Category: Recipes Typically when I make meatballs I use either ground chicken or ground turkey, but recently I like to mix two types of ground meat to make one recipe and this week I used chicken and beef.
Category: Recipes Did you ever just look into your fridge and find a bunch of "stuff" and decide to just put it all together and see what comes out? Are you sometimes surprised with how amazing the dish turns out to taste?
Category: Wedding Tips If your wedding color palette includes blush pink, rose gold, ivory and cream I figured I would share my wedding day flower photos to share with you all to give you some inspiration.
Category: Primary Menu Life Lessons Losing a parent is one of the hardest things I think any child will ever go through. If you were to ask me as a child, as a teenager and even in my 20's what my biggest fear in life was I would have instantly told you "losing my mother."
Category: Primary Menu Life Lessons A few days ago I had an appointment with a dermatologist to discuss a tiny bump that I have had on my nose for the last 3 years.
Category: Recipes If you're looking for a sweet treat that is packed with goodness then this recipe is right up your alley! I recently got my hands on BSN Syntha 6 Peanut Butter Cookie protein and I've been working up a ton of recipes to make with it.
Category: Recipes A tasty recipe for muffins made with protein powder, peanut butter and some other good for you ingredients. Swap your morning muffin for one of these. Most of the muffins you find in the convenience store are probably one of the worst things you can grab on the go.
Category: Recipes Using your Nutribullet and organic greens and fruits, this juice is sweet and savory for either a morning breakfast swap or post workout! It uses glutamine, recovery powders from RSP Nutrition and greens powder for even more nutrients!
Category: Primary Menu Fitness We've all been there - time to start a new diet or eating routine and we've got all the best intentions. We did our research and talked to friends, even read some magazines and listened to various TV shows...but sometimes you just can't trust the media and advertising you see.
Category: Primary Menu Product Reviews Greetings my friends - it was a hectic week and for that reason my Saturday was spent doing tons of running around, errands, cleaning - the glamorous usual stuff that us adults have to do (blah!)
Category: Recipes I have become a big fan of using natural protein powders that are free of artificial sweeteners and other fillers, and I have to say that the NutriWhey by Nutriforce Sports makes a natural protein powder in flavors that I think most would enjoy.
Category: Primary Menu DIY & Tips Product Reviews If you're looking for a natural, at home facial mask to help deep clean your skin, look no further. I had recently ordered, after many rave reviews online, the Betonite Indian Healing Clay made by Aztec Secret.
Category: Fitness Product Reviews Carpe Antiperspirant Hand Lotion: The end of sweaty hands "Seize the Moment" Recently I received some great new items to add to my fitness routine to help with a variety of concerns or to help improve my workouts.
Category: Recipes I am so excited that football season is back! There is nothing I like more than Sundays with a kitchen humming, making lots of fun appetizers, dips and snacks while watching the games. Fall is also my favorite season of the year, so I am in my glory as we approach the cooler weather and weekends indoors.
Category: Fitness Product Reviews When it comes to working out one thing you always want to be sure of is making sure that what you are doing is working and helping you to reach the goals you have set for yourself.
Category: Recipes One of the best meats you can consume is grass fed organic ground beef - so this recipe includes this as well as lots of healthy ingredients and no bread crumbs! These mini meatballs are great for a high protein snack on football Sunday or any day of the week.
Category: DIY & Tips Product Reviews One of my biggest hair concerns is that end-of-the-day oily roots and hair. You know what I mean, when your hair just feels yucky due to either touching it too often or it laying on your face and absorbing oil from your skin.
Category: Recipes If there is one flavor that I love but can never find enough baking ingredients with it that are healthy, it's Red Velvet. I was very excited to get my hands on the brand new flavor of protein peanut spread from Buff Bake in Red Velvet.
Category: Recipes After so many recipes using protein powder you would think that by now I would have run out of ideas, but that is never the case in my kitchen. I am always whipping up something new, some fun way to add more protein into my diet that isn't your typical shake or smoothie.
Category: Product Reviews Recipes Get ready for all things fall with DuClaw Brewing Company Pumpkin flavored ales and brews! Perfect for football Sundays, tail gating, entertaining or using in some of your favorite fall recipes.
Category: Recipes I was so excited to finally break out my brand new Cuisinart Slow Cooker this evening and make my very first recipe. I had put this on my bridal shower/wedding registry and at first was unsure if I would get a lot of use out of it.
