7 Tips For Newlyweds Setting Up Their First Home

We asked the very talented Christian Zavala of Zavala Interiors for some interior design advice and his 7 tips he would give newlyweds to help them decorate their new home. With over 10 years of experience creating chic and beautiful homes for his clientele, Christian has created a style that is contemporary, yet metropolitan, sophisticated, yet comfortable, and above all, classically “now.”
Christian tells us, “Aspire to create an experience that you and your partner will look forward to coming home to. You are now home - your nest, your sanctuary away from the rest of the world. Home should make you happy and at ease. I’ve worked with so many couples in my career and I have found that they are most pleased when the overall design is a reflection of the both of them. Create a collection of inspirational images to help you build your project mood board, which will help you have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish. I collect magazine clippings and have a collection of images on Pinterest too!”

Here are Christian’s 7 tips for newlyweds who are setting up their first home (besides hiring an interior designer!)

1. Create A Color Story

Maybe even use your wedding accent colors to always remind you of your special day! Remember, colors are powerful. They make you feel certain feelings, so use them wisely, unless you want to go very bold! Flowers are also a great way to incorporate your color scheme that you can have fun with seasonally. Commit to the execution, but don't go overboard. If you think, “is this too crazy?” then it probably is, so try to scale back.

2. Furniture: The Meat & Potatoes Of Design

Pick out comfortable yet stylish seating... Aim to buy more classic timeless pieces that you could grow with as you change styles. Since you’re doing this on your own, I would also advise that you try to keep your wood furniture to the same color stain within a room, as well as your metal accent colors. These can change from room to room, but will ensure a sense of cohesiveness. Also keep in mind the guests you will be entertaining. You want your furniture to be resilient after a party or little get together. Your furniture should give your room a natural flow of traffic. You wouldn't want to walk into a room and immediately be met with the back of a sofa - that creates a halt and an obstacle to enter a room - the idea is to make it inviting.

3. Let’s Talk Lighting!

Dimmers make everything sexy, so you should install one at every switch. Stay far, far away from harsh lighting. A ‘soft white’ or Edison style bulb always give a nicer light that is enjoyable turned up or dimmed down. There are some amazing and affordable lighting fixtures available today that can really add impact to the space. Do yourself a favor and when your budget allows, upgrade the “contractor grade” fixtures that came with your home. This little change can make a big difference.

4. Rugs Tie Your Design Together

Rugs can incorporate color and texture into your design scheme. Plus, not only do they add comfort when lounging, they can also warm up a room and define a space within an open floor plan. Another bonus to bringing in rugs is that they help with the acoustics of your home by absorbing sound. But - be sure to buy the right size! There’s nothing worse than buying a rug that is too small.

5. All About Accessories

Your decorative accessories are reflection of who you and your partner are individually and as a couple. They can illustrate a story of your lives, showcase a collection of your travels, or be the finishing touches that help complete your design scheme. Remember to edit your collections and place them well, without creating a cluttered look. For example, if you collect crystal stones, place your favorite few on display while the rest remain put away. Switch out with the seasons  to refresh so you can enjoy all the pieces over time.

6. Create Little “Moments”

Moments bring focus to areas that are not a room, but add value and thoughtfulness to your design. Take a console table at the end of a hall – add a vase, flowers, a candle, a couple decorative accessories and art or a collage of family pictures on a wall. This will create a scene instead of just a random smattering of objects. Or consider the corner a staircase landing – fill this space with a collection of lanterns to fill the space and bring character to an otherwise lifeless space.

7. Pick The Right Registry

Since the wedding registry is a big part of your big day, register for items that are indicative of your lifestyle. Don’t register for formal china if you plan on entertaining casually. These are the items that will bring your home to life and determine how you will both live and entertain. It’s important to remember the small things too, like a martini shaker and glasses or fragrant candles.



As a last piece of advice, “Think like a professional! Always take photos, jot down notes, and measure everything. Keep these images, notes, color swatches, and measurements together, like you would a wedding planner binder! Nothing worse than not being able to bring in something because it didn't fit through the door way, elevator or staircase… not to mention a mistake like this could be costly!”

5 Home Items Every Newlywed Couple Should Invest In

Photo: Victoria Elizabeth Design
 

If anything signals "I need an adult apartment," it's a wedding. But swapping a futon for an Eames can put a dent in the nest egg before it even hatches.

Adding a few key pieces to your home, however, can instantly exude interior design mojo. Lee Cavanaugh, design partner at New York-based design firm Cullman & Kravis, shares her thoughts on the five home items newlyweds won't regret purchasing. And many times, it doesn't take a lot of cash to look luxe.

Dining Table
A dining table is one of the most functional items in any home, but it can serve as a design showpiece too. Look for tables crafted from long-lasting materials, such as mahogany or walnut, and avoid veneers that ruin quickly with wear. Mix and match the dining room chairs to give it a modern aesthetic or choose a colored glass top for a trendy look. These simple additions can be changed over time as you move homes or redecorate, but you'll never need to buy another table. If you're big on entertaining, look for a table with a leaf to expand your dinner party real estate.

Sofa
Like a dining table, a couch is essential to any home. Cavanaugh recommends purchasing a standard seven-foot, two-inch sofa with a solid wood frame. Think comfortable and usable, with classic lines. With this base, she says, you can re-upholster or refill the cushions, but the skeleton will last for years. As for fabrics, decide what feels good to you, but always check samples in your space first. Lighting makes a big difference for colors and the effect on the room.


Linens
From place mats to bedding, quality linens quickly upgrade any home. A table runner and napkin rings dress up a dining table before a friendly meal, and nothing beats hotel-ready sheets at turndown every evening. For the bedroom, look for crisp, white linens with custom embroidery and a pop of color for a youthful, modern look. As for that thread count? Cavanaugh says higher is not necessarily better: "It's all about what feels good to you."

China
Choosing china is really quite simple. There is not much difference between brands in terms of quality, according to Cavanaugh, so it's more about what pattern speaks to you as a couple. Go to a department store and see what jumps out. Even if you have an heirloom set from grandma, you can choose a more casual pattern to call your own. For a modern look, mix in bright colors or contrasting patterns. For a more formal look, add a charger plate to a gold- or silver-rimmed classic white.

Art
An art collection does not need to consist of Picassos and Pollocks. For the average person, art is less about investment and more about what you want to look at every day. Make a hallway gallery of family photos set in matching frames or peruse flea markets or galleries for original pieces by local artists. One of Cavanaugh's favorite projects is a collection of animal photographs from a couple's safari honeymoon scattered around their living room. "It's so much more personal than walking into a place with blank walls."

4 Mistakes Every Newlywed Couple Makes

Photo: Getty Images
 

No marriage is perfect — not even newlyweds Brangelina. "I don't believe in 'perfect' relationships or perfect anything," says Andrea Syrtash, relationship expert and author of Cheat on Your Husband (With Your Husband).

