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Beat the January Blahs with Proper Diet and Exercise

wedding dress

All brides-to-be want to look stunning during their upcoming spring or summer weddings; however, holiday eating and cold weather conditions tend to pile on pounds and inhibit workouts. If you’re susceptible to the dreaded “January Blahs”, there are some ways to make this month more stimulating, invigorating, and beautifying. By planning ahead and adopting a healthier lifestyle, you’ll be ready for your close-up when your wedding day rolls around.

Use this month to become your very best self! Remember that results from dieting and exercise take time – therefore, it’s much better to start a few months in advance of your very special occasion. Of course, the bonus of eating correctly and working out is that you will feel amazing and handle stress much more effectively. There is no downside to taking care of your body – the work you do will always pay off in a big way.

Here are some tips on lifestyle changes that will help you look fabulous in your white wedding dress…

Eating Correctly Will Slim You Down and Make You Feel Better 

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Cutting excess “bad” fats, sugars, and white flours out of your diet is the best way to provoke the kind of weight loss that also makes you feel healthier (rather than tired or deprived) and gives you a glamorous look in fashionable wedding dresses. After all, these empty calories do nothing for you, and they tend to wreak havoc with your metabolism, your complexion, and your moods. Processed foods are always a poor choice – instead, treat yourself to whole grains, lean proteins and sauces in the correct portion sizes. In time, you’ll feel confident enough to begin shopping for wedding dresses in Mississauga or wedding dresses in Barrie.

If you’re having trouble losing weight and you’re not a big junk food eater, it’s pretty probable that you don’t understand what a typical serving size is. A cup of grains (brown rice, spinach pasta, couscous, etc.), 2/3 cup of topping (such as lean chicken, tofu or tuna), and a tablespoon of sauce or condiment (for example – olive oil, hot sauce, low-fat mayo, or fat-free salad dressing) should form the basis for most meals – then, you should augment with lots of pure water, veggies, and fruit. Next, imagine a typical Lean Cuisine microwave meal container – this is correctly portioned, and, as you’ve probably noticed, there isn’t a great deal of food on the plastic plate! Salads and fruit will fill you up if you’re still feeling hungry after consuming your “portioned” meal. You should also drink five big glasses of water or herbal tea every day.

Eating smaller portions is challenging at first, but your body will soon adjust, and you will definitely lose weight. Cutting out the wrong foods and portioning the right foods is the best strategy for New Year’s weight loss. It takes discipline, to be sure – but you can do it.

If you are planning to lose weight for an important event, why not make your skin look fantastic in the process. Many diets will help you take off some pounds and increase the collagen cells in your body, and you can read this article from Proper Good to learn more.

Find Joy in Exercise This January

 bridal gown

Healthy lifestyle choices don’t have to be a chore – in fact, you set yourself up for defeat when you hate what you’re doing; therefore, exercise that is fun to do should always be the goal. To choose the suitable activity for your personality and fitness goals, do a little self-analysis…for example, if you’re quiet and bookish, home fitness equipment will be a perfect choice. You can read a great novel while you ride an Exercycle or use an Elliptical machine, and you won’t have to bother fighting the crowds at a gym.

If you’re social and extroverted, fitness classes that feature Zumba exercise may be ideal – Zumba offers a great workout system that tones your body. All of the action is set to lively Latin and international music. Other great options include swimming at a gym, Pilates, or hiking. Mixing it up is a good strategy – balance indoor and outdoor exercise for the best results. Getting fresh air – even in miserable weather – is very healthy, as long as you’re bundled up…

Reward Your Successes By Choosing the Perfect Wedding Gown and Accessories

 wedding tiara

In order to stay on track, you need to plan rewards – treating yourself is truly the best way to stay motivated. Instead of focusing on sweet treats or salty potato chips as rewards, why not plan your rewards to make your upcoming wedding even more special? For example, if you lose five pounds, give yourself permission to choose a stunning wedding tiara, wedding shoes, or bridal rings. Since you need these items anyway, choosing them as “milestones” along a New Year fitness program can be great fun. Of course, choosing your bridal dress will be the most important milestone of all…begin looking early in the New Year, so you know exactly what you want when you’re at peak fitness in a month or two. Create a shopping calendar that gels with your fitness goals – and beat the January blahs as you get ready to walk down the aisle.

