How to Save Money on Wedding Flowers

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Have a Holiday Wedding

Holiday weddings are great options for couples trying to save on flowers. Most venues are decorated during the festive season and after Easter. They help you to save money you would have spent on expensive flower arrangements. You might even find both the church and reception venue decorated.

Use Non-Traditional Elements

Herbs, fruits, and vegetables can make beautiful, cheap bouquets and flower arrangements. If you want an expensive flower, buy only a few blossoms and bulk up the arrangement with beautiful, inexpensive greenery. You can also use single elements instead of whole arrangements. These are becoming increasingly popular nowadays. Some options include lavender, baby’s wreath, and wheat.

Choose Flowers that Are in Season

Sticking to locally grown flowers that are in season is cheaper than having your favorite blooms flown in. For instance, if you are getting married in December, don’t choose peony bouquets. Go for flowers like tulips, sweetpeas, and waxflowers. While your florist may be able to get out-of-season flowers for you, you will have to pay a premium. Florists will not charge you high prices for flowers they have easily sourced. Keep in mind that the flowers will depend on where you live. Do your research early to find out what you like.

For Wedding Flower Centerpiece Ideas see our post here:

Wedding centerpiece ideas for your big day!

Pick Your Own Flowers

You can pick your own wedding flowers if you have a limited budget. Ask for help from your family and friends to avoid getting overwhelmed. After you’ve collected the flowers, make unique bouquets and flower arrangements. It is important to note that if you want arrangements that look like they are from a magazine cover, you have to hire an expert.

There are many ways you can save on your wedding flowers and still have the wedding of your dreams.  Use these easy tips to minimize costs.

For more wedding ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Creative Ways to Save Money on Outdoor Furniture

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Save money on outdoor furniture at yard sales

Whether you’re checking ads in your local paper, sifting through items on Craigslist, or using a yard-sale app like Rumgr to find private citizens selling outdoor furniture in your area, this tactic could help you to find amazing deals on the pieces you want for your outdoor space. Sure they might be slightly used, but sometimes you can get them for the fabulous price of “you haul” (read: free). And even if you have to shell out a few bucks to paint pieces or buy new cushions you’ll still save a ton over brand new furniture.

Sample sales can find you deals on patio furniture

Many women rush to sample sales for their favorite fashion designers, but have no idea that furniture stores frequently pull the same stunt in an effort to clear out floor samples and replace them with new stock. So check in with your local patio furniture store to see if and when they are hosting sample sales. The pieces may have a little wear and tear from the showroom, but you’ll pay a fraction of the cost for virtually unused furnishings.

Discount warehouse stores

You may be aware that you can find many home goods at discount stores like Target and Wal-Mart, but you may not have realized that this often includes outdoor furniture. Besides the fact that you can get an entire outdoor setup at a great price, you may also have the option to buy items piecemeal so that you don’t have to overspend for items you don’t want and you can replace a piece that is damaged without having to buy the whole set again.

Online outlets for outdoor furniture

The internet offers a plethora of opportunities to save on just about any product you can think of, outdoor furniture included. And if you can find Cabelas promo codes for your hunting gear it’s a good bet that you can scope out online coupon codes for patio-furniture e-tailers. At the very least you’re bound to find sale items that aren’t in stores and even observe lower prices in general.

Looking for spring outdoor furniture? These outdoor furniture tips can help.

Outdoor Furniture Maintenance Tips:

You maintain your car through regular inspections, your home through regular cleaning, and even your body with a daily vitamin courtesy of coupon codes for Puritans Pride. So why wouldn’t you maintain your outdoor furniture? If you leave it exposed to the elements year-round then you shouldn’t be surprised when you have to replace it. Instead, keep it handy during the times of year when you actually use it and then cover it or move it into the garage the rest of the year. This will save you the time and expense of buying new items every summer.

For more outdoor living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

When it comes to tackling home improvement, there are plenty of projects that are ideal for homeowners to take on themselves. Some people may dislike having strangers in their home along with the expense it requires to hire contractors. However, there are some types of projects that do demand a professional touch. The following are home improvement projects that are not typically in the realm of the do-it-yourselfer. Unless you have particular skill, you’d best leave these projects to the contractors.

