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healthy eating with Faster Way to Fat Loss

healthy eating is important when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. since joining FASTer Way to Fast Loss it’s no secret that i’m a big proponent for healthy eating. healthy body healthy mind right? a health and wellness check-in is of utmost importance to me. nothing makes me happier than sharing what i’ve learned since my fitness journey started in january 2018. and what a journey i embarked upon! i was astonished to learn that much of the nutritional data we

 were raised on is now outdated. like snacking all day long and eating mini-meals. or exercising more eating less. for years, i believed exercise was the key, and limiting calories was the answer. wrong! you can never out-exercise a poor diet. never. healthy eating is key. there is no question that there are escalating rates of obesity, diabetes, and 

cardiovascular disease. many of which are preventable with healthy eating. the choices we make with nutrition profoundly impact our health. calories in calories out are just not effective. it’s our lifestyle choices that impact healthy aging and weight gain. i do not support the limiting belief that we have to accept weight gain is a normal function of aging. yes, the statistics are startling. 2/3 of women 40 – 59 are overweight. and more than 1/2 are obese. while there

 is no quick fix when it comes to losing weight, there are strategies we can adopt. the inherent power of food and nutrition can be our greatest asset to our health and wellness journey. i’ve learned so much about nutrition (and continue to learn) with the help.

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JEANS FOR WOMEN OVER 50: COMFORT MEETS CHIC

Here are some things to consider before you make your selection:

High-rise jeans work best on most women. If you have absolutely no tummy, go for the low to mid-rise and try not to brag about them.

Look for stretch both to show your shape and forgive any fluctuations

If you are ordering online, order two sizes – one bigger than you think you need and one the size you think you wear. Nothing is worse than going out to dinner in a pair of jeans so snug they cut off the connection between your stomach and your intestines

(really bad for digestion too). You can always return the other pair.

Darker washes are always more slimming but a good pair of white jeans can be flattering for most women.

There’s a magical blend between legging, tregging and jeans, which are super comfy and pack light for travels, making them the most comfortable jeans for women over 50.

How many jeans do you really need?

According to the “The Princess of Resale” Lorena Shiff, you only need five:

One true to your size (in any shape that works best for your body type).

One size up (for those days that you feel bloated).

A boyfriend cut, which means, straight leg, loose fit jeans – these work best for a casual weekend or running errands.

A skinny jean, always great for any occasion from casual to party or even work, with high heels or boots, and a cute clutch, you are all set! Look for a well-fitting pull on style for the ultimate in comfort.

A bootcut or even a flared if you want to extend the length of your leg. The bootcut is more versatile and you’ll keep in your closet longer but flares are definitely back in style and extend the length of the leg.

I would also add a pair of white jeans for summer. They are incredibly versatile and look fresher in warmer weather. And consider adding the latest trendy jean, but only if it flatters your body. Right now, try the wide leg crops, ankle lengths and frayed hems. Just know this one will rotate out when the next trend comes along.

The bigger question is do the jeans you currently own fit well and flatter your

figure? If not, it’s time to clear out your closet and replace them with jeans you are going to feel good wearing every time you put them on and since jeans are our favorite clothing item, it’s going to be often.

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GONE GRAY? HERE ARE YOUR BEST COLORS TO WEAR

Two Simples Rules for Dressing Gray Hair

Go for an exact match to your new hair color in clothes. You can add some interest to your gray or white neutrals by wearing multiple shades of that color or wearing it in different textiles. That can be an extremely sophisticated look.

Look for colors that bring some brightness to your skin. If the color is right, you will look healthy and your eyes will sparkle. If it isn’t, the color will pop and you will recede. Or worse, you will look gray, dull or sallow.

Hair Colors to Expect When Going Gray

As we age, our hair color turns to the extreme lightest version of its original color. That’s Mother Nature’s gift. It creates a gentle “glow” around our faces to de-emphasize wrinkles. With jet black hair the change is obvious: it will turn white or salt-and pepper. Those whose hair is darker brown or auburn may see some version of ashy-light gray or even a mix of gray and dark hair, even into our 80s. Soft brown or blonde shades often turn to a silvery-gray. Red hair can fade to copper, then to a rose-y red, and eventually to warm white. And blonde hair often becomes pale yellow, eventually turning into a silvery white.

The fact is that original hair color is only one element that determines our ideal color palette. Our skin undertone (predominantly cool or warm coloring) and eye color play even a more important part. The key is to pay attention to the amount of color contrast you can handle. That means, look to the difference of the color value (the amount of lightness or darkness) between your skin tone, your original hair color and your eye color. The greater the contrast, or the more depth in your skin color, the more contrast you can handle.

