Interesting License Plates for Internet Geeks

Interesting License Plates for Internet Geeks

Have you ever thought of a cool way to take your web life offline? To show off you are an Internet geek? Here’s a cool idea for you: a web-geek’s personalized number plates.

 

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Wedding Style: The Guest Book

Wedding guests books are a keepsake of your wedding, something that you traditionally would take out and look at on your anniversary and then tuck it back inside it's storage box until next year.  It's always nice to look back at the words of advise and well wishes of those who where there to witness your special day.  But, just because a guest book is a lovely tradition does not mean that yours needs to be traditional!  Nowadays people are turning their guests books into decorative, meaningful items that can be enjoyed year round.  Put that boring old book aside and take a look at some of our favorite fun and fresh guest book ideas:

A wish tree is a unique alternative to a guest book.  Have your guests sign little paper pieces and hang them on manzanita branches for a decorative look. Color coordinate it to your wedding colors for a totally put together look, add crystals for extra sparkle, and be sure to leave out instructions so your guests know what to do! 

This is a similar idea to a wish tree, but instead, guests sign small cards that get placed into an envelope and into a decorative glass jar.  During the wedding it will serve as a modern, decorative piece and afterward you and the hubby can have fun opening all of your little notes to see what people wrote you!

 

Signing a vase is another great alterntative.  Place your bouquet in the vase after the ceremony and have guests sign the vase instead of a book.  We love how practical this is!  Also, think about how nice it will be when your hubs gets your flowers for your anniversary and you can put them in this vase that was used for your wedding day! So romantic!

The Platter is probably one of the most popular guest book alternatives.  One issue with platters is that they are nice for decorative purposes, but would you ever want to actually use it and risk ruining such a beautiful memento?  With this platter, there is no need to worry!!  They come with special pens so the guests sign it, you bake it in the over for some amount of time, and the ink actually bakes into the platter itself so you can enjoy it, permanently.

This typewriter idea is just simply adorable.  Typewriters are mostly a thing of the past, but we have to say they bring a very charming, retro, and fun feel to the usual boring guest book table.  Here were see a cute old fashion type writer with pieces of paper for guests to type onto. This is a very unique alternative that guests will find interesting...or at the very least, they'll be entertained trying to figure out how in the world to use a typewriter.

The Coffee Table Book is for the couple that wants easy access to their memories and is not looking to have a guest book that sits in a box it's whole life.  Take your favorite coffee table book, something that is important to you or that you both enjoy and have your guests sign that.  Here they have chosen Calvin and Hobbes, which we think was a brilliant choice! You can keep it on your table all year, every year, to remind you of your loved ones and your special day!

This is by far our favorite idea for a wedding keepsake as it has serious family heirloom potential.  Have your guests sign small pieces of fabric (coordinating with your wedding colors, of course!!!) in lieu of a book.  Then, hire a professional or friend who is good with a sewing machine to stitch the pieces together for you and create a cozy quilt that you can cherish for a lifetime! 



XOXO,

Jen and Saira

April Showers call for Rain Boots!

Happy April, dolls!  Us NY/NJ folks are used to rainy days and typically the month of April is pretty unforgiving.  Although not the most stylish footwear out there, rain boots are certainly practical and sometimes necessary for the woman on the go.  Will they look silly?  Probably... but we've found a few styles that we think are easily wearable and even, if we dare to say it, cute!  Plus, you can guarantee that your feet and your shoes will stay warm and dry until you get to wherever it is you are going, be it work, school, or just running errands around town.  Take a look at some of the ones we think will have you singing in the rain in no time at all:

These boots, available at Delia's, are simple and are pretty cute as far as rain boots go (we love the polka dots!) Gone are the days of getting to class with your socks wet and your jeans soaked!  Just slip your feet into these cute boots and you're feet will stay dry all day long!

Looking for a pair that is still fun but slightly more sophisticated?  Be impermeable to puddles with this colorful, equestrian style boot by Chooka!  We like this boot because it has a longer, more sleek and adult look to it, but is still fun with its youthful bright colors and pattern.  Tuck in your skinny jeans or leggings and you'll be ready to brave any storm!

Chooka seems to be the front runner for the more stylish rain boots, so here is another one that we think is extremely wearable.  This one is the most work friendly so far.  It is has a nice shape, adjustable straps, and the herringbone print which is slightly more professional looking.  Wear these to work while keeping your flats or heels safely tucked away in your purse so you can change when you get to the office!

Of course, you can also opt for the traditional Hunter Wellington boots, which are definitely not just for British fisherman. They come in a variety of colors, but we prefer the classic olive green, navy blue, or black. They're durable and comfortable, and your feet will definitely stay dry. Plus Kate Moss wears them, so that means they must be chic.

Ok, so we know these are kind of weird looking...but, the concept is completely awesome!  We've all had this happen: You get to work or class and it's bright and sunny and you're wearing your cute new peep toe pumps.  Then, you're getting ready to leave when you notice it is completely pouring outside and you've got no choice but to trek it down to the subway station in the rain, completely ruining your shoes and drenching your feet in the disgusting water!  The Shuella is the solution to this problem.  They are rain boots that simply fold up to be carried around in your purse and then, when you need them, they quickly unfold and slip right over your heels (or flats or sandals!) for instant protection.  Completely genius, in our opinion.  Now, if they would just come out with some cute patterns...





