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Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Sorry, Hallmark…My Parents Had the Best Love Story

ParentsMy parents got married 42 years ago today. Wow, 42 years…can you believe that, friends?? To hear my mom tell the story, she and my dad exchanged vows on a warm summer evening, eager and excited to start their lives together. If you ask me, June 10th should be declared a national holiday because, honestly, we could all learn a lot from the love between my parents.

Their time together wasn’t nearly long enough, but their love story was more romantic than any Hallmark movie and more powerful than any ‘80s power ballad. They showed their love, not with big, sweeping romantic gestures like the ones you do see on those lovey-dovey Hallmark movies. Instead, you saw their love shine through in the everyday moments — those tiny pockets of reality that seem so mundane on the surface. Like when my dad rubbed my mom’s back every night. Like when my mom sat through every single Terminator movie even though that was the last thing she wanted to do.

These aren’t the sorts of moments you’d find in a rom-com, but then again, maybe that’s the entire point. Rom-coms are meant to be spectacular, but there’s just as much value and even more romance in living day-to-day with someone. Perhaps that’s even more special because you really get to know the person; I’ve never seen two people as bonded as my parents, two people who loved each other as if it was their wedding day every day.

ParentsThat kind of love is rare — it’s not something you can plan or even force. If it’s there, it’s there. And for my mom and dad, it was there.

I’m so grateful they got to experience it every day they were together and I wish they could spend their twilight years together. They both deserved that. More than any other two people in the entire world. I’m so grateful that I got to see what true love looks like because it is real and beautiful. You won’t find that in any Hallmark script, will you??? xoxo

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2 Comments Filed Under: family, marriage, Weddings

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Rustic Save the Dates With Basic Invite

Basic Invite Basic InviteWelcome back, friends!! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! As the sting of the Great Polar Vortex (hopefully!) begins to wear off, spring soon feels like it’s just around the corner. I don’t know about you, but I am already counting down the days until spring — currently, we’re only 29 days away!! And with beautiful spring comes equally beautiful weddings!! A couple years ago, I profiled Basic Invite and their wide array of invitations and stationery, and this year, I’m excited to round-up some fantastic rustic save the dates!!!

Basic Invite is based in Utah and offers all sorts of goodies for every stage of life — weddings, babies, graduations, birthdays and thank you notes! And speaking of weddings, here are four ways Basic Invite can help you jump right into wedding season in 2019…

Free Wedding Websites: Our all-new wedding websites are completely customizable just like our wedding invitations! These wedding websites are mobile-friendly and super easy to use. You can instantly upload all of your wedding details along with images and a map with directions, which is super convenient for your guests. Choose from 180 custom colors and even choose a design to match your wedding invitation suite!

Over 900 Wedding Invitation Sets: Each of our wedding invitations is part of a set. You can find everything from save the dates to wedding invitations and enclosure cards, wedding menus, wedding programs and even matching thank you cards!

Seal & Send Wedding Invitations: Our Seal & Send Wedding Invitations are an all-in-one wedding invitation with a tear-off RSVP postcard included! The Seal & Send line is our newest collection and brides are LOVING them! Currently, we offer them in over 30 designs including our ever-popular foil options and like our other products are customizable. What’s extra special about our Seal & Sends is that guests’ addresses are printed on the front of each invitation which means no envelope necessary! All you have to do is share a link, collect guest addresses, and upload them onto your design instantly. Once you receive your order, all you have to do is add postage, fold your invites and secure them with a sticker! Simple, easy and super trendy.

Wedding Coasters: Choose from over 90 professionally designed looks. Each design can be personalized instantly to match your wedding colors. And there are no color limitations, which means you are free to make as many changes as you would like at no additional cost. Each coaster is printed using the latest print technology and on a premium 200lb matte card stock. Thanks to this technology, your coasters will have crisp, clean letters, photos and graphics.

Basic InviteHow cool — and easy! — is that?? Be sure to check out Basic Invite as you start celebrating all that 2017 has to offer! You can also follow Basic Invite on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest…here’s to enjoying a year of fun! xoxo

(This post is sponsored by Basic Invite, though all opinions are mine. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)

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1 Comment Filed Under: design, sponsor spotlight, Weddings

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Should You Hire a Wedding Photographer Or Take a DIY Approach?