So with that out of the way, let's get into the nitty-gritty. We went to the experts to find out the four most common mistakes every newlywed faces, and how you can void them:

1. Talking about everything — except the important stuff.
"It's a good idea to put potential issues on the table right away so you can find solutions that work for both," says Syrtash. Think about setting up family boundaries before you wed, for example, rather than waiting until your first Thanksgiving, confused and fighting over who will cook the turkey. Also tackle talks on debt, kids and career plans, as uncomfortable as they may be.

2. Thinking that happily-ever-after exists with one person, under one roof.
"If you depend on one person to sustain you until death do you part, that's a ticket to divorce," says Iris Krasnow, author of The Secret Lives of Wives: Women Share What It Really Takes To Stay Married. "A marriage that runs on multiple tracks makes for a happier wife who gets to have it both ways — a committed marriage and adventures in uncharted territory." So even though you'll be tempted to soak up as much time with your new spouse as possible, don't let your hobbies go to the wayside.


3. Letting date nights die away.
"Part of the work of relationships is keeping the play alive," Syrtash says. Make an effort to get out of your home once a week for a date-night adventure. It doesn't need to be expensive or fancy, but simply something to break you out of complacency. Take turns planning nights out so neither one of you becomes overwhelmed by the responsibility each week.

4. Forgetting about your girlfriends.
"The wives with the highest marital satisfaction have a tight circle of warm women friends with whom to regale in girls nights outs," Krasnow says. "Girlfriends infuse our lives with confidence, laughter and a clearer sense of self, helping us become the best partners possible in our intimate relationships. Our girlfriends also provide the escape hatch when the inevitable hurdles arise in a new marriages, as honeymoon perfection turns into the grind of everyday life, dealing with bills, snoopy in-laws, cranky moods after long days at work."

And remember, even if you read this and still find yourself in the middle of these mistakes, that's normal. "Mistakes are a good opportunity to learn more about your partner and your partnership," Syrtash says. "It's a big life step to merge lives with someone, so inevitably, you're going to hit a few bumps along the way."

6 Sexy Ways to Amp Up Your Wedding Night

Photo: Getty Images
 
Wedding-night sex certainly has the potential to be hot. But after a night on the dance floor, flitting from guest to guest and indulging in a couple — OK, four — signature cocktails, your libido can take backseat to your desire to get your snooze on.

With these expert tips, however, we'll have you racing back to your hotel room to rip each other's clothes off and up-the-ante on your wedding-night lovemaking.

Take a moment for just the two of you pre-hotel time.
"I am a huge advocate of the bride and groom sneaking off to an empty room or in their limousine to get a little naughty," says sex expert Nikki Ransom-Alfred. "The wedding day is not the day to be withholding passion — it's the day to show it to each other."

Indulge in a couple cocktails — but cut yourself off when you've hit your limit.
"Having a glass or two of wine, will also help to loosen you up, increase the blood flow in the body, which will help put you in the mood," Ransom-Alfred points out.


Keep the meaning behind the day in mind.
"Always remember what this day is about and that's how much you love each other," Ransom-Alfred says. "The more connected you are feeling — and not worrying about the wedding too much itself — the more passionate the sex will be."

Think ahead with a sex to-do list.
"Try a new sex act and try new sex positions on your wedding night," suggests Ransom-Alfred. "Perhaps even create a 'Top 10' list together of everything you'd like to try that night. Get wild, adventurous and creative."

Take a trip to an adult store.
"Visit an adult toy store, either in person or online, and pick out a toy or game to play with each other that night," Ransom-Alfred says.

Consider starting with a rub-down.
"Bring massage oils, flavored if you like. That way you can rub each other down after your big day, release those 'feel good' endorphins to relax and arouse you both," suggests Ransom-Alfred.

10 To-Dos After the Honeymoon!

Kaitie Bryant Photography

 

By: Jamie Miles

 

Here’s something no one tells you about getting married. After you get back from the honeymoon, you’re still in wedding mode. That’s because more often than not, there are some to-dos left. Here, the top 10.

1. Write a Review
While it’s still fresh, take the time to review the experts who worked hard to make your wedding come together. We’re talking everyone from your planner, florist, venue and photographer down to your hair stylist and even the crafty designer who made your ring pillow! You know by now how important reviews are to the planning process so take the time to give all your vendors a pat on the back by writing them up right here in our listings section!

2. Clean and Store Your Gown
Have your dress dry-cleaned within six months of your wedding (the sooner, the better!). Use a service that specializes in wedding dresses so they use the right solvents. Make sure they stuff it with acid-free tissue, avoid using metal pins or buckles, and store it in a box. Once it’s back home, store it in a cool, dry place (like an out-of-the-way closet, not the dank basement!).

3. Send Thank-You Notes
If you don’t want snippy comments from family and friends, toss those thank-you notes in the mail within two months of your wedding. Set a goal (like 10 a night) and fire ’em off during the commercial breaks of your favorite shows. Divvy up the project with your spouse (say, he does his buddies and his side of the family and you do yours) and the job will be half as daunting. But if one of you refuses to pick up a pen, still agree that you’ll each sign your names on every card. Hint: Print off address and return address labels on your computer if you can — it’s neater and will save you major carpal tunnel.

4. Tackle Registry Returns
Sick of looking at those three toaster ovens gathering dust in the corner? Bite the bullet and return ’em within two months of your wedding. While stores are likely to be lenient with couples who’ve registered with them, each store will have a different policy on when you need to make returns by and what they’ll take back.

5. Change Your Name (Of Course Only If You’ve Decided To!)
If you do decide to change your name, it’s a good idea to change all your IDs within 90 days of getting married. This includes on your driver’s license, passport, social security card and credit card companies. We can help!

6. Give Everyone Your New Address
If your marriage involved a move, it’s perfectly fine to send a mass email or an e-card with your new address. The traditional route? Buy store-bought moving announcements and slip them in with your thank-you note or have them custom-designed. MovingAnnouncementStore.com has cute styles to choose from and can usually have them ready within three business days.

7. Order Your Wedding Photos
On your first anniversary, wouldn’t you love to pop in your wedding DVD and flip through your album? Don’t put off your photo selection and video requests too long! Most photographers and videographers issue a standard contract that gives you six months to a year to select album photos and edit footage for your DVD. If you don’t, you may have to pay extra.

8. Sort Out Finances
You’ve likely had the “money talk” long before you said “I Do” but now’s the time to merge accounts if you choose to. If so, head to the bank to fill out the necessary paperwork and get new debit cards and checks made.

9. Call the Tax Man
Time to check off a new (married) box on your tax forms! Now that the two of you are a legal unit, you need to decide whether you’re going to file together or continue to file separately (joint filing isn’t something mandated by law, though it’s generally recommended). Before deciding, consult your accountant to see what he or she advises for the two of you. Do this ASAP!

