Eco-Friendly and Frugal

Gourmet Gift Baskets Review - Brownies... Yum!

2012-05-10T10:53:00.001-07:00

You all know that Gourmet Gift Baskets has some amazing gift baskets available to fit any person, any event, and any need, right? But did you also know that they have a great selection of Baked Goods?

I recently had the honor (and I do use the word "honor" here!) to try out a sampler of Gourmet Gift Basket's amazingly delicious Brownies!

I cannot even begin to tell you what a joy it was to be able to sample this amazing variety of delicious brownies. As many of you know, I am allergic to chocolate, but even those of us with lovely cocoa allergies can enjoy the Gourmet Gift Basket Brownie Sampler. If you have others in your family who are not allergic to chocolate I am sure they will be honored and grateful to help you eat your sampler, just as my husband was!

First, my reviews of these brownies. I was only able to eat two of them, but they are probably the most delicious brownies I've ever tried!

White Chocolate Macadamia Blonde: Where to start. White chocolate is NOT chocolate, FYI, so I happily munched on my Blonde and it was amazing. They seem to have found just the right amount of nuttiness to go with the white chocolate. It's a hard balance to find and Gourmet Gift Baskets found it.

Butterscotch Blonde: My favorite! I savored that brownie like there would never be another like it! My husband actually brought it to me the day after I got home from the hospital. I was still stuck in bed and feeling a little down about being so sick, and even though I wasn't supposed to be eating sugar he decided I needed to make an exception. A brownie that can lift a sick person's spirits is a great brownie. And the Butterscotch Blonde is a GREAT brownie! I can't even describe it, but if you like butterscotch you will love this one!

The hubby tried the rest and had great fun being analytical about each brownie he ate. He gave me a whole write-up of each one but I'll spare you from spending the next week reading it and sum it up like this:

His Favorite-
Peanut Butter: He describes it as rich and delicious. I think he reacted to the Peanut Butter Brownie similar to how I reacted to the Butterscotch Blondie. A lot of "mmms" while he ate! My husband is not a huge fan of sweets, but asked if we could get more of those which says a lot about the brownies.

His Least Favorite (because he's CRAZY!)-
Cheesecake: This made me sad because I looooove cheesecake and was hoping the cheesecake brownie did not have chocolate, but, alas, it did. Since the hubby is not a bit sweets person he found the cheesecake brownie to be far too rich for his liking. He has also found ever slice of cheesecake he's ever had to be "too rich" for him. We were able to find a small chocolate-less sample for me to try and I thought it was amazing! So, don't listen to my husband!

The others he found to be "good, but rich". So perhaps the Brownies would make a great gift for a friend or family member with a sweet tooth, and a good gift for a friend or family without a sweet tooth. Either way, I can't imagine getting a Brownie Sampler and NOT enjoying it! I know when I was feeling sick and low in spirits it made me feel great!

Pick up your Brownie Sampler Bakery Gift today and receive 12 brownies, two of each flavor, for just $34.99! Then head over to the Baked Goods section and see all of the other mouth watering deliciousness offered by Gourmet Gift Baskets!

EdenFantasys Review: THE BEST BRA EVER!

2012-05-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

When I'm posting about EdenFantasys I am usually telling you about a variety of products that fit into a certain season. This post is going to be a little different. Today I will tell you about a product that I LOVE. No, wait, scratch that. I am going to tell you about a product I am simply obsessed with and cannot imagine life without now.

What is this fabulous product, you ask? It's a bra! Lovely blog readers, I introduce you to the Four-Way Deep-V Push Up Bra!

I am an adult woman and as such I have been wearing bras for close to two decades now. I know bras, as I'm sure many of your out there know bras. Being a (slightly TMI alert) C-cup on a petite figure finding a good bra is important to me. I usually spend upwards of $50 on each bra so I have to be picky. I want a bra that I will love, wear a lot, and be comfortable in. Because I'm so picky I usually just buy the same brand/style over and over. So when I bought my leopard print bra I did so because I meant for it to be a little something sexy I can wear under my clothes during my honeymoon. I did not mean for it to become my go-to bra.

Instead, what I got was a bra that not only supports my ladies, but is also BEYOND COMFORTABLE! There were a few times when I had to feel because I thought I forgot to put my bra on! The fabric is so soft, so comfortable, the straps are stretchy (i.e. not stiff and uncomfortable) but still provide a lot of support. And they make my boobs look amazing! Without even seeing the cute leopard print my husband was making a comment that my boobs looks exceptionally perky that day.

I also love it when I can customize the straps on my bra to go with every outfit I own. You can remove the strap completely for strapless clothing. Here I am rocking the bra for the first time with a strapless top:

You can also criss-cross the straps for a sporty-top, you can go one-strap (which is great if you have a bum shoulder that hurts after many hours of bra-wearing especially with larger breasts), and you can wear the straps around your neck for a tie-back dress.

This bra comes in four styles- White, black, leopard, and zebra print. It also comes in 32C! For anyone who wears 32C you know how hard it is to find bras in that size. In fact, some of the most popular bra stores out there don't even carry 32Cs in large enough quantities that I'm able to find one in stores! If you have an unusual bra size check this bra out, it may just meet all of your bra needs!

Want to hear the best part about this bra? It's only $10.99!!! I thought for sure, at that price, that the bra would be a novelty product for me only. Nope. I wear mine all the time and at that price I will be able to buy 4 more for less than the cost of one of my old bras! Now THAT'S living frugally but happily!

Just remember, EdenFantasys is not all about sex toys (although they are that, too)! It is an online store that offer much, much more. Including me new favorite bra!

Want one of your very own or some more great products at EdenFantasys? If you shop now using code XOXO you will get 20% off your order! That would make one of these bras cost you only $8.80!! That is a STEAL!

FURminator Product Review

2012-05-08T11:13:00.003-07:00

As many of you know I am the proud Mama of an awesome fluffy white shelter mutt. I love my fluffy white shelter mutt (who might be a cocker spaniel/poodle mix... or maybe a cocker spaniel/bichon mix... or maybe a... you get the idea!), but having a white fluffy mutt comes with it's challenges, mostly in the grooming department.

Boo is a great dog, but he LOVES to dig. We have a large yard now and he spends most of his time outside with our other dog, Cookie (also a mutt but not a white fluffy one). All of that digging means he's getting into every plant in our yard. And somewhere out there is a plant with round green stickers on it. Also there are fox tails all over the place that get blown into our yard. Every one of these things that Boo comes in contact with gets sucked into his fur where it stays, gathers more fur to hang out with it, and forms some very lovely mats.

I am usually very good at keeping up with Boo's grooming, but last month when I was not home for almost two weeks and not feeling well enough to get out of bed for several more days Boo got quite neglected. The result? Some CRAZY Boo fur action!

Luckily, I had my FURminator Dog Grooming Tools!

Before I tell you about my FURminator Dog Grooming Tools I want to tell you first about FURminator and their awesome tool selecting guide. Just follow the simple directions below to find the perfect grooming tools for your dog based on his size, fur type, and fur length:

(1) Visit www.furminator.com/grooming-solutions/dogs
(2) Scroll down and click on the “Tell Us About Your Dog” button.
(3) Make the necessary selections until the “Find My Tool” button appears. Click the button.

For me and my Boo FURminator suggested two tools: The Small Firm Slicker Brush ($20.99) and the Small Finishing Comb ($18.99).

The Small Firm Slicker Brush has quickly become my favorite dog grooming tool to use on Boo. It is a brush that is designed to remove surface mats, and it does just that! I brush Boo with this once a day (or once every couple of days when I get lazy) and it keeps his fur looking great! The brush has a really awesome flex head that bends with Boo's body shape which allows the brush to get closer and do more faster when compared to his old brush. I LOVE IT!!!!

I actually use the Small Finishing Comb to get in to those really tough mats that the Small Firm Slicker Brush doesn't quite get out. It's step two in my grooming routine and helps to keep those darn stickers out of his fur. At least until I let him go back outside and he just gets more (it's a non-stop thing!).

Together, this process has really cut down on the amount of mats and uncomfortable stickers in Boo's fur. It has also kept me sane as they make groomer go easier and faster. I've saved a lot of money on grooming (I've been doing his trimming at home now that his fur is more manageable) and have yet to break these brushes even though I've used them for almost two months now.

Normally, I would not be the type to spend more than a couple of bucks on a brush because they usually get ruined within a month or two when used on Boo. But since getting my FURminator brushes I have completely changed my mind! If you have a dog with difficult fur you NEED to spend more and get GOOD QUALITY brushes for your pup. They will make him feel better and make you happier. Plus, it'll save you money in other places which is a HUGE bonus to me!

So head on over to FURminator today and see what they recommend for your pup! Then come back here and tell me what your results were and what you think of FURminator!

Well, That Was Interesting!

2012-05-06T10:43:00.001-07:00

I know, I know! I disappeared again! But trust me, this blog is not the only thing I have disappeared from.

First of all, the wedding was fantastic! We had such a great time and we are MARRIED now! I will be posting an entire wedding review along with a lot of pictures... soon!

For now, an apology.

We got back from the wedding the day before our midterms. I am not sure I mentioned this here yet, but in January I went back to college. I already went to college (I was a straight-out-of-high-schooler) and have my degree, but my degree is in acting.

I found it to be very limiting.

A decade ago when I went to college I was told that there were so many jobs out there that they didn't care what your degree was in, people just cared that you had one. Yeah. This is not the case anymore. Times have changed and I decided to change with it. I was finding great success with my photography business, but I found myself lacking a lot of basic know-how of running a business. My wonderful husband has his degree in business administration and has been helping me a lot, but it made me realize I need this knowledge myself. So back to school I went!

Since I'd been away from college for so long I totally forgot what it was really like.

