Shopping Wedding Dresses in Savvy Way

Ladies, are you still looking for a perfect wedding dress for your approaching wedding day? Since every would-be bride craves to look stunning in her big day; it’s no wonder if buying a wedding dress is becoming an important decision for you. You’re not alone anyway; even many other women have been imagining how they look like in their mermaid wedding dresses since they were little girls. Perhaps every girl has their own dream wedding gowns!

Though buying a wedding dress is very important; you should remember that you still need to prepare other significant things for your wedding day. So, don’t be overspending!

It would be wise if you keep smart in shopping your wedding dress. A lovely empire waist wedding dresses can be very expensive; that’s why you should know the right store that allows you to get your dream wedding dress in affordable prices. Why don’t you try to shop online and visit Milanoo.com to search for your wedding dress there? Gorgeous collection at Milanoo.com provides you a wide option to get a perfect wedding gown; all in best prices!

Choose a wedding dress that suits your body type. You’ll be a stunning bride if your wedding gown can flatter your body curve and cover the body parts that you want to hide. For example, A-line wedding dresses suit for women with little extra weight in their middle bodies. The dress will cover your middle body and take other’s notice upward. Happy shopping, ladies!

Colorful Truck

Some trucks here are colorful. Perhaps it's a portrait of a daughter of the truck's owner.

At the Airport (2)

Yellow signs, yellow porters, and yellow part of a plane.

Fun and Safe Paintball Games

When it comes to look for fun in sport, everyone has their own way. Some people are the big fans of virtual games and some other people choose to play actively in the real games. In the past few years, extreme sports like paintball guns are becoming popular since there are always some people who like to try new workout that pumps their adrenalins.

Are you interested to try this paintball game? If it’s your first time, the most important thing that you should consider is safety, safety, and safety. Like other sport; there’s an injury risk that you may get if you don’t follow the basic safety rules in paintball games.

You should purchase and wear the whole safety equipment such as head gear and barrel sleeve. During the game, don’t ever remove your mask and sly profit goggle system, until barrel plugs have been put back on every loaded gun. Removing mask at an improper time is the main cause of the majority severe paintball wounds.

You can only play paintball if you’re in a healthy and totally rational condition. Cancel your plan to play if you’ve just taken prescription medicine, illegal drugs, or alcohol.

You aren’t allowed to fire blindly. Before firing, make sure that you see clearly what you are firing at. It will avoid any unintentionally shooting to other player, referees, or other thing that shouldn’t become your target. Since close range shots are more painful; it would be better if you avoid shooting opposing players within 20 feet.

You must maintain and monitor your paintball gun speed to always be under 280 feet per second (FPS). Since a paintball with the speed more than 280 FPS can cause more severe wounds such as broken skin and severe swelling; monitoring your paintball gun velocity is a must!

When the masks and sly profit goggles are removed, every paintball gun must be locked with a barrel plug. As any accidentally paintball shoot still may occur, ensure that your body is always protected. Until the game is ended, wearing masks and goggles can really protect you from severe injuries. Always use your common sense and think rationally; think before you make any shoot!

Behind all safety equipments, it’s recommended to wear heavy clothes like sweat shirts and sweat pants. Don’t forget to bring other clothes for changing. Kid and teenager players should wear added protection like chest and back protector; as it will guarantee their safety and comfort. If you plan to be a long time paintball players, think to purchase proper paintball pants, jerseys, and gloves. Have a fun and safe paintball playing, guys!

A Road Improvement Project

Yellow big things that I saw on one road improvement project.

Organic Jewelry

Have you ever heard about organic jewelry? If gold and silver jewelry is too expensive for you, probably organic jewelry can offer the same beautification for a much cheaper price. Organic jewelry begun from the Native Americans by using connecting simple seashells together. Nowadays, organic jewelry has progressed into a major role in the fashion industry. The most popular type of organic jewelry today would be in the form of pearls. Pearls first used for jewelry by the Native Americans that first inhabited the land. Thousands of years later, they are now considered a must-have fashion accessory.