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How To Hire a Personal Trainer

A personal trainer always helps people to attain their fitness and health goals. It’s always difficult to know when you need a personal trainer and if in any case, you will need one it’s also difficult for you to get to pick the right one.

Some gyms do offer personal training services but they always come at an extra fee that can be more expensive.

If you are that kind that lacks the motivation to work out on your own or you do not know how to create your own training program or you just need to achieve certain specific goals then you will need to get yourself one.

There are very many ways of getting private personal trainers and the most common method is through your local gym of from fitness centre.

Such facilities do offer personal training package but at an additional fee. The gym can also bring an outsider trainer to offer extra service to the gym members.

You can look for trainer by word of mouth where you will ask around and get feedback from people who have used personal trainers.

Depending on the feedback you will be able to get one because the people can make a recommendation to you.

You can also get a trainer via your local papers or online papers; some of these trainers can come to your home if you happen to have your own training equipment at home and this can be a timesaving and convenient way of utilizing their services.

Before thinking of getting a personal trainer you should start with setting your goals that is you may want to lose weight, trying to get stronger, want to become a competitive powerlifter; you are looking forward to running your first marathon or maybe you just want to feel better about yourself and get to enjoy your work out.

These goals will determine the kind of trainer you are looking. Always make sure the trainer is an expert in the area you want to train in.

There are things you look for when you want to hire a personal trainer the most important one that you should always look at is their credentials.

The trainer should be having a reputable certification and most preferably a degree in the fitness or exercise field.

This will help you get a trainer with proven experience and reputable record of performing in the area of your goal and this will also show enthusiasm for this trainer to help you reach your goals.

Once you have found yourself a trainer that you are considering working with the next step should a discussion whereby you do anything they should be able to tell you about their expertise and how they will help you meet your goals; then you also set proper expectations for you; they should get to know about your nutrition and training habit and finally get to know your story and any past issues do to with injuries or your experience with your exercise.

Always remember that getting a trainer is just a step towards achieving your goals in the gym; they won’t work out for you, they can’t work out miracles and always have a proper expectation as well as doing what you are told and this could be the best investment you will make.

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Why choose Yoga over Gym for Staying Fit

1.JOIN A YOGA CLUB

Doing yoga training as a team yields more results than doing it alone. This is because you can motivate each other in the club and ensure competitiveness. Many yoga clubs in most cities charge quite affordable.

Yoga is a fun activity and the more the merrier. In the yoga club, you can exceed your limits through admiration of the works of others and the miles they take to achieve their objectives. A good example is one who is there to lose weight yet as for you are just there for fitness.

If you compare the limits they break just to achieve burning calories and losing or shedding fat you will also push yourself harder to fitness. Lastly, in the yoga club you have an instructor who will guide you on step-to-step practices to ensure that you achieve your results.

Nepal Yoga Institute is one of the well know Yoga Club to provide ultimate yoga training, don’t miss out of you are visiting for visit Nepal 2020.

2. MAKE IT A REGULAR AFFAIR

The only way to achieve your fitness or mental health goals through yoga is through being consistent. This way you will to stay happier and healthy. People choose yoga for different reasons that may include it being a cure to depression or stress.

Mental health is quite important to you it means that you need to stay dedicated to it. The good thing about yoga is the fact that it’s more of a silent area activity, unlike the gym where people make lots of noise as they pump themselves breathing.

You need your mind peace and hence yoga is the way. As you do it regularly you are easing your mind off the stress levels slowly and certainly cannot be a one-day affair. The more you have sessions to stretch and relaxation through meditation, you will ensure that your mind is freed up.

3.CHEAPER OPTION

It is wise to know how you want to spend your money. This is because you need to meet your unlimited wants daily. Yoga training is certainly cheaper than the gym. Okay, what do you need for yoga?

Just a mat and if you want a subscription to a club. When it comes to the gym you have to buy training items and subscription to the gym is certainly more expensive. If you are looking for a cheaper way to stay fit do yoga training.

You can start at home if you do not want a club and have an instructor or just use online videos. Apart from that the fact that you can it at the convenience of your home means that you will be staving on costs such as gas if your gym is farther away. Yoga is here to help you get fit and it's cheaper so why not let it be your fitness option.

4.EASES YOU BACK PAIN

The gym has you lifting weights and doing heavy workouts, which can lead to back pains. On the other side yoga training stretches and workouts help you ease such pains. If you are suffering from such chronic pains why go to the gym and hurt you back. Choose yoga instead as your option.

