Wed-Locked

I am guilty of major neglect lately. My wedding is fast approaching and it has become the only thing I can fit on my plate.  Bella misses her daily walks, DJ is tired of talking about pumpkins and fall leaves, my laundry baskets are beyond full and for some reason my To-Do List is still pages long. 

I thought it was only appropriate that I share a few things that I have been working so hard on.

To-Do List

Fall Accessories

Cake Topper

Tiny Red Apples

Tiny Green Apples

Real Apples

Fall Leaves

Orange Pumpkins

Pumpkin Candle Holders

Fortune Cookies

Place Cards

Fall Magazines

Lyrics, Songs, Phone Calls and Emails

And Ribbons...

By no means is that the end so if I don't return your phone call, text message or email, don't be offended, it's my wedding mind that has the best of me for the next 16 days...

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Last week my best friend asked me if I watched Thintervention on Bravo, because the host and trainer, Jackie Warner, had some really great tips regarding diet and exercise.  I'm no slouch when it comes to fitness and nutrition, and sometimes I feel as though I have heard it all before, but I stopped in my tracks when I heard that drinking water with lemon as opposed to just plain water can help to burn an extra 65 calories!! Something so simple can't be true?! Right?!  I did a little research and found out that not only does lemon aid as a calorie burner, but it has quite a few health benefits. 

Here are the "Top 10 Health Benefits of Lemon Water" found on Life Mojo :

1. Good for stomach

Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.

2. Excellent for Skin Care

Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

3. Aids in Dental Care

Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.

4. Cures Throat Infections

Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.

5. Good for Weight Loss

One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.

6. Controls High Blood Pressure

Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.

7. Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders

Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.

8 .Good for treating Rheumatism

Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.

9. Reduces Fever

Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.


10. Acts as a blood purifier

The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.

(my super awesome Steve Yzerman glass)

I've been adding lemon to my water all this week and I have nearly doubled the amount of water I drink per day.  In the morning I cut two slices off a lemon and squeeze them into my glass of water, and continue to refill the same glass of water all day long with the same two slices of lemon from the morning.  They continue to re-flavor the glass of water all day long.  To save the rest of the lemon I use a lemon preserver that my fiance and I got for our bridal shower.  This container keeps the lemon super fresh, the inside won't get dry and it even holds in the scent.

(we also have preservers for limes & onions)

So essentially when life gives you lemons cut those suckers up, squeeze 'em into your water and feel the benefits!

Stylish Bitch

My lover and I have more style in our welcome mat that most people have in their entire closet.  So-much-so that even our dog, Bella Rue rocks wicked sweet collars, bandannas and sweaters.

Baby Bella

Lady in Red

Poochapalooza Fashion Show - Detroit

St. Patrick's Day

Team - We've Got Tail - Michigan Humane Society Walk

Christmas sweater

Go Red Wings!!

Treats from the Green Street Fair

Baby it's cold outside

So fly

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” - Yves Saint Laurent

Sister Act

The Spice Girls had at least one thing right GIRL POWER!  A simple brush stroke of an idea turned into a major piece of art work with the contributions of four engaging and creative women, myself included.

It's no secret that my favorite photographer is Marianne Worlow.  Marianne's work is visually stunning and her aesthetic is truly appealing.  She is a breath of fresh air and besides being my go-to photographer she is also a very dear friend.  My sweet soul sister shares a passion for photos the way I share a "Fashion Four Passion", I mean a passion for fashion ;)  We teamed up with an aspiring model and a budding videographer to create a fierce fashion shoot in the streets and alleys of Ann Arbor, MI.  After weeks of bouncing around ideas between one another, Marianne packed up her camera and I loaded up my racks and shoes and we hit the pavement.

The results are unreal...

For a group of beginners, I can't hardly pick my jaw up off the ground after seeing the payoff.  Samantha, our model is a knock out and has such a bright future.  She is a stylists dream with her perfect figure and a gorgeous glow.  Monique, our videographer, took a miscommunication (oops my bad) and turned it out  She's got an incredible eye.  Marianne, of course, the master, put all the pieces together and made magic.

Fashion For Passion Video

Check out more at Marianne Worlow Photography Blog!