If you don’t like pearls, there are many other forms of organic jewelry such as bamboo and hardwood. There are many yellow, tan, green, brown, and even purple bamboo; it’s providing a great fashion accessory. Bamboo regular used for organic jewelry is earrings. Although they are quite simple to maintain, the user has to re oil the earring once in a while for easy insertion. The greatest part is that bamboo earrings only charge around fifteen dollars.

A more pricey option to bamboo is actual hardwood. Wood plugs are generally hand crafted and each item is unique. Plugs work finest on dry areas of the body like ears and might cause an allergic effect.

Like bamboo, hardwood jewelry has to be re oiled from time to time. Common oils used are olive oil, peanut oil, and jojoba oil. If you're attracted to wood plugs, they come in lots of diverse figures: Saddle shaped, cylinder shaped, flared, nail shaped, taper shaped, and spike shaped.

Those are just a few models of modern organic jewelry. There are many other types of organic jewelry including bones, horns, stone, and amber. While every kind of organic jewelry is dissimilar, they all supply as a great substitute to expensive silver and gold jewelry.
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A Swing

I saw this swing at a restaurant. It looks comfortable for your toddler!

Claiming the Ring: Break Up Etiquette

A break up is a horrible experience for all parties. The person who has been broken up with is heart broken, and left wondering if they should have seen it coming or what they could have done to fix things. The person who did the breaking up is left wondering if they made the right decision, if they will regret it and feeling guilty and sad for hurting someone that on some level they really do care for.

What makes a break up even harder is if you have made a commitment or taken the next step in your relationship and become engaged. Not only does it increase the guilt, sadness, heart break and leave you with a diamond ring momento, it also adds a whole list of unwritten rules and etiquette to the situation that draw it out and make it harder. So what are the rules?

The rules will differ depending on the two people in the relationship and how they broke up. If it was amicable and both parties are sad but know it’s the right decision, most things will be easy to work out and decisions and action can be undertaken together. If one party is in the wrong, or has been left very heart broken, having planned their life, thought about kids, maternity wear, buying a home, the finalisation of the relationship will generally be undertaken by the offending party. Here’s a few insights to help you out:

1.Your family
You have to tell them – whether you’re the broken up with, or the heart breaker, you need to let the people closest to you know that the wedding is off. In terms of permitting your ex to contact your family or vice versa, that is up to you. If your family were close with him or her, they can send some condolences, but they also need to be aware they should be supporting their own also, and presenting a united front behind you.
2.Her family
As your ex and not his or her fiancé, you have no rights to his or her family. You should not contact anyone in the family for any trivial matter. You should contact them only to amicably determine how to unravel the wedding and also possibly to politely and briefly check in on your ex to see how he or she is doing.
3.The ring… and other things
The ring is a tough one, and many people have different opinions. Consensus generally is that she should give it back once the engagement is over, however some men feel it was a gift, given in good faith at the time and gifts should not be returned regardless of circumstance. On the other hand, if she was cheated on, many women will tell her not to give it back because he doesn’t deserve it!
4.The apologies
Letting potential guests of the impending wedding know that it is no longer happening is also important. This can be a job undertaken by both parties – each contacting their own sides subtly. Or if one party is heart broken, the other party may take over this role to save further heart break and embarrassment.
5.Cost
Unless you have great and generous in laws, the cost of the cancelled wedding should be shared by both sides – or whoever was in the wrong!
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Choosing Your Wedding Songs

Compiling a list of songs for your wedding can be extremely difficult. If you’re anything like me, you want them to be timeless classics but more often than not these are the types of songs that you don’t listen to everyday so it can be hard to remember them all.

For my wedding I want the songs that take me on a journey back to my most precious memories. Back to those Sunday mornings as a child when my dad use to rock out to Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan and back to those lazy summer days with my significant other. I want the songs to represent who we are and where we have come from...music is just so good at communicating that. And as a commemorative token of the big day, I am going to put all of the songs into a booklet printing, complete with a cute personal business card to give to our guests.

You also want the music you choose to resonate with your guests and at that pivotal moment get them out of their seats and onto the dance floor. So, here’s some of the songs I have chosen for my upcoming wedding – I hope it helps you to compile your own list.

