Issue 28

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The Love Issue

FEATURES

1. NUPTIAL KNOW-HOW

   As the wedding-industrial complex grows fatter and more fearsome, the betrothed-to-be are finding ingenious ways to beat the system. We found four creative couples who threw parties of the year by doing it themselves (with a little help from their friends). Plus: A rundown of little-known honeymoon destinations and how to set up a travel fund registry.

2. AGENT PROVOCATEUR

   Looking for a better hit rate in the online dating world, a reporter goes undercover and discovers that all it takes to find love is a $40 wig, a new career as a kindergarten teacher, and an interest in quilting.
   by Meghan Daum

3. HOT PROPERTY

   Nothing says commitment like taping and mudding a wall together. In the process of renovating their upstate New York home, David Sokol and Kevin McCarthy landed the perfect venue for their wedding ceremony: the backyard.
   by Sonia Zjawinski

DEPARTMENTS

4. RE-VIEW

   Singles of the world unite, political ring tones, an online dating makeover, wooing throughout the ages, and the return of the hula hoop. Plus: the best new music, books, and tools

5. RE-MAKE - MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO

   Make temporary tattoos, a Ding Dong cake, a Queen of Hearts flip book, and a video confessional booth

6. RE-STYLE

   Warm up your love nest with an oak headboard, lovey-dovey candles, and treetop pillow shams

7. RE-FAB

   Sew a log carrier out of retired blue jeans

8. RE-THINK

   When it’s time to pop the question, take a cue from these six irresistible proposals

9. RE-JOICE

   Wedding crib sheet: inspirational invitations, a tree-trunk chuppah, and some unusual tabletoppers

10. RE-TAIL

    The ReadyMade wish list: recycled glass vases, tea towels, bedding, carving knives, and rings to kill for. Plus, gifts for your sweetie: a retro lighter, customizable scarf, and love labels

11. HDYGTFAJ?

    Q&A with sex therapist Ian Kerner

12. STEP 1

    Luxury sex toys and indie-rock performance art

13. READY-WHIP

    Soup’s on! Three winter-thawing recipes

14. HOT TODDY

    Make a ring pillow

15. MARTHA LIVES

    Print personalized matchbooks

16. ALREADYMADE

    Fire up a gun lamp

17. BUYER’S GUIDE / RE_SOURCE

    Where to get your gear

18. MACGYVER

    Winning Entry: taffeta toss pillows! Next up: ink-jet printers

19. END GAME

    Amy Sedaris takes the cake