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WendyCityFaces Brings Beauty to the Windy City’s Brides

All brides are beautiful, but Wendy Woodside, a professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician, has the talent and experience to give you fresh, natural makeup that’s classic, glamorous and defined all at once. Her makeup and spa services are performed on location, providing you and your wedding party the personal attention to detail and service all brides deserve. Wendy, along with her team, are passionate about creating a look that suits your personality and style, while at the same time, keeping you looking like you – just better! Wendy brings 25 plus years in the industry with extensive experience in film, television and a BFA in theatre along with a list of celebrity clients such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Fox News, CBS, ABC, Deborah Norville, Jim Belushi and Bill Kurtis to name a few. Wendy looks forward to making you look and feel FABULOUS!

Visit WendyCityFaces on StrictlyWeddings.com Chicago!

Operation Slim Down for your Wedding Day!

We’ve heard time and again that the secret to weight loss is that you burn what you take in. Basically, eat healthy, control your portions and work out 3-5 times a week. But if you’re wanting to look your best on your wedding day, listed below are a few thoughts to get you started on your path to loose. These are actually good habits to get into and live by.

We’re currently on Jenny Craig, so some of the references are from what we’ve learned there. Also, for Christmas we got the “So Easy” cookbook by Elle Kreiger. Love that it gives you all the calorie details with each recipe and she’s into cooking food that has flavor!

Water, Water and more Water!

Start getting your fill on water (no, coffee or diet sodas don’t count). We’ve been told at least 5-8oz glasses and 8 is better. Find you a fun/colorful water bottle that you don’t mind taking with you everywhere. Keep one in the office, one in your car and one at home. If you don’t like the “flavor” of your water, filter your water, add a few slices of lemon, limes or oranges to flavor it and Crystal Light sells individual serving packets in all sorts of flavors.

Portion Control

Our understanding on what makes a “normal” serving is way out of wack. Here are some visual guidelines:

• 1 tsp = tip of thumb
• 1 tbsp = whole thumb
• 1/4 cup = golf ball, large egg
• 1/2 cup = 1/2 orange, small fist
• 1 cup = baseball, light bulb
• 1 oz meat/cheese = tube of lipstick
• 1 oz snack food = rounded handful
• 2 oz meat/cheese = 3 fingers
• 3 oz meat/cheese = deck of cards, computer mouse (woman’s portion)
• 4 oz meat/cheese = palm of man’s hand (man’s portion)
• 1 low-fat muffin or piece of fruit = tennis ball

Calories In/Calories Out

Modify your portions and strive for 1200 calories per day. (Here’s what it looks like)

• Breakfast – 1 oz lean meat (one small egg, 1 turkey sausage), 2 starches (1 pancake, english muffin, 1 slice bread, low-sugar cereals), 1 fat (1 tsp margarine), 1 milk (1 cup non-fat milk, 1 container fat-free, light yogurt)
• Morning Snack – 90-110 calories (cheese stick, small piece of fruit like a clementine or apple)
• Lunch – 2 oz lean meat, 2 starches, 1 vegetable, 1 fat (soup & salad; lean cuisine will do, too)
• Afternoon Snack – 90-110 calories
• Dinner – 4 oz lean meat, 2 starches, 1 vegetable, 1 fat

Starches = beans, lentils, bread, cereal, pancake, popcorn, rice or pasta, low-fat snack foods, starchy veggies like corn, peas, potatoes, yams), tortilla

Free Foods = sugar-free gum, non-starchy veggies (you’ll find me munching on carrots, pickled okra, cherry tomatoes …also spinach is great fresh or steamed with a little butter and lemon).

Note: When cutting back on calories, it’s important that you take a daily multivitamin.

Cut Back on Drinking

A 5 oz glass of red wine equates to two of your “fat” servings. Alcohol eats up a lot of calories quick! So save it for one glass on the weekend or special occasions. Instead of that glass of wine, try a wine spritzer (it’s half the calories) or look into non-alcoholic beverages.

Exercise

We know, that’s the big “duh!” But your results will be so much greater if you will exercise. You know this. We all know this. It’s doing it that’s the tough part. Start with twenty minutes of exercise a day to start the calorie burning process. Walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Walk to the lunch place instead of driving if you can. Find a buddy to walk and talk with or exercise with. Pay for a personal trainer to get you on a program and if you can afford it, use them once-a-week. Being accountable to someone (other than yourself) is a huge motivator.

