Interview: Augusta // A very healthy bride-to-be!

Written with love, by Nikki Lian

I got to catch up with soon-to-be bride, spinning guru and one of my favorite people in general, Augusta Preisero, to give a little advice on living a healthy lifestyle and what NOT to do before your upcoming wedding.  Augusta is a certified personal trainer and spinning instructor and owner of Fab Fitt. She is definitely FAB and FIT!!

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Tell me a little about yourself.  I know you’re a school teacher, a personal trainer and spinning instructor as well.  What's your typical day like?

A typical day in the life of me...MAYHEM!  I wake up around 6am every morning,   unless Molly [my cat] mushes me back into bed.  She's an early bird, so we make our way down the stairs to empty the dishwasher and start breakfast. I'm a little OCD so the beds have to be done and the kitchen has to be clean before I leave the house.  My day at school begins at 8:30 and all I can think about is my NOGII bar that I can't wait to eat at 10am. I'm like a little kid running to the snack machine to munch on a Snickers bar- but needless to say it's a sweet nogii bar! The day progresses and I end school at 2:30.  Depending on the time of year I may have a few [personal training] clients. But from there I run home to help with laundry and cooking. 

Are you tired yet?? 

Cooking is my passion. I always dreamed of having a restaurant. When you’re young you live with the mindset of having a circle of dreams.  That's what my mom always told me.  As I prepare dinner and fold my laundry, I'm also getting ready to teach one of my spin classes.  Before class I usually make my playlist for the night.  I always make my playlist right before class because it has to depict my mood for the day! At 6:45 the lights go out.  I light my candles and dance the night away... 

How did you get into fitness, and what is your favorite thing to do to stay looking and feeling so great?

I can thank my mom for the day she told me I looked like I was getting fat. She got me a trainer that I worked with 3 times a week and by 17 I had my certification in personal training. It was a pretty good first job; but as I continued training, I continued learning.  I've been working with the same trainer for 18 years and have continued training with him.

I love spinning upside down and hanging like a monkey but my favorite workout has to be my Soul Cycle time.  

What is your "diet" like?  How are you able to eat right with such a busy schedule?

Let's call it a lifestyle.  Coming from a very traditional Italian home, my family is very big with vegetables. My town in Italy is known for their beans and it's possible that you may find me snacking on broccoli rabe or faro (spelt)  in the middle of the day. I choose to feel great inside and out so eating healthy makes me feel that way. I was never a big junk food or candy eater- I love the occasional piece of chocolate just like every girl but I'd honestly rather eat a loaf of bread and some escarole. There are no excuses unless we make them ourselves. I calculate my time as best as possible to eat at least 5x a day. 

With your busy schedule, how do you keep yourself motivated to stay so fit?  

I believe that my motivation begins with a path that I have already taken and the environment that I surround myself with.  They say broken crayons still color right? So, technically no matter how many "mistakes" or bad decisions we have ever made we learn that life is a colorful place and there's always a better plan ahead. I am pretty religious and God builds our paths with a specific plan. The idea that I met a more than amazing man was probably part of my plan; and with the happiness and joy that he brings to me every day, he inspires me to be more motivated and more amazing for not just myself but everyone else around me. 

Speaking of your amazing man, you have a wedding coming up in Italy--why did you choose a destination wedding?

A wedding is supposed to be completely "you." It's supposed to compliment who we are.  Although they call weddings the "princess mentality," for me it's the total opposite. I don't like being the center of attention and I thought it would be one of the most meaningful and special places for the both of US. 

Tell me about Fab Fitt. What is your mission?

I want people to learn to bring their mind and their body to a positive state--to only say yes. We're all human and I think we let whatever is the easiest to control us. If we lead with our minds, especially in fitness, well be able to understand that "easy" is probably the wrong door!

What advice do you have for brides to reach their fitness goals and to maintain their results after the wedding?

"Pictures are forever..." Most brides seem to be stuck on the idea that the skinnier you are for your wedding the more beautiful the pictures will look.  But what happens after the pictures and after the wedding? Everyone seems to be stuck on the idea of a crash diet to lose weight fast.

