Simple + Budget Friendly Wedding Planning Tools

Friday, March 29, 2019

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Planning your Wedding does NOT have to be an expensive nightmare.  All you have to do is plan it out and do so within specific time frames.  The only way to successfully accomplish that is to have a planning system set up that keeps you organized and motivated.  Trust me, I know because I planned my own wedding for under $2,500. So today, I have a super fun Wedding Planning Box to show you! 


Summer Is Coming, Get Ready With These Trends

Thursday, March 28, 2019


Ahhhh summer. The long evenings, the crisp cool water, and the perfect excuse to pack away the Uggs and soft cardigans and get the floaty frocks and sunnies out. But, trends chance from summer to summer, in fact, they change by the season. So it might just be time for a bit of an update. Now, with everyone doing capsule wardrobes, and no buy months it can be really hard to update on a budget - or with just one or two items. Well, here are the trends for the coming summer to help you decide what to invest your cash in.
Animal Print

Animal print is big, bold and beautiful - fo long as it’s not the real deal. You can go all out with a dress, paired with some flat nude pumps and a crossbody or a flawlessly fitted suit. If you don’t love going too bold but love to stay on trend, then leopard print Chelsea boots teamed with black jeans and a white tee is super slick.

Tips to Keep Your Dog Happy and Occupied

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Tips to Keep Your Dog Happy and Occupied


I've never had an issue with my dogs getting into anything they shouldn't and I truly believe that's because I always provide them with something to do even if I'm not home.  There's no reason for them to be bored and wandering into mischief in the house and today I'm going to share my tips with you so you can keep YOUR dog happy and occupied. 


How To Organize A Linen Closet

Wednesday, March 27, 2019


How To Organize a linen closet

Ah, the dreaded linen closet.  For some reason every other nook and cranny in your home can be completely on point but for some reason, we ALL struggle with the linen closet.  I mean, what's it matter though if house guests don't really see it?  Does it really matter if it's neat and organized or not? 


Well, consider this... cleaning up, changing sheets, and accessing other odds and ends in this closet will be a breeze when the space they're all stored in is tidy and everything has a place that's easy to find without the whole stack of towels falling onto you.  

So today, let's talk about how to organize a linen closet.

Invisible Illnesses You Need To Be Aware Of

Tuesday, March 26, 2019


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There are many conditions that you may not know you have. This can be very worrying, and it’s common that people will live with conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, even certain types of cancer, and many people can have STDs for years and not know they are sick. Here are a few others you should be aware of:

Tiny Lifestyle Tweaks to Save You Money



When your budget gets tight you may be looking for ways to cut your spending. Often people look for big savings and fail to find them. You can be better off finding several little ones, as they generally will not affect your lifestyle so much. Every dollar you save each week turns into $365 over the year. Save $10 a week and you will be $3650 better off.

Why Video Advertising is Important for Your Marketing Plan


You may notice that video ads are appearing everywhere these days and that's for good reason.  The internet is huge and basically everyone uses it for every thing they can.  So it's no surprise that any good business that wants to market itself needs to embrace the growing opportunity for video advertising.  Here's why it's so important to get started with video production for your marketing plan.  


Preparing Your Pooch for Spring

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Preparing Your Pooch for Spring

Spring is on it's way and while you're busy spring cleaning inside your home and preparing the gardens outside your home, don't forget about your precious pooch!  Your dog likely needs a few things done to prepare him for the nice Spring weather and being outdoors more often.  Here's a few things to keep in mind when it comes to preparing your pooch for Spring.

Books I Recommend You Read [March]

Monday, March 25, 2019

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I am so excited the weather is getting warmer because that means I can start reading on the porch again!!! Check out what I read (inside - boohoo) this month for now! 


How To Save Money on Groceries: Coupons vs. Generic Brands

Friday, March 22, 2019


How To Save Money on Groceries: Coupons vs. Generic Brands

Whether it's an in-store deal, a hand cut coupon, or a cash back or coupon app, there are PLENTY of ways to save money on everyday household items, especially groceries.  But some people go out of their way just to get that coupon cashed in and get a deal, without actually asking themselves if they need the item or are actually getting it for the cheapest price possible. 


I live in Pennsylvania and the stores near me aren't like the ones on the Extreme Couponing shows.   They don't all let you stack multiple coupons and use more than 1 per transaction.  So depending on where you shop, live, and what you consume, buying an item with a coupon may still cost you more than you COULD pay.  Let's take a look at some scenarios to see if you're really saving money with coupons. 

