Recently I rented "Mansome" on Apple TV. I saw the trailer for it a while back randomly - let's be real, I probably saw it on Reddit when I was wasting several hours of my life clicking on a bunch of really stupid stuff.
Anyhoo, Mansome is a documentary done by Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me), Jason Bateman and Will Arnett (Arrested Development - bow down to them). It's all about male grooming and what that means in culture and how it has evolved over time.
It sounds like a real snooze but I really liked it. Very funny and interesting - especially for a girl watching it. It has interviews with Adam Carolla, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis, etc. They probably could have spent a little less time on the guy with the super long beard, but overall it was 90 minutes well spent.
Go to the website (mansomthemovie.com) for a list of ways to download the movie and watch the trailer below:
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Bitch is the new black
Remember this clip from SNL Weekend Update with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler? I stumbled across it recently, and even after watching it repeatedly four years ago, I still laughed out loud by myself with a big goofy grin on my face.
I would love to meet Tina Fey and give her an uncomfortably long hug while squealing like a teen. She is just fabulous and I metaphorically bow to her.
I would love to meet Tina Fey and give her an uncomfortably long hug while squealing like a teen. She is just fabulous and I metaphorically bow to her.
Favorite sunscreens
As I mentioned in my previous post, I am super duper pale. In fact in a recent photo, my entire face got blurred by the flash of the camera mixed with my bright white skin. #storyofmylife
Anyway, because I'm so pale, I use sunscreen all the time and have tried a lot of different kinds. I've rounded up three of my all-time favorites to share. All of these can be found at the drugstore and are about $10 each. Don't waste your money on high-end sunscreen. There are plenty of oil free, non-greasy options at the drugstore that work just as well, and are 1/5 of the price.
Let's get started.
Coppertone Oil Free Sunscreen Lotion
My favorite sunscreen ever. This is perfect for people with sensitive skin. It's not greasy at all, and is oil free, fragrance free and hypoallergenic. And it's broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection - something that should be a must when looking for sunscreen. I get the SPF 30 kind, and it's gentle enough to use on my face too.
Here's what the marketing stuff on the bottle says:
- Oil free, fragrance free, hypoallergenic
- Broad spectrum, UVA/UVB protectoin, with photostabilized Avobenzone <-- I have absolutely no idea what that is. Hopefully nothing that's slowly killing me.
- Helps prevent premature skin aging from the sun
- Won't clog pores or cause breakouts
- Waterproof, PABA-free
- Light, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly
Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sheer Protect
I tried this sunscreen because Target was out of the Coppertone one I usually buy and this seemed like the closest thing. The formula is a little liquidy - is that a word? I don't think so - but it rubs in easily and is really moisturizing so I don't mind it. It's not greasy and perhaps it's just me buying into what's written on the label, but it feels like it's doing good things for your skin. Again, I got this in SPF 30.
What the Banana Boat people say:
- Water resistant (80 minutes) - It doesn't say waterproof because Banana Boat is already converting to the new sunscreen labeling laws which don't allow use of the word "waterproof." Here is an overview of the guidelines from Refinery 29 - one of my favorite sites. Bookmark it if you don't read it already - you won't regret it.
- Lightweight and hydrating
- Broad spectrum
- Antioxidant vitamin E
- Hydrating formula
- Oil and fragrance free - Even though this says it's fragrance free, to me it definitely smells like sunscreen - but I like that smell so it doesn't bother me. Perhaps it's the aloe vera in it.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock
I bought this last year because I wanted to try a more luxurious sunscreen and was willing to spend a little more money on it. You get 3 fl oz for about $10 - with the Coppertone and Banana Boat kinds mentioned above, you get 8 fl oz for the same price. For me, I don't think it's worth the extra money, but if you like Neutrogena and want to splurge a little, this definitely is a good product.
You really have to work to get this one rubbed in (that sounds really inappropriate), but once it is, it feels like there is absolutely nothing on your skin. I have this in SPF 45, and since my bottle is almost empty, recently I've just been using it just on my face to give a little more protection.
