Counterfeit Gowns

Bridal Gowns can be very pricey and in the need to save dollars. Some brides turn to purchasing their wedding gowns online. There is a growing concern in the Bridal industry right now. That has the attention of Bridal experts buzzing about. Counterfeit gowns. 

I cannot stress enough the importance of using an authorized retailer to make your wedding dress purchase. Counterfeit websites do a great job in luring the potential buyer into thinking they are purchasing the same designer dress at an incredible discount. It is a scam pure and simple. 

Do not risk buying a bridal gown online for the most important and happiest day of your life! A USA registered authorized retailer is the safest guarantee you will get your dream dress.

Counterfeit gowns often arrive looking very different, due to poor quality of fabric and beading, and tend to arrive in the wrong size and length. Stitching is off and bodice is sometimes crooked. Alterations can wind up exceeding the purchase price, negating any discount you would have received. Deceptive advertising by online retailers illegally using Designer images has lured unsuspecting brides into thinking they can purchase authentic designer gowns at a dramatically reduced price. Sadly these Brides have learned that's not true. If you are trying to save a few bucks. Try buying off the rack.

While wedding gown purchases can get expensive. It is best and even fun to go through the process of dress shopping. A bride should always try on her wedding gown. Every dress will fit differently on your body. Wedding dresses are not sized in the same way in day to day clothing. Unless you are able to see the gown in person you cannot be certain if the materials used are of good quality. For example: Is this gown silk or a synthetic material? Are they really Swarovski or simply cheap plastic stones? Is the stitching  done correctly? Be sure to make good choices for your body type.

That's what makes the difference in a bridal gown or bridal dress selection. At the end of the day you should always leave after purchasing your wedding gown thinking. 

That is the ONE!

The Wedding Dress work-out

The Perfect dress requires the perfect workout. While getting in shape and staying toned for your wedding is emphasized. Different cuts of dresses require different workouts

The Mermaid workout 

Formfitting sheath, column, hourglass mermaid and trumpet style dresses cling to the body, drawing attention to the belly, butt and thighs.

What you want: A sleek smooth torso for even the slinkiest sheath.

The workout: For a clingy dress that leaves no stone uncovered and bares even the slightest bit of bulge. 

Try this "Progressive Plank Trio" It works the entire core in a progressive series that will cinch your waistline and give you the sleek and smooth torso you desire.

1. In the plank position, lift your feet one at a time. Just an inch off the floor like walking in place without bending your knees. Repeat 60 Times (Approx. 1 min) Stay in Plank.

2. While still in plank position, progress to plank push-pulls. Push forward so that your weight is on your toes for 1 count and then pull back so that weight is towards your heels for 2 counts. The cycle goes like this Push - Pull Pull; Push Pull Pull;  etc. repeat this cycle 20 times.

3. Your final progression is to plank rolls for the remaining minute. In Plank position gently and with control roll your body weight to the right all the way so that your feet roll onto the sides as well. Then roll all the way to the left, continuously and with fluidity roll side to side 20 times.

The Baby got back workout

Open back wedding dresses are the new ultra romantic wedding trend for 2014 summer and fall seasons.

What you want: An upper and lower back workout to help firm up that all important rear view.

The Workout: A strong upper back toned physique will give you the killer backside you desire. To go bareback in style! Try this.

1.Pull ups. This may seem like an exercise that's more appropriate for the arms but great deal of work is placed on the upper back to lift the weight of the body and lower it with control. An alternative for beginners would be to use an assisted pull up machine that uses weight to counter act your own body-weight. 

2.  Bent over rows. To start, Holding a body bar, stand with your feet shoulder wide apart and keep your head up. Bend so that you are almost (but not quite) parallel to the floor. Bring hands straight  down directly below your chest, your palms should be facing toward you as you lift your weight. Use your back muscles to draw the weight up to touch your chest, while keeping your elbows tucked in close to your body. Lower the weight under. Control and repeat 25 times.

Watch the results and enjoy looking fabulous on your wedding day.

Helpful Tips & Surprising Foods to Skip.

Avoid bloating during your wedding week. 

Sugar-free anything:

Artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and Aspartame are crazy hard to digest. Fizzy diet soda is doubly nasty. “Bubbles equal gas” says Los Angeles Nutritionist Jackie Keller.

Gum:

Lose that pack of spearmint! Every time you chew you’re swallowing air and puffing up your belly.

