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7 Beauty Fixes in Your Kitchen Right Now

— Yahoo! SHE —

[Image Source]

Honey. If you have acne, random pimples, or other broken blemishes, a blot of honey helps immensely. Mixed with conditioner, it's also an amazing mask for your hair, making it shiny, healthy, and hydrated. Just make sure the mixture is more conditioner than honey, so it won't goo up your hair. If you're careful, you can also cover your lips with a bit before you go to sleep - you won't believe your pout!

Apple Cider Vinegar. If you're looking for a natural exfoliant, applying apple cider vinegar to your skin is the next best thing to an expensive chemical peel, and you won't need to visit a dermatologist. All you do is soak a cotton pad or ball and dab vinegar over your face. Keep it away from your eyes, of course! You'll need to let it remain for 30-45 minutes, after which you rinse and then apply some olive oil to soothe your skin and leave it supple.

White Sugar. It's ideal for exfoliation. Sugar scrubs are delightful, whether you use them on your skin or your lips. All you have to do is rub a handful of sugar into your skin, using a soft cloth to aid you. You may even want to mix it into your body wash!

Salt. It, too, is fantastic for exfoliation, especially when used in the same way as sugar. Use it when your skin is dry, and make sure you moisturize when you're finished. If you have facial blemishes, you might try mixing the sea salt with honey, which creates a paste you apply to the problem areas. I've been told it stings, but works like a dream. A bit if sea salt in your shampoo is also fantastic for your hair - but not if you've recently colored it, especially if you used a shade of red!

Coffee. Use dry grounds on your skin, in the same way as sugar and salt; you'll love using it before you hop in the shower. The grounds can also mix with a face wash - you'll really wake up your skin! When it's brewed, a coffee rinse brings out gorgeous highlights and lowlights in your hair, especially if it's darker blond, brunette, or shades of red or auburn. You can also try mixing it with your conditioner and use it in the shower!

Lemons. You can naturally lighten your hair or bring out existing highlights. Soaking your fingernail in lemon juice gets rid of any stains or yellowing. Mix lemon juice with some baking soda and brush your teeth, as well, to really lighten your pearly whites. Better still, if you want some quick hydration early in the morning, a glass of warm water and lemon juice really gets you going!

Turmeric. If your skin is at all discolored or patchy or if you have any scars from pimples or acne, it will definitely be your new best friend. Make sure you have lime juice, which is also great for fading facial problems, and then apply the mixture onto your skin - but only on the areas that are scarred or discolored. Let the paste remain in place for 15-20 minutes, then use warm water to rinse. However, your skin might be a bit yellow - not for long, mind, but don't try this one before work or a hot date or anything!

Versions

I ♥ Instagram.

Instagram, the popular photo-filtering and sharing app for iPhone, has finally announced its Android version.

Given the time it's taken to bring Instagram to Android, it may be longer still until we see it land on BlackBerry.

I for one would love to see Instagram on BlackBerry, but for now I'm getting by just fine without it.

Besides, you can add those effects to your own pictures in Photoshop.

Nos. 2 and 10 are my personal favorites.

Original Photo

[1]	[3]
[4]	[5]
[6]	[7]

[2]

[8]	[9]
[11]	[12]

[10]

What Not To Feed Your Dog

(Side Kwento) Chub's a dog person, I'm not.

I'm not a fan of cats either.

He thought of having a dog of our own someday, and he's really digging the beagle.

Mind you, his passion is contagious.

And although our current lifestyle doesn't allow us to own one, it doesn't hurt to read on articles that are relevant to us as future pet owners and to our future dog’s life and well-being.

I stumbled upon an article on Good Dog Magazine which I find useful and interesting:

Not all people food is bad for your dog...
but beware, some are downright deadly!

Caffeine. Like chocolate, it can damage the heart, kidney, and Central Nervous System.

Salty foods. Food such as canned goods, processed meat, and sausages contains tons of salt. Too much salt can spell kidney failure and electrolyte imbalance.

Mushrooms. Watch for these not just in your kitchen; make sure your dog doesn't pick one up when you're out on daily walks, too. Mushrooms have toxins that can damage the kidney and liver, cause shock, coma, and even death.

Onions. They contain a toxic ingredient, thiosulphate, which can cause oxidative damage to the red blood cells of your dog. Large doses and quantities when taken on a regular basis can cause anemia and lead to death. Garlic is also toxic to dogs and basically has the same effect.

Avocado. The fruit, seed, and tree contain a substance called persin, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting. So if you've got on planted in your garden, make sure to keep your dog away from it.

