jersey shore: September 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Tips for the Bride: Planning your Wedding Entertainment

As Jen prepared her iPod for her trip to Japan and China we got to thinking about music. Just about a year ago today, we were planning out the playlist for Jen's wedding (OMG has it really been a year already?!) and so we figured it would only be right to give you some pointers on your special event entertainment based on first hand experience and research. Part of the fun of planning a wedding or party is deciding on your entertainment, which is, of course, an essential part of any successful event. If you want everyone out on the dance floor you need to be sure to select the appropriate music for your audience (and of course, you'll have to include a few oldies for grandma and grandpa). The biggest factors to consider when selecting your musical entertainment are your budget and your personal style and tastes. Here is a breakdown of the pro and cons of each scenario to help you decide on entertainment for your wedding or other social event.

1. Hiring a small group of musicians like a jazz band or string quartet: Hiring a small group to perform instrumental songs at your wedding or affair can be a beautiful touch that creates an atmosphere of elegance and romance. If your venue is historic, you can consider playing music from that era, such as some great Sinatra or fun Ragtime Jazz. But, keep in mind, classy bands like this come with a really high price tag that averages about $600 for the first hour and $200 each for every additional hour and it will vary depending on where you are from. There are some great options if you can't afford this, though! We suggest asking a friend or two to perform a song, such as your first dance song or for your walk down the aisle. These are some of the most important moments of the night, so it's always a little more personal and romantic to add fun, unexpected touches that are sure to make a huge impact. Plus, a friend might be willing to do this for you for free or in lue of a gift!

2. Of course, you may want to hire a professional band instead to play some of your favorite tunes. A band is certainly more fun, and more costly, than a solo musician or orchestra style entertainers The up side is they play many of the songs that are currently popular, and that your guests are sure to love, and nothing can compare to the energy that comes from having a live band at your event (plus consider the general "coolness" factor!) But also, keep in mind your musical tastes and remember a band might know a lot of current pop songs, but their repertoire is going to be limited. They might know "Livin' on a Prayer", but are they likely to know that obscure Postal Service song you love or that old Elvis song your grandparents used to dance to? Probably not. And, again, bands are very pricey, so if you are planning to budget for a live band in the NYC/New Jersey area you can expect to pay around $5,000 or more. Or, if you aren't down for that price tag, consider scouting out some local talent - there are plenty of young, aspiring musicians out there that would love an opportunity to perform in front of a large crowd for a much more reasonable fee!

3. Hiring a DJ is very popular and for good reason. DJ's can provide all of your favorite songs, can have an nearly unlimited selection to accommodate the largest variety of people, and are the most affordable option when compared to a live band or musician. In addition, a DJ doubles as the MC of the evening and helps to control the flow of your event (which is crucial!). Now, the biggest downfall to the DJ is not having full control over your music. Sure, Lady Gaga is super talented and we adore her, but do we really want to hear the whole album? Actually, we do...but our guests might not! And many of us might actually die if we hear [insert any lame late 1980's/ early 1990's line dancing tune]. But, simply providing a "do not play" list (and stressing the importance that you will literally hurl if you hear said songs) can help to ease your mind. The other factor is to make sure to choose a DJ who's voice you can actually stand for multiple hours. Some of the ones we've encountered are cheesier than others, so just be sure to choose one that fits your personality and can control the flow of the event without stealing the show.

4. And, finally, you can always be your own DJ and provide music through your Ipod. This is definitely the most affordable choice, plus you have the luxury of crafting your own playlists and knowing that it won't be messed with! This is a wonderful option for the couple on a budget that has list of off-beat "must have" songs that a DJ is not likely to have in their collection. We are huge fans of the Ipod wedding, but we suggest hiring a professional to run the playlist for the night. Sure, you can just ask a friend to help out, but hiring a professional ensures that your guests can relax and have fun and also that your playlists transition properly and your night stays perfectly on schedule.

Please don't stop the music.

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

A Liturgical Life

Someone asked me the other day about teaching kids to pray. It can be mechanical at times, and my favorite book on prayer (which I obviously highly recommend) A Praying Life, doesn't exactly endorse it, but I've not found anything more helpful in thinking through prayer than the A.C.T.S. acronym. Of course the Lord's prayer is the best, but I think the A.C.T.S. roughly follows that outline.

Anyhow, you start out with Adoration, which is simply praise, then move toward Confession, then Thanksgiving, and then Supplication or requests.

But since prayer is a relationship with the living God, this liturgy (a directed order of prayer/worship) is apropos for our relationships as well. For instance, take Adoration. This is the opportunity we have to simply pause and consider the beauty of Christ, the transcendence of God, His power, His justice, His Mystery, His wrath, His Love, etc...Sometimes, or actually almost always, we skip this part and simply jump into "Thank you Lord for forgiving me, delivering me, or providing for me." These are all good, but our love for God can't simply be built upon what He does, but also who He is.

Now if you want to go really deep, they can't be separated (His actions are an extension of His character, and He always act according to His character) but clearly we see Psalms of Praise for God's eternal nature (90), as well as Psalms of Thanksgiving for deliverance (40).

