Archive for the ‘Newlywed Needs’ Category

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Holiday Card Happiness

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Newlywed Christmas CardIt’s here…the spine tingling anticipation of holidays! Are you celebrating the season as a newly engaged couple or newlyweds? What better way to share your good news and engagement/wedding photos than with a card?

We’ve scouted a few sites and come up with a few of our favorite card templates that allow you to add your own photo and a custom message to family and friends. On the family and friends note…be sure to order enough cards for your family and friends AND his!

For the Romantic

Was your wedding a dream come true with all of the details coming together to make a magical event? Share the love with one of these enchanting cards.

Classic
Do trees, holly, snowflakes and some Bing Crosby sum up your perfect holiday? Give the gift of good cheer with one of these cards.


Modern
Is your style simple and sleek? So are these great cards that showcase your love with minimal fuss.

For the Procrastinator:
Know you’re too busy to get a card out in time for Hanukkah or Christmas? Why not send out a New Years card wishing everyone a wonderful 2012?

Are you sending out cards this year or did we inspire you to? We’d love to hear what your cards are like in a comment!

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48 Hour Sale: Save 50% off the MissNowMrs Name Change Service & Gift Cards!

Monday, November 28th, 2011

MissNowMrs SaleListen up newlyweds and brides-to-be…we’re having a HUGE sale on the knot/wedding channel deals! For 48 hours you and your friends can save HALF OFF our online name-change service for brides! What does the service have to offer? Well, how does saving 13 hours of hassle and skipping the majority of long office lines sound?

For the sale price of $14.95, MissNowMrs.com will help you auto-complete & file your Social Security, U.S. Passport, IRS 8822, USPS, state driver’s license, vehicle title & registration, and voter registration forms! We’ll also help you notify of all of your banks, credit cards, insurances, mortgages, medical providers, investment companies and professional license boards of your new married name.

Yet another perk of our service: access to our name-change experts. They can help you understand your state’s name-change laws, assist you with complicated questions and generally make your entire name change a million times easier than trying to sort through an enormous stack of government forms on your own!

So what are you waiting for? Take advantage of this amazing sale and save money, time & stress on your name change! We can’t wait to help you go from Miss to Mrs.! Already a Mrs., but have a few friends who are getting married in 2012? Use this sale to stock up on gift cards at half price!

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Recipes to Help You Make a Great Impression (& Pie) this Thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Newlywed Thanksgiving PieThanksgiving is almost upon us and that means getting together with family and celebrating all of the things you are thankful for with a ton of food. It’s also a great time to showcase your personality and abilities to the family you married into.  Whether it’s pumpkin, chocolate meringue, apple or berry; a fabulous slice of pie is the best way to top off a great meal. As the newlywed addition to your spouse’s family, what better thing to bring to the meal, but a homemade pie?

Here a few recipes to help you make a great impression (and pie) this Thanksgiving:

For the Traditionalist: If you and Martha Steward are BFFs make a classic dessert to add to the feast. Here are a few great recipes for pumpkin pie, apple pie and berry cobbler. Your new family is certainly in for a treat!

For the Foodie: Are you the gracious gourmet? Flaunt your skills and great taste with a Pear Tarte Tatin or, if the oven is in over-drive, why not make a festive frozen treat? You’ll have more than a few family fans after making a Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie for dessert.

For the Frazzled: Want to bring something to add to dinner, but are short on time? Here are two great ideas that take an hour or less: whip up a Blackberry Pear Pie or try this Pecan Caramel Tart Recipe. These recipes may be short on prep time but they sure aren’t lacking in flavor or presentation. No one needs to know that you made them in a matter of minutes!

For the Innovator: Are you the edgy interesting person that loves a new flavor combination? Show off your taste for adventure with Pear Soup with Pancetta & Blue Cheese. I know it’s not pie…but it’s too amazing not to mention!  You could also make a Banana Rum Cream Pie that will have your in-laws drooling!

For the Health Conscious: Challenged by the invitation to bring something “sweet but healthy” to dinner?  Instantly ingratiate yourself with any children in the family by bringing Caramel Apples or Cranberry Pineapple Minis!