10. Settle On An Insurance Plan
You’ll also want to think about changing beneficiaries — most newlyweds switch their spouse to their beneficiary on work and life insurance docs. Call your insurance company and HR department at work for these forms. In addition, think about whose health insurance plan you’ll use by comparing cost and treatment options. If you’re the one making the switch, make sure the doctors you like are on the new plan.

The Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations Of 2014, According To Facebook

A recent study by Facebook has some surprising revelations about the post-wedding travel tendencies of 2014's newlyweds.


Facebook gathered data from couples who "checked in" at destinations more than twenty miles from their homes within two weeks after posting a marriage life event. While the study is far from scientific, it does provide some interesting data about Facebook users.


Namely, although relaxing beach towns predictably claimed nine of the top 10 spots, Las Vegas was the most popular destination among both international and American newlyweds. Sin City was significantly more popular for international couples than those from the U.S., or as Facebook put it, "Newlyweds from the US were much less likely to check into Las Vegas on Facebook than couples from outside the US."


The graph below shows the median distance traveled by honeymooners based on country of origin. Couples from South Korea ventured the farthest, traveling more than 4,000 miles from home, while Americans' median distance was just over 500 miles. (Click on the image to view a larger version).



Here are the top 10 destinations among couples worldwide:

1. Las Vegas, U.S.A.



2. Lahaina, U.S.A.



3. Honolulu, U.S.A.



4. Playa del Carmen, Mexico



5. Cancún, Mexico



6. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic



7. Montego Bay, Jamaica



8. Antalya, Turkey



9. Castries, St. Lucia



10. Gramado, Brazil

The Truth About Wedding Night Sex

Written by Maressa Brown on CafeMom's blog, The Stir


No matter what religion you were raised with (or without!), society tells us that the consummation of marriage right after a couple's Big Day will set off fireworks bigger than any Macy's Fourth of July Spectacular. Reality check: At least 25 percent of couples don't even have sex on their wedding night because they were too drunk or tired, according to a recent survey of 1,000 newlyweds by wedding stationary company Paper Shaker.


Judging from our own findings on the matter, that percentage may very well be a lot higher! And even those couples who did do the deed aren't ballyhooing it as their best time between the sheets by far! Thus, in an effort to not necessarily burst anyone's bubble about their wedding night but bust unrealistic myths about it, here are 15 sex confessions we got from brides about what their wedding nights were really like.


1. "My ex-husband sprained his ankle badly while drunkenly dancing with one of our bridesmaids to 'Cotton-Eyed Joe.' His parents came up to our hotel room later that night to check on him, because he was so swollen. Needless to say, the only moaning coming from our room was him ... moaning in pain!"


2. "My husband passed out from drinking on the bus ride to the hotel from the reception. I spent the night making sure he was okay and finally eating something after not eating all day."


3. "I guess that's the one advantage of having a dry, Mormon wedding -- we weren't too drunk to have sex!"


4. "We had sex, but I barely remember it, because I was hammered! Keepin' it classy."


5. "We got married in Vegas, so we had a great time at a club in our hotel. But after a whole night of dancing and toasting, we went back to our suite and passed out."


6. "We got into an argument, because a group of his friends got drunk since we had open bar and was being disruptive and rude and he thought I had asked them to leave our wedding. I didn't, [but] we spent our wedding night in separate rooms."


7. "My husband got drunk on champagne and the sex sucked, and he passed out right afterwards. I spent the night watching TV. We are divorced now."


8. "The first thing we did was climb on the bed (tux and gown still on) and opened all of our cards to count our cash. Then, ordered pizza. Even though we had a buffet at the reception, we were still starving. We ate pizza in bed while watching TV. We did NOT consummate our marriage that night. We were way too tired!"


9. "I was six weeks pregnant and sick as a dog, so we got through the courthouse wedding, suffered through my mother taking us out to dinner, went home and went right to bed!"


10. "I put on some lingerie in an attempt to look nice. My husband was more excited about opening the envelopes and counting the money from the checks. He said, 'Don't feel obligated to have sex.' We were too tired anyhow and went to sleep."


11. "We had a morning ceremony and breakfast reception, so we went home afterwards, I had a nap, then I had to work the night shift. How about that for romantic? Hah."


12. "We almost burned the B&B down! I threw his shirt over the top of a lamp, then later, we went out for dinner. When we came back, the shirt was scorched, and the room smelled like burnt cotton."


13. "I was exhausted and one of my bridesmaids came in our suite to make a sandwich. Her husband then wants a sandwich, and I finally get the dress off and am almost asleep when the groom wanted to celebrate our marriage. I'm pretty sure I slept through it."


14. "We spent our wedding night in the emergency room. Whoever set up the cake table didn't lock it in place properly, and it crashed on my foot."


15. "We got crazy drunk, but still managed to have a lot of fun getting it on. The next day we went [out] and came back to our room to find the cleaning service had been in the room to freshen things up for us and [put] all of our 'toys' in a pile by the bed and covered with a cloth. I about died of embarrassment thinking of the staff donning rubber gloves and pincer-grasping each item and placing them carefully in a pile!"

6 Things I Learned In 6 Months Of Marriage

By Stefania Sainato for Bridal Guide


My husband Jason and I recently passed the half-year mark and we came full circle by celebrating at the same restaurant where we had our rehearsal dinner. While digging into a plate of crab cakes and The Perfect Storm cocktails, we reminisced about all of the milestones we've had since saying "I do." The ink is barely dry on our marriage certificate and we still have a lifetime of memories to make.
However, even in this short amount of time, it's incredible to witness how much our lives have changed. Here's what we've learned so far.



Photo Credit: Josh Lynn Photography


1. Discuss expectations for being an awesome spouse.
During our first week back to the real world, I silently wondered what Jason expected from me now that I was his wife rather than his fiancée. Despite nine happy years of dating under our belt, a small and irrational part of me worried that I'd fail to balance everything: household chores, my career, our love life, friends and family, etc. I'd witnessed with other couples how resentment could build up over time because of a lack of give-and-take. Jason reassured me that he didn't fall in love with me because of how well I could iron his dress shirts or cook interesting meals.

We learned to balance each other out. For example, he knows I could pass for a Walking Dead zombie in the mornings, so he's happy to handle breakfast duty and drive me to the train. I'm more of a night person, so I usually make dinner and do a quick sweep of our apartment. Yes, creating a sense of home was important -- it took a few months for us to settle into a routine -- but all it did was add another dimension to our relationship. The qualities that made us want to get married became even more attractive after the fact.


2. Be each other's biggest fan.
Anyone who's in a committed relationship has had his or her partner lean on them at one time or another. This isn't exclusive to marriage. However, the stakes just get so much higher. Saying "I do" really means "I will be there for you no matter what" and the time will come sooner or later when you will have to prove it.

Case in point: When we returned from our honeymoon in Hawaii, we found out that the new job Jason was supposed to start had been misrepresented to him. They gave him fewer hours than they had promised but there was a chance he might reach full-time status again at an indeterminate point in time. He asked for my opinion about what he should do. I confirmed what he already knew: He'd have to find someplace else to work or else risk being jerked around.


