Mother's Day: Remembering All the Women in Your Life!

Mother’s Day celebrates all the women in your life who have impacted you and, in turn, helped you become the Woman you are today!  Grandmothers, Godmothers, and even close female family friends are all remembered and celebrated on Mother’s Day!

Godmothers play a very important role in a child’s life. They serve as role models and children look up to them as a representation of how to live in faith. They not only support the child, but the parents as well. With that said, being a Godparent is an enormous responsibility!  This Mother’s Day, keep in mind all that your Godmother has done and probably continues to do for you and let her know you care!

Grandmothers are a source of knowledge. A source of healing. A source of strength. Especially when it comes to raising grandchildren. Remember when you had your first child? Who was at your side as you tried to keep your young family on track? And who gave up all of their work so that they could look after the children while you and your significant other were busy at work? Grandmothers are cool-headed, and supportive, and deserve all the celebration in the world!

At the end of the day, any female family member or close friend that is helpful with advice or helping others should be celebrated this Mother's Day! If they’ve made a positive difference in your life, why not show your appreciation? It’s tough being a woman, but somebody’s got to do it!  Celebrate all those 'body's' this Mother's Day!!

Mother's Day: Remembering Mom

Mark your calendars… May 8th is Mother’s Day! We know… it almost slipped your mind. Well, that’s what we’re here for!

So what do you get that special lady in your life? With Mother’s Day a few weeks away, we don’t want you scrambling at the last minute! Being a Mom is a full-time job, and it  is one of the hardest jobs to hold. Show your love and appreciation with something she will cherish forever and ever. Here are a few great gift ideas that are sure to make Mom’s day a little bit brighter!

1 Carat Ruby Sterling Silver Heart Pendant with Chain from www.Ice.com

Jewelry:  You can’t go wrong if you decide to get a piece of jewelry as a Mothers Day gift. Necklace and earring sets are perfect! Pearl sets are a favorite as well! You may also choose to go with a piece of fashion jewelry which is trendy and is easy on the pockets!

World's Freshet Flowers from www.KaBloom.com

Flowers:  No matter the distance that exists between you and your mother, the flowers you send will definitely find their way to her.  Choose the perfect flowers for your Mom and let her know where she lies in your heart.
 

Photo Frames: Gather the family and take a nice picture with your mother.  Then present it to her in a lovely frame on Mother's Day!  She'll love it so much that she will immediately find a spot on her wall to hang it up!  Better yet, get her a digital photo frame and you can constantly update a slideshow of photos for Mom to enjoy!

Digital Photo Frame

Personalized Gifts:  A customized piece of jewelry is unique and very special. Maybe a pendant with the names of her children engraved on them? Or a locket with a picture of her grandchildren. Is your Mom a fan of stationary?  Personalize writing pads with a poem or a picture.  Do remember that unlike cards and chocolate, personalized items will need a little bit more time to be delivered for the big day so plan accordingly!

Have we got the creative wheels churning?  GOOD!  Now get out and show Mom just how much you appreciate her!

Lady Di: The Princess. The Mom. The Icon.

Princess Diana has been, and is continuously looked at as the ultimate portrayal of class and grace. The “People’s Princess” was nothing short of a fashion icon and World humanitarian.  As we approach the wedding of her eldest son, Prince William, to Kate Middleton, we take a look back at the World's 'Candle in the Wind'.

As a fashion icon, Princess Diana gave a new look to royalty!  While married to Prince Charles, she was placed on the International Best Dressed List for two consecutive years (1991-1992)! Surprisingly, her fashion sense has not always been lauded. In 1982, she was listed as one of the “10 Worst Dressed Women” by a London newspaper. It’s even said that in the beginning, the royal family was so embarrassed by her fashion know-how, or lack thereof, that they sent people over from Vogue to help mold the Princess into a fashionista! She obviously took what she wanted from those “lessons” and made it all her own!

Combining young fashion with international glamour, Princess Di became an idol for many women around the world. Who didn’t want her hairstyle? And even if you never cared for hats, seeing the flair she brought to hat wear made you want to grab the most elaborate one you could find!  Even the soon-to-be Princess seems to still be channeling this tricky fashion trend.

With Prince William and Kate Middleton preparing to tie the knot very soon, the media has been comparing the styles of Lady Di and Kate. Will she be able to measure up to her late mother-in-law? Only time will tell, but the soon to be Princess of Wales is definitely on the right track. Kate was listed in The Daily Telegraph’s “Most Promising Newcomer” in 2006. She was also featured in People Magazine’s “Best Dressed List” for 2007 and 2010, and in 2008, Style.com selected her as its monthly beauty icon! In the same year, she was also included in Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed List.

Who do you think is more of a trendsetter? Is Kate on her way to becoming a fashion icon?  Or are Princess Diana's shoes just too big to fill...

DvF: The Perfect Dress

Her iconic wrap dress is one of her greatest fashion accomplishments. It has become the uniform for many women around the world. Her philosophy? “To make life elegant and easy for women”; still rings true today.

The Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress swirled onto the scene in the 1970s. What a sensation! Every woman’s closet had at least one; weather a maternity wrap dress or an evening wrap dress. Nothing short of a classic, the dress evolved and won the hearts of many women due to its versatility and practicality. With a range of designs, it was, and still is, EVERY woman’s “dream” dress.

DvF Evening Wrap Dress

DvF Leopard Print Wrap Dress

DvF Maternity Wrap Dress

Perfect for all occasions, the DvF wrap dress can go from work to dinner to a night out! Slip into one and you immediately feel very feminine, chic and stylish. And the best part about Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress designs is that they are still wearable as women get older. The dress, just as is the Designer, is a true style icon!

It's Wedding Season!

