Danielle Tate

Registry Entertaining: What to do with ALL of the new stuff in your kitchen!

Don’t miss our tips for registry entertaining! Newlywed bliss and tons of newlywed gifts…sounds great right? Now that you’re moved in and opened all the wedding gifts, you may be wondering “Why did I ever register for this?”. Most newlywed couples will agree that they might have gotten a tiny bit overzealous with the registry gun and may have even ended up with everything they asked for! Not to worry…we’ve come up with a few tips and ideas on how to utilize all the sparkly new kitchen equipment stuffed in your cabinets.

Blender: So you’re looking at your top-of-the-line blending technology in awe and wonder….and possibly wondering what to make first. While your first inclination might be a margarita, there are so many things you can make instead! Work your inner kitchen diva and whip up a batch of spicy summer gazpacho shooters. Williams-Sonoma has a great recipe that you can use the next time you end up hosting a neighborhood BBQ. You could also use your new blender to jump start a healthy summer diet with fresh fruit protein smoothies in the morning. Missing your girlfriends? Blend up one or more of the facial recipes at Hello Glow and invite them over for a fun face mask and a movie! If that margarita still sounds best…..you could surprise your best friend or hubby with an impromptu fiesta and let go amigo!

Panini Press: These great little machines elevate the sandwich from boring lunch option to savory party fare. Panini parties make for really simple and really fun registry entertaining! Invite a few friends over and lay out several sandwich ingredients for them to choose from. You can pick a theme to make the entire party/meal flow together, such as Italian Summer or All American. With the Italian theme you could serve any of the following: Italian sodas and wine for beverages, chicken, prosciutto, salami, any selection of Italian cheeses, roasted red peppers, fresh basil or fresh sage for sandwiches and then tiramisu for dessert! Worried you don’t know how to use your press? Sounds like a great time to do a test run dinner with your spouse. Have them read the instructions while you assemble two sandwiches. Pop them in the press and watch the clock. You’ll have a mini dinner party for two in minutes!

Wine Decanter: – Not only does this glassware improve the taste and bouquet of red wine, it also looks great as a wine bar or kitchen shelf decoration. Don’t pack your decanter away somewhere. Display it and be inspired to enjoy a nice glass of wine with your mate. Decanters improve even inexpensive bottles of wine, so take twenty minutes and unwind with your spouse tonight after work…just because you can!

Have you done any registry entertaining of your own? We’d love for you to share your tips and ideas in comment below.

Rushing the Future: The Worst Possible Idea for Newlyweds

As newlyweds are you rushing the future? As Elvis sang in his famous song “Only Fools Rush In”. When it comes to marriages, most would agree that these words define truth – marrying a person you hardly know can prove to be a thoughtless and sometimes even a dangerous decision

Your marriage was different, right? It wasn’t a hasty act. You two had time to get to know each other, and the thought of marriage wasn’t something that you rushed. Like many, you married someone with whom you see yourself having children and growing old.

Wait, what was that? Having children? Retiring? Getting old? It’s only natural to think of the future occasionally, but rushing things is the worst possible idea for newlyweds! Rushing the future may not just create an array of hard-to-meet expectations for your spouse, but alienate your significant other, creating feelings of anxiety that shouldn’t be there. You may even make your husband feel trapped in the marriage instead of being a happy member of the union.

The first few years of marriage are crucial for every married couple. During those years, responsibilities are divided, finances are joined and the spouses learn each other’s habits, traits they may dislike, and nuances they may have missed during the dating period. The time of adjustment, which starts after the wedding and the honeymoon, can last anywhere from a few months for up to a year, depending on a couple. It is NOT a good time to make important financial decisions, such as buying a house, or life-altering decision such as having a child. Just let these things occur as naturally as possible.

If, prior to the wedding, you and your fiancé created a “five-year plan” where you outlined all the steps you will be taking to achieve certain goals during the first five years of marriage, remember that unforeseen circumstances can significantly alter your plans or make it impossible to achieve your set goals in such a short period of time. Perhaps you envisioned your family building its future in a different location, provided one of you found a new job there, and, due to a difficult economic situation and job market flooded with great candidates, the two of you are unable to find anything. Once again, rushing things will only create stress on your marriage. Things will work out in due course.

The best thing you can do during the first year or two of your marriage is to take things slowly, listen to your partner, and communicate and spend quality time together while continuing to maintain your own interests and circle of friends. The future is inevitable. Just focus on loving each other and let it happen! There’s no need for you to be rushing the future.

Your Newlywed Guide To Dividing Up Household Responsibilities

Is dividing up household responsibilities a sore point in your marriage? Many couples struggle when it comes to the division of chores. If you were living together before you got married, it may be an easier process. But what if the two very different households merged, and the two members of the new family need to decide who does what without making the process too lengthy and too painful? There are ways to divide the responsibilities without over-complicating the process.

First – figure out which chores you hate. If you are a “neat-freak,” and your spouse can never be pictured holding a duster, you’re probably going to want to remain responsible for dusting and cleaning. This does not mean your partner should be completely excluded from this chore – perhaps vacuuming the carpet and furniture may seem like an exciting activity to do once in a while! Note that wherever machinery is involved, your husband may be more eager to participate in the task. So if, while you love the smell of freshly cut grass, you can hardly maneuver the loan mower – let your spouse do it!