This is because you need something that will help you stay fit and still ease such pains. When you choose yoga your stretches relaxes the back muscles to your spin and hence you ease its pains.

However, if you go for the gym you will be doing weights that exert pressure to the same muscles and this may cause more pain. Yoga helps you stay flexible and increases your joint flexibility, which are the pressure points of back pain.

5. YOU LEARN HOW TO ACCEPT YOURSELF

Accepting yourself is all about how you view yourself through the thoughts about how you feel. In a yoga studio, you will find no mirrors, unlike the gym. The gym gives you more of a reflective perception of yourself.

The mirrors are there to show you how good looking you are and how to build up you are to impress. This is not the case when it comes to yoga. Yoga is there to deal with self-esteem issues, which is more important. You may have a build-up body but do you feel good about yourself?

Yoga teaches you how to learn to love yourself through your weaknesses and strengths. You can meditate upon how good you will feel about releasing the negativity about yourself and hence feel better.

While on yoga training you are just focused on you as a person and not how to build up you want to be to impress others. Yoga gives you a chance to gain both mentally and physically through fitness.

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5 Important Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits and Vegetables

1. RICH IN VITAMINS

Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C that strengthens your immune system and keeps your skin smooth and glowing. Consuming only 1 medium-sized orange gives your body all the Vitamin C it needs in a day.

These fruits also contain other vitamins and minerals, such as phosphorus, potassium, B vitamins, copper, and magnesium, which help your body function properly.

2. RICH IN PLANT-BASED COMPOUNDS

Citrus-based plants help with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

There are over 60 different types of carotenoids, flavonoids, and essential oils, which make citrus-based plants improve your health.

3. GOOD SOURCE OF DIETARY FIBER

All citrus-based fruits are rich in dietary fiber. Consuming only 1 cup of orange segments gives you 4 grams of dietary fiber. On average, your body needs 14 grams of fiber per 1000 calories you consume. According to a report, only 4% of men and 13% of women in the U.S. are able to get the required amount.

Among several benefits of fiber are improved digestion and weight loss promotion. As oranges are rich in soluble fiber, they help significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels.

4. LOW IN CALORIES

If you are someone who is watching their everyday calorie intake, you can pick citrus fruits over others. Not only are they low in calories but they also provide enough water and fiber to your body.

The following is a calorie chart of different citrus fruits:

1/2 pink grapefruit: 52

Juice from 1 lemon: 12

1 medium orange: 62

1/2 white grapefruit: 39

1 small clementine: 35

A 2015 study around people's weights and eating habitsover24 years revealed that the consumption of citrus fruits was strongly linked to weight loss.

5. REDUCE THE RISK OF KIDNEY STONES

Kidney stones are nothing but mineral crystals that cause unbearable pain. You are more likely to get kidney stones if your urine is concentrated if your urine contains a more-than-usual quantity of minerals that form stones.

Low levels of citrate in the urine may also cause one type of kidney stone.

Citrus fruits and vegetables raise citrate levels in the urine, which reduces your risk of getting kidney stones.

Conclusion!

Citrus fruits and many vegetables are very nutritious and can protect you against different diseases, including heart disease, kidney stones, cancer, and brain dysfunction to name a few. Besides, citrus fruits are low in calorie so they are good for everyone.

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Upgrade Your Cardio Routine: The 3 Best Stretches for Runners

As with any exercise, it's important to stretch before and after a run. Here are a few of the best stretches for runners.

Whether you're hitting the trail or navigating the concrete jungle, the repetitive movements of running can take a toll on your body.

The key to running endurance isn't just strength, though--it's flexibility. The more range of motion your muscles have, the more freedom they have to support you on your next run.

The thing is, many runners don't know how to stretch properly, or how to stretch to cover all the requisite muscle groups.

This list of stretches for runners is not exhaustive, but it will give you a few great stretches to incorporate into your routine to ensure you hit major muscle groups and a few small (yet essential) supporting muscles.

1. PYRAMID POSE

Pyramid pose comes to runners through yoga, where traditional yogis know it by its Sanskrit name, parsvottanasana. This is a deceptively simple yet deep standing stretch that works to strengthen the legs even as it stretches the legs, hips, and back.

Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart, with both feet facing forward. Then, step your right foot back about one arms-length, facing out at a 90-degree angle from your left foot. If you feel you're balancing on a tightrope, you can widen your stance, but keep the angle of your toes at 90 degrees.

Place your hands on your hips and micro-bend both knees to avoid locking them. Then, bend forward from the hips, keeping your balance by evenly distributing your weight in your feet. Try to keep your back as straight as possible--engaging your core when you fold will help.