Red Wine:

Beer will expand your waistline, but a glass of cabernet turns out red wine contains unfermented yeast. A notorious bloater “because it’s less processed than the high-end stuff is especially bad. Booze bloats the belly and face, so hold off until the toasts.

Dried Fruits:

Packed with vitamins & minerals, these portable treats should in theory make the perfect snack, not so much. They’re basically concentrated bundles of fructose, a kind of sugar that causes water retention and gas.

Cheddar & Other super salty cheese:

According to a U.K. Health study, cheddar has more salt per ounce that potato chips and feta and Roquefort are saltier than seawater. Sodium makes the body hold water. Definitely something to avoid. If cheese is your weakness, stick to varieties with lower salt content, like Mozzarella, Swiss or Goat.

Raw Veggies:

Super foods can also make your super bloated. Take cruciferous vegetables like kale, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli they’re loaded with cellulose, a type of fiber our stomachs struggle to break down, consider switching to water rich vegetables like celery, cucumber and asparagus. Just before your wedding. Take them they act as a diuretic so you actually shed water weight.

Hot Tip:

Cooking your veggies breaks down some of that fiber making them much easier to digest.

Tip: Gluten products are so good.  For the gluten crackers, bagels, breads. Gluten-free products generally leave you feeling bloated. Eat healthy and enjoy your day. A healthy body is a sign of a good healthy life.   

The Vast world of Indian Weddings

The term Indian wedding is one of such a broad nature. There are so many different religions, practices and ceremonies. From the traditional Hindu; Islamic; and Knanaya Catholic Wedding. Not only are there religious subsets, there is also class system and differences varying by region. 

Indian Weddings are extravagant, bright in color and rooted in tradition. Even in this modern day and era there are still arranged marriages being performed. While many Indian Brides and Grooms are living in the States and adopted westernized ideas, they still abide by deeply rooted traditions. Many couples of intermixed religious views or cultures they decide on having 2 wedding ceremonies to honor both families.

One of the most ritualistic wedding ceremonies, in the Hindu marriage ceremony. This ceremony takes place under a Mandap or wedding canopy. The four corners of the Mandap represent the four corners of the earth and the four pillars, represent the four parents and their roles in raising the couple. The couple sits facing the east, the direction the sun rises and they recite the holy verses that are described in the Vedas (Spiritual scriptures.)

Most Indian Weddings have many pre-marital ceremonies and can last an entire week. There are many pre-wedding ceremonies that can be performed and vary by the couples families preferences. Here are a few of the major ones most couples decide to partake in. 

Misri (Ring ceremony/ Engagement party): Sweets and garlands are presented between the two families before gold wedding rings are exchanged. In many families, the bride's family presents a package called the Malti representing good luck and symbolizes acceptance of the union.

Mehendi/Mehndi or Henna Party: Mehndi is based mainly in "awakening the inner light" Mehndi signifies the strength of the love in a marriage, so many brides try to leave on as long as possible. Many times the groom's name or initials are hidden in the design of the mehndi. At this ceremony it is traditional for the bride to have mehndi placed on her hands and feet wile other guests will have them on their hands. 

Sangeet Party (Musical Party) Music is the soul of any wedding ceremony, regardless of faith or origin. Without music & festivity, the wedding lacks sparkle. On the Sangeet night, entertainment is provided with the help of professional singers who sing 'ladas' and popular hindi songs. Family and friends eat, drink and dance the night away.
Sagri (Acquaintance) The sisters and female relatives of the groom visit the bride-to-be in her home. They bring with them perfume, cosmetics and flowers that are strung together in the form of earrings, bangles, hairpieces and garlands. The sisters adorn their sister-in-law to be with the flowers, suggesting their affection for her. The purpose of this ceremony is to increase familiarity between the bride and her new family, creating an atmosphere that is fragrant and beautiful.

Ghari Puja: This is the final and most important religious custom that is performed  on the eve of the wedding in the respective homes of the couple. the priest performs prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oils, betel nuts and tumeric. The Mothers of the bride and groom enter carrying an earthen pot of water on their heads, they walk to the threshold of their homes. The sons-in-law of the respective families cut the water with a knife to ward off any evil spirits. The parents are adorned with garlands of flowers and money by their friends and relatives. 


Stay tuned for next week while we continue for the big day.