Bridal Bootcamp-Get Fit...Get Healthy...Get Married!

One thing I hear quite often from brides is their desire to "loose a few pounds" before their wedding. While I don't advocate dieting to fit into your gown, eating well and getting proper exercise can help make anyone feel better. So don't know where to begin? Bridal Bootcamp to the rescue! Ashley Weismantel is a certified trainer that provides a 6 week workout routine for brides that will target those common areas women struggle with. Her bridal bootcamp meets at 9:15 on Thursday mornings at Ala Moana Beach Park. There's nothing like working out while looking out at the beautiful Pacific Ocean!

Her workout routine includes resistance training, core work, cardiovascular, pilates, endurance and all over body toning.

I know that I am more motivated to workout when I have a workout buddy. Are some of your friends also getting married? With a minimum group of 3 and at the most 8, Ashely will start a bridal bootcamp starting off brides at the same time so you can cheer-on and encourage each other on your goal to a healthier you.

The 6 week bootcamp is $90 per person for the 6 weeks or $17 per class.

Contact Ashley Weismantel for more information.808.457.0807. Check out her certifications.

Certified NASM Personal Trainer

Certified Pilates Instructor

Certified SilverSneakers Instructor Level 1 & 2

Certified Group Instructor

Certified in Weight management

Certified SliverandFit Instructor

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Hawaii Beach Wedding Venue-Loulu Palm Estate

On a recent trip over to the North Shore, I had the privilege of meeting up with Scott, the manager of Loulu Palm Estate. This oceanfront wedding venue is fairly new on the wedding scene but getting rave reviews and for good reason. The sprawling manicured lawn stretches on and on towards the beach. Fronting the property is a well-maintained 1941 plantation home. Couples have exclusive use of a two bedroom wing of the house complete with a full bathroom, kitchen, living room and dining room. I love the charm of the main dressing room for the bride. It looks over the lawn and while the bride is getting ready she can peek out at her wedding unfolding before her eyes. A view from the master bedroom with the curtains open.
Couples have the choice of getting married on the lawn or on the beach and both are equally spectacular.
A view from the edge of the property and the lush lawn.

Men's and women's guest bathrooms are complete with vessel sinks and the newly enlarged parking area is available for up to 100 cars. These pictures barely due it justice. You have to check out the Loulu Palm Estate website to really see all that this beautiful North Shore venue has to offer.

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Creative Cakes-DIY

This time of year I always think about creating my world famous bunny cake. Well maybe it's not world famous but it ranks right up there with my family. I'll have to dig out a picture one of these days or better yet, break out the mixer and bake one again. While I was perusing Hostess {with the mostess} I came across these adorable cakes that brought back fond memories of many years of trying to create my own imaginative cakes.

You have to love a smiling monkey face!

It's cake, no it's fries, not it's cake! Could have fooled me!

I think I like it but the meatballs just throw me off.
This one is in honor of my hubby. His birthday is next month so I'll let you know how my version turns out.

Scarry but yummy!

One particularly busy year, I ran home to create a one-of-a-kind cake for my daughter. I can't even recall what it was suppose to be but after many mishaps all I could turn it into was a giant face with huge ponytails sticking out of each side of the head. We all laughed. It was really bad but hey, I tried.

Have fun making creative cakes but know when to call in the experts!

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"To Do" List-To Go

I picked up the latest issue of Real Simple magazine today. The cover grabbed my attention, "Back-to-basics cleaning: 78 easy ideas to make every room shine-fast". Did you catch that last word? Fast! That's my kind of cleaning. But I digress because before I could get to the,"cleaning of it all" (I stole that line from Niecy Nash from the t.v. show "Clean House"-get the theme?), I was captivated by the most clever,"should have thought of it first" organization tool I have ever seen. The "Task Mug". Yep, that's right a task list right on your mug. Are you the type to scribble your "to do" list on bits of paper and then leave it, loose it or throw it away? If sticky notes are not your thing then you must get this. Fast!

No excuses if you're not a coffee or tea drinker with the glass tumbler option below.

You can't forget to pick-up dog food, go to the dentist at noon, and pay the bills when you have it all written down right in front of you all day long. How perfect is that and environmentally friendly as well! Think of the busy bride who has a million things to do. It would make a perfect bridal shower gift or just a gift for yourself. Now if you think I am obsessive about lists, you're right, so no comments are required. You can be next in line after me to order your own ,"Write on Mug". You can find it here.

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Beach Wedding-North Shore of Oahu

The North Shore of Oahu is an absolutely spectacular location for an intimate Hawaiian beach wedding. Although it's a bit of a distance from Waikiki, the laid back feeling, the stretches of beach accented by dramatic lava rock and the jaw-dropping sunsets, make the travel time worthwhile. The ocean and rock make a perfect romantic backdrop and there's nothing quite as delicious as sinking your toes in the sand.

Gorgeous Corinne and Aaron Gold. Photography by Brooke Dombroski.

A perfect Hawaiian sunset for a perfect Hawaiian wedding.

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Candy Buffet-DIY

Candy buffets are all the rage at parties and weddings as a fun favor alternative. There are several great companies in Hawaii that can provide a candy buffet for you, bringing jars, containers, candy and even providing a buffet attendant. For the DIY diva, a scaled down version of the candy buffet is quite doable and actually really fun to setup. I recently created this candy buffet.
Top 3 photos by Corinne Gold.

