Music plays such an important role in love and weddings, and with wedding season quickly approaching, Valentine’s Day serves as the launching point for a Spring filled with love. 

When it comes to celebrating love, there is one genre of music that tends to stand out against most with tender lyrics that cover a wide range of emotions. With that said, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 best country love songs for you and that special someone to turn up and sing along to this Valentine’s Day.

From Keith Urban and Shania Twain to Brandon Ratcliff and Taryn Papa, there is something for everyone to enjoy no matter what you are doing.

Brandon Ratcliff – “Someone Who Believes In You”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAOXfMoqCZU

Johnny Dailey – “Got Married”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3d-9k9S8ZU

Keith Urban – “Making Memories of Us”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSgL01PuAjc

Brett Young – “In Case You Didn’t Know”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qaHdHpSjX8

Chris Stapleton – “Tennessee Whiskey”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c

Ashley McBryde – “Andy (I Can’t Live Without You)”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGbmYyb37fI

Taryn Papa – “No One’s Gonna Love You (Like I Do)”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0GSopTB85s

Brothers Osborne – “I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)”

​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qiACOYSDhk

Shania Twain – “You’re Still The One”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNZH-emehxA

Brett Eldredge – “Hideaway” (Studio Version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uchbMRUpDo

Becca Bowen – “Like You’ve Never Been Loved”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3OX6Ww1wQ0

Liddy Clark – “We Both Know”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNqBGP2cOhY

Luke Combs – “Better Together”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM8K-OIBsEs

Jake Owen – “Made For You”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uvIf9cSegE

Kacey Musgraves – “Love Is A Wild Thing”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwrxzuD2zsc

Adam Mac – “New Vibration”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOTteCEGD8Q

Donice Morace – “One Drink In”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRxWCNxzLtQ

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill – “It’s Your Love”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AJ4i4S_fP8

Lee Brice – “I Don’t Dance”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBEBbgQEJy4

Kane Brown – “Heaven”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRX0wDNK6S4

The post The 20 best country love songs appeared first on Weddingchicks.

Alice and Karla are best friends who decided to bring their families and friends to Ibiza to celebrate their joint 40th birthday party in one of the luxury villas of the white isle. The idea was to serve the best local food and drinks, dance, and incorporate spiritual elements that are important to both women.

For Karla and Alice, it was very important to mix luxury and good service with spirituality and feminine energy, which was inspiration for the day from start to finish. Keep reading to hear about this incredible day directly from the planners of Serafina Wedding & Events, and click here to see the full gallery of photos by photographer Masha Kart!

A Minimalist Theme Can Be Chic and Customized

“The inspiration for this elegant event was a chic and minimalist vibe with added crystal decor to bring positive energy to the party. From the stylish candles and effortless table decor to the carefully selected pieces from the Crystal Mountain, this glamorous celebration combined their love for spirituality and healing with luxurious details and sophisticated design.”

Starting the Day with Purpose and Good Energy

“The morning started with the ladies taking part in a women’s circle in the Crystal Mountains. Here they were able to create a sacred bond, as well as connect with nature and healing through the power of crystals. Alice and Karla brought their like-minded friends to this sacred setting, sharing their support, love, and healing through the crystals during their 3-hour women’s circle. It was the perfect start to the day where they could feel a sense of grounding and bonding before the celebrations ahead of them.”

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“As every guest entered the luxury private villa where the birthday event would take place, they were welcomed by a spiritual healer who used copal (a Mexican incense) to cleanse the energy of each guest before entering. The soothing scent and mindfulness experienced at the doorway were then carried throughout the entire party.”

The Best Events Make the Guests Feel Special, Too!

“Everyone who attended the party had the opportunity to take part in fun experiences such as getting their fortune read by a spiritual tarot card reader or getting their makeup done by a talented makeup artist! Looking after the body and soul was at the heart of this party.” Alice and Karla had their makeup done by artist, Ana Perez. “Once all the guests were looking and feeling radiant, the magical evening began, with drinks flowing from the Champagne and Tequila bar.”

Clean Food, Clean Mind

“Nothing tastes better than locally grown and prepared food, and the perfect suppliers created this gourmet meal for the women and their guests. Working closely with Alice and Karla, we hand-picked the best produce and caterers so their guests could experience luxury outdoor dining at its finest.” Catering was provided by La Grande Bouffe, while the impeccable bar service was courtesy of Ibiza Drinks Experience.

Flowers Can Be Minimal with Maximum Impact

“The women chose to stay true to their passion and incorporate their unique style through the help of their dear friend and florist Ruby from Mary Lennox. Her aesthetic floral arrangements included local flowers and citrus fruit which added colour, elegance and personality to the event through her beautifully curated event design.”