Whatever you do, good luck. A word from the wise (and years of fighting weight gain) … a husband who loves you, will love you no matter those few extra pounds. BUT when “us women” feel good about ourselves and how we look, then often, it’s our husbands who benefit from that confidence!

StrictlyWeddings.com Spa Partners:

Treat yourself to a spa treatment at one of our partners with each milestone you make (first 10 pounds, 1/2 way mark, reaching your goal)!

Dallas – Exhale Dallas, The Spa at the Crescent, The Spa at Willow Bend

Chicago – Ruby Room, Exhale Chicago, Peninsula Spa by ESPA

Pamper the Stress Away

Let’s face it, planning a wedding requires lots of time and energy and no one is limitless. There comes a time where WE need pampering (brides as well as the groom or the mom!). Here are a few simple pampering ideas that don’t cost much but can be “oh so pleasurable.” You can even invite your groom to join you and treat each other.

• Spend a Day at the Spa
  Try this easy-to-whip-up summer skin smoother for an at-home spa experience:
  • 1 ripe organic mango
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup Sugar In the Raw

Mash up half of the mango with a fork until smooth. Stir in honey and olive oil until blended. Add sugar. While in the shower, massage mixture onto dry skin, including the neck and face. Allow the masque to remain on the body for several minutes to smooth and soften the skin. Rinse off with warm water and lightly dry the skin.

• Give Yourself a Foot Massage
  Who knew about all the nerve endings in our feet! Purchase a foot massage cream from either Bath & Body Works or The Body Shop and rub it into your feet while you watch your favorite show. Better yet, have him rub your feet for you! When you’re done, cover your feet in socks so that they can continue to soak in the cream.
• Nothing that a glass of wine, fruit, cheese and a good book can’t cure!
  Some days you just want scream! Today, if you scream in your house or yard or in public then you’re liable to get the wrong kind of attention. So, just grab an hour (or two) and shut out the world. Fix yourself a treat - whatever that is. Turn up your favorite music to escape. Don’t answer the phone (and don’t get on the phone to talk!). Slow down and grab a favorite book or movie and escape. Even better? Take the music, treats and book and ease into a luxuriating bubble bath.

None of the above is brain surgery. We all know what we need to do to pamper ourselves, we just need to give ourselves permission to shut out the world for a few hours and do it! When you do? Everyone benefits … you, your honey and others in your sphere. (Editor’s note: continue to do this once you are married and especially if you have kids.).

Shoe Clips – New Trend to Dress Up your Shoes

Looking for a way to add some color and personality to your wedding shoes? Grab a pair of colored shoe clips! Dyeable shoes are great, but shoe clips are one of our favorite new wedding trends for 2010. You get the lovely look of a silk shoe to match your wedding dress and a little sweet spot of bling-y color. Grab a pair in blue for your “something blue,” or match them to your bridesmaid dresses or wedding accent color. They’d also look gorgeous on black bridesmaid shoes. The possibilities are endless! Source: EverythingButTheDress.blogspot.com | Photos courtesy of The Left Bank Jewelry, Chicago

Beating the Bridal Bloat

Try these tips four days before the wedding:

• Avoid gassy foods like onions, broccoli, and beans. Gas buildup will give you a Buddha Belly. If you have any degree of lactose intolerance, steer clear of milk and cheese.
• Don’t skip meals. The less food in your GI tract, the more air gets trapped, creating gas.
• Don’t chew gum or sip through a straw; both actions allow gas to get trapped in the GI tract.
• Drink lots of water. It aids digestion and gets things moving along.

Hairstyles – Elegant Choices

Wedding hair pieces can add beauty to your hair style. You may not realize it, but bridal hair pieces are becoming increasingly popular. They let you choose the hairstyle you want without worrying about a professional stylist. 

Choosing the hairstyle that’s right for you

As we mentioned before, wedding hair pieces are available in a variety of styles. If you can think of a particular hair style, there’s probably an available hair piece to match it. In fact, you could easily browse through magazines to find the perfect hairstyle and then purchased the corresponding hair piece.

The great thing about these bridal hair pieces is that they’re ready for immediate use. No matter what your style, the hairpiece has already been designed to meet your needs. You can simply put it on without having to worry about curly or twisting your hair (or any other kind of hairstyling).