Wedding PhotographerMany couples who want to capture the moment by hiring a wedding photographer hesitate on making this decision because of the expense, which can take a bite out of a limited wedding budget. But here’s the thing: It’s money well spent. Professional photographers have plenty of experiencing capturing the best moments. They can also catch you when you’re not posing, but instead, looking like your natural, radiant self.

Still, this doesn’t mean you can’t snap your own pictures, too. While it makes perfect sense to hire a wedding photographer, you shouldn’t let him or her have all the fun. You may also want to take your own pictures to capture what you consider the best moments.

Here are some photography tips that will help you take great DIY pictures…

1. Wedding Lightroom Presets: After the big day, you’ll have lots of images to edit. You can make the whole process easier and more efficient by using Wedding Lightroom Presets. Think of them as the 20% of your actions that will deliver 80% of the results.

2. Tripods, Trigger Remotes and Self-Timers: How do you manage to be in two places at the same time? How can you be the one taking the photograph and still be in the photograph at the same time? While you could, of course, do a selfie, it won’t be possible to pose, too. So, you will need a trigger remote and a self-timer to manage this feat. While a tripod isn’t essential, and you could prop up your camera on a number of surfaces, a tripod makes everything much easier.

3. Rehearse the Pose: Since you will probably want the picture to be taken from 30 feet and you will have less than 30 seconds to pose gracefully as a cute couple, it’s best to do a quick practice on how you’re going to pose so that you know where to stand and how to assume a lovely pose. No doubt, you’re still bound to have a few bloopers, but they will be far less. In any case, bloopers are always good for a laugh.

4. Honeymoon Shots: Also, think beyond your wedding day itself. Think about your honeymoon. Why not pose for your own pictures using a timer when you’re on your honeymoon? This is where a DIY approach will serve you well. If you’re also taking pictures after your big day, when you’re on your honeymoon, think of the background as essential to the plot. So, if you’re in Waikiki, take them at places like Kaimana Beach, Kapiolani Park or Ala Wai Canal to get a great background. Or, if you’re at Yosemite, you want to have Half Dome, Tuolumne Meadows or El Capitan in the background.

5. Prefer film: While there is much to be said for digital photography and it’s come a long way, film is often more fun. It’s fresh. It’s granular. It’s somehow more resolute. Film, in other words, still has the winning edge. For instance, it’s hard to enhance digital images because when you focus on any part of it, you’ll see the pixels.

6. Take a photography class: If you’re not sure about how to take good pictures but like the idea of capturing your own images, too, on your wedding day and on your honeymoon, why don’t you take a photography class before the wedding? You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn. In fact, you’ll have a blast because you’ll now have a clear purpose for learning essential photography skills. Think of it as part of your wedding day preparations!

Wedding PhotographerFinal Thoughts: What to Do with Your Photographs

Wedding days are memorable in many ways. It’s a day of nervous excitement, spontaneous laughter and explosive fun. It’s also an occasion where you must have great photographs to preserve your happiest memories for future generations. By hiring both a professional wedding photographer and also getting into the game yourself, you’ll get the best collection of pictures.
Additionally, besides adding your own interpretation to another special day and sharing your picture on social media, another thing you may want to do with the pictures you take is to create a pallet picture collage.

Now, go snap those photos and have a fabulous wedding day!!!

–Sara Stringer is a freelance writer who most enjoys blogging about lifestyle, relationships and life as a woman. In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the sunshine with her husband and two kids. Compensation was received for the editing and publishing of this article.

[Photos via We Heart It]

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Friday, May 18, 2018

👰🏻Style Guide: Royal Wedding Razzle Dazzle💍

Royal WeddingSay it with me now: THE ROYAL WEDDING!!!!!! Yes, friends, the royal wedding is TOMORROW!!!! Can you tell that I’m beyond excited?!?!? And not just because I finally get to use “razzle dazzle” in a blog post title!

Truly, I’m legit obsessed — just ask my mom and Janelle. I’ve been talking about Harry and Meghan for months, just like I did with William and Kate (doesn’t it seem like those two crazy kids just got married yesterday??), and you can bet that I shout with joy at each new headline I read about the lovely couple.