1. ‘Let’s get it on’ – Marvin Gaye
2. ‘Wonderful tonight’ – Eric Clapton
3. ‘This will be (an everlasting love’) – Natalie Cole
4. ‘More than words’ – Extreme
5. ‘Building a Mystery’ – Sarah McLachlan
6. ‘You’re the first, the last, my everything’ – Barry White
7. ‘I’ll be there’ – The Jackson 5
8. ‘Here comes the sun’ – The Beatles
9. ‘Endless love’ - Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie
10. ‘Secret Garden’ – Bruce Springsteen
11. ‘Amazing’ – Alex Lloyd
12. ‘Best of my love’ – The Emotions
13. ‘Tiny dancer’ – Elton John
14. ‘Just the way you are’ – Billy Joel
15. ‘Piano man’ – Billy Joel
16. ‘The first time ever I saw your face’ – Roberta Flack
17. ‘You are the sunshine of my life’ – Stevie Wonder
18. ‘You are so beautiful’ – Joe Cocker
19. ‘Words of love’ – The Beatles
20. ‘This old love’ – Lior
21. ‘Weather with you’ – Crowded House
22. ‘Like a rolling stone’ – Bob Dylan
23. ‘Light my fire’ – The Doors
24. ‘Hello I love you’ – The Doors
25. ‘Love her madly’ – The Doors
26. ‘Have I told you lately that I love you’ – Van Morrison
27. ‘Days like these’ – Van Morrrison
28. ‘Crazy love’ – Bob Dylan and Van Morrison
29. ‘Hold me, thrill me, kiss me’ – Gloria Estefan
30. ‘It’s a beautiful day’ – U2
31. ‘Every breath you take’ – The Police
32. ‘In the name of love’ – U2
33. ‘I need a dollar’ – Aloe Blacc
34. ‘In the summertime’ – Mungo Jerry
35. ‘When you’re smiling’ – Louis Armstrong
36. ‘What a wonderful world’ – Louis Armstrong
37.‘Non je ne regrette rien Olympia’ - Isabelle Boulay
37. ‘One love’ – Bob Marley
38. ‘L-O-V-E’ – Frank Sinatra
39. ‘Fly me to the moon’ – Frank Sinatra
40. ‘Red red wine’ –UB40
41. ‘On my mind’ – Donovan Frankenreiter
42. ‘Rodeo clowns’ – Donovan Frankenreiter, Jack Johnson, G Love
43. ‘Better together’ – Jack Johnson
44. ‘Let it be’ – Paul McCartney
45. ‘You shook me all night long’ – ACDC
46. ‘Sweet child of mine’ – Guns and Roses
47. ‘Heard it through the grapevine’ – Credence
48. ‘Proud mary’ – Credence
49. ‘How sweet it is to be loved by you’ – Marvin Gaye
50. ‘Baby love’ – The Supremes
51. ‘Ain’t no sunshine’ – Bill Withers
52. ‘Wonderwall’ – Oasis
53. ‘Hard knock life’ – Jay Z
54. ‘Doo-Woop’ – Lauren Hill
55. ‘On and on’ – Erykah Badu
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Wearing Jewelry Tips

Ladies, if you want to wear some ‘crazy’ jewelry, you should always remember to choose a plain and boring shirt. No need to wear lots of jewelry if you wear a shirt that has much on with it, such as a floral design, full printing, or something like that.

Let’s say that you put on a really busy shirt, then you should wear less jewelry. You can wear earrings in your ears, a small charm necklace, and simple bracelets. No need to use anything huge as it will only distract people’s attention away from your beautiful shirt. Moreover, you’ll look nasty and unattractive.

If you want to wear big and busy jewelry items, you should only wear a very simple shirt. Your jewelry will be so noticeable and everyone will watch your jewelry!

The similar thing happens when you’re wearing a dress or a skirt. The busier your dress or skirt, the less detailed jewelry you crave to put on.

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The Back of the Bus

Love the 'painting'. It's really proper for a travel bus. There are Borobodur Temple (Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia) image on the left and Monas Monument (Jakarta, Indonesia) on the right.