7 Ways Dogs Can Improve Your Health

Wednesday, March 20, 2019


It’s no secret that being around a four-legged furry creature can make you feel just a little bit better. It doesn't matter how sick or stressed out you are, merely being in their presence can get you smiling. A dog is a constant companion, who will love you unconditionally and be there for you whenever you need them. This knowledge alone can improve your mental health, but, the benefits of owning a dog do go far beyond that, positively affecting your body and health as a whole. With that in mind, here are seven surprising ways owning a dog can improve your health.

7 Casual Spring Outfits



Spring is my favorite time of year to put outfits together because there are so many possibilities of layers utilizing warm weather shirts and even cold weather gear.  Today I put together 7 casual Spring outfits to inspire you in your own wardrobe. 


Is Your Body Giving Up On You?

Tuesday, March 19, 2019


This is most likely something you will have said to yourself time and time again. In fact, everyone around you is most likely saying it as well, because as you go into adult life and get all of the responsibilities you wouldn’t have had as a child, your body starts to wear down. We aren’t prepared to care for our body when we’re running around like headless chickens all of the time, and it really does reflect on our health. But when managing life is so hard in general, how is it going to become easy for us to manage our health and wellbeing as well? Well, it’s all about time and dedication, and dealing with the issues that you think you have. It’s so important that we become more proactive with our health so that when we do really start to age, that our bodies are as fit and as healthy as they can possibly be. So, we’re going to give you some ways that we think you can stop your body giving up on you, and fight some of the minor issues you might have before they become major.

Critical Signs Your Hearing Loss Is Getting Worse

Monday, March 18, 2019

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Hearing loss affects more than 80 million people living in the US and more than 400 million worldwide. It’s one of the top morbidities worldwide, yet gets paid very little attention in the media.
It’s not just a condition of the elderly either: it’s something that can affect you at any stage of life, including in your 20s and 30s.

Hearing loss can result from all kinds of situations. Many younger people who would never imagine suffering hearing loss often find that they lose their hearing following exposure to loud noises. If you regularly attend concerts or work in a noisy environment, then you could be a prime candidate for losing your hearing.

So what are the signs that you have hearing loss? And when should you pop along to your audiologist for a hearing aid evaluation? Let’s take a look.

Maximizing Space in A Tiny Bathroom


I always get so starry eyed when I see people's bathrooms that are literally the size of a small bedroom.  But then I remind myself, I'm just one person and it's only me and my husband in this house so while a huge bathroom COULD be nice, it's not necessary.  


That being said, a lot of people have tiny bathrooms and struggle to store and organize things in a neat way.  They also struggle with styling and cleaning a tiny bathroom so today's post is a few ways to maximize your limited space! 

Give Your Home a Spring Makeover

Sunday, March 17, 2019


Spring is the perfect time to catch up on projects around the house and give your home a fresh, new look. If you're like most homeowners, important projects often get postponed during cold winter months. When warm weather arrives, why not take advantage of the sunshine and fresh air by creating an interior that's comfortable and inviting?

 Freshen Up with New Paint 
Even when you're a meticulous housekeeper, normal wear-and-tear takes a toll on your interior spaces. If you take a close look, you will likely see dirty spots, stains, dust, hand prints, and fingerprints on your interior walls, especially if they're painted in light colors or you have kids in the house. Most people regularly vacuum floors and rugs, clean countertops, wash dirty dishes and clothes, and fluff up throw pillows, but never clean their walls. Paint can quickly give your interior updated style and a fresh, clean appearance. Painting is one of the easiest and most affordable options for home improvement. Whether you prefer soft, light colors or deep, bold hues, it's easy to find a wide range of paint colors to match your design style. For best application, maximum coverage, and easy maintenance, choose water-based flat paint for walls and semi-gloss or gloss finishes for doors and moldings.

Ways to Spruce Up Your Boat Dock

Friday, March 15, 2019


Owning a boat can be a very rewarding thing.  It gives you something to do in your free time and it's a great way to get out there and see nature.  Not to mention, taking friends and family out on a boat is a great way to bond or celebrate a special occasion.  I grew up around water with a creek in my backyard and always a few minutes of a drive from the Susquehanna River so I can really appreciate the beauty not only of looking at the water but being out on it.  Now that tax season is almost over, some of you may have received a return and you're wondering what to do with that money.  So if that's the case, here are a few ways to spruce up your boat dock with dock accessories


6 Smart Ways To Use Your Tax Refund


6 Smart Ways To Use Your Tax Refund

It's always nice to come upon some extra money even if it's money owed to you from taxes.  Getting a refund this year with your taxes? Well, if you haven't received it yet, you're in luck because I am going to remind you of some smart ways to put it to good use.  It's always so tempting to go and splurge and treat yourself to new shoes, a fancy dinner, and maybe even concert tickets but wait!  Putting it to good use in a way that invests in your future is IMPORTANT so consider these 6 ways to use it instead. 