At the End of the Day, Family and Friends Make It Special

“A celebration is nothing without your closest loved ones, and Alice and Karla brought them all along! From their 5 children, immediate family and lifelong connections from around the globe, they really enjoyed being present with their guests and enjoyed every minute of being in their company.” Combining all of these incredible elements truly brought to life an event that captured their personalities, honored their friends and families, and celebrated their years of friendship.

The post Two Best Friends Threw a 40th Birthday Party in Ibiza appeared first on Weddingchicks.

^{Photo: John Dolan via The Wall Street Journal}

You’ve probably already seen the pics on Insta, but can we talk about Naomi Biden’s White House wedding?!? It’s as close as we come in the states to a royal wedding and (in our humble opinion) they did it right! According to the Washington Post, “Naomi Biden was the first grandchild of a sitting president to wed at the White House.” So, she’s kind of a big deal…Let’s get into it!

^{Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP via The Washington Post}

^{Photo: John Dolan via The Washington Post}

The Ring

^{Photo: Hello Magazine via @naomibiden}

Peter George Heermann Neal proposed to Naomi with his grandmother’s gold wedding band, set with a new emerald-cut diamond. She obvi said yes, because here we are talking about the big day. Above is the selfie announcement from her IG.

Get The Look

^{Photo/Ring: Melanie Casey}

The Hair and Makeup

^{Photo: John Dolan via The Wall Street Journal}

Naomi went timeless with her hair and makeup–a clean updo with a center part for her hair and a dewy natural makeup look with a pretty pink lip.

^{Photo: Corbin Gurkin via The Wall Street Journal}

The Jewels

^{Photo/Earrings: Tiffany & Co}

She wore Tiffany pearl and diamond earrings for the ceremony and reception. They were understated and elegant which seems to be Naomi’s signature style. For the reception, she also added a pearl necklace to complement her strapless gown.

^{Photo/Necklace: Tiffany & Co}

The Veil

^{Photo: Corbin Gurkin via The Wall Street Journal}

A traditional cathedral-length veil (blusher and all) completed the ceremony look. The dramatic veil was trimmed in delicate lace appliques.

^{Photo: Corbin Gurkin via The Washington Post}

Get The Look

^{Photo/Veil: Eden Luxe Bridal}

The Dress(s)

^{Photo: Jean Roy for Vogue}

Okay, now that all that is out of the way…let’s get down to business–the dress! Or should we say dresses? Naomi took to the aisle in a custom Ralph Lauren tulle ballgown with a fitted long-sleeve lace bodice. The high lace bodice was only partially lined creating a “V” shape around her decolletage that was absolutely breathtaking! To add a little bit of a modern twist, they left the back of the bodice sheer for a little peek of skin. Admittedly, the gown was inspired by Grace Kelly’s iconic wedding gown and of all the times this gown has been referenced in bridal fashion, this has to be our favorite version (sorry Princess Kate😬).

Get The Look

^{Photo/Dress: Monique Lhuillier via Anna Bé}

Then, for the reception, Naomi changed into a minimalist mermaid gown by Alexandra O’Neill for Markarian and rocked some sheer opera gloves which made the whole look very now.

^{Photo: Corbin Gurkin via The Wall Street Journal}

Get The Look

^{Photo/Dress: Alexandra Grecco via Lovely Bride}

^{Photo/Gloves: Alexandra Grecco}

The post Naomi Biden’s Big White [House] Wedding appeared first on Weddingchicks.

Bennifer is back (and official) and at least this one thing is right with the world–something had to give. I think we can speak for us all when we say, dang…JLo (or should we say JAf) looked insanely good! But, honestly, we wouldn’t expect anything less. Jen carefully selected each of her two looks. One of her dresses was an Alexander McQueen gown from a 2004 collection that was used in the promo images for Jersey Girl starring (you guessed it) Jen and Ben. Then, for their elopement in the Vegas landmark, the Little White Wedding Chapel, JLo wore a long sleeve off-the-shoulder lace gown from Zuhair Murad who designed some looks for her recent film, Marry Me. And while it is impossible for us mere mortals to compete with a goddess, we can try. Get the look with these JLo-inspired gowns. 

