Prior Lake American - Blog entry - Comments

I suggest looking on the

Robert Thibodeaux — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:24:40 -0600

I suggest looking on the SHBBA website.
http://www.shbba.com
SHBBA is the Suburban Home-based Business Association.

You will find everything you will need (check out the member listing)

I know Kay has hosted Chocolate and Jewelry parties for brides.
They will often have two or three reps, so you can do facials, eat chocolate, try on jewelery then go hit the town.

I know someone who went to

Lori Carlson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:11:08 -0600

I know someone who went to Aveda Institute for her aesthetician's license - she has done some of those massage/facial/spa parties. I can ask her if she is still doing it or knows anyone else who is. You could also just call up the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis - there are tons of students there who would probably jump at the chance to come to one of these parties and potentially make some money, and most likely they would be really cheap in comparison to the pros.

Do you know a Mary Kay rep?

Miss Mollee — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:02:10 -0600

Do you know a Mary Kay rep? You might be able to convince her to come in exchange for possible new business. They have a line of facial treatments, lip treatments and hand treatments that offer that spa-like experience. (I'm not a rep, but have known many)

Headphones should save you

Miss Mollee — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:57:34 -0600

Headphones should save you from any chatters. If they can't take that hint, close your eyes and they should get it eventually.

If you don't have an assigned seat already, check in (online if it's a possibility) as early as possible. Then you should get your pick of seats. Most airlines allow you to check in online up to 24 hours before your flight. You can print your boarding pass and everything from the comforts of home.

Don't stress too much about the toiletries - the good thing about Seattle is that they probably have a place you can purchase anything you left behind. When I'm flying with carry-ons only (checked baggage has no liquid restrictions) I always like to make sure that I take my specialized stuff - face lotion, perfume, etc. that I don't want to buy. But shampoos/conditioners/body washes are so cheap and easy to pick up on vacation that I don't worry if I can't fit them in my 1-quart plastic bag (you can bring one 1-quart plastic bag filled with liquids of no larger than 3 oz. each).

Good luck and have fun!

"Why don't bridesmaids have

Kristin Holtz — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:39:07 -0600

"Why don't bridesmaids have to take the Hippocratic Oath?" Love that.

I recently volunteered to throw one of my best friends a baby shower. I'm a pretty organized person so you'd think I'd like throwing parties. Not so much. The stress can be overwhelming, especially if you so dearly want to please the person of honor.

But I'm looking forward to this shower. She lives in Illinois, but the shower will be here in the Cities with friends from around the area. Something small and tasteful. Biggest challenge: finding a date that will work. I'm thinking July.

Lori, Thank you so much for

merynfluker — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:19:57 -0600

Lori,
Thank you so much for the advice. We're planning a variation on what you and your friends did; we're going to have the shower in the afternoon, break for dinner, and then have the bachelorette party at night. I don't really want to make the bride wear anything silly, and I don't think she'll go for it, but my fellow bridesmaid/partner-in-crime insists on it.

In order to work with everyone's schedules, we have to do the bachelorette party on Saturday, but I really like your idea of having some sort of snacks at a central location before we go out. The bride isn't a huge drinker, and neither are most of us bridesmaids, so we really aren't into the falling-down-drunk kind of evening. We all definitely want to dance!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the spa treatments idea. I'm going to look into that. Any suggestions on how to go about it?

The 2 fl. oz. liquid rule is

merynfluker — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:11:08 -0600

The 2 fl. oz. liquid rule is what I was worried about. My friend Madeline always buys her toiletries once she gets off the plane, and just buys travel sizes to use while she's on vacation. I'm thinking that might be what I do.

I don't watch "Lost," a fact that is the source of much ridicule among my friends, but I'm actually feeling compelled to start watching simply so I can play the game on the plane.

Thanks for all of the tips. My excitement is growing in direct proportion to my nervousness. Miss Mollee, you thought of things I never would've even imagined!

Any tips for snagging a window seat? Also, my flight leaves really early in the morning (I'm flying Sun Country, by the way) so I want to be left alone. Any advice for a usually social person who doesn't want to chat during the flight?

The "Lost" game is

Lori Carlson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:02:56 -0600

The "Lost" game is hilarious! Even though I don't watch that show, I'll have to try that one next time I fly!

Good advice here, Miss Mollee. It also reminds me of one important tip for newbie travelers (or dolts like me): You cannot bring liquids in containers any larger than 2 fluid ounces in your carry-on luggage. I found that out last time I flew. One minute I was swiftly moving through security, and the next minute, a TSA agent was pulling me aside, searching my bag and rather angrily wielding my $20 (and 4-ounce) bottle of facial cleanser. Oops.

