words of the week

“So, what are your wedding colors!?” I asked my future bride as we sat at Starbucks sipping our caffeinated drink of choice. I always love asking this question. The look that a woman has on her face when she is envisioning her wedding day is priceless. The way my future brides describe their wedding details in such bliss,  brings a huge smile on my face. And the way they love their wedding day, love their fiance and love celebrating their love story, warms my heart each and every time.

I took one look at the sweet, beautiful future YPbride in front of me and realized, she was unsure.

“I have absolutely no idea what colors to choose. I fall in love with every photo on Pinterest!”   I totally get it. I fall in love with every wedding I photograph so I can only imagine how difficult it can be to pick your own wedding colors.

Picking your color palette helps set the stage for the rest of your big day. Once you choose the colors, your centerpieces, flowers and reception decor will all follow suite. So, for  those brides out there who are overwhelmed by all the breathtaking color ideas they have seen all over Social, here are the 5 things you should consider when choosing your own wedding color palette, but first… grab yourself a color wheel!

1. When and Where…

   If you don’t already have a color palette in mind, turning to the venue and date is a great way to get inspired. You already fell in love with your venue’s aesthetic, play up the colors that are already there!  Similarly, let the season guide you! Getting married in mid- October and late June can strike two totally different color palettes (especially if you live on the East Coast like yours truly)!

2. On Wednesdays we wear pink…

   Sometimes, you just have a favorite color and that is that! Take a look around your house, what colors do you see in each room? Do you have a color that keeps appearing? Do you automatically go straight to the Olive Green sweaters when you are shopping? Does Navy Blue catch your eye every time you see it? Does Merlot Red accessories give you a little extra spark of confidence? If you have a favorite color, don’t hold back! Remember, it is your day! As long as your favorite person in the world agrees to it (aka your Groom-to-be), go with what you love!

3. All of the colors!

   So, you might already have a color in mind, let’s say pink… but which shade of pink? Rose Pink? Fuscia Pink?  Blush Pink? The options can go on and on! Instead of choosing one shade of pink, choose them all! Go Ombré or go home! Indulge in it all. Showcase pink from the lightest pastel to the deepest shade. Your wedding will be the epitome of chic!

4. Keeping it Classic

   Want to make sure your wedding day has that timeless feel and classic look?! Add white or another neutral color into your color palette. Beige and cream add an extra layer of color sophistication while white matches with everything and can really tie in the other ascent colors.

5. Don’t forget about You!

   Most importantly, do not forget about your own sense of style. Sometimes, it can get overwhelming. There are so many people willing to offer their guidance and opinions that your own voice can get lost.  If everyone around you is telling you to go with Burgundy and you are more of a Lavender kinda gal, choose Lavender! Your wedding is your special day! You and your happiness is so important!

“I figured I’d find you here” Ayelet said as she walked up the stairs of Cornerstone Grill & Loft. I was sitting at one of the High Tops in my black yoga pants and Cornerstone zip-up, wrapping silver-wear, getting ready to start my waitressing shift.

“Where else would I be?” I said as I smiled back at my best friend. She sat down next to me and we started chatting as if we were in my living room. To be totally honest, I think I spent more time at that college bar than I did in any of my apartments or classes through out my time during undergrad. From the first week I went to the University of Maryland, I was a Cornerstone waitress. I worked 6 to 7 days a week and gave it my all. Don’t get me wrong, my education came first, but nothing came above my studies and my bar.

Years later, I might not have the same job, but I still have that same ‘work comes first’ tendency and I find myself struggling with it every day. As you all know, I absolutely love what I do. It feels like I am making a difference. It feel like I am full-filling my destiny. I have the best clients in the world and I want to do everything in my power to serve them the best way I can. But at the same time, I have an incredible relationship with the sweetest man, 9 nieces and nephews that I adore in every way and friends who support me and love me even at my worst.  So, how do I balance it all? How do I put the computer away, my calendar down and switch my entrepreneur brain off?  How can I focus solely on the amazing humans that love me unconditionally? How can I do it all and still have time to go to the gym?

I am not going to lie, it isn’t easy. It is probably the one thing I struggle with the most on a day to day bases. But this year, I have made it my goal to find a way to balance it all and still get enough sleep.  Thank you to the book, “168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think” by Laura Vanderkam, I am changing the way I think about my time. Goodbye to the days where I hear myself constantly say “I don’t have enough time” and hello to the days where I admit to myself that if something is a priority, I will get it done. With that simple switch, I have found myself a lot less stressed, a lot more content and with way more time.

