Scrapbooking is More Than a Hobby

Scrapbooking is a very popular hobby and has become even more popular as craft stores and specialty stores carry more and more things to make a scrapbook shine. Scrapbooking has also become very expensive because of all the new products and the stores. But what is scrapbooking really about? Surely it is not just about pasting a bunch of pictures together and buying expensive supplies to make those pictures look nice. Scrapbooking or memory albums have many other purposes and reasons behind them.

Pick up Knitting as a Hobby

Knitting as a hobby is extremely productive and relaxing. The work of just an hour or so can result in something as satisfying as a beautiful face cloth of exactly the size, shape, exfoliating properties, and absorbance desired. It requires only a very small initial investment, and basic materials are extremely inexpensive. The products can be as utilitarian or decorative as desired, or both. Materials are reusable- an unsatisfactory scarf may be unwound and reused in a set of mittens, or a sweater, or whatever human ingenuity can design. It also has the distinct advantage of portability; a sock can go anywhere it can be stuffed in a pocket, unlike quilting.

How to Live a Frugal Lifestyle

If you enjoy eating out and want to save money too, here are a few tips that will allow you to not spend as much next time you sit down at a restaurant. Eating out can be tough on your budget and although eating at home is the cheapest way to go, you can still learn how to spend less when you order out. If you are headed out with one other person, don’t order two meals. Instead order just one and then order an appetizer and split them both. Most restaurant meals are too large anyway and trying to finish it all yourself is both unhealthy and costly.

You might also want to go out for a lunch special instead of dinner. These specials are always cheaper then a dinner meal so ask what the daily special is next time you are in your favorite restaurant. Living frugally means that you get the most out of your money so why not use coupons when you can. There are many restaurant coupons online and those that come in your mailbox. Another way to save while eating out is to consider ordering just side items. With a large salad and an appetizer, you can create your own meal and spend less to fill up.

You might even want to choose a different restaurant. We all know that fast food is not a good choice but the medium priced restaurants will offer a decent meal and not empty your wallet. A restaurant that is newly opened will offer discounts to get customers to come in and discover what they have to offer. You might have received something in the mail letting you know of their grand opening. Another prat of a frugal lifestyle when eating out is to not order a soda or alcohol. Water is better for you, goes well with any meal and won’t cost you a thing. If you need a flavor, ask for a slice of lemon in your water.

Places like Subway have healthy options and at Wendy’s you can find great salads and nutritious sandwiches as well as vegetarian options found in more restaurants these days. For those who are vegetarians, you can always eat at a Mexican restaurant and order a veggie burrito which is not only cheap but delicious and healthy too.

When it comes to dessert, you probably already know that this part of your meal is always over-priced. So why not skip it and stop on your way home for ice cream and save yourself some bucks.

Living frugally is does not mean you are starving yourself or never having any fun. It only means that you want to get the most for your money and stretch your dollar as far as possible. At first it can be a tough change but when you notice you have more money in your wallet, you will have a smile on your face because you found it was not that hard after all.

Top 5 Things to Consider When Honeymooning in Paris

Oo-la-la! A honeymoon in Paris; what could be more romantic? Is it a bit cliché? Sure it is, but the Paris is truly the city of love. Nowhere else in the world is more romantic. Ask anyone who’s been to Paris and you will get some definite opinions on where you should stay, where you should eat and what you should see. There are many things to take into consideration when planning your journey to the city of lights; here are the top five.

1. When To Go

You don’t necessarily have to plan your wedding date around the best season in Paris but, that said, if you have your heart set on Paris and your wedding date is flexible, plan accordingly. The weather in Paris is absolutely gorgeous between the months of June and August. If you want to save a bit of cash (Euros) and avoid the crowds, visit in the off-season. Be forewarned, though, that Paris can be quite blustery in the late fall, winter and early spring.

2. Where To Stay

It may be hard to believe but Paris is home to thousands of hotels. Whether you choose to stay in a five-star hotel in the city center or a bed and breakfast on the outskirts of town is completely up to you. The further you stay from Paris proper, the cheaper the rate you’ll get on your room. This may be the better choice if you plan on spending most of your time touring the city.

3. How To Get Around

Transportation may be the least costly part of your entire honeymoon. Buy a great pair of shoes (or two) and hoof it around town. The design of Paris makes it incredibly pedestrian friendly. Keep in mind that the city is quite large and while walking is definitely possible, traversing the city from end to end may be easier by taxi or metro.

