A Workout For Any Body (type) – Philadelphia Wedding and Event Planner – Angela Malicki

New Years has come and gone, and statistics say that by far the biggest goal society sets for itself is pertaining to weight loss/becoming healthier. That sounds fantastic, right? Except that year after year, we are continuing on a downwards slope into child obesity, diabetes, and overall unhealthy tendencies. It’s easy to promise yourself you are going to start eating healthy… starting tomorrow. But what about when you’ve worked late, don’t feel like cooking, and that extra-large double cheeseburger with bacon commercial pops into your head?

Even if eating healthy isn’t your strong suit, everyone can benefit from being a little more active. With summer just around the corner there are new and exciting ways to get you off that couch (you’ve already seen that episode of Maury anyway) and into a fun workout regimen, even if it doesn’t feel like you’re working out!

Pure Barre combines Pilates with moves seen in ballet. It is a great way to start toning up your body and losing extra inches, and you will start seeing improvements almost immediately! This workout is fantastic for those who want to sculpt abs, hips, arms, and their bottom. And not only are you working out your body, but you will leave a session feeling more relaxed and calm. According to the founders of Pure Barre, “the workout requires such focus that you block ‘life’ out for the hour allowing you to obtain the mental benefits achieved in yoga or meditation”. Sounds perfect.

Another new workout routine that is becoming a huge hit is something called the Lithe workout. There are many different exercises within Lithe but one of the most popular involves hoisting your body up in the air using bands attached to the ceiling. This is a fantastic workout for your core and also your arms! Similar to Pure Barre, Lithe has so many different workout plans you will be able to personalize what you want no matter if you’re a rookie or an expert.

And I’m sure many of you have already heard of the new, fast-paced sensation taking over a lot of gyms: Zumba. It involves many different forms of salsa, hip hop, martial arts, samba, and even a touch of belly dancing. Zumba will get your heart pumping and you’ll lose those calories before you even realized it! This is a great idea for those who “hate working out”, grab a few girl friends and enroll in a class! You can lose yourself in the music and not even realize the session is over until the music has stopped and realize you’re the only way still shaking your hips.

Summer brides still have plenty of time to get in shape before your big day. For the extra motivation and get the most out of a workout, when you don’t have tons of time think about doing a few sessions with a personal trainer. Explain what you want to focus on and when your wedding date is so they know ahead of time your goals and schedule. A lot of gyms actually have training packages created for brides and their whole wedding party. If a personal trainer seems a little out of your price range, grab your brides maids and see if the gym will offer you a discount if you all want a session. A lot of times, trainers can offer you a deal or even a free session if you refer someone to them, and you’re whole bridal party will feel and look beautiful on your wedding day! Angela has actually started a fantastic workout routine with a fantastic trainer and is already feeling better and seeing results. If you live in the Philadelphia area and are looking for trainer who is motivating and enthusiastic, email Jay Nelson at jaysinternet@msn.com. Angela personally recommends him herself!

Hope to see you all out and about this spring/summer!

Xoxo

Rachel

Pinterest, your new obsession -Philadelphia Wedding and Event Planner – Angela Malicki Events

Hi there!

Want to know 52 ways to use dish washing liquid other than cleaning dishes? How about how to make a dress from an old scarf ? Who wouldn’t like this handy information right at their fingertips? I’m sure most of you by now know what Pinterest is and most likely already have an account, but for those who don’t Pinterest in a website where you can find anything from hair style tutorials to best athletes of 2011. You can collect items that interest you and “pin” them to your virtual pinboard, organizing them in categories such as “dream homes that I would never be able to afford” to “recipes that are 2 million+ calories a bite” and everything in between. If you’re crafty and like DIY projects, Pinterest will be your Heaven. There are hundreds of ideas to keep you busy for hours on a rainy day. Not crafty? How about planning that big day and still need some last minute details to make your wedding one of a kind. Pinterest has an entire wedding and events category including adorable bridesmaid gift ideas (personalized hangers to hang their dresses on- cute!) and creative Save the Date invite ideas.

Imagine all of your brilliant ideas when it comes to your dream wedding in one place! The virtual pin board captures everything from color schemes to dress designs. If you see a dress you like, simply click the image and it will automatically take you to the site where it can be found. Pinterest is a fantastic way to stay on top of the trends and find out what’s popular. You can even search your favorite stylist/celebrity/whoever and find out everything there is about them! Search Kim Kardashian and you’ll find everything from makeup tutorials to the hottest pair of pumps she was last seen in.

