Going Green - Responsibility Has Never Been So Stylish

"We won't have a society if we destroy the environment" was once famously said by Anthropologist Margaret Mead.

With the rise and awareness of global warming and post-consumer waste, and the effects they have on our planet, it's our responsibility to make better decisions on how we treat our environment. For most couples, planning a wedding is a fabulous way to start. 

Unfortunately, every year, millions of weddings are planned utilizing billions of items that are used once and sent to landfills, not to mention the carbon footprint a wedding can leave from out-of-town guests' travel, non-local floral and catering food orders, and other wedding related products. It's clearly evident that weddings truly impact the environment and our planet as a whole.

Couples don't have to change their entire wedding theme to "green, eco-chic" but they can make better decisions in the planning process that will definitely make a big impact in the long run. Couples just need to be aware and know they have more green alternative to many of the items that are used on their big day.

By following some basic tips below, a wedding couple can minimize their event's environmental impact tremendously, while still having the amazing day of their dreams.

Use Recycled or Tree-Free Paper Materials
Finding fabulous invitation suites made from recyclable paper and other materials is simple these days, in fact, pretty much most stationary boutiques offer lots of options using 100% recycled, partially recycled or completely tree-free papers. One of my favorite uber trendy stationers, HelloLucky, has made 'going green' a policy by keeping to a strict standard of only printing on 100% cotton, hemp or recycled paper. Another one of my favorite stationers, Minted, also has a huge selection of eco-friendly sets as well.

Don't forget, eco-friendly paper products can be used for not only for invitations, 'save-the-dates' and thank you cards, but for escort cards, name placement cards, table numbers, signs, custom labels and tags, and favor boxes too. Do your research or ask your wedding planner to help locate these great materials.

Check out Hello!Lucky's gorgeous letterpress collection here.
Check out Minted's eco-friendly collections here.

Create an Efficient Wedding Website
Wedding websites are quickly emerging as THE central portal of information regarding a couple's wedding.  These days a good wedding website not only supplies guests with detailed logistical information about their affair, but have platforms with great tools implemented into their functionality which enable couples to manage a lot of the their communication - such as RSVP tracking, guest food preferences, directions, gift registries, hotel accommodations room  block info, attire suggestions, as well as the basics, place, date and time.  

Since everything is done digitally and online, websites are an incredibly green resource and a money saver. Couples now have the options of  doing away with those paper inserts for each one of those actions listed above, that, a) cost extra money, b)  recycled or not, is a complete and total waste of paper, and c) tack on more weight to each invite costing more money in postage. Honestly, I find it obnoxious to receive a "folder" type invitation with ten small pieces of paper all listing different tid-bits of information. Not only is it passé, most guests lose most of that info between the months of receiving it and the week of your wedding. I find it so much more sophisticated and modern to receive a simple yet elegant invite, with an RSVP card and a liner, and clear direction to visit a well made wedding website.

Furthermore, guests love wedding websites because they get a peek of what is to come which gets them excited for the big day. With that said, make sure you put the time and effort into the customization of your site with music, special photos and a theme that matches your event. There even is password protection in event of wedding crashers or the occasion "crazy ex".

There are a ton of them out there, but I like the following two free ones:

Wedsite.com and eWeddings.com. 

Go Vintage
Fashion is cyclical and designs can be timeless, so why not wear vintage?

Vintage wedding gowns by designers Oscar de la Renta or Chanel are still in a league of their own, though, wearing vintage doesn't mean it has to be "designer" vintage. Modernizing your grandmother's wedding gown or donning a beautiful tea length number you found in a trendy vintage shop is just as beautiful. As long as you feel beautiful in it, it doesn't matter how much you bought it for. Your wedding gown plays such a big part of the wedding's theme and tone, so have fun with all the special details that could be found in the beading, the lace or the sash. Also, don't forget to make it your own by adding some color, a florette or changing the straps. All you need is creativity and a good seamstress.

Find great vintage wedding gowns from Oncewed.com.

In my opinion, having vintage jewelry is not an option, it's a privilege. Good vintage or estate jewelry tells a story and carries a certain energy with it that contemporary jewelry, well, just doesn't. Estate jewelry is in every sense of the word "timeless", plus it's a total investment. Pieces that are passed down from generations or purchased from a fine estate jewelry store continue to hold their value and are one-of-a-kind pieces that you will never see another person wearing. One of my bride's has an incredible diamond and sapphire engagement ring from the 1930's which floors me, and everyone else every time I see her.