4. What To Eat

Paris is a city known for its fine dining. French cuisine is emulated around the world and with good reason: it’s delicious! You have your choice of fine dining in the most exclusive of restaurants or stopping for a quick bite in one of the many cafes in the city. Take it from someone that’s eaten in Paris: either learn a bit of French or take along a French/English dictionary! You don’t want to end up eating a snail because escargot is the only French word you know. For a bit of romance, buy a loaf of French bread and a bottle of wine and head to one of the many parks for a picnic lunch.

5. What To See

The list of things to see in Paris is virtually endless. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Champs-Elysees are all popular tourist attractions. It may seem a bit gruesome but be sure to visit the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery; you’ll be absolutely amazed. Be sure to purchase a map outside the entrance to the 120-acre cemetery, particularly if you are interested in seeing the graves of famous people like Jim Morrison and Gertrude Stein.

Heather Johnson contributes to HoneymoonDestinations.org, a top honeymoon research and planning website. Come see some great honeymoon ideas today!

Safari Adventures for the Ultimate Honeymoon

With the average wedding costing around £20,000 nowadays, it’s no wonder that brides and grooms-to-be are feeling the strain. From grand expensive venues and endless bridesmaid outfits, to extravagant wedding cakes and white diamond dresses, some would argue paying such extremes for one day, that is really just about two people in love, is a little OTT. Particularly when Auntie Pat who you felt an obligation to invite, starts complaining the £100 a-head wedding dinner isn’t good enough.

Elegant Ideas for Formal Weddings

Formal entertaining takes style to a whole new level, especially when it comes to weddings. The right details will ensure that your wedding is as grand and impressive as you envision. These are some elegant ideas for formal weddings.

As every bride knows, her wedding attire really sets the tone for the event. To exude elegance, look for a bridal gown with very special details. Pleated silk, handbeading, custom embroidery, and couture construction are the type of things which will give your gown the sophisticated style you seek. If budget permits, consider having your wedding dress custom made. It will allow you to have a one-of-a-kind gown that is sure to take everyone’s breath away. Pearl or crystal bridal jewelry sets in a complementary style will complete the effect beautifully. While many formal bridal gowns have full skirts, keep in mind that an chic sheath gown can be given an appropriately grand style by adding accessories such as a cathedral length veil and opulent bridal jewelry sets.

The wedding invitations that you select will give your guests a hint about what to expect at your celebration. For a very formal wedding, the invitations should be very impressive. Choose a fancy script engraving on heavy cotton paper. To make your invitations extra special, have the names of the bride and groom handwritten on the invitations in an elaborate calligraphy. The calligrapher can also add other decorative touches, such as flourishes and scrolls or a custom monogram. Select a luxurious envelope lining for the invitations such as a gold paper or a fleur-de-lis pattern.

When you walk down the aisle at your ceremony, it is a very special moment. Make it even more grand by using a custom aisle runner. Brides can custom order runners which are embellished with fancy monograms or a signature motif done in the wedding colors. After the wedding, you can cut out the motif or monogram to have it framed as a memento. When using a special aisle runner, place a ribbon across the center aisle and instruct the ushers to seat guests via the side aisles to ensure that the runner remains pristine until the processional begins.

Formal weddings often feature show-stopping wedding cakes. There are several ways to take your wedding cake to the next level of style and elegance. A very tall cake with five or six tiers is always impressive. Cover it in exquisite handmade sugar flowers, a grand swag and bow design, or a formal baroque pattern. If you wish to do something a little different, have your baker create a large number of smaller cakes rather than one large one. The small cakes will look fantastic when displayed together on one long table. Use silver or white porcelain cake stands in several different heights to make the display extra fabulous.

There are many other wonderful ideas for formal weddings. Classic elements such as ice sculptures are always fabulous, as are sparkling crystal wine glasses, custom table linens, and tall centerpieces. When all of the details come together, your wedding is sure to be unforgettable.

Get more great wedding ideas in Bridget Mora’s other articles about wedding planning and design. Subscribe to the free email newsletter at Silverland Jewelry to receive Bridget’s latest articles about wedding style, celebrity weddings, and new bridal jewelry sets. You will also be the first to know about new designs and exclusive special offers!

Why You Need Wedding Insurance

If you were buying a $30,000 car, or spending that amount on a piece of diamond jewelry, chances are you’d probably buy insurance on it. So now that the average wedding costs about $27,852, more and more couples are choosing to buy wedding insurance to help insure that the most important day of their lives goes off without a hitch. Wedding insurance, which can be purchased as on add-on to your regular insurance or obtained separately from a specialized insurance provider, is quickly gaining in popularity as frugal brides and grooms try to plan the perfect wedding without risking major financial burdens.

