The {Rest} of the Best of 2015 Wedding Hair

We've already covered my f a v wedding looks from the first half of the year—there were cascading curls draped over one shoulder, flower crowns, braids galore & *oh* the romance. The second half of the year was all of that and more, so as we wrap on Creations' biggest year yet - swoop, curl, drape, tendril & swoon with me, would ya?

7.17.2015 - Ana + Billy
Photo cred: Megan Cara Photography
It may seem like an oxymoron, but this was the most intimate and beautiful local destination wedding. A little bit beachy, a little more beauty, and all tucked away right in Maryland! Who knew? These girls had tons of hair—if it wasn't Rapunzel length, it was thick as thieves, so we had to get creative with twisting & twirling it into updos, and they turned out to be some of my favs yet!

 

 

{Seriously with the back shot—these are a hairstylists' DREAM. Thanks, photog.}

 

 

8.28.2015 - Sam + Brendan
Photo cred: Love Life Images
Event coordinator cred: Pop the Cork Designs  
Number one reason why I'm a stickler for wedding hair trials - because it helps you mull over what you really want on your big day. You can picture yourself with your trial hair, walking down the aisle towards your new hubby...orrrr, maybe not. Maybe after the trial you realize an updo is totally not you, and you're much more of a relaxed curl, effortlessly draped to the side, kind of girl. Had there been no trial, we never would have known that—and I'm so glad we did, because Sam's hair was so perfectly elegant & summery and most importantly—so Sam.

  

 

 

{Can't claim fame to the 'do third from the left.}

 

{That boho fishtail though.}

9.19.2015 - Bernie + Steve
Photo cred: KT Nichols Photography
Here's the thing about Bernie - she's the most chill, "whatever works," girl I've ever met in life. But ya know, being a bride does something to even the chillest girls. For Bernie, it didn't send her into a closet-bridezilla, but it did turn her into one of my most surprising brides this year. Girly & glitzy & glamourous to the utmost. She rocked my socks, all while staying as chill as ever. #dreambride

 

 

9.26.2015 - Teri + Charlie {Take 2}
Photo cred: Erin Michelle Photography
Two years ago, almost to the day, Erin & I dolled up Teri & her girls {my forever bridesmaids} & sent her down the aisle to marry the man of her dreams. Only...her photographers apparently didn't get the notice and missed out on some crucial moments {like THE kiss. I kid you not.}. With Erin this time behind the lens instead of behind the curling iron, we did a re-do: Operation Capture the Kiss. We enlisted the beachwaver, and a whole lotta lash.

 

 

 

 

{I NOW pronounce you husband & wife. #officiallyofficial}

10.10.2015 - Lucia + Ryan
Photo cred: Mike Busada 
Nothing wrong with starting hair at o'dark-thirty when you get to do it while watching the sunrise over the water. This was made to be one of those perfect days—gorgeous weather, gorgeous girl, and gorgeous hair {if I do say so myself ;-)} Oh, and the M O S T adorable flower girls of all time. Bias at its finest.

 

{Just. stop.}

10.17.2015 - Becca + Nick
Photo cred: Unforgettable Moments
Lets talk about what makes an incredible wedding morning: bagels {check}, mimosas {check - but OJ for me, please - I'm a working woman}, and Beyonce {on repeat}. I kept getting confused about whether this was wedding day prep, or just a super glamorous girl's day—it was that fun - as evident by the endless giggles. The day was filled with a whole lot of big buns - and even bigger smiles.

{Disclaimer: I would never not give credit to a photographer, which is why their business is listed above. However, due to the nature of their professionalism, they are not linked as I would not endorse them as a vendor. Unless, of course, you prefer to be yelled at on your wedding day :-)}

 

 

 

{Epic. Royalty much?}

11.6.15 - Meghan + Pat
Photo cred: Popcorn and Pandas {Bridesmaid & multi-tasker ;-)}
The professional wedding pictures have not yet graced social media {thus, I can't stalk, steal & credit}, so for now you'll just have to swoon over this sneak peek from fellow Blogger-meets-bridesmaid. Thanks for capturing such perfect peeks, G!

 

12.12.2015 - Christine +  Tony
Photo cred: Erin Wheeler Photography
I love a Winter wedding because they're so rare around here—it could be blizzarding, iced over, or, ya know, 65 degrees like it was on this day. Nothing instantly classes up a wedding like some stark red pops & Christmas decor! Another wee-peek before the full album of this day drops.

CONGRATS to all my 2015 brides!! I expect to be doing first kiddie cuts in a few years ;-) Or, at least wifey-chops in the near future. 

