Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2006 4C New trends for brides to discover By PAIGE DICJERSON Morris News Service AMARILLO, Texas - Over the years, brides-to-be have promised their bridesmaids dresses that they’ll love, that they’ll wear over and over again. But on what occasion is it really appropriate to trot out pink taffeta and a train? So bridesmaids’ gowns of late have veered away from ribbons and bows, tending toward simpler silhouettes and on-trend colors to more closely resemble the same kinds of elegant cocktail dresses found at women’s ready-to-wear retailers. That transition sets the stage for new lines from com panies such as J.Crew and Ann Taylor, both of whom have launched collections within the last year of dress es and separates that cater to brides and bridesmaids. Both companies say the gar ments are appropriate for celebrations of all sorts, including graduations, anni versaries, even a jazzy birth day party - Ann Taylor even calls its line Celebrations. “The wedding industry in general has gotten more fashionable. It’s for brides maids and bridal gowns, too. It used to be the clothes were ‘ceremonial.’ It wasn’t a fashion show; it was a tra dition, and people wore cus tomary clothes. All of that is still true, but the clothing is contemporary,” said Millie Martini Bratten, editor in chief of Bride’s magazine. Today’s brides and brides maids tend to be older, and the styles aimed at 28-year olds are different from the glorified prom dresses that 20-year-olds might have looked for a generation ago. Though the brides generally do still choose the brides maid dresses, they’ve grown more aware of what their friends would like to wear - and spend their money on, Bratten said. . “Remember, this is a gen eration of people who mix casual and formal. They wear sequin tank tops with blue jeans,” she said. One way to provide the mixed look is to get a “sepa rates” dress, said Amarillo businesswoman Danilee Kelley, manager of Brides. “The separates have really revolutionized how it’s done. They really can wear them Restaurant etiquette: We asked servers for tips on how to act when eating out By RAY GLASS Morris News Service LUBBOCK, Texas - Restaurant employees get a look at both desirable and undesirable habits, antics and actions of their dining guests. Diners can get impatient as restaurants fill during peak business hours. Children run loose. Busy employees can be overwhelmed by demands from customers whose actions may range from rude to downright mean. That is a sampling of concerns for some restaurant employees. Several members of the wait staff at a popular Lubbock eatery recently provided their wish list of do’s and don’ts for restau rant patrons. Restaurant veteran Jennifer Adame, 30, is sat isfied with most aspects of diners’ conduct with one notable exception: “I wish parents wouldn’t let kids get up and run around like crazy. Everything else is pretty good.” Respect is a key concern for 18-year-old server Kelsey Spradling. “I wish people would be more respectful, definitely,” she says. “Be nicer to the server. They don’t realize how hard it actually is. And leave nicer tips.” Jason Prado, 22, says, “One thing that really gets me is customers shaking their cup when they’re low on drink. I wish they would not do that. I can see it. I don’t have to hear it to know again. They can wear tops with a shorter skirt or even with jeans. “In fact, we just did our first wedding where they are really actually going down the aisle with blue jeans. This isn’t exactly a trend, but it is something we have done,” Kelley said. There is a built-in mar ket for bridesmaids’ dresses. According to the Conde Nast Bridal Group, the average cost of a bridesmaid dress is $l3B and a typical wedding party includes five brides maids, for a total of $690 per wedding. It’s also estimated that 23 million people will be bridesmaids or groomsmen