photo courtesy of owltastic.tumblr.com

For your viewing pleasure, the conclusion to Wednesday’s post, inspired by Women’s Health…

N = Numbers
This is my most dreaded letter… just ask the nurse practitioner who had to battle it out with my index finger for the scale knob to move to the appropriate weight.  That’s right.  I’m talking about your weight, people!  Research shows that people who weigh themselves at least once a day or more likely to not only lose but also to maintain their weight loss more so than people who don’t.  Sigh, looks like the scales wins… again!  

O = Omelet
When it comes to protein, omelets are egg-selent!  Haha!  Yesss!  Protein helps build muscle, which in turn fries more calories per pound than fat  According to Jonny Bowden, author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, informs you’ll burn 25% of the eggs’ calories simply by digesting them!  Nuts!

P = Peanuts
It’s all about the “p’s” in this study, which was conducted by Purdue University.  In this study, researchers found high-protein, high-fiber nuts are extremely filling and can boost the resting metabolic rates significantly… making the nut an ideal snack food for curbing your appetite!

Q = Quinoa
Quinoa is the queen of whole grains!  Higher in protein and fiber with less carbs, this white rice substitute is an ideal source for dietary deliciousness!

R = Replacements
In its most simplest of forms: Eat this, not that.  Try substituting liquid meals or healthier snacks and sides for some of your less savory choices. 

S = Success
Stress causes no success.  In a study conducted by Georgetown scientists, it was discovered that mice under stress or duress gained twice as much as their de-stressed counterparts.  Reason being??  Stress can cause us to hold on to extra fat cells; hence, the term stress eating.  So next time you’re stressed, try having a “wooo-saaaa” moment instead of a doughnut.

T = Tea
Green tea brings the catechins – a metabolism boosting antioxidant, and the catechins bring the weight loss!  Not to mention, green tea is a MUCH healthier substiture than a half and half cup of coffee filled with sugar!  Duh!

U = User-friendly
In a recent study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association, it was discovered that the success rate of one diet plan to the next is not determined by the diet itself, but the compliance each dieter has with it.  Sooo, find a diet you can live with, and then, (more importantly) actually live with it :)

V = Vinegar
Just a spoon full of vinegar helps the weight loss stay off… weight loss stay off!  (I know.  Sweet remix to Mary Poppins, huh?)  Published by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, it was discovered that swallowing 60 grams or 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a high-glycemic index caused people to eat 200-275 less calories a day… of course this doesn’t surprise me, due to the fact that stomaching a spoonful of vinegar makes me nauseous in thought alone!

W = Weights
I’m here to PUMP (pause for effect) you up!  While many women fear lifting weights will cause them to look like the incredible hulk, they couldn’t be further from the truth.  Pumping iron not only causes you to burn more calories after an average cardio workout, but researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham also discovered that women who lifted 3 times a week for 25 minutes lost an average of 4 pounds of bady fat!  SWEET!

X = Xenical
Given the green light by the FDA last year, this prescription fat blocker can be found in the over the counter supplement, Alli.  However, this does come with a price… loose stools.  So, if the side effects are too much for you to handle, I totally suggest going at it the old fashion way :)

Y = Yoga
Self explanatory… grab a mat and get moving!  Downward dog, anyone?

Z = ZZZZ’s
While dieting, you may want to scrimp on certain foods, but you should never scrimp on your zzzz’s!  By not getting enough sleep, your body is tricked into thinking it’s low on fuel, causing your belly to growl and more than likely you to eat!  So rest up… you need it :)

photo courtesy of promotehealth.info

Often times, I will receive emails looking for advice, and while I’ll easily admit my awesome level is off the charts, my expertise level – especially on certain subjects – can be almost non-existent.  And there’s no area less exercised (pun intended) by my expertise than weight loss.  Ugh.

Luckily for you, however, I can pinpoint the experts and share their knowledge with the masses!  And when it comes to losing weight and feeling great, who could possibly be better than a magazine dubbed entirely for the subject matter at hand?  No one, duh!  So, when I saw this article published in Women’s Health I couldn’t resist sharing their ”skinny” on weight loss vocab… and let’s face it, my own 2 cents as well!  Haha!  Check it out!