Category: Primary Menu My first piece of advice when it comes to having your wisdom teeth removed is to do it before you head to college. I wish that I would have had all four of my wisdom teeth removed when I was 18 years old, instead of waiting and doing them all sporadically over the course of 18-34 years old.
Category: Hair Care For years I always had long hair, it was my signature style and I loved having so many options when it came time to style my tresses. The problem was after my wedding the long hair just didn't really serve a purpose for me and being an avid gym person everyday, I was washing my hair every single morning before work.
Category: Primary Menu Product Reviews Hello ladies, it's time to talk about healthy, clear skin. It is something we all aim for, yet life and stress and hormones can surely get in the way. If you have oily skin or acne prone skin, this regiment of skin care products might just work for you.
Category: Recipes I have to admit when I wrote this title I didn't even realize just how funny it was, but then when I re-read it I had to leave it. How many times have you tried to add greens powder to your protein shake and all it did was taste like grass, literally.
Category: Primary Menu Social Media If you've never been to Austin, Texas I would suggest you add it to your bucket list as soon as possible. I was recently in this gem of a city for a social media conference and I have been to Austin a few times prior to this trip.
Category: Primary Menu Product Reviews Hello ladies, hope you've all been having an awesome week and your weekend has been super fun. Today was a day full of errands (as is my usual Saturday morning/afternoon) but while out and about going food shopping and doing all sorts of running around I had to stop at Ulta Beauty since it is right near some other stores I had to go to.
Category: Fitness Product Reviews I am excited to share that I am going to be doing a second round of the Chef V Organic Green Juice Cleanse and I have the opportunity to offer my readers a massive discount code so that you can order and do it with me!
Category: Fashion Product Reviews Fall is in full swing, and while I sometimes sit and miss the days of summer I am embracing the cool chill of Autumn and all the great fall fashions that have emerged. I would gladly trade in a bikini for some black leggings, knee boots and chunky sweaters.
Category: Product Reviews Giveaways Get rid of your winter blues with yet another amazing giveaway here on www.JerseyGirlTalk.com - I am very excited about this particular giveaway because it is from a brand I love and already shop with. A few weeks ago I posted about how much I was loving my new shampoo and conditioner regiment from Maple Holistics.
Category: Primary Menu Over the course of five days I document my use of the Chef V Organic Green Juice program with my readers - I did receive this five day cleanse free of charge in return for an open and honest review.
Category: Fitness Hello ladies, many of you have been asking me to share more of my workout routines. Many times when I share them I get a lot of emails asking what can be done at home instead.
Category: Fitness Another day, another circuit workout to share with my readers. I hope that you are able to do some of these routines at home or in your smaller gyms and be able to stick to your goals.
Category: Primary Menu New Jersey has a lot to offer, spacious townhomes, lots of greenery, and fresh air. Unfortunately for most of us, our dream job is smack dab in the middle of NYC. Before thinking you have to trade in your reasonably priced spacious apartment for an expensive shoebox in Manhattan, consider the commuter life.
Category: Fitness A complete lower body workout to target the glutes, hamstrings and also a circuit workout at the end to burn the legs, abs and triceps. A total body routine! I hope you are all enjoying the videos I have been sharing of my workouts each day!
Category: Primary Menu Fitness Recipes Trying to stick to your macros and daily calories can be challenging when you are pressed for time. Whether you work a full time job with a crazy commute, are juggling the house and kids or are in school and bouncing from class to class, let's face it - sometimes it's easier to just grab something on the go from the vending machine or local convenience store.
Category: Fashion Right now all 3 websites are having a huge sale - 40% your entire purchase, online only until tonight at midnight (11/11). I don't know about you but lately I have been getting a little tired of everything in my closet, so when I saw this deal today for some of my favorite retailers I just knew I had to share it with you all.
Category: Fashion I am very excited to let you know that beginning Friday, 11/13, Forever 21 is running a Friends & Family Sale with savings up to 20% on ALL regular priced items! This deep of a discount only happens a few times a year - so don't miss out!
Category: Fitness Another daily circuit workout to help you keep your exercise routine fun, challenging and never dull! Today we focus on upper body, core and some legs. You will do every one of these exercises back to back, going in a circle to each station and having NO rest in between.