3. The little things mean more than you ever thought they would.
When people ask, "what's married life like?" the truth is that there is no simple answer. Marriage encompasses a hundred little gestures or moments that occur within a given week.
For example, Jason covered me from head to toe with a sheet one night while I was sleeping. When I woke up, he explained that a mosquito had gotten into our room and he didn't want me to get bit. He couldn't sleep so he made me pancakes. This made me just as touched as when he bought me diamond studs and a necklace for our first married Christmas!

Being married means waiting to have dinner until he gets home at 8:30 p.m. on late work nights. Being married means having him kiss me on the forehead every single night before we turn in. Being married means losing my sh*t when he says he'll hang our key holder and it sits on the desk untouched for two weeks. Being married means hearing him scream when I raise the thermostat to an ungodly high temperature for the umpteenth time. Being married means open communication when we transfer money from our joint savings to our personal accounts. What are the little things that define your marriage?


4. Your relationship with relatives and friends may change.
Now that we're our own little family of two, this has shifted our family dynamics (which we fully expected). When we were engaged and one of us couldn't make it to dinner or family event, no one batted an eyelash. Now there's more pressure for both of us to see all of our relatives as much as humanly possible. At times, we've felt guilty for not staying as long as they may have liked or for griping about how tired we were and just wanted to veg out at home. My family always has lots of parties and casual get-togethers, so we found it was easier to see my relatives but just as important to make Jason's side feel close to us, too.

We also experienced some growing pains when it came to our friendships. It was difficult for me to accept that my once-weekly girl's nights were dwindling down to once a month, if that. Jason wasn't invited when pals went out for an impromptu drink or to go see a movie because they assumed (rightfully so, to a certain degree) that he was too busy settling into married life. Now that we are each other's number-one priority, everyone was afraid to intrude on our marital bliss. But as lovely as that post-wedding afterglow is, living in a cocoon gets old after a while. Slowly but surely, we began to balance our time better and bond with friends again. We just had to adjust our expectations (back to that word again!).


5. Learn how to fight more fairly.
Like many other couples, our first married blowout began over something idiotic. I think I bought a product at Costco that he thought we'd never use up. In that argument, we broke every rule they taught us at Pre-Cana: no yelling, no profanity, no sulking. But Costco wasn't the true root of the issue -- it was communication about finances. I was naive to think that we'd had more than enough practice with wedding spending. If we wanted to save up enough for a house someday, we were going to have to buckle up!

Since then, we both make a concerted effort to try to understand where the other person is coming from without jumping to quick conclusions. We're a team for better and for worse, so the goal isn't for one of us to "win." If we get super heated over something, we've learned to walk away and then discuss it later when we feel calm again. When you're married, it's less tempting to throw in those can't-take-it-back jabs (i.e. "maybe we're just not meant to be together"). We're far from perfect -- I still have the terrible habit of needing to get the last word in -- but knowing we're in this forever has changed our outlook for the better.


6. Remember that your wedding day is just the first of many dreams.
While I was engaged, there were always momentous occasions to look forward to: scouting our dream venue, going dress shopping with my mom, attending my surprise bridal shower, jetting off to Miami with my girlfriends for a pre-wedding getaway and finally getting married. I'd heard about the post-wedding blues and I figured that wouldn't happen to me since I had soaked in every wedding experience.

Boy, was I wrong. In my opinion, "post-wedding blues" is a misleading term. It implies that wives get sad because they can't wear their wedding dress again or celebrate their relationship with loved ones, but the reality is much more complicated. After devoting hours each week to either brainstorming for our wedding or actively working on it, I was SO relieved to have more free time after getting married.

However, as the weeks ticked by, I slipped into this emotional funk. I couldn't seem to snap out of it...until Jason and I began talking about all of the other goals we have. We're not rushing into The Next Big Thing, but knowing that we're going to be home owners, parents, and maybe even CEOs of our own companies someday gives us amazing things to look forward to. In the meantime, we're focusing on fun, short-term goals like saving up for a trip to Tahiti and getting in great physical shape.

11 Ways To Make Your Long-Term Marriage Happier, Starting Today

 

The honeymoon period in most marriages has a shelf life. But does that mean you can't bring back those fluttery butterfly feelings of excitement and anticipation everyone experiences at the beginning of a relationship? Absolutely not. All marriages maneuver through rough patches. Some don't survive long enough to come out the other side unscathed. But many do. Here are 11 ways to keep your marriage fresh.


1. Remind your partner (and yourself) that you appreciate them.
After you've been married for many, many years, that passionate kiss when your partner walks in the door can easily morph into a peck on the check that can then morph into an inability even to look up from your computer. Over the course of my 23-year marriage, there are times when I've felt my own husband and I were starting to become so familiar with each other that we were settling into a stultifying -- albeit comfortable -- routine. But there's a real danger in that. Studies show that nearly half of men who have cheated say it was because of emotional dissatisfaction -- and not sex. When men don't feel connected or appreciated by their wives, they are vulnerable to the advances of any attractive woman who casts a lustful glance their way. And fellows, it works the other way as well.
In his film "Annie Hall," Woody Allen charged that "a relationship is like a shark. It has to constantly move forward or it dies." I believe he was right.





2. Say thank you for the little things.
I've been guilty of keeping score, constantly calculating who had done what. "I cleaned out the kids' closets, so you have to clean the basement." "I moved for your job when we first got married, so now you need to move for mine." "I initiated sex last time, so now it's your turn." But playing tit for tat is childish and will do nothing but chip away at the trust and connection you've built with your spouse. If you are so inclined, keep score of all the positive things your partner does in a day -- and then thank them. Hopefully they'll get the hint and do the same for you.


3. Practice honesty, even when you're ashamed.
If you have maxed out a credit card or two and find yourself hiding the bills each month, you can bet it's going to come back to bite you. Eventually, whether you're applying for a home loan or simply talking about the costs of summer vacation, these kinds of money issues will either be brought to light by a credit report or by the simple fact you can't afford a trip away. Although infidelity usually happens in bed, it also can happen with money. And it will be a tough road gaining back your spouse's trust if you've lied about overspending.

Along that same vein, if you feel you aren't connecting with your partner the way you used to, you need to say something -- now. I've learned this lesson the hard way. I once let communication issues fester for months on end, failing to verbalize my displeasure, and my husband and I wound up in marriage counseling for nearly a year. It took a third party -- and a real investment on our part -- to get us back on track. If I had not kept telling myself that things would get better on their own, we might not have reached what I call the danger zone.


4. Take care of your appearance.
With many years and a few kids under your belt, it's easy to let your appearance slide. Think about when you first met your partner. Would you have walked around in stained sweatpants and without brushing your teeth? My guess is no. I'm not saying you have to look like Julianne Moore every time you settle in for a night of TV. But I've seen too many couples transform from Cliff and Clair Huxtable into Dan and Roseanne Connor -- with disastrous repercussions.