Macadamia Nuts. Nobody is sure why, but it's believed they contain a toxin that can lead to severe illness in dogs when ingested.

Bones. Contrary to what we see on TV, bones, especially cooked bones, can be dangerous. They can cause choking, or obstructions or lacerations in the digestive system of your pet.

Grapes and Raisins. Nobody knows for sure why they're toxic, but a mere handful can cause kidney failure in canines.

Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, which are extremely toxic to dogs. They can lead to respiratory and CNS depression, coma, and death. If ingested, take your pet to the vet immediately.

Chocolate. Poor Fido. Although chocolate may be comfort food for humans, it's poisonous to dogs. Chocolates contain the chemical theobromine, which can overstimulate your pet's heart and central nervous system. Ingestion of large amounts can even lead to coma.

ASUS A52F Built-in Camera Malfunction

My brother approached me to fix his upside down LifeFrame webcam image. There are already threads about this issue on Google, but most didn't offer a solution. After much trial and error, I arrived at this solution:

Step 1. Download camera driver on the Asus Download Site.

1.1: Search by full or partial model name, then select your model from the search result. (e.g. A52F)

1.2: Select OS (e.g. Windows 7 64bit)

To find out which version of OS you're using, go to Start > Control Panel > System and Security > System.

1.3: Under "Camera", find the right camera driver.

Open Device Manager > Choose "USB 2.0... WebCam" under "Imaging devices" and right click to go to "Properties" > Click "Detail", choose "Hardware Ids" in "Property" and find the PID number in "Value". According to the PID number and the model name, you can find the right driver. (e.g. Chicony Camera Driver HardwareID=USB\Vid_04f2&Pid_b1E5&MI_00

1.4: There are 3 download servers available on ASUS Download Site - Global, China and P2P. Each server provides exact the same content no matter where you download from, except for the speed which you are connected to.

Step 2. Locate the file you have downloaded and extract. To extract the entire contents of the compressed folder, right-click the folder, click Extract All, and then follow the instructions.

Step 3. Open or Run the installation file (e.g. PNPINST64). To install, double-click the file and follow the instructions on your screen.

Step 4. Restart the computer if prompted.

8 Homemade Beauty Recipes that Really Work

— Yahoo! Shine —

Brown Sugar and Honey Facial Scrub. The brown sugar exfoliates, scrubbing off dead skin cells and unclogging pores, while honey (a natural antibacterial) cleans skin.

Lemon Sugar Hand and Foot Scrub. Lemon has many amazing properties, including lightening, exfoliating, cleaning, toning, and brightening skin. This lemon scrub is made with granulated sugar, almond oil, and a heavy helping of lemon.

The Miracle Mask. Nutmeg, honey, and cinnamon work as natural anti-inflammatories and exfoliators ... coming together to create a calming, soothing face mask.

Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch Scrub. This homemade body scrub uses simple ingredients that couldn't be more accessible, including: brown sugar, honey, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice.

Mellow Yellow Nail Rinse. If your nails are turning yellow from either sun exposure or excessive nail polish, all you need is some lemon for cleaner-looking nails.

Beer Rinse. Ah, the magical properties of beer. Did you know that beer's yeast and hops actually plump the hair shaft and cuticles (naturally adding volume), while the beer's acidity removes any product build-up? Bottoms up!

Avocado Hair Mask. The ladies in the SELF beauty department claim that the cucumber and aloe in this mask cools and soothes, while the avocado nourishes the scalp and gives a healthy shine to your hair.

Aloe Vera Eye Cream. This is a must-try recipe for any girl who finds her eyes wishing they had a couple more hours of sleep.

Get the recipes at Yahoo! Shine

Best days to buy plane tickets: It's all about timing.

— Yahoo! Finance —

Ticket prices are highest on weekends. Tuesday is when sales are most often in place. Wednesday has good and occasionally better ticket prices.

Many seat sales are launched Monday night. Competitors typically match the lower prices Tuesday morning.

The day you depart can more heavily influence the fare than the day you buy. Travel on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday.

How far in advance you buy still impacts pricing. To get tickets before the cheapest seats sell out, buy a month or two in advance.

How to retire before you're 50

— Forbes.com —

there are ways to retire before 50 without winning the lottery or having valuable options to cash out. Savvy investing, smart spending and very strict saving can lay the road to find a way to live the dream.