Category: Primary Menu Fitness When it comes to reaching your daily macros (macronutrients) it's important to identify high protein foods that are clean, healthy and high in protein but not high in calories.
Category: DIY & Tips Hair Care One of my favorite "go to" hair styles lately is the loose, beachy waves that seen in every magazine, blog and red carpet. It takes less than 15 minutes for me to do this to my hair and I wanted to share a few tips and my favorite products that I use to achieve this look.
Category: Product Reviews There is nothing more exciting than going to my mailbox and finding a package filled with amazing products to try out and share my thoughts with my readers.
Category: Fitness Today's video features another full body circuit training workout. I hope you are enjoying these workouts and I would love to hear your feedback if you have been watching. I will continue to do this series since right now I do circuit workouts 3-4 times a week in conjunction with my heavier lifting 4 times a week.
Category: Primary Menu Sometimes the only thing that gets me through a busy, stressful, long day is knowing that there is a glass of delicious red wine waiting at home with my name on it. In my 20's all of my girlfriend drank white wine, but now the smell, look or taste of Pinot Grigio makes me gag.
Category: Recipes I had received this Cuisinart Slow Cooker for my bridal shower and I have to say it might be one of the best things I have ever received! I have been getting so much use out of it for making pulled chicken to chili to soup.
Category: Fitness A video that showcases my favorite ab exercises to help achieve a strong, chiseled core. These can be performed at home or at your gym but for only 20 minutes 2-3 times a week you can start to shape and grow a strong core.
Category: Fitness Recipes As many of you know from reading my blog I am a HUGE advocate of meal prepping. I don't think I would be able to stick to any kind of routine with what I eat on a daily basis if I wasn't planning and preparing for what I am going to eat daily.
Category: Primary Menu Hair Care I am very excited to announce that Drybar is coming to us ladies here in New Jersey! As a slave to blow drying my own hair almost daily it is so refreshing to know that having a Drybar within a few miles of my home is now an option.
Category: Primary Menu Life Lessons I hope that everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving holiday. For those who have had a major loss this year, losing someone you love, holidays can be really hard. This time last year my mom was going through her cancer treatment, but we still had a really nice Thanksgiving together.
Category: Primary Menu Fitness I am a big believer and advocate for taking vitamins and supplements daily as part of my routine, but when I have conversations with family or friends about their health many of them tell me "I would take vitamins but I can never remember to take them."
Category: Recipes Nothing beats fresh asparagus as a side dish or a healthy meal prep addition. One spear of asparagus is only around 3 calories but is packed with nutrition. Asparagus is a very good source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.
Category: Recipes For a long time I was, like many, scared about eating anything like oatmeal because it was "too many carbs" - fast forward to now when so many of those myths for me have been debunked. I now make sure that having carbs, and I mean GOOD carbs, are a part of my daily routine.
Category: Recipes For those of you who follow me on Instagram (@missads1981) or on Facebook (facebook.com/jerseygirltalk) I posted my meal prep from this weekend and quite a few of you asked what I made and if I could write out what each of the items was on my list.
Category: Giveaways December is the month of giving and what better time than now to surprise my readers with another big giveaway! This time it is all about beauty and fashion so I've put together some amazing products and brands that I am sure will make your holiday season merry & bright!
Category: Primary Menu Product Reviews There is nothing that gets me more merry & bright than testing out new makeup, beauty and skin care products. I recently received this gorgeous package from the kind folks at QVC just in time to do my advent calendar.
Category: Recipes Recipe: Escarole & White Bean Soup a Healthier Version Soup in the winter is my all time favorite thing - sometimes I can swap full blown meals for a huge pot of soup. It fills you up, it's nice and warm and it tastes delicious.
Category: Fitness Recipes Question: What should I eat after I workout? I get this question a lot so I figured it was time to share with you what a typical post-workout breakfast looks like for me. There are tons of great options for a healthy breakfast, but many are not optimal for goals when it comes to strength training or losing body fat.
Category: DIY & Tips Having your wedding hair trial is a must do item on any bride's check list leading up to the big day. I have just recently had my first bridal hair trial and as we tried out a few styles one thing I did not bring and should have bought was a rhinestone hair clip or comb to finish off my look.
Category: Fitness Recipes I woke up this morning and realized that spring was finally here! The sun was shining, I didn't need to run outside with the dog and throw on a winter coat, and I even got a bit of sun burn driving around with my sun roof open this weekend.
