For years, it's been said that couples who live together before marriage are more likely to get divorced. But according to a new government study of 22,000 men and women, this is no longer the case.

About 60 percent of couples live together before marriage. "It's becoming so common, it's not surprising it no longer negatively affects marital stability," said Wendy Manning, co-director of the National Center for Family & Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. 

According to the study, couples who lived together while engaged had a 60 percent chance of their marriage lasting 15 years—the same as couples who did not live together before the wedding. But for couples who live together before the proposal? Their marriages were only 53% as likely to reach the 15 year mark. 

The study infers that the difference is related to feelings about committment. 

"Commitment has made a difference. In interviews with some women who have been married 20 years or more after living with their spouse first, firm belief in a future together was a common theme," reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

My sister doesn’t get to travel as much as I do. (I mean, who does really? It is, after all, my job.) So whenever she’s going on a biggie trek—to Dubai, Oz or, in this case, an awesome forbidden island—she often hits me up for some of my gear. Hey, isn’t that what sisters are for?

Generally, I don’t mind loaning out my wheelie bag, airplane pillow or money belt, but this time around, while she’s touring Colonial sites, I’ll be hobnobbing with some importante people in Mexico. Which means I’ll be needing my trusty travel tools.

Lucky for my sister, I just heard about the awesome plane-friendly products on offer at the Container Store. There are fuzzy blankie sets that have cool pockets to keep your electronics, slim converter sets and even mini-fans. My sister lives around the corner from a Container Store, so she’ll be able to peruse the selection before take-off on Saturday.

If you’ve got more time, all the goods are available online at the containerstore.com.

—Jenna Mahoney

We've been to so many wonderful previews in the last few weeks! Diane and I went to see the lovely designer Shana Farr debut her new jewelry collection Pure Imagination by Shana Farr at the Players Club on Gramercy Park. A fitting location, since Shana is not only a talented artist but also a gifted vocalist, having performed her supper club show Pure Imagination at the Metropolitan Room, Feinstein's Regency and at New York City Center.

Her exquisitely crafted collection of sterling silver charms and lockets all have an element of whimsy.

Her signature piece, the Fortune Cookie locket, opens to reveal a personal message inside.

I especially love her Chrysanthemum rings and bracelets in sterling silver, pink and yellow gold. 

Personalized Runner

Tell your story as a couple through your aisle runner. This amazing DIY, featured on Oh Lovely Day, started with photos of the couple as children and progressed through their six years of dating, highlighting special moments and memories along the way. Get step-by-step instructions to create your own!

The runner also provided a fun activity for guests prior to the ceremony—the couple placed a crossword puzzle within the ceremony program, with most answers to be found on the runner.

Photo Credit: The Other Sister Photography/via Oh Lovely Day

Spiral Aisle

Perfect for small, intimate weddings, a round ceremony setup gives each guest a front row seat for your walk down the aisle. It also creates a cozy feel throughout the ceremony as you're surrounded on all sides by your loved ones.