Advice Archives | Page 24 of 55

In Advice

How to have a fun online bachelorette party

March 30, 2020 No Comments

We know, we know. It’s not exactly what you had in mind. But hey, sometimes doing things a little different can be tons of fun! So, if you were planning to host your own or someone else’s bachelorette party soon and you don’t feel like postponing, don’t worry. You can easily move it online. Here’s how:

Choose your platform

If you’re tech-savvy, you will be spoiled for choice. There are loads of different group communication platforms, including Skype, WhatsApp video call, Zoom, Google Hangouts and more. Choose the one you and your mates are most comfortable with and go for it.

Invite everyone and make sure they can access it

Of course, you and everyone attending will need reliable and strong internet access. It might be smart to do a test run a few days before to make sure everyone can access it and that it will work well. If not, you might consider trying a different platform. Then, the fun part starts. Make some awesome e-vites and get everyone to pin down the date (they’ve got no excuse not to be there!).

Go all out with the dress code

The most important part of the event is (arguably) the theme. If you have a theme or a dress-code, don’t leave it behind! You will still be able to see each other, and you will feel all the vibes if you dress the part.

Have plenty of games on hand

No bachelorette is complete without a bunch of games. Granted, this might not be the wild night out you planned, but it doesn’t have to be any less fun. Games like Heads Up, charades and Never have I ever will have you crying with laughter!

Don’t forget the drinks

This is can be combined with the games for best results. You can even all make cocktails together during the party (assuming you have all the ingredients already, since no alcohol will be for sale during lockdown). If not, get that steaming cup of coffee or heavenly tea ready!

Image: Pixabay

In Advice

Who to leave off your wedding guest list

March 30, 2020 No Comments

Let’s be honest, there are quite a few wedding guests who fall under the ‘non-essential’ category. We tend to invite people to be polite, because our parents expect us to, or because that’s what tradition dictates.

Eventually, the list will grow too long. Your venue’s capacity may not allow for the long list of guests, or it could be the gaping hole in your pocket calling for you to cut down on the invites. Whatever your reason for a shorter guest list, you need to remember that in the end it’s your special day. You can invite (or not invite) anyone you please.

If you’re wondering where to start trimming, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some people you can leave off your wedding guest list:

– MIA friends and family

Your wedding is an opportunity to celebrate your love and the big steps you’re taking in life. Those who are present in your life should have a chance to share that happiness with you. If there are family members or friends you haven’t spoken to in years, there is no need to invite them. This is not a reunion, it’s a wedding.

– Neighbours

Physical proximity should not be a factor in choosing your wedding guests. Just because they live next to you, doesn’t mean they get an invite. If you’re very friendly with them, it’s a different story, but if they’re the “wave and keep it moving” types of neighbours, then an invitation is not necessary.

– Kids

There is a lot of debate about whether kids should be invited to weddings. Ultimately, the choice is yours. But if you wanting to cut down on the amount of mouths you need to feed, this is a great place to start.

– Your parents’ friends

No doubt your mom’s friend will see all your wedding photos on Facebook (and like them all individually). There’s no need for her to see it live.

– Badly behaved guests

If you have a friend who is notorious for getting smashed and wrecking the cake at weddings, why would you invite them? Be smart, don’t do it!

Also read: Should you invite kids to your wedding?

Also read: Wedding plus-one etiquette: Rules for the couple

Also read: The ex-factor: Should you invite them?

Image: Pexels

In Advice

Does your personality match your perfume?

March 27, 2020 No Comments

If eyes are the window to your soul, then perfume is the gateway to your psyche. Wearing perfume is like making your own non-verbal statement. Your scent follows you, speaks of and to you.

Whether you prefer the boldness of musk or light floral notes, your choice in fragrance will leave a lingering impression on everyone you come in contact with so make sure it’s the right one. Before you spray away, consider which best suits your personality…

Nature Lovers: Floral

Earthy and sweet, floral scents are for the nature lovers. Floral scents are also distinctly soft and feminine. It’s for the woman deeply in touch with her femininity, who wants her sweetness shared with the world. The wearer of this scent immediately brightens a room with their warmth and sunny disposition. Jasmine, lily, and gardenia are popular ingredients for this perfume type.

Self Assured: Musk

A musky scent is hard to ignore, just like its wearer. Earthy, woody, animalistic, and intoxicating, this scent gives you everything and more. A musk-wearer is self-assured, the type that doesn’t need to shout to be seen. Naturally, this bold and confident scent can be polarising, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

Feminine and Flirty: Fruity

Fruity scents can go two ways. Citrus scents are sharp, clean, and energically fresh. It’s feminine without being too flirty, ideal for a woman with sass. Those who prefer the more tropical side tend to be more fun and full of life. Scents reminiscent of watermelon, berries or passionfruit are heartwarmingly optimistic, like a day spent on the beach. If you wear this scent, you’re most likely the life of the party.