Craving more celeb inspo? Join us down the rabbit hole with this article about how to score Kourtney Kardashian’s non-traditional wedding look for under $1,000. Or, get some inspo for your own elopement with this paparazzi-inspired shoot. 

instagram post

^{Photo: On the JLo via TMZ}

Look 1

^{Photo/Dress: Jenny by Jenny Yoo via Martha Stewart}

^{Photo/Dress: Bliss by Aire Barcelona via The Boutique and Co.}

^{Photo/Dress: Sareh Nouri via Martha Stewart}

^{Photo/Dress: Elbeth Gillis via Belle the Magazine}

^{Photo/Dress: OhMyGown}

Look 2

^{Photo/Dress: Zuhair Murad via Vogue}

^{Photo/Dress: Berta}

^{Photo/Dress: Luisa Sposa via Wedding Inspirasi}

^{Photo/Dress: Wona Concept via Wedding Dresses Guide}

^{Photo/Dress: Zuhair Murad via Martha Stewart}

The post Get JLo’s Elopement Looks That Have Everyone Talking appeared first on Weddingchicks.

Whenever one of the royals ties the knot, the whole world goes into a frenzy…not about the flowers or the cake, but about THE DRESS! And it doesn’t stop after the wedding, in fact, there are royal wedding dresses from the past that still make the cut for modern brides’ “Dream Dress” Pinterest boards. So, which gown still gets the most google hits? Well, let’s do a recap of some of our faves and see if you can guess right… Working our way from the most current royal wedding: 

Princess Beatrice of York 

^{Photo: Benjamin Wheeler via Town and Country Magazine}

For her mid-COVID wedding, Princess Beatrice of York wore a beautiful vintage gown by Norman Hartnell loaned to her by the Queen herself. The lovely beaded bodice is true to the original design and organza puff sleeves were added upon the princess’s request, making it very of the moment. 

^{Photo: Benjamin Wheeler/PA Images/Alamy via Town and Country Magazine}

Meghan Markle 

^{Photo: Getty Images via Town and Country Magazine}

For her dream gown, the Duchess of Sussex looked to the house of Givenchy. She went with a sleek, minimalist gown for the ceremony, with ¾ length sleeves and a silhouette that rode the line between trumpet skirt and A-line. In a bold move, Meghan Markle went sleeveless for her second dress, rocking a high-neck halter gown by Stella McCartney. 

^{Photo: Steve Parsons via Brides.com}

Kate Middleton 

^{Photo: Getty Images via Town and Country Magazine}

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is probably the first royal wedding that most millennials and Gen Zs remember. Kate turned to Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen to create her dream gown. The dress, with its fitted lace bodice, full satin gazar skirt, and dramatic two-meter train definitely made its mark on fashion history. 

^{Photo: Getty Images via Town and Country Magazine}

Princess Diana 

^{Photo: Hulton Archive / Getty Images via Tatler.com}

Talk about staying power, we’re still talking about Princess Diana’s epic wedding gown long after her untimely passing. For her wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales, Lady Diana Spencer wore an ivory silk taffeta ballgown designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel with an unheard-of 25 ft long train! The gown sported dramatic oversized sleeves and ruffles that sparked a new trend in weddings worldwide. 

^{Photo: PA media via BBC}

^{Photo: Fox Photos / Getty Images via Today.com}

So, who do you think pulls in the most google hits? In a recent study by Wealth of Geeks, our girl Meghan Markle takes the win with 51,000 monthly searches on average, followed by Kate Middleton with 47,000, and their fashion icon of a mother-in-law taking third place with 30,000 hits a month forty years after her wedding! 

GIF: WeHeartIt

Need more royal wedding inspiration, check out this floral fairytale garden wedding or this elegant wedding in Croatia! 

The post Which Royal Fashion Icon Has The Most Googled Gown? appeared first on Weddingchicks.

A little over a year ago, we made a decision that was destined to change our lives forever. When we decided to follow the path that God had laid out for us and launch our own athletic line, we had no idea of the journey we were about to embark on. Now, 365 days later, we find ourselves filled with love, pride, and gratitude for what we’ve been able to accomplish. In honor of this incredibly significant milestone, we’ll be sharing our success storyline thus far, including how we started, what we’ve done, and our plans for the next year.

The Beginning

Shortly after our wedding in February of 2020, as we all know, COVID struck, and with it came unprecedented hardships and difficulties. We experienced our own struggles when Shaun was unexpectedly laid off from his job. This time in our life was filled with uncertainty, but it also carried an unexpected blessing with it. God put it into our hearts to do something that would create a lasting legacy for ourselves and our families: follow our dream of creating an all-inclusive, Black-owned athleticwear line. Thus, on the anniversary of our engagement, Maye-Williams Active was born.

The First Year

This year has been one filled with hard work, lessons learned, and countless blessings. Since its founding, Maye-Williams Active has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Business Insider, and Women’s Health Magazine, as well as in articles for Sezzle and Yahoo Mail. Additionally, we’ve joined Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator Program, dedicated to helping grow and sustain Black entrepreneurs like ourselves, and were nominated for Business of the Year by the San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce.