No matter how carefully you plan, there is always the chance that something will go wrong on the big day. Bad weather can force you to find an indoor location at the last minute, your engagement ring can go missing days before, and your caterer can go out of business a week before the big day. If any of these mishaps occur, wedding insurance can step in and cover the cost of replacing any of these crucial wedding services at the last minute.

Although the recent global recession has sent some couples to City Hall for a no-frills ceremony, most brides and grooms still want some version of the Disney fairy-tale wedding, albeit on a budget. So savvy grooms are trying to buy loose diamond online for a better engagement ring deal, frugal brides are choosing off-the-rack or even rental bridal gowns, and couples are choosing buffet or cocktail dinners instead of sit-down multi-course affairs. Still, wedding costs are rising, and Conde Nast reports that 36% of couples end up spending more than they had originally budgeted. When you are spending close to $30,000 on a wedding, a wedding insurance premium that costs between $100 and $1000 can be a sound investment into a worry-free engagement and wedding.

Although individual plans can vary widely, here are some of the common events and situations that wedding insurance can cover:

• Illness and injury. If the bride or groom, or a close family member, falls ill or gets injured, wedding insurance can help cover the cost of postponing the wedding ceremony. Wedding insurance can also provide liability coverage if someone gets injured at the wedding itself—a good option to consider if you’re planning on throwing the bouquet like a World Series fastball.
• Lost or damaged wedding ensemble. If the seamstress botches your dress the night before, if the men’s formalwear rental files for bankruptcy at the last minute, or if your wedding bands never show up, wedding insurance can help make up for the financial loss (the emotional cost is hard to cover with insurance) In fact, one wedding insurance company reports that lost or damage bridal gowns are their most common insurance claim.
• Bad weather. If a sudden rainstorm forces you to find an indoor venue at the last minute, or if a hurricane at your tropical vacation paradise forces you to book the local Holiday Inn instead, wedding insurance can help pay for the forfeited deposit and make up the difference for the new location.

However, as helpful as wedding insurance may be, it won’t cover every possibly wedding mishap. Most insurance companies will not provide coverage in the case of a runaway bride or groom, and many will not compensate for the cost of lost or stolen wedding gifts. Illness coverage may often be withheld if a member of the wedding party has a pre-existing medical condition. Before choosing a wedding insurance provider, ask detailed questions about what circumstances will and will not be covered—and try to tailor your insurance to the specific risks of your wedding ceremony.

Wedding Favours UK: Counting The Cost

Your wedding day is likely to be the single most expensive day of your life. For every soon to be bride and groom it important to keep track of all costs and expenses to ensure that they don’t go over their budget and start married life in too much debt. Here we look at the giving of wedding favours UK and consider how much the average cost of them is so that you can factor them into your wedding spend.

Wedding Favors Contents

The first decision that you need to make with wedding favours UK is what gift you are going to give your guests. This will of course be guided to some extent by your budget; however it should help to have some kind of idea as to the average cost. Contents of wedding favours tend to focus on confectionery such as chocolates and mints. One traditional idea is to go for five sugared almonds, which symbolise health, wealth, happiness, long life and fertility.

More recently couples have looked to add a personal touch to their wedding favours by opting for stylised items that provide a lasting reminder of their big day. One example of such a gift is a pair of bottle stoppers engraved with the couple’s initials.

Of the examples we have provided the option of mints will be the cheapest and you should be looking at a maximum of £1 per person. Chocolates and almonds will be more costly at around £2-£4 each. Personalised wedding favours will of course cost more and you are talking in the region of £5-£8 per person. There are of course more expensive options available and you can pretty much spend whatever you want. Just remember that it is the thought of giving the counts and not the cost.

Wedding Favor Containers

The container in which your gift is enclosed will be dictated by the contents; which is why you should always decide on the gift first. Otherwise you could be left with boxes or bags that are of no use to you due to the fact the gift is too big for them. In comparison to the contents; the containers are less expensive. Budget wedding favours boxes can be had for around 10p each and bags for about 20p each. However, they may not offer the best finish and for something with a little more style you are looking at about 50p-75p.

An all-in-one solution

Dependant on what contents you opt for, it is usually possible to get the contents and the containers weddings favours UK from one place. You may expect that this would offer the cheapest solution, however in our experience shopping around sometimes proves to be more cost effective.

Due to her recent experience of her own wedding Pauline Baugeley is keen to share her knowledge on wedding favours UK.