I grew up in a Christian environment and wore a purity ring since I was 16. I had very strong beliefs in pre-martial sex and was very firm in staying a virgin until I was married. The weird thing is, my parents never talked to me about it! I seriously think that the whole idea that staying a virgin being SO difficult prompted me to get  super determined even more than ever! Everyone kept saying “oh it’s sooo hard and tempting!” Just hearing that, I really wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. For you competitive people out there like me, it’s probably easy to understand how you’d be able to last that long with that goal in mind.

My husband and I did end up saving for each other, and I’m not saying that it was easy or that I was totally innocent in that physical department… but one thing that kept me going was looking forward to tell our children “kids, your father and I saved ourselves for each other… so can you!” I also think a huge reason why I was still a virgin was by following my older sister’s example. You older siblings — be a good example by leading the trend! (You may THINK they are not watching, but they are!)

In a world of Paris Hiltons, internet porn, sex-sperimenting, sexting (Glee anyone?) and Miss America’s ALWAYS getting caught in the act (seriously?!) — how can I even believe that our kids’ generation even stands a chance? My mother-in-law has been a delivery nurse for 25 years and she tells me incredible stories about 12 year olds giving birth left and right. (She says that often the brother’s friends are the father!! ACK)

Even within my sheltered bubble surrounded by people who try to follow the “standards” (uhh yes Christians also have -premarital sex people) it is extremely rare to find virgins. I think if so many of my relationships weren’t long distance, maybe I wouldn’t have been one. I remember my wild, aggressively hormonal 16 year old days! Don’t we all? Even if it WAS for that one celebrity star or K-pop group… =)

A really big problem for me was wondering if I could have a “Charlotte & Trey” situation from SATC. If you haven’t watched the episode, Charlotte “saves” sex until after they’re married because she thinks it’s romantic.  Everything thinks she’s nuts for doing that, because (as Samantha would say) “Honey — what if he’s terrible?!” Unfortunately since Trey “can’t get it up,” they are sexually incompatible. It is a huge reason why their marriage doesn’t work out.  So, sure… that definitely crossed my mind — but just not enough to convince me. I’m an extremely black & white person in that way.

I also do sort of believe that “if the kisses are good then the sex should be good!” Not to say that’s always true, but I think you would get a good idea of your chemistry through at least kissing.

All in all, I’m not to judge what every person decides for themself. You can do whatever you want when it comes to sex, pre-marital sex, and our future generation. Call me old fashioned, but I really had my heart VERY set and determined for these specific times in my life:

- wearing my purity ring until it is replaced with my engagement ring. I think that would be very symbolic and romantic to have my fiance actually physically take off that ring and replace it with his engagement ring!

- sharing my first sexual experience with my husband on my wedding night

- being able to buy my daughter(s) a purity ring when she’s 16 to make the same promise

- being 80 years old and gray, and laughing at how nervous and horrible we were on our wedding night. I think we’d think that it was very sweet and young (Esp because we WERE young!)

Shy Miss K

Lots of people have a certain “side” of their face that they prefer to be shot at. And of course, Point #1 requires you to try posing from that side as much as you can. The idea that one side is better than the other is probably all in your head — BUT it does boost your confidence. And confidence is key, my friends!!

Doesn’t a natural smile look SO much different? You can totally tell, even if you don’t know the person at all!

Miss K's natural, genuine smile! I probably made her giggle at something random. Being funny helps! HA

Then there’s the “looking dreamily” gaze that some people like to do… The one thing to remember here is to not look TOO fiercely to the side. I actually learned this from America’s Next Top Mode;! =)  Tyra Banks (as crazy as she is) says that you actually have to gaze a little bit more towards the camera than you think… because the whites in your eyeballs might be too harsh.

Also another really cute is the head cocked to the side… but do NOT over do this!! Ugh if you went a little bit more than this, then you could look like you’re trying way too hard. I think that these are the maximum degree of head tilting… anything over these I would say is a no go!

Sweet and adorable!

These are just random suggestions I have… I know that everyone loves having a relaxed photoshoot, so some people recommend taking a few sips of wine to loosen yourself up. (Of course, don’t do that if you turn red or puffy!)