Obviously, when dividing the responsibilities, it is important to realize that job responsibilities need to come first. After a hard day at work, your partner may be exhausted, and trying to come home and handle a week’s worth of laundry on a Tuesday evening just isn’t a good idea. Sound like your house?

Try to be more understanding. Perhaps it’s time to divide things a bit differently. Maybe once a month you can handle the laundry instead. The best idea? Make a list and stick to it. Revise the list after the week passes, addressing the items that have not been taking care of and what may be behind that problem.

What if you married someone affected by the rare condition domestic-itis? You know…the refusal to participate in chores of any kind? Depending on the cultural background and the household your spouse grew up in, your best efforts at persuasion might not work.

Don’t waste your time with an argument. Simply let your spouse know that you’ll be taking part of the budget to hire an individual who will help out around the house. That will either change the picture entirely or get you the help you need right away!

How does dividing up household responsibilities work in your marriage? We’d love to hear from you in a comment.

Date Night Spice

Do you need some date night spice? How many times do you and your spouse find yourselves attending the same restaurants, and maybe even ordering the same meals!? Sometimes you may find your marriage and your life in general to be some-what of a routine… and routine is GOOD, but once in awhile you need to spice-it-up a bit! When you have a night to yourselves and are pondering over one of your select favorite restaurants to have dinner, instead… plan a date night with spice!

You say, well I’m married now, we don’t “date” – sure you do! Pick a theme, dress accordingly and go out for the evening! Here are just a few ideas for you! Discuss them with your spouse and get them all pumped up about it—they will appreciate a change from a nice dinner and bottle of wine!

Mini Golf and Ice Cream– its casual and a fun summer evening activity, or instead hit the driving range; it’s a great aggression reliever. Here’s a mini golf locator!
Pizza and Comedy– this too can be a bit more casual and you can enjoy some spontaneous laughter together either at a comedy club or at the movies (or if you’re on a budget—in the comfort of your own home)!
Beer, Wings, and Pool– visit the bar on the corner that you wouldn’t normally frequent for a nice evening out, make sure to dress accordingly, and bring some cash for the jukebox- this will be something you’ll do again!
Outdoor Stroll – enjoy the beautiful summer nights, and check out the local events in your area, this is the time you will find outdoor festivals, shows, and concerts. Hey, you might even get to know your neighbors, strolling around the block a time or two!
Bring on the Romance– Decide to try a new restaurant tonight, and get all dressed-up! It’s even more fun if you get ready in a separate room, meet him in the car, and just see where the night takes you!
At-Home-Date– don’t feel like leaving the house? Turn on some tunes, set the table (not the coffee table) or have a backyard picnic and let him cook for you—and if that doesn’t work, pizza always does!
Remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away! So enjoy your fabulous married life, and do so happily in love!

3 Secrets Every Newlywed Couple Needs to Maintain Happiness for a Lifetime

What’s the secret to maintain happiness in your marriage? As you return from your honeymoon, unpack your wedding gifts and begin settling into married life, you most likely start asking yourself if you and your partner will be as happy now as you were when you first met, fell in love and spent every single minute together as a pair.

Suddenly, you start imagining the worst – you and your spouse, bored with married life, unhappy and grumpy. The key to a happy marriage? Stop the negative thinking! Many couples stay happy together through the years, in spite of occasional arguments, financial difficulties or other hardships, because they work on keeping their marriage happy. “Happiness maintenance” should be a couple’s joint chore and you can achieve great success in performing it if you know these three simple secrets.

1. Understand what makes both you and your hubby happy. If you are an avid shopper and a shoe sale at Saks makes your heart beat faster and instantly fills you with glee, your new partner may not share your sentiments. Don’t be completely selfish. Instead, focus on mutual interests and activities that can fulfill both of you. Whether it is traveling, watching sports or decorating your house – try to do more of what makes the two of you happy! Once you do, you will realize that your marriage is becoming a more rewarding and peaceful journey every day.

2. Know that everyone argues, so when you have your first argument as a married couple, don’t automatically assume something horrible is happening. Communication is key and sometimes it can come in the form of an argument, but remember – never go to bed angry! “Finish” your argument by sincerely apologizing and assuring that both of you understand where the other person was coming from. You can agree to disagree on occasion, but carrying anger over to the bedroom is the worst thing a newlywed couple can do.

3. Remember how you felt that first time you heard “I love you” from your now partner-for-life? The bliss of that moment may have worn off, but the meaning and significance of these three little words never did, and you surely appreciate every opportunity to hear them. So does your spouse! Never pass a chance of saying “I love you” not just to remind him of how you feel but to give your husband a feeling of happiness! While the words are great, little “I love you” surprises are even better. Send your man a romantic text, make him heart shaped cookies or hide a love note somewhere you know he’ll find it and smile. Remember, love is all you need!

What small things have you done to maintain happiness in your marriage lately? Were any a huge hit or a total miss? We’d love to know!