Sometimes my husband will say "wow, you look nice" as I'm walking out the door for a girls' night out. At least pay your spouse the same courtesy you do your friends by fixing yourself up for him or her every once in awhile.





5. Foster relationships outside your marriage.
I've been going on girls' trips for as long as I've been married. Yes, I love traipsing off with my spouse and three kids. But these weekends away with friends are also important. Swapping stories with others and enjoying new experiences make me -- I hope -- a more interesting person for my spouse to be around. When Katie Couric asked Barbra Streisand the secret to her happy 14-year marriage to James Brolin, she replied "time apart." “It gets romantic because even the conversations on the phone get more romantic. You need some distance,” Streisand said.
Your marriage should be your primary relationship -- but it needn't be the only one.





6. Watch your words.
There are many things you should never say to a longtime spouse, the first being: "Don't you think our new neighbor is attractive?" That's a question you just think you want to know the answer to. It's also never a good idea to start a sentence with: "You know it's always been your problem that..." Who wants to hear that from their partner? We hopefully all have a pretty good sense of ourselves at this point and having someone you love point out a failing in this way does little to engender a loving relationship.

"You always..." or "You never..." Think about it. Neither of these is true. If you start a sentence with these words your mate is certain to shut down or start a fight. Stop for a minute and think about what you really mean to say -- and then say that instead.

7. Put away the jumper cables yourself.
In life, there are big things and there are little things. The big things -- draining the bank accounts to support a gambling habit, forgetting to mention that he's in the federal witness relocation program living under a false identity or that he has a second family stashed in Queens -- are of course one-way streets to divorce court. But most of us don't have problems of that magnitude. Most of us have problems that are more like petty and repeated annoyances, which when fed the steroids of resentment and anger, balloon up like Arnold Schwarzenegger. And we all know what steroids did to his heart, right?

Most of our problems start out small enough -- he borrows the jumper cables from your car and then leaves them sitting in the driveway just waiting to get run over -- and from that sprouts a giant festering sore. It leads you to utter words like, "If you loved me you would have put the jumper cables back in my car so that when I get stuck in a bad neighborhood with a dead battery I could save myself," which, in my household, generally results in a reply like "When do you ever drive in bad neighborhoods?"

It is the small annoyances that, if left unaddressed, do us in. For a happier marriage, address them right away and keep it simple. "Honey, did you put jumper cables back in my car?"


8. Relish the silence.
Sometimes the best way to address a problem is to just walk away from it -- as in seriously let it go. Not every slight must be addressed. Know that not every insult is intended. Practice letting go as much as you can. Forgive more. Forget more. Bite your tongue until the tip bleeds. And once in a while, remind yourself of why you married this person. Focus on those reasons and let stuff pass without mention.

The trick to successful silence, however, is that you really let the problem pass. If you stay silent and still harbor bad thoughts, well, that's where ulcers come from. As the Beatles told us, "Let It Be."





9. Recognize the ebb-and-flow.
Relationships aren't flat-lined; that's death, actually. Life has ups and downs, peaks and valleys. We all go through periods where the mere thought of life without our partners can bring tears to our eyes and then a week later we can't stand the sound of their breathing next to us. We've all been there. The trick is knowing that you won't stay in either place forever. Truth is, in a marriage, you spend most of your time in an emotional middle ground. It's not songbirds chirping, nor is it considering which poison in his pasta will cause the most painful demise.

This middle ground isn't the couple who sit in the restaurant across from one another without conversing. Those people have actually flat-lined and just don't know it yet. No, the middle ground is when months meld into years and you know what the reaction will be before you say something. It's when the book you finished last night just migrates automatically to the nightstand on his side and he tells you about the recorded "Modern Family" episode you slept through. It's the every day ebb and flow without the waves.


10. Be kind.
We tend to take advantage of those we love the most -- probably because we know they love us and we can get away with it. It's the old kick-the-cat syndrome. You have a bad day at the office and come home and take it out on your mate. A much healthier pattern is to start out each day by asking yourself, "What can I do today to make my partner happy?" And mean it. Doesn't it make more sense to put your best face on for someone you love? Look for ways to say "yes." This rule applies to parenting as well, but in a happy marriage, people are busy trying to please each other. That sometimes means sitting through endlessly long ball games, putting on a tie, watching a horror movie with your eyes closed, and traveling around old Civil War battleground sites when you really wanted to be vacationing on a beach in Hawaii. It's doing things for your partner.


11. Maintain intimacy and passion, both inside and outside the bedroom.
Intimacy isn't just sex and passion isn't just doing it on the kitchen counter. Bedroom habits age along with the marriage. There may be no stronger aphrodisiac than a moonlight walk on the beach that ends in a kiss. There may be no greater display of passion than the zeal

10 Wedding Registry Gifts to Keep the Romance Alive in Your Home

When you're planning a wedding, it can be easy to focus in on the details of your big day and not on carrying the romance from your wedding into the new life that starts after you're married. Creating a wedding registry can feel more like a to-do list than a compilation of products that inspire and excite you, but it doesn't have to be.

I shopped the gifts from the newly launched wedding registry platform, Blueprint Registry (It's the first wedding registry based on the blueprint of your home, which I think is genius) and compiled a list of my 10 favorite wedding registry gifts to keep romance alive in your home. Check out my picks and leave me a comment and let me know which ones you love!



1. Crosley Executive USB Portable Turntable: Studies have shown that listening to music can make us generally happier and less stressed! Retro style meets modern technology with the Crosley Executive turntable, which takes your favorite vinyl and converts them into digital files.

2. Day of Games Gold and Silver Bocce Ball Set: The couple that plays together stays together. This stylish gold and chrome finished bocce ball set will bring style and fun to any backyard party or to an at-home date night.

3. Union Canvas Weekender Bag: Traveling to a new city or taking a break from your normal routine is the perfect way to spice up your relationship. The Union Canvas weekender bag makes a stylish and ecologically friendly travel companion when packing light or carrying on board.

4. Framed Print - East River Bride II: Register for a print of a city or landmark that means something to you both. Maybe you got engaged in Washington, D.C., or got married in Austin. Regardless of the place, a print of a location that holds meaning to you both is sure to always bring a smile to your face when you see it hanging on the wall.

5. Martini Set from Blueprint Registry: It's 5 o'clock somewhere! Having a happy hour with your significant other is sure to make you, well... happy. Shake up your favorite cocktails with the American Metalcraft Cocktail shaker or make opening a bottle of wine a breeze with the Cork Pops Original Wine Bottle Opener. When you bring the bar to you, the best part is, you won't have to worry about who's driving home!

6. Tribeca Living 800 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheet Set: Does this gift even need an explanation as to why I chose it? Not only does a good night sleep make everyone feel better, but these super soft sheets are sure to inspire any couple to want to hit the sack for other reasons than to just catch up on some Z's. Keeping romance alive in the bedroom is always easier with a comfy bed calling your name.



