Swimming Is A Good Exercise For Weight Loss: Best Workout

Swimming Is A Good Exercise For Weight Loss: Best Workout

Weight Loss Tips come in many forms, but one excellent tip is to swim! My last post talked about dancing as a great form of exercise to lose weight. In order for a person to lose weight, engaging in a weight loss program is not enough. He must also exercise regularly. Most of the time, dieters take a stroll around the park or jog for 30 minutes to an hour. Running burns fat. But some dieters try out another sport – swimming.

Swimming as a way to lose weight is advisable for good swimmers. Good swimmers have already developed a rhythm in each stroke of their hands and therefore they burn fat in a graceful manner. This post I’ll talk about the many advantages in the fight against the flab that swimming has over other forms of exercise and provide some good ideas in the form of swimming tips for weight loss.

* Improve your swimming technique and formal strokes. It sounds obvious, but studies have shown that serious swimmers – whose movements in the water are smooth and natural–burn considerably more calories than unskilled swimmers who simply paddle around. The better you get at swimming, the more effectively it helps you lose weight.
* Alternate between more intensive swimming styles, like freestyle or butterfly, and more leisurely swimming styles, like breaststroke, backstroke or sidestroke. For instance, you could do 3 laps of freestyle and then 1 lap of breaststroke. This will increase and decrease your heart rate, helping you to burn calories more efficiently.
* Watch the clock while you swim. Gauge the time it takes you to complete a lap and work on improving it consistently. Like running and similar activities, increasing your speed will allow you to burn more calories.
* Start swimming slowly and build up your routine up over time. Begin with two or three swimming sessions a week – for about 60 minutes at a time – then build up to four or five sessions a week, then six or seven sessions. Similarly, work at swimming steadily for 30 seconds before taking a 30-second breather, then advance to swimming steadily for 45 seconds, then a minute. Efficient swimmers will complete a set of 20 to 30 laps without stopping.
* Watch your appetite. Many swimmers report feeling hungry after their workout – unlike cycling or running, which tends to reduce one’s appetite. Take care not to put those burned calories back on by eating a big meal after swimming.
* Keep at it. Consistency is the biggest factor involved in weight loss. If you enjoy swimming and find it easier to exercise that way than by running or biking, then you may lose more pounds overall than you would through another form of exercise.
* Use a partner or a swimming group to keep you motivated. Not only can they help you establish a routine and be consistent in your swimming, but trained swimmers can offer advice on improving your technique, and friendly competition can move you towards improving yourself much more quickly.

The key to losing weight is to have the determination to do so. As long as you continue with this healthier lifestyle which includes swimming every other day, you will shed off those unwanted pounds in no time.

Weight Loss With Apple Cider Vinegar: Information

Weight Loss With Apple Cider Vinegar: Information

Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss is the latest buzzword around the fitness and weight-loss industry. Most people think that the apple cider vinegar diet is a new invention. In fact it is quite old, just now returning to popularity. The health benefits of apples have been immortalized with the adage, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’. Apples contain various vitamins and minerals and above all, pectin, a soluble fiber.

But according to the proponents of apple cider vinegar, this product is far more healthy than apples, the raw material used to make it. Apple cider vinegar, which is produced by the fermentation of whole apples, has long been used as a health supplement, as it is rich in vitamins and minerals, enzymes, amino acids and pectin.

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Vinegar has been used throughout the centuries for various purposes, like making pickles, adding to salads, cleaning utensils, killing weeds, etc. But the therapeutic uses of vinegar can be traced back to the Biblical times, when vinegar was used widely to treat infections. But, recently, the health benefits of apple cider vinegar have been identified and this product, obtained from the fermentation of apples, has been used as a health aid, which is claimed to be devoid of side effects.

