DIY Bride **CONTEST**

DIY Bride -Learn to Delegate

Whether you are a DIY bride because you love the home-good cuteness or your trying to stay within a budget, learning to delegate tasks is the only way to go for a successful event.


There are some ways and even some fun ways to delegate tasks for your DIY wedding.

1. Break up the tasks into pieces of paper, put them into a container and have your bridesmaids pull from the container, whatever they choose is their task, give them a deadline to finish!
2. Create craft projects or come up with a crafty game for your wedding shower, bridesmaid shower, bachelorette party etc.
3. Create a sleep over wine and craft night! Offer to cook dinner and pick up wine, they just bring their crafty-selfs :)
4. Have your maid of honor stay on top of all the people who are helping with the DIY tasks at hand, so you are not the one calling, texting, emailing, and showing up to their house unannounced (haha).
5. Thank your maid of honor for keeping it together by giving her something very special to you! Maybe even something you’ve made!

We would love to see your DIY wedding! Send us some photos of your favorite DIY wedding craft and a little bit about how you did it and you could *win a free tanning session*!

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How to decrease Anxiety: Be prepared

What is anxiety really?

By definition “anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.”

You have something very special coming up in your life, your wedding day, something you probably have dreamt about for most of your life. You have put a lot of ideals on this day, as a result you are afraid that the outcome will not meet your expectations, resulting in this uneasy feeling of the unknown. But if you make a list and check it twice :) you will see that the uneasy feeling that your having will dissipate, it will start to flow away from your mind. 

Some easy steps to being prepared for your wedding day

Keep a to do list in the same booklet, don’t make lists and then put them down all over the house. This will keep your mind foggy { I know this first hand! }
Once you create a list and finish a task don’t erase the task, put a check mark next to it so you see how much you have accomplished.
If your to do list is too big for your wedding day, think about hiring a planner and or breaking up your list to people you trust.
• Make sure that you are getting plenty of water and exercise, remember that constantly drinking caffeine will make you anxious. 

Being prepared by keeping lists of everything you want done will eventually make the heavy anxiety go away. You may still feel anxious because of the excitement of the whole thing. The last step, exercise, water, no caffeine, getting plenty of sleep, trusting your planner or family will ensure you have a fun time at your wedding and not stress or feel anxious!

Have a great week brides! Hope to see you stress free by this weekend's festivities! 

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5 Easy tips to relieving stress!

Hi Brides! 

Its Thursday and many of you are getting married this weekend! 

Congrats! Are you stressed out? Are you calm?  Please comment and share your tips!

                                        Here are 5 easy steps to relieving stress from us!

1. Its the last few days leading up to the big wedding day, most of the planning, what color scheme or theme, venue, decor, cakes, bridesmaid’s dresses, wedding dress, photography etc is already DONE. So take a deep breath, everything should be set and run perfectly!

2. One of the most important things to remember is getting plenty of water, healthy food and sleep!

3. Have someone near by you trust, whether it is your wedding planner, maid of honor or mother. If anything is to slip up make sure they know to take care of it, so you don’t have to stress over the small things.

4. Treat yourself to a mani, pedi and massage the day before your wedding day!

5. This is your wedding day, you are celebrating the joining of families and the love you have for one another on this day. The most important thing to remember is just to have fun, if something small is out of place take a deep breath and let it go. Remember this is just about you and your future husband. Have Fun! Enjoy! Smile!

Can't wait to see all of our brides this weekend! Thanks for choosing Exquisite Reflections on your most memorable day! We are so lucky to have you!

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Give your fiance the gift of intimacy, wait what?!

It's tradition to exchange a gift with your soon to be husband and wife, but what does he really want? 

Brides are looking for new creative ways to give something interesting and life long to their fiance and they are looking more into boudoir photography.
Well what exactly is it and would you feel comfortable doing this for your future husband?

Boudoir is a french word that means a women’s private bedroom, sitting room or dressing room. 

So, boudoir photography is a photo shoot that is tasteful but with a bit of sexiness; you can choose to do whatever is right to you, clothed, little to none or none at all. For most boudoir photo shoots primarily you will get down to lingerie, so you need to feel comfortable with the photographer as well, not just his/her style of shooting. Spend some time researching different boudoir photographers, and then set up a meeting at their studio, take a look through their portfolio before to see if you like their style of shooting and editing.
Make it more unique and do a theme boudoir shoot, if your fiance is in the military, if he is more retro, if your theme for the wedding is say, a nautical theme then add that into the photo shoot. The whole idea of exchanging gifts is to give something personal, something thought through, so adding a trinket that has some meaning or you reading his favorite book with sexy spectacles will be a perfect touch!
The key to a successful photo shoot is to not feel stressed with so many obligations, so hire your makeup and hair artists for the photo shoot! If you are doing a theme photo shoot and are stuck on what to wear then hire a stylist to help.         JUST HAVE FUN! 