Check out amazing vintage jewelry and timepieces from the best estate retailer on the West Coast,  Fourtane  Jewelers. 

These days bridesmaids have alternatives to purchasing an expensive dress that they'll probably only wear once. If men can rent their suites and tuxes, why can't a bridesmaid rent her dress? Okay, I know this sounds strange, but I have recently discovered a new website called Rent-the-Runway, where women can rent designer gowns for a week - I'm talking about designers like Monique, Carolina, Missoni, D&G and many, many others. They have them in all formalities, lengths, colors and sizes. In fact, when they ship you the dress, they send you two sizes - your true size and one size larger to ensure your fit is correct. I honestly haven't tried it, but it's a good option to have if you have a small wedding party and want them to look top notch. If nothing else, how much fun would it be to feel like a million bucks for a night in a designer number that most of us couldn't afford to buy in a lifetime?

Check it yourself at rent-the-runway.com.

Select an Eco-Friendly Team of Vendors & Menu
Hiring eco-conscious vendors makes all the difference in offsetting your wedding's carbon footprint on the planet. Before hiring them, ask them where they source their products and make sure they purchase from local and organic farmers. This is especially true for your florist and caterer ensuring they aren't ordering food from across the country or placing orders with flower vendors in Ecuador, which obviously must travel by plane to get to your event emitting lots of Co2.

Be conscious about what you order and do some research, don't just take your vendors' word for it. If you want all local, seasonal and organic products to be used at your event, make sure you ask for products that you know are available in your area. For example, if you are getting married in the fall, trying looking up what flowers grow locally in the area during that season and select accordingly. If you select peonies for a fall wedding, a floral variety only available locally in spring, you are asking for a product to be flown in from South America - definitely not an eco-friendly decision. The same rules apply for menu selection. If you want fish, be conscience about which one you select. For instance, Chilean Sea Bass is delicious and available, however it's one of the top rated fish products to avoid on the Seafood Watch List due to being over-fished. Selecting an endangered fish to serve at your wedding is definitely not eco-friendly or morally correct either.

Find out what seafood is the best to serve in your area by visiting Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch List. 

Beef is also a popular choice on dinner menus. If you decided to add it, make sure to ask your caterer to source grass-fed, organic beef. Why grass-fed? Ruminants, like cows and sheep, have evolved to eat grass, not grain (and certainly not reprocessed animal by-products that many cheap cow farms feed their cattle to keep them fat). Yes, I know that grass-fed, organic beef may be more expensive, but why not serve a smaller, leaner and more delicious piece with a few other local, seasonal vegetable sides? Believe me, your guests won't miss it. Remember, menu planning is about a flavor and balance, not about the large piece of protein.

If you want more information on organic, grass-fed beef, go here.

A good caterer has knowledge about sustainability and locally grown products in their area, like one of my favorite catering companies, Paradise Catering in Carmel Valley, Ca. This husband and wife team actually live on three acres of land and grow most of the heirloom produce themselves which they serve at their clients' receptions. They really try to embody serving the freshest ingredients, literally from "garden to table".

There are many caterers, florists and weddings venues that are dedicated to minimizing the impact their services play on our planet, be sure to hire one or be prepared to thoroughly participate in the ordering and selection process.

Be Creative with Eco-friendly Guest Favors 
How many times have you been to a wedding and the favor is some cheesy heart topped wine cork? Not the most creative or eco-friendly decision by the bride and groom. You and I both know, most are left on the reception tables at the end of the night, thrown in the trash and then eventually into a some massive landfill in our environment.

Guests love to take away sweet treats to eat later on in the evening after the event. Try packaging up cookies, mini-cakes, petit-fours, cookies or candies in small boxes made of recycled paper with a ribbon and a custom label. You would be surprised that these little boxed goodies only run a few dollars each to produce. Plus, they are completely customized since we all know that weddings are all about the small details. It's much better to give your guests something that ends up in their stomach than in a landfill.

I love the premium chocolate combinations created by Michelle Crochet from Droga Confections in San Francisco. See her delectable creations here.  

Mini-cupcakes from a specialty bakery are always guest favorites at the end of an evening. I source these treats from  Pastries & Petals in Carmel, Ca. They can make them in all flavors and sizes, plus they outfit them in custom boxes - a total "one stop shop". Check out P&P here.