A = Alcohol
While binge drinking is a huge (and considerably unattractive) no no, having a glass of wine a day is proven to be good for the body and the soul.  Because alcohol has the potential to increase leptin – a hormone known for its power to battle the sweet tooth, a nice glass of sauvignon blanc might be just what the doctor ordered :)

B = Buddy System
“Hmmm, gonna try with a little help from my friends!”  It’s like the Beatles knew…  Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have proven you’re nearly 3 times more likely to lose weight faster and keep it off longer “with a little help from (your) friends.”  And if you just so happen to be friends with all skinny minis: 1) How sad!  Chubby people are the best people!  (High fives self) and 2) Hit up weightlossbuddy.com for a long list of fat-reforming friends!

C = Cortisol
This adrenal hormone secretes stress, and we all know what stress can do to a body.  So, if wedding planning, work or personal woes have you out of whack, try spending a date night fund on a couple’s massage instead!

D = Density
Studies produced by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered women who eat water-rich foods, high in nutrients and low in calories are more likely to lose weight than women on a strictly low fat diet.  So, go ahead, my dear ladies-in-waiting, grab that celery stalk and go for a walk!

E = Estimation
Next stop, Estimation Station… all aboard!  Women’s Health encourages us all to commit the following estimates to memory:

• 3 ounces of meat = a standard deck of 52 cards
• ½ cup fruit, vegetables or grains = half a baseball
• 1.5 ounces of cheese = 3 dominoes

F = Fructose
Fructose isn’t free.  In fact, it could cost you a waistline.  So, put down those artificially sweetened beverages and pick up the peaches… or oranges or any other fruit of your choosing! Because this is where fructose is at its best!  

G = Grapefruit
And speaking of fruit, why not try this ruby red delight!  In a 2006 study published by the Journal of Medicinal Food discovered that people who ate half a grapefruit before each meal lost more weight than those who didn’t.  (3.5 pounds, as opposed to one)

H = Hydration
The key to duration (and a slimmer, trimmer you) is hydration!  Research has shown that sipping an extra 6 ounces of water a day may be just the ticket to curbing your appetite and caloric intake.  So, pick up a glass near you and cheers to H2O goodness!

I = Insulin
This natural, sugar regulating hormone could be what dictates your diet.  Low carb diets generally work best for people with high levels of insulin secretions.  Don’t know if you’re a high insulin secretor?  Well, peep yourself out in the closest mirror, if you store fat in your belly and have a more round or apple shape, you’re more than likely on the list and should focus on cutting carbs – more so than low fat.

J = Journal
That’s right.  Take it back to the Junior High days; except this time around, instead of gushing over your latest crush or ranting about your hellish seventh period science teacher, write down everything you eat… yep, I said it… Chances are if you see it, you can cut it.  Food journaling – according to the National Weight Control Registry – increases your chance for losing weight and keeping it off. 

K = Ketosis
Ketosis is key for jump starting a diet or boosting one that’s plateau’ed, because it’s the result in which your body runs low on carbs and is forced to burn off excess fat instead.  So, be sure to vary your diet and workout routines in order to keep your body guessing and your weight dropping!

L = Leptin
Let your leptin find a balance.  Leptin is a hormone that tells your brain when it’s full.  Often times, women will think eating less or even fasting is the way to lose weight fast; however, this can sometimes cause a decrease in your leptin levels, which may cause over-eating… a completely adverse effect of what you’re going for.  Bottom line, don’t starve yourself or your body might get angry! 

M = Milk
It truly does a body good :)  A study done in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking two cups of skim milk after a weight-lifting workout built more muscle and burned twice as much fat as its sport’s juice enthused counterparts… making cow juice aahhh-moo-zing!  Haha, yes, I took it there.

And look for Part 2: Letters N – Z on Friday :)

Butter Cream Dreams – For a while, this frosting favorite had taken a back seat to fondant’s flavorless yet smoother form.  But many couples feared that they were compromising taste for aesthetics; hence, the return to butter cream.  Brides now – more than ever – are embracing the charming untidiness of this cake trend in order to pump up the taste volume and give a nod to vintage chic!

photos courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com (center and right) and design-wedding-cakes-pictures.blogspot.com (left)

(Oh! Oh! Oh, oh, oh!) The White Stuff – A revival that goes hand-in-hand with its butter cream counterpart, the infamous all white cake evokes a more naturally frosted look.  Concentrated in a polished appeal and textured trends, these clean looking cakes are generally always backed with their over the top tastes!  Liz Shim of Eat Cake Be Merry recommends an all-white confection with lots of texture for a more “chic blank canvas” look.

