Wedding Countdown: 2 Weeks to Go!

You guys! We're so close! 

(And since I'm a day late - even closer! Just 13 more days!)

Let's dive into it, shall we?

THE DRESS

I picked up my wedding dress! After so many months of waiting for it to arrive, and then more time waiting for alterations, it felt so strange to finally be able to hang it up in my bedroom.

Now, quick question: Is it totally acceptable to just hang out in your wedding dress? I don't think I've ever owned and loved any piece of clothing as much as I love this dress. Fits. Like. A. Glove.

Each morning, I wake up and just see it there, and I can't wait to finally be able to reveal it to everyone! Sebastian even woke up yesterday morning and told me he had a dream of me walking down the aisle. (Which, by the way, totally and completely melted my heart. I get to marry this man?!) But he said that he couldn't make out what the dress looked like, it's still a complete mystery to him.

And it's been one of the hardest secrets to keep!

BEACH BODY

Not to toot my own horn or anything... but... I am killing it at the gym.
I've never felt more energized, more alert, more focused, and more rested! Sometimes it seriously feels like I'm walking on clouds. The craziest part is that I wasn't in bad health before, I wasn't overweight, I was just your average girl. And now? Just by tweaking my eating habits and lifestyle, I've been able to pump all of that MORE into my world. My mind, body, and soul are praising me for it.

I recently shared one of my favourite new leg workouts, so here's another workout that's been working wonders, if you're looking for inspiration...

CHEST/AB WORKOUT
Wide-grip Barbell Press (5 sets of 8 reps)
Pushups - Close and Wide Hand Positions (3 sets of 15 reps)
Cable Crossover (3 sets of 10 reps) (I don't have cables at my gym, so I just substitute for lat raises)
Incline Bench Press (3 sets of 10 reps)
Side-to-Side Pushups (3 sets of 10 reps) Intense.
Superset the next two...
Toe Touchers (3 sets of 20 reps)
Crunches (3 sets of 20 reps)
End of superset
Knee/Hip Raise on Parallel Bars (3 sets of 10 reps)
Cable Crunch (3 sets of 10 reps)

Then finish it off with 30 minutes of cardio! A kick-ass workout that will definitely produce some fab results.

*This is just a sample from the LiveFit trainer, a free 12-week program I've been following online, have a peek if you're interested!

DECISIONS, DECISIONS...

(All of these are right from my Pinterest boards, if you wanna check more out!)

I swear, if there was an award for Person Who Changes Their Mind Most Out Of Everyone In The World... it would go to me. Hands down. Totally got that one in the bag. 

I can't decide: Do I want something more polished and pulled back? Or should I go with something a little more messy... a la I rolled out of bed but still look fabulous and totally beachy? Should I throw a cute braid in there? I'm loving all of these looks which is why it makes it so hard to pick something and just roll with it. What do you think? 

DAYDREAMIN'

Can't believe we arrive in just 9 days! We've slowly been prepping to hop on that plane and get outta dodge! We've got our suitcases (one is already packed with all our wedding treats!), indulged in a little shopping spree (hello, three new bikinis!), wrote out a "before we leave" to-do list, sharpened our scuba diving skills, and break out into happy dances daily.

Before I go, massive amounts of gratitude need to be spilled...
Last week, I called out in desperation for your help on selecting music and THANK YOU! (SERIOUSLY, SO MUCH!) You guys pulled through! (An extra big thank you to the gorgeous Tina - who just may be my music fairy:) I'm happy to report that... music has been FINALIZED! Boo-yah! I keep listening to the songs over and over again while butterflies fill up my belly.

And another big, fat, juicy thank you for following along in this crazy journey, for your comments, your support, and for being the amazing person that you are. Connecting with you guys is one of the happiest moments of my days and I feel so fortunate that you come here and read my ramblings :)

Soon I'll be able to spill the beans and let you in on all the deets! Big love and bear hugs to you all!

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Wedding Countdown: 3 Weeks To Go!

Three. Weeks. To. Go.

When did that happen?

Last Friday, I had my last dress fitting. If I were to sum up what the wedding planning experience was like for me, the one word that pops right into my head is surreal. Everything has been so incredibly surreal. The surprise proposal, choosing a destination wedding, our engagement party, deciding on flowers, the cake, the colours... it's all been leading up to one day. A day that has seemed so far away that often times, didn't feel real.