Go even greener by giving your guests small beautiful bundles of different kinds of seeds or a sprouting tree to take home and plant. For example, you could give away seeds from the flowers you used in your arrangements or the vegetables that were served on your menu. That way you can feel like you are giving back to the planet in what you used. It's kind of karmic in many ways. Try placing them in pretty custom recycled paper envelopes or organza sashes with custom  "thank you" tags and attach a fresh sprig of rosemary, thyme or lavender.

Looking to source seeds or seedlings, try visiting your local nursery for pricing or you can find them in bulk online at flowersoul.com.

Selecting eco-friendly favors for guests is not rocket science, it just takes some common sense, a little research and some creativity. It's your wedding, make it totally personal and distinctive.

In the end, whether couples decide to implement one or all suggestions above, every little bit counts and does make a difference. No matter how big or small of a green initiative you decide to embark on in regards to your big day, just be conscious, be grateful and be eco-chic!

Soiree got a Face Lift - New Logo and Colors!

Soiree got a face life!  Keep your eye out for our new materials which will be available after our new website is up next week.

If you are interested in receiving our wedding and special event information kit, please email me  simone@soireebysimone.com.

Happy Planning!

My Top Favorite Make-up Products For a Natural Everyday Look

I love products and make-up but I am really one of those NO FUSS type girls. For me, my make-up needs to look soft and natural but give me a little coverage to help me feel confident to put my best foot forward during my day-to-day. However, if my daily make-up regimen takes me longer than ten minutes in the morning, it doesn't work for me.

Here are top natural favorites right now:

"Illuminator" by Nars
 This stuff in genius. It's a very light weight liquid cream bronzer that I apply with my finger tips in less than 15 seconds. It's like a soft natural glow that gives off a natural flush of color that's super effortless. I've used it on my brow bones, cheeks and forehead for a sun kissed look.

I get it at Sephora.
Nars Illuminar

Lancome's Definicils Mascara

This is my "old faithful" in my make-up kit that I've been using for over fifteen years. I had tried all the new high-definition mascaras and I have always come back to this one. It gives me length and definition without clumps and is super natural. I guess the saying is true, "If it's not broken, don't fix it".

Get it at your local Lancome counter or at Sephora.com.

Lancome's Artliner Liquid Liner in Black
Liquid liner is fabulous. It enhances the eyes and can really take your "day look" to evening in less than one minute. However, it does take some practice to apply but Lancome's applicator is thin and very easy to use. I love it.

Get it at your local Lancome counter or Sephora.com.

Smash Box Concealer
This is one of my favorite products of all time. It literally takes away dark areas under the eyes in a light weight liquid. Hangover or late-night work session remanence be gone!

I get it at Sephora.com.

Black Honey Lip Stain from Clinique
I know, this has been around since I was in high school, which is when I found it. Whatever, I love it and so do many other people. There is a reason why this product has had such longevity - it looks great on everyone and gives your lips a beautiful natural blush of color with NO FUSS. You gotta love that.

Get it at your local Clinique counter or on Clinique.com

Bridal Make-up - Putting Your Best Face Forward

Let's "face it" (pun completely intended), there are reasons why celebrities employ full-time make-up artists to be at their beck-and-call at any given moment, day or night - one reason being, done right, they can make an already beautiful women into an absolute "show stopper". The same rules apply for brides, they may not need it, but it's definitely a must when it comes to their wedding day.  It's important that brides take the time to establish their make-up look and find a professional to apply it.

On average a photographer shoots over 1,000 images at a wedding, and of those 1,000 shots, the bride is in 80% of them! With that many photos being taken, brides need to be seriously confident in how they look - a confident bride is a sexy bride, and believe me, it shines through in the photos. Looking washed out, or better yet, having an uneven complexion in 800 photos can get real expensive in photography touch ups. Most top wedding photographers are also using high tech - high definition equipment these days that can produce some absolutely sensational images, however, these types of cameras can also pick up blemishes and other skin imperfections. Having natural coverage in the form of light foundation applied by a professional can eliminate these problems.

With that being said, it's important that brides don't go overboard by wearing too much make-up where they end up looking like someone else. Make-up is supposed to enhance the already beautiful qualities of a woman's face so that she radiates but still looks like herself. Your fiance is marrying you because he loves YOU and the way YOU look, so don't go transforming yourself into someone he doesn't recognize, especially on one of the most special days for both of you.