Best Place to Purchase Authentic Rolex Watches

No one doubts about how valuable time is. Most people always wear watches every day to show them the correct time. Nowadays, a watch has become a significant accessory that can be a symbol of someone’s status and life style.

When it comes to authentic branded watches; who doesn’t know the most excellent quality of Rolex brand? Like premium jewelry, Rolex watches can represent perfectly the richness and success of the owner. No matter how expensive the Rolex price is, some wealthy people still love to collect original Rolex watches. Wearing Rolex watches can really boost someone’s dignity and social status!

SwissandLuxury.com is the much recommended online shop that you should visit to get best condition authentic Rolex watches at best prices. At this Rolex watches online shop, you will see many Rolex watches for sale in different categories; include Rolex Men, Rolex Ladies, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Datejust, and many other more.

Shopping at SwissandLuxury.com is so enjoyable, as this reliable online shop is very easy to navigate. Every sold watch is described in detail; you can see the price, clear photo, product description, and other useful information. It will help every buyer like you to find carefully the watch that you desire.

If you are a fan of Rolex brand and the premium quality is always your most concern, SwissandLuxury.com will surely become your favorite online shop!

About Engagement Ring Etiquette (2)

Can a Family Heirloom become an Engagement Ring?
A family heirloom can become your engagement ring, but since the ring is full of tradition and family memories, make sure that other family members have agreed with the decision. Also be sure to make terms for the ring to be returned to the family in the event the relationship does not survive.

On Which Hand the Engagement Ring Should Be Used?
Modern tradition states the engagement ring be worn on the ring finger of the left hand. With jewelers advocating right hand rings without relationship associations, this is the great way to show your engagement as well as follow correct etiquette.

Does the Engagement Ring Should Have a Diamond?
Conventional engagement rings are diamonds, but recent rings can be any gemstone. For a more traditional appear while still applying other stones, consider a central diamond framed with diverse accent gems or vice versa. The most significant thing is to feel comfy with a ring that suits you.

Can You Split the Cost of a Ring?
Tradition states that the man buys the ring. But in recent weddings, however, many couples are already sharing a home and expenses. Some couples also split the cost of the engagement ring. However, men want to consider their fiancée's character before suggesting she donates the ring payment. Some women who think themselves very modern still expect the man to buy the ring. If the woman is a romantic person, it is probable she hopes her fiancé to perform this tradition.

When you choose to divide the ring cost, it can be a good prospect to get near into one another's economic viewpoints. Budgeting and sharing the ring cost gives you the chance to talk about financial preparation long before the marriage.
/engagementringslovetoknow.com/
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Trash Trucks

When I arranged the prolongation of my mother's grave's permit at the local government funeral office, I saw these big yellow trucks parking in the back yard.

Watch Out for the Train!

My late entry for Mellow Yellow this week. This sign reminds you to always becareful before crossing any train railway, especially if there's no guarding around.

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Life’s 5 Diamond Occasions

We’ve all heard it – diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and lucky for us, the saying remains true, and guides our male counterparts for the rest of our lives.

None of us can really say what it is – the sparkle, the value, perhaps just the gesture associated with receiving something so precious, durable and strong, but whatever it is, it works for us, and we want more. Over time, diamonds have become a true symbol of prestige and wealth, and in this way, the perfect gift for a female loved one to convey just how important they are, and also in a traditional sense, to show financial stability.

So what are the main occasions in life that really demand the gift of diamonds?

1. Promise
These days, as young people embark on longer and more committed relationships with each other, the giving of promise rings is becoming more and more common. A promise ring is a ring given from one partner to another that symbolises their commitment to the person and the relationship, conveying that they ‘promise’ themselves to that person, and effectively will save themselves physically for that person. While many promise rings are just precious metals, the inclusion of small diamonds is becoming more popular.

2. Engagement
Diamond engagement rings are a big trend for newly and formally committed couples. While diamonds are giving way somewhat to other precious stones, a diamond ring is still at the top of most girls’ wish lists. Engagement rings not only symbolise unity, but are also a key bragging right for girls to show off to anyone and everyone.