Happy New Year from Best for Bride!

This New Year, our Best for Bride team will be there to help you find perfect wedding dresses, cheap bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride dresses, and everything else you’ll need to plan the wedding of your dreams. We offer a variety of services, from wedding dresses in Toronto to a fully-stocked online bridal store that lets you shop from the comfort of your own home.

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The Perfect Christmas Gifts for Brides-to-be

Christmas is coming – if you’re considering a few fun gifts you’d like Santa to bring to you, you’re not alone. While no one wants to seem greedy or too acquisitive during the holidays, it’s only natural to want presents that bring happiness and please the senses.

For brides-to-be, certain gift ideas can actually help to make wedding planning (and related stress!) easier to handle. If you’re going to be walking down the aisle in the coming months, consider asking Santa for goodies that will help you to prepare for (and enjoy) your upcoming nuptials!

If you’re not celebrating Christmas, you may still want to check out these fun gift ideas – all are viable gift options for any special occasion during the lead-up to  your own wedding day!

Cutting Machines for Paper Crafts –

Are you interested in making your own place cards, menus, and other cardboard wedding favours? If you are, a cutting machine, such as a Cricut die cast machine, will give you incredible creative “powers”. These laser-cut, die cast cutting machines allow brides-to-be to create incredible layered and artistic effects.

A series of different cartridges are available for different purposes – some fun choices for weddings might include hearts, doves, bells, wedding cakes, or initials. If you’re “crafty”, a cutting machine will undoubtedly thrill you, as it will give you results that are straight out of Martha Stewart Living.

Different types and models of cutting machines are available – from budget to super deluxe. If you’d rather leave wedding invitations and wedding planning to the experts, you might prefer our next suggestion…

Aromatherapy – We’ve all seen Bridezillas in action…these self-obsessed, stressed-out stereotypes are never ladylike, calm, or composed. To avoid the diva label as you plan your wedding, stay as cool as a cucumber with soothing aromatherapy that balances the mind, body and spirit.

Essential oil burners from the Body Shop are one great Christmas gift idea that will give you months of pleasure before you marry. Certain essential oils used in aromatherapy have different effects on the system – for example, lemon or orange energizes and stimulates. To calm your system, opt for lavender (this scent helps you to fall asleep, or just to chill out) or vanilla.

Experimenting with aromatherapy is great fun, and it’s also a wonderful way to manage stress as you prepare to walk down the aisle in your white wedding dress

Home Fitness Equipment

If, like many women, you often feel too tired to drag yourself to the gym before or after work, you may be a prime candidate for  home fitness equipment. If you’d rather break a sweat in the comfort and privacy of your own home, and you have the self-discipline to use treadmills, Exercycles, elliptical machines, and other equipment faithfully, you may find that in-house exercise machines have a life-changing effect on your mind and body.

Just 30 minutes of cardio exercise each day will streamline your shape (an hour is even better), and it will also help you to cope with stress. With regular hard exercise, problems are processed more easily – you just don’t “sweat” the small stuff. Do yourself a favour this Christmas – ask Santa to bring you a nice recumbent Exercycle that you can ride while you watch Food TV…by your wedding day, you’ll be in excellent shape, both mentally and physically.

The main advantage of home fitness equipment is the way it saves you the hassle of driving to the gym, parking, packing and unpacking a gym bag, waiting for free machines, showering in a communal setting, etc. However, to get the benefits, you must work out at home several times per week.

Best for Bride Is Here to Help

 bridal dress

 

There’s more to planning a wedding than staying fit and de-stressed beforehand – although both of those things help enormously. Most brides-to-be need expert guidance as they search for the prettiest wedding dresses, wedding bands, bridal rings, and wedding invitations. Luckily, our team of experienced and compassionate experts is here to help you every step of the way.