I know extra hours in the day aren’t magically appearing. I know that I still have the same amount of work to do. And I know that sometimes, I will feel overwhelmed with the amount of things I am juggling; but, when I focus on what I really want out of life, what means the most to me, I have found a lot more time and a lot more happiness. Of course spending time with my friends, family and my Robert are priorities. Of course, going to the gym and living a healthy life style are on the top of my list. And of course, serving my clients with my whole heart takes precedence. Now, all I have to do is fit it everything in to a 168 hours and that seems a lot more doable than the 24/7 mentality!

“We might have to get a doubt-conversion .” My Mom announced as I kicked off my fake Uggs and put my backpack down from my long day of Jewish Day School.

“What do you mean?” I asked walking into the kitchen.

“Well, if I can’t find out who my birth-mom is… We don’t really know if I am Jewish which means you might not be technically Jewish and we will all need to perform a doubt-conversion.” My mom was on a mission. See, my mom is adopted and although her adoption was through Jewish Family Services, she never received any details.

My mom wanted to be 100% sure we were Jewish. We always thought we were. If I’m being honest, there was not a doubt in my mind that we weren’t Jewish. But with us girls getting older, a future-son-in-law and prospects of grandkids in the picture, my mom wanted to be more than certain.

“What if I don’t want to be Jewish?” I responded. My mom shot me a baffled look.  I was fifteen years old and fed up with my Jewish Day School. I was doing terribly in my Hebrew class, my Jewish Studies bored me, my teachers misunderstood me and I was sent to the principle’s office daily for wearing skirts that weren’t below the knee.

Over the next few weeks, I gave this some serious thought. I was raised in a Jewish Orthodox household. Everyone I knew was Jewish. Everywhere I went was Kosher. Even our gym was the Jewish Community Center. It was my entire life, but what if it didn’t have to be? What if I had the chance to change this part of who I was? What if, instead of struggling with who I was and what it all meant, I could start over?

A month later, we found out we were 100% Jewish and I thank God every day that I am. I look back on my fifteen year old self and laugh. Of course I love being Jewish!  Don’t get me wrong,  I struggled in high school with my religion. I struggled with not feeling the same connection towards Jewish Orthodoxy as my family did. I struggled with constantly hearing from others that “I was not like my sisters” or “I was the black sheep of the family.” The struggle was definitely real. But after years of searching and growing, I have left the hardships behind me and have allowed myself to fall deeply in love with my heritage. And you know what? I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I love my Jewish legacy. I love all the traditions that my Judaism has brought me. I love the connection that I feel with someone when they say “Hey, I am Jewish too!” I feel at peace as I watch Robert light our Chanukah Candles. I feel supported when I walk into Break the Fast after Yom Kippur and I feel encouraged by the incredible Jewish Communities that has been so welcoming and so loving in every city I have lived in.

To all those people who are battling with who they are, I just want you to know you are not alone.  Take a deep breath and give yourself time. You will figure it out. Just give it time.

x0,

Yael

“Do you know how to do this?” the Best Man asked me as he held up his boutonniere in confusion. I smiled. This is a question I get asked at every wedding I photograph. No matter how many groomsmen there are or how many weddings they have all been to, this (along with the pocket square) is always a question and a debate. There is always that one guy who knows how to do it.

Do you want to be that guy??!

Great! Here is how to properly secure a Boutonniere!

First thing is first… Boutonnieres go on the left. 

Follow these 5 steps to ensure that all the boutonnieres look on point and consistent!

1. Position the boutonniere on the left lapel.

   The boutonniere should be pined in the middle of the lapel, above the pocket square and lower than the tie or bowtie. If you are pinning the boutonniere on to someone else, it should be to the right of the tie.  People are going to ask you “Are you sure it goes on the left” YES, you are sure!

2. Fold the Lapel over the boutonniere.

   I like to call this “the taco move.” Once you have the boutonniere in the correct place on the lapel, hold the flower in place and fold over the lapel. The lapel should form a taco-like shape, hence “the taco move.” The boutonniere is the beefy delicious substance and the lapel is the shell that holds it all together.

3. Pin starting from the back of the lapel.
   

   
   Once you have your flower taco, take the needle, (which should have been supplied with the boutonniere), and insert the pin into the back of lapel and boutonniere in a downward angle.

4. Pin through the thickest part of the flower. 

   You want to make sure that the pin is going through the thickest part of the boutonniere, which will be the stem flower.  Remember, the thicker the more sturdy it is!