3. Eternity Ring
While maternity wear may be more practical, an eternity ring is commonly given to a woman by her husband or partner to mark the arrival of their first child. Generally featuring a single line of stones around the ring – diamonds are most popular – the ring symbolises continuous, never ending love. Though the tradition of an eternity ring is fast disappearing, giving way to new traditions and less tangible symbols, many still use it to convey their ongoing commitment.

4. Anniversary
Traditionally, the 60th wedding anniversary is classed as the diamond anniversary. Every year of marriage is allocated a symbol, such as paper for the first year, and the 60th is by far the most prestigious. The 60th anniversary gives you the opportunity to give the gift of beautiful set of diamond earrings, or a stunning diamond pendant hanging from a delicate and fine gold chain.

5. The milestone birthday
Fifty can be a tough year for a woman. Ok, 30 was tough, 40 was challenging – 50 can be downright unbearable. On the upside, it can also be your opportunity to get yourself another of those stunning sparkly pieces that you have collected over occasions, your wedding and anniversaries throughout the years. Use your fiftieth as an opportunity to celebrate, kick up your heels – enjoy the diamonds – and make the most of your mature years!

4 Ways to Get Married Quietly

A wedding doesn't have to be a big affair. So often, we get so caught up in organising, fighting for what we want, and trying to please everyone, that we almost forget about the people we're actually marrying. Realistically, a wedding should be about you and the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with. It is a celebration and declaration of that intention and that promise. It's not about the dress, or the shoes, the roses or the tuxedoes. It's about your union.

So how can you make sure your wedding remains about you and the lucky guy and doesn't become a circus that leaves you exhausted and unhappy?

1. Take it Easy in the Garden
A garden wedding can be exactly that. It doesn't have to be marquees and hired glassware, it can be simple, intimate, small and quiet -- if you let it! Plan your garden wedding around what you and your fiancé want, just the simple, basic pleasures that will make this a special, memorable day, just about the two of you. You won't need to spend crazy amounts of money if you select basic catering and go easy on the flowers (after all if you elect the right garden you can have roses all around you), and really let the simplicity of the setting speak for how much this is just about two people who love each other.

2. Take to the Water
There's something about a beach wedding that is particularly natural and very Aussie -- unless you have three hundred guests, thousands of dollars worth of flowers and tuxedoed waiters offering canapés in the sand. If you want to take advantage of the crashing waves, grey sky and white sand, do it properly. Limit the guest list to the few people that really mean something to you, keep things simple, breezy and airy with a loose summer dress and flowers in your hair, and why not say your vows as the water laps over your toes?

3. Impromptu
So the engagement ring is huge, the party was spectacular and now you’re weighed down in wedding decisions that are making the occasion toxic. But why? You shouldn't be stressed, pressured and upset about such an amazing day. So don't! A great and sure proof way to keep your wedding quite and about the two of you is to tell everyone else at the last minute! Rather than continuing to plan a day that you're just going to wait to be done with, get married this weekend! Call a celebrant, pick somewhere special to you both -- like where you first kissed or first dated -- and then call those people most special to you. An impromptu wedding is exciting, simple, relaxed... and about you!

4. Vegas
While not exactly quiet, heading to Vegas is the best way you can have a small wedding that makes a splash! Grab your passports and take a trip that will make memories that last a lifetime.
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A Gate

A Gate of an alley. Captured in Surabaya city (East Java, Indonesia)

Top 6 beach wedding tips

Getting married on the white sands of an island paradise is truly something amazing. Water lapping up against the shore while palm trees sway in the light breeze. But when you’re getting married on the beach there are a few things to consider. So once you have chosen the right wedding package from the selection of Fiji holiday packages available for couples take note of our wedding tips. They could make all the difference to how your special day turns out:

• Choosing the right spot on the beach- Choosing the right spot on the beach can make all the difference to the day’s events and the memories you take away from it. You don’t want you and your partner standing in the hot sun squinting as you say your vows, or an elderly relative to suffer from heat stroke. Make sure that you choose a spot that is part shade, part sun so that guests have a choice of where to stand or sit.

• The time of day- You also need to think about what time of day is the beach at its best. You don’t want to begin your ceremony on dry sand and finish with your feet in water. Visit the beach beforehand at different times of the day together and decide on the best time you think would be ideal to get married in that particular location.

