月別アーカイブ: 2017年2月

Every year, the average cost for a wedding jumps a few thousand dollars, which can easily make your fairy tale moment turn into a nightmare.

According to The Knot, the latest polling of more than 13,000 couples from across the country reveals the national average cost of a wedding at $35,329.

Despite the rising costs – many grooms- and brides-to-be are still finding ways to say, “I do,” without the debt.

Central New York engaged couple Deanna Briscoe and Steve Pereira are getting married in July.

The couple has set their budget at $22,000, but they’re staying focused on ways to cut cost without cutting quality.

Although, they plan to cover the majority of the costs, they talked to family members to see how much money everyone would be contributing before setting the final budget.

Starting to spend on plan’s for the big day is one of the biggest mistakes couples can make, according to The Knot.

Another, “must do” in the planning process is setting the maximum number of guests you plan to invite before making any decisions, especially decisions that require a non-refundable deposit.

Deanna says the guest list is topped at 150 for their wedding.

“I’ve always wanted a very classic wedding, romantic but not over the top,” Deanna said. “Very understated and simple.”

Deanna says she and her fiancé are “practical” people and know that their wedding day is indeed just that – one day.

“You have the rest of your life to live, so you don’t want to go crazy on one day and then not have a house, a car or honeymoon afterward,” Deanna shared. “You want to be realistic.”

Mother-of-the-bride Wendy Briscoe, is also looking closely at the numbers.

“I’ve been saving for this event for many years in hopes of making a financial impact on that with them,” Wendy said. “I think sometimes you can never really save enough but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to stay within a budget.”

Trimming and tailoring the budget began as soon as the planning discussion began.

“We decided on each piece and what our magic number was for each piece. Sort of researching, OK, how much did other people we know spend? What’s the industry standard?” Deanna said. “And then are we willing to go to that standard or stay just below that.”

Staying organized through the planning process goes hand-in-hand with staying on budget.

Deanna created a bridal binder stocked with vendor contracts, contact information, the guest list and magazine clippings with ideas for the wedding.

“The first thing I did was actually include a list of what you need to do and when you need to do it to help myself stay focused,” Deanna said. “A lot of the magazines had the same timeline.”

Deanna recommends other brides buy a few bridal magazines – she says the small investment pays off with ideas and even savings.

“They have Wedding Paper Divas, they have Minted. You can actually go on their website and some of the wedding magazine will give you a code, so if you really like what you see on the website – the magazine will give you a discount code,” Deanna shared.

Nearly half Briscoe-Pereira budget is going to the reception at Ventosa Vineyards in Geneva which includes the venue, drinks, dinner and cake-cutting fees.

Deanna says she was set on choosing a buffet-style dinner for the reception because she thought it would be less expensive than a plated dinner.

However, crunching the numbers revealed some unexpected savings.

“I thought it reduced the cost because you only have to pay for a certain number of dishes, they refill it — everybody’s happy,” Deanna said. “My fiancé sat down and did the math, and judging by the maximum number of guests we had actually found out that a sit-down dinner was less expensive than a buffet which really surprised me.”

Deanna says that even if each guest chooses the most expensive dish along with having access to the open bar, the plated option is still cheaper than the buffet.

Plus, she says many of their guests have dietary restrictions or prefer vegetarian options. Deanna says the plated-dinner option offers more choices for their guests.

The couple is also dedicated more of the budget to their wedding photography. They’ve chosen to have two photographers for the big day, but they will not be hiring a videographer.

“They’re capturing those moments when you’re in them and you’re heart is racing and you’re saying, ‘I do’ and the whole thing is sort of a whirlwind of color and sound,” Deanna said. “You not really paying attention to every minute detail – you want a photographer to be able to capture that.”

What you wear is captured in those memorable photos – making Deanna’s choice for a bridal gown an important one.

Deanna’s mother is a seamstress, which means more savings.

The prom dresses manchester can easily be one of the most expensive purchases you’re going to make for your wedding, but it’s also one of those items you’re going to use once, so setting a strict budget or figuring out ways you can use it again is recommended.

