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Miley's Shocking New Haircut: Would You Dare?

Miley Cyrus may be a newly-minted fiancée, but she isn't letting her impending wedding to Hunger Games stud Liam Hemsworth cramp her controversial style. The 19-year-old singer/actress shocked fans on Sunday with a new haircut that's half-shag, half-shaved and all swagger.

She posted a series of cryptic tweets leading up to the big chop, including, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. My hair is attached to my head, no one else's, and it's going bye bye :)". Chris McMillan, Jennifer Aniston's longtime stylist and creator of the "Rachel" craze back in the '90s, also documented the process.

miley cyrus haircut

miley cyrus haircut

Her top knot was so popular, it even had its own following on Twitter and Tumblr—may it RIP. After it was gone, she posted, "Someone just told me I'm prettier than Miley Cyrus." 

Miley foreshadowed the cut back in 2008 during a Good Morning America interview. While backstage in her dressing room, she pointed to a framed photo of Twiggy. "One day, I know I'm going to cut my hair like that, I know I am. One day," she said.  

Bachelorette Party Dos and Don'ts

I’m still catching up on sleep from my bridal shower/bachelorette party weekend. It was so nice to spend quality time with friends and family. (This was also my last pre-wedding event, so it motivated me to get into do-it-or-lose-it mode with my remaining projects.) Here are some dos and don'ts for making your last fling before the ring just as fun as mine was!

nikki stroud bachelorette partyThe writer (pictured third from right) and her friends at the bachelorette party.

1. DO let friends know in advance if there will be a stripper. In my opinion, having one was just a hilarious way to bond with my friends. We had some very entertaining conversations on the car ride home about his performance. No one in my group wanted to opt out of it, but not everyone is going to feel comfortable in that environment, so it's important to give your ladies a fair warning. 

2. DON'T go overboard. It's easy to get carried away with celebratory drinks and shots (especially if they're free) so pace yourself and be aware of how much you're consuming. You don't want this to be a repeat of your 21st birthday or fall asleep during a 4 a.m. breakfast after a night of dancing. Leave that up to a bridesmaid, like I did. I'll do her a favor and not share that particular photo.

Jennifer Aniston Is Engaged to Justin Theroux!

jennifer aniston
The Brangelina nuptials may have been a hoax this past weekend, but now we have another celebration to look forward to: Jennifer Aniston has wedding bells in her future!

Justin Theroux, her beau of 18 months, popped the question on Friday, his 41st birthday, and Aniston's rep confirms that she happily accepted. She met the actor-screenwriter on the set of their film Wanderlust.

This summer, the couple embarked on a romantic, whirlwind vacation to all of Aniston's "favorite places in the world," according to a Theroux insider, including Capri, Rome and Paris. Earlier this month, they were also spotted in Hawaii. They recently purchased a $21 million home in California together.

The inseparable pair are so in sync that they even started dressing alike. Baby bump watch and marriage buzz reached fever pitch when the couple was spotted wearing matching rings (not wedding bands) and Aniston gained weight (she attributed it as a result of quitting smoking).

Aniston once told People magazine that "I think people honestly just want to see me as a mom and married and barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. And I just want to say, 'Everybody relax! It's going to happen.'"

Congratulations to the star, she's finally found her happily ever after!

Photo Credit: iStock
 

—Stefania Sainato

DIY We Love: Handmade Wooden Sign

diy save the date sign

Photo Credit: Josh Lynn Photography

By now you may have noticed that we have a penchant for creative photo ideas around these parts, so for my personal engagement photos, the pressure was definitely on. After researching these amazing save-the-dates, I knew I wanted to find a way to incorporate my wedding date into the photo itself, rather than just slapping on some text. BG brides, meet my first DIY project.

Unlike a handheld sign, this stand-alone bad boy can be placed anywhere. It will only set you back around $15-$20 depending on the materials you use, compared to $100+ if you buy it premade on Etsy. Best of all, it's versatile and can easily be customized for bridal showers and weddings, too.

I couldn't have done it without the help of my dad, a contractor, and my photographer Josh, who was sweet enough to lug it around at the beach and set up the most incredible shot. My fiancé Jason and I got some ribbing from family, friends, and even strangers about it (one guy at the beach screamed, "I'll be there!" when he saw it), but I think the end result speaks for itself.

Brad and Angelina to Marry This Weekend?

Rumor has it, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are planning to tie the knot this weekend at their home in France.

Guests are already arriving under the pretense of a 50th anniversary bash for Pitt's parents, Jane and Bill. But Brangelina certainly wouldn't be the first couple to surprise their guests with a wedding — earlier this year, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan invited friends and family over to celebrate Dr. Chan's med school graduation but shocked them all by throwing an intimate backyard wedding instead.

Recently, Pitt gave Jolie a $400,000 "pre-wedding gift," generating buzz that the wedding isn't far away. 

We know rumors are always swirling about these two, but what's intriguing is that the couple reportedly flew in the jeweler who made Jolie's stunning engagement ring, and Pitt's BFF George Clooney is current at his home in Lake Como, just an hour's flight away. 

What do you think; will they tie the knot this weekend? 

