Unexpected Opportunities: Seize the Moment

November 5, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Unexpected opportunities can sure mess with our schedules. A moment packed with potential presents itself, and we’re met with the dilemma of either staying on task or pulling away and taking advantage of the opportunity before us. Which will we do?

More and more I’m learning to seize the moment before it disappears. Whether it’s taking time to take photos of beautiful birds at the birdbath or feeder or putting my work on hold to offer some encouraging words, to help someone, or to take time with our kids and grandkids, I’m learning to set aside my agenda and give attention to the things God brings before me.

I admit I feel guilty and frustrated many times when I don’t get as much done in a day as I’d hoped to. But we type-A, goal-oriented people need to learn that God’s plan is sometimes different from ours—and his is better.

Let’s be ready to accept the gifts of potential-packed moments God sends our way. Let’s take time to unwrap them. Let’s seize our opportunities.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

*What unexpected gift of opportunity have you unwrapped lately?

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out yesterday, but it’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*My photo

Filed Under: advice, balance, blessing, encouragement, Gift, life, opportunity, time, trust, work Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Wedding Day Checklist: Leftover Cake Containers

November 5, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, here’s a short and sweet reminder for wedding day: Don’t forget containers for the leftover cake!

I know it’s hard to imagine that your guests might leave some of that wedding cake yumminess uneaten, but they sure do. Chances are you planned for more than enough cake because cake is one thing you don’t want to have in short supply at the reception. Plus, not everyone will eat cake. Hard to believe, but true.

Check with your wedding cake baker to see if he or she provides boxes for the leftovers, and if not, be sure to bring your own containers. Something like the inexpensive food storage containers above works perfectly. These are even better than boxes because they’re air tight.

So, MOB, add containers to your wedding day checklist. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to indulge in extra bites as you pack the leftovers away. I call that a win!

*You might also like to read Comfy Shoes—Add This to Your Wedding Day List and Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out yesterday, but it’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*My photo

Filed Under: advice, bride, cake, dessert, food, Mother of the Bride, organize, preparation, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Ultimate Guide to Looking Your Best on Wedding Day

October 15, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, would you like to point your bride-to-be-daughter (and yourself) to a fantastic and comprehensive beauty guide for her wedding day? You’ll be surprised at how much you both can do to prepare to look your best on the big day, starting even six to ten months ahead of time if you so choose.

Théia Aesthetics’ article on essential bridal beauty rituals covers a range of tips and approaches to help brides achieve the appearance they want and feel good about it. It undoubtedly includes some helpful info and tips that will be new to both your daughter and you, MOB.

Some topics included in this guide:
– Setting goals for the wedding day
– At-home skincare essentials
– Personal skincare treatments and Botox
– Recommended schedule for skincare treatment
– More resources for brides who want to look their best

Read all about it and then share this link with your sweet girl, Mother of the Bride – Théia Aesthetics’ article on essential bridal beauty rituals. She (or you for yourself!) may want to choose a few things to try or perhaps follow the entire guide. May both of you thrill in looking your best on the big day!

*You may also like to read Mother of the Bride Beauty Prep: Face Yoga Exercises!, Hairstyles For the Mother of the Bride or Groom, and Mother of the Bride: Spruce Up Your Smile!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Photo from Unsplash 

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, advice, appearance, beauty, body, bride, help, inventory, Mother of the Bride, new thing, preparation, shine, variety, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Gem of a Wedding Photo: Hideaway Moment

October 1, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, are you on the lookout for wedding photo ideas you can share with the bride and groom? If not, it’s not too late. Today is a great day to get started because I’ve got a gem of an idea to share with you.

The hideaway shot above captures a stolen intimate moment between the newlyweds. Not only will it become a photo they will treasure their entire lives—and I love it in black and white—it will provide them with a precious private moment on the wedding day itself.

Ask the photographer to be on the lookout for a spot similar to the scene above—a place where the groom can pull the bride off to the side for a moment and whisper sweet nothings in her ear or steal a kiss while guests mingle unaware in the background. The stars of the show will be so happy to sneak in some private time like this that they will quickly forget the photographer’s presence and truly delight in the moment. (The photographer might want to clue the groom in after he finds the perfect spot!)

So MOB, give your love birds an early gift and suggest the Hideaway Moment shot for them to request from their photographer before wedding day. They will love the idea—and they’ll love you for suggesting it. Another win-win for the Mother of the Bride!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer, Wedding Photo Idea: Black and White Bubble Shot, Wedding Photo Idea: Groom Admires His Bride, and Wedding Photo Idea: The Corner Shot.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. Sign up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Tela Chhe, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: advice, bride, groom, joy, keepsake, love, memories, Mother of the Bride, opportunity, photo fun, preparation, treasure, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wedding Registry Idea: Pottery Barn

September 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, have your daughter and her beloved decided where they want to register yet? When most of us think of bridal registries, two or three of the standard registries come to mind, but it can be so much fun to throw something else into the mix too. Guests love having several options to choose from, and the newlyweds can end up with some cool gifts they might not otherwise have received. Fun, huh?!

With that in mind, why not suggest Pottery Barn to the soon-to-be newlyweds? Pottery Barn offers a little bit of everything for the home, and their products are super classy. Your sweet couple can start the process on the Pottery Barn registry page. From there, they can book a free appointment with a design expert if they’d like. Pottery Barn also has a registry app that’s free and can help them manage and track their registry. Always fun to check in and see what’s happening with a registry, right?

MOB, Pottery Barn is sure to add to the excitement and fun of the registry process so encourage your happy couple to consider them. They might just find some of their favorite items there!

*You might also like to read Wedding Registry Roundup.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by Jeepers Media, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, advice, bride, celebrate, free, Gift, groom, help, home, inventory, Mother of the Bride, organize, preparation, registry, variety, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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