Dear Heloise: When shopping for my wedding dress, I found it helpful to take a picture of each that I was considering. My mom or sister would take a photo of me in it, and later, I saw how I really looked in each dress.—Susan M., via e-mail

This is a good hint, because it does take some of the stress out of choosing the “perfect” dress. Another hint? Make a master list of everything that you need to do. The list may seem overwhelming at first, but in the long run, it will make things easier. For more great wedding ideas, including how to shop for and care for that perfect dress, send for my pamphlet filled with helpful, money-saving bridal hints. To order, just send $3 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (61 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Bridal, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. And here’s a fun hint: Buy a disposable camera for each table at the reception. Put a note along with it that guests are invited to take photos, but be sure to leave it for the couple to get developed.—Heloise



FAST FACTS

Dear Heloise: I use a cotton swab to get the lint from behind the buttonholes and in the pockets of my son’s dress shirts. I hate to see the dark spots showing through.—Dorothy Colwell, Middletown, Ohio

Dorothy, thanks for the hint. Here are some other uses for cotton swabs:

Get that last little bit of lipstick out of the tube.

Use to touch up chipped paint on woodwork.

Use to clean and dust small items and those that have crevices that might be hard to clean.—Heloise



HOUSEPLANT WATERING

Dear Heloise: I have found a small funnel set to be useful for watering houseplant groupings that have different water requirements. This allows you to “spot” water on plants that don’t like water on their leaves. I enjoy your column very much.—Gail, Torrington, Conn.

I, too, use a small funnel—it’s perfect for African violets.—Heloise



SINGLE EARRING

Dear Heloise: I have a great hint! If you lose one of your earrings, do not throw away the one that is left. Save it and use it as a pin. This works great with pierced earrings. They look good on a turtleneck or collar.—Nancy in Ohio



NO SCUFFED SHOES

Dear Heloise: I wear light-colored shoes, and the awful dark marks from the soles and heels ruin them! I paint the edge of the soles and heel tips with clear fingernail polish, and so far it has worked just fine.—Maurice Ebelt, Spring, Texas



SOUND OFF

Dear Heloise: Why can’t cereal manufacturers package their cereal in a box or container that can really be reclosed? When the box is opened, the slit for the close tab always tears, and the box cannot be closed. It also would be nice if the cereal itself were packaged in a self-closing plastic bag.—David in Little Rock, Ark.



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