Uncomplicated: Fresh

Understated but not underwhelming, this perfume scent is like a breathe of fresh air. Wearers of this scent appreciate simplicity and follow an uncomplicated way of life. If you’re into the minimalist aesthetic, this scent is for you.

Well-grounded: Woody

Typically the most popular unisex fragrance type, woody scents are earthy and grounded. With ingredients like sandalwood, cedar and patchouli, this fragrance type is easyngoing and clear just like its wearer. Those that spritz this scent are typically solid and dependable, but definitely not boring.

Mysterious: Spicy/oriental

This warm scent is dark and curiously inviting. Those who don a spicy scent are bold, mysterious and sensual yet playful. Almost hedonistic in nature, this smell speaks to an uncompromising personality who enjoys the pleasures of life. It’s perfect for a spontaneous wearer that likes to keep people guessing.

If you’re looking for a new fragrance that is as multifacted as you, look no further. Like the Quatre ring that combines four different motifs with an array of colours and dazzling harmony, the Boucheron fragrances will reveal surprising facets and daring sharpness, reflecting elegance and style. A frenzy of precious raw materials unveil their scent uniquely in every occasion and for each skin.

Boucheron Quatre fragrances are exclusively available in Dis-Chem Pharmacies.

Feature image: supplied

In Advice

Pros and cons of weekday weddings

March 26, 2020 No Comments

Weekend weddings are all the rage, with Saturdays being the most popular by a long shot. But couples haven’t totally discredited the idea of a weekday wedding. In fact, while they are often considered difficult, weekday weddings are quite do-able!

Perhaps you’ve chosen a special date for a sentimental reason, or you just are not willing to let go of your dream venue even if it means an “inconvenient” date. Whatever the reason for your weekday wedding, we’re sure you’ll pull it off.

If you’re on the fence about whether the weekday wedding will work for you, here are some pros and cons to help you find your way:

Pros

– Much cheaper

Vendors, venues, and hotels will all be much cheaper during the week. Most companies and service providers in the wedding industry are likely to charge much less on a weekday. Saving money? That’s always a plus!

– More availability

Your planning and co-ordination will consist of less back and forth calls and appointments because wedding service providers are more readily available on weekdays. Weekday weddings are uncommon, so you’ll have vendors almost completely to yourself!

– Good for intimate weddings

It’s likely that quite a few people won’t be able to make it, so you’ll be left with a smaller crowd. Of course all your nearest and dearest will make the effort to be there, which means it’s only those who you are not that close to you who won’t pull through. This means your wedding will only have guests who intimately know you. It could turn out being even more special that you ever imagined.

Cons

– Lower attendance

If you’ve always wanted a massive wedding, then a weekday is a big no. Many guests won’t make it during the week.

– Might end earlier

People have obligations the next day and thus may leave earlier than they would at a weekend wedding. It could bring your celebrations to a close before you’re ready to end the night.

– Quiet crowd

Your guests will be attending your wedding after school, work and other such daily tasks. This means they might be a bit tired and low energy. If you’re fine with a quieter crowd, then go for it! But if you want loud cheers and overly excited onlookers, then a weekday wedding may not be for you.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

What to wear to your bridal shower

March 25, 2020 No Comments

As part of your wedding festivities, the bridal shower offers a perfect moment for you to celebrate your upcoming nuptials with your nearest and dearest.

As the bride, you definitely want to look the part. Remember, this is your day! To tease your walk down the aisle, it seems fitting to wear white to your bridal shower. Naturally, this outfit would be more daytime appropriate than a wedding dress.

Here are some fashionable ideas for you to put your best foot forward:

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Father-daughter dance songs to sway away to

March 24, 2020 No Comments

A wedding day is always meaningful, but one of the most memorable moments for many is the father-daughter dance. If you’ve got a special relationship with your dad, you’ll want a beautiful moment on your big day to encapsulate it.

To help you find that perfect tune, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite songs guaranteed to bring some tears to your guests eyes when you take to the floor with your pops.

Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder

Favourite lyrics: “We have been heaven blessed / I can’t believe what God has done / Through us he’s given life to one / But isn’t she lovely made from love”

Father and Daughter – Paul Simon

Favourite lyrics: “I’m gonna watch you shine / Gonna watch you grow / Gonna paint a sign / So you always know / As long as one and one is two / Ooh ooh / There could never be a father / Love his daughter more than I love you”

My Girl – The Temptations

Favourite lyrics: “I’ve got so much honey the bees envy me / I’ve got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees”

I Loved Her First – Heartland

Favourite lyrics: “From the first breath she breathed / When she first smiled at me / I knew the love of a father runs deep”

Slipping Through My Fingers – ABBA

Favourite lyrics: “Slipping through my fingers all the time / I try to capture every minute / The feeling in it”

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

Favourite lyrics: “When the evening shadows and the stars appear / And there is no one there to dry your tears / I could hold you for a million years / To make you feel my love”

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – Rod Stewart

Favourite lyrics: “Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness / Ease my troubles, that’s what you do”

You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker

Favourite lyrics: “You’re everything I hope for / You’re everything I need / You are so beautiful to me”

Unforgettable – Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole

Favourite lyrics: “Never before has someone been more / Unforgettable in every way / And forevermore (and forevermore) / That’s how you’ll stay (that’s how you’ll stay)”

(They Long to Be) Close to You – The Carpenters

Favourite lyrics: “On the day that you were born the angels got together / And decided to create a dream come true / So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue”

Daddy – Beyoncé

Favourite lyrics: “Even if my man broke my heart today / No matter how much pain I’m in I would be okay, oh / ‘Cause I got a man in my life that can’t be replaced / Father’s love is unconditional, it won’t go away”

Your Song – Elton John

Favourite lyrics: “I hope you don’t mind / That I put down in words / How wonderful life is while you’re in the world”

Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion

Favourite lyrics: “You were my strength when I was weak / You were my voice when I couldn’t speak / You were my eyes when I couldn’t see / You saw the best there was in me”

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Renting versus buying a wedding suit

March 24, 2020 No Comments

You may be under the impression that the wedding dress is all that people will be looking at on the big day. If that’s the case, you’re in for a wake-up call. The grooms attire is equally important! A wedding suit is one of the most special outfits a man will ever wear.

Buying this suit, however, is a huge expense. You may not be willing, or be able, to spend that much money on your outfit. If you’re considering your options, then you should keep in mind that renting a suit is possible too.

Here are some pros and cons of both buying and renting, to help you make your final decision.

Buying a wedding suit

Pros

– You’ll have it forever

If you buy the suit, you’ll be able to keep it forever. Whether it’s just a great memory hanging in your cupboard, or you pull it out to wear to every fancy occasion, it’s always nice to have.

– You’re the first to wear it

You won’t spend your entire wedding day wondering who else has been in the suit that is currently on your body. We know that can be a bit creepy!

– Originality

You can customize it as much as you want, and you can add whatever accessories you prefer. This is the upside for many grooms.

Cons

– Expensive

This is the most glaring and most commonly cited con. New suits are tremendously pricey.

– Bang for your buck

If you only wear it once, all that money essentially goes to waste.

– Won’t always fit

We all know that our bodies change over time. This is true for everybody! Your body won’t be the same in 10 years, as it is on your wedding day. If you’re keeping it, it might not look as great in the future.

Renting a wedding suit

Pros

– This is often the cheaper option

If you’re a more informal type of guy, buying a suit makes no sense! Forking out a large sum of cash for a one-time outfit is simply not worth it. On top of this a suit that costs R5000, for example, is likely to only cost you around half of that price to rent. That’s a lot of savings.

– A nicer suit

Since it’s cheaper to rent than buy, you’ll be able to afford a higher-end suit. You’ll look dapper for less money.

– Additionals included

In most cases, when you rent a suit, all extra’s are included. This means you’ll get your shirt, cufflinks and tie all at once. You’ll spend much less time shopping.

Cons

– The fit

Renting means that options for tailoring are limited. If you’re “average” sized, then you might be able have some temporary stitches put in, but if you’re extremely tall, for example, it’ll be much more difficult to find a suit that fits well.

– You may feel it’s not special

Since it’s not really yours, and somebody else has worn it before, you may feel its less special than a bought suit.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

What to wear to a courthouse wedding

March 23, 2020 No Comments

Many couples across the globe have made the tough decision to postpone or cancel their wedding day as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens. While this is the responsible thing to do, it doesn’t mean you can’t still get married.

Courthouse or Home Affairs weddings can still go ahead, meaning you may still tie the knot in these trying times. Remember, its about the love you have for each other, not an extravagent wedding day, that makes a marriage.

If you’d still like to go ahead with your big day, albeit on a much smaller scale, here is some fashion inspo for what to wear to the courthouse.

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Beauty breakdown: All about Microblading

March 23, 2020 No Comments

As a society, we’ve (thankfully) moved away from the skinny brow trend of the 90s and early 2000s. Today’s beauty icons are sporting a fuller, feathery brow that commands attention.

Just because you haven’t been blessed with naturally full brows, doesn’t mean you have to stay that way. Microblading has become a popular cosmetic procedure across the world, allowing people to have the brows of their dreams. This can be an amazing confidence boost for those with naturally light or sparse brows and those who lost their eyebrow hair from alopecia.

If you’re keen to ditch the eyebrow pencil, here’s what you need to know.