this year, so figure half are women in need of a dress. The outfits from J.Crew and Ann Taylor take cues from what’s going on in ready-to-wear fashion, offer ing a range of necklines, sil houettes and formality. “It’s a way to give our customer the choices she wants,” said Adrienne Lazarus, president of Ann Taylor Stores. What that woman will find is a core group of stylfcs - a strapless dress with a fitted top and flared bottom is the best-seller - in a broad pal ette of colors. Black, navy, champagne and best-selling espresso brown are stan dards, while there also are seasonal colors, such as sage and cornflower blue. “One of the things we’ve found is taking silhouettes that are successful in our regular apparel line and translating them into brides maid dresses,” said Jenna Lyons Mazeau, senior vice president of women’s design at J.Crew. The biggest change from standard bridesmaid offer ings from even five years ago is the fabrics, she said. J.Crew’s collection is heavy on silk faille, crinkle silk and cotton candy, a dou ble-weave Italian copy that Lyons Mazeau said takes color well. “It looks expen sive, but it’s not too fancy. You could wear it with flip flops, too,” she said. Another trend in bridal party fashion is coordinated, but not matching, outfits, Kelley said. Bridesmaids can choose the styles that look best on them, and then have them in the same fabric and color as everyone else. that you need more drink. I can hear that from across the restaurant.” Macie Martin adds, “I wish customers would be a little bit more patient. If every body got to be a server for a day, they’d understand why sometimes it takes so long.” C'fcrd bfarvutei HALLMARK SHQP^ July 20th - July 29th @GB& Off All Merchandise OKU Ice Cream Cone w/every Purchase FINAL DAY OF BUSINESS - July 29th 8078 Carroll St. • Perry, Gfl 31069 17V0n7 Opem INTERNATIONAL ARTS FRAMES 100 Suite 1 • N. Houston Lake Rd. • Centerville, GA 478-971-1303 ORIGINAL OIL PAINTINGS Large Selection Over 350 Canvas/Frames ■ BRING f HISAD AND ; RECEIVE A $5.00 DISCOUNT 1 Not Valid With Any Other Offer b. Skylar Cheyenne Mattison Chelsea Mattison of Warner Robins announces the birth of a daughter, Skylar Cheyenne Mattison at Houston Medical Center on June 18. Grandparents of the bAby are Tina Greenlee of Warner Robins, and Howard Mattison of Ocala, Fla. Alaina Virginia Riley Jason and Nancy Wilder Riley of Perry announce the birth of a daughter, Alaina Virginia Riley, at Houston Medical Center on June 28. Grandparents of the baby are Sharon Riley of Perry, Frank Riley Jr. of Hiawassee, Ronald and Elaine Wilder of Moultrie. Great-Grandparents of the baby are Mr. and Mrs. Frank Riley Sr., Mr and Mrs. Roy Bohler of Butler, Doris Wilder and the late Paul Wilder, Lucile Turner and the late Gordon Turner all of Moultrie. Kalea Lynn Barker Charles and Marcie Utterback Barker of Warner Robins announce the birth of a daughter, Kalea Lynn Barker, at Houston Medical Center on June 1. Grandparents of the baby are Tessie Wright and Sam Wright of Fitzgerald and Florence Utterback of Warner Robins. Giovanna Ibeth Sanchez Martha Garcia Gonzalez and Lorenzo Sanchez-Godoy of Perry announce the birth of a daughter, Giovanna Ibeth Sanchez at Houston Medical Center on June 25. Grandparents of the baby are Abel and Eva. of Perry, and Gregorio and Alberta of Hidalgo, Mexico. Mariah Akira Mosely Shamirha Battle and Cortney Mosley of Warner Robins announce the birth of a daughter, Mariah Akira Mosley at Houston Medical Center on June 25. Grandparents of the baby are Shirley Battle of Warner Robins, Vernon Battle Sr. of Macon, and Hectic evenings can be particularly trying, says Johnelle Fraire, 20. “Especially when we’re busy like on a Friday night or the weekends,” she says. “I wish they would real ize we have more than one table.” 