Blogs

An early-spring press trip to the glorious Grace Bay Club on Turks & Caicos was a welcome change from the polar vortex of 2014, but with the fabulous invitation came panic: which beauty products to pack? I decided to road test some of the latest offerings that had landed on my desk. Here, some favorites that proved to be not only Caribbean beach worthy — they’ll also stand up to what promises to be a steamy summer back home in NYC.

Say Yes To Cucumbers Natural Sunscreen SPF 30
This brand says yes to natural ingredients like green tea and shea butter and no to petroleum, phthalates, silicones and chemical sunscreen ingredients (which are unstable, and can break down in sunlight!). Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are the natural skin protecting stars of this water-resistant Skin Cancer Foundation-approved broad-spectrum formula ($11.99, yestocarrots.com).

Mosquitno Bandz
Now here’s a concept: chic, waterproof silicone wristbands infused with enough mosquito-repelling citronella oil to keep the bugs at bay for up to six days ($3.99 each, mosquitnoband.com).

There's no question that all eyes will be glued on you as you walk down the aisle in your beautiful wedding dress and take it for a whirl during your first dance. However, the second most fabulous woman in the room will be the person who helped you get to this point — your mother!

MOBs and MOGs (mothers of the groom) have tons of great options available to them while shopping for their child's big day. Check out some of our favorite on-trend styles to help Mom look and feel her best.

Fit-and-Flares
This sophisticated and versatile silhouette can be adjusted to suit different body types. Accentuate Mom's waistline with a belted look or try a dropped torso if she's slightly short-waisted. Most importantly, make sure that the dress still allows for plenty of movement so she can dance the night away!  

Dress pictured at left by: Special Occasions by Mon Cheri (Style 213895) / Dress pictured at right by: Montage by Mon Cheri (Style 214953)

Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

It’s no surprise that cardiovascular exercise is the cornerstone of most weight loss programs and the key to shedding excess body fat. Aerobic activity also nourishes a positive mental attitude by increasing the body’s level of serotonin (one of the feel-good hormones that helps reduce stress) and most brides agree stress comes along with wedding planning! The question is what is the best cardiovascular exercise? 

There are arguments on whether the elliptical is better than the treadmill, or the Stairmaster better than the stationary bike, but the reality is that you will reap the most benefits from any cardio that you do consistently.  The secret to success is to find an activity you love. 

Below I've highlighted the benefits of five different types of cardiovascular exercise. Read and decide which one is best for you. 

Hello BG brides. Those of you who are familiar with the "Real Brides Speak Out" blog may recognize me as Chris, Neda's fiancé. Today I'm taking over the blog to share my perspective on how our relationship has changed since getting engaged. 

Some of the most profound changes I've witnessed have been with my fiancée's family. Her relatives were sweet and welcoming towards me as soon as I met them. However, once I was accepted in as family, it took on a whole new level. They've showered me with gifts for Nowruz (the Persian New Year) and my favorite foods. More importantly, they've gone above and beyond to take a genuine interest in my thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams.

For example, one of Neda's uncles and I had a conversation where he asked, "What would you do if you didn't have a job and you had to work for yourself?" I mulled it over for a minute and replied that I would start my own cafe/craft beer bar, which is an idea that I've always kicked around. After a brief Q&A, he said, "Quit your job and go for it. I will finance it to get you started. You are family now." Wow! That just blew me away. This kind of unconditional love, trust and generosity is rare and uncharted territory for me.

I of course politely declined for the time being — I like my current job as a police officer. Maybe one day as retirement draws closer, but for now, it's a great thought to keep in the back of my mind.

Finding your wedding vendors just got easier! From florists to DJs to photographers and more, you can easily discover vendors in your area with our brand new, hyper-local search tool in partnership with YP — the company behind the largest Yellow Pages directory in the U.S. with listings for more than 20 million local businesses across 4,600 categories.

So, whatever you're looking for, we'll help you find it. Simply type in what you need, along with your location, and you'll receive your local listings, complete with business hours, contact information, and website URLs. PLUS, you can read reviews from other brides in your area. 

Try it out now, and let us know what you think!

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever! Their images are powered by the best wedding publishers and wedding shopping partners on the web. Find Bridal Guide on Loverly >>

As the summer wedding season heats up, guests need ways to stay cool! If you’re looking for the perfect signature cocktail for a summer wedding or shower, here are five drinks we’ll be serving all summer long.

1. Meyer Lemon Margaritas

 If you’re craving a margarita, we recommend mixing things up a bit with Meyer lemons! 

Photo Credit: Lover.ly

Wedding bells are ringing for Jessica Simpson — her big day is July 4th — who celebrated her last few weeks of singledom with a co-ed bachelor/bachelorette bash.

Photo Credit: Jessica Simpson on Twitter

The singer-turned-fashion mogul, 33, bucked tradition by throwing a joint party on June 8th with fiancé Eric Johnson, 34, in Los Angeles. People reports that the couple hosted 40 of their nearest and dearest, including their bridal party, Johnson's former football teammates and Simpson's parents.

Stephanie Terblanche, a close pal and bridesmaid, reveals that "They didn’t want a traditional bachelor-bachelorette where they go off and do their own thing, because our group of friends is so close we just wanted to all be together." She added that, "If we are not going to be at someone’s house hanging out playing beer pong, this is the closest thing to it."

They kicked things off at Eveleigh restaurant, where they noshed on appetizers like fried artichokes, truffle fries and salad before digging into a family-style meal. Then, it was off to the Warwick nightclub, where they danced until the wee hours of the morning.

The bride-to-be flaunted her post-baby physique in a Saint Laurent LBD featuring a plunging, dotted illusion neckline.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Match doesn't start until Thursday but one soccer player already has a victory to celebrate: His engagement!

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, proposed to on-again, off-again girlfriend Fanny Neguesha on her birthday yesterday with a gorgeous round-cut ring.

Photo Credit: Fanny Neguesha's official Instagram account

He commemorated the momentous occasion on Instagram by posting a photo of her sparkler and the Rio de Janeiro beach where he popped the question. "She said yes," he wrote. "The most important yes in my life. That was the place of my question! I Love you and happy birthday too ! Je t'aime my WIFE ❤"

The Belgian model also took to the social media app to express her happiness, posting that "Tonight, I said the most important yes of my Life. That was the best present for my birthday! I love you first and unique husband."

Balotelli arrived in Brazil on June 5th for training. Italy will face England on Saturday in its first game of the tournament, so we'll have to wait until then to see if he is a winner on the playing field as well. The forward has a daughter, Pia, from a previous relationship with Raffaella Fico.

Congratulations to the happy couple! 

—Stefania Sainato