Purse Organization 101

Oversized purses make a big style statement. But they can also make finding what you’re looking for a huge pain. So how can you minimize the clutter and make the most of that fab bag?

Tip 1: Start Off With a Clean Slate

Plop down and dump out the contents of your purse. In the debris of receipts, loose change, and to-do lists that somehow transformed themselves into intricate origami birds, you’ll be reunited with your favorite lip gloss and perhaps some crumpled cash. Then, make a trash pile and toss coins in your wallet. Determine what to keep in your purse and figure out another place to put the non-essentials.

Tip 2: Designate Pocket Space

There’s nothing worse than digging around for your keys or cell when you desperately need them. Start using those 12 different little compartments in a productive way. And please, put the gum somewhere that it can’t get loose! How many times have you peeled melted gum off of your phone? Gross.

Tip 3: Rubber Band It

So, the 14 ponytail holders you found when you dumped out your purse? Put ‘em to work as a tie for loose pens. Keeping your pens fastened up prevents them from going rogue and ruining the lovely lining of your bag.

Tip 4: Store It

From dental floss to lip gloss, hand sanitizer to hand lotion, there are lots of little on-the-go-essentials us gals can’t live without. So, whether you want to invest in fancy cosmetic cases or use a plain old Ziploc bag, just use something to keep beauty and miscellaneous products organized and prevent leaks. This way, if you do switch bags often, it’s simple to transfer items from one to another. Clear or mesh mini-bags make it easier to spot your goods.

In the market for some super cute cases? Check out these Metallic Micro Mesh Cases from The Container Store. They’re only $6.99 each! Or how about this tribal print double zip clutch from Sonia Kashuk?

 If you’re looking to splurge, snatch up this funky, patterned style from Kate Spade.

Tip 5: Color Code It 

You’re much too young to be carrying around a flashlight to read restaurant menus. (But wouldn’t that come in handy when you’re searching around in your dark, cavernous tote?) Instead of resorting to a headlamp to find the cash to pay for your morning coffee, buy a wallet that’s a bright color, rather than basic black. You’ll never have a hard time spotting it if it’s hot pink or bright yellow. You can even color code your little purse pouches!

Tip 6: Clean It
Not to gross you out … but according to Everyday Health, our purses harbor some pretty nasty bacteria, both outside and inside. That’s not surprising when you think about all the places your beloved bag travels: floors, counters, office bathrooms, and public transportation just to name a few. Experts recommend wiping everything down regularly (even your phone) with a cloth or moist disposable towelette. Keep tissues and other items that come in direct contact with your body in their own tightly sealed containers or bags. Anyone else feel like bathing in hand sanitizer right about now?

This article was written for WEtv.com. Check it out here!

Share your purse org tips and leave a comment below!

Mini Cupcakes and French Fry Lip Balm

I'm working on a bunch of holiday gift guides for WEtv.com, and in my quest to help people find the perfect gifts ... I found the most perfect gift for myself. A mini cupcake maker. For just $38, it's going to be the Easy Bake Oven I never had.

As they say in the product description:
"Add icing, sprinkles and dreams are coming true..." 

Until tonight, I didn't know I had repressed dreams of owning the world's fastest electric mini cupcake maker. But life's full of surprises. 

Check out Fredflare.com for all sorts of fun gift ideas -- like french fry flavored lip balm and a Nice Jewish Guys 2012 wall calendar. Items you truly cannot live one more day without.

Weddings 2.0

Thanks to social media, the video my friend recorded of me falling off the chair during The Hora at my wedding will live on in YouTube history forever. (Not only was I tossed out of a chair in front of 180 people, but my overprotective dad caught me in midair. Yep.) Because I’d rather not relive the humiliation (once was enough, really), I won’t share it here. But, embarrassing flip cam videos aside… social media is revolutionizing wedding planning. From commenting on blogs to following celebrity wedding planners on Twitter, brides now have access to an unprecedented amount of wedding resources.