We’ve participated in amazing partnerships as well. We took part in a pop-up with LA Fitness and, most recently, had the opportunity to partner with Space Jam: A New Legacy. In celebration of the movie’s release, we provided our Maye-Williams Active™ Basketballs for the event’s dunk contest and shootouts. We met and shared our story with the film’s director, Malcom D. Lee, and his wife, who were both incredibly kind and supportive of our journey thus far. As die-hard lovers of basketball, this was an unforgettable opportunity and moment that’s we’ll always treasure.

We had the amazing opportunity to partner with Shopify and produce an ad for their platform, as well as a feature on their home page. The ad even surpassed 11 million views on Facebook alone! This project truly felt like the perfect culmination of our first year in business.

And last, but certainly not least, are our amazing customers. None of these accomplishments and opportunities could have been achieved without you. The reviews we’ve received on our products have been a driving force that keeps accelerating us on the path to success.

What’s Next for Maye-Williams Active

With all of these accomplishments and more under our belt, we couldn’t be more excited to embark on chapter 2 of the Maye-Williams journey. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store for our second year of business.

First, one of this year’s primary focuses will be growing our brand, building our team, and continuing the never-ending path to growing as business owners. By continuing to build upon these foundational aspects of our business, we hope to invite even more incredible opportunities going forward.

In addition, we’ll be looking into building connections with big-box retailers, along with joining fitness expos, farmer’s markets, and pop-up shops. We also plan to partner with more gyms and yoga studios over the next year.

Lastly, we aim to continue going above and beyond in providing the world with inspiration to be a better, more inclusive space. We do this by providing representation for all people, regardless of gender, race, or body type, and continuing to create apparel that our family (customers) loves.

Here’s To the Next Year

Again, a huge thank you to our loyal customers who have made this exciting year possible. We can’t wait to see where the next year takes us and couldn’t be more grateful to have you all with us along for the ride. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Now, let’s get to work on creating another amazing year to #StayActive!

The post How it Started VS. How it’s Going appeared first on Weddingchicks.

Maintaining a positive mindset is important in so many ways and can apply to all areas of your life at any stage. Be sure to take a few minutes to read this very wholesome and informative article by personal development expert Rob Roberts giving tips to maintain a positive mindset. Who knows, maybe it will encourage you to change your mindset or at least start looking at situations in a different and more positive way. Happy reading!

CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK

Maintaining a positive mindset is very important, we could dig in to the philosophy of psychology and even theory of mind but to simplify it we could start by changing the way we think. Developing the tools and the skills that we need to have emotional intelligence is very important. 

Emotional intelligence is essential. This is our capacity to be aware and in control of our emotions, this allows us to develop a better understanding in knowing how to handle our interpersonal relationships empathetically and with good judgment.

Say for example, you’re driving down the street and someone cuts you off on the road, and to add insult to injury, you observed them display an obscene and inappropriate hand gesture as they are yelling profane words at you.

At that point you can have two choices. One you could choose to get angry, frustrated, or retaliate and possibly have a road rage incident, or two we could say to ourself, wonder if this person is rushing themself to the hospital and having a medical emergency. Maybe this gentlemen’s wife is in the back seat pregnant and in active labor and he is not in the right frame of mind.

By changing your mindset and changing the way you think you now will know how to be able to maintain a positive mindset with any stimulus or circumstance.

By developing emotional intelligence, we now will have the skills that will allow us to have confrontational avoidance, so this way we will realize that a bull dog can beat a skunk any day of the week but the question is, is it really worth the stink.

Change the way we see things

Changing the way we see things is very important. Celebrating our small victories in our life and throughout the day is vital as we need to pay attention to the way that we see things. Life is based on our perception and perspective.

“You will see molehills or mountains depending on the lens you choose to look through.” –

As we began to change the way we see things, we will learn how to separate fact from fiction and understand that you can only control what you can control.

Say for instance after a nice weekend, but for some reason on that Sunday afternoon or evening some people develop stress and anxiety and find themselves dreading that upcoming Monday. Some people even call Monday’s blue Monday or Monday blues. As we change the way that we see things we will realize that Mondays are beautiful. We may realize that Mondays are like having a fresh start, or the ultimate reset button, it is a chance to set the tone for the week.

Changing the way you see things can also be applied to the way we see the weather. We cannot control the weather, so why are we getting upset or frustrated about the weather. If you ask someone “How are you doing today?” You may hear a person respond in a downtrodden voice, “Well, it’s raining to day.” Just because it is raining, we should not allow that to control or dictate our mood, attitude or behavior. As we began to change the way we see things we will realize that a rainy day is enjoyable, it provides the soil, plants, fruits, vegetables the nutrients it needs to flourish. As we began to change the way we see things, we will see ourselves and the world around us differently.