If you have chocolate

Miss Mollee — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:05:18 -0600

If you have chocolate lovers, this cake will be a big hit:

Take one box of a chocolate cake mix and prepare as directed. When you remove it from the oven, immediately poke holes all over the top of the cake with the handle end of a wooden spoon. Then take one can of sweetened condensed milk and drizzle over the cake. Follow that with half a jar of hot fudge topping and half a jar of caramel topping. Allow the cake to cool completely. When cooled, frost with one small tub of Cool Whip. Drizzle with chocolate sauce. Enjoy.

This recipe makes a really rich, moist cake that gets better the longer it sits and all the flavors meld together. It's usually called "Better than Sex" Cake. It's a real calorie buster but oh so good.

I used to love flying and

Miss Mollee — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:58:07 -0600

I used to love flying and now a trip to the airport is seen as a necessary evil to get to the end destination. I don't know what it is about airports nowadays that brings out the helpless dolt in just about everyone.

My advice would be to give yourself plenty of time to get through security. It's funny how you can be waiting in line to go through the metal detectors and even the saintliest of people are suddenly questioning whether or not they look like/are a terrorist.

Don't expect food on your flight. And if you get food, treat it as the luxury it is. Savor every scrap of pretzel in that tiny, tiny bag.

I also find it useful to opt for water rather than pop so as to not to awaken my bladder during the flight. I hate climbing over people to get to the aisle during the short window of time that the beverage carts are out of the way (if you try to go while the carts are in the aisle, expect to get the stink eye/return to your seat speech from the flight attendants).

Since everyone is hauling their suitcases on the plane now to avoid being charged for checking luggage, don't wait to board the aircraft. When your section is called, go, or be one of the poor saps standing on the plane with nowhere to put their carry-ons.

Sometimes to amuse myself during the flight I like to look around at my fellow passengers and assign them a Lost character to play should the plane go down and we are all forced to form a new society together. It really does help pass the time.

Flying today is certainly not what it used to be. There's less hassle trying to put together Ikea furniture than getting on a plane. What airline are you flying, Meryn?

Can you combine the shower

Lori Carlson — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:12:59 -0600

Can you combine the shower and bachelorette party? That's what my friends did for me before I got married.

They got a suite at a hotel in downtown Minneapolis, where we had a bridal shower in the early evening and then got ready for a night on the town bachelorette-style. I definitely did NOT want the X-rated, falling-down-drunk-style party (I also refused to wear anything that identified me as the bride-to-be, much to the chagrin of my maid of honor, who wanted me to wear a tiara with a veil on it, and of one of my bridesmaids, who wanted me to wear a big purple feather boa).

We had snacks and drinks in the suite, then dinner, drinks and dancing on the town. And we had a place close by to walk back to and stay the night slumber party-style. It was fun!

If you want a not-so-wild night, I'd suggest having the shower/party on a Thursday or Sunday, instead of Friday and Saturday, when things tend to get ca-raaazy (at least in downtown Minneapolis)!

As far as planning suggestions, I'd say make it fun and silly, but don't go overboard on the shower games. Get some gag gifts that will make people laugh, enjoy some good food and drink, then have some girl bonding time on the town. You could even have someone come in to give spa treatments or massages at the shower!

I've been to Seattle twice,

Lori Carlson — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:02:54 -0600

I've been to Seattle twice, and I know you're going to love it!

Definitely get down to Pike Place Market - it's a Seattle experience not to miss. Flying fish, fresh veggies, the original Starbucks, lots of local goodies, etc.

I'd also recommend the Experience Music Project, riding the monorail, going up in the Space Needle (maybe even eating at the restaurant at the top), and just generally walking around downtown and people watching. Seattle also has a lot of great pubs and music venues, so I'd recommend checking out a band or two while there!

Also, you will find a coffee shop literally on every block; it's a bean-lovers dreamland out there.

I've had several friends

Kristin Holtz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:18:05 -0600

I've had several friends travel to Seattle recently, one went by Amtrack with her husband. She had a great time. I'd like to go out there later this summer and am interested in hearing your advice.

Make it a surprise. We threw

Kristin Holtz — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:04:37 -0600

Make it a surprise. We threw our college roommate a surprise affair, even invited both sets of moms to drive all the way up to Moorhead. While the shower was nice, it was simple and small. Therefore, the fact that it was a surprise made it all the more memorable for the bride.

Also, when it comes to games, play ones that everyone can participate in. Games, such as trivia about the proposed groom, can alienate family members or friends who don't know much about him.

Today I clicked on a story

merynfluker — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:45:09 -0600

Today I clicked on a story about Lindsey Vonn, Shani Davis and Shaun White. I wanted a little more depth and perspective on their wins, and the suggested news links that accompanied the story gave away Lindsey Vonn's slalom results! I appreciate your effort in trying to shield me, sciguy, but clearly someone else is intent on ruining the surprise for me!