You can keep your hands at your hips, rest them on the floor, hold your elbows behind your back, or place them in reverse prayer (only if it's comfortable for your wrists, shoulders, and elbows).

When you're done, repeat on the other side.

2. LYING SPINAL TWIST

The hamstrings tend to get all the attention, but your back and core do just as much work to keep you upright and mobile. This stretch shows them some love.

To start, lie flat on your back with your knees bent to your chest. Spread your arms out to a T, level with your shoulders. Then, keeping your shoulders as flat on the ground as possible, drop your knees over to one side. Looking over the opposite shoulder can help with this.

If you drop your knees out to the left side, turn your head to look over your right shoulder. Repeat on the other side.

If this pose feels easy, you can deepen it by crossing your top leg over the bottom. So if you drop your legs out to the left, cross your right leg over the left as though you're sitting cross-legged in a chair and focus on keeping your back and shoulders flat.

The higher you fold your knees into your chest, the harder this pose will be. Don't drop your knees below the level of your hips, as this puts excess pressure on your lower back.

3. ANKLE MOBILITY HEEL LIFTS

We've talked a lot about major muscle groups, but your ankles and feet do a lot of work to support you when running. And since your ankles and feet rely on small stabilizing muscles that aren't as strong as large muscles in your quads, they need extra TLC.

This is especially important if you have plantar fascitis. In fact, stretching for plantar fasciitis often involves strengthening and loosening the muscles around the ankles.

Fortunately, this simple move can do wonders for your ankles.

Start by standing upright with both feet evenly planted at hip-width, your hands on your hips.

Slowly (slowly, slower than you want to) rise up onto the balls of your feet. Hold for 10 seconds, looking at a fixed point to help with balance. Then, slowly lower the heels back to the ground.

The key here is control--if you fly up and down through the motion, your ankles aren't really doing any work to support you.

Need More Stretches for Runners?

If you're a dedicated runner, you know that we could write a whole library of information on stretches for runners. This list is here to help you get started--and learn how to practice stretching more effectively.

And if you need more tips on effective exercise and recovery, you've come to the right place! Check out our blog for more great tips.

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Best 12 Day Gym Workout for Men

GOALS

First things first, establish daily goals or challenges that will keep you going as you progress in your beginner gym workout. Last, remember to begin each workout with a 3-minute warm-up and conclude with a cooldown.

DAY 1: CORE

We begin day 1 of the gym workout plan with core exercises. This entails torso rotation, pullover crunch, side crunch, and 3 forearm plank pull/3 back extensions. Perform each exercise for 10 reps, 1 set in a circuit format. Daily challenge:  15 seconds of plank hold and 25 reps of squats.

DAY 2: LEGS

This gym workout routine entails a single leg squat, bridge press (single leg), glute press, side-lying squat and leg lift. Perform the exercises for 10 reps, 1 set in a circuit format. Daily challenge: 30-second plank hold and 4 reps of push up/pike up.  

DAY 3: ARMS

At the beginning of day 3, you may have noticed that these gym workout routines require time and dedication. Carve out a sweat schedule to keep up with the rest of the days.

Between all the time you spend in gym and assignment work, don’t lag behind. Hire a good online professional writer, request by saying ‘’write this essay’’ and be sure that the job will be done satisfactorily. You may use Edubirdie that will help maintain a fine balance between gym workouts and study process.

Day 3 gym workout plan includes lateral raises, flies/hug tree circles, surfer row, and glide board dips. Perform 10 reps, 1 set of each exercise. Daily challenge:  45 seconds of plank hold and 25 reps (per leg) lunges.

DAY 4: TOTAL BODY WORKOUT

The total body workout comprises a set of exercises that were done on the previous days. Perform 10 reps, 1 set of 2-way squats (leg front and side), bridge press, 3 forearm plank pull/3 back extension, torso rotation, surfer row, and arm circles. Daily challenge: 1-minute plank hold and 8 reps of push up pike up.

DAY 5: LEGS AND CORE

The intensity of the gym workout plan increases on day 5. You will do 10 reps, 2 sets of a step-up knee up, straight leg lowers, rev lunge and twist, lateral lunge and rotate, and side knee tucks. Daily challenge: 75 seconds plank hold and 75 reps of squats.

DAY 6: ARMS AND CORE

Perform 10 reps, 2 sets of bicep presses, lat pull and back extension, bicycle punch, pullover crunch, and plank slides. Daily challenge: 90 seconds of plank hold and 12 reps of push up pike up.