Weddings 2.0
Social media can help you hone in on the right vendor in no time, especially photographers. Many are active on Facebook and Twitter, and constantly share their latest work. Simply going online can help you determine if their style matches yours, before sitting down for a meeting IRL (in real life). Plus, seeing other people’s weddings on photographer blogs is great inspiration for your own décor, flowers, dress styles, even food. And you’re not the only one benefiting. Thanks to social networking and wedding blogs, vendors can easily expand their reach, clientele and bottom line without a whole lot of legwork.

Big Day in 140 Characters or Less
Twitter is a fabulous resource for brides-to-be. Not only can you follow your favorite wedding websites, blogs and experts … you can join the conversation and become part of a huge online wedding community. Commiserate with other brides on pre-wedding workouts, re-tweet great tips, or gush about peonies with your favorite blogger. From @bridaltweet to @theknot, the Twitterverse is bursting with big day ideas and inspiration. Search hashtags like #weddings, #bride and #flowers to see what others are tweeting on the topic. Check if your vendors are on Twitter to keep tabs on their latest work. Just don’t tweet during your actual wedding. Keep your eye on the prize (new hubby!), not the character limit.

Click here for more tips from my article, "Wedding Bells Will Tweet" on WEtv.com. 

How have you used social media to wedding plan?

6 Tips to Prevent Big Day Disasters

From booking vendors, to selecting the menu, to coordinating ceremony details, wedding planning can get very overwhelming. So how do you stay sane and ensure your big day goes off without a hitch? These simple tips will keep you organized, reduce wedding planning stress and prevent a dreaded big day disaster.

1. Create a Master Wedding Binder
The secret to stress-free wedding planning starts with a binder. You can purchase a specially made wedding binder (try Etsy), or create your own. Divide it into organized sections (budget, guest list, vendors, etc.), use colored tabs, fancy pens, stickers … whatever your little heart desires. This is where you should keep ALL wedding related documents: contracts, menus, invitation samples, post-its, confirmation emails from vendors, to-do lists, and inspiration from websites and magazines. 

2. Organize Your Inbox
Wedding emails can come flying at you during the workday at the speed of light. Keep yourself organized by simply creating a wedding folder within your email inbox. When you’re frantically searching for the band’s playlist in between meetings, you’ll know where to find it. 

3. Do Your Research
Don’t hire the first florist or photographer you find online or just take someone’s word for it. While great recommendations are important, you need to make sure that you and your vendors click. Take the time to review their past work, schedule a meeting, and determine if their work and personality (so important!) is your style before signing on the dotted line. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter to check out their latest work. Click here to find out how social media can impact your wedding planning. 

Maids of Dishonor?

After being in my fair share of weddings, I know what it takes to be a good, obedient bridesmaid. It's simple: You wear the dress they tell you to and keep your mouth shut. Unless of course they ask you to do silly things like ride down the aisle on horseback, or wear an updo. Then you need to speak up.

In a recent article I wrote for WEtv.com, I shared 10 bridesmaid "don'ts". Click here if you'd like to read it. Or keep reading for 5 of the essential tips:

1. Don't Be a Train Wreck. Keep it classy at the wedding, girls. Swigging out of a champagne bottle while screaming the lyrics to Thriller at the bride's grandma only ends badly. Very badly.
2. Don't Be a Whiner. No one really wants to play pin the macho on the man at the bachelorette party, not even the bride. But this is what we do for friends. Okay? So take a big sip out of that extra special straw (you know what I'm talking about), put the blindfold on and stop whining.
3. Don't Roast. Nothing kills what should be a heartfelt wedding speech faster than raunchy tales of hook-ups, escapades in Cancun and bad bathroom incidents (or a horrific combination of all three). Bridesmaids that cross the line when toasting their friend, not only offend (and possibly really hurt!) the bride and groom, but cause cringe-worthy moments for the rest of the crowd as well. It’s okay to poke fun a little, but keep the toasts tasteful!
4. Don’t Make it All About You. Just because you think it’s cute to walk your newborn down the aisle in a stroller covered in white streamers, the bride most likely will not. This is her big day, and what she says goes. Brides have to make a lot of decisions, and they take them seriously. Don’t make demanding requests when it comes to your role, and then sulk if she says “No”.