And forgot what MIDTERMS are like!

I did get a few of them moved, but for the most part was in midterm mode from the moment we came home for the next week.

Then I tried to catch up with life. I forgot how much you miss in your life when you are gone for two weeks! There was just so much to do and I was getting stressed out a bit.

It was possibly this stress that led to my illness.

We still don't know the full cause of what happened, but I started feeling sick one day, but not too bad so I ignored it. I ignored it for three days and, honestly, it wasn't that bad! I just thought I'd caught a little bug and I'd be fine in a few days. Then suddenly I took a "turn for the worse" (anyone else remember "Oregon Trail"?).

Yeah. I was sick.

I'll spare you the details but it was very evident that it was not just a little bug and I needed to get to the hospital.

It was 3AM. I remember pushing open the door to our bedroom, then passing out onto the floor. I woke up with my husband standing over me asking if I needed to go to the doctor and I said "No, I need to go to the hospital, NOW!".

They called it an infection in my blood but seemed unsure of how it got there. Possibly a bladder infection but as I've never had one or know what one feels like I can't be certain the origins of the infection.

But by ignoring it as long as I had I allowed it to travel around my body. My illness was the first sign that my kidneys were infection. Joy.

Intravenous antibiotic drips are not fun.

I started feeling better quickly and was released from the hospital and sent home to finish up the antibiotics with pills. Which I much prefer over the other method!

Two days after getting home I got a call from my Mom. She had just spent a week with my Grandma and she was telling me all about it. It made me smile, I love my Grandma and I know my Mom and Grandma are very, very close so knowing they got to spend a week together is great. Plus they are a hoot together!

Two hours later I got another call.

Grandma had fallen and hit her head on the concrete and was in the hospital. It didn't look good. She was not quite "there" and they were going in for a CAT scan.

An hour later I got another call. Mom and Dad were in the car about to make the six hour drive down to where my Grandma live. She was not doing well. This was the end.

8 hours later my brother called me at 5:45 AM. There is only one reason someone calls you at 5:45 AM.

Grandma had passed away.

My Grandma was my only Grandparent left here with us. We were extremely close despite the fact that I only got to see her in person a few times a year and her hearing had been going so it was hard to talk to her on the phone. She was very special to me. Losing her was devastating.

I was still weak and sick but knew I had to get home. Cody was great! He came with and we hopped on a plane and got back to Rochester the day before the wake. This is the first funeral I've had to attend in over a decade and the first one I will attend as an adult.

My perspective on death is much different.

I was devastated, of course, but my Grandmother had lived 85 wonderful years. Grandma and I got to travel to New York City, Hawaii, and Jamaica together. The decision had been made that she would not go on the cruise back in February/March because she hadn't been feeling too well lately (a chronic ear infection and some other problems) so we missed out on that time together.

But I have many, many memories of her that I will hold onto forever.

She was survived by 5 children (and 5 children in laws), 12 grandchildren (and 9 grandchildren in laws with two more joining the family soon), and 14 great-grandchildren (with one more coming soon!). The last known picture of her is of her sitting in her favorite chair holding her youngest great-grandchild who was just born mid-March.

It was a celebration, too.

There was just as much laughing as there was crying.

Of course, all of this meant more missed school for both Cody and I. And that meant I had to play catch-up. Which I did, but it was work. Work that required something to do go.

Unfortunately, that thing was this blog.

Life just dumped a lot on my and I made the decision to not overwhelm myself. I couldn't afford to get sick again and until last week I was still feeling weak.

Now, I am caught up! Finals week is coming up so I'll probably go away for a bit again, but otherwise I am caught up in both my personal and professional life.

So now it's time to get back into blogging! I've missed it and I've missed you!

I'm glad to be back!

The Green and Frugal Wedding Guide : The Back Porch Shoppe Review

2012-02-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

During my wedding planning I fell in love with wedding signs. I know, it's a silly thing to fall in love with, but so many weddings these days are featuring signs in cute and creative ways and I wanted to hop on the bandwagon! From the ring bearers (or page boys) carrying "Here Comes the Bride" signs to adorable "Mr. and Mrs." signs that can be used for cute photos. So one day I decided to search Etsy, high and low, for a sign maker I loved. That was the day I found The Back Porch Shoppe.

If you are having a shabby chic, earthy, woodsy, and even fun elegant as your wedding theme and want to incorporate signs in your wedding, this is the shop for you! Darline makes so many beautiful signs. And no vinyl here! All of her signs are hand painted!

One of my favorite signs available at The Back Porch Shoppe is the Shoes Optional sign. Probably because this is the sign that would fit in well with my own wedding (if it weren't for that darn flight we have to take!) as we are having a beach wedding! Invite your guests to kick off their shoes and sink their feet into the sandy beach with this fun, hand crafted sign. Since the sign is also personalized with your names, it's also a great way to tell your guests that they've arrived in the right place for your wedding ceremony! Not having a beach wedding? I know many people like to kick off their shoes at receptions and I've seen a few weddings where brides have actually purchased some flip flops for their gusts to change into for the dancing portion of the reception. Throw this sign up over the bucket of shoes to let your guests know they are free for the taking... and they can kick off those high heels and really enjoy a night of fun dancing!

Another product that really stuck out to me from The Back Porch Shoppe is the Shabby Shic Table Numbers. I actually posted this product on Pinterest, I loved it so much, and it was quickly repinned by several other pinners! So it seems to be a hit in general. If Shabby Chic is your theme, or you just want to dress up your table numbers and do something cute and creative, this is a great option for you. They are double sided so the number of the table can be seen on either side allowing your guests to find their tables easier. And they are just really beautifully done. If I were having tables (instead of just table) at my reception I'd probably dress up the tables with these beauties.

There are literally HUNDREDS of great signs for all occasions and signage needs at The Back Porch Shoppe. I've only grazed the surface. Be sure you head over and take a look around yourself, then stay tuned because we will have a The Back Porch Shoppe GIVEAWAY in March!!!

I am now heading off to my wedding (well, tomorrow morning, anyway!) so you won't see any more posts from me until my POST-WEDDING POST! Wooot!

The Green and Frugal Wedding Guide : Liquid Courage Flasks Review and Giveaway

2012-02-18T14:12:00.000-08:00

One of the funnest parts of wedding planning for me has been buying gifts for my bridal party. They are awesome and I've been having a ton of fun picking out things for them over the course of our engagement. But what I really struggled with was finding a great gift that would be good for the groomsmen and THE GROOM!!! It was a chance Google search for Nautical themed gifts that I came across Liquid Courage Flasks. I hit the jackpot!

The "Anchors Away" -Retro Nautical Anchor Flask was the product that first pulled me in. Our wedding is part beach themed, part nautical themed since we're going to Grand Cayman on a cruise ship. So this flask immediately caught my eye and it's something I know my darling fiance would love. He's not a huge drinker, but actually has a small flask collection and flasks can come in handy in so many situation! :) I am not about to encourage alcohol smuggling onto cruise ships... but let's just say his favorite alcohol (which is not available on our ship) will be in this flask. I hope they don't catch me. And I know I'm horrible!

These flasks are great, though. We aren't having a huge bridal party- only three total- two on my side and one on his and one of the ladies on my side is our photographer, too. But no matter what the size of your wedding party is, flasks make a great gift for guys and girls a like! Liquid Courage Flasks breaks their flasks into three categories- Mens, Womens, and Personalized Flasks. And under each category are several sub-categories to help you find exactly what you are looking for. I especially love the Mustache and Beard Flask category under men. I think my favorite is the "Fear the Beard" flask. Even now I crack up every time I see it! Another favorite that never fails to crack me up is the "Vodka is Just Awesome Water" flask. I have a few friends who hold that motto when they go out!

But since this is a wedding related review, here are my favorites for wedding-related flask gifts for your bride, your groom, or the wedding party:

These are just a small sampling of the hundreds of unique and creative designs offered over at Liquid Courage Flasks. Of course, flasks make great gifts for many types of celebrations... birthdays, engagements, get well gifts (hehe!), etc. So even if you're not planning a wedding, this is a shop that should be in your bookmarks!

WIN IT!

Liquid Courage Flasks is offering one very lucky Eco-Friendly and Frugal reader a code for a 5 pack of any 5 flasks in our shop w/ free shipping in the US! That is a $115 value!!!!!

To enter use the widget below. Don't see the widget? Click the "Read More" link at the bottom of this post to get to it.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Green and Frugal Wedding Guide : World of Wonder Review and Giveaway!

2012-02-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

One thing I love about planning a beach wedding is all of the wonderful products out there that match the beach wedding theme. When searching on Etsy for a beach-themed way to carry our rings down the aisle I came across World of Wonder. This fabulous store offers a wide variety of UNIQUE and fabulous ring bearer and flower girl options for beach AND eco-friendly themed weddings. It was like hitting the eco-friendly beach themed Etsy jackpot!

Jenna is the lovely mastermind behind World of Wonder and I have to give her huge props. There are lots of beachy and eco themed weddings out there, but hers really caught my attention in the sea of Etsy possibilities. There's always one product that catches me eye and pulls me into a shop, and in this case it was the Beach Destination Wedding Iridescent Pearl Nautilus Shell Ring Bearer Pillow. It caught my eye because it's beautiful and unlike anything I'd seen before. The silk lining and ribbon make this naturally elegant shell a personal touch that makes it perfect for any wedding. At just $39 I found it to be priced relatively similar or even a little cheaper then some of the generic ring pillows I was seeing in bridal shops. This one, of course, has more personality!

