Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I Scream, You Scream...




Howdy Folks-
Since the weather has finally taken a warm turn, it has gotten me thinking about ideas for hot summer weddings. I got married in the heat of the Tennessee summer on July 30th and I wish I had thought of some additional refreshing treats for my guests besides the bar;) I know it’s only May, but if you live in the South, it will get scorching before you know it. And what does everyone want to eat when it’s blazing outside…ICE CREAM! Everyone loves ice cream right??? Simple money-saving flavor suggestions could include classic vanilla and chocolate and then choose a signature flavor that coordinates with your wedding decor colors. Similar to a candy bar, provide tons of toppings like sprinkles (of course), gummy bears, marshmallows, assorted nuts…geez I’m getting hungry. If ice cream isn’t your thing, specialty popsicles can also be a nice touch. Fresh fruit pops, push up pops, (you get the picture), can provide some much-needed cooling off, especially if your reception is outside. Just coordinate the details with your caterer ahead of time so they can come equipped with an industrial sized freezer and your dreams of an indulgent wedding treat becomes reality.



Happy Planning- Shanna





Sunday, May 16, 2010

Best Waterproof Mascara



Hey Everybody-
In doing a lot of makeup for weddings, I often get the request for waterproof mascara. This has made me cringe for so long because waterproof mascara has, well…a reputation. And with that being said, there are so many mascaras out there that can do fabulous things for even the shortest most sparse lashes and waterproof mascaras were not part of that fabulous crowd! So, in my pursuit of finding a good waterproof mascara, I decided to give the classic a try-yes I’m talking about Maybelline Great Lash. You know one of those pink tubes of mascara that has been around since the beginning of time??? But I was pleasantly surprised! Majorly suprised, at how easy it was to work with. How buildable the coverage was. Yes I said buildable. I know that when applying most waterproof mascaras, you get one shot to get it right before it hardens (it doesn’t dry-it really hardens), but not Maybelline Great Lash. It actually allows you to go back for a second coat and it doesn’t start flaking. Here is a link that I ran across today for some more suggestions on waterproof mascara-it is from Good Housekeeping where they research EVERYTHING! Click HereBut don’t worry, if you’re still stuck on your old mascara after looking over the reviews, there is still another option for you. Some cosmetic companies make a “rain coat”, which can make any mascara waterproof. Just remember if you use these waterproofing products don’t forget to coat EVERY LASH!
Happy Planning- Shanna

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Photo-Finish Makeup



Having a good palette helps the artist create a wonderful masterpiece. With this being said, I can’t stress enough the importance of a good foundation. Especially if you are getting married and you are having pictures made! You’ve seen the unfortunate shots of ladies who look like their face is pale and their neck is tan…well this is a result of foundation/base or powder that doesn’t have light-adjusting technology to help skin look flawless in any light (including FLASH)! So remember, your makeup will only look as good as what is on the underneath!


Happy Planning- Shanna





Monday, May 10, 2010

Bridal Accessories: Dress Up Your Dress



Howdy Yall-


With all the talk of the economy still in a downward spiral, blah blah blah…Right? But, unfortunately it is our reality right now, so we have to improvise to make our weddings what we want them to be, without actually breaking the bank. A great way to save cash and still show your unique sense of style is through your bridal gown and your bridal accessories. A smart tip for choosing a wedding dress on a budget is at a sample sale. Call your local bridal salons and ask about trunk shows in your area. Sometimes you can really luck out and find a designer that you already like, either in your town or a couple of hours down the road. Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile for your dress, especially if it will save you money! Now, step two…if you are lucky enough to find an affordable dress within your price range, sometimes you have to sacrifice a few details that you really wanted, right??? WRONG! There are options ladies. In Knoxville particularly there is a great little shop called The White Orchid that specializes in custom wedding gowns and accessories. You can add that “little something” to your dress by allowing an expert at a custom shop like The White Orchid, design unique embellishments for your dress. You can even jazz up your look by choosing one-of-a-kind accessories from their showroom. Visiting vintage jewelry stores and shopping on e-bay for fun accessories can also prove to be very successful in your money-saving pursuit. Hot trends to look for right now are bird-cage head pieces, vintage jeweled brooches and fabric flowers, which can take an ordinary gown and transform it into something extraordinary. The sky’s the limit when you let your imagination take control. Remember money may control your budget, but not your creativity!

Happy Planning- Shanna

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Cool Tips For Applying Eyeliner

If you’ve ever questioned your eyeliner application…should I put it on the top and bottom?…top and half-way on the bottom?…top only?…tails or no tails?, well here are your answers. Check out this link from AOL.com which answers a lot of the eyeliner mysteries that we all face. I hope this helps you find the right application for your eye shape!


Happy Planning- Shanna


http://www.stylelist.com/2010/03/24/spring-beauty-trend-how-to-flirty-eyeliner/?icid=mainmaindl3link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stylelist.com%2F2010%2F03%2F24%2Fspring-beauty-trend-how-to-flirty-eyeliner%2F

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Wedding Favors: Candy Bars




One of the cutest wedding ideas that I have seen first hand is having a candy bar for your guests to indulge in! These sweet treats can also serve as your wedding favors by supplying cello bags and ribbon for your guests to take home all the left over candy. Candy bars are also a very inexpensive way to provide a second dessert option for your guests other than your traditional wedding cake. Simply go to a local candy store and choose your favorite candies and you can even color coordinate them with your wedding theme. Purchase some inexpensive glass containers and use a little creativity by displaying the containers at different heights on your favor table. It’s as simple as that and EVERYONE is sure to love it!
Happy Planning- Shanna