Relationships

Looking for name change advice or some tips for newlywed life? The MissNowMrs experts have created state-specific name change articles and checklists for you. We’ve chronicled our recommendations for how to travel while changing your name AND how to handle voting during the transition.

We’ve also compiled our best guidance for how to handle difficult sister in laws, holidays as newlyweds, the ever-annoying baby questions, and much more. Why? Because, while we are name change experts, we’re also newlywed wives, moms, and sisters.

We hope our name change advice articles help smooth your transition to your new name, and a whole new phase of life. Congratulations and best wishes from the entire MissNowMrs team!

Win 100 Embossed Notes & Do Some Newlywed PR!

Are you as enamored with embossed notes as we are? Thank you notes are a must on any occasion, but especially after your wedding. Writing them can be a bit of a chore, but thank you’s are a great way to do some positive PR for yourself as a newlywed.

You have a chance to be “that wonderful girl Joey married”, who sent such a thoughtful note as opposed to “I guess Joey married a woman completely lacking tact” she didn’t even thank us for their wedding gift. Guess which bride from that scenario is going to feel more welcomed at the next family function?

We’re happy to announce that our May Giveaway includes 100 of the fabulous custom embossed notes as well as embossed envelopes pictured here, customized with the winner’s new name or the first names of both newlyweds! The winner will also be able to select the color of note card (white, ivory or pink).

Expressionery is providing the chance to win this chic and unique thank you note set. Expressionery allows any newlywed to express her style in print with their exclusive collection of custom stationery. Whether your favorite look is classic, funky, casual or formal, their stylish array of stationery supplies & products can help you find the perfect gift to share or keep all to yourself.

Ready to win our marvelous May giveaway? Leave a comment on this, or any of our thank you note posts on Mondays this month and you’ll be automatically entered to win.

Tell us how many notes you need to write or why you’ve been procrastinating on the project. The randomly selected contest winner will be announced on May 31!!^st 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!

**If you tweet this giveaway by clicking the green retweet button below and then post a comment that you tweeted with your twitter handle, you’ll receive an additional contest entry!**

The Premarital Plan: Talk About the Tough Stuff BEFORE Tying the Knot

Have you gone through the premarital plan yet? When it comes to marriage, there are many matters that could result in power struggles once or several times over the length of the relationship, but there are two very common reoccurring themes that come up in marital disputes.

The first has to do with the financial status of the new family unit and the second deals with the matter of time. Learning your fiancé’s take on both topics can help solidify a base for your marriage to stand upon. This post addresses a few of the questions that can be the starting point for these necessary pre-wedding conversations.

Who does the housework and grocery shopping? Many years ago, the answer to this question was obvious. Today the “little woman” isn’t necessarily in charge of the household. With both the husband and the wife taking on professional roles in this day and age, the rules of marriage have been altered. Suddenly, housekeeping and grocery shopping are eating into everyone’s free time. Because time is valuable to both of you, it is best to be up front about what will be expected from each of you, so don’t be afraid to be specific and outline the chores to be done.

What’s the ultimate income goal and who is going to handle the financial matters? Perhaps even more important than time, is money. At least this seems to be the case in marriages as financial problems are the number one cause of divorce. So, be upfront about your expectations and ask about his or hers. It is better to know in advance where each expects to be financially two-, ten -, and even fifty years down the road. Also choosing the member of your new team who is best able to make that happen, will reduce stress over the length of your marriage.

How much will our monthly bills cost us? Similarly, it is important to have a true understanding of all expenses that will come with your coming together as one. These costs may not be entirely obvious. It is safe to assume that anyone today will have some debt. He or she may also carry insurance policies (auto, life, home, etc.) that can quickly rack up. Calculating all of these expenses in advance can help to keep everyone on the same page.

What professional goals do you have and will they keep us apart often? Another matter linked to time is the professional aspirations of each spouse. It is important to know what is involved with the career that your partner wishes for. Are the commitments something that you can truly live with? He or she needs to be able to answer the same question about your goals in life.

How often do you expect to see your parents? Mine? Our friends? Finally, the other major claimant of time is the outside relationship. Whether it is parents, siblings, or friends, these outsiders will cost you and your soon-to-be spouse some of your time, but how much? Now is the best time to figure all of that out.

Have you discussed the premarital plan your fiance or spouse? If you didn’t, do you wish that you had?Please share a comment that could help our other readers.

Engagement Chicken?!

So I was reading an article in Glamour magazine and stumbled across the unusual story of “Engagement Chicken”. Apparently, an assistant at the magazine whipped up a special chicken dinner for her boyfriend and he proposed the same week. She shared her recipe with three co-workers and they all had the same results after making the chicken…ENGAGEMENT!

Since Glamour published the Engagement Chicken recipe, over 70 readers have reported success with it. While I don’t believe that the actual recipe made these women’s boyfriends go ring shopping, I am amazed at the coincidence. Is there some correlation between a woman taking the time to prepare a whole chicken for dinner and her level of commitment to a relationship (and therefore her partner’s level of commitment)?

If these engagements around the chicken dinner aren’t coincidence of commitment level, maybe there really something behind that age old saying that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!

