"Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue." Why blue? Why not yellow? Why not pink? What is so wrong with aubergine? OH the other colors must feel slighted. But blue it must be - you know, it's tradition and such.

We have a list of the Top 10 "Something Blue"s for the bridesmaids to offer the bride. We're such conformists.

Top 10 Something Blues:

1) Garter - this is an easy one - tried and tested, but is anyone still wearing these?

 

 

2) Ribbon - Martha Stewart recommends discreetly pinning a blue ribbon to the inside of the bride's dress. She probably doesn't mean this kind, but we think it's far more entertaining:

 

 

3) Cosabella Thong - Slutty! Racy! And these really are very comfortable.

 

 

4) A lock of hair from Grandma - that Blue Rinse will really come in handy!

 

 

5) A cornflower - When Napoleon forced Queen Louise of Prussia from Berlin, she hid her children in a cornfield and kept them entertained and quiet by weaving wreaths of cornflowers. One of her children, Wilheim, later became the emperor of Germany. Remembering his mother's bravery, he made the cornflower a national emblem of unity. Get it? UNITY? MARRIAGE? We're all over this stuff.

 

 

6) Sapphire earrings - and our next question is "Will you be in OUR weddings?"

 

 

7) Bruise - Yep, it was a rough Bachelorette party. The bride bumped into the pool table, and her bruise is black and blue (and little yellow). It counts!

 

 

8) The bride's tongue - give her one of these before the ceremony

 

 

9) Pedicure - OPI Russian Navy (My mom hates this color - I'm wearing it on my toes right now)

 

 

or really easy (and we love easy)

10) MAC Prussian Blue eyeliner. Subtle, no? No. But then, the bride isn't supposed to be subtle. It's her day!

 

 

Many happy congratulations, and we're going to need our "Something Borrowed"s back soon!

 

Memorial Day has passed, and it's officially Wedding Season! Or unofficially; we haven't seen "Wedding Season" marked on any of the wall calendars, you know how some of them have a little faded text in the corner of the day that says "Casmir Pulaski Day" or something?

Anyhoo, Wedding Season IS upon us, and today we have a special Expert Guest Blogger sharing a great Top 10 List today - Kathy Scott Rummage of Bridesmaid Essentials has graciously provided us with today's Top 10 List AND she is also featured in today's "We're Sharing" section.

Kathy says:

I Get Around

If the bride sees more movies on a plane than in the theater and she prefers the soil of a new town between her toes rather than the familiar carpet of her apartment, then she might enjoy the adventure of a travel-themed wedding shower. Encourage guests to bring a gift with the gal-on-the-go in mind.

Here are the BridesmaidEssentials top 10 great gift ideas for the bride who really gets around:

1. Blister prevention – (Dr. Scholl’s cotton “moleskin” padding - $5)

2. Travel-sized containers (ContainerStore.com - $8)

3. Luggage tags (Organize.com - fill-in; Swoozies.com - personalized)

 

4. Jewelry bag (TurqJewelry.com $12 + monogramming)

5. Travel neck pillow (Magellans.com - $16)

6. Travel umbrella (Totes micro pocket umbrella - $18)

7. Hanging cosmetic case (MarilynsKeepsakes.com - $32)

8. Slip on shoes for airport security line (Reef stash sandals - $46)

 

 

9. Passport cover (GraphicImage.com - $52)

 

10. Digital camera (Kodak EasyShare M853 - $115)

Not only can she use these presents if the plane ticket takes her on a trip to grow her business, strengthen the bond with her bridesmaids or just take the most exciting excursion of her life: the honeymoon!

 

**************

THANKS TO BRIDESMAID ESSENTIALS!!

Make the bachelorette bash an entire weekend to remember. Take the group to Vegas. Is there really a better excuse to go to Vegas? I mean, other than the shotgun wedding?