DAY 7: CARDIO AND CORE

Perform 10 reps, 2 sets of jump squats, split jumps, cable jump crunch, and cable leg lower. Daily challenge: 105 seconds of plank hold and 50 lunges per leg.

DAY 8: TOTAL BODY CHALLENGE

Perform 10 reps, 2 sets of alternate jump squats and split jumps, rev lunge and twist, bicep presses, lat pull and back extension, pullover crunch, and cable leg towers. Daily challenge: 2 minutes of plank hold and 16 reps of push up pike up.

DAY 9: LEGS AND CARDIO

The legs and cardio gym workout routine includes 20 reps, 1 set of step-up crossovers, skaters, sticky feet, and lunge drops. Daily challenge: plank hold for 135 seconds and 125 reps of squats.

DAY10: ARMS AND CARDIO

Perform 20 reps, 1 set of 4 mountain climbers and one push up, bicep equilibrium, triceps equilibrium, and inchworm push up.  Do a 150 seconds plank hold and 20 reps of push up or pike ups.

DAY 11: CORE AND CARDIO

We are now closing in on the final days of the gym workout routine. Perform 20 reps, 1 set of burpees, press-ups, leap overs, incline forearm, knee tucks, and flutter kicks.  Perform a 160-second plank hold and 75 lunges per leg.

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9 Everyday Mens Street Style Looks To Help You Look Sharp

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How To Look Stylish This Summer. Summer Outfit Ideas

Each season calls for a new wardrobe. You will have to keep those wool jackets, overcoats and boots for now and give way for your summer shirts, stilettos, and sandals.

It’s always hard to choose comfortable clothes and shoes for the summer while keeping in style. But there is a way to feel and look good this hot season. Want to know how? Keep reading.

FEEL BREEZY WITH OFF-SHOULDER TOPS

As the temperature heats up, you may find yourself looking for ways to show off some skin. Feel cool and breezy this summer season with off-shoulder tops. Surely, the traditional two-shoulder top will look good on you.

But this 2019, you can try cold-shoulder (one-shoulder silhouette) styles which look super stylish and sophisticated. This trendy women's clothing became so popular when designer brands like Calvin Klein, Isabel Marant, and Fendi put them on the runway.

PUT ON SOME SUMMER LAYERS

Who says you can only layer up in winter? Layering is a great way to pull off a fashionable outfit even during the hot season. Follow these guidelines to feel comfortable and stylish this summer:

       Layer sheer pieces over opaque tops.

       Mesh, see-throughs and sheer blazers will great up your style while still allowing you to feel cool and comfortable.

       Go for loose outerwear. Look for a jacket that has a structured shoulder that would hang off itself instead of clinging to you. It also gives you a sharp summer look.

       Layer with accessories. A necklace, cross-body bag, and a belt all add interest to your look just as a vest or jacket.

EMBRACE LOOSE AND FLOWY STYLES

Tight outfits only spell discomfort and heat in the summer. Make yourself feel extra comfortable by wearing loose and flowy outfits, such as a ruffled top. You can even wear it to work by simply layering with a nice, breathable cardigan or blazer.

SLIP INTO SUMMER SANDALS

It’s time to choose the shoes. Summer is the best season to reward yourself with a new pair of sandals. This type of footwear is easy to wear and so comfortable. No more sweaty feet!

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Erin Foster Wore a Danielle Frankel Dress With a Statement Sleeve at Her New Year’s Eve Wedding in Nashville

“We met at the gym! Not a sentence I ever thought I’d say,” jokes writer, performer, and all-around funny girl Erin Foster of how she and Simon Tikhman, the CEO and co-founder of The Core Entertainment, a partner of Live Nation, first got to know each other. “We were on the same schedule, and after seeing him every Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 8 a.m., I decided to slide into his DMs like the old-fashioned romantic that I am.”

With her sister Sara Foster, Erin created the TV series Barely Famous, a mockumentary of reality TV that first aired back in 2015 and became a VH1 cult classic. Now, the two are the creative heads of Bumble and collaborate on the clothing brand Sub Urban Riot. (Erin, Sara, and their stylist sister Jordan are all daughters of record producer David Foster and model Rebecca Foster. David is now married to Katharine .)

Erin and Simon had been dating for a year when he proposed. “It was so well executed and thought out,” Erin recalls. “He told me we were going to his friend’s vow renewal in Napa. A detailed invitation for it actually came in the mail to our house. When we checked into the hotel, the front desk gave us an envelope from the bride and groom with directions to the ceremony. I had no clue!” Erin and Simon walked into the Napa Valley Reserve, and there were signs for the renewal everywhere. “He had even staged a conversation 

with a woman who greeted us, so she explained that everyone just went on a wine tour. Then we walked to an area to wait, and he got down on his knee,” Erin says. “My first reaction was that we were at someone else’s wedding! But then he explained that it had all been a decoy, and there was no wedding. After I said ‘yes,’ both of our families came walking out to us. I was blown away!”

