General

Fairy lights are beautiful decorative elements but the only problem is that the battery packs are unsightly. So, how do you hide them effectively?

Here are all the ideas you need to pull this idea off:

How Can You Hide the Battery Pack on Fairy Lights?

Hiding the battery pack on fairy lights depends on how you are using them as a decorative item – in general, though, you can use other elements in your theme to disguise the battery pack – you can also use the battery pack to enhance the other elements too.

How to Hide a Battery Pack in a Bottle?

It is quite common to keep fairy lights in a bottle or a jar.

If the lid (and deep) enough, then you may want to consider gluing the battery pack to the inside of the lid and then screwing it on.

Keep in mind that this will not always work, depending on the size and design of the bottle, jar, or other container. Due to this, you should always have a test run.

Use a mild glue to stick the battery pack there. Then screw it in and take a look. If you can’t see the battery pack, then you are good to go. If you can, then you will need to take another route.

In this instance, you can hide the battery pack at the bottom of the container. However, to avoid it from it being noticeable, you will need to disguise it as something else.

What this will be will depend on the theme of the design. For instance, is the theme floral? If so, you can glue fabric or plastic flowers on the battery pack. You can also disguise it with moss or even decorate or paint it to look like a rock.

In case it will be a bit more rustic, then you can wrap the pack in burlap or twine in a creative manner.

How to Hide a Battery Pack in a Bottle Without Disguising It?

If you don’t want to disguise the battery pack, then there are still some options available to you.

One thing that you could do is to block out the bottom or the top of the bottle in some kind of way.

In case you want the battery pack to be hidden at the top, then wrap a large ribbon around the outside of the neck of the bottle.

For the bottom, wrap the bottom with twine, burlap, ribbon, or lace, depending on the theme for the event or the environment. Alternatively, you can also paint the bottom of the bottle and have the battery pack resting there.

Another idea is to use other types of centerpieces or decorative elements to hide the bottom of the bottle. You can do this with flowers, leaves, decorative rocks or stones, candles, and more.

In case you are using a jar with a wider neck and lid, then consider flipping the jar over so that it is standing on the lid. Place the battery pack on this new bottom.

Then, use ribbons or paint to hide this space. This can be a good option if you don’t want the jar to look just like a jar.

How to Hide a Battery Back in a Lantern?

If you are placing the fairy lights in a lantern, then you have a unique opportunity as long as the design and structure of the lantern cooperates.

In this instance, keep the fairy lights in the lantern but make sure that the battery pack remains outside. Then, spray paint the battery pack to match the color of the lantern. Balance the lantern on top of the battery pack so that the pack looks like the base.

Needless to say, this is another idea that you are going to need to test out beforehand. So, go ahead and try this with one of the lanterns – make sure that you can find the right color spray paint first. Then, if it works you can use it on the rest of the lanterns.

If this doesn’t work, then you can try gluing the battery pack to the top of the lantern as long as this area is solid instead of glass.

How to Hide Battery Packs When Stringing Up Fairy Lights?

Now, what if you are stringing up the fairy lights on the wall? How do you hide them in this case?

Well, once again, you have to consider what your theme is.

If you have a Christmas theme, then it can be simple as gluing pinecones to one side or both of the battery pack. The same thing can be done with flowers and other decorative elements.

If you want, you can also get a little creative here. Create a wreathe of leaves, flowers, or whatever else fits in your theme. Then, stick the battery packs on the back.

This will create a nice interruption between the fairy lights and add to the aesthetic as a whole.

You can also entwine the fairy lights with ribbon, twine, lace, or some other material that suits your aesthetic. Then, in the areas where the battery pack is, have bows, fabric flowers, or something similar.

How Do You Hide Battery Packs on Fairy Lights?

There are a few different ways to hide battery packs, depending on how the fairy lights are being used – in bottles or while hanging, the packs can be disguised or exterior decorative elements can be placed around the bottle – in lanterns, they can be the base.

I don’t blame you for thinking your girlfriend is the cutest around. She probably has many features that that makes her so adorable, like her smile, humor and how she carries herself. I’ve not only touched on this, but some other related information which you may like, such as what makes a face “cute”, and how to know if you feel this way because you’re in love.

Why Is My Girlfriend So Cute?

There are a few possible reasons why you may feel this way. For instance, she may have an adorable smile – I personally think that girls with large canines look cute. It may also be her face shape, as it might be more innocent and baby-faced.

Studies have actually shown that men are more attracted to baby faces (rounded foreheads, large row-set eyebrows, narrow noses, and small chins). You may also think she is so cute because of the way she dresses. Her wardrobe aesthetic may be on the more colorful or childish side.

And of course, her personality can affect how you feel. Generally, girls who are innocent come off as cute. Last but not least, you may think that she is so cute as you are head over heels in love with her. There is nothing wrong with this, especially if you have been seeing each other for a while.

I’ve taken a look at how you can tell whether you are in love with your partner in a section later on.

Why Are Men More Attracted to Baby Faces?

Women with baby faces are seen as more caregiving. So being more attracted to them is an evolutionary behavior, as you think that they would make good mothers. You can categorize faces as “baby faced” if they have large rounded foreheads, as well as large row-set eyebrows, narrow noses, and small chins.

How Do You Tell Girlfriend You Love Her?

As discussed, you may think she is so cute because you are in love with her. If you realize this is why you feel the way you do and want to confess your feelings, you will find the below section useful.

Let’s get to it.

1.      Hype Yourself Up

I would not blame you for feeling nervous. Confessing your feelings and telling someone that you are in love with them is nerve wracking. You can work around this by boosting your confidence before you speak to her.

Try talking to your friends and family about what you’re planning on saying. They can reassure you and pump you up. Also try self-affirmations in the mirror to boost your self-esteem.

2.      Make it Low-key

In line with you being nervous, you don’t have to make the occasion too big either. You can just bring up how you feel during a casual conversation, and not do anything too special. If you are lucky, she may confess that she’s in love first. This make things easier for you as the focus would be on her.

3.      Wait for the Right Time (Be Clear Headed)

Make sure that you are clear headed when you confess your feelings. You may otherwise say something unwanted while telling her that you’re in love. Her mind should not be preoccupied either, as this would affect how she would respond to what you have said.

You can work around this by watching and waiting for the right time. If the two of you live together, then this would be pretty easy as you would know when she is in a bad mood.