As stated above, apple cider vinegar is rich in vitamins, like, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin, A, vitamin P, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6. It also contains minerals like manganese, iron, calcium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, phosphorus, silicon, chlorine and fluorine. Apart from the vitamins and minerals, apple cider vinegar also contains many enzymes, amino acids, potash,alcoholic acids, propionic acid, pectin, etc, which are beneficial for the human body. Hence, it is considered to the best diet supplement. It is also claimed that it can lower blood cholesterol, help digestion, lower blood pressure, strengthen the heart, normalize blood sugar and prevent cancer. Apple cider vinegar is also considered to be good for preventing leg cramps, dandruff, arthritis etc. and to flush out harmful toxins from the body.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss

A weight loss diet plan was introduced in the 1970s, which was called apple cider vinegar lecithin kelp diet. This weight loss diet plan was a combination of apple cider vinegar, kelp, lecithin and vitamin B6. The proponents of this program claimed that this diet plan can promote the body metabolism, which can result in burning the fat faster than normal. But nowadays, the whole concept has been changed with the proponents vouching on apple cider vinegar’s ability to make you achieve weight loss. It is suggested that in order to achieve weight loss, you have to start with one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar before every meal and gradually increase the quantity to two and three teaspoons.

Apple Cider Vinegar – How it Works

There is no proven theory to establish the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar for weight loss. It is believed that the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and other ingredients in apple cider vinegar jointly act to increase the rate of metabolism, reduce water retention and also suppress the appetite. If consumed before meals, it can cause a sensation of fullness, which prevents the user from having food for a long time. According to some recent medical researches, vinegar slows down the rise of blood sugar and insulin levels, after a meal. It is believed that the feeling of fullness is due to the acetic acid content in apple cider vinegar. It is also recommended that for adopting an apple cider vinegar diet, you have to use a product, which is made from the double fermentation of whole apples. It should not be distilled, filtered or pasteurized, as these processes can spoil the beneficial ingredients of apple cider vinegar.

The rate of weight loss can vary from one person to another, but in general, it would be gradual, but permanent. It may take around two years to achieve any significant weight loss. It is very important to take the recommended doses, as high doses can be harmful to the body. However, it is always better to seek the advice of your doctor before adopting an apple cider vinegar weight loss routine.

Warnings

* Always check with your doctor before starting any weight loss and exercise program.
* Always check with a doctor before changing your diet if you’re taking any prescriptions. Apple cider vinegar may interact with some medications.
* Be wary of apple cider vinegar pills. They may not be effective.
* Drinking too much apple cider vinegar may have negative effects.

Skin Care With Fruits: Enjoy The Magic Of Nature

Skin Care With Fruits: Enjoy The Magic Of Nature

Are you one of those ladies who are dying to look like their favorite personalities – with their long legs, great bodies and perfect skin? Do you want to have great skin to show off to your friends but are hesitant to use commercial skin care products for one reason or the other? Do you constantly check yourself in the mirror and wish that you could make some improvements in your appearance without having to spend too much?

Applying fruits or fruit juices to your skin or ingesting them can relieve skin afflictions like rashes, eczema, dry skin, dandruff and oily skin.

Acne

Cucumber, apples, grapefruit and papaya are home remedies for acne. You can apply the fresh juice of these fruits or apple cider vinegar to your acne – afflicted skin, let it set, and then rinse. Mash or blend any of these fruits, or combination of, to make a mask.

Dandruff

Make a mixture of half apple juice and half warm water and apply it to your scalp to treat dandruff. Let the mixture sit on your scalp for 15 minutes and then rinse. Rub lemon juice on your scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes before you wash your hair. Use either of these methods two or three times a week until your dandruff is gone.

Dry Skin

Avocado is a natural moisturizer and mashed avocado is the right consistency for a mask. Apply the mashed fruit to dry skin as a moisturizer. Add a cup of apple juice, a cup of apple cider vinegar, or a few tablespoons of lemon juice to your bath to soften your skin. Apply apples or lemons directly to dry areas like your knees, elbows and heels as well.

Healthy Fruits for Skin Care

Citrus Fruits

Cleansers and masks made with citrus fruits can prevent oiliness. The peels in particular are a common ingredient in scrubs. The slightly acidic boost is invigorating for your skin, making citrus fruit-based cleansers ideal for morning use to help “wake up” your skin.

Lemon juice can be used to lighten dark spots—simply dab a cotton ball soaked in lemon juice to affected areas whenever needed.

Pineapple

If you have dry elbows, a quick fix is to use fresh pineapple. Mash up about half a cup of pineapple and cover your elbows with it. Rinse off with warm water about fifteen minutes later and finish with a layer of lotion. The pineapple will rejuvenate your skin and slough away dead skin cells, leaving your elbows soft and glowing.

Red Grapes

Red grapes are naturally packed with lots of antioxidants, which will promote healthy skin in general. To brighten and refresh your complexion, massage mashed red grapes into your face and leave on for ten minutes, before washing away with warm water and patting dry.