How to Choose the Best Home Projects for the Pros

Electrical Projects

Electrical work is something that is best left to certified electricians. Even though you might feel up to the challenge of swapping light fixtures, it’s a job for professionals. Of course, you should definitely call in the pros to handle any projects that require rewiring. When you want to add new electrical outlets or install a new ceiling fan, be sure to get in touch with your general contractor or a trained electrician. If you need electric work done before listing your home on the market, you can contact Geering and Colyer who can recommend professionals for the job.

Plumbing in Bathrooms and Kitchens

Water damage in your bathroom or kitchen can be insidious, so don’t attempt to tackle a plumbing job unless you happen to be a skilled plumber. Although unclogging a drain may be a DIY project, replacing pipes or fixing leaks is something you should call your plumber about. Additionally, if you are adding a new bathroom or renovating your kitchen, make sure you have a plumber who can oversee any of the plumbing tasks.

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Image via: ArkPad

Tree Removal

Although you might think that there’s nothing to chopping down a tree, you should absolutely hire a professional tree-trimming service to handle any large tree removal on your property. Even trimming should be done by the pros. If you were to suffer a mishap that allowed the tree to fall on your house or a neighbor’s home, you could be liable for damages. Be sure never to attempt this DIY project, even though you might be sorely tempted to.

Home Additions

If you need more space and want to add a new addition to your home, it’s best to contact a general contractor who can gather a team of specialists to handle the job. Tackling this as a DIY project could turn into a disaster. Think of a home addition as an investment in your home. It’s bound to add value to your property, but only if it’s achieved properly. While you may be able to add some elements yourself like panelling or even flooring, but leave the structural work to the pros for the sake of your investment and the safety of your home.

New Roof

Roofing is considered a major project, a capital project. You’ll likely have to obtain a permit when you decide to have your roof replaced. While you might feel compelled to install a roof yourself, it’s essential to hire certified roofers who are licensed to perform this work. In fact, your homeowner’s insurance isn’t likely to cover a roof that has not been installed by a certified professional.

Image via: KB Home

Installing Siding

If siding is not installed properly to your home, it can lead to damage. Moreover, the siding itself can be more easily damaged by storms or merely the seasonal changes of weather. When your home is properly sided, you’ll enjoy greater curb appeal. A poor siding job can actually detract from the value of your home.

Removing Walls

Within the walls of your home there could be pipes or wiring. Removing them could cause damage to these other aspects of your home. Moreover, if you mistakenly try to knock down a load-bearing wall, you could severely compromise the safety of your house. Contractors are highly skilled in this area and can have your home remodeled safely and efficiently.

Image via: Toll Brothers

Pool Repairs

Pools, both in-ground and above-ground models, require specialized care. You can do ten times more damage trying to repair a pool with minimum damage. When your pool needs to be repaired for whatever reason, you should call your pool service for help. Your service technician can recommend the type of repair your pool needs and then achieve the fix.

Even if you enjoy doing projects yourself, you should definitely contact professionals for the jobs listed here. For the sake of safety, be sure to contact trained contractors and professionals to handle these jobs. In the end, you’ll be glad for their skill and efficient know how.

Nicole Preston is a private property investor and has worked on a number of renovations. She likes to share her tips and ideas on what repair jobs to outsource and other relevant topics. She is a regular online contributor for a number of DIY and home websites.

For more remodeling tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Summer Weddings: Eco-Friendly Decor Tips

Image Via: Eluxe Magazine

Choose An Eco-Friendly Location

It all starts with ‘Where’? Do you have a country farmhouse? Does one of your aunts or uncles have one? Arrange your wedding amongst that farm setup. Summer weddings are anyways suited to the outdoors, so why not make it exclusive by organizing it at a countryside farm, amidst nature. Match your decor up to the farm setting and bring in burnt sienna hued rustic elements for that very chic countryside feel.

Image Via: The Perfect Palette

Use Flowers From The Backyard

Instead of importing exotic flowers from far away locations, why not home grow a few in your backyard. Do not underestimate the homegrown beauties! Summers, as it is present you with numerous home grown flower options. You can carve out delicate bouquets, make gorgeous flower arrangements and even use homegrown flowers for decorating your wedding setup.

