Grandma's Dress-Up Trunk

Grandma's Dress-up Trunk is a trip down memory lane for many grandmothers and an education in fashion for the grandchildren. Do you remember "ironed hair" and "bee hive" hair dos? What about "mini skirts" and "stirrup pants?"

Grandma Micki pulls out her old trunk, full of fashions she used to wear, for her granddaughters, Olivia, Victoria and Charlotte to play dress-up. The girls laugh and comment on how things used to be. "Wow, Grandma you were "cool" when you went to school!"

The girls find a cheer leader's outfit with pom poms, a kilt with "saddle shoes', and find out that Grandma used to sew her own clothes on a treadle sewing machine. "Wow no plug in" laughed the girls. They learned that Grandma was quite the "fashionista" in her day, wearing "tent dresses", "fish tail skirts", "Robin hood" hats, "hot pants" and "go go boots."

Then came the "hippy stage" when Grandma ironed her hair and wore flair jeans with lots of "love beads." Later Grandma wore a pink wedding dress with "flowers in her hair."

As Grandma became a mother, she opted for comfort in a pink velour "jogging suit". To keep fit, she worked out in "Flash Dance" attire and at work she wore "middy skirts" and tall "Granny boots". Today, Grandma keeps looking her best, especially when she goes ballroom dancing, dressed "to the nines". The girls say "we like your sparkly dress, and we think you are a 10 Grandma!"

Grandma's Dress-up Trunk's bright illustrations will transport you back to yesteryear, when crazy fashions were all the rage. Your grandchildren will be as surprised as Olivia, Victoria and Charlotte were. "You ironed your hair Grandma?"

Both grandmothers and grand children will love this book. Take a "trip" back in time and share with your grandchildren, how fun the fashions of the 60's were.

Roxi Hermsen is the artist of Grandma's Dress-up Trunk. The story is written by Micki Darbyshire who's "fashionista" past inspired this book. Roxi's bright illustrations make all her books appealing. As an educator, Roxi knows how to get the message across to both children and adults. Cuzin's donates 40% to our fundraisers and brand our products with our fundraiser's logos and contact information. Check out our library of 15 books at http://cuzinsfundraising.com

Vancouver Brides Pick Up on Trashing the Dress Fad

You've probably heard of the trend. It started less than two years ago in Las Vegas and spread quickly to New Orleans and California then across the U.S.

Now, it's here, in Vancouver. The first time I spoke to a BC bride who wanted to "trash the dress" after the ceremony was last summer. She's booked for this August and we'll see if she - or any of my other clients go through with it - or if the trend has already turned passé.

I'm all for out-of-the-box photos, and certainly capturing the image of a bride as she strides into the ocean would make for an amazing moment. But of course that's not something the photographer is going to push hard for. Trashing the dress has to be an act the bride is completely into and excited about for it to work out. The possibilities are boundless, though.

Imagine the photos if you waded slowly into the waters off of Second Beach or danced in the fountain outside of the Pan Pacific or made snow angels on top of Grouse Mountain. That's the way to start the rest of your life!

Some facts about the "Trash the Dress" trend that you might like to know:

1. John Michael Cooper, the Las Vegas photographer who coined the phrase, did it as part of his "anti-bridal" sessions.

2. Mark Eric of New Orleans took the fad a step further by starting the website trashthedress.com and popularizing the concept.

3. The latest take on the trend occurred recently when teenagers in Camarillo, California started to "Trash the Prom Dress".

Visit my website for further more information and regularly updated content on photography tips and trends - http://www.juliapelish.com

Wedding Dress Perfection - Petite Or Pleasantly Plump

The biggest challenge for any bride to - be is making the right decision when choosing her wedding dress besides that of choosing the ideal partner she wants to spend the rest of her life with. This is where the bride gets to live her dream of being princess for the day. So what are we waiting for lets go make your dream come true.

Brides-to-be need to consider the comfort level when buying the wedding dress. If the dress causes you extreme discomfort; then expect all dances at the reception be that of a waltz, heaven forbid should you take to the floor to do the hippy hippy shake. Keep in mind that if the dress is tight it can hamper your circulation causing you to faint.

