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CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE
Ten Tips for Getting the Best Wedding Photos
“Getting Ready” pictures are fun – but not without makeup on.
The pictures before the actual wedding – when she’s zipping up her dress, he’s straightening his tie, and she’s putting on jewelry – are wonderful memories. But before everyone’s makeup is on, hair is done and suits are pressed, the pictures can be a little…alarming. Have your photographer arrive about 30 minutes prior to “go-time” and make sure you look your best when she arrives to capture those last minute details.
Consider taking formal pictures ahead of time.
Many couples still treasure the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony. But if you and your fiancée are flexible, consider taking your formal pictures FIRST – before any tears have been shed, while your hair and makeup are fresh and when you’re not rushed. Doing formals first is a great icebreaker and ensures that you can enjoy every moment of the cocktail party!
Make sure you carve out time for you and your sweetie to take pictures – alone.
Obligatory formal portraits are a must, but don’t forget to carve out at least 20 minutes for you and your sweetie to be photographed without family hovering in the background. You can do this during the formal pictures time, or you can step out during the reception. One way or another, find a quiet place where you can be alone (with your photographer, of course) and where you can let your happiness and love flow. Those are the sweetest pictures and the ones you will treasure the most.
Allow at least an hour for formal pictures.
You will be frazzled on your wedding day. You’ll be nervous and stressed and overwhelmed. So don’t rush the formal pictures. It will only stress you out more to have to cut them short. And your photographer needs time – to get the right light, the right background and the right poses. So plan at least one hour for family pictures; 40 for your family and 20 for you and your new wife/hubby.
Plan out your formal family pictures ahead of time.
To help make formal pictures go smoothly, plan them carefully. A month before the wedding, sit down with your fiancĂ©e and make a list of every combination of family to be photographed. For example: “Matt and Sarah with Matt’s parents…Matt with his parents…Matt with his brothers…Sarah with her sisters…Sarah with Aunt Judy…” Line by line, this will make formal picture time a breeze and you won’t have to make any decisions in the moment.
Dance together!
The first dance, father-daughter dance, and mother-son dance make for tender, loving photographs and work best when the two people are dancing close together. Remember, we’re going for romantic and sweet here. Dance cheek to cheek. Kiss a little. Look into each other’s eyes. Laugh. Hold each other close. Pictures are sweeter and more romantic the closer you are.
Use dinnertime as photo time (but don’t forget to eat!)
It’s common for the mew couple to visit each table during dinner, greet guests and pose for pictures. This is a great time for your photographer to get group shots of you and your friends. Make sure your photographer is following you as you make the rounds and you’ll get a photo with nearly every guest.
Front-load photography if possible.
Sometimes, after there’s been an open bar for 5 hours, the end of the night can be a bit…messy. People drink more, your hair comes down, your dress gets dirty. Once dinner ends and the real party begins, you only need up to 2 hours of “party pictures.” Front-load the important things (cake, traditional dances, toasts) and let your photographer leave before you and your friends get too down and dirty.
Assume that your wedding will run behind schedule – and plan with your photographer accordingly.
Weddings are big productions and are likely to run behind; assume that yours will. Don’t plan to cut the cake at 9:45 and have the photographer leave at 10. It’s not gonna happen. As a rule of thumb, don’t plan anything too close to the end of the night; if you run late you may end up rushing or being forced to sacrifice special pictures.
Try not to pose…too much.
Your photographer is going to get a mix of formal and candid shots, so be just that! Be formal sometimes and candid a lot of the time. When you’re on the dance floor, with your friends, laughing at the bar, and dancing with Grandpa, don’t look at the camera. We want to see the essence of your happiness, so “act natural,” and try ignoring the camera if you can.
Taking Better Pictures – Whether You’re the Photographer or the Subject!
The holidays are approaching, which means its time to prepare for pictures! The next few weeks presents lots of photo opportunities.  Whether you’re in front of or behind the camera, here are some tips to make sure your holiday pictures come out top notch.