1. Start with a theme, in this case, lemons and limes. You can choose color combinations that match the decor of your celebration or go with a theme such as nostalgic candies.
2. Explore your cupboards, borrow vases and dishes or check out your local second hand store. I scored the great green pedestal glass bowl for only $4.00!
3. Find candy in your color scheme. Many people asked if it was hard to find green and yellow candies. Not at all! In fact I could have gone crazy choosing all kinds of candies.
4. I found acrylic scoopers in various sizes from Complete Kitchen and all under $2.00.
5. Provide small plastic bags with labels (optional), twist ties or ribbons and a small sign inviting your guest to select their favorite sweets to take home.

Beautiful linens by Les Saisons.

Can you guess which candy was the most popular? The sour green apples by far!
Be a sugary sweet DIY Diva!

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Portraits with a Purpose-David Murphey

Here's an opportunity to help children with cancer. Photographer, David Murphey, shared this information..."On April 25 & 26, you can have a professional portrait taken of you and your family. The portrait sitting fee is $30.00.100% of the fee goes directly to the HCCF and is a tax deductible donation.You'll get a professional portrait session and 1 - 5X7" print from the event.

"Who can participate in the project?
Anyone who would like a professional portrait is welcome.This time of year is perfect for school or senior portraits for your keiki.If your business headshot needs to be updated for your company brochure or website, it's a great chance to do it now.And, don't forget a portrait with your whole family! "

For more information and to sign-up visit here.

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Emi Ink- Divine Damask Print Invitations

You don't have to look too hard lately to see that Damask patterns are showing up everywhere. Somehow the various designs of flowers, fruit, animals, paisley and swirls evoke both an old world charm and a modern vibe. It's not surprising that design conscious couples are incorporating the luxurious print into the theme and decor of their wedding. Stacey of Emi Ink recently shared some of her lovely damask invitation designs with me. "As you begin your selection process, remember that your invitations are the first glimpse that your guests will have of your special day. The design you select will not only help to set the mood of this once-in-a-lifetime event, but reflect your personal style and individuality."

Most Emi Ink invitations are priced between $6.00-$9.00 each depending on the complexity of the design. Prices include full printing and assembly of the invitation, response card, response envelope and outer envelope (with printed return address). Additional insert cards (map/directions, reception, etc.) can be designed for an additional fee. Emi Ink can help you bring luxury and sophistication into your invitation suite design.

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Great Giveaway-Trio of Totes

Style Me Pretty announced a great giveaway from Ivan & Mary designs, and it's so simple to enter. From Mindy, "Let us know which would work best for your wedding … and it could be yours! ". Here are some of my favorites.You've have to love a cute tote!
Three winners will be choosen and the winner will be announced next Thursday so hurry and enter here.

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Real Weddings-Steven and Jessica

One of my philosophies when it comes to weddings is that no two weddings should be alike just like no two couples are alike. Steven and Jessica's wedding decor is the epitome of a wedding that truly reflects the bride and groom. They are a bubbly and outgoing couple with a keen sense of style. Their wedding decor with its lime, cantaloupe and fuchsia color scheme along with a splash of butterflies, beautifully captures this.

They created a custom banquettte for their absolutely charming sweetheart table. The banquette now has a place in their home!

Adorable!

Steven and Jessica and their ultra chic butterfly martini bar.

Ahhh... gorgeous! I love how the flowers cascade with just the perfect amount of elegance and whimsy.

Don't you just love watching a butterfly gently flutter along and then gracefully settle-but only for a moment. The butterflies on their cake are so carefully placed as if they found a momentary resting place.
Steven and Jessica found creative and fun ways to bring their personal style as a couple into the theme and decor of their wedding.
Don't be afraid of exposing a little of yourself at your wedding. Your personality that is!

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Nini's Boutique-Classy Consignment

I have a great little secret that I have to share with you. While strolling through Kaimuki I stumbled upon a little treasure chest called Nini's. Located on Kokohead Avenue right around the corner from Waialae Avenue, Nini's is bursting with, oh so amazing, clothing and accessory fun! The best part of this little boutique is that it's a consignment store that only accepts items with the tags still attached and from major labels. I snatched up a delicious J Crew blouse-and you know that I love J Crew. When I got home, I found the same blouse in the current catalog and I saved enough for at least 10 tall lattes.

So many accessories...so little time!

Belt Anyone?I love the green shoes with the pink flowers. Look at all the dresses beckoning you to browse.

She even sends you on your way with beautiful little packages!

Owner Nini, makes sure all of the goodies in her store are current, organized and tastefully displayed. Stop by Nini's M-S 11:00-6:30 for some chic retail therapy!

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Cakes-One for the Bride & One for the Groom

Hey brides- With visions of flowers, linens and invitations swirling though your head you may not have thought of this special way that you can honor your groom on your wedding day. Why not surprise him with his very own cake! This southern tradition has seen a reappearance recently. Couples are departing from the chocolate cakes of the past and are instead choosing to showcase the grooms interests in a sweet confection.

Inside joke?

A man and his car is much like a woman and her shoes. An acceptable love affair...

Annie O Creations

So, I bet you can guess what this groom will be doing on the weekends. Find this here.

I don’t know what the pig says about the groom, maybe not the statement that was intended ,but in any case, isn’t it cute? Find this here.

Groom's cakes don't have to be over the top and reserved for the wedding reception only. Many brides, like Nicole, choose to surprise their groom at their rehearsal dinner.

A decadent peanut butter cheesecake....Go Ohio Buckeyes! True love coming from a USC Trojan bride!

Honor your groom with sweetness.

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