Author: LB Oakes

LONG OVERDUE- Ive been meaning to write this FORVER but here I am almost 6 months later doing it! Without my wedding vendors my wedding dream would never have gone into fruition.  I had a lot of questions from future brides on my vendors so I’ve made a comprehensive list for y’all! (especially good for eastern shore/md/de brides to be)!

We got married on September 7, 2019 at Brittland Manor in Chestertown, Md (my hometown)! Brittland Estates . It was a warm 78 degree and sunny day, we could not have asked for a more beautiful day!

Our wedding planner was the lovely Grace Bourne and her team from Connect the Dots Events  Connect the Dots– without them, this would have never been possible. Grace and I have known each other since kindergarden which made it even more special to have her by my side for the year ❤

I kept my invitations simple and it was a great way to stay on budget (from Minted).

~Our Jeweler is the lovely DeSumma & Wexler Desumma & Wexler  located on Jewelers Row in Philadelphia.  They made the process so special for us from start to finish and I hope to be a lifelong client there (LOL).

~We used Rob Korb Photography Rob Korb Photography and without him and his team I don’t know how we would have captured such beautiful moments of our special day. Rob also was super calm during my nervousness throughtout the day 🙂

~For Catering we used a great family friend who makes the best food EVER. Magnolia Catering Magnolia CaterersYou can taste the food from my pictures ! The pictures below are from our cocktail hour and wedding cake – not even the delicious crab cake I can still taste! 

I wanted our wedding to have all the natural elements of the Eastern Shore and whimsical like florals and greenery which Steelcut Flowers Co. made into a reality. We worked with Emma and she truly was a visonary. Steelcut Flower 

Its the little details that make the big picture- I LOVEd having Slay Displays Slay Displays as a focal point at our wedding during our cocktail hour. They brought the love, literally. They traveled all the way to Maryland for our special day!

Another focal point was the flower wall we had at our reception from Dnicole Settings D Nicole  Absolutely beautiful.

Our seating chart I found a business on etsy that custom made signs and just added that element of splendor. Woodland Custom Designs Woodland Customs . Their turn around time was amazing and the sign came packaged so nicely! They had a lot of great options to choose from.  This one went with our overall theme, I absolutely loved it!

Custom Sign made for us that we used at our desert table is from Alex and Eve Occasions– how beautiful.Alex & Eve

We used Eastern Shore Tents and Events and they did a wonderful job working with us start to finish! They covered it all from tents, to chairs, to our dance floor, to our silverware.  We were able to have a beautiful sailcloth tent and it was a vision! ESTE

Other Vendors Used:

Anthony from MyDeejay My Dee Jay  who stole the show!

Hair: Roxy Brennan– IG: Rittenhouse_Roxy

Makeup: Emily Goodman – IG:beautybyemilygoodman

Transportation Limos: ZbestWorldWide ZBest

Cocktail Hour Music: Shore Strings Shore Strings

I could upload the 500+ pictures we have but that would take forever. It truly was the best day and it all came together so smoothly and seamlessly.  I wish I could replay the day!

xoxo

The feel good soup

It’s too dang cold out there so I wanted something hearty and delish to warm me up 🙂 obviously my recipe is vegetarian based but you can add sausage if you’re a carnivore.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoons of olive oil

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic

• Chopped celery, carrots (about two handfuls)

• 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

• 8 cups water

• 6 cubes vegetable bouillon (such as Knorr)

• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

• 4 white/golden potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans (drained if desired)

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

• 2 tablespoons dried parsley

• salt and pepper to taste

• Add all ingredients to list

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot; cook the onion and garlic until soft. Add in celery and carrots. Stir in the kale and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the water, vegetable bouillon, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, Italian seasoning, and parsley. Simmer soup on medium heat for 25 minutes, or until potatoes are cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bonus: toast sourdough and dip in soup!

Buon Appetit!

My decision to get a Peloton Bike (who I have now named Black Beauty- remember the book?) was one I thought about for months, and I’m glad I finally did!

My schedule is constantly changing (you can never expect how long your customer may need you for!) With that being said it’s hard for me to keep classes I’ve signed up for when my meeting runs late or the physician I need to meet with can only meet at 7 am vs 8 am now. The late window of 12 hours simply does not fit in my schedule- BRING on the late fees! I’ve occurred late fee after late fee and I finally got tired of it. I understand that studios HAVE to do this because of holding clients accountable and getting people into the classes who actually want to be there; believe me I did want to be there. Also the flexibility that it gives me to ride whenever I want. Somedays I’m out the door at 5, sometimes it’s 8. It would take me 20 minutes to get out the door, plus a 10 minute walk to studio, plus 10 minute walk home. Already I was losing a chunk of my morning. I now roll out of bed, throw on my clothes and walk to my basement and clip in. How nice!

