Braids By Lexi Just Busted Up Boring... What do you think?

Lexie from the amazing Cherry Blossom Belle  blog showed off her talent with some of our Amber J Teen Models and Amber J Senior Models.

 Whether you are a bride, bridesmaid, attendee or just a girl looking for something special and different, these styles kill it!   Here are some gorgeous braids ideas Lexi created in our studio and she can create for you too. 

Check them out.  

AMBER J TEEN MODEL LEXI

I love the touch of real flowers in her hair.

Though the braid is amazing, the way it frames her face is perfect.

AMBER J TEEN MODEL EMMA

Emma's braid was so beautiful. Once again the flowers were the perfect touch.

It's like a flower crown!

AMBER J SENIOR MODEL EMILY

Lexi rocks. Check out more at Cherry Blossom Belle

Fitness Friday! Sexy Arms For that Amazing Wedding Dress with Kimberlee

Beautiful Bride Prep- Nutrition Tracking Basics & Upper Body Blast

Fitness Pro: Kimberlee Marino

Hello Brides! First, please allow me to tell you a little about myself. My name is Kimberlee Marino. I recently got married and had the immense pleasure of working with Amber J Photography. It was the best day of my life and I owe a huge thank you to Amber and Shelly for making it such a wonderful experience.

Professionally, I am a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Life Coach, Group Exercise Instructor including Les Mills BodyCombat & CX Worx and Spin, and Certified TRX TEAM Coach. 
I currently work at Best Fitness, 911 Central Ave Albany, NY and have many clients who are getting ready for their weddings. I love helping people get to their goals. It’s so rewarding to see how hard work pays off for my clients’ as they look and feel better every day!

Ok, now on to you, you gorgeous bride-to-be! Does your dress show off a little upper body? Whether you have straps or are going for a fully strapless dress, you want to feel and look your best on your big day. Following some simple guidelines and putting in a little hard work can get you arms to be proud to put on display.

There are two parts that go into this process, nutrition and exercise.

First, we can discuss nutrition. The easiest way to stay on track with healthy eating is to track your food. Just having the accountability of writing it down will make you want to chose healthier foods. There are many apps that can help you with this.
You just have to set your calorie intake by calculating your Basal Metabolic Rate here http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/. Keep your calorie intake slightly below your BMR if you want to reduce your body fat percent. The apps typically track how many grams of carbohydrates, protein, and fats you eat. A healthy range to stay in is 40%carbs/ 30%protein/30%healthy fats. That way you know how to make healthy choices and eat the right balance of foods. OK, don’t get overwhelmed with all this. As long as you are
 choosing healthy foods and eating lots of veggies and not a lot of packaged foods, you should be heading in the right direction.

Now, let’s talk photo worthy arms. This is where the real fun starts! You can do this workout 1-2 times per week and watch that upper body transform.You won’t be able to stop checking out those sleek, sexy arms!


As far as which weight to chose for each exercise, you don’t want it to be so heavy that you can’t complete 12 reps but not so light that you can do more than 15. Your goal is to perform each exercise with really good form. You always want to keep your abs tight and your spine in neutral (flat back). The best way to make your time working out effective is to practice good form so you get the full benefit!

Dumbbell Bent Over Row 12-15 reps
Biceps Curl 12-15 reps
rest 30 seconds, repeat 3x

Dumbbell Bent Over Row

Bicep Curl

Dumbbell Chest Press 12-15 reps

Arnold Press 12-15 reps

rest 30 seconds, repeat 3x

 Dumbbell press

Arnold Press

Skull Crusher 12-15 reps

Plank-ups 12 reps, alternating hands

rest 30 seconds, repeat 3x

Skull Crusher

 Plank Ups

FITNESS FRIDAY! Tone Your Booty for the Big Day (and the Honeymoon!)

Orange Theory Fitness Trainer Sarah!

Say hello this crazy cool #AJBRIDE Sarah! She's a fitness trainer at Orange Theory and she's one of those people that can keep you on track before your wedding day.  So, she put together a couple of awesome work outs for your bridal booty. Check it out!

Bridal Booty Bootcamp begins now...
Who doesn’t want a toned booty for that gorgeous mermaid dress? Or better yet, who doesn’t want to look and feel extra confident on the beach for the perfect romantic honeymoon? Doing these exercises before the big day will help you get there! All of these exercises can be performed at home or in a gym, and with or without weights (but I STRONGLY encourage weights!).

Reverse Lunge 

Begin by standing up straight, feet together (dumbbells in each hand are optional but encouraged). Take a big step back with one foot, landing on your toes/ball of your foot and lowering your knee toward the floor. Your front leg should be at about a 90-degree angle and your knee should not go beyond your toes. Bring your back foot forward, coming back to the starting position. Continue to repeat and alternate sides for 20 repetitions total.

Sumo Squat

Begin with your feet more than hip width apart, toes pointed out (dumbbell in both hands is optional but encouraged). Squat down and back, as if reaching for the seat of a chair, keeping your chest upright and knees out. At the bottom of the squat, your thighs should be parallel with the floor. Rise up to the starting position, squeezing your gluteus muscles at the top! Continue to repeat for 10 repetitions total.

Hip Bridge:

Begin lying on the ground with your feet flat on the floor (dumbbell resting across your hips, held in place with your hands, is optional but encouraged). Squeeze your gluteus muscles to raise your hips off the floor. Try to do all of the work with your gluteus muscles; don’t let your quadriceps help! Lower back to the floor and continue to repeat for 10 repetitions total.

Repeat all three exercises for a total of 10 sets!