Papaya

Papaya is packed with vitamin A and can repair your skin cells. For a vibrant and clean-feeling boost, mash a fresh, ripe papaya in a bowl and slather all over your face. Leave on for fifteen minutes. Gently wash away with warm water and dry gently.

Avocado

The avocado is one of nature’s best moisturizers. If you have a particularly dry face, avocado can infuse your skin with healthy moisture. Mash half an avocado and apply to your dry spots only excessive use where it’s not needed could cause your skin to end up oily. Rinse off fifteen minutes later, and skip any lotion you regularly use on your face.

Apples

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! And while you’re at it, mix one tablespoon of freshly squeezed apple juice with one fourth teaspoon of lime juice. It can be a very refreshing tonic for your skin and a great skin care treatment for oily skin! And don’t throw away the peel, either. You can use it as an effective skin cleanser.

Avocado

Well, yes! You can use avocados in taking care of your dry skin with a great degree of effectiveness! Avocados have the reputation of being very good natural moisturizers. For a quick fix, mash about half a cup of avocado and apply it on your skin. Leave it on for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with water.

Peaches

Peaches are one of the fruits that serve as an excellent skin care solution for virtually all skin types. So, whenever you eat peaches, be sure to reserve the peel and use it as a part of your daily skin care ritual. To get the most out of this fruity skin care treatment, gently massage the inner part of the peel on your face for a few minutes before you retire for the night. This will provide a thorough cleansing action on your skin and take off all the dirt that might have accumulated in your pores during the day. Plus, it effectively tightens the muscles of your face providing you an instant lift without the needles!

Tangerine

If you want to enjoy a naturally glowing complexion, try adding tangerine to your daily skin care ritual! Just squeeze enough juice from a tangerine and apply it liberally on your face and neck. Do this regularly and soon enough, you’ll have a skin that can be the envy of your friends!

Watermelon

To effectively remove those unsightly blemishes on your skin, try applying fresh watermelon juice. Simply extract enough juice from a small slice of watermelon and apply it over your face and neck. Leave it on for about fifteen minutes to get the best results. Rinse the juice off your face and neck using warm water. Splash your face and neck with cold water after wards to close your pores.

Get Beautiful Healthy Looking Skin: Asian Skin Care Tips

Get Beautiful Healthy Looking Skin: Asian Skin Care Tips

Asian skin is particularly sensitive in certain aspects because its genetic makeup is physically different from other skin types. Those of Asian decent commonly are sensitive to the sun and are especially prone to pigmentation problems. For this reason it’s best to take a few extra precautions throughout daily activity.

Asian skin is usually yellowish; the skin tone of a person varies according to the region of origin. Excessive melanin contributes to the yellow color; also excessive melanin in the skin weaves a protection against skin cancer. In spite of excessive melanin content Asians are prone to pigmentation, age spots, freckles, etc due to severe climatic conditions. Aging does not show up as wrinkles in Asians but rather as hyper pigmentation, dark spots, uneven skin tones, freckles, etc.

Common Skin Conditions Faced By The Asians

Acne

The weather in most Asian countries is hot and humid or warm thus Asians are more prone to acne. Their skin turns oily therefore clogging the pores and producing acne. Asians have larger pores when compared to others hence they are more often prone to skin irritations and acne. Regular exfoliation will help control acne.

Skin Pigmentation or Dark Spots

Pigmentation occurs earlier in Asians, regular exposure to sun causes pigmentation and dark spots. Using a sunscreen will help control pigmentation and dark spots.

Dryness of Skin

Extreme climatic conditions affect the skin very badly. During summer, the oil secretion is too high whereas during winter the oil secretion is minimal and this causes dryness of the skin.

Irritation of Skin

Asian skin is very sensitive, thus cosmetic products designed for Caucasians can cause irritation to the Asian skin. Stress is another major factor contributing to skin heath; excessive stress, hormonal imbalance, and any other factor within the body can cause irritation to the skin.

