Great Coupon Website

This website has saved me tons of dough over the past year. Before you make any online purchase be it bridal or personal, check RetailMeNot first.

http://www.retailmenot.com/

Simply put the store you want to search in the search box, and viola, you get coupon results. Sometimes they don't work, but most of the time they do, and it only takes about 30 extra seconds to save sometimes tens of hundreds of dollars.

Happy Shopping

Glamour Closet San Francisco Huge Sample Sale- Great Designer Gowns, low prices!

Hi Brides,
If you were looking to buy a designer gown and don't have much to spend, or just want to get a great bargain and you are a street size 4-10, check out the Glamour Closet Sample Sale in San Francisco next weekend, the 13th and 14th.

Get there early, there is normally a line out the door by the time it opens, and it isn't for the modest, people just start stepping into gowns in the middle of the store, so bring your own bra, etc.

Dresses can normally be altered 1 size up or down no problem but be careful that the dress is alterable before buying because all sales are final.

Glamour Closet is an awesome store that miraculously finds sample gowns that haven't been worn and sells them at amazing prices. At the sample sale, dresses are even less expensive than normal- from $400 to $1400 for dresses that are normally 1500 to 8-10,000 dollars! There are some fabulous designers.

http://glamourcloset.com/closet/index.asp

Note- at these samples sales most dresses will be 8 and 10 bridal sizes, and some 12's but generally there are no 14, or 16 dresses, which again to reiterate means street sizes, 4, 6, 8, and borderline 10.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

Mascara, how I love thee.... a bridal necessity

Mascara is a must.  If you are getting married and don't normally wear it, or fear the twisty wand that brings such wonderment to your eyes, get ready, you need it for your wedding day.  Nothing completes the face more than mascara.

I am one of those folks who buys all the newest mascara and gives it a good college try.... at least 5 applications.  

You need at least 5 applications because many brushes take a while to break in, and work correctly as well as the mascara finally gets properly primed on the brush.

The number 1 rule!!!! You must wear waterproof mascara.  I have heard numerous times, but I won't cry and my favorite isn't made in waterproof..... No! waterproof is demanded.  All those brides were really happy they went with the waterproof.  Even if you don't think you will cry, 1. you might anyway, 2. what if something gets in your eye and you start to tear? 3. what if it rains spontaneously (clearly the dress and your hair will also be in disrepair in this situation) ;).  4.  Sometimes you touch your face and waterproof doesn't smear! Its a miracle.

Here are a few mascaras I have found lately that I love and are worth a try.

(in no particular order)

Volume and length

1. Voluminous by Loreal- It is a good standby, thickens and lengthens simultaneously, can be a bit clumpy.  The trick is to brush on the mascara. then clean the brush by drawing the wand through tissue paper, (read t.p. or Kleenex) then brush back over the still wet lashes to avoid clumping.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1472358&productId=14353&navAction=push&navCount=3&categoryId=cat80040&title=Volume+Building+Waterproof+Mascara

Volume and Definition

2. Max Factor Volume Couture-  Plastic brush creates excellent definition, the trick is to break this brush in and you have to get used to the plastic brush, you may poke yourself in the eye the first few times, but it is worth it! A great product.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2140602&productId=xlsImpprod860090&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80040

Volume, Length, and Curl

3. Max Factor Lash Lift- I think this is my all around favorite, replacing he pink and green tube staple.  It is a fabulous all around mascara, it creates definition, lift, and length, it coats well for night time, comes in waterproof and is inexpensive. 

http://www.classyperfume.com/086100023620.html

Volume, Length, and new brush

4. Rimmel Eye Magnifier- Interesting plastic brush, requires that you twist while applying the mascara, but creates amazing lengthening, and almost false lash look. 

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?id=prod3969148&CATID=304844&skuid=sku3967997&V=G&ec=frgl_544170&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku3967997

Volume, Length, and Fabu Smell

5. Dior DiorShow Mascara- I add this not because I love it, because honestly I think the brush is stupid big, but it is a good mascara and so many people love it.  I think it is good for people with huge eyes or something, I do however love the rosewater smell, and actually use an old Volume Couture (Max Factor) brush in mine and really like the results.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P99901&categoryId=B70

Volume, Length, funny name

6. Imju Fiberwig-  This is the new "it" product in mascaras.  Lengthening fibers create good overall balance of length and volume.  Like Rimmel, can create false lash look, created for the Asian market.  Asian eyelashes tend to be straight and shorter, so if you  have longer curvier lashes, expect very visible results. (Sephora exclusive)

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P174100&categoryId=B70