9 Romantic Honeymoon Destinations

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For as long as there have been weddings, they’ve ranged from extravagant to humble. However, no matter what the budget is, most newlyweds would agree that the honeymoon portion should be romantic above all else.

The days of heart-shaped hot tubs in the Poconos or transatlantic flights to France and Italy being the epitome of romantic honeymoon destinations are gone. While those places may still attract plenty of newlyweds, there are so many alternatives available. 

Whether you’re looking for an exotic location or something closer to home, we’ve got a few great honeymoon destinations that will make your romantic getaway extra special.

1. Tahiti 

As the largest island in French Polynesia, you can enjoy secluded resorts while sunbathing on dark sand beaches, sample world-class cuisine, and take advantage of the active nightlife. May and October in Tahiti is a great time to visit, but if you want smaller crowds and off-season pricing, you’ll want to plan your getaway outside of those months.

2. Bali, Indonesia 

This choice will provide you with an unforgettable backdrop of stone temples, towering volcanoes, white-sand beaches, beachfront bungalows at the best hotels in Bali. You can even ride on a Sumatran elephant.

3. The Hamptons

Honeymooning in the Hamptons has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? It’s located on the eastern stretch of Long Island’s South Fork, and you’ll want to grab your sunscreen lotion because there’s plenty of beautiful beachside condos to chose from. Or, you can stay at a private home or a great bed and breakfast that will cater to your every need.

4. Kauai, Hawaii

No honeymoon list would be complete without at least one destination in Hawaii. Kauai offers something for every type of newlywed. While staying at your luxury resort, you can enjoy secluded stretches of beach, romantic dinners, hiking, kayaking, and even private helicopter tours of the island’s most scenic spots.

5. Mauritius

Described by Mark Twain as the inspiration for heaven, Mauritius is a small African island east of Madagascar well-known for its turquoise waters, abundant wildlife, and luxurious resorts. It’s a haven for birds and aquatic animals, and when you’re not spending time in your honeymoon suite, you can enjoy kitesurfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, and other fun water activities.

6. Phuket, Thailand

If you’re looking for intimacy and romance, affordable lodging and activities, and white sand beaches, Phuket could be your ideal destination. Here, you can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine, relax together at one of the hundreds of spas available, take boat tours around the island, tour Buddhist temples, and so much more.

7. Fiji

Snorkeling with manta rays, premium surfing, breathtaking sunsets, and private beachside couples massage are just a few of the activities you can enjoy together in Fiji. 

8. The Maldives

Located in the Indian Ocean, this remote island chain offers seclusion and romance with resorts that offer extravagant amenities and services with private bungalows.

9. Jumby Bay Island

What better way to celebrate your nuptials than with a private island where you can sail between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea at sunset? Alternatively, you can pick any one of the all-inclusive resort options at Antigua or Barbuda and enjoy sailing, tennis, scuba diving, snorkeling, water-skiing, kayaking, and more at no additional cost.

If you’re unsure where to go for your honeymoon after your beautiful wedding, use this guide to help you plan the perfect honeymoon getaway. You won’t regret leaving your worries behind and kicking off your new adventure with your spouse on the right foot. After all, this is a great way to deepen your connection with your partner and make memories that’ll last a lifetime.

 

Body After Baby: How to Deal & Embrace Your Newfound Curves

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Photo by Kyle Nieber on Unsplash

For moms, it is common knowledge that a woman’s body goes through immense changes during pregnancy. Yet thousands of women feel the anxiety to keep up with celebrity moms in the media. Whether it’s Victoria Beckman’s petite size 6 figure weeks after giving birth to Harper, Myleene Klass in a summer bikini, or Miranda Kerr in short shorts with her baby on hip, it seems like not even a week goes by without a celebrity mum making her comeback after giving birth. However, Instead of going on a fad celebrity diet, women feel more inclined to lose weight as a motion to feeling better about themselves by increasing self-confidence and improving their overall health.

A survey conducted by Slimming World reveals that 82 percent of women felt low esteem and under pressure due to society’s obsession with ‘ideal weight.’ The good news is that you don’t need to rush back into your pre-baby bod in order to feel sexy again. In fact, now’s the time to ask yourself whether the desire to lose weight is something you need and want, or something you ‘feel’ that society is saying that you should get back to. When you discover what it is that you truly want to accomplish for your self-confidence and body image, here’s how to deal and embrace your newfound curves.