Pre-procedure:

Microblading is essentially a semi-permanent face tattoo. Tiny, fine-point needles creates hair-like strokes in you brow area, after which pigment is deposited into it.

The difference between microblading and eyebrow tattooing is that microblading needles do not penetrate deep layers of your skin, thus making them far less permanent.

Once meeting with your technician, you will discuss the type of brow you want. Full, feathery, straight, whatever shape and style you desire is possible. Your technician will draw the shape you want with an eyebrow pencil so that you can imagine how your brows will look when they’re done. Once you’re happy, your technician will consider your natural hair colour to determine the ink colour or colours.

The procedure:

The brow area is cleaned and numbed with a topical ointment. Using a handheld tool, your technician will begin creating superficial cuts along your brow. A pigment is then deposited into the cuts to stain the skin to appear hair-like. Once all the cuts are made, a final layer of pigment is applied for 5 minutes and then cleaned to reveal your new brows.

Pain levels vary based on the person, but most people say this procedure feels similar to the pain of eyebrow threading. It’s mainly the scratching noise that people have an issue with.

The procedure typically takes about 40 minutes to an hour from start to finish. Depending on your skin, aftercare and lifestyle, results can last from one to three years. However, you should get touch-ups every 12 months after your initial four week touch-up.

Post-procedure aftercare:

As your brows are like a tattoo, similar aftercare rules apply.

– Don’t get your brows wet for the first seven to 10 days. You need to keep the area as dry as possible. After this time, you may gently wash the area with antibacterial soap and water, and gently pat dry. Avoid any cleansers containing acids or exfoliants.

– Avoid exercise and swimming for a week

– Make sure to apply sunscreen daily to enhance your brows longevity, as well as avoid direct sunlight for a week.

– Don’t scratch! Your eyebrows will likely be itchy and flaky but it is important to let them heal.

– Don’t panic! Your brows can appear up to 40% darker in the first few days of the healing process. Be patient, within a week the ink will fade into a more natural shade.

– Clients are encouraged to schedule a follow-up appointment for 4-6 weeks time to any touch-ups that need to be made.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Wedding movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine

March 23, 2020 No Comments

Across the world, people are working from home and self-quarantining amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After clocking out of your imaginary office, you’ve probably got a lot of time on your hands. Now seems like the perfect time to do your wedding research.

Whether or not you’re getting married, these films are sure to inspire you as well as show you what NOT to do in the lead-up to your big day.

The Wedding Planner

Jennifer Lopez plays Mary Fiore, San Francisco’s most successful wedding planner. However, she breaks a crucial rule when she falls for one of the grooms, played by Matthew McConaughey. This movie offers early 2000s romcom at its finest.

Father of the Bride

In this heartwarming tale, a father, played by Steve Martin, struggles to come to terms with the fact his eldest daughter is getting married. This film gives great insight into how parents feel when their children take this big step.

My Best Friend’s Wedding

When Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) finds out her best friend Michael O’Neal (Dermot Mulroney) plans to marry in a few days, she realises she is actually in love with him and sets off to get the wedding cancelled. Many hijinks and a famous musical scene that catapaulted the song “I Say a Little Prayer (For You)” can be expected.

The Wedding Singer

This 1998 romantic comedy tells the story of wedding singer Robbie (Adam Sandler) and waitress Julia (Drew Barrymore), both of whom are engaged to other people. When Robbie’s fiance breaks things off, Julia helps him find happiness again and they begin to fall for one another. This is just one of many classic Sandler / Barrymore films that has gone down in history.

Bridesmaids

An all-star cast of funny women leaves us with a laugh-a-minute movie. The movie follows Annie, played by Kristen Wiig, who begins unravelling when she becomes maid of honour to best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph). The limit does not exist for quotable moments in this film.

Runaway Bride

New York columnist Ike, played by Richard Gere, is assigned to write an article about Maggie Carpenter (Julia Roberts), a woman who has a history of leaving fiance’s at the altar on their wedding day and thus earning her the nickname ‘The Runaway Bride”. As she prepares to walk down the aisle again, Ike and Maggie grow closer, threatening history to repeat itself once more.

Monster-in-Law

Everthing is plain sailing for Charlie (Jennifer Lopez) and Kevin (Michael Vartan), who quickly fall in love and get engaged, until Charlie meets Kevin’s mother Viola (Jane Fonda), who is determined to keep her son all to herself. After watching this movie, we hope you’ll feel a lot more grateful for your own mother-in-law.

Sweet Home Alabama

When New York-based up-and-coming fashion designer Melanie Carmichael (Reece Witherspoon) becomes engaged to famed politician’s son Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey), she is forced to return to her secret Southern roots to divorce her first husband Jake, who refuses to sign the papers.

Feature image: Unsplash