Cool Tech Gifts for Groomsmen

When looking for groomsmen gifts, what comes into mind, or more like what do you find on the web first? Let's see now: flasks, beer mugs, and cigar cases? Those are a fine if you live in the era of Al Capone, but now there are more choices - in fact, it can be a lot of fun finding gifts for your groomsmen especially if they are one of your closest friends and just happen to be tech junkies. With that said, I've found a couple of nifty gadgets (note: money here is not an issue) that may just seal the deal:

Philipps VOIP 841 Skype - This puppy is so cool that you'd want one for yourself



Squeezebox with Pandora




Nokia E65 - a 3G phone with VoIP capability - super cool

Cufflinks Alert

Cool cufflinks alert! I found this really cool ones from Saks Fifth - just the right kind of gift for a fiance on Valentine's Day! It's got a watch on it - who would have thought? Made of stainless steel for durability! When you think of cufflinks, it isn't reall something that men wear everyday with their shirts, but it's just a very romantic gift.

Check it out:

Dieting and the Bridezilla Factor

I was reading this article about how more than 70% of brides-to-be lose weight before the big day. Even more disturbing is that more than one-third choose to take diet pills and even fast. While it is important to get that perfect wedding look, it's important to remember that part of preparing for the big is the experience and sheer joy of planning a wedding. So if you starving oneself in order to fit into size 4 gown, think hard about what you are doing unless you are doing it safely and within a healthy regimen. After all, you don't want to faint or feel like a waif even you look good in that gown because deep down inside, your body is starving. And since extreme dieting eventually comes back as a double whammy in weight, going to great extents to lose weight without a proper nutritional plan is simply dangerous. For anyone out there fasting yourself, do realize that it's about sensible. For the full article, go here.

Proposing on Valentine's?

Hey, guys listen up! Thinking of proposing at Valentine's? 1-800-Flowers at You Tube is having a contest! Here are the details:

"Enter the WILL YOU MARRY ME? contest where we are giving one lucky person a once in a lifetime opportunity. Surprise your significant other with one of the Biggest Marriage Proposals ever. Just submit a video "popping" the question for a chance to have it played in front of millions of YouTube users on February 11th but more importantly that special someone!"

Laura M. Collin's Designer Invitations

There are invitations made of paper, but how about one crafted in lucite, silk, or some gorgeous material? I stumbled upon the website of Laura M. Collin's Designs whose invitation designs include a box made of silk dupioni that houses a beautiful invitation presented in a scroll. This is by far my favorite:

27 Dresses

Boy meets girl. Girl has sister. Girl falls in love with boy whom sister is engaged to. Ah, a classic story just waiting for a good ending. I'm really curious to see how "27 Dresses" the movie fares? Who knows perhaps this has happened to YOU? You know what I'm talking about. You like him, he likes you, but somehow your circumstances in life are different and the timing just sucks.

Comfort Food for the Wedding Party

It's cold out there and if you are having a late-night dessert for your wedding party - what do you serve? Brownies! They are the quintessential comfort food and when paired with a nice hot cup of cocoa - it's absolutely heavenly. Looking beyond this concept, you can even create a chocolate dessert table filled with brownies, chocolate cupcakes, and chocolate chip cookies for that all-chocolate theme! Here are some of my favorite recipes, if you plan to make them yourself:

From The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Devil’s Food Cupcakes With Fluffy White Filling and Chocolate Icing

Chocolate chip cookies

The Sunday Bridal Event at Gump's

I love shopping at Gump's, so when I heard of the upcoming bridal event on the 27th of January, I couldn't be happier. There's also brunch and wine tasting! Tickets are $30/person - and a tote bag filled with goodies.

If you're in San Francisco, check it out:

Valentine's Gifts for The Bride

This weekend, Dahlia went searching the Amazon (i.e., Amazon.com) for Valentine's gifts that should make any bride happy:


A Movado Watch - Who doesn't want one?




A Pretty Star Pendant Necklace



A Simple Tennis Bracelet, Babe!

Lifesize Wedding Cake

A really original and cool idea for a wedding cake - a lifesize version of the bride. I think one for the groom would have been nice, too! Think it's tacky or way overboard?