5. Check the boutonniere is secure.

   The best way to ensure the boutonniere is securely fastened is by inserting the needle at a downward angle. Check to make sure it is secure by moving the boutonniere from side to side. Use a second pin if necessary.

With these 5 easy steps the bridesmaids, and more importantly the bride will be insanely impressed by your fabulous boutonniere skills!

There hasn’t been a wedding dress I met that I didn’t love. From beaded to lacy, from an Empire Silhouette to A-line and from sleeveless to backless. I could photograph a dress for hours and be happy! I love them all and don’t even get me started on how absolutely stunning my brides look once they put them on!

Chances are, part of your upper body will be in on display once you put on your wedding dress. You deserve to feel like a queen! Build up you confidence with with this 20 minute YPP approved bridal work out! This workout will target your arms, shoulders and back, some of the most exposed wedding dress areas.

Photo Credit: Rachel Abramowitz

“Call me when you get there” Robert, my boyfriend of exactly 58 days, said as he closed the trunk of my 2010 KIA SOUL. We walked hand in hand to the front of the car.

I nodded. I couldn’t get myself to say anything. This past summer has been a whirlwind. Between leaving my cushy job, moving away from the state I had called home for 22 years and meeting the best human a girl could ask for; I was overwhelmed by the thirty different emotions I was feeling all at once.

I was taking a leap of faith into the unknown, which, if you knew me, wasn’t something I often did. I like to be in control. I like to understand, process and execute. But this time, there was no processing. This time there was definitely no real understanding. And this time, there was only executing. I went with my gut and my gut was now completely terrified.

“We are going to be ok. I know it” Robert said as he pulled me into a big hug. He brushed the hair away from my face. All I could do was nod again. I was on my way to Western Massachusetts for ten months and as I stood there in Philadelphia, staring into Robert’s deep, gorgeous blue eyes, for the life of me, I couldn’t remember why I was going. Robert let go and turned to open the car door.  I should stay I thought.

He gave me a big smile, nudged me to the front seat “let’s go, you need to hit the road and start your adventure already” he said with his award winning smile.

He was right. Robert is always right (don’t tell him I said that).

I had to go. I had this incredible opportunity and I wouldn’t let it go to waste. Hallmark Institute of Photography was waiting for me and I wouldn’t let my fears and insecurities get in the way. I promised myself I would get everything I could out of this experience. I promised myself I would give this a real shot. I promised  myself I was going to live photography, breath photography and do nothing but think about photography…and maybe the gorgeous, blue-eyed, law student who was waiting for me back in Philadelphia.

I was giving myself ten months. Ten months to go outside my comfort zone, move to New England and see if I got what it takes. Ten months to fall even more deeply in love with the art of Photography. Ten months to figure out how the heck to start a business and if I could make this entrepreneurial thing work. In the grand scheme of things, ten months was nothing and I owed it to myself and to my soul to go up there, to freezing cold Massachusetts and give this photography thing one hundred and fifty percent.

So with tears falling down my face and with my Google Maps calmly telling me to make a left onto Girard in 200 feet. I gave Robert one last hug and slowly, climbed in to the car.

“Ok. I am ready”  I said turning on the car and starting the ignition.

“It’s only ten months. We got this!” Robert said.

“We got this” I repeated.  He closed the door and stood back. I put the car in drive.  Looked out my window at Robert. He waved. I pulled out of his drive way. Robert was still standing there. I looked back one last time before turning onto Girard. He was still standing there…and with that I was on my way.

To be continued…

Missed Part 1 & 2? Don’t Worry! You can catch up here!

How YPP Began Part II

How YPP Began Part I

Want to keep reading?

How YPP Began Part IV

Although most men haven’t been dreaming up their wedding day since they were five years old, might not know what an Arbor is or have any idea how to pin his boutonniere on correctly, your groom still wants to be involved. It is their special day too. They want the planning to be as easy as possible for their bride. They want to help but may not even know where to begin! Here are the Yael’s top 10 ways your groom can assist and contribute to make things a whole lot better for you!

1. The Guest-list and keeping track:

   He is going to know his side of the party way better than you! It is up to him to figure out his side (and parents side) of the guest list, find the addresses, follow up and make sure he knows who wants chicken or salmon!

2. Guest Accommodations:

   This one is something he can totally do and it will make you the happiest of brides! Give him the responsibility of reserving the rooms for the out of town guests and making sure they have all the details. Even if your venue has rooms as part of the package, some guest might need different price points. Your future-hubby will totally be able to handle these logistics!

