from Hello to Hitched

Lela Rose @ Home

We've got to be honest-- Lela Rose never ceases to amaze us with her incredible eye and design aesthetic. Each season her bridal gown collections blow us away, we adore the chic-yet-cozy vibe of her NYC design house, and her ready-to-wear collections are always stunning. So naturally, we're not surprised at how amazing her Tribeca apartment is! Take a tour yourself, thanks to this video from DailyCandy.

[CLICK HERE to watch the video!]

We couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy... how 'bout you??

Pre-Wedding Nutrition Guide [Part III]

The folks at Fitness Together are back today for the third and final installment of their series for our readers on how to get to your most healthy, fit, and fabulous self in the months leading up to your wedding day!

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Phase Three: Parties and Pj’s – One Month to Go

With the big day just weeks way, there’s bound to be lots of parties on your calendar. Don’t let the fun nights out spoil your new healthy living habits you’ve worked so hard!

1. Steer clear of the hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.
2. Avoid caffeine and and stay hydrated!
3. Don't forget to sleep!

As delicious as those appetizers are, they’re high in calories and so small that you’ll lose count of how many crab balls you’ve eaten all too quickly. Instead of picking at the buffet all night, make yourself one plate and eat slowly.

Cocktails, even the fruity ones, are extremely high in sugar. Drinking a couple of those will only result in a next day hung-over, tired, and bloated version of yourself. Instead, go for drinks with less sugar, like wine, and limit yourself to 1-2 drinks on your nights out.

All your running around and last minute planning will no doubt have you reaching for a latte. Caffeine, though, is bad for your complexion and dehydrates the body. Instead, keep your energy up with fresh fruit and water.

Hydration isn’t just about drinking water. Keep your sodium intake down and increase your potassium intake. Coconut water, bananas, and avocados all help you stay hydrated.

While you’ll be ohh so tempted to stay up late sorting out party favors and your guest list, you need seven to eight hours of sleep each night to feel your best during the day. Sleep keeps your brain active and your skin fresh. You’ll also be much less tempted to break down and reach for fatty, unhealthy snacks when you aren’t sleep deprived.

So there you have it! Your three-month pre-wedding plan to looking fabulous! Stick to it and we guarantee you’ll walk down the aisle looking and feeling amazing!

Congratulations!

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A huge thanks to Matt and his team at Fitness Together for sharing these awesome tips with us over the last few days! We hope you've all enjoyed it and that you'll share the results of your pre-wedding nutrition and fitness plan with us.

[Photo Credits: 1 & 2]

Pre-Wedding Nutrition Guide [Part II]

We've got trainer Matt McKinnis, owner and trainer at the Georgetown, Scotts Circle, and Alexandria Fitness Together studios, back with us today for another guest blog post! He’s worked with countless brides-to-be on slimming down and getting fit before making their way down the aisle. Welcome back, Matt!

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Phase Two: Trainers and Treadmills – Two Months to Go

Yesterday we talked mostly about nutrition. A good place to start is to look at your current eating habits. Do you have a weak spot for dessert? Get takeout three times a week? Grab a bagel and latte every morning? Eating can become so habit-forming that you may not even realize the empty calories you consume day to day.

Beginning a food log is a great way to be super honest with yourself about what you consume. Record everything you eat and drink each day and look for unhealthy habits you can nix! Make sure every meal you consume at this point is 100% nutritious. It’s now time to cut out the heavy carbs like pasta and rice. Avoid foods high in sodium as well, most likely all processed foods. Oils and heavy creams should be avoided too as they pack in hundreds of unneeded calories.

Think about “eating clean” – go for fresh, organic fruits and vegetables instead of pre-packaged meals.

After getting accustomed to healthy eating for the last month, now it’s time to focus on exercise.

Meet with a trainer and put together a fitness regimen designed for you – and stick to it! The key with getting in shape or dropping weight before your wedding is designing a customized routine that works for you.

At Fitness Together, trainers work one-on-one or in small groups with clients to ensure amazing, individualized results. Training with someone will keep you motivated and wanting to go back!

Working out regularly is great for your body as well as your stress level. Release that pre-wedding stress by jumping on the treadmill and allowing your mind to wander away from seating charts and floral arrangements.

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Thanks again to Matt for all the valuable tips! Yes, getting in your best shape is a tough challenge, but it's a great way to boost your energy and confidence and look killer in all those wedding photos.

[Photo Source]

Fitness Together 3-Month Pre-Wedding Nutrition Guide

We've got another guest blog series coming to you from our friends over at Fitness Together! Here are some tips for becoming your absolute healthiest self in the last few months before your big day. Stay tuned for Part II and Part III!

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Phase One: Looking Long-Term – Three Months to Go

With twelve weeks before the wedding, the most important thing you can do is concentrate on forming good, healthy habits.

1. Substitute bad carbohydrates with good carbohydrates.

What’s the difference between a side salad and a side of french fries? Good carbs vs. bad carbs. Good carbs are full of fiber while bad carbs are usually processed and striped of natural benefits. Fiber is great for your body and as an added bonus, it makes you feel full – less temptation to reach for dessert!

Some good carbs are:

-Fruits, vegetables

-Whole grains

-Beans, nuts, seeds

A general rule with grain-based foods is the “whiter” the food, the lower the fiber and the worse it is for you. Start substituting refined white grains for whole-grains when eating pastas, breads, cereal, and rice.

2. Start consuming 5-6 small meals a day instead of 2-3 big meals.

Eating frequent small meals charges your metabolism and keeps it constantly working. This in turn boosts your energy and makes you feel great!

consider cutting these dishes 'til the honeymoon!

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Thanks so much to Matt and the Fitness Together team for helping our couples-to-be [and let's face it-- the Hitched gals, too!] get on the right track with health and fitness! Stay tuned for more over the next few days.

Web Surfing Wednesday

DailyCandy is one of our favorite resources for finding out about cool trends, up-and-coming restaurants, fun new business, and local deals & steals. Last week they featured Studio 85, a new collection of nail polishes inspired by DC landmarks-- what fun! The polish colors are just as adorable as their corresponding names, and would be such a cute addition to a bridesmaid gift or bridal shower favor.Some of our fave shades? U St., Mambo Sauce, and Go Go [featured in that order below].

Once you've scored these fun new shades, you can give these DIY nail designs a whirl, also shared by DailyCandy! Happy painting!

 

Tony Federici Trunk Show

As we mentioned, we'll be hosting a Styling Night at Hitched this Thursday night, which will give you a chance to accessorize your wedding day look with the help of our fabulous consultants and baubles by the one and only Tony Federici.

But as a special trunk-show-style treat, we will be extending at 10% trunk show discount on all Tony Federici accessories through the rest of July! Since we don't normally have such a large collection of these beautiful pieces in the store, you don't want to miss it!

To RSVP for this week's Styling Night or to make an appointment to check out the Tony Federici collection this month, give us a call [202.333.6162] or shoot us an email [appointments@hitchedsalon.com]. We hope to see you soon!