And now for the cheese:
5. Don’t Forget to Have Fun
Most importantly, remember that being a bridesmaid is an honor. Your BFF wants you by her side throughout the planning, the events and especially when she says “I do.” Even if she's a raging biatch, just give her a sandwich (she's definitely starving) and try to enjoy it!

This makes me want to see Bridesmaids again. Anyone else?

Flirty and Fun Bridesmaid Dresses

Asking your friends to shell out big bucks for a shiny-satin-floor-length-disaster of a bridesmaids dress they'll never wear again is just cruel. Luckily, it's actually easier than you think to find something they'll look and feel good in on your big day. These styles are seriously cute and worthy of another wear -- wedding or not!



Anthropologie’s new wedding shop, BHLDN boasts a collection of fabulous frocks for bridesmaids, including this sweet strapless bubble dress. The structured bodice, sash-tied waist and side pockets add detail and charm. Available in grapefruit, dried lavender, grass and butterfly print.

Hello, yellow! For a bold bridal party, choose a cheery, bright color. Plus, the waistband and A-line skirt with pleated detail of this Jenny Yoo style will flatter any figure. Tip: super bright colors are better suited for a smaller group of b-maids. You don’t want to look like a bride surrounded by a huge pack of bumblebees on your big day.





Your “maids” will love this delicately draped Melissa Sweet crinkle chiffon dress. The asymmetric fabric overlays are romantic, with a fashion forward vibe.










Click here to check out more from my photo gallery on WEtv.com!

De-stress During Wedding Planning

All brides experience stress. It’s unavoidable when you’re juggling the demands of wedding planning and real life (you know, that little old job that pays the bills?). But if normal bouts of stress start spiraling out of control, it could impact your physical and mental well-being. So put down the pint of ice cream (your friends Ben & Jerry can’t make those centerpieces any cheaper), and read on for helpful tips and tricks to cope with pre-wedding angst.

First, it’s important to understand the source of your stress and then figure out how it can be minimized or eliminated completely. Is it the budget, your future mother-in-law, or feeling constantly overwhelmed with your to-do list? Luckily, a budget can be modified. The mother-in-law can be temporarily avoided thanks to caller ID. (This is just a short-term solution, gals. She’s here to stay, so learn to live with her.) And a to-do list can be tackled by simply asking for help. Bridesmaids aren’t there to just look pretty. Make ‘em work!

While certain issues can luckily be resolved quickly, many brides experience chronic stress. Thea Singer, author of Stress Less: The New Science That Shows Women How to Rejuvenate the Body and the Mind, says that a bad case of pre-wedding stress can impact everything from your immune system to sleep habits… even your relationships. So not only will you be more susceptible to illness and infection, but your fiancé can’t escape your wedding warpath.

Click here to read the rest of my article on WeTV.com. 

The Bridal Survival Kit

From weather woes to cake delivery delays and other last minute wedding hiccups, brides certainly have a lot to worry about. And there's no time to sweat the small stuff on your big day. The key is to be well-equipped with a “bridal survival” kit to combat any fashion or beauty crisis with a quick fix. Simply stock a cosmetic bag with these travel sized must-haves to get you through any disaster, stress free. And then make your MOH carry it around as part of her wedding day duties. That’s what she’s there for, right?

Dental Essentials
A bride's smile needs to be picture perfect at all times. And those delicious spinach hors d’oeurves could be dangerous. Pack a small travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and breath mints to keep your pout sparkling clean.

Cures for Common Ailments
Sure, you'll be floating on cloud 9 all day, but nervous jitters and being too busy schmoozing with your guests to eat can lead to headaches and upset stomachs. Be sure to have a pain reliever and antacid on hand.

Grooming Gear
Between your photographers, family and friends... all eyes are on you. And they still will be long after the wedding, thanks to Facebook! From hair to makeup, be prepared to do some touch-ups throughout the day. Don't be without your lipstick or gloss. Most makeup artists will give you the tube or a sample size so you can reapply after they work their magic. Throw in blotting papers to reduce shine on oily trouble zones, cover-up for any skin sneak-attacks, deodorant (a perfectly put together bride can’t have pit stains!), bobby pins to keep up-dos in place, a hair brush, hair spray, hand lotion, a nail file, and a small compact mirror.