Change the way that we speak

We have to realize that words are powerful. We need to be aware of the words that we say to others, as well as the words that we say to ourselves. We need to (Pay attention to the tension) Sometimes we need to take a moment to make a conscious effort to listen to ourselves and cross-examine our inner voice to avoid any negative self-talk, that can lead to self-sabotage.

Sometimes you may hear people say phrases like, I am such a klutz, I’ll never lose this weight, I can’t do it, there’s no use, or I’ll never be in a relationship. By saying these words internally or externally it will damage your self-esteem, destroy your confidence and steal your joy.

We also need to pay particular attention to words and phrases that have a negative connotation associated with it. For example, if you are on the phone with someone and you had to place them on hold for a moment.

When you return back to them, instead of saying, “I’m sorry for the delay”, you could say, “Thank you for your patience”. In this situation you can simply replace the word sorry with the word thank you.

Say if you made a mistake and missed something, instead of saying, “I’m sorry I missed that”, you could say, “Nice catch thanks for letting me know”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6t1RT7s-XU&t=20s

Another statement that has a negative connotation is when someone would say at the end of a sentence, the phrase “Does that make sense”, or “If that makes sense?”, or “makes sense.” I don’t know when people started doing this but it became very catchy when people started to say, “If that makes sense?” not only does that term have a negative connotation associated with it but it creates doubt and uncertainty. This phrase can also cause an emotional trigger in the person that is listening to you. When thinking about communication as it relates to the sender and receiver, it is not just about what you say it is about how it is received and interpreted.

If a person hears the phrase “If that make sense?” said to them they may feel disrespected. We should try to avoid that term and its variations due to the negative connotation associated with it. One may feel as if someone saying this term, is implying that they don’t have the ability to comprehend or understand what they are saying, they may feel belittled, talked down to, degraded, or as if the person saying this term is acting like they are superior. This statement may also tell the listener that you are not confident and that you may not fully understand the thought or idea that you are trying to convey. Many people may look at the person saying this phrase and its variations as if they are being arrogant, snobbish, condescending and patronizing.

Instead of saying the phrase, “If that makes sense, we could simply say, “let me know if you have any questions”. By saying this you will have a more positive connotation associated with your words.

We are all a work in progress. In order to maintain a positive mindset, we have to put these steps in to practice internally so that it can show out externally. It’s almost like looking for love, everyone’s trying to look for love but if you’re not full of love then you’re not over flowing with it to give it to someone else.

The post Tips on How to Maintain a Positive Mindset appeared first on Weddingchicks.

When we were all stuck at home last summer, the season quickly became a time to make big changes in our homes – after all, if we were going to be hunkering down and eating, working, sleeping, relaxing, shopping, doing essentially everything under one roof, things needed to be in tip-top shape in our humble abodes in order to make it happen (and successfully, at that). This summer, though, we’re feeling like our collective objectives are more in the home refresh arena. We’re doing things and making updates to our respective places to put smiles back on our faces, and it’s a great thing after such a tumultuous page turn from 2020 to 2021. So, if you’ll be making over your home base any time soon or bringing in some touches to add a breath of fresh air and new life to your household, you have to get to know Unison.

The brand has been around for a decade and a half, but its ‘modern, yet timeless’ ethos is still a mainstay

Founded 15 years ago by Robert and Alicia Segal, Unison is a brand rooted in the belief that good design integrates well in any home when it blends both modern and traditional interiors. The Segals and the Unison team think that pieces should work in multiple ways, and that there’s tremendous merit in living lightly in our homes and on the planet. So, from a bedding and throw pillow design partnership catalyst in Chicago in 2006, Unison has expanded into a community of customers, artistic collaborators, and internal team members who all share the same life-beautifying and life-sustaining values.  

Unison maintains a start-to-finish focus on integrity and transparency, along with an unwavering commitment to superior labor conditions and responsible manufacturing. And these core tenets inform the way the brand approaches partners and expansion efforts – though, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention how incredibly loyal the brand is to its original aesthetic and bestselling assortment, many of the items they started with are still available on site, because high-quality, timeless designs #NeverGoOutOfStyle. The team regularly seeks out an array of artisans and designers to continue building their comprehensive and distinctive portfolio of decor, furniture, and dining pieces that infuse homes with versatile modern design.

Our founder just redid her kitchen in Nashville and she cannot wait to outfit the space with some unison pieces!!

In fact, she said that the unique patterns and timeless qualities of the Unison ensemble are just what she and her partner have been looking for! 