But on Friday, as I stepped into my dress, it hit me. I started imaging what the day would be like... how I would feel, how I would look, being surrounded by the most incredible people I know, seeing my Dad (this one evokes some serious happy tears) and looking into Sebastian's eyes and saying I do.

Then I had to stop thinking about it because I got too excited.

So, let's dive into what's been going on lately, shall we?

(If you missed the first part of the countdown, you can catch up right here xx)

BEAUTY

I've kept true to my new beauty routine (read here if you missed it), and I've been feeling so, so good. A huge part of what's making me feel this way, I think, is because it feels freaking fan-tas-tic to consciously take care of my face and skin. Whenever I've been overwhelmed with busyness in the past, my needs are always the first to be put to the back burner, but now? Now I'm making myself a priority. That small shift has the strength to move mountains, I tell you.

What's new in the world o' beauty?

1. Rosehip Oil. This stuff! Man o man, it's goooooood. (Possibly yeilds secret super powers) My skin has been SUPA dry lately (thanks, extended Winter!), so I've started applying Rosehip oil after I wash my face before hopping into bed. It's like a surge of moisture to my skin. Highly recommended.

I've also heard that this stuff can actually even out your skin, and make it more radiant. I just introduced this gem into my world over the past week and a half so I'll keep you updated if I see any differences.

2. Body Wrap. Have you heard of the slimming body wraps? I haven't actually done this yet, but am seriously considering it. (Who wouldn't when they advertise noticeable results in just ONE session?) I'm throwing it over to you: Have you had a body wrap before? What did you think? Did you see any difference? Did your skin feel better? (I heard they're great for detoxifying too!) Or do you think it's all a trick?

3. New Hair! SHAZAMMM! I'm like a brand new woman! I dyed my hair a darker brown a couple of months ago and it was just getting too dark for my liking (oh hello, pale skin!), so I decided to jump on the ombre train and take things to a whole 'nother level with lighter tones.

The results...

HEALTH

For a girl who has never considered herself a morning person, my energy levels are through the roof! I don't think this can be credited to any one thing but a combination of taking care of my body with the right foods, hitting the gym for some wicked workouts, and most importantly, listening to what my body wants. While I've been seeing physical changes in my body, how I've been feeling has taken everything to a whole different level.

And just while we're on that topic right there, what if we focused more on how we feel rather than how we look? I used to hit the gym, and during my workouts, think to myself "I have to lose X amount of weight" "Keep going, you need to tone! You need to have a better stomach! Better legs!" I'd visualize my "perfect" body, while belittling what I had in that moment. Not good!

Now, I'm a lot more in tune to how my body is feeling, I've become gentle with myself which has boosted my self-confidence and turned my workouts from a place where I'd feel less-than-good about my body into something refreshing and enjoyable. I no longer work out to look good. I workout to feel good. And that has made all the difference in the world.

Now for the fun stuff! A recipe! Lately I've been starting my mornings off right with this incredible smoothie. It's filling, chock-full of healthy ingredients, and it's basically a full-on party for your taste buds!

The Classic Green Monster
*Makes 1 serving/2 cups

What you'll need:

• 1 cup almond milk, or milk of choice
• 1 ripe banana, preferably peeled + frozen
• 2 handfuls organic spinach or 1 handful kale
• 1 tbsp chia seeds OR 1 tbsp ground flax
• 1 tbsp nut butter, optional
• 1-3 ice cubes
• protein powder of choice, optional

Directions: Starting with the liquid, add in 1 cup of milk of your choice. Now add in the chia or flax and nut butter. Next, add in the spinach followed by the banana on top. Blend until smooth. Add in your ice cubes and blend some more. Serves 1- about 2 cups.

*Can I just say that Chia Seeds are MAGICAL? Seriously. I would shout my love for these little dudes from rooftops any day. They work!

THE TO-DO'S

The past couple of weeks have been a little slow moving on the Wedding front. We had planned to have everything done by now, but alas, Easter feasting became a priority. Followed by Easter food comas, you know how it goes.