Category: Primary Menu Product Reviews Eyelashes Extensions 101 My experience with eyelash extensions - what to expect when you get your first set When I was in my 20's I couldn't complete my going out makeup with a pair of false lashes. I felt like without a pair of falsies my eyes looked naked or bare.
Category: Recipes Getting out of the house on time while still making a decently healthy and nutritious breakfast is always a challenge. I am always going a mile a minute in the morning so I have to be able to make something quick that I can also eat on the go if I need to.
Category: Primary Menu DIY & Tips Product Reviews Photography I recently have been buying more makeup products since I have decided to do my own makeup for my wedding day. As someone who does photography and also someone who has had my photo taken for shoots occasionally, I understand what kind of makeup works best for flash photography.
Category: Primary Menu Recipes I have to admit that I was not a big fan of green juices, unless they were made at Jamba Juice. When I received a for my birthday I tried green juices a few times and failed miserably. Nothing seemed to taste good to me so I just used it for my protein shakes.
Category: Fitness Recipes Healthy Haul Shopping Post - snacks, juicing and protein! Some items I recently purchased for my spring healthy eating & diet Today I stopped to pick up some more healthy snacks, protein powder, protein bars, some cooking items as well as some groceries.
Category: Hair Care They say that your hair is the crown you never take off, but for many women (myself included) sometimes we just don't have the time to polish it to look it's best everyday.
Category: Primary Menu Product Reviews I recently received a package from the fine folks at Beauty Addicts Cosmetics to test and try out some of the Hollywood Glam collection - perfect for the holiday season. I was not compensated for this review, just provided some pretty neat makeup products to test and try and then share with my readers.
Category: Primary Menu One of the things I try to do really well during the entire year is to make mental notes of everything that my friends and family say in relation to "Oh I really could use/I would really love to get ___."
Category: Hair Care A few months ago, after my June wedding, I was itching to try something new with my hair. I have always had dark, one color tresses and I wanted my wedding day look to be very glamorous and sultry. I kept my hair super long and very dark.
Category: Fitness It has been about two weeks that I had taken off from lifting and any form of working out. I was feeling extremely under the weather; I don't know if I had a cold or virus, or the weather changes here in New Jersey or just overall not getting enough sleep.
Category: Primary Menu Marriage takes a lot of hard work, being with one person day-in, day-out is no easy task, regardless of how much you love them. (Ask any couple who have been together for longer than a couple of years, and they'll tell you the same thing.)
So you've got your love, the venue, the date... but what about your best friends? Bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, and flower girl or ring bearers? The purpose of having bridesmaids or groomsmen is for those who are closest to you to show their support for you as a couple and to promise to continue to support you for the rest of your life.
"Our arms start from the back because they were once wings." - Martha Graham Where are our elegant and graceful dancer brides? We truly envy you. Whilst most of us don't have the talent, everyone can appreciate the classic beauty that is ballet.
If you're considering incorporating a pastel color into your wedding design, how about a soft lavender or lilac hue? We're inspired by the easy going, French country feel to this sweet lilac inspiration photographed by Julie Paisley.
Weddings aren't solely about the actual wedding day... part of the magic and fun of getting married is the time of celebration leading up to the big day! We love the idea of showing your best girls how much they mean to you by coordinating a special bridal brunch filled with girl time.
COMPETITION NOW CLOSED We are thrilled to begin this week with a real treat for our lovely readers! Today we're beyond excited to announce a GIVEAWAY by the generous and talented Justine Milton Photography for one lucky Wedding Sparrow couple!
We're thrilled to start this week off with a gorgeous, timeless southern wedding photographed by Michael and Carina Photography. Starting with the beautiful bride in her traditional, yet magical Essence of Australia gown, we're smitten with her entire bridal party dressed in neutral dresses.
Wow. This sweet couple, Yvette and Steven, pulled off this gorgeous and romantic blush pink wedding in a matter of three weeks (what!?). Their main priority was not a specific location nor a specific design, but rather the simple requirement to be surrounded by all of their closest friends and family.
Immediately upon receiving the email with the bride's words about this extraordinary real wedding, we were completely drawn in. Even her words and recount of the day are artistic and meaningful. We are honored and thrilled to feature this lovely organic, neutral, and intimate California wedding by the talented Diana McGregor Photography!