Start your own business. If you can start a successful business, you'll have plenty of funds to retire young. One option is to sell your business and retire with the money you collect. Or you can opt to build up your business enough so that you can hire employees to run it for you.

Live below your means. Don't just earn money, save it. Be frugal. This means not buying nice things just because you can afford them or for the image they create, but because they are actually worth it. Dismiss the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses mentality.

Invest the maximum amount into company-sponsored retirement plans. Compound interest will take you a long way toward early retirement.

Work for the government. Get a government job, such as a police officer, teacher or firefighter. Most likely, you'll participate in a pension plan that will continue to pay a percent of your wages even if you retire. In most cases, these pensions kick in after 10 to 20 years of service.

Don't have children. Children are a major financial strain and could be a deciding factor on whether or not you can retire early. If you are willing to sacrifice money for the experience of raising children, be honest with yourself how many you can really afford without working into old age.

Marry someone who shares your retirement goal. Your spouse may or may not be your "better half" in helping you reach your retirement goals. Unless you can convince your spouse to continue going to the office while you garden all day, keep in mind that you'll need to save enough money so both of you can retire comfortably.

Put your money in long-term, low-risk investments like indexes and mutual funds. Don't try to beat the market. If you want to retire before your peers, you can't sacrifice your savings by betting on risky investments.

Find a way to have an urban income with a suburban cost of living. Cutting living expenses is an important savings tool. In most cases, city living is more expensive than suburban. However, the average income in a major metropolitan area is going to be more.

Don't own a car. There are many costly factors to owning a car, from gas to maintenance to insurance. Opting out of auto ownership could save you a huge amount of money over your lifetime.

Don't eat out. Consider cutting out one meal eaten outside the home a day and brown-bagging it.

Don't go on vacation. With the ridiculous cost of airline tickets these days, vacations are out of the question if you want to enjoy that endless escape at age 50. Instead of hitting the slopes of Aspen, visit grandma.

Don't pay for higher education. If you think having a higher education will up your salary in the future, find a job at a company that will not only keep you employed while you go to school, but pay for it as well.

Don't go into debt. Saving is one of the most important steps in retiring young. Avoid going into debt. It's a waste of money to continue paying a lender in interest rather than using that money to stash away for yourself in the future.

Don't smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. Avoid spending on unnecessary items.

Die young. Let's face it. The less time you plan on living after retirement, the less money you'll have to save.

Kitchen Beauty Treatments

— Yahoo! Shine —

White Sugar. According to Dr. Patricia Wexler, exfoliating is one of the most important things we can do for the health of our skin. Best-selling author and makeup artist Carmindy reveals that plain old white sugar is one of the best exfoliators around. Keep a jar of it in your shower. Take a handful and gently massage your entire body with it, using a soft washcloth. Rinse and the sugar crystals simply melt away down the drain. So much better than eating it!

Olive Oil. The ancient Romans knew what they were doing when they slathered olive oil on every part of their bodies, saving a little for their hair. Keep a plastic ketchup bottle (the kind you see in old diners) filled with olive oil in your bathroom. Add a few drops of lavender oil (or whatever fragrance you prefer). After exfoliating, pat your skin until it’s almost dry, then massage a small amount of oil all over your body. Result? Skin like velvet. After your hair is dry, massage a few drops of oil in your palms and, bending over, scrunch a bit of it into the ends.

Honey. Who knew that honey is equally effective for treating colds and improving your looks? Applying honey all over your face is beneficial, since it contains vitamins and moisturizes. It's also a natural antibiotic that can kill bacteria. Add a little white sugar and exfoliate with it in the shower, too.

Lemon Juice. There are so many things you can do with lemon juice (preferably freshly squeezed). Soak your nails in them (without polish) to reduce yellowing, and brush your teeth with a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice for whiter teeth. And best of all, take a tablespoon or two of freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix into a tall glass of warm water. Drink it before ingesting anything else, first thing in the morning. It’s a great way to hydrate and jump-start your system.

Crisco (or some other vegetable shortening). Crisco is a surprisingly effective makeup remover, and it’s also highly effective in treating eczema. Apply the shortening to infected areas, and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse, and apply a little olive oil.

Yogurt. Yogurt is a highly effective treatment for the common skin condition rosacea. It has the ability to soften the skin while calming the redness — especially after eating something spicy or enjoying a little too much heart-healthy red wine. Simply apply it as a mask, and leave on for about 15 minutes. Rinse, and apply a light layer of olive oil.