4.      Do It in Person

Lastly, I would advise you to bring up how you feel in person instead of through text. It would make the occasion more intimate. Plus, it would give you a good idea of how she would respond, as you can see her body language when she reacts.

Is 2 Months Enough to Say I Love You?

The answer to this depends on who you speak to. I would generally say that it is too soon, as you may not know whether you truly love your partner. It may just be intense passion or infatuation that you are feeling.

On the other hand, you may genuinely be in love. However, it would still be too soon to tell her how you feel.  Remember that 2 months is early into a relationship so she may not feel the same way as you – telling her that you love her may scare her off.

Is Saying “I Love You” Too Early a Red Flag?

In line with the above point, I also thought about answering this question. And once again, the answer depends on who you speak to. I would say that saying I love you very early is a red flag – you are basically saying that you get committed too soon. This can be a problem for the relationship, as you may be someone who is overly emotion.

But at the same time, the person you’re seeing can use this as a compliment as they were able to make you fall in love with them in a very short amount of time.

How Do I Know if I’m in Love?

There are many ways to tell whether you are in love, but the biggest would be you having passion, intimacy and commitment for your partner. It’s alright if you feel 1 or 2 of these aspects more than the other – this still means that you are in love with them.

Many people say that they would jump Infront of a bullet for the person that they love. Think hard about phrase and ask yourself whether you would sacrifice yourself for your girlfriend. If the answer is yes, then you already know how you feel.

You can also speak to friends and family about your feelings. They probably know you better than yourself, so they would help you come to a conclusion.

Should I Propose to My Girlfriend?

If you think she is exceptionally cute, are in love, and have been together for a while, then it might be time to propose. To help you decide whether it’s in fact the right time, I’ve discussed all the signs and factors to consider.

Let’s get started.

1.      You Are Madly in Love

If you are madly in love with your girlfriend, then considering proposing to her would not be so bad. The two of you would be able to start a life and a family once you decide to take the move. This might be something that you always wanted.

Popping the question now and not beating around the bush would also help you save time, as you could have wasted a year or two when you could have just gotten married.

2.      Your Loved Ones Want It

Of course, you should consider popping the question if your friends and family have asked why you have not taken the move yet. They may want you to settle down, especially if you and your girlfriend have been together for a long time.

3.      You Have Been Together for a While

As mentioned, if you have been with her for a while, then it would be the best to take things further. You have nothing holding you back as she may be wondering why you haven’t popped the question yet as well.

Also, if the two of you have been together for a while, you have a good idea about how each other’s true colors. So, you would comfortably be able to commit and get married without worrying about learning anything worrying about your partner.

4.      She Hints That She Wants It

If the two of you have been together for a while, then your girlfriend probably has been hinting for you to propose to her. If you pay attention to your conversations together, you will notice all of these hints that she has been dropping.

You can also tell for sure if you speak to friends and family and ask what they think. She might have told them that she has wanted you to propose for a while. Just be careful about the mutual friends and family that you speak to, as you might speak to the wrong person, as they could tell her what you’re up to.

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why you may think your girlfriend is cute. For instance, she may be an especially innocent person. Her physical characteristics can affect this too. She may be on the shorter side and has a baby-face.

You will of course find her so cute if you are head over heels in love with her – she would always be on your mind and you would think of her being the best. I also touched on some additional information, like what your next steps should be if you are madly in love with your girlfriend, and even what facial features make up someone who has a “baby-face”.

Hopefully you found everything that was discussed useful.

How Having a Cute Girlfriend Makes You Feel on Top of the World

When you have a cute girlfriend you can’t help but feel like the luckiest person in the world.

Every moment with her feels like a gift and you treasure each one.

Seeing her smile and hearing her laugh brings unexplainable joy to your heart.

You feel like the chosen one the person she trusts and loves above anyone else.

It’s a feeling of security and warmth that can’t be replicated.

No matter what challenges you may face having a cute girlfriend by your side makes you feel like you can conquer anything.

Her infectious positive energy and loving nature just brightens up your day.

You walk with your head held high knowing that you have the most amazing and beautiful girlfriend who chose you.

It’s a feeling of superiority not in a negative way but in a way that boosts your confidence and makes you feel like the best version of yourself.

Having a cute girlfriend truly feels like being on top of the world and you wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything else.

If your white gold ring is turning yellow, you may be panicking trying to figure out what is wrong. Also, is this damage permanent?

Here is what you need to know about why the ring is turning yellow and what you can do:

Why is a White Gold Ring Turning Yellow?

Despite its name, white gold is actually a gold alloy with a thin plating on the surface to give it its unique color and sheen – as this layer wears away with time, the gold alloy beneath is revealed little by little, making it look like your ring is turning yellow.

What is White Gold?

Before you learn about why your white gold ring is turning yellow, you first have to understand what white gold is.

White gold is created by combining pure gold with other metals. These are typically nickel, silver, and zinc. The purest form of white gold consists of 75 percent gold and 25 percent other materials.

The resulting combination of gold with these other metals produces a metal that is yellowish in color. To counteract this, the metal is then covered with a metal known as rhodium, which is similar to platinum.

Why Does the White Gold Ring Turn Yellow?

Well, the rhodium layer on the ring is actually very thin. Due to this, it can begin to wear away after some time.

This is usually due to friction of the ring rubbing against the skin of your finger as well as other fabrics and materials. To add to this, excessive sweating, household cleaning products, and damage to the ring can increase the wearing away of this layer.

You then begin to see the yellowish layer beneath the rhodium layer.

The wearing away can take anywhere from 12 months to 18 months. It also depends on how often you wear your ring. For instance, if it is a wedding ring or your favorite piece and you wear it every day, then the top layer will be worn away much faster.

Can the White Layer Be Replaced?

The good news is that you can regain the original color of your white gold ring. However, the band must be treated and the rhodium layer replaced.

The good news is that it is a fairly simple process but you do need a professional jeweler to replate the ring for you.

The cost of the plating and how much time it takes can depend on the level of wearing away and the jeweler. In general, though, it shouldn’t take more than a week to get your replated and looking as good as new.

For the layer to be replaced, the ring will be placed in an electrolyte solution known as a plating bath. This solution contains dissolved salts, rhodium metal ions, and other chemicals.

A DC current is then applied to the bath. This causes the rhodium to stick to the ring through a process known as electrodeposition.

Can You Replace the Rhodium Layer to a Ring with Gemstones?

