Having A Green Wedding

By: Jane Martin

So the big day is rapidly approaching, and you are racking your brain trying to think of the perfect wedding, the wedding that you have always dreamed of, but what exactly is that anymore? In reality, nobody can afford the picture perfect wedding that we dreamed of as little princesses, but that is not always financially possible. If you care about the environment and the world that you and your children will have to live in and you are looking for a creative way to celebrate your marriage on a stricter budget than you would prefer, consider the benefits of having a green wedding.

What is a green wedding? A green wedding is a wedding that takes place with the environment in mind. Large parties can be very upsetting to certain ecosystems and a lot of unnecessary waste can take place in preparation for and during wedding ceremonies, from the invitations and RSVP envelopes you send out, to the treatment that you use on the grass before your reception to keep the bugs away from the food.

There are a variety of things that you can do to help have the economically sound, environmentally friendly green wedding that you are considering, including the way you shop for rings and enjoy your post wedding ceremony food and refreshments.

As far as your apparel goes, many of those who have green weddings have dresses that are made of natural fibers, such as hemp, or else they dress something up that is already in their closet or that they can wear again. Wedding dresses are often wasted, and they tend to take up a lot of space in the garbage heap as well, so it is best that they be used more than once if they must be used at all. If you want to buy a brand new dress for your wedding, try to pick a dress that you can actually foresee having to ever wear again in the span of your life, at least.

Here are some other tips on how to save the earth bit by bit, starting with your green wedding:

* Buy antique rings or pawn shop rings; you often get a more unique product this way and you can save a lot of money in the process.

* Use biodegradable disposable cups, plates, spoons, knives, and forks at your reception. The environment and the dishwasher will both thank you, not to mention whoever pays the water bill.

* If the above option does not suit you, consider renting your dishes and eating utensils from the caterer. That way, you don’t have to worry about the dishes and you don’t have to worry about plastic cups and spoons up to the ears.

* Have your wedding ceremony and your wedding reception at the same location, if at all possible. This saves your guests on gas having to get back and forth between the two locations, it saves them a possible change of clothes, and it decreases the amount of pollutants in the air by decreasing the amount of driving they have to do in the name of your ceremony.

Have fun!

About the Author

Jane Martin is an ex-wedding planner who now provides free help and advice to brides and grooms. Her latest project is a free online wedding guide which you should download from http://www.theonlineweddingguide.co.uk.

Addicted

By: Eileen DeClemente

When I decided to write a book sharing my life with the rest of the world I really didn't know what extreme this decision would take me in. I have been experiencing more emotional changes than I would imagine.

My story would start out to be about my addiction to alcohol and drugs from the age of eleven to the age of thirty five. During that time period I grew from a child to an adult. I got married at twenty two years old and four years later I had two daughters. They were the victims in this story when I first started writing but it didn't take me long to realize they weren't the only victims.

Because the girls were nine and seven when I hit bottom they had already spent the youngest years of their life worrying and taking care of each other and me. When I began to sober up I realized there was a lot more to living a sober life than to just quit using. I was eleven years old when I picked up for the first time; my brain had basically stopped maturing so when my body was free of alcohol and drugs I had to take a deep and long look at myself. What I saw I didn't like and I basically used my addiction as a way of pushing away all of the painful things that were happening for twenty five years. At this point I felt numb.

In rehab I woke up after a long painful detox and I was no longer numb. There was so much going on in my mind, body and soul that at first I truly believed I could not do this and the first time I realized that my counselor had something to say. He said, "You are right where you're supposed to be; now you just took the first step in something you have not practiced in years, honesty." I didn't have a clue to what he was saying, but I would soon start to learn and I have continued to learn for the last twenty years.

Honesty is always been pretty black and white for me. What I am doing or saying is either true or not true, I still believe that but when it comes to getting honest with me it becomes a little more complicated.

As I spent three years painfully writing the story of where I came from, how I grew up, and my addiction that started as an adolescent, it became very painful for me. Everything I believed I had dealt with in my life since getting sober I obviously wasn't done with. I started sabotaging my own project by not meeting deadlines. Fortunately I had a wonderful publicist, coach, marketer - actually she's a lot of everything and she stuck with me through the whole book. She lovingly called me on my procrastination, excuses and the number one problem, honesty.

Everything I had learned about being responsible for myself and being honest with myself since the beginning of my sobriety was the key to keeping me straight but here I was starting to justify and manipulate again after twenty years. I knew the path that would take me on, and that was back to using. Here I was with one goal after having to retire from a job I had loved for eighteen years because of the early onset of Alzheimer's, and that goal was to share my story openly and honestly, which brought me to a very vulnerable place. I wanted to help one person, I wanted people to know there was help out there and I would do anything I could.