Do you have a signature pie recipe that you plan to make this Thanksgiving? Please share it with us!

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Thanksgiving As Newlyweds: Tips For Success

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

Newlywed ThanksgivingMillions of men and women before you have successfully hosted Thanksgiving, so why should you and your spouse be any different?  The Thanksgiving meal is feared nearly as much as it is enjoyed each year. After all, the many side dishes that come together with the giant bird require a lot of organization and planning if they are to be prepared and served correctly.  That certainly doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give it a try with hubby, but it does mean that you will want to create a game plan before you begin.

Deciding Who to Invite - One of the most difficult moments in every new marriage comes with deciding what should happen at the holidays.  Whose family should be visited and when?  How will the time be divided and who will be dined with?  Having a dinner in your own home can help to avoid some of those uncomfortable moments, but you will still need to formulate a guest list that will likely be based on the amount of space you have for entertaining, the existing plans of loved ones, and the distance between you and them.  Work together to draw up the best possible list as far in advance as you can, so you can give friends and family members ample time to re-arrange schedules.  Have a fussy family or a few “difficult family members”? Consider a seating chart…so draw upon who sat by whom at your wedding and got along and arrange your table accordingly.

Planning a Menu – The great part about Thanksgiving is that most of the meal is dependent on tradition.  Unfortunately, while  is the common denominator, many families will vary substantially in the rest of their menus.  But, with some work, you can make a meal that pulls a little something special from each family’s traditions and makes everyone feel comfortable, welcome, and ultimately, full. Also, think about asking each family invited to bring a favorite side or dessert.  This potluck concept lowers your workload and allows family members to feel included in the meal.

Shopping and Cooking - There is good reason that the Thanksgiving meal is consumed only once per year.  It often requires a huge number of ingredients, a lot of space for preparation, and a great deal of time to make it happen.  Fortunately, there are two of you and that means that tasks can be divided among you to make the whole event much more manageable.  Enjoy the shopping time together, getting excited about the impending meal and work together to divvy up the cooking.  When it comes time to create, turn on some music that you both enjoy.  Sing along, laugh together, and enjoy the special memories that are being made on your very first Thanksgiving. While one boils and mashes potatoes, another can be basting the turkey and chopping veggies for other dishes.  With two sets of hands, what might be a very chaotic experience can be very enjoyable.

Here’s to you and your first Thanksgiving as a newlywed!  Stay tuned to our newlywed blog for recipes and ideas to make your Thanksgiving AMAZING!

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Posted in Entertaining, Newlywed Needs | No Comments »

Being True to You After “I Do”: Maintaining Friendships

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Newlywed FriendsFriendship is a wonderful thing that can get a person through some of the roughest points he or she faces in life.  Friends offer the shoulder to cry on, the tissue to dry the tears, and the invitation to fun activities that promote healing will, undoubtedly, hold great meaning for the rest of that person’s life.  Unfortunately, maintaining a new marriage can often strain friendships and challenge them in ways that no one could quite expect. There are many reasons that this happens and it is a natural occurrence.  For one thing, marriage changes the way that decisions are made.  It is no longer a matter of what ‘I would like to do’ but rather a decision of what ‘we would like to do’.  Furthermore, marriage often brings added responsibilities and a new group of people to spend time with.  This doesn’t mean that a friendship ends when the words ‘I do’ are said, but that the relationship will require effort.

Scheduling - Time as a newlywed, must be split between the marriage, old friends, new friends, and family.  Often the best way to maintain friendships with hurting your marriage is to schedule visits in advance.  Whether the activities will be done as couples or just you will be attending, it is important to discuss them with your spouse to prevent calendar conflicts such as you planning to attend a girls’ happy hour on Friday but he promised that you’d both be at his mother’s dinner party.  Newlyweds need to realize that there’s more than one person making plans!

Understanding How To Handle Change - As we grow up and get married, life changes happen.  Some of those changes in direction will be pre-planned decisions and others might be unexpected.  However, all can affect relationships, including those between you and your friends.  The choice to start a family, to move, or even to change jobs can have major impact on the time you have available to spend with friends and also how your perspective aligns with theirs’. Being aware that changes will happen can make it easier to address them and even prevent them from causing issues within your friendships.