^{Photo Credit: Amy Zawacki}

Check out her gorgeous remodel and take special note of the pieces she’s especially pumped to include in her likewise minimalistic and modern eat-in kitchen.

“This kitchen remodel was inspired by my love for minimalism and fear of commitment when it comes to color. I can’t stand clutter of any kind, I like my counters clean and clear and every item in my kitchen has a purpose….

I chose to bring in color with small accessories and plants that I can easily swap out. I’m endlessly on the hunt for eye-catching pots for my plants and Unison’s planters not only look like art, but have a sleek look that would blend seamlessly into my kitchen’s design. I am really into marigold right now and have a couple accent pieces for a pop of color, but the Terrazzo Golden Tray is definitely on my wish list.” ~ Amy 

Spotlight on the Terrazzo Planters and Trays

Enjoy the unique pattern of terrazzo with the lightweight quality of resin. The tapered, geometric Terrazzo Planters feature a drainage hole and separate tray, so you can easily remove excess water. In either Salt, Agave, or Golden shades, these planters can provide an accent to your existing collection or function as solo statement pieces. Mix and match them with the 13.75″ Terrazzo Trays for a stunning terrazzo statement. The trays are backed with all-natural cork, so you won’t have to worry about scratching your furniture. Place them on your vanity or your coffee table to display perfume bottles, candles, or fresh flowers in your matching planters. 

^{Tray: Terrazzo Agave Tray 13.75”}

“All of the items in this kitchen are very intentional and functional, I don’t buy or display anything I won’t use daily or weekly. You won’t find any china or fine silver in this kitchen. All of my flatware is hidden away in a drawer, but I do love to entertain. The Bistro Black Flatware and Serveware would be the perfect addition to the places I set on my quartzite island that doubles as a dining table with seating for eight.”

^{Flatware: Bistro Teak 5PC Flatware Set}

Spotlight on the bistro flatware and serving utensils

Your chosen place setting is a quintessential style statement. Choose the Bistro 5-Piece Flatware Set, and you’re making a classically modern statement. Inspired by the clean-smart style of classic Parisian bistros, this French designed set is sharp, strong, and crisply modern. In warm ivory, elegant black, or gorgeous teak, the Bistro Collection is an inviting and versatile addition to your family tablescape. Complete the look with the matching 2pc Serve Set, Spreader and Pie Server. 

^{Flatware: Bistro Black 5PC Flatware Set}

“Since our cabinets were DIY, we were able to customize every aspect. I opt for drawers rather than doors for the lower cabinets so all kitchen items and tools would be easily accessible and tucked away. I kept one upper cabinet as an open shelf to display cookbooks and dinnerware…

^{Photo Credit: Amy Zawacki}

The Falcon Enamelware in Black would actually be the perfect set for my open shelving, it fits my aesthetic of being pleasing to the eye and 100% functional.” ~ Amy 

Spotlight on the Falcon Enamelware 

Falcon’s comprehensive approach to its enamelware range made it fitting for Unison’s assortment, because every day is special. Highlighting the essence of the materials, strength and simplicity, its lasting quality lies in its nostalgic charm, yet modern approach. Moreover, Falcon Enamelware has been an icon of British home life since the 1920s, and with good reason. The porcelain enamel coating is fused onto heavy-gauge steel to deliver enduring strength and smoothness. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 530 degrees Fahrenheit. The final result = a look that reflects iconic British design and iconic mod, no matter the continent. 

^{Dinnerware: Falcon White 12PC Dinnerware Bundle}

^{Dinnerware: Falcon Black 12PC Dinnerware Bundle}

^{Photo Credit: Amy Zawacki}

And if it’s your bedroom that needs some extra love rn, Unison has picks to please there too! 

Here are a few of our favorites! 

Spotlight on the Stitch Bedding

^{Duvet Cover: Stitch Pewter + White Reversible Duvet Cover}

The original fan favorite, Unison’s Stitch duvet cover features an exclusive micropattern that brings harmony to the bedroom. Made in Portugal of 100% cotton percale, these machine-washable duvet covers, with button closure and four corner ties, are reversible and coordinate with the brand’s Stitch sheets and pillowcases. Mix, match, and rest happy! 

Spotlight on the Makaua Loma Baskets

^{Baskets: Makaua Loma Baskets}

What stands out to us about the Makaua Collection is the clarity of the natural palm. The application of color adds a border that makes it feel graphic, without diminishing the material. The combination of traditional artisan techniques with this level of refinement (they’re each hand braided in Mexico by craftspeople who have been perfecting their skills and talent for generations) makes the baskets objects with meaning and purpose.

