taking place during the holidays, send your wedding invitations out even earlier.

If you want certain relative or very important (VIP) guests to be there at your wedding ceremony and reception, you should consider sending out advance announcements so these special guests can calendar, reserve and save the date reserved for your wedding. Formal written announcements letting family and friends know you popped the question and are engaged are also a nice way to let your guests know in advance when and where you plan to get married.

There are a number of new items on the market designed just for this purpose. When you get married--they'll be sure to reserve the date on their calendars if you send them a magnet that says "This is the Day--we're getting married!" These Save the Date magnets come with mailing envelopes to make it easy for you to give them enough advance notice. There are 'save the date' magnets with
elegant, three tiered wedding cake graphics or bold, black and white magnets with intricate cut out paper doll like shaped like bride and groom that announce the date of your wedding.. A classy way to announce your engagement. There are pretty pink and white magnets pink hearts, iced wedding cakes or ones with pink roses to get their attention and decorate their refrigerator in the kitchen where many family's post and keep the family's calendar of events.

If money is no object, you can also send your friends, family and VIP guests personalize zed 'save the date' mint candies in tins decorated with beautiful, personalized labels. These wedding mints also are available in adorable designs. The mints are delicious and will be appreciated, thoughtful little gifts. Everyone buys mints at the grocery store in decorative, reusable tins. Sending these creative engagement announcements can be done before you send out the wedding invitations.

The typical format of the wedding invitation consists of the names of the bride and the groom, the invitation to the wedding, the day, time and venue of the wedding and the reception and an RSVP card and address. Within this broad format, lots of variations are possible. The names of your guests can either be written on the card itself or on the envelope. As far as possible, include the names of all the people you are inviting and avoid generalized suffixes like "and family."

The first thing that you need to decide is the tone of the wedding invitation - will it be formal or informal? A formal invitation typically starts with "Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the honor of your presence..." A more informal wedding invitation can start with something as simple as "Please join us...". You also need to decide on who is going to announce the wedding and invite the guests. Traditionally, it was the bride's parents since it was they who paid for the wedding. However, this is no longer the case. It is up to the couple to decide whether the wedding invitation should go out from one or both sets of parents or from the bride and the groom themselves.

Remember to clearly spell out the day, date and time of both the wedding and the reception in the wedding invitation. Specify the time zone if there is likely to be any scope for confusion. Also give the full address of the wedding venue and the reception venue. It is a good idea to enclose a map as well especially for out of town guests.

The RSVP card is now an integral part of most wedding invitations. This is usually a card with a simple message where the guests enter in their names and indicate whether they will be attending the wedding or not. It is the done thing to include a self-addressed and stamped envelope as well with an RSVP card. In case you decide not to enclose a separate RSVP card with your wedding invitation, just indicate by when you expect an RSVP and give them your address, email id and phone number so that they can do so in a way that is convenient to them.

Those are the essential elements in a wedding invitation. Apart from this, it is up to you to use your creativity to design a card that is truly unique. Some couples do this by including a personalized message. Others include a poem or a quote from a favorite book. You can also play around with the look and feel of the wedding invitation. There are many different materials and designs available for you to choose from. If you are having a theme wedding, it is a great idea to include some design elements in the wedding invitation that are related to the theme. After you ask a friend to be your Maid of Honor and decide who you want as your bridesmaids, you can ask them for help in addressing and sending out your engagement announcements, save the date magnets or mints and your formal wedding invitations.

Wedding Envelope Printing - Formal Touches For a Wedding Invitation

The value of wedding invitations are not to be underestimated. Wedding invitations can set the pace and mood for a wedding in terms of formality, motif, or profile of the wedding. After designing and printing the invitation, seat cards, RSVP cards, and maps, these are all commonly placed inside a wedding envelope. Wedding envelope printing also needs its own level of attention.

Wedding envelopes should be properly labeled, paying special attention to the spelling and font style of the text. Paper stock and finish are also important elements to consider as each can project its own level of formality. Below are points to consider when printing envelopes for wedding invitations.

Size - Sizes of wedding invitation envelopes should be considered as invitations often have various sizes and shapes. Invitation sizes can be custom-made and would need specifically-sized envelopes. Standard-sized envelopes are more convenient to order and print.

Paper Stock - Paper stocks can include a selection of textures, thicknesses and coatings. The paper thickness projects formality and quality. The thicker the paper, the more formal it looks. Envelopes can also have various coatings and textures including coated, uncoated or matte finishes.

Design - Envelope design should consider elements such as color, pattern, gradient, graphic design, and orientation. Colors and gradients are associated with a certain use. Neutrals such as cream, ecru, or white and pastels such as baby blue, peach, light pink, and lavender are commonly associated with formal weddings. Bolder colors are for theme or destination weddings. Patterns and graphic designs should be carefully considered as more formal styles are commonly restrained.

Font Style - There are several font styles and sizes for envelopes. Each font style also projects its own tone or sense of formality. There are elegant calligraphy fonts, romantic Victorian fonts, and whimsically-themed fonts. Font size and design should be large enough for legibility and clarity.

Brides can choose hassle-free, convenient online printing companies to print wedding envelopes and invitations. Customized print orders can be done through their website, by calling a toll-free number, or through live chat.

The Importance of Taking Precautions to Protect Your Possessions on Cruises

Travelers have come to love cruises both for the sightseeing and the experience of being on the boat. Any traveler knows that belongings must be protected on any vacation, but there are some special considerations to be made for cruises. For the most part, though, think of a cruise just as you would any other vacation. Although being on a boat is a little different, taking precautions will ensure that you have an enjoyable trip.

Before departing on your cruise, make sure to take out trip insurance. This is important for any vacation. Trip insurance protects your family in the event that you are unable to go on your vacation. This is especially important for cruises because of the nature of the trip. On a plane trip, if you miss a flight you can usually catch another. With a cruise, however if there is a delay in your plane trip, you may miss the boat.

It is also important to think of protecting your valuables on a cruise ship. Consider insuring any expensive belongings you plan to take with you in advance. Carefully consider whether or not to bring these valuables in the first place. Bringing some valuables is unavoidable. Most travelers these days travel with cameras, cell phones, laptop computers and other technology. When on a cruise, it is important to think about the best way to protect these items.

Some passengers worry about theft from their staterooms. Be sure to check reviews and statistics about problems like this with the particular company you are using. There is legitimate concern about possessions not being safe in the staterooms. Aside from maids entering the room, which all travelers have to worry about, consider the fact that you will most likely have a number of people staying in your room who may leave the door unlocked or let others in with them. For this reason, be careful about the valuables you choose to leave in your room. Some advise that keeping possessions, such as cell phones, wallets, and cameras, on your person whenever possible, is the best way to prevent this type of theft. However, other experts say just the opposite. Some prefer to leave valuables in the room rather than carry them with them throughout the day on the boat. Because of the nature of the cruise and all of the activities available, such as swimming, dining, drinking and dancing, items are easy to misplace and are easily forgotten in the transition from one activity to another. For this reason, some experts recommend minimizing the number of items you carry with you on the boat. Do whatever feels right to you. Do consider leaving wedding rings and other jewelry at home. If you wear them during activities on the boat, it is too easy for them to become lost or misplaced, and they are just as easy to lose if left in the room.