Don’t get me wrong, I still will have my class pass going STRONG. I just now will have the majority of my workout on the bike and cross training with running. I will only attend classes when I KNOW I can be there < MAD LOVE ❤️ to all my Philly Trainers- they’re amazing and inspiring>

Being an athlete my whole life, 3rd grade to Division 1 Lacrosse; Self motivation is something that was always innate within me. I know that the mutually beneficial relationship is- what I put in is what I will get out. To me this was the best conversation you learn as an athlete. I am able to be self motivated. If you are not that person, challenge yourself to become that person but if you know the bike will sit there and collect dust, don’t buy the bike. If you want to lose weight, compete with yourself and others, or have a lifestyle that’s on the go- then I think the Peloton is a great option for you.

Here are some answers to some of the questions you may be having;

How much does the bike cost? You can buy “Basic” package which is the bike cost up front $2245 which include peloton bike, one year limited warranty and delivery and set up for $250. This does not include the shoes, weights, headphones. I was lucky and hit two out of the three and bought weights from Target for $7. You don’t necessarily need the headphones unless you’re bike is in “quiet space” of the house. The “membership” aka unlimited streaming, is $39 a month- this is also a separate cost from the bike.

The membership is no commitment deal so you can cancel at anytime! 🤔 To me that defeats the purpose when you still have the bike?

Another option is to Finance the Bike for 12 24, 39 months from that total. There are no penalties in paying off your total balance in advance.

What does the membership include? Unlimited classes, you can ride as many times as you want per day, but don’t be crazy about it. You can also stream from your iPhone or iPad while traveling. There are yoga classes streamable, HIIT, ab routines. It’s pretty legit. Work Travelers Dream!

How is the workout? I’m dead serious when I say this. I almost threw up the first time I took a class, and I workout a lot!

There are many different options of classes. If you haven’t worked out in FO EVA, they have options of training packages that aren’t the live classes. Build yourself up before you hit the hard stuff!

There are live classes where you compete with over 1000 people. You can narrow it down by age/sex etc. There are taped classes you can take if you can’t take a live one as well.

I’m really enjoying the community that Peloton has created for busy people like myself. I feel a lot more efficient in the timing of my day and schedule! Lover of fitness and health, the best investment you can make is one for yourself and for your health!

XX,

LB

…Means NEW workout GEAR. Shout-out to my first sweat of 2019 at Sculpt360!
I am a firm believer of look good feel good and vice versa.  Although, spending money on workout gear may not be your number one choice, when it comes to shopping, its my number one! I live in workout clothes and also use them as transitional pieces with Sweaters as well. (that city lyfe). Living an active lifestyle in STYLE helps me feel my best and look my best at the same time.  I wanted to share with you all my favorite pieces that are the most durable brands and you can find online.  
1. ALO YOGA 
“Studio to Street Lifestyle” Lover of their sports bras for Yoga and all things Pilates. They are gorgeous and have unique back designs along with moderate support. You are able to find them at Alo Yoga.com (usually full price, sales too), Revolve App (sales and full price) , and my FAVORITE SaksoffFifth (sales only). You’re welcome.

2. KORAL
Now let me first say these are my favorite leggings to date. Everyone ALWAYS ask where they are from and I’m reluctant to share because I feel as if they are my dirty little secret. If you don’t know, now you do.  They do not have as much compression if you are used to Lululemons but they are lightweight and feel like air as you workout, plus they are chic AF.  You can find them locally at PROSHOPNEWTOWN LUXE and on REVOLVE, KORAL and Bandier BANDIER.

3. WITH- Wear It to Heart

Another goodie.  WITH is another street to studio favorite of mine that you can dress up for a day of errands followed by Barre or pilates. They have versatile pieces in funky prints with sustainable fabrics. They are featured on Bandier Bandier -WITH

4. Lovewave
This is a brand I fell in love with on Revolve
They are moderately priced ($75)<, nice quality, fun prints.  They also make swimwear too, which I found good use of as well!

5. Splits59
Last but not least. Splits 59 makes Mosaic like prints on bras and leggings. I LOVE the thickness of their materials used for their gear.  I found them about a year ago and have noticed that all of my leggings from them have not faded (small success).  I wear my leggings to barre and Spinning class as well.  Wearing them in my featured picture and I always get compliments! You can find them at Splits59