Staff Writer

My Love, My Life… My Jean Size!

Newlywed life is affecting my jean size! After a few years of dating my now husband, I slowly began seeing similarities between the two of us. We found ourselves often saying the same thing at the same time and ordering the same meals out on dinner dates. Our habits and mannerisms grew more parallel, and even our taste in clothing became similar! Now, after 2 years of marriage I have taken notice to more extreme similarities, and some acquired habits that have got to go!

Do you remember having a best friend growing up, and you were often told that you were “two peas in a pod”? You were inseparable, and from spending so much time together your characteristics rub off, and you naturally become more alike!

It has been fun watching this same thing happen between me and my husband. I fell in love with who he is, as an individual, as his own person, and now I love what we have become together, still recognizing that we don’t need to be similar in ALL aspects of life

There is one habit that most women cannot share with a man and that is their eating habits! Men, naturally eat more than women do, and lucky for some they seem to magically not pack on extra pounds and can remain in-shape while doing so!

Unfortunately, this is not the case for all women! My question is, how unfair is that?! I recently came across an interesting video showing that just simply living with a man, women “mimic the food habits of their significant other”, and studies have shown that we tend to eat more when we’re with company.

I know that since becoming a Mrs. I have found myself selecting different food choices when out for dinner, and often eating more than my ‘normal’ portion sized meals, but am now comforted in knowing that this is a proven problem with other couples! However, this is not justifying my increased jean size! I would normally eat chicken and veggies for dinner; however, my diet has now expanded to include other meats and potatoes! Personally, I know that I am not one of those women that can eat and not gain a pound. It is so hard to make dinner while trying to accommodate for both of our taste buds and not cook for an entire army! So what do you do?!

I have decided to take action now before I keep plunging down the slippery slope of poor food choices to get back my old eating habits and my size 6! My husband and I will continue to share similarities and mutual habits in many aspects (as our relationship continues to grow, and I love that.)

BUT when it comes to eating, I will stick to my own habits and begin taking control! So the next time we’re ordering hoagies and chips, I will swap out one unnecessary empty carbohydrate (chips), and substitute with fruit or veggies!

Anyone else feeling me? Please share your stories with us, and what you did to get back on track!

Stylish September Giveaway: Jewelry from ADORN

Eagerly anticipating our September giveaway? Whether you’re a bride-to-be or newlywed woman, diamonds are still a girl’s best friend. Who hasn’t drooled over celebrities draped in jewels for red carpet events or their fabulous weddings (need I mention Carrie Underwood’s tiara)? Drool no longer ladies!! You too can be decked out in diamonds for your big day (be it your wedding, anniversary or a huge soiree)!

ADORN has partnered with MissNowMrs.com to present our lucky September Giveaway winner with a $200 jewelry rental for free! ADORN is the equivalent of every budget oriented bride’s fairy godmother. You can rent diamond earrings, necklaces and bracelets from their website for a fraction of the cost of buying them.

Here’s How It Works:
1. Go shopping and pick out the pieces you love and add them to your “shopping bag”. Check their availability by entering your event date.
2. Check out using a credit card to order the jewelry for your event date.
3. Look amazing wearing the jewelry on your special occasion
4. Send it back on the first business day after your event using packaging and pre-paid label Adorn provides for you.

Psyched to win our September Giveaway?! Leave a comment on this, or any of our jewelry posts on Mondays this month and you’ll be automatically entered to win. Share your big day dreams with us and how ADORN jewelry will complete your look. The randomly selected contest winner will be announced on September 30^th!! If we don’t hear back from the winner within 2 weeks, we will randomly select a new winner to make sure someone ends up with this great goodie!

Announcing our August Giveaway Winner!

We’re so excited for our August giveaway winner! Congratulations to Courtney!! You read our newlywed blog, left a comment and now have won over $350 worth of custom thank you notes! You can look forward to writing to all of your guests on notes featuring your favorite wedding photo of you and your beloved.

Please check your email for the details on how to redeem your fabulous prize from Forever Friends Fine Stationery and Favors, a newlywed’s best source for fine quality personalized printed products, offering stationery for every budget and occasion.

Bummed that you didn’t win our awesome August giveaway? Stay tuned to see what gorgeous giveaway we have in store for our readers in the month of September!