photos courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com (right and left) and chilliwebsites.com (center)

Modern Monograms – Give your cake a kick of personalized flare with your newly instated monogram!  Because cake toppers aren’t just your plastic bride and groom anymore, creative couples everywhere are going for more offbeat, unique accessories.  Some companies will even take a photo of the couple and specifically personalize figurines to look just like them.  More popular (and reasonably priced), however, is when couples take their initials and turn heads with a monochromatic, monogram cake toppers… which happens to one of our favorites, as well!!

photos courtesy of marilynskeepsakes.com

Flower Power (That’s Tasty Too!) – Rather than frosting your cake with more flowers than a garden, cake artists today are creating incredibly real-looking sugar flowers. These blooms are much fuller so you’ll only need a few for garnish. Renowned cake designer Ron Ben-Israel says these sugar flowers will give the cake “a sleeker look”, as opposed to an overwhelming confection of blossom piping.

photos courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com (right and left) and theknot.com (center)

Dog Daze – Believe it or not, one of the newer trends in wedding cake accents is personalized pooches. More and more couples are requesting that their pets make a cameo on their cake, made purely of frosting.

photos courtesy of weddingchicks.com

So when you begin the cake design process, remember that less is more this year. Matching the piping on your cake to the lace on your dress is out, and butter cream and sugar flowers are in. It’s all about the homemade, nummy goodness and delicious taste.

Me and my cousin being thebomb.com bridesmaids at a friend's wedding.

As many of you are aware, when it comes to weddings, this ain’t my first rodeo.  The Mister and I have been to more ceremonies, rocked out at more receptions and gotten our swerve on at more “no longer single” soirees in 4.5 years than most couples will experience in a lifetime.

And I have to admit… it’s been one, incredible journey.  It truly is an honor to be included on someone’s big day, because to me, it’s not just another wedding I have to attend; it’s someone special’s celebration I get to be a part of. 

Last week, while on vacation in Mexico, my cousin, Ms. Kimberly Lynn and her beau, Sir Brian got engaged while sitting on the moonlit balcony of their Me-hee-co hotel room (swoooon!), and even though it went down early Monday evening in a totally different country, by late Monday night, pretty much everyone and their mom knew.  (I suppose Toby Keith has social networking and Web 2.0 to thank for dispelling the rumors of “what happens down in Mexico, stays in Mexico.”)

While the news travelled at super hero speed, it wasn’t until after she returned from her “Oh-my-goodness-I’m-going-to-a-Mrs.!” vacation that I FINALLY got to hear the story straight from the horse’s mouth (yes, Kim, I’m calling you a horse), and I got to say, I couldn’t be happier her.

You see, Kim is my cousin, which basically means she’s not only a favorite friend, but the oldest, nearest and dearest friend I’ve ever had.  Born four months apart, we spent the majority of our childhoods being toted around by our moms.  *Shown here setting a mature example of mojito pitcher drinking and little girl giggling…

My mom (left) and Kim's mom losing it :)

…while our dads – brothers 3 and 4, in the long line of 12… shown here representing the poignant moves of Papa dancin’…

My dad (left) and Kim's dad stayin' alive!

…were off saving the world – or as some like to call it simply working their jobs to bring home the bacon :)  Haha!  In a word, my childhood was ahhhhmazing, and I have Kim to thank for a lot of it, which is exactly why I’d like to spend today’s post reminding everyone why being involved in someone’s wedding day is such an awesome thing.  I’m not a gamblin’ girl, but if I had to bet, I’m sure at one moment or another you thought to yourself, “ugh, another wedding?”  But why?  It’s not just another wedding; it’s THEIR wedding, and you were obviously invited because you mean something to them, and they mean something to you :)

So, Kimberly, in case I’ve never told you, this is why you mean something to me:  You were the first friend I ever had, and even though you were only half my size growing up, you never made me feel out of place.  You were involved in all my primary sleepovers, up all nighters and “oh no he/she didn’ts.”  You were there the first time I ever saw a scary movie – Aunt Julie’s: Friday the 13th, and the last one who waited up all night with me for sunrise to fall asleep.   You’re both family and friend.  There hasn’t been a single birthday, holiday, celebration, moment really, that went by without you in it.

You were my locker buddy for four years, a roommate for three and a p.i.c (partner in crime) for twenty-six.  You’ve been there for all my epic fail, fashion mistakes - permed bangs and fanny packs, eek!, and somehow you still love me. 

