Name Change Advice

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!

Announcing Our Marvelous May Giveaway!

Ready for our May giveaway? After any wedding, there’s a mountain of thank you notes to be written. Is there any way to make that process more enjoyable? Well, we thought that providing gorgeous custom notes to one of our newlywed readers would help her write with a smile on her face! 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 May giveaway!

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

Newlywed Easter Dress Success

Unsure of your Easter dress success? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. One of the best parts of Easter is the excuse to shop for one more Spring dress or ensemble. Can you remember how excited you used to get before Easter as a little girl? The dress, the hat/bow and of course new shoes! Whether you are a newlywed meeting your spouse’s extended family for the first time or simply going to brunch with close friends, here are a few of our favorite outfits that are festive but won’t leave you looking fussy.

Fashionably Floral – Look for a dress that has just enough flowers to be attractive, but not enough to make you look like Great Aunt Susan’s couch! Add a colorful pump and you’re ready for any Easter occasion.

Best Brunch Bet – Going to a family brunch and not sure what to wear? Shop for a dainty ship dress that can be accessorized dressy or casual (as your event calls for).

Meet the Family – Did your fiance wait until this Easter to introduce you to his extended family? Don’t stress. Look for something in a solid color, something elegant, tasteful and still very young and pretty (like you).

Easter Egg Hunt Elegance – Maintain a stylish holiday appearance AND your ability to forage for eggs with classic linen pants. Add a floral blouse or light weight sweater and you’re good to go hunt for some eggs!

Whatever your Easter plans may be, isn’t it wonderful to be a women and have a chance to dress up? Do you have any suggestions for Easter dress success? We’d love to hear from you.

Easter Is a Time For Sweets! Don’t Go Empty Handed!

Easter is a time for sweets! Whether you are playing host this weekend, or have plans to visit the family for Easter, or even if you have no plans at all and have a relaxing day at home, we’ve got some fabulous, fun recipes for you to try out and test your creative skills! If you are traveling to visit family and friends this weekend, it’s always good to show off your domestic skills- especially to your mother-in-law! I have compiled a few of my favorite Easter desert recipes to share with you that the kids and adults alike are gonna love!

This Bunny Cake is so fun to make, and almost too cute to eat!

If you’re looking for the perfect kid-friendly dessert (and who doesn’t love marshmallows?) Try this Cupcake Bunny Cake.

Easter is about the sweet treats, but don’t completely forget about your veggies! This one definitely takes the cake! Check out this Carrot Cake which is also going to give you your full serving of fruit for the day as well!

Easter Egg Cookies show off your creativity and use these to decorate around the desert table!

Not much of a cook- make this chocolate Trix treat– you can’t go wrong with cereal!

Please let us know if you have tried one of these delicious deserts or if you decide to experiment with one this weekend! Do you have a favorite “go-to” crowd-pleaser dessert? Please share since Easter is a Time for Sweets!