Stay dry!





XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Easy Steps to Lose Weight

7 Easy Steps to Lose Weight

It's officially ridiculous: Every time we crash in front of our TVs after a long, hard day's work, we're bombarded by countless infomercials revealing the newest line of fat-burning, abdominal crunching, body-sculpting, miracle-working machines. Even those Suzanne Somers or Richard Simmons diet plans make us want to shoot ourselves for snacking on popcorn.

Well, we have news for all of you out there: Don't diet, and don't rush off to buy the next gimmick. Here's the real secret to losing weight: Just eat less.

Weight Loss is about Sensibility
Sensibility is your new mantra. After all, doing everything sensibly in your life is the key to living well. You don't need to feel trapped behind the prison of your own body anymore. All you need to do is control your portion sizes by eating less and eating sensibly.

You think that's easier said than done? Well, like all things in life, eating less is a learned experience and takes some practice and patience. Our problem nowadays is that we're too lazy to turn this practice into a perfectly balanced meal plan.

"The problem for most people is that they maintain certain habits that make eating less quite difficult," says Pat Booth, assistant director of the Nutrition Services Department at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center.

Old habits are hard to break, however, tomorrow you'll be looking back at the "old" you and feeling good about the "new" you that's yet to come. Get our point? It also has a lot to do with your self-image. You must first change mentally in order to change physically.

Getting started on your Easy Steps
Anyone who has ever tried dieting knows the immediate feeling of deprivation that accompanies most weight loss plans. The result for most of us is that we can't stick to it.

Instead of drastically cutting your diet, try gradually accustoming yourself to eating less. Take smaller portions. Leave a little on the plate. In time, you'll find you need less food to feel satiated.

As you practice putting less on your plate, consider these seven steps to eating less (the following list is taken from Mr. Paul Wolf, health correspondent, and we highly recommend it):

1- Mini-meal is the operative word
Ideally, every time you eat, your plate should have some protein, a little fat and a little fibrous bulk to ensure that you feel full and satisfied. This takes some planning. It ultimately means losing the "mindlessly munching on pretzels" habit.

"Even if you eat fruit as a snack, healthy as it is, you won't feel completely satisfied because it doesn't have any protein and fat," Booth says.

An apple followed by, say, some plain yogurt, will do more for satiety than two apples. A baked potato, which has 100 calories, contributes more to satisfaction than 20 potato chips, which, at 114 calories, adds up quickly. Top that spud with a quarter-cup of low-fat cottage cheese (100 calories), and you have a filling, healthy snack for 200 calories.

2- Don't deprive yourself
You don't want to feel deprived or hungry; drastically cutting calories will only slow down your metabolism by driving your system into famine mode.

Don't count calories; just eyeball your portions. Let's say you hope to reduce your daily caloric intake from about 2,500 to 2,000. Focus on reducing your portion sizes by about 20%.

Within a matter of a couple of weeks, you will be adjusted to the new serving sizes and they will seem normal.

3- Eat delicious and well
Every diet regimen should permit the occasional treat and nice meal out. Eat delicious food, but eat it in smaller portions.

Obviously, cream sauces and fudge brownies at every meal will thwart your weight loss goals. Learn to enjoy ordinary food as well as extraordinary delicacies.

4- Eat your calories, don't drink them
A can of Dr. Pepper soda contains 150 calories. Three of these a day is an extra 450 calories. If you add commercial beverages, juices and sugary lattes to your diet, you practically need a calculator to tally the calories that don't do a thing when it comes to fulfilling your appetite.

Stick to water and tea and get your calories from more filling and satisfying foods.

5- Exercise is the perfect partner
Your diet will be all the more successful if you combine it with regular exercise.

Approach your exercise and diet plan with a focus on how you look and feel, not how much you weigh. In other words, think in inches lost, not pounds. Remember that muscle weighs more than fat.

6- Make meals last
Yes, two Balance protein bars have only 360 calories and also contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, fat, and carbohydrates. But you can down these suckers in a matter of seconds. Where's the chewing satisfaction? A couple of nutrition bars are not a meal or even a mini-meal for that matter.

The satiety centers of the brain may not get the message right away that you've had enough. Eat slowly, chew carefully and don't put more food in your mouth when you haven't dealt completely with the last bite.

7- Discover your food triggers
What makes you succumb to temptation? Do you turn to the pantry the instant you turn on the TV? For some, if it's in the house, that's all the temptation they need. For others, stress is a trigger. The stress hormone cortisol fuels cravings, according to Pamela Peeke, M.D., author of Fight Fat After Forty.

Everyone knows that bigger portions won't fill the empty spaces of our lives or give us lasting relief from unpleasant moments. Discovering your triggers is a step toward self-control, which is the basis for eating less.

So next time you see one of those annoying infomercials, follow this three-step exercise: pick up the remote, change the channel, then put the remote back down.

Easy Weight Loss is Possible
Diets don't work. Not only do they leave you miserable and feeling hungry, they actually make you gain weight by slowing down your metabolism. Instead, watch your portion sizes, don't consume sugary beverages, eat slowly, do a little exercise, and you'll be shedding those unwanted pounds in no time.