The Need for Boundaries - Though friendships are undeniably important, when you say your vows, you promise to think of your spouse first.  Defining special times, places, and events that should be reserved for just the two of you is a good way to prevent hard feelings and big fights in the future.  These boundaries will actually make it easier to maintain the friendship and balance it with the new life you have started with your spouse.

How do you maintain your friendships as a newlywed?  Have you instituted a girls night in or Skype chats to stay connected? We’d love to hear your solutions and thoughts in a comment!

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Answering the Inevitable “When Are You Having Kids?”

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Confused NewlywedsYou’re back from your honeymoon for a few weeks and WHAMMO…someone asks “When are you going to have kids?”. That someone is usually a well meaning family member.  Why are parents and family members so hung up on when you’re going to have kids?  Shouldn’t they just be excited that you’ve met and married the love of your life?! Whether you have decided to wait a while, or are choosing not to have children at all, prepare yourself  (and your spouse) to field questions on the subject numerous times.  Being prepared and united as a couple on the topic of babies can minimize the impact of family questioning on your relationship. From your parents or your spouse’s, the insinuations about having babies are not something that really want to deal with as a newlywed, but you must also understand the reasons that parents feel so inclined to speak up on the subject. Their curiosity might have more to do with fears of their own mortality than anything else.  In many cases, the desire to have grandchildren is linked to the desire to carry on the family name, family ownership of a business, or simply the bloodline.

In other situations, the concerns regarding your decision to wait or to not have children at all can stem from the desire to relive their own parenthood or worries over your fertility as you get older.  Many parents look back at their child-rearing years as the best time of their lives.  When those children have left the home, it is the hope and anticipation for grandbabies that provides them the most joy.

Whether it is for one of these reasons or something else altogether, it is obvious that your family love you and wants you to be happy.  So next time they ask about you starting a family, remember that the feelings tied to the questions likely run deep.  For that reason, be considerate and assure the person that you understand and appreciate the concern, but also be firm.

The best way to answer the “When are you having kids?” question eloquently is to understand  your own reasons for making your decision. Does the decision tie to financial reasoning?  Is genetic illness playing a role in the decision?  Are you simply tied to a profession that wouldn’t provide enough time to properly care for children?  While you may not want to express them all, you will feel much more certain of yourself if you’ve identified your core reasons for waiting or not having children.   Whatever your reasons are, be sure to point out that despite the questions, comments, and concerns voiced by others, the decision is one to be made as a couple and that is exactly how you intend to make it.

Have you been hounded by family about having babies?  How have you handled the questions and kept your relationship healthy?  We’d love to hear in a comment!

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Expert Advice: 7 Tips To Sell Your Wedding Dress

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

Now that wedding season is winding down and wedding bills are piling up, we chatted with our friends at SmartBrideBoutique.com to get some tips on how to recover some money from your recent wedding. Their number one piece of advice is to consider selling your wedding dress (and other wedding items) online!

Used Vera Wang WV351011 Wedding Dress
Vera Wang VW351011 wedding dress Being sold on SmartBride Boutique

If you do decide to sell your wedding dress, wedding accessories and wedding décor items online, you can:
• Recover about 50% of the cost of your items
• Clear up space to make room for shared closets
• Love the Earth! Recycling a wedding gown reduces carbon emissions from shipping
• Get karma points by helping another bride saveon her wedding

Sounds great, but wondering how to get started? Here are 7 tips to help you sell your wedding dress:

1. There’s no time like the present!
Post your dress for sale as soon after your wedding as possible. You’re not going to wear it again, so why leave it hanging in your closet? Used dresses continue to hold their resale value for roughly 2 – 3 years after they’re purchased and worn (depending on the style) but generally sell for the most money within the first year when they are most current.

2. Price it Right
Many recently married brides wonder what exactly to sell their dress for. Here’s our recommended pricing guideline:
• 50 – 70% of the original value for a NEW designer gown that’s still in stores
• 50% of original value for a USED designer gown from the last two years
• 30% to 40% of original value for a USED custom-made gown
• Reduce the price further if your dress has not been cleaned, is stained/damaged or is more than two years old

3. Use a Fabulous Photo
Buyers will want to see your dress looking its best, so be sure to use photos that show it off! After all, it could be someone else’s dream wedding dress!

