Welcome to our "Bridal & Girlie Things" ezine.

For more details of the services offered by Affiniti Wedding Planning please see www.essexweddingplanning.co.uk  We welcome feedback, advertising requests, competition sponsorship or maybe details of your own weddings - so please contact us!

"Gifts for the Bridesmaids" by Claire of Pinky Accessories

After all the fuss you hope that they have made of you - a sweet gesture would be to give your bridesmaids a little something special to say "thank you".

Maybe it is "thank you" for saving your train from sloshing into a pool of muddy water as you stepped out of the car, or may be it was their UN style negotiation skills that stopped you hurling your bouquet at the groomsmen during his chronicles of your betrothed's past pursuits. Or maybe it was how they miraculously stopped you from clobbering your mother-in-law when she unexpectedly invited THE 'ex'. I'm probably getting too dramatic here - it was probably something more like being the shoulder to cry on (with a glass of wine in hand) when Royal Mail informed your invites had been lost!

Anyway, whatever the saving grace - a little thank-you gesture is always appreciated.   Thank you presents should be personal and thoughtful. A gift voucher to a pampering spa day, or perfume or ...

And as I run a fashion jewellery label I conveniently have a few suggestions that might take your fancy.

Some popular choices of brides in the past have been grey black diamond bracelet - because the smokey grey blends with everything, it's sparkly without being OTT.

Keep an eye out for updates to the What's New section also - from our new "Juliet" collection there will shortly be some lovely Venetian trinket bracelets that they will adore.

And don't forget you can also buy a gift voucher for the online store

Bridesmaid's gifts are a sweet tradition but you don't have to break the piggy bank either. Blue Hair jewels and Gold Audrey earrings are a sweet way of saying thank you.

And I am sure your "Thank You" will be as simple as just being there to share your special day.

Claire O'Connell @ www.pinkyaccessories.com

***To see the article complete with all the images click here

Beauty Masterclass 1 - Foundation by Sidra Shaukat

"I trained at a leading international school of make-up in London to be a professional make-up artist. I now share with you my professional make-up artist secrets.

Foundations come in so many different textures and combinations that it is very easy to make mistakes. The foundation should blend in with your natural colouring and blend in so that it looks as though you are not wearing any! Your colouring will not exactly match the colour of the foundation, so it is wise to spend some time creating your own foundation to match your skin.

The key to getting the exact colour combination for your skin is experimentation. For your initial experiments you may prefer to use the cheaper products to limit the cost of your mistakes. Some cosmetics counters may give out free samples, especially of new lines, or you may want to try the teenage end of the market, where products are budget-priced.

You will need to use at least three foundations to create your individual colour. If you are pale, stick to two or three of the palest colours in the range; if you are dark, pick foundations from the darker end of the range, adding one pale shade to lighten the mix if it gets too dark. If your colouring is medium, pick one pale, one medium and one dark colour, all from the same range.

You can, of course, try blending the foundations that are already in your make-up bag, but you will find that they do not blend easily with each other. For example, if one is a dewy moisturising foundation, and one is a matte oil-free foundation, each will offset the effects of each other. So, if possible, stick to colours from the same range. Liquid foundations are best for blending, as well as being ideal for oily and black skins, some being oil-absorbent."

If you have any questions, email please don't hesitate to e-mail am-2@sidrashaukat.biz

?©Sidra Shaukat, 2004

Changes, changes, changes??¦.by Caroline Lashley of The Editor's Office

Most couples, if they??™re honest, will want to get married.  And presumably, most - prior to marriage - will have had this discussion somewhere along the line??¦   Apparently, it??™s a rare couple that doesn??™t??¦.

"Yes, darling ??“ I??™ve no objection to marrying you??¦ I love you but I??™m keeping my last name...???

???You??™re what????

???I??™m not changing my last name because we??™re married??¦???

???Why????

???Why should I? Is your name better than mine?  Why should I have to change my name because tradition says so????

???Because??¦???

???Because tradition never tells a man he has to change his!???

???Darling, in case you hadn??™t noticed, a man normally asks a woman to marry him??¦???

???Even when a woman is equal or God forbid, surpasses him in terms of status, prestige and money?  Men have married women for these things because he wanted a free ride off her coat-tails??¦???

Ouch: this is definitely one argument that can really destroy a good relationship??¦ the name change.