Time for marketing talk:
- Lightweight, clean feel
- Fast absorbing
- Leaves skin soft and smooth
- Waterproof, sweatproof
- Won't clog pores
- Oil free
- PABA free
Oh! One last thing about this. Because this comes in a 3 fl oz bottle, it's great for throwing in a carry on for a weekend trip. I took this to Atlanta and didn't get a bit of color. Success!
A few words about spray sunscreens:
More and more when shopping for sunscreen, it seems like most of the options available are spray versions. Personally, I'm not a fan. I just don't see how you can get good coverage from something where half the product ends up flying around in the air.
I do own a couple spray sunscreens, though, that I use only for re-applying frequently throughout the day. I always start out with sunscreen lotion, and then use the spray kind if I'm at the beach or an amusement park - or anywhere I don't want to have to re-apply lotion. I just make sure to spray the product very carefully and rub it in with my hands afterward.
So if you're in the market for new sunscreen, I recommend trying out one of the three above. No matter what kind of sunscreen you use, just make sure you use it. And re-apply! You are not going to get away with putting on sunscreen in the morning and then spending 8 hours in the sun. You will burn. Trust me.
Use a lot and use it often. Your skin will thank you and you'll be happy you don't look like an old leather handbag in ten years.
Disclaimer so I don't get locked up: All opinions are my own.
Let's get started.
Coppertone Oil Free Sunscreen Lotion
Here's what the marketing stuff on the bottle says:
- Oil free, fragrance free, hypoallergenic
- Broad spectrum, UVA/UVB protectoin, with photostabilized Avobenzone <-- I have absolutely no idea what that is. Hopefully nothing that's slowly killing me.
- Helps prevent premature skin aging from the sun
- Won't clog pores or cause breakouts
- Waterproof, PABA-free
- Light, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly
Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sheer Protect
What the Banana Boat people say:
- Water resistant (80 minutes) - It doesn't say waterproof because Banana Boat is already converting to the new sunscreen labeling laws which don't allow use of the word "waterproof." Here is an overview of the guidelines from Refinery 29 - one of my favorite sites. Bookmark it if you don't read it already - you won't regret it.
- Lightweight and hydrating
- Broad spectrum
- Antioxidant vitamin E
- Hydrating formula
- Oil and fragrance free - Even though this says it's fragrance free, to me it definitely smells like sunscreen - but I like that smell so it doesn't bother me. Perhaps it's the aloe vera in it.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock
You really have to work to get this one rubbed in (that sounds really inappropriate), but once it is, it feels like there is absolutely nothing on your skin. I have this in SPF 45, and since my bottle is almost empty, recently I've just been using it just on my face to give a little more protection.
Time for marketing talk:
- Lightweight, clean feel
- Fast absorbing
- Leaves skin soft and smooth
- Waterproof, sweatproof
- Won't clog pores
- Oil free
- PABA free
Oh! One last thing about this. Because this comes in a 3 fl oz bottle, it's great for throwing in a carry on for a weekend trip. I took this to Atlanta and didn't get a bit of color. Success!
A few words about spray sunscreens:
More and more when shopping for sunscreen, it seems like most of the options available are spray versions. Personally, I'm not a fan. I just don't see how you can get good coverage from something where half the product ends up flying around in the air.
I do own a couple spray sunscreens, though, that I use only for re-applying frequently throughout the day. I always start out with sunscreen lotion, and then use the spray kind if I'm at the beach or an amusement park - or anywhere I don't want to have to re-apply lotion. I just make sure to spray the product very carefully and rub it in with my hands afterward.
So if you're in the market for new sunscreen, I recommend trying out one of the three above. No matter what kind of sunscreen you use, just make sure you use it. And re-apply! You are not going to get away with putting on sunscreen in the morning and then spending 8 hours in the sun. You will burn. Trust me.
Use a lot and use it often. Your skin will thank you and you'll be happy you don't look like an old leather handbag in ten years.
Disclaimer so I don't get locked up: All opinions are my own.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Congratulations! You're super pale!