After Erin had a chance to fully process the surprise proposal, she started to focus on wedding plans. The couple decided to have a quick engagement, planning their wedding for four months away. “We were trying to pack all the stress into a shorter time frame,” Erin says. “Simon thought New Year’s Eve 

would be fun, and we randomly picked Nashville because it’s fun and different, and easy to get to.”

Erin’s friend Marc Rose was in the process of opening the new Graduate Hotel in Nashville, and they devised a plan to open it early for the wedding so they could take over the whole hotel, turning it into a full-on summer camp with everyone’s name on their door, community wellness stations, bands playing in the lobby, and kids running around freely. “It solidified us picking Nashville,” Erin says. “Also, Nashville is surrounded by farmland, and I’ve always wanted to get married in a rustic setting.” Simon took a trip down South to scout places, and Saddle Woods Farm was exactly what they were looking for. He booked it without Erin ever even seeing it in person. “Simon is better at details and planning than I am,” she notes.

In light of this, they decided the best thing to do was to get a local planner in Nashville who knew the city inside and out. “I asked everyone I knew who lived there—Reese Witherspoon, Lily Aldridge, Simon’s business partner Chief Zaruk—and they all said Hugh Howser of H Three Events was who we had to hire,” Erin says. “They were right.”

Erin worked with her sister and stylist Jordan on all aspects of her wedding wardrobe. “Erin decided to plan her wedding in only four months, so from the get-go, we knew we had to act fast,” Jordan says. “Initially, she had zero idea what she wanted to wear, so I made her go to a bridal salon and try on literally 50 dresses, so she could point out things she liked and disliked from 

each one.” From there, Erin and Jordan started to create the ideal dress. They were originally going to have it custom-made. “But by the time her final fitting came around, she just didn’t feel like it was right for her,” Jordan remembers. “She slept on the thought and woke me up early the next day to tell me she had decided overnight to go in a new direction, that she had changed her flight, and that we needed to find a new dress that day. Luckily, she had fallen in love with a wedding dress she had tried on during her reception dress fitting with Danielle Frankel.”

“Danielle is young and fresh and making a name for herself since being a finalist in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund,” Erin explains. “I walked into her showroom, 

and it felt so romantic and special. I tried on her samples and found two amazing wedding dresses that were perfect.” One, she wore to the ceremony, and the other was cut shorter and turned into the reception dress. Erin complemented the dress with Martin Katz jewelry—“He made my engagement ring that I am still in shock over and wake up every day staring at,” she admits—and ivory Saint Laurent heels.

Simon wore a Todd Snyder tux. He worked with his friend Jason Rembert on his entire wedding day look, and together they opted for an ivory jacket, Tom Ford bow-tie, and Lanvin shoes.

On New Year’s Eve, the bride walked down an aisle illuminated by candlelight, escorted by her father. “I always wanted to get married at night inside a barn. A beach wedding would never have been my vibe,” she says. “But because it was cold we couldn’t have the ceremony and the reception inside the barn, and had to build a tent for the ceremony. I was worried it wouldn’t have that intimate feeling I wanted, but Hugh made the tent feel like a barn with wooden floors and candles everywhere.” Erin chose to get married in the round so that no one felt too far away or like they had a bad seat. “I converted to Judaism after Simon and I got engaged, so we had a reformed Jewish ceremony,” she explains. “The rabbi who converted me, Rabbi Shapiro, is so cool and made the ceremony feel so personal and relatable instead of being generic. We laughed and cried through our personal vows.” At the end of the ceremony, Simon stepped on the glass, and a local gospel choir sang “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”

For the reception, the barn was transformed with greenery climbing up the walls and floating candles hovering over the dance floor. Rustic farm tables were covered with warm neutral flower arrangements by Flwr Shop. “Simon is Russian, and it’s customary to have alcohol bottles on the table for people to make their own drinks so every table had Ketel One Botanical vodka, Don Julio 1942 tequila, and proper Russian caviar on it,” Erin notes. “My stepmom Katharine [McPhee] sang two songs for us after we begged her to, and she killed it. Simon also surprised me with a choreographed dance he had secretly been working on with my niece Valentina. It was unreal!”