• Booking the location or organising a permit- Many people love to get married and have special events on the beach. It is after all a beautiful place for an important occasion. To avoid arriving to someone else already setting up for another event call the local councillor speak to your wedding planner if you are having an island beach wedding and aren’t sure about booking protocol. Some places will require you to have a permit, while other beaches won’t.

• Contingency plan- Getting married on the beach has its risks. If it begins to rain, what will you do? You either need to have a high quality marquee put up on the beach for the entire bridal party and guests to comfortably fit, or a hall or function room nearby you can use if the rain is too heavy. Fingers crossed you won’t need to resort to the backup plan, but in any case it’s good to have one.

• Easy access for guests- It may be easy for you and your partner to climb down to the water’s edge but what about elderly relatives or family members with physical disabilities? Make sure that you have a path cleared for them to make it easy to access.

• The right sound equipment- Make sure that the celebrant and musicians are bringing the correct sound equipment if necessary. Wind and other sounds can make it particularly hard to hear what the celebrant is saying when getting married outdoors so making sure they have the right sound equipment is vital.

If you follow all of these tips you should ensure that your day is the very best it can be. So all you have to worry about is which of the Fiji cruises you’ll be going on afterwards for your honeymoon!

Getting married on the beach is a wonderful place to celebrate your love for one another. I hope you’ve found our tips helpful in giving you some ideas on how to ensure that your beach wedding is everything you dreamed it would be.

About Engagement Ring Etiquette (1)

There are lots of questions around engagement ring etiquette. Here are some:

Do I Require a Ring To Propose?
An engagement ring isn’t the main part in an engagement. Some couples get engaged first and later purchase the ring together so that the girlfriend can choose her own ring.

Other couples get swept away with an unplanned marriage proposal long before a ring is bought. Waiting on a ring is also a fine idea, if a couple wants to save money for an exceptional ring but doesn't want to wait to get engaged.

Should the Man Use an Engagement Ring?
While most men wear only a wedding band, some men also want to use an engagement ring as a symbol of their approaching marriages. Engagement rings for men are vary significantly from women's, but there are many alternatives for style preferences. If the man has decided to wear an engagement ring, be prepare that conservative family members may guess it as the wedding has already happened, and the couple should be ready to clarify their preferences.

Can You Use Again a Ring?
While perfectly each engagement ring would last till death do us part, increasing divorce rates lead this issue into keen spotlight. The choice to reuse a ring is a really individual decision: she may just like the style of ring and see no need for finding another. Alternatively, one or both partners may hope to have a brand new beginning with a new ring unrelated with past relationships. This decision should be a mutual decision, and old rings can always be redesigned or somewhat retune to be renewed with no wide reformations.

/engagementringslovetoknow.com/
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Taking a Nap

One of my nephew’s favorite sleeping style

Places to Go on Your Australian Honeymoon

Getting married is a very special time and an important relationship milestone. It’s a joyous occasion where a couple has the opportunity to express and celebrate their love in the presence of friends and family. Although preparing for wedding celebrations can sometimes be stressful and hectic, choosing a location for the honeymoon doesn’t have to be. To make the most of this sacred and symbolic time with your partner, here are a few ideas for places to honeymoon in Australia depending on what interests you and your partner.

For Those Who Want Culture

There are many places in Australia that provide amazing cultural experiences for people will different types of interests.

- If you are from out-of-town, why not spend your honeymoon in the big city? Sydney is a great city to spend quality time in, and there is always something to do. Choose from the many serviced apartments in Sydney to set up a romantic headquarters from where you and your partner can begin your exploring. Plan an evening at the Sydney Opera House and take in the ballet, opera or orchestra after dining in one of the many 5 star restaurants in the area.

- If you and your partner are interested in Aboriginal culture, then a classic idea is to go to Uluru in the Northern Territory. Stay in a beautiful B&B while you take in a whole new way of life and learn about spirituality and about the original inhabitants of Australia.

For Those Who Want Luxury

If you and your partner want the classic honeymoon - the private island, the white sandy beach, the romantic luxury cabin for two, and people doting on you night and day - then you won’t be disappointed by what you can find in Australia.