A second product that immediately caught my eye after entering her shop is the GORGEOUS Rustic Woodland Fairy Green Wedding w/ Moss & Pheasant Feathered Love Bird Nest Flower Girl Basket. At just $28 this is definitely lower then the flower girl baskets I was seeing in bridal shops and... uh... did I mention it was gorgeous! Before choosing a beach wedding my fiance and I played around with the idea of having the wedding in our back yard. After realizing that the renovations, permits, and other details needed to pull this off would take us far over our $3,000 budget we had to scratch the plan. But I had envisioned this beautiful Earth themed wedding with local plants, lots of greenery, earth toned colors, and a flower girl basket that looked just like this! The bird's nest is just a great added bonus to an already beautiful flower girl product. Sadly, there are no little girls coming to my wedding and thus no flower girl baskets needed. Which is a bit of a shame because I probably would have still gone with this basket even though it's not directly related to the theme. It's just beautiful enough to make it fit in!

While the two products above are really gorgeous, my goal in my wedding is to pass on (upcycle, in a way) all of my products to other brides out there so they can enjoy at their weddings what I've enjoyed at mine. I have had so much help from my wonderful sponsors, like Jenna, during the planning of my wedding that I'd love to share the love with other brides. Because of this I've been trying to keep my wedding products more appealing to a wider audience. Which is why our wedding bands will be carried down the aisle on our wedding day on this lovely Beach Wedding Starfish Ring Bearer Pillow Alternative. Custom ribbons can be used to match your wedding colors of this beautiful stacked starfish pillow. It's perfect for any beach-themed wedding! And yes, after my own wedding I will be giving mine away! Although, if your wedding is coming up and you'd rather not wait for that to happen, this pillow can be yours for just $26! Just look at that beautiful image? Doesn't it make you want to go to the beach right now? And if you're already there... I'm jealous!

WIN IT!

Win a $25 gift certificate to World of Wonder! You can use this toward the purchase of a ring bearer pillow or flower girl basket of your very own! Jenna also has some beautiful beachy frames that are currently one sale for $10/each!

To enter, use the widget below. Don't see the widget? Click "Read More" at the bottom of this post to get to it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Clipix, a New Way To Organize Your Life

2012-02-17T13:00:00.001-08:00

I'd like to tell you about this great new website I just discovered called clipix, a new and innovative way to organize your life. If you're anything like me, you have a lot on your plate and a lot that needs to be organized. I run my own business, I am a full time college student, I write a blog, and I'm planning a wedding. That means I have a lot of things to keep track of and a lot of people I want to keep track of it with me.

Clipix is a great website that allows you to "Clip" websites, articles, ideas, and resources to a Clipboard so you can easily find this site and go back to it when you need it. Think of it as a bookmarks bar, but on a website where you can see more of a preview of what's been bookmarked. You can create different boards for different things and also share the boards with others. Clipix also allows you to use Syncboards that allows several people, in different places, to clip items to the same board. Check out the video below to see how it all works:

For me this can be useful for college. I have two classes that require a lot of group work and research. Creating a Syncboard specifically for a project or class assignment will allow us all to share ideas and research with one another without having to schedule a time for everyone to meet in person. I can also create a Clipboard for each project I have and make it a lot easier for myself to access my research. So it's great for group projects or solo work!

Another Clipboard idea that immediately came to my mind is a wedding board. I am having a destination wedding and there is travel involved for every one of my guests. It's also on a cruise and more than half of my guests have never cruised before. I am frequently getting calls and emails asking me questions about how cruises work, what the ports of like, what they need to pack, etc. I can see the usefulness of a Clipboard where I can pin articles like Packing lists, Port Guides, Cruise To-Dos, etc. for my guests to read. Too bad I just discovered Clipix now! Had I had this website in my back pocket 5 months ago it would have saved me a lot of time and emails! Even though we are less than two weeks away now, I thought it would be fun to Clip some things for my guests anyway. Here is an image of my Wedding Clipboard:

So whether you're clipping research articles, wedding ideas, recipes, or vacation ideas, head on over to Clipix to see how they can help you organize your life! And comment below with what you will use Clipix for once you sign up? I'd love some new ideas!

Promoted Post

Eco-Tourism Guest Post

2012-02-13T21:12:00.001-08:00

Thank you, Janine, for allowing me to guest post on your wonderful blog! It is an honor and a privilege! For those of you who don't know, my name is Jen and I am the blogger behind Eco and Elsie, a blog for brides and grooms who love the earth!

Every winter I get bitten by the travel bug. Maybe it's the shorter days or the colder nights, but I'm usually so desperate by February I'm practically ready to get in a rowboat and row my way to the Bahamas. However, while rowboats are eco-friendly (go, go gadget manpower!), and unless you are in Central Park, they really aren't practical. Here are five easy tips - no rowing involved - to help you stay your earth-lovin' self while taking a trip, going on your honeymoon, or jetting off to your destination wedding.

One: Get yourself some good luggage! Sure, that rolling duffel bag from the big box chain store may be super affordable, but I promise the quality is not up to par (I'm speaking from experience here). It will get holes and you'll have to throw it away, only contributing to more waste. Instead, focus on luggage sets that will last and if you're the occasional traveler, something basic but of good quality will do just fine. The Heys EcoCase is made from 100% recycled plastic, while Planet Earth Luggage offers products made from environmentally friendly materials. Another option is to peruse sites like Craigslist and visit consignment stores around town for good quality used luggage.

Two: Travel sized bottles are usually necessary, but skip the cute, little, dare I say even overpriced, tiny containers of shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, and whatever other cosmetic you need. Just buy tiny bottles (like these from The Container Store) that you can re-fill with your own makeup and hair products. This eliminates unnecessary waste and will save you money too!

Three: Before you leave the house, save power and un-plug the appliances! Things like the toaster, microwave, coffee maker, and phone charger aren't going to be used while you are out of town (unless your cat decides to have a party and needs to make pizza rolls, in which case you have a whole other set of problems) so there is no need to keep them plugged in. Even when things like this are "off," they still draw power and use electricity.

Four: One of my must-haves for traveling are shoes that can easily slide on or off. This is not only important for the mandatory shoe removal required at airport security, but even when traveling by car, bus, or train, where you may need to slip your shoes on quickly at a rest stop, for a bathroom break, or when you have to make a mad dash into the gas station convenience store to satisfy your road trip induced chocolate bar craving. Fortunately, I have found that there is a pretty awesome selection of earth friendly shoes, great for traveling around town or across the world. Pictured above is the: Jambu Touring, Keen Sienna, J-41 Essence.

Five: When choosing a place to visit or hold your wedding, make your destination one that allows you to exercise your right to be environmentally friendly. Skip the cabs and rental cars and utilize public transportation in big, gorgeous cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco. Been there, done that? Try some of the most walkable cities, like Seattle, Philadelphia, Portland, or (not on the list, but in my opinion) Savannah, GA! Eco-tourism options are wide and varied - find more info at The Nature Conservancy, National Geographic Travel, or The International Eco-Tourism Society.

Stop on by Eco and Elsie to learn more about how you can plan an environmentally friendly wedding with popular articles like, "Own Your Imperfection," "Ideas for Planning an Eco-Friendly Wedding on a Budget," and my personal thoughts on trash the dress.

(Walking picture credit)

EdenFantasys Reviews - Red Hot Lover!

2012-02-12T20:11:00.000-08:00

I was thinking of just doing another Valentine's Day themed EdenFantasys post this week, but I thought... nah! Let's be a little less generic this time and do a "Red Hot Lover!" post! Want to play along with my thought process? Head on over to EdenFantasys and type in "red" into the search box!

EdenFantasys, you can clearly see, is more than just sex toys. In fact, some of my favorite things to buy from them is sexy and beautiful lingerie. I'm preparing to do my boudoir session as a gift for my fiance next week and this is the site I turn to for all of my lingerie needs. Their selection is excellent and their prices are fantastic. When I search "red" the first listing I see is for the Florence Red gartered mini dress by DreamGril. For just $14.99 you, too, can strut your stuff in this sexy outfit that even includes the stockings! It's sexy, it's red, it's affordable!

Going back to my search results my eyes immediately fall upon the Red Crowl Neck Mini Dress by ForPlay. This is part of EdenFantasys clubwear line! This sexy red number is a little too va-va-voom for my personality, but it's sexy and would be perfect for a night on the town! I especially love the sexy back! And if my butt would look like the model's in a dress like that I'd probably never take it off! If you're the clubbing type, or maybe have a Red Hot Valentine's Day party to attend, this dress would be perfect for you at just $49.99.

For my last Red Hot product I actually am skipping all the way to page 5 of my "red" search where I found the Red Carpet Face Palette Eye Shadow Kit. Another reason I love EdenFantasys is their selection of fun make-up products. Want to round out that sexy red get-up with some sexy red eyewear? Look no further! Priced at just $14.99 this palette includes 8 shades of pink and red varying from matte to shiny. Spice up your eyes with some Red Hot makeup!

So be Red Hot with EdenFantasys this Valentine's Day... or any day of the year!

Ever Beautifully Yours Review and Giveaway

2012-02-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, Ever Beautifully Yours. How I love thee. Seriously. I spent hours over the past year looking at bouquet after bouquet on Etsy trying to find the bouquet that would be perfect for my wedding. I'm rather picky so this was not an easy task. I needed something that was unique, beautiful, beachy, offbeat, affordable, and light enough to take with my on the plane without sending my luggage weight over the brink and into "scary fee" territory! When I came across the Sapphire Salsa bouquet over at Ever Beautifully Yours, I fell in love. It was perfect for me and my wedding in every way. So imagine my thrill and delight when Abbi not only offered up the Sapphire Salsa for my wedding, but also agreed to host a giveaway to one of my lucky readers!

You'll notice there are no pictures of the Sapphire Salsa bouquet in this review. That's because I don't want to reveal the awesomeness before the wedding! Not even my fiance has seen it and I'm making sure it's a part of the whole "reveal" on the wedding day. It's a beautiful silk bouquet that looks even more amazing in real life then it did in her shop! And guess what? In March, I am GIVING IT AWAY! But more on that later...