When it comes to money, experts have differing opinions again. Most agree that traveler's checks are no longer as useful as they once were. Some experts suggest using debit cards instead, but some disagree. This is no different traveling on a cruise ship or traveling any other way, but some believe carrying credit cards is much safer than carrying debit cards. Should a credit card become lost or stolen, you have the ability to dispute charges, while you cannot do so with a debit card. Taking these words of caution into consideration and making the decision that feels right for you before leaving for your cruise will help you to have a stress free, enjoyable vacation.

The Perfect Small Business Idea For You - Become a Wedding Singer

Can you sing? If you can, then you have got to become a wedding singer. This is because a lot of people get married every year and they don't always know someone who is willing to sing at their wedding. That is where you come in. That is where you say, "Hey, I'll sing at your wedding because I know how to sing and I can do a really good job at it.

This is the perfect small business idea for you, so you might as well run with it. It's a lot of fun, you get free food, you get paid, and a lot of people are going to enjoy hearing you.

Just think of this:

Someone hires you to be a wedding singer at their wedding and the next thing you know, you have about ten other people wanting you to sing at their weddings. That seems like a pretty good deal, doesn't it? It's definitely going to make you a lot of money.

But you have to let people know something about you before you can ever get those referrals. This means that you have to advertise. Being that this is a local business, you have to advertise locally. This can be done through newspapers, the weekend shopper, fliers, and, yes, you can create a website and market to local individuals. You can let them hear you in action so that they can make the decision to hire you.

So go ahead and do this. You can be a large part of someone's big day by letting your singing talents grace their wedding. It will be quite amazing when it's all said and done.

Spring Cleaning Tips For 2011

Everyone has been cooped up in their homes for the past few months and are itching to get back outside. Once the first taste of spring and warmer weather hits, people will want to rush outside and begin their spring home improvement projects. With the long, harsh winter what to get done first can seem like an overwhelming decision when so much needs to get done. There are a few projects that you should consider doing first however to start your own spring renewal off right.

When deciding where to start with your spring projects, the first thing you should conquer is cleaning. With all of the harsh weather during the winter, the outside of your home could probably use a good spray down. Power wash any siding or other vinyl materials you have on your home like the front porch or a fence. Also consider power washing your deck and/or patio. This will get rid of any built up grime and give your home a fresh feel for spring. After power washing, get out the regular garden hose and spray down your shutters and the outsides of your windows. The windows are going to need some serious TLC. After spraying down with the hose get out the ladder, Windex and paper towels and go at it. Don't forget the inside of your windows as well. It may seem like a tedious task but you will want all of that glorious, warm sunshine to come through your windows in its full beauty!

Some of these spring projects may not seem like much fun but they don't call it "spring cleaning" for nothing. Once the outside of your home is sparkling, another good place to begin is by cleaning out that garage. With the warmest months ahead of you, it will feel great to have a clean and organized space for all of your spring and summer toys and tools. The best place to start is with a simple sorting process. Sort all of your items (that aren't in boxes) into piles like gardening, toys and tools. Once all the obvious items are sorted, start going through the boxes and be honest with yourself. It may be difficult to get rid of items once you lay eyes on them again but if you take that step and donate the items, you will feel so much lighter. Once everything is sorted, you will have a good idea of what kind of storage and how much of it you will need. Browse your local hardware store for tons of customized storage options.

Once you have everything cleaned and organized, you can begin the fun stuff! Now that all of your lawn and garden equipment is neatly organized and easily accessible, it's time to get to work. Start by clearing out debris and dead foliage from your flower beds to get them ready for spring planting. Step back and take a look at what you already have planted and sketch out a "map". If you draw out where you have things planted (it doesn't have to be to scale) you will have a better idea of what you need to buy from the nursery. Include on your map any bulbs you had planted so you don't cover them up before they sprout. Take your map with you to the nursery and it will be so much easier to pick out plants based on the space you have. Another thing to consider for your garden this spring is a rain barrel. There are simple DIY rain barrel plans available on the internet or you can purchase pre-fabricated ones. Installing a rain barrel in your yard can help save you hundreds on your water bill as you quench all those beautiful new plants!

Looking for Perfect, Beautiful Bride or a Handsome Groom?

God has created a world, and human beings are the best creation amongst it all. We are all children of Adam, we may have different colours, shapes and sizes, but we are all human and interesting.

We have made the world in small pieces. The children of Adam is one world, yet we have different parts of that world, different cultures and different ways of life. Different festivals and different faiths, yet we are all individual. We all have different tastes, different thoughts, and in fact almost everything is different about us.

Every human is beautiful, as he or she is a creation of God. We all have some quality in us that we call a gift. Some are cool, some are hot, some are frozen, but we all have taste. We dislike things, respect ourselves, love and care for others.

There is no such thing as an ugly person, as every woman has a man, and every man has a woman. It is like a bridal dress displayed in the window. Hundreds of women will look at it and may not stop for a second glance, but one will love it instantly, and will buy it. Just as every dress needs a body, so does every bride have a groom.

When it comes to finding a bride, we look at many aspects of the person, including the look. If you only consider looks to be important, then you will regret later. When you look for a bride or groom, they spend time together for a long time before they agree to a proposal.

One can look for things like education, love of cooking, respect for others, faithfulness, communication, love of children, and understanding.

Weddings are based on a match. When you find the perfect match, then that is your perfect bride. When you find the man of your match then that is your handsome husband. Quality of looks are part of the requirement, but other qualities are important too

If you have a mismatch, and if it was based on looks, only then, once the marriage is over, will you know the other side of a person. And if you are not matched, then you will be in trouble for the rest of your life. Good marriages are based on good matches. And a better match is a better outcome for a better life, brighter future, good understanding and support for each other and for the children.

If you have a bad match, then there will be nothing but trouble, disagreements, revenge, war, external affairs, a second marriage, divorce and the life of your children will be hell.

The moral of the story is simple. When looking for a match, look not just at the face and body. This handsome and loving groom with a 6 pack, may not have a 6 pack as time goes on, and may not be as handsome to you once you start discovering how much you disagree on things. Underneath the skin, people are beautiful. Look for that and you will be happy.

When it comes to quality, if everything else matches up, you have nothing to worry about. Hire a good bridal make up service on the net. Trust me, looks disappear once you switch off the lights on your bedroom. In the dark, even an old man is handsome as a teenager.

Simple Wedding Invitations

Weddings are grand social affairs with celebrations continuing for days before and after the wedding ceremony and reception. Before the beginning of this revelry, it is very important to send out the wedding invitation cards to the various guests who are to be invited to the ceremony and reception.

Wedding invitations are therefore very significant aspects of the whole occasion. The invitation cards are vital as they contain the details of the wedding ceremony, its location, and timings. This is apart from the usual reference regarding the bride and groom and their families.

Therefore, wedding cards are an integral part of organizing the wedding ceremony. Special care needs to be taken to ensure that the invites are pleasant and graceful and at the same time appealing and nice. However, the kind of the wedding invites depends fully on the couple and there are a variety of designs from where they get to choose the final outlay of the invite.