The Fixers
An uncooperative zipper or busted heel can cause any bride to spiral into a state of panic. Safety pins, double sided tape, stain remover and super glue will keep wardrobe malfunctions under wraps.

To get started on your very own bridal survival kit —  select a great makeup or cosmetic bag like this pretty pink style from Target. Then hit up the drugstore and start stocking! If you don't have the time to craft your own bag o' bridal essentials, check out this adorable Wedding Day Survival Kit from Ms. & Mrs. It's packed with products for the big day and beyond. (PS - it makes a really cute bachelorette or bridal shower gift!) The Mindy Weiss Bridal Emergency Kit is also fun and functional. It has a fabulous built-in organizing system, and is perfect for travel... especially that long awaited honeymoon!

While these products can help you out in a pinch, don’t spend too much time focusing on the what-ifs and the what-could-go-wrongs. Your wedding day is a once in a life time event and it’s perfectly OK if everything doesn’t go exactly according to your grand plan. A broken stiletto heel never stopped a bride from boogying down. Who needs shoes when you have everything else you could ever want?

This post was originally written for WEtv.com. Click here to check it out!

Job Etiquette for Brides

Unless you work in a dark cave with no Internet or phone service, every bride-to-be becomes an expert at tackling her wedding to-do list on the sly during office hours. Thanks to the real stress of wedding planning, when your boss passes by your desk, he’ll assume that pained look on your face is because you’re hard at work on the memo you owe him (not from updating your budget spreadsheet). Scouring bridal blogs and comparing airfares to Greece for the honeymoon can easily pass for intently working on a job-related report. Plus, you know the guy that sits next to you checks sports scores all day long. What’s the difference?

While you’re convinced it’s multi-tasking at its finest, spending too much time in wedding world at the office can really hurt your career if you’re not careful.

Tip 1: Remember, you’re not getting paid to pick flowers
Taking advantage of your company’s resources for big day prep is a major no-no. If your boss knew she was paying you to obsessively Google “peony bouquets” all day, you would probably find yourself with lots of free time for researching…at home, sans benefits, office and paycheck.

Celebrity wedding planner and My Fair Wedding host, David Tutera says avoiding wedding-related tasks on the job will help your productivity and your sanity! “Taking a quick call or running an errand during lunch or on your own personal time is one thing, but everything else should be done after work or on the weekends. This differentiation will help you stay focused while you are at work, and probably give you a much needed break from planning every day anyway!”


Click here to get more tips from my article on WEtv.com!

Must Watch Holiday Movies

Even though the turkey leftovers are long gone ... holiday season is in full effect. Malls are packed (I braved the masses yesterday and snagged some adorable chocolate brown Uggs), twinkling lights are up, and Christmas movie marathons have begun. Even if you've seen them 100 times, they're as much a part of your family traditions as keeping grandma away from the eggnog. Check out these must-watch flicks.

The Holiday

Couch, hot chocolate, Jude Law. What combo could be better? This sweet tale of house swapping over the holidays between two total strangers in LA and London leads to romantic rendezvous on two continents. Add it to your Netflix queue ASAP!

Home Alone

“Kevin!!!!“ Today, it would take about 2 seconds to track down a kid you left at home by accident. But this story about a family that leaves their 8 year old son all alone during a frantic rush to the airport is a must-watch Christmas movie. Clumsy burglars, dancing mannequins and sleigh rides down the stairs are funny no matter how many times you’ve seen it!

The Family Stone

True, it’s hard to see Sarah Jessica Parker play a rigid, polar-opposite-of-Carrie-Bradshaw kind of character, but the rest of the cast makes up for it.  Luke Wilson, Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes and Dermott Mulroney come together to tell the tale of a dysfunctional, loving family celebrating a Christmas filled with complications. Keep the tissue box close by.


Click here to read the rest of my article for WETv.com on must-see holiday flicks.

10 Tips to Shop Smarter

Penny pinching takes the fun out of every gal’s favorite pastime. Luckily, shopping for all the things you need, want and have to have can be budget friendly if you know how to do it right.  From the supermarket to your Saturday night wardrobe, it’s simple to shop and save. Just follow these tips. 

