The Brideslaves

Meredithe writes:

I am getting married in February 2011 and want to know the best way to start scheduling my bridesmaid meetings. We need to discuss the dresses I picked out, their fittings, the days they are available to help assemble my favors of chocolates in a small box with tulle and jordan amonds, and then also to coordinate their hair. As you can see, there will be a lot to discuss. Mass email is so impersonal. I have 8 bridesmaids, and calling them on a conference call is one way. Another idea I had was to send newsletters with an RSVP date so they can let me know if a specific date works for them. Any good ideas?

Let me get this straight. These are your friends; the eight women you feel closest to, whom you can't imagine getting married without, and you want to put them to work? Is assembling favors some kind of an honor now?

There are three appropriate bridesmaids' "meetings": A shopping trip to pick out the dress, a luncheon--paid for by you--to thank them for standing up for you, and the wedding itself. All three are easily arranged through whatever mode of communication you usually use to speak with them. They can arrange dress fittings on their own. You may offer to make them hair, nail or makeup appointments at the same time you make your own, but it's not a requirement.

If they offer further help, you may mention that you have these favors to put together, and offer to provide wine and leftover chocolate if they provide their bow-tying skills for a couple hours. But you can't demand that they do your bitch work for you under the guise of an honor.

You chose these women because you love them and respect them. So treat them that way. It's a wedding, not a business arrangement. Don't lose sight of the fact that the most important thing is that you end the day married with the full support of those closest to you.

Trust Me: I'm An Expert

Rafaella Mastroantonio writes:

Is there a way to stop the underneath boob area from sweating, or should i just line my bra with tissue? It's hot and I am drippy.

No, seriously: I'm an expert. I have breasts, and I lived in Phoenix, and I sweat. A lot.

My solution has always been baby powder. When you get out of the shower, powder the undersides of your breasts. It won't exactly stop the sweating - if you're very active or outside for a long period of time, you'll still sweat some - but it will prevent odor and the baby powder will absorb most of the sweat, saving your bra from sweat damage.

You can also try applying a regular antiperspirant/deodorant under your breasts, but I've found most commercial ap/d to cause pimples or rashes on the chest.

I also try to wear only breathable natural fabrics in warm weather, preferably cotton or mostly-cotton items. Wearing a black tank under a white shirt will also help, as long as both layers are thin, because the black of the tank top will absorb heat from your body, while the white shirt on top will reflect heat coming at you from the environment. Loose clothing is preferable to tight, and in that vein, make sure your bra fits. If you're small enough, you may be able to find all-cotton or moisture-wicking bras, and that will help the problem, as well.

You can also try Cleavage Coolers, little tubes you stick in the freezer to cool, and then stick down your bra to cool you. I can't vouch for effectiveness, but sticking ice on your tits can't make you hotter. Temperature-wise, that is.