One of my favorite gift registry items

I always thought gift registries were weird  You tell people what you want them to get you and then you have to act surprised when you open the gift at your shower. I was/am so thankful for all the wonderful gifts and generosity my friends and family showed during my wedding shower. I did not think this would happen, but I actually DID get excited about the gifts I was opening, even though I knew I registered for them. This was one of my favorites.

I love the way the berries look in the ceramic colander, and it makes it so much easier to wash the berries and store them in the fridge. I also snack right out of the colander! So easy, cheap, and a great gift item. Highly recommended!

I finally got back on the YouTube video train. I was off for about a week because of Boston events that distracted me greatly. BUT back on track, and I made this awesome butt video for you :)  

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt4c8m6SYys&w=560&h=315]

I will also be doing another bride arms video next week. You will need to get an elastic workout band. If you don't have one get one. It will be worth it! I would recommend getting the black.  You can also check your local sports store, or marshals.

Enjoy the beautiful sun and wear your SPF! 

What is your favorite gift ever? I want to hear!!!

Under 15 minute interval detox!

Happy Friday! In honor of spring I decided to do a DETOX video. This will get you sweaty and help you start fresh for spring! [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxvREJk6Jqo&w=560&h=315]

Elise from Lillybelle Foods came over to film and we actually ended up doing the workout TWICE because half way through the first time the memory card become "full", and we didn't realize that it had stopped recording!  (hence why we look so flustered!)

This is one huge reason why I wish I had a camera pro with me all the time!! Then I would not have to worry about recording and producing, just do the fun stuff like working out, sharing cool recipes with you and doing awesome product reviews. I am not the best when it comes to video, so this is not the first time something like this has happened. But I guess it just gives me a double workout...right?!

Follow us on Instagram:

ME: Sweatwithlaurenhefez

Elise: lillybelle foods

Try the workout and let me know how it goes. It is a good one!!

Are your triceps feeling jiggly?

It always happens. The time between Christmas and New Years where people start to slack at the gym. My class numbers slow down and then BOOM come the New Year the number of students in my classes sky rocket and people are back at it. I myself have been eating more "sweets" than normal, and my workout schedule has been all over the place... so really no schedule. This is partly due to the fact that a lot of my classes have been cancelled due to the holiday and new year.

I just got back from lunch with my mom and future sister in law. I got a salad nicoise, actually one of the best salad nicoise I have ever had. And then we split the masterpiece featured above. We didn't even know where to start! It was huge, so we didn't end up finishing it, but it was good. It was filled with vanilla and raspberry ice cream and some kind of vanilla cakey stuff.  I also had a cup of peppermint tea. YUM.

Here is a video to get you back into the groove. Lets target those triceps, and get rid of the jiggle in time for the new year. On Friday I will be posting a full body workout to get you ready for your New Years little black dress!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r15_bd548Vc

Tips for a successful engagement shoot, and a famous pinterest arm video of mine!

It always gets me excited when people tell me they see my videos or pictures or blog posts floating around Pinterest. This video, in particular, has made a presence around the site. Maybe you have seen it before?  It works and I love it! http://youtu.be/VA1fDQyI7-I

One of the biggest things for me during my wedding planning was finding a good photographer. It is something that years after your wedding you will look at and hopefully share with friends, family, and your kids... EEEEK!  After much research and looking through so many wedding blogs I found a photographer that I love. Abby Lorenz. I love her because her pictures are not the ordinary, and they all tell a story. Here are some shots from our engagement shoot. We were lucky enough to have an easy going photographer in which we felt comfortable. Chemistry is key!  Here are a few more tips before you take your engagement shots:

*All photos were taken by Abby Lorenz Photography! She is available for hire!

I love the pictures in front of your apartment door. It's a must! (If you live together) Or at least visit a place that you both love. A restaurant? Bar? Park?  A special tree?

Props are fun. Grab something that you both can play around with. It will make posing less awkward and you can focus your attention on something else.

Walk and talk. You both know how to do this. If you just walk the streets of your town or you "hood" you will feel comfortable. OK it is a little odd having someone follow you around with a camera, but if you are like me that's a dream come true! For my fiance, more like a nightmare  Anyway, try to pretend that it is just the two of you. You do not always have to pose. I LOVE streets pics. Stop in the middle of the road. Look both ways first!!!

Use your environment and get a little silly and creative. We saw a ledge and right away Abby said "hop on up"! We had so much fun and it created an easy flirty environment.

Use Pinterest for ideas! I did. We had a "chalk fight"!  What a blast! And the pictures came out awesome.

What are your passions? What do you love to do ? Do you both run? Paint? Golf? Fish? I love to dance. So that is what I did. We ended up with some great shots. If you do something you love it will come natural!

Lastly, the one leg up picture! So cute and sassy. Try it!

I filmed two new VIDEOS for you this week. Stay tuned will post soon :)

Inner thigh and Hip slimming video!

I recently became a solow ambassador!! I am a wearing a lovely outfit by them in the video below. I have always been obsessed with their clothes, and now I love that they are branching out and doing more "fitness" type clothing. Comfortable, so flattering, and SO cute with a fun edge! They have the perfect apparel for wearing in and out of the gym! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVgIzld_NXM