Happy friday everybody, a couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Angela Walker from Fabulous Nutrition. During the planning process many of my clients work hard to lose weight so they look their best for their wedding day,with this in mind I have developed a service with Angela and a couple of personal trainers so my clients have a team of professionals to turn to for these services if they need them.

I caught up with Angela yesterday and asked some key questions that I felt you may find interesting about nutrition and her services.

Enjoy!

What does a Nutritional Therapist do?

Our bodies need the right balance of nutrients, if these are out of balance it can be the reason why we lack energy, have poor digestion, put on weight, pick up infections, colds and so on. Nutritional therapy will look at what deficiencies might be present, work out why they have occurred and then recommend foods, ways of eating, meal ideas, lifestyle changes and possibly some supplements. The thing to remember is that we are all biochemically unique, each of us will have slightly different needs, which is why one diet or way of eating might work for one person but not another

What are the most common problems people come to see you about?

I have a busy Nutritional Therapy practice in London where people come to see me for all sorts of issues. Some of the most frequent problem areas are weight loss, digestive problems, poor skin, lack of energy & blood sugar balance. I often find that during consultations that clients have accepted health issues such as pre menstrual syndrome or as inevitable and something that they just have to live with, when in fact nutrition can help in so many ways – don’t accept, demand to be 100% healthy!

For brides fitting into their dress and looking stunning on the big day is a top priority, what would be your top nutrition tips for?

1. Drink plenty of water and be properly hydrated
2. Balancing your blood sugar helps to balance the hormones, improving skin and weight loss, so its important to
3. Cut out the refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, biscuits etc and replace them with complex carbohydrates; that means whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, wholegrain bread etc), vegetables, beans and lentils
4. Eat regular meals, (definitely don’t skip breakfast), and regular healthy snacks
5. Make sure each meal contains a good quality protein (beans, lentils, peas, fish, lean meat or egg)
6. Eat at lots of vegetables they are full of great nutrients. I’d recommend at least nine portions of vegetables a day and a couple of pieces of fruit as snacks
7. Make sure you are eating the good fats – from oily fish, seeds and nuts – these will really help your skin. Seeds and nuts are great for snacks.
8. Take time to eat – don’t eat on the go. Chewing food thoroughly helps you to feel fuller from each meal or snack
9. Avoid processed foods and stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol and chocolate. The processed foods add too much salt and empty calories, while the stimulants can imbalance your hormones and are dehydrating.

Do you think detox’s are a good idea?

Yes and no. There are lots of detox products out there that are based on flaky science and really don’t have much effect. Our bodies have the tools and systems to be able to detoxify, BUT we can overload them. A nutritional detoxification programme can be really beneficial. I recently worked at a detox and fasting retreat and saw some amazing results in just a week. I undertake a detox myself at least once a year and find it is really beneficial.

Isn’t nutritional therapy really expensive, can’t clients find the answers in a book?

There are lots of books and magazine articles out there, but the information they provide is all very general. Nutritional Therapy is bespoke to you. A Nutritional Therapist has the training and expertise to identify any underlying factors and to work with you on a programme that’s perfect for you.

Prices for nutritional therapy do vary, but in general expect to pay in the region of £80 to £130 for an initial consultation in London, supplements and any testing are on top of that, follow up sessions will vary depending on the time, but expect to pay £35 upwards for 30 minutes. It’s going to help your long term and short-term health, so really a small price to pay. Always check their qualifications and members of a good professional body such as BANT (British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy) or WNMS (Wholistic Nutritional Medicine Society). The Nutritional Therapy Council also holds a register of practitioners.

What are the benefits to clients in visiting a Nutritional Therapist?

It’s going to be completely focused on helping you achieve your health goals for the big day. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the information in the media on how to lose weight, improve your skin, latest super foods and so on, but when you have a wedding to plan, it’s much easier to have someone to guide you through that and highlight what’s really important for you as an individual. I give my clients a programme that works for them, that suits their needs and fits into their lifestyle; a combination of meal plans, supplement, lifestyle changes, exercise recommendations, foods to avoid, substitutions to make. I’m also really aware that it can be difficult to make these changes, so I give my clients lots of support with shopping lists, recipe ideas, I’ll even go to the supermarket with them! It’s a very bespoke service; we’re really health and change coaches as well as nutritionists!

Finally how and why did you become a nutritional therapist?

I’ve always been interested in food and health and how what we eat affects how we feel. I used to work in advertising but eventually took the plunge, studied for a Bsc in nutritional therapy and set up a practice in London. Its one of those subjects where there is always more to learn and I’m now pursuing further studies in functional diagnostic medicine…. and thinking about a masters at some point!

About the special Health & Nutrition for Brides package to TigerLily readers:

I’ve put together a special offer for anyone who’s reading the TigerLily website. It’s a Health & Nutrition programme that’s designed specifically for brides. The package includes the initial consultation, a follow up plus the supplements I recommend and telephone & email support, it costs £170, which is brilliant value for money. And, it’s not just for brides! You want your groom to be in tip top shape too, so a double package is available for £320, please quote TigerlilyFabulous when booking.

For more information on Angela and her services visit her website Fabulous Nutrition.

A couple of week ago I was asked to join a team of wedding professionals to provide an afternoon of wedding beauty and advice In central London to brides.

The event was organised by Julie Kim one of Tigerlilys favorite photographers and recently listed as one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the UK.

It was fabulous to discuss wedding design and planning tips with such wonderful brides I was in my element.

During the day I met a lovely make up artist called Amanda Bell, she is totally inspirational and has some of the best beauty products, tips and knowledge I have come across in a long time.