Our bricks-and-mortar bridal boutiques are located in Ontario, Canada, and they are the perfect place to find wedding dresses Toronto and bridesmaid dresses in Mississauga. For brides-to-be in other provinces (or countries!), we offer a convenient online bridal store that allows you to shop from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Contact our team today, and begin this important journey with some professional backup and advice. Happy Holidays from Best for Bride!

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Child-Friendly Wedding Tips

flower girls

Every wedding is different, and some weddings are family events with lots of little ones (or older children) running around. If you’re planning a wedding, you may want to spend a little time coming up with the ideal setup for a truly child-friendly wedding.

With a little forethought and careful wedding planning, you will create an atmosphere where children feel happy, stimulated and valued…while also providing enough grown-up sophistication to make your wedding romantic and memorable.

Here are some tried-and-true tips for putting together a child-friendly wedding that appeals to guests of all ages:

Keep Them Entertained

flower girl dress

Children have tons of energy, and it needs to be diverted properly, or kids may act out and cause a ruckus during your wedding ceremony. Since these minutes are so important, find a way to keep smaller children (who aren’t in your wedding party) occupied.

A clever little goodie bag stuffed with age-appropriate small toys can be an excellent idea – just opt for quiet toys that will stimulate them and keep them happily entertained until you’ve walked down the aisle and exchanged vows with your groom.

Even small and healthy snacks, such a boxes of raisins, may keep children quietly munching while you get married in peace. Your goody bag will be your first defense against the natural high spirits of your youngest guests!

If children will be in your wedding party, let them know they will receive their own goodie bags as soon as the ceremony is over, or offer them little presents beforehand to sweeten their moods. For flower girls, pretty pendants or bangle bracelets in sterling silver will be fine choices for special wedding favours. Fun hair accessories that match the color scheme of the wedding will also be great gifts, and they don’t have to cost a lot.

For boys, puzzles, miniature cars, or sports balls may be popular gift choices for goody bags; if you want to give boys something they can wear during your ceremony, consider fun, yet formal bow ties that make them feel all grown up.

Making Kids Happy at Your Reception

Most kids won’t want the sort of gourmet food you dream of for your wedding reception – children have delicate palates because their taste buds are still developing. Therefore, getting too creative with cuisine may ensure a gaggle of hungry and potentially agitated kids.

To cope, set up special kiddie tables where children can enjoy their own “child-friendly” menu – to make it fun, lay down paper tablecloths and set up plastic cups filled with crayons at each table. Of course, very young children, for whom crayons are a choke hazard, will need to stay with their Mom and Dad at the grown-up table.

Let kids draw and create while they sample food and drink that is just right for them. One example of impressive wedding food that is still fun for kids to eat is healthy chicken nuggets without any “filler” or additives – talk to your caterer about choices made from fresh ground chicken and high-quality breading – then, brainstorm some high-end dipping sauces (honey mustard, barbecue sauce, and homemade ketchup, for example). Homemade french fries baked in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt can be healthy versions of fast-food faves – and even picky kids will love them.

Pasta is also a simple (and inexpensive) way to please children – it doesn’t have to be fancy, just fresh and tasty with a healthy, homemade tomato sauce, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, and a touch of grated, good-quality cheese. Another workable idea is homemade mac-n-cheese – it’s awesome comfort food, it can be frozen and reheated, and just a couple of baking dishes full of this child-friendly staple can feed a lot of kids.

For desserts, let kids have some wedding cake, or make them a fun cupcake arrangement of “mini” wedding cakes, and then let them choose their perfect cupcake. Drinks should be healthy – avoid pop, as it will only make them more hyper. Limit sugary treats to dessert only – opt for natural fruit juices and pure bottled water.