Here are some tips on how to help you find the right make-up artist for your style:

Hiring a Professional Make-up Artist - Professional make-up artists know how to make you look your best at any time of the day or night, they know how to apply coverage for specific kinds of cameras, and how to enhance your natural beauty. They are masters in color and know what looks best on different types of skin tones, and most importantly, they know how to apply make-up that will last the entire duration of the event. They also will show you how to apply your own touch-ups in case of an emergency (such as, an impromptu cry during "first look" before your formal photos) and provide you with a make-up kit of everything they've used on you that day.

Finding "The Right" Make-up Artist - As with all your vendors for your wedding, finding the right make-up artist can be tough and take some time. Ask recently married friends, your wedding planner, your wedding photographer and videographer who they recommend based on your style. Do your due diligence and YELP them and make sure to look at their "look book" or portfolio. Additionally, it's important to make sure they are a "Wedding Make-up Artist" primarily, not a "High Fashion Make-up Artist" who does weddings on the side - believe me, there is a big difference. Also, it's important that you narrow down your selection to no more than two make-up artists to schedule trials with - each trial can run you anywhere from $75 - $250 depending on the experience and demand of the particular artist, which obviously can add up. A lot of artists will apply their trial costs to their wedding day fee, so make sure to ask them before booking.

Schedule a Make-up Trial - It's incredibly important to make sure you have a make-up trial (test run) with your make-up artist. The trial will help you both create a look that is comfortable and beautiful. Make sure to bring a photo of your gown so they can create a look that is complimentary of the tones and style that you will be wearing on your big day. It's also a good idea to wear your typical daily application of make-up (if you do wear any) to your trial so your artist has a point of reference on where to start and what you are comfortable with. During your meeting, make sure you not only like their work, but like them as a person and can see them being part of your team during the day of your wedding - remember, it can be nerve wracking getting ready prior to the start of your ceremony and having a make-up artist who understands and is calming and encouraging makes all the difference.

Happy Planning!

Florists - The Unsung Decor Hero at Every Wedding

Are florists really that important? Yes, they ARE that important.

As a wedding planner, one of the first things I do when I start working with a newly engaged couple is help define their top priorities for their big day and assemble their team of wedding vendors. In situations where couples rank floral and event decor towards the bottom of their priority list, I know I have my work cut out for me.

Understandably, most couples have never planned a big event and have hired me for that reason, so they naturally rank their priorities based on the things they can relate to - food, wine, liquor, the wedding dress, cake, photography, music, etc. As the hired professional, it's my duty to help the couple fill in the necessary gaps and educate them on why.

Not always, but the florist is one vendor that I do find myself going to bat for quite often, especially when budgeting is a big concern. Again, understandably so, floral and event decor is a variable cost to the budget, meaning that you can spend as much or as little as you want, unlike other fixed costs, such as a venue site fee. However, just because you can spend a little on this particular service, doesn't mean that you should.

Here are my top reasons why you shouldn't skimp on the florist:

Florists Are Essential to the Overall Look & Feel of Your Wedding 

Every couple wants their wedding to be beautiful, romantic and memorable, not only for them, but for their guests as well. Beauty involves aesthetics and romance involves evoking feelings, and nothing creates a more beautiful and romantic atmosphere than flowers and candle light. No matter how creative or crafty a member of the family may be, no one can create an atmosphere of romance and beauty like a good florist, especially in a tight time frame.

Florists Provide Theme Continuity & Personal Details 

What makes a fabulous wedding isn't how much you spend, it's all the small details that make it completely custom to the couple. A good florist is someone who not only understands, but helps shape a vision, can pick up the small nuances from the couple, and designs cohesive floral treatments to illustrate and reflect their taste. A good florists will create visual continuity between every decorative element of the wedding - from bridal bouquets to table centerpieces to chair adornments to the escort card display - the theme will carry throughout.

Florists Provide Quality & Sophistication
Unless the bride's mother, sister or best friend is a florist, there is a big difference in the quality of the overall look and feel of a wedding when a florist is absent. Not to say that DIY flowers aren't absolutely beautiful when executed correctly, but florists have the expertise and skill set to take the same bunch of flowers and really up-level the entire arrangement just by their understanding of height and variation. Believe me, guests remember the details and will appreciate the polished and refined look.