That was my goal and with the support of my loving family, my coach and my editor every secret I had ever had, every bad choice I had made in my life was there in black and white. The first week my book was out in print I had reached my goal. A beautiful girl I had never met before bought and read my book and came to me crying and thanking me because my story was helping her deal with someone in her life living in an addiction. I was so happy for them and felt so good about myself but something was wrong and it was surfacing. In the past two months I have experienced a huge personal and painful journey of self honesty and hopefully my quality of life as it is today will change for the better because I got honest with myself.

Four years ago when I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I was also diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and suffered through a pattern of fractures in my back and a knee injury that has been chronic. Because of my past history with drugs I was told I needed to go to a pain management clinic to take care of the chronic pain, which I did and knowingly and consciously. I went on medications that I knew in my head and heart that I shouldn't be on. I justified it and started taking them and of course during the emotional times I struggled through writing my book I see now that I was numbing myself. There have been physical changes occurring lately and my family once again is very scared that the Alzheimer's is progressing, which it is, but since opening myself and dealing with everyday struggles I can do nothing but get honest. I truly believe some of the medications I am on are affecting my everyday life. I believe I am addicted.

About the Author

Eileen DeClemente was 11 years old when she took her first drink. Alive is her courageous story of an addiction so consuming it nearly killed her and destroyed her family. To anyone who has ever battled an addiction, and to the people who have loved them. This story is for you, Eileen is Alive.

Titanium Rings – How To Pick The Perfect Ring For Him

By: Sam A. Brown

Titanium rings are quickly becoming part of today’s growing trend in men’s jewelry. Selecting a ring for anyone can be a daunting task, but when it comes to picking the perfect ring for a man, it can be like crossing the final frontier.

Titanium jewelry offers no exception to the rule, however a titanium ring is a likely winner with any man due to its strong, sleek yet masculine qualities. It doesn’t matter what kind of man you are shopping for, they all like to express themselves in ways that personify their innermost feelings of themselves. They may not want to admit, but we’re all human and we all have that inner ego that wants to step out every now and then and shine. Rings have as long standing tradition of expressing the male ego, whether it be pride in where they went to school, what fraternal bonds they have or to display their athletic achievements.

The Search Begins

As with most styles of jewelry, titanium rings come in a variety of options. Choosing the best ring for the man in your life can be a simple task if you keep a few basic principles in mind during your selection process.

By asking yourself a few simple questions, you can easily narrow down your options and select the perfect titanium ring for him.

Is he the hands on type? – Does he work with his hands day in and day out?

If this is the case then a simple yet elegant design would be best. Bypassing diamonds or other stones that could come loose over time is a wise. You can replace the design element of the stone with an inlay of gold, or the popular hammer finish.

Does he wear other jewelry on a daily basis?

If you answered no to this then a simple classic style titanium rings would most likely suit him well. This style offers clean lines and gives the air of understated style. On the other hand if jewelry is part of his daily wardrobe, you might consider blending the styles of his existing pieces with those available in titanium rings. The gold inlay is a nice choice if he wears a lot of gold. If he’s more of a silver man, you can go with a titanium matte finish band with high polish center.

Is he the creative type or is he a thinking man?

The Art Deco titanium ring option is perfect for the creative types as their unique and in tune with the modern arts. Black titanium rings are so striking that they can lend well to either left brain or right brain men.

The Price Barrier

As is the case with everything there is a range of price options to meet all budgets and tastes. titanium rings, in my experience are truly the perfect option for men because they offer quality, diversity, style, and prominence at a deserving price point.

The Selection

Now that you have a bit of information, you can easily narrow down the arraying options that lie before you – make sure you go with a reputable dealer. Only the best dealers and retailers offer the best in quality, styles and service. This is not a purchase you want to skimp on, either in terms of money or time.

Far more unique than traditional gold, silver or platinum rings, titanium offers a unique gift letting your man know he’s perfect for you and truly one of a kind.

About the Author

Sam A. Brown is a long time enthusiast of titanium rings. As a personal shopper, Sam has come to rely on http://www.Titanium-jewelry.com as a key player in the overall satisfaction of client wish lists.

Canvas Prints: How To Transfer Your Masterpieces To Print

By: Carla San Gaspar

Having your portrait on canvas need not be expensive or frustrating. You can opt not to spend a fortune hiring a painter, which mind you, does not guarantee satisfactory results. You can rely on your own skill, imagination and canvas prints to create your magnum opus.

It doesn’t require long years of disciplined practice, nor does it require genius like talent. All it takes is some computer know-how and a reliable printer to create your piece de resistance.

Canvas Printing

You can fully enjoy your photographs and digital images on a new plane. Canvas prints are an ideal material to print your images. These are perfect for artwork and photo reproductions and would hold well the colors and the details of your images or design.

However, sometimes, it takes some effort to furbish these images to create the effect you want to on the canvas prints. Here then are some ways you can achieve this.

