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    In Engagements

    Agent E helps men find the perfect ring

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    Finding the perfect engagement ring is a tough task! If you’re a groom-to-be, or have experienced the ring shopping rush then you know a bit about this. We bet a one-stop-shop for finding the dream ring is exactly what soon-to-be-husbands are yearning for.

    Rowena Cumner, a 34-year-old Londoner, launched her engagement business, Agent Engagement, in 2015. The business helps men find the perfect engagement ring, assisting them in the full process including sourcing the ring and transporting it through airport security.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7isPFlgi6H/

    Cumner offers the service at no cost at all, with her income coming from commission from jewelers. According to Daily Mail, Cumner thought up this business idea when her friend requested that she assist in bringing a ring across London.

    About her business she said: “I started being Agent E to help people save time, hassle or money when searching the engagement ring market and it just became really fun. From teachers to doctors, builders to bankers, my clients seemed to find it fun too, pretending to be 007 running around creating the perfect ring.

    “The best part is that my clients never tell their partners that I’ve helped them. They want them to think they did it all by themselves,” she added.

    Included in her job description is ensuring that brides don’t catch on to the upcoming proposal. She claims that at times she speaks to clients more than 30 times a day, if they’re working with a deadline.

    Apparently, getting rings through airport security is the most difficult part. “Usually we get around this with a giant post-it note on the ring box alerting airport staff that it’s a surprise engagement ring and not to be opened carelessly,” she said.

    “Sometimes the rings are so precious we can’t risk a problem in security, so I once booked a £1 EasyJet flight to Dublin, just so I can get the ring through airport security slowly, in order to pass it over to my client outside Pret a Manger in Gatwick while his girlfriend was in the loo,” she added.

    Cumner takes pride in her business and is tremendously happy helping clients create the perfect proposal. “I will stop at nothing to help my clients pop the question with complete peace of mind – as long as it’s legal,” she said.

    Here are some of her happy clients:

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    Image: Instagram / Agent Engagement

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    In Advice

    Does your personality match your perfume?

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    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

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    In Bridal Shower

    Dramatic wedding entrances you won’t believe

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    Simply walking down the aisle on your wedding day is so expected. Some brides and grooms feel the need to really set themselves apart on their big day, and opt for grand entrances.

    From a skydiving groom to a flying bride, here are a few OTT moments you need to see.

    A bride and her balloons

    Ballerina beauties

    Let the sky fall

    Light ’em up

    The greatest show

    Feature image: Screenshot

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    In Weddings

    Couple forced to wed at home treated to surprise

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    A couple in Canada had to cancel their wedding due to the coronavirus outbreak. Instead of cancelling it all together, they decided to have their ceremony at home.

    Anastasija and Josh spoke to Insider and explained: “We got our decor, we got our party favors, we got our music, we got our DJ, photographer, everything,” said Anastasija. “Everything was planned until about three weeks before our wedding.”

    “And then, COVID,” Josh said.

    Anastasija’s brother and sister-in-law, who were supposed to provide the decorations, got stuck in Europe as borders began to close. Other guests also had to cancel due to travel restrictions. Then gatherings of 50 people or more were banned, leaving the couple with few options.

    All plans had to be changed and so the couple decided to let their 135 guests know that the celebrations would be a no-go. Instead, their ceremony would be held at home. Only family were to attend and Josh’s best friend, his best man.

    Anastasija explained: “We can’t even express how hard it was to message all of our friends that we’ve been so excited to have at our wedding to be like, ‘We’re not only moving the date, but you guys can’t come’. It was heartbreaking. But we came to the conclusion that we could either postpone or we could just get married.”

    Their makeshift wedding took place at Josh’s parents house, with white draping for decor. Josh said that the wedding felt very intimate.

    “It felt very personal and very intimate. What do you really need when you get married? You don’t need all the trappings, all the decorations, all these things. You just really need family, and maybe a few close friends, and that’s what we had.”

    The couple weren’t able to cancel their limo and so rode in style to a location away from the house to take their wedding photos.