Here comes the bride, all dressed in white, or pink, or maybe even red or yellow! Spring has sprung! And that means the beginning of wedding season and all that comes with it. You’ve finally received your invite; besides feeling oh so special for making the cut, what now?!

Not everyone is familiar with the do’s and don’ts of wedding etiquette so Friends and Family Circle wants to give you a few pointers. Grab a pen and pad! We’ll be covering when you should and shouldn't bring a date, engagement party gift-giving, and actual wedding appropriateness! Let’s get started!

GIFTS FOR ENGAGEMENT PARTIES
Do you or do you not bring a gift to the engagement party? Hmmm. Well the answer to this depends on a couple of things including how close you are to the couple and your budget. As far as engagement party “etiquette” goes, a gift isn’t expected. This is the first of many gift-giving opportunities to follow. However, if you’re, say, the aunt of the bride, giving a simple gift like a bottle of wine to celebrate the occasion is fine. Nothing too over-the-top!


BRINGING A DATE TO THE WEDDING
Make sure to check the invitation! Was it addressed to ‘G. Whiz and Guest’? If so, you’re in the clear for bringing someone with you. Just know that it’s not an obligation! The last thing the happy couple wants is uninvited guests. More than likely, they’re paying by the head, so if you do decide to have someone tag along, RSVP accordingly. As for whom you should bring, make sure it’s someone who’s in good graces with the bridal party, of course. Someone who had a falling out with the groom just months ago would not be the best candidate. It may be water under the bridge for them, but don’t take any chances!


WEDDING ETIQUETTE BASICS

• Répondez s’il vous plait! That’s fancy (or French) for “please respond”. This is probably one of the most important things you MUST do. Whether you are able, or unfortunately unable to attend to the union, let your hosts know.
• Read the invitation! We know you’re excited and all but there is very important information on your invite. This includes the date, time, location, whether you were invited with a guest, if the event is kid-friendly, your deadline for confirming/declining your attendance and possibly much more. Your hosts have enough on their plate so try to avoid calling them to ask questions that may already be answered on your invite.
• Give a little!  Whether you are able to attend or not, send a gift! How much should you spend? There’s no set rule, but in general, the closer you are to the couple, the more you should probably spend. Also, if at all possible, send your gift to the couple BEFORE or AFTER the event. It’s difficult for family members to transport all of their gifts after the wedding.
• HAVE FUN… but not too much! Remember to be respectful. It’s not about you; it’s about the bride and groom, so act accordingly.

Answers to the Burning Questions: Is This Week's Deal Too Delicious to be True...

So we normally don't dedicate any of our blogs to our weekly deals, but with so many questions and forums that are coming up regarding this week's incredible $8 for $100 Restaurant.com eGift Card, we thought it's be a good idea to clarify some points so no one misses out!  We promise not to make this a habit!

Q: Why does the Value say $40 but it is for a $100 eGift Card, is this a mistake?

A: This is actually quite confusing.  You are purchasing a $100 Restaurant.com eGift Card but these are normally sold by the business for $40.  So even though they get you $100 worth of food at various local eateries (18,000 nationwide to be exact), the normal cost to purchase is usually only $40.  Our deal gets you it for $8 though so that's a 80% savings!!  Savvy shopper...savvy diner....

Q: So I take in my Friends and Family Voucher to any of the restaurants I want to eat at?  

A:  No, you actually need to redeem your Restaurant.com eGift Card at Restaurant.com!  You'll choose REDEEM GIFT (it's the 4th tab at the top) and you'll be prompted to enter your eGift Card number which is found next to the words REDEMPTION CODE on your Friends and Family Circle voucher.  Once you redeem you'll search for restaurants in a specific area - near your home, office, maybe you're going on vacation and want to look there - it's up to you, enter a zipcode or City/State and Restaurant.com will pull up the participating locations near your destination of choice!

Q: Do I have to use it all at once?  

A: No, that's what is so great!  You can choose to buy a full $100 dining certificate to your favorite restaurant, or you may want to try a few places and decide to purchase just a $25 dining certificate.  Come back and use the rest later!  Maybe you've got a birthday party you need to grab pizza for next month - your certificate will still be valid so save it, divide it up, use it all at once!  It's up to you!!

Q: I see a lot of deals from Restaurant.com, why would I buy from Friends and Family Circle and not just directly from them?

A: Because you can't get this deal directly from them!  This is the best deal out there for Restaurant.com dining certificates!  So while you will find Restaurant.com running other promotions on their eGift Cards, you'll never find one like this!  And let's be honest, this is a BIG savings!  Since they don't expire for a year, I stocked up!  There is no limit to the number you can buy, so while you can only use one dining certificate at a time, a year is a long time with lots of dining out excursions so... Be smart, buy several and eat for less for the next 365 days!

Still have questions?  Contact out Customer support hotline at 1-866-316-3001 or via email at help@friendsandfamilycircle.com. 

Worst Red Carpet Looks!

The best part of awards show for us is the Red Carpet! Who’s wearing what and paired up with who? We’re ready to dish on what caught our eye, and what made us want to gouge them out! Time to play Joan Rivers (who could use a little fashion policing herself, but we digress) and list our worst dressed of the awards season so far!

We’re all for being “eclectic” and standing out… but this is out of control!

Helena Bonham Carter - Golden Globes '11

Sometimes you want to play it safe, but Jenna didn't get the memo.  We're not at 'the office'.  Turn your fancy up, and let your hair (and neckline) down!

Jenna Fischer - SAG Awards '11

Very Victorian.  But it looks like Flo borrowed this from her high school's costume department!

Florence Welch - Academy Awards '11

Extra short and extra tight.
For the club, this may have been alright.

Business on top, a party on the bottom.  He's living la vida loca!

Ricky Martin - Grammy Awards '11

Have you come across any fashion faux-pas on the red carpet? Let us know!