Once you see a post you like or find interesting, simply click it and the site will ask if you want to “like” it, “repin”, or “comment”. If you click “repin” you can then choose the board you want to add it to. Everytime you repin a post others who are following you and are on the site will be notified there is a new “pin” on the homepage. Obviously the more diverse your pins and how often you repin, you can gain more followers.

If you are interested in joining you have to submit an invitation and the website typically takes about a week to get back to you (for some odd reason you can’t just click a button to join, you have to request an invite and wait for them to respond). If you are really impatient like me, find a friend who has a Pinterest account and ask them to email you an invite and you will be able to log in right then and there.

Happy Pinning!

xoxo

Rachel

Tis The Season – Philadelphia Wedding and Event Planner – Angela MALICKI Events

With Halloween over and Thanksgiving just a couple of weeks away, it is time to start thinking about the upcoming Holiday season.  November and December is filled to the brim with Holiday parties, shopping and decorating that it’s hard to find time to just enjoy that peppermint mocha you have been waiting all year for. We are here to tell you that this year Angela MALICKI events would like to alleviate all that stress in your life and help you with your various holiday tasks.  I don’t mean that we can cook that Thanksgiving turkey for you or shop for your sons Christmas presents, but we can plan that Holiday party you have always wanted to throw or decorate your home to look like a winter wonderland.

We know how arduous it is to carry all those decoration boxes up from the basement, and getting your husband to help decorate is next to impossible when the game is on. So instead, relax, and let us  do the dirty work and decorate your home from top to bottom. We would love the opportunity to show our design skills and to come into your house to decorate for this upcoming holiday season. Everything from top to bottom can be/will be decorated and you will swear that Christmas elfs have come into your home and performed this wintry transformation. While we are available to do the entire interior, those outside holiday globes and icicle lights are best left to your husband once the game is finally over. We promise once we have decorated your home with holiday flair, you will begin to ask yourself why you haven’t hired us ages ago.

In addition to “decking the halls,” we are also available to plan and throw holiday parties.We use the same design aspect we do in everyone’s home to throw glamorous and sparkling holiday affairs. Being that we are first and foremost an events company, we have the experience to throw that holiday party you have always wanted to and we are positive we know how to make your friends jealous. Whether you want us to plan the whole evening or just be in the background the day of, we are able and willing to assist you in whatever party needs you may need.

The months of November and December are some of the most exciting and hectic months of the year, so before it gets even busier, grab those adorable Starbucks holiday cups and enjoy that peppermint mocha you have been waiting all year for.

Be sure to check us out in Philadelphia Magazine next month, in their Holiday Gift Guide section, along with other local business owners.

xoxo

Ang and Trisha

“What do you mean you don’t eat MEAT-that’s OK, I’ll make Lamb for you! Wedding and Event Planner-Angela MALICKI events

Growing up Greek, Easter was a big “to do” holiday for the orthodox religion, from the week long services to the grand finale Saturday midnight mass. There is nothing like it. But what is also a big tradition for us is the Pasha (Easter) meal. Traditional Greek dishes include “The Lamb” – this is the main part of our feast. check out the film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” when the aunt introduces the “meat” to the soon to be groom,Ian, a vegetarian, and comes to find out that “meat” is not his thing. Well, you know the reaction that all the Greeks had (or not, check out the film).

(clearly my egg was not the survivor of this cracking challenge-better luck next year)

Other traditional foods include the “Magiritsa”, a lemon-cream soup made form the lambs sweetmeats. Dyed eggs are common in both religions, however our “Kokkina -red dyed eggs” are found at every table and is tradition for each person to crack an egg with one another. This symbolizes the Christ breaking from the Tomb. The person that outlasts with out a cracked egg, they will have good luck for the rest of the year. My other favorite parts are the sweets! Greek easter cookies – “Kouloura” and Sweet bread known as “Tsoureki or Challah Bread”. There is no other feast like this one. To complete this tradition, you need some good retsina, ouzo, a bouzouki and music. And remember,  food that is rejected or not eaten at a Greek house, will not only insult the host, but also bring them bad luck. So bring an empty stomach!

(Cousin Connie’s Greek Salad – looks and tastes FABULOUS!)

Tradtional Greek Salad:

Romanine Lettuce – chopped very thin

Vine Ripened Tomatoes (grown locally)

Kalamata Greek Black Olives

Scallions or Large Sweet Onion

Cucumbers (optional)

Traditional Greek Feta (do not be fooled by other brands)

Salt,Pepper, Oregano

Dressing:

Olive Oil, balsamic vinger, lemon salt, pepper and oregano

mix well!

Xristos Anesti!