If you have a wedding ring or some other ring where there are stones being set in the ring, you may be worried by what the plating process will do the stones.

Well, you will be relieved to learn that there will be no damage done to the gemstones.

This is because for the plating to take place, a material has to conduct the DC current. Diamonds and gemstones don’t conduct electricity. Due to this, the plating will not touch the gemstones.

Can You Prevent a White Gold Ring From Turning Yellow?

You can’t completely prevent a white gold ring from turning yellow. Simply by wearing the ring, you will cause the surface layer to wear away.

However, how often you wear the ring and how well you maintain it can play a role in how quickly or slowly that it will discolor.

That being said, sometimes, even your body chemistry can work against you. For instance, the very pH of your skin can cause your white gold ring to discolor a little faster than usual.

How to Reduce the Discoloration of Your White Gold Ring?

Fortunately, there are various steps that you can take to reduce how quickly your white gold ring will turn yellow.

To start with, make it a habit of taking off your ring before washing your hands, doing the dishes, or taking a shower.

This way, it will be less likely to come into contact with soap.

When cleaning the house or tackling chores of any capacity, consider taking off your ring – you can wear it around a chain if you are worried about losing it.

In case you don’t want to make this effort, make sure to wear gloves, regardless of the chore. This way, your ring will be less likely to brush up against or scratch against anything else.

You may also want to avoid polishing or cleaning the ring by yourself. Keep in mind that every time you clean your ring, you can actually cause the top surface to wear away.

To prevent this from happening, take your ring to a jeweler’s whenever it needs to get cleaned. They will be able to use the least abrasive method so that you can maintain the shine without doing any further damage to the ring.

How to Keep Your White Gold Ring Looking Good?

Now that you know that your white gold ring can look yellow after a while, you shouldn’t wait until this discoloration appears. Instead, get ahead of the problem and head to your jeweler before this discoloration is noticeable.

If you wear your ring every day, then take the ring into the jewelers every six months. They will be able to examine it to determine if the layer has begun to wear away.

At the very least, consider taking in the ring to the jeweler every year so that you don’t have to worry about it looking dull.

Why Has Your White Gold Ring Turned Yellow?

The reason that your white gold ring has turned yellow is because the topmost layer has started wearing away – white gold is made up of a gold alley that is then plated with rhodium – when the top layer wears away, the gold alloy is visible.

How to Prevent White Gold from Turning Yellow

To prevent your white gold ring from turning yellow there are additional steps you can take in your regular jewelry maintenance routine.

One option is to have your ring re-plated with rhodium every few months to restore its white color and shine.

This can be done by a professional jeweler who will carefully strip off the old rhodium layer and apply a fresh coat.

Another way to prevent yellowing is to avoid exposing your white gold jewelry to harsh chemicals such as chlorine and household cleaning products as these can accelerate the wearing away of the rhodium plating.

Additionally remove your jewelry when participating in activities that may expose it to oils fragrances salt water and chlorine as these can also contribute to the discoloration.

By taking these preventative measures you can keep your white gold jewelry looking elegant and bright for years to come.

If you think that your brother hates you, this could be due to multiple reasons. However, there is a big chance that this is all in your head. You could just be projecting your feelings onto him. But in case he is mad at you, there are several tell-tell signs to look out for. This article not only talks about them, but what you can do to mend your relationship with him.

Does My Brother Hate Me?

As mentioned, your brother most likely does not hate you. This could all be in your head, as you’re insecure and just projecting your feelings onto him. This is perfectly natural and happens to the best of us. There probably was a minor fight that you had with him that triggered you thinking he hated you from then on.

But as I mentioned, if he does in fact hate you, there are multiple signs to look out for. And he might be mad at your or feel some kind of resentment as he is jealous. If you get more attention from your parents, this wouldn’t be a surprise.

What are the Causes of Sibling Rivalry?

Apart from your brother being jealous of you, there are other reasons why he may feel so negatively towards you.

Competition

Your parents or teachers may be comparing your brother to you, and making him not feel that great. This could cause some resentment which is completely understandable. The only way around this would be for him to open up to you about how he feels.

If your parents compare him to you and tell him to be better, you probably have noticed. You can tell them to stop this behavior. And if you have a hunch that his teachers are doing this too, you can try and get your parents to speak to them – you will of course have to explain things to them first.

Jealousy

Of course, the issue could be due to jealousy. You may be the golden child, while your brother does not get much attention. He would feel jealous if you perform better in school, and are more popular than him. If you’re from a large family, jealousy also wouldn’t be a surprise if your brother is a middle child. They tend to get less attention compared to the others in the family.

Age Difference

Your brother may feel different to you due to your age gap. You may be younger, so you are less mature and are irritating him when you’re just trying to get close. The only thing that you can do about this is to tone it down.

Temper

There may be no reason why he may be mad at you but he may just have a temper. So you doing even the slightest thing could be setting him off.

How Can You Tell If Your Sibling Hates You?

As mentioned, there are several tell-tell signs to look out for in case your brother hates you. I’ve taken a look at the most common ones below.

Let’s get into it.

Ignores You

The best way to tell whether your sibling feels indifferent towards you is if they constantly ignore you. They are either doing this as a means to cancel you out, or to hurt your feelings as they want to know that you have upset them. You can especially tell if your brother is upset if he is fine with everyone else in the family but only doesn’t respond to you.

Rude

Of course, a major sign to look out for would be your sibling being rude to you. He is probably doing this to hurt your feelings as you have done something to wrong him. While he is being rude, he may also bring up all the mistakes that you have made to demean you.

Bad Mouthing

Your brother definitely feels some kind of resentment if he’s always bad-mouthing you. He does not see you in a good light which is what’s causing this behavior.

There is Sabotage

You can definitely tell if your sibling hates you if they try and sabotage you. For instance, there may be something that you wanted to do with your parents, but your brother may talk them out of this. And they might try and embarrass you in front of your friends to make you look bad.

Fighting

Another major sign to tell whether your brother hates you is him constantly fighting with you. If he does this, he is either taking his anger out on you or finds you irritating.

How Do You Deal with a Toxic Sibling?

If you have a toxic relationship with your sibling, you might like that there are several ways to cope with this. I’ve run through some of the best below.

Communicate

The best way to deal with a toxic sibling would be to communicate how you feel. Although you may have been struggling with how he treats you, he may not be aware that he’s having so much of an effect – he could just have a bad temper.