Parsley and Mint. Bad breath is common, and usually avoidable. Steer clear of the store-bought mouth rinses and gargles, as they tend to make matters worse. Simply brush your tongue when you brush your teeth, drink lots of water to keep your mouth hydrated and chew on a few sprigs of parsley or mint, since studies have shown that these freshen breath instantly. Keep a plastic bag filled with the sprigs in your purse at all times.

Green Tea Bags. Green tea is one of the best things you can drink (along with lots of water, and red wine in moderation). For a great de-puffing eye treatment, try soaking a few bags in water and sticking them in the freezer. Place on your eyes, lower the lights and ... relax.

Apple Cider Vinegar. Exfoliating is one of the best things we can do for our skin. Chemical peels done at your dermatologist's office are highly effective, though often expensive. But a simple application of apple cider vinegar works, too. Soak a cotton ball in it and apply all over the face, keeping away from the eyes; leave on for at least 45 minutes. After you rinse, follow with a light application of olive oil.

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Beer

— Yahoo! Shine —

With Oktoberfest celebrations already in full swing, it’s a perfect time to justify all the beer drinking you may be doing in the coming weeks. While the health benefits of red wine have been frequently reported, the plus-sides to beer aren’t as widely known. So, crack open a cold one and check out these five reasons to imbibe — in moderation, of course.

Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
According to several studies, including one done at the Institute of Epidemiology at the University of Muenster, moderate beer drinking reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. The reasons are simple: Alcohol can increase HDL—or “good” cholesterol—levels and reduces the chances of hardening of the arteries and thickening of the blood—two main contributors to heart attacks.

Drink Your Vitamins
Years ago, Guinness used the slogan “Guinness is Good for You.” It looks like they might have been right. According to a Dutch study conducted at the TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute, beer drinkers had 30% higher levels of vitamin B6 in their blood than non-beer-drinkers—twice the amount of red-wine drinkers.

Avoid Kidney Stones
According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, risk of kidney stones was decreased 40% in middle-aged beer-drinking men, as compared to non-beer-drinkers. While the researchers couldn’t determine which component of the beverage was responsible for the drop, the evidence of benefit was impressive.

Help Women Age Better
A Harvard study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed moderate alcohol consumption assisted in preserving the mental faculties of older women, while a Tufts University study concluded alcohol can help preserve bone density, a frequent health issue for aging females. Additionally, some bioflavonoids found in hops (a major ingredient in beer) have similar properties as oestrogens, which may serve as a natural form of hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women.

Prevent Cancer
While research is just beginning to explore the potential cancer-fighting agents in beer, early studies show xanthohumol, a compound found in hops, may help inhibit certain enzymes that can trigger cancer and aid the body in breaking down carcinogens. The compound is current being tested in hopes of creating a preventative treatment for prostate and colon cancers.

44 Confidence Boosters

 — allure.com —

Who couldn't use a bump in self-assurance? Check out these ways to feel great about yourself.

1. Smile.
2. Take the compliment already.
3. Forget stereotypes.
4. Stop waffling.
5. Improve your skin.
6. Learn something.
7. Meditate.
8. Stop apologizing.
9. Smell something crisp.
10. Give your skin a rest.
11. Step away from the mirror.
12. Straighten up.
13. Reward yourself. A lot.
14. Give yourself some color.
15. Dump the junk.
16. Recover from failure.
17. Brighten up.
18. Work out.
19. Change your hair color.
20. Don't freak out about your mistakes.

See all 44 Confidence Boosters at allure.com

A Cool, Calm Wedding Day

— Bridal Bootcamp Today —

i have one word for you: chaos. That's what all the pre-ceremony moments of the wedding day will probably feel like. There will be a dozen people around you, panicking because they forgot their camera, pricked themselves with the boutonniere pin, or hate their hairdo. But you, soldier, will be cool, calm, and poised for your march down the aisle, because you'll have followed this battle plan for wedding-day bliss:

1. Start your day off with your normal routine. If you're a cup of coffee girl, go for it. If you need to go running in the a.m., don't skip your workout. Your body will feel up for the day's challenge if you give it its usual fuel.

2. You're making one of those detailed itineraries, right? So be sure to add meals and energizing snacks to the list. Seriously, a lot of brides forget to do this, and low blood sugar will put anyone in a skittish or bad mood.

3. Have alone time. Being surrounded by your bridesmaids all day could start to get on your nerves. At the very least, make sure there is a room where you can go if you get the urge for some peace and quiet.

