Let's Hear It For The Bride: Guam Based Lifestyle Blogger

I'm so excited to write about this previous client, Abby Himes.  One of the best parts of my job is creating friendships with my couples and then staying in touch after the wedding.  I've actually know Abby since high school and she hired me to help plan her stateside wedding while she was living in Guam with her Navy husband Chris after they were married in a 2009 civil ceremony.  Their vow renewal/ "family & friends" wedding was held on October 3, 2010 and she has contributed to some guest posts (here and here) on her experience.  While moving half the way across the world might seem impossible to some people, Abby has taken on the challenge head on and has inspired me along the way.

Abby started a blog to log all of her adventures when she first moved to Guam after Chris' initial deployment in May 2009.  Just in the past few months she has moved/ updated to a new blog, Seaweed & Sassafras.  I subscribe to S&S on my Google Reader and it has become one of my favorite lifestyle blogs!  It is a fun and info packed blog with great posts on shopping, healthy recipes, travel and eco friendly issues close to Abby's heart.  I have to admit that posting is a huge task to keep up with and Abby's posts always make me want to make time right then & there to work on the FCW blog.  This post showcases her love of running (she ran a half marathon last year!) and has great ideas for gear including a super useful water bottle that I'm pretty in love with.  Oh and she posted this week that she is offering a Cuisinart Giveaway, you know, just because she is awesome.

And in case you needed more evidence of awesome, Abby is featured in Fitness Magazine's 12 Healthy Success Stories!  While she has always been fit, in the article Abby discusses how moving to Guam inspired her to try different fitness activities outside her comfort zone.  She went from the elliptical machine to zip lining, hiking and running lots of races like that half marathon.  Trying new fitness activities sure beats a treadmill slump!  Be sure to check her blog out and I know you won't be disappointed. 

Valentine's Day Food, From Dawn To Dusk

In this economy, a lot of couples are gifting more thoughtful, handmade gifts and gestures in lieu of expensive gifts.  One such path is to cook up your gift for Valentine's Day.  Whether you are celebrating the love day this coming weekend or on the actual day (next Tuesday), these recipes are sure to impress your sweetheart and stay light on your budget. 

Breakfast

Put a lovey twist on a breakfast favorite by trying out these cranberry buttermilk heart pancakes.  Breakfast in bed never looked so good! 

Lunch & Dinner

With the variety of lunch and dinner options available, there are two ways you can go: make your lovebug's favorite meal and/or make everything in the meal shaped like hearts.  I can't predict the favorite recipe part but I can give a few ideas for heart shaped food.  Sounds silly but that little extra effort can make a huge impact like the heart shaped cheese and pepperoni pizza... super cute!

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