When you’re the photographer
Use the modes on your camera
While they work pretty well in “auto-pilot”, point-and-shoot cameras have a lot more versatility than most people realize.  Every camera offers shooting modes that tell your camera to make adjustments so that the picture comes out right.  Learn them and use them:
- Close up mode (a little flower): Â This makes your camera focus on very small things very close up – within 6 inches.
- Portrait mode (a person): This is for taking pictures of people. Â Great for indoor and outdoor settings of the kids.
- Landscape mode (a mountain): Use this when you’re taking pictures of far away scenes like the tree on the Boston Common or a snowy hillside.
- Night/Indoor mode (a person with a moon or star, or a party hat): For taking pictures inside or outside at night, or in any low-light situation.
Get high, get low, get the right angle
Most of us are conditioned to take pictures with the camera at our eye level, about 5 1/ feet off the ground.  But kids and pets are small, so squat down and take the picture from THEIR eye level.   Families gathered around the dinner table are large, so stand on a chair and get everyone’s face in the picture.  Use different angles and you’ll be surprised!
Choose a plain background
Holidays can be busy and loud – your pictures don’t have to be. Before you push the shutter button, look at the background.  Are there toys all over the place?  Does the Christmas tree look like its growing out of your husband’s head?  If so, move the shot to a place with a quieter background, or move the clutter.  Plain backgrounds will make your subjects stand out.
Know your flash’s limit
Most on-camera flashes only have a range of about 10 feet, so if you’re far away and in dim lighting, your pictures won’t look great. Is your kid on stage in the school holiday concert? Forget about it – there is no way your flash from 100 feet away is going to light her sweet face.  You might get lucky with a bright external light, but as a general rule for flash photography, stay within 10 feet of the subject.
Get closer
A lot of times, you should be within 10 feet anyway, so get closer!  Photographing your kid on Santa’s lap?  Why do you need to get the chair, the floor and the bored-looking elves? Crop in so that the picture is of Santa and little Tommy – all of those other details are just noise and often not necessary.
Be bossy!
Take a cue from the pros: when you have the camera, you’re the boss.  When most people get in front of the camera they freeze and smile blankly.  So make the picture.  Arrange people, tell them where to stand, tell them what to do with their hands, tell them to keep their eyes open. Your friends will appreciate your direction, and you’ll appreciate it when the picture looks right.
When you’re the subject
Turn your head and/or body slightly to one side
Nothing makes you look flatter and wider than being photographed straight on, so just angle a little bit.  Either turn your shoulders or your face so you’re at a 45-degree angle to the camera.  Slight turns will give you curves in the right places, make you look thinner and ensure that your nose is neither too flat nor too pointy.
Know which is your “better side” – and stick to it!
The photographer doesn’t know from which side you look best – only you do.  We all have strong opinions about how we look the best, so know from which direction you prefer to be photographed and remember to pose yourself accordingly.
Keep your eyes open
Closed eyes ruin a picture, and if there is a flash going off, it’s awfully hard to keep them open all the time.  But you must!  When you’re being photographed, force yourself to keep your eyes open until you’re sure the shot is done.
Just get in the picture
With the exception of professional models, few people like having their picture taken.  But it’s the holidays!  So stop complaining and just get in the picture.  In time you will only smile at the memories.  Also if you’re always taking the pictures, have someone else shoot for a little while. Get. In. The. Picture.  We all want to see your beautiful face!
Staying Well this Winter
Winter in New England can seem never ending, and while the snow, cold, slush, and gray skies can be a bit much, I feel like we sometimes make it seem worse than it actually is. On an outdoor 10 mile run the other day, I remembered how much I love moving outside when there is a chill in the air. Sure those first few minutes are chilly, but once I am warmed up and breathing easier, there is nothing quite like that alive feeling that a cold day gives. And there is nothing better than the hot shower and cozy clothes that follow that workout. I find that the more time I spend outside in the winter, the healthier I stay. Based on my own pneumonia and the illnesses of many friends and family members so far this year, the “sick” season looks like it could be a bad one. Here are a few tips that I plan on using to stay my healthiest when the people around me are under the weather.
