Wedding Invitations, Part of a Long-Standing Tradition

One of the first things that a couple does when planning a wedding is pick out wedding invitations.  It is important to pick out something that will spark the interest of your potential guests and give them reason to attend your most important day.  As a couple, you may wish to keep your guests in suspense or match the invitations to your theme.  The choice is yours, but no matter what,  proper care in selecting these is imperative.

Wedding invitations have a long tradition that dates all the way back to the twelfth century.  It was the town crier's job to notify the community of the upcoming nuptials. The Middle Ages saw the nobles sending out beautiful announcements of the wedding because after all, they were the only ones who could read.  By the 1600's, it was becoming more commonplace for invitations to go out, and in the late 1700's, it was fashionable for beautifully designed invitations to be sent out.

In this contemporary age, the types of invitations from which to choose is almost endless.  Weddingstar has a vast array of designs from which you can choose.  You can even select personalized invitations that match you and your interests  to a tee.  Adding RSVP cards is an essential part of the process as well, and you will find sundry patterns for those as well.

One of the most crucial things you will need to determine is how you will word your invitations.  It is in your best interest to research wedding invitation etiquette so that you will communicate your intentions and plans clearly to potential guests.  You also don't wish for anyone to be offended by your word choice either.  While it would seem that there are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to these all-important invitations, the result will be worth it.

Wedding Favors: Mementos of Love

In recent times, it has become increasingly popular to give wedding guests a special thank-you gift or keepsake in honor of their attendance of your special day.  These wedding favors can be as simple or as extravagant as you want.  No matter what style you choose to give your attendees, know that Weddingstar has affordable, quality favors to match every style, theme, and decor you so choose.

If you really wish to give your guests something meaningful, you might consider personalized wedding favors. The possibilities are endless when it comes to what type of favor you choose, and you can highlight practically anything you want your guests to remember about you as a couple.  Customize the printing of stickers or tags, and/or place a custom order for a candy tin or a matchbook or anything you set your mind to.  Contact the design team at Weddingstar tailor-make something that will remind your family and friends of the great love you both share.

Oftentimes favors are thrown away after a party or a special day because there is no practical use for them.  If you select something that has a practical use, you may find that your guests are not as wont to throw it away.  They may wish to display it or continue to use it as a lasting memory of your fantastic ceremony.  Furthermore, wedding favors can frequently double as decorations for your reception tables and centerpieces.  Think of how impressed your guests will be when they realize that they get to take home such a delightful, pragmatic favor that will be a constant reminder of the love that you and yours share together.

Frugality is often the key thing a couple consider when planning a wedding.  Very often, the prevailing thought is that one must sacrifice quality for economy.  With Weddingstar, that is not an accurate assessment.  Thankfully, their fine design team is able to create the perfect wedding favor that looks much more expensive than it is. With them on your side, you are certain to find the ideal wedding favor that will be a lasting testament to the true love you share.

Love Came Down Review and Story

Well, Christmas is almost here.  When I was growing up, it was my favorite time of year.  I used to begin baking in late October when I was a teenager (yes, you read that correctly).  And then as soon as November arrived, it was cookies.  And in December, it was candies.  I don't do all that baking any more, and for several years, I lost touch with my Christmas love.  I used to play Christmas music in July, and I lost touch with that for many years.

Now, don't get me wrong.  Christmas is more than watching holiday specials and baking up a bunch of goodies.  I know what the true meaning of Christmas is.  After all, I still spent my time thinking about the true meaning of Christmas.  But I believe there should be a real joy to the season.  It is a time for friends and family.  Unfortunately, I have had friends and family members disown me this year.  It's a long story.  But God has given me a new family in our wonderful church this year.  We have wonderful people who have stood with us through all the struggles this year.

Indeed, love came down at Christmastime, and you can see the wonderful pictures that are featured at the top of this post.  There is a wonderful table top advent wreath (that we are giving away since we got one late year).  We always loved displaying it last year.  And there is a great box of cards.  But our favorite thing is the coffee mug!

Last year, I got a tall latte mug similar to the one shown here.  Now my mom has one!  And the smaller mug is fantastic as well.  If you want to read reviews and see more from the Love Came Down Collection by Dayspring, please click here.  I am looking forward to celebrating and remembering His love in a way I haven't in years!