Take a pill and it's game over.

I think we're all looking for the miracle to happen but why not find a long term miracle? What if we found a way to lose the weight we wanted the healthy way? It's hard to fix years of neglect in just a few minutes, so why not focus on eating right and exercising sooner than later so that at least we're not messing up our metabolism.

My advice is to learn to eat the right way before your wedding day. Figure out why you're stuck at your weight and learn to eliminate all of the unnecessary calories in your diet. Your wedding day and the planning is supposed to be an exciting journey. Skipping meals or crash dieting can turn a happy bride to turn into a "bridezilla," and that's probably the last thing you're going to want to remember. 

Where can people take your spin classes or contact you for personal training? 

HIT FACTORY IN BROOKLYN. 

You can find me on Facebook, Instagram or via email at Augusta.Preisero@gmail.com

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A huge thank you to Augusta for taking the time out of her busy schedule to give us  some valuable advice.  My suggestion to all is to follow her instagram and facebook for her daily motivational words.  And if you’re ever in NYC, take one of her amazing spin classes!!

Designer Interview: Judy Lee

"Who is Ju.Lee?  She is my alter ego.  She believes in true love.  She loves to travel and be inspired by the people and cultures in different cities.  But most importantly, she wants to share her journey with brides (you) who want unique romantic dresses made locally with flattering fits.

I started Iridescence Bridal Couture in 2006 with the dream and passion of helping other brides to design the perfect wedding dresses for their magical days.  After countless hours of consultations, sewing, beading, stitching, and fittings, this journey has led me to focus not only on the design of the dresses, but also the fit in relations to different body types. 

When it comes to wedding dresses, I look for elegant designs and charming details with just the right touch of dazzle.  Nothing over the top.  I want the bride (you) to look and feel effortlessly beautiful without trying too hard.  This is my design philosophy."

     - Judy Lee, Ju.Lee Collection

What brought you into the wedding industry?

After designing and making my own wedding dress in 2005, I was completely head over heels in love with the beauty of weddings.  A woman may have worn numerous dresses in her life, but she will never forget what she wore on her wedding day.  Being a part of this important moment in her life is what made me become a bridal dress designer.

You have a great idea! What do you do next?

Once I have an idea, I will immediately sketch it on paper.  Because ideas come and go, it’s important to jot down my ideas right away.  Then I begin to find the right fabrics and materials that will best express the ideas.  The hardest part is always editing the designs and details because there are so many amazing options and possibilities!

What gives you your inspiration for new designs?

The collection is inspired by vintage details and silhouettes but each design is inspired by a place that I have either visited or wanted to visit around the world.  I’ve always been intrigued by the old world charm but want to reinterpret bridal fashion for the modern bride.

Where do the names of each gown come from?

The name of each design is inspired by a city or landmark around the world.  I’m always captivated by the architectural designs and the unique lifestyles of the people who live there.  For example, “Chicago” is inspired by famous museums and architectures from the city with the creative use of fabric blocking.

What fabrics do you absolutely love working with?

I adore laces, chiffons, and charmeauses.  They are very elegant and soft and drape so beautifully.  

Do you design with a specific bride in mind?

She is bold and stylish and is not afraid to be unique.  Although she may not be a traditional bride, she believes in tradition and is still a true romantic at heart but embraces the unexpected.  My brides are positively originals and are admired and adored by those around her. 

Who would you love to see in one of your gowns?

I’d love to see Mila Kunis and Olivia Wilde in one of my dresses!  Their elegance and beauty are mesmerizing but in a fearless sexy way. 

What advice do you have for my brides who are in search for their perfect wedding gown?

Brides should know their body shapes and unique body features when shopping for wedding dresses.  They should not base their decisions from Pinterest or magazine clip outs on models that are size 0 and airbrushed.  The best wedding dress should flatter her body in a way that dauntlessly highlights her assets and discretely camouflage the flaws.  When the dress fits perfectly, it will look amazing even if it’s a simple design.

Can you inspire us with a couple of your gowns and the type of wedding you see them going perfectly with?