Be open with the dialogue and try not be too pushy. In case he does have a temper, this can provoke him. If your relationship is really bad and he’s open to mending things, you can try and get professional help. Just keep in mind to look around before hiring a therapist, as you should get the best person for the job.

Don’t Hurt Them Back

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they have hurt you with their bad behavior. But whatever you do, do not try and get back at them. This would be a major problem, as this could cause the cycle to continue. Ignoring them is the best thing to do if they are being rude to you. This would eliminate any need for them to continue taunting you.

Don’t Fight it

If none of the above fixes worked, you can at the end of the day not fight the situation. Genetics don’t mean that the two of you need to have the best relationship. If he does not want to have one with you, it would be perfectly fine to keep things the way they are and ignore it.  This might be for the best in the end as trying to get closer could provoke him more.

Get Support

Try and surround yourself with the people in your life that you have a good relationship with. You will realize how loved you are, so not having a good relationship with your brother won’t hurt as much. You can also talk to your parents about what has been going on.

They might try and mend things from their end, but they would also comfort you and try to make you feel better. Be sure during this period to do things that will comfort your – you want to be in the best state of mind.

What are the Signs of Jealous Family Members?

In case your brother treats you badly because he is jealous, you would find this section useful. It lists all the warning signs to watch out for when interacting with jealous family members.

Always One-Upping You

The biggest sign that a family member is jealous would be them trying to one up you all the time. They do this as they are trying to make themselves the center of attention. One of the worst things about this is that they would try and outshine you even if it’s a small achievement that you’ve made.

They’re Never Impressed

Ask yourself whether your loved one is never impressed with your accomplishments. If they constantly try to downplay everything that you’ve achieved, it’s because they are jealous deep down. This at the end of the day is because of their insecurities.

They Don’t Like Advice

If your sibling gets angry whenever you try to give them advice, they might be jealous of you. They’re probably insecure about how poor they are performing in the said subject and are lashing out.

Constantly Calling Out Flaws

Lastly, you can tell if they are jealous if they are constantly calling out your flaws. They are doing this as your achievements make them feel bad. This ties in with what I mentioned earlier about your brother disliking you as he is jealous – this could either be because of your achievements or the attention that you get from your parents.

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why your brother may hate you. The most likely answer is that all of this is in your head. You may think he is mad at you when in reality he is not. However, in case he is indifferent towards you, this could be due to multiple reasons, like feeling jealous. If you perform better at school, or just get more attention from your parents this wouldn’t be a surprise.

Hopefully you found everything discussed useful.

It is just before your wedding and your wedding dress won’t zip up! Well, don’t worry as there are various tactics that you can try.

Here are the top guidelines to follow:

What to Do If Your Wedding Dress Won’t Zip Up?

If your wedding dress isn’t zipping up, there are several things you can try on the day of your wedding – this includes getting others to help you, ensuring the dress is properly placed, wearing in the garment, and trying shapewear for starters.

How to Do Up a Dress That Won’t Zip Around the Rib Cage

If your dress is not zipping on the day of the wedding, the first thing you should do is avoid panicking. There are many different things that you can try.

You can find a step by step guide here:

Step 1: Place the Dress Properly

The first thing that you need to do is to make sure that you are wearing your dress properly. For instance, is the neckline and waist at the right position? If not, then you don’t have the dress adjusted at the right places.

Start by making sure that the waist of the dress is perfectly aligned at your own waist. Then, make sure that the neckline, shoulders, etc. are in place as well.

Step 2: Get At Least Two Others to Help You

A lot of brides don’t realize that most dresses require at least two people to help when zipping up this dress. Therefore, ask two of your bridesmaids on anyone else around you to assist you.

One person is going to hold the two sides of the zipper together. Don’t do this at the top of the dress – do it a couple of inches above where the zipper is currently resting.

The other person will be pulling the zipper up.

Step 3: Let Out Your Breath

Start by taking a deep breath in and then letting it out in a whoosh. Do this until you feel your stomach caving in. Let out your breath for as long as you can manage.

As you do this, then the person behind you should start zipping up the dress. As the zip moves up further, the person holding each side together can slowly move the position upwards a few inches at a time as well.

Wear the Dress for a While

If the above tricks didn’t work, don’t freak out just yet. In some cases, the dress simply needs to be worn for a while.

The longer that you wear it, the more that the fabric will expand, allowing you to zip it. So, wear the dress for about 15 minutes and then try once, using the tips mentioned above.

Get Rid of Your Bra

Fancy bras tend to have a lot of padding in them and this may be preventing you from zipping up your dress. Remove your bra and then follow the instructions above.

If there is any removable padding in the dress, then you should try to take these out too as they will give you a bit more room in the dress.

Try Shape Wear

It is a good idea to ask someone to buy you some shapewear. Now is not the time to scrimp – buy high quality compression shapewear. This will smooth out any bulges so that you can slip into your dress more easily and zip it up.

As you are having trouble with zipping up the dress around your waist, look for shapewear that ends just under your bust. This will avoid any rolls or bulges from appearing anywhere and can offer you better support.

Just be mindful of the cut of your dress and look for shapewear designs that will not be visible with your dress on. Also, it is best to choose a nude color or one that is closest to your skin tone to ensure that it isn’t seen through your dress.

What to Do With a Dress That Won’t Zip Up Before the Wedding Day

It is always a good idea to try on your wedding dress a few days before your wedding or at least the day before the wedding.

Remember that everything from unexpected weight gain to bloat can change how you fit into your dress.

Try on the dress with the help of at least two people. If you can’t fit into your dress, try buying shapewear immediately and then seeing if the dress will fit.

If you do fit into your dress, consider how comfortable you are. Can you breathe easily? Can you move around without an issue? Remember, the last thing that you need is to be uncomfortable or immobile on the day of your wedding.

If the dress doesn’t fit or it is just too tight to be comfortable, reach out to your seamstress immediately.

In case the dress is only a couple of inches too tight, the seamstress may be able to add a panel at the back so that the dress can zip up more easily.

On the other hand, if the gap is just too big, you may need to turn the dress into a corset back. Keep in mind that this can take longer to do and can cost around $200 or even more.

As this will be a rush order, you may be charged extra for this job.

How to Avoid Fitting Problems with Your Wedding Dress?

The first thing is to actually get your size. Don’t buy a dress too small even if you are planning losing weight.

