What I learned in ACC 255 This Semester

1. I learned how to work a running blog.
2. I learned what a sneeze page was.
3. I learned how to start a web site.
4. I learned how to add ads to my web site and blog.
5. I learned what Cafe Press is, and how to make products on it.
6. I learned how to submit my web site and blog to search engines.
7. I learned what different TLD or top level domains mean such as .org is used by nonprofit organizations.
8. I learned that the ads that appear on web sites like Yahoo! where they run over the page are called floating advertisements.
9. I learned how to recommend amazon products by promoting them through my blog posts.
10. I learned what Google analytics is, a tracker for web sites, and how to use it.
11. I learned what click-through meant, and realized how often not only I do it but most likely everyone.
12. I learned that when you Google something you are brought to a SERP or search engine results page.
13. I learned how to add HTML text to my blog and web site successfully.
14. I learned that everything that can be seen on a computer screen without scrolling down is referred to as above the fold.
15. I learned what to look for when looking at other blogs that are related to mine, in turn learning how to analyze them.
16. I learned that if software is open source it means that other developers can look at it and add stuff or even work to improve it.
17. I learned what an e-book was and how to create one.

These are things I learned in ACC 255 this semester!

Engagement Party, Bridal Shower, and Bachelor(ette) Party Etiquette and Advice

I recently found an article on Brides.com titled "Engagement Party, Bridal Shower, and Bachelor(ette) Party Etiquette and Advice." I thought that I should defiantly take time to share this article with you guys because as a new bride-to-be there are so many questions that we don't know that we need help answering, especially when it comes to etiquette and what proper and not. Some people might not care about that, but if you are anything like me you don't want to offend anyone and you want as many things to go right as possible. That is why I think that it is really important for everyone to look over this article and look at all of the questions and take time to read the answers that the experts over at Brides.com have taken their time to give to each question. However not everyone has time to read really long articles or Q&A sessions so I have taken time to give you a sample of what the questions inform you of by picking out one of my favorites.  

Q: Do we have to have an engagement party?

A: You aren't required to have an engagement party, but it isn't a bad idea. Often it's the perfect opportunity to introduce parents and attendants to each other before the wedding. And don't think you're doomed to a stuffy cocktail party. Anything goes when it comes to engagement parties—from backyard barbecues to clam bakes, so make it as laid-back as you want.

I found this to be one of the better questions because a lot of people are unsure of the prewedding activities so this is very informative when it comes to whether or not you should throw yourselves an engagement party or not. But also be sure to check out the other great questions from the article because there are a whole slew of them!

Bridal Parties

Bridal parties are something that is talked about almost as soon as the engagement happens; at least they were with my circle of friends. It could have been because I was the first person to get married but I also think that my friends are genuinely excited for my wedding and want me to have as much fun as possible beforehand. That is when I was kindly informed of the 3 bridal showers that were going to be thrown. I am not sure if all brides have all of these or not or if they only have the traditional bridal shower but let me fill you in on all of the ones that my bridesmaids have told me that they are planning at some point.

First up is the lingerie party. With this party the guests will strictly bring presents that are lingerie. For me, I don’t like to be the center of attention so this could be a little awkward but if anyone knows how expensive lingerie can get; this might just be the perfect party to have to have an extra exciting honeymoon.

The second party is a sex toy party. Now I have never been to one of these and I am pretty sure that it would make me very uncomfortable but if my girls want to throw me one then I will defiantly be attending one. I can’t promise to buy anything but the memories of having it will be worth it!

Last but not least is the traditional bridal party that you invite family and friends and parent’s friends to. This one will be the only party where family and parent’s friends will be invited, as you can probably understand why.

What do you think of all of this? Too much or it’s my day so I should just embrace all of the love – sound off below!

Read This Now!