Asian Akin Care Regular Skin Care Routine

* Wash your face regularly with a mild face wash. If your skin is too oily then wash your face more often.
* Cleanse your face daily, if your skin type is oily cleanse more than once. Choose a cleanser that will suit your skin type in particular. For sensitive and dry skin use a moisturizing cleanser.
* Use a mild scrub to clean your skin deeply. It is advisable to use facial scrub only twice a week.
* Toning will remove dirt, if any, left behind after cleansing. Toning the skin will help the skin benefit from other products, toning should be done after cleansing the face. For oily skin, toning has to be twice a day, for dry skin toning has to be done once a day. Toning helps in reducing the pores and balances the pH level in the skin.
* For dry skin use a moisturizer, use it repeatedly through the day as per your skin requirements. For people with oily skin use an oil-free and light moisturizer.
* Wear a sunscreen with SPF 15 to 30 for protection from sunrays. If you spend more time in the sunlight use a stronger sunscreen. Sunscreen prevents wrinkles, dark spots, pre – mature aging and skin cancer.
* In the evening cleanse your face again and use a rejuvenating product such as retinoid, beta hydroxy acids, kinerase, antioxidant, alpha hydroxy acids, etc. Asians skin is more sensitive to alpha hydroxy acid than beta hydroxy acid.

Don’ts For Asian Skin Care

* Do not use scented products for sensitive skin; all herbal products are not always natural. Please check before you buy one.
* While choosing a moisturizer, check if it has any clogging agent that can block the pores in your skin. Avoid moisturizers with Vitamin A or retinol as they can dry your skin further. Also avoid Vaseline type of moisturizer as it can be oily and thus produce acnes in your skin.
* People with a dark skin should also use a sunscreen for protection from sun; it is a myth that they don’t need a sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with SPF 4.
* Never buy an over the counter product for treating skin conditions, this may worsen the existing problem.

Specialized Skin Care Nourishing

Skin has to be nourished with powerful antioxidants so as to counterbalance free radicals that damage and age the skin prematurely. Nourishing the skin helps to maintain the skin health and youthfulness.

Treating

Treating the skin fights premature aging of the skin when key skin components, structure or functions get affected. Skin treating products help revitalizing the key skin components.

Refinishing

This helps in brightening dull, rough, and dry skin. Refinishing can resurface and polish the skin to bring out a radiant complexion. Resurfacing of the skin can also be done using laser treatment; this will reduce mild photo damage, acne, melasma, etc.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation will remove the dead cells and give the skin a smooth and youthful look. This step in fact stimulates cell renewal process and can be repeated twice a week.

Applying Mask

A concentrated application of the key ingredient for a long time will help the skin in various ways. Using a mask will help the skin to receive essential nutrients that the skin has been deprived off. Few masks can also draw out impurities from the skin. Peels with light chemicals like amino fruit acid, glycolic, etc can help in skin smoothening.

Rejuvenation

Stimulating the skin is another important step to induce life into dull skin. Revitalizing helps in promoting cellular energy too and should be done once a week after cleansing the face.

Healthy skin care tips for Asians: Eating a balanced and nutritious diet will contribute to the health and glow of your skin.

Eat The Below Mentioned Generously.

1. Milk
2. Honey
3. Yoghurt
4. Grains
5. Fresh fruits and vegetables
6. Nuts
7. Supplements like Vitamin E

* Drink plenty of water, eight glasses of water per day will cleanse your system, flush toxins and lend your skin a glowing look.
* Relax well, sleep for at least eight hours in the night. This will relax your system and give you a comfortable feeling thus improving your overall skin condition.
* Exercise will help you maintain your body firmness thus giving you a healthy skin.
* Use a branded product for your skin and always remember to try it before you begin using it continuously.
* Avoid smoking and drinking as this can cause harm to your skin health by dehydrating your skin and also causing premature aging.

Lips Need Special Attention: Lips Care Tips During Winter

Lips Need Special Attention: Lips Care Tips During Winter



Soft and smooth lips figure among the foremost indicators of physical beauty. The skin on lips lack oil glands; hence they tend to get dry and cracked easily. You have to take special care of your lips to maintain its requisite moisture level. Your lips need special attention during winter.?

Moisturize The Lips

Your lips should be moisturized around the clock. It is recommended to wear a hygiene lipstick under your cosmetics lipstick. It helps protect lips from drying and cracks.

Lip balm makes a perfect care for the lips in cold and windy seasons (it would be great if you had a balm formula with hyaluronic acid). The balm provides hygienic and healing effects. It does nourish, moisturize, protects from wind and frost, give the lips a natural gloss and elasticity, heal up cracks and sores.