If you do want to lose weight before the wedding, try a weight loss plan first and then go shopping for the dress.

Although a lot of people want to lose weight before their wedding, not many succeed or they don’t lose as much weight as they want. Keep in mind that the months leading up to the wedding can be quite stressful and a lot of people end up gaining weight.

Consider the possibility of weight gain and get a corset back dress at the very beginning. This way, even if you gain a few inches around the weight, the corset can be accommodated for this weight gain so that you don’t have to make major changes.

What Should You Do If Your Dress Won’t Zip Up?

You should start by getting at least two people to help you with the zip, position the dress properly and then let out a breath and have the people pull up the zipper – you can also try shapewear to remove any rolls or bulges.

If your husband always annoys you when he drinks, he might have an alcohol problem. You will have to speak to him and try and get professional help.

This article not only runs through how you can do this, but how you can manage a spouse that abuses alcohol, and some other important information that you may like.

What Do You Do if Your Husband Annoys You When He Drinks?

You first need to figure out why he annoys you when he drinks. If he doesn’t have an alcohol problem, and it’s just you not liking the fact that he drinks, you will have to change the way that you think. There’s nothing wrong with him cutting loose.

But if he gets a bit messy when he is drunk, you will have to work with him and try to get him to drink less. Of course, if he has a drinking problem, this would be easier said than done. You may have to either have an intervention or get him professional help.

If he does something specific that’s embarrassing while he is under the influence, tell him when he’s sober about this. He may be able to control himself next time.

How Do You Get Your Husband to Stop Drinking?

If your husband has a drinking problem and you want him to stop, you will find this section useful. It runs through all the best tips and tricks to try.

Let’s get to it.

1.      Talk Things Out

The first step would be to speak to your loved one about his problem. Although it may be obvious to everyone around him, it may not have hit him that he is struggling with an alcohol dependance.

I would advise that you prep what you will be saying, as you might rub him the wrong way otherwise. Also don’t scare him and have a big meeting with all of your loved ones. Just have a personal discussion about how you think he needs help.

Remember to be open with how you feel and let it all out. You being vulnerable would encourage him to change.  Maybe take this step a bit slow, as opening up about everything at once can be risky.

2.      Get Professional Help

Once you’ve communicated how you feel, you should recommend seeing a professional. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are the best – they are groups for people who suffer from alcohol dependance where they get together and talk about their addiction.

But you can also take him to a therapist so that the two of you can discuss how his behavior is affecting your relationship.

3.      Avoid Codependency

Definitely avoid trying to be codependent. This is basically justifying your loved one’s behaviors, and not discouraging them. Although you should be supportive, it’s important that you also be stern and remind him that he is making serious mistakes.

4.      Make it Easier for Him

While your husband recovers, try and limit drinking in front of him. You could unfortunately cause him to relapse if you’re not careful.

Be sure to coordinate with friends and family so that they limit how much alcohol they consume Infront of him too.

5.      Show Him That Life Can Be Fun

One of the reasons he may struggle with giving up alcohol is because he doesn’t think he can have fun without it. You need to show him how untrue this is.

Unfortunately, this is a misconception that quite a few alcoholics have, and refuse the give up drinking because of.

6.      Be Supportive

Once he starts making the necessary changes, support him every step of the way. It will be hard for him so you being his rock will make things easier. I would recommend that you rally all of his loved ones so that he gets all the love that he needs too.

Probably the best way to show your support would be to go with him to alcohol anonymous meetings. You will learn more about what he’s suffering with which will show him that you care.

7.      Take Care of Yourself

While you are trying to help your husband, remember to take care of yourself too. This will help you take care of him better – you would be rejuvenated and able to handle the situation the best.

So don’t be afraid to take some time off from work and take a breather when things get tough.

Just like seeking a joint therapist with your husband would be smart, you should also consider seeing one just for yourself. You would be able to preserve your state of mind.

How Do You Get a Loved One to Seek Professional Help?

As mentioned, seeing a professional is one of the best ways to deal with alcoholism. But if your loved one is hesitant about this, there are a couple of tricks that you can try to convince him.

By far, the best would be to talk to him about how his drinking problem is ruining his life. If you have kids, telling him how his behavior is affecting them might do the trick. But you should also bring into the light how his addiction is straining your marriage.

Be stern with your actions as well, as you can give him an ultimatum. If he does not seek help, you will leave him.

Of course, you can help him if he’s demotivated by finding all the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the area. So, all he does is show up. And you can also make counselling appointments for him.

How Do You Deal with an Unhappy Marriage?

If your husband is not able to fix his drinking problem, no one would blame you for wondering what to do next. As mentioned, it would be best to go to couple’s therapy. You would have a professional that will help you navigate this tricky situation.

If even therapy does not work, there is no reason for you to be stuck in an unhappy marriage. You can leave him. But before you do this, prepare mentally as it is going to be a lot of work.

This would especially be the best choice if you have kids, as it would not be smart to raise them with an alcoholic around.

I would advise that you look for a good attorney as you definitely want to win the custody of your kids if things get ugly.

What are the Health Issues of an Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction is very dangerous as it not only can problems at home, but also a range of health issues too.  You can run your husband through them to convince him to stop drinking.

Let’s talk about some of the most notable.

1.      Digestive Problems and Lesions

Although not many people are aware of this, alcohol abuse can cause digestive problems. Overtime, drinking damages the mucous cells in the stomach and induces inflammation as well as lesions. This not only will take your appetite away but also cause nausea and abdominal pain.

2.      Cirrhosis / Liver Damage

Alcohol abuse can cause your liver to inflame. Over time, this can cause scars known as cirrhosis. This damage is unfortunately irreversible and is the final stage of alcoholic liver disease – it will lead to death.

3.      Personal Injuries

Being intoxicated all the time can of course cause injuries. This is especially an issue if you have a car, as you can easily get into a life-threatening accident. Quite a few people injure themselves by falling down the stairs when they are drunk too.

4.      High Blood Pressure

Alcohol is known to cause high blood pressure which can ultimately cause a heart attack. When you drink, your blood vessels tighten which narrows down your blood flow.

5.      Cancer

Your body breaks alcohol down to a chemical called Acetaldehyde when it is consumed. It can damage your DNA which can ultimately cause cancer. Studies have shown that alcohol-use accounts for up to 6% of all cancer cases in the United States.