Eat like you do in the summer. . . most of the time
Obviously for most of us, access to fresh fruits and veggies declines and/or becomes pricey once winter hits. The temptation to eat heavy stews and mac and cheese can be hard to resist on those endless cold dark nights, and of course there is room for those things in a healthy diet. But I try to keep eating as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Most stores carry an abundance of frozen varieties that can be used in crunchy warm stir fries, or thawed and topped with hot oats for a body and soul warming meal. Continuing a vitamin rich food intake is number one for me, especially when work gets busy and the holidays hit.
Supplements
Everyone has their own opinions and experience with supplements, but I swear by drinkable ones such as Emergen-C and Amazing Grass powders. Trader Joe’s Super Red Drink Powder is my recent favorite. I really think it saved me last winter! They boost my energy, serve as great snacks, and offer nutrients that I may need a bit more of.
Water
Just because you aren’t sweating doesn’t mean you can drink less! Water is key to keeping your entire body working properly, including your immune system, and keeping the toxins in your body on the fast track out of you! I have been guilty many times of not hydrating well after an outdoor winter run because I am not thirsty, and I have paid for it! Make sure to be conscious of your fluid intake; that cranked way too high office heat takes its toll!
Hand washing
While really obvious, this one is so important! We all need to be reminded, especially in a year with flu levels expected to soar. My office has already seen its fair share of sick days, so I try to wash my hands multiple times a day in addition to the obvious ones. Keeping your phone, keyboard and desk clean and disinfected also make a huge difference.
Take a break!
I recently asked my readers what comforts them when they get sick, and so many of the things they do and eat could be done before you get sick. Make sure to take a break to curl up and watch a DVD or make yourself some amazing hot soup and go to bed early. Being run down makes it easy for germs to have their way with us, so be easy on yourself.
If you get sick there are lots of ways to cut the life of the illness short and to make sure you remain as comfortable as possible.
- Listen to your body, and listen well. It may tell you to take a sick day or to skip a couple of days at the gym. It knows best, and you will bounce back stronger!
- Try some natural relief: saline spray is miraculous for a stuffy nose, and my cure all broth (chicken or veggie broth with sautéed garlic, chilis, and ginger, heated to a drinkable temp) soothes the throat, clears the sinuses, and makes you sweat it all out. If all else fails, my in laws in Ireland give me a hot whiskey. It helps you get all of the sleep you need!
- A short, hot bath or shower with some dried lavender or lavender soap, followed by bedtime in the warmest pile of blankets you can find
Please note, I am not a medical professional, and these tips are based on my own personal experiences and opinions. Before making any changes in your diet or exercise program, you may want to consult a licensed physician.
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Pilatini Party at Modern Pilates
Modern Pilates invites you and your friends to their Pilatini Parties, a celebration of Fall with a little swish of the skirt and some great conversation. They have teamed with the Regal Beagle in Coolidge Corner and Tomasso’s in Southborough to offer up a tasty, eco-friendly, and healthy cocktail party. Besides great food and great conversation, their instructors will be demonstrating exercises on the equipment and answering any questions you might have. It’s a great chance to interact with the staff, fellow clients and Pilates aficionados, and celebrate Fall and fitness with a tasty Pilatini.
Pertinent Details:
When: Friday, September 24, 2010 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (ET)
Where:
- Modern Pilates – Southborough
154 Turnpike Road
2nd Floor
Southborough, MA
- Modern Pilates
(within BodyScapes Health Club)
1285 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02446
Please RSVP! Please click the appropriate town to sign up and please share this invitation with friends.
Back to Fall Back to You
Summer 2010 is unofficially about to come to an end. It was a great one here in Boston with lots of heat and sunshine, and as sad it is is to see it go, fall brings such a freshness and new opportunities. People are back from vacations, weekends on the Cape, and summer houses in a variety of beautiful locales. Now is the time to check out your organizer, plan some great events, and figure out how you are going to make the rest of the year just as fun as the summer was.
Take a class. You don’t have to be a full time student to learn something new. Boston has so many opportunities for learning, from seminars that take just one evening to classes that last an entire semester. Most towns offer some sort of adult education program, and I can definitely vouch that Boston Center for Adult Education has some great classes. Learn a new language, attend a guided wine tasting, take a money management course, or pick up that old camera for a photography class.