     

  {The above image is from Silver Image Photography} 

      {Makeup & Hair stylists-Allison}

  {clothes courtesy of Designer Jerri Moore}

Recommended photographer for boudoir shoots, depending on your taste, is:

    Silver Image Photography: www.silver-image-photo.com

    Warwick Boudoir:  http://www.warwickboudoir.com/

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5 Reasons to Hire a Pro!

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5 Reasons to book a professional for your wedding day look!

1. We have all heard of the horror stories of brides not booking a professional for their big day and have "fixed" more than few after they got it done somewhere else.
2. Yes your bridesmaid or friends may always have pretty makeup on her face but you don’t know if she is capable of completing your whole wedding party on time and with out any stress like the pro’s do. Not to mention, it will not cause a strain on your relationship in the event that you do not like something.
3. If you do book a professional for your wedding day make sure you have a trial prior to your wedding day. You will have to pay for the trial but you shouldn’t have to put money down for the actual wedding day. Be ware of the ones that want everything up front.
4. If you book a professional you have read and reviewed, you are more likely to be excited and not worry about the time and money you are spending because you are confident it's a great investment!
5. BE PAMPERED its your day!

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Traditional Makeup Vs. Airbrush Makeup! What do you use?

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Traditional Makeup VS. Airbrush Makeup

Traditional

1. Can have a light or full coverage but not the extent of the airbrush.
2. Can sometimes feel cake-y, depending on your skin type
3. Can only cover so much, does not even out texture
4. Some people have very sensitive skin and traditional makeup application may irritate it
5. Is beautiful in photos
6. Last up to 8 hours
7. Can Transfer to clothing and others
8. Feels like you have makeup on

Airbrush

1. Airbrush can have a light or full coverage
2. Allows the skin to breathe
3. Does not Transfer to clothing
4. Feels like you barely have any makeup on your face
5. Hi-Def
6. Looks flawless in pictures and in person
7. Does not feel “cake-y”
8. It can cover acne scars, burns, bruises and tattoos
9. Blemishes: Correct color AND texture
10. It's hypoallergenic, only water and minerals in the makeup
11. Air and makeup are the only thing that touch your face
12. At least 16 hours of your Flawless look

What is your preference? Have you tried airbrush?

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Classic Bride? HONEYMOON!

Classic Bride Honeymoon by exreflections featuring post earrings

Thayer cover up swimwear
shopbop.com

J Crew j crew swimwear
jcrew.com

Dorothy Perkins yellow gold jewelry
dorothyperkins.com

Amrita Singh post earrings
amritasingh.com

Aviator shades
topshop.com

Under The Sea Neptunes Wrath 12 x 12 Double-Sided Paper
scrapyourtrip.com

Maggie Beachgrass Travel Tote
elaineturner.com

Ikat Pouch
elaineturner.com

Tatum Beaded Leather Sandal
elaineturner.com

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STOP! RELAX! ENJOY!

It’s very important to relax the day before your wedding to really enjoy every moment. Here are some steps and suggestions to staying calm before your big day!

1. Staying stressed until the last minute will potentially take away from your special day. Try to finish everything days before your actual wedding day.  Get an early rehearsal as usually a dinner will follow. Enjoy family and friends but leave all of the planning to someone else in your party; after the dinner go back home and relax.
2.  What does relaxing mean to you? This may mean being completely alone or with friends. Just make sure your family and friends are not stressed because you will inevitably feel this tension. 
3. DRINK WATER!  A glass of wine at the rehearsal is fine but don’t over do it, you don’t want a hang over or headache. Same goes for over eating, don’t eat anything out of the normal for you. Try to stay away from foods with a high sodium (or salt) content as this will cause puffiness and bags under the eyes. Water will hydrate you, give you energy and help you feel refreshed, not to mention give you a glow!
4. It's okay to ask for help and tell everyone how you really feel. If you hold back or try to do everything all by yourself it will build and give you anxiety. This is your time to relax, make sure everyone knows their tasks to make the most out of your day.
5. Get sleep the night before! I know your mind is racing with anticipation, try some breathing exercises, take a warm bubble bath with some lavender aromatherapy attributes, higher a massage therapist to come to your house but remember to drink lots of water!

HOW DO YOU STAY RELAXED? 

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Are you a Classic Bride?

Are you a classic bride? 

What is your favorite piece from 

this board?!

Stay tuned for Classic Bride on a Honeymoon! 