6.      Suicidal Thoughts

Alcohol addiction can a lot of the time lead to suicide. This is as you cannot live without drinking, and when you are intoxicated, you act in ways that affects everyone around you.

Alcohol is a depressant that can also affect the way you think. So, you can expect suicidal thoughts as well.

Final Thoughts

If your husband annoys you when he drinks, you are not alone. This is a problem that many wives face at the end of the day. If he doesn’t have an alcohol problem, and you just find it annoying that he drinks, you may be the problem unfortunately.

But if his behavior becomes uncontrollable when he is under the influence, you should try and speak to him and get him to stop drinking as much. This is easier said than done at the end of the day, so you might have to have an intervention.

Hopefully you found all of the points that were run through useful.

Reasons for Annoyance and How to Positively Affect Your Husband’s Drinking Habits

Two possible reasons for annoyance when your husband drinks excessively are his excessive drinking habits or a family history of alcoholism. It’s important to address the issue of your husband’s excessive drinking because it can have a bad impact on your relationship. Some indicators of a drinking problem are personality changes frequent absence from home and important events and a family history of drinking-related issues. To positively affect your partner’s drinking habits start by accepting the problem and how it affects you. Communicate your concerns to your husband in a non-confrontational way and emphasize the impact it has on your relationship. If your husband rejects the advice finding a middle ground may be possible such as agreeing to abstain from alcohol together one evening a week. It’s important to determine what “too much” drinking means for your husband and seeking the help of a trained expert may be necessary. Having a proper conversation about the issue is crucial but timing is also important. Remember seeking support for both you and your partner will be crucial in dealing with a serious drinking problem. Open yourself up to exploring the reasons for your annoyance as addressing them may strengthen the bond and increase intimacy in your relationship.

Want to have flip flops that your guests can slip into after the ceremony? If so, you are going to need an accurate estimate of how many flip flops to get.

Here is how to calculate the exact number you are going to need:

How Many Flip Flops Should You Buy for Guests?

If you want the flip flops for the dancefloor, then consider getting ones only for the female guests – in case the wedding is on or near a beach, you may want to get ones for male guests as well – and don’t forget the wedding party.

How Many Flip Flops Will You Really Need?

Now this is a tricky question to answer.

On the one hand, your guests may be relieved to get out of their uncomfortable shoes, kick up their heels, and have a good time.

On the other, people spent time and money to look good for your wedding. As a result, they may not be all that inclined to look casual, even on the dancefloor.

It is best to err on the side of caution and only order enough flip flops for some of the guests.

Your best chance is to focus on the women as they have to wear heels and equally uncomfortable shoes. Keep in mind that they will not all want to change out of their shoes, however.

Due to this, you may want to consider only providing 60 percent of the female guests with flip flops. This means that if you are inviting 100 guests, the order about 60 flip flops. For 200 guests, order around 120.

If you really want to avoid ordering more than you are going to need, go ahead and order flip flops for just 50 percent of the female guests.

How Many Flip Flops Should You Buy If You Don’t Want Leftovers?

The last thing you want to do is to spend money on flip flops only to be left with dozens or even more of them left over after the wedding.

So, how can you calculate how many flip flops you are actually going to need?

One thing that you could do is to ask your guests. Reach out to them and ask them if you provided flip flops if they would wear them. This can take a lot of the guesswork out of the equation.

Not to mention, you can also see if any men would be up for taking the chance to wear flip flops as well. This way, you won’t be leaving anybody out.

The other thing that you could do is include the flip flops as party favors for the female guests. Tie them into the wedding theme. This way, even if people don’t wear the flip flops at your wedding, they will still end up taking the flip flops home with them.

On the upside, you will not have to worry about dealing with any flip flops afterwards. At the same time, it does mean that you will need to invest in flip flops for all the female guests.

How Many Flip Flops for Each Size Should You Get?

Now, the other issue that you will come across here is determining how many flip flops for each size that you should get.

The average shoe size for women in the US is between 8.5 and 9. That being said, shoe sizes have been increasing over the last few decades (along with weight and height). Therefore, older female guests may have smaller shoe sizes.

If you want to make sure that you get the measurements right, then you could consider reach out to your guests. This will allow you to calculate the average shoe size requirements and determine if there are any outliers at the same time.

If you are catering to men as well, then you should know that the average shoe size in the US is 10.5. Once again, contacting the guests will get you a more accurate estimate.

In case you don’t want to contact your guests, it is best to opt for larger shoe sizes when possible. This is because people can still wear flip flops that are too big for them. However, the same can’t be said for flip flops that are too small.

Due to this, you may only want to invest in medium, large, and perhaps some extra large flip flops. This will guarantee that everyone will be accommodated.

Where to Buy Cheap Flip Flops for Wedding Guests?

As you can imagine, buying flip flops for even a small portion of your wedding guests can add up. Therefore, you are probably wondering how you can get your hands on some cheap pairs.

If you are looking to keep things simple, check out the Dollar Tree or another well-known dollar store. You may actually be able to get each pair of flip flops for a dollar or a little bit more.

In case you are planning ahead, you may want to consider calling up wholesale flip flops places. As you are buying them in bulk, you may be able to get a hefty discount on your purchase.

What’s more, you may be able to customize the flip flops so that they fit into your wedding theme.

How Many Flip Flops Will You Need for Wedding Guests?

Ideally, you should consider buying flip flops for every female guest in attendance, including your own bridal party – if this number is too high, think about buying enough flip flops for 50 to 75 percent of the female guests in attendance.

Do you hate the way that your wedding photos have turned out? If so, you are probably feeling sad and frustrated right now. Fortunately, there are various solutions to this problem.

Here is an explanation of all that you can do if you dislike your original wedding photos:

What Should You Do If You Hate Your Wedding Photos?

There are a few things that you can do – start by getting a good perspective, edit the photos, turn your photos black and white, consider redoing your wedding photos, and ask your guests for their photos – you should be able to salvage some of your photos this way.

What Should You Do First If You Hate Your Wedding Photos?

It is possible that you are being overly critical about your photos. Keep in mind that most people have been conditioned by social media to expect perfect photos and a perfect wedding day. 

As such, when you first see your wedding pictures, your initial reaction may be to be overly critical. You may only be looking for flaws in the photos and will not be able to enjoy the true beauty of them.

This is why it is a good idea to take a deep breath, relax, and to take another look at the photos when you are feeling better about yourself. You may then see yourself and the pictures in a new light.