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Photo Credit: GYI NSEA/iStockphoto

The Cutest Flower Girl Videos Gone Viral

This week, flower girl Claire Miller became an Internet sensation when a camera phone video was posted of her taking a catnap at the altar. In honor of the we-won’t-take-it trend started by Grace van Cutsem—the cutie who achieved worldwide fame when she covered her ears at Wills and Kates’ wedding—here are our favorite videos featuring feisty flower girls.

1. Flower Girl Gets Tired of Wedding and Snoozes Off

By “in good times and in bad,” she decided she had heard enough and toppled over in slow motion. (Let’s be honest—what wedding guest hasn’t fantasized about doing this at one point or another?)

2. Funny Flower Girls at Fall Wedding

This adorable chubby-cheeked tot doesn’t grasp the purpose of flower petals.

3. Bossy Flower Girl

A three-year-old shushes everyone from the photographer to the pastor.

Worried that the tiniest members of your bridal party will make this list? Prep in advance by doing a couple of practice runs before the big day, letting them try on their outfit in advance and packing their favorite toy or activity to keep them occupied before their debut. Consider letting them walk down the aisle without giving them a “job” to do, which could help eliminate some of the hysterics.

Astrologer Books Wedding Without a Groom

anita chakra burtty

Anita Chakra Burtty had a premonition that something extraordinary was about to happen: She was about to meet her future husband. So the Sydney astrologist decided to go all in and pay for an April wedding—more than enough time to fall in love with her would-be groom, who she expects to bump into around October or November. “It’s not going to be a huge issue if I don’t get married on that day, but I know that I will,” she told Channel Nine’s A Current Affair.

Her conviction is so strong, she’s already made major planning decisions, including buying her dress, meeting with wedding vendors and creating a beachside barbecue theme (hope her hubby likes wings). Most surprisingly, her loved ones fully support her decision. They’re going to make the trek from England to Australia to attend, and her best friend, Jeremy, even changed his wedding date (note: to a bride he’s already found) so that it wouldn’t coincide with hers. “I wouldn’t be a good friend to Anita unless I believed in her and supported her,” he said.

Five Delicious Wedding Menu Ideas

Food is the number-one priority at my wedding: I believe that meals should be an experience, not just a mindless string of bites. Your wedding menu helps set the tone for the reception. The main focus for my husband Michael and I is to create a fun atmosphere, so we decided to build our party around Mexican cuisine. It encompasses all the flavors that Californians love—fresh, spicy, and full of flavor. You're sure to find disagreements about who does it best, but most San Diegans can agree that we capture that south-of-the-border essence pretty darn well.

Although I may not be Mexican myself, I've enjoyed eating Mexican food ever since I was a little girl. I have fond memories of Mom making quesadilla dinners for my brother and I, Dad taking us to a local taco shop every other Wednesday night, and even crossing the border into Tijuana to get authentic street tacos. Here's how I'm incorporating all of my Mexican favorites into the wedding menu.

1. Start the party with a kick. While Michael and I are busy taking photos, I thought it might be fun to serve plates of chips and guacamole to guests. We'll get the party started with margaritas (both blended and on the rocks), and micheladas for the folks who want to start slow. A michelada is beer mixed with either lime or tomato juice and a ton of spices.

michelada

Photo Credit: espimraim via Flickr

DIY Wedding Hair: Top Knot

This season, the top knot hairstyle was a fave on the bridal runways. Needless to say, when I tried it at home, it did not feel polished and "white carpet ready." But last week, I received this fun DIY updo kit by stylist Theodore Leaf. With his kit, I created a gorgeous updo. While filming NBC's hit show Fashion Star with Suave Professionals, Theodore Leaf created a lovely top knot. "We did a knot, and everyone wanted to try it" said Leaf.

top knot hairstyle

After researching and developing, the "Bored With Your Hair Top Knot Kit" was created! In three easy steps, you can have a classic yet sleek look to last all day. And the best part — no straighteners, irons, or styling skills needed.

"I created the 'Bored With Your Hair Top Knot Kit' so that girls could have everything they need to create perfect top knot every time," said Leaf. The kit is available in three colors: Blonde, Brunette and Black, for $20 at boredwithyourhair.com.

Here, the video, complement to this easy kit. Check it out for yourself....

—Naima DiFranco

Throw an Eco-Friendly Wedding (Without Sacrificing Style)

eat drink be married

Weddings offer an amazing opportunity to make a difference. In addition to saving energy, conserving resources, and decreasing pollution, imagine what a boost green brides and grooms can give to sustainable businesses. Other than a house, a wedding is generally the most expensive thing a young couple will ever “buy”. Brides feel a lot of pressure to make everyone happy and are willing to spend whatever it takes — the average cost is around $27,000 these days — to make their wedding “perfect.” Many couples even go into debt to pay for their weddings. Part of having a green wedding is conserving resources — including money.

These days, you don’t need to sacrifice style or beauty to have an eco-friendly wedding. As celebrities like Natalie Portman have shown us, the only difference between a green bride and a bride who doesn’t know about eco-chic alternatives is that creating her fabulous wedding has less impact on human health and the environment.

vintage bridesmaid dresses

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