Over the years, I??™ve missed the chance to have the name of a well-respected 60s singer/ songwriter, to be ???related??? to a famous West Indian cricketer, to have my name triple-barrelled (my then boyfriend was already double-barrelled) and with another boyfriend, the chance to be forever ridiculed mercilessly ??“ something I was without doubt not going to surrender my name for.

 Me and my current sweetie had this conversation over a rare pizza: he, being traditional, looked at me as though the idea of me not having his name was ludicrous.  Me, conversely being caught between modernity and tradition, looked at him as though giving up my name and identity (which I suspect is the real issue) was not going without a fight.

???Of course you??™re taking my name??¦???

???In private??¦???

???In private?  Meaning????

???Meaning I??™ve got a name I??™m quite happy with.  I??™ve spent my entire personal and professional lives being Lashley??¦???

???Are you saying you??™re not taking my name????

???I haven??™t said anything about not taking it??¦???

???So what are you saying????

???In private, the children can have your name??¦???

???And at the parents??™ evenings????

???I??™ll be your wife and our children??™s mother??¦???

???And professionally????

???Professionally, I??™m Caroline Lashley ??“ most people in my circles know me as Lashley.  It??™s a good literary name??¦???  And it??™s one I don??™t have to change.

What I didn??™t mention was my feeling of incredulity at my partner??™s presumption that I??™ll be automatically taking his name when we finally get married.  Men never have to change their name unless it??™s done under expediency ??“ war, politics, sex change, whatever.  But women ??“ oh no ??“ it??™s not that simple.  As for the authorities, we women name change, change our documents, declare our new status, and it??™s so time-consuming. 

For many of us professionally-minded women, creating our own identity to the point of being comfortable is hard work and some of us are understandably reluctant to give that identity up on marriage ??“ especially if we??™re seen as being successful in our own right as opposed to being a husband??™s appendage. 

I suppose whether or not a woman changes her name on marriage depends on where she is in her life and how sure she is of her own identity ??“ with or without marriage.  It may also depend on how much she hates her family name ??“ I remember one woman when she announced her impending wedding she couldn??™t wait to change her last name.   It could depend how much pressure she feels she??™s under to conform and be traditional.  For some, a name change will never be a problem ??“ but for others, a name change is a tough call to make for the sake of love and marriage??¦

?© 2004 Caroline Lashley, The Editor??™s Office, London.  All rights reserved.

Courtesy of Wedding Wonderland, we have a bottle of champagne to give away! 

As an online company based in the UK, Wedding Wonderland can supply you with a whole array of wedding items and accessories including stationery, favours, d-i-y favour products, confetti, bubbles, rose petals, ring cushions, balloons, ribbons, tiaras and much more. Wedding Wonderland also create handmade wedding stationery and favours, sure to delight any guest!

To win just e-mail jo@essexweddingplanning.co.uk with your details before 31 March 2004. UK residents only please.

To win just send an e-mail to jo@essexweddingplanning.co.uk before 31 March with the word "Minnie" in the subject heading. 

If you wish to purchase the book, priced at £5.99, and also have your copy signed by Minnie, please contact jo@essexweddingplanning.co.uk

French Favors is UK-registered company, trading from both the UK and France to provide secure, online shopping for personalised wedding favours, rose petal wedding confetti, wedding invitations and stationery from the comfort of your home!

The online catalogue is designed to provide you with a large choice of handmade favours, freeze-dried petal confetti and a specialised collection of embossed wedding invitations, but if you don't see what you want in the collections, they would be delighted to design personalised favours and invitations for you.

We all want healthy, radiant skin but do we give skin what it needs to fulfil this request?  For instance, are you drinking enough water during the day?  Getting enough sleep - before and after midnight?  And, do you always remove your make-up before collapsing into bed after a late night?  If you look after your general health and wellbeing and use the correct skincare programme for your skin's needs then you are well on the way to having beautiful skin! 

As an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay, the No 1 best selling brand of skin care and cosmetics in the US for the last ten years, I teach the importance of a basic facial skin care programme.  This consists of five basic steps:-

Cleanse ??“ it is important to cleanse the skin thoroughly, gently and effectively.  This removes make-up, surface impurities and oils as it smoothes the skin.  Leaves skin totally clean without dryness or tautness.