Final song list! Music has got to be the HARDEST aspect to decide on. Have you attended a wedding and thought "Wow! Their playlist is off-the-hook!"? Suggestions are welcome! I would love to hear.

Stationary (being printed today! Hurray!)

Hair + beauty decisions

Speeches

Ring insurance (in the works)

Pick up the dress!

I'm feeling really good about where we're at right now. Every little piece of the puzzle is coming together, and there's such a huge sense of accomplishment whenever we get something done. (Like packing one of our suitcases full of what we need to bring! Check and check, double high five!)

Now, for a few Q's: What were your most memorable moments as a guest at a wedding? And if you're married... what were some of the last minute details? Any advice? Wishing you the most incredible Wednesday! Make the most of it xx

Images: 1. (original unknown) // 2. Oh She Glows // 3. Striking Truths // 4. One To Wed

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Wedding Countdown: 5 Weeks to go!

Can I just say how fast time is moving? It's exactly 5 WEEKS til the BIG DAY! Before I know it, I'll be submerged in sunshine, walking down the aisle and exchanging vows with the love of my life.

I thought I'd keep a journal of sorts, to document the days up to the wedding, and maybe even to hold myself accountable to the list of to-do's before we board a plane! Here's a mish-mash of what's been going on in my world lately in preparation of the fast-approaching I-do's!

HEALTH

1. Energizing Workouts
I fell off the wagon on this one for about two weeks while I was couch-ridden but am back full throttle! I've been sticking to Jamie Eason's LiveFit Program, which I've tweaked along the way since I won't be able to get through the entire 12-week program. Now that I'm getting into the middle of the program, the weight lifting is getting more intense and it's been amazing! Higher energy levels, feeling more vibrant, more refreshed, and more of that on top of the world I-can-do-anything feeling!

2. Nourishing Foods
More vegetables. More greens. More smoothies. More juice! The 3PM (and 7PM) desire for something sweet has been my downfall, so I've been searching for new healthy recipes to help curb that hunger. I think I've found a winner, I'll let you know how it goes!

3. Pill Poppin'
I've created a nice little concoction of supplements to take in the morning and honestly, I've been noticing a huge difference. I started the new regimen a couple of months ago, and took a little break because let's be honest... when you aren't feeling well, the last thing you want to do is down a barrel of pills. Which of course, is probably the worst thing you can do because hello! You need those little suckers. But I'm back to it, more dedicated than ever, and it's like a surge of energy right to my core. Among the selection? Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Probiotics, and Digestive Enzymes.

4. Peace o' Mind
I've been focused on being present in the moment, not letting myself get stressed, and freeing myself from guilt. This is BIG, you guys! By freeing myself of negative emotions, it's allowed me to be more open to positivity and optimism. Being healthy and radiant starts within yourself first, and spreads to the rest of your life. Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Fit... in that order.

BEAUTY

What more does a Bride want than to have that glow on her wedding day? Back at the three month mark, I started a new beauty routine, I'll fill you in...

1. I kept up with my regular daily cleansing - facial cleanser, toner, day-time moisturizer in the morning, a thicker night-time moisturizer at night. (I love me some Vichy products!) Especially the winter months, this has been a savour!

2. I introduced a weekly beauty routine - each Sunday, I've applied Dermaglow's Vitamin C Microdermabrasion scrub (rub in for a minute), followed up with Vichy's 10-minute moisturizing mask. At first the scrub was pretty harsh on my face, which was surprising since my skin isn't very sensitive, but that was only for the first two weeks and now it just feels oh-so-good. The moisturizing mask is simply amazing! I skipped a couple weeks (do you see a pattern here?) and my skin started to really dry out - as soon as I introduced it back into my life, my skin cleared right up! Magic!

3. Dry brushing. If I'm being honest, I'm still trying to remember to dry brush daily, but usually only remember after my shower. Dry brushing is suppose to do wonders for your skin, and even minimize cellulite! Say hello to my new best friend.

4. H2O, baby! For your health, beauty, this is the not-so-secret to feeling good and looking fab-u-lous!

MOOD

The past couple weeks have been an absolute whirlwind, first with being hit with the flu, and then the aftermath of trying to get back into the swing of things and catching up on everything. Has anybody else felt like the energy in the air has been a little... off? It's felt like a battle with the "I'm in a funk" kind-of moods, trying to snap myself out of it, and remembering to take time out for myself.

