Newlywed Tips

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!

Winter Beauty Dos

Each season launches a new set of beauty trends and challenges. This winter, try a few of these beauty dos to keep your newlywed glow going!

Do try a dark nail polish. Anything from deep reds to mixed taupes are way in right now. We like Essie’s Smokin’ Hot , since it goes with anything you’re wearing from work, to play, to ski slopes!
Do indulge in an intensive lip balm. Major protection for minor investment! No one wants dry cracked lips…ever.

Do relieve & heal dry skin with a super rich cream. Apply right after your shower when you’re still damp for maximum moisture retention!
Do avoid dry winter hair by following these 5 tips! We know winter winds and hats can wreak havoc on even the most cooperative locks.
Do exfoliate all that dry winter skin right off with this body scrub. Bye-bye snow flakey skin and hello gorgeous!
Do try an icy shade of eye shadow. What better time of year to try something shimmery and cool toned?
Do save face….literally. Wrap yourself up in a fabulous scarf set to keep body heat in and your face safe from freezing temperatures!

What are you winter beauty do’s? Did we miss any major ones? Please leave us a comment and let us know!

Investing Wisely – A Few Tips for Newlyweds

Investing wisely – a few tips for newlyweds are necessary. So we did the research for you! Most newlyweds know that investing can be riskier than just stowing money away into a money market account or CD. As a couple, you may have very different ideas on how to invest your earnings. Instead of every man and woman for him or herself, you should talk to your partner and find out what he/she would like to do as well as inform them of your own ideas. Together, you will be able to find a comfortable investing balance.

Studies show that men are bigger risk takers than women (no surprise there, right ladies?). Some husbands may want to go all in like a poker game – “I have a good feeling about this!” Most wives, on the other hand, would rather their retirement savings stay where they are, safe and sound earning a small but steady percentage in the bank. So how do you find a balance?

By talking to one another (it’s always about clear communication!), you can figure out what your long term and short term goals are. Examine your budget and decide what sort of investment risks you are actually able to take. If money is tight, it’s best to avoid any sort of risk until things are more stable. If you have plenty to play with, you can try jumping into the pool and seeing what happens.

Overall, both of you need to agree on where you stand and how to handle your funds. Don’t just talk about what you want either – if he wants to invest a lot of money now and you keep saying, “But we don’t have the money!” it may not sink in. You should actually have the numbers in front of both of you so you can see where your money is being spent, how much is coming in, what is spent on bills, and so forth. When money is mapped out, it’s much easier to organize it and control it, rather than just talking about it arbitrarily.

You do both have the option of investing separately; he with his money and she with hers. If you decide to go this route, agree upon which funds should not be toyed with; these can include emergency funds, retirement funds, and the amount needed for basic living expenses.

Whether you invest together, separately, or not at all, you should consider coming together once a year and reevaluating your portfolios and budget. Make sure it all balances out and that the risks are worth taking.

Are you investing wisely – a few tips for newlyweds… did ours pay off? What investments (risky or not) have you and your spouse taken? Did they pay off or cause too much tension in your relationship? We’d love for you to leave us a comment!

10 Fun Things To Do This Winter As Newlyweds

Looking for things to do this winter as newlyweds? As the fun of the holidays begins to fade and winter sets in for the long haul, it’s easy to feel a little blah. Here are ten fun ideas for newlyweds to make winter more bearable and even fun!

1. Go Sledding! Dig out your sleds and snow pants and head outside! Better yet, invite a few couples to join you in your winter fun. You’ll feel 10 years old in a matter of minutes. Then try #4 on our list to warm up.

2. Check into a Bed & Breakfast this weekend. If you’re feeling a little house-bound, a quick getaway will boost your spirits and give you some quality time with your husband.

3. Go shopping! Now is the time to scoop up cashmere sweaters and other great winter duds at after Christmas sales. Ann Taylor, for example, is having a great sale.

4. Sit by the fire and sip cocoa. Indulge in the ultimate winter warm up!

5. Start a new hobby, like learning to knit. Knitty.com has great ideas for beginners.

6. Bikram Yoga (aka Hot Yoga). The opposite of the freezing cold is doing yoga poses in a hundred and five degree class. Not only will you warm up, you’ll sweat off all those Christmas cookies!

7. Plan your flowers/planters/garden. Nothing makes Spring feel closer than looking at catalogs of plants and envisioning what your porch or yard could look like. Check out White Flower Farms for ideas.

8. Ice skate. Even if you’ve never been before, ice skating is really fun and can be a great way to get some fresh air, exercise and a few laughs all at the same time. Look for a local rink to take your hubby or friends to.