987-5211 LIFESTYLE cAew Joann Mosley of Macon. Steven Juvon Gilcrist Kimberly Johnson and Steven Gilcrist of Warner Robins announce the birth of a son, Steven Juvon Gilcrist at Houston Medical Center on June 25. Grandparents of the baby are Lisa Marie Johnson and Willie Bernard Johnson of Warner Robins. Kiel Damun Sparks Shagarya Harris and Brian Sparks of Perry announce the birth of a son, Kiel Damun Sparks at Houston Medical Center on June 30. Grandparents of the baby are Thelma Harris of Fort Valley, William Harris of Oglethorpe, Jackie and Elton Sparks of Perry. Evan Michael Norris William and Erin Murphy Norris of Warner Robins announce the birth of a son, Evan Michael Norris at Houston Medical Center on June 30. Grandparents of the baby are Bob and Dorothy Murphy of Irwinton, George and Gail Simpson of Byron, and Randy Bechan of N.C. Griffin Douglas Clark Doug and Jennifer Griffin Clark of Warner Robins announce the birth of a son, Griffin Douglas Clark, at Houston Medical Center on June 30. Grandparents of the baby are Melvin Griffin of Ocala, Fla., Deanna Griffin of Bonaire, Jerry Clark of Warner Robins, and Barbara Miltner of Byron. Gabrielie Cheyenne Dennis Deanna Elsasser Evans and Wendell Dennis, Jr. of Warner Robins announce the birth of a daughter, Gabrielie Cheyenne Dennis IKM/ «: W . V 4g L [ "a I|l 1 Wm Mmm V WM \ : July 24 - 27 Sign up Now! 35621 at Houston Medical Center on June 27. Grandparents of the baby are Wendell and Sandra Dennis of Warner Robins, Earl Thompson and Bernadean Rogers of Macon, and Richard and Cindy Elsasser of Warner Robins. Anyah Janae Kendrick April Green and Jerrell Kendrick of Warner Robins announce the birth of a daughter, Anyah Janae Kendrick at Houston Medical Center on June 29. Grandparents of the baby are Donald and Dorothy Green of Warner Robins, and Sean and Latricia Lester of Warner Robins. Emory Michelle Spencer Matthew and Amanda McMillan Spencer of Warner Robins announce the birth of a daughter, Emory Michelle Spencer at Houston Medical Center on June 29. Grandparents of the baby are Tonja and Russell Tompkins of Warner Robins, Michael and Tracie McMillan of Gray, Curt and Marsha Spencer of Belle Plain, Kan., and Roxanne and Gary Newman of Leo, Ind. Atiana Della’ White Tia White of Fort Valley announces the birth of a daughter, Atiana Della’ White at Houston Medical Center on June 29. Grandparents of the baby are Cordelia Johnson and Ronnie White of Fort Valley. Dorothy Marie Vandergriff Patricia Marie Frey and Michael Vandergriff of Bonaire announce the birth of a daughter, Summer Schoo of the Arts Group classes in art, rhythm Band, and voice will be available for children who have completed Grades 1-6. Cost: $lO per child/sls per family. 8:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m, Breakfast and Lunch will be served. First Baptist Church Perry, Georgia 987-2002 HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL V Dorothy Marie Vandergriff at Houston Medical Center on June 30. Grandparents of the baby are Stella and George Campbell of Valley Springs, Ark., and Dorothy and Wayne Gillis of Gray. Kiara Riana Montgomery Lynn Montgomery and EG Neal of Warner Robins announce the birth of a daughter Kiara Riana Montgomery at Houston Medical Center on June 29. Grandparents of the baby are Brenda Montgomery of Canton, and Marjorie Lindsay of Macon. Jaevion Armuon Duncan Jennifer Duncan of Warner Robins announces the birth of a son, Jaevion Armuon Duncan at Houston Medical Center on June 29. Grandparents of the baby are Joyce Seed of Warner Robins, and Robert L. Duncan of Montezuma. Kaylie Beth Wells Megan Wells of Warner Robins announces the birth of a daughter, Kaylie Beth Wells at Houston Medical Center on June 28. Grandparents of the baby are Carl Wells of Warner Robins, Tammie and Dale Cordrey of Macon, Wayne and Patsy Pritchard of Macon, great-great grand parents Bob and Linda Poole ofWamer Robins, and great great grandmother Lena Maddox of Warner Robins. See BIRTHS, page 6C