Does anyone have any other suggestions? And didn’t Miss K do such a lovely job, for a non-model? *clap clap*

Most people like the natural look and just want to look like a better version of themselves.  I went for an very light makeover. This is type/amount of makeup I would normally use if I wanted to look nice for a special day.

The things I used for this makeover and the order in which I used them: (not including primers and moisturizers)

- Prescriptives concealer (2 tones)
- Makeup Forever’s mineral HD powder
- Smashbox bronzer
- Smashbox eyebrow shadow w/Bobbi Brown brush
- MAC eyeshadow + LORAC eyeshadow + TwoFaced shadow
- MAC gel eyeliner + Buxom inner eyeliner
- Christian Dior lipstick + MAC lipstick + MAC lipliner
- Individual false lashes only at the ends, trimmed (Miss K said she had trouble with strip lashes because she hated the way they felt, so I opted for individuals only)

Note that I didn’t use ANY foundation and just cleaned up her face with a light concealer and HD powder. If you don’t have any serious skin issues like acme or scars, I think it looks great to just go with something just as light as concealer + mineral powder! (I personally don’t use regular powder on a daily basis.)

Next I decided to step it up just one notch and give her a slightly more dramatic look. I thought her skin looked fine so I didn’t add anything else except for:

- Bobbi Brown blush
- darker shade of MAC lipstick
- Stila smokey eyeshadow kit (top and bottom of lids)

To be continued…

If you’ve never seen The Office, all you really need to know about their wedding episode(s) is that all they were trying to do, was plan a simple wedding…. but it kept getting ruined by their weird, wacky and hilarious office workers. They have just about the most inappropriate co-workers ever! Including Steve Carell as their insanely attention loving, immature and very loud boss!! (They actually planned to have a destination wedding hoping people wouldn’t come, but of course they ALL show up!)

The “Cut the tie Mentality” is what I think everyone should have. Which is that, things will definitely go wrong, and if it does — who the eff cares?!  This particular scene is when Pam Beesely (the bride) is fretting over the fact that she’s already torn her veil. The groom, Jim, tries to soothe her by deliberately cutting his tie in half, to “match” her.  He says to her “who cares? it’s just a veil.” She is first astonished, then touched that he would do that for her…. and “takes a picture” to capture their moments in their head.

I highly recommend using this mentality for your wedding day. Laugh about the silly imperfections and just have FUN with your new spouse!

If you are not in love with “Jim Halpert” by now… OH, YOU WILL BE!! (After watching a few episodes of The Office of course!) He’s everything a girl could want! Such a cutie! I’m all giggly now!

Whenever you start feeling the pressures and stresses of planning… just remember… were the best weddings you went to always have a bride running around worrying and yelling at the waiters to set the table straight? Or fussing over a stain? No… the best weddings are when the bride & groom aren’t even aware of all those things, but are just engaged in having fun together. That is all it takes, people. Just have a good time, and let the rest of the wedding take care of itself.  It won’t be perfect, but does it matter?

XOXO,

C

But in a world where everyone gets to change their mind, I’m pretty jaded when it comes to “true love.” The option of always being able to back out is encouraged. They call it “being careful.” No one likes to commit to anything these days — not their jobs, their homes, their hair color and not even their significant others. That’s the reason why I love the OGs. Commitment is so rare these days. Divorces, twice and thrice over… Having a f**** buddy being cool. Treating your gay best friend like your boyfriend/girlfriend… One night stands… Friends with benefits… What ever happened to good ol’ fashioned “regular” love? Love until we die? People love the phrase “growing old together,” but how many people actually experience that?

hehe… I love how in the end, he goes “where she goin’ and where we goin’?”  Isn’t that the question for us all?

Her expression is heartbreaking when she can’t find him. I couldn’t get that facial expression out of my mind! Spending 73 years together would do that to ya, I guess.

Ladies, hold onto your mans. (Yes, mans.) And dudes… hang onto your ladies. It’s a tough world out there, and finding 1 good egg is an incredible treasure. Especially a good egg that would actually love you back and want to commit to you for the rest of your life. Do we even know what that means?!

It means the OGs!!