Break it down to a personal level now. If all you did was thank your wife for what she did for you, how she serves great meals, picks up the kids, great bedroom activity, pays bills on time, etc...., then you basically love her for what she has done for you, and not for who she is. Don't you need to also praise her for her beauty, personality, kindness toward others (not you), character, discipline, perseverance, etc...?

The same thing goes with friendships. When friendships are devoid of praise, and simply exist on thanksgiving, then we're getting dangerously close to the childhood "friends" we used or were used by. Remember those friends growing up who we used, and were used by them, because they or we had great toys, a cool pool or pool table, or a happening house. A friendship without praise is not much different.

Sometimes when we're on cruise control in the busyness of our schedules, we thank God and thank our wives, and friends, but we don't praise God, our wives, or our friends. So I think this ACTS liturgy for prayer has huge ramifications not just for our prayer lives but our relationships as well.

Priti Zinta sexy photos

Priti Zinta Wallpapers

Jersey Shore Terms

Coocha: A slang term for a woman's genitals. We have learned that, due to intense exposure to UVA and UVB rays in tanning beds and interbreeding, the guidos are actually physically mutated versions of homo sapiens. One of the differences is that women have "vagina bones." We're not sure exactly what this looks like or how it affects their sexuality (though it would make the word "smashing" very appropriate), but women openly discuss the trauma of breaking their vagina bones. There is no known cure for this ailment. This distinct anatomical distinction, however, might be why there is a totally separate word for their nether regions.
Matinee: When a guido picks up a mate in the middle of the afternoon. If a man does this, it is proof that he is "fresh." If a woman does this, it is proof that she's a "ho."
Hamster: A person who is physically dirty, just like a caged hamster, who basically lives in its own filth.
Beached Whale: Adding to the menagerie of slang terms the guidos have taken from their closest ancestors in the animal kingdom comes this unimaginative term for unattractive women lying on a beach.
Zoo Animals: There is a second definition for this term, more commonly applied to unattractive or unruly women. It also implies a group of people who like to create a physical mess and not clean it up. A group of people who like to create an emotional mess and not clean it up are called "guidos."
Herb: This is not something one smokes or uses to make marinara sauce more flavorful. No, it is a sloppy person who doesn't dress well. A nerd, a dweeb. Since this word came into the vernacular via a suited man that Snooki obviously didn't like, we're not sure if it deserves a place in the guido lexicon, but it is clearly a term they understand.

latest fashion watches

baby

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Lime Crime Cosmetics

Lime Crime is the color revolution. It's about challenging the norm, doing things your way and getting away with it! Their dare-to-wear cosmetics boast an unmatched color payoff so you can create looks as vivid and unique as you are. Look for those bright purple tubes and jars with their unicorn mascot that make every application a fantastical event. Lime Crime products are never tested on animals and are PETA-certified cruelty-free.

http://www.limecrimemakeup.com/

My friend Gina from ''House of Doll'' blog already bought the ''D' Lilac'' and ''Great Pink Planet'' lipstics..

Bobby Moynihan is an official SNL Player

Well, it's official. Bobby Moynihan and Abby Elliott got promoted to SNL players!

Obama's thoughts on FoxNews: Are they accurate?

Here's a rare political post by me. However, this take is more on a practical/philosophical level than a political leve.

In an 8,000 word interview, Rolling Stone magazine, Obama complains of an anti-democrat slant in the Fox News media:

"You had folks like Hearst who used their newspapers very intentionally to promote their viewpoints. I think Fox is part of that tradition – it is part of the tradition that has a very clear, undeniable point of view," Obama told the magazine..... Fox News pushes "a point of view that I disagree with. It's a point of view that I think is ultimately destructive for the long-term growth of a country that has a vibrant middle class and is competitive in the world," Obama said.

Here's a few of my takes on this.

1.) Obama is right that there is a slant to Fox News. It is biased. I don't see how it can advertise itself as "fair and balanced." There is a reason why those on the political right tend to watch Fox News.

2.) But I think Obama also needs to realize that while Fox News isn't "fair and balanced," neither is CNN or MSNBC. News streams are not impartial. They cannot report 100% of what happens. They have to edit stuff. Guess which stuff they are going to include? The stuff which is consistent with their ideologies and worldview. Nietzsche, and later Foucault, expressed such sentiments and I think they are exactly right. CNN is just as biased as Fox News.

3.) I would imagine that Rolling Stone wasn't the only magazine which requested such an interview. One can probably take a wild guess at who its audience is probably going to side with. So Obama, it appears, wisely chose the right media to push his agenda through such an interview. It was a medium that is going to appeal to those sympathizing with the left. The door swings both ways.

4.) I'm not suggesting there is such a bias that we cannot know anything, or that CNN or FOXNEWS are tantamount to communistic yellow journalism. I am simply saying that we ought to at least be aware of our own biases, AND the biases of our preferred news media in our quest to apply the gospel to all of our lives: even politics.

5.) FOXNEWS folks shouldn't be appalled that he believes the news station is detrimental to the success of this country. He simply believes that the democratic ideology is helpful and the republican ideology is hurtful. Anyone confident Republican would say similar things.

dolce and gabbana glasses men

high heel flip flops