If you have room at your reception venue, set up a playroom for kids, equipped with a TV and some popular movies on DVD. Cartoons are always a safe bet. Hiring a babysitter for the playroom area and “kid’s table” can be an extremely wise decision that barely puts a dent in your wedding budget, and all of the parents attending your wedding will be so grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Best For Bride is Here to Help

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When you’re planning wedding decor ideas, wedding invitations, bridal dresses, and everything else you need to make your wedding special, you may need a little help along the way. At Best for Bride, we know how to take the pressure off of your shoulders. Our wedding planning services run the gamut…our team of caring and experienced specialists know how to find the perfect dress for your personal tastes and body type, while also offering advice on Feri jewelry bridal rings, cheap bridesmaid dresses, and wedding flowers.

For full-service wedding assistance that allows you to relax and enjoy this special time in your life, contact us today – Best for Bride is here to help…

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Kim Kardashian’s Marriage – What Happened?

It’s hard to avoid cynicism about this marriage, and many people are convinced that the couple’s relationship was a total sham…one that was scripted by the couple (and Kim’s writers) to create a moneymaking and publicity bonanza. Others feel that Kris became caught up in the whirlwind that is the entire Kardashian family, and that he just couldn’t take the pressure.

Kim, who is the daughter of the late Robert Kardashian (who was a renowned lawyer and, for a time, a member of O.J. Simpson’s defense team) and Kris Jenner (now married to Olympic great Bruce Jenner), is said to be strongly influenced by her family. Kris Humphries, who hails from Minnesota, came from a less-glamorous, more down-to-earth background…in the eyes of some, these two were just too different to make things work…

This couple may have been destined for divorce, but they certainly weren’t destined for the poorhouse. Kim, who accepted free loot galore while planning her wedding, managed to offset all sorts of nuptial expenses, including her snow-white Vera Wang bridal dress. Flowers, food, and decor were given to the bride-to-be at an amazingly deep discount – or for free. In some cases, wedding-related companies may have jumped at the chance to pay Ms. Kardashian and her b-ball groom-to-be for the privilege of outfitting their wedding.

Lucrative endorsements, TV rights valued at ten million dollars, and a ton of free publicity resulted from this televised ceremony and reception…

When mulling over Kim’s (less than) three month’s of marriage, most of the media have expressed outrage and disgust; however, this same media jumps to cover stories on this woman and whatever she promotes – from lip gloss to high heels to handbags. Therefore, this marriage, which may well have been designed simply to boost TV ratings, is simply another mechanism in Kim Kardashian’s vast public relations machine.

For those who believe in Kim, and those who trusted the couple as they expressed their love for one another so often and so publicly, the quick and decisive divorce filing by Kim Kardashian seems quite crass; people ask themselves whether or not Kim and Kris will return their wedding gifts, and how the couple could justify a ten-million dollar wedding in a country beset by economic woes…

They wonder why Kim bailed so fast, and what really went on…

Whether these two were in love at all is really questionable, and it does bring up some interesting thoughts about the nature of marriage. Sometimes, it’s important to strip away all of the glitz and glamour of a planned wedding day and to consider the basic commitment being made. After all, the love and trust between a couple should be built to last. Only after that true love and friendship is rock-solid should the bride and groom-to-be plan a beautiful ceremony with gorgeous gowns and tuxedos and lovely wedding decor.

In the case of Kim and Kris, their marriage was a castle built of sand – while it looked beautiful for a time, it was (most likely) never what it appeared to be…

Honor Your Commitment with Best for Bride

If you’re ready to pledge your love for a lifetime, we’re here to help you enjoy the most beautiful wedding possible. When you work with our caring and experienced team of specialists, you can find ideal wedding dresses, cheap bridesmaid dresses, and mother of the bride dresses.

We are also proud to offer full-service wedding planning, including wedding decor ideas, wedding invitationswedding cakes, and wedding favors. We even offer a convenient online bridal store so you can order your dream dress right from your home!

At Best for Bride, we love helping couple honor their commitments to one another…contact us today to get started…