“We have shortened dresses before,” said Gina Bush, owner of Bliss Bridal in Baldwinsville. “This one bride wanted to wear it on her anniversary every year but it was a really big dress with a big train so she came in and we did tea-length for the dress so that she could wear it. It is fun when that happens.”

More than anything, Deanna says it’s important to not get ahead of yourself in the planning process.

“You have to be mindful of what’s really important,” Deanna said. “Do you want to have one day with a big blowout?”

Because Deanna and her fiancé asked other couples about their weddings – they found out about HoneyFund.com – free site that allows you to register your honeymoon trip.

Instead of buying flatware, towels or kitchen dishes for the couple, they’re hoping their 150 gifts will consider buying from the honeymoon registry to help pay for dinners or excursions for their trip to St. Lucia.

“What we really need is time away and time together so that’s really the greatest gift someone can give us – time to enjoy out honeymoon,” Deanna said.

The couple says they have also found some added savings by “asking around” within their family to find relatives and friends who have a tie to the wedding industry.

A family member is doing bridal hair and makeup on the wedding day and another friend, who is a DJ, is cutting a good deal for the couple’s wedding reception music.

Making their own save-the-date cards also saved the couple money.

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It has been an eventful two months for Carolina Herrera. First there was that nasty lawsuit against Oscar de la Renta wherein it transpired that her former chief executive had hired a former ODLR designer to be her heir in waiting without telling her, a situation that did not end well for anyone involved. (The designer returned to her previous place of employ, the chief executive left, and dirty laundry was seen by all.) Then there was the Ivanka Trump inaugural ball gown, a fairy-tale confection that cast Mrs. Herrera into the eye of the political storm.

So if she was feeling distracted, it was understandable. Perhaps as a result, for her fall collection she took refuge in the details.

Moving away from her uptown show home at the Frick to an empty space in the meatpacking district with a Modernist industrial glass ceiling designed by I. M. Pei, Mrs. Herrera laid down a foundation of neat white cotton shirting (the kind she wears so well herself) with wide Edwardian governess collars, paired with pleated gray flannel skirts and finished with a thin black velvet bow at the neck.

More bows tied — literally — the collection together, as it moved through the various stages of a wardrobe and assorted personalities (schoolgirl, urbanite, debutante, royalty). They cinched the back of black leather biker jackets, and the neck of a burgundy crocheted day prom dresses liverpool; were stuck on the diagonal across a black velvet bustier atop a full teal green lace and chiffon skirt; and were tied at the waist of a fragile shell pink cocktail dress. It was a promising idea, but by the end, rendered in organza and tacked onto the neck of a backless sapphire velvet halter evening gown so that the wearer resembled a prized puppy, it seemed more like a styling trick than a gift.

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He was a Eurasian Catholic while she was a Chinese Buddhist.

Right from the start, Madam Chua Poh Choo’s parents objected to their relationship. But Madam Chua, 67, was sure Mr Percival Shepherdson, 69, was the one for her.

They had met in 1974, while they were doing volunteer work to help the underprivileged. Madam Chua was working as a stenographer then and Mr Shepherdson was a senior security officer. She was very impressed by his leadership skills and his generosity towards others.

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Mr Shepherdson was drawn to her beautiful smile. And as he got to know her better, he noticed that she got along well with everybody, and that she never seemed to ask for anything in return.

The first time he paid for her bus ticket, she ran from the bus stop to the office in tears.

“I did not know who he was. The bus conductor told me that a man had paid for my ticket, so naturally I was afraid. Who knows what he might be up to?” Mrs Pereira, 80, recalled. After all, she was just 17.

The Pereiras eventually became friends and tied the knot on June 12, 1958, four years after they had met. They have two daughters.

Asked what advice he has for young couples, Mr Pereira said: “Forgive. Do not carry the anger with you. And do not borrow money. Even if it is to buy something to make your wife happy, always spend within your means.”

Mrs Pereira said patience and understanding play a big part too. “He is quick-tempered. So when he gets angry, I leave him alone until he has cooled down.”

