Vita Liberata: The Tanning Revolution

Every blushing bride wants to glow on her wedding day, and of course we can't all be jetting off to Barbados before the wedding to get that stunning natural glow.

With hundreds of tanning products it is easier & cheaper to get your glow out of a bottle.

I want to introduce you to: Vita Liberata: The self tan you have been waiting for...

An odourless fake tan that develops over night and doesn't leave your bed linen tangoed.

Yes, amazing isn't it; Deep Silken Touch is the product you need.  It is an untinted self tan that dries instantly and develops over night.  It is not a gradual tan; you will only need one layer of this beauty to wake up with the glow you were hoping for.

A real natural effect as product gradually and naturally fades, so none of that scrubbing in the bath to desperately get rid of orange remains!

Brides to be this is a fantastic way to get a quick tan with a longer lasting effect, as it lasts up to two weeks with well moisturised skin, so not only will it cover the wedding day but it will also take the pasty feel away on the honeymoon!

I would personally recommend this product to all tanning junkies, but one word of warning- do not under estimate the tanning power just because it squeezes out of the bottle untinted...

Happy Tanning!

Wedding Boutiques: Creatiques

I want to introduce you to my number 1 bridal boutique, Creatiques.

Creatiques is a combination of strawberries and champagne; vibrant and exciting, with class and elegance.  Behind the veil of the success are two guys, Andrew and Rob Pearce, who provide a personal service unlike any other bridal shops.  Not only does the shop offer stunning gowns and bespoke hand crafted jewellery, but Andrew runs ‘The Dressing Room’ hair salon also located at Creatiques.  This way the brides can get the whole package in one boutique. 

Southsea based Creatiques will stop at nothing to get you your perfect wedding gown.  If you like the corset of one dress, but the skirt of another, Andrew and Rob will literally make you that dress with a bit of cutting a stitching! Nothing stops these guys from putting a smile on your face and giving you the perfect wedding of your dreams.

The boutique works by appointment only so you can be assured that you are receiving the quality time you need in making the big decision of your wedding gown.  As you enter the boutique you are greeted with champagne and made to feel extremely welcome and comfortable.  Time will fly by at Creatiques as the boys are great fun, chatty and extremely down to earth. 

So if there is one thing you do for your wedding, meet Andrew and Rob, and style your special day the Creatiques way.

http://www.creatiques.co.uk/

January Blues

January is well known to be one of the most depressing months of the year.  After the highs of Christmas, spending time with loved ones and then of course the celebrations of seeing in the New Year suddenly the first day back in the office couldn't seem any worse!
Not only is the thought of going back to work depressing, but the thought of getting on the scales can also be a bit daunting after all of the festive indulgements.

Suddenly January is here and one word comes to mind after all the eating and drinking; DETOX.

It is time to forget the chocolates and wine, and in with all things full of goodness!
Boring as it sounds, it is true that eating well and exercising regularly releases endorphins in the brain and gives you more energy.

Whether you are a bride to be or just want to watch your weight, there is no time like the present.

Being healthy doesn't have to be boring; it can be fun and leave you feeling fantastic.

Since as long as I can remember I struggled with my weight, I was overweight at school and throughout my teens struggled with my weight.  I decided when I was 17, that I wanted to change my diet and decided I wanted to enjoy exercise instead of dread it, like I did PE lessons when I was at school.

So I did it, and lost stones.

I would call my diet the 'DIY-et', the Do It Yourself Diet.  One day I got up and decided I wanted to lose weight, and I did.  I took up running, and changed my diet completely. Now having reached the size I was aiming forI am pleased with where I have got. But it is never easy, and will never be easy.

I am one of those people that will have to work hard to stay slim, and after enjoying Christmas it is back on with my DIY-et:

-  Aim for 3-4 sessions of cardio or active exercise a week, such as running, this will really help keep the weight off.

-  On top of that try and do some toning, such as sit up, squats and crunches.