Wedding invitation cards may be simplistic as well as gorgeous and elaborate. Simply designed ones are usually pristine white adorned with silver or golden decorations and look very elegant and graceful. The inside of the invitation should be filled up by the written invitation and it should be addressed with respect to the invitees.

Often these invitations are decorated with flower motifs, at times colorful and vibrant, and sometimes simple. These decorative features add beauty to the invitations and are appealing to the guests. At the same time, wedding invitations are also symbolic of the host's power and wealth. Therefore, one can also come across very elaborately decorated invitations.

These invites are usually available in two colors, black and white. They may be striped or printed with larger motifs which garner a lot of attention from the invited and are eye-catching. They appear to be a complete contrast compared to the all white simply designed cards.

Nonetheless, the kind of wedding invitations depends greatly upon the way of expression of the bride and groom and different individuals have different modes of expression. All invitations are accessorized with suitable envelopes and are often accompanied by 'Thank You' notes.

How to Buy Great Wedding Rings for Under $200

With gold and platinum prices at all-time highs, and many young couples struggling to make ends meet, how can you purchase high quality wedding rings for $200 or less? Fortunately, there are absolutely fantastic rings available in this price range. These are the new generation of wedding rings which are made out of Titanium, Tungsten, Cobalt, Stainless Steel and Silver.

Titanium

Titanium rings have become one of the most popular choices for couples getting married with possibly only Tungsten being more popular. This metal offers manufacturers and designers a medium to work in that allows them to create very modern looking rings with very interesting inlays. Carbon fiber is a very popular inlay for many manufacturers with many young couples gravitating towards the look of rings with black, white or checkered patterns.

Tungsten

Tungsten rings are the most popular alternative metal wedding rings on the market. Their low price and claims of being scratch proof and "indestructible" contribute to their popularity. Unfortunately, Tungsten wedding rings have received some bad press over the last few years due to people like Jewelry Designer Scott Kay who was filmed at an event in which he hurled Tungsten rings onto a concrete slab to demonstrate that how Tungsten rings can in fact be shattered. However, the truth of the matter is that Tungsten is a wonderful metal to consider because the average person will never intentionally attempt to damage their ring.

Cobalt

Cobalt rings are one of the new alternative metals on the market. They were introduced in the last few years as an "alternative" to Tungsten rings as they are scratch proof, do not tarnish, and will not shatter like Tungsten rings. Most couples do not know much about Cobalt rings but this should not prevent them from considering this metal.

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel is an extremely popular metal for factories in Asia to work with. It may be the most popular of all metals for manufacturers in that part of the world to work with. The production costs are so low, Asian factories can produce a ton of stainless steel rings and resell them at incredibly low prices. Rings made out of stainless steel represent the lowest prices rings of all metals in this article.

Silver

Silver is enjoying a bit of resurgence now. Jewelers are finding that they can offer Silver wedding rings in with similar designs to gold wedding rings at a fraction of the price. A fairly new version called Argentium Silver is being marketed to Jewelers. It boasts the look of something between white gold and platinum and is not supposed to tarnish like most silver jewelry. Silver rings are the most expensive of all metals listed here.

Michael Moore's Sicko Review - A Documentary of the Sickening Health Care System in America!

There couldn't be a better word to describe Michael Moore's latest film "Sicko". Traveling through the health care world in the United States brings on a new era of realization of how "Sickening" the health insurance industry of America really is.

Almost 50 Million Americans live without health insurance in America. As bad as that is, some insurance companies make it extremely difficult to get any insurance claims at all for the rest of the 250 million Americans that do have health insurance coverage.

Sicko, documents a case where a man had accidentally sawed off two of his fingers, the index finger and the middle finger. When the man was taken to the hospital, he was given a choice - sew back the index finger for $12,000 or sew back the middle finger for $60, 000 - his choice was to keep his index finger, and keep a place for his sacred wedding ring.

This is not an uncommon story in the American health insurance industry, as Sicko depicts that health insurance companies will do whatever it takes to deny a recipient benefit claims.

Another example from Sicko is of a child who was taken to the nearest hospital, after her high fever of 104 would not come down. When she and her mother got to the hospital, they were informed that their HMO, Kaiser Permanente, would not cover the little girls health treatment costs, and that she has to be taken to a hospital that is affiliated with their HMO Kaiser Permanente. After arguing and desperately pleading with the hospital to treat the child there, and not transfer her to a different hospital, by the time the little girl did arrive to the HMO's affiliated hospital, the little girl Mychelle, was pronounced "expired."

Michael Moore also takes note of other countries health care systems compared to the American system and profiles countries such as Canada, England, and France - all which provide a free health care system.

In Canada, they can give their thanks to Tommy Douglas, who implemented the universal health care system, known as the Universal Medicare Legislation created in 1961.

In England, they have the NHS - National Health Service, which provides the majority of healthcare in England, from general practitioners to hospitals, long-term healthcare, dentistry and ophthalmology . Founded in 1948 it has become an integral part of British society, culture and everyday life.

In France, they have a system which offers unlimited sick days, vacation time starting at 4 weeks, and to top it off, free nurse and nanny care for new mothers. France was also given the title of "best health system in the world" by the World Health Organization (WHO) in June 2000.

Why is it that countries like Canada, England and France are able to offer their citizens free health care, and be so generous and kind, and then on the other side, the American system being so cruel and cold-hearted?

Sicko, explores the tragic and failing health care system in the United States of America, and can be viewed nationwide hitting the box offices on June 29th, 2007.

The ABCs of Beach Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Planning your beach wedding can be stressful enough without the added worry about keeping all of the rules straight. Without a doubt, invitations involve more rules and customs than anything else associated with weddings, but thankfully for casual beach weddings, you can safely throw most of them out the window.

But you should keep these rules/customs in mind and use them if your heart tells you it's the right thing to do. Even if your best girlfriend thinks differently.

How far in advance should I send the wedding invitations?

My best sources suggest that you send them out at least 8 weeks before the beach wedding. With this much advance notice, every guest should have plenty of time to make their travel plans, arrange for time off from work, and get the best deals on air fares.

Can I send information about bridal registries with the invitation?

No matter where you hold your wedding or how formal or casual it is, it's considered rude to include any kind of information regarding gifts with your wedding invitation. It's better to circulate this information later, possibly through word of mouth, an email, your Facebook page or private website, or even an additional mailing.

Do I need to include a separate reception card?

You'll be happy to know that the answer is No. If the reception is going to be held on the beach or very near the site of the ceremony, guests assume that everyone invited to the wedding is also invited to the reception.  Even so, it's a courtesy to add a brief sentence at the bottom of the invitation announcing that a reception will follow immediately afterwards

On the other hand, if the reception will be some distance from the site of the ceremony, for a beach wedding it is still OK to include the required information on the invitation itself.

What do I do when two unmarried people are invited from the same house?

This can get a bit touchy. If they consider themselves a couple, then the recommendation is to send only one invitation, but write each name on a separate line in the address area. The custom is to address them alphabetically.  However, if the two are a parent and an adult child or just roommates, then it's best to send two invitations.

Is OK to mention my deceased mother/father on my invitations?

This is a really bad idea because anyone specifically mentioned on the invitation (other than the bride and groom) is assumed to be hosting the event. If you are planning a wedding program, you can honor them there. Otherwise, consider a short memorial either at the ceremony or afterwards.