Now booking for 2016 weddings! Email creationsalanikki@hotmail.com to inquire about pricing & availability. *Will travel*

 XO,

Nik 

Psst...more pin-worthy wedding hair posts!

2015 Wedding Hair: Halftime Favorites

 

Wedding Day Hair: Do's and Dont's Straight From the Stylist's Mouth

 

The Gifts She {You} HAS to Have

One week. O N E week, people. If you're not in wrapping mode, you're in panic mode. And if you're still in shopping mode - well, then, god save you, my child. 

Just kidding, just kidding. Breathe. Deep breaths. It's not too late. Thanks to Amazon Prime {sent from the gods} & late store hours, you have plenty {read: not many, so get your inner-elf in gear} of time to get your bestie//wife//girlfriend//fiance//mom//auntie//teach//coach//every other woman in the world the gift that will have her thinking you planned well in advance. Little will she know...

These are a few of my favorite things...

1. Cozy Cardi from The Loft {$80 + 40% off!} - The colorblock number is sold out online, but may still be found in stores. No matter the color, it is the coziest thing I've ever owned—worth the buy.
2. THE Beachwaver {$129} - For the curling impaired and the experienced. I am a stylist and use a motorized curling iron and I am not afraid to shout it from the rooftops.  
3. Quay, bae-bae {$50} - Quay is the new Ray. Okay, maybe they don't replace the classics, but they certainly mix it up! Styles vary - widely & cutely. 
4. They're real...really {$24} - Falsies in a bottle—every girl's dream.
5. Plaid anything {$14} - If it's plaid, just buy it. In case you haven't heard - plaid is the new black.
6. Infuse it {$20} - Plain water is so five years ago. If it's not infused with lemon, berries, cucumber, or whatever other concoction you cut up, it's just not worthy. 
7. Bootie {$39} - Any store with shoes will have booties because they are "running" rampant these days {see what I did there? ;-)}. But these happen to be uber comfy, the perfect height, and the most neutral color of all time. Oh, and affordable. #bonus  
8. Color me pretty {$10} - You have no idea how therapeutic coloring can be...especially when accompanied by wine. What?? I was told to color outside the lines. {Psst: Make sure to get some good coloring pencils to go along with this! Even better if you nab a sharpener, too.}
9. Poncho Mama {$22} - Along with booties & plaid, you're going to find a poncho of any shape, size & pattern in just about any store. I fancy this one, but you can find them anywhere from Old Navy to Target to Nordstrom Rack {and beyond}.

Ahem, are you seriously still here?! Tick-tock, Santa's helper! Happy shopping :-)

XO,

Nik 

Psst...More things to add to your list:

Top Ten: My Must Have Hair Products

 

Top Ten: My Must Have Beauty Products

 

My Fitness Frenemies: Workout DVDs for the Advanced

A fitness frenemy: someone who you dread seeing, despise while in their "presence," and occasionally cuss at - yet whole-heartedly credit for your strength, stamina & health.

Take Jillian Michaels for example - she was one of my first workout DVD purchases, and I stalk her social accounts for any mention of a new DVD. Then, I spend a few times a week cussing Jillian to hell and wishing I had never "met" her. But I'm hooked, and I'll never give her up, no matter how much I hate her when I'm on my 18th burpee, and I'm contemplating throwing the kettlebell at our very nice TV.

But Jill {we're close like that} isn't my only Fitness Frenemy—I have an arsenal of personal trainers yelling at me in my living room. Weight Watchers taught me how to eat, my running-coach-BFF taught me how to run {and how to hate Shaun T}, and Jillian, Bob, Jackie, Chalene, Tony, Jeanette & SO many more taught me how to get strong, long & lean. I'm not selfish—I'll share my trainers, and I'll even let them spend time in your living room {given that you purchase them on Amazon, at Target, or through my go-to BeachBody coach...}. 

Running 
While I still follow Hal Higdon's schedules when training for a distance run - I like to keep things fresh, fast & exciting when hitting the tread on a regular basis. Enter my absolute favorite running workout - HIIT's, aka, high intensity interval training. Here are a few of my go-to HIITs that keep my mind occupied and my feet flying. 

HIIT-tastic {A gradual 2-minute increase}
Anything and everything by pbfingers {My favs are the 30 Minute Treadmill Workout, and the 30 Minute Intense Incline Treadmill Workout}
"Yellow Notepad 4 Mile HIIT" {As I dreadfully fondly refer to it as. I've made it through this to the T once, but I've attempted it many times!} 
Bess Be Fit - 30 minute HIIT {A back and forth killer that f l i e s!} 

 

Yoga
"You're almost always a beginner in yoga." Skinnygirl® Bethenny Frankel said it best—you are always evolving with yoga, always learning, always getting a workout. No matter how many times you do the same yoga routine, it can still leave you with a penguin waddle the next day. The key to yoga is to engage, BREATHE, and never give up. I will crow, I will wheel, and dammit, I will headstand one day. 

