Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Relationships






All relationships blossom into loving relationships when people decide to share instead of trying to change each other. If you make a mistake by doing or saying something that is hurtful or damaging to the relationship. Having a good relationship means having the energy to enjoy getting out and doing things together. We all want to be loved and have a happy and long-lasting relationship with a person that we care about. Know that both romantic love and the power struggle are not the destination, but are stages on the road to 'real love'.



Relationships are based on Interactions

Whatever happens between two human beings is the expression of a certain equilibrium established soon after they first meet, and subject only to periodic changes. These changes rarely alter the structure of the relationship; they are mainly modifications or shifting of methods. Within every relationship there is sharing. The personal sharing of hopes, wishes, dreams, desires, emotional feelings, pains, frustrations, and fears. A marriage relationship is a catalyst for the sharing of love. The sharing in our relationships works on us from the inside out. Because we humans struggle with selfishness, our relationships require us to give of ourselves, sharing our most precious asset, which is our time. In order to love we must share, our relationships infuse otherness, and teach us that sharing is caring.





Love as an Emotion

Is love, like fear, an emotion with a purpose? There are certainly many general prejudices against this idea. We have been taught from early childhood that love is what happens to an individual when he meets the “right” object of his devotion. With every sharing action of love, there is a reaction to that love. The reaction, comes from it’s reception, but that reaction is not always positive and it may not venture any return. Remember the phrase; give without any strings attached? Well, sharing in relationships often requires us to share without any strings attached. We give because we love, we share because we care. In the love of the sharing itself is the gift, when you share love in any form, you should experience that joy. In fact, if you are a true lover, you should feel that joy deep in your soul, it should tickle your heart.



Sharing In Relationships


The word sharing in relationships is not intended for use with the motivation to acquire anything. It’s not about what you get in return for what you have shared or given. Sharing in relationships gives without expecting reciprocation for any loving activity. The action of sharing shows the intentions of caring and the love expressed through otherness. You can’t express love with selfish intentions. This does not say that if one partner is sharing, that the other partner should just sitting around in receiving mode, that too is selfish. It is saying that just because you give or share something does not mean that you should expect or require any kind of reciprocation. Both partners should be sharing in their relationship, that is how the love flows between them. Sharing in relationships should be because both partners want to be better lovers, and because they want their spouse to know how much they care about them.
Sharing shows caring, and expresses appreciation for the receptions through love. When someone shares something with you, such as a meal, gratitude is often expressed in a verbal form. In order to express meaningful gratitude, one must have felt the feelings that are part of true appreciation. You see that someone cared enough to share with you and you allow your feelings to appreciate it. When you feel love at that level, you want to share your appreciation for it. This is a response to sharing that accepts the love given, enjoys it, and with love, reciprocates appreciation. It shares back of it’s own loving desire, not because of any requirement. It is true that many people voice gratitude without really meaning it, so what? A lover is a planter of love, not of self centered motivations.




The Major Elements of a Satisfactory Marriage

The studies of ordinary workable marriages in middle-class society indicate that many different patterns of marital relations appear to function successfully. There is no one way for two people to relate in order to have a satisfactory marriage, but the following elements appear to be common to the various patterns. A marriage relationship is intended to be the deepest form of sharing, sharing in communication, sharing of material items, sharing a home or residence, and the sharing of ourselves both emotionally and intimately. All this sharing is meant to develop a ever deepening permanent bond between partners and to encourage us to become better lovers.


Sparkle and Shine in 2009 - Shimmering, shining sequins




From the runway to the red carpet of the American Music Awards, sequined eveningwear has already proven to be the way to celebrate New Year’s. Tony Bowls’ new collections offer sparkling styles for all body types in a myriad of colors and formality.




Visit http://www.tonybowls.com/ to view the entire new collection.

Tips for Wedding Planning

Once you have established your budget and your checklist, it's time to make it real! If funds are in place, you can probably make your dream come true with six months' lead time, possibly less (and possibly more, depending on the complexity of your affair).



Below, tips for the planning. If you are not your own wedding planner, may this advice empower you to keep your wedding planner on track and working in your best interests.EnvisionMeditate on the style and overall tone and energy you want for your day.



High formality? Offbeat elegance? Casual chic?Play Dress-up! If you are going to have a bridal party, give your hoped-for attendants plenty of advance notice, laying out your expectations of them, so that they will have ample time and information to think it over before they commit. And don't assume that just because you ask they will -- or should -- say yes.



Next, the guest list. How large a guest list are you comfortable with? Two hundred? Fifty? Whatever your number, list all the couples and then all the singles, adding "+1" because no one wants to attend a wedding alone. (For heaven's sake, if you really want your single friends to come, allow them to bring a guest!) If you choose to include children in your celebration, make special plans for them. Have a separate child-friendly menu and special entertainment, possibly in another room. Make it so that the kids can be kids.



Location, Location, Location!The Where often determines the When. The ballroom you have in mind may be booked on your first-choice wedding date -- or perhaps it is available but the church you desire is not. It's important to secure your location as soon as possible to increase the likelihood of having your celebration on your first- or second-choice day.Yes, You Can but . . . May You?Find out if any element of your wedding requires a permit. And don't forget that marriage license! Most states no longer require a blood test, and a license can usually be obtained in one to three days. Keep in mind that some marriage licenses will expire if not filed within thirty days. So be sure to read all the fine print.



