BUT…

Make sure you test the facial scrub months or weeks before your wedding day. You don’t want to use it a couple of days out from your special day, only to emerge as the Creature from the Blotch Lagoon!!!

If you have sensitive skin, an aversion to over-the-counter products, or you simply like to know what you’re putting on your body, here’s a home made facial scrub that you’ll love, and which will cover you for about ten applications…

Wedding Rose Facial Scrub

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons ground almonds
3 tablespoons oatmeal
3 tablespoons powdered milk
2 tablespoons powdered rose petals

Method:

1. Place the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Store in a sealed jar.

To use the facial scrub:

1.  Mix 1 tablespoon of the scrub with a little almond oil.
2. Dampen your face.
3. Gently rub the facial scrub onto your skin in a circular motion. Avoid the delicate skin around your eyes.
4. Splash your face with warm water to rinse the scrub completely from your face.
5. Gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel.

“There is no such thing as an ugly woman – only a lazy one”

What highly enlightened individual said that? I believe it was a make-over specialist for the stars. And there are no truer words spoken! And every single woman has the potential to be even more beautiful with a little help…

If you’re not comfortable with your complexion, then don’t despair – apply a sheen of foundation, or get a little fresh air and the teeniest bit of sunshine. You can try some Witch Hazel to clear skin of blemishes and blackheads.

If your waistline is hanging over your jeans and that makes you depressed, then take up walking or some other exercise. One woman bought one of those mini tramps and every evening bounced around on it while she watched her favourite TV shows. A month later she had trimmed her waistline, toned her legs and lost a goodly amount of weight. Not only that, she seemed to glow with vitality and was fit enough to climb the Storey Bridge with her workmates… and fit into the wedding gown of her dreams!

If your hair frizzes like a wild thing with its finger in a live electrical socket, and you’re embarassed about it, then maybe it’s time to visit the hairdresser for a trim. Take some time out to make a DIY hair conditioning treatment at home to further nourish your flowing mane.

If people cringe everytime you flash your nails, then sit down and manicure until you’re ready to apply for a job as a hand model.

If your breasts aren’t as perky as you’d like them to be and you hunch your shoulders hoping no one will notice, then use a push-up bra or wear something that you feel won’t highlight them. (Personally, I haven’t had ‘perky breasts’ since I was a teenager – and who cares???)

If the hair on your legs or under your arms has become a bidding zone for a logging corporation then shave, or wax, or use a delap cream next time you shower or bath.

If your skin is drying and you’re beginning to feel like a dinosaur, cut out the fizzy drinks (they can be dehydrating) and up your water intake – either as pure H2O or in the form of water-rich fruit (avoid juices – they can be fattening and give you an energy spike that leaves you feeling drained later as the pancreas over reacts to balance the sugar boost).

If the blackheads on your nose are starting to look like intergalatic black holes, then wet a face-washer and gently circle it on your skin. Alternatively, try an exfoliant scrub.

Just a little effort can make a big difference!

• Eyes can be accentuated with eye shadow – and even a bridal bouquet could match a brilliant eye cololour.
• Delicate arms and wrists could be shown off with a bracelet.
• Beautiful skin may not need much make-up at all.
• Exquisite lips can be defined wih a lip liner.
• A glorious mane of hair could be left free with just a few flowers pinned here and there.
• An attractive bust line can be accentuated with a plunging neckline (not too plunging!), or lead the eye with a long pendant.
• Lovely hands shouldn’t be hidden behind gloves.
• Gorgeous legs may invite a shorter bridal gown, or a tighter gown with a split either in back or the side.
• Entrancing shoulders may like the open air in an off-the-shoulder styled dress.
• Delicate ears don’t need to be overshadowed by long dangling or heavy earrings.
• A tiny waist could be accentuated by a large ribbon pulling into a bow at the back.

Work out what you like most about you – and do your best to show it off on your wedding day.

The choice of gloves in this picture are perfect. They are sheer, simple and elegant. You’ll notice too that the hairstyle, veil and dress too are sheer, simple and elegant.

The era is almost 40′s – simple and practical with no unnecessary accessories (bling), yet elegant and feminine.

The simpleness of the ‘outfit’ draws the eye to the hair acessory (the only ‘bling’ present) which frames the face… thus leading to it.

Perfect!

Step One:
Use a non-acetone nail polish remover to get rid of any lingering nail polish.

Step Two:
Use an emory board (not a hard metal nail file) to file your nails into shape. Don’t run the emory board backwards and forwards at a furious rate, you’ll over splinter the nail fibres. File gently one way from one corner of the nail to the centre, and then the other way from the other corner towards the centre. ie. file towards the centre of the nail.

Step Three:
Fill a small bowl with warm soapy water and allow your hands to soak for about a minute. You’ll probably feel like soaking for the next five minutes because it’s a very relaxing experience – but remember your fingers will shrivel up like prunes.

Step Four:
Pat dry your hands and fingers with a clean towel.

Step Five:
Use a good quality hand cream to massage your nails, fingers and hands. Take your time with this and enjoy the experience, and the trick is to not use too much cream.

Step Six:
If your cuticles are messy, push them back gently with a cotton bud or cuticle stick.

