Intimate Wedding - Zuckerberg marries long-time girlfriend Priscilla Chan

via graziadaily

Zuckerberg surprized guests at a graduation party for his long-time girlfriend, Priscilla Chan.  Instead of walking into the expected party, guests ended up celebrating the couple's wedding.  The small guest list of about 100 people got to see the couple exchange their vows in a traditional and low-key style.

Zuckerberg is no stranger to the spotlight. From the movie The Social Network to the stock sale of Facebook, Zuckerberg has been heralded as a genius and vilified as a thief. The need for such a personal thing to be out of the public eye was most likely behind the couple's decision to share this special event with friends and family in private fashion.

Many couples are now turning to small venues and intimate weddings.  It makes the event feel even more special when shared with a small group of only the closest people in your life.  Why are so many couples choosing to go small for weddings?  I've put together a list of great reasons to not invite everyone you've ever met to your wedding.

7 Benefits to to hosting a small Wedding

1. Cost.  This is usually the first thing that comes to mind.  Weddings are a big expense.  Cut down the guest list and you cut down the food and bar bill (usually the biggest costs involved).
2. Intimacy. Do you really need to invite your second grade teacher?  No. and she's probably not going to remember you anyway.  Keep it small.  It's less stress on the couple and easier to manage.
3. Giving guests their proper acknowledgement.  If you have a huge group, how in the world will you ever say hello to everyone?  You know you'll get stuck at the table with the one that blabbers on and on and some guests will feel snubbed if you don't say hi.  Keeping your list small ensures you get to give your guests the welcome feeling they deserve.

Fifty Shades of Grey actor picks

Ok, I do realize that this blog is all about parties and events. I know you're asking the question, "why the heck is she writing an article on a borderline snuff book?". I will get there eventually..I promise.

If you haven't read the fifty shades of grey book(s), they're pretty much about this relationship between a semi-geeky girl and a super-rich hottie, Christian Grey.

I have only read the first book in the series, but according to every woman I talk to, I apparently need to own them all.

I do have some issues with the book. For one the references like, "he touched me on my sex". Um what? Who calls it that, ever? Also, I had to use all my strength not to hurl the book across the room when she wouldn't stop referring to her "inner goddess".

Christian also is much to perfect. No real man is that hot, that rich and that perfect... And don't try and tell me his only flaw is that he likes kinky sex. Obviously that's what's getting all these soccer moms hot and bothered.

I just found out that with all the hype surrounding the book, now there's going to be a movie. Of course the first thing my friend and I ask is, "who's going to play Christian Grey?"

Now I've seen lists out there already with people guessing actors like Robert Patterson and Zac Efron. I'm sorry, but they're both too cutesy for me. I can't picture Zac Efron with a bullwhip in his hand. He looks like he belongs on the Disney channel. Someone like Christian Bale is just not hot enough.  Good looking, but not that dark and brooding man I picture glaring at you from across the room imagining what he'll do to you later on...

How to make your Fashion Dollars stretch in a down economy

As a woman, I love to look my best whenever I go out.

When you look good, you feel good. I also never want to be caught out in public looking terrible, because your bound to run into someone you know. How awful would it be to run into an ex and you're in pajamas and rollers? You know they're going home thinking, "wow best decision I ever made was dumping her."

If you're like most people in this economy and you've had to cut back but you feel you need a little pampering once in a while, you're not alone. Companies are laying off workers and doubling the workload of employees (I'm dealing with it firsthand). The stress and overwork with no increase (and sometimes even a pay cut ) is hard to deal with.

If you bump your attitude up into something positive and decide to dress for success, you can get yourself noticed by your own company or possibly another if you're looking for a new job.

If you're wondering how to do it with a closet full of tired, old, I'll-fitting clothes, I have some tips for you to go out and get top notch looks for less.

• I've discovered the wonderful world of consignment shops in high-falutin' towns. It's amazing what you'll find. Brand new Louis Vuitton handbags, never used for more than 50% off retail. Designer jeans that were $150 and worn once for $25. Dresses, suits, jewelry and watches all designer and unaffordable for most, now at much less than retail.

You really shouldn't snub consignment shops. They're definitely worth a look. The nicer the town, usually the better the quality. 

 I got a pair of gorgeous Gucci shoes that were never worn for $189. I promptly went online to check the retail cost of $475.