When I first became engaged I felt overwhelmed, sometimes I still do. It can become a very stressful time, especially when it seems like there are always so many other things going on in our lives and the lives of the people around us. Not only do we need to find time for our daily activities, jobs, & housework just to name a few things but now with the large amount of free time we had before we got engaged (the free time was sarcasm in case you didn’t pick up on it!) now we are engaged and must spend every free second planning the wedding it seems like. Being one of the first of my friends to get engaged and the first person to have a big wedding, or least a wedding that would not be at the courthouse, I had no idea where to begin. So I began searching on Amazon and Google for different things that I thought might be helpful when it came to planning. I have shared with you different products that I found that have come in handy but I would also like to share with you a book that I have come across that I couldn’t imagine going through this process without. I mean I guess I could imagine it, but who would want to?

The book that I found I came across it here on Amazon. It is called “The Wedding Book: The Big Book for Your Big Day.” Some of the brides may have heard of the author, her name is Mindy Weiss. Mindy Weiss is a famous wedding planner based out of Los Angeles and has planned weddings for a number of celebrities including one of my favorite female comedians Ellen DeGeneres. She also planned Jessica Simpson’s wedding, but since that one didn’t end to good we won’t focus on it. Instead let’s focus on Ellen’s and who if anyone can remember pictures of her wedding? It was absolutely breathtaking and beautiful, which who would expect anything less, I don’t think anyone would. But this book is beyond amazing because it is basically a step-by-step guide to help every couple have and plan their perfect wedding – no matter their budget, taste, or personalities. Mindy Weiss is very good at what she does, I have seen pictures on her blog and could only dream up some of the things that she plans for her clientele. With this book she is sharing her years of expertise and knowledge with anyone who is willing to buy it. The book covers everything from announcing the engagement, creating a budget, preparing the guest list; and the things you would never think of such as contracts and wedding insurance. Wedding insurance? I know I never would have thought of it either. She also throws traditional fun information into the book such as how to go about freezing the first layer of your wedding cake for your one year anniversary and how the preserve your wedding bouquet! If you find it on Amazon you can also see other reviews from other brides who have bought the book and call it “life-saving!”

I defiantly recommend at least checking out this book because as far as I can tell it is absolutely a must have and very helpful!

Another Great Blog

There are many great wedding blogs out there for everyone to look at and read, and I know guys not all of them can be as great as mine, although I have run across a few. One of my favorites that I have happen to come across is actually earthfriendlywedding.blogspot.com - I know what you may be thinking but trust me don't. This isn't just some "tree hugger" who wants everyone to appreciate the world we live in and to be as environmentally friendly and contentious as possible. Yes, most of her ideas are about nature and going green but they also just so happen to be pretty awesome and very DIY mostly, which fits perfectly with my budget and style. Some of the things that she posts she doesn't say "This would make an awesome wedding favor" or "you should wear these" but if you read between the lines you can find some pretty neat things for your wedding.

Like these starter pots that you can view here. How awesome of a wedding favor would this be, especially for someone getting married in the Springtime. You can make all of the pots yourself out of newspaper, all you would have to buy were some flower seeds and potting soil, which can usually be found at a discounted price the Fall before.

And things like the newspaper starter pots are just the beginning, she shows you earth friendly shoes for those of us brides who want to go green and be comfortable. Don't get me wrong though as great of a blog that this is it is also very narrow and doesn't reach out to a broad category of future brides. A lot of people probably wouldn't even look at this site as soon as they noticed it was "Earth Friendly" because some people think that it is too much of a hassle to go green and ends up costing more money as well. But even though this blog is narrow it is defiantly worth a look, so check it out!

Check Out My Products

So I am not sure if any of you have heard of a a website called Cafe Press but it is a web site where you can go in and create your own products to buy and sell. It is a great place to find gifts for anyone, especially when it comes to weddings. If you can't find a gift for someone you can always create your own store and personalize it anyway you want with any products you want. You also get a discount on your own products if you buy the ones you have created. I love this store because since I am getting married I have found great gifts on here for my parents, my bridesmaids, my futures in-laws, the groomsmen, as well as fun gifts for myself and my fiance. I also thought that it would be fun to create some products myself that I didn't find in other people's stores.

