Three Totally Not-Boring Themes for Your Next Bridal Shower

So you're planning a bridal shower -- and everyone says you need a theme. "Around the Clock." "Home and Garden." Yawn!

There aren't many times we get to be silly and girly in this world, so a bridal shower shouldn't be wasted. Make sure it's genuinely fun. It's simple --- just think about what makes your bride special, and let yourself loose with the theme. Here are a few ideas to charge up the noggin and organize something unique.

"Like High School -- But Better."

Revive some great times by tipping your hat to the bride's high school days. Look up all those slightly embarrassing hits from the year she graduated -- let's say the 80s. (Create a gift CD of same for all your guests -- they'll secretly savor them when no one else is around.) Yes, they still make banana clips! Pass them out, along with big, dangly inexpensive hoop earrings and loads of jelly bracelets (remember? You wear about a hundred on each arm, a la vintage Madonna). Slather on the pink, blue and green eye shadow, metallic nail polish and bright blue mascara. Play the soundtracks from Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles.

Now for the games: segment a flashback classic, such as Madonna's "Holiday," into three or four CDs. Divide your guests into the same number of groups, and challenge them to come up with a dance routine to fit their part of the tune. Bring them back together in 10 or 15 minutes to perform their mini-masterpiece before a video camera you've set up for the occasion. Tape everyone's routine in order. Give a prize to the best choreographers (actually, give a prize to everyone for being a good sport). Together, you've created a music video that no one could forget. With any luck, it'll mysteriously show up at the reception.

Wine and Chocolate

Sometimes, when you tour a bunch of vineyards in wine country and you're really lucky, you hit upon "wine and chocolate" day. But you don't have to wait to hit the jackpot -- you can organize your own. Plan an easy afternoon of popular, easy-drinking wines like Merlot and champagne, and ask each guest to bring a creative form of chocolate. Some of our favorites: chocolate croissants, chocolate papaya crepes, chocolate-covered ginger, and yes, jalapeno brownies.

But don't stop with the food -- make an outright bordello of it. Pile lots of velveteen pillows around the room, drape the walls with heavy fabric, burn a bit of incense. Put on some soothing Moroccan music, and arrange a few flowers in plum colored pails or vases you've dressed up with groovy gold fringe. Now pass out those beverages in pretty glass flutes, dropping a rose petal in each one. Then dig in! (Have doggie bags at the ready for blissed-out guests who want to enjoy the spoils later at home).

Occupational Hazard

Few things are more flattering than having your friends develop a party around your job. After all, you spend day in and day out there, and what you do is probably pretty important to you. Is the bride a teacher? Hand out apple-shaped candles as favors ... and place them in brown paper lunchbags. Give her a chalkboard eraser "to erase any grudges" after she's married: spray paint the top gold or silver, and have everyone sign it with a Sharpie. Sew or glue together a quick clip-on or bandana for her dog's collar that reads, "Teacher's Pet."

Is your bride an attorney? Hire a Judge Judy impersonator (yes, they exist!) to make a showing. Ask each guest to "submit a brief" -- a gift of lacey underwear for the honeymoon, accompanied by a personal note to wish the bride well.

More Ideas for Exciting Showers

Christmas in July: Place the bride's gifts under a big, frou frou artificial tree you've hung the guest favors on. Serve iced eggnog and mocha-cinnamon smoothies. Everyone loves Christmas ... especially when you've had a break from it, and don't have to agonize over what to buy the boss.

Dancing Queens: Dress up in big, pouffy prom dresses from the past (you'll find them at every thrift store), super-glam makeup, even tiaras. Lay on loads of body glitter. Head out en masse to your neighborhood restaurant or karaoke bar and toast the bride as she opens her gifts.

Cheesecake Party: Ask your guests who their favorite hunk is. Serve mini-cheesecakes in lots of different flavors (Baileys and orange, amaretto, chocolate fudge), and place a framed photo of their favorite "cheesecakes" next to each serving platter, with a special label: "Brad Pitt Blueberry," "Creme de Menthe Mel." Get inventive with the descriptions. Borrow or rent the biggest espresso machine you can find, and serve up steaming coffee drinks.

Whatever you end up going with, don't be afraid to be creative. The less you go by the book and the more you think about what makes the bride special, the more fun your shower will be for everyone.

Blake Kritzberg is editor of FavorIdeas. Visit now for great Christmas or winter wedding inspirations, and an intoxicating collection of winter wedding favors.

View the original article here

Read More

Three Different Alpinestars Leather Jackets

The type of clothing people wear generally makes some sort of statement about them, which is why many people are very particular about the type of clothing they wear. However, many people would agree that leather is never a bad choice, especially when it comes to buying a jacket. A company named Alpinestars is well-known for making high quality leather jackets that some people like to wear just because they look nice and others like to wear them because they offer protection when one is riding a motorcycle. This specific article will discuss not one Alpinestars leather jacket, but three different ones.

The Alpinestars Dragster Leather Jacket is an excellent choice for those who want a black jacket that has a nice design. This particular model has two off-white horizontal lines that go across the front of the jacket and the sleeves as well. This Alpinestars leather jacket also has a patch with the company name on the left breast of it. This particular model also has two front pockets as well, which is always nice. The overall design gives this jacket a real great look, so any man who is looking for a jacket should definitely consider this one. This particular product costs about $430 brand new.

The Alpinestars Stage Perforated Leather Jacket is another great jacket. This particular jacket is mostly black but has white logos injected into the leather of the jacket. It has a back protector compartment that comes along with a foam back pad, a removable thermal vest, shoulder and elbow protectors, and so much more to protect those who are wearing it and to protect itself as well. This Alpinestars jacket is another great choice for any man looking for a great leather product. This particular jacket doesn't cost as much as the first one as it can be found being sold for about $280.

The Alpinestars Leather Motorcycle Jacket is yet another great jacket offered by Alpinestars. This particular jacket has a unique design to it that includes two colors, which are black and the customer's choice of red or blue. The red or the blue that may come with this jacket give it a real sharp look. However, this jacket isn't all about looks as it is made to protect as well. This particular Alpinestars leather jacket can be purchased for around $400. I hope this article has been beneficial to those looking for a jacket that is protective, stylish, or both.

If you find these review on Alpinestars leather jacket [http://www.leatherandjacket.com] useful? you can now compare with other leather jacket [http://www.leatherandjacket.com] at leatherandjacket.com! Thank You

View the original article here

Read More