Ever Beautifully Yours sells is what I like to call a One Stop Unique Bouquet Shop. There are so many options in that shop! She sells paper bouquets, silk bouquets, and some of the most unique brooch bouquets I've ever seen!

I'll start with her amazing paper bouquets since it was actually a paper bouquet, not the Sapphire Salsa, that first caught my eye and brought me into her shop. What actually caught my eye was the Sapphire Tangerine Paper Bouquet (pictured above). The moment I clicked into the shop and saw the Sapphire Salsa bouquet, all eyes were stuck on there, but now that I'm looking at it again I see the real beauty and uniqueness to the Sapphire Tangerine bouquet. Abbi knows how to make a beautiful combination of multi-colored paper flowers, with some pearl and glitter accents, and finished off with a lovely ribbon handle. It's an eye catcher for sure, and at just $60 it's also a steal.

The next bouquet that really caught my eye was the Silver Winter Crystal Brooch Bouquet. This bouquet is exquisite! So truly unique and beautiful it kind of blows my mind a little. I immediately pictures this bouquet going down the aisle at a beautiful winter wonderland wedding, with snow falling outside the window and a fire burning in the fireplace of some chic chalet venue. If only I could change my entire wedding! Haha! I loved this bouquet so much I pinned it to my Pinterest board and someone quickly repinned it and commented that they would love to use it as a centerpiece. That is a brilliant idea, as well! It's beautiful, unique, and something that will make your guests swoon. And at $75 this brooch bouquet is actually one of the most affordable that I came across.

Ever Beautifully Yours has several bouquets but another product that caught my eyes, one that would go great theme wise with one of her fabulous paper bouquets, was the Paper Flower Escort Cards. I've seen a lot of escort cards in my day, and even though we aren't doing escort cards for our wedding, they are something that really interest me. Abbi's Paper Flower Escort Cards are lovely and can coordinate with any color scheme. They are affordable at $25/20 and beautiful to boot. If you are having an earthy wedding, these would make beautiful, recyclable place cards.

Be sure to check out all of the other amazing products offered over at Ever Beautifully Yours! There's a lot. And stay tuned in March to get your glimpse of the Sapphire Tango Bouquet and to get your chance to win it!

WIN IT!

Abbi has offered one very lucky Eco-Friendly and Frugal winner a the gorgeous paper bouquet pictured below! Just fill out the widget to enter. Don't see the widget? Just click "Read More" below to be brought to the widget page.

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Angela's Artistic Designs Review and Giveaway

2012-02-06T07:45:00.000-08:00

Last week I told you about some unique and affordable alternatives to flower bridal bouquets, and one of those ideas was the button bouquet. A button bouquet store I absolutely love is Angela's Artistic Designs, so I was thrilled when agreed to host a review and giveaway of one of her amazing bouquets!

Angela also recently educated me of the actual cost of buttons! Did you know that buttons can cost as much as $5 a piece? Even the small ones range anywhere from $0.02 to $0.15 each. Vintage buttons and specialty buttons (like shell buttons) can vary greatly in cost as well. Call me educated! I didn't know there was this whole world of buttons out there! That really explains the varying costs of button bouquets better.

The reason I love Angela's Artistic Designs so much is because she has some very creative, fun button bouquets. What initially brought me into her store was the listing for what she calls the Pink Neon Disco Mama (pictured above). If you are having a pink and green wedding or if you're just looking for something unique and fun for you wedding, this is a great bouquet for you! We're talking neon green, hot pink, polka dots... what's not to love there? It's also one of a kind and at just $56 I'm not sure it'll still be available when this giveaway ends.

But worry not, there are lots of other great options in her shop. After getting pulled in my by the Pink Neon Disco Mama I was immediately drawn to the Turquoise and Gold Bouquet. This appealed to me because it feels very beach-y to me. With the shimmering gold buttons reminding me of a beach at sunrise, the yellow buttons remind me of the sun, and the turquoise button of the Caribbean sea in the morning. This bouquet, at just $56 as well, would also make a fabulous bouquet for a beach wedding, or really any wedding!

The downside to button bouquets, as I mentioned in the bouquet alternatives post, is their weight. If you are having a local wedding or don't mind the extra weight in your suitcase, they are a great, great option! But what about tossing these bouquets? Yeah... it's a little on the dangerous side! Can you imagine your six year old niece getting conked on the head by your large, heavy button bouquet? Probably not a pretty thing to imagine! Luckily, Angela's Artistic Designs has you covered with some great, lightweight, toss bouquets! I especially love the Black and White Tuxedo Toss Bouquet! It's also a great option for your bridal party, and at just $20 you can buy a matching set plus a bouquet for yourself and still save a lot of green.

Angela can round out your button themed wedding with some awesome button boutonnieres! Angela's Artistic Designs isn't just button bouquets, either! Be sure to check out her shop for some great vintage jewelry, buttons and supplies to DIY, and some great cork placeholders, among other things.

WIN IT!

The amazing Angela has offered one lucky reader a Toss Bouquet of their very own! This is an awesome companion to a larger button bouquet to use as a toss bouquet, or as a bridesmaids bouquet!

Don't win it this time around? Don't worry! My maid of honor is carrying a lovely button bouquet from Angela's Artistic Designs down the aisle at my wedding. Once we get back I will be doing ANOTHER GIVEAWAY and will be giving away that bouquet! Stay tuned for pictures!

Use the widget below to enter. If you do not see the widget click the "Read More" link.

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"NEW: Understanding Our Need For Novelty and Change" Book Review

2012-02-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

Something interesting happened to me last week- My cell phone died. Just stopped working, no reason at all. Of course, I ran immediately to my cell service providers store to see if there was anything they could do, and, after being told it could not be repaired and that I was not due for an upgrade for several more months, ran home to find myself an affordable back-up phone. I found one on Craigslist. I asked the seller to meet me at Sprint (so I could check the ESN) as I looked up the details of my soon-to-be NEW cell phone. I was excited... it was a cool phone! Then he called me to say he decided not to sell the phone.

Obviously, I was disappointed. I wanted this NEW phone. It wasn't the best phone out there, it wasn't the fastests or the strongest or... whatever you look for in a phone. But it was NEW!

In her boook NEW: Understanding Our Need for Novelty and Change Winifred Gallagher describes this "love of the new" as neophilia. My excitement over my new phone was, according to Gallagher, my biological reaction to something new.

This reaction was caused by dopamine, a simple organic chemical, that caused the reaction of excitement over something that wasn't the greatest, but was NEW to me. To my mind, the newness was all that mattered. It caused my anticipation for my new cell phone. My reaction was also a cultural one. After using my same eco-friendly cell phone for four years the appeal of a 3G Android phone was exciting... finally, I can be like all of my friends!

There are upsides and downsides to this biological reaction.

Getting something new is exciting and can make us happy. The desire for newness has spurred technology and medical advances. Our desire to have the latest and greatest cell phone, computer, car, etc. has led to great inventions in these areas. Furthermore, our desire to be healthier has led to the discovery of new medications and vaccines. It has led us to discovery unexplored lands. If Christopher Columbus had not been so determined to discover new passaged to China he never would have made his way into the Caribbean and American may not have been discovered, or at least not then.

The downside is the over-reaction to NEW. It can create addictions. If you can't be happy unless you are shopping or getting something new on a regular basis, despite your financial ability or need to do so. We may find ourselves seeking out new things simply out of curiosity or boredom.

I was able to relate this book in real time as I dealt with my cell phone drama. I realized, at the end of that day, that my reactions seemed familiar. I had just finished reading NEW: Understanding Our Need For Novelty and Change and realized that Gallaghers research was pretty accurate, for me at least. I also found this book interesting as I recently started taking an anthropology class and was able to see ties from our reaction to NEW to what I was learning in class. The content was relevant both on a personal level and an intellectual one.

About The Author

Winifred Gallagher’s books include Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life, House Thinking, Just the Way You Are (a New York Times Notable Book), Working on God, and The Power of Place. She has written for numerous publications, such as Atlantic Monthly, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times. She lives in Dubois, Wyoming.

Thanks, as always, to TLC Book Tours for including me and the blog in yet another great book tour!

The Green and Frugal Wedding Guide : Bouquet Alternatives

2012-02-02T07:47:00.001-08:00

One of the biggest expenses at a friend's recent wedding was, to my amazement, the flowers. Without giving away her personal information, when I heard what her flowers had cost my mouth dropped... it more than doubled my ENTIRE wedding budget. The cost of her flowers was $600 more then the cost of the food at her wedding and they had really good food! While I understand the appeal of fresh flowers, and my friends flowers were lovely, an eco-friendly and frugal bride may find themselves unable to afford a nice floral arrangement and on the hunt for an alternative. Or maybe you're just not a fan of flowers in general (or have allergies) and want a beautiful alternative.

Fear not. In recent years the options you have for flower alternatives range far and wide! Flowers serve many purposes in a wedding (aisle decorations, centerpieces, and, of course, bouquets, bouts, and corsages). Today I'd like to tell you a few of the great Bouquet Alternatives that I found during my wedding planning. And stay tuned, this post will be followed up with some GREAT GIVEAWAYS that will help you save even more on your bouquet budget!

1) Silk Flowers

When someone says "flower alternative" most minds go to silk flowers. A lot of people scoff at this idea. Silk flowers, historically, have looked fake, smell bad, collect dust, and are generally unpleasant and not something you'd want to use for a wedding. But times have a changed! Silk flowers have evolved into beautiful, classy alternatives to real flowers! If you have your heart set on flowers, do not want an alternative, but cannot afford the high price of real flowers, silk is an alternative you should strong consider and look into!