I was sent the products in above in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated in any way, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

"Excuse Me Your Soul Mate is Waiting" by Marla Martenson Book Review

Summary from goodreads: This is a fun, concrete, and practical approach to finding Mr. or Ms. Right. Martenson combines practical advice, self-tests for the reader, and amusing anecdotes in this delightful how-to book.

About the Author:

Hello, and welcome to my blog! I am glad you stopped by. I have been a professional matchmaker working in Los Angeles since 2001, helping countless couples connect with their soul mates and go on to marriage. I am also a certified life/dating coach, author and motivational speaker. I have  appeared on the Today Show, WGN Chicago Morning News, San Diego Living, KUSI San Diego Morning, Better TV, Urban Rush and over 40 radio shows including Coast to Coast AM and The Cooper Lawrence Show. I am passionate about helping others find that special someone to go through life with, someone that makes life sparkle.
I am often asked if I have met my soul mate. The answer is yes, I met my Adolfo though a mutual friend in 2001 and got married in his home town, Mexico City in October 2002.

For information on matchmaking go to my website, www.cupidforhire.com

Follow her on pinterest, google+, facebook, twitter, and youtube.

Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate Is Waiting by Marla Martenson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ready for a dating book with a little different viewpoint?  Marla Martenson has written a book that is readable, timely, and can certainly change your point of view.  She also writes with a good deal of humor and understanding.  She has been on both sides of the issue, and she definitely knows what she is writing about.

I love the fact that she takes a positive outlook when it comes to finding your soul mate.  She says to think about what you want rather than what you don't want.  Don't give up and settle.  In fact, your mindset should be that your soul mate is already there.  Know what you want, and go for it!

As a divorcee myself, I know what it is like to have a relationship go sour.  I was certain that I did everything right.  The only thing I did wrong was to not know who I really was when I got married.  Had I taken the time to discover the real me and given myself the needed time and space, I don't think I would have married when and whom I did.  I settled, but I did not realize it.  I also know what it means to jump into a relationship quickly when one ends.  My "engagement" was something that should never have happened, but thankfully, I did what I needed to.  I think Marla would have approved.

Probably the only criticism I can give is that Marla's positive outlook sometimes paints this topic a little too roseate.  There are circumstances that can keep one from finding his/her soul mate that cannot be controlled.  And there are even circumstances that will cause your soul mate to walk away from you.  The future can be uncertain, and you can only hope and pray that when you find your soul mate, it will be for a lifetime.

In conclusion, I think that much of the advice in this book applies to dating and even life in general.  While I am convinced that I am not ready (and may never be again) to enter the dating scene again, if you are, I recommend this book highly.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are 100 percent mine, and I was not financially compensated.

View all my reviews

Handmade With Love Winter Giveaway (ends 2/6)

Well, the long-awaited event is here!!  I have 4 handmade "packages," so a total of 4 people will win.  I will show you pictures and describe each package.  This giveaway will end promptly at 11:59 P.M. on February 6th Eastern Time (9 P.M. Pacific Time).  Since I will be choosing 4 people, the person I choose first will get to choose the package they want.  Then the second person will  get to choose from the remaining 3.  And so on down the line.  This will be open worldwide, so everyone can enter!  And the entry is really simple.  All you need to do is follow me via google friend connect and leave a comment stating you did.  Current followers are also eligible--just tell me you already are a follower.  Be sure to leave your e-mail address in your comment or make it visible in your profile.  I will select the winners via random.org.

So here are the packages:

Christmas Craft Package #1

These are Christmas Craft kits that include how to make a big Joseph and Nativity Animals (I know you need additional materials for this) and all-inclusive kits for making church ornaments and a gingerbread decoration.

Christmas Crafty Package #2

This includes a quilted stocking and a pretty homemade J (for Joy).  It also includes a winter cross stitch design with a glass mat included.

Cat and Snowman Package #3

This has 3 catnip toys that are homemade with organic catnip inside.  It also has a needlepoint snowman case made on plastic canvas.

Angel Package #4

This has 3 really cute angels that are homemade--you can see them pretty well in the picture.

So there you go!  Don't forget to enter on this blog and all the blogs participating!  Thanks!

Mandatory entry:  Follow via google friend connect and leave a comment on this post stating that you do!