- Try the Whitsundays region of Queensland. Here you and your partner will have the idyllic romantic honeymoon with the choice between a remove island where everything is made for two, or a beautiful resort on the mainland where you and your partner can indulge in spa treatments, shopping and fine dining. While you are there, make sure you spend a day snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef.

- If you are more interested in experiencing a bit of the high life, you can have a similar honeymoon retreat on the Gold Coast. Stay in one of the many Gold Coast apartments while you check out the casinos, enjoy the night life and do some people-watching that this area is so famous for.

For Those Who Want Adventure

If you and your partner are more the adventurous type, there is no shortage of bushwalking, climbing, skydiving, surfing and opportunities to swim with sharks in Australia.

- If you and your partner are itching to get out into nature, see some interesting wildlife up-close and have a self-propelled wilderness adventure, then you may want to consider The Kimberlies or Kakadu National Park. Here you can hike, bike and paddle your way into the wild or hire a 4 wheel drive to get into the really remote locations.

- If you crave adventure from a more comfortable vantage, then you and your partner may enjoy a holiday on the Ghan. This cross-country railway adventure will take you to the wilds of the Outback while you enjoy 5 star service on-board.

Bridge

A yellow bridge that I saw while passing by a toll road yesterday.

Proposals – 3 of the Best!

Recently in the office, standing around the workbench one lazy Friday afternoon having an early weekend wine, the discussion turned from maternity wear and baby showers to some of the weird and wonderful ways that women are proposed to. Centred on the amazing videos of far out proposals on youtube, I quickly realised that proposals are some of those strange things that almost become pitted in legend – if they are good enough.

So what is classed as good enough? Is it the romance, the intricacy of the plan, the level of action or the expense involved? Talking to the girls, I could see that of all the criteria, interestingly, expense seems to be of the least importance. While all ladies love to be able to show off the big diamond engagement ring and in that way may appear to be a bit superficial, it was interesting to note that when it actually came to popping the question, materialism went out the window and was replaced by a type of sentimentalism that is rarely seen in this day and age.

Regardless of the consensus that the proposal was not about the money, but about the delivery, the different opinions and ‘scores’ given by different girls just went to show you better know your lady very well before you get down on one. So boys, while I can’t give you any straightforward advice, any step by steps to the perfect proposal or any pointers that lead to a sure thing, I can give you the top three we came up with.

1. The winner
He clearly knew her inside and out, and treasured every moment they had spent together since day dot. Sending a cab to collect her, she had returned home to find a note on the bed advising that her chariot was awaiting. Speeding off, and in on the plan, the cabby took her to a central shopping area and let her out in front of a stranger who issued her the name of a store. She went to the DVD store and presented at the counter as instructed, to be given a new clue and a copy of the very first movie they ever saw together. With her next clue, she wound up at a bottle shop, picking up a new clue and a bottle of wine they had shared on an early picnic. The next, her favourite gourmet chocolates were the gift and another clue. This continued until she arrived at a picnic blanket in a sunny park, with the main elements that symbolised each year of their life together firmly in hand. Met by her fiancé. She was told he remembered and cherished every year, and wanted to treasure many more as her husband!

2. The non traditionalist
She was sick of waiting, but she knew she’d found the one, so she took action into her own hands. He was a mechanic and keen on the bike he was fixing up in the garage. She went out briefly while he slept in, preparing a beautiful breakfast. He awoke in bed, accompanied by hundreds of rose petals and a small gift box. He opened it to find a shiny new gold spanner. She returned half an hour later...and explained to him that the spanner was not a fancy tool to work on his bike with, as he was doing, but if he looked closely held his engagement ring, and a note asking him to marry her. It didn’t go to plan, but he said yes.

3. The TV winner
Conversation of course shifted to what we knew best – the movies. And what could be more moving than the proposal to Julia Roberts’ character in Stepmum. With a reel of cotton in a gift box, he surprised her, sending a diamond ring down the thread and perfectly onto her finger as he told her the story of a beautiful analogy about the threads keeping them together.