Posts Tagged ‘Girl Tested-Bride Approved’

My husband and I have always been beach lovers. Rain, shine, wind or cold, we’d rather be at the beach than anywhere else (you should have seen us on our honeymoon, lying on a Caribbean beach in the pouring rain)!

Being Sacramento residents, we’ve always thought that we had to drive to Southern California to enjoy the beach — that is, until we recently discovered Half Moon Bay.

Just 25 miles past San Francisco and you’re there! Half Moon Bay has it all from world-class surfing (have you heard of the Big Kahunas at Maverick’s?), fine dining, luxurious accommodations, a plethora of outdoor activities and a charming historic downtown to complete the “beach-town” vibe.

Recommended Resort: Beach House Hotel, Half Moon Bay. Let me start this off by saying, “We love, love, love this hotel!” The Beach House Hotel has thought of everything when it comes to making their guests feel right at home.

With amenities like free WiFi, complimentary bottled waters, a fully stocked kitchenette, a wood-burning fireplace, comfy goose-down comforters and (my personal favorite) Aveda bath products, it was hard to leave.

The Beach House Hotel also offers a variety of complimentary perks (yes, that means gift with purchase!), including: a wine and cheese reception on Friday and Saturday evenings, continental breakfast, heated outdoor pool and spa overlooking the ocean, and did I mention the complimentary Internet access?!

Our room had the most breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Pillar Point Harbor. With a private deck right above the beach, we really didn’t have any reason to leave. We got to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean from our patio — all with the comforts of our hotel suite just a couple steps away.

Check In: Beach House Hotel. 4100 North Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay. 800-315-9366, beach-house.com.

Check Out: The couples’ massage at the Beach House Spa. Join your honey for a little side-by-side rest and relaxation. If you’re looking for a more active way to clear your mind, the spa also offers private yoga sessions in the privacy of your own room! How cool is that?

Don’t Miss: Sam’s Chowder House. Just a short walk from The Beach House Hotel along a paved beach front path and you’ve arrived at a critically acclaimed restaurant offering fresh, local seafood cuisine.

Sam’s Chowder House is a complete dining experience. Not only is the food delicious, but the views are spectacular, the service is outstanding and the live music (on Friday and Saturday nights) creates a fun, upbeat atmosphere.

We’re definitely coming back to enjoy the dog-friendly outdoor patio. I’m looking forward to pulling up an Adirondack chair, sitting by the fire pit with a cocktail and enjoying the ocean views. The coolest part about this is that we can check out the weather before we head over. Sam’s Chowder House offers a live “SamCam” on their Web site, samschowderhouse.com.

On a side note, not only are the Beach House Hotel and Sam’s Chowder House great mini-moon destinations, they both offer really cool wedding and reception facilities as well. If you’re looking for a Northern California, beach front wedding location, be sure to check these places out!

For more information about Half Moon Bay, please visit visithalfmoonbay.org.

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Aimee Carroll, Resident Girl Tested-Bride Approved columnist.

Photos courtesy of Beach House Hotel, Half Moon Bay, Sam’s Chowder House and Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce & Visitors’ Bureau.

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Welcome to Eye Candy Friday! 

Pantone has just announced the color of the year for 2011, “Honeysuckle!” We’re in love with this bright, vibrant, hot-pink hue here at Real Weddings Magazine. This shade would make a beautiful accent color for any wedding and would coordinate well with almost any other color: turquoise, blue, purple, green, light pink, yellow, brown, black, white and beige. 

In honor of the new color of the year, we have put together some fabulous honeysuckle-inspired eye candy that any bride can incorporate into her big day. 

For more information on these products and photos- 

Top left photo:  Invitation by Stephanie J Designs, photo courtesy of Stephanie J Designs. 

Top right photo:  Lighting by Extreme Productions, photo by Andrea’s Images Photography. 

Middle left photo:  Bridesmaid dress from The Bridal Box, photo courtesy of Dessy. 

Middle photo:  Pink Sapphire and diamond engagement ring from Tiffany & Co., photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co. 

Middle right photo:  Cake by Sweet Cakes by Rebecca, photo courtesy of Sweet Cakes by Rebecca. 

Bottom left photo:  Bouquet by Flourish, photo by Wendy Hithe Photographer. 