Image Via: The Natural Wedding Company

An Organic Menu

Whilst at it why not introduce green and organic food into your summer wedding. Check out the local farmer markets beforehand and prepare a menu that gives the local farmers a reason to cheer too. Garden fresh veggies, organic dairy products, select local fruits etc can help you whip an interesting organic menu.

Image Via: Style Me Pretty

Use Your Moms Wedding Dress

Recycle and reuse is the mantra for going Eco-friendly. Using your moms dress and revamping it into something that goes with today’s fashion is a great way to kickstart Eco-friendly wedding endeavors. Use laces, flowers, beads etc to embellish the dress. Not only will you do a favor to mother earth but you will also keep the family sentiments intact by doing it.

Image Via: Etsy

Recycle And Reuse

Be it wedding cards, table place cards, wedding favor wrappers or anything else, you can use recycled paper to craft these out. Local stores offer a variety of options for recycled paper and believe me it doesn’t have to be dull and drab just because it is recycled!

Eco-friendly weddings are the next big in thing as more and more people are understanding the importance of conserving nature. Summer weddings provide ample opportunity to hold an Eco-friendly wedding in terms of location options, decor options and menu options. So let this summer wedding of yours be blessed by mother nature herself. Do share your ideas for Eco-friendly weddings.

Click here for more ideas for Summer Weddings on Stagetecture!

Green Living: Summer Energy Saving Tips

Image Via: Fabrizia Frezza Architecture & Interiors

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Use Your Home Appliances Wisely

Appliances are meant to make your life easy and a correct and wise use of appliances can even bring the energy bills down. Use the dishwasher to wash dishes, it uses less water than washing the dishes by hand. The key here is to run full loads and air dry the dishes. Similarly, make proper use of your microwave, try and cook in it. The subsequent bills will be lesser than the stove. Likewise, when using a washing machine run full loads and dry the clothes in the sun rather than using a dryer.

Image Via: Classic Homeworks

Green Living By Minimizing Energy Wastage

One should habitually turn off appliances, fans and lights when not in use. It is also a good idea to unplug appliances and chargers when not in use as they keep on drawing energy from the source if not unplugged. Computers and printers must also be switched off right at the source.

Replace The Necessary Equipment

Dirty air-conditioner filters restrict the flow of cool air and unnecessarily burden the machine with more load. You will need to run the air-conditioner longer which will in turn generate a higher bill. Regular cleaning of air-conditioner filters results in effective running of the machine and one should habitually clean filters at least once a month.

Image Via:Rill Architects

Smart Buys For Summer Energy Savings

Whole house fans are very effective in summers as they draw in cool air and throw out hot air. You can easily install one in your attic and have them working in the early mornings and late evenings when the air outside is cooler. An old air-conditioner is also a big energy consumer and it is worth the effort to exchange it for a new, energy rated one. Talking of energy rated appliances, a star rated refrigerator is also going to save you big time. Awnings, patio covers and strategically placed plants on the outsides can help keep the insides of your home cool, reducing the need for artificial cooling. Solar control window films are also very effective in summers.

Image Via: Tim Cuppett Architects

Have The Ducts Sealed And Get On The Solar Energy

Leaking ducts and pipes are responsible for half the energy loss in a household. It is worth the effort to have a qualified person check and repair leaky ducts by sealing them. Having your ducts checked periodically for leaks can keep this problem at bay. Summers also present a lot of scope for using solar energy. You can use your sloping roofs to install solar panels and harness solar energy to run your basic electric appliances and light fixtures.

Image Via: Birdseye Design

Green living is more or less a way of life now. Homeowners are trying their best to conserve energy and bring down energy costs. Using these tips and tricks is sure to help them in a positive way. Do share with us what green practices you adopt at home to save energy and how effective they have been in your daily routine. Waiting to hear from you.

Click here for more Green Living Ideas on Stagetecture!

]]> https://stagetecture.com/green-living-summer-energy-saving-tips/feed/ 0 76336 https://stagetecture.com/sustainable-traveling-tips/ https://stagetecture.com/sustainable-traveling-tips/#respond Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:16:48 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=66471 Summers are finally upon us, and it’s time to jet off on a summer vacation. But this season, let’s make a difference by ensuring that our trip is as eco-friendly as possible. The good news is that most of the actions that you take towards sustainable travel won’t cost you anything. In fact, some of them will end up saving you money in the long run.