Try a new workout. Maybe you have spent the summer running or walking outdoors, taking weekend bike rides, or just laying on the beach. Now is the time to get that heart rate up and to feel some healthy new energy. If you are in the mood for a splurge, why not book a couple sessions with a personal trainer? Feeling the urge to enjoy the beautiful fall New England scenery? Head to the Blue Hills or Great Brook Farms State Park for a day of hiking or running the trails. Or try a new machine at the gym, start strength training, or take a Zumba class to learn some saucy new dance moves.
To help with this, my friends at my own gym, Healthworks, have generously offered a free 3 day trial to CRAVE Boston readers! Just follow the link below to take advantage of this offer and to get moving!
http://www.healthworksfitness.com/special/crave-boston.php
Take advantage of seasonal produce. Sure we are sad that the tomatoes are gone, and blueberries are just a dream, but fall offers plenty of great farmers market finds like a variety of apples, squash, and root vegetables. Spend a Sunday at home whipping up a new recipe, maybe a soup or stew, and you will have lunch for the week!
Plan a spa day. Not in the position to spend a a month’s salary at a fancy spa? No worries! Head to your local pharmacy-type store and grab a couple of candles, a face mask, some nice bubble bath, and maybe a magazine on the latest celeb gossip, then set the scene at home for a day or evening of relaxation and pampering. You will feel like a new person by the end of it!
Whatever you do, starting the fall with your best foot forward, a calendar full of time with friends and family, and a rested mindset in the office will guarantee that you won’t even notice that the days are getting shorter and colder!
Two Girls Shop
Opposites Attract. And in this case, create a successful, distinctive shop in the small city of Salem, MA.  Pia Schoeck and Emily Edelman, the owners of two girls shop, offer everything from unusual vintage home décor to cozy jeans at their new location. two girls shop has moved to 320 Derby St in Salem, MA. Be sure to join them in celebrating this exciting move on September 13th at 4:00 PM with their ribbon cutting, champagne, and sweets! Fellow Salem native Lisa, the founder of “Wunderbudder”, will also be there to share her beautiful products!
Let’s get to know the duo a bit better:
Where do you find such a unique collection of items?
The two girls are always looking and searching for special merchandise. We feel strongly that good style does not necessarily need much money but creativity and fantasy. Having said that, the sky is the limit when trying to find products.
In what ways do you both work together as one team?
We are a classic example of opposites attracts: our up bringing, backgrounds, styles and personalities are very different. Yet we manage to have one vision, one concept for our store. We embrace the differences, respect and enjoy each other and feel the store is a great gift to each other.
What are your ultimate goals for the future of two girls shop?
The ultimate goal is to meet the customers’ needs and evolve with them and try to stay current with product and our philosophy in the store. And of course continue to always have fun with our store!!!
What are your most popular products or services?
Vibrant colored tubtrugs, hot pink snail watering can, porn for women books, recycled overnight totes, kitchen whimsys.
How do you spend your free time?
What free time??
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Not realizing from the get go that everyone does not share our same positive outlook, that healthy competition is not something to be threatened by but embraced and used as a source of growth.
Be sure to visit Pia and Emily at their new location, e-mail them at twogirlsshop@gmail.com, or check out their Facebook page!
Satisfy Your Senses at Matsu
Dava Muramatsu is dedicated to helping women get in touch with their inner elegance. At her upscale Back Bay boutique, Matsu, located at 259 Newbury St. #2, Dava encourages women to “play when you get dressed up. Play, period.” “Indulge your essence” with “life enriching style” and allow Dava to be your guide. With a gorgeous selection of clothes and accessories from Dava’s vision, you’re sure to find your style and a little bit of soul at Matsu. Head on over to Newbury Street today to find out what you’ve been missing. For more information visit www.matsuboston.com. In the meantime, learn a little more about the mind behind Matsu below:
What do you want your customers to feel?
I want people to feel opulent about themselves. One way I access and inspire people is by triggering their senses – all five senses.
What can people expect when they walk in your store?
When you walk in the first thing that hits you will be the smell. When you leave you’re just haunted by it…Smell can bring you places. It can bring you so much.