4. Something goes wrong? Who cares? You're still getting married and will have the best day of your life. Laugh about it — there is yet to be a wedding where everything went perfectly. And at least you'll have a good story to tell.

5. Remember that butterflies are okay. It's fine to feel nervous, but try to live in the moment. You may not love having all eyes on you — and today, all eyes will be on you. Resolve for this to be the one day when you will bask in the attention. And then take a deep breath and go get married!

Dealing with Difficult People

— Bridal Bootcamp Today —

once you get engaged, you will inevitably have to deal with difficult people. It's like the ring gets slipped onto your finger and suddenly a spell is cast, where your good friend is transformed into Slacker Bridesmaid, and your sweet Aunt Doris becomes a Dementor. So how do you keep their negativity from sucking away your joy and excitement?

• Distance yourself. If certain people are getting under your skin, try to stay away from them for a while. Let your maid of honor deal with the bridesmaid who hasn't paid for her dress yet, and let your mom tell Aunt Doris, "Bite me" — or perhaps ask her gently to keep her opinions to herself (or let Aunt Doris have a go at the Slacker Bridesmaid. Fun!).

• Resist the urge to say what's on your mind. I know, I know, you think it will feel much better if you vent. But it may not. If you go off on a friend or relative, you could really say something you don't mean and hurt your relationship. Just say less. It's always best to nod politely, then step away from the situation to figure out how to handle the situation properly. Sometimes tuning out is the best way to deal with drama-creators.

• Diffuse anger. Really mad or hurt? Go for a run or walk. Do some kickboxing and take your anger out on the punching bag. This will make you feel much better than you would after flipping out.

Fighting With Your Fiancé?

— Bridal Bootcamp Today —

if you and your groom are fighting like cats and dogs — or you've just noticed a few more snippy comments lately — don't freak out. You both are under a lot of stress right now, and just because you're not getting along perfectly doesn't mean that you shouldn't be headed to the altar. It just means you need to deal with your stress in a more constructive, less drama-queeny way. Here's some advice for doing this:

• Use your support network. Yes, he's supposed to be there for you whenever you need to vent about your flighty florist or your super-strict boss. But remember that you have friends and family members who are willing to lend an ear, too, so give him a break from being your sounding board and complain to them from time to time. Lean on him, but don't lean so hard he could collapse. (But whatever you do, don't complain to me!)

• Remind yourself of what's most important. Of course you're spending lots of time and money on this wedding, but learn to stop when you find your face turning red or you're about to scream because the cheese course can't include Brie. This day is not about the cheese! It's about the commitment you're making to your fiance and sharing it with your nearest and dearest.

• Get frisky. When people are stressed, they're less likely to be physically affectionate. But remember that a little hanky-panky with your guy can melt stress away and make you feel closer emotionally. Plus, it's fun!

Etiquette: You're Invited! (Q & A for Wedding Guests)

— WeddingsAtWork Prep Talk —

It's December once again and it not just time for Christmas shopping and partying, but it's also time for weddings! It's the peak season for tying-the-knot in this part of the earth. So how many wedding invites have you gotten so far?

Unless you're serial bride like J.Lo (saying Liz Taylor would have been more accurate at this point but we want to be "kewl" to relate with the Gen Y peeps!), we figured that most of us would be along the pews more often than being at THE altar. This is the reason why we dedicate this month's column to the wedding guest - the person who gets to prepare the least during the wedding. Never mind the bride! We're sure she has read countless of wedding etiquette to last 'til her unborn son finally gets married. Actually, she's got too much info that she even prepares a Miss Manners list for her groom and her entire entourage to follow.

If it's your first time attending a wedding, what follows is a simple guide of dos & don'ts to get through such a social event. Note that we made these questions up so allow us to be sarcastic and blunt with some of our responses to ourselves.

Questions & Answers

Q. I got an invite but have no plans of attending; should I still send a gift?

A. First thing's first. If you won't be able to attend for whatever reason, please RSVP. A big chunk of the wedding budget goes to the reception and it will be utterly inconsiderate to just give up a reserved seat without letting the couple know. Give them the chance to assign that seat to another guest in their "waitlist." Having that out of the way, let's get to your question: YES, it is customary to still send a gift.

Q. The envelope bears only my name. May I ask if I can bring a date?

A. Don't bring a date unless your invitation specifically says "and Guest." Bringing unexpected guests is very impolite. Neither should you ask the couple's permission if you may bring one or not. Don't put your friends on the spot. We Filipinos don't really like turning down people. So how would you know if their "Yes" means yes or not? Spare them that trouble.