-xxo

The Classic Bride by exreflections featuring crystal bangles

Alice Olivia bodice dress
nordstrom.com

Temperley London bridal ball gown
net-a-porter.com

Dolce Vita high heel
endless.com

Badgley Mischka pumps
endless.com

Nina crystal bangle
endless.com

Kate Spade dot jewelry
katespade.com

Kenneth Jay Lane tear drop earrings
maxandchloe.com

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5 Top Reasons to book a Trial before your Wedding Day!

1. During this time we get to meet you and you get to meet us! We know there are many professional makeup artists and hair stylist's out there that you can choose from,  so we're delighted and honored you would choose us for your wedding day! 

2. Having a trial before your wedding day will bring you peace of mind knowing that your services from this day are going to be exactly the same on your wedding day; given you dont chop off your hair the day before the wedding :)

3. If you have any questions or concerns about your big day, anything at all, this is the time when you can show us your list and we will be more than happy to answer all your questions!

4. So its your big day, the day you have been thinking about for some time now, we know you have an idea of what you want to look like. Please bring references and know that every hair type or face is different. Having a trial will allow time for modifications so you are not stressed the day of your wedding. 

5. You can choose to have a trial before bridal portraits or a trial the day of your bridal portraits, its up to you!

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Top 3 Reasons to Book 6 Months in Advance!

Top 3 Reasons why to book hair and makeup 6 months in advance from your wedding day!

1.  Everyone  is booking their artist's 6 months to a year in advance, if you spend countless amount of hours researching, looking through their recent work and really like them, be sure to book right away!


2.  The sooner you book and have a trial the less stress and anxiety you will have, it will be like a weight off your chest knowing you are in good hands and they have you book solid for that day!


3.  Larger Bridal parties mean more assistants and in some cases another stylist for your wedding day! Book to ensure that there will be enough on hand to adequately assist you in completing your party's services in a timely manner.

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Exquisite Reflections Retro engagement

So you just got engaged! Congrats! Now your thinking about all the little details, what style you want for your wedding transcends into the story you are telling through your engagement photos. Loose curls, light skin, brown hues for the eyes, maybe a darker shade of lipstick. Pointy nude heels are always classic, this cute little dress with just a little color on the bottom hem and bright blue pop of color from your clutch, neutral shimmery pink nails finish the look. Fiance doesn't have to be left out in just a pair of worn jeans and T. Put him in a cool graphic T, dress it up with a relaxed pair of colored jeans and a cool blazer, finish his look with this rad red shoes.

Exquisite Reflections Retro engagement by magenpastor featuring leather shoes

Pleated dress
$190 - modcloth.com

Esprit | Esprit Slim Fit Jean at ASOS
asos.com

Manolo Blahnik leather shoes
$595 - shopsavannahs.com

Nancy Gonzalez crocodile handbag
$2,900 - forwardforward.com

ASOS plastic sunglasses
$22 - asos.com

Hentsch Man John Slim-Fit Linen-Blend Blazer
$610 - mrporter.com

Folk Printed Slub Cotton T-Shirt
$120 - mrporter.com

Asos Gold Aviator Sunglasses
$15 - asos.com

NARS Cosmetics nail polish
$18 - sephora.com

CHURCH'S
$255 - yoox.com

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Daily Makeup Kit Essentials

We are often asked what products we would recommend to have for daily use. Below is a list of essentials  to have in your own makeup kit or makeup bag as well as tips to use daily.

The MOST IMPORTANT THING: Have a great skin care system! It doesn't have to be extensive with a different bottle to do each little thing, however, it does have to clean, exfoliate, freshen, moisturize and protect. To have a great and flawless look, you have to start out with a great canvas.

• Clean: Use a cleanser that correlates to your skin type (i.e. dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, etc).
• Exfoliate: Use micro exfoliaters daily and a coarser exfoliater once a week.
• Freshen: Tone your skin (or close the pores).
• Moisturize: Use a light moisturizer for daytime, creams and potions should  be worn at night, not under your makeup.
• Protect: Use sunscreen! This will protect the skin from all signs of aging and worse. If you can find a daily mosturizer with SPF 15 or higher, you've just hit to birds with one stone :)

*TIP: Try to stay with the same manufacturer for all of these products. Manufacturers make all of their products to compliment each other. If you use different products from different makers, you have the potential to have biological warfare on your face and skin, which may be the cause of breakouts and skin irritations...somthing to think about.

Makeup Bag Essentials:
*Our goal is to make your makeup bag make sense! You don't need a bunch of extras that you won't ever use. We encourage you to go through your bag/kit and discard anything you have used in the past 6 months.