The newlyweds danced to Leon Bridges’s “Beyond,” which they had listened to on the way home from their first date. Simon found singer Nathan Davis Jr. on 

Instagram and convinced him to fly to Nashville to perform the song at the wedding. “In the middle of our first dance, my nine-year-old niece Valentina walked up and interrupted us,” Erin says. “She had to tell us that Nathan is apparently a massive TikTok star.”

The evening was punctuated with fireworks at midnight, followed by lots more dancing before everyone returned to the Graduate Hotel to sing karaoke at the Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole until 6 a.m.

Post-wedding, the newlyweds headed to the Bahamas to celebrate. “Planning is so much more intense than you realize it’s going to be,” Erin admits. “You say you won’t be that bridezilla who obsesses over every detail, but you become her so fast and just want everyone to be happy with all your choices. We are so ready to sleep-in and lay around on a beach, and never look at a seating chart ever again!

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New Decade, New Closet: Here’s What to Do With Those Items You Can’t Sell or Donate, From Bras to Sunglasses

Last year, it was the Marie  effect; this year, it’s the Australian fires. Regardless of the tidying-up impulse, most of us are radically rethinking our consumption habits and striving for a less-cluttered, gentler lifestyle. We’re prioritizing experiences over material gifts, shopping with earth-friendly brands whenever possible, and, most satisfyingly, clearing out our closets. It feels good to shed the excesses and make space—literally and figuratively—for the decade ahead, whether you’re selling clothes on ThredUp or The RealReal, swapping them with friends, or donating them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

But what about the items you can’t sell and can’t give away, either? To name just a few: bras, underwear, hole-y T-shirts, smelly shoes… If you cart those items to Goodwill, there’s a low chance they’ll make it onto the shop floor. It’s been reported that unaccepted donations might be shipped off to developing countries, which stopped needing our castoffs years ago. But Goodwill NYNJ’s president and CEO, Katy Gaul-Stigge, explains that “each Goodwill has resources for textile materials, metal, plastic recycling, or reuse, and every effort is made to keep donations that are not suitable for sale in our stores out of the trash.

” Still, there’s a caveat: “Goodwills are run regionally, so it’s important to call your local Goodwill or check their website to make sure they accept what you want to donate.” Goodwill recently introduced an eco-friendly donation bag with a prepaid FedEx label: Order one for your house, fill it up with donations, and ship it to your local Goodwill without the hassle.

We can’t rely on Goodwill to recycle all of the items they can’t use; it would be a strain on the nonprofit’s resources. Fortunately for us, brands are starting to 

take recycling into their own hands. Knickey launched its organic cotton underwear in 2018 with a recycling program that accepts old Knickey briefs as well as any underwear you’re no longer using. Most underwear is made of synthetic materials like polyester or nonorganic cotton, and neither is healthy for landfills, where most of our old intimates end up. Founder Cayla O’Connell was happy to report that she’s seen month-over-month growth in the recycling program. “Interestingly, the program is often the first point of introduction to Knickey for new customers, and has proven to be a significant solution for people who consider the full impact of their disposal habits,” she says.

Harp offers a similar service for your old bras, which are likely comprised of many different materials and parts. “As the world began ‘Kondo-ing’ their drawers, it occurred to us that we didn’t know what to do with our old bras,” cofounder Jenna Kerner explains. “We learned that worn bras are not accepted by donations centers, so they were piling up in landfills instead. It was extremely challenging to find a way to recycle this garment—there are over 30 

pieces used to create the average bra. But ultimately, we were able to find a partner willing to help us.” She briefly explained how a standard bra is recycled: “The underwire is removed, then [the bra is] cut into smaller pieces and blended with other fabrics. This mixture of fabric pieces is then pulled apart, and ultimately, the fabric is rendered into fiber, yarn, and very small pieces. Other materials [that can’t be turned into fabric] are downcycled into acoustic padding for the automotive industry, filling for punching bags or medicine balls, and other nonwoven applications.”

Of course, certain bras are easier to recycle than others; Kerner and her cofounder, Jane Fisher, design theirs with the “end of life” in mind, so they often skip underwire and metal hardware. That’s an easy switch for other bra companies to make; most of us can do without those little metal charms or uncomfortable wires. (That said, for women with larger breasts, an underwire might be nonnegotiable.)