Florist Offer "Day of" Execution & Preparation

DIY flowers aren't as easy as couples would like to think they are. There is so much to consider when doing your own flower arranging such as - who will be helping you create 15 centerpieces, 8 bridesmaids bouquets, 8 boutonnieres, 6 corsages, 4 large arrangements, cake flowers, head table treatments, flower girl basket, and on, and on... Even if you do have the manpower to do such a task, where will you store them and who is going to take on the responsibility of transporting them? Even more importantly, who will be setting up your ceremony space, your cocktail reception and your dinner reception? And even more importantly, how can you trust it will look nice. Honestly, no bride wants to deal with this kind of stress and paying a florist is worth EVERY PENNY.

Florists Cost & Service Are Well Worth the Price  

When you hire a florist, you aren't just paying for someone to source your flowers, you are paying a professional for a high value service. Most florists are willing to work with clients to make sure they get as much value for their budget as possible - they know what flowers are seasonally at the best price  and how to stretch every dollar to create some absolutely amazing treatments. Here is a secret - a good florist can create almost twice the amount of floral treatments using a combination of greens and seasonal flowers than what a typical bride would spend on DIY flowers, and they will look a whole lot better!

Florists Provide Decor & Materials  

Most floral designers have a huge collection of materials and vessels to carry out a dream wedding. Since they own much of what they use to display, couples don't have to incur the cost, shop for items or deal with the clean up. Also, once the wedding is over, couples don't have to deal with trying to sell or throw away a bunch of materials that they'll never use again. Florists invest in their materials so they are typically beautiful and high-end which again can up-level the sophistication of your event.

With so many photos captured at weddings and the popularity of wedding videography, the investment of a good florist is incredibly important. No couple wants to look at their wedding images and wish they would have splurged just a bit more for better decor in the background of all their photos.

One of my most favorite parts of every wedding is between the ceremony and reception (when the guests are at the cocktail hour) when I give the newlyweds a private tour of their decked out reception space. I love the look of awe and excitement when pointing out the small details in their custom decor and floral treatments, especially when the couple at first didn't think of it as a high priority. Believe me, they always say how happy they were to have had a great florist.

Happy Planning!

Best Weight Loss Exercises for Women

In keeping with week's bridal fitness and weight loss theme, below are the top fat and calorie burning exercises for women. Since the holidays are here and many brides are starting to gear up for their spring or summer weddings, this is as timely as it gets as pounds can start to add up during this holiday season.

Don't fall behind in your fitness program!

Running (treadmill or outdoors) - the best weight loss exercise. Running is one of the most efficient methods of burning calories. For every mile you run, you burn approx. 100 calories. Highest calorie burn and cheap as chips. All you need is a pair of quality running shoes. Plus, if you stick with it, you'll get hooked, making weight loss and weight maintenance easy. 

Elliptical Trainer - If you can't run this is an awesome piece of machinery. The elliptical trainer combines the cardio of running with resistance and it is low impact. Another positive is that burning the equivalent amount of calories as running feels easier on the elliptical. Great weight loss exercise. 

Cross-Country Skiing (machine or outdoors) is a fantastic endurance sport, calling on every major muscle group. Again it is a combination of resistance and cardio exercise. If you've got snow I suggest you ski.

Rowing - Cardio and resistance training in one fierce calorie-burning workout lasting between 20 and 40 minutes. Best used for interval training. Just make sure most of your power driving the stroke comes from large muscle of the thighs - not the upper body (a common mistake). 

Step Aerobics targets legs, hips and glutes. It is an intense calorie-burning exercise. Calories burned during this weight loss exercise depends on speed and step height. 

Bicycling (stationary or outdoors) targets thighs and calf muscles. Effectiveness for weight loss depends on speed and resistance/ incline. However, pear-shaped women beware of high resistance, as this will increase muscle mass in your thighs and exacerbate your problem area. 

Swimming - excellent full-body weight loss exercise. Water supports the body. Thus, less stress is placed on joints - low-impact. Brilliant for those with injuries. 

Jumping Rope is a seriously simple, but effective weight loss exercise. Ten minutes of jumping rope burns the rough equivalent of running an eight-minute mile. This weight loss exercise also improves cardiovascular endurance, coordination and agility.

Racquetball/ Squash - The high-intensity makes racquetball a great weight loss exercise. 

Rock Climbing is a weight loss exercise that combines cardiovascular exercise with resistance training. This weight loss exercise burns A LOT of calories, esp. on the way up.

As long as you stick to a good exercise program during the holidays you can afford to enjoy yourself more without the gilt come January. If you didn't gain any, pat yourself on the back as you have already made big progress!

