No marriage? No kids? We’re heading toward a “postfamilial” era, according to recent studies and The Daily Beast’s “Where Have All the Babies Gone?,”  wherein woman are more likely to be seen as queens of eternal singledom and less as “wombs with legs” as one 30-year-old female put it.  Staggering statistics show the fertility rate is the lowest it has been since first recorded in 1920 – and many are blaming the economy.  That makes sense, but can you see yourself in a world sans familia? Depressing, much.

Read on for more info on how not having children could harm our economy, plus more, from The Daily Beast: http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/02/18/why-the-choice-to-be-childless-is-bad-for-america.html

Hello Lovers!

Happy 2013. May this year make all of you Mrs.’s  and Ms.’s and Mr.’s more guided on your paths through, in, and toward true love.

Now, let’s bring you up to speed on the most popular engagement rings (that pop!) and all the winter wedding trends you need to know about.

Click here for my latest for the Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/custompublishing/together/la-ss-together-bling-in-the-new-year,0,6698803.story

And for all the latest in winter wedding trends from food maestro Wolfgang Puck, hair divas at Blo and more, read on here at Celebrity Bride Guide: http://www.celebritybrideguide.com/2012-winter-wedding-trends/

Lots of <3,

Allison

Don’t pop the bubbly just yet.  The first year of marriage, compared to the high of wedding planning, may seem difficult, if not slightly depressing.  Cheer up, young bucks and honeymooners, and take solace in the fact that you’re not alone. Recent studies show that newlyweds are less happy in their first year than couples who have been married for 40 or more years.

Let’s just hope marriage doesn’t have a terrible 2′s phase.

Read all the details from the study in this Huffington Post Weddings piece, “Honeymoon Phase Is A Myth, Study Finds.”

Lots of <3,

Allison

With all the preparations for the big day, from table settings to invitations to favors and your first dance song, don’t forget how much fun you can have blowing off steam and getting in shape.  What a one-two punch! Discover some of the hottest heart-pumping workouts in my latest piece for the Los Angeles Times Together section. You’ll be shimmying into that dress in no time. Ready, set, sweat. http://www.latimes.com/custompublishing/together/la-ss-together-fit-to-be-wed,0,2521878.story

Lots of <3,

Allison

No one wants another woman butting into their relationship.  There is one, however, that we just can’t avoid: your mother in law. On the Today Show this morning, Cosmopolitan‘s Joyce Chang and psychotherapist Robi Ludwig chimed in on the entangled relationship, averring that there is some truth in finding a mama’s boy. “You find a man who likes his mother, he’ll be good to you,” they said. Here are some other noteworthy tips from the pros:

1. Don’t make your man choose sides. There is room for both kinds of love.
2. Be honest with your husband about your feelings regarding your mother-in-law, and let him help navigate them appropriately.
3. Remember that he chose you because you felt familiar to him in some way. May want to thank mom for that.
4. Try to find something you like about your mother-in-law, ask her about herself, and always be kind.

Lots of <3,

Allison

Relationships hit snags all the time.  If you’re in it for the long haul (til death do you part, ah-hem), you can expect some turbulent times. The next time you hit rough waters, try asking yourself these “4 Questions Resilient Couples Ask” put forth by The Huffington Post’s Paula Davis-Laack (link below).  Sometimes all it takes is stepping back and pondering things from a new angle.  A quote I particularly love:

“Make a conscious effort to remain clear, confident and controlled the next time you get into a disagreement. Greet your partner with a hug and a big smile at the end of the work day. Focus instead on what you can control, influence or leverage.”

Read the four questions here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paula-davislaack/relationship-advice_b_1959223.html

Lots of <3,

Allison

The Butter End Cakery

Hi lovers,

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with some of the leading experts in the wedding industry to uncover fall’s top trends.  You won’t want to miss marveling at all that’s to come this season.  Check out what unparalleled bakers like Kimberly Bailey of The Butter End Cakery (she crafted Drew Barrymore‘s dream cake!) and the savvy buyers at Anthropologie’s BHLDN have to say, plus more!

Read the story on Celebrity Bride Guide by clicking here: http://www.celebritybrideguide.com/2012-fall-wedding-trends/

Lots of <3,

Allison

Did you know that a couple bringing in about $60,000 per year will spend $8 -10,000 on a baby the first year and early years thereafter? Those making six figures are looking at $24,000. Due to economic straits it’s no wonder that Millennials are pushing back baby making, not to mention home and car buying, according to The Atlantic‘s Jordan Weissman.  Weissman, who provided the above stats, chatted with Patt Morrison this morning on KPCC about this very real issue, and how it only hampers economic revival – - diaper and pregnancy test companies have recorded taking hits!  Are you prolonging car buying, home buying and baby making, too?

Read on about the story here: http://www.scpr.org/programs/patt-morrison/2012/08/30/28187/millennial-babies-generation-y-recession-american/

Find out what Brooke Burke-Charvet has to say about panties and why lingerie is crucial to a marriage. Plus, my roundup of the most celeb-coveted bridal underpinnings. Read on to be tantalized by lacy confections galore:  http://www.celebritybrideguide.com/allison-kornberg-lingerie/

Lots of <3,

Allison

“So often when we choose relationships, we try to fit another person into our predetermined ideal. When they don’t fit perfectly, we may try to make them over, creating our own vision from the raw material they’ve brought. But unless someone asks for guidance and direction, entering into a relationship with someone we want to change is dishonest.” – Today’s Daily Om.