Top 10 Reasons To Have The Bachelorette Party In Vegas:

1) The slogan, obviously. "What Happens In Vegas, Stays In Vegas" is probably the smartest marketing campaign ever. Let the bride-to-be take advantage of it.

 

2) The gambling - it's everywhere. And if everyone is lucky enough, you can win back the cost of that hideous bridesmaid dress that you'll only wear once!

3) The restaurants - with the variety of cuisine available here, you will be punished if you return home with an Olive Garden t-shirt.

 

4) The shows - whether you want the most water-tacular (it's a word) Cirque-du-Soleil magnificence of "O", or you're just dying to see Celine gorilla-pounding on that skinny little chest of hers, Vegas is the place for shows.

5) The drinks - fancy, fruity and some martinis come in industrial-sized "martini bowls".

6) The dance clubs - "We never go dancing anymore!" Is a common whine uttered throughout our generation. If you're going to go dancing, go dancing! Vegas has hundreds, of dance clubs from the numbing thump of the techno-rave-ish spot, to more grown-up options, where you can actually sing along to the dance tunes. Loudly, while swinging your martini in the air.

7) The swimming pool scene - They are everywhere, and very glamorous, with waterfalls and multiple pools and everything. Cannonball!

8) The shopping - Caesar's Palace Forum has everything from Agent Provacateur (lingerie) to Vosges (chocolate). This might be an entire weekend experience in and of itself.

 

9) The spas - Ahhhh.

 

 

10) The heat - It makes us do crazy things. Bachelorette parties need crazy things.

 

Remember to take a lot of photos. Blackmail can score you some great shoes!

They are not going to wear them again. They will not shorten them, they will not remove the sash or the sleeves or the straps, or God forbid, the hoop skirt, and wear them again.

I had previously written a preemptive boycott on the movie "27 Dresses". I finally watched "27 Dresses", this past weekend, and would like to retract my earlier shunning.

I really liked it! It was not a Meh Romantic Comedy. There was no cheesy Motown-fueled car/moped chase. And the sing-a-long I was so worried about involved excessive inebriation and "Benny and the Jets". I, too, always thought Elton John was singing about "electric boobs and mohair shoes". Are those not the right words?

Katherine Heigl did not, to my knowledge, have to wear mohair shoes, but she did have to wear 27 dizzyingly awful bridesmaid dresses. Unfortunately, sometimes life imitates art, so let us review things the bride should not make her bridesmaids wear.

Shiny & Puffy. And teal.

 

 

You've all seen it, and many of you have worn variations of hideousness, in the name of friendship. You will be rewarded for this.

Bride: you will always be the most beautiful, ethereal creature on your wedding day. Always. And no amount of horrible chintz or lumpy satin surrounding you will make you glow any brighter.

If you make your bridesmaids wear unflattering dresses, they won't feel pretty. And if they don't feel pretty, they won't feel like socializing. Or if they are socializing, they're also, no doubt, muttering under their collective breath, and scowling, and plotting revenge, and that stuff will just really show up in the wedding photos.

"But it will look nice for the pictures" is not enough of a reason to make your close friends and relatives miserable. A number of more forward-thinking brides have been more generous in the bridesmaid-ensemble selections. They choose a color, or a color family, and say "Get something that matches this, that you like".

And it looks lovely!

Or they select the specific fabric, and allow each bridesmaid to choose a dress-style that she is comfortable with.

Yes, it's your day. And don't you want it to be a spectacularly happy one? Filled with love and smiles, and warm fuzzies, and possibly white kittens? But we can discuss the wedding processional later. 

We are entering wedding season, and Holiday Golightly is heavily focused on all-things-bachelorette: getaways, parties, gifts, etc. But today we'd really like to focus on the most important Bachelorette: Deanna Pappas.

"The Bachelorette" shows are infinitely more entertaining and funny than "The Bachelor". We like to see a girlfriend dating 25 guys and taking her time to figure out which one she likes the best. Deanna is now down to 6 guys, and we'd like to help her make some decisions.