"Los Angeles"

“Los Angeles” is perfect for a traditional wedding because of its universally flattering silhouette with a classic, elegant design. 

"Miami"

“Miami” is designed for beach weddings because it is flirty and functional – a floor length flowy skirt with side pockets make it easy to dance the night away on the sand under the moonlight. 

"New York"

“New York” is a fun creative dress design with a touch of glam.  Kick off the heels and put on some cowboy boots to keep the wedding down-to-earth and outdoorsy yet still sophisticated.

Thank you Judy for sharing your background, inspiration, and advice for all of our brides. I cannot wait to further explore your collections and follow your work for years to come, and hope that I one day have the opportunity to plan a wedding for a Ju.Lee bride!

Designer Interview: Leanne Marshall

This is a first for The Overwhelmed Bride and I am beyond excited that we had the opportunity to interview three absolutely AMAZING wedding gown designers! Over the next three days, you are going to get an inside look at the lives of these designers, some of their favorite pieces, and some advice they wanted to tell you, the bride! So sit back, relax, and let's get to know the brains (and hands) behind those stunning gowns!

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Leanne Marshall began designing her own pieces at the young age of 12 for her ballet and dance performances. And just a short time after, at age 18, she won the Levi's Dockers Scholarship and was awarded her amazing education at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco. With her first line starting in 2006, Leanimal, she had such tremendous success that she was able to quit her full time job just a year and a half later and put her heart and soul into her label, full-time.

In 2008, Leanne was selected as a contestant on Project Runway, Season 5, where she was ultimately crowned the winner! Immediately following her win, she moved to New York City and since, has had her collections featured in New York Fashion Week and fashion weeks around the world since. Her dresses have been seen in Martha Stewart Weddings, US Weekly, The Post, TV Guide, The New York Times, People, Elle, LIFE, National Geographic, Lucky and countless others.

And finally, in 2011, the bridal industry snagged her up (woohoo!) and she came out with her signature bridal line. She has the most stunning gowns, and I have even been lucky enough to be able to model one in one of my favorites!

I hope you are as excited as I am to learn more about her designs...and maybe even find a potential wedding gown for your big day!

What gives you inspiration for a new piece?

I design to flatter the female form. Inspirations for designs come to me while I am draping fabric.

What is the process once you have an idea?

For me, it is the reverse. The idea happens during the process. I allow the materials to create the dress.

What fabrics are your favorite to work with?

Silk chiffon, silk organza and beads!

How do you come up with the names for your designs?

Sometimes it is the first client who buys a dress or the celebrity it was designed for, other times we look through baby name listings and choose the ones that we love (and suit the feel of the dress).

Which designs are your all-time favorites?

My favorite two pieces are the "cabbage" dress and the tuxi-dress.

Do you design with a specific bride in mind?

I design for brides that are not looking for a traditional dress. I appeal to the bride who likes a more ethereal feel.

What is your advice to brides who are still searching for "the one"?

Try lots of styles, even the ones that you think you may not like. There is a fine line between like and dislike. Sometimes when something is new to you, especially when it is on a hanger, you may think you dislike it. You may actually find that that feeling was just like, disguised as newness, when you actually put it on. And if you don't like it, what was the harm?

I also recommend that you bring a small party, like your best friend or your mom. The worst thing you can do is gather an opinionated group of  'mean girls'. In an effort to be the one who shares their 'unbiased' opinion, they will try to put you in their dress instead of helping you to find your own. When our brides come with a 'mean girls club' in tow, they always come back a second time, alone.

Who would you love to see in one of your gowns?

There are several lesser known talents I would love to dress. I'm sure you haven't heard of them...Anne Hathaway, Taylor Swift and Cate Blanchett.

Our brides all have different styles in mind for their wedding day. Can you inspire us with some of your designs for our brides who have not yet found their perfect gown?

A huge thank you to Leanne for allowing us to take some time out of her busy day to share her background, inspiration, and her advice for you!

If you would like to browse more of her designs, begin following her inspiration on social media, or find a store near you that carries her gowns, here is everything you need :)