9. Host a slumber party for your girlfriends. Get in some great girl time before temperatures rise and everyone suddenly has plans. Order pizza, do face masks and watch a chick flick or two!

10. Get a pedicure. Just because you’re wearing socks every day, doesn’t mean your toes have to suffer. Pick a sizzling summer shade to instantly feel warmer.

Have any suggestions of things to do this winter as newlyweds? Please leave a comment to share with us and your fellow readers!

Newlywed New Year’s Resolutions: Do or Don’t?

Are you making newlywed New Year’s resolutions? Many newlyweds start thinking about their New Year’s Resolution in days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. People come up with all kinds of things (i.e. to lose weight, quit smoking, organize their lives, take a dance lesson, earn a degree, etc.). These are all really good things to do to help become a healthier, happier you; so why do many of the people who pledge to do them fail?

Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, led a study to figure out just that. He and his team asked 700 people about their strategies for achieving New Year resolutions. Their goals ranged from losing weight or giving up smoking to gaining a qualification or starting a better relationship. Of the 78% who failed, many had focused on the downside of not achieving the goals; they had suppressed their cravings, fantasized about being successful, and adopted a role model or relied on willpower alone (Source: guardian.co.uk).

Apparently, these tactics simply don’t work. So, what should you do if you really want to pick a goal and stick to it?

Break Your Ultimate Goal Up Into Smaller Steps: For example, if you plan to quit smoking; don’t do it cold-turkey. Try limiting the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day and take one away as you feel comfortable. You are more likely to stick with it, if you move at your own realistic pace.

Tell a Friend about Your Goal: Sharing your goals with friends or family will help you stay motivated to reach them (i.e. joining a gym with someone else and meeting to workout together will keep you on track).

Focus on Benefits of Success: Spend your time and energy focusing on the benefits of what your hard work will do for you rather than the fact that you might fail. Staying positive is motivating, not to mention a healthier way to live your life.

Keep a Journal: Write down your plan in a notebook or diary and keep track of what you do each day. This is a visual reminder of where you started and how far you have come since you decided to change your life.

Don’t get caught up into thinking that if you don’t start on January 1^st that you have to wait a whole year to start. When you are ambitious and ready to make a change in you life, do it! Forgive yourself for setbacks and get right back on track. You’ll look back when you reach your goal and realize you can do anything you put your mind to. Best of luck and Happy New Year!

What’s your New Year’s Resolution this year? Do you have a plan to help you reach your goal? Let us know if you used any of these tips and how they helped you stay motivated to reach your ultimate goal.

Your First Christmas:Tips For Handling Your In-Laws

Oh in-laws. Can’t live with them and can’t live without them. Well, maybe. But the fact of the matter is that the majority of people have in-laws – mothers, fathers, and siblings – and eventually have a holiday where everyone can come together and celebrate. We’ve all heard comedians joke about awful in-laws and dealing with them at the table, but that doesn’t have to be your holiday experience!

Talk to your spouse first. You may be surprised at how helpful it is to know how your partner spent their holidays, that way you can better predict how your in-laws may act. Some families place more significance on some holidays than others. For example, to you Christmas Eve may not be that big of a deal, but your spouse’s family has a whole set of traditions and all sorts of things that they do on that day.

Before in-laws even come over, it might be a good idea to lay out a few basic agreements. For example, you and your spouse have just moved into your new home. Your spouse’s mother typically cooks the turkey for Christmas. But since the holiday is at your home, you want to do the cooking. Let them know! You can always suggest that they bring a favorite dish or two, or that you’d love some help from your mother-in-law, but overall, you want to be the one doing the entertaining.
Taking the time to talk to your in-laws about certain things can help holidays go more smoothly. This can be especially true if you come from a different cultural or religious background than your in-laws. By prepping them beforehand, they will have a better idea of what to expect as well as how to act. Remember, this is your home and your new life – everyone may have their own family traditions, but now is the time for you to start a few traditions of your own. Don’t let family members (from either side!) try to control everything.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t be flexible. If someone suggests an idea and you love it, then go for it! Holidays are about being together, having a good time, and enjoying one another’s company. Allowing variety into the holiday will keep it from being predictable and dull. You shouldn’t have to work too hard in order to make a holiday memorable or special.

By keeping the lines of communication open, remaining versatile when it comes to new ideas, and focusing on having a good time, your holiday should be met with plenty of love and lots of good cheer. Do you have any stories of how you prepared for your first holiday with your in-laws? We’d love to hear about it!