Adobe Photoshop and Canvas Printing: Achieving Digital Effects

Now, you can select your favorite photograph, be it your portrait, or even a landscape, a picture that has that painting potential and have it printed on canvas. You can use Adobe Photoshop to add effects that will make your snapshot look like a bona fide artwork.

Here are a few Photoshop techniques to turn your snapshot into an object of awe:

• Adjust the color of the snapshot by making it more subdued. This can create a soft texture to the overall design, making it seem like an old-painting. Create a new lawyer of the image, and make adjustments in the hue and saturation (Ctrl + U). You may choose to lessen the saturation of the whole image and highlight a few key colors such as red or orange. Play around with the tonal values until you achieve the results you wish.

• Using the blur tool, you can make the unimportant elements blurry to give a softer effect and to emphasize the more poignant elements (i.e. the eyes)

• Use the brush strokes filter to create the illusion of brush strokes.

• You can create the washed out effect. Create a new layer and fill it with white. Using the eraser tool, erase parts you want to be visible. Play around with the layer opacity, and the eraser’s options.

• To create the chiaroscuro effect, you can burn the areas where the shadows are supposed to fall.

• If you want a spotlight effect, you can play around with the lighting effects in the filter section under Render.

Have fun with it. After all, it is your masterpiece. However, it might do well to remember some of these details for your canvas printing.

• Make sure that you’re photo has a good resolution. Talk to your printer about their requirements.

• Unlike card stock, canvas being made of fabric is soft and does not have a definite form. It is a good idea to frame it and mount it.

• It is very important to select a printing company that offers high quality printing. Ask them for an online proof of your image so you can be sure that you will have the output you want.

Good luck and have a beautiful gallery filled with your canvas prints.

About the Author

This article aims to provide readers valuable information about tips and guidelines for printing http://www.largeformatposters.com/Canvas-Prints.html. To find more interesting topics please feel free to visit http://www.largeformatposters.com/canvas-printing.html

Brochure Printing: When And Who Should You Call About Your Prints?

By: Carla San Gaspar

Brochure printing, as with any other printing jobs present, may present itself as an easy print project. With online printing companies, you can easily source out the printing company you need and fill in all the information necessary to complete a job order or transaction.

But what happens, if in the middle of it all, you encounter some problems? Whether it is during placing a job order, your brochure printing status or anything else?

The printing process used to be very exhausting and quite complicated. With technology, everything else can be synthesized so all the details and the necessary steps for it work cohesively. However, this is not to say that it does not require human facilitation.

Printing is still a hands-on process where the printing company requires the expertise of printers to maintain the quality, definition and color accuracy of your prints. This is especially for custom job orders where communication between you and your printing company is vital.

Should You or Should You Not Call

When it comes to your printing project, it is only normal for you to know just who or how your print job is attended to. If you are already familiar with online printing, you know that everything is done accordingly, however, if you do want to make sure, remember some of these tips before you place that call.

1. Printing companies contact clients if there are any major flaws or errors in your files that would greatly affect the outcome of your prints.

2. When in doubt, always make inquiries or call a sales or customer representative. They can answer your questions about shipping, turnaround times, and custom job orders – specifically for brochure printing if you want other folding options.

3. If you are worried about the status of your jobs or you aren’t sure if the file you submitted is correct, you can duly call the printing company to verify. You can also wait for the proof to arrive so you can see for yourself.

4. Proofs are sent to you by the pre-press department so you can check for any typographical errors in your text since these are not reviewed by the printing company. You should also check other details since the concern of the pre-press department is centered on achieving optimum print quality.

You should also pay attention to any comments placed by the pre-press department, if there are any, so you can make necessary changes.

5. You have the liberty to call your printing company if you are still working out some details with regards to your custom printing project.

6. If you are also working out on some details on your printing project, you can duly call the professional whom you acquired help from, like a pre-press expert or an in house graphic designer from the printing company.

7. Any changes that you wish to make while or as the graphic designer is working on your project should be brought up immediately. This will help you save time and avoid any delays so you can print right on schedule.

8. Brochure printing may not be the most complex process or print product of all, but it truly does help if you can acquire a printing company that has the necessary services to give you a satisfying printing experience.

An efficient customer service that is matched with printing excellence can give you a peace of mind and convenience that you need for your brochure printing project.

About the Author

More http://www.digitalroom.com/brochures-printing.html guides and services can be found at http://www.digitalroom.com

The Sticker Printing Process And Working Out The Turnaround Time

By: Carla San Gaspar

What does your sticker printing product specifications actually say? And what does each product or detail contribute to your sticker printing? To its success? To its failure? Sticker printing may not be a delicate matter, but it can be with all the processes a normal print job undergoes.

An Overview of the Printing Process

An overview of the printing process with which stickers undergo is vital so you know how to approach it. It also gives you a good idea on how you will work out the timeline of your printing project, from turnaround time to shipping and the like.