What this meant for me was moving my body even when I didn't feel like it, indulging in a little relaxation even though there's a million things to do, and countless blog posts to write! I tapped into what my body was trying to tell me, and I'm really feeling more energized, and inspired than ever. (A lesson in itself!)

Now that we're getting closer to the wedding day, I'm beginning to feel a sense of calm about the whole thing. The final details are being decided, the countdown is officially ON, and the excitement is really starting to pour in.

WHAT'S LEFT TO DO

• Final song list! Processional, father-daughter dance, reception music! Any suggestions? (Seriously)
• Stationary (programs, table numbers, etc)
• Gifts
• Hair + beauty decisions
• Speeches
• Ring insurance
• Final dress fittings

We're getting so close! We're hoping to really nail down our to-do list this week and get everything done! (That deserves a few more of these - !!!!!) (Dreams of being able to kick my feet up and stop thinking about planning are dancing in my head...:)

I hope you enjoyed the little insight into the planning process! If you have any advice, I would be forever grateful!

(And thank you so much for your understanding during this unanticipated blog break! xx)

Images: 1 // 2 // 3

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Being A Bride: Three Months Out

When it comes to weddings, I immediately think of how much time, energy, planning, and money goes into orchestrating the perfect day. The pressures to make everything "just right". The never-ending Pinterest boards, magazines, and options! So many options!

I must confess - before getting engaged, I never dreamt about what my wedding would be like. I always imagined myself as a wife but never as a bride. After Sebastian put a ring on it, you can imagine my shock when I signed up on The Knot only to discover I had 179 things on my to-do list. One hundred and seventy nine to-dos.

I kind of went from elated, over-the-moon joy to my stomach flying into my throat, jaw dropping to the floor, while my eyes simultaneously poppd out of their sockets.

Yeah, a little something like that.

There's been a lot of new (and stunning!) faces around here lately, so I'll fill you in on the juicy details if you've missed out...

Last June, Sebastian and I journeyed to Europe with family and friends. We partied in Poland during the Euro Cup, I met Sebastian's extended-family for the first time, and I learned how to handle all those vodka shots. We then hopped on a plane over to Rome just the two of us. We wined, dined, and explored, nearly losing our feet in the process. It was a whirlwind. It was magic. It was so much more than I ever could have expected. And, he waited until just four days before the end of our Euro trip before getting down on one knee and proposing in the city he was born in.

In the beginning of the planning process, it was a challenge to really narrow down on what we wanted. There's so many things that I/we thought we wanted, but really didn't. At times, we got swept up in the circus of everything, only to realize it wasn't what we truly wanted.

Now, we're just under three months away from hopping on a plane and flying down to the Dominican to get hitched! Sometimes I just have to pinch myself because it doesn't feel real. And you know what the weirdest thing is? I'm not stressed.

Say whaaat?

For real. Deciding to have a destination wedding was hands-down the best decision we could have made. They do everything. Of course, there's small things like favors, stationary, and small decor that you bring with you to make it personal, but for the most part, it's taken care of.

After seeing my enormous to-do list, seeing how stressful it's been for friends, reading through all the wedding resources, I sat there the other night, just thinking about it all. And you know what I did? I cried. Why wasn't I stressed out? Was I doing it wrong? Am I not doing enough? I'm not even joking. I was getting emotional because I wasn't stressed out. Backwards, huh? (That self-doubt is always ready to pounce, I tell you.)

Whether you're planning to board a plane, or tie the knot locally, here's some things that have helped me along the way...

1. KNOW THAT IT WILL ALL WORK OUT. Get it in that pretty little brain of yours! The one constant in life is that it's always willing to throw out some (major) curveballs. Don't get worked up over it, just know that this is life's way of bringing you something different. Think of it as a juicy present. Sometimes it's the unexpected messes that bring everything together to create perfection.