I am pale. Really...really...pale. And I get a lot of comments from other people about it. You
say that my legs are ghostly? Really? I thought I was super dark! Thanks for
setting me straight. Phew!
To me, tanning – whether it’s in a tanning bed or outside –
is kind of like smoking. I get why years ago before people knew what it
really does to you, it was popular. But now, we know it’s terrible for your
health, and it just doesn’t make sense to me to do it.
I didn’t always think this way. In fact, in high school, I
worked at a hair/tanning salon and would tan in the beds myself. I liked the
golden glow I got from it – it does make you look skinnier, and I certainly loved to
have nice tan skin in the summer for all my mini summer clothes. But now it’s just
not worth it to me – for a number of reasons.
Beyond not wanting to turn into an old leathery woman, when
I was 18, I had my first check with my dermatologist for skin cancer. I had
noticed a small spot on my chest that hadn’t been there before, and it worried
me. Turns out I was right to be worried - it was pre-cancerous and had to be
removed. I never tanned again – not in a tanning bed, not outside, nothing.
Six years later, after getting skin checks every six months
and being diligent about my sunscreen use, my dermatologist found a cancerous
spot on my back. This time, I had to have actual surgery for it, and now have a
three-inch pretty nasty scar on my left shoulder blade to remember it by.
One of the most annoying things is when people who don’t
know me very well try to give me tips on how I can get tan in the sun without
being burned. They see that I am pale and immediately tell me “you need to get
some sun.” Do I? How would you like some cancer?
For some people, they can get tan all of their lives and never
have a problem. But those people are few and far between. I refuse to risk my
life to be tan – especially when I can get the same look from a bottle (I don’t
self tan often, but when I feel like I do want some color, I'm pretty good at not turning myself orange or splotchy. Nailed it!)
I know that until I was actually faced with the fact that getting
a tan was damaging my health, I thought I could get away with it – and I think
that’s what most people who still tan think too. No one wants to give up having
fun outside, going to the beach or enjoying the summer, but you don’t have to
bake yourself to a crisp in the process.
Just visit a dermatologist, and in your first five minutes
in the waiting room, you’ll see what too much unprotected time in the sun does to people. The number of
bandages over fresh wounds on patients’ faces from removing spots will make you
think twice.
It's pretty easy to be safe in the sun:
1. Wear
sunscreen whenever you will be exposed to the sun. Not that Hawaiian Tropic
Golden Tanning Lotion SPF 6 stuff (which was my go to as a teen - it's basically coconut scented baby lotion). Get real
waterproof, SPF 30 or higher sunscreen lotion. You can find really good,
non-greasy kinds at Target or the drugstore.
2. Try out
self tanning products. There are so many good options and if you know how to
apply it correctly, you can look like you just came from the beach and not get heat stroke in the process.
3. Never ever
go into a tanning bed. Just don’t even think about it.
Next week, I’ll have a post on my favorite sunscreens. I’ve
tried so many, and I have three go-to picks.
Enjoy frolicking safely in the sun!
Disclaimer so I don't get locked up: All opinions are my own.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Mascara showdown #1
Over the past couple of months, I have been shopping for mascara like a mad woman. Somewhere along the line, I decided that my Maybelline Full and Soft - which I have used for more than 10 years - just wasn't cutting it.
My main issue is that while my lashes are a decent length, they are poker straight and don't stay curled unless I use waterproof mascara (in a cruel turn of fate, my brother has gorgeous naturally curled lashes that I would kill for - frikin' genetics). And I don't like using waterproof all the time because surprise, surprise, I'm not a huge fan of scrubbing at my retinas every night trying to get the ish off.
Here's my take on three new (to me) mascaras that I've tried recently:
Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara in Pitch Black.
According to Sephora - which is where I got mine - this is supposed to be "a volume-boosting mascara that naturally plumps and curls for maximum lash drama." I'm not really sure why you would describe something that has "natural volume" in the name as giving maximum lash drama, but whatever.