    Josh’s best man told the couple to look outside and that’s when the surprise was revealed. “I start seeing a friend of mine, and another friend of mine, and another friend. All of these familiar faces from church are lining the street, all in their cars. We just broke down,” said Josh.

    “They were honking, cheering, yelling congratulations. Josh and I were shocked. We were crying, we couldn’t believe this was happening. Seeing them on the street, celebrating our day with us, made it so magical,” said Anastasija.

    Image: JL Frew/ Facebook

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    In News

    Couple stage Lindt bunny wedding after cancelling own

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    The show must go on in any way possible, right? This couple took a humorous approach to their postponed wedding by having a miniature wedding in quarantine…for their wedding favours.

    Frankie and Mark, living in Thailand, were scheduled to marry in the UK. Of course, with the coronavirus outbreak, their wedding had to be postponed. The couple were left with 115 Lindt bunnies they had planned to use as wedding favours. While disappointed that their wedding could not go on as planned, the pair decided to have a little fun and lighten the mood.

    They lined all the bunnies up and staged a mini wedding, complete with a veil for the bunny bride.

    “We decided to stage some recreations – mainly to stop us just scoffing the whole lot of them.” Mark told Metro UK.

    Mark shared the big day on social media, writing, “So our wedding has been postponed for obvious reasons and we had 115 chocolate Lindt bunnies as wedding favours – time for a bunny wedding of course!”

    This wasn’t the end of the bunnies day. They then hopped onto an ark (while maintaining safe social deistancing, naturally) and even competed in the Bunny Olympics.

    Feature image: Instagram

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    In Advice

    How to preserve a wedding dress at home

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    Your wedding dress is probably the most loved item in your wardrobe. You may never own another piece of clothing as special as this. Of course you’d want to preserve it!

    Preserving a wedding dress means different things to different people. It could be to store away treasured memories, to keep it safe and in good condition for your child to wear one day, or to ensure that it becomes a family heirloom. Whatever your reason, you’ll want to do it properly.

    The last thing you want is for the dress to be ruined over time, or to trust somebody else with the preservation only to find out 30 years later that it’s the wrong dress (tragic).

    So to be sure you get the best preservation possible, here are some tips:

    – Plan ahead 

    If you know you’re a sentimental person, keep some of your budget aside for dress preservation. This can include a budget for a trip to the cleaners, and any items you may need to do at home preservation. (or to get your dress professionally preserved)

    – Handle with care 

    On your big day you should keep in mind that this is an item you want to keep forever. Try to avoid getting stains on it, carry it in a garment bag if you’re travelling, and only put in one at the last minute.

    – Clean the dress 

    After the wedding, but before the preservation process, you have to clean the dress. Of course you could take it to the cleaners, but if you want to do it yourself you need to be aware of the materials your dress is made of. Don’t use harsh laundry detergent and never use bleach.

    If you preserve the dress without cleaning it first, all the tiny stains and marks will set and will become impossible to remove in later years.

    – Acid Free tissue paper 

    At this point, if you’re enlisting the help of a professional, your dress will be put into a preservation box and will be sealed (commonly, you’re advised to never break the seal unless you want to use the dress).

    If you’re DIY-ing then you better get some acid-free tissue paper or pre-washed unbleached muslin. Place layers of tissue paper or muslin between folds of the dress. Stuff the bust with tissue paper too, this helps to maintain shape over time.

    NB! Do not use coloured tissue paper, it’ll stain the dress over time.

    – Acid free container 

    After it’s folded, store the dress in an acid free container. Add silica desiccant packets inside the box.

    – Store in a cool dry place 

    We all have heard this phrase before, but this time it’s serious. Don’t skip this step. If you’re thinking of storing the dress in the attic, basement or garage…DON’T! Cool and dry is the best option. Under a bed or in a closet is probably the best way to go.

    – Check in 

    If you’ve preserved the dress yourself,  you have to check in on it now and then. Every 2 -3 years, have a look at it and maybe give it a re-fold.

    Image: Unsplash 

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    In Wedding Cakes

    Beautiful ‘bouqcakes’ to bite into

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    Wedding cake is cool and all, but have you ever seen bouqcakes? This floral-inspired cupcake trend has taken over the wedding industry, giving a sweet dessert alternative.