Kim and I in our Sunday best!

Over the years, you’ve remained a hand to hold during all my most desperate, disastrous moments, which looking back now only seem significant – not because of what they were - but because of the loyalty and love you displayed throughout.  We’ve been lucky enough to have the kind of friendship where we would honestly do anything for each other… even if that meant illegally stalking your first crush (shout out to Jamin Wernke!)… and breaking the law at the ripe age of 8… while on a banana seat bike… discreetly snapping photos of Mr. Wonderful during a “no hands!” ride by… donning a hot pink camera… idiots. 

Yes, it’s true, Kimmi; you were there for me on my big day, and I can’t wait to be there for you on yours!  (I’m singing, right?!  Haha!)  So, here’s to you, my dear cousin and Brian, your wonderful hubs-to-be! And cheers to many, MANY years of happiness! 

She said yes!

Oh!  And go ahead and cross wedding prep dance lessons off your list, ’cause let’s get real… we’ve already got the moves!  HIIIIIIIIIT IT!

everyone should be jealous...

photo courtesy of glamoursurf.com

Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, there’s no denying the glam-WOW factor beauty pageants can divulge.  From the bouffant hair and bedazzled gowns to the super high heels and extra long lashes, beauty contests are all about glitz and glamour, which is precisely why they make an ahhh to the mazing place for diva brides to come alive!

At the epicenter of all this glamocity is the beauty pageants crowning component – the infamous evening gown strut.  Flying first class, it’s the one section of the show to epitomize all things G.L.A.M.O.R.O.U.S.  The girls transform into a frenzy of whimsy, complete with feathers, frocks and all the razzle dazzle rhinestones their flamboyant designers could get their hands on. 

They cover a broad spectrum of sassiness from form-fitting and flowing to over the top and understated.  Pending the girl, her personality and where she represents, the evening gown she wears can vary greatly from one girl to the next. 

And where could you possibly get a better representation of world class glamour than the Ms. Universe Pageant??  Airing Monday night, the well renowned pageant just crowned their 2010 winner (Yaaaaay, Ms. Mexico!!!), and there was little to no doubt that the “Ooh la la!” was out!  Inspiration below :)

It’s All About Asymmetrical!

No doubt every girl wants to stand out on her big day; however, not every girl wants to go too over the top.  One way you can get a punch of trend power and still remain timeless is by doing an asymmetrical dress… for seres, everyone will be impressed :)

Ms. Ireland, Rozanna Purcell and Ms. New Zealand, Ria van Dyke (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)

Ms. Thailand, Fonthip Watcharatrakul and Ms. Greece, Anna Prelevic (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)

Have a Gown Glitz’ed in Gold!

2010 is all about trends, and one of the biggest trends the wedding world is seeing are colored gowns.  But if rockin’ red or pullin’ off purple is simply too much, why not try to glitter yourself in gold?

Ms. Guatemala, Jessica Scheel and Ms. Czech Republic, Jitka Valkova (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)

Ms. France, Malika Menard and Ms. Albania, Angela Martini (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)

Power Up your Prettiest Dress with Pewter!

Gold is to Ivory as Pewter (Silver) is to White… Again, while color is becoming more and more popular for wedding dress designers, most often times, tradition prevails, and using more neutral shades like pewter, slate grey or silver can be a great compromise!

Ms. Peru, Giuliana Zevallos and Ms. Haiti, Sarodj Bertin (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)

Ms. Costa Rica, Marva Wright and Ms. Colombia, Natalia Navarro (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)

Give it up for Grecian! 

Ideal for a beach, destination or backyard wedding, Grecian styled dresses softly dance along your frame, while allowing you to dance the night away!  They offer a timeless, iconic style and can easily make any bride as beautiful as the Venus de Milo :)

Ms. Norway, Melinda Victoria Elvenes and Ms. Egypt, Donia Hammed (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)

Ms. Peru, Giuliana Zevallos and Ms. Guatemala, Jessica Scheel (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)

Be a Playful Bride with Pride!

With wedding dress designers branching out more and more, it’s no wonder that mixing fabrics, textures and shapes can often times create the most radiant looks of all!  I mean just check out these playful numbers…

Ms. Denmark, Ena Sandra Causevic and Ms. U.S. Virgin Islands, Janeisha John (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)

Ms. Croatia, Lana Obad and Ms. Ireland, Rozanna Purcell (photos courtesy of missuniverse.com)