Be Inspired!

I wanted to share this with all of my blog readers... simply because sometimes we all need a little reminder or inspiration! 

xoxo,

Johanna

Wedding Worthy Miracle Make Up - Feature Fancy Face Cosmetics

Photo: Fancy Face Cosmetics - on Facebook

From the time we are little girls, most of us dream of what our wedding day will be like.  Who we will marry, what we will wear, an outdoor ceremony, a big ballroom reception dancing the night away, the flowers and of course.... we can not help but imagine, what we will look like on our big day, our wedding day! 

Creating a flawless look for our wedding day often times takes weeks/months of preparation.  We hit the gym, eat right, get facials, tan, whiten our teeth and so on. Just as important as all of these preparations is the cosmetics we chose for our big day.  Today, I want to feature a company that produces wedding-worthy "miracle makeup".  Trust me girls, this is makeup you absolutely must have for your big day!

Chicago Based Fancy Face Cosmetics



Fancy Face Cosmetics has created sweat proof cosmetics which are perfect for your wedding day.  Let's face it, (pun intended) hair and make up usually begin very early in the day. Many of my brides are in hair and make up around 9 or 10 am.  You want a make up that will last ALL. DAY. LONG. Fancy Face Cosmetics definitely do!  No matter what the season, or unpredictable Chicagoland weather, your face will stay flawless, and fancy all day long.

I love their heavily pigmented eye shadows!  They last all day and night with the same striking color as when you first put them on.  One little pod will last you forever too since a little bit goes a long way! Start light and work your way to the amount you're looking for!

Photo: Fancy Face Cosmetics

The colors are wonderful too as you can purchase colors to match your bridesmaids dresses and gift these to the girls as bridesmaids gifts!! Just don't forget the waterproof mascera too!

Whether you want a natural look or you're going for wedding drama... Fancy Face Cosmetics has a vast variety of colors and you can find a color palate to match your needs. 

Photo: Fancy Face Cosmetics

The product line does not stop at eyes alone... make sure you pick up their newest sweat proof mineral based loose powder to finish off your look!

Photo: Fancy Face Cosmetics

Chicagoland based, founder and president, Nicole Khayat founded Fancy Face Cosmetics after a lifetime love of the fashion and beauty industry.  As a former cheerleader and 2011's Mrs. Illinois International, Nicole knows how important it is to always "put your best face forward".  This is no exception on your wedding day.   Although the cosmetics line was created with cheerleaders, dancers and ice skaters in mind... the make up has been used by brides all over Chicagoland.  The make up is designed to keep you looking fresh and flawless for hours, picks up beautifully in photographs and creates a look that can be seen while you are on the altar.  Best part... it stays even though those tear jerking moments!

Fancy Face President, and 2011 Mrs. Illinois International, Nicole Khayat



President Nicole Khayat and Vice President Amanda Ray work hard to market and promote their brand... and it's taking the cosmetic's world by storm!  You can purchase these fabulous fancy products on their website at http://fancyfacecosmetics.com/.  While you are there... be sure to check out their blog! It's fabulous and covers lifestyle topics as well as fashion and beauty topics!

Remember, your wedding day is the most important day of your life... make sure you keep it Fancy!

xoxo,

Johanna



Rules of Engagement: Mission Impossible, Your First Holiday Season Together!

Your first holiday season as newly weds can be a tricky one.  With the bird scheduled to land in less than a week, and no doubt turkey plans are more than likely well under way... I thought I would share some words of advice to all you bloggettes out there who may be feeling a bit "stuck in the middle".

No doubt you are starting to feel the pressures as a newlywed... your parents expect your undivided attention, as does his.  Maybe things are even more complicated if you have extended families due to second marriages or other interesting additions.  Let's not forget, as you begin your new life together and create your own nuclear family... what about time for yourselves?  All the "where to spend the holidays stress" can be enough to dim anyone's lights.

Here are my tips on how to get through the holidays without hurting anyone's feelings while keeping your sanity in tact!

1. Prepare for the emotions that come with this new transition of roles as husband and wife. Things are different now.  While for the most part, that different is a wonderful, blissful feeling... it can also make you feel void from your old role as a single gal.  The holidays are a time that will highlight your new martial status, not only for the two of you ... but also for everyone close to you... including parents.  Your parents may feel hurt, or brushed off by the new traditions that you create for the two of you that will undoubtedly shake the traditions they have created and celebrated over the years. Understand, that this will wear off in time and everything will feel "normal"
in time and the new traditions will be embraced.

The stress of the holidays can bring out the worst in everyone. People love holidays for all of their joy and traditions and the time that they get to spend with family.  Also remember though, that the holidays are a time of reflection and make voids feel deeper.  Loved ones may miss others they spent holidays with before.  Sometimes, even surrounded by love the holidays can make people feel lonely.  Do not take any hurtful words said during the holidays personally, especially in your first year as a married couple as the change rocks the sleigh for everyone.  Tread holiday emotions lightly... and learn to forgive and forget.

2. Prepare for hurt feelings a head of time.  Discuss a game plan for holidays in advance if possible.  It may be too late for Thanksgiving, but not for Christmas.  Think about what is special to both of you as traditions with your families and work up your plan from there.  You will be better armed going into the discussion that way.  "Mom, your Christmas breakfast has always been my favorite part of the holiday season for me since we were little. That's why I want Brian to experience that with our family and we will do dinner with his family".  While mom probably will still want you around for dinner and miss you when you are gone... you've flattered her, kept your favorite tradition alive and still allowed time for both sets of family.