What makes Matsu different than other stores?
One reason this store is different than most is that it is in-tune to the soul. Soul you cannot purchase.
Anything you CRAVE for summer?
Calleen Cordero sandals. They feel somewhat Roman. They’re studded and handmade. They’re really like jewelry for the feet.
Insight from Makeup Artist, Sheila Patel
Whether it’s just a hint of blush on our cheeks, a swab of lipgloss to our puckers, or a brush of mascara to our batting eyelashes, we all want to look and feel our best! However, with the plethora of make-up options out there, finding the right products can be quite overwhelming…what color foundation to use, what eyeshadows look best on a brown-eyed beauty, liquid eyeliner or pencil??? This is where renowned make-up artist, Sheila Patel comes into the picture. With a trained eye, a steady and skilled hand, she applies the right mixture of shadows and powders…Voila! You have your own customized look. Here is her expert advice and a video featuring the “Artist at Work”, enjoy!
What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?
My sister in law, Xuan Thu Pham encouraged me to get back to doing something that I have excelled in in the past and all the credit goes to her for my getting back in.
What mistake have you made in your business that you will not repeat?
Overscheduling. Earlier on in my career when I just started out, there was a time when I was working continuously from one makeup client to another in a single day. Because I worked with more clients than I could manage in one day, I felt that I did not put in the effort and time that each client deserved. I wanted to give the focus and attention to each person, but with time against me, I was not able to do that. From that experience on, I never did that again. Each customer is special to me and I’ll only work on a client at a time – that is my philosophy.
What is your favorite make-up brand?
I like different makeup brands for different reasons. I use MAC, Shu Uemura, Glauca Rossi, NARS, Makeup Forever, Ben Nye, and Kryolan. In fact, I have so many different brands in my professional makeup toolbox that I can’t name all the brands I enjoy using. Each brand is uniquely used for different purposes and events such as TV or weddings. As an everyday favorite makeup brand, I like Bobbi Brown.
What defines the Bollywood style? Do you think it would cross-over to the U.S.?
I’m glad you asked me this question because so many people have different notions of what the “Bollywood style” is and what it really means. Coming from Mumbai and having worked with Bollywood and MTV – I see the different perceptions of how people view Bollywood. What defines the Bollywood style has more to do with what you see on a film set: the movie scenes, dance scenes, and the ensemble of women who dress up in extravagant attire along with the extravagant makeup to go with it. Bollywood is about glamour, visual performance artistry, and telling a story.
This is why a Bollywood style is not suitable for everyday looks. If you’ve ever seen a wedding scene from a Bollywood film, you’ll notice the rich colors, embroideries, and magnificent jewelry that the women are wearing. Also notice their makeup – it’s created and done up to be very dramatic. When you wear such beautiful clothes, your face is competing with it and pales in comparison to what you’re wearing. That’s why it has to look very dramatic.
I think it the Bollywood look can absolutely cross over to the U.S. if it’s in the wedding space. However, with everyday looks, it might be too much, especially without the costumes. But if you’re up for that look for yourself, why not?
What is your favorite make-up look for spring/summer?
I have this secret passion for the orange and yellow color theme. If it’s done well, it can really work for you. Case in point: you can use a yellow eyeshadow
and apply it over your eyelids. Then use an orange eyeshadow to contour the lids as well as the edges. Next, you can define your eyes with black eyeliner and mascara – and voila. Most people think they can’t use these colors, but you can!
What is the most common make-up mistakes you see people make?
Mismatched foundation has to be the topper on the list. This is the most common mistake I’d like to see people stop making. Coming from an Asian country, there is an obsession to have fair skin. People try to correct that by using light foundation. The end result? Your skin will end up looking grey. Also, some people tend to incorrectly use bronzers or foundation that’s too dark for them, which are really too orange for one’s face. This looks hideous.
A good indicator of using the proper foundation for yourself is to reference it in natural sunlight. Typically, when you buy it in the mall under fluorescent lighting, it’s easy to make the mistake of buying the wrong color for your skintone. What you can do is apply a small amount from the tester on your skin – step outside and see if it matches your skin. Just be true to your skin tone and be proud of your natural beauty.