When selling your dress online it’s best to include:

A full length picture of the front & back of your dress (preferably on a person or mannequin)
• A close-up picture of any detailing, beading or embellishments on your dress
• A close-up picture of any damage or stains on the dress (if applicable)
• A picture from the manufacturer

Posting less than stellar photos (i.e. on a hanger, a badly lit photo etc.) or no photo at all, will make it more difficult for the bride-to-be to visualize the dress and could hurt your chances of selling.

4. Be Specific
• Brides will be scanning many listings in their search for a wedding dress, so providing more information will likely sell your dress more quickly
• Be specific about color, brand and model number. Often, brides-to-be will try the dress on in a store before they search online for a budget-friendly version, so the more information you can provide, the better.

5. List any Alterations
It’s important to be up-front about the condition of your dress. Describe any alterations that were made and specify whether or not they’re reversible.

For example, the original dress might have been a size 10, but if it was altered to fit a size 6, buyers need to know. Letbrides-to-beknow of any damage to the dress such as stains, tears or runs. Be honest and you won’t waste your time or their time.

6. Get it Cleaned
It’s important to clean your dress right away. A clean dress shows that you have cared for and loved your dress, and helps it present better.

7. Be Prepared to Sell!
Once your dress is posted with great pictures and all the details, ensure both you and your home are ready to show the dress to potential buyers.

3 easy steps to prepare for the sale:
• Make time to meet interested brides-to-be. Try to be available on evenings and weekends if possible.
• Create a place for brides-to-be to try on the dress, preferably a private space with a full length mirror.
• Be ready to negotiate the price and know your limits so you can make decisions on-the-spot.

About Smart Bride Boutique:
SmartBrideBoutique.com is a premium wedding classifieds website where brides can buy, sell and save on everything wedding, from new and used wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses to wedding décor and accessories. Create the wedding day of your dreams on a realistic budget without sacrificing designer names, fabulous style or the environment.

Have you ever considered selling your dress?  What would you do with the money you made back from its sale….pay down wedding debt or purchase something for your new home?

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Posted in Bridal Style, Events & More, Newlywed Needs | 1 Comment »

Five Marriage Topics To Discuss Now Instead of Later

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Newlywed Topics to DiscussAs you return from your honeymoon, there a few questions you need to discuss with your spouse.  While you may be hesitant to rock boat of “newlywed bliss”, it is very important to establish a understanding of how you both feel about these key topics before they cause problems in your marriage.

When do you want kids and how many do you want to have?

It’s long been discussed and long been debated.  The opinions you have today will very likely change significantly in the future, but if he wants them and you don’t, or you were hoping to have a houseful and he cannot see himself with more than a single child, then how can the future possibly go smoothly?  Hash out a plan that works for both of you and try to compromise as much as you can while still retaining your happiness.

Where do you see yourself in ten years; twenty?

This is not an easy question to answer for anyone.  People who have been at the same job for many years are not always clear on their future ambitions, but discussing it now can point out possible points of contention that might lead to trouble in the future.  For instance, if one person simply values fun and minimal commitment, but the other intends to build a large savings account before retirement, issues can quickly arise.   So, even if answers are vague, at least you will have a general understanding of where your potential spouse wants your relationship to go.  Meeting with a financial adviser can also help mitigate your opinions and help you come up with

What is your idea of the ideal vacation?

It might seem a silly question to be placed on a hot marriage topic list, but it is definitely worth asking.  For one thing, vacation time from work is often very limited, so varying opinions regarding the best way to spend the time can create rifts.   Knowing what your spouse wants out of a vacation before you go on one (honeymoons don’t count) can help minimize silent suffering and resentment and help you plan a trip that will meet both of your needs!

What level of commitment do you feel toward your family?

Sure, there is something desirable about a man who can admit that he enjoys spending time with his family, but how will that play out in the future?  If one partner feels the need to frequently visit parents, grandparents, or siblings, it can limit potential places to live, greatly impact decisions regarding the holiday season, and even create weekly commitments. How will you both react to this?  Discussing both of your needs and family responsibilities can help you find a balance between both families and the one you just created with your vows.