These days, the couple look forward to spending time with their four grandsons and a great-granddaughter. They sometimes also take bus rides across the island.

“Sometimes, we go to Tampines, other times, Woodlands, or wherever we like. Then we ‘jalan jalan’ (walk) and catch a bus home,” said Mr Pereira.

TRUE LOVE OVERCAME FAMILY BACKGROUNDS

The first time Mr Syed Mohammad Syed Umar Shahab, 84, and Madam Sharifah Naraini Syed Hussein Alsagoff, 78, set eyes on each other, they were smitten.

But there was nothing more they could do than exchange glances.

They were both attending an event by the seaside at Marine Parade but the then 17-year-old was with her family.

Still, it was meant to be, for they met again a few weeks later at a wedding. This time, they spoke and exchanged phone numbers.

But the path of true love was anything but smooth, given how they were from very different backgrounds.

She was from a wealthy family with very strict parents. Their family backgrounds were worlds apart.

Knowing that her parents would not allow them to be together, she dated him secretly for several years.

He recalls how he would ring her home, and hang up. That was his signal for her to answer the next call. She would secretly skip her sewing classes so that the two of them could meet.

It took almost seven years for him to save up enough money working as a meteorologist at the airport to ask for her hand in marriage. “I was willing to wait because he is a good man,” she said.

The wedding, a grand affair, lasted five days at the bride’s home. Fifty-five years and two children later, the couple are still inseparable.

One of their habits is to never go to sleep angry with each other. “We argue, but before we go to bed, we have to settle the quarrel,” he said.

These days, they spend much of their time with family and friends.

And at least once a month, she cooks food they can pack for a picnic on the beach. “We love the sea, as that is where we first met,” she said.

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By Sharon Mosley Creators Syndicatef Summer means rocking out at your favorite festivals where you can free your inner fashion spirit with the best of a boho beat. So take some time to get your cool on with these hot looks that have plenty of edgy attitude:

– Start with distressed denim. Whether it’s a pair of cropped jeans, a mini skirt or a pair of short shorts, the latest denim is raw and ragged. It’s the perfect way to do the blues at an outdoor concert. So start your layering here.

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– Add decorated denim. Add some groovy flair to your traditional jeans or jackets and embellish on the basics. Follow the lead of designers at Gucci and Valentino and wear denim embroidered with appliques of anything from bees to butterflies.

– Rock a graphic T-shirt. You may or may not want to advertise your favorite band, but there are plenty of ways to get a fashion message across with eye-catching toppers that let you move and clap your hands with ease. Skip the cropped tops and go for an edgy oversized T-shirt in graphic prints or stripes.

– Love the leather. When you think festivals and fun, think leather. It’s long been part of the rocker’s uniform. Leather pants may be a little on the warm side, but there are plenty of breathable “pleather” versions available. Leather-like leggings are another great option to jeans. And of course, the leather moto jacket is always a great option tossed over anything and everything.

– Take the tunic to new lengths. The embroidered tunics are definitely having a fashion moment, but crocheted ones are too. If you really want to rock a ’70s vibe, then throw on a gauzy tie-dyed tunic. The more colorful, the better.

And if you’re more of a romantic, then go with the flowing florals. Flower power is pulsing with the fashion beat to the tune of maxi dresses that are cool and comfortable in whimsical prints that bloom in barely there breezy fabrics. Top off with sweaters or vests for chilly nights.

– Always rock out the accessories. There’s no better time to bring out your inner wild child, so swing into summer fun with dangling beaded earrings, suede fringe handbags and maybe a turquoise pendant or two. Then stack your arms with lots of leather and mixed metal bracelets. Wear a hat if you’re going to be out in the sun. And remember your sunglasses, too!

– Never forget the shoes. These may be the most important part of your whole festival outfit. Don’t be tempted to wear those brand new platforms you just bought. One word: Flats. Blisters are not fun; ditto for heels that sink into the ground. Go for comfy. Think slip-on sneakers, moccasins, espadrilles. Birkenstocks, anyone?