Start Setting Body Goals

What better way to boost your self-esteem that to achieve goals you’ve once set for yourself. Instead of setting impossible goals such as ‘getting back to college weight in three months,’ aim to take a new fitness class or incorporate whole foods into your diet. If you eat right and gradually begin to exercise, your body will get it where it should be again.

Consider A Mommy Makeover

Breastfeeding and pregnancy can lead dramatic changes to your body. While proper nutrition and physical activity can help you lose the baby weight, thousands of women struggle just on diet and exercise alone. If you’re tempted to get a tummy tuck or liposuction to reduce loose skin, you might also consider a “Mommy Makeover” to get your body back into shape. Many plastic surgeons across the UK are offering the Mommy Makeover, which addresses the most common post-pregnancy body issues in a single session, which includes:

  • Tummy Tuck
  • Fat Removal with Liposuction
  • Breast Augmentation or Lift

While this is a great way for women to restore their body closer to pre-baby appearance, be sure to let your body heal for at least six months prior to giving birth. You will also need to have stopped breastfeeding to help your doctor get a better idea of your breast’s true size and position.

Get Comfy in Your Skin

Your body continues to change after giving birth, and your postbirth body may not be the same, with the increased foot size and belly bulge, among others. Hold on to your maternity clothes, especially those with elastic bands and stretchy fabrics, for comfort.

Also, it may take a while for the swelling in the feet, hands, and legs to go away. Wearing compression socks available in wide-calf sizes may help reduce postpartum swelling. This study says compression therapy, coupled with proper exercise, seems effective in preventing and treating lower-limb edema in pregnant women who wore compression garments during the 24 hours after giving birth. The 2017 study, however, states that further research is needed. 

Embrace the Change

No matter what stage your body is in, it’s current state won’t last forever. Extra weight gain, large breasts from feeding, and of course, the lack of sleep are all moments that will pass with time. As your body adapts to your new lifestyle changes, you will discover that gentle, easy movements such as long walks with the baby, yoga, and even trips to the mall will help kick-start physical fitness. Just remember, movement and companionship with your baby are excellent ways to embrace your bond while staying lightly active. All women are different. Some bodies stay the same; some don’t. But the most important thing is to have confidence no matter your shape. Don’t worry about flaunting your new mom bod on the beach with your sexiest Swimspot tankini swimsuit on. Chances are, people will be more worried about how they look than you do! You do you, momma!

School Of Rock Brings Sheer Joy To Wolverhampton

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School of Rock, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, opened at the Wolverhampton Grand last night, and it has to be said, it truly rocked!  Based on the Jack Black film of the same name, an awe inspiring, talented cast brought the movie to life in the best way possible, with verve, with joy and with performances that will long stay in the memory.

For those who haven’t seen the film version, School of Rock is the story of a loser, Dewey Finn. After losing yet another job, and being thrown out of his band on the eve of the ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition, Dewey is on the verge of hitting rock bottom and being thrown out of the home he shares with his best friend Ned Schneebly and his girlfriend Nadia. When a chance arises for Dewey to earn his rent by posing as Ned, and taking a job teaching at Horace Green, a prestigious private school, he jumps at it, with hilarious results. But discovering his class are all talented musicians sends Dewey in a new direction, maybe could his class enter the battle of the bands and he could achieve his life long dream after all.

Jake Sharp is brilliant as Dewey. He plays him as almost like an overgrown child, lacking in responsibility, manners or any sort of morale ethic. It is a tremendous performance that is made all the more special by his never-ending energy. He is ably supported by Rebecca Lock as uptight headteacher (with a penchant for Stevie Nicks) Mrs Mullins, both funny and yet poignant in the ‘Edge of Seventeen’ scene, Matthew Rowland as the real Ned Scheebly, an hilariously nerdy guitar hero addict, and Nadia Violet Johnson as his girlfriend Patty, who, as is so often in these sorts of shows, is actually the voice of morale and reason, and so is therefore some kind of villain.

But the scene stealers have to be the children. Playing all their own instruments, showing incredible talent in the song and dance scenes, and all able to deliver a killer line with comic talent, the talented young cast are at the heart of School of Rock, and totally steal the hearts of the audience with ease. They make you laugh often, but with the sad lament ‘If Only You Would Listen’ they also bring a lump to your throat in beautiful style. Another highlight is the stand out song ‘Stick It To The Man’ which is performed in exuberant style by this group of mini rockers. You’ll find yourself humming it all the way home…

School Of Rock is just glorious, energetic, funny, poignant with a joy that is highly contagious. Definitely one of the best shows you’ll see all year.

School of Rock

23 – 25th September

Wolverhampton Grand, click here for ticket information.