In addition to the above exercises, I STRONGLY recommend interval training before the big day. Interval training, a workout that alternates between periods of high and low intensity, is the most EFFECTIVE and the most EFFICIENT way to lose fat and get lean. There are many ways to intervaltrain; you can even adapt the above exercises into your own interval training workout! You can also visit
Orangetheory Fitness in Niskayuna (and coming soon to Albany!) for an hour-long interval trainingsession led by a highly qualified and motivational trainer. Orangetheory Fitness offers full-body, interval training that uses your own heart rate to create the perfect workout for you and your current fitness level. The workout is different every day to offer variety and ensure a challenge, but each workout incorporates strength, conditioning, and cardio training on a variety of equipment to help you achieve the fitness level and body you desire. What are you waiting for? Your first session is on us!

Sarah Jaeger (once an Amber J Bride!) is a full-time attorney and a part-time trainer. She is a Certified Functional Strength Coach, an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer, and a TRX Qualified Trainer. She trains classes at Orangetheory Fitness Niskayuna on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 5:00 a.m. and 6:15 a.m.

Contact Information

Sarah Jaeger Orangetheory Fitness Niskayuna

sarah.j.strength@gmail.com 3333 Consaul Road

Schenectady, New York, 12304

518-930- 0283

https://niskayuna.orangetheoryfitness.com
https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/666607638
https://www.facebook.com/OrangetheoryNiskayuna

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I can't speak for our servicemen and women, but I can say this:

I love Memorial Day weekend in a sentimental sort of way.  There's so much to take in and reflect upon.  The biggest and foremost is the sacrifice so many families have faced.  I put myself there as best as I can, especially when I look at my sons and think "what if it were them"?
That's a tough one.  I am mom so I think of the mom's that have lost their sons or daughters for our country.  What must they think sometimes as they watch our country (politics aside)?  I can't answer that, I haven't had to sacrifice a child or time away from a loved one for the sake of country. But I can say this.

There is still good.

Here's a little reminder of the good in our country that you have so richly defended:

There are still those who rescue fallen hikers and run into burning buildings.
There are those who stay after school to help students with their math homework.
There are those who randomly throw out compliments and cheer on other people's success.
There are those who still smile from behind the counter and say "have a nice day".
There are those who travel the world to dig wells for desperate people in need of water and those who take the elderly to their doctor's appointments.
There are volunteer coaches and volunteer firemen.
There are people who give out hugs and people who share their lives and money.
There are those who text smiley faces and those say I love you.
There are mamas still raising amazing men and dads fishing with their little girls.
There are boys who still hold open doors and girls who still know how to be ladies.
There are people who will share their chocolate
There are officers saving lives and people still saying "In God We Trust"
There are still families having family dinner
There are those fighting for children and those fighting for freedom
There people who are rescuing abused animals and scooping turtles off the side of the road
There are nurses keeping heartache at bay and surgeons doing the impossible
There people who still know how to laugh
There are children looking through baseball cards and playing on guitars
There are dreamers and artist
There are campfires and friendships
There are people who still hug and young men who shake hands
There are best friends having coffee and parents snuggling their children
There are people rebuilding lives and traveling the country building homes
There are fort-builders and daydreamers. There are church services and birthday parties.
There are barefoot travelers and back yard picnics
There are novel makers and dinner creators
There are those who wear Chewbacca masks and break the internet
There are those stacking wood for their neighbor
There are comeback stories and Olympic victories
There are children learning to share
There are still bed time stories being read and Netflix binges with families
There are grandmas planting gardens and dads mowing lawns
There are those sitting patiently listening to a friend
There are those marching in parades
There are thunderstorm watchers and lightning bug catchers
There homemakers who create world changers
There are smore's being made and strangers becoming friends
There is still hope.
There is still good. 

So for those who sacrificed and those who will...Thank you. Thank you for giving a chance for goodness to grow.

Every Wedding Is Different, Stop Comparing

Comparison. The great destruction of confidence, love and security.   It's not just for weddings, it's life.  The invention of Facebook gave us a front row seat to the art and destruction of comparison.  We may not even realize we do it sometimes, but stop and listen, I bet we all do it more that we think we do.

For you beautiful wedding couples about to get married this year.  Stop comparing.  Your wedding is special because it's yours.  That may sound cliche, but it's true.

This will not be a drawn out lengthy post about wedding day do's and don't, but I want to pass along this beautiful piece of advice from someone I was talking to this week.  She is someone who has spoken into my life more than she probably realizes!

"I always want to see couples spend more time getting ready for their marriage than getting ready for their wedding day.  The wedding day is gone in just one day, the marriage is what they have left"

Spend some fun time together in the month leading up to your wedding where you aren't really focused on the wedding planning.  Just enjoy each other for a few moments before you starting combing through the guest list once again :)

xo
Amber and Shelly

Schoharie County ARC: A gem in our county

I admit it, when I first started looking into the Schoharie County ARC I had no idea the number of programs they facilitate and the number of people they help.
The Schoharie County ARC is located right in Schoharie and is designed to help people with disabilities garner jobs.  They also provide assisted living, transportation and support just to name a few things!
You can check out their website here: http://www.schohariearc.org/about-arc/

So that brings us to paint wars. We are inviting teens from all over to participate and be a part of something special.  This is a chance to give back.  This is a chance to be a blessing to others.  This is a chance to have a heck of a lot of fun for a really wonderful organization. 

Would you consider helping us?
Here are some options:
Volunteers: email us amberj518@gmail.com
Sponsorship/gifts: Would you like to donate a give away prize to our paint war participants?
During the games we will be awarding prizes and photographing them with their prize.  We would love to hear from you.  Email us!

FORM A TEAM! We would love to have you participate.  Click here~