Why You Aren't Beach Ready, Even With Your Bikini Body

Wednesday, March 13, 2019



When it comes to summer, you can’t beat a swimsuit or bikini. As the cold months come to an end, the chances are that you’re busting to get out to the beach for days of sunbathing in outfits like these. It doesn’t get better for staying cool in the summer heat. The chances are that you’ve even been cutting back on carbs so you can get your body out without worry.

But, you don’t need us to tell you that looking good in a bikini isn’t as easy as losing a little weight. While the focus always seems to be on bikini bodies, it’s possible not to look your best in one of these, no matter how trimmed you are. If this is the situation you’re facing at the moment, you might be at the end of your tether. You’re as happy as you can be with your body itself, after all, yet you still cringe every time you put that swimsuit on.

5 Ways To Use Baskets as Decor AND Storage

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5 Ways To Use Baskets as Decor AND Storage

There's no greater feeling than walking in to a home that is clean AND organized.   Oh wait, there is - when your home is clean, organized, and has awesome decor that doesn't clutter it up more.   That's how my house is and I absolutely love it! 


People often say they need help organizing AND decorating and that's where I always recommend investing in baskets.  Baskets are a killer addition to your home because they not only corral your items and organized them but they also look nice as accent decor.  

So today I'm going to show you 5 ways that I use my newest basket, the Square Medium Laundry Basket from Peterboro Baskets. I love the neutral color of my basket because it goes with all of my decor so it's universal. It's 14" long, 14" wide, and 11" high so it's perfect for a variety of places in my home. 

What To Do With Your Windfall

Tuesday, March 12, 2019


Most of adult life is spent creating our wish lists: places we’d love to visit, what we’d do to our homes, where we might like to live one day or retire to. But there are times when, sometimes out of nowhere, that wish becomes a reality and we find ourselves with some actual real-life decisions to make.

Perhaps we’ve come into an inheritance, got an unexpected bonus at work, or our numbers came up on the Lotto. It might be that through sheer determination, saying no to the little luxuries and extras in life, we’ve managed to save our way to something significant. However it came about, fate has smiled on us and now we have to make some big decisions.

How would you spend your significant sum? Would you blow it all on an amazing holiday of a lifetime, renovate your home up to the standards you’ve always dreamed of or perhaps use it to finance a whole new life in a new town, city or even country?

In this blog we take a look at some options for large scale investments and help you to make the big decisions.
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Making Peace With Yourself

Finding inner peace is one of those impossible challenges that probably sits on the list of to-do just between riding a unicorn and seeing if the clouds do, indeed, taste of vanilla cotton candy. It’s an inaccessible dream, an insurmountable mountain, and you’ve long accepted your position. There can be no inner peace, or so you think.

In reality, the path to making peace with yourself is paved with obstacles which you might not be aware of. These roadblocks can be avoided – or even destroyed – but you need to take the first step towards them. One of the common issues when it comes to managing our inner turmoils is an overwhelming sense of passiveness. When you only focus on experiencing the emotional response to an obstacle, you can be easily distracted from the actual problem you need to tackle. Indeed, feeling anxious about yourself or your situation is a response to a specific event. But if you let the anxiety take over, it can take your attention away from the real rockblock, which, in this case, is the reason why you are feeling anxious. The path to inner peace is not smooth. But as you get to examine your emotions and work on them, you can gradually remove the obstacles. Breathe in, and start the arduous journey of making peace with your mind and body.

A Guide To Buying An Investment Property

Monday, March 11, 2019


Buying real estate with a view to turning a profit is a very different situation to someone who wants to buy a home in which to reside. Many investors do choose to buy a rental property, especially with the rising land and house prices that just seem to go up in an ongoing way, but despite the risks, if you have your heart set on becoming a landlord, here are some useful tips.

How Could You Start Loving The Skin You're In?



People often talk about the importance of loving the skin you’re in, but it’s hard to do so in practice. We’re all more critical of our own appearances than any other person. We all see flaws in the mirror that nobody else can see. But the key to loving your appearance is about loving yourself. It doesn’t mean you’re vain if you appreciate your natural beauty or style; it means you appreciate yourself, and that’s essential to living a happy life. So, how could you start loving the skin you’re in? This article has a few suggestions that might just put you on the right track.