No Lip Makeup in Winter

It is better to cut down on beauty lipstick use in cold season. Coloring agents in lipsticks fret at sores, exposing the lips to inflammation. If you can’t help using your favorite lipstick, make sure you apply hygiene one first. Lips gloss is certainly a bad idea as low temperatures make it thicker, which causes dry lips.

Avoid Long Lasting Lipstick

You should be careful about using long lasting lipsticks, too. Since they don’t have any moisturizers, these lipsticks dry your lips even more. In addition, their formulas contain components and coloring agents which clog the pores. It results in suffocated and dehydrated lip skin. Therefore, use long lasting lipsticks for special occasions only. Before bed, remove lipstick with herbal cleanser or alcohol-free tonic and apply something to nourish them.

Know Your Beauty Products

Study the labels of beauty products for lips you are going to use – in winter, you don’t want the formulas with glycerin, petrochemicals, alcohol and menthol. Stay away from skin creams with drying effect as it may affect your lips. The products which contain bensoperoxide, salicylic acid and retin A are particularly dangerous.

What Causes Cracked Lips?

If disastrous condition of your lips is caused by allergy, stop using allergy-causing products immediately. It may be a cinnamate in toothpaste and oxybenzone in sunscreens, including lip balms with UV-protection.
Home Remedies for Cracked Lips.

Besides modern cosmetics, you can also resort to home remedies, though they are less effective. Anyway, use vegetable oil (olive oil is even better) for softer lips. Chapped and dry lips need honey, cucumber juice and sea buckthorn oil.

Homemade Masks to Prevent Cracked Lips

Make lip masks few times a week. There is a wide range of ingredients you can use for your mask: cottage cheese and cream; grated apple and milk; honey; olive oil and beet juice.

Watch Your Diet

Applying masks and beauty products is not enough for healthy lips. You have to follow the right diet. Fatty and spicy food as well as alcohol is strictly excluded. Drink 1.5-2 liters of water every day. Enrich your diet with red meat, oatmeal, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruit. Above-mentioned diet is an excellent source of vitamins A, E, K and group B.

Don’t forget about diary products. Ferments and bacteria in salvia may trigger cracks in the corners of the mouth. Milk provides elements neutralizing these bacteria.

Licking Lips Habit

The nervous habit of licking your lips may also get bacteria to them. Besides, as the moisture evaporates, your lips will become drier. If you have this bad habit, apply bitter castor oil or aloe juice to the lips and your habit disappears as if by magic.

If you’ve provided the proper care for your lips, but the problems won’t go away, consult dermatologist. The reason may be autoimmune disorders or infectious diseases like cold sores, bacterial affections or candidosis.

How to Apply Purple Eyeshadow: Effective Tips of the Day!

How to Apply Purple Eyeshadow: Effective Tips of the Day!

Eye shadows are certainly eye catching on the entire face. It is like fun to experiment with eye shadows, eye liners, pencils, paints,and powders but most women just want to know what is right for them. Always choose neutral colors for eyeshadow to subtly enhance your looks, or play with kaleidoscope of different shades to contrast with and dramatize your coloring.

Purple eyeshadow was a trend that began in the 80's and is still popular today. With purple eyeshadow you can create a number of looks ranging from a hard core party girl look, to look that is soft, light and elegant. Purple eyeshadow tends to complement users with brown, green and hazel eyes best. But don’t let that discourage you, sometimes combining purple with your baby blues has just the right contrast for a look that is stunning and stylish.

Regardless of how darkly pigmented purple eyeshadow appears in it packaging, it is possible to wear it without leaving a mess all over your eyes. If you want to avoid the bruised look that purple sometimes creates when used as an eyeshadow, just stay away from reddish purples and opt instead for brownish or deep hued purples with a bluish tinge. A warm, rich berry, in
particular, is universally flattering, and is always stylish during the fall and winter.

Purple Eye Shadows for Olive Skin:

To avoid purple eyeshadow clashing with olive skin tones, use matte, subdued shades of purple, including pastels. These shades also make brown and green eyes pop. Give cheeks a swipe of a sheer, peachy blush.

    * Clinique Stay Matte Eyeshadow in Night Plum
    * MAC Eyeshadow in Purple Haze
    * Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow in Spontaneous

Purple Eye Shadows for Dark Skin:

I am in this category, and I am totally in love with deep, plum-y purples as well as shimmery lilacs. For cheeks I like to contour with a deep brown powder then apply a coral blush to the apples of your cheeks.

    * Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow in Color du Jour
    * Maybelline Eyeshadow in Amethyst
    * MAC Eyeshadow in Shale

Wearing Purple Eye Shadow Properly:

You think purple eyeshadow is just a thing of the past … but with the right tips and techniques, you can rock it in any of your events all year round. The trick to properly wearing purple eyeshadow is to combine it with the neutral shades in your makeup palette or eyeshadow palette like browns, tans, taupes, and golds.

Bluish lavender is your best bet for a fresh and modern look. Use a concealer to hide any circles under your eyes. Subtle colors on your lips and cheeks would finish it all perfectly.

Quick Tips for Purple Eye Shadow:

    * The most flattering purple is bluish lavender. Fuchsia is the least flattering.
    * Always combine purples with other neutrals (golds, tans, taupes, browns) to avoid overkill.
    * Avoid 80s candy colors like full on pink blush and lips or you risk looking.
    * Minimize under eye discoloration with concealer and use Visine to take any redness out of eyes, unless that I Just Got Punched in the Face look is what you’re going for.

Advice:

Give your cheeks and lips subtle color to keep the rest of your face from looking naked. Soft pink hues are appropriate for those with cool undertones; go with a peachy-pink blush and lip color, on the other hand, if you have warm undertones.

The Best Wedding Gift Ideas For A Couple: Make It Unique

The Best Wedding Gift Ideas For A Couple: Make It Unique

The wedding bliss is experienced by nearly all and the memories of wedding stay with us forever. Wedding should be celebrated in all vibrancy, with the wedding gift ideas spicing up the occasion. We are all aware of the idea that all good things in life are celebrated with gifts, thus gifts for wedding should be equally exciting.

Remember one important thing that gifts should always come straight from your heart and one should not judge gifts by the monetary value. The essential essence of wedding gifts ideas is in the thought and feelings that is associated with it. Wedding gift ideas can be unique symbolizing your love and concern.

Money

Yes it’s true; while it may seem impersonal or uncreative, money is my number one recommended wedding gift. Most young couples are saving for something big, a house, a car, a piece of furniture, or are still paying back their student loans. Money may also help them have an extra-special honeymoon or let them order that extra photo for their album. While it’s rude for a couple to ask for money, it is never rude to give cash. If you still want to give a personal wedding gift, combine the two: attach a check to a beautiful picture frame, a kitchen gadget, or a long letter detailing your wishes and advice for their marriage.

An Expensive Item Off Of Their Registry

Often the more-expensive items on a couple’s registry are dream wedding gifts that they don’t think they’re actually going to get. Whether you’re wealthy enough to buy such a wedding gift on your own, or you organize other guests to all chip in, you’ll be making dreams come true.

A Luxurious Hotel Room For Their First Night as a Married Couple

Start their marriage off right by giving them a night to remember before they take off for their honeymoon. Check with the bride’s mother or the maid-of-honor to ensure reservations have not already been made, and give your gift early so that they’ll be able to include it in their plans.

A Wedding Gift to Stand The Test of Time

Whether it’s a bottle of scotch or fine wine with instructions to open on their tenth anniversary, a gorgeous vase, or piece of art, give a gift on which the couple will be able to look fondly and say “Our friend John gave us that for our wedding.” Other ideas include the couple’s wedding invitation in a beautiful frame, a handmade quilt or tablecloth, or an antique piece of furniture.

Make Their Honeymoon Extra Sweet

If you’ve ever been to the place where the couple is honeymooning, use that knowledge to get them a gift certificate for your favorite restaurant or resort activity. You could also upgrade their plane tickets to first class, give them a camera to help them take great pictures, or give them some spending money tucked inside a guidebook of the area.

Gift On Wedding For A Lifetime

It could either be a bottle of scotch or some vintage wine. These are gifts that shall always create a lasting impression – could be a gorgeous vase, a piece of art, or any other kind of memento that one can hold dear till eternity. The best gift option on a wedding could be the couple’s wedding invitation framed beautifully, a handmade quilt or tablecloth, or even an antique piece of furniture.