Book Your Vendors Contract with all the individuals and establishments you need to make everything on your checklist happen, from caterer, florist, and DJ to photographer and make-up artist. Do not dawdle. To secure top talent, you may need to book the person six months or more in advance.



Remember, never, ever sacrifice quality for quantity. If necessary, scale back the scope of your wedding to get the best professionals your pocketbook will allow. Organize ItPurchase a three-ring binder with indexable dividers, a pack (or two) of three-hole paper, and a pack (or two) of sheet protectors. Devote one section to each component of your wedding, from "Bridal Attire," "Ceremony," "Reception," and "Stationery" on and on to "Et Cetera, Et Cetera" and "Budget."Use the lined paper in each section to log all communications, decisions, and transactions on items.



Use sheet protectors for the following:• Clippings and photographs of elements you'd like incorporated in your gown (the neckline of one couture gown; the bell sleeves of another, for example), your wedding cake, the reception space, and other aspects of the celebration. • Correspondence, estimates, invoices, and other vendor-related paperwork. Having a paper trail on everything is a must!



Budget CheckEvery time you make a decision, reconcile your budget.Make That Call to Attend!The standard mail date for invitations is at least six weeks before the wedding. For save-the-date cards, at least six months.



Make Your Gift Wish List If you are comfortable having a gift registry, plan on giving it a full day, as it is very time-consuming. Fortunately, many retailers now offer scanners so you can easily select items for your registry.



However, you must still comb each department to personally select your preferences. Also, most retailers offer a limited online registry. But please do not insert gift registry instructions inside your wedding invitations. I believe that your guests should still have the freedom to buy you whatever they would like for your wedding.



I always keep wedding registry information on hand for my clients, and most guests will call and ask. The only exception is when you are asking guests not to bring a gift. And for heaven's sake, don't even think about asking for monetary gifts . . . poor taste!



Reprinted from Weddings Valentine Style: Rich Inspiration for Every Woman's Dream Day by Diann Valentine with Tonya Bolden.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Happiness Is Controlling YOUR Guest-List!‏

Many, many folks who are getting married live by the philosophy that they’ll just invite “everyone” to their weddings because the majority won’t show. Well, that philosophy can get you in big trouble, because what if they do?

Weddings that take place in “hot” spots around the country like South Florida in winter, for example, tend to attract tourists and wedding guests, who jump at the opportunity to turn a wedding invitation into a mini-vacation.

The solution is simple:

* Invite only the number of guests that you can afford to invite. If you can afford 100 guests, send out 50 invitations (Note: most people come in couples.) We’ll call this your “A list”.

People who make the A list should include immediate family members; extended family members (aunts, uncles, and cousins if applicable); your bridal party with dates and spouses; your officiant with spouse (if not a paid officiant).

* People that didn’t make the A List, you’ll place on the “B list”.

The B list is composed of your closest friends, family friends, and business associates (who must be invited). The top 50 on your lists will receive invitations. All others you’ll transfer to a “C list”.

* You now mail 50 invitations, which invite 100 guests to your wedding. When you get a negative response, send out an invitation from your C list until your quota is full.

Once it is, you’ll send no more invitations. 100 people have been invited and 100 people have responded that they are attending. Your budget—and peace of mind—remain intact.

The remaining people on the C list are sent announcements, mailed the day after the wedding.

Happy Wedding Planning!

Article provided by AAWP

Friday, January 2, 2009

Wedding Color of the Year - Pantone's Mimosa



I've been telling you that yellow is a great wedding color for several years, but 2009 might just be the best year for yellow ever. Pantone, one of the leading global authorities on color, has named "mimosa" its top color of the year.

This highly saturated color is filled with sunshine and optimism so it's perfect for your happy wedding day. But, it's also easy for it to become overwhelming and jarring. Here are a few ways to incorporate this color tastefully: ...read more.

More Topics
Bridal Showers and Engagement Parties

Wedding Locations and Destination Weddings- The Place for Your Wedding

Your Wedding Ceremony - Orders of Service, Vows, Readings and More

Wedding Photography

Celebrity Weddings - Read all about Celebrity Wedding Details

A Library of Wedding Readings

Wedding Themes and Styles

Cheap Wedding Tip #15 - Wedding Photography

I've already given you one cheap wedding tip on how to save money on your wedding photography. But here's one I like even more. If you've got a wedding photographer that you just love, but whose fee is considerably more than you've budgeted, ask them about a "Day After Session." Though the name implies that it takes place immediately the day after your wedding, it's actually seldom the case. It's just a weekday, either before or after the wedding, that you and your spouse-to-be dress up in your wedding finery and have an extra photo session. When I considered this as a cost-saving option at my wedding, a "day after session" was only about 20% of their regular wedding rate.

But how does this extra session save you money? Since you know you'll have great portraits, you can use a budget photographer for the day of the wedding. Keep in mind that you'll have the extra expense of doing your hair and makeup, as well as the possibility of needing to get your dress and/or tuxedo cleaned. But it can be a great way to get some excellent photography at a budget price.

What Are Your New Year's Resolutions?

Every year, people resolve to lose 50 pounds, save lots of money, quit smoking, and other well-meaning but rarely completed promises. While I'd love for everyone to get healthy both physically and fiscally, there are some resolutions that you might actually complete, and will help you have a fabulous wedding. Here are my suggestions for New Year's Resolutions for those who are engaged: ...read more.

"You may finish reading the article on About.com"


In The Spotlight - Is Provided by About.com "Wedding Section" is posted by Nina Callaway.