7. Chef's Choice Deluxe Waffle Cone Express Kit: After you've worked up an appetite in the bedroom, it's time for a sweet treat. This at home waffle kit makes for a fun date night idea and is something you can both do together.

8. One Line A Day Five-Year Memory Book: This classic memory keeper is the perfect way to track the ups and downs of life, day by day. The 365 daily entries appear five times on each page, so that you can revisit your previous thoughts and memories over the five years as you return to each page to record the current day's events. It's a great way to reminisce on good times together and to help you both appreciate all of life's little moments.

9. Fig + Yarrow Pink Love Salts: Whether you're soaking in the tub together or drawing a bath to de-stress after a long day, Mineral-rich Himalayan pink salts provide a warm, aromatic bath soak, made to detoxify the body and relieve sore muscles, while stimulating circulation with an amorous blend of essential oils.

10. Linnea's Lights Candle From Terrain: Set the mood with the sophisticated blend of patchouli, vanilla, and lime in this calming candle. Combining natural soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks, and pure scents, Linnea's Lights clean-burning candles are carefully hand-poured in small batches and sure to add a special touch to any dinner or quiet night at home.


Check out these and other creative wedding registry gifts on Blueprint Registry. Happy shopping!

6 Compromises Every New Wife Should Make (Yes, Really!)

Have you had your first fight yet? Or your second or your third? If you're still figuring out what results in a simple skirmish and what leads to an all-out battle, consider the compromises wives in happy relationships often make. Before you draw a line in the sand, read on.


1. He forgot to take out the trash, again. Yes, it's annoying that you've taken out the trash four days in a row. And yes, you hate to nag when he really should be pitching in on household chores thankyouverymuch, but the truth is this: His forgetfulness about housekeeping isn't a sign of an unhealthy marriage. Don't escalate this to World War III, just tell him (again) how happy it would make you if he helped out a little more.


2. He works late, a lot. If he loves his career and he works late often, you might find yourself feeling a tad resentful (especially if you're home by 5:00 every night and imagined a marriage where the two of you sat down to an early dinner each night!). Instead of blowing up, try to accept that your husband's drive to achieve is part of why you fell in love with him. And consider pushing back your dinner hour a little bit—after all, in many parts of Europe it's chic to dine late at night!


3. He has a favorite spot on the couch, and he's not budging. Men (and women) can get territorial about their comfort spot in the living room, especially when it's in perfect viewing proximity to the big-screen TV. Take our advice: This one's not worth the fight. Men are creatures of routine, and if he's staked out his spot, let him have it. You can fight over the remote instead.


4. He refuses to take dancing lessons with you. Maybe your best friend and her husband learned to salsa dance last fall, and you dream of doing the same, but your husband has zero interest. Instead of making it a big deal, remember that dancing is one of many areas where people have trouble breaking out of comfort zones. He'll show he loves you in other ways, but if it's not on the dance floor, be cool with that.


5. He has zero interest in becoming a vegetarian. You may have been blown away by the research in the documentary Forks Over Knives but if he's not ready to give up his meat-eating ways, it's best not to force it. Yes, it would be so convenient if the two of you were in sync nutritionally, but don't hold his love of steak over his head.


6. He has opposite interior design style as you. He thinks the mantel in the living room is the place for his collection of sports memorabilia, and you, well, don't. It's rare that couples' style preferences are completely in line, so don't feel alone if you find yourself bickering over decor in your new home together. And try (really try) to compromise on style decisions. In other words, the mantel is not worthy of a knock-down-drag-out fight!

Kaley Cuoco's Wedding Cake Hung Upside Down From A Chandelier (Yes, Seriously)

Big Bang" star Kaley Cuoco had one of the craziest wedding cakes we've ever seen. Why? Because it was hanging upside down all night, suspended from a crystal chandelier. You read that right -- upside down.


Cuoco posted the photo below on Instagram, with the caption "TY to #thebutterend for creating our magical chandelier cake. Literally hanging above us. EPIC", following her New Year's Eve fire-and-ice themed nuptials to Ryan Sweeting.





The six-tiered cake was made by The Butter End Cakery in Los Angeles. Owner Kimberly Bailey tells The Knot that creating the cake -- from planning to execution -- took about six weeks. As for how it stayed up, she said, "We had hung sandbags off the chandelier to make sure it would hold the weight of the cake. A center pull armature held the cake upright and board planks held the individual tiers."



Not only did the two-flavored cake look amazing, it was actually able to be cut while hanging upside down.


“If you look at the second to bottom tier, there’s a big hole in it,” Bailey told People. “That’s where she cut it. They cut it, they ate it.”


Cuoco isn't the first celeb to have an over-the-top cake. Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann's 2004 wedding featured a seven-foot tall, six-tiered cake topped with Swarovski crystals.

And in 2010, Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky reportedly spent $11,000 on a 500-pound, nine-tier cake, complete with 1,000 intricately designed sugar flowers.

We think Kaley's upside down confection still takes the cake (sorry, we had to!).

The Ultimate Sex Advice for Newlyweds

Finally, alone at last! Top experts offer their best tips for keeping your relationship hot and exciting long after the honeymoon.

By: Michele Bender

 

One of the fabulous things about marrying your soul mate is experiencing a unique connection and level of familiarity. But when things are too comfortable in the bedroom, it can cause problems. “Before you’re married, your sex life has little competition in your relationship,” explains Debra Macleod, coauthor of Lube Jobs: A Woman’s Guide to Great Maintenance Sex. “But after you’re married, sex has to compete with conflicting schedules, money concerns, in-laws and eventually children. It takes a toll on your sex life, especially when compounded by the increase in sexual familiarity and the decrease in honeymoon hormones flowing through your veins!”
Though it’s important to recognize that your love life will change over time, there’s a lot you can do to maintain that spark. Here, tips for keeping things hot long past the honeymoon.

1. Reach Out & Touch Someone

Several studies show that the simple act of hugging for between 30 and 60 seconds increases levels of oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and contributes to a sense of attachment, notes Ian Kerner, Ph.D., a sex therapist and author of Passionista: The Empowered Woman’s Guide to Pleasuring a Man. Kissing and holding hands reap those same unique benefits.

2. Let's Talk About Sex

Though you’d think a sex expert as famous as Dr. Ruth would give advice that was, well, sexier, she says communication is the key to bedroom bliss throughout your marriage. “If you keep your needs and desires inside your heads, then the likelihood is that your sex life will slowly diminish in strength and intensity,” says Dr. Ruth. “But if you explain your likes and dislikes, then together you can create a very good, long-lasting sex life.” No one’s saying this is a topic that’s easy to discuss– even with someone as close to you as your mate—but doing so today is like an insurance policy for the future. “With a solid foundation, even if there are valleys in your sex life, such as during the years when small babies are around, you can climb back toward those peaks,” says Dr. Ruth.

