Top Five Gifts for Galentine’s Day

February 12, 2015 Leave a Comment

This weekend could not come soon enough! We’ve been so excited to spend the special day with our loved ones- all our loved ones. You may have been focused on your significant, but you can’t forget about your girlfriends! Valentine’s day is all about showing love and giving to the people that you love. If you’ve been focusing on the fiance the last few days, take some time out to pick up something sweet for the ladies in your life too. If you’re caught up on the 14th with Valentine’s Day, save brunch on the 15th for Galentine’s Day!

Frame Your Friends

Need something quick but cute to do? Pick up some fun frames (we love the frame section at Target for a good score) and look through your timeline for some fun pictures. Look for throwbacks (happy Throwback Thursday!), group pictures, just really cute pictures together. A framed photo is a perfect quick reminder of the good times.

Bag It

You know what we ALL need that we never have enough of? Reusable bags! Reusable bags are perfect to help the environment, transport your groceries safely, and they’re cute. Go on a hunt for some cute reusable bags for your girlfriends- it’s always a great little gift! If you’re on a budget these are easy to afford for all your friends. We’ve spotted cute ones at Trader Joes, Forever 21, and Target that are all under $5.00. If you want to be really sweet, stuff it with their favorite snacks!

Spa Night

If you have a little more cash to spend, put together a full night of indulgence for your friends! Get a basket or bag and stuff it with candles, a bath bomb, and a face mask. Give her the gift of relaxation! If you want to get really fun, you can get a mug with some tea or hot cocoa to make it a cozy night in. You can also tuck away a bottle of wine in there to make it an extra special spa night.

But First..

If your friends are all about that #Instagram or #SelfieLife, make it easier for them and spring for some selfie sticks! They are seriously the gift of the season and it’s still going strong. If you look hard enough you can score them for around $5-$10 each, and for a few extra bucks you can get a bluetooth button so you don’t have to do the whole ten second timer thing. Just make sure you make your girlfriend promise they only post pictures where you all look good!

Binge!

Want to really make your friends smile? Indulge their guilty pleasures and pick up a season or two of their favorite girly show. Gilmore Girls, The OC, Gossip Girl- it’s all fair game! Make her promise to binge watch a few episodes with you so you get some girl time in. She’ll love having something fun to watch and she’ll remember how awesome you are every time she picks it up!

 

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Top Five Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ to Your Fiancé

February 10, 2015 Leave a Comment

Do you feel that love in the air? Or maybe you feel that ring on your left hand? Either way, tis the season to celebrate the most fun thing in the world- LOVE! You don’t necessarily have to do a grand gesture (but if you feel like it, our holiday splurges would work just fine!), sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most. We’ve got five sweet ways for you to say ‘I Love You’ this weekend that are sure to get you brownie points.

Snack Attack

Have you heard the phrase “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”? Yeah, it’s an oldie but a goodie for a reason. If your fiiancé is a snacker, swing by the store and grab his favorite snacks. Keep a stash in a secret place like in your car or in your purse, and surprise him with them. Sneak them into his lunch (if he brings it to work), into the center console of his car (as long as it doesn’t melt), or surprise him while he’s at his computer or watching tv. It’s one of those little things that reminds them you care and you like spoiling your sweetie.

But First… Send Him a Selfie

If you’re feeling cute, write down something cute like “I love you!” on a piece of paper, hold it up, and shoot a selfie to send to him. It’s a more personal way of getting your message across, you remind him how adorable you are, and it’s something easy on your end. Just remember, keep it safe for work in case he’s in public. Always keep it classy, ladies. Just saying!

Do Some Leg Work

It must be a guy thing- so many guys have a TON of clothes that they love that they will never get rid of that are covered in holes and patches. Why do they do that? A lot of guys are sentimentally attached to some outfits or pieces of clothing and will wear them into the ground. So where do you come in? Go ahead and sneak them out to get them patched up by a tailor. Get those hems fixed, those zippers replaced, just go ahead and refurbish the beloved pieces that your fiancé just can’t let go of.