I felt with her wealth of knowledge and experience she would make a valued contribution to our ask the experts season of blogs, and luckily she agreed to write for us.

All of the images included are from the day and demonstrate Amanda’s natural and sophisticated approach to wedding make up.

Happy reading!

How long have you been a make up artist?

I have been a make up artist for over 15 years. I originally studied art and my make ups are very much about creating a glowing, flawless skin. The skin is effectively the canvas and the more imperceptibly perfect the base is, the more adding a touch of colour is just like gilding the lily. I have been lucky enough to do make up around the world, New York & Los Angeles, Paris and the Middle East.

Make up is such an important part of the bride’s day- what is on trend for 2009?

Nude, soft colours for a very professionally polished look that really does not date or a “vintage bride” where there is a tiny hint of retro va va voom with a little pin up chic liner, rosy fresh cheeks and sumptuous lips.

What has been your most memorable wedding to date?

I know it is a cliché, but every wedding is very special to me. Each bride is very much an individual and I don’t subscribe to a 1 size fits all mentality.  2 weddings I really enjoyed doing the make up for a polar opposites were: a writer getting married in Oxford and she had stayed at the Crazy bear- she was really bohemian and the make up was uber glamorous, she looked so sexy even the ducks followed her. Also a wedding where the bride wore a beautiful Vera Wang dress and had a simple chignon and we went for a very simple and flawless Grace Kelly look with the make up, I did the make ups for 5 other people in the party, it was like being backstage at a catwalk show J but when the bride emerged in her dress with her hair and make up done, it was just one of those moments where you feel so proud of what you have achieved.

For brides on a budget what recommendations would you make?

If you are going to do your own make up on the day I have some top tips:

Invest in the best base that you can afford- take samples- don’t impulse buy.

Don’t try the foundation on your hand; try along the jaw line to ensure that it blends in. If you want to add a little “sun kissed” warmth do so with a sheer application of bronzer rather than a darker foundation- tidemarks look terrible in photos.

Don’t try anything different on the day- you will be pushed for time and feeling the pressure- so make sure you don’t do anything that doesn’t work, you have to take it all off again.

Relax; make sure you allocate yourself enough time so that it becomes a little “me” time before the rest of the day.

Where do you take inspiration for your make ups from?

Literally everywhere, Magazines, catwalk shows, films, other make up artists, people passing in the street. I am such a make up geek, it is my passion, I notice everything about people’s make up- I might not know their name but I know their eye colour, lipstick shade etc.

What should brides consider before choosing a make up artist?

An artist that you are comfortable with that “gets” what you want & someone that is professional, calm and just brilliant at what they do. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice if you need it and if you are not sure what you want, knowing what you don’t want is halfway there. Look at work they have done and have a trial. If after the trial you are still unsure, keep looking until you find someone who is perfect.

For more information on Amanda’s make up services please contact her at amanda@pixibeauty.com

Photo Credits

Julie Kim Photography

In the next few weeks I am going to be featuring some of my favourite professionals within the industry, I am kicking off the ask the experts season with an interview with the super talented duo Simon Nickell and Victoria Taberer Bond from Euphoric Flowers.

Enjoy!

Euphoric, what a wonderful name how did you decide on the name for your business?

We wanted a single word for the business that was positive and unusual, and which would create interest. So we looked up the dictionary definition of Euphoric. It was ‘A feeling of intense happiness’ and it immediately summed up how we feel about what we do! It seems to have worked, as we have had clients choose us just because they like the sound of our name!

Flowers are such an important part of the wedding design, what is on trend for 2009?

Although many people have said vintage is over and done with, we have found that it is still a hugely popular choice for 2009. Curiously enough, a black and white palette is also on trend, but all in all, soft romantic shades of pink and cream are most requested this year.

What has been your most memorable wedding to date?

We have had so many memorable weddings, but flying out to Spain has to be the top of the list! In September 2006, we were flown to Seville for a very glamorous wedding in the heart of the Old Town. The theme was scented and sensual, and we had boxes of flowers flown in from Holland, including orchids, gardenias, roses and jasmine.  We weren’t able to view the venue in advance and worked from website images alone. It took an enormous amount of organisation, but it was well worth all the hard work!

For brides on a budget what flower recommendations would you make?

We always recommend the use of seasonal flowers wherever possible to make the most of your budget. We promote the use of English grown blooms where we can, as they will be more reasonably priced and better quality. We also ask brides to concentrate on having flowers in areas where their guests will be spending most of their time. Whilst it is wonderful to be able to fill a church with flowers, you are only going to spend a short time there, and your budget would be best used on reception flowers where they will be better seen for most of the day.

Where do you take your inspiration from for your flower designs?

Recently, we are finding inspiration from many U.S based floral designers, in particular Mark’s Garden who are based in Los Angeles. Although their style is quite English, they interpret their designs in a witty and whimsical way which is very different and enormously appealing.

What are your favourite flowers and colour combinations?

What a question to ask a florist!!!!! It depends entirely on the seasons for us, but absolute favourites have to be Peonies, which are all the more special because they have such a short season, Garden roses, Hydrangea and Tulips. People often forget how beautiful and diverse cut foliages are and how they can enhance flowers so wonderfully. We particularly like jewel colours and zesty greens, but one of the pleasures of our job is constantly discovering new colour combinations and possibilities.

What should brides considering before choosing their florist?

Choosing a florist for your wedding is a very personal decision. Flowers carry great emotional significance, so it is essential to find a florist who can understand what you want and interpret your ideas and wishes. Budget is always important, but we have found that brides have often chosen us because of our energy and enthusiasm for the most important day of their lives.