Silk flowers are so versatile these days, with such a wide variety of flower types and options, that you should have no trouble finding bouquets that would fit perfectly in with your wedding theme. Just searching "Silk Wedding Bouquet" on Etsy shows such a great selection of bouquets that fit into any budget. Expect to spend about $50-300 for a bridal bouquet and $20-75 for your bridesmaids bouquets. You can find multi-piece sets on Etsy that will include the bridal bouquet, any number of bridesmaids bouquets, and even mother corsages, bouts, and a toss bouquet as part of a kit. These prices, obviously, will range from as low as $75 up to the thousands.

I have actually opted to use a silk flower bouquet as my bridal bouquet (more on that later) because I found a beautiful one that really caught my eye over at Ever Beautifully Yours on Etsy.

2) Brooch Bouquets

I had never heard or seen a brooch bouquet until last year when I started planning my wedding and my maid of honor linked me to a picture of one. I was in love! Until I actually saw a brooch bouquet, held it in my hand, and realized how heavy it was, I was SO sure I would have a brooch bouquet for me wedding. Since it's not exactly a frugal option, it was going to be my wedding splurge. But since we are having a DW, which requires a flight, I soon realized that I was not going to be able to handle the extra weight along with everything else. I am still very much in love with brooch bouquets, however!

There are a few ways you can go about finding your brooch bouquet. You can order one! Searching "Brooch Bouquet" on Etsy gives you pages of amazingly beautiful and creative options. Again, the selection is so wide that I imagine you can find a brooch bouquet to match any theme or color. Another option is to make a brooch bouquet. I met a bride who collected brooches from her friends and family- asking each female member of her family to donate a brooch during her wedding shower. She then took the brooches and made her bouquet. It was a bouquet that was not just beautiful but also meaningful! I was surprised with how well the various brooches that had been given to her meshed together so well in her bouquet. She did say that she requested silver or crystal brooches, no gold or colors, but still, they went together very well and showed the various personalities of her family members. You can also buy a brooch lot on eBay that will help you to make your own brooch bouquet which can save you a lot of money! Here is a great DIY Brooch Bouquet Guide from Offbeat Bride.

To purchase a brooch bouquet look to spend anywhere from $100-900 on a single bouquet. Prices will vary based on size and quality of the brooches used. I had budgeted $300 for my brooch bouquet and found dozens of bouquets that were "PERFECT!" for me so that is a reasonable price to expect to send. Of course, by making your own you can save a lot, but I'd still expect to spend $75-150 on the brooches and supplies.

3) Button Bouquets

This is another new trend I saw popping up more and more in the past year or two. Buttons are fun, colorful, and actually make really nice bouquets! Don't believe me? Just check out the wide variety of button bouquets available over at Angela's Artistic Design's Esty Shop! Her designs, and prices, vary greatly but with such a variety you will probably find one that matches your wedding theme. They range from elegant and traditional to fun and funky!

Like brooch bouquets, making a button bouquet yourself is also an option. Have a box full of buttons just lying in your closet? Know of a similar box of buttons in a parent or grandparent's closet? Put them to good use and upcycle them into a beautiful bridal bouquet! Here is a great Button and Bead DIY Guide from Offbeat Bride.

Like all bouquet alternatives, the prices on these bouquets will vary, usually based on the size of the bouquet since buttons *usually* don't vary too much in price. Some button bouquets are filled in with other items like silk flowers, brooches, or ribbon that can add to the price. In my experience this option can be cheaper than silk flowers (and obviously much cheaper than a brooch bouquet) and you can easily find a large, beautiful bouquet for under $150.

4) Felt Bouquets

Along the lines of button bouquets, I started seeing felt flower bouquets popping up everywhere in the last year or two. I love them! There are so many creative options on Etsy. Since felt comes in a wide variety of colors, and since they can be cut and formed into hundreds of shapes, the possibilities of what you can find in a felt bouquet are endless!

Flowers, obviously, are the most popular form I've seen a piece of felt turned into when being used in a bridal bouquet. Searching "Felt Bouquet" on Etsy will show you not quite as many options as silk bouquets, but still plenty of shops available to create your dream bouquet! One of my favorite shops that I stumbled upon during my wedding bouquet hunt was Miss Jennifer Rae's shop. Since so many colors of felt are so readily available you will find that most felt bouquet Etsy sellers will custom make your bouquet to match your style, so there is no need to hunt around for hours to find the perfect one for your wedding!

Felt bouquets can be one of the most affordable bouquet alternative options out there! I found many great bouquets for under $50, with the most expensive only going up to $150. With the ability to upsell your bouquet after your wedding this is a great option for the frugal bride!

5) Seashell Bouquets

If you are having a beach or beach-themed wedding, consider a beautiful seashell bouquet to tie into your theme and bring the ocean into your Big Day! Shells are traditionally white or brown so most seashell bouquets are going to be white or brown in color. Some bouquet makers do mix in some colorful elements into their seashell bouquets to give them flair and color. Items like ribbon, silk flowers, and buttons can often be seen in seashell bouquets on Etsy. Likewise other beach-related items, like sea glass or starfish, are thrown into the mix to make a truly beach-y design!

Prices for seashell bouquets, like everything, will vary. I found them to be right in line price-wise with button bouquets, with seashell bouquets maybe being slightly more expensive for a larger bouquet.

6) Paper Bouquets

Probably among my favorite bouquet alternatives out there is the paper flower bouquet. I actually found my silk flower bouquet by doing a search for paper flower bouquets, which is another type of bridal bouquet that Ever Beautifully Yours creates. Since paper is relatively affordable and easy to come by paper flower bouquets can vary widely in design and color. So much so that you should have absolutely no problem finding a bouquet that will fit in perfectly with your wedding. And if you don't find the perfect bouquet for you, go ahead and contact some of the many sellers on Etsy who make flower bouquets and see if they will custom make your dream bouquet for you! Most will at least let you customize the colors and size of your bouquet.

If you are an eco-friendly bride then you will be pleased to see a wide variety of recycled paper bouquets available! These bouquet makers find their paper from all sorts of places- recycling bins, scrap paper piles, old books, damaged books, and old sheet music! This would be a great way to customize your wedding bouquet to match your personal interests in an eco-friendly way! Bookish Bride uses books to create her paper flowers! Graceline Paper Studio uses everything from old maps to sheet music to makes hers (sheet music is GREAT for a musician!). Harry Potter and Twilight fans will love the upcycled book bouquets from GreencylceDesigns!

You can also go DIY on your paper bouquet! Offbeat Bride, of course, comes through with a great DIY Book Paper Bouquet Guide! Great for you green and frugal brides.

Paper Bouquets tend to cost around the same as felt bouquets and are among some of the most affordable bouquet alternative options out there!

Those are just some of the many bouquet alternatives available to the modern bride! Have a unique bouquet idea you are using for your wedding? I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment telling me all about it!

UPrinting Die-Cut Business Cards Review and Giveaway

2012-02-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

When you own a small business or when you are a business person looking to stand out from the crowd one simple way to do this is to have creative and unique business cards. I recently worked a bridal show and collected the business cards from many of the local businesses. Most were lovely, but the one that really stuck out to me was a 2x3.5 card with one rounded corner. I recognize these cards immediately as one of the unique Professional business cards offered from UPrinting!

UPrinting offers a wide variety of unique cards that will help you stand out in the crowd. Two of my favorites are the "Leaf" and "Half Circle Side" options. While it seems like such a small little thing, having a unique business card really does make an impact and makes it less likely that your card will just be tossed away.

You already know that UPrinting offers a wide variety of unique and customizable products for all of your small business needs, but by far their Die-Cut Business Cards are my favorite!

What I Love: UPrinting has unique products that will help you and your company stand out in a pile of business cards for reasonable prices. In addition to the die cut cards they also have standard, slim, and square cards available if you'd rather go in that direction for your business cards.

What I Don't Love: When designing my own business cards I did find it a bit difficult to adapt my template to fit the alternate sizes. But that's more of a personal issue and has nothing to do with this fabulous company!

WIN IT!

If you run your own small business or if you are trying to stand out among hundreds in a large company, UPrinting Die-Cut Business Cards are a nice place to start. And you can win some today with UPrinting and Eco-Friendly and Frugal!!

PLEASE READ THE RULES AND REGULATIONS CAREFULLY AS THEY ARE A BIT DIFFERENT FROM MOST OTHER GIVEAWAY!!!

Prize:

250pcs Die-cut Business Cards for one winner

2x3.5" Rounded Corners, 2x2" Rounded Corners, 1.75x3.5" Rounded Corners, 2x3.5" Leaf, 2x3.5 Rounded one corner, 2x3.5" Half Circle Side, 2x3.5" Oval, 2.5" Circle

14pt Cardstock Gloss / Matte / High Gloss (UV), or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated

6 Business Days Turnaround time

Free US shipping only

Restrictions:

1. This giveaway is open to US residents only, 18 years old and above. The winner should be able to submit a Tax Identification Number for documentation purposes.

2. No prize substitutions allowed.

3. Winners are allowed to win once over a six-month period.

4. Only email addresses used for the giveaway will be eligible to claim the prize.

If You Do Not See The Widget Click "Read More"!

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The Green and Frugal Wedding Guide Will Continue Soon!

2012-01-31T21:21:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the lack of updates. I got sooooo sick last week. Blah! But I promise I will get a few more wedding-related posts up before my fiance and I leave for our bachelorette/bachelor parties in Las Vegas on February 17th! I will also have some GIVEAWAYS coming up! So stay tuned.