How To Pick The Right Wedding Dress For Your Body

How To Pick The Right Wedding Dress For Your Body

Buying a wedding dress can be an arduous process. On average, a bride will try on about 16 or 17 gowns before finding the perfect dress. Start the process at least seven months prior to the wedding if you are having the dress made. One of the first things you probably picture when envisioning your wedding is the dress. But before you start shopping for a wedding dress, it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for.

Do Your Research

Before you even begin to look around, research gowns. You should always have a bit of knowledge about dresses (and know some of the lingo) before you even set foot into a bridal shop. There are also many bridal magazines that will provide a ton of information, including Brides, Modern Bride, Bridal Guide, Wedding Bells, etc. All of these magazines have websites, where you can find quick information without paying for the magazine.

Decide On A Silhouette

Wedding dresses are made in several different silhouettes. Before considering anything else, know which type of gown will flatter your figure the best. Look at photos of each type. You can browse wedding website message boards and member profiles for photos of real women wearing gowns, rather than relying on professional photos of models wearing them.

* Ball gowns have very full skirts and generally will look beautiful on any body type, unless the bride is very short and small. In this case, it may be overwhelming to her small frame. Ball gowns generally either have crinolines built in or a slip you must wear to support the shape of the gown. Be advised that this extra fabric can be heavy and bulky and will require extra care to wear.
* A-lines usually have a fitted bodice with a skirt that flares gently from the waist to form an “A” shape. They generally work for everyone as well, and are a terrific choice for someone who would like to hide lower body flaws, but does not want a ball gown. A-lines are not as full as ball gowns.
* Sheaths flatter women with slim, balanced figures. They shouldn’t be worn by brides who dislike their figures. This gown will not hide any flaws. If you think your thighs or butt are too big, you’ll be miserable in this type of dress. Don’t try to pull it off because you found a gown you love in this style. You don’t want to risk being uncomfortable or self conscious on your wedding day, or regretting your choice every time you look at wedding photos.
* Empire waist gowns have a skirt that falls from just below the breasts. Although usually listed with various waistline types and not always considered a type of silhouette, they are a wonderful choice for a casual, non-formal wedding, or weddings in a tropical climate. They’re usually made of light, flowing fabric. They’re also excellent for pregnant brides, because they provide extra room in the waist, making them a comfortable choice. They also won’t draw as much attention to the belly as a dress with a lower waistline would.

Envision Your Wedding

Picture yourself on your wedding day. What are you wearing? What silhouette is your gown? What fabric? Is it embroidered or beaded? What color is it? With so many choices for the dress, it can be overwhelming to look through hundreds or thousands of them. Some brides have said that after looking through racks and racks of dresses, they all begin to look the same. So before you even set out to try them on, envision your wedding day and how your dress looks, and jot down a list of things that describe the dress of your daydreams. You don’t have to know all the wedding dress terms. Just write down a description of the gown you’re envisioning. Example list: “princessy, satin, some shade of white but not pure white, spaghetti straps.”

Consider The Circumstances

A wide variety of factors can affect what makes a particular dress appropriate to the occasion.

* Formal ceremonies usually call for floor length gowns and long trains, while informal ceremonies (especially destination weddings) are a terrific place to wear a shorter gown without a train at all (or a “sweep” train, which just barely brushes the floor). Another example: in some cases, strapless gowns are considered inappropriate for very formal ceremonies.
* If you’re getting married in the winter, you may not want to be a very light, thin fabric unless you plan to be inside the entire time. If you’re having a beach wedding in the middle of July, you may not want to wear a heavy fabric like duchess satin.
* While the most traditional ceremonies will call for a white gown, in many cases, wedding dresses don’t have to be pure white anymore! Many women choose dress colors that best complement their skin tones, ranging from diamond white to ivory to champagne to actual colors (pink, blue, red). Pick the color you feel most beautiful in.

Decide On A Budget

When deciding on your budget, you don’t need to set a very specific price. Just make it a general range, such as $1000 – $1500, or even $1000 – $2000. You can always break this rule later if you’re able to and really want to, but it helps to have a general range. Some experts suggest devoting 10% of the overall wedding budget to the bride’s attire. Just be sure to remember that “attire” includes not just the gown itself, but the other stuff: veil, shoes, slip, jewelry, gloves, etc. All of these things are optional, of course (except for the slip, which is usually necessary to keep the dress from going between your legs when you walk). But you’ll have to factor in the price of whatever items you decide to wear with your gown.