Sustainable Traveling Tips: Ways to Green your Next Vacation

Image via: Pinterest

Before you leave home

Traveling green starts even before you step out of your house. All those electronic items still consume energy when not in use. Standby mode does not mean that the device is actually switched off.  So, if you are planning to leave your home for a few days, make sure to unplug all that you can. Televisions, computers, DVD players, and stereos are some of the biggest power drains.

Green accommodations

You don’t have to stay in a lavish hotel to have a great vacation. They are definitely not the greenest places to stay. Instead consider an alternative like an eco lodge which is solar powered and usually water efficient. If staying at a hotel is your final decision, make sure it has a green seal. Also ensure that your accommodation is walking distance from the sights you want to visit or at least near public transport facilities so you won’t be tempted to rent cars or taxis.

Image via: Red Bubble

Pack light

So obvious yet regrettably overlooked by most of the travelers. It’s simple, the heavier your luggage the more fuel the airplane uses. Moreover, packing light will also make you a happier traveler as you will have less to lug around. Not to mention, you save a lot by avoiding extra baggage fees.

Image via: away.com

Go paperless

From tickets to itineraries to guides, the choice to go paperless is a small step but with huge long term benefits.

Traveling sustainably does not have to be a hassle. All it means is you pledge to avoid waste and excess. Simply follow the rule of 3 R’s- reduce, reuse, recycle, and apply it to every aspect of your travel.

For more travel tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Spring is in full swing, which means it’s time to party! Whether it’s graduation, birthday, or just to kick off the warm season- there are reasons more than one to throw a spring party. And this does not mean that you have to spend a fortune each time you invite people over for spring entertaining. Read on these money saving tips that will help you plan a great seasonal bash without going overboard.

How to Save Money on a Spring Party

Image via: Charming Trinity

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Decorate with existing items

Make casual arrangements in containers you already have such as tall glasses, pottery bowls, vases, or canning jars. From your backyard, use green cuttings like rosemary, ivy, or bay leaves. If your party will continue after dark, use holiday lights and candles to decorate. Don’t ignore a simple bowl of fresh vegetables or fruits. An arrangement made of seasonal items like oranges, lemons, egg plant, strawberries, or pineapples will not only look attractive but will also help you save a lot on centerpieces.

Use flowers, vases, and other items for a gorgeous buffet display

Save money on invitations

Forgo the traditional paper invites, and use online services like Evite to send your guests a free invitation. Alternatively, you can use social networking sites like Facebook and Google to create events. Not only will it help you save a great deal of money, paperless invites will also help to reduce your carbon footprints.

Food and beverages

Image via: The Kitchn

Plan ahead and take advantage of sales when they come up. This will help to avoid the seasonal price hike. If you are planning more than one get together during the season, consider buying in bulk and freeze whatever possible. To save a few extra dollars, skip the pre-cut veggies and take time to chop them yourself.

Similarly, skip the expensive sodas and make batches of inexpensive drinks such as lemonade, iced tea and more. If you want to serve alcohol, don’t go overboard by including varieties. Try a pitcher of Fruity Sangaria or Margaritas.

Overall, entertaining on a budget does not have to be boring. All it needs is creative and careful planning.

For more spring ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Before you were inspired by – ‘Decorating for a Hanukkah Celebration’ from Cari Murphy. Today, I feature Ashlee (Heather Lee) who is a member of the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and she helps you get ready for the busy holiday with simple organization ideas. The holidays can be stressful! Use her ideas to enjoy the season and your family.

If you’re interested in being featured see details here: How to be featured on Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration‘ series.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #54

‘Getting Organized for the Holidays’ – Ashlee (Heather Lee)

The Holidays can be a very stressful time of year. Halloween is just behind us Thanksgiving will soon be upon us. Then, after Thanksgiving is Christmas.

So now is the time to get organized, plan ahead and think about sending out cards to  your family and friends. Time to organize recipes and dinnerware. Do you have enough for the holiday? Have you already bought cards and stamps, gift wrap and decorations? If this sounds overwhelming, then it is time to sit down in a quiet spot and think about everything that needs to be done. Remember, you don’t have to do it all yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help or delegate some tasks to members of your household!

