You want to look and feel your absolute best on your big day. Here are some good habits to help you get there!
Go to bed earlier
The busy-tired-exhausted cycle is one we’re all familiar with. While too many people wear their busyness and lack of sleep like a badge of honour, sleep deprivation has far-reaching harmful effects on our overall health, wellbeing and performance. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to try and get more sleep. Experts reckon adults need between seven and nine hours a night. That may sound like a lot so start small, like going to bed 15 or 30 minutes earlier than you normally do.
Get a little help
If you’re one of those burning the candle at both ends, your body and mind will thank and reward you for giving it a bit of help in the form of a supplement, such as folic acid, Vitamin B or Essentiale Extreme.
Stretch while watching TV
Surely nobody needs to be told that exercising is good for you. We know this, and what you choose to do with that information is up to you. An easy one is simply to do stretches while enjoying the latest binge-able Netflix series.
Cut down on sugar
Cutting sugar out completely is difficult, but the good news is that you only need to cut down your sugar intake. Start with something manageable, such as reducing the amount of sugar you take in your coffee, swapping soda for water (even if it’s only every second time) and opting for dark chocolate over regular milk chocolate.
Keep healthy snacks on hand
Quiz almost anybody and they’re likely to say that their biggest healthy eating challenge is when they get hungry and there’s nothing wholesome within reach. It’s easy to reach for a chocolate, a packet of chips or a sugary fizzy drink when the hunger pangs hit and cloud your judgement. Proactively curb the hangriness by keeping snacks like almonds, fruit, biltong or kale crisps in your bag or desk drawer.
Schedule time for yourself
Me-time would be great, but I don’t have time! Yes, we hear you but this is where you need to get serious about simply taking the time. Slot your me-time into your calendar as you would with any other appointment. Make it fun by calling it a play date, and use the time (even if it is just 30 minutes a week) to do something that gives you joy, be it reading, listening to music, going for a run, chatting to a friend or doing nothing at all. Regularly taking time for yourself will ultimately make you happier.
Breathe deeply
What could be easier than breathing? We’re doing all the time already, but breathing deeper – and thinking about the action as you do it – has a number of health benefits such as increasing your energy levels, improving posture, reducing inflammation and relaxing both mind and body. So just breathe. And then breathe deeper.
Picture: Unsplash
It’s a storybook romance for the ages. A commoner caught a Prince’s eye, they fell in love and married in an elaborate fairytale wedding. Prince William and Duchess…
Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin, will marry her longtime boyfriend Chandler Powell this November. They both want this special day to honour Steve, as he was much loved by all and had a very good relationship with his daughter. Steve, a wildlife conservationist, passed away in 2006 after being stung by a sting-ray.
Her younger brother, Robert, will walk her down the aisle. In a touching post on social media, Bindi said: “Dad, You would be so incredibly proud of Robert. He has been such an amazing support during this beautiful new life chapter.” If that hasn’t made you tear up yet, Bindi’s mum Terri will dance with her in Steve’s place for the traditional father-daughter dance.
The Irwin family portray a wholesome picture and seem to be really close to each other. Speaking to the Sunshine Coast Daily, she said: “I do really wish that dad was here to be able to celebrate with us as a family. I think in some ways he is and his spirit lives on in everything that we do, and I always feel closest to dad here at Australia Zoo.”
True to the family’s love for nature and wildlife, the wedding will be held at Australia Zoo, which was set up years ago by Bindi’s grandparents. Steve Irwin grew up working in the zoo. That’s also where she met Chandler and where they got engaged on her 21st birthday. And, not all too surprisingly, Bindi will carry a koala down the aisle (one of her favourite animals) instead of a bouquet.
“I’m not sure how many people have walked down the aisle with a koala, but we may be setting some new trends for weddings from here on out,” she said laughingly on Good Morning America.