Bottom right photo:  Chair covers and linens from Mimi & Co., photo courtesy of Mimi & Co. 

How will you incorporate this color in the new year?  We’d love to hear from you.  Please comment below and let us know!

Blog Post by Aimee Carroll, resident Girl Tested, Bride Approved Columnist.

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“You’re such a tease!”

Under normal circumstances, a comment like that wouldn’t necessarily be welcomed!  Now that I have figured out how to get that sultry, voluminous, highly sought after “come hither” hair bump, a comment like that would be considered, well… a compliment!

The perfect hair bump is all about having the right tools, and ladies; I’m not taking about faking it with the infamous “bumpit!” I’m talking about Ed Hardy’s new line of vintage teasing brushes, that not only work wonders, their super stylish designs showcase Ed Hardy’s gorgeous vintage artwork (bonus!). Who said that you can’t have both functionality and beauty in a styling tool?

I’ve used the “Rose Teasing Brush” and the “True To My Love Teasing Comb” to achieve that sexy Bridget Bardot inspired look. These products work with all hair types, are heat resistant and are so easy to use. Plus, they’re just so pretty to look at!

$10

$7

Happy teasing!

Ed Hardy’s Vintage Brushes can be purchased in Ulta Stores nationwide and online at www.ulta.com

Blog Post by Aimee Carroll, resident Girl Tested, Bride Approved Columnist.

Photos courtesy of Ed Hardy.

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Want the secret to instant glam? Throw on a set of lashes and watch your look go from drab to fab in seconds. 

But who loves applying those suckers? Between the sticky glue, the required precision application and lets face it, the un-natural look, most of us just decide to avoid false lashes.

NeuLash active eyelash technology has developed an incredible product that when applied nightly, strengthens and lengthens your natural lashes. There’s absolutely no prescription necessary and better yet, no embarrassing globs of glue hanging off of your lashes. Plus, it’s so easy to use!

I tried neuLash active eyelash technology after eyelash extensions had wiped out some of my lashes, leaving them looking bare and thin. After just a couple weeks, I could totally tell a difference! Not only did my lashes grow back, they grew back looking better than ever. My boss asked me if I had gotten lash extensions again. I had to clue her in on our little secret…  neuLash active eyelash technology!

I even used neuLash active eyelash technology on my eyebrows. I had been trying to grow out a couple small patches for almost a year. These patches didn’t fill in until I started applying neuLash active eyelash technology every night.

Check out these amazing before and after photos:

Maria before neuLash active eyelash technology

Maria after neuLash active eyelash technology

Stephanie before neuLash active eyelash technology

Stephanie after neuLash active eyelash technology

I’m in love with this product and have added it to my must-have beauty list.

For natural, lush and glamorous lashes, check out www.neulash.com

Blog Post by Aimee Carroll, resident Girl Tested, Bride Approved Columnist.

Photos courtesy of neuLash active eyelash technology

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As a woman, you should always be prepared!

As a bride, you should be extra prepared!

Real Weddings Magazine has always encouraged brides to create a custom “wedding day emergency kit” for all of the unexpected challenges that could possibly arise on your wedding day. In the pages of Real Weddings Magazine, we have suggested the following items:

Well, we just added more to the list! Braza products are an essential addition to your wedding day emergency kit. Braza has thought of EVERYTHING… and I mean EVERYTHING!

The Braza product line includes a wide range of sweet little “helpers” to assist us girls with everyday fashion emergencies. Fashion dilemmas don’t stand a chance with Braza’s convenient, comfortable and discreet fixes.

Braza even has taken the guesswork out of creating your own emergency kit and offers complete kits for all sorts of different situations. They even have a “Bridesmaid’s Diva Kit” that would make a great bridesmaid gift (one that your besties can actually use after the wedding).

Even if you end up problem-free on your wedding day, these products will never go to waste. I keep a fashion emergency kit in my car and it has definitely come in handy. You never know when you might need some flash adhesive tape (or as my hubby calls it, “tata tape”)!

According to Braza’s company slogan, no need to worry about a thing, “Problem Solved!”

Check out all of Braza incredible products at www.brazabra.com

Blog Post by Aimee Carroll, resident Girl Tested, Bride Approved Columnist.

Photos courtesy of www.brazabra.com

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