Plans for the wedding dress usually start months before the set date, well in advance in some cases. What you have to remember once you have chosen the gown you have to stick with your diet, no piling on the pounds only to lose them with more expense incurred where the wedding dress has to be altererd.

Styles of wedding dress/gown selections can be chosen personally from a bridal shop. Magazines are also a good choice for making your selection and for gathering some useful tips on wedding plans

An important factor that has to be addressed is body types. Petite to pleasantly plump figure shapes will definitely need to be taken into consideration when making that decision in what will or will not suit your frame. Either way regardless of size the right choice will have you looking beautiful on the day. To find the perfect wedding dress is to be prepared to make a day of it where the trying of many will be in abundance.

Vera Wang is one of the famous names in the world of weddings. VW is noted for the detailing put into her gowns along with luxurious craftsmanship, also an additional bonus of personal hand beading. Famous stars like Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson line up in the wedding queue, not forgetting Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman. If your budget allows then go all out for a designer dress.

Other options for the pocket which says go easy on the pennies. In addition to the more traditional bridal shops, check out discount stores, charity shops, even going online at eBay is another fine option recommended and far less expensive.

Common sense prevails when buying the perfect wedding dress online, because of the way the purchase is to be handled, it is a good chance that you only get to see the dress by photo so be sure to check measurements and be specific when asking details on the condition of the dress. Another important factor is to double check on the person selling before going ahead with any transaction involving money.

If it is a traditional wedding theme that you have in mind for the wedding then go for a vintage dress. Vintage dresses intend to discolour so check this out before making a purchase. Remember vintage represents old so check for wear or tear.

Vintage dress fabrics dating back to the 1900 and earlier have a tendency to deteriorate.

Setting your heart on a specific design only to find that it is not available due to age or over your budget limit then make enquiries for a reproduction of the chosen wedding dress you had in mind.
You can find many stores that focus particularly on reproduction dresses where designed wedding gowns on specific themes or periods of time hang in dozens on rails waiting to be snapped up.

Dreams do come true if you make them happen. Well girls what are you waiting for your dream theme is just waiting to happen.

Dress to impress on your wedding day with the help of this fabulous site. Everthing you could possibly need when planning your wedding can be found here at http://www.your-wedding-planning-help.com

Easy Best Man Speech - You Fill in the Blanks

The only stressful thing the Best Man has to do during the wedding and wedding reception is give that best man speech. Everyone is looking at you now and occasionally glancing over to the bride and groom.

Here's a outline for you to fill in yourself for a no-lose speech that will get you through your duty with a respectable speech, please the bride and groom, and get it over with quickly. There is no prize for giving a long speech. Everyone in attendance will appreciate a quick and heartfelt speech the most. I'll use Amy Smith and Robert Smith as the names of the bride and groom for example purposes.

The outline can go something like this:

1. Congratulate the bride and groom.

2. Thank the guests for coming and wish everyone a great time at the reception.

3. Tell a little about how far back your friendship with the groom goes.

4. Tell an anecdote as to when the bride came into the picture.

5. Tell what a wonderful couple the bride and groom make.

6. Wrap it up with wishing the bride and groom the best of luck.

Let's all give a round of applause for Mr. And Mrs. Smith. Congratulations you two. You both look absolutely stunning. I want to thank everyone for coming and celebrating this special day with Amy and Robert. I know your presence here today means a lot (look around at the guests and then over to the bride and groom) to Amy and Robert.

I've known Robert since the sixth grade. We learned to ride skateboards together. We went through high school together. Robert is such a good guy and great friend. I'll never forget the time .... (insert a short story here where the groom really came through for you and shows what an awesome friend he is).

Robert has been a great friend to me all these years. When Robert met Amy, his life changed for the better. Amy is adorable and sweet. Give her a round of applause (pause so guests can all clap for the bride). Robert became so happy with Amy in his life. She completed him (if you know the bride well, say a few more positive things here).

I am sure that Amy and Robert will have a long and happy life together. They compliment each other and make each other stronger. As a couple, they both gain confidence from the other. The love they have for each other is obvious. They are fantastic, caring individuals and now they are a married couple (you can ask everyone to give them a round of applause at this point).