Be a Frugal Fashionista
A true trendsetter knows how to find the best for less. Thanks to stores like Target and H&M, you can drool over your favorite Zac Posen dress and buy it too! Click here to check out more of their designer collections. Also, sign up to receive newsletters and daily emails from your favorite shops and brands. You’ll be surprised by how many great deals pop up in your inbox, especially at the end of the season. 

Accessorize on the Cheap
And speaking of style steals … never splurge on trendy accessories.  (The headband with feathers you’re obsessed with now will definitely wind up in the “what was I thinking?” pile.) Forever 21 and Fred Flare (great sunglasses, FYI) all sell must-haves of the moment for fabulous prices.

Stay Connected
Is your wine rack in need of a little restocking? Follow your favorite local wine shops on Twitter and/or Facebook to get the inside scoop on up-to-the-minute specials, seasonal sales and tastings. This way you can go in with a game plan and walk out with a good bottle of vino that didn’t break the bank.  This tip applies to all of your favorite stores (even big national brands).  Everyone’s sharing secrets to saving in 140 characters or less.

Click here for 7 more money saving tips from my article on WEtv.com.

Princess Dresses

Girls of all ages are fascinated by princesses. We like to play "princess" when we're kids, and spend big bucks on princess ball gowns when we get married. My love of all things princess really kicked into high gear as a small child, when I realized I could dress my younger brother up as one. I was older, so he had to do what I said. No one could pull off a tiara and sparkly pink veil (or custom headdress - depending on my mood) better than him.

So naturally, when WEtv.com asked me to create a photo gallery of potential dresses for Kate Middleton's wedding to Prince William (if he ever gets his act together and pops the question), I was super excited. Click here for the full gallery. And check out this gorgeous gown I featured from Something White -- a charming bridal boutique in Cleveland. 

And for your viewing pleasure, my little "princess' -- in his "going out" clothes. I couldn't find a princess pic. Please don't hate me Adam. xoxo

Think Pink

From wedding bouquet trends to nicknames women secretly call their exes (who can forget "the lawn gnome") ... one of my favorite things about writing is that I'm always learning something new. This month, I wrote a series of articles for WEtv.com's breast cancer awareness section. Not to sound all preach-y, but if you're a woman, or know a woman (therefore this means everyone), these articles are a must-read/share:

Know Your Risk Factors: 
From gender to genetics -- even how much you drink (sure makes you rethink those happy hours) -- can impact your risk of getting breast cancer. I had the privilege of speaking to Dr. Julia Smith, the Director of the NYU Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Program who shared some really interesting facts and advice. You know when you wish you could somehow hug someone over the phone that you haven't even met? This is how I feel about Dr. Smith.

Flower Power

If my life were a Nancy Meyers movie, I would be the owner of a charming little flower shop. How great would it be to spend my days creating creating beautiful arrangements and bouquets that serve one purpose -- to make people feel happy and special. Since I know very little about flowers and I'm not a 55 year old woman in a bizarre love triangle with Alec Baldwin or Jack Nicholson, this is probably not in my near future.

However, thanks to a photo gallery assignment for WEtv.com, I am learning a whole lot about wedding bouquets from the best in the biz. I found some fabulously talented florists from across the country who gladly shared images of breathtaking bridal bouquets. Since I only use about 12 images in a photo gallery, I thought I would post some extra pics here too, and of course on The Dubious Bride blog next week (so be sure to check that out)!

Florette Designs
blush peonies, hydrangeas, lilacs, "caramel antique" garden roses, scabiosas, veronicas, ranunculus and sweet peas.

La Partie Events
Pink peacock feathers, peonies, ranunculus, spray roses, sage
Photo: Erin Hearts Court 

Modern Bouquet
china mums, anemones and kale (yes, kale!)
Photo: White Haute Photography

No weddings in your future? These gorgeous color and flower combos can inspire some lovely arrangements for your home too... Happy Weekend!

Hot Steppin'

What's not to love about shoe shopping? (Aside from falling in love with a pair that costs as much as your weekly paycheck ... or only being able to locate the left foot of a to-die-for heel on the sale rack at Saks.)