Wait, what’s that? You’re NOT the least bit ecstatic about the upcoming nuptials?? Are you kidding me? Well, perhaps this Style Guide will change your mind. Now, I’m the farthest thing from royal-like (heck, I’m not even royal-adjacent), but I’m pretty sure the fashions for the big day with consist of lots of classy pieces — maybe throw in a pearl necklace and a fascinator or two and we’ve got the perfect outfit! Here are 9 style picks to help us celebrate in, well, style…

Royal WeddingYellow fascinator, $44.99 | Pink wide-brimmed hat, $25.99 | Gold ankle strap heels, $26 | Gold initial bracelet, $48 | Tassel clutch, $19 | Freshwater pearl hoop earrings, $43.20 | Lace gloves, $8.89 | French floral dress, $59.50 | Rose gold fingerprint heart necklace, $47.99

This, my dears, is a love story for the ages. A love story, in fact, that I’ll be writing an entire blog post about soon — FYI, as an example of my royal obsession, I’ve had a draft saved since Harry and Meghan announced their engagement. Because, all the fluffy, fun fashion aside, the union of Harry and Meghan is monumental and…well, I’ll just save it for that future blog post.

Aren’t you pumped now, friends?? Seriously, this is going to be so great!!! Will you be watching all the lovey-dovey festivities tomorrow?? I’m going to get my DVR set pronto!!! Cheers… xoxo

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Monday, November 20, 2017

My Essay on Glamour: “My Disability Made Me Dread Going to Weddings Alone”

Going to Weddings AloneIf you’re a longtime reader of So About What I Said, then you probably remember seeing Jessi featured in several posts. She and I go way back (we initially bonded over our mutual love of writing and blogging!!), so I was honored when she invited me to her wedding a couple years ago. I was excited, of course, but there was a nagging thought in the back of my mind: I’m not used to going to weddings alone. This will certainly be a first.

And what a first experience it turned out to be — in the BEST way possible! I’m so glad I ended up writing about my wedding experience in my latest essay for Glamour! The essay “My Disability Made Me Dread Going to Weddings Alone. It Shouldn’t Have” explored what this new experience was like, even though most people my age had flown solo at weddings long before my maiden voyage. My editor was incredibly kind and wonderful to work with; she really got me to dig deeper and explore my feelings about my disability and not just recount the details of the wedding.

Here’s an excerpt of the essay, which I’m happy to say got Jessi’s stamp of approval (I’m *so* glad she liked it!)…

As I got older, it didn’t help that my physical disability made me feel as though I was on display; I felt incredibly self-conscious of my surgical scars, wheelchair, and deformities, and was about ready to say goodbye to any sense of hope. I was born with Freeman-Sheldon syndrome, a rare genetic bone and muscular disorder. And in my wheelchair, well, I tend to make an entrance wherever I go. I’ve realized that it’s impossible for me to go under the radar, no matter how much I might want to. People notice me. That’s just how it is.

So when I found myself sitting in a small banquet hall one rainy October evening in 2015, attending my first wedding as a solo guest, I felt especially seen—and not in a good way. Everything should have been perfect—I’d been friends with the bride for six years, and her now husband almost as long, and I couldn’t have been happier for them. Plus, at 34, I knew most people my age had probably been attending weddings alone for nearly a decade, and it’s really not that unusual. But here I was, drinking my Coca-Cola in a dimly lit ballroom and feeling anxious. It would be one thing if I could just easily blend in with the crowd—I craved that kind of anonymity—but instead, I carried that self-consciousness with me that night. Insecurity was my plus-one.

You can read the full essay here and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me anytime at mellow1422@aol.com and let’s chat! And of course, feel free to share my essay on Facebook, Twitter or even your local refrigerator. If you share on Twitter, be sure to tag me @melissablake so we can connect! I can’t wait to hear from you! Love you all… xoxo

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1 Comment Filed Under: Disability, Glamour writing, Weddings

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So About What I Said is a daily blog that covers relationships, disabilities, lifestyle and pop culture. I love to laugh and have been known to overshare. I also have an unabashed obsession with pop music, polo shirts, and PEZ dispensers. Read more...

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