Highland Lakes South

For YOU

Wedding Wear Dos and Don'ts

You probably already know that wearing white is a wedding "don't" - it's just in bad taste to compete with the bride. But do you know the accepted forms of dress for daytime vs. evening weddings? Are you aware of the protocol when wearing a tux - or when wearing gloves? About.com offers the following style tips when attending weddings:




For her:

At an informal daytime or semi-formal daytime wedding: For her - wear a short dress or suit. Business attire is acceptable for morning weddings. For him - try a dress shirt and pants, and preferably a sports jacket.

At an informal evening or semi-formal evening wedding: For her - cocktail dresses are appropriate. For him - wear a dark suit and tie.

At a formal daytime wedding: For her - wear a short dress or suit. Hats and gloves are optional. For him - suits are appropriate at this type of wedding.

At a formal evening or black-tie wedding: For her - try a long or dressy short cocktail dress with beading. Bring a wrap if the evening will be cool. For him - tuxedo (if invitation states "black-tie") or dark suit.

At an ultra-formal or white tie wedding: For her - bring on the glitzy accessories! Try furs, diamond jewelry, sequins and other glamorous touches. For him - try a white tie, cummerbund, vest and shirt.


Additional tips for her:


Avoid black or sequins during the daytime.

Don't worry about wearing the same colors as the bridesmaids or mothers. You can't possibly coordinate with everyone in the wedding party.

Overtly sexy apparel does not belong at a wedding. About.com suggests that if you have to ask if it's appropriate, it probably isn't.

Don't wear opera-length gloves (to top of arm) with anything but sleeveless or strapless gowns. Do take off gloves to eat or drink.

Do use good judgment if the invitation doesn't specify the formality of the event. As a rule of thumb, About.com suggests a pastel suit or soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.)


Additional tips for him:


Do wear a dark suit with a tie if the wedding is after 6 p.m. and doesn't specify "Black Tie."

Avoid tuxedos during the daytime, regardless of the formality of the event.

Finally, as mentioned above, use good judgment if the invitation doesn't specify the formality of the event. A dark suit and conservative tie will apply in most situations.

Managing Your Time

Looking to be more productive throughout your day? About.com lists the following six tips for more efficient time management - allowing you to avoid the sense of constantly racing against the clock:



6. Waiting is a necessary part of each day, whether you're in line at the supermarket or on hold during an important phone call. Rather than feeling exasperated at the wasted time, put it to your advantage and learn the power of multi-tasking. For example, you can make to-do lists of additional errands while in line at the grocery store. Or, use the time spent on-hold to check mail or e-mail.

5. Rather than making frequent, weekly trips to the grocery store, consider one big shopping trip every 2-3 weeks and stock up on necessary items. Try buying items in bulk to save money and additional trips to the store.

4. If constant phone calls are keeping you from completing tasks, consider turning off the cell phone or placing your office phone on call-forward until you can finish your project. Make good use of caller identification features so you can choose to only answer calls that need immediate attention.

3. Schedule necessary check-ups (such as doctor appointments and oil change appointments) for early in the morning. Although you may need to rise and shine a bit earlier, crossing these items off your to-list early in the day will avoid midday interruptions. And, if you're the first appointment of the day, you can ensure you won't have to spend extra time in the waiting room.

2. Organize your closet, throwing out any items you haven't worn in a year or more. And, try to choose your day's outfit the night before. These small steps will limit the time you spend staring at the clothes in your closet each morning, wondering what to wear.

1. If you need to plan an efficient meeting, try scheduling it around lunchtime or late afternoon.
Participants will likely concentrate on the job at hand if they're anxious for lunch or the end of the workday.

Food Myths: Fact or Fiction

On some days, these foods and drinks are hailed for their edible health virtues, and on others for their culinary curse. You've got chocolate, which has been found to promote heart health, while also clogging arteries. Wine that dulls the senses, but may also keep your mind sharp. Coffee is said to cause nervousness, hand trembling and rapid heartbeat, but also lower the risk of diabetes, Parkinson's Disease, colon cancer and even cavities. Wild salmon are known to be swimming with heart-healthy fatty acids, and possibly cancer-causing toxins, too.



According to dietitian Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, director of nutrition for WebMD's Weight Loss Clinic, "Science is evolutionary - not revolutionary. Generally, one study does not make a difference in the grand scheme of a certain food's role in your diet. But that doesn't stop it from making headlines."

So how do you know the real story behind the headlines to better determine how these foods should rate on your plate? Marilyn Tanner, RD, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association and pediatric dietary study coordinator at Washington University School of Medicine, notes, "A lot depends on how, where and with whom the study was conducted." When you hear the latest health finding about these foods or any foods, she suggests you take the following factors into account:


Where it's published. Bigger medical journals tend to publish better quality studies.

Where it was conducted. Studies done in a university setting are more likely to be trustworthy than those done at a private lab or in the sponsoring companies' own lab.

Its length and size. In general, the larger and longer the study, the greater its credibility, and the more one can apply the results to the general population.


Rest assured that, in most cases, eating or drinking any of the foods or drinks mentioned in moderation will not cause you any harm.