New Wife, New Life: New Wardrobe?

The saying goes, “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover;” but we know that unfortunately it can be hard not to! I was recently hanging clean laundry up in our walk-in closet, when I realized that some of my husband’s clothes looked seriously faded and old. I thought to myself, “He is in desperate need of new shirts!”

I bet if you took a look at what you’re wearing right now or thought about what you enjoy wearing, you too could find a good excuse for some new attire. It’s a fact, men do not like to go shopping like women do; which is fine, but there comes a time when you NEED to purchase yourself some new stuff—and I’m not referring to electronics or the latest video game (nice try though)! After work or on the weekends, you have your go-to outfits of t-shirts and jeans or maybe a pair of sweat pants or mesh shorts that you choose to wear as often as possible.

Chances are that you have a specific dress code required for work, whether it’s a suit and tie or uniform of some sort; which means that the last thing you want is a “uniform” or “dress code” for your home life. That’s not what I’m alluding to here at all, so no need to worry! I am, however; suggesting that it might be time to donate some of your go-to t-shirts such as: your FBI (Female Body Inspector) t-shirt, your I heart Atari t-shirt and your VANS sneakers to a teenage boy in need of your old wardrobe. While these items are a token of your youth, they don’t exactly spell-out mature, sophisticated, married man.

If you can’t imagine getting rid of your favorite childhood t-shirts [that somehow miraculously still fit you], then perhaps you should limit how often you wear them (i.e. wear them only to bed, to the gym, or better yet, put them away for when you have a son someday). Your wife loves you and has vowed to love you “til death do you part,” so she’ll no doubt still love you in your Superman t-shirt and jeans—but do her a favor and put on a nice button down shirt, polo or sweater when her family or friends stop by—she’ll greatly appreciate your effort!

And if you don’t, you may find that your favorite t-shirt has mysteriously disappeared. Gentlemen, please do your ladies a favor and get shopping! Check out your local Outlets for bargain prices on your favorite brands. Women LOVE shopping, so I’m sure your wife will have no problem being your Personal Shopper—just say the word and fork over the credit card!

What is/was your favorite piece of clothing to wear (i.e. t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc.)? What does/did it say and why is/was it your favorite? Share your stories of Batman Boxers or Thunder Cats sweatshirts that your wife had no choice, but to hide from you! Please leave your comments below and enjoy a laugh with us!

Creating Newlywed Traditions

Are you creating newlywed traditions? Years from now, when you’re hopefully sitting on a porch swing hand-in-hand with your grey haired partner you’ll look back on your newlywed days and smile. One of the best parts of being a newlywed couple is creating your own inside jokes, stories and traditions. All of these will accrue over time, but it is important to prioritize making your own traditions as you make your way through married life together.

Compare Traditions
Did your hubby wake up the morning of each birthday with his favorite breakfast and then a small present before school or the party? Did you always go shopping with your father to find a perfect Christmas gift for your mom? Sharing these stories brings you closer to your mate and can help both of you understand how to best “spoil” the other on a special day. If you re-create a special childhood tradition for your mate, they will be completely touched by the gesture and thrilled that you listened to them.

Plan an Adventure
What was the craziest trip or adventure you went on as a child or young adult? I bet you can remember every detail, still. Your newlywed years are the perfect time to create your own adventure stories. Climb a mountain, go white water rafting or take a series of tango classes. Try something new to both of you that will test your limits mentally, physically or both! The result of this stretch as a couple is a fantastic adventure to cherish for a lifetime.

Combine Family Traditions
If you always had pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, but your significant other was raised on chocolate meringue pie make both for your own holiday or try a combination chocolate pumpkin pie (delicious)! Understanding the importance of family rituals and incorporating each others, will only add to the richness of your own family.

Create a Tradition All Your Own
This can be as simple as always kissing each other before going to sleep or you could apply your tradition to another part of daily life. You could have coffee on the deck together every Sunday and read the paper, walk through a neighborhood park as each season changes, or make a fancy dinner together one night a month. The key is doing something you both like, together, over and over again. Before you know it, you’ll look back and realize you’ve had a tradition for years!

How are you creating newlywed traditions with your spouse? We’d love for you to share a comment with us!