The thing that most intrigued me about this mascara was the wand. It's called a "Triple V Brush", and in the store, it looked like it would be a great wand for volumizing. I absolutely hate those rubberized bristle wands, and this is nowhere near that. It's a regular bristle wand that is the perfect size and shape for applying the product.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give this a 6.
Pros:
- Claims to be a "natural" mascara without a bunch of harsh chemicals. I did find it didn't irritate my eyes at all.
- Provides natural volume
- Black is a nice, dark color
- The wand is great. Everything I expected it to be.
Cons:
- Is Sephora just flat out joking when they say this curls? Maybe on someone who already has curly lashes - but not on anyone who has straight lashes like me. It did the same thing most non-waterproof mascaras do on me: I curl my lashes, apply the mascara, and then watch them droop back to straight again. Fail.
- It smears everywhere. Of course the description says it doesn't, but up against some oily skin and Ohio summer humidity, this stuff doesn't stand a chance.
Overall, a pretty good mascara if you like a natural look to your lashes and aren't going to be doing anything that would make it smear, but I don't think it's worth the $22 price tag when there are drugstore options that are just as good.
Rimmel London Sexy Curves Full Body Mascara in 001 Black
Where do I even start with this one? According to Rimmel, the "supersized triple plump brush builds visibly up to 10x more volume and up to 70% more lift." They also claim it doesn't clump.
Lies, lies, lies. This stuff is terrible. I of course was excited to find a new mascara that was all about curl and volume, and this was a huge disappointment. Literally, it provides less curl and volume than the mascaras I have that make no claims about providing either of those things.
The wand is also a really weird shape with three balls on it that makes it impossible to apply this evenly.
On a scale of 1 to 10: 2
Pros: In the words of Chris from Parks and Recreation, there are "LIT-rally" no pros to this stuff. Do not buy it. I only give it a 2 on the rating scale because it didn't burn my eyes off.
Cons:
Everything
Let's move on to a less upsetting product, shall we?
Revlon Grow Luscious Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black 821
I picked this mascara up about a week ago to use for a friend's wedding I was in. I needed something waterproof, and the waterproof options I have in my collection were dried out and gross.
I had heard a couple good reviews on this - I think Sam from Pixiwoo has used it in a couple of tutorials as well. The brush is a regular bristle brush that is pretty large, and the advertisement for this was all about the volume. I know it's supposed to help your lashes grow too, but that really wasn't something I was looking for, so if it does, it's just an added bonus.
I was really happy with this on the wedding day. It held the curl of my lashes, was a very dark black color and was easy to use. Overall, a good pick for waterproof choices. I want to pick up the regular version to try as well - although I fear it won't do anything to hold a curl in the non-waterproof version.
On a scale of 1 to 10: 7
Pros:
- Held curl all day.
- No smudging.
- Applied smoothly with minimal clumps.
* I think a lot of the good things about the mascara have to do with the fact that it's waterproof. I'll be interested to test it against the non-waterproof version.
Cons:
- Brush is a bit too big for my liking, but workable.
- Was tough to get off - but it's waterproof, so isn't that what you're going for anyway?
Overall, two decent mascaras and one really terrible one. At the least the terrible one was a drugstore option so I'm not too upset about the $7 down the drain.
Disclaimer so I don't get locked up: All opinions are my own.
Here's my take on three new (to me) mascaras that I've tried recently:
Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara in Pitch Black.
The thing that most intrigued me about this mascara was the wand. It's called a "Triple V Brush", and in the store, it looked like it would be a great wand for volumizing. I absolutely hate those rubberized bristle wands, and this is nowhere near that. It's a regular bristle wand that is the perfect size and shape for applying the product.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give this a 6.
Pros:
- Claims to be a "natural" mascara without a bunch of harsh chemicals. I did find it didn't irritate my eyes at all.
- Provides natural volume
- Black is a nice, dark color
- The wand is great. Everything I expected it to be.