• Ever hang around another woman and love the smell of their perfume only to find out what they wear costs $100+ per bottle? 
• Tip 1 to save you some money is to purchase through a discount perfume company online and use coupon codes as well as ebates. You'll get a discount from the site itself, money back from ebates and more money off with a coupon code (or at the very least free shipping).  
• Tip 2 to save money on that wonderful perfume is to purchase the body lotion instead of the spray. You can get double the size of the spray version for half the cost and the scent lasts longer.
• Tip 3 It doesn't have to be from the mall to smell good!  Have you been to your local pharmacy?  They actually carry some lines that smell pretty darn good for the pricetag.  I really liked the smell of the fancy love by Jessica Simpson and it was reasonably priced.

• Cut your Hair Bill! Do you love the haircut your stylist gives you? How about the color? You might be able to find a fantastic colorist at a small-time salon or *gasp* supercuts. I know someone that loves the cut the expensive stylist gives her, but likes the color a girl at supercuts gives her and she saves a ton of money.

• Get your nails filled every week or two? Not only can it get expensive (a full set usually going for $45 and a fill for $30). It damages your nails too. Try the gel polish. It's faster, less damage, cheaper and sets immediately. No more waiting for nails to dry. Every time I go it costs me $15 + tip. Oh, and it lasts two weeks. 
• DIY Alert: If you're creative, go buy some polish.  Apparently it's a hot seller right now since women that can't afford the trips to the nail salon are deciding to do a girls-night-in.  Get some cheap polishes and play around with them.  My current favorite brand only goes for a mere $1.99 but works as well as the expensive brands it's called "Spoiled".

• We all know that skin care can get expensive. I always set aside money for my skin creams. If you have a cream you love, but don't think you can afford, break down the cost over time. My skin cream costs $60 per jar but it lasts 6 months making it an affordable luxury. Want something less expensive? Try Olay. They're priced better than most creams, and do a great job for the money. Need an emergency mini facelift without the cost? Try ROC or even preparation h on your trouble spots. Vaseline also makes great night cream if you're not prone to breakouts. I love using coconut oil on my dry skin.

• Probably one of the best makeup secrets around is the use of Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel in place of expensive makeup primers.  I know what you're thinking.  Is that a feminine itch cream??? Ewww!  It's non-medicated and has the same ingredients as your super-expensive brands for half if not more than half the cost of top-notch face primers.  Some people even say it works better. Makeup primer fills in fine lines and wrinkles and makes your makeup last longer.
  
• Instead of spending mega bucks on individual makeup colors, buy a palette or two of every color. A brand like MAC can cost you $18 per color and an entire palette from coastal scents can run the same. I bought two. One of the regular palettes and a ultra shimmer. Don't be afraid to use your palettes for everything. I use them for eyes, lips and cheeks. When I use them for lips I put some Chapstick on first, then a little bit of color and top with a lipgloss.

How to make your parties seem cool(er)

Look who had Tom Cruise at their party

Have you ever been to that awesome party? 
You know the one where you had great friends, great music and had a blast (well, you also might have woken up on a floatie in the pool with your brain in a fog--but forget that part). The important thing is it was something amazing that you'll always remember.

 Let's fast forward to now. You're all grown up (well, maybe that's debatable). You want to throw your own parties that are unforgettable, but somehow they always fall flat on being great.

Maybe that foggy brain just imagined a better party when you were in high school? Whatever helps you cope with your entertaining skills (or lack thereof).

Well, if you've tried it all: 
Perfect planning
Great music
Good food
Lots of booze
Fun people

And it still is just mediocre...well maybe you could step it up a notch. 

What Makes an Event Magical?

Fairy Sparkle Dust	magical lights	romantic cake with a surprize

Sometimes I amaze myself how I operate in life (reality) when I daydream so often. I live in a world of hope and fantasize of something better and more beautiful than what is given to me. Give me a word and I'll write you a story.

The best way for me to explain it is that some people see what is, but I see what can be.

Yes, I know I'm a hopeless dreamer and it does get me into trouble sometimes. I sometimes get overwhelmed because I want to draw out into reality what I envision in my subconscious; it's an almost impossible task.

Because I'm driven by hope, I push on and try to bring my vision to life. I'm a creator and can't shake those tendencies.

Now that you know how I operate, let's get back to business...What makes an event magical? Well, It's about a culmination of many elements. The most important things are the idea and the experience.