Elizabeth Swanson, BRIDES

Mix in-laws and out-of-town guests with your own pre-wedding nerves, then add alcohol and public speaking-what's not to love about the second-biggest party you'll ever throw? Our step-by-step plan to kicking the weekend off right. Cheers!

1. WORK WITH YOUR WEDDING
"Think of the rehearsal dinner and the reception as parts of one event-the wedding weekend," says Richard Nix Jr., owner of Butler's Pantry Catering & Events, in St. Louis. Having a formal wedding? Consider complementing it with a more low-key event. A huge trend is to serve up regional comfort foods, like a lobster boil or pig roast. "We threw a Vices of Virginia dinner before a Halloween wedding in The Plains," says Maria Cooke of Ritzy Bee Events, in Washington, D.C. "There were local wines, oysters, bourbon milkshakes, and a cigar roller. It was totally sinful, and guests loved it."

2. DO THE MATH
The average cost of a rehearsal dinner is $1,330-about one-twentieth of the price

Today we're starting to feel the summer heat - it's gorgeous here in New York at Oyster HQ. And although we can't just jet to Hawaii this weekend (trust me, we wish we could), we figured we'd steal some of our favorite hotels' signature Hawaiian touches. From enticing food spreads with seasonal specialties to decor ideas we'd steal at this very moment, we found five inspirational ideas to incorporate into your home's summer look.

IDEA TO STEAL: Tiki Torches
INSPIRED BY: The Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

HyattRegencyMauiResortSpa_TikiTorches

Don't try this at home, people.

The Sheraton Maui Resort has all the bells and whistles one would expect from a spacious Hawaiian hotel - jam-packed with amenities, a beautiful strip of beach, and the best on-site snorkeling on the island. But our favorite activity here is the Drums of the Pacific Luau, which guests love - especially when the dancers play with fire. While we don't recommend tossing any flames around, we do find tiki torches to be a fun way to light up a summer BBQ. They're easy to find - try your local drug store - and not too pricey either.

http://youtu.be/dWHMO0OJmz4

Time-tested edibles give you a world of diversity in your own backyard--and delicious flavors on your table.
What is an heirloom?

What is an heirloom?
Although debate rages on the exact definition, an heirloom is-it's generally agreed-an open-pollinated variety of fruit or vegetable developed before mass commer­cial hybridization began in the 1950s. As such, its seeds grow true: The offspring look and taste just like their parents. Handed down from generation to generation, heirlooms have tended to be selected for flavor, not how well they survive shipping or how perfect they look. That's why 'Brandywine' tomatoes are so sweet and juicy, lemon cucumbers so zesty and crunchy, and 'Red Kuri' winter squash so creamy and nutty-flavored. And even if they're not the classic, flawlessly symmetrical specimens we're used to seeing in grocery stores, they're gorgeous in their own fascinating, idiosyncratic ways.

Lemon cucumber
Lemon cucumber
Eat it like an apple or use it to garnish cold drinks. It's crisp and

by Jane Magaro, Cheapism.com

sxc.hu/petercaulf One way to make a lasting impression on your house guests is with a laser-like focus on improving the outside of the house. Whether your home needs a quick pick-me-up in time for spring or a more dramatic improvement to compete in a buyer's market, try these quick and low-cost outdoor home improvement fixes. A complete exterior overhaul can cost thousands of dollars, but these five cheap home improvement ideas can make a big impact on a small budget.

Mow the lawn for sight and smell. An overgrown lawn is the equivalent of a bad haircut. One of the cheapest but most critical home improvement fixes involves cleaning up the lawn. Brighten up guests' perceptions of your home by cutting the grass, cleaning up paths or walkways, clearing the lawn of clutter, and trimming the bushes. The scent of fresh-cut grass is a bonus, especially if you're trying to sell your house. For most people, the sweet smell reminds them of summer and home, but to buyers, it's

I'm so tired of it-the minimizing of women, that is. You see, I'm of the generation of the 60's, the women who "bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan."

What did all the suffragetting do for us? Most of us took on two full-time jobs (home and workplace) without a corresponding shift in what marital partners did…..

Yes, we "New Women" shouldered all the heavy lifting… while still needing to look fetching and feminine (Think Barbara Billinglsey of "Leave It to Beaver," but with a second job- outside the home).

In careers, we never played on a level playing field with the guys-and I shudder to say (based on what I read and see in the media today): We still don't.

And until we do something serious about it (like marshall our troops)-we won't.

For instance, one of my gender still hasn't come close to ascending top spot in the land (despite the fact we're the majority of the electorate.) Pretty remarkable considering other countries we once considered '3 rd . world'

Designer Robert Sharod of Atha Sharod Bridal's "The White Collection - LUXE"

Mother's Day is here, did you forget?

If you're still looking for a last minute idea for celebrating Mother's Day, look no further. Mom's will always love any gift that creates a warm and loving memory with her family. Finding unique and special ways to make these wishes come true are listed below.

Dinner and home movies. Mom's spent years of their lives cooking for their family and preparing meals that we yearn for the rest of our lives. On Mother's Day, it is time to turn the "dinner" tables and return the favor. Because mom's usually enjoy casual family time filled with fun and good food, a cookout is a great way to enjoy the day. Finish off the meal with the family watching home movies, viewing family slide shows or taking out the photo albums and sharing memories together. Mom will love the time she spends with you and the trip down memory lane. For more ideas, check out : Top Mother's Day Ideas