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Audrey Hepburn’s eldest son was sued Wednesday by a charity he helped establish to continue his mother’s support of children’s welfare causes.

The Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund sued Sean Ferrer on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging he has interfered with the charity’s plans to exhibit several of the Oscar winner’s high fashion cheap prom dresses and other memorabilia. The exhibitions are the primary source of money for the charity, which supports children’s centers in hospitals in Los Angeles and New Orleans and a facility in New Jersey.

Ferrer and his half-brother, Luca Dotti, established the fund after their mother’s death along with their mother’s longtime companion, Dutch actor Robert Wolders.

Dotti currently serves as the charity’s chairman.

The siblings are embroiled in a separate court dispute over division of jewelry, property and other items their mother left to them after her death in January 1993. The lawsuit contends that while only one brother has to give permission to display the items, Ferrer has threatened litigation over planned exhibits in Korea and China, and also restricted the charity’s access to its website.

The lawsuit contends Ferrer’s actions may force the charity to cease operations and could “irreparably damage the sterling reputation of the late Audrey Hepburn.”

Emails a phone message left for Ferrer’s attorney Wednesday were not returned.

Ferrer, who once ran the charity but stepped aside several years ago, has interfered with potential exhibitions of some of Hepburn’s Givenchy prom dresses cheap in China and Korea, the lawsuit states.

“The fund is seeking to continue to raise funds in the same way it has done for more than two decades,” its attorney Steven E. Young wrote in an email Wednesday.

In 2013, the charity made $30,000 in donations to children’s hospitals in Los Angeles and New Orleans, according to the most recent tax records available. The records show the foundation’s revenues declined from $290,000 the previous year to $223,000 in 2013.

Wednesday’s lawsuit comes 18 months after Ferrer sued Dotti seeking to divide up ownership of jewelry, property, a vintage movie poster collection and other memorabilia Hepburn left to her sons. Attorneys for both men reported to a judge in November that negotiations over the items had been productive, but no settlement or resolution has been announced.

Young said Wednesday’s lawsuit and the dispute over other items that belonged to Hepburn are not connected.

Hepburn won an Academy Award in 1954 for “Roman Holiday” and was awarded the film academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1993. She died before that year’s Oscars ceremony, so Ferrer accepted it in her honor and summarized his mother’s commitment to helping children.

“She believed every child has the right to health, to hope, to tenderness and to life,” Ferrer said during the ceremony, according to a transcript on the film academy’s website. “On her behalf I dedicate this to the children of the world.”

Are you “Pretty in Pink”? Was 1984 a “Cruel Summer?” Do you remember “Walkin’ on Sunshine”?

Even if you weren’t born during those “Glory Days,” cheap prom dresses in your 80s best, make your hair real big and dance the night away while helping a great cause.

If the Dress Fits, a Duluth-based nonprofit group that provides a service that allows girls and their families to donate current, previously worn or brand new gowns and matches them with Northland girls who would not otherwise be able to afford a dress or attend their prom. The organization holds its annual fundraiser 9 p.m. to midnight Feb. 10 at the Buffalo House Junction in Esko for people age 21 and older

A king and queen will be crowned; a photo booth will be donated by Six Shooter Photo; and music will be provided by Sounds Unlimited Entertainment. There will be fun surprises, too.

The fundraising goal is to collect 200 dresses and generate money donations to provide dry cleaning services and dress alterations for those who need them.

Advance ticket price is $10 or $15 at the door. Donate a contemporary style prom dress and receive $5 off admission.

Donated prom dresses cheap will be collected at the door, or at the following advance ticket locations: Bella Rose Bridal, 1709 Mall Drive, Duluth, or Arrowhead Builders Association, 5255 Maple Grove Road, Hermantown.

Television personality, mom — and now, Savannah Guthrie is an author too.

The Today show co-anchor recently spoke about her debut children’s book, Princesses Wear Pants. But Guthrie insists the message behind the title isn’t about tearing down cheap prom dresses uk, and instead about encouraging little girls to be well-rounded.