Retexture ??“ improves and enhances the texture of your skin as dry surface cells are removed, exposing newer, younger skin.  Pores appear more refined and surface impurities are removed, leaving skin looking brighter and fresher.

Freshen ??“ tones, softens and conditions the skin??™s surface.  Completes the cleansing process.  Makes pores appear smaller and leaves skin smoother and more radiant.

Moisturise ??“ this helps skin achieve optimum moisture balance.  Softens and conditions the skin, providing and added suppleness.  Helps protect the skin against damage caused by weather, wind and climatic conditions.  Also helps prevent loss of elasticity and moisture from the skin??™s protective layer.  Minimises the appearance of lines and wrinkles, as it improves hydration and smoothness.

Protect ??“ use foundation to provide protection from dirt and pollutants, cover minor imperfections and give skin a smooth, even-toned finish.

Mary Kay produces several skin care ranges to cater for all your skin??™s specific needs.

TimeWise?„? products combine the five steps of skincare into three steps ??“ saving you time.  They are formulated with an exclusive, patent-pending complex.  Plus, the TimeWise system works with your skin??™s natural system to help reduce the visible signs of ageing.  These are fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Velocity?„? streamlines the daily care of skin in a two-step process of facial cleanser and moisturiser.  The products are lightly fragranced and can be used both morning and night.  It is suitable for all skin types, including blemish prone skin, although this product range could be too drying for mature skin and may suit younger clients better.

The Classic Basic Skincare range is suitable for anyone who wants a more specialised routine, whether you have dry, normal, combination or oily skin.  Three formulas are designed to keep your skin clear, smooth and radiant.  Each formula has a product to cater to each of the five essential skin care steps.  Classic Basic Skincare products are perfect for women who want to customise their TimeWise?„? skincare system seasonally.  Or if you just love the feel of a freshener or enjoy the luxury of a pampering mask.

Mary Kay also offer a wide range of colour cosmetics.  For more details of the colour and skin care product range please see www.marykay.co.uk/jhanby  Try out new looks and colours online too, by using the virtual makeover facility!

***SPECIAL OFFER***

You can shop online at www.marykay.co.uk/jhanby and I am pleased to offer new customers 25% off their first order, on a total spend of ??30 or more.  So if your skin care routine is not giving you the results you want or your make-up bag could do with a clear out, then why not treat yourself to some great new products. They also make great Mother's Day gifts and can also be giftwrapped too!

If you are based in Essex and would like a free makeover please e-mail jo@essexweddingplanning.co.uk 

Or why not host a pamper party and invite a few friends round for a girlie night in?  As well as a special hostess gift you will receive 10% off any sales made whilst you pamper your skin, learn tips and tricks plus try out new products - free!  E-mail jo@essexweddingplanning.co.uk for more details.

Cottages to castles...

We are looking for brides who would like their wedding diary profiled online at Affiniti...
If you are getting married next summer and would like to share your thoughts on the run up to your wedding then we would like to hear from you.  Tell us about what you're choosing and how, any major successes - perhaps tracking down your perfect dress in the very first shop you tried! - or how you managed to overt any potential disasters!  And if you can supply photos at any stage then we would love to see those too!  E-mail info@essexweddingplanning.co.uk with your details.

• the launch of our new "wedding websites" - have your wedding details shown online so that your family and friends can keep track of your arrangements
• a prize from Lola-B, the online retail store for fashion jewellery, trendy handbags and funky accessories
• "Sexpert Sam" - more from Sam's new column, where she will be bringing you advice, tips and frank confessions
• more freebies from Mary Kay skin care and cosmetics
• the latest articles from Claire, Caroline and Minnie
• get in shape for your wedding - with tips from your personal fitness trainer - and win FREE monthly subscriptions

See us on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th March, from 11.00am - 4.00pm at
Hylands House Wedding Fayre, Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex.
Tel: 01245 496800

7th March, 11.00am - 4.00pm 
Havering Wedding Show, Palms Hotel, Southend Arterial Road, Hornchurch, Essex.
Tel: 020 8504 7606

18th April, 10.30am - 4.00pm 
Hollywoods, Shipwrights Drive, Benfleet, Essex.
Contact Melanie Ward, tel: 01375 642592

We welcome feedback, articles for submission, advertising requests and website recommendations.

Copyright ?© 2004 The "Bridal & Girlie Things" Ezine. All rights reserved.