Treat Him to a Guy Date

You always get to go on dates with him, why not let him have a date with his buddies instead? Hint- you may not want to phrase it like that, but the sentiment is there. Something fun you can do is order a big fight on pay-per-view and some beer for your man and his men to enjoy. You can set them up with dinner at a wing joint. You could even (if they’d be up for it) get them manly manicures at a guy-friendly salon (they do exist, and they’re awesome).

Have a Date Night In

You know what every guy loves? Staying at home and enjoying it. Even if they won’t admit it or claim to be outdoorsy, there’s nothing wrong with being at home and having a good time. Tell him it’s date night but stay in. This is the time to get your inner chef on (or even better- order in!) and cater him in the comfort of his own home. Stream a movie you both love, have a good meal, and keep it simple. Sometimes that’s the best way to spend a night with the person you love.

 

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Top Five Tips for Announcing your Engagement Online

January 15, 2015 Leave a Comment

You said yes! Congratulations, you beautiful bride! Before you hit ‘upload’ and type out ‘He liked it so he put a ring…’, read our top five tips for e-nnouncing your engagement. Trust us- you don’t want to be that girl. We’ll help you keep the energy alive and the buzz going until you walk down the aisle.

Take Some ‘We’ Time

Before you start calling your girlfriends, parents, ex-boyfriends (kidding!), and anyone else, just stop and enjoy the moment. Treat it like a long romantic date- leave your phones at home and just take time to enjoy being with the person that wants to marry you. Don’t worry about not spreading the word the moment it happens- all those ‘likes’ will be there tomorrow!

Slowly Spread Word

When you’re ready to let other people know about the big news, pick who you tell first. Some people may be sensitive if they don’t hear from you first. As a general rule, you’ll want to tell your immediate family and anyone in your bridal party first. You wouldn’t want any of your future bridesmaids to find out that you got engaged by scrolling through their newsfeed. If you live close enough to your loved ones, it’s acceptable to show up and tell them the good news. You can also arrange for an impromptu brunch or drinks nearby to show off the ring. If your inner circle is a little farther away, a phone call will do- but try to at least skype! An engagement needs some imagery to it- which brings us to our next point.

Pics or it Didn’t Happen

Ready for the general public? Make sure you debut your new status in the best way possible! This is one of the chances you have to take as many selfies (or couplies!) as you can until they’re absolutely perfect. Make sure that the first picture of the new engaged you speaks to you and your fiance as a couple- if you’re silly, be silly! If you’re romantic and sweet, show it off in your selfie. There’s just one big rule- you HAVE to show off the ring.

Think Long Term

Before you throw in #RandomHashtags into your post, think about what you’re going to want to look back on. Saying something simple about the engagement is usually a safe bet- talk about how long you’ve been together or just how much you love each other. Skip “this ring is bae” and go for something that will give you butterflies in five years.

Mass Blast

Want to get the news out there to everyone? Link all the posts! Just use instagram and link your twitter and facebook- it’ll get your message out all at once so all your friends will have the opportunity to see it at the same time. This takes care of you going through to make sure no stone was left unturned and maximizes the visibility of your announcement.

Want some tips on where to go from here? Check out this previous post for tips on using social media throughout your engagement, wedding, and beyond into married life! Leave a comment below with your tips for sharing your special moment online.

 

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Top Five Holiday Splurges for your Fiance

December 18, 2014 Leave a Comment

Tis the season, right? Hopefully you’ve gotten most of your holiday shopping out of the way for your friends and your family, but did you remember the most important person? Sometimes the people you know the most about and that you care about the worst are the hardest to shop for. There’s only a few more days left to shop, so if you’re ready to splurge on your sweetie we’ve got five items that will make them fall in love with you all over again.

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A Bit of Fit

One of the hottest splurge gifts this season is the FitBit. The FitBit is, at its’ core, a fancy pedometer but it can do so much for your fitness routine and overall health. It syncs to your phone so you’re able to track all your activity, track your calorie intake and calories burned, and you can even have it show caller ID right on your wrist! They may seem simple, but once you start being able to track your activity it’s really fun. Plus you’re encouraging your fiance to be fit before the big day- that’s always a plus!