Even on a "fat day" in the most unflattering department store lighting, shoes are a sure thing.  Who cares if the jeans you just tried on make you look like a beached whale? Leaving the mall with a fabulous pair of wedges you didn't really need will turn that frown upside down faster than you can say Weight Watchers.

This spring sexy cutout stilettos, gladiator-inspired caged sandals, and strappy espadrilles will add a skip to your step all season long.

Click here for must-have styles from my WEtv photo gallery.

What's on your spring shoe shopping list? 

The Savvy Mrs. on WEtv

In the months leading up to my wedding, I wrote a weekly blog for WEtv.com about planning my big day. I documented everything -- from finding a venue to my bachelorette party. And now that I'm a married lady, I have passed the Dubious Bride blogging torch to a new bride-to-be, Jessa. But I still blog a few times a month for them, offering advice to help make wedding planning simple and FUN!

Because that's what it really comes down to. If you're going to be a total basketcase that no one wants to be within 10 feet of, just elope, seriously. It's not worth going off the deep end because peonies aren't in season. Seating charts are no picnic, money can definitely be an issue, and guest lists are hard to trim, but it's all part of the experience. You'll learn as you go. And then you can share your "wisdom", like moi. 

Speaking of ... last week, Jessa emailed me to find out how many items she should register for. I had no clue. All I know is that I left my fiance alone with the "zapper" for less than 3 minutes. Now we have 4 coffee makers and a milk frother. But I did have some other helpful tips for her. Click here for those!

From Couture to Car Parts

Vera, Monique, and Carolina might understand if you spilled a little champagne on one of their gowns on your big day. But they would most definitely say “I don’t” to covering them in paint, sand, mud and grease. However, more and more spontaneous brides are "Trashing the Dress" (you know, that old thing you fell in love with, had tailored to perfection, and spent a small fortune on?) instead of letting it collect dust in a closet. Thanks to this hot new trend, newlyweds can really express themselves without the pressure to look perfect … or make it to the ceremony on time.  

Personally, I don’t think I could wade through a swamp or haul around car parts in such a pretty dress. But after working with a few incredibly talented wedding photographers and videographers for this Trash the Dress photo gallery featured on WEtv, I learned why many people do. It’s a one-of-a-kind way to be creative, let loose, celebrate the marriage and not worry about the material things (like a dress). Plus, you end up with truly breathtaking images to treasure forever. And everyone has different “trashing limits”. While some brides get down and dirty, others just like the idea of shooting in a place they normally wouldn’t on a wedding day.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the photo gallery. Click here to read the full story.

Pictures (in order) courtesy of: Red Bicycle Media, Blueberry Photography, Michael Maler Photography, Paul Johnson Photography

Would you trash your dress?

Would Ya Put a Ring on it Already?

The amount of wishful manicures I got before getting engaged is almost too embarrassing to tell you. And of course the one weekend I decided to forgo a fresh polish out of spite, the boyfriend (now husband) decides to pop the question. This got me thinking ... why is it that so many perfectly rational, confident women fall victim to “engagement fever?” If they’re of a certain age range, in a relationship for X amount of time, and/or have watched the rest of their friends drop like flies from their single status, the pressure mounts. And before they know what hit them, they're making threats, giving ultimatums, and ranting about cows and not getting the milk for free anymore (which is confusing and rarely effective).

So what causes our marriage sensors to start flaring out of control? I talked to the fabulous Dr. Ellen Casper to get the scoop on why us girls go off the deep end when we want him to put a ring on it already...

Click here for the full story.

Always a Bridesmaid

I've been a professional bridesmaid for a few years. It's a non-paying gig, but the benefits are great. I get to travel the country for reunion weekends with my besties, attend picture-perfect parties, and never have to worry about what to wear.

On the flip side, this part-time job has, at times, depleted my bank account. Photos of me at the height of the "freshman fifteen" have been flashed in rehearsal dinner slideshows. Canceled flights have left me stranded in unfamiliar cities. And I've spent more time working on poems to read at showers about my friends than spending time with my friends. (Thankfully however, I have yet to be forced to wear an updo.)