The Green and Frugal Wedding Guide : The Craigslist Debate

2012-01-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

If you are on a budget for your wedding one of the easiest places to turn to for affordable vendors is Craigslist. For anyone who doesn't know, Craigslist is a virtual "community board" where people can post anything from cars for sale to houses for sale to want ads for a handy man around the house. I've used Craigslist in the past to find apartments, roommates, furniture, my old car, pet cages, and even someone who would install a floating TV for me. It's a resource that I find extremely valuable in my everyday life.

But when it comes to weddings and wedding vendors, Craigslist can be hit or miss. Many people will tell you to not even go to Craigslist in regards to your wedding in any way, but I'm not one of those people. There are so many great ways that Craigslist can help you achieve the wedding of your dreams on a budget... and there are many ways in which Craigslist can burn you and should be avoided.

So here are some Dos and Don'ts of Craiglist Weddings

Maggie Sottero, worn once and cleaned!
Only $300!

DO... check out the "For Sale" section for savings on a wedding dress. Sometimes brides will change their mind and buy a different wedding dress and then try to unload their original, unworn, wedding dress for a fraction of the cost. Or a bride will wear a dress at her wedding and then sell it to make back a little of what she sold. The dress in that case will be worn, but usually still in good condition and maybe even dry cleaned and maybe even preserved professionally. For my first wedding I actually found an amazingly incredible dress FOR FREE on Craigslist. The original bride spent $2,000 on the dress but was moving to Hawaii and couldn't take it with her. Instead of going through the hassle to sell it she just gave it away and I was lucky enough to get it! Be sure the check the size of the dress and ask if you can try it on or at least see the dress in person before selling. As always, meeting in a public place is ideal.

DON'T... have high hopes for a Craigslist vendor. This is a part that is REALLY hit and miss. I know people who have gotten Craigslist vendors and had a wonderful experience. I know others who got a vendor off Craigslist still cry about their experience years after the fact. Usually if someone is posting on Craigslist they are new to the wedding business. Maybe they got a Canon Rebel for Christmas and now think they are a photographer. These are known as "fauxtographers". Or maybe they bought an iPod and a cheap speaker set and now they are labeling themselves a "DJ". An easy way to weed out someone who is only doing this "for fun" and not seriously is to ask if they have liability insurance. Tell them your venue requires that all vendors to have liability insurance and you need proof of insurance for the venue. Since it can cost between $300-1000 to fully insure many wedding-related businesses, you can be assured that if your vendor is insured they are at least serious enough to make that investment. You can also be assured that if, God forbid, anything does go wrong you can turn to their insurance company for reimbursement. You may be able to find yourself an amazing deal on a photographer or DJ or videographer or officiant by searching on Craigslist. They are probably still new to the business, but if they are taking their craft seriously and running their business legally they may be a great option for your budget wedding! (NOTE: Officiants probably wouldn't need insurance, but do ask for credentials that they are allowed to legally marry someone in your state!)

$65 On My Local Craigslist!

DO... type in "Wedding" into the "For Sale" section, and see what you find! Right now on my local Craigslist I am seeing a pair of worn-once (for only 10 minutes according to the ad) Steve Madden shoes, size 8, for $60. Perfect wedding shoes! I'm also seeing a listing for tons of wedding scrapbook supplies for $90, wedding veils, wine glasses, decorations, a silk flower bouquet, and even wedding rings. Most of these items will be used, but you can go see them first and check out their condition. I got a bunch of tulle and gift bags for free from my local Craigslist a while back that will be great additions to my wedding projects!

DON'T... meet with anyone you meet on Craigslist in their home or alone. So many creepy people lurk on that website and there was even a serial killer using Craigslist to lure in their victims as early as last year! You hear so many stories of people being robbed, injured, and even killed when they are too trustworthy of people they meet on Craigslist. If you are dealing with a vendor, ask to meet in a coffee shop. If you are dealing with someone selling an item, ask to meet at a Walmart or mall... anywhere there will be other people. If they insist they have to meet you at their home (maybe they are disabled or at home with kids) then bring a friend or your fiance along and make sure someone else knows the address you are going to. But whatever you do, DO NOT GO TO A PRIVATE HOME ALONE!!!

5 Unique Wedding Cake Alternatives

2012-01-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

Much of my research, price points, and images in this post came from the Sweet and Saucy Shop located in Long Beach, CA, the Lovely Layers Cakery in Chico, CA, and the Tin Roof Bakery in Chico, CA.

I mentioned in my Cake post from last week that I had some great ideas for Wedding Cake Alternatives. I know many of you have been waiting on the edge of your seat to find out what these are, so wait no more! Here is that post. :)

For the record, since I have already discussed using cupcakes instead of regular cakes in my last post you will not be seeing that suggestion here. It's a great alternative to wedding cakes, but this post is about UNIQUE cake alternatives and, let's face it, cupcakes are getting more and more mainstream every year!

1) Cheesecake

Lovely Layers Cakery in Chico, CA

My brother and sister in law were married in 2005 and at their reception they decided to skip the plain old wedding cake and instead opted for a variety of cheesecakes as their dessert of choice. This decision went over extremely well with their guests (myself included)! They offered about 6 varieties of cheesecake to choose from and I sampled all but two of them. They were delicious!

They still did their traditional cake cutting and feeding of the cake and I believe they even saved a slice to freeze and eat at their first anniversary as per tradition. So this is a great alternative if you want something different but don't want to sacrifice traditions.

Price wise, you're going to spend about the same on this that you will on a traditional cake (between $2-4 per serving). This idea won't save you much green, but if you are not a fan of cake and would rather not serve it at your wedding this is a great alternative.

2) Ice Cream Bar

Brilliant Bash

The thought of an ice cream bar is just making my mouth water! At my high school graduation party I opted for an Ice Cream Bar instead of your traditional finger foods. For a pretty small price my parents picked up strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate ice cream by the gallon along with all the fixings to make a delicious Sundae. It was an idea I realized could translate easily into a wedding!

Give you guests some cute dishes (possible favor ideas?) and a spoon and let them go to town with fresh fruit toppings, sprinkles, nuts, and other goodies. With Yogurt Bars growing in popularity I'm sure this is a dessert that would be universally appreciated by most of yours guests. (Maybe throw in an option for an lactose intolerant guests.) And since many of these ingredients can be found at large bulk grocery stores, like Costco, it will likely leave a lot of green in your pocket at the end of the day!

On a related note, why not also pick up a root beer keg and throw some root beer floats into the mix!?

3) Dessert Shooters

Sweet and Saucy Shop in Long Beach

I got this idea while visiting Applebees one day. They have these little deserts in a cup about the size of a shot glass. You can choose from multiple types of cake like strawberry shortcake, chocolate mousse, and hot fudge sundae. Then throw in a few more like key lime pie, lemon raspberry, banana cream pie, chocolate peanut butter, and vanilla latte, and you have a dessert that guests will be talking about for years to come!

In my research I found many places now offering dessert shooters and the prices seemed to range from $2-3 per shooter, so this idea won't really save you a lot of green. But if creativity and uniqueness is your goal, this is definitely a way to accomplish it!

4) S'mores Bar

ellybevents.com

I actually saw this at a bridal show last weekend and though the idea was fantastic, especially for a backyard wedding. Just buy some traditional s'mores items, such as graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate, and set up a s'mores bar! If you are having a back yard or park wedding that allows camp fires, start up a fire for your guests to roast them the old fashion way! If that's not allowed, many caterers are now offering flame options for s'more roasting!

Want to spice it up a bit? Throw in some non-traditional s'more items, like caramel, vanilla drizzle, cinnamon sugar graham crackers, dried fruit, and nuts so your guests can create truly unique and memorable s'mores.

Since many s'mores ingredients can be found at large bulk grocery stores, like Costco, a s'mores bar may end up saving you hundreds on your dessert bill!

5) A Pastry Bar

Tin Roof Bakey in Chico, CA

Have you ever walked into a high end pastry shop, looked around and thought "Man, I wish I could try so many of these!". Well, imagine walking into a wedding reception only to be greeted by a virtual donut shop on the dessert table!

At a wedding I worked at in 2010 the bride worked at a locally bakery that donated her favorite treats for the wedding. Items like individual little pies, brownies, eclairs, cheesecake bites, and mini tarts. It looked AMAZING! Sadly, the table was eaten up by the time we got over there, but I imagine it was delicious!

I did some research and found a few places and if you buy each item individually you will spend between $1-4 per item. However many places will make bulk orders for you, with enough advanced warning, for a small discount. This idea could save you some money, but also please the various pallets of your guests!

Of course there are many variations of each of these, such as the donut tower cake and mini pie bar. And many more alternatives to wedding cakes that will make your guests happy they were invited to your fabulous wedding!

Have a wedding cake alternative of your own? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment below to tell me what you did, plan to do, or would like to see as a wedding dessert!

Spice Up Valentines with EdenFantasys!

2012-01-16T17:08:00.000-08:00

Being just two weeks away from our wedding date, my fiance and I will not be having a sexy romantic Valentine's Day this year (we'll wait to be a married couple for that!) but that doesn't mean we can't have a romantic Valentine's Day and it doesn't mean we can't turn to EdenFantasys, The Sex Shop You Can Trust, to help us out!

The Sweetheart Strawberry Box would make a great gift to the man in your life. Chocolates? Pfffft! Who likes those? But edible body souffle, white chocolate body paint, and strawberry honey dust in a heart shaped box? WIN! What man (or woman, even!) wouldn't love getting that for Valentine's Day? Sure, the fiance and I couldn't USE this stuff on Valentine's Day but, hey, the wedding would be just two weeks away! ;) At just $34.99 it's also budget friendly.

You all know that I love practical gifts. I find items that I can use for days, week, or even months to be the most romantic. The bubble bath I got for my birthday last year was enjoyed for weeks and every time I soaked in that bubble bath it made me think of him. If you want your woman (or man!) to think of your genorosity and romantic gift over and over again why not give them a bottle of Naughty Bubbles Bubble Bath? Available in two sizes (8.5 ounces for $21.99 or 2 oz for $9.99) will help you relax after a longer day, or warm up for a long night!