Step Seven:
Wipe your hands, fingers and nails with a damp towel and dry.

Step Eight:
Apply your favourite nail polish…

… and voila! Your nails will look lovely and you can show off your Engagement Ring or Wedding Ring with much flair.

If you don’t like wearing nail polish, you could always buff your nails. Get yourself a nail buff (usually under $10) and use the roughened section to ‘sand’ off any ridges in your nails. Then buff them to a glossy finish. This natural look shouts cleaniless and health.

You’ll receive a complimentary copy of the Complete Melbourne Wedding Guide and enjoy hair and makeup demonstrations, as well as view the Bridal products and services of over 50 of Melbourne’s top Wedding Specialists.

There is also a chance to win a magic honeymoon around the world with stop-overs in London, Paris, Rome and New York (valued at $10,000).

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2009

Times: 10am – 3pm
 
Location: Ballara Receptions, 1435 Main Road, Eltham North, Victoria, Australia

Free admission and parking.
 
At the foothills of the Yarra Valley, and featuring rose lined pathways, weeping willows, a tranquil fountain and lake, and a classic Victorian Estate, Ballara Receptions is truly the setting for romance.

To pre-book please contact Ballara Receptions at info [at] ballarareceptions [dot] com [dot] au or phone 03 9431 1503.

When you first get engaged, where do most of your friends and work colleagues’ eyes go? I can tell you now it’s not on that gorgeous sparkle in your eyes, nor is it that little bounce in your step, and it’s not even that glow of excitement that seems to emanate from every pore.

I can guarantee that almost every eye is on your left hand to check out that new Engagement Ring. And then the eye travels down the length of your fingers to your nails.

So, now it’s time to look after those nails.

Apart from the magic of a manicure, there are some nutritional steps you can take to beauty up those hands and nails as well.

Drink lots of clean, fresh water. Water helps to cleanse the body and hydrate – something that in always mirrored in the health of your skin and nails.

It is said that you can strengthen your nails by eating foods rich in iron, including green leafy vegetables (including spinach – of course! didn’t you watch Popeye as a kid??? as well as Bok Choy, etc.), wholegrain cereals, dried apricots and meat.

To help the body to absorb that iron efficiently, it is wise to also eat foods rich in Vitamin C. These foods include oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, broccoli and capsicum.

If you suffer from brittle nails add some chickpeas or tofu into your weekly diet.

And voila! Beautiful nails that you won’t be embarassed about flashing around – well adorned with that gorgeous new Engagement Ring.

Make sure you get there early as the fhe first 300 brides to attend receive a complimentry:

• copy of the 2009 edition of the Your Wedding Magazine
• Brides Showbag containing valuable wedding planning tips

… as well as a collection of lucky door prizes.

Date: Sunday May 17th 2009

Location: Diggers at the Entrance, 315 The Entrance Road, The Entrance NSW

Times: 10am -3pm

Free admission and parking.

While you’re browsing through the expo be sure to take some time out to view the venue’s grounds and beautiful lake. You might even consider Diggers at the Entrace for your wedding reception; they’ve gained a reputation for delicious cuisine, top service, and the flexibility to cater for a wide range of clientele.

When we came out of our reception and found that our car had been decorated, my husband and I laughed – we loved the streamers and balloons. Hubby was a bit concerned about the thickly decorated windscreen though. We got in and struggled to get to our wedding night’s accommodation peering through the writing that covered the windscreen. Hubby attempted to wipe some of the writing off, but it merely smered across the window surface.

The next morning when we planned to take off on our honeymoon on the glorious Gold Coast (a 2 and half hour drive) we discovered that someone in their infinite wisdom had used a candle to write on the windows. We had to beg a sponge, soapy water, and bucket from our hotel and then spent nearly an hour trying to get the candle wax off… not happy!

But I guess it could have been worse…

One groom specifically asked that their wedding car be left alone – he had borrowed his father’s LTD for the occasion. During the reception some idiot decorated the car with tooth-paste… which by the afternoon of the next day had lightened areas of the paint work.   The car had to get a new paint job.

When decorating the car, be smart!

• Find out if the vehicle is hired. If so, be more conservative with the decorating – avoid putting anything on the paint work.
• Don’t write all over the windscreen or rear window, as this can make driving the vehicle dangerous.
• NEVER write on the vehicle with anything that is abrasive. Use the window markers that are used when selling a car or liquid chalk.
• Attach ribbon, streamers, pom poms and balloons around the car - once again don’t block the vision of the driver.
• Thread streamers through the hub caps.
• And cans attached to the rear bumper or tow bar are still very popular today.

You can also buy Wedding Car Decoration Kits which have everything you need.

An increasingly common event upon returning from a honeymoon is the ‘trash the dress’ phenomenon.

Basically the bride (and often the groom) dress in their wedding finery again, and ‘trash it all’. The ritual is captured on camera, with some gorgeous photos as a result… well, in some cases anyway!

Here are some of the ways people have ‘trashed’ their wedding coutoure:

• wearing their gowns and tux’s into the surf
• painting each other
• paintballing 
• rolling down a hillside
• cutting it into shreds
• setting the dress on fire (hopefully while they’re not wearing it!)… and my favourite…
• having a mud fight… can you imagine that!!!