I wish you both (turn towards the bride and groom) the best of luck, health, and a happy life together. May all your dreams come true. I know you both will accomplish whatever you set your minds to. Your love for each other is obvious. May it grow stronger every day. Let's all congratulate Amy and Robert (lift your glass, everyone else will follow suit and lift their glasses too, take a drink) on their marriage. Thank you (and have a seat, your speech is done).

Whew! You're done! Keep it kind and short. If you think you'll get nervous, write down an outline on a 3x5 card so you can glance down if you forget what comes next. Remember this is not the focus of the wedding. It is a formality. It should be short and sweet so the rest of the planned events for the day can move right along.

The main thing I hope to impart on your anecdotes about the bride and groom is to keep it sappy and sweet. Don't tell any stories that might embarrass the bride or groom. Keep secrets to yourself.

Lisa Gunther is a freelance writer and wedding product reviewer. Gunther Gifts is the perfect place to select bridesmaids gifts, groomsmen gifts and wedding favors for the reception: http://www.gunthergifts.com/bridgif.html, http://www.gunthergifts.com/groomgifid.html and http://www.gunthergifts.com/favors1.html.

How to Choose a Dress Shirt Collar

While it might occasionally seem that the collar is not a terribly important part of a tailored dress shirt, the fact of the matter is that a collar can make or break a shirt. The collar is not only a part of your shirt; it helps to frame your face. If the collar is wrong it can drastically alter your appearance from what you desire.

Types of Collars

Straight Collar - The straight collar is the most basic type of collar found in tailored dress shirts. It spreads out at a diagonal beneath your chin and there is a gap of about 2 ½ to 3 inches between the ends. For the average man this will suit their body type and face fine. The spread is small enough that it is acceptable to not wear a tie.

Spread Collar - A spread collar is a collar with a wider spread than that found on the straight collar. Anything over 3 inches is considered a spread collar: spreads can go up to about 6 inches. Generally speaking, men with wider or rounder faces should avoid spread collars as it will accentuate this wideness or roundness of face.

Button-down Collar

As the name implies, a button-down collar is a collar which buttons to your shirt. The spread can vary, just as with non-button collars. It is generally considered to be a less formal tie. For more formal occasions a non-button tie with collar studs would be more appropriate.

Tab Collar

The tab collar has a very slim spread. It gets its name because behind the tie knot there is a tab which is used to bring the collar edges together right behind the tie knot.. This tends to press out the tie knot and make the tie a bit more prominent than with other collars. Slender men, men with long necks as well as wide faced men often do well with tab collars on their tailored dress shirts.

Rounded or Club Collar

The rounded collar, also known as the club collar, is the most distinctive of the collar types. While most collars have straight edges, the edges of a rounded collar are rounded, as the name implies. Generally the spread is very small, and has a somewhat stubby look to it.

Pinned Collar

A pinned collar is so named because a pin is used to bring the two sides of the collar together. The pin can be changed, thus providing a bit of variety with the collar. The pin is generally attached along with the tie knot, which makes the tie more prominent in a similar way to the tab collar.

Choosing the right Collar for You

When choosing a collar, you want to pick one that not only makes your shirt look good but will also make your face look good. As mentioned in discussing the types of collars, different collars will go differently with different faces. However these are only rules of thumb, and do not always apply. Try several different collars out, and see which type you think best suits your face. Also look at how formal you need to be. For formal situations a more formal collar such as the rounded or pinned collar may be required.

Copyright (c) 2008 Wes Fernley

http://www.DesignMyShirtOnline.com offers quality custom fit dress shirts at an affordable price worldwide. With hundreds of fabric styles and various customization options, you can create the tailored shirt that meets your needs. They are dedication to exceptional customer service ensuring tailored shirts are delivered on time, every time.

How To Buy Perfect Women's Dress Shoes

Shoes that are part of formal wear are called dress shoes. These shoes make your feet look chic and elegant. The right shoes can really set off your evening attire. With properly fitting dress shoes, you can comfortably walk around and dance and have a joy-filled evening.

Most of the fashionable high-heeled shoes are uncomfortable and after wearing them for a special evening event, you will find you are left with shoe bites. These make your feet look gross and ugly.

So if you know the essential tips of buying a perfect pair of dress shoes, you will not have to wear those painful and uncomfortable pair of shoes again to your next social gathering.