If you give a little thought to these guidelines, you may avoid making an unfortunate etiquette goof that you may regret long after your great beach wedding. 

Wedding Insurance Statistics - Before You Roll the Dice, Check the Odds

Why not forget the idea of taking out wedding insurance? Planning and paying for a £20,000 wedding with no protection is great fun. Life's a gamble - why not take your chances on the most important day of your life? Live a little - live for the adrenalin!

It is an astonishing fact that a tremendous number of people do exactly this, despite the huge number of variables, gambles and risks to which couples have committed a staggering sum of money. With the average wedding in the UK now costing £21,000, and with each wedding involving an average dozen independent service providers or suppliers, failing to take out adequate wedding insurance could cost you dearly, and not just in terms of financial outlay.

Of the thousands of claims received by wedding insurance firms every year, it is interesting to note the proportion of the claims. For example, almost half of all claims received relate to bankrupt venues or suppliers. Unfortunately the past couple of years haven't been terribly kind for many businesses, and many have stretched themselves as far as they dare, and are now committing themselves as widely as possible in order to try to recover a more stable footing.

Clearly they're going to want to portray a solid and confident business posture, but how do you know what's really going on? Since you're planning a wedding at least several months in advance, and possibly more than a year in advance, it is impossible for anyone to predict how those dozen or so businesses will be coping that far ahead. It's hard enough for the businesses to have any clear idea of what the future holds for them, let alone their customers.

43% of all wedding insurance claims relate to bankrupt suppliers or venues, and in practical terms this implies that thousands of businesses during the last year have been bankrupted, gone out of business, and left weddings high and dry.

How would you cope if your venue was closed due to bankruptcy? How would you cope financially if you had to replace one of your major service providers or suppliers, possibly at almost the last minute? Many people would struggle, perhaps managing with a poor second best which will cast a shadow over their entire day.

Nearly a fifth of all wedding insurance claims relate to either a lost ring or a damaged wedding dress, and in either case, the cost of repairing or replacing the ring or the dress is certainly likely to be considerably more than the cost of the wedding insurance policy.

With over a quarter of a million weddings per year in the UK alone, this proportion of claims would suggest that around 50,000 weddings each year experience either a lost ring or a damaged dress. Without an insurance policy, either problem is certain to spell disaster, and the cost could be considerable at a time when many couples are already stretched far enough.

22% of all wedding claims relate to key members of the family who are suddenly unable to make it to the wedding. If the father of the Bride, the bride's mother, or even the Bride or the Groom themselves falls ill, has an accident, is stranded due to delayed flights, adverse weather or is even held by the police, what would you do?

In some cases you might regrettably carry on without them, unless of course the missing person happens to be either the Bride or the Groom. In most cases the entire wedding will have to be postponed, and this will inevitably cost several times the price of a wedding insurance policy. Statistically, this very real problem equates to approximately 55,000 couples each year.

Even the most confident gambler is likely to balk at such odds, and at such risks. When the happiest day of your life is at stake, why would you risk it for the sake of the cost of a wedding insurance policy?

The Meaning Behind Wedding Favors

Special Parting Gifts

Weddings impart a good feeling to anyone attending these celebratory events. If you're a guest at one of these occasions, you'll be sure to come home with a memento from the happy couple that will be unique as well as memorable. If you're in the process of planning a wedding yourself, it's important to choose your wedding favors for your guests and order them early as you'll have a lot of other arrangements to make as well.

Where it All Began

Take a look online and you'll be amazed at the number of offerings. It makes one wonder where the tradition of offering a wedding favor to guests started. Well, to obtain your answer, you'd have to travel back in time a few centuries to France and Italy. At that time, the aristocrats in those countries offered small presents, known as bonbonnieres (in France) or bombonieres (in Italy) to the guests at weddings. Such gifts were also presented to guests at other happy occasions as well, such as birthday parties.

A Gift of Influence

A bonbonniere or bomboniere was a porcelain, crystal or metal box. Some were made with fine gems or precious stones. Inside the boxes, one generally found five small candies, or sometimes sugared almonds. Each piece represented health, fertility, wealth, longevity and happiness. As a result, the tradition prevailed and that's why we offer favors at weddings and bridal showers today.

A Large Selection Online

Of course, today we have a much larger selection with respect to favors for weddings or bridal showers. On the Internet, you'll find a wide array of unique wedding favors that you can use as gifts for your guests. Pick from flowers, candies, candles, bottle stoppers, measuring spoons, tea bags, and personalized boxes, just to name a few.

Do Some Virtual Window Shopping

Naturally, practical favors are always appreciated. For example, give your guests picture frames that can be used as place card holders. Using favors in this way can save you a lot with respect gift wrapping. What's nice about shopping on the Internet for your favors is that you can match the favor to the type of wedding you are planning. Take your time and browse over the selections; however, make sure you do it far in advance of your actual wedding date as the gifts will need to be personalized. Sites that offer favors usually provide information and ideas on wedding invitations and decorations as well as accessories. Use the time to choose unique wedding favors and related items for your special day.

Unique Candy Apples

For example, you may want to give your guests a sweet treat, such as a brownie ball, which is available in a bride or groom motif. Pick the chocolate-covered candy apple bride, accented which white chocolate pearls or the candy apple groom, with a white and dark chocolate tuxedo.
A Vintage Selection
On the other hand, you may prefer to give your guests a birdcage holding a tea light. This type of favor is great for a vintage-type wedding. The metal cage holds a tea light and doubles for holding place cards as well.

A Little Bit of Tea or Jam Anyone?

Or, maybe you'd like to give guests a teapot and infuser for a party favor. What a perfect way to depict sharing. A chrome spreader with a heart-shaped handle is a good present for your guests to take home too.

Favors are a nice tradition and an excellent way to celebrate the "union" and family and friends. Maintain the tradition by looking at all the offerings online.The

Firefighter Pocketknife - An Essential Tool For Every Firefighter

Although there are many so called "firefighter pocketknives" on the market today, not all of them live up to the marketing hype.

For example, a recent window punch that I tested on a rescue knife failed to break the window. In fact, the glass breaker tip simply flattened out against the car window. Yep, what was billed as a window punch was weaker than the glass.

Can you imagine being on the scene of an extrication and trying to bust a window with a faulty glass breaker? When it comes to firefighter knives, the lesson to learn is to carry the right tool. So, how do you know the right one to buy?
Answer - do some research.

Here are 5 tips to help you narrow down the perfect firefighter pocketknife:

- Google something like "Best firefighter pocketknives" or "firefighter knives" and read the product reviews.
- Go on You Tube and view the product demonstrations for rescue knives.
- Check out quality knife makers like Benchmade, Gerber and Columbia River Knife and Tool and read their product descriptions.
- Ask a fellow firefighter about their experience with their own particular pocketknife.
- Test the knife yourself. If you already own a firefighter pocketknife, try it out at your next extrication drill.

Note: An important thing to remember as you research for the best firefighter pocketknife is that the old saying, "You get what you pay for" applies here as well.

Even with reputable knife makers, the lower end products do not perform as well. This only makes sense as the lower the cost, the lower the quality of product. I'm not saying buy the most expensive one, but be aware of the quality of the materials that are used in the construction of the rescue knife.

