Workout Wednesday: More Sprints, Less Gym

Have you been keeping up with your wedding workout plans or New Year’s resolutions to be fit? Whether you have a wedding to look good at or just want to be healthy, a high intensity interval training workout might be a great addition to your exercise routine. You’ll get faster results, burn more fat, and spend less time in the gym! Basically a win-win situation.

You can incorporate high intensity interval training into your workout by doing ten 1-minute sprints, followed by a minute of rest, three times a week to start seeing results. By sprinting for one minute, then resting for one minute, and repeating this ten times, you’re increasing your heart rate and burning more than you would if you were to run at a steady pace. This workout works for any cardio activity: biking, jogging, treadmill, etc.

Don’t forget to stretch before and after a workout! When you stretch, you increase circulation and blood flow bringing more oxygen to the brain, thus leading to a cheerier outlook. Need more incentives to stretch? How about better posture and less aches after a workout? The key to feeling your best on your wedding day is to make sure you’re at your healthiest.

*Picture borrowed from UtahBrideandGroom.com

New York Fashion Week: Naeem Khan Fall 2012

New York Fashion Week is here! One of the designers we had our eye on is Naeem Khan, a high end designer from India. Infusing ethnic embroidering with intricate beading, Khan’s designs can be seen on celebrities like the First Lady Michelle Obama and Padma Lakshmi. Naeem Khan’s Fall 2012 collection colors were heavy on metal accents like silver, gunmetal, and gold. Using his native country of India as inspiration, Khan created sophisticated and feminine designs fit for the fashion forward, modern woman.

Fun fact: Naeem Khan fashion is sold at Neiman Marcus.

Photos courtesy of Fashionista.com.

Gift Ideas For Bridesmaids

Don’t forget your bridesmaid(s)! These ladies are taking the time out to accompany you on your special day–from confirming your beauty at dress fittings to listening to your meltdowns over menu snafus. We have some DIY-budget friendly and designer gift ideas on how to say “thank you for being my bridesmaid” and make sure your friendship stays intact after your day haha

{Survival Kit, Clutch, Mason Jars, Canvas, Parasol, Bangles}

 The Knot offers a “Bridesmaid’s Survival Kit” that makes sure all last-minute emergencies are handled with ease and preparation. When we were searching for clutches online, we came across this showstopping feather clutch that could be an amazing bridesmaid’s gift or a bridal clutch to compliment your wedding gown.

For the more DIY/ budget-conscious bride, the doily covered mason jars are an adorable and personal gift anyone would appreciate! You can use them as candle holders or fill them with a delicious treat, even put some thank you notes and photos in them. The personalized button canvas is personal, easy to make or order via etsy, and who doesn’t love more home decor items? Another personalized bridesmaid’s gift is a monogram parasol with the first letter of each bridesmaid’s name on them.

No budget? Awesome, then your bridesmaid’s will adore these Nordstrom exclusive Alexis Bittar ‘Miss Havisham’ Encrusted Skinny Bangles!  They come in different colors like gunmetal and rose gold, and are priced at $195.00 each.

Inspiration Board: B&W Swarovski Crystal Wedding

In the midst of all the craziness with rebranding our site, we wanted to take some time to inspire you with decadence. As we’ve mentioned before, “vintage chic” or “rustic chic” has become a little over-saturated and cliched as far as wedding themes go. So let’s go back to our childhood roots, where we dreamed about platinum weddings full of diamonds, romance, and everything that money could buy! Well, those were our childhood dreams haha

{Invitations, Bouquet, Cake Topper, Bridesmaid Dress, Swarovski Crystal Heels, Bridal Gown, Cake, Tablescape}

What’s a dream wedding without being a little over the top? Black and white is classic, chic, modern, and romantic. It compliments all tastes and really balances both feminine and masculine aspects of a couple. The bling aspect? Not gaudy when you choose to go with Swarovski crystals as embellishments to your gown, heels, and decor. We love the inspiration board we came up incorporating black and white, and crystals to create a “wow!” factor. Last year, we created another black and white inspiration board showing you the different ways we can create black and white without looking like a bunch of jailbirds. This black and white board’s theme is “showstopping decadence for a Hollywood starlet.” Fancy, right?

Real Wedding: Beach Elegance at L’Auberge

Bay and Casey are a gorgeous couple who wanted an elegant beach wedding at L’Auberge Del Mar. The couple met through mutual friends and family at a Christmas party nine years ago. Their personalities are like mirror images of each other and they love to be active. While on a snowboarding trip in Big Bear, Casey proposed to Bay at a bed and breakfast resort… how romantic!

L’Auberge Del Mar is an elegant setting for any wedding! It’s known as one of the best North San Diego coastal resorts.

Love the floral accents on the cake and the couple’s decision to have a modern, sleek lounge for guests to mingle during cocktail hour.

Bay’s fondest  memory of her wedding: Seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony.

Bride’s words of wisdom: Relax and have fun. Involve your partner and do it together. It’s actually fun. Be very organized and get things done early so you’re not stressed. Hire a great planner like Nahid!

Ceremony Site: Seagrove Park in Del Mar, CA

Reception Site: L’Auberge Del Mar

Photographer: Brett Charles Rose Photography

Florist: Haydee’s Creative Flowers

Hair: Jessica Bertheau

Makeup: Mirror Mirror

Linens: Concepts Event Design

Rentals: Lounge Appeal

Lighting: England Lighting Systems

Stationary: Paper Paper Del Mar

Cake: Cake, Inc

Ceremony and Cocktail Entertainment: Caprice Strings

Reception Entertainment: Wayne Foster Band

Videographer: Pristine Videos

Transportation: LA Class Transportation