Q. The invite says "Mr. & Mrs." Could we bring our kids?

A. Never bring the kids unless "& Family" is indicated. Soon-to-weds don't usually invite children for a good reason. Kids get bored or cranky during hour-long masses. Their tantrums might disrupt the solemnity of the ceremony. Weddings are usually formal events typically not appropriate for the little ones. To be blunt about it, inviting a child at the reception means added two mouths to feed - the kid's and the yaya's.

Follow-up Q. But my son/daughter is the bearer/flower girl. I'm sure it's understood that my other child is invited.

A. Which part of the answer above didn't you understand? Seriously, if the couple wanted to invite your other kid, they would have specified that on the envelope.

2nd follow-up Q. But I'm breastfeeding, I'm sure my friends will understand, won't they?

A. Granting that it's an infant and he or she won't eat at the reception - let's even assume that your baby won't wail at the church - the answer is still NO! Not even if you've perfected the art of being a cow in a long gown. Four words: Breast Pump and Babysitter!

Q. I don't have a clue what gift to give them. Any ideas?

A. The average Pinoy soon-to-wed would always prefer monetary gifts more than any other gift. It is the unspoken fact. We're telling you now to make it easier for them to let you know what they REALLY want; unless they indicated that already in their invites which, by the way, is a very tacky thing to do.

If you're not comfortable giving cash, you may ask the couple where they are registered (Gift / Bridal Registry) and choose from what's listed under their names in the store. You can also ask them where they're residing after the wedding and take the cue from there. If you know that they'll be migrating abroad or living with their parents for the time being, a ref or another oven toaster may not be the most practical and logical gift.

Q. I'm convinced. So how much cash should I give them? I don't want to give too little or too much.

A. That's a hard thing to answer. It's really a case-to-case thing. Try to put yourself in the couple's shoes. How much should a guest of your stature give you without being branded a cheapskate? Also consider your relationship with the couple. If you're good friends of the couple's parents, you'll probably shell-out more than if you were simply the bride's Girl Friday.

Q. Could I skip the ceremony and head straight to the reception?

A. You can. BUT you shouldn't! You are invited to THE wedding -- that's the part where they exchange their "I dos." The reception is where the Receiving Line is. You can't be 'received' if you are already seated in the hall, right? "Patay-gutom" is too harsh a word and we assure you that it's by no means what anyone would think if indeed you decide to go straight to the reception. But admit that it struck a nerve just mentioning the word in that context, isn't it?

Q. Speaking of the Receiving Line, what should be the proper greeting?

A. Here's the rule: Say "Congratulations" to the groom and "Best Wishes" to the bride. The reason behind is that "congrats" implies that someone has caught something or won a prize, and it is rather improper to imply that the bride "caught" the man who married her. If this rule gets mixed-up in your head come wedding day, just say the two phrases together and look at both of them. That usually works!

Likewise, saying "Good Luck!" no matter how pure your wishes are will also sound very inappropriate for obvious reasons.

Q. Nice try, but what if the couple makes a Grand Entrance and left the Receiving Line to their parents? What then should I tell them? Note that I don't even know which sets of parents are whose.

A. Didn't we tell you already not to skip the ceremony? The bride and groom usually walk alongside their respective parents at the very start!

Anyway, make your pleasantries short and sweet. Shake their hands and say "Hello! I'm (your name) and I went to school with (name of bride/groom) in (school's name)/an officemate of (name of bride/groom) at (name of company)." They usually respond with "Nice meeting you." Just smile, nod politely, and move on to the next person. If one replies "Hi! I've heard so much about you!", simply smile and nod just the same. No lengthy conversation; just make small talk at most. If you can't find the words to say, just smile again, nod politely, and move.

Q. During the banquet, is there anything I need to know?

A. Nowadays, the Reception Program usually have the guests on each table stand up and have their picture taken with the couple before being led to the buffet. This is done to resolve two issues of past weddings: (a) for the couple's convenience and skip the tiring Table-Hopping ritual just to have their picture taken with all their guests; and (b) for the guests' convenience so they won't have to wait very long for their turn in the buffet line.

Keep in mind that Buffet is NOT synonymous with "Eat-All-You-Can." Do not pile your plate full. Be courteous of those who have yet to be served. Don't worry. You can easily go for seconds.

Q. I'm used to a Buffet setting, but what if it's a formal Sit-Down Dinner? Which fork do I start with again?

A. You're on your own, pal. Watch "Pretty Woman" again and see how Julia Roberts nailed it!