3. Pick the Wedding Music:

   The music you request for your wedding can really set the tone. The process can be long, overwhelming and very time consuming. Giving your groom this task will make him feel like the king of the party! When he sees his friends and family having a great time on the dance floor, he will feel amazing! But between you and me, I would write down your favs too!

4. His side of the family:

   Wedding planning can make things a little tense and uncomfortable with your future-in-laws. To navigate through all the chaos as smoothly as possible, make sure he is the one communicating with his family. He knows how to best talk to his parents, so let him handle it!

5. Learning how to dance:

   Enough said…

6. Groomsmen Gifts:

   Boys will be boys which means one thing, let him pick the gifts for his friends. They have inside jokes and interests that you and no one else will ever understand so let him take this one for the team. Just smile and nod with whatever great idea he comes up with!

7. Vows/ Letter to the Bride:

   No matter what you do, let him be in control of what he says, how he shares and what he promises to you on your wedding day. This is for both of you! You will thank me!

8. Planning the Honeymoon:

   No matter when the honeymoon is, right after your wedding, six months into your marriage or even a few years down the road, let your man plan the details! He will have such a great time imagining you laying on the beach in Mexico or hiking up the mountains in Colorado, it will make him feel like a hero!

9. Don’t forget to say ” I love you”

   Make sure he knows to up the cheese-factor! With your busy schedules, everyones opinions and advice about your marriage and the insane amount of decisions you two will have to make during this season of your life, make sure he knows to say “I love you” in every way he can. On post-it notes, grocery lists, even on a top of a cake or using those HUGE letter balloons. Keep the love alive and strong!

10. Make your engagement as fun as possible

    If you are anything like me, you stress and over-analyze everything! Let your fiance know that you are going to need his help making this engagement as fun and as easy as possible. You are a team, you are going to need him to help you blow off steam by practicing your first dance in your kitchen or by turning center-piece decorating into a drinking game. He will know exactly how to calm you down and make things fun again!

There you have it ladies, the ultimate guide to making both of you happy! Now go on, hand over some of the responsibility to your eager and amazing fiance! You both will be so happy and so excited to be able to contribute to your big day in a big way!

Photo credit: Rachel Abramowitz

This Monday I did something I never thought I would ever do… I was a guest on a podcast called “Nothing Nice to Say!”

There I was, sitting across from a video camera with a podcast host on each side of me. I was wearing headphones that were a constant reminder of how high pitched my voice truly is and I was trying my best not to kick the microphone stand with my fidgety feet. I had no idea what to expect but was so insanely excited that I felt my entire face smiling from ear to ear.

Thirty minutes later…

I was having a blast! Chatting about my business, my legendary High School Jewish Basketball days and asking as many questions as possible. Suddenly, I hear. “What do you think about Millennials?” At first, I didn’t realize who they were directing the question to but as I looked around, all eyes were on me. That’s when it hit me…I was the only millennial in the room.

As a creative, small business owner and Jewish, female, entrepreneur, the last thing I really think about is classifying myself as the generation I was in born into. But, I am part of a generation. I am part of the  Generation Y, Digital Natives, Generation Me, Generation Rent and Echo Boomers, Millennial generation (or whatever other name you want to use to describe us). We are the most researched and discussed generation known to date. We are the largest part of the Western work force and the most educated Western generation. Yet, for some reason, there is this negative connotation to the term “Millennial.”

If you ask me, being a Millennial is freaken awesome!

Being a Millennial has given me the confidence and the determination to go after my dreams. It has made me strive to be the best version of myself and to be true to who I am. It has forced me to be open minded, accepting, flexible and socially conscious. It has given me the characteristics that has allowed me to start a business and not settle for the typical 9-5 job. It has made me into a passionate hustler who wakes up every day even more excited than the last. I am mission based. I am fiery. I am focused.

As a generation, we care more about authenticity and less about playing the game. We want positive, genuine experiences instead of flashy, material possessions.  We want to grow, we want to be engaged and we want to do well. We want feedback so we can continue to grow, continue to be engaged and continue to do well.

We support brands that have deeper meaning and strong backbones. We want the shoes that we buy to send a matching pair to kids in third world countries. We want to know that the drinking straws we use are both saving the world and protecting our teeth enamel. We want to know that the products we buy are defending human rights and are against animal cruelty. We are a generation that loves our pets more than anything and 61% of us feel that it is up to us to make this world a better place even though we know it isn’t going to be easy.