A lot of my friends are really into the green movement, you know reusable water bottles and all of that stuff. So the first thing I created was a reusable stainless steel water bottle that can be bought for $12.49 and is monogrammed with the word "Bride" on it. Check it out!

I also wanted to make something special for my future husband, and of course he has an iphone because it seems as though everyone does nowadays. So I created him a new cell phone cover for it that says "Groom" on the back! He thought it was adorable and put it on his phone right away. I am even going to make one for myself cause I like it so much. Check it out here!

I also wanted to make something special for my girls so I made each of them a truckers hat with "Bridesmaid" on the front of it with a cute pink and green flower. If you want to order one for your bridesmaids you can do that here!

Make sure you check out my store if nothing else. Also if there is something you like but you want a different word on it just let me know and I can defiantly make that happen! 

Engagement Ring Insurance 411

Paying for insurance is something you think about doing for your car and home, so why not the most important piece of jewelry you will ever own? Piece of mind is always a good thing and I am here to tell you everything (well almost everything) that you will need to know about acquiring insurance for your most precious piece of jewelry.

What Insurance Is for Rings:
There are a couple ways that you could have your ring insured. If you own your own home you can purchase ring insurance as an extension (or a "rider") on your home owner's insurance. The only down thing, in my opinion, about this is if something happens to it your insurance will most likely just write you a check for how much your ring is worth and be done with it. Another way to acquire insurance is through a company that specializes in jewelry insurance. The diamond store that you bought the ring from (assuming that's where you got it) should be able to recommend someone and walk you through the process of getting insurance through them. This company most likely will have a number of different policies that you can choose from including replacing your ring for you in the event that something should happen to it.

Who Should Get It:
Any couple with jewelry that has high material or sentimental value. An insurance policy is a way of honoring not just their financial value but what they represent. The sentiment behind your rings is priceless, but the rings themselves can be replaced -- if they're insured -- in the event that something happens to them

Questions To Ask Before You Choose a Policy:

• Is the ring covered if you lose it accidentally, or only if it's stolen?
• How will the company replace the ring -- with a check? Or will they require you to purchase a replacement through a specified jeweler?
• What if it's a vintage ring or other unique piece? How will the quality and size of your diamond -- and that of a replacement if needed -- be documented?
• Is the ring insured to full cost or a fraction of it?
• How will you need to prove the ring vanished if you make a claim?
• Are there any circumstances that aren't covered? (What if you go scuba diving and a fish swallows your ring?)

Average Cost:
The yearly cost to insure a ring is usually $1 to $2 for every $100 that the ring would cost to replace. So if your ring would cost $5,000 to replace then you should expect to pay $50 to $100 a year to insure it.

What to Remember if You Only Remember One Thing:
ALWAYS read the fine print when shopping for an insurance policy. A good policy will cover absolutely everything from theft to damage from accidentally flushing it down the toilet.

For any other information or questions you may have make sure to check out this awesome article on ring insurance! 

DIY Dessert Table

I know you have all been looking for ways to save money, that is why you are looking at my blog. Well I have thought of a fabulous way to do so! Well, okay I'll admit it I am not the person who came up with this idea, but I am not sure that anyone really knows who thought of it. But with no further wait the best DIY dessert table idea is a cupcake table! I bet we all wish that we would have thought of this a little bit sooner. Can you imagine how much fun it would be to buy as many different cake mixes as you wanted and make all of them? I know that if I was a guest at a wedding that had a ton of different cupcakes I would be in heaven, I don't think that I would know which one to choose, I might just have to taste one of each somehow!

Also think about the possibilities when it comes to decorating them. You can have it just be you and your groom; you and your bridesmaids; or you, your groom, and your whole wedding party can make a whole night out of it! I am sure your guests might prefer gourmet cupcakes with fancy icing and decorations but I am also sure that I think your guests would appreciate the fact that you took time out of your busy schedule to make the dessert that would be served at your wedding. I absolutely love this idea! What do you guys think?

