Since we just celebrated the Fourth of July we thought it would be a great idea to have some red, white, and blue wedding inspiration! Anyone getting married on July 4th next year? And if not, we're going to show you some ways to make red, white, and blue look classy any time of the year!
A wedding or an elopement? That is the question.
There will come a time in your engaged life, where you and your fiance just can't agree. It may be the first dance song, or it may be the food or the cake flavor, and for some of you it may come a whole lot earlier in the game...
Should we have a wedding or should we elope?
The frugal (and money-smart) side of you tells you to elope and put that money you would have spent toward your wedding on a house! But yet, society and your party side tell you, "You can always save up more money - weddings are fun and marriage is something important to share with your family and friends!"
Or maybe you are adamant on having a wedding and he is just ready to whisk you off your feet and elope already!
And this has now become the first marital discussion (or for most of you, argument) you will have together. If you can't get through something like this and come to some conclusion TOGETHER, then you can't make it through marriage.
So I've got one word for you:
COMPROMISE
Please don't give in just because you want to avoid an argument (the passive side of me does that all of the time and it's just not healthy). And don't just tell him, "because I said so." Because neither are going to get you very far.
If you lean toward the first, you may resent him for years to come and if you choose the second, he may resent you.
Not only do you need to compromise with each other, but compromise with yourself too.
What is the issue?
Maybe you can have a ceremony with all of your family and friends, and then save all of that money you would have spent on a reception and put a down payment on a house.
Or maybe you can elope now and agree that once you have purchased a house and are financially comfortable in a couple of years, you can have an anniversary celebration, renew your vows, and have the reception you always dreamed of planning.
Whatever it may be and whatever the two of you come up with together, make sure you practice compromise. Because while the practice will never make perfect, you're going to need that in your marriage...might as well start practicing early!
Sweating for the Wedding // Make the Park Your Playground (Part 2)
Written with love, by Nikki Lian
Last week I gave you a few exercises you can perform at one of your favorite parks—it’s nice to be out of the gym once in a while. Here are a few more to help tighten and tone. Again, if you have some five pound weights, bring them along! But not all of the following exercises need to be done with weights.
Burpees Off the Bench
If you prefer to do burpees in the grass, more power to you! If you’re a beginner and burpees are a bit more difficult for you, try a low bench at the park.
Get into a squatting position and put both hands on the bench. Kick both feet out so you’re in a plank position off the bench, and then jump to bring your feet back in. Stand all the way up and jump in the air with your arms up. Or, you can finish with a jumping jack.
Burpees are a great core exercise and they are definitely a calorie burner.
Squat, Push Up, Twist
I don’t really have a creative name for this super-effective exercise besides describing how to do it! Again, you don’t need weights but you will feel more of a burn using at least 5 pounders.
With your feet squared and shoulder-width apart, hold both weights at the top of your shoulders. Squat like you’re sitting on the chair. When you come up from the squat push both weights up above your head into a shoulder press. Then twist your entire torso to one side to work your obliques. Bring your body back forward and repeat, twisting to the opposite side.
I love this exercise because it works your quads, glutes, abs, arms and shoulders. It’s a killer but you’re getting a full-body workout!
Tricep Dips
Start by sitting on a bench. Easy enough? Slide your butt out so it’s off the bench and your arms are holding you up. Your legs should be straight out. However, if you find this too hard at first you can do a modified version by bending your knees and keeping your feet flat on the floor (like our lovely model Jessa in the picture). Once your feet are in place, bend your arms keeping your elbows back, and push back up. Try to do 3 sets 12-15 repetitions and your triceps will be on fire!!
So there it is! Exercise is hard work but can also be fun in the sun!
And as I said last week, remember to use sunscreen and stay hydrated. You may think you're in the shade but can still burn up. And hopefully you’ll find this routine a walk in the park.