So, to answer the question “How do I feel about Millennials?” Well, we live in a world that is very different than the one of our parents and grandparents. We live in a world where many of us are dealing with soul crushing student loans, a world that doesn’t have pretty pensions waiting for us and a social security system that might run out by the time we get to it, but we work hard, play hard and care hard. We are community oriented. We think globally instead of locally. We might still be living in our parents basements, but we are progressive, challenging and zealous. We don’t have all the answers, but we definitely try to make this world a better, more accepting place for the future. So I ask you this… what else could you really ask for?

You are what you eat. Between putting together your emergency kit, practicing your vows and running from your manicure appointment to the hotel, the last thing on your mind will be what am I going to eat. But seriously, do not forget to plan for a healthy day! From bloating to skin glow all the way to your energy level, what you eat the day (or a few days before) your wedding can have a lasting affect ! Make sure you are being mindful and cognitive of what foods you choose to nourish your body with!  The last thing you are going to want to on your special day is a breakout, feel lethargic and bloated!

Full disclosure, I believe this is important every day, not just the day before you say I do.

Before your mind starts racing, just breathe! I have done the heavy lifting for you! I consulted my dear friend and incredible Nutrition and Health Coach, Alissa Higgins, to design the Ideal-Day-of-The-Wedding- Meal-Plan and here is what she suggests:

Breakfast of beauty: 2 Eggs, Veggies, Whole Grain Toast. Snack: Apple & Almonds (200 calorie pack)

Lunch: Chicken or Tofu Salad. Add lots of veggies, and make this delicious!

Snack: Veggies & Hummus (Carrots, Celery, Peppers, Cucumbers)

Dinner: Salmon & Veggies Snack: Rice Cakes

A few tips for wedding week! 

1. Try to avoid adding salt to foods or consuming high sodium foods the week before your wedding. Salt helps you retain water, which doesn’t help when going for the flat tummy!
2. Drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of water each day. Hydrating will keep your body working at it’s best and keep you feeling your best!
3.  Don’t skip meals. The final week before your wedding can be stressful.
4. My absolute BEST advice to you is DON’T skip your meals. You want to be feeling your best on the big day not run day and out of energy!

And there you have it ladies! Your Ideal-Day-of-The-Wedding- Meal-Plan by the owner and creator of Fit4Mom Philadelphia! 

Want more helpful Nutrition and Health tips?! Great! Contact Alissa here! Trust me, you will not regret it! I have never felt more energized and healthier!

I have a confession.

I have always been insanely intimated by the weight room at the gym. No matter what, my feet would take over and direct me straight to the cardio machines. No matter how motivated I was, no matter how many pep talks I gave myself and no matter how many articles I read stressing the importance of strength training, I just couldn’t do it!

I would walk into the gym determined to at least start a weight-lifting workout but the second I saw the free-weights my fear would take over and I’d find myself standing on a treadmill, hitting the speed button and getting ready for a run instead. Don’t get me wrong, I do love a good cardio workout but I hated the fact that my apprehension of looking foolish could control me every day.

I was frustrated. I wasn’t seeing the results that I wanted. Every day I would push myself harder, faster and longer, but nothing seemed to work! I know they say results come from 70% – 80% of what you eat, but Robert and I eat healthier than ever. No added sugar, no dairy, essentially no processed foods, so then why wasn’t I seeing results?

Finally, after years of trying to find something that worked, many failed attempts and routines that just bored me to no end, my dearest friend, Ayelet recommended this amazing APP. And can I tell you, it is life changing! Sweat by Kalya has a 12 week weight lifting program that is so detailed oriented and so beginner -friendly that my fears were no longer in control.

This was the first time I felt like I had an actual game plan. This was the first time I was truly excited to start. This was the first time I didn’t think to myself  “let’s see how long this lasts!” Was I still nervous? Of course, but this time it didn’t stop me and to be completely honest, it felt amazing!

I was very strategic. I knew that I would still be embarrassed. I mean let’s be real, my form the first week was absolutely horrific.  That’s why, I  went only during off hour, midmorning, early afternoon, anytime that Google said “Not Too Busy,” I ran over there. I wasn’t going to let those bad-ass women and powerlifters intimidate me. I was going to do this. I had all the tools I needed! I had the workout plan.  I had the easy to follow instructions. Now, I just needed to get over my pride and do it.

Three weeks later, I am no longer embarrassed, I am no longer nervous. I don’t have to go when the gym is empty. I feel stronger, I feel lighter and for the first time in my life, I am starting to see real results from the gym, and I cannot get enough! I know what you are thinking, it has only been three weeks. This time it is different. This time, I am absolutely loving every second of it : )