Another item most of us have never considered recycling is eyewear. We were surprised to hear that acetate—the glossy, durable plastic used in most of our sunglasses—is not recyclable at all. “Today there are more than 4 million 

pairs of acetate frames sitting in landfills,” Féroce’s Alex Baker says. On top of that, only 7% of eyewear donated to charity ends up actually being usable. Baker’s solution for her young label is to take back her customers’ old Féroce frames, refurbish them, and sell them at lower prices on her website. “After launching in 2019, it became clear that we wanted to control the product through its entire life cycle,” she says. “After all, we created it—we should be responsible for it, even after it’s been sold. Buying back our acetate frames when a customer is done with them ensures they won’t end up in a landfill, and reselling them is the only way to ‘recycle’ the acetate.” Customers who send back their frames will get a $25 site credit (new pairs are $110), and those of us 

who want to experiment with cherry-red cat-eyes or skinny ’90s lenses without a huge financial commitment will be happy about the secondhand prices.

Take-back programs like Féroce’s and Harper Wilde’s are still a new concept in the industry, and the logistics often get trickier as companies scale. But this increasingly feels like the way of the future: Brands are holding themselves accountable for their environmental impact; they’re finding creative ways to extend the lifespan of their products; and they’re educating their customers about circularity, who are in turn more likely to shop with other like-minded companies. An informal poll in the Vogue offices revealed a few other items we’d like to see recycled or repurposed in this way: dingy sneakers, workout clothes, swimwear.… Who’s up for the challenge?

[funbuzzblog]

FKA Twigs’s Park Avenue Armory Show Was a Baroque Fashion Fantasy

Last time FKA Twigs performed as part of New York City’s Red Bull Music Festival four years ago, she took to the stage in a massive hangar space in Brooklyn surrounded by ten dancers who were all decked out in gothic, club-ready Alexander McQueen looks. It’s an undeniably hard act to follow, but the British singer may have one-upped herself this past weekend with her new show, “Magdalene.” Fans were treated to a sneak peek of the spectacular costumes, designed by rising London fashion star Ed Marler, thanks to her

 stylist Matthew Josephs. He posted an Instagram image of twigs in as a modern day Marie Antoinette, wearing a full taffeta silk ensemble in rehearsals, what he described as a “shirt x robe à la Française.”

With a total of seven baroque-inspired looks, Twigs’s performance wardrobe at the Park Armory this past weekend was nothing short of ethereal. She kicked off the show dressed in what looked like an 18th century courtier’s ensemble—

neatly cropped jacket with accordion sleeves and ruffled bloomers—tap-

dancing furiously for the crowd as the curtains pulled back from the stage. Then, against a backdrop of blue skies dotted with fluffy clouds, she emerged in a haze of smoke wearing all white, like she’d just floated down to earth with her extra wide-brimmed feather-trimmed hat.At one point twigs did seem to be suspended in mid-air, twirling down a pole in the same mesmerizing way she does for her new “Cellophane” video, decked out in a frothy corset, matching bikini bottoms, and mile-high perspex stripper heels. For the grand finale

 though, the aforementioned Antoinette-inspired ball gown took the spotlight as a cloud of glitter rained down on to the audience. As far as princess-worthy fashion moment go, this one took the crown.

[funbuzzblog]

This Cool London Label Is a One-Stop Shop for Summer Slip Dresses

In the hot, steamy throes of summer, what’s more appealing than sliding into a slinky slip? Enter refine, a new London-based label inspired by the classic sweet-nothing from former Net-a-Porter editor Anina Hée. “I really wanted to make something that is resistant to trends because that’s the way I shop; I wouldn’t buy something that wouldn’t endure more than one season,” says the Swiss-born designer whose own closet is filled with discreetly chic pieces by The Row and Khaite. “The slip has been a staple for decades and it still is today.”

Taking inspiration from ’90s fashion icons such as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and the Prada runway, Refine’s debut collection features six luxuriously spare styles—including a particularly alluring calf-skimming bias-cut dress and high-waisted skirt—cut from heavy silk satin and Crepe de Chine that’s been woven and dyed in Italy. “I’m very conscious of quality,” Hée says of the built-to-last range, which starts at $200. “My mom always used to say to us kids when we were buying things, ‘Check where it’s made!’” To that end, the silhouette-defining fabric has a reassuring heft (in other words, the new slip dresses skim the body rather than cling to it). “It has this way that it flatters all these different body types and drapes so nicely,” she says.

Just as considered is the brand’s palette: Alongside year-round black and white offerings, a handful of limited-run specialty shades—such as dark chocolate, a seawater blue, and a single ditsy floral print—will be in seasonal rotation. Also on offer? Au courant padded headbands and voluminous scrunchies to ensure no precious piece of silk is left behind. Says Hée, “It’s an easy way to reuse leftover fabrics”—and slide into summer, dressed from head to toe.