As you do your research for the best firefighter pocketknife, it is also important to keep in mind these points:

How easy is it to use the knife while wearing gloves?

Obviously, at the scene of a motor vehicle crash full turn out gear is in order. With sharp metal objects, broken glass and other hazards, you will naturally being wearing gloves. Will you have to take the gloves off to use a particular feature of the knife?

Can the tool be operated with one hand?

Is it possible to open the blade of the knife with one hand while holding the seat belt with the other? Also, can the firefighter pocketknife be opened with one hand while wearing gloves?

Can the seat belt cutter be easily sharpened?

Some of the rescue tools available have replacement blades for when the cutter becomes dull. Other models have permanent blades that must be resharpened. Check to see if a special tool is required to sharpen the cutter.

Does the knife come with a warranty?

Check to see if a warranty is provided with the knife and the conditions of that warranty. Will the manufacturer repair the knife at no cost? What all is covered by the warranty? How long is the warranty good for?

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when searching for the right firefighter pocketknife to purchase. The most important thing to remember is to get a knife that does what it is supposed to do. You can accomplish this goal by doing your own research and weeding out the money wasters. Just remember, "You get what you pay for."

How To Make Your Wedding Bands Special

It is every couple's dream to have a memorable wedding experience. Since it is a once in a lifetime event, it must be perfect. Part of the wedding preparations is choosing the absolute wedding ring or wedding band. The ring represents the ultimate love of the couple. If you'll notice, the rings have a circle shape. It means that the love is never-ending. Since wedding bands are worn for the rest of their lives, many couples opt to make their wedding bands special by engraving their names or including romantic messages or quotes on the inside. The important thing is that the engraving reflects the couple's relationship. If you are looking for ways on how to make your wedding bands special, here are a couple of tips.

Basic Engraving Details
By and large, the details engraved on the inside of the rings are the wedding date and the individual names of the couple. The bride and groom often exchange rings. Traditionally the woman wears the band with the groom's name while the man wears the band with the name of his beloved bride. Other possible details that can be included are the couple's term of endearment like honey or sweetheart and the setting or location of the wedding for example Hawaii or Santa Monica.

Choose Love Quotes From Famous Poets And Other Famous People
William Shakespeare is a well-known playwright. He is noted for his romantic plays like Romeo and Juliet. Albert Einstein on the other hand is known for his contributions in Science. Mother Theresa is a noteworthy figure. You may adapt a quote from these famous people and use it to your wedding rings. Consider Leo Buscaglia's famous love quote, "Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life." Find the perfect quote for your significant other. The quote must not exceed 29 characters in one line.

Use Bible Verse On Love And Marriage
Christian couples often use bible verses on their wedding rings and bands. Like the verse taken from the Book of Solomon chapter 2 verse 16, "My lover is mine, and I am his." Another famous bible verse on love is taken from 1 Corinthians 13:4. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." This is the most common verse read in wedding ceremonial rites. At least, even in their wedding bands, they show how significant is faith to their relationship and marriage.

Yes, wedding bands or rings are important to couples. Wedding rings represent the couple's love and loyalty. Consider the tips above if you wish to make your wedding bands special. The truth is that rings are just symbolic. If you don't have enough money to shell out for rings, then just improvise. There are couples out there who remain to be devoted with each other even if their rings are made of fancy materials. The important thing is that love and respect is present in the couple's relationship.

Country House Insurance - Why You Need an Expert

If you own a Country House or a specialist property, you know that no two country estates are the same. Similarly no two insurance policies or premiums will be the same either. It's important to find a country house insurance policy that you can trust, that provides you with the correct cover and will settle your claim when you need it.

It may be that your property has been passed down through generations of your family or you have worked hard to buy your dream home. However you came to own your estate, you'll know its worth far more to you than just the cost of the bricks and mortar. You may be running a business from there or it's a lifestyle choice to live there. The sentimental value alone means it's vital that you take the correct measures to protect your house.

So what should you look for when choosing an insurance policy?

A Specialist Country House Insurance policy can include:

• Buildings and / or contents cover including accidental damage


• Cover for farm buildings and outbuildings


• Liability as Property Owner and Landowner


• Cover for antiques, paintings and items of a specialist nature


• Cover for high value jewellery and watches


• Worldwide all risks cover


• Your legal expenses for a range of issues

In addition, it may be that you use your country estates for alternative revenue streams such as office space, farm land rentals or wedding venues. You need to make sure you get a tailored insurance policy so all risks are covered.

You need to make sure you have the correct sum insured for buildings and contents. In our experience, the cost of rebuilding country houses can far exceed the market value of the property due to the unique structure of the house. It's vital that your insurance adequately covers your rebuilding costs or you may find yourself underinsured and having to pay the difference if a major catastrophe does strike.

Do you need to review your Country House Insurance?

Go to a specialist broker that deals with a suite of insurers. You should look for a dedicated and experienced account handler, a full claims handling service, and impartial advice on arranging an insurance policy that best suits your needs and budget.

Some brokers may offer a home visit if you wish to ensure they get the sums insured and cover right and advise you of any steps you can take to mitigate your risks.

Country house insurance is not something that can be bought on an online comparison website.

If you choose the right broker, you benefit from a competitive premium with a leading insurer combined with a specialist Country House Insurance broker.

Applying Project Management in Wedding Organisation

Organisation is a key ingredient of any successful wedding. It is essentially a massive project management exercise where a wide range of resources have to come together from a point in time perhaps a year or more out, to deliver in a very specific time window on a very specific date.

As such the planning and organisation of the wedding has to be treated like a project in a business and the methodology of project management needs to be applied including identifying the packages of tasks that need to be delivered and in which order, the timeline for those tasks, the dependencies between those tasks and the risks associated with the tasks.

Numbers of tasks are then bundled together into 'stages' and each stage carries a risk analysis and mitigation assessment. In this exercise you have to examine what the risks are of all of the tasks in the stage and the Bride and Groom have to put plans in place to mitigate or avoid as many risks as possible. For example one risk might be 'what if the Bride's car doesn't turn up?' First we assess the likelihood of the risk as low but we mitigate the risk by putting in place an action to counter the risk i.e. Dad's car is on standby with brother driving if the Bride's Car doesn't turn up. You can take risk analysis one step further by saying what if Bride's car doesn't turn up and Dad's car wont start? Again it is a case of assessing the level of risk and mitigation.

Getting married should be the happiest time of your life but it can also be stressful. Communication has to be one of the key issues in the organisation of a wedding. Essentially you have a project with many components and many players involved, all of which has to be co-ordinated. In many cases the same pieces of information may have to be conveyed many times to many different people. This could include, where to stay, the wedding guest list, how to RSVP, where to obtain photos, travel and directions, what the Bride's mother is wearing, the reception seating plan. In pure project management terms the ideal solution to this dissemination of information is to post all of the critical information online in one easy to access location and point all enquiries to that location. Only where the exceptions occur do you have to intervene to answer questions.

Using classic project management techniques to manage a wedding will save time effort and stress.