If you are looking for advise or someone to do your makeup or hair, contact one of our partners – Beauty on Call or Jose Eber. Below are some of the examples of hair pieces that we found.

Beauty on Call

Where And When To Look

Start your search at least 6 months in advance as many experts get booked far in advance. Ask a wedding planner, photographer, or friend for a referral. Ask your artist for references or photos if you are unsure of their credentials.

Communication Style

When you meet the stylist and makeup artist, do you feel comfortable enough to express your likes and dislikes? Is the stylist/artist a good listener? Pay attention to what the expert asks you as well. A professional will want to know about your dress, the kind of affair, and the colors the bridesmaids will be wearing. A true professional will try and understand your vision and offer you plenty of advice and options, but will never force their opinions on you.

Experience

Do the stylist and artist have solid experience working with brides? Is he/she properly trained and licensed? Have they had experience working with photographers? What is his/her experience level? Your beauty team should be able to handle a variety of styles so they can work with your bridal party as well?

Trial Runs

As soon as you find an artist you’re interested in, it’s important to schedule a trial run. Make sure to bring a camera, photos of your gown and any hair or makeup pictures that caught your eye. Take a photo of each look you try so you have time to consider it and see it from all angles. When getting your makeup and hair done, wear it all day so you can find out how the products feel and how your hair holds up.

Dependability

In addition to talent, the beauty expert must also be dependable. Do they return your calls in a timely manner? When you have an appointment, do they arrive on time?

What’s In The Kit?

What types of products and tools do the artist and stylist work with? Look for quality products that have all-day wear and good pigments including waterproof mascara and eyeliners. Check for clean brushes, tools and products. Does the makeup artist use disposable mascara wands and disinfect tools in front of you? If not, ask for an explanation of their hygiene methods.

Cost: Do your research

Top artists and stylists are generally more costly because their talent and time are in high demand, however, an expensive artist doesn’t necessarily equal a qualified artist.

Get It In Writing

Most artists will ask for a signed contract and a deposit. If they don’t ask, you should! Make sure the date, price, arrival time, location, and any extra out-of-pocket expenses (parking, products, etc.) are all included. This also protects you, should the artist try to cancel at the last minute or if there is a payment dispute.

Flexibility

Is the beauty professional willing to work around your schedule? Will the hairstylist work from an image you found in a magazine? Find out if the makeup artist will book out an extra 30 minutes for you on the day of the wedding, just in case something comes up. We also recommend asking the makeup artist to supply a list of products used on you during your trial run. If you are an out of town bride, without time for an early trial, ask the makeup artist and stylist meet you the evening of your rehearsal dinner to go over style and color. Find out in advance if the stylist is willing to book a second trial run with you if you’re unsure of the hairstyle you want.

Lessons

So you’re getting married on a sandy beach in the Caribbean and don’t foresee flying your hair stylist and makeup artist out. Simply ask for lessons. Your stylist can demonstrate how to create easy, beautiful styles that will withstand the weather. Your makeup artist can teach you how to perfectly line your eyes, cover any blemishes, and make it stay put.

The Whole Package

Don’t stop after hair and makeup. Have nail technicians pamper the bridal party with manicures and pedicures before the wedding. Need to de-stress? Hire an on-location massage therapist. This also makes a great gift for your bridal party, not to mention a wonderful surprise for your fiancé.

Follow Up

After you’ve taken care of all the specifics, follow up a month before the wedding and the week before the big day to reconfirm each appointment and the location where the services will take place.

Last Minute Cancellation

Make sure you know what will happen if the makeup artist or hair stylist can’t be there on the day of the wedding. Will they arrange for someone else to be available?

Source: BeautyOnCall.com

I Do In Dallas

StrictlyWeddings.com sponsored the event “I Do in Dallas” at The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa with Diamond Affairs on September 24.

Attendees received helpful wedding planning advice by the experts at Diamond Affairs while enjoying yummy hor d’oeuvres from The Stoneleigh Hotel’s excellent catering staff.

Photography provided by F8 Studio. Flowers by Fete des Fleurs.

To Veil or Not To Veil

The wedding veil is a quintessential bridal accessory. Those airy white layers and that lovely crowning halo create a magical transformative feeling the moment you put one on. Nothing says wedding quite like it! Wedding veils have been used throughout history to symbolize cultural and spiritual beliefs, and while some brides today wear a veil as a symbol, most brides wear one to make a fabulous fashion statement. Veils come in all shapes, lengths and styles and if you wear one you’ll want to choose the style that best accentuates your dress’s features and adds a finishing touch to your look.