The six (photos courtesy of ABC - watch the show, Monday nights, check your local listings and all that):

Graham

Graham's body is POW, and he is an undeniably sexy dude. He is very easy-going, but has total commitment issues, and was a little manipulative in the last episode. He keeps talking about how it bothers him that she's dating other guys. This is not a new show. He knew what he was getting into. Smokin' bod + gun-shy + manipulative = Back away from the sexiness. Slowly.

 

Jason

Adorable, doting single dad. Also with hot body. Kind of shy, seems like a good listener. What's not to like? We haven't figured that out yet, so play on, Jason.

 

Jeremy

It is my unofficial opinion that Deanna has already decided that Jeremy is IT, and that she'll just go along with the rest of the show to fulfill the contract. Again, totally unofficial opinion.

 

Jesse

Fun-loving, sweet, professional snowboarder. I don't see any chemistry between them, but he wears a lot of quirky outfits, and seems fun to have around the house.

 

Sean

Sean is cute, but also pretty intense. He's a martial arts expert from Kentucky, and seems like he's grasping at commonalities with Deanna to stay in the game. He just about wet himself when he found out she had lived in Kentucky: "SEE? man, I knew we had a lot in common!" Erm, yes, you and 3 million other people.

 

Twilley

No idea why he's still here. Deanna treats Twilley the way you would treat a kid you were babysitting. I'm waiting for them to have a one-on-one date, where she brings him a sack lunch with a juicebox.

Okay, so we know the filming has already ended, so Deanna will be unable to take any of our sage advice.

Advice? What advice?

Exactly. We are confident that Deanna has made the best decision for her, and we wish her the best. Deanna, please give us a call to plan your bachelorette getaway, and give Jeremy our best!

 

It's not just for strippers anymore. Pole dancing is becoming more and more popular as a fun way to exercise, and hang (literally) with your girlfriends. Lucite heels and nipple tassels not required.

 

 

What a totally quirky alternative to the typical bachelorette party activities! And since it's exercise AND fun, what's not to love? Okay, normally, we don't love exercise. Pole dancing might change our minds.

We talked to Angi Carlston, owner and lead instructor of Divine Movement, and asked her some questions about it:

Q) How many girls could take a class at one time, say for a bachelorette party?

A) There are only 6 girls per class, but for parties I can teach up to 10.

Q) Do I have to be very flexible?

A) No flexibility or strength is needed for the party moves and spins and in class we gradually work up to the more diffucult moves. Upper body strength is really not needed until level 3 and we work our way up to it.

Q) What if the I haven't exercised in, say, 4 years? No judging.

A) You will be fine. The moves and pole spins taught at a party can be learned by anyone and in class you will get a workout and gain flexibility, but you can work at your own pace. I was 3 years out of shape when I started!

Q) Would I have to wear lucite platform heels and nipple tassels?

A) There is no nudity involved. Just wear some yoga gear or any thing you might go to the gym in. Platform heels are optional once you are in level 3.

Q) If "no" to the above question, what would you recommend for clothing? If "yes" to the above question, where can I buy nipple tassels?

A) ha ha ha. Tastie pasties. But really, wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Yoga pants or sweats and T shirts and tanks.

Q) How long is a typical class?

A) A typical class is one hour and 45 minutes long and the parties are 2 hours.

Q) In that one class could I actually get up on the pole?

A) Most women learn 2 spins during the 2 hour party. In a level one 8 week session you will learn 6 spins and some pole moves and floor moves. Climbing starts in level 2 and inverting in level 3.

Q) Will there be blisters?

A) I haven't ever had any blisters. If you work a lot on the pole you could develop callouses.

Q) What are your favorite songs to use for background music?

A) My favorite songs are always changing. Some of our more popular songs are Paula Cole-'feelin love' and Massive Attack-Angel. The warm up music ranges from Death Cab for Cutie and Sia to Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.