The sustainability-focused couple might send out their invitations made from elephant waste, according to hints from the wedding planner, Trudy Croad. “Both Bindi and Chandler are the ultimate in everything being sustainable and recyclable, so from every element of their day, they’re going to really want that to come true. Elephant poo makes the most beautiful recycled wedding invitation paper. So they could use the elephant poo they have on site to make their invitations,” she told The Mirror.
As for what she would wear, Bindi playfully posted a teaser of the dress, showing only the sleeve (and her gorgeous ring):
Chandler commented on the post: “I can’t wait. You’re going to be so beautiful.”
Picture: Instagram / Bindisueirwin
Wedding pictures are a way to capture the essence of the day. Couples usually hire a professional photographer with the intention of having a special posed photoshoot. Besides…
All engagement rings are unique in some way, sure. But some are more unique than others! Since it’s something you’ll be wearing for the rest of your life (hopefully), it’s quite a big deal that you love it. Some leave the ring-choosing to their significant other, while some make it very clear that if they are ever being proposed to, they want to choose the ring themselves.
We found some not-so-traditional rings. And you won’t believe your eyes.
1. I will rock you
This unpolished, earthy-looking ring has a very magical charm to it. Enough to melt a heart of stone.
2. What stone is that?
This ring is absolutely brilliant. The stone, called a Chrysoberyl, is a colour somewhere between honey and lime.
3. Moonlight fever
This ring is truly one of a kind. The multicolour moonstone is mesmerizing. We love it to the moon and back.
4. The darker side of love
This one is eye catching and surely not dainty, but beautiful in a fairy tale-kind of way.
5. Diamonds are forever
This brown diamond stole our hearts. Plain and simple.
5. Bouquet of love
This cluster ring looks like crystallized fruit and reminds us of laughter. How exquisite.
7. The galaxy on my finger
Opals are simply inexplicable. This looks like something out of this world.
8. Something from the sea
There’s no law that says engagement rings have to sport stones,. We love these freshwater pearls for soemthing different.
9. Love triangle
This is such a refreshing design and the rose gold just makes it pop. We are sold on these.
10. Open ending
This one is inspiring for many reasons, but mostly because it doesn’t try to outshine everything else. We love the way it catches the eye and the design truly complements the hand.
Image: Unsplash
It’s your big day and all your guests are waiting to see you and your partner arrive at your wedding. Wow your guests by arriving at your wedding…
Church weddings are so last year. This couple decided to be different, and prove that they were in it to win it by getting married whilst running in one the biggest off-road marathons in the UK this past weekend.
Luretta Spearing and Jon Sharkey from Dorset, UK, met through their shared love of long distance running. They have been together for six years, and have a child together. When they initially got engaged, getting married whilst running a marathon was not a thought in their mind.
“We were engaged for over a year before a conversation one evening led us to question if it would be possible to get married mid-marathon.” Luretta told The Argus UK ahead of the wedding. “I had already entered the Beachy Head Marathon as it is one of my favourite marathons, so we thought it would be a good choice.”
“We wanted our wedding to be about us, and what better way than doing the thing we both love.”
Within three days, all enquiries were made and everything was arranged.
The Eastbourne Beachy Head Marathon is one the biggest off-road marathons in the UK. Formerly known as the Seven Sisters Marathon, it is popular for its scenic and challenging route through the South Downs National Park countryside.
The marathon covers a 26.2 mile (42.16 metre) course that includes over 300 steps and 14 gates, passing through Jevington, Alfriston, Litlington, Friston Forest, the Cuckmere Valley and Seven Sisters, including Birling Gap and Beachy Head.
The marathon saw 3000 entries, some of which included friends of the engaged couple.
“We thought we’d have a quiet wedding but many friends decided it would be fun to join us so we’re really excited to be celebrating with our closest family and friends,” said Luretta.
On marathon day, the couple paused at the 9.5 mile point to hold the ceremony. Once the ceremony was over, they continued the race as man and wife. They celebrated their nuptials and relaxed their legs at their wedding reception the same evening.
And they say that love isn’t a race.
Image: Matthew Harmer