Cons:
- Is Sephora just flat out joking when they say this curls? Maybe on someone who already has curly lashes - but not on anyone who has straight lashes like me. It did the same thing most non-waterproof mascaras do on me: I curl my lashes, apply the mascara, and then watch them droop back to straight again. Fail.
- It smears everywhere. Of course the description says it doesn't, but up against some oily skin and Ohio summer humidity, this stuff doesn't stand a chance.
Overall, a pretty good mascara if you like a natural look to your lashes and aren't going to be doing anything that would make it smear, but I don't think it's worth the $22 price tag when there are drugstore options that are just as good.
Rimmel London Sexy Curves Full Body Mascara in 001 Black
Lies, lies, lies. This stuff is terrible. I of course was excited to find a new mascara that was all about curl and volume, and this was a huge disappointment. Literally, it provides less curl and volume than the mascaras I have that make no claims about providing either of those things.
The wand is also a really weird shape with three balls on it that makes it impossible to apply this evenly.
On a scale of 1 to 10: 2
Pros: In the words of Chris from Parks and Recreation, there are "LIT-rally" no pros to this stuff. Do not buy it. I only give it a 2 on the rating scale because it didn't burn my eyes off.
Cons:
Everything
Let's move on to a less upsetting product, shall we?
Revlon Grow Luscious Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black 821
I had heard a couple good reviews on this - I think Sam from Pixiwoo has used it in a couple of tutorials as well. The brush is a regular bristle brush that is pretty large, and the advertisement for this was all about the volume. I know it's supposed to help your lashes grow too, but that really wasn't something I was looking for, so if it does, it's just an added bonus.
I was really happy with this on the wedding day. It held the curl of my lashes, was a very dark black color and was easy to use. Overall, a good pick for waterproof choices. I want to pick up the regular version to try as well - although I fear it won't do anything to hold a curl in the non-waterproof version.
On a scale of 1 to 10: 7
Pros:
- Held curl all day.
- No smudging.
- Applied smoothly with minimal clumps.
* I think a lot of the good things about the mascara have to do with the fact that it's waterproof. I'll be interested to test it against the non-waterproof version.
Cons:
- Brush is a bit too big for my liking, but workable.
- Was tough to get off - but it's waterproof, so isn't that what you're going for anyway?
Overall, two decent mascaras and one really terrible one. At the least the terrible one was a drugstore option so I'm not too upset about the $7 down the drain.
Disclaimer so I don't get locked up: All opinions are my own.
Professional bridesmaid
Since my brother's wedding five years ago, I have been a bridesmaid a total of six times - and I have one more stint planned for September.
The normal reaction I get when I tell people how many times I've been on bridesmaid duty is sympathy and a reference to Katherine Heigl in 27 dresses. While all of the dresses, shoes and travel have certainly been expensive, I feel lucky that I have strong friendships with all of these girls who have asked me to be a part of one of the most important days of their lives. And it's taught me exactly what I want and don't want if I ever take a trip down the aisle (destination wedding or courthouse seem like the best bets).
Considering myself a professional bridesmaid, I've come up with some tips for those of you who will be wearing the matching dresses sometime soon:
1. Your hair and makeup don't matter.
Excited to get your hair and makeup professionally done and try out something spectacular? Don't be. Inevitably, it won't be exactly what you want and you will be dissapointed. Discuss with the bride before hand exactly what she wants everyone to look like. All of my friends have been kind enough to say "whatever you're most comfortable with" - take that direction seriously. Your friend's wedding day is not the time to try out a bright red lip or hairstyle you've never worn before. Either wear your hair in a nice style you can do yourself, or ask the stylist for something simple - and bring pictures so she isn't guessing and re-doing your hair multiple times! Same goes for makeup.
The bride will be stressed out enough about how she looks and getting everyone ready on time, and the best thing you can do is be happy with your look so you can focus on her. I always am amazed at how many bridesmaids spend all day fussing over themselves rather than helping the bride. Of course you want to look great in the pictures, so plan ahead for something you know will work rather than panicking at the last minute that it's not what you want.