You can also show the photos to a friend or family member whose opinion you value and who you can trust to be honest with you. Ask them what they think so that you can know whether or not you are overreacting.

The other thing to do is to think about the memories behind the photos. If you loved your wedding and love being married, it shouldn’t matter what you look like in the pictures.

Can Editing the Photos Help?

Yes, these days editing or Photoshop can work wonders on the pictures. The level of editing can depend on the quality of the photos and how skilled your photographer is at editing the images.

If you are truly unhappy with the pictures, though, you may want to consider hiring a professional editor. This way they can touch up whatever that you don’t like and do it in a manner that will not be detectable.

In this instance, skimping isn’t going to help as you may end up with results that are worse than the original photos.

If you would like to save some money, buy a photoshopping software for yourself. This can give you a bit more control over the final result of the photos as well. Just be prepared to spend some time and effort learning how to perfect your technique.

When editing your wedding photos, though, make sure that you don’t go overboard. While you should certainly fix anything that doesn’t make you happy, don’t touch up the pictures too much or they will take on an unnatural appearance.

If you want to edit other people’s photos before posting them on social media, make sure to get consent.

Should You Turn Your Photos Black and White?

If your color photos turn even minor flaws into glaringly obvious details, you may want to think about turning your photos into black and white. Depending on how the photos were shot and the quality of the images, this is possible in post production.

You should keep in mind that not every photographer is skilled at doing this by themselves. Therefore, if you don’t get the desired effect, it may be worth it to go to a professional editor.

The great thing about black and white photos is that they are incredibly forgiving and timeless as well. Due to this, your wedding photos will always look perfectly preserved.

Consider Redoing Your Wedding Photos

If your main issue is with how you or your partner looked, then you may want to redo your wedding photos. As you can imagine, there may be a limit to how well you can do this, depending on how much money you want to spend.

If you don’t mind splurging a little, though, you could see if you can use the original venue for a couple of hours. You can also ask your bridal party to join in and pay for professional hair and makeup for everyone.

Alternatively, you and your partner can dress up and take photos in an equally nice location. If you were unhappy with the original photographer’s work, though, make sure that you find someone more qualified.

This can be a good option if you want a few nice wedding photos to display around the house.

Ask Wedding Guests for Photos

It is quite likely that your guests took quite a few photos of their own. And, these days, cameras on phones are quite excellent and the average person is quite skilled at taking them.

Due to this, you should ask all of your wedding guests to contribute any photos that they may have taken. This way, you can sort through all of them and see if there are any photos that you like and that can be used as substitutes for the original photos.

What Can You Do If You Hate Your Wedding Photos?

If you don’t like your wedding photos, there can be various techniques that you use – this includes gaining a better perspective, editing your photos, asking wedding guests for their own photos, turning the pictures black and wide, and even redoing the wedding photos.

You’re not wrong to be worried if your wife is planning a trip without you. There are several reasons why she may be doing this, and the most likely one is because she wants some alone time.

Although you might not like to hear it, there is also a chance that she’s planning the trip with someone else that she may be seeing. This article also looks at how you can tell whether this is the case, and signs to look out for in case she has lost interest in you.

Why is Your Wife Planning to Travel Without You?

There are several reasons why your wife may be planning a trip without you. This does not mean that she’s being unfaithful or doesn’t like your company. Instead, she may just need some space.

Top Reasons Your Wife May Be Planning a Trip Without You

As mentioned, there are a number of reasons why your wife may be planning a trip by herself.

Let’s take a look at them.

1.      She Needs Some Space

Life is overwhelming, so it’s perfectly natural for her to want to get away if it’s particularly hectic. In fact, you should give this a go whenever things get stressful – you will come back with a clear headspace and be more relaxed.

2.      She Can’t be Tamed

Your wife may be free spirited so she may enjoy traveling and seeing the world by herself. You’ll have to give up the notion that she needs to do everything with you. Once you do this, you won’t feel that bad about it.

3.      It is a Girls Trip

She may be planning the trip with her friends who you may not like. You probably aren’t aware of this, but there could be a chance that her friends don’t like you much either, which is why she made the plans without you.

She also may not have invited you as she wanted someone to take care of the children.

4.      She Knows You Won’t Enjoy It

Your wife may not have included you in her plans as she knows the two of you don’t share the same interests. So, you may not like traveling with her.

This could be a good thing as she takes your preferences into consideration while making her decision.

5.      There’s Some Bad Blood

Of course, another reason she may be planning a trip without you is because she is upset with you. This may not be what you want to hear, but you might have done something to hurt her feelings.

If this is this is why she is going on her solo trip, it might be a good thing, as she can use this time to time to reevaluate how she’s feeling.

6.      There’s Someone Else in the Picture

She might not be planning the trip alone but with a lover.

You will know she is being unfaithful if she is being secretive about the trip’s details.

There are a couple of other tell-tell signs to keep an eye out for in case your wife is being unfaithful. I’ve taken a look at them below.

How Do You Know If Your Wife Is Mad at You?

If your wife is planning to travel without you, this doesn’t necessarily mean that she hates you. As mentioned, there are several other reasons that could be at play, like the fact that she wants some alone time.

There are some tell-tell signs to look for if you suspect that she is upset.

Let’s talk about them.

1.      There is No Communication

Lack of communication is the biggest sign that she’s unhappy with you. Her feelings towards you may have changed, so she might not want to engage in any kind of conversation.

This doesn’t happen out of the blue. She is probably avoiding talking to you as you may have done something to hurt her.

2.      You’re All by Yourself

Not only would she avoid talking to you, but she may avoid being around you as a whole. This is in line with her making travel plans by herself.

Even if she is at home when you are, she may not spend as much time in the same room as you.

3.      She Criticizes You

If she criticizes everything you do, it is safe to say that she is upset.

A lot of the time, this criticism would not be constructive. She might just be her trying to get under your skin.

Quite a few women go as far as to compare you with other men when they do this.

4.      There is No Care

It’s a clear sign that your wife is upset if she is not as caring as she once was. All you have to do is see whether she’s interested in your personal life, like friends and work.

5.      From Friends and Family

If she is upset with you, she could have told her friends and family how she feels. You can ask people she know to see what they say. They may tell you what’s going on.

How Can You Tell if Your Wife is Cheating on You?

There are a couple of other signs to look out for if your wife is potentially cheating on you. Let’s talk about them.

