First, there are some basic rules one should follow when choosing gifts:

1. Give a gift that is useful in some way. Pretty things can be useful so I am not ruling out things that are simply nice to look at but if you are giving anything that has your names on it and your wedding date, realize that this will only be good for a weekend or so. Trust me on this.

2. Do not give a picture frame, coasters, or a coffe mug. Lame and boring, even when personalized.

3. Do not give a gift you wouldn’t want. Think about how you would feel if someone gave you a mousepad with their wedding date on it? That’s going right in the trash, right? And what about the crazy idea that someone would use a wine glass that has their name  on it AND the word “Bridesmaid”? Are you dooming that friend to bridesmaid status forever? She is not using that glass after the wedding. EVER.

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s talk about what we CAN give our gals who intervene for us when family members have loud opinions on reception music, who settle our nerves when the “did the cake make it?” moment occurs and who dutifully dress and primp exactly how you want them to on your big day without a single pout or sneer.

1. Make up, especially make up she can carry with her the day of the wedding, is always a hit. You might think it’s hard to choose make up for each bridesmaid but if you go somewhat neutral, you will please all the gals. Here are a few options we love:

Carli Windsor, a cosmetics packaging developer,  founded Custom Favor Design out of necessity. She wanted to give a gift at her own wedding that was unique and  reflected of her style and wedding decor but couldn’t find anything that was up to par. She decided to create her own custom lipgloss compacts that are fully recyclable and contain 3 shades of custom created lip gloss. A bonus to these pretty palettes is that the materials used on the outside of the compact can compliment your unique wedding decor! One more tidbit that I must mention, these are insanely affordable at $16-20 each. Here are just a few of the compacts Carli Windsor’s Custom Favor Designs have created:

See how she takes into account all the various elements of the wedding and then creates a truly custom bridesmaid gift for you? Your girls are sure to love this! If you want to spend a little more on your gal pals, incorporate these custom lipgloss compacts into a “Beauty Bag” gift that includes a customized mirror, a personalized tote bag, a custom aluminum water bottle and maybe even a gift certificate for a post-wedding “thank you for wearing those toe killer shoes” pedicure. Voila!

2. Another gift idea for your girls is to go the jewelry route. I know this isn’t the newest idea on the block but it’s a classic for good reason. I must clarify…we do not suggest that you purchase the same necklace for every girl to wear on the wedding day. Matchy Matchy is not high on the hip scale. A lovely idea is to get each of your girls a necklace and/or bracelet and/or earrings that show that you have been paying attention to them and their style. Give your ultra- feminine friend a sweetly understated pair of earrings like these worn by Michelle Williams on the red carpet:

Give your best rocker friend a stylish cuff like this one from Stella and Dot :

Or this gorgeous Stella and Dot necklace for your classy but modern-edged girlfriend:

3. You can also thank your girls by creating themed bags (or any container) for each- “Pretty Me” for the beauty queen, “Wine Me” for the sophisticated sipper,”Entertain Me” for the hostess,  “Feed Me” for the foodie in your life, “Run Away With Me” for the exercise obsessed, etc. If you put the thought into each girl’s bag, the worshipping as the best gift giver ever will commence. Look at these adorable tote and container options:

There are so many pattern options from The MacBeth Collection your head will spin with possibilities.

(Top: Venti Oval Tub in Sofia Monaco. Other patterns shown L-R: Spot Swirl Black, Madras Navy and Rococo Lime)

And for the girl who likes a multitasking tote, use these to fill with Bridesmaid goodies now and she can use it for wine/shopping later:

(Insulated Tote from RRPage via Etsy and Reusable Shopping Totes from Lime Tree Gifts via Etsy)

4. Consider outfitting your gals with sweet, sassy, or even modern clutches. This is a gift that your girls can use way past the wedding day. There are tons out there but what you want to think about is size, fabric and color. If you want the clutches to become part of the wedding photos then stay within the same color and size range. If you want your girls to think of you the next time they head out on the town, pick out clutches that make a statement. Here are a two eye-catching options:

(Yellow Clutch by Cory Renee via Etsy )

(Mumbai Turquoise Clutch by Stephanie Johnson )

5. And finally, if you are choosing a bridesmaids dress that is on the spendy side, without question, pay for a portion of your girls’ dresses. To ask a friend to be in your wedding is an honor but to ask her to pay several hundred dollars on a brand name frock that she really will only wear once is a little pushy. Enough said.

Happy Shopping~Kelly

(Photo courtesy of BQ Photography)

Along with planning your wedding, choosing your wedding dress, booking your wedding venue, photographer and all of your other vendors, you also need to think about the honeymoon. Specifically what to pack, and how to pack it.

It pays to be a savvy packer.

When it comes to packing your beauty goodies a few great tricks make all the difference! Seasoned travelers know that well built cosmetic bags make all the difference.  And who wants to arrive at their dream honeymoon destination to find that their favorite eyeshadows and blush have been reduced to a chunky powdery mess?

Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Britney Spears, Penelope Cruz and Teri Hatcher adore travel cosmetic bags from Stephanie Johnson. They come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, as well as really cool, fashion forward, fun prints. These chic, stylish and functional cosmetic bags have convenient removable pouches, mirrors and compartments for everything a girl could possibly need on her honeymoon.

 Love. This. Bag.

We shared Stephanie Johnson with you on a little while back but you must check out the Daily Dish Packing Video with Corinna B. on the Stephanie Johnson website- she knows her stuff and is just delightful to listen to!

*Corinna B is an award winning makeup artist.  Her blog is read daily all around the globe in many languages and she is also seen most weeks as beauty expert on SheKnows.com . You can follow her on Twitter and on her Facebook page.  Her makeup brushes can be found at CorinnaB.com.

Chatting Soon~Kelly

Recently, she divulged so many invaluable tips and bits of wisdom with us that we are writing a series for you, “The Destination Honeymoon Couple”.  Today, Corinna talks makeup!

When it comes to makeup there are so many options to choose from – it can be overwhelming. But there are seven simple steps to streamline what to pack and how to vary your look a little.

 1. Pare it all down! You only need a few key products. Keep your makeup story simple. Take one eyeshadow set, such as a neutral color palette, or for fun a plum palette, and then change it up with different colored eyeliners and lips.

2. Transfer foundation from its heavy bottle into plastic travel bottles or jars. Face Atelier sells sets of travel jars, ideal for foundation, concealer and lip glosses. Buy travel sized primers and powders.

3. Pack a slimlined blush and a bronzer so you can add a little color where and when you need it!

4. Change your look with different fun lipsticks and lip glosses. A soft pink, a hot pink and a tangerine give you plenty of options!                                                      

5. Makeup Forever Aqualiners are waterproof. Grab a couple of different colors for variety or to change up your look.

6. Buy a waterproof or water resistant mascara. Nars has a fabulous water resistant mascara that builds lovely long lashes without clumping or bulking.

7. The ultimate travel makeup product is Nars The Multiple Tint. These are super sheer buildable colors that can be used on cheeks, eyes and lips. For a mere whisper of color, or for bold fun color – you decide!                                

 Try the limited edition colors Cadaques (fuchsia) Beverly Hill (bright red) or Turks and Caicos (orange)

Pack your makeup into well structured beauty bags, such as the ML Traveler by Stephanie Johnson. (For more info on Stephanie Johnson travel accessories, click here!)

Look sexy, beautiful and totally lovely as you’re jetting off into the sunset on the honeymoon of your dreams with your brand new husband and GO HAVE FUN!

*Corinna B is an award winning makeup artist.  Her blog is read daily all around the globe in many languages and she is also seen most weeks as beauty expert on SheKnows.com . You can follow her on Twitter and on her Facebook page.  Her makeup brushes can be found at CorinnaB.com.

Image by Light Rain Images, a Phoenix wedding photographer

Shot on location at the beautiful Scottsdale Resort

Chatting Soon~Kelly

You threw that little trinket away didn’t you?

It’s OK, we can all agree that finding a bridesmaid gift that will elicit squeals of delight and even a genuine hug or two is a challenge. Lucky for you, Corinna Cooke, a fabulous beyond our dreams make-up artist, passed on this solution that is going to make your head spin with possibilities!

Stephanie Johnson has created a line of travel accessories that are the real deal. This is a woman who traveled the world and yearned for accessories that would both complement her obsession with order and efficiency and satisfy her inner fashionista. Kind of like you!

What makes a Stephanie Johnson bag special?

Yes, they are designed with a meticulous eye; removable pouches, beautifully detailed liners and pull-out mirrors are the norm but I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge your inner Hollywood starlet begging to be pacified. Teri Hatcher, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum and Brittney Spears are among the long list of celebs who adore Stephanie’s genius travel accessories. Prices range from $24- $82 so that means the newly gifted bags your girls pack their cosmetics in could be the same as Cameron Diaz’s! How great is that?

Choose from 27 styles and 34 fabrics and with names like “Cancun”, “Mumbai Yellow”, “Vegas Pink” and “Chicago Gold”, you can choose gifts that are perfect for each of your girls. Your MOH will no longer have to use a cosmetic bag that has a peachy hue inside thanks to a broken blush. Bridesmaid #2 will be able to ditch the scary gold tapestry jewelry roll her mother-in-law gave her for her birthday. And no doubt, the hanging toiletry bag bridesmaid #3 received 5 years ago as a gift with purchase can meet the trash can!

Your girls are going to adore you for getting them the perfect gift (they might even forgive you for making them wear the planet’s most uncomfortable shoes) and you can move on to more important things, like choosing your own Stephanie Johnson travel accessories for yourself- Hello Honeymoon!