Bob Harper: Yoga for the Warrior {Yes, it's an hour. But I promise you it will become your favorite hour of the entire week.}
Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer's Power Yoga {Disclaimer: I have never done the full DVD in one sitting, because, ain't nobody got time for that. And also, I like to be able to walk. But, I will pair the 40 minute power yoga with the vinyasa or abs and call it one hell of a workout!}
Yoga Inferno with Jillian Michaels {This is the second in Jillian's yoga series and steps it up a notch!}
PiYo with Chalene Johnson {This is the Donny & Marie of workouts - it's a little bit pilates, and a little bit yoga. Confused? Don't be—check out my full review and breakdown {and love} of PiYo on the blog!}

Cardio
Although I'd love to complete every BeachBody program in full, I'm pretty sure it's impossible. But, it's not impossible to at least get a taste of every program, thanks to BeachBody On Demand! {Again, I swear I'm not a coach or rep, even though I sound like a programmed BB robot. I'm just that big of a devotee!} That's where I find some of my favorite go-to non-running cardio workouts. {Psst - it's FREE for a 30-day trial & then a tiny fee per quarter afterwards. W A Y worth it for the variety of programs offered.}

Turbo Fire: Fire 45 with Chalene Johnson {Kickbox meets dance meets Chalene? One of the most f u n workouts I've ever done! Pretty much all Turbo Fire workouts...}
P90x3 MMX with Tony Horton {Hella good & fast kickboxing workout. *SPRAWL!*}
Insanity: Pure Cardio with Shaun T {ONLY if you're actually insane - which, apparently I am.}

And some non-BeachBody workouts:
Kickbox Fastfix with Jillian Michaels {These are quick 20-minute workouts that each target a different area of the body. I like to pair up two of the workouts, or for a full-body blast I do all three for an hour total!}
Kettlebell Cardio Shred with Bob Harper {Think bootcamp with Bob...with a kettlebell. Sweat, burn, cuss.}   

Strength
You know how instuctors always say, "you won't bulk up by lifting weights"? Pssshhh. I was such a nay-sayer of this—I did not want manly arms. But, like I've done with the rest of my fitness journey - I put my arms into the hands of my fitness besties {fitnesties?}. And guess what!? My arms {legs, abs, bum} are longer, leaner & more toned than eva. And, how did I never realize how much you S W E A T and burn while lifting? #convert

BeachBabe3: Beach Bombshell with the Tone It Up girls {Who doesn't love Kat & Karena?!}
Hammer & Chisel: Total Body Chisel {Also available on BeachBody On Demand!}
Kettlebell: Sculpted Body with Bob Harper {Again with the kettles, again with the pain & sweat that feels oh so good} 

And, some of my favorite strength workouts come from Pins on my workout board! 

 
Workout Sets  
Nothing says dedication like committing to a 30, 60 or 90 day program. My advice? Partner up with a fitness friend & hold each other accountable with check-ins! Yes, even I, the at-home-workout-devotee, get tired of working out alone. But when you have a check-in buddy you feel like you're doing {bitching, sweating, agonizing in pain through} the workout with someone.

Body Revolution by Jillian Michaels {This is one of my favorite, hardest & most evolving Jillian workouts yet. Week 1 & 2 are a little easy for the Advanced, so I jumped in at weeks 5 & 6. But, weeks 11 & 12, yeaaaa, I may or may not have done those workouts once, before resorting back to weeks 9 & 10. They're that tough!}
P90x3 with Tony Horton {Look, who has an hour+ a day to workout? Maybe once a month? Maybe. Good thing Tony figured out you can get it done in 30 minutes. And get it done he does. Yogax3 and Pilatesx3 are two of my fav yoga-esque workouts!}

While I wait for the next BeachBody program release, I'll be dabbling more in Hammer & Chisel, Turbo Fire & Cize!. Heck, maybe I'll even fully commit to taking one of them on for 30, 60 or 90 days in the New Year. While also stalking for the next Jillian Michaels program that she drops. 

Always evolve, always keep pushing, and never, ever give up.

XO,

Nik 

Psst...Need more fitness inspo? How about: 

10 Health Hacks: How I Changed my Body, My Life

 

My Fitness Journey: A Beginner's Guide to Workout DVDs