Wedding Traditions: Something Blue

You know the saying:  "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"  Today, we are going to give you some unique ideas for the "Blue".  Blue is my favorite color, so I could really go on and on, but here are some of my favorite ideas for you to add into your wedding day:




First is my favorite new find.  I LOVE David Tutera and strive to be as good at my job as he is.  He has a new line of products offered through one of my favorite shopping sites www.koyalwholesale.com  and this is his something blue.

These are some more of my favorite ideas for you.

What will your "Blue" be?  Leave a comment and share.  Happy Wednesday!

Fat Tuesday: Get Out Your Beads!

I LOVE New Orleans!!  The music, the food, the people, and of course, the parties.  Here's a little bit of fun New Orleans style music to help you get in the mood on this great Fat Tuesday!

Try this yummy meal for dinner tonight. Straight from Emeril...so you know it'll be good!
Bloody Mary
Andouille and Chicken Jamalaya
King Cake


Happy Fat Tuesday!

The Fit Bride: Simple In-Home Workout!

The hardest part of an exercise plan is getting started.  Try to use the motivation of looking great for your wedding day to get you going.  Once you have made that decision to get healthy it is best to have a plan to follow.  Below is a short in-home workout that will be effective and get you going in the right direction. 



Find a place in your house with enough room to move freely and dress in comfortable clothes.  The exercises are described below with pictures to help you with the form.  Try doing each exercise 10-20 times twice, with a one minute break in-between each one.  Keep moving to keep your heart rate up and burn the maximum amount of calories. 

Warm Up - Jumping Jacks (1-3 minutes)


Split Squat -  Wide split with weight staying on the front heal.  Drop down until your back knee almost touches the ground then return to start.  Keep your head and shoulders up to keep back straight.  Switch legs!


Standing Punches - Stand in an athletic stance with feet shoulder width apart.  Fully extend one arm out and back and then switch.  Move quickly as if punching a heavy bag.   Use anything around the house as weight (cans, milk jugs, etc).

Squat Jumps - Squat down until knees are at about 90*.  Keep head and shoulders up and jump as high as you can in the air.  Squat back down and repeat.

Bentover Flye - Grab the weights you used for the punches.  Bend your knees and while keeping head up bend over at the waist to 45*.  Keeping arms straight, flye out to the side like you are flapping your wings.

Seated Twist - Sit on the ground with your knees bent.  Hold something heavy in front of you and lean back until abs become activated.  Twist your head, shoulders, and weight from one side to the other making sure you don't sit back up.

Squat Thrust - Start in standing position then crouch down to place hands on the ground.  Kick your feet back into a push-up position.  Then return back to the standing position.  Jumping at the end would be a good way to make this one harder.



If you have any questions about this short program or would like to learn more please e-mail me at andy@hfhonline.com.

Goodluck and Get Fit,
Andrew

Matrimonial Monday: A Flash-Mob Proposal

What a super fun way to pop the question!  It doesn't matter how it's done, I still get teary.

How did your guy propose to you?  Share the details...we all want to know!
Happy Monday everyone.

Fashion Friday: Creer {Create} Beauty.Image.Style

I do love Fashion Friday's!  This is a fun little show that happened at The Underground Chicago, in Chicago, IL.  Certainly not a Pronovias Show {watch for the purple clip}, but there are some GORGEOUS gowns. 

So, get your drink and enjoy.

My favorite is at 2:44, what is yours? 


Happy Friday Everyone!

Theme Thursday: Tangerine and Pink Wedding Inspiration

The sun is finally shining and the weather is getting warmer every day.  Tangerine Tango - the color of the year - is such a fun color so that is what I had to go with today!  Seductive, yet bright and encouraging...I love it!

What are your wedding colors?  Are you incorporating Tangerine Tango?  Please do share!

Fashion Friday: Princess For a Day

I LOVE these gowns from Alfred Angelo!  The Bridesmaids gowns are gorgeous and the little "maidens" gowns are adorable.  I hope this brings some inspiration to you for your wedding day.

Which is your favorite?  Do you have your dress picked out yet?  What is the style and who is the designer.  Share the details! 

Keep the Party Going: Breakfast at Midnight

It's getting late and your guests have had the time of their lives.  You've given them a day full of celebration, a delicious meal and an evening full of dancing and laughter, but now they are starting to feel exhausted, and nobody is really ready to go home.  It's time to bring out more food. By giving your guests a little something to energize their bodies with, the party will be going on long past midnight!

A good time to think about offering a late-night snack is about 9:30pm, if your reception is until midnight.

One suggestion I have for you - a Breakfast Buffet.  YUM!!! Below are some ideas.

Yes, that's bacon!

Is there really anything better than Bloody Mary's to go with a breakfast buffet?

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

Mimosa Bar

Espresso {this will take your guests out of their comas!}

Egg and Bacon Muffins

A Crepe Station

Here's a yummy menu for you to offer up in the late hours.

• Fresh Orange Juice

• Seasonal Fresh Fruit and Berries with Maple Yogurt

• 5 Oz. Center Cut Filet and Scrambled Eggs with Grilled Tomato and Cheddar Cheese Potato Soufflé

• Assorted Breakfast Bakeries

• Sweet Butter and Preserves

• Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, and a Selection of Herbal Teas

Are you having late night snacks at your reception?  Tell us what's on the menu.

Fashion Friday: Definately NOT Your Grandmother's Fashion

Fashion Friday!  We are bringing it back!!  Check out this Bridal and Eveningwear Fashion from Lanyu.  The show was in Beijing - I kinda like it!

Would you wear any of these?  Tell me what you think.

The First Dance: Make It Great

I am in love with all things wedding and even more so when a couple goes above and beyond and adds elements of "them".  The first dance is one of the biggest traditions of the wedding reception.  This is the first time you will dance together as husband and wife.  Picking the song is one of the hardest parts of this.  He has his favorite, you have yours, but how about something like this:

If you had a fun first dance and had it taped, please leave a comment and tell us what you did.

The Fit Bride: Easy Healthy Dinner

I was eating dinner last night and was thinking that it was the perfect meal to put on this blog.  Eating is one of the hardest things to to today!  Eating HEALTHY that is.  Everyone is looking for quick and easy and that usually ends up being processed garbage.  Below is a meal I make on a regular basis that can be modified to be different each meal.  I will write what I had last night and some options to add.


3 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Clove Garlic
1 Cup Fresh Snow Peas
1 Cup Fresh Cut Broccoli
1/2 Cup Fresh Cut Carrots

(other veggie choices: Mushrooms, Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes)

Season to taste with:
Basil
Oregano
Pepper
Paprika

Throw in frying pan and cook vegetables about half way.  While cooking vegetables boil a small amount of whole wheat or vegetable pasta!

When veggies are cooked about half way add some sort of lean meat...  I have tried these below and cooking times vary!

Lean Venison Steak
Shrimp
Scallops
Chicken

Toss everything together and enjoy!

Eat Healthy,
Andrew

Signature Events: You're Invited

Last week I started posting some of my favorite "Designs of the Day".  Here are the invitations created to help you're wedding celebration start off as unique as you are!

Custom Invitation

Custom Invitation

Custom Invitation

All of my invitations are custom created for every couple.  Any of these designs can also be turned into Anniversary Invitations, Birthday Party, Baby Announcements, Graduation Announcements/ Invitations...anything you could possibly want.