Ever feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? After a wonderful weekend in North Carolina (more on that below!), I was exhausted — just another day off from work would've been amazing. Here, the most important lessons I learned this week:

If you fall off the wagon, get yourself back on track as soon as possible. Rene and I had the best time exploring the city of Charlotte, going out, and seeing his great family to celebrate his father’s 80th birthday in North Carolina. It was a weekend I will not forget, but I sure hope my body does after all of the food and alcohol I consumed. Unfortunately, I did not eat too well. I had fast food (gross!), comfort food (fried chicken and macaroni and cheese), and bagels and eggs for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. I drank tequila, rum, and wine on Friday and Saturday, too. I was just a disaster all weekend. I did have fun, and I got myself back on track as soon as we returned home. For dinner Sunday night, Rene and I ate sashimi and salads for dinner, so at least I had one healthy meal that weekend! 

I definitely felt better Tuesday morning after eating well and working out on Monday — I felt like I burned off some of the many calories consumed over the weekend. 

Rachel Wolf's father/daughter dance on Saturday, July 20th was everything she hoped it would be  — the only thing missing was a groom to watch on.

Her dad, Dr. John Wolf, is losing his battle with terminal pancreatic cancer, but that didn't stop the determined 25-year-old from Auburn, California from making their wedding wish come true. Regretting that he would never get to take part in her big day — yet not wanting to pressure her current boyfriend to propose — she came up with the idea to host a special dance now that she can record and play at her future nuptials someday.

"My greatest sadness of you not being here is that you won't get to walk me down the aisle or have a special father/daughter dance," she told him through tears in a video posted online by News10/KXTV.  "So I'm inviting you to my 'wedding.'"

In an interview with The Today Show, her "ultimate hero" reveals just how much the staged event meant to him: "Each and every day, we have a choice. We have a choice to either love that person that's in front of us or not. It's the relationships that you build over the years that is the most important thing in life."

One of the prettiest sights to see at a wedding (other than the décor, flowers and beautiful bride, of course!) is the dazzling dessert table. I recently came across some gorgeous tables featuring an array of yummy treats created by Alexis Streets, a Washington D.C.-based dessert and table stylist (clients include Spike Lee and the Washington Redskins). All of her food items are not only custom-made and handcrafted, but Alexis also designs the table décor. This talented entrepreneur definitely knows how to turn a negative into a positive, too: She started her business creating gift baskets while on bed rest after a car accident, and today, after just five years, her company has evolved into a highly successful business. Love that positive spirit!

Now, back to dessert tables: If you’re thinking of having one at your wedding, Alexis recommends that you “consider your own personal taste and style, your wedding colors and the needs of your guests.” And, for upcoming fall weddings, some of Alexis’ favorite choices include chocolate-covered strawberries infused with wine, candy apples, spiced cupcakes and her custom 14k-gold candies. “Our cake pops are always a year-round favorite, too, as they can be customized to look like brides and grooms!” says Alexis. For inspiration, take a look at some of her sensational tables and eye-catching goodies, and visit Alexis Streets and discover more delicious treats:

Clockwise from top left: Chocolate strawberries, gourmet pretzels, gourmet krispy treats, pecan turtles, cake pops, and gourmet strawberry shortcakes.

Photographer Joshua Watson and his wife Rachel, a film and television producer, infused both of their passions in their ingenious wedding invitations. With the help of photographer friend Jordan Nakamura, the pair re-created a selection of movie posters; then, they made DVD invites for friends and family, using the images as covers on the DVD cases. "We tried to choose a variety of films that we both enjoy," said Watson. "We also wanted to choose posters we felt had iconic designs." Take a look!

Inspiration: Inception

Inspiration: Casablanca

Inspiration: An Education

After a series of four harrowing hair trials, I'd love to share my experience with BG brides in case anyone is going through the same thing (you're not alone!) or in the process of scheduling their beauty appointments for the big day. This is my story about the connection between hair and self-image — including a few hard-earned lessons I learned along the way. 

I looked into the mirror and saw an imposter staring back at me in a haze of hairspray. I recognized the wide Katy Perry-like eyes, but everything else about her was foreign. She had a retro bouffant ‘do warped from the ‘50s, with boho braids wrapped around the sides of her head. I could barely make out the sparkling headpiece on top because it was drowning in a nest of curls.

This wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I showed the hairstylist my inspiration photo of Kate Middleton (my fashion hero!) at a royal gala, looking resplendent with her updo and amazing Jenny Packham dress. This hairdo looked like the Duchess of Cambridge got into a tussle with a pin-up and a flower child, and there was no clear winner. Would my fiancé Jason even recognize this bride coming towards him down the aisle, with her Medusa tendrils?