2. Let the bride vent to you, but don't get her worked up.
Weddings are fun, emotional, exciting and stressful all at the same time. Even those families who always get along will find something to bicker about and there will be a point either in the planning or on the actual day that the bride is upset and wants to vent to you about it. Let her, but don't feed into it. You are there to calm her down and tell her how you can help. You're not there to talk about all the ways her soon-to-be sister-in-law is ruining her day. I have found a simple "she's crazy." gets to the point and helps the bride move on.
3. Help, help, help.
Showers, bachelorette parties, rehearsals and brunches can all be fun for the bridesmaids, but remember your most important role is making sure the bride is happy. You don't want to be the bridesmaid everyone had to take care of at the bachelorette party because you couldn't handle your liquor. Have fun, act stupid, but make sure it's the bride who gets to let loose the most. After all, she's trusted you to stand with her on one of the biggest days of her life, and she needs to trust you to keep her safe and help her hold onto to some of her dignity when she's ready to party.
4. Think about what the bride really wants.
Normally when you think bachelorette party, you think penis toys, lots of liquor and bright pink sashes. And when it comes to the shower, you might think tea sandwiches and sundresses. But is that really what the bride wants? Rather than doing what the stereotypes say, think carefully about what would be most fun for the bride. I've been to bachelorette parties where the maid of honor did what the bride wanted, and where she didn't - and it is so much more fun, no matter what you're doing, when it's what the bride wants to do. One of the best parties was for my best friend Emily - we spent the weekend relaxing, eating great food and enjoying some time in the sun. We took her out drinking one night, but that's not what she's most interested in, so we didn't make the whole weekend about that. She had a great time, and we had fun seeing her so happy.
5. Size matters.
Did the salesperson at the bridal shop tell you to order a size 12 dress? Do it. Do not think you are going to magically transform yourself into a greek goddess in six months and order a smaller size than you need. Better that the dress be big so you can have it taken in then to try on a dress a week before the wedding and have it not fit. Watching a bridesmaid try to zip up a dress on the wedding day that just isn't going to zip is a nightmare I can't even describe fully - don't let that be you.
6. Be grateful.
It is so easy to complain about how much money you have to spend, all the travel you have to do, and that you're "always a bridesmaid, never a bride." Don't. Be happy that you are someone special in the bride's life and think about what you would want from your bridesmaids for your wedding. If you have good friends, they will make being a bridesmaid as fun and easy for you as possible. And you should do the same for them as the bride.
Have fun, meet cute groomsmen, and enjoy celebrating with your friends. It will be over before you know it, and you'll want great memories to keep with you.
The normal reaction I get when I tell people how many times I've been on bridesmaid duty is sympathy and a reference to Katherine Heigl in 27 dresses. While all of the dresses, shoes and travel have certainly been expensive, I feel lucky that I have strong friendships with all of these girls who have asked me to be a part of one of the most important days of their lives. And it's taught me exactly what I want and don't want if I ever take a trip down the aisle (destination wedding or courthouse seem like the best bets).
Considering myself a professional bridesmaid, I've come up with some tips for those of you who will be wearing the matching dresses sometime soon:
1. Your hair and makeup don't matter.
Excited to get your hair and makeup professionally done and try out something spectacular? Don't be. Inevitably, it won't be exactly what you want and you will be dissapointed. Discuss with the bride before hand exactly what she wants everyone to look like. All of my friends have been kind enough to say "whatever you're most comfortable with" - take that direction seriously. Your friend's wedding day is not the time to try out a bright red lip or hairstyle you've never worn before. Either wear your hair in a nice style you can do yourself, or ask the stylist for something simple - and bring pictures so she isn't guessing and re-doing your hair multiple times! Same goes for makeup.
The bride will be stressed out enough about how she looks and getting everyone ready on time, and the best thing you can do is be happy with your look so you can focus on her. I always am amazed at how many bridesmaids spend all day fussing over themselves rather than helping the bride. Of course you want to look great in the pictures, so plan ahead for something you know will work rather than panicking at the last minute that it's not what you want.