Q) What are some non-pole-related exercises that might help me get in shape for pole dancing?

A) Ab strength can really help your progress on the pole. Anything abdominal is helpful. A lot of pole dancers practice yoga.

Thanks Angi! Check out the Divine Movement website HERE.

Aside: You may or may not have seen the following video on YouTube, but several women agreed to a "dare" (and won $10,000), and performed pole dancing routines on the New York City Subway. It's hilarious.

 

VIDEO

Just when you thought being a bridesmaid couldn't get any more thankless, a survey of 1000 women (by You & Your Wedding) showed that 20% of the respondents wanted their bridesmaids to sign a contract for bridesmaid duties. A bridesmaid pre-nup.

 

 

Now, we are not anti-bride, but having a signed contract just takes any fun, that may have been involved in bridesmaids-ness, out of the equation (I have similar feelings about an actual pre-nuptial agreement, but that is another blog post).

The bridesmaid pre-nup includes stipulations that the bridesmaid will not make any "radical changes" to her appearance. You know, "radical changes" like becoming pregnant. If there was ever a time to shriek "OMG!", this would be it.

The bridesmaids are really in it:

For better or worse (except not better, because they had to sign a contract)...

For richer or poorer (except not richer, after all the expenses like shower gifts and the required dress and shoes)...

In sickness and in health (except not "in health" - the bride is clearly sick, and you are in big trouble if you gain weight or cut your hair)...

Nearly half of the brides surveyed said they would "axe" any attendant that violated the terms of their deal.

"So, I know we've been best friends since 1st grade...and I know you have held my hair when I was puking after too many Goldschlager shots...and I know that we pinky swore that we'd be best friends forever...but that new haircut will not be long enough to put into a French twist like all the other bridesmaids, so if you could just sit this one out...that'd be great, thaaaaaanks."

It's official. These weddings have completed the metamorphosis into Three Ring Circuses, and the meaning of the ceremony has been completely buried under 10 tons of crepe de chine and cabbage roses, and ivory parchment paper bearing the calligraphic script "Bridesmaid Pre-Nup Agreement" at the top of the perfectly curled page.

I'm getting married in VEGAS! Who's with me?

Playing dress-up is always fun, and there's no better excuse for it than a Bachelorette party. Whether you decide to take your theme out on the town, or keep it to a private girlfriend gathering, the photos will be hilarious and memorable. And probably embarrassing.

 

1) Slumber Party - jammies, bra-freezing, light as a feather-stiff as a board, M&Ms for breakfast. Being 10 again is awesome.

 

 

2) Cowgirls Gone Wild - giddyup! Grab your hats & boots & fake pistols and get ready to round up a good time!

 

 

3) Ball & Chain - marriage is a commitment! It should be taken seriously! Have all the girls dress as prisoners in orange jumpsuits, or the old-timey black & white stripes.

 

 

4) Toga - this is good for the lazy bachelorette. Or the Roman bachelorette. Throw a sheet on and go!

 

 

5) We're All Brides - everyone wears white/bridal-ish gowns. This will help everyone identify with the bride and what she's preparing for. This will also confuse everyone in the bars, and you'll all end up drinking for free.

 

 

6) Golf - if you've seen the movie "The Wedding Date" (with Debra Messing), you'll have an idea of how eccentric golf outfits can get. Bar golf is a great bachelorette party activity - no irons required.

 

 

 

7) Wig Out - save time doing your hair - everyone wears a wig to the Bachelorette party!

 

 

8) 80s Roller Skating - you will have a great time with your girlfriends, and get a little exercise too. Depending on how often you can "crack-the-whip". Crimp your hair, bust out the leg warmers and you're ready to roll.

 

 

 

9) Vegas Karaoke - have everyone dress up as her favorite Vegas singer (or just "singer"), and either rent a karaoke machine, or head to a karaoke bar. This bachelorette party has no room for self-consciousness. Who brought the video camera?