Finally, to go along with the whole "practical gift" theme, I was thrilled to find one of EdenFantasys newest products- the Terme Trio Hair Care Set! Hair and Body Powder, Shampoo, and Conditioner... all three practical gifts that she will use and enjoy for weeks to come! The price is a little steeper then I would prefer spent on me for Valentine's Day at $58.99, but for the average person it's probably right on target. And since it's practical but still romantic, I can get behind it!

So head on over to EdenFantasys today and see how they can help you have the most romantic Valentine's Day possible. And remember, it ain't all sex toys! But, you know, you can find those there, too! ;)

The Green and Frugal Wedding Guide : The Venue

2012-01-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

There are two venues involved in most weddings - the ceremony venue and the reception venue. Oftentimes, the venues are one in the same. Have your wedding at your church, have your reception in the church basement! Or, they can be different. Have a wedding at a park and the reception at a hotel ballroom. There are pros and cons to both and what you have for a budget will greatly affect where you can (and cannot) have your wedding.

What We Are Doing...

Smith's Cove, Georgetown, Grand Cayman

Our decision to have a destination weddings was mostly a cost one. We have a small budget and needed an affordable venue. I love beach weddings and since many beaches are public they don't cost anything to use for your ceremony. In the US you have to be concerned with the legalities of having a ceremony on a public beach (permits and other regulations) so do your research before you pick this for your venue. But in Grand Cayman you do not need a permit to have your wedding on a public beach. So off to Grand Cayman we go!!

Planning a wedding through the actual cruise line will cost an arm and a leg. Definitely more than we can afford and it comes with perks we, frankly, do not want. Instead, I contacted a local wedding planner (more on that later!) who knows of some great beaches that are public but quiet to give us some privacy for the ceremony. The planner, the marriage license, and the officiant is going to cost us $700. That's nothing in the wedding industry!

For the reception we have opted to go nice and easy. Cruises offer formal sit-down dinners in their Main Dining Room each night. While not private, it's a great way for our guests to have a wonderful meal and socialize with each other. So instead of paying for a reception room and having a private dinner with a limited menu we opted instead to just have our reception in the regular Main Dining Room and splurge a bit on some wine for our guests to drink with their dinner.

Total cost of our wedding venue + reception venue? $800.

Not into a cruise port wedding? Check out these other money saving ideas!

1) Your Church

If you have a church that you already have a great relationship with and you want to have a religious ceremony, oftentimes this can be the most affordable route for your ceremony. Most churches do not charge for you to have your ceremony in their church if you (either the bride, groom, or one of your parents) are a member of the church. And if they do charge it will be a nominal fee, usually under $300. You will need to pay the officiant for performing the ceremony, however. The cost of this varies and I've seen everything from $100 to $500. Usually the fee is a "suggested donation", but I do suggest you donate what they suggest you donate! If you'd like an organist or performer provided from the church you will also need to pay for that, usually about $100. Tipping the church coordinator and other employees is also typical, but will usually only add up to a few hundred dollars at most.

You can also opt to have your reception at your church hall if they have a space available. The church I grew up in (a Catholic church) will rent the basement out to it's members, free of charge, for wedding receptions. There tend to be more regulations with this option, however. For one, alcohol at my church was limited to wine only. No beer, no hard alcohol. Dancing beyond the first dance and parent dance was also not allowed. I found this to be the case at the few churches I looked into to write this article. Having your reception at a church may also mean a little more work on your part. Usually decorations, setting up, and cleaning up is the responsibility of the bride and groom, not the church. Obviously, though, this means more money in your pocket at the end of the day! Remember to tip anyone involved in helping out with your wedding if provided by the church, often times they are volunteers or working for minimal pay.

Please note that some churches may have more of a fee to use their full facility for a wedding. And if you are not a member of the church they may charge a fee to use the chapel for your ceremony. Be sure to ask before you get your heart set on a church you can't afford!

2) Parks or Other Public Spaces

I mentioned beaches in the intro to this post and I'd like to expand that option by including local parks. In 2010 a friend of mine got married at a local state park and then had the reception at the parks event hall, which was really little more than a log cabin with a kitchen. It was a beautiful wedding with lots of personality! A great highlight to this particular park was the ability for the bride and groom to rent out the little cabins so guests could spend the night.

One cost example I know a bit about is the Samuel P. Taylor State Park in northern California. They offer 2 sites for weddings- the smaller site charges $110 and allows for up to 30 guests and the larger site can accommodate up to 80 guests and will run you $225. In addition to that you need to pay for a monitoring fee to ensure your wedding does not affect the other park guests and vice versa. At Camp Taylor that would cost $90/hour (so about $500 total for a full wedding). If you plan to serve alcohol you would also need insurance. But for about $800-1000 you will have a beautiful ceremony and reception site!

Remember, state parks aren't just trees and camp sites! Many state parks include historic homes, lighthouses, and beaches. The price you will pay for a state park will vary greatly based on the state you are in and the type of park you are choosing.

3) Hotels... Without the Ballrooms

Most hotels with ballroom options will be pricey! But go just down the street to the smaller hotel and you may find yourself a great deal! With manicured lawns great for the ceremony and modest conference rooms that have a lot of decorating potential they are an often overlooked options, which means you can usually snag yourself a deal.

Every year my family rents out a room at a motel in Rochester, MN for our family Christmas. For 4 hours we get a room for just $75. We are responsible for decorating and cleaning up, but the room is large enough for the whole family (about 50 of us) and the hotel is easily accessible to many downtown ceremony venues. No, it's usually not going to be a fancy wedding, but if you throw in your own personality and decorating ideas you can really make it great!

To find a hotel that will cater to a wedding without breaking the bank do a Google search for affordable wedding hotels in your area. At least here in Chico several that label themselves an affordable wedding option popped right up! Just make sure you don't end up having to spend more on bringing in your own caterers, bar tenders, security, etc. than it's worth! When not provided by the venue those costs, if you feel you need them, will add up quickly!

4) A Backyard Wedding

If you or someone in your family has a large backyard, why not look into having the ceremony and reception there? The venue itself would be free, so then you just have to focus on the details and legalities. Depending on where you live this vary GREATLY! In my town we would need to purchase an event permit and a liquor permit (in addition we'd be required to have security and insurance if serving alcohol). All in all this added up to about $1000. Not too shabby for a place where you can have both the ceremony and the reception, but still a bit over our budget. However, if we lived just 300 feet west it would cost us almost nothing due to the fact that the city limits end at our house and everything passed that is part of the county which has fewer regulations. The cost would have been cut nearly in half to about $500. So keep that in mind! But in many areas using your own backyard can be doubly effective- it'll save you some money and you can also use some of your budget to spruce up your yard and curb appeal which will add to the value of your home!

If you aren't interested in doing that much work, there are many people who already have their homes set up to host weddings. They will already have the needed permits on hand and areas of their home and yard already set up and designated for ceremonies and receptions. The costs to use these places will obviously vary based on a lot of factors (size of the home/yard, cost of the homeowners permitting for weddings, services offered, etc.) but often you can find a great deal. To find these sorts of venues, check out Craigslist and do a few Google searches. Just make sure you interview the homeowners to ensure they are properly permitted and insured to host your wedding and, if not, how much more it will cost for you to obtain this.

5) An All Inclusive Resort Destination Wedding

Many All Inclusive Resorts around the Caribbean and Mexico offer amazing deals on weddings! The Sandals line of resorts, for instance, offer guests FREE weddings (which include the wedding venue, bouquet and boutonniere, music, officiant, wedding cake, and more) if you stay for a certain number of nights at their resorts. Add ons are, of course, extra, but still minimal in comparison!

Destination weddings are also a great way to keep your guest list down. If you have dreamed of a small, intimate wedding but still want to invite your large extended families and close friends, a DW is a great way to do that but also keep the numbers to a comfortable level. I personally did not want a large wedding, but with over 30 first cousins, it's hard to keep numbers low. A destination wedding also allowed my fiance and I to compromise the "where", since we live in one place (California) and our families are spread out between Minnesota and Arizona. Since someone would have to travel, we made it fair and made everyone travel!

Destination weddings aren't for everyone, though. My Grandma will not be able to attend my wedding because of her health, and my best friend (who was supposed to be my maid of honor) will also not be in attendance due to the financial strain of a DW. But everyone who cannot come is still so excited for us and not hurt in any way that we planned our wedding this way. However, a lot of people WILL be upset and feel left out. So just keep that in mind if you go the DW route.

So there are just some of the many ways you can cut down on the expense of a wedding venue! Do you have some ideas? I'd love to hear them, please post in the comment section so budget brides can receive your wisdom and experience!

Walgreens Prescriptions Savings Club

2012-01-15T20:00:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you've been a Walgreens Pharmacy customer for a while now you are probably familiar with the Express Scripts program, a program that allows Walgreens customers to get their prescription medications at a discounted rates. Unfortunately, on December 31st, 2011 negotiations between Walgreen and Express Scripts were unsuccessful and Walgreen has been dropped from the Express Scripts program (read their press release: Walgreens and Express Scripts). Walgreens is disappointed that their many attempts to work out an arrangement with Express Scripts has fallen through.

This change will affect many who benefit from the discounts they receive through Walgreen as part of the Express Scripts program. People like military families, retirees on fixed incomes, and lower income families. These families are now finding themselves having to drive farther from their homes in order to get the medications they need at a price they can afford. Many have been Walgreens customers for years and have a relationship with their local pharmacists and are now having to leave the place they are comfortable at. As you can imagine, few are pleased with this situation.