For custom sticker orders, it may also give you an idea on the turnaround time your printing company of choice might need in producing your prints. Nevertheless, here is a short run on what your stickers undergo.

1. Once the printing company receives your files, it will be reviewed or evaluated. This is the proofing process where the pre-press department of a printing company checks for any errors, concerning the print quality, color and the like. Afterwards, a proof will be sent your way for approval.

2. Once you approve the file, it will be ganged. This is where your stickers are put in place on a huge sheet of paper along with other print jobs. If your stickers are made into single-run projects, then the whole sheet would be just your stickers. This makes for a whole plate consisting of only your design. Hence, making it a very expensive sticker printing.

3. Plating comes next which also involves color separation for offset sticker prints. Color separation involves creating plates for each of the colors cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

4. Sheets of paper or a roll of paper is then fed into the press.

5. The stickers printed on paper label must be left to dray using machines.

6. Afterwards, the stickers once again go back in line where it will be cut to size.

7. Stickers are then prepared for shipping.

Other Sticky Sticker Processes

The printing process that your sticker undergoes is only shown for standard sticker order. It will take a longer time to produce custom stickers because within this short and overly simplified overview, other jobs will be included down the line.

1. Spot Colors – If you want a very specific color on your stickers, then it would have to undergo spot coloring. This is an expensive process for the printing company needs to buy the exact paint needed for your job through the Pantone Matching System.

If a printing company runs prints with an advanced press, this can easily be achieved since everything is relayed. CMYK inks and spot colors are applied and dried in a single run.

2. Die – Cutting involves printers to make dies. Dies are the shapes pressed unto the paper to cut it into the right shape or dimension. The complexity of the cut that you want will affect the kind of material used to make the die with and making the die itself. This can make die cutting cheap or expensive, long or short too.

Dies are also made for embossing if and when needed for your stickers. It creates a raised, almost 3-dimensional effect on your prints.

3. Foil stamping too involve the use of dies and metallic ink colors. Again, the drying process may vary and may take time.

Communicate with your sticker printing company closely when working out a custom sticker project. This gives you a better idea on how to work out the deadlines and prepare your sticker campaign much well ahead as planned.

About the Author

More topics on http://www.uprinting.com/sticker-printing.html can be found at http://www.uprinting.com

Great Tips For Choosing Discount Wedding Invitations

By: Todd Lavergne

Selecting a wedding invitation is very essential because your guests will get an initial impression or peek of what it will be like at your wedding. It is very important for your wedding invitation to express your wedding motif and theme. Also, many people want to keep the wedding invitation as a wonderful keepsake.

However, it should not cost you an extreme amount to have that perfect wedding invitation. It is a not a good idea to spend a great deal that can be utilized on something else. The styles and variety of wedding invitations is great. It can be very distressing to pick a particular one. You can find discount wedding invitations and if you follow the tips below you won't go wrong when you choose one. You need to be careful and not get yourself carried away. Following these guidelines will help you to save more money.

Think carefully when choosing your wedding invitation style. As mentioned earlier, your main attention when choosing wedding invitation style is the motif and theme of your wedding. Will your wedding be simple or complex? Will your wedding be formal or light? Other than that, it all depends on what you like and the amount that can be spent. But whatever your budget range or taste is, you will absolutely be able to find a great wedding invitation. If you would like, you can even purchase some cards and create your own invitations by getting a printing kit that many wedding service providers offer.

Establish the sort of wedding that you want. The type of wedding invitation you select will revolve around whether you will have a modern or traditional wedding. Traditional weddings will need a more formal invitation. On the flip side, a modern wedding will require a wedding invitation with a more modern look to it. Traditional wedding invitations should only have text in them. It would not have any graphics. Traditional wedding invitations are normally folded and upright and on the right side they have engraved words. They commonly are cream or white with black and silver lettering. If your wedding has a theme then pick a wedding invitation that matches your chosen theme. For example, if you have a Tudor wedding theme then you could send out sixteen century scrolled parchment style of wedding invitations.

Pick a supplier. You can acquire wedding invitation by printer, mail order, online or stationery designers. You need to pick a supplier that gives you great features and services so you can get a bargain for your money. Some suppliers will provide assistance by correcting the wording in your wedding invitation. Others will help you with etiquette rules if you are not sure about what is involved in sending out wedding invitations. It would be great if the supplier has experts that have experience with wedding etiquette. Find a supplier that will give you specialized service so you can be confident that you will not receive just an ordinary wedding invitation.

A great supplier will also respond to your requests and questions very quickly by phone or through email. You must request privacy to make sure that any personal information you give to them is only used to process your order. Verify they are using a secure server to transmit your order, to keep your billing information private.

To find more great Wedding planning tips please visit: http://www.MyWeddingPlans.net