Take sleep seriously.
You might think that people are just looking for an excuse for a lie-in when they talk about beauty sleep, but there’s immense truth to the beauty benefits of sleeping well. Again, we’re not talking about beauty in a vain sense; we’re talking about your physical wellbeing. Getting enough rest keeps your immune system working well and even aids your metabolism. You’ll be able to maintain a healthy weight if you get enough rest (and eat well, of course). But sleeping well can also improve your mental health. By reducing stress and anxiety, your outward appearance will improve as a result. Our bodies are remarkable things; our appearance tells us a lot about our health. By sleeping properly, you might be able to reduce acne and improve your overall skin quality. There are plenty of reasons to get a good night’s rest. If you’re struggling to doze off then get some help.

Reinvent your wardrobe.
Your fashion also plays a big part in loving your appearance. Obviously, your clothes aren’t part of your natural appearance, but the outfits you choose to wear can certainly complement your natural appearance. You might want to reinvent your wardrobe if you’re not inspired by your current pick of clothes. That doesn’t mean you should always be throwing out clothes and buying new ones; fast fashion isn’t ethical or healthy on a personal level. Your goal is to create outfits that suit your body. Well-fitted clothing works well. Obviously, you shouldn’t wear clothes that fit too tightly, but an outfit that looks tailor-made to your physique will always look more stylish than a shapeless outfit. That doesn’t mean loose clothing is unstylish, but there needs to be some shape to your outfit. For instance, a loose dress should be accessorized with a fashionable belt to hug it into your figure. You might want to check out the best online boutique for accessories if you’re uninspired by your current options. A good wardrobe full of stylish options can really help you to start loving the skin you’re in.

Focus on your identity.
This can be the hardest part of loving the skin you’re in. After all, most of us struggle with our identities for our entire lives. But figuring out who you are is a big part of learning to love yourself, both inside and out. And if you want to improve your appearance then you should be aiming to create an appearance that appeals to your personality and preferences. Forget what anyone else thinks. Feeling happy with the reflection in the mirror is about what you want. Who do you want to be? Your appearance and your clothing are both representations of your individuality. As discussed in the previous point, your wardrobe is more important to loving the skin you’re in than you might fully appreciate. It’s an extension of you. That doesn’t mean your style has to be fixed; it just means that you should express yourself in a way that suits your identity. That might mean wearing or not wearing makeup. It might mean that you wear certain patterns or use certain accessories and jewelry. The point is that loving the skin you’re in is about focusing on your identity.


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2 Places that Caster Wheels Help




In a commercial setting especially, very heavy objects can be a nuisance to move. Often it is more than just the sheer weight, but bulkiness, size and price come into the equation too. For pieces that are weighty but require the capability to move as well, consider attaching some caster wheels to them.
The ability to slide rather than push makes moving otherwise impossible items much so much easier. The following 2 types of business in particular can benefit from the use of casters on equipment:

Garages

Thanks to the seemingly never-ending supply of machinery and tooling found in commercial garages, mobility is essential for the safety and efficiency of mechanics. Equipment, gear, and tools are commonly shared between workers in the shop. Some garage items that work well with industrial steel caster wheels on them include:
-Toolboxes. This doesn’t mean the small handheld kind with the single flimsy latch. Industrial toolboxes can weigh upwards of 1,800 pounds empty and thousands of pounds while full. Mounting a box on wheels makes sense for a mechanic who needs the ability to work on many things at once.-Workbenches. Like toolboxes, mobility is essential for workbenches. Mechanics need a steady surface on which to lie tools, rags, and equipment. Benches need to be heavy-duty to ensure safety and durability, so caster wheels are a smart solution.

Janitorial Areas

Specialty hardware and supplies that custodians use on the daily are often unwieldy and impractical to move from place to place. Casters can greatly help with items that are too large or too heavy to move without help. Here are some great places custodians can use caster wheels to help make their jobs easier:
-Commercial garbage cans. At most businesses, custodians will go from room to room emptying all the smaller cans into a single larger one. Putting the large garbage can on wheels and walking with it to each room makes for a more efficient nightly trash cleanup.
-Ladders. Very tall ladders are difficult to move all alone. Attach casters to the sides of such ladders (not the feet) to roll them from place to place if nobody is around to help move them.

Specialty equipment and tools can be very difficult to move properly, but thankfully caster wheels exist to make the job easier. All businesses can benefit from their use, but some could use the help in much higher doses than others.



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Get Your FREE PRINTABLE Wedding Planner Today!

FREE PRINTABLE Wedding Planner
You may remember when I got married and planned and organized everything myself, all for $2,500 making it a very budget friendly wedding

But I couldn't have done that without being super organized and having a process the entire way.  So I wanted to help those of you out there planning your own weddings by offering a FREE Printable Wedding Planner! 