How do you feel about religion and politics?

It is best not to discuss religion and politics in most settings, but when it comes time to a lifetime commitment to another individual, there is good reason to bring these subjects to the forefront.  Though your ideas regarding each might be perfectly in sync, there is a reason that these are considered taboo topics.  People generally feel very strongly about both and mismatched believes will very likely lead to heated battles in the future.  Knowing what is a “hot topic” for your partner can allow you to approach it carefully and with great tact…thus reducing your chances of an argument.

Remember, as you ask these questions, that it is better to know how you and your partner feel (not how you think the other person wants you to feel). Honesty now will result in a harmonious marriage later!  Which topic do you think is the most important to discuss? Did we miss any?  Let us know in a comment!

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Posted in Newlywed Needs, Relationships | 1 Comment »

The Perfect Halloween Costume Formula

Monday, October 17th, 2011

Perfect FormulaHalloween is right around the corner and that means there will be the usual slew of parties and gatherings, most requiring a costume.  As a newlywed, you might find yourself struggling to find something appropriate not that you’re not on the prowl. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered from creative to classy…here are a few of our top Halloween costume suggestions.

Here’s our basic formula:  Cute Dress + Creative Idea + Accessories = Perfect Newlywed Halloween Costume

Silver Spider – Who said spiders can’t be sexy?!  Wow everyone with this lovely silver shift that feature a subtle web overlay.  Amp you image with silver crackle nail polish and a spider wand (who doesn’t love a wand on Halloween?).   If you’re really pulling out the stops, check out this jeweled spider fascinator!

Roman Soldierette – Show your strong side in this amazing caped mini dress with sequined shoulders and then add a gold helmet to complete your look.

Beautiful Rose – Check out this Rosette Dress! All you need to do is add pale green tights and some booties and you’re set!  Want to up the creative factor?  Put a butterfly clip in your hair to complete the ensemble.

Techno Kitty – Why settle for being a basic tiger when you can be one fierce feline with this vividly striped dress? Channel your inner Katie Perry to come up with the makeup and dare we suggest wig to complete this look.  And of course you can’t forget a set of headband ears!

For more chic Halloween costumes check out the LA Purse Blog. Happy Halloween ladies!

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“Happy Wife…Happy Life” Interpreted

Monday, October 10th, 2011

Happy Newlywed CoupleDid you know that “Happy wife, Happy life” is an actual guy concept?  Being a newlywed suddenly gives you a deeper insight into the male mind (sometimes good and sometimes scary).  I took this concept to mean that my husband should do everything in his power to make me happy, and then realized that my interpretation might be a bit selfish.

While your spouse should strive to make you happy, you are also responsible for your own happiness and your relationship’s healthiness.  Setting reasonable expectations, communicating your needs and making an effort to invest in your own state of mind are the keys to staying happily married. Here are a few ways to make the “happily ever after” even easier:

Tell Him What You Want – In the kitchen, yard and of course the bedroom.  You may have married your soul mate, but that doesn’t make him a mind reader.  You set your spouse up for failure by not letting him know that you really want him to take out the trash or bring you flowers on your birthday.  Try to subtly let him know your needs and if that doesn’t work have a heart to heart discussion.  Your husband wants to make you happy…so let him know how!

Be Realistic – We’d all love to have a mate that cooks, cleans, makes tons of money & writes amazing love letters, but most guys can’t do everything we wish for.  Decide what is important to you and then figure out if you can supply part of your own expectations.  For example, if you want every Friday to be a date night and your spouse has trouble remembering…do the research and make reservations or plan activities in advance.  You’ll both win in this scenario.

Understand What He Wants – It sounds simple, but “happy wife happy life” also means that the wife’s happiness affects her husband’s.  Do your best to be a happy person and meet your own needs.  Then try to do things that will make your mate’s live happier.  A surprise breakfast in bed or tickets to a hockey game on date night can go a long way in boosting the happiness quotient.

What do you need to be a happy wife?  Has your spouse figured it out or have you both needed to talk about your expectations to maintain your newlywed bliss?  Please leave a comment…we’d love to hear from you!

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