Spotlight on towels from Mini grid black to Milano gray 

Offered in classic solids and signature patterns, Unison’s machine-washable bath towels are made in Portugal of soft, absorbent 100% cotton and are Oeko-Tex® certified — responsibly made and safe from harmful chemicals. We want all of them, from the Stitch Black + White stack to the Logan White bundle. 

Help Unison celebrate 15 years of modern-timeless design mastery 

Shop the Anniversary Sale now thru 7/18 and receive 15 percent off with promo code “UNISON15.” Note, this campaign excludes sale items and gift cards and cannot be combined with other offers. 

Follow along with Unison Home on IG to see how it’s possible to #liveinunison 

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We partnered with Unison to bring you details on the brand’s modern and timeless school of thought on design, plus an amazing sale to celebrate their 15th anniversary. As always, thanks for supporting our sponsors!

The post Doing Any Home Refreshing This Summer? If So, Unison Is About To Become Your New Favorite appeared first on Weddingchicks.

Trusting our instincts and figuring out what’s right for US

If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we need to prioritize ourselves more and find things that work for our lives, specifically. More than ever before, weddings don’t have a ‘standard’ that they have to meet, the occasion can be whatever the couple wants for their special day – without any judgment or unsolicited advice. This also means that brides don’t have to welcome 2021 (a year we’ve all been waiting for since March) with a crazy set of expectations to live up to: how much weight they need to shed before the wedding, how flawless their faces need to be to have a ‘perfect’ wedding day complexion, how thoughtful they should be about every single solitary wedding decision. They just need to be happy and content with how it all lands for them and how quickly or slowly they get there.

About that diet? Or those high hopes that by the wedding, I’ll fit into my dress without bumps, I won’t need to make any dramatic alterations, I won’t need to cut out all of the [food] loves of my life to banish any potential for bloat on the big day. Let the pressures get wiped out like the pandemic hopefully will be soon, because there’s a better way to do it and it doesn’t involve shame or painful deprivation. 

Intermittent fasting that isn’t set up to fail

You’ve heard the buzz words before, but this is what it means. Intermittent fasting is a healthy, sustainable way to stay smart about what you’re putting into your body and make sure what’s going in is doing the most for your energy levels, your happiness, and your overall health. Fastful was actually imagined and brought to market by a team that included a recent bride who struggled with an autoimmune disorder brought on by an impossible wedding diet. She felt tremendous pressure and disappointment in the lead up to her wedding, so she and the rest of the crew made the ballsy big-picture decision to change the script for good.

Fastful pre-fasting nutrition bars are packed with superfoods and micellar casein-charged slow-release protein, along with a perfect blend of satisfying fiber and healthy fats. These innovative bars work by optimizing your macronutrients, thus keeping you fuller, longer. They can be enjoyed following a meal and right before you begin your fast, which should be easier and a lot more attainable in greater stretches. And there’s no ‘right’ way to start either: whether you’re anticipating your fast with a healthy, low-calorie salmon dinner or indulging in your favorite pizza (which is called for sometimes when you’re wedding planning or doing anything particularly toilsome, like preserving your sanity while the world wages on through a pandemic), Fastful bars will ensure that your macronutrients are doing what they need to do so you’re never left feeling hangry.

Unlike a diet, which pretty much prescribes neglect and withdrawal, Fastful helps you get pumped and feel supported as you go into your fast. And it leaves you with a good taste in your mouth, too, which is more than we can say about other modes of ‘getting ready for the wedding.’ There are numerous benefits of intermittent fasting, including increased energy, improved cardiovascular function, and much more. And if you’re interested in starting, consult your physician first and then work up to your tailored comfort level. Like we said earlier, this year we learned to fine-tune our routines to meet our individual and personal lifestyles; we can find a system that works for us and if that means starting with smaller fasting periods and then gradually extending them, then by all means, we’ll do it.

All bars are Non-GMO, gluten free, no soy, no sugar added, egg free, vegetarian, and they’re offered in Chocolate Brownie, Blueberry Muffin, and Chocolate Peanut Butter… Which is great, because if you’re a bride who doesn’t like brownies, we can’t be friends 😉.

A little something to help you stick to that resolution

Receive 15 percent off your first purchase with the promo code “WEDDINGCHICKS” at checkout. Try the new way to fast! 

We partnered with Fastful to share a delicious way for brides to kick off their #2021bridegoals. As always, thank you for supporting our sponsors!

The post This New Year’s Resolution for 2021 Brides Doesn’t Involve Dieting appeared first on Weddingchicks.