    Dubbed bouqcakes, these decorated cupcakes look almost too real to eat. Cake decorators use their fine precision and artistic ability to create life-like flowers to decorate cupcakes, and we can’t get enough of it.

    Take a bite out of these pretty desserts…

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    Feature image: Pexels

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    In Beauty

    What you should know about Dermaplaning

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    Who doesn’t want clear, glowing skin? Dermaplaning has been heralded as the secret to amazing skin, backed by beauty lovers and dermatologists the world over.

    Here’s everything you need to know about this skin treatment.

    What is dermaplaning?

    Dermaplaning is essentially a much closer, finer version of shaving your face. Using a 10-guage scalpel and light feather strokes at a 45 degree angle, a dermatologist or licensed medical aesthetician removes dead skin cells, dirt and hair from your face. A dermaplane razor has been specifically designed for the face, making it different to shaving your face with a regular razor.

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    The process should take about 20-30 minutes. Once finished, your aesthetician will apply a soothing gel like aloe to calm your skin, as well as sunscreen to protect your face from harmful UV rays.

    This pain-free process acts as a means of exfoliation and also helps to brighten and de-congest your face, as well as leave it feeling baby soft. With the removal of dead skin cells and clearer pores, your skincare products will be absorbed much more effectively. Dermaplaning also encourages faster cell turnover, resulting in more collagen being produced and thus greater skin elasticity.

    Those with sun damage, fine lines, dry patches, and dull skin will greatly benefit from dermaplaning.

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    Is it safe?

    When done by a professional, this skin treatment is safe for all skin types. Because dermaplaning is performed with surgical scalpels, it is always advised that it should be at the hands of either a dermatologist or licenced medical aesthetician.

    Of course, those with especially sensitive skin or inflamed acne may want to avoid this, as it could irritate the skin further.

    This is a low-risk procedure, but there is a rare chance of infection or scarring.

    And fear not. The believe that dermaplanning causes hairs to grow back darker and thicker are false.

    What to expect:

    Two weeks before the procedure, make sure to avoid any facial hair removal like threading and waxing. You should also discontinue any exfoliants that include AHAs, BHAs, enzymes, microbeads, and retinoids for 5-7 days as they can thin the skin.

    Before beginning, your aesthetician will prep your skin with rubbing alcohol. Your aesthetician will then use their dermaplaning tool to remove the dead skin cells. Dermaplaning feels exactly like shaving any other body part, therefore does not hurt.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Wj2B8jNjW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Once completed, your face may experience some slight redness. Be sure to give your skin a chance to breathe, and avoid applying makeup for the remainder of the day following your appointment. Dermatologists recommend applying a rich hyaluronic acid mask or moisturizing cream for extra hydration since your skin barrier will be more vulnerable.

    Don’t forget sunscreen! You should also ideally avoid the sun for up to 48 hours after dermaplaning.

    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Advice

    Pros and cons of weekday weddings

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    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

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    In Planning

    No marriage certificates issued during lockdown

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    Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi announced that no marriage certificates will be issued during South Africa’s 21-day lockdown.

    From midnight tonight [Thursday, March 26], South Africans are required to stay in their homes, with all social events prohibited. This includes weddings, which have already been a struggle as a result of social distancing rules.

    Motsoaledi was outlining what his department will still be able to do during the lockdown, which includes no processing of new documents.

    “We won’t issue any marriage certificates, new or old, because there won’t be any emergency [requiring marriage]. You can wait until the 21 days,” said Motsoaledi.

    While that could have been the end of the announcement, Motsoaledi took the opportunity to offer some advice to those who might be disappointed by the news.

    “Maybe the 21 days will also give you time to think whether you want to get married or not. It will be a good time to reflect,” he said.

    Many vendors and wedding venues have already closed, meaning many weddings were put on hold anyways. While the Minister might have sounded flippent about your marriage, maybe use the 21 days to iron out those small details that were bugging you and take extra time to connect to your partner.

    Feature image: Pexels

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