Ensure you are organized for the holidays

Use a notebook or computer to put everything down in a special holiday list. Be sure to include “to do by” dates for added incentive.

Decide how you are going to do your cards this season. Will you hand sign all your cards or send a standard letter with the card? Or do you feel emailing cards will be the best for you?

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Organizing your decorations

It is also time to organize the decor for the holiday. Do you need to put some of the daily accessories away so there is enough space to bring out your festive decorations? Do you need to buy new accessories to complete the atmosphere you would like to create? When you start decorating, don’t forget to check all the string lights to make sure they are working, and get that tree and its bulbs dusted off.

Do you have enough wrapping paper and holiday bags leftover from last year or do you need more? Don’t forget the ribbon for the gifts. You can use old Christmas cards and cut the front scenes from them and write on the back of them to use as gift tags. It gives lots of room to write those personal messages. It is also a great time of year to get storage  bins and bags to safely hold your wrapping paper and all your other holiday items and  it keeps your gift closet nice and tidy. Label your bins so you can easily find what you need for next year.

Holiday craft ideas

Do you enjoy Christmas Crackers/Poppers during the festivities? Decide if you wish to just buy them or make them yourself. They are very easy to make. Use a toilet paper roll and purchase your own personalized trinkets to put in the cracker. You can use tissue or wrapping paper and even fabric in the colors associated with this time of year to decorate your crackers. You can purchase the actual snap from any craft store. There are also guides on the internet for those who would like to have a special holiday craft and it is fun to work on them with family or friends.

It is good to plan ahead and, if possible, get most of the gift shopping finished early, leaving plenty of time for baking and wrapping. Battling waves of holiday shoppers can be very tiring and time consuming. By writing a list, making plans and giving yourself time for all that is needed to be done, you can possibly have a little time to relax and feel confident that you made the right decisions concerning gifts, decor and holiday cards. Knowing all these things help make the holiday run more smoothly. We wish you a very Merry Holiday Season!

My name is Heather Lee but I go by Ashlee on Facebook. I am the daughter of a Canadian Army Veteran. I spent much of my life traveling with my family all over Canada and the North and South of Germany. I was very lucky to be able to travel so much and learn other languages. I lived a mile from the border of France and the family traveled there often. I think I have seen every castle in Europe. I now live on my own in Toronto, Ontario. I am a huge animal lover and I volunteer with the Annex Cat Rescue that helps feral cats. I also foster cats. I enjoy creating different rooms on Olioboard and talking with other members of the Olioboard community.

How will you be getting organized for the holidays?

The cooler fall weather is upon us! And as a typical early fall season tends to go, the nights and mornings are cool and the afternoons get hot. With these daily fluctuating temperatures, how do we keep your home energy efficient? Here are just a few tips to keep you and your home at just the right temperature this fall without breaking the bank.

Keep windows open or closed for fresh air:

Since the evening and early morning hours are the coolest at this time of year, it only makes sense to open your windows nice and wide at night.  I hear you, what about security? Well, consider just opening your upper floor windows while you sleep, allowing for fresh, cool air to come in while keeping the house safe and secure at the same time. (Keep an extra blanket near your bed, in case you get chilly in the middle of the night).  Make sure to close your windows and drapes around 10 a.m. before the afternoon heat sets in. This will ensure your home retains the cool air for as long as possible. The best thing about this plan? You can avoid turning on the costly air conditioner!

Line Dry Your Clothes:

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Yes, it seems old-fashioned, but line drying your clothes is not just for Grandma.  Our Grandparents did this because it was financially efficient.  Take advantage of these nice fall days and hang your clothes out on the line. After all, the sun is free!

Seal Your Windows:

Image via: Houzz

Sealing your windows is one of the simplest and most cost-efficient ways to make your home more energy efficient.  Inspect all your window and door frames for cracks or openings. Simply seal these cracks with a Low-expanding foam sealant. This will keep your doors and windows free of those chilly fall and winter drafts.

Image via: Houzz

Change Your Filter:

Another simple home efficiency step is to change your furnace filter on a regular basis, allowing for proper air flow through the ducts.  You may also want to have your heating system inspected and cleaned before the real chilly days of winter begin.

Use these tips this fall to save energy in your home on Stagetecture.