Where there is a wedding there is a way

Summer weddings are always the most glorious and romantic. Warm breezes, dancing by candle light and cold fresh cocktails infused with mint are my idea of a perfect summer wedding. But, what to wear? This all depends on where the wedding is being held. Summer weddings are usually either destination or outside or both.  I’m currently curating my outfit for a wedding this weekend in Chicago. The wedding is at the bride and groom’s home in the suburbs and will beheld indoor and outdoor. There are a few elements to take into consideration when choosing an outfit.  How fancy are the couple and what the venue is. Meaning you don’t want to show up in a strapless Nicole Miller dress if the bride is in a white cotton sundress. And you don’t want to be in high Louboutins if the wedding is in the grass( I am speaking from experience…). You need to also think about makeup and hair(think humidity). Below are a few ideas and tips on how to look oh so gorgeous!

When choosing what to wear always photo-73think about the climate. If the wedding is on the beach it is going to be warm, so wear light materials. If the wedding is inside a church or temple or hall, you want to incorporate a wrap because the AC will be cranking. Currently I am obsessed with the brand Reformation and wearing one of their dresses this weekend.  All of their dresses are sustainable and made from discarded material from the top fashion houses. The dresses are lightweight, flowy and extremely sexy. Some dresses will have the backs cut out or the sides cut out, which leaves enough to the imagination to be ethereal and seductive all at the same time. If you want to wear something short and sweet the color blue is always a happy choice. Royal blue is giving black a run for it’s money this season and looks good on everyone. TopShop made the sweetest short blue dress with a plunging neckline that I wore for my birthday in the winter with black tights and again recently with bare legs and wedges to an event.

After you’ve decided on your dress it’s time to think about shoes.  As I mentioned before I had a bad situation one summer at a wedding ceremony where the ground was not covered with a floor. I was in 6 inch heels and suffice it to say did a lot of walking around on the balls of my feet until the reception started inside. So, think ahead. Ask the bride if necessary. The wedding I’m going to this weekend is indoor/outdoor and I am wearing Alice and Olivia Wedges as I was informed there will be mulch. Why tempt fate again?!? If the wedding is during the day or very casual a jeweled flat sandal is completely appropriate and looks very chic with the right dress. Of course you can never go wrong with a strappy metallic heel just know what you’re walking into….

Odds are it will be warm if the wedding is outside, so natural is always the best way to go when it comes to hair. Fighting humidity is always going to be an uphill battle and you will never win. You can blow dry your hair and leave a few sections damn and spray on a beachy mist like Bumble and Bumble for a messy, wavy look. Another terrific trick for outside hair is to wear a fun or jeweled headband. Pinning some hair up with a flower and bobby pins is also a easy way to keep simple, sexy and un-styled. Go light with the makeup too. Nothing worse than a cakey, oily face of makeup. Remember that if you’re going to be outside the humidity will give your face a dewy hydrated look anyway-no need to pile on extra. Be wary of wearing a lot of illuminated makeup, this will only make you look oily. A gorgeous look for summer is a light eye, highlighted cheek and pink or red lip. One big pop of color! For the most amazing illuminated cheek run, don’t walk to buy Kevyn Aucoin’s Candlelight Illuminating powder.  This can be used all over the face and eyes and has been named the ‘Mercedes Benz of highlighters”! And because this is a powder you won’t look slick and shiny like with a cream based highlighter. My one must have for any event or occasion is Scott Barnes Body Bling. Originally created for Jennifer Lopez, this makes your body look flawless and glowing.  Use this on your chest, arms and legs. You will look thinner, more tan and evened out. This even covers spider veins!!

Now you’re summer wedding ready and all you have to do is catch the bouquet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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From Bloat to Bikini

We are smack in the middle of bikini season, wedding season and just it’s so ‘damn hot season’ that you want to be in as little clothing as possible! There is never a better time to de-bloat than summertime. You’ll feel better and look hotter and healthier. You really only need a few days(if you’re super focused) but if you have a week to ten days that’s even better. There are foods to eat and foods to avoid, tons of water to drink, and tremendous amounts of sweat to be sweat. Follow a few of these tricks and you’ll be looking gor-gee-0o-so in no time!

I took my path to summer hotness to the extreme, I’ve been eating vegan, sugar-free, gluten free, and low sodium and for a week and plan on continuing for another week. I feel terrific and full of energy and while I don’t plan on staying Vegan, I am definitely staying dairy-free. I don’t own a scale but I can feel and tell I have lost bloat and a few pounds. If you want to jumpstart your body and drop a few lbs look into a meal delivery program like Fresh-N-Lean, so you don’t have to struggle with what to eat or not eat. These people specialize in clean, organic, healthy, gluten free, dairy free, vegan food.  They do all the work, so you can enjoy.

Drinking water is imperative to getting your body beach/bikini/vacation ready. Water equals life and we are made up of 80%! Drink people-drink! Water flushes sodium and toxins out of our bodies. Your skin will look clearer and more hydrated and so will your eyes.

A few foods to stay away from because they will bloat you are artificial sweeteners or anything ‘sugar-free’, sodium/salt, carbonated drinks, beans, high fiber greens(get them juiced instead) and dairy. There is definitely an argument that yogurt is actually beneficial for your gut and helps eliminate bloat, just depends on how you digest it. Okay, I’m going to type it- alcohol… This is the one thing people, myself included, struggle with when wanting to drop weight or bloat. If you must drink be smart about what you’re drinking. Stay away from wine because of the sugar and beer because its heavy and carbonated. Vodka with lime is your best bet as far as low calories and no carbonation. There are also a lot of ways to ‘skinny’ your cocktails-see our post for July 4th for some yummy ideas.

Anti-bloat foods you should eat are papaya because it contains a digestive enzyme that helps break down protein. Celery because it is a diuretic which relieves fluid and cucumbers because they de-puff anything and are mostly water. Asparagus contains a ‘good’ gut bacteria and green tea is the mother of all  when it comes to a natural diuretic.

While all of this healthiness is ensuing, you need to sweat and work out! Sweating will get toxins out of your body and working out releases endorphins that make us feel good! Running or spinning will help you drop weight fast. Cross training continually will only help your body look more sculpted and toned. Getting enough sleep is important too. The term ‘beauty sleep’ didn’t invent itself after all.

If you have tricks on how to get summer-sexy ready fast, share them with us!! See you in your string bikini!

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Keep it Clean

Every time I drop $200 at Lululemon I promise myself that I will stick to the plan of how to take care of my gym clothes correctly. Lululemon has some of the best quality, not to mention most expensive workout out clothing around, so it is worth it to keep them smelling good as long as possible. NO dryers! Yes, it can be a pain, wet dripping clothes strewn all over the bathroom, but you will get more bang for your buck if you follow a few easy rules.

The key to keeping gym clothes fresh is to hand rinse them as soon as possible. If you let them sit wet in the hamper they will build up mold and mildew which equals- GROSS! I immediately either soak them in the sink with Woolite or throw them into the shower with me for at least a rinse with water. Always make sure you hang them to dry because that is where the real trouble can start. If you’re machine washing, always make sure to wash in cold water to save your colors and never ever dry them in a machine. Most of the materials dry quickly when hung out. The more active you are, the more wash you will probably have to do but it is better than having a stank smelling house!

My newest obsession at Lulu is ‘All Sport Bra’! Good for high intensity activity but still cute and the colors are summery and bright. I also love the ‘Ignite Bra’ for yoga and low intensity workouts. This bra is low cut and sure to catch the eye of the cutie next to you in Bikram.

Om Shanti baby!

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