Engaged to Entrepreneur

Mycah and Shaun were all set to have the wedding of their dreams and COVID stepped in to change their plans for the better. Read on to hear more about Mycah and Shaun from engagement to wedding planning to launching a business using their wedding fund. Get ready to be inspired and get inspired to move your body and look damn good while doing it in Maye Williams Active! Keep reading to hear more from Mycah.

While on vacation in Cabo San Lucas last year, my partner of three years asked me to marry him! We met on Instagram after he was liking all of my photos back to back. When I checked to see who was blowing up my notifications, I saw this cute guy who I thought was posing with his thumbs up. I thought it was adorable and a little nerdy which I love, so I slid in his DMs and said “Why don’t we know each other?”. His reply, “I don’t know, but we can make it happen”. Fast forward to 2019, Shaun planned an amazing surprise proposal by flying my family and my best friend, who I had not seen in two years, to Cabo and asked me to marry him at the Sunset Monalisa Restaurant. Of course, I said yes! 

We are definitely travel buffs (Shaun took me to Palm Springs on our first date) and after traveling to Arizona, Cuba, and Miami for a few weeks following our engagement, I finally began planning our wedding. I had envisioned two beautiful weddings. One in the States for our family and friends who did not want to travel, and a beautiful destination wedding in Paris! We had tickets booked, honeymoon plans to go to Dubai and Bahamas, and venues on reserve. But, sadly COVID-19 pulled the plug on our big plans, as it has done for many couples during this time. 

At first we were a little sad and lost as to what the next step of our wedding plans would be, but that didn’t stop us from making something great out of an unfortunate situation. We decided to hold a small civil ceremony on February 20, 2020, in place of our dream wedding. The date was perfect, and by perfect I mean something we could both remember, and we were able to do it in the city we met. Sunny San Diego! 

We’re Married, Now What?

Newly married and now in quarantine, we had so many conversations about the state of the world and the future we want to build for ourselves and children one day. Through these conversations, God put it in our hearts to do something that would create a lasting legacy for ourselves and our families. The legacy is Maye Williams Active.

We founded our company THE MAYE-WILLIAMS CO. LLC in 2018, as a way to build our legacy as individuals, a couple, and a family. We did not know what project we wanted to start first, but we knew we wanted to make a difference! While researching mainstream activewear companies, we found that they lacked diversity and representation. Two years later, we got married in a civil ceremony in 2020. We had to cancel our large wedding ceremony due to COVID-19 but decided to do something with our time and a portion of our financial savings; this is when Maye-Williams Active™ came to life! “Athletics has always been very important to us.” — Shaun and Mycah Maye-Williams Shaun first touched a baseball in 10th grade. “I practiced and perfected my skills for countless hours, earned a baseball scholarship to Midland University in Fremont, NE. And became the first African-American pitcher in the school’s history.” — Shaun Maye-Williams Mycah was a gymnast growing up and went on to dance for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre for seven years, dancing in the Junior Level A Division. “We remain fitness enthusiasts to this day.” — Mycah Maye-Williams

The Smoothie Collection

We designed our business to provide top-quality sportswear and products to people of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and body types! Our all-inclusive, non-gendered products encourage everyone to get active comfortably and in style!

We decided to launch our Black-owned athletic wear line, Maye Williams Active, on the anniversary of our engagement, July 24th. It was in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and so many companies had a light pointed at their lack of diversity and inclusion. We had so many late night conversations, and decided to be the change we want to see in the activewear space!

This is my personal favorite. I ordered the Avocado Bra. It arrived in a cute and not overly wasteful package with a handwritten note. I wore the Avocado Bra to spin (my new Peloton obsession) and it’s so much better than my Lululemon in comfort and support. My shoulders didn’t ache from the straps. I’ll definitely be ordering again. (Infact, I already did I ordered the Blackberry Bra and the FlexForce No-Show Socks). – Amy

We designed our business to provide top-quality sportswear and products to people of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and body types! Our all-inclusive, non-gendered products encourage everyone to get active comfortably and in style! As a model and actress in Los Angeles, I leveraged my platform and started to bring awareness about the lack of diversity in activewear and what we wanted to do about it on social media. This helped us gain the confidence to keep going!

The Earth Collection

The Earth Collection is perfect for an everyday wear day or night. It is made of soft, breathable material and has pockets!

Flexforce and Essentials

Since our launch a few weeks ago the saying, “when you make plans, God laughs”, has played through our heads many a time. We are so overjoyed and overwhelmed by the outpour of love and support from people we know and “new family” who have supported MayeWilliamsActive.com! We feel so blessed to have been able to turn these lemons into sparkling lemonade! We hope we can share some with you through Maye Williams Active!

Maye Williams Active

The post Covid Canceled Our Wedding, So We Started a Business – Maye Williams Active appeared first on Weddingchicks.