I think that wedding favors are usually a big old waste of money. They’re expensive, no one ever likes them all that much, and they either end up getting abandoned at the reception or tucked into the drawer next to the broom closet. Huge stressball for bride and groom + no appreciably positive impact on guests = fail, in my opinion.

But!

Here’s a way to solve the favor problem in a way that maximizes guest happiness while minimizing the cost for you: Incorporate your favors into your wedding decor!

My husband and I knew that we wanted a candlelit, Midsummer’s Night Dream-esque affair, so we decided to surround the bouquet centerpieces with tall rice paper votive holders and lower, gold-trimmed votive holders. We filled half with regular tealights and half with LED versions (to minimize smoke).

On the menu, guests were encouraged to take home the votives as favors, and the DJ reminded them as the night came to a close. So our guests ended up with nicer favors than we could have otherwise afforded, and we ended up saving money and minimizing wastefulness.

Win!

-Jordan Reid

Now, I am one of the last people on the earth you should go to for financial advice (although I am quite proud of the fact that we transfer money into a savings account each and every week), but over brunch my friend Andrea told me a little money-saving tip that she uses, and I thought it was so great that I had to share.

Basically, what she does is this: every time she’s about to make an impulse buy – new pair of shoes, sweater, takeout sushi, whatever – she asks herself whether or not she can absolutely live without the item, and if the answer is “yes” she not only doesn’t buy it…she also uses the banking application on her phone to immediately transfer the amount of money she would have spent into a savings account. So there’s an instant, tangible reward (seeing the amount of money in your savings account increase) for exerting willpower!

Brilliant.

- Jordan Reid

Are you already in a career that you love?  If not, what would you rather be doing?

It’s never too late – it all starts with an idea and a passion!  There are so many easy excuses of “I have a family” or “I don’t have the money to do what I want” but there are so many resources out there these days.  The Internet is the most obvious – if you reach out for help or advice, the world is literally at your fingertips and you may be surprised at what you find.

For example, are you craving to be an entrepreneur?  Do you have an idea/invention that you are dying to get out to the world but don’t have the funding?  Check out the Women’s Venture Fund for help!

What is YOUR dream job?

Judy Goss, Better’s Lifestyle Expert

Single ladies (who want to get married), we found just the right book for you! Janice Lieberman and Bonnie Teller are the authors of “How to Shop for a Husband”.  I felt like Janice and I had known each other for years (even though we just met for the first time during this interview).  So nice, so down to earth and “real”. Let’s face it–marriage is a serious commitment and the last thing you want to do, is regret a situation you “may” have been able to prevent.  If you’re looking for generic, recycled info, this isn’t the book for you–consider this your “Husband Science 101″ book. Take it–and study! (then, let us know what you think!)

See the interview!

Are you looking for a great read this summer? Well, you have to pick up Gigi Levangie Grazer’s latest triumph, Queen Takes King. Like The Starter Wife and Maneater, it is witty, savvy, and a read you won’t want to put down.

The characters’ banter is fabulous as the make their way across the chessboard of life.

The question I have is Cynthia able to to free herself at Jack without losing a part of herself, and does she find true independence? Does she find closure and happiness?

Meet Gigi Levangie Grazer, author of The Starter Wife and Queen Takes King.

She has previously written three novels including The Starter Wife, made into a mini-series on the USA network, starring Debra Messing, and Maneater a Lifetime mini-series starring Sarah Chalke from Scrubs.

Gigi also wrote the screenplay for Stepmom, the movie starred Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon. She has written articles for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Glamour. Her new book Queen Takes King, is in talks to open on the Big Screen. She lives in Los Angeles with her two children and three miniature dachshunds.

Read a synopsis of the book, Queen Takes King…

Gigi Levangie Grazer uses the perfect paradigm of a chess game to move her characters and plot in her feisty new book.

Jackson Power. Aggressive, ambitious, bullish, heir to millions, built his own Manhattan real estate empire.

Cynthia Hunsaker Power.  Elegant and Society’s darling. A former prima ballerina

Jacks has a stack of newspapers and photographs of himself, shaking hands with the most famous men and women of his generation. Here’s a man who’s always loved to see his name in ink. Until now. The press coverage of the Power silver anniversary party at the Waldorf takes the cake.

Jacks is caught hand in hand with Lara Sizemore, morning television star, exiting her Upper West Side apartment building that very same night.

“Let the Divorce Games begin.”

The People’s Billionaire vs. The Ballerina. It’s a battle of wits, charm and ego — neither side will go down without a fight.

Already read the book? Blog about it below!

A Waste Of Time

June 18, 2009

Thought today about how most women I know (including myself!) pick themselves apart in some way or another. We complain about our weight, our hair, our skin, our bums, our lack of this or our abundance of that. We just never seem to give ourselves a break.

In a small moment of clarity this morning, I recognized how ungrateful that is. Our bodies are incredible gifts that do amazing things. For those of us that are moms, you know just how unbelievable your body can be when called to the test! We are strong, capable and courageous creatures by design.

I also decided that it was a waste of time. “Waste” being the key word. To spend time criticizing that fabulous gift instead of using and appreciating it is simply wasteful.

Like it or not, we are also the “super models” for our children. As my daughters get older, I am more and more aware of how my own body image affects theirs. Pretty high stakes!

So for today, (and hopefully all the days that follow) I am committed to love myself: mind, soul and yes, BODY. I hope you will join me!

It’s bridal season and do we have some great ideas for your wedding! Lifestyle expert Laurel House shows off some gorgeous “affordable” rings with a lot of bling! I was surprised by the prices of the jewelry myself. She also has the latest and greatest in body sculpting! Laurel shows us some flip-flops designed to give your legs and backside a little toning before your big day. There’s so much more! Be sure to watch Laurel on Better today and check her out here on Bettertv.com. Happy Wedding Ladies!

When my executive producer assigned me this topic a while back, my first thought was, “Good question!” Not because I’m looking for a job, mind you, I’m quite happy producing for Better! But I know so many people who are, because of the recession, currently out of work. Talented, smart, go-getters that just can’t seem to find anything out there in today’s tough climate. It’s really kind of tragic.

For the segment, we interviewed Marci Alboher, who’s a career expert for Yahoo! Shine. She writes some great articles on where the jobs are and how you might go and get yourself one.

I especially like the column she does on “Who’s Hiring Now” that gives real life examples of people who have gotten jobs — even with the recession. It’s a nice burst of sunshine to the gloomy marketplace.
So if you’re looking for work – don’t despair. Just brush up on your job hunting skills with Marci’s help and get out there! After all, you can’t find if you don’t look!!!
Marianne