Bridal Fitness - Tips on Losing Weight & Looking Great

 

According to a new survey of 1,000 brides by Fitness magazine, 83% wanted to shed weight before their wedding, and many were prepared to take drastic action to achieve their goal.

As a wedding planner, I know how important it is for brides to look and feel amazing in their "perfect dress" on their wedding day. Some brides only want to tone up and shed a few pounds, while others are ready to undergo a major weight loss program. Regardless of how much weight a bride wants to lose, below are a few good tips on how to get great results before the "big day".

Regular Exercise
If you want lean and toned arms for your sleeveless wedding down, killer muscular legs for your reception dress or an amazing butt for that white bikini you've found for your honeymoon, you MUST workout. There is no way getting around it. Toning requires muscle which requires strengthening exercises.

Here are some great group exercise classes that will help you get in shape in no time:

• Bridal Boot Camps - If you’re not a gym bunny, you may want to consider enlisting in bridal boot camp. Many boot camps are owned and taught by women and offer specific training sessions geared toward brides. These pre-nuptial programs can range from intensive weekend or week long regimens to long-term fitness plans. Bridal Bootcamps are offered all over the country so do a simple online search to find one in your area.

• Bridal Fitness Coaches - these are personal trainers that are specifically trained to help brides get into amazing shape on a one-on-one basis. They are private trainers that design bridal exercise and diet programs specific to your individual needs. Most of the time they have their own private gyms or will come to your office or home to work you out! Check out Bridal Fitness Coach.

• Gym Group Exercise Classes - There are some really great group exercise classes that are already offered at many gyms that brides can take advantage of without paying any extra in gym dues a month. Spinning, Pilates and Yoga are all great classes that burn calories while getting long, lean muscles. The BAR Method and Daily Method are also great classes that focus on slimming and toning the core.

A Healthy Diet - "You Are What You Eat"
Being fit is 80% diet related. What you consume greatly affects your entire body - the way your skin looks, your hair and nails, and more importantly, your body fat percentage. Losing weight is a simple calculation - you must burn more calories than what you consume. To shed those unwanted pounds, you have to be smart about the decisions you make when it comes to food.

Here are some good suggestions on helping you watch what you eat:

• Visit a nutritionist - a registered nutritionist is a great resource to help you lose weight. They are trained professionals that can design the perfect eating program based on your body type, lifestyle and metabolism level. They will make sure to design a program that will give you all the proper nutrients to keep your energy level up and satisfied without crashing. With a great diet and regular vigorous exercise over a sufficient amount of time will result in a sexy body.

• Cut out refined sugar - The problem with refined sugar is that it's a non-food, it is a stimulant, sure it has calories so it could be said it gives you energy, but the same could be said of alcohol. But those calories are empty at best and downright unhealthy in reality. Refined sugar actually causes more weight gain than eating fatty foods due to the spike in insulin levels in your blood. You can read all about at here.

• Watch your calorie intake - Again, losing weight is a simple calculation - you must burn more calories than what you consume. Your body uses calories for energy and fuel and when your body burns more calories than what's being stored, it creates a deficit and therefore you start losing weight. The best way to monitor your calories is by writing everything down that you consume. There are also some great apps for your iPhone that can help you monitor your calorie and exercise intake so it keeps you honest throughout the day. I personally like the "Lose It" app for iPhones. 

Drink Lots of Water
Hydration is critical. While the benefits are countless this is one of the hardest things to implement into your daily routine. Water

lowers body fat, flushes cellulite, improves digestion, gets rid of dark circles under the eyes and makes you feel full.

Here are some tips on how to get your water intake up throughout the day:

• Keep a bottle of water beside your bed - before you go to sleep drink ½ the bottle and as soon as you wake up (before your feet touch the floor) drink the remaining ½ bottle 

• Before each meal drink a half a bottle of water

• Carry water with you and sip it throughout the day

Reward Yourself with a Cheat Day
Motivation is key when embarking on a weight loss regime and a light at the end of a tunnel is very beneficial after an intense week of working out and strict dieting. Having short term goals is highly effective in gaining momentum for weight loss - so rewarding yourself with a  "cheat day" for a job well done will help in keeping you from any binging tendencies which can lead to weight GAIN.

No matter what your weight loss and fitness goals are, you have to be dedicated, motivated and consistent to yield the results you're looking for. Is there anything more motivating than looking amazing on your wedding day? YES. Looking fantastic on the beach wearing your new wedding bling in a string bikini on your honeymoon!