There is good news, though! When walking into my local Walgreens yesterday I notcied a sign advertising a special program offered through Walgreens called the Prescriptions Savings Clubs. For just $5 for an individual or $10 for a family through January 31st you can take advantage of this great savings program! Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens has benefits that include savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and generic medications, discounts on flu shots, PET prescriptions, nebulizer, and diabetic supplies. It includes bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services as well!

While the loss of support from Express Scripts will affect many, I appreciate the effort being put forth by Walgreens to maintain the happiness and comfort of their clients. If you'd like more information be sure to check out Walgreens on Facebook and Walgreens on Twitter to find out the latest on this great program and the failed negotiations with Express Scripts.

Amazing Deal from Pexagon Tech!

2012-01-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

As a photographer, I like to throw little touches into the products I give to my clients. After several issues with CDs and DVDs I decided to switch to USB thumb drives. I was buying them, originally, from WalMart but then I discovered Pexagon Tech. It's a company that allows you to order custom USB thumb drives, and to order anywhere from 1 to 100 or more! You are not bound to purchase in bulk like other websites. This worked out great for me because I was able to order just enough for my wedding season, with no wasted money!

And now I have this great deal just for you! You can get $50 worth of Pexagon Tech products for just $25!!! That's a 50% savings and a great way to save on your business or personal products this New Year!

The Green and Frugal Wedding Guide : The Cake!

2012-01-09T10:14:00.000-08:00

Let's face it... Weddings are EXPENSIVE! According to CostOfWedding.com the average wedding in the United States will cost $26,542 with the average wedding costing somewhere between $19,907 and $33,178. In the average, at least in my area, a bride and groom can expect to spent about $400 on the wedding cake.

$400, in the grand scheme of things, is not a lot of money. In fact, that can be the most affordable part of your wedding day even if you pay the average! But if you think $400 will break the bank, or you'd rather save there so you can spend somewhere else, here are just a few ideas on how you can save a little green on that wedding cake!

PLEASE NOTE: The cost of cake will vary greatly depending on where you live! The prices quoted below are from research I have done in my local area (North Central California), my experience with cake shopping in Rochester, MN, and a friend's cake company in Central California. These numbers are specific to these areas only, although I imagine they won't vary too much unless you like in a major metropolitan area where the cost of living is higher (like New York or San Francisco).

1) Check Out the Grocery Store

We are not having a traditional cake from a bakery for our wedding since it's a DW, but did do some basic research when we were originally planning an "at-home" wedding. I also had a wedding cake at my first wedding. Prices in my area ranged anywhere from $2.50 per person to $3.75 per person to $85 for a 2-tier cake that will feed 25 people. So, how places price cakes seem to vary, but I found that the GROCERY STORE was always the most affordable!

Before you shake your head at the idea of a cake made at the grocery store, try them out. Most places will do free tastings that will allow you to taste the quality of their cakes as well as meet their bakers and take a look at their design options. The first time around my Mom and I went around to three bakeries, the grocery store, and a large chain box store to try out their cakes. By far, the Hy-Vee in Rochester, MN (Barlow's Plaza for anyone in the area!) had the BEST cakes! We devoured the samples and there were no left overs.

On top of that, the baker (Janine) was amazing and my cake was exactly what I had requested. I wanted an ocean-blue cake with sea shells cascading down one side (pictured). It was a 3-tiered square cake as well, which is a shape that is usually more expensive. In the end, I was very, very pleased with my cake. So much so that I recommended the same bakery and cake to a friend for her wedding. And, like me, she loved her cake!

2) Feed Your Guests Sheet Cake

Image From http://www.nanascookiesandmore.com/

Everyone likes the idea of doing the cake cutting with a beautiful tiered cake, but did you know that a tiered cake is more expensive than a sheet cake and you actually get less in a lot of cases? Plus, the cake is usually cut up back in the kitchen and served in slices. So why not purchase a smaller tiered cake and then feed your guests sheet cake?

Let's say your bakery charges $3.00 per serving for a tiered cake and $100 for a full sheet cake, and you have 150 guests coming to your wedding. On average, a full sheet cake will produce 100 servings. So instead of paying $3 per serving, you are pay $1 per serving. If you get a small two-tiered sheet cake with 6" and 9" tiers this cake will feed 25 on average, so you can expect to pay $75 or so for this tiered cake. Throw in a full sheet cake for $100 and a half sheet cake for $65 and you are spending just $240 on your wedding cake with left overs to spare!

Going this route you can also save the top tier of your tiered cake for the first anniversary tradition without risking running out of cake for your guests, and still pay less than just having a full tiered cake. You still get your lovely designed tiered cake for the cake cutting and display, and your guests still get yummy cake, all while staying on budget.

3) Get Cupcakes!

Cupcakes are HUGE right now! Of the dozen or so weddings I went to last year 4 of them had cup cakes instead of a traditional cake. Guests generally love these, and the bride and groom love them because they are often more affordable!

If you are paying $3/serving for a tiered cake in your area, look into cupcakes. A shop in my town called Cupcake Crusader charges just $18 for a dozen cupcakes! That comes out to $1.50 per serving! So for a guest list of 150 you will need 13 dozen cupcakes at a cost of just $234!

However, I will note that Cupcake Crusader is the lowest cost cupcake maker in my area that I was able to find by doing a simple online search. Another cupcake baker in my area charges $2.25 per cupcake, which would make the cost go up to $27/dozen or $351 for 13 dozen. So this option is not always more affordable. But on the same note, my friend runs Clever Confections in Turlock, CA and she only charges $15/dozen so just $195 for 13 dozen cupcakes! And I hear her Irish Car Bomb cupcakes are TO DIE FOR!

4) Find a Friend or DIY!

Image Courtesy of Clever Confections

Cupcakes, cake design, dessert design in general is becoming a big hobby for a lot of people these days. I have many friends who make cakes either as a hobby or part time job, but do not own their own bakeries. Often times you will find that they will charge less to make their delicious creations. Either charging cost or a small fee. A lot of the time your friends' talents will look and taste similar to those you can get at a large bakery. BUT, like all DIY options, there is risk involved. If you friend gets sick, if your oven breaks, if you forget an ingredient, etc. you could end up with a cake disaster and be SOOL. Especially if you DIY it can also bring in a lot of unneeded stress! So, if you go this route, I'd say hire a friend who does this as a regular hobby or small business. Just to take the stress off of you!

You may even have some friends who are not regular cake makers who want to contribute to your wedding and offer to make your cake. If you aren't set on a specific look or too picky about perfection, take them up on it! My friend Kristina had a friend make her cake and while it wasn't exactly professional looking it was fun and crazy and a little kooky, which fit her so perfectly! In that case I think the less-than-perfect cake fit the mold of her style, personality, and wedding than a finely designed cake would have.

Had my fiance and I opted for a local wedding, as we were originally, we would have had my friend at Clever Confections make our cake for us. We estimated we would spend between $200-250 to do a combination of cupcakes and a small tiered cake and possibly even a sheet cake (I love variety!) which is far under the average of $400.

5) Skip The Cake Altogether!

Not everyone likes cake or cupcake. So why not skip the wedding cake altogether and instead opt for some yummy cake alternatives. I will actually be doing another post soon to breakdown some of my personal favorite Wedding Cake Alternatives. Note, some may actually be MORE expensive than a traditional wedding cake, but many are much, much more affordable. So stay tuned for that!

In Conclusion...

I wanted to conclude this post by saying that there are many, many talented bakers out there who not only create beautiful custom decorated cakes, but delicious and unique cake/cupcake recipes out there. Since $400 is such a small price to pay when you consider how much everything else costs, I'd still keep an open mind to a more traditional cake. At my first wedding the cake was a highlight for me. The baker did a fabulous job... the cake was beautiful and delicious. If I had to, I would have spent double on that cake than what I did. To me, cake is worth the splurge. It's a nice treat for your guests and a way for you to show your personality in a creative way.

I actually attended a bridal show this past weekend and the cakes on display here were amazing! Also the samples were incredible. I know my first wedding was just four years ago but I don't remember cake being that awesome or pretty back then! It makes me sad that, due to us having a destination wedding, we won't have any control over the design or taste of our cake. :(

So if you want to splurge, DO IT!

Do you have some wedding cake money saving tips? I'd love to hear them! Please comment below with your ideas and suggestions.

Wedding Mode!

2012-01-07T00:49:00.000-08:00

Alright people, I have bad news for you. For the next 50 days (or so) this blog is going to be all WEDDING all the time!!! According to my countdown on my iPad I have 52 days left until my wedding date. Ah!!! I have a ton of DIY pojects, a ton of money saving tips, and I hope to be hosting a ton of wedding-themed giveaways! This will include some giveaways of my own wedding items when I'm done with them. :)

Quick Update... We have changed a few wedding details! It was becoming too difficult to plan the wedding on March 1st in Haiti so we bumped the date and changed the location. We are now getting married in Georgetown, Grand Cayman on February 28th. So with two days less to plan, it's crunch time!

To start, for accountability purposes, I wanted to share my Do-It-Yourself (DIY) to-do list. I literally just made this list tonight after looking at a ton of wedding images on Pinterest. I wasn't going to do most of these but, you know, I want to. I love DIY projects and I'm a little bored right now so it works out.

1) Mustache/Lips "I Do" / "I Do, Too" signs (great for pictures, easy to resell!)
2) "Here Comes the Bride" sign (I have a ring bearer now, so I want something for him to carry down the aisle.)
3) Thank You banner (great for Thank You Notes!)
4) Mrs. hanger. Not sure if I want to do wood burning or wire. I'll have to see how much time I have!

I'm sure more will be added as I go, and of course when I do a project I will update you all!

So stick with me as I continue my Green Wedding Guide.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2011-12-25T20:29:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!