You will need:

1. A Primer- Facial, can go on eyes, too.
2. 1-2 Eye shadow pallettes (We suggest Stila, Lorac, or Two Faced Pallettes). Something compact with a lot of color variety, with VERY pigmented color (so that a little goes a long way).
3. 1 Blush, Bronzer, and Illuminzer Pallette (We suggest Charlott Ronson, Shoshanna). This has a highlighting and contouring powder as well as a blush that looks great on almost every skin tone!
4. 3 lip colours at MOST: This can be glosses or lipstick, however, limit yourself to 3 that you will really use and look great.
5. 1-2 Eyeliners, we like smudge proof and water proof: We suggest always having a black. This will richen your look. *Be careful, waterproof is not always smudge proof, most waterproof liners will come off with silicone-based (or oil) products which can mostlikely be found in concealors and foundations.
6. Eye Lash Curler (optional).
7. 1 GREAT Mascara.
8. Eyebrow razor OR tweezers. Eyebrow razors are great for sculpting...tweezers tend to result in over-plucking that may not grow back.
9. A great foundation and powder, 3 shades: Your shade, one that's 1-3 shades lighter, and one that is 1-3 shades darker...Why? For highlighting & Contouring OR to have when your shades change throughout the seasons.
10. MOST IMPORTANT: Having a Great Set of Brushes! You'll want a Foundation Brush, a Blush/Powder Brush, Eye Shadow Brush, Blending Brush, and a Straight-Edge Brush (For eyebrow shadowing). MAC has grea brushes but can be really pricy. You can find brushes at Sephora that work just as well and are more compact.

This will help keep your bag organized and less overwhelming when you go to dress it up a bit. It's easy, it's together, and it can actually all fit in one location!

Stay Tuned for our Tips on how to use your New and Improved Makeup and how to capture your desired look for the new season!
<3,
Your Exquisite Team

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Special Event & Private Tutorial:
Presented By: Exquisite Reflections

Best, Affordable Products Used to Keep Up with This Year'sTrends of Spring & Summer!!

1.Elaine Turner “Bella” Metallic clutch

2.M.a.c makeup brush collection
3.Charolette Ronson “Shoshonna” blush, bronzer & highlighter

4.Stila “In the light” palette
5.Elaine Turner “Gretchen Ikat” Carry all

6.Buxom “Marrakech” lip

7.Elaine Turner “Beachgrass Pouch”
8.Stila Smudge Crayon in “umber”
9.Stila custom color bronzer
10.St. Tropez Illuminizer
11.Elaine Turner “Savannah” Jelly
12.Sephora/Pantone Tango nail collection

A Speacial Thanks to: Elaine Turner, Megan Batson Photography, and our wonderful Models at this Private Tutorial Event! It was Fabulous!

 

See our Facebook to view photos from this event: See Pics Now!

<3,

Your Exquisite Team!

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MADNESS of MARCH

HELLO BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

First and FOREMOST, We want to say "CONGRATS!!" to all of our MARCH BRIDES! We can't wait to work with YOU!!!

SO MUCH is going on with Exquisite Reflections this MONTH, we wanted to let you in on it!

*This is a month of CELEBRATION!!!!

Celebrate with Exquisite Reflections and buy 1 Airbrush Tan and Get 50% OFF your second Airbrush Tan!!

*LIKE us on Facebook!

-Stay TUNED IN to Facebook this month to see what kind of DEALS you can get that will apply to YOUR Reservation!!!

-LOOK at our photos to get ideas about how you want your hair to look! It's NEVER too early to start!

-See some of our FEATURED VENDORS and their work to help you in your planning!

-ENCOURAGE your bridal party and friends to LIKE us as well!

-LOOK for Contests to take part in to win $$ toward your event!!

-Search: Exquisite Reflections

*CHECK OUT & FOLLOW our BLOG for tips on how to be the BEST "YOU" on your wedding day!

-These TIPS are EASY and SOO BENEFICIAL!

Keep an EYE out for our MARCH MADNESS SPECIAL For ONE DAY ONLY!!! It's COMING SOON (ON FACEBOOK ONLY) and can be ANY DAY in March!! SO STAY TUNED!!!

www.exquisitereflections.info

Thank you and we look forward to working with you!
Emily Olson, RN
Owner
Exquisite Reflections
(281) 898-0411

Spring Bouquet:

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Ashelynn Manor's Open House Drawing (1/22/12): Winner

THE WINNER FOR THE $50 CERTIFICATE

CONGRATS TO: Bethany Morgan!

Call/email to book your services today!

www.exquisitereflections.info

info@exquisitereflections.info

{281} 898-0411

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Featured Venue: Ashelynn Manor

Ashelynn Manor

A Serene Wedding Destination, Close to Home

View Ashelynn Manor's Website

January 7-8, 2012: Bridal Extravaganza

January 22, 2012: OPEN HOUSE *Come See Exquisite Reflections*

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