P90X

Last week my hunny and I started P90X If you aren't familiar with P90X it's a fitness fad that promises drastic results in 90 days. I must say that I am susceptible to falling for infomercials and this was no different. The before and after pictures are extremely convincing, not that I will be posting our before pictures or anything, but maybe after 90 days I'll post the after.

The idea behind the work out is this muscle confusion technique that keeps your body from getting into a routine and plateauing. There are 3 phases to both the fitness dvd's as well as 3 phases to the nutritional guide. The instructor, Tony, is actually really motivating. I have watched countless exercise videos and been to just as many exercise classes and let me tell you without a good instructor an hour long class can seem like 7 hours. Tony however is really great. He isn't cheesy or corny, he's really motivating and gives plenty of options for those that can't do 30 pull ups (in my case) or inverted triangle during YogaX (in my fiance's case).

After 6 days I am definitely sore and still have to work out today before I have a full day of rest. I would much rather have started on a Monday so that my rest day was Sunday. It took everything in me to put on lycra stretch pants and make myself do pull ups yesterday. So anyway, now that I am sore and have nearly a week down, I think I can see how these videos can produce results. They are aggressive and you will sweat, however I also believe that if I forced myself to work out at maximum effort 6 days a week at Lifetime Fitness and followed a relatively reasonable diet I would also see the same results. I guess the difference is that while following an instructor and silently competing with your significant other in your own home is a bit more inspirational.


I'll keep you posted on my progress, but as long as I feel awesome in my wedding dress, it will be worth it enough to me.

Favorite Friday

I want to use Fridays to give the low down on  my favorite products, websites, stores, etc.  I'm a creature of habit so when I find something I love I quickly become a slave to it.  I used the same liquid eye liner for many many years and recently it was discontinued by the company.  It was a traumatic event and I have yet to find another that has met my standards, but I digress.  The bottom line is I am an extremely loyal consumer and I enjoy the idea of passing along my enthusiasm for my favorite things.

It's very hard to decide which one of my cherished items I'd like to encourage you to try first, but the winner is TIGI Rockaholic Dry Shampoo !

Recently dry shampoo has been getting a lot of attention.  Long gone are the days of using straight baby powder to soak up excess oil when you try to get an extra day out of your perfect hair-do.  Dry shampoo sprays on at your roots and not only does it eliminate oily strands it also restores volume and does away with odor.  There are many brands that have a version of dry shampoo,  but I have found TIGI to be the most effective without leaving my hair look grey or dull.  It's incredibly versatile which isn't something I can say about the variety of brands I have sampled.  I have thick, curly, red hair & a friend of mine has straight, blonde hair and we can both rave about this product. 

The bottom line is that scorching your tresses everyday is damaging and can lead to split ends and frizz, shampooing everyday strips your strands of natural healthy oils that encourage a shampoo commercial worthy shine.

Where can you find TIGI Rockaholic Dry Shampoo, you ask?  The first time I purchased the dry shampoo I bought it from Ulta, when I searched their website for it now there was no sign of it, but they may still carry it in stores.  However, a large number of salons carry the TIGI brand as well as stores such as Target and CVS.

Enjoy your weekend and let your hair down!!

90210

Today is September 2, 2010 or 9/02/10.  It will never happen again so in honor of one of the most memorable shows of my generation I thought I would post a clip from one of my favorite episodes. 

Halloween - Kelly was almost raped by a college guy.

I have a ton of favorite episodes despite the face that my mom said I wasn't allowed to watch it.  Yes, that's right Nancy thought it was too racy for my young impressionable mind.  No worries, I got around that and enjoyed every episode of this classic show!  Donna Martin Graduates!

And I must say that I still love all of the actors and actresses from Beverly Hills 90210.  Tori Spelling is such a little doll and if you haven't seen her new show or read her books, you should.  She's absolutely adorable.

Ten Images of Inspiration - Summer

I feel like everyone around me is saying that summer is ending and that they can't wait for fall.  Come on now people, fall means winter is right around the corner.  Why would anyone be excited for this beautiful sunshine and heat to come to an end?  I am definatly not looking forward to saying goodbye to my bikinis and flip flops for another year and having to say hello to below freezing temperatures, ice, snow, slush, yuck, yuck, yuck. 

On that note I have collected 10 photographs that inspire all things summer for me.  I want to hold onto this season for as long as mother nature will allow me to.

So take that all you cold weather wishers, I love me some sunshine!