 

 

10) Tea Party - The tea party is the most refined option here. Just put on your garden party dresses and white gloves, and spend the afternoon bonding over tiny sandwiches. We didn't say you couldn't have mimosas and bellinis!

With drinks, without drinks, the Bachelorette party is all about soaking up your girlfriend-time. Make it special and just enjoy it!

We did a little survey, and we have some information for you about the state of bachelorette parties today. You may never have another chance to use that penis straw, and that's probably a good thing.

We found that an overwhelming 88% of respondents are looking for more upscale options when it comes to bachelorette party themes, leaving the days of strippers and raunchy accessories behind. A moment of silence for the penis straw, please.

More than 70-percent of survey respondents claimed that splitting the check was a huge headache, and thankfully Holiday Golightly has Divvy It Up to help with that!

Want more percentages? We thought so! 61% of respondents reported they prefer a bachelorette weekend away with a mix of activities, as opposed to one wild night out in their own town - and more than half (57%) are willing to pay up to $400 for said getaway. Of those invited to bachelorette events this year, a notable 66% indicated the weakened economy may somewhat impact their bachelorette plans, but another 21% were ready to open their wallets no matter what. We prefer to hang out with the 21%. Weakened economy, schmeakened economy.

Economy aside, in terms of planning a bachelorette party, respondents cited the scheduling headache that accompanies organizing a big group as the biggest hang-up (37%), followed by dividing and collecting funds (32%) and selecting activities (19%). Seriously girls. Call us.

We asked, and you answered! Many of you had been to some fairly standard bachelorette/hen parties, and there were others who stepped it up a bit with some very original plans. These are the top 10 responses we found, with some unique ideas we'll be borrowing!

1. River rafting/camping trip on the Colorado - we love this idea if for no other reason than you get to leave the makeup, hair-dryers, flat-irons, and high heels at home. Get back to nature.

 

 

2. Rock climbing with lingerie prize at the top of the rock face. - Anything that involves prizes is very big in our book. Although you'd really need to wait to cool down before putting on the lingerie.

 

3. Napa Getaway with the perfect house to chill at! Riding in a limo all over tasting great wine! - Wineries are our Happy Places, and are a failsafe celebration/party idea.

 

 

4. Can Can (a burlesque club) in Pike Place Market (Seattle). Not too raunchy like a strip club, but we weren't sitting around drinking tea getting our nails done either. - We would wholeheartedly endorse the burlesque show AND drinking tea and getting our nails done.

 

5. Running around Burning Man doing a cheesy scavenger hunt that turned into a night of extremely naughty insanity. - From what we've heard, Burning Man is fairly insane to begin with, so this must have been the ultimate in craziness!

 

 

6. Water theme - private boat party bridal shower followed by Austin Night life, then an all day float down the Guadalupe River, nursing hangovers the next day! Awesome! - We are envisioning "nursing hangovers" with margaritas. Is that wrong?

 

 

7. We went bowling. It was low key, there were drinks, and we were all equally horrible. It was great! - Bowling is hilarious, and we are suspicious of anyone who is actually good at it.

 

8. Wiggin Out. We all wore different colored and styled wigs the whole night. It was a sight. - We LOVE wigs! They really take the pressure off of finding a great outfit. No one looks at your outfit when you're wearing a turquoise bob.

 

9. We dressed up as men for a friends party. Suits, hats, fake cigars. It was hilarious! - This is a fantastic idea, and possibly the most unique we've heard. We are already trying to think of which suit we'd wear.

 

10. At one party I attended, the host had made a small photo book with "assignments" for the bride-to-be (eg. find a bald man, get a bartender to propose, etc.) We had a ball using the polaroid camera snapping up shots of the night and when we were done, the bachelorette had a fun souvenier of the night! - Assignments are a great way to cajole your bachelorette friend into doing truly embarrassing things, and having concrete proof of this? Priceless.

 

 

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!