Wedding Wednesday! - I'm on the move!

via Sister's Pinterest

As the countdown to the wedding continues, I am beginning to get the fitness and "slenderize" bug.  Like most brides out there, I want to look and feel the best I can on my wedding day.   With 5 1/2 months til the wedding (crazy!) I have become proactive to to reach this goal by becoming more active and making better food decisions.  

Become More Active: It has been a while since I last purchased a pair of shoes that had laces or required socks, so it's more than an understatement to say that getting a new pair of shoes was a MUST.  To be honest, buying running shoes isn't quite as fun as buying a pair of heels, but I felt a tinge of pride knowing I was on my way to getting into shape.

 With a friend, my new shoes and I have officially taken the first few steps to reaching my fitness and "wedding body"goal.  So far we have only gone walking a couple of times (4 1/2 miles each time!), but unlike Zoomba, I think my afternoon walks will be a fitness regimen I will stick with.  :)

Make Good Food Decisions:  I know that in order to reach their wedding body goal some people will cleanse and other try fad diets, but I have taken a different (more realistic) approach: I don't deprive myself of anything, but just make better choices.  

What exactly do I mean by this?  

I still love to eat onion rings, cupcakes, and pasta, but as often as possible, I just try to make healthy choices so that I don't feel guilty when I do want to splurge. 

What are a few of my healthy food choices?

Well, I try to eat breakfast everyday, and choose fat free yogurt with fruit over pastries.  When deciding what to get eat for lunch, I often (not always) choose salad rather than a burger or if I do choose the burger, I opt for a salad rather than french fries.  When getting snackie in the afternoon, I try my best avoid the office candy jar by choosing a high fiber cereal or granola.  And, when going out to eat, I try to portion out my food so I don't eat 2 or 3 servings of food.  These changes have not been easy but so far so good.  

Wedding Update! High Tops & High Heels

For those who didn't know, the Mister and I are planning a non traditional cocktail-esque wedding reception.  We plan to have a mixture of lounge seating and traditional round tables as well as high top cocktail tables sprinkled around the reception area.  

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As we continue to iron out the details, particularly linen selection, we are trying to decide whether to have the linens for the high tops tied or not tied.  Here is the dilemma: We really like the polished look of the tied linens but don't want to worry about the legs of the table possibly showing...  thoughts anyone?

-I think we will probably end up choosing black tied high top linens.  

 

Oh! And a couple of weeks I told you all that I picked my shoes and guess what?! Thanks to Nordstrom.com my BLUE shoes are here!

I love these shoes!  The French Blue Satin is as vivid in person as it looks online, and the crystal detail on the vamp is attached well and has a great sparkle.  And there is an added plus: there is a built-in pad at the ball of the foot, which is great considering the shoe has an approximate 4 1/4 inch heel.  The only catch is shoe is smidge on the small side so yesterday I have ordered another pair a half size bigger, just to compare.  :)

Wedding Update - Shoes

Even before Carrie Bradshaw made blue shoes the must have "something blue" for brides everywhere, I had dreamed of bright blue shoes tucked under my bridal gown.  

Manolo Blahnik's Something Blue Satin Pump

Like most brides on a budget, I won't be wearing the Manolo's at my wedding, but thanks to some fashion forward shoe designers, like Martinez Valero, I will have the something blue I have always wanted!  I think my choice will be Martinez Valero's "Zoie" Pump from Nordstrom.  

Martinez Valero "Zoie" Pump

Note to brides thinking of blue dyeable shoes: be careful!  I have been warned by numerous people (including bridal shop owners) that rain, humidity, and even sweaty feet can cause dark colors such as blue to run.  I didn't want to take this risk of damaging my dream dress* so I decided against dye-able shoes and am opting for the Zoie's.  I'm so excited, even if most people don't see my shoes, I know my toesies will be happy!  I really love these shoes!

*I am still discussing and tweaking the dress customization plans with the bridal salon, but as soon as that is finalized I will let ya'll know what I pick!  

Fabulous Friday - Accessories

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I think people will agree with me when I say that a little black dress is a wardrobe essential. A great black dress is a "go to" piece because it's flattering with any skin tone and on any silhouette.  When you're wearing a black dress it becomes the perfect backdrop and palate for most accessories.  

I love that depending on how you accessorize it, one dress can be worn so many different ways: it can be dressed up or down, and worn either day or night.  Here are my picks of fabulous accessories that can transform a little black dress from daytime casual to nighttime glam! 

Day:

Watch: Michael Kors Watch with Crystals in Clear$250 - revolveclothing.com

Sunglasses: Dior Women's Cut Out Twisted Elegance Sunglasses, Black$375 - johnlewis.com

Bag: Beneta Fringe Tote, Large$2,650 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Hoop Earring: Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings/2?"$400 - saksfifthavenue.com

Sandals: Joe's Jeans Princess - Black Suede$230 - heels.com

Night:

Earring: Crystal Encrusted Gold Moonstone & Champagne Drop Earring$375 - alexisbittar.com

Wedges w/ Ribbon: Patent Wedge$1,280 - kirnazabete.com

Clutch: Patent Snakeskin Envelope Clutch$895 - intermixonline.com

Bracelet: Bracelet Flora Gold Small Gem Encrusted Vine Hinge Bracelet$450 - alexisbittar.com

Rings: Stackable Gem Rings (CIQZSQ)$238 - robindira.com

Tea Time!

My family is very important to me, and that's why I felt it was so important that I incorporate them in my Thirty Before 30, and what better way to do it than a tea party honoring some of the wonderful women in my family.  My vision for this event includes high tea service at either the Moana Surfrider Hotel or the Kahala Resort, chic invitations, favors, flowers, and of course lots of smiles and laughter.

individual images via Pintrest 

As I begin the official planning I find myself pulling inspiration from the opulence and colors of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette: pastels, punches of sharp pink, and dashes of bling.  The actual tea party is still a couple months off which leaves me plenty of time take care of the details to dream about those sassy Louboutins! 

Mighty Python

It's been a long week at work with people out on vacation and an office move on the horizon.  In the next 43 days we have to pack up our office, upgrade an entire computer system, prepare the new office, learn a new phone system and conduct business as usual! Crazy! The constant office craziness has left me in desperate need of therapy... RETAIL THERAPY!  

I figured, since I will be schlepping tons of boxes and going between the two spaces I might have to put my pumps on the shelf (for just a bit), and find something practical, but definitely chic. 

I went strait from work to the mall and picked... the Kate Spade "Dina!" Dina isn't your average loafer! The leather upper features python inspired texture with a metallic sheen and chain detail over the vamp. The rubber soles make it non-skid and best of all, Dina is uber comfortable - perfect for work and play!!!

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1.  Tory Burch Snake Print Reva Ballerina Flat - Grey Snake - $235 - toryburch.com

2.  Jimmy Choo Western Star-Studded Flats - $495 - saksfifthavenue.com

3.  GUESS Women's Equate Ballet Flat - $76 - endless.com

4.  Steve Madden Kobbe - $74 $60 - lorisshoes.com

5.  Kate Spade Women's Dina Slip-On - $230 $164 - endless.com

6.  DKNY Women's Alexandria K1004033 Ballerina Flat -$185 $143 - endless.com