3. Stick together.  You are a team now... and your family (you and your husband) are the immediate family with both sets of families as extensions which make you stronger.  Embrace the WE in your new marital status. It's not HIS family or MY family, it's OUR family.  Work together and stand behind eachother as the discussions get tense.  When in doubt, use phrases like "This is what works best for us" or "This is a decision that we made together with our families in mind"

4. Find a time somewhere in the chaos to celebrate a holiday tradition just the two of you.  Whatever that tradition be, no matter how big or small it is important that as a married couple now you begin to create your own holiday traditions together.  These do not have to be on the holiday itself, but any time that you two can take a moment to spend together.  It is important, especially your first year married that you set a tone for your holiday traditions and embrace the wonderful blessing that you two together have many many years of holiday traditions together and that you have committed to creating this life together, as husband and wife.



Rules of Engagement: Making Your Wedding Registry Personal!

This is one avenue I really never thought I would be involved with a couple when I started planning weddings and blogging.  However... I find I am asked questions pertaining to the gift registry quite often.  That said, I thought a blog on all things wedding registry might be helpful to couples out there who find themselves a little "trigger shy" when it comes to that little laser gun.

Where to register? What to register for? Do I really need all these gifts? I already have everything I need? Do I have to register for china? How many place settings? The questions go on and on.... Let me off you some of my "rules of engagement" when it comes to this topic.

The first point I want to make is... be true to yourself ... and your future self!  Many women who marry in their early or mid-twenties may not be "Stepford Wives" and see themselves as homemakers.  Maybe you never will channel your inner "Bree Van de Kamp"... but perhaps you will.  Just because you do not see yourself throwing lavish dinner parties 5 nights a week does not mean you should pass right by the fine china and linens.  What about holidays? Special celebrations with friends? The night you announce you're expecting your first child together to your parents and in laws?  If you never, ever see yourself entertaining in your home... skip fine china. If you will entertain but do not have the storage space for Wedgwood china, service for 12... skip fine china and register for two sets of "everyday" china... and opt for a bit nicer more elegant set for your "fancier" entertaining.  Live in an apartment or town home with no room for 12 people let alone storage for service for 12... opt for service for 6 or 8... just make sure that you continue the pattern throughout your registry... with linens, stemware, etc.

Now is the time to register for things that suit your style as a couple and ditch your single styles... his huge college beer mug and your pink sparkly plastic plates should be traded in for more refined homegoods that suit both of you... as a couple.  The old fashioned view that the "woman makes the home" still holds true to a certain extent... but Lenox Butterfly may not be the best choice for you and your husband to be. 

Do the registry together!  Have fun... enjoy the day dream of all your new things and using them together in your new life.  If it gets stressful or becomes taunting... just put the gun down!  You can do the registry over a few days.  Best not to rush and get trigger happy just to get it all done right away.  Listen to each other and talk it out!  This is a great time to practice those compromise skills!

Make it personal... monogram towels and bedding are popular for a reason.  A lot of couples opt to personalize a master bedroom or give a hotel feel to a guest bedroom by showing off their new family monogram.

Keep it fun!! A few novelty items thrown in are sure to get purchased right away... and lightens up the rest of the serious gifts... and will be the perfect gift for that crazy cousin to get for you!

Register in Range... make sure you do not only have "top of the line" gifts with expensive price tags on your registry.  This is simply bad taste.  The best registries have a variety of styles, items and price points for guests to be able to comfortably purchase gifts they know you'll love and ones they can feel good about giving.

If you only take one thing away from this blog... and only remember one tip... make it this one! Never, ever forget to send a "thank you".  An easy way to make sure you are timely with your thank you cards... address the envelopes before the shower or wedding! You will only have to write out the cards, seal them and send them after the big day!  The earlier you send them the better... but it's never to late to send a note of thanks to anyone who was generous to you!

Dear Johanna: Do We Have to Feed Our Vendors?!



Image: Getmarried.com

It's a frequently asked question: Do we have to feed our vendors?  Here is my go to answer... You should feed anyone who would be otherwise standing around during dinner.  If you have vendors who are working through the night during your reception, then yes, you absolutely should feed them.

Not only is it the polite thing to do but you will also benefit from this.  Your photographer for example will most likely be working for more than 12 hours for you on the day of your wedding. If he or she does not eat, chances are they will not be able to do their best work shooting your wedding.  Are you at your best when you are hungry? No, none of us are.



Image: MarthaStewartWeddings.com

Generally speaking, the following vendors should be fed: Photograher, videographer, weddding officant/pastor (if invited to the reception), wedding planner, dj. 

All of these vendors and any others who may be included in your reception throughout the night, should be included in your final guest count that is given to your caterer.  You do not have to seat your vendors among your other guests, but a table should be placed in the room for them.  Trust me, a good photographer, is still going to be shooting pictures, even during dinner.  Placing him in the kitchen to eat is not in your best interest.

Image: Custompaperworks.com

The topic typically gets complicated in terms of price and alcohol.  I have worked with some venues that will discount the meal for vendors based on the idea that they will not be drinking.  I've had others who do not simply because in the past "its the vendors who drink the most". This statement usually sends my brides into a panic.  Here's my advice on this.  Pay up.  Plan to pay the venue/catering company for the meal as is. If you do not want your vendors drinking, have a very frank conversation with them that they are to be working at your wedding, not drinking and partying with your guests. - If you are uncomfortable, your wedding planner/coordinator can have this discussion for you. A professional vendor will respect this and not have a problem with this request.

Image: Ocbarservice.com

In terms of your dj... a drink or two may allow them to "losen up" a bit and be more animated during entrances and such.  Too many drinks though, could be a disaster.   The good news is that you can hire a wedding planner or day of coordinator to keep any eye on things like this. 

The most important thing to remember is that while your wedding day is all about you and your guests... there are many people behind the scenes working hard on your wedding to make sure that it is everything you dreamed it to be.  Feeding them a great meal is a nice way to say thank you!