Regcure Review - Regcure vs Other Registry Repair Tools

This is a Regcure review with a difference. It's no secret that Regcure is an extremely popular application. To help you make the best buying decision, when you are in the market for a Windows registry repair tool, I will compare features between Regcure and some other well-known tools on the market.

Perhaps Regcure's star feature is the Ignore List. Sometimes registry scans pick up registry entries that you would rather leave alone (entries you might be concerned will interfere with a functioning application). Once these items have been detected once, you can add them to the Ignore List so you are not constantly reminded of these issues each time you scan the registry.

Another popular product on the market is RegistryFix. One benefit offered by this product that is not offered by Regcure (at the time of writing) is an Object Manager. This feature allows you to control the programs that Internet Explorer is running, so that you can close or cancel anything you don't want running, freeing up processing capacity.

Both Regcure and ErrorNuker (another popular product) offer Custom Scanning. Custom Scanning gives the more hands-on user the ability to customize exactly what items or kind of items they want scanned. Working in the reverse way to Regcure's Ignore List function, it gives an added layer of flexibility.

The features mentioned above are only a subset of those available from the respective products, and are some of the stand out points of each piece of software. Ultimately your purchasing decision should be based on the features you need most in a registry repair tool.

How To Make Wedding Invitations Elegant

Every year thousands of weddings are being planned by couples who want to make their day unique. Your wedding is something that you want to make special by adding personal touches to every aspect of the event. The invitations that are sent out to guests should be a reflection of the couples personalities. There are many styles of wedding invitations to choose from and each couple wants theirs to be a reflections of their feeling for each other.

Today many couples are creating their own designs and even making their own invitations. This is an opportunity for folks to express themselves and showcase their talents. By personalizing the wedding invitations you are telling your guests something about yourself. There are a number of materials that are available to make the invitation.

The happy couple can also select the materials that they feel best represent them. An assortment of card stock in a large variety of colors can open up the imagination and the creative side of the couple. Folks can add twine, ribbon, and other embellishments to make the items they create unique. Embossed foil cards add an extra touch of elegance that can be carried over to the theme of the wedding.

The art of embossing produces a raised pattern on a surface. Surfaces that can be embossed include paper, leather, fabric, and metal. Heavy grade, or artist foil, is the easiest metal to emboss. There are a variety of ways to use embossed foils to elegantly embellish cards and invitations for any occasion. The foils are available in a number of different colors so there is no reason you will not find the right one to match your color scheme.

Many couples want to find a way to add their personal touch to their special day. The couple that has created a specific logo representing their union may want to have it embossed professionally. The items can be ordered and paid for online and shipped directly to your door. If you prefer, you can have the embossing done and shipped to you for application to your cards and invitations.

Foil embossing is a raised impression that is used as a finishing method following printing. It is a popular addition to business cards, greeting cards, and various invitations. There are stamps available that can be used to emboss the foil, or the metal can be purchased that already has a design imprinted. People can choose to purchase the plain foils and use a stylus to create their own design.

Online Wedding Invitations Vs Paper Wedding Invitations - What's Right For You?

If you have experienced "texting thumbs" or live on social network sites, then you know how convenient modern technology makes it to get in touch with family, friends and acquaintances. But when it comes to the most important day of your life, is it okay to use an online invitation? Or, like generations before you, should you send paper wedding invitations? Here are the pros and cons:

Dollars and Sense

Paper: From invites and enclosures to envelopes and mailings, paper wedding stationery can consume a reasonable chunk of your budget. In fact, according to The Bridal Association of America, the average couple puts down nearly $700 for invites. Budgeting brides can find this cost hard to swallow.

Online: Hands down, an online wedding invitation is more budget friendly. You can search online for free invitation templates, but that could be time consuming. If there aren't enough hours in the day to send invites and organize all of the replies, consider using an online wedding invitation service. These time-savers offer a selection of invitation templates, making it easy to find an invite to suit your wedding day theme. Many online wedding invite sites also provide RSVP tracking. Some services even allow you to attach maps or create an event page that guests can visit prior to the special day. Although most services charge a fee, it's small when compared to the cost of printing and mailing paper wedding invitations.

Miss Manners

Paper: From your Grandma May to your company CEO, paper wedding invitations are the only way to properly announces impending nuptials. Even the guardian angel of all things proper, the Emily Post Institute, frowns on sending email invites unless it's an emergency, such as a sudden overseas deployment for a member of the military.

Online: Send an electronic invitation and the etiquette "expert" in the family is likely to look down her nose in disapproval. However, friends and family might not be bothered (they might even be impressed) that you were tech-savvy enough to send e-invites.

Deliver it

Paper: Postal services can be remarkably efficient. Paper wedding invites can be forwarded if the recipient has moved, and, if there's no forwarding address the invite will be sent back to you, letting you know the guest lives elsewhere.

Online: Despite their advantages, online invitations have their downsides. Email addresses change; messages get lost in a sea of spam. What's more is that not everyone uses the internet. If potential guests aren't connected, you'll need to find another way to invite them. Consider using handwritten notes or extending the invitation in person.

You can have your cake and eat it, too.

Brides can blend online invites with paper wedding invitations. For instance, email is ideal for save-the-date invitations--and professional etiquette experts actually approve of electronic save-the-date announcements. When it's time to send out the invite, go the traditional--and etiquette-approved--route by mailing paper wedding invitations. You can also combine the modern and the traditional by providing your email address to give guests the option to reply electronically.

Things to Know Before Booking Chauffeured Limo Services

Whether you're going to an exclusive event or just need airport service, riding in a chauffeured car or limo is a convenient and elegant way to travel. No matter if you're a seasoned car service veteran or a fist time limo renter there are questions you should always ask before booking chauffeured services. Here are some great questions to help before booking your car/limo:

When will I need to pay for the Chauffeured Car/limo Services?

Finding out when your payment is due really depends on the type of service you're looking for, either point to point or hourly billing. Once that's decided, you will need to find out if payment in full or a deposit is collected at the time of booking. You will also need to know if the full balance will be due at the beginning of your trip or once services have been completed.

Is the tip for the chauffeur included in my payment?

Most limo companies have a policy that an additional 20% for the Chauffeurs tip is added at the time of the initial booking.

Is there a minimum if I choose hourly services?

If you decide to go with hourly services you will need to find out if there are a minimum number of hours required to rent the car/limo for. On average, this can range from 2 to 4 hours of a minimum charge.

Will I be able to get in touch with the chauffeur?

Make sure to ask if you will be able to get in touch with the Chauffeur who will be assigned to you and you can request the cell phone number of the person who will be picking you up and providing your Chauffeured services. This will be helpful to have before, during and after your trip.

Will alcohol beverages be allowed in the limo?

Of course the legal age for consuming alcohol beverages is 21 and most reputable companies will be fine with you consuming them, but check to make sure if they allow you to bring in your own items or if this is a service that will be provided for you.

For Parents who are renting a limo for their children who are under the legal age, make sure the company is aware there will be no adult supervision and confirm their policy regarding under age drinking. Most reputable limousine service companies will have you sign a waiver acknowledging this, for insurance and liability provisions.