2. BREATHE. PLEASE, JUST BREATHE. Feeling overwhelmed? Walk. Away. From. The. Computer. Put down the phone! Get some perspective. Coordinating to get together a big group of your family and friends can prove to be challenging. Don't sweat the small stuff. Take some time for yourself and take a few deep breathes. You know what? Let's do it right now. Breathe in through your nose and count to 4, then exhale and count to 6.

Inhale for..1...2...3...4...

Exhale for...1...2...3...4...5...6...

And again,

1...2...3...4...

1...2...3...4...5...6...

Doesn't that feel good?!

3. ASK FOR HELP. You are strong and fiercely independent. It's completely natural for you to want to do everything yourself. But giiirl, take it easy! You are surrounded by love. That huge group of love doesn't want you getting all crazy. No need to be she-woman if you don't need to. Delegate. Ask for help. Talk it out with someone.

4. SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE. You're getting married! And you know what? That's pretty freaking incredible. You have come into this life and found your soulmate. High five to that! In 20-30-40+ years from now, you're not going to look back on it all and think, "But it wasn't as pretty as all those Pinterest boards." "I wish I had bought _________."

It's not about pleasing everyone but yourself, it's not about draining your bank account, it's not about comparison, and it's certainly not worth sacrificing your health and/or sanity over it.

How about we make a pact? Let's all shift our focus back to what weddings are really about. It's two lives uniting together through love. Wicked awesome love powerful enough to move mountains! The kind of love that's so rare to find, but when you do, you'll do anything to protect it. THAT'S what it's all about. And let me just say, it's pretty damn beautiful.

Are you in the midst of wedding planning? How's it going? (Or are you already married? If so, I'd love to hear any wedding tips you might have for me!)

P.S. In case you missed it, here's a look at our engagement photos.

Images: All images were taken from my own Wedding Inspiration pinboard. Find them here. xx

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Our Wedding Invites

 

Most of you already know this, but if you're new to This & That, I'm deep into wedding planning at the moment. Balls deep, as Sebastian would say.

 

But in all seriousness, in just six shorts months (!), I'll be on a beach getting ready to marry my best friend. Sometimes I have to pinch myself just as a reminder that this is all real. It's happening. And officially mailing out our invitations only solified that fact. (And now I get to show you!)

 

After Sebastian and I got engaged, we talked about what we wanted our big day to be like. When it comes to weddings, the "list of priorities" can get pretty long and overwhelming. At the top of both our lists was hosting a fun celebration; nothing formal, nothing uptight. And if you knew both of us personally, that is what suits us most. We're all about the less fuss, less stress over here.

 

When it came to our invitations, we knew right from the start that we would design them ourselves, partially to save money, and partially because Sebastian is a wicked designer. I mean, when you have those sort of resources at your fingertips, you use them. Our main goal was to create something that would serve both as an announcement of our wedding and as an invite. We wanted something unique while still keeping it fun, casual, and light-hearted. Simply put, we wanted something that our family and friends could open up and smile at.

 

Off we went, brainstorming ideas, writing and re-writing the words, coming up with draft after draft. Keeping our minds out of the box and running rampant through the sands of Punta Cana.

 

Without further ado, I present to you, your Dominican passport...

P.S. If you missed it, here's a sneak peek of where we'll be tying the knot xo

Wedding Sneak Peek

I've been a little hush hush when it comes to the wedding so far. The plans are all falling into place and it's getting more real every single day.

With every wedding, there comes the stress. It's bound to happen when you're thinking about so many other people involved. Sebastian and I got engaged last June and even though the topic of a wedding came up beforehand, we never really went into great detail about anything. We went back and forth over where we should have the wedding, when to have it, who to invite, what was most important to us, what wasn't important at all. We skimmed through the pros and cons. We toured venues. I spent way too much time on Pinterest. And our eyes practically flew out of our heads when we saw prices. You know, that sort of stuff.

And now... a date is set and everything is booked!

We're getting married in Punta Cana!

I'll be walking down the aisle with sand inbetween my toes, and the sun on my face on April 24th. Yep, in less than 8 months I will be able to officially call Sebastian my husband.

I cannot wait! It feels like a lifetime away right now so in the meantime, I just keep staring at photos from our resort... 

Would you (or did you) have a destination wedding? If you have any tips, ideas, or thoughts I would love to hear them!