Let's take a look at the most common points that all women must remember when shopping for dress shoes:

a. It is recommended that you go for 2- inch kitten style heels, which are much firmer and hassle-free, compared to high-heels. Don't worry, like those 4 inch heels, these will also make your feet look sexy but will help you to maintain a better posture. Thus you can spend a lovely evening at ease.

b. If you are looking for fashion, comfort with heels, then wedge heels could be the most ideal pick. These are high-heeled yet very comfortable to walk around in.

c. If money is not an issue for you, then go for high quality, genuine leather shoes. The genuine leather retains the perfect shape of your feet and is always superior to the man-made materials.

d. It is important for you to decide which dress you are going to wear. Only after that do you go about matching shoes. If you find it hard to match a pair of shoes to the color of your outfit, then pick a complimentary color shoe. Classic black dress shoes set the standard for evening attire and they match any dark shade dress. However, you can always go for the soft colors like ivory if your dress is a pastel shade. The soft, warm ivory is always a better choice than pure white.

e. If you want to spend a painless evening, don't buy shoes with straps. They might look appealing but after wearing them for a while, they will start hurting your feet. As a result, the enjoyment of the evening will disappear. So it is better to choose strapless dress shoes, which have a long, sleek look with enclosed toes. Wearing this type of shoes will indeed make your feet look chic.

f. Consider every aspect carefully when buying dress shoes. If you buy the wrong kind of shoes it will spoil the look you want to create. While selecting the perfect pair of dress shoes, you want to be sure that they have soft linings.

g. Last but definitely not the least, the shoes must be properly fitted. Do not be in such a hurry that you buy a size that is either too small or too large.

It is very essential that you to spend the time needed to find the perfect pair of dress shoes. Keeping the above tips in mind while shoe hunting will definitely bring the results you want. You will not regret the time and money spent.

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. .Get your brand name shoes at http://www.brandnameshoesplus.com

No Cost Valentine's Day Gifts For Your Man

Ladies what are you doing for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? I admit that my hubby is a pretty low maintenance type guy and what makes him happy is a quiet evening and a steak. This year Valentine's Day lands on Sunday and I know what my husband is going to want. It just so happens that there is a NASCAR race Sunday and he is going to want to watch. He won't say anything and if I want to go out for lunch after church he will.

So this year, with the pinch of finances most of us are feeling. I was wondering what we can do for our man folks that wouldn't cost us any money but show them how much we love them.

Time is something that we can give to our men. I'm not talking about the fixing dinner, yelling at the kids, and cruising the internet with him in the room, nodding as he scans the TV telling you about his drive home. Long ago in our marriage we were trained that the first 30 minutes when Ron gets home we spend them talking. Doing nothing else and giving our full attention to each other. We usually use this time to determine what is going to happen the rest of the evening. The important thing is we connect. Also ladies give your man a big old kiss when he gets home. Touch is an important element for a man.

Words of love and kindness. I don't have to tell you ladies about a man's fragile ego. Even thought they seem big and strong on the outside nothing can hurt a man more then his partner in life not supporting him with words of love and encouragement. We need to build our men up they have the rest of the world breathing down their necks ready to tear them apart. Make sure to tell him that you love him thanking him for the things he does instead of pointing out all his short comings.

A woman's attitude is very important; you have heard the saying if momma isn't happy nobody is. Think what a happy upbeat attitude would do for the man in your life. If you sent him off to work with a hug, kiss and a smile telling him to have a good day. Most men would float through the day with a smile on their face eager to head home back to you at the end of the day.

Show respect for your man weather it be in front of your mother or your children or any one else. We need to be careful with the things we say to others about our men as well as to our men. Respect can also be shown in our actions towards them, when they are talking turn towards them, engage them in conversation and treat them as another adult if nothing else.

Touch is so important to a man's psyche. For most men their love language is touch. A kiss, hug, a back rub, touching their hand as they walk by all of these things signals to a man of your care.

So, this Valentine's Day if you would like to give your man something that is much more important then a card and some chocolate think about the above gifts that you can give him and spend absolutely no money. Of course making sure he gets his steak dinner will make sure you are his favorite Valentine.

Shawn Snyder makes up one half of the blogging couple of http://theoddcoupleblog.com/