Regardless, here’s the recipe (you may know a friend who’s a bit desperate):

Engagement Chicken Recipe (serves 2-4)

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (approximately 4 pounds)
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, plus 3 whole lemons—including 1 sliced for garnish
1 tablespoon kosher or coarse sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Fresh herbs for garnish (4 rosemary sprigs, 4 sage sprigs, 8 thyme sprigs, and 1 bunch fl at-leaf parsley)

1. Position an oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the giblets from the chicken, wash the chicken inside and out with cold water, then let the chicken drain, cavity down, in a colander for 2 minutes.

2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place the chicken breast-side down in a medium roasting pan fi tted with a rack and pour the lemon juice all over the chicken, both inside and out. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper inside and out.

3. Prick 2 whole lemons three times each in three different places with a fork and place them deep inside the cavity. Chicken cavity size may vary, so if one lemon is partly sticking out, that’s fine. (Tip: If the lemons are stiff, roll them on the counter top with your palm before pricking to get the juices flowing.)

4. Put the chicken in the oven, lower the oven temperature to 350°F, and roast, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

5. Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Using tongs or two wooden spoons, turn the chicken breast- side up. Insert a meat thermometer in the thigh, and return the chicken to the oven and roast for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the meat thermometer reads 180°F and the juices run clear when the thigh is pricked with a fork. Continue roasting if necessary. Keep in mind that cooking times in different ovens vary; roasting a chicken at 350°F takes approximately 18-20 minutes per pound, plus an additional 15 minutes.

6. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. And here’s the secret: Pour the juices from the roasting pan on top of the sliced chicken— this is the “marry me juice.” Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon slices.

Should you be further along in your married relationship, here’s the recipe fhttps://www.glamour.com/story/lets-make-a-baby-pastaor “Let’s Make a Baby Pasta”! We’d love to hear if you’ve made either recipe with success or know of someone else who has.
*Recipe from Glamour.com

Do You Need A Vacation From Your Spouse’s Job?!

What do you do when you and your spouse seem to be at each other’s throats a little more than usual? Do you find yourselves having the same annoying arguments over and over again? Lately I’ve noticed in my marriage that our reoccurring issues are stemming from one thing—his stress from work! This excessive stress has been coming home with him after leaving the office, and affecting our relationship! Work has been absolutely devouring my husband, consuming his energy, his every thought and every second of the day, so much so that even when we’re “spending time” catching up on our favorite shows on the couch, work calls continue to come in and he is still on the computer! Don’t get me wrong, I certainly appreciate his dedication and passion that he has for his job, but there comes a point where the happy median between work and pleasure needs to be a bit more… defined! In a serious effort to divert further issues and arguments, I called an intervention and demanded a vacation!

I believe there comes a point in every relationship where one, or both parties, becomes unintentionally wrapped up in one thing, and all of the remaining things in life suffer! Sooo, my solution- a romantic getaway! A nice vacation just me and the hubby (and by request- no computers!) I figured this was the only way get him away from his workload and at the same time will give us a chance to devote sole attention to one another, and spend some much-needed quality, romantic time- alone! Your marriage is a partnership, so it’s important to recognize one another’s needs and to be there to show each other support and love!

Now that we have moved out of the never-ending winter season, I want nothing more than the sand in my feet and a nice dark tan! Here are some getaway ideas and inspiration that I wanted to share with you from one of my fav’s, Travel and Leisure’s Ideas Section and here are some amazing hot-spots, rated the top destinations of 2011!

Do you and your spouse have a go-to place when you just need a romantic getaway? We would love to hear you favorite vacation spots- it always helps to spark new ideas for those in need of a getaway, so please share!

Hot Newlywed Sex: Yes Please!

Let’s hear it for newlywed sex! I just read a reporter’s request for feedback from women who have tried the “new trend” of having testosterone pellets implanted under the skin of their backs to increase their libidos. Who does that?! As newlyweds, we’re a blessed segment of the population when it comes to hot sex and its frequency. That being said, who doesn’t want a little boost in the bedroom? Here are few non-surgical ideas to try out the next time you’re looking for inspiration.

Steamy Movie Scene – Pick a favorite steamy scene from a movie you’ve both watched and try it out. Need some suggestions? Choose something from Jerry Maguire, Unfaithful, Pretty Woman (if you’re a die-hard romantic) or Eyes Wide Shut. I’m sure your hubby might be able to help select a scene too!

Body Paint – Get in touch with your artsy/sexy side with a chocolate body paint kit. You can decorate each others bodies and lick it off, or decorate your own bodies and surprise each other with the results. Arrows pointing to certain places can act as a sensual guide for your amour.

Raincoat Moment – This is a risky maneuver, but if you pull it off it will be something your spouse talks about for the rest of his life. If your man has his own office (with a lock), show up to take him out to lunch in a raincoat, a pair of heels and nothing else. Obviously you’re not going to actually have lunch! Please weigh the possibilities of being caught in the act and possible unemployment before trying this one.

Somewhere Different – You know how vacation sex is always a little more fabulous? Part of that has to do with “doing it” in new surroundings. Book a room at a boutique hotel or set up a romantic scene in your attic as a surprise for your mate.

Wig Out – This suggestion might not work for everyone, but consider purchasing a wig that is radically different from your normal hair. If you’ve got short black hair go for long and blonde and if you’ve got long brown hair, go for short and red. You’ll get to feel like a totally different woman and your husband will get to experience sex with a totally different you!

What are you steamy secrets for keeping newlywed sex hot? Share a PG-13 comment with our readers today!