3. Hold on Tight

Sex therapist Ian Kerner emphasizes the importance of having as much physical contact as possible on a daily basis. “It may sound obvious, but once you’re married you tend to become less lovey-dovey and more complacent as you sit side by side, tapping away on your laptops, rather than holding hands or hugging.”

4. Prioritize It

After that walk down the aisle, life gets busy with daily routines and your To Do list gets more crowded, sending sex tumbling to the bottom. Worse, once you’re living together it’s easy to assume that you can have sex whenever you want, and thus you don’t make time for it. But if you don’t prioritize your love life at the beginning of your marriage, it’ll be harder to do so in the future. Kerner advises consciously making sex part of your daily schedule. For example, take a shower together each morning or go to bed half an hour earlier. If the thought of scheduling sex makes you cringe, you still should leave enough room for sparks to fly. “After all, sex can’t happen if you’re on Facebook for hours and finally collapse into bed at midnight,” says Kerner.

5. Do Some Self Discovery

"Sometimes getting married takes away the thrill of feeling desperately sought after,” says sex therapist Aline Zoldbrod, Ph.D., author of Sex Smart. “And it’s not uncommon for women to find that their desire goes down at this point.” To keep your libido going strong, learn about your sexuality. Figure out how and where you like to be touched and how to communicate that to your partner. “Now that the ‘chase’ is over, you need to learn your own recipe for desire and arousal,” says Zoldbrod. “Because the more pleasurable sex is for you, the more you’ll want it.”

6. Shake Things Up

“Add excitement by introducing new elements,” says Macleod, who suggests sex toys, erotica, role-playing and new positions. “If you keep sex new and interesting, it will naturally rise to the top of your priority list.”

7. Go for the Novelty

Keeping mental tabs on when, where and how you have sex can help keep the passion alive. “Ask yourself: Is it too predictable? Do you always do the same things in bed?” says Macleod. If the answer is yes, spice things up. Surprise your mate with sexy lingerie or get romantic somewhere other than the bedroom.”

8. Hang Your "Do Not Disturb Sign"

Day-to-day life can get so hectic that it’s easy to live as if you’re ships passing in the night. Romantic weekend getaways can remedy this. “Before you’re married, every weekend is romantic,” notes Macleod. “Tag on a few years of marriage, however, and intimate couple time becomes harder to find than a pair of perfectly fitting jeans.” If an out-of-town adventure is too pricey, transform your bedroom into a romantic love nest with candelight and flowers. Or else, book a night at a local hotel, B&B or campground, or make it a “stay-cation” and pitch a cozy tent in your backyard. P.S. Be sure to leave those BlackBerrys and cell phones behind!

9. Stay Healthy and Fit

“Exhaustion is the number-one reason long-term couples become less sexually active. In fact, many couples claim that it’s fatigue, more than familiarity, that most often extinguishes their libido,” says Macleod. It becomes easier just to switch off the lights and drop off to sleep. Before you know it, you’re wondering what happened to your formerly hot sex life. Ward off this all-too-common situation and give your energy level a big boost by eating a healthy diet that limits sugar and fat and contains fresh produce, lean protein and good-for-you carbs and fats. Also, make sure to exercise regularly. “As mundane as it sounds, being active during the day will give you the stamina to stay up late at night,” says Macleod. “And what’s great about being in the early years of marriage is that the healthy habits you make now will set the pace for the rest of your life together.” Many couples find that trying to schedule exercise time together helps with motivation—you can keep each other going even during those inevitable times when you both feel too tired. It’s worth it!

10. Go Beyond the Bedroom

Pump up the passion under the covers by doing other fun things together. “Part of what bonds people and creates sexual energy is that sense of play and newness,” says Zoldbrod. In fact, research shows that novelty stimulates the transmission of a brain chemical called dopamine, which is important for arousal and excitement, adds Kerner. Sure, you can get that feeling of novelty by trying out new positions in the bedroom, but you can also get it from watching an athletic event together, going to a play, traveling to a destination that you both decide on, spending time with friends or anything else in which the two of you share a new experience.

11. Be High Maintenance

“It’s far easier—and more enjoyable—to keep a love life working than it is to try and fix it after it’s broken,” says Macleod, who stresses the importance and effectiveness of “maintenance sex” in long-term marriages. This is a tried-and-true way to deal with disparate sex drives and differing levels of sexual interest that occur naturally at different times, say, if one of you is feeling preoccupied by problems at work. “The less interested partner may simply agree to have sex, just to keep things going,” says Macleod. If performed with affection and received with respect and love, this kind of sex can help maintain your sexual and emotional bonds, which strengthens your marriage as a whole. Adds Macleod: “Sexual intimacy is one of the primary things that distinguishes your married relationship from all your other relationships and it deserves the attention of both partners to be sure that it stays well maintained.”

12 Lessons From The First Year Of Marriage

Whether your first year of marriage was a walk in the park or a test of your relationship, there is no doubt that those first 12 months were a learning experience.

Over the weekend, we asked our readers to tell us the most important thing they learned during their first year of marriage. Check out what they had to say below.

That even the smallest, most everyday moments can feel celebratory because they're shared together in your own home. - @MissWedTips

Sometimes you need to bite your tongue! Words that come out of your mouth in a fit of anger can't be taken back - Valerie Hashim

He still loves me, even though I am not perfect. And even on days when I am VERY far from it. - Torri Vetere Regiani

Going from starstruck engaged to the real life of a newlywed isn't as magical as all the wedding magazines lead you to believe. - @Kate_WthAHitch

The first year isn't all of your years and it isn't necessarily the best of them either. - @steelandheels

That saying "sorry" goes a long way. Even if you don't think it's your fault. - Stacy Sweets McClain

Commitment to the relationship is vital in the good times and the tough times. - Julie Munz Baumgardner

Change your mindset from "I hope this lasts forever" to "this IS forever." It feels great! - Mary Barnes

Compromise. And have a good sense of humor -- it makes everything easier and fun! - Aimee Carlson Barousse

The most important thing I learned is that my husband really is a kindhearted, genuinely good, honest man. Oh, and also that it's OK to feel like you want to strangle him sometimes, just as long as you don't actually do it. - Ebony Leeloominai

That as much as you may think you know your partner inside and out beforehand, the depth of that knowledge after being married will surprise you. - Kelli Rosebrock-Eads

That he always has my back, and I will have his. He's my best friend. - Brooke Johnson Delk

Confessions of a Newlywed: Month 12

1. We made it one year... There was never any doubt!
2. Now does this mean the Newlywed stages end or is it just the beginning
3. Our first year of marriage has had moments of understanding, clarity and love... I would not change it for anything in the world.
4. I am excited for Cake and Champagne
5. My husband makes me smile each and everyday
6. Nothing sounds more sweeter than to hear I Love You and know its from the heart.
7. Date Nights are still awesome
8. Romance is even better
9. Wedding pictures never get old
10. Love grows
11. The shoes are still under the table but I would not have it any other way
12. Year 2 is going to be a BLAST
13. My husband's smile still gives me butterflies.
14. Cooking together will continue
15. Our house will be a great accomplishment
16. Wine is still our thing....
17. I still giggle when I tell people I have a husband. Its such a great feeling.
18. I still text him every morning... I think he likes it.
19. Did I mention I am so happy?
20. Scott Anthony Cameron... I am looking forward to a lifetime as being Mrs. Cameron. Thank You for being an AWESOME provider, lover, protector and Husband. No words can truly express how I feel but I hope you know above everything that I LOVE YOU!