Wow. Today's vast and grand mountain scenery instills a deep rooted wanderlust in us. Elena Pavlova felt inspired by the idea of a pensive bride in the midst of wide open spaces and wild animals. We are so in love with this look: the wind creating movement with neutral colored foraged florals!
It is no secret that we love outdoor spaces here at Wedding Sparrow, but that is mainly due to the natural textures and light that the outdoors offer! Indoor spaces for your wedding, engagement session, or bridal portraits can be just as stunning as seen here at The Houston Studio, photographed by Wedding Sparrow favorite Morgan Gosch.
Some brides dream of a modern and stately wedding, some dream of a casual and rustic event. Then there are the brides that have always dreamed of that whimsical, romantic fairytale type of wedding. We're loving the dreamlike bridal look in this lovely "The Day Before Autumn" inspiration shoot by Kovchegin and Romanova Photography!
Today's gorgeous Italian elopement by Michael and Carina Photography feels like an old world dream. The crumbling plaster walls, the muted nature-driven color palette, and the stunning heirloom quality embellishments by Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart are giving us all the heart eyes!
Today's gorgeous mountain portrait session perfectly says simple can be stunning. We're loving the playful, relaxed, and authentic moments here courtesy of Leslie D Photography that no doubt have resulted in photographs to keep for a lifetime!
The discussion of whether to invite children to a wedding can become a heated one. In one corner, you have people (oftentimes with children of their own) who think kids add a certain magic to the atmosphere - we all saw the adorable Princes and Princesses at the Royal Wedding didn't we?
Kristi and Tim were married on the gorgeous Puget Sound waterfront in Washington state, on a city park, no less (who said park weddings can't be beautiful, right?). Kristi's gorgeous bridal look and their charming waterfront wedding venue makes this wedding a winner in our book.
We love a sweet and simple engagement session, especially when it involves the outdoors and some gorgeous engagement session outfit inspiration! When picking your engagement outfits, we suggest considering two things: whatever feels authentic and natural to you and something fairly simple.
We've had a pretty amazing year here at Wedding Sparrow HQ and the support from our brides and the fine art film photography world has just been amazing. We've travelled the globe this year meeting the world's finest vendors so we can tell you all about them and it's been a blast!
What an extraordinary way to celebrate another year of wedded bliss! Alicia and Rob jetted over to Austria for some wonderful travels and decided to document their anniversary with film photographers Michael and Carina. We love the simplicity and playfulness shown here as we're advocates of authentic and less 'staged' photo sessions.
So you're not so into the traditional look with sky high heels and a fussy full tulle ballgown? We feel you! Today we're fawning over the perfect mix of free-spirited and boho with a Moroccan flare, courtesy of film photographer Jessica Gold.
Dear brides: try not to stress out too much about your engagement session outfit. We know this is so much easier said than done, but trust us! Stick to soft, classic colors, enjoy your love's company, and run away to a uber romantic spot like Laguna's Thousand Steps Beach.
Well, these two are just the most adorable aren't they?! We instantly fell in love with the playful demeanor shown by both Meghan and Bobby and of course the gorgeous way they were captured by Wedding Sparrow favorite, Sophie Epton Photography.
Our mission over here at Wedding Sparrow HQ is to provide our amazing brides with inspiration for not just their wedding day, but inspiration for the beginning of their relationship and what it means to be wife. Today we're thrilled to feature a sweet vow renewal, captured by Heidi Lau Photography, in which we catch a small glimpse of "after the wedding".
It's that time of year again - love is in the air and soon to be brides are saying yes to a lifetime of love with their soon to be partner!Brides are always on the hunt for that perfect wedding gown that fits them like a glove, matches the feel of their wedding, and wows their love.
Bathed in sunlight and surrounded by the most beautiful forest is one amazing way to experience a bridal session! We are loving today's simple and stunning session by Kate Ignatowski and styled by Mandy Forlenza Sticos. We find most times that the simpler, the better with fewer distractions to take away from the emotive shots.
"Appreciative love gazes and holds its breath and is silent, rejoices that such a wonder should exist even if not for him, will not be wholly dejected by losing her, would rather have it so than never to have seen her at all."
OK, we have to admit. Styled shoots are great sources of wedding inspiration. There are just so many details that there is infinite ways of styling your own wedding using them as ideas and inspiration points. Taking inspiration from nature, an era of time, an object or simply an emotion, we're often wowed by the artistic nature of our talented vendors.