5 Things To Do Around Your Home When You Unplug for A Day

Friday, March 8, 2019

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Did you know March 1st was the National Day of Unplugging?  Well it got me thinking about how productive you can actually be if you remove the digital distractions just for ONE day.  That's all.  24 hours.   And you're asleep for some of that time so really it's not even that many hours that you have to make the conscious effort.  


So whether you just wanna see what it's like to unplug for a full day or if you have things you want to get done and finally have a legit reason to unplug, so you can get them done - here are 5 things you can do around your home when you unplug for an entire day. 

Taking The Time To Appreciate Animals and Nature

Thursday, March 7, 2019


It's easy to get a bit cynical about the modern world, especially if we focus too much on the problems that exist in the world and ignore all the beauty and wonder that surrounds us. People who advise others on spirituality often speak to the problem of focusing on the negative, as these thoughts can make us feel stressed and depleted. The great gift we have, however, is the ability to switch our thoughts around and focus instead on the many gifts we've been given in life, from the ability to walk and talk to the incredible gift of nature. Appreciating Life in its Many Forms The fact is, we are surrounded by the beauty of nature every day, and if we take the time to appreciate the natural life that exists everywhere, it will give many gifts back to us. Just taking a moment to appreciate a flower garden can change our mood from sad to happy. In the same way, taking the time to appreciate the immense love that animals have for us can lighten our mood immensely. From dogs to cats to horses, animals are wondrous creatures that are capable of bonding intensely with humans. Horses have a rare beauty and power that has inspired many great stories and epic poems. That's why horse owners usually take out horse insurance to ensure that their equine friends are well cared for should an accident or unexpected illness ever occur. In the same way, dogs and cats should also have insurance in place so that they can be cared for in case of illness. This is especially true as pets age, so every pet owner should put insurance in place early on in their pet's life, when it is most affordable. No one wants to think about a pet getting sick, but by having insurance in place early on those worries can fade away. Our animals are a true gift from nature, so caring for them with love and respect is always the right thing to do.




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Life Lately | New Car, Strong Hair, Healthy Dogs, Plastic Bag Alternatives

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Yea, so I got a new car!   It was time for my gorgeous Cuppy to go.  I have always been so loyal to Honda so it was no surprise I ended up with a 2019 Honda Civic Sport Sedan. My 2006 Civic had 122k miles on her and she was 13 years old.  I got her when she had just 4,848 miles on her.  She was a great car and did not disappoint.  But she's been getting creakier, clunkier, rustier, and she's SO OUTDATED when it comes to technology.

It was time.   ((Cue dramatic sniffling))

A Beginner's Guide to Meal Planning

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

A Beginner's Guide to Meal Planning
Everyone likes to talk about meal planning when it comes to their family dinners and how to shop financially savvy for groceries but so many of the rest of us are wondering how the heck do you get started?   And what do you do with all the existing stuff in your pantry? And how does this save you money? And how do you track what you're planning?

Well, relax because today I've made up a beginner's guide to everything you need to know and do when it comes to meal planning. 

How To Properly Use a Credit Card to Boost Your Credit Score

Monday, March 4, 2019

How To Properly Use a Credit Card to Boost Your Credit Score


A lot of financial experts tell you to get rid of your credit card debt and then never accrue any again.  They reassure you that it's okay if you basically don't have a credit score because you can use cash and that's all fine and great and I love that they say that.  


But the problem is... it's not for everyone. 

There are just some times when we don't have the cash saved up for a large purchase.  And maybe you know that you don't have the ability or extra time in your life to take on 2-3 more jobs.  And that's totally fine! Stop stressin'. 

This post is going to be more for those of you that can control your bad habits with credit cards.  If you are struggling and still use them even though you're paying down debt, stop reading.  Instead check out my post on how to pay off debt.  But for the rest of you, I'm going to tell you how you can use your credit cards properly in order to boost and maintain your credit score.  

4 Ways To Keep A Tidy Home

Friday, March 1, 2019


4 Ways to Keep A Tidy Home

It's such a good feeling when you get done with a huge purge of clutter in your house.  You have decluttered, organizing, and cleaned and you're loving life.   But then a few busy days go by and the next thing you know it looks like a bomb went off (again) in your home.  If this has happened to you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 


Don't get me wrong, having a neat and tidy home is an amazing thing.  You may have tried it yourself with the KonMari Method and my free printable KonMari Checklist, or maybe you just did your own decluttering in the beginning of the year.  Either way, after you initially get your home in tip top shape, you still need to maintain it or else you basically just did all that for nothin! 

These 4 ways to keep your home neat and tidy can really make a difference especially when you go through busy days and weeks.