Introduction to the Bank of America

Bank of America is largest bank in United States. According to the 2010 annual report the bank has more than $150.450 billion revenue and the net income is $2.238 billion. This is easily the largest employer in the banking sector as well with more than 286,951 employees in 2010. The bank is quite healthy as the total asset are worth more than $2.265 trillion, with equity just $231.444 billion.

Bank of America is not only included in the top five companies of United States, but also the 2nd largest company that is not related to the oil business. According to the Forbs and Fortune 500, BOA is third best organization working in the banking sector in the world. The share of banks in the local deposit market is more than 12.2% too. The BOA holding includes the prestigious institutions like Merrill Lynch too, which it acquired in 2008.

BOA was founded in 1904 by Amadeo Giannini as Bank of Italy. This humble organization in San Francisco with aim of providing banking services to immigrants. In 1906 during the San Francisco was struck with earthquake. The fire burnt the building of organization, but the bank started working soon after with the funds in the vaults that survived. The start of the banking sector was quite simple.

The first office of BOA was quite humble as there were only two makeshift tables being created by the barrels. The bank grew and in 1918 the bank changed name as Bank of America and Italy. The next chapter in BOA history happened in 1927 when it became the largest institute after consolidation with Liberty bank of Los Angles

The later years saw the growth of BOA in the western states with California as base. The BOA started working as insurance institution as well in this time too. The 1956 the insurance business was separated as result of Banking & Holding Act. Transamerica was the insurance partner of BOA which kept working in that business after separation.

BOA was the first bank to introduce the credit cards in massive way with Visa in 1975 with the help of consortium of other banks. In 1980s the BOA moved beyond the California and started working as national bank. The prestige and holding of the company also increased after acquiring of the companies like Bancorp.

The bank dealt with many problems including the major loses in 1983 as well. The result of the next few years struggle led to sale of the organization to the Deutsche Bank in 1987. The next important step was merger of BOA and Nations Bank which was extremely successful in generating the largest Banking organization.

10 Ways to Use Eyelet Lace

Eyelet lace is made out of cotton and has that unmistakable look to it; the definite holes that make up the pattern that have then been over sewn so they don't unravel the rest of the fabric and which makes the pattern stand out from the backing. These holes are what is known as the 'eyelets' of the lace, hence the name. This versatile fabric can be used for a variety of purposes. Here are just ten of those:

1. Dresses and blouses: Because eyelet lace can be bought by the meter or yard and because it has no net back to it, it is easy to work with and make up, even for the beginning sewer. It gives certain femininity to a garment without being see-through or overly busy, and with its clean patterns and plain background, it makes easy wear dresses for both adults and children.


2. Ring bearer pillows: Your little guy will look adorable walking down the aisle with an eyelet pillow. A bow affixes the rings to the pillow and because eyelet lace isn't all frilly, but it still dainty, it is the perfect compromise for a little boy that already needs to be in a fancy suit.


3. Curtains: Eyelet lace is a pretty way to brighten up that window. It will allow light in and give you privacy at the same time and it is a nice alternative to plain fabric. Especially sweet for nurseries or little girl's bedrooms, it looks great with ribbon tiebacks, or when allowed to hang straight.


4. Scrapbooking: Yes, you can use eyelet lace, either real or the paper variety when you are creating phenomenal scrapbook pages. You can use it straight or you can paint or colour over a piece to capture the pattern on your paper. It can be used on a variety of different pages and also on invitations, thank you cards, baby announcements and all sorts of other paper crafting projects.


5. Tablecloths and napkins: This versatile fabric makes for lovely casual tablecloths, or you can use just a bit of eyelet to accent another fabric to make tablecloths and napkins for more formal occasions.


6. Pillows and accent pieces: Just like a ring bearer pillow at a wedding, using this lace to make regular size pillows is a breeze. The patterns are dainty yet strong enough to be noticed and the eyelet lace brings a certain charm to any project. It is easy to sew together and can be easily accented with different lace.


7. Headbands: What little girl doesn't like a headband that isn't going to dig into her head and be uncomfortable? You can use the fabric for the whole headband or just an accent on one. Jazz that headband up with an eyelet lace flower for a charming pop of fun.


8. Table runners: Eyelet lace can be used as a runner, either with a tablecloth or alone to be a cute accent on your dining table. Lovely in a country style setting, but can be made to fit in with any d矇cor.


9. Collars: If you are making your own clothing, you can buy pieces of eyelet lace that are already shaped for your collar, simply sew it on for that unique look.


10. Miscellaneous crafting: Think outside the box. You can use this versatile fabric pieces for bunting, for banners and for wall hangings. Large pieces that look like doilies can get a new lease on life when you hang them up around the house or incorporate them into artwork. They can be painted, patterned, cut and manipulated to create a unique piece of art.

Eyelet lace has a lot of different uses; it is versatile and pretty enough for a whole host of projects, big or small. What will you use it for?

Custom Wedding Invitations to Fit Your Personality

There is no reason that all custom bridal invitations need to be formal. Instead, it is becoming quite popular for most brides to want to have an invitation that suits their personality as well as the theme for their wedding. You will have an invitation that nobody else has seen before, therefore, it will be one of a kind. Of course, you can plan to pay extra money for your one of a kind invite. Here are a few different options for a good wedding invitations designer:

Get Glam

If you are a bride who is looking for the top of the line glamour invite to let your friends and family know that you will soon be walking down the aisle, this is a wonderful choice. It will be known that you did not cut any corners on the invitations. This is a wonderful option for anyone who wants to leave a lasting impression on her guests.

Beach Side Bash

This is the perfect option for anyone who may be having a beach wedding. Just because you will be having an affordable location for your beachfront reception, there is no reason why you have to skimp on the invitations. The best part about a beach wedding is the fact that you can plan to go shoeless and enjoy a great barbecue.

Modern Minimalism

When you choose to keep things more simple, there is no reason for you to let go of your fashion etiquette. These custom wedding invitations will make your guests believe that they are coming to the event of a lifetime. This is perfect for the bride who wants people to know exactly what this party is all about.

Rock-n-Roll

Is the perfect option for anyone who is looking for a funky type of party. If you are having a party where you will dance the night away with a rock band, this will be a great choice. You can plan to have a wild party when you choose this type of celebration invitation.

Pretty N Preppy

If you are living in New England and you love this lifestyle, this may be the invitation company for you to use. Picture having your best friend as your bridesmaid and a handsome little man to bear your rings down the aisle. If this sounds like something that you are interested in, maybe you should consider Skywriter Invites. This particular design company has several options for creating the perfect bridal invitations for whatever type of wedding you are planning. It does not matter whether you are creative or not. You can give them your ideas and let them take off with a beautiful wedding invitation. You will be so proud of your invitations. We only get one chance to have a memorable occasion where we can unite together with the love of our life. There is no reason that we should not announce this to the world in a beautiful way.

Photographing Brides - Twelve Tips For Succeeding at This Privilege

If you're a photographer of any kind, you'll be asked to do someone's wedding someday. Don't take it lightly. It's a special privilege. Often, the bride will be decked out in a fresh hairdo and fashionable gorgeous gown. Yet, she is much more than a beautiful model to take pictures of. She embodies the meaning of married and family happiness together. It's natural for her to be both thoughtfully pensive and radiantly happy on her wedding day. Her future is wrapped up in this one occasion. She will shed tears, laugh out loud, and show emotions unexpectedly. That's part of her wedding story. You must capture it the best you can.