“We wanted our daughters to be okay with their love of princesses, but also realize that princesses are strong women with real things to do!” Guthrie says of the message behind the book, which she wrote alongside Allison Oppenheim, a parent educator.

“The pants just became a fun vehicle for explaining all the different interests that a well-rounded young lady can have.”

“We are saying, ‘Hey, we love all that girly-girl stuff — but be sure you’ve got some substance underneath, too,” adds Guthrie, 45. “We are definitely not anti-princess. In fact, having lots of fun and frilly clothes (yes, including dresses!) was an absolute must for the book. You gotta give the (little) people what they want!”

The mom of two — Guthrie gave birth to son Charles “Charley” Max in December — says her 2-year-old daughter Vale was a huge inspiration behind the story of Princess Penelope Pineapple, whose story takes her on all kinds of responsibility-filled adventures like hosting science fairs, gardening and piloting.

“I realized pretty quickly Vale was going to love princesses. I think it’s in her genetic code,” Guthrie jokes.

“Princess Penelope’s little brother, Philippe, has a starring role — and we’ve got some action and adventure in the final scene. So yes, I think boys will like it, too. I know it will be a must-read for Charley!”

But Vale’s affinity for royalty went past poofy dresses and bejeweled crowns when her mom realized she could leverage the idea of a princess in an educational, empowering way for her daughter and other little girls alike.

“My daughter is definitely my muse. She quickly picked up on the princess trend and strove to emulate it in every way, which to her meant wearing a full-skirted cheap evening dresses and jewelry while spinning around the house,” Oppenheim says. “I thought, well, how can I work within her imaginary world to make princesses something we should strive to emulate?”

Guthrie admits she loves “books that rhyme” like One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish and Rosie Revere, Engineer — and that she and her daughter are a fan of another celebrity author who happens to have a little girl around Vale’s age.

“Kelly Clarkson just wrote a really sweet book about her daughter, River Rose, and Vale loves when I read her that book,” she says. “It has a lullaby in it that we sing.”

The wife of former UKIP leader Nigel Farage appeared without her wedding ring today hours after it emerged her husband had been sharing a London bolthole with a female French politician.

German-born Kirsten Farage, who has previously been photographed wearing a ring, refused to answer questions at the couple’s family home in Kent today.

But there was mounting speculation about the state of their marriage after it emerged Mr Farage, 52, has been living under the same roof as Laure Ferrari, 37, at a £4million ‘bachelor pad’ in west London.

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Ms Ferrari is at the centre of a investigation by Britain’s elections watchdog into UKIP’s use of funding.

Asked if she could provide details of where her husband was this morning, Mrs Farage simply said: “No”.

However, a stormy-faced Mr Farage arrived shortly after 3pm today and refused to answer questions.

Mr Farage has insisted his relationship with Ms Ferrari was professional and that he was not romantically involved with the former waitress.

Although he confirmed he was sharing the Chelsea home with her, he said claims they are having an affair were ‘crackers’.

He said: “She is someone who I have worked with and known well for a long time who wanted somewhere to stay for a week that wouldn’t cost her any money.

“It’s a working relationship, you can inflate that however you want,” he said.

Fears that his marriage could be under strain emerged when Mrs Farage did not take part in the recording of Piers Morgan’s Life Stories featuring her husband two weeks’ ago.

While his parents and brother were present for the intimate television profile, Mrs Farage did not attend the recording or film any clips for the programme.

In a magazine interview in January, the former UKIP leader denied his marriage to Kirsten, his second wife, was in difficulties.

“We get by and bumble along, like most people,” he said.

The couple have two daughters, aged 16 and 11. He has two older sons by his first wife.

In 2014 the Mirror photographed Mr Farage hand in hand with a female companion entering a hotel on Malta in the early hours of the morning.

He denied any impropriety.

Mr Farage and Ms Ferrari first met in 2007 when she was a waitress in Strasbourg.

Within months she was head of public relations for the British delegation to the European Freedom and Democracy group that includes UKIP.

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