Classic veils fall to your elbow, your fingertip, to the floor or in a long train stretching out behind you, and can be made of a variety of fabrics and embellishments. A great classic veil alternative is the Mantilla veil, with its lovely lace edges and romantic Spanish influence. A fun retro inspired option that lends lots of personality to any look is the cage or birdcage style veil. Made of netting or very light tulle it beautifully frames your face and is perfect for a fashion forward bride.

If a traditional bridal look with a long flowing veil just isn’t for you, there are an infinite number of other options for fabulous bridal hair accessories! Real fresh flowers tucked into your hair always look pretty and feminine and will never go out of style. (Be sure to purchase extra blooms and keep them available throughout the day in case the one you’re wearing wilts and you want to freshen up.) Tiaras and other jeweled hairpins add sparkling glamour and formality, while headbands made of any material make for a sweet and youthful look. No matter what you choose, stay true to your style and have fun with the process. You’re sure to look and feel amazing when your wedding day arrives!

- Junebug Weddings 

Bride’s Wedding Day Emergency Kit

Bobbi Brown’s new Limited Edition Bridal Kit ($75) has the absolute essentials that a bride will need on her big day. “On your wedding day, you should look like yourself at your most beautiful,” she says, and this kit works with all skin tones to create a natural look that accentuates your natural beauty. This Bridal set features the makeup basics for the bride, bridesmaid or mother of the bride to customize their look. Available at Neiman Marcus stores, the kit comes in a sleek white case with a mirror and interior pockets.

Bridal Kit Contains:

• Exclusive Ivory Eye Shadow
• Black Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
• Black No Smudge Mascara
• Pink Sugar Shimmer Lip Gloss
• Short Handle Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush
• White Cosmetic Case

Bobbi Brown’s Top 10 Weddding Day Tips

• Flash photography emphasizes pink tones, so be sure to even out skin with a yellow-toned foundation. Start around the nose and mouth where there’s redness, then blend out to the rest of the face.
• Set concealer and foundation with Sheer Finish Loose Powder to make them longer-lasting and to ensure that skin looks matte in pictures.
• If your dress has an open neckline, be sure to warm up your neck and chest with a dusting of Bronzing Powder.
• Use a water-resistant liner that can withstand tears; try Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner applied with the Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush. If you prefer to line with shadow, make it longer-lasting by applying it with a slightly damp Eye Liner Brush. Finish with a water resistant mascara like Lash Glamour.
• After applying all your eye makeup, finish with a highlighter shade on the browbone to make eyes pop. Rub your finger in a light matte shade and pat lightly on the outer corner of the browbone.
• For a pretty flush that lasts, use two shades of Blush. First, apply a neutral shade on the apples of cheeks, blending up into the hairline, then downwards to soften. Then apply a brighter shade just on the apples of cheeks.
• Neutral and pale lip colors look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one to two shades brighter than what you normally wear. Pinks, roses and plums are great choices for brides.
• To make Lip Color last longer, line and fill in lips with Lip Pencil before applying your lipstick.
• Carry a touch-up kit with concealer, pressed powder, lipstick or gloss, lip liner, tissues, mints, and a mini sewing kit (for emergency clothing fixes like a dropped hem or popped button).
• Have Fun!

Pre-Wedding Wellness Tips

• Eat smart. Choose whole grains, fresh greens and fruits, and clean proteins like chicken, fish, and beans.
• Hydrate. Drink lots of water daily to hydrate skin and flush out toxins.
• Move Your Body. Exercise at least three times a week to strengthen your body and calm your mind.
• Take Relaxing Baths. Add soothing Epsom salts or skin-softening powdered milk to your bathwater.
• Be Present. Slow down and appreciate what’s around you rather than rushing to get from start to finish.

Wedding Day Touch-Up Tips

• Pack your purse with concealer, pressed powder, lipstick or gloss, lip liner, tissues, and mints.
• Sewing kit with prethreaded needles and a pair of tiny fold-up scissors to fix a hem or popped button.
• Static spray and lint remover to get rid of static cling and lint on clothing.
• Prewrapped wipes to remove makeup and food stains.