Visit Sheila Patel at:
Website: sheilapatelsf.com
Blog: bit.ly/MakingFaces
Twitter: bit.ly/cZvamc
Facebook: bit.ly/cKLfS7
YouTube: bit.ly/91hB9F
Time to Shine with a Mani/Pedi!
Summer is just around the corner and you know what that means! Time to get those digits and ten little piggies out of hibernation and into the fresh air. First, be sure to treat your tired feet and hands and dress up your nails with a color you CRAVE. Whether you’re a classic red kind of gal or a funky fuchsia diva when it comes to nail color, these Boston-area salons are sure to give you the perfect mani or pedi to leave you spruced up and ready for summer in no time!
Element Day Spa – elementsalonspa.com
At Element Day Spa in Charlestown, owner Martha Hardiman and team know just what you need to recover, rejuvenate your fingers, toes and body to look and feel your best. Whether you CRAVE a classy French manicure, foot soak or hand rejuvenation, Element offers anything and everything you need to achieve perfect balance. At Element, you can always expect top-notch service, great prices and an “oasis” where you can “escape and recover from stress.” Sound divine? Head on over to Charlestown to check out this gem for yourself!
Orange Nail Studio – orangenailstudio.com
Owner Virak Chintra Kimkhnal knows just how to bring the perfect color into your life at Orange Nail Studio in Beverly. With a “full menu” of treatments for your hands, feet and face, Orange Nail Studio is perfect for any woman, even for those on the go! If you’re in a hurry be sure to check out Orange’s Express Manicure. If you have a little more time, sit back an relax. We CRAVE the Orange Passion Manicure with complete with “anti-aging crystal exfoliator,” “a super-hydrating paraffin wrap” and a “soothing hot towel treatment.” We’re in heaven just thinking about it!
The Square Nail Studio – squarenailstudio.com
This sweet spot in Somerville is as natural as you can possibly get! Owner Heather, who describes herself as “a little more Rembrandt, less Picasso,” is dedicated to bringing Bostonians the very best in natural nail care in a comfy, cozy, rustic, antique-feeling boutique setting. We CRAVE a Square Manicure with one of Heather’s crew, complete with a consultation to find the perfect length and shape for our nails, aromatic oil and high shine buff. Whatever color or you choose, you’re sure to be in good hands. Enjoy a mani or pedi in an environment of your dreams at the Square Nail today!
Our CRAVE Beauty Secrets Revealed
As fabulous as every CRAVE woman is, we all could benefit from a session of beauty secret-swapping. Long days and long nights hopping from place to amazing place can take its toll on even the most impeccably gorgeous glower. To gain insight on how the girl-about-town stays looking her best, we’ve asked our resident staff at CRAVE what types of tricks were up their sleeves. And unlike other kinds of secrets, we don’t feel guilty for sharing these at all!
Hair
- Try fabric softener for a great leave-in conditioner. Dilute a 1/2 cup with 1 cup of water and for softer, fresher locks.
- For between shampoos: degrease oily hair with witch hazel. Apply to your roots with a cotton ball.
- When hair starts looking dull from too many products, use translucent face powder on the roots and brush through to give hair a subtle shine.
Skin
- To lighten age spots and sun-damaged skin, mix the juice of 1 lemon, 1 lime, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 ounces of plain yogurt. Gently massage into each spot weekly for noticeable results.
- For a great body exfoliant, scrub with dried coffee grounds. The caffeine in coffee also helps to stimulate the growth of new skin cells.
- Keep cucumbers for your salads and use raw potato slices to remove dark under-eye circles.
Makeup
- For lips that pop, dab a little bit of red or orange color in the center to make them appear fuller.
- To give your lashes an extra lift, warm an eyelash curler with a blow dryer before using. Lashes will stay curled for longer and this trick doesn’t even require mascara!
- When applying blush or bronzer, you should first know where to apply your glow. Bend over for 30 seconds, then slowly stand up. Where your cheeks are flushed is where you are meant to blush. Apply your blush there for a naturally rosy look.
* please take caution, CRAVE does not guarantee results
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