Bonus entries (may only be done after the mandatory entry is complete):

1.  Share this giv.eaway any way you like (may be done once a day per method). Leave any applicable links.

2.  Like my new page on facebook.  Leave your user name.

Solution Sunday--It's Not About What I Do

Okay, hold onto your hats--yep, I'm posting another spiritual thought.  God has truly been teaching me so much, and during church (really Sunday School), He yet again revealed something to me that I wasn't even thinking about.

When I first "fell in love" with my ex, I spent all my time trying to please him.  I was willing to do almost anything to be with him.  I ate four meals a day and gained a good ten pounds when I had not gained any weight that semester.  I even made myself sick one day when he was gone all day and I was supposed to go to a singing engagement with a girl's group.  I called in sick--I really thought I was.  It was all emotional, but I didn't know that till later.  I began studying in the library--me?  I never studied in the library.  I even got in trouble in the library, and it was all related to him.  They tried to throw me out.  I skipped class.  My goodness, I did a lot to get him to fall for me, didn't I?

And that is how I spent the next almost 10 years of my life.  I spent them trying to please him.  I did whatever he wanted.  Yes, I let him control me.  You see, before he came along, no guys except the scum of the earth ever showed an interest in me.  Paul made it very clear that his love for me was based on what I do, not who I was.  But in my naivety and ignorance, I thought that was normal.

And after all, why should I be surprised?  My relationship with my Heavenly Father was basically the same.  I felt that as a Christian, I had to do certain things.  Okay, so I didn't have to do anything to be saved.  That was the free gift.  But to keep God happy, I think I tended to buy into the idea that I needed to do this and this and that.  God would love me more if I did this or didn't do that.  And sometimes I tended to think that God was like Paul.  When I messed up, I think I tended to imagine that God would punish me somehow.

Proof of this feeling even shows up in recent times.  Satan tried to put me under condemnation even today as I was remembering how I was late to work this week.  Maybe God would remove me from that distirct, and I wouldn't be able to work there any more.  When I didn't get a teaching job last school year, I tended to think that this was God's way of punishing me for making a move back here to Washington state.  I sometimes still expect fire and brimstone when I forget to do my Bible reading (like I did yesterday).

When I was married to Paul, he never pointed out when I did something right (except in the bedroom, but even those were few and far between).  He waited for me to mess up, and he was the first to point out when I was wrong.  Even after I tried to break away from him, I still read book after book and was led to believe that if I did what Dr. Phil or Oprah said, I could fix my marriage.  And sometimes, it worked.  I can remember a day when Paul and I cried together and talked--really talked.  But that was it.  Pretty soon, the criticisms returned.

Now that I am out from under that bondage, I am fully willing to embrace the fact that it is only by God's grace that I can make it in this life as His child.  There is not one thing I can do without Him to please Him.  It is not about trying harder, but it is about being controlled by His Spirit.

Amazingly, it is my friend, Martin, who has taught me the most about this kind of unconditional love.  While he and I are not romantically involved, we love each other unconditionally and always have.  I can remember how often I used to worry that if I said the wrong thing or did the wrong thing, he would no longer be my friend.  After all, Paul was like that as were so many of my friends growing up.  Even God was, or so I thought.  There were so many times that I felt so far away from God because I continued to mess up.  And every time I tried harder, it just got worse.

The time that showed me just how much Martin loved me was a time back a couple years ago when we had such a sharp disagreement that I sent him a very nasty e-mail.  I was angry, and in I knew after I sent it that  I shouldn't have.  It was the worst day I ever had at work.  All I could do was think about how much I had hurt Martin and that he would stop being my friend.  Yes, it took some time to heal our friendship, but the thing that showed me exactly how much he loved me was that he picked me up from work.  He let me ride next to him in  the car.  And when I tried to apologize, he actually blamed himself more than anything.  Within a couple weeks, we were closer than we had ever been, and it was as if nothing had ever happened.



If that isn't a deep thought, I don't know what  is.  As I write this, I don't think I can even grasp everything I have written.  But what I do know is this.  Paul never loved me unconditionally in spite of everything.  He loved me for what I did, how I tried to please him, and how I would fit into his future plans.  He figured he could make me into the person he wanted me to be.  And I tried, but I just couldn't become that person.

Thankfully, the solution to all this is that God loves me for who I am in Him.  And, dear reader, you need to embrace this truth if you are God's child.  Don't do what I did for nearly 30 years.  Trust solely in God.  Let Him live through you!