1.      She Cares a Lot About Her Looks

If your wife becomes overly obsessed with how she looks, this could mean that she’s having an affair. She may want to look her best to impress the new man that she’s seeing. Of course, if she wears more revealing clothes while going out, this could be another sign.

2.      She’s Out by Herself

As mentioned, planning trips without you is a red flag. She may be going on vacation with another man that she is seeing.

She may also be away from the house often. You can probably guess where and who she is with.

3.      There are A Lot of Gifts

If your wife comes home with gifts more often, this is something to keep an eye out for. Look for bouquets and jewelry. It is safe to say that they are not from her friends.

4.      She is Very Secretive

Communication is vital in any marriage, so it is strange if your partner does not want to communicate about what is going on with her life anymore. It would also be odd if she’s requesting more privacy than you two shared before.

She is likely afraid that you will find out what she is doing, or is just plain guilty. So, she could be maintaining utmost secrecy.

5.      You Smell Men’s Cologne

Another sign that your wife may be cheating is how she smells. You can definitely tell what she’s up to if she comes home smelling like cologne.

How Can You Fix Your Marriage?

Communication is key when it comes to saving any marriage. The two of you should talk things over and understand where things went wrong. There could be something that you did along the way that upset her and made her drift away.

You can also go see a professional about this, as figuring it out all by yourself can be a lot of work. Just be sure to see an experienced professional, as you want the best person for the job.

Keep in mind that all the baggage and resentment that you were carrying around will have to come out. This can be messy at first. However, it will help you fix things in the end.

You can also try and rekindle the bond that you two had by planning a trip together. It can remind your wife and you why you fell in love in the first place. I would suggest going somewhere romantic.

You can also fix things by retaking your vows. This will help remind you why you fell in love in the first place as well.

Should You Travel Without Your Wife?

As your wife may want to travel without you, in turn, you might be wondering whether it would be a good idea to travel without her. I don’t see any problem with it, as you can use this opportunity for self-discovery.

In case you do not have the best marriage, this time apart might also be the best thing for you, as you would be able to realize how much you mean to each other by being apart.

Final Thoughts

There are several reasons why your wife may be planning a trip without you. Although she may not necessarily be mad at you, this is usually one of the main reasons. She could also be going through a lot and may just need some alone time.

Also, she may be going on a trip with her friends and might want to do something without you and the family for once.

I also discussed all the signs to look out for in case you suspect that your wife is cheating on you.

Making a DIY PVC pipe arch is a lot easier than most people realize. You simply need the right materials and instructions to put you on the right track.

You will find these and plenty of other tips to help you make your very own PVC pipe arch here:

How to Make a Garden Arch with PVC Pipe?

To make a garden arch out of PVC pipe, you are first going to need to create two bases for either end of the arch – this is followed by fitting the PVC pipes into each base – the curved portion will be made by PEX pipe as it is more flexible.

What Do You Need to Make a PVC Pipe Arch?

Here is a list of the materials:

For the Base

You will not necessarily want or need a base. If you are burying your arch into the ground, then you can skip the base. However, if you want the ends of the arch to be above ground and steady, then a base is recommended.

Plywood

It is important to use plywood as it is the only thing that is sturdy enough to hold the arch in place. It will come in handy if the arch needs to be set up outdoors, on a windy day.

You will need two 12 x 12 inch boards that are ¾ inches thick.

PVC Flanges, Washers, and Screws

This is what is going to secure the pipe arch to the base. You will require:

• Two ¾ inch PVC pipe floor flanges
• Eight ¼ inch flat fender washers
• Eight 11/4 inch plywood screws

For the Pipe Arch

Now, when it comes to your PVC pipe arch, you can make the whole thing out of PVC if you want. The only issue is that PVC isn’t very flexible. As such, if you want the pipe to bend properly to form a true arch, then you are going to have to take a few other steps.

Not only does this add to the complexity of the overall project, but also means that it is going to take a lot longer.

This is why it is best to make the sides of the frame out of PCV and the curved portion out of PEX pipe. Don’t worry, PEX pipe is just as easy to find as PVC pipe.

You will need:

• Two 5 foot, ¾ inch PVC pipes
• One 10 foot, ½ inch PEX pipe

How to Make Your PVC Pipe Arch Base

Step 1

Start by painting each board – you can choose a neutral color like white or black or select a shade that will work with the rest of the decorative elements of the arch.

Step 2

Once the paint has dried, place a pipe flange on the center of the board. Using a pencil, outline the center of the flange as well as where each of the screws should go.

Repeat this process with the other board as well.

Step 3

Use a drill to pre-drill the screw holes for each of the screws. Don’t drill all the way through the board, just halfway down.

Step 4

Place the flange over the middle again.

Place each washer over the screw holes on the flange. Place the screw in each slot and then use a drill to tighten each screw into place. Repeat this on the other board as well.

Step 5

Arrange the boards a distance away from each other – this should be equal to the width that you want the arch to be.

How to Make the PVC Arch

Step 1

Place one of the 5 foot PVC pipes into the flange on the base. Make sure that it is tight fit.

Repeat this process with the other PVC pipe, flange, and base.

Step 2

On the PEX pipe, use a permanent marker to make a mark every 12 inches, starting from one end. This will make it easier to adjust the height and width of the arch later on.

Step 3

Insert one end of the PEX pipe into one of the PVC pipes fitted into the base. Push the PEX pipe until you come to the first 12 inch mark.

Stop there and secure the PEX pipe to the PVC using duct tape or any other kind of tape.

Then, take the other end of the PEX pipe and insert it into the other PVC pipe.

In this case, you can insert as much or as little of the PEX pipe as you want, depending on how wide and tall you want the arch to be one.

Once you have found the right dimensions, secure the PEX pipe to the PVC pipe using duct tape.

How to Make an Arch Without a Base?

Well, you can follow all the same steps except skip the instructions for the base.

Instead, dig a hole on either side of where you want the arch to be. Alternatively, you can use plant pots if you will be growing vines or other flora.

Stick the PVC pipes in here and make sure to cover with dirt to ensure a firm fit. Then, attach the PEX pipe to either piece of the PVC pipe.

How Do You Make a DIY PVC Pipe Arch?

You will have to start by creating a base out of plywood – then, fit two sections of PVC pipe into each base to create the sides of the arch – the curved part of the arch will be made by PEX pipe to add flexibility.