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Game On

If your loved one is a little more of a nerd, pick them up a new handheld gaming console. We love the Nintendo 3DS which is being more and more common to find under $200. You’re able to download apps like Netflix and Youtube on top of playing a ton of fun games. If you have a PlayStation, you can get the accompanying handheld PS Vita to keep it in the family. Handheld games are much more fun than you remember them being, and they go way past Tetris.

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Throw Some Shade

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, but they’re holding out for a sunny Spring appease them and pick up some new sunglasses. If you love accessories, this should be a walk in the park. Sunglasses can be so hard to shop for, especially if you’re investing in a good pair. You know your fiance’s face better than anyone and you’ve got to know what they look good in. It’s a practical for life and will come in handy on the honeymoon. If you want something classic, we love the Ray Ban aviators and the wayfarers- they never aged and always look good in black.

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Tablet Time

This is one of the best seasons to buy a tablet- there are so many specials that it’s really affordable and easy to pick up a good tablet! If you’re partial to Apple products, check out Target which is almost always doing a gift card with purchase promotion with iPads. That pays off for your fiance and for you- save that gift card for doing another round of holiday shopping! If you’re not into apple, the Microsoft store is always doing promotions with the Surface Pro tablets. The Amazon Fire tablets are also a great value for the cost, plus you can get a free month of Amazon Prime for buying one. Score for both of you!

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Onesie Party

If your fiance is more the stay at home and cuddle type, invest in a fluffy soft onesie. It’s comfier than a snuggie and keeps you much warmer. It’s a fun departure from the classic holiday PJs that makes your gift way more unique. Plus you can get a fun one (we’re partial to dinosaurs) to make your loved one even cuter. They can range in price on a wide scale- we have found a few that were quite affordable, but it’s nice to spring for the super fluffy warm ones that will last forever.

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Top Five Ways to Pull Off Your ‘Something Old’

August 28, 2014 Leave a Comment

You’ve heard the old saying- “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. It’s a little superstition that a bride should wear one of each (old, new, borrowed, blue) to ensure a successful and happy marriage. The tradition is cute, and if you’re one of the many brides following it we’ve got some ideas for your ‘something old’.

Family Jewels

If you want to pay homage to your family as you embark on starting a new one, this is a great way to do it! Ask your mother, grandmother, sister, or whoever you’re close to if they have any jewelry you could wear for the big day. The older the better! Ask for anything that has been passed down generation to generation. It may not be a trendy or modern piece, but the meaning will make it incredibly meaningful.

Vintage Veils

Check out old antique stores for vintage silk and lace for your veil. Veils in and of themselves are also a superstition, so it’s nice to pair the two up. Using vintage lace or silk makes the whole piece that much more romantic and detailed. The more delicate, the more graceful and poised you will look. You can try asking around to borrow one from someone else for real authenticity.

Love Letters

Remember when Mr. Big wrote Carrie all those love letters to win her back? Yeah, we love that kind of stuff. If you’re writing in your vows, you can opt to saying your ‘something old’ rather than carry it around. Look up old love letters from great writers for guidance in your vows! Or, if you or your partner happen to be romantics, you can use lines from your own old love letters. It adds an extra creative layer to your vows, plus it’ll become that much more intimate.

Classic Spray

Look for the most vintage, beautiful bottle of perfume you can and have at it! Think about scents that you remember from your first date or the first time you kissed. Maybe you have a favorite scent that’s been around forever- that works too! The sense of smell triggers the most memories, might as well make them good ones!

Family Cookbook

Before you lock in everything with the caterers, consider dusting off a few family recipes from both of your families. By paying homage to your family’s recipes, you’re letting everyone take part in traditions and sharing them with your friends and family. If you pass off some favorite recipes to your caterer, they may even be able to do it for you!

 

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First Five Things to Do Once You’re Engaged

January 9, 2014 Leave a Comment

Congratulations! It’s official, you’re a catch. Now that you’ve got the ring, it’s time to get to work planning the best day of both of your lives. We know that this time is very exciting, but may also be challenging. We’re here to help.