-  Along with the above, one of the key ingredients to a healthy lifestyle is your diet.

-  Opt for slow releasing energy foods, such as porridge for breakfast- this will keep you going if you have an early work at start.

-  Stick to foods that are high in protein and avoid carbs after 6pm (stops that bloating feeling).

-  Put your meals on a small plate, to reduce portion size.

-  Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats such as chocolates, sweets, crisps.

There is plenty of ideas out there on what foods are best, but the above are my best tips.

M&S are selling a Low Fat cook book with some great recipes in to keep being healthy a bit more exciting than lettuce leaves.

 

 A combination of the two should results in weight loss and hopefully make you feel great.

Now its all very well giving advice and writing it down, so here we go...I am off on holiday in 5 weeks, so it is time I took my own advice and detox with the DIY-et before I jet off to Rome in February!

Wedding Gifts: Christmas & Birthday all at once?

Weddings are a special occasion and at special occasions we receive gifts.  Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Easter and so on are all times to give a gift to a loved one, and weddings are no exception.


Couples who said their vows in the eighties & nineties received blenders & washing machines, and if they were lucky they got crockery and crystal.


Nowadays couples spend their weekends trailing around department stores choosing and adding items to their wedding wish list.  This is essentially the biggest Christmas & Birthday list you can imagine, and with a typical wedding now consisting of 100-120 guests it is clear that the Bride can look forward to going back to a newly furnished flat.  Aunty Fran would have bought the new sofa they wanted, Granny has done the honour of purchasing new televisions, all flat screen HD of course, and all the other guests followed the list, kitting out their new house with the latest mod-cons.


I am in two minds over this one;


Firstly, maybe it is a brilliant idea in ensuring that the happy couple receive gifts they actually want instead of duplicate presents.  There is only so much you can do with five toasters & three kettles...


But secondly, I wonder whether it is extremely greedy and presumptuous in picking out items knowing the price, and therefore knowing exactly how much that person has spent on you!


I then got thinking again, when you start adding up the cost of the average wedding day (£20,000) you are giving your guests a pretty good party.  A typical wedding would usually consist of champagne on arrival, canapés, 3 course meal with wine, evening buffet, wedding cake, free-ish bar, and a party that takes you into the early hours in the morning and usually in a stunning location. 


So if you are a bride planning your day and planning your gift list, remember that you are the party host and you are putting on quite a bash, so it is only right you get something return.  After all we live in a society that believes in fairness and equality, so surely it is only right?

Champagne, canapés, and free bar? Forget the Debenhams gift list...I suggest you head to Harvey Nichols now...

The Next Big Thing

We have had sweetie tables, photobooths and singing waiters throughout the matrinomy of 2011 and it makes me wonder what will be the next big thing for 2012.

Vintage inspired weddings were also a big theme for the brides of the past year with the unveiling of classic cream roses and traditional lace.  We also saw a take on vintage accessories for the big day with decorative bird cages and traditional high afternoon tea appearing at many weddings of the summer.  It seems that the vintage look is popular and therefore here to stay, but as always there is going to be a twist on this classic theme for next year.

With a theme like vintage you cannot really go wrong, as you can make it your own.  You may be a classic vintage chick with a love for all things lace.  Or you may be a vintage glamour girl taking on the look of the 50's.  But, whatever your take on this classic look is, you are sure onto a winner.

It is clear that vintage is the look for 2012 but the twist of this timeless classic for next year will be:  Victorian Vintage.

This trend is being predicated as one of the most popular to be seen up next years aisle. There is going to be an overload of lace for next year featured in the bridal gowns, as well as accessories including cameo brooches and headdresses all to be detailed with pearls.

2011 brides that were ahead of the prediction were of course the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton and singer, Lily Allen who both wore Victorian inspired lace dresses on their wedding days.

It wouldn't surprise me if this is a look that will stay; it is a classic, classy and contemporary and a perfect way to say 'I do'.