2. Let the bride vent to you, but don't get her worked up.
Weddings are fun, emotional, exciting and stressful all at the same time. Even those families who always get along will find something to bicker about and there will be a point either in the planning or on the actual day that the bride is upset and wants to vent to you about it. Let her, but don't feed into it. You are there to calm her down and tell her how you can help. You're not there to talk about all the ways her soon-to-be sister-in-law is ruining her day. I have found a simple "she's crazy." gets to the point and helps the bride move on.
3. Help, help, help.
Showers, bachelorette parties, rehearsals and brunches can all be fun for the bridesmaids, but remember your most important role is making sure the bride is happy. You don't want to be the bridesmaid everyone had to take care of at the bachelorette party because you couldn't handle your liquor. Have fun, act stupid, but make sure it's the bride who gets to let loose the most. After all, she's trusted you to stand with her on one of the biggest days of her life, and she needs to trust you to keep her safe and help her hold onto to some of her dignity when she's ready to party.
4. Think about what the bride really wants.
Normally when you think bachelorette party, you think penis toys, lots of liquor and bright pink sashes. And when it comes to the shower, you might think tea sandwiches and sundresses. But is that really what the bride wants? Rather than doing what the stereotypes say, think carefully about what would be most fun for the bride. I've been to bachelorette parties where the maid of honor did what the bride wanted, and where she didn't - and it is so much more fun, no matter what you're doing, when it's what the bride wants to do. One of the best parties was for my best friend Emily - we spent the weekend relaxing, eating great food and enjoying some time in the sun. We took her out drinking one night, but that's not what she's most interested in, so we didn't make the whole weekend about that. She had a great time, and we had fun seeing her so happy.
5. Size matters.
Did the salesperson at the bridal shop tell you to order a size 12 dress? Do it. Do not think you are going to magically transform yourself into a greek goddess in six months and order a smaller size than you need. Better that the dress be big so you can have it taken in then to try on a dress a week before the wedding and have it not fit. Watching a bridesmaid try to zip up a dress on the wedding day that just isn't going to zip is a nightmare I can't even describe fully - don't let that be you.
6. Be grateful.
It is so easy to complain about how much money you have to spend, all the travel you have to do, and that you're "always a bridesmaid, never a bride." Don't. Be happy that you are someone special in the bride's life and think about what you would want from your bridesmaids for your wedding. If you have good friends, they will make being a bridesmaid as fun and easy for you as possible. And you should do the same for them as the bride.
Have fun, meet cute groomsmen, and enjoy celebrating with your friends. It will be over before you know it, and you'll want great memories to keep with you.
Stonyfield Oikos organic blueberry greek frozen yogurt
There is a god. Eating right and exercising enough is a daily - better yet, hourly - struggle, so I'm always looking for things that are delicious but won't completely kill a day's worth of calories in one sitting. Enter Stonyfield Oikos organic blueberry greek frozen yogurt.
I don't know who they have working over at Stonyfield, but I'd like to give them all a collective high five. This is by far the best frozen yogurt I have ever had - and it's all organic and packed with protein. I know I sound like a commercial for it, but I just can't help myself. A 1/2 cup has 100 calories and 0 grams of fat. And for those of you who are like me and aren't going to stop yourself at 1/2 a cup, that translates into 400 calories and no fat for the entire pint. Compare that to one of my all time favorites: Ben and Jerry's Phish Food, which has 280 calories and 13g of fat in a serving. The whole pint? 1,120 calories and 52g of fat.
I'm now starting to fear the day when/if they ever stop making the blueberry frozen yogurt - and in my experience, anxiety around a food no longer being available to me generally means it's pretty amazing.
I find mine at Whole Foods and Giant Eagle. Eat up!
Disclaimer so I don't get locked up: All opinions are my own.
I'm now starting to fear the day when/if they ever stop making the blueberry frozen yogurt - and in my experience, anxiety around a food no longer being available to me generally means it's pretty amazing.
I find mine at Whole Foods and Giant Eagle. Eat up!
Disclaimer so I don't get locked up: All opinions are my own.
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