Hush, you, you're deflating my righteous wrath and replacing it with "Aw, golly shucks."

My sister got some of the professional photo proofs from her wedding.

WOW, you look REALLY BEAUTIFUL. I'm glad that you resisted the tanning decree. And you and DH look so cute!

Thanks, Vortex. You guys are good for my self esteem.

Cashmere, you look lovely! No tan needed. I'm glad you resisted the tanning zeitgeist. DH is a cutie pie, too!

I think I should get my teeth whitened, and then I think I'm falling prey to yet another marketing campaign to make me feel that something normal like the color of my teeth is Hideous! and must be fixed at whatever cost or I will not be Sexy!. Twenty years ago, no one worried that their teeth were unsightly unless they were clearly damaged or something. Sparkling white Chiclet teeth are not normal. One of my girlfriends got Chiclet teeth for her wedding, and it looks odd (to me) to have bright white teeth in a face mature enough to have wrinkles.

Pardon my rant. A little whitening does make one look younger. It's just the Chiclet effect that's weird. Okay, back to work.

I understand why Geisha smile with their mouths closed--their lipstick makes their teeth look more yellow. Mine are ok for the most part--but my incisors (which are pretty prominent) are a few shades darker than the rest.

Of course I wouldn't want to pull a Ross and get the teeth that shine like beacons in the dark, either.

I'm with you Zen. I'd like my teeth to be whiter, but not bright white. I am a great proponent of two of the worst teeth yellowers -- coffee and red wine. Having dark skin, I don't think that it's as noticeable in pictures and whatnot, but I wouldn't mind a few shades. I keep meaning to try the Crest whitestrips or whatever. Speaking of, has anyone used the OTC whitening stuff? Any recommendations or warnings?

I have used the OTC whiteners, and they didn't work for me, but - caveat - they made my teeth hurt and I know I didn't keep them on as long as I should have. The aforementioned Chiclet-toothed friend claims she did it by wearing the OTC whiteners for a couple hours a day, with no pain, so I guess you just have to try it to know.

I'm thinking of spending the $500 and getting the laser thing done. My dentist says the OTC stuff works better for keeping them white than getting them white.

Beautiful pictures Cashmere!

Beautiful pictures, Cashmere. I especially love the one of you and DH. Your kids are going to love seeing that in years to come.

I came across a photo of (most) of my extended family, gathered together for my grandmother's memorial service a couple of years ago [link] I'm just to the right of the photo of my g'ma, my dad is behind me, and my mom is next to me.

I keep meaning to try the Crest whitestrips or whatever. Speaking of, has anyone used the OTC whitening stuff? Any recommendations or warnings?

Not those, but I have used the Crest Vivid White toothpaste - it comes in separate day and night versions - to good effect.