1.       Decide who to tell privately

It may be incredibly tempting to immediately Instagram your new favorite piece of jewelry, but it’s best to take a moment to enjoy yourself. Calling close family and friends before posting any engagement announcements is a good idea. It will save some feelings from being hurt if they find out via a third party (you don’t want your mom to find out you’re engaged a week after it was tweeted). Plus, you get to relive the excitement of it all every time you call someone to spread the news. Both of you should agree on when to really let the cat out of the bag.

2.       Plan on Taking Pictures

You’re in the sweet spot where you’re no longer single and you’re not yet married- take lots of pictures! Talk to your fiancé about setting up a photo shoot to capture your engaged period. You can use these photos for your wedding invites, for your thank you notes, or even as engagement announcements. We’ve got you covered with some photo-taking tips here.

3.       Say Thank You

It may not be traditional, but it is good to give a little thanks to the person that you love (and we’re big fans of thank you notes!). They went out on a limb for you, it’s sweet to extend a gesture their way too. You don’t have to go buying a diamond too, but a nice dinner or something fun they’ve been eyeballing can be a great thank you.

4.       Set your Own Pace

It’s completely fine to just enjoy being engaged for a while. You don’t have to immediately set a date once that ring’s on. If you have some other events going on in your life you want to focus on, go for it! Don’t let anything or anyone pressure you into rushing things. If you want a strict time line, go for it but don’t let anyone push you into setting a date before you’re ready.

5.       Start Saving

Now is as good a time as any to start saving up. If you two don’t have any sort of nest egg or savings, you’ll need it. It may feel like a big step, but opening a joint savings account may be an easy way to save money and earn interest. Even after the wedding, it can be good for married couples to have some sort of savings together for a rainy day (or even a sunny day- hello vacation fund!).

 

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Five Tips for Perfect Engagement Photos

January 2, 2014 Leave a Comment

Did you get swept up in engagement season? Never fear, BHL is here! We know you have a lot to do, and we’re here to help. Now that the question’s been popped, it’s time to show off. Before you run off to take your official engagement photos, check out our top five tips.

 

1. Manage your Mani

Get yourself a quality manicure. We’re talking booking that nail artist you read about in Allure. Your hands will be photographed more heavily now than they ever have been, and you want to make sure they look good. Get your nails done as close to your photoshoot date as possible so you don’t have time to nick them or mess them up beforehand. If you’re still worried about making the mani last, opt for a gel manicure over acrylic. You don’t want to risk breaking off a nail, plus gel manicures will look more natural since they are on your natural nails. We suggest doing a classic french manicure to keep all attention on your ring.

 

2. Shine Bright

Get your teeth whitened! If you don’t have time to try out white strips, head over to your dentist for a quick cleaning or whitening. Even if you’re not insured, many dentists are offering whitening treatments that are affordable and relatively quick. If you have the time and the means, a deep cleaning can work wonders for your smile. You know you’ll be flashing those pearly whites, and you want them to be remembered as white.

 

3. Check the Weather

Dreaming of lovey-dovey photos outside? Do those dreams involve high winds or rain? Check the weather before you head out for pictures. It’ll be hard to make that ring sparkle if it’s gloomy and grey outside. If you scheduled a photographer, you may want to have a backup location just in case it starts to rain. If you’re out here in Southern California with the rest of the BHL team, you know it’s usually beautiful but that can change very quickly. Elsewhere in the country, the weather can be even more fickle.

 

4. Plan With your Partner

Yay- you’re engaged! But just remember, your fiance is too. Go over your plans and visions for the photos so you both know what you’re going into. You may need to have a serious sit down if your vision involves matching/coordinating outfits or any extra special looks. You don’t want to spring any surprises that will leave them feeling silly. Your engagement shoot is a time to celebrate the next step of your relationship- and that means coming to agreements.

 

5. Be your Classic Self

Now is not the time to try highlights or finally get a spray tan. Show off your well-known loveable self looking like no one else but you. These photos are going to last a lifetime, and you want to be able to recognize yourself! If you are a mascara and chapstick kind of girl, stick to it and leave the false lashes for another time. Showcase your favorite features and be comfortable in your skin.

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