During the shooting sessions, you'll photograph her alone, and with the groom and her family and friends. You'll shoot her up close, full length, and from afar. You'll see and capture her personal energy and mood. Most importantly, you'll capture her happiness both as a person and a bride. You'll succeed at it with advanced preparation. However, this preparation can be rigorous the first time around. Here's 12 tips for achieving that success.

1. Talk to the bride. Spend time discussing the wedding-day photo-sessions with her. Also, if possible, take a few pictures of her and the groom before the wedding day to help form this relationship. This combined effort will produce dependable scheduling and poses on the big day.

2. Clean, triple check, and know your equipment. Equipment failure is the biggest killer of wedding pictures. A shutter can stick or a battery go bad instantly without warning. Have backup equipment handy and ready. Also, know your equipment's best combined settings (e.g., aperture size, shutter speed, and strobe brightness) for all the conditions you'll encounter during these sessions. Stick with these settings so you can focus on the bride herself. Additionally, use camera and lighting equipment that loads and fires easily.

3. Use available lighting. Natural light gives strong mood dimensions to bridal pictures. If the outside temperature is cool enough, take her to a covered porch or shade tree where soft natural lighting is available. Conversely, if these shots must be done inside only, then use an atrium, a window or glass door, or a chandelier or candle opera for available lighting. Most professional photographers are masters at blending available lighting with strobe lighting. This skill pleases brides when they see the pictures.

4. Keep it simple. This tip applies to all the other tips above and below. By nature, photography is complicated with many technical and artistic details to consider. Do not go beyond what you or your equipment can do easily.

5. Use few props. It's okay to get the grand shot, that is, the big church altar or outdoor vista with the bride and her dress posed in it. However, such shots can diminish the bride to a degree. Simpler shots are just as compelling. Photograph her next to a nice piece of furniture, a wooden railing or staircase, a brick or marble column, or an exotic shrub or flower garden. Try placing her hand on or near certain props while explaining to her what you're doing. If necessary take a few practice shots to relax her. Then, as she assumes her wedding-day self, click; take the picture fast.

6. Try controlled humor. Few weddings are totally serious. Light humor is well received, and will often relax the subjects. But don't make yourself the brunt of a joke unless necessary, although this ploy does work well. For example, you might try something similar to the following trick if your session gets tense. While aiming your camera at the bride or her group, let your pants suddenly drop to your ankles, exposing a large pair of white baggy bloomers with lip-shaped lipstick prints all over them. Be sure to have an assistant with you if you try this one.

7. Be yourself. If you're not a humorist, be pleasant and sincere. Brides are understanding. They'll respond to your sincerity with sincere poses.

8. Expect interruptions. The bride is never alone on her wedding day. She is the star. Everyone talks to her, including the hired help and the photographer. Interruptions may breakup your shooting schedule slightly, but they relax hers. Keep smiling.

9. Look for natural characteristics. If the bride is a farmer or rancher, take a few shots near a barn, tractor, wooden fence, or with her horse. If she is a body builder, have her project her strength in a shot or two. No biceps please, nor boudoir.

10. Never omit a favorite relative or friend. Sometimes a favorite aunt, uncle, grandparent, or friend will not arrive until midway through the reception following the ceremony. Be sure to photograph this guest with the bride even if she's slightly disheveled from celebrating. If, for any reason, the bride cannot be photographed at that time, take a photo of the special guest alone against a plain background. Then, later, have the lab digitally insert this image into another photograph of the bride or her group.

11. Make a shot-list ahead of time. Before the wedding, write out a proposed list of shots. If possible, study someone's wedding album to learn what shots are important. Include the bride's suggestions from your previous discussions with her. Take all the shots on the list. Also, be ready to add new ones, or to change the order in which the list is actually taken. Such a list could include the following.

Bride Alone

- At the church/facility/park/structure entrance and/or altar/gateway steps: full train (from back, side, and front), up close; do differing poses of her holding her bouquet of flowers

- Inside: near a window (natural light); up close, looking into the bouquet or looking out of the window

- Outside: near a photographic prop; an ornamental tree or flower garden, near a railing or stone/wooden structure

Bride and Groom

- Same as above

- Add mood/romance shots of their hands and rings and the two of them looking into each others eyes, almost kissing, or in a relaxed mood together in or near a nice scene

Bride with Others

- With the maid of honor, flower girl, ring bearer, bridesmaids, all bridesmaids and flower girl (two fun shots, e.g., showing her garter with everyone sitting down and laughing); with her mom, dad, mom and dad (add sisters,brothers, and close relatives); with sisters and/or brothers, with grandparents and other relatives

- With the minister, friends, and special guests/people

Bride's Requests (select shots she wants at any time; not always prearranged)

12. Rehearse the sessions in your mind. To map-out your shooting ideas more vividly, visit the home, church/building, reception area, or anyplace where the pictures will be taken on the wedding day. This mental process becomes instinctive with practice. Look for nice props and background scenes, but don't try to use them all during the sessions. Just have them noted in your mind for when an opportunity comes along. Develop a feel for the potential timing needed to photograph the bride at some of these places.

In summary, taking bridal pictures is as serious as the wedding ceremony itself. Humor and fun can aid this tightly scheduled, sometimes tense, private personal session. Because all brides are special, taking their wedding-day pictures requires discipline, sincerity, and preparation. Then, as you go about taking these highly privileged photographs, do so with caring, faithfulness, and obedience.

Make Your Wedding Invitations - Wedding Invitation Software That Addresses Envelopes Too!

If you think it will cost a lot of money for wedding invitation software, look at what you have. If you have a word processing program, you can make your wedding announcements with it.

I have used InDesign to make some invitations. Then others wanted to make them. I quickly learned that Microsoft Works can be used easily. Not only that, I already used that program to address the envelopes.

That means if you have Microsoft Works, you can make your wedding announcements and do the envelope addressing. It is really pretty easy.

Once you learn the program you can use almost any size you want. You can go to your local print shop and see what they have available. This can allow you to get a really good price. Sometimes they have open boxes they will sell you cheap. A box of envelopes is usually 250. If you need 150 they may have something and since you can adjust for size you will be able to use almost any size.

Now, learning to make your wedding announcements can be fun. You may even be making them for others before you know it. Wedding invitation software can be expensive. But once you learn to use Microsoft Works, you will not need any other software.

Create a data base and you will soon be doing envelope addressing to match those nice invites you made. Having the knowledge to do your wedding cards, is only the beginning. You will want to make those RSVP cards and the reception cards. Make them all match for a nice package.

You can add clip art to get a more custom look. Just find something that you like or that allows you to start a theme. Then use a nice font and you will soon have some very nice look wedding announcements.

By making your own you will save money. And by using what you have, you won't have to purchase wedding invitation software. It all adds up to saving money.

Why before you know it you might even start making money by making invitations for others. You will have so much fun and learn so much that it will be easy. So don't go out and buy some wedding invitation software, if you want to make your wedding announcements use what you have.

Yes, you can easily make your wedding announcements, your reception cards, the RSVP envelopes and more. Start with your invitations and then your programs. Maybe you want place cards. The list goes on.