Happy Anniversary!

 

 

Love,

 

Mrs. Cameron

Confessions of a Newlywed: Month 11

1. It amazes me that this year has gone so quickly.
2. My favorite moments from our wedding still makes me smile
3. Finding the perfect anniversary gift is harder than finding a wedding gift.
4. Speaking of Anniversaries.... Mines is in a month...LOL
5. Being Mrs. Cameron is awesome.
6. The shoes are still under the table.
7. I cant wait till we own a house of our own.
8. Romance.....
9. My husband's smile still gives me butterflies.
10. I enjoy spending time with my husband... Wish sometimes we had more time.
11. PDA's are cute.
12. Cooking is becoming my new hobby as a wife... Lets see how good I get at it.
13. Chivalry is not dead.. It lives on in my husband
14. I love that my friends think my husband is so great
15. There is something special about knowing that someone is going to spend their life with you...
16. To hear him say I Love You makes my day
17. Wine is still our thing....
18.I still giggle when I tell people I have a husband. Its such a great feeling.
19.I now believe that I am meant for happiness.
20. Funny how time flies when your having fun.

Confessions of a Newlywed: Month 10

1. Its been 10 months... Holy Cow!

2. It still feels like it is all brand new

3. Being called Mrs. Cameron always makes me smile.

4. I am excited to celebrate our 1 year anniversary.

5. I feel like a little kid when I see him at the end of the day.

6. I cant wait for us to buy our home together.

7. It has been confirmed after a recent trip that we in fact need a King Size Bed...LOL

8. I love that he continues to be a gentleman, Even when me moves me over on the sidewalk.

9. I still text him every morning... I think he likes it.

10. When I hear our first song ring on my phone... Its nice to know he is on the other end.

11. I cant wait for our next adventure together.

12. I love that we are still the "It" Couple.

13. He has made me more of a lover of Spicy Food

14. He completes me

15. Romance

16. There is something special about knowing that someone is going to spend their life with you...

17. His laughter makes me laugh

18. His smile is my joy

19. He is everything I wanted and more in a husband and I am the luckiest girl in the world.

20. No one else could be better for me than Scott.

Confesions of a Newlywed: Month 9

Since our 9 month anniversary is tomorrow, I figured I would post my Newlywed Confessions today:

 

 

 

1. I cant believe that it has been 9 months... I swear time goes by so fast.
2. We are learning to make more time for each other in the mist of our busy schedules but we do what we can to spend time with one another.
3. Vegas next month for his mothers wedding will be a great adult trip for us.
4. I am learning that it is us and not me anymore... I am getting better at it.
5. Romance... That is all.
6. Nothing is better in life right now for me to go to sleep and wake up to the same person laying by my side.
7. I want to be a better wife... Just have to learn more things.
8. Its nice to hang with married people and have similar discussions with them.
9. I hear our wedding song and it makes me smile every time.
10. House hunting has been a thing of progress but I know it will happen for us soon
11. To hear him say I Love You makes my day
12. I still text him Good Morning even though he is right next to me... I know but I love him.
13. I'm still working on a few wedding projects but I will get them done.
14. I am getting better at expressing myself to my husband... He is too.
15. It makes me happy to hear people talk about our love and how we love.
16. I like that every now and again he still surprises me.
17. Date Nights have been crazy to plan but I look forward to having more hopefully in the near future.
18. Did I mention I am so happy?
19. I cant wait for our one year anniversary... I have to pullout all the stops.
20. He completes me.

Confession of a Newlywed : Month 8

1. Planning for our 1st Wedding Anniversary is exciting...
2. Being in the kitchen together more often I am finding is a great way for us to bond.
3. Making decisions together makes me feel like a grown up.
4. Speaking of Grown Up... House Buying is coming together.. I cant wait to have a home with our family.
5. I love moments alone with him... It gives me peace.
6. I am excited to travel to Houston with Scott and hang with the family... It will be our 1st trip as Husband and Wife.
7. I need to figure out a way to incorporate more date nights for us.
8. Being introduced as his wife gives me Goosebumps
9. I love to hear people complement us... We work hard to be who we are together.
10. Family time makes life a little bit easier.
11. I think we are becoming that couple who will go broke at Costco...LOL
12. Its nice to be the couple in our social circle to bring on the entertaining.
13. The shoes and socks are still under the table.
14. I like to surprise my husband... I am working on my next surprise soon....
15. I dont know why but renewing our vows in 10 years has been on my mind.. Nice idea but we should celebrate the 1st one first....LOL
16. His smile still gives me butterflies.
17. We are getting better at sharing the covers... :)
18. Im working on being a better wife and I think I am on the right path.
19. I love that no matter what it is... I know my husband will habe my back.
20. 243... You and me love.

4 newlywed rules to ignore

 

 

 

 

Does it ever seem like there are expectations you're supposed to live up to as newlyweds? And if you don't buy into them, you're not doing the whole married thing right? Well, we say forget that. Here are some so-called rules you shouldn't think twice about ignoring.

Rule 1: You have to be Mr. and Mrs. Same Name/Same Account/Same Life

Ignore it. Maybe your friends were psyched when they finally got to use return address stickers featuring their new last name. But there's no set rule on how you two should go about merging; you have to do what's right for you, and that could mean keeping your name and maintaining your own accounts. If you're on the fence, consider using a joint account for all your household bills, while maintaining personal checking and savings accounts for all your other expenses. Just one quick trip to the bank, and you're done. No identity crisis necessary.

Rule 2: Once you're married, you need to put a five-year plan into place

Ignore it. Some couples have their entire future mapped out. "We'll probably move to the burbs by '14, and then we'll have to start thinking about having kids — two girls and a boy — and buttering up to preschools in the area." Alrighty then. Just because pals may have a master plan — including the month they want to conceive — doesn't mean you should, especially since life rarely goes according to plan anyway.

Rule 3: You need to phase out your individual friends and meet new couples

Ignore it. Why is it that as soon as you get hitched, you're expected to be hot on the trail of other duos to befriend? You're still the same people you were before you got married, so don't buy into the pressure to fill some arbitrary couples quota. The individual friends you've had for years — the ones that were with you long before your spouse showed up — are still a big part of your lives, even if they're at different stages.

Rule 4: You should spend all your free time together

Ignore it. Having quality time together is important, but you had a full life before getting hitched, and you still should now. Schedule more nights doing your own thing or take a short vacation if the opportunity comes up. Yes, your other half will survive – and may even thank you.