DIY Wedding Day Hair

A new trend that I am seeing become even more increasing popular is a braid in the hair. There are different varieties and different styles or ways that the braid can be warn. Also depending on how you wear your braid it can set the mood for your theme or for your venue/destination. I recently looked on the Brides magazine web site for different types of braids and how they were worn and these two are my absolute favorites.

If you plan on having a destination wedding I think that a braid can add a nice touch and play on your theme. A braid gives you the beachy (yes I know it is not a word), surfer vibe that plays well with the sand and ocean in the background of your nuptials. Below is a picture of the kind of braided hairstyle I am referring to.

Don't you love it? To me it just screams beach or destination wedding! It is so whimsical and magical; it could also be a great hairstyle for someone who is getting married in a garden, very enchanted.

Another version of the braid that I love is the classic structured braid bun. You see the hairstyle and immediately know that the bride is going to look beautiful walking down the aisle of her parent's church into the arms of her soon to be husband. The braid I'm talking about is like the one pictured below.

You can even add a touch of flair to the braid by putting it to the side on the bottom on your head.

What do you think about the braid trend? I love it for a number of reasons and the main, most important one, is that you can do it yourself! It is something that a member of your family can do for you or you can do yourself and style it up however you would like to.

The Royal Wedding

I know that this is on the opposite spectrum of trying to keep your wedding on a budget however it is the entire buzz on the Internet, including the Bridal web sites. The Royals sure do know how to make an event last a whole day. Most of us believe that our weddings are an all day event, at least we spend all day getting ready for it that is. However, with the Royal wedding between Prince William & Catherine Middleton they put the icing on the cake for an all day event. Below is a time line that the Royal Family has released for the day of the event:

• On the morning of April 29 the day will start with an announcement from the Queen’s office stating the titles that Prince William and Catherine will take, or that they choose to not take.
• 8:30 a.m. – Guests will begin arriving at Westminster Abbey by foot and car.
• 10:40 a.m. – The royal family will begin to arrive, entering the front of the church through the west door. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip will be the last to arrive before the bride.
• 11:00 a.m. – Catherine Middleton will be accompanied by her father into Westminster Abbey, along with her five bridesmaids.              

The ceremony is expected to last approximately an hour. It will include the vows as well as a sermon delivered by the Bishop of London, private clergyman to the queen. The bells of Westminster Abbey will chime as the Prince and his new wife depart from the church.

Once the royal couple arrive at Buckingham Palace, wedding photographer Hugo Burnand will take the official photos. But those private moments between Will, Kate, their families and their bridal party will remain private. The palace says they "hope" to release some photographs the following morning.

•  1:25 p.m. -  The married couple will re-appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for 10 minutes

After that Prince William and Kate will head straight to the afternoon reception hosted by the Queen. But upon its end, husband and wife will drive to St. James Palace for some down time. Luckily, the 7 p.m. evening party is expected to be much more fun, relaxed, and most importantly, private. If you consider 100 people private that is. No pictures from the event are expected to be released. Speeches, including the one given by Best Man, Prince Harry, will be delivered at this reception. This is the one moment of Prince William and Kate's day that is not planned to the second. The palace says the party will "finish when it finishes." You can find more information about the royal wedding day here.

One thing that is different about this wedding is that the details about Catherine’s wedding dress will not be revealed to the public until as she is walking into Westminster Abbey. Many have speculated that the reason Catherine has been so determined to keep the designer and design a secret is because she would genuinely like to surprise Prince William, something I think all of us women can relate to.

As a bride or groom how would you feel about your wedding day being so structured and planned out? Would you like to have this much direction and structure, or would you rather just go with the flow?  Also the royal wedding is starting at 8:30 in the morning, think how early not only the bride will have to wake up but how early everyone will have to wake up in order to get everything accomplished that they would like to do in order to look their absolute best. Personally, I will need as much sleep as I can get the night before my wedding, what about you?

Sound off below on your own opinions!