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Smart Ways to Keep Your Wedding Under Budget

The average cost of weddings keeps increasing year over year with most couples spending tens of thousands of dollars. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have the wedding of your dreams at an affordable price. A fantastic wedding on a budget makes cuts where they have the most financial impact but the smallest amount of experiential impact. Here are three tips to save while keeping the fun factor.

Rethink Your Flowers

Most brides-to-be immediately head to the florist for wedding flowers. However, there are more budget-friendly options. Consider your local grocery store’s floral department or local farmers market. See if you can buy flowers in bulk and arrange them yourself. Putting in a little more legwork to find discount centerpieces will help stretch your budget further.

Stock Your Bar

Open bars are often the biggest ticket item at a wedding. You can potentially reduce the cost by purchasing the liquor yourself. However, make sure to look into local liquor laws as well as policies at the venue beforehand. Then use a helpful drink calculator to get an estimate on how much you need to buy for the number of guests.

Craft Your Invitations

You don’t have to spend a ton of time and art supplies to make your own invitations. A home printer and some free graphic downloads can yield professional-looking invitations with very little effort. Alternatively, consider online printing sites that don’t specialize in weddings to save on the price tag of made-for-you invitations.

Planning a wedding on a budget doesn’t have to be painful. When considering your options, always frame the decisions in how it will impact the overall guest experience. If going with a cheaper alternative would be noticeable to you and your guests then it may be worth paying full price. Be confident in your decisions and your wedding day will turn out even better than you dreamed.

Instagram: A Source of Inspiration and Motivation

Instagram is becoming increasingly popular. It is not just a source of entertainment and information but is also a great source of inspiration. You will find people excelling in different fields on this social media site. These people prove to be an inspiration for those who are trying to make a mark in various walks of life. Let us learn about some major inspirations you can draw from Instagram.

Stay Fit

If you are unable to stick to a regular exercise regime or are tempted to eat junk food more often than not then you seriously need to follow fitness influencers on Instagram. Their work out videos, perfectly toned bodies and zest to stay fit can serve as a great inspiration.

Travel while You Can

Instagram also turns out to be a good source of inspiration for those who want to travel but just don’t seem to take a step forward. They are either too busy with their work or are just too lazy to get out of their comfort zone. Instagram is flooded with vacation photos of celebs as well as commoners that can inspire anyone to travel.

Enjoy Every Moment

Instagram is all about posting vibrant and happening images to share our special moments with our fellow Insta users. Such colourful and cheerful pictures and videos certainly inspire people to enjoy life.

Explore Your Passion

Insta users post their dance videos, paintings, images of their kitchen garden and what not. Such posts are a reminder that we should squeeze in some time to follow our passion.

Work with Dedication

Many users share their achievements as well as the challenges they faced during their journey to success. Posts such as these motivate others to work with dedication.

However, even as Instagram proves to be such a great source of inspiration many people refrain from it as it can even be a cause of distraction. If you just want to let it inspire you and do not want it to hinder your work, it is best not to make an account on this platform. Instead, you can make use of Insta stalker web services to follow Insta users that inspire you to get your dose of inspiration.

3 Options for Insulating Your Camper Van

Building out your own camper van is an exciting and rewarding process. Whether you’ve decided to spend a year living on the road or are a weekend warrior, you need something that will make feel you safe and comfortable. A well-insulated vehicle will keep you warm without trapping moisture. Here are three different options for insulating your camper van.

Spray Foam

The chemicals in spray foam expand together when sprayed, puffing up to fill the space. In addition to insulating your van, it will also form the necessary vapor barrier that will help prevent condensation build-up. Delaware spray foamis effective but can be messy, and it’s very important to tape off anything you don’t want the foam to stick to, such as your floor or exposed electrical wires. Call in the professionals for this one and buy a few smaller cans to fill in the tiny gaps after they’re done.

Foam Board

There are different types of foam board you can use on the walls of your van. Polyisocyanurate is an affordable and inexpensive option with impressive insulating properties. Be sure to take your time installing this, as you don’t want to create air pockets between the insulation and the walls of your van.

Sheep’s Wool

An environmentally friendly option, sheep’s wool is becoming more popular for van builds. It’s non-toxic, resistant to mold, and can absorb moisture from the air much better than fiberglass or denim. You will need more of this type of insulation to keep your van warm, which may take away precious inches from your wall space. It’s still a good idea to use spray foam to fill in any gaps or small spaces in the insulation.

Don’t skimp on or rush through insulating your camper van. Your future self will thank you on those incredibly hot or cold camping days.

Hose Reels


Arе уоu tired оf gаrdеn hоѕеѕ thаt lie around in уоur gаrdеn аll thе tіmе, lооkіng dirty аnd posing a rіѕk tо thе ѕаfеtу оf you and оthеrѕ? Evеr snagged a fооt in a tangle of garden hоѕе and fallen? Fееlѕ stupid, let mе tеll you! Thеrе has tо bе a bеttеr wау, rіght? Thе bеѕt way tо store a gаrdеn hоѕе іѕ tо coil it uр – It іѕ juѕt thаt thеrе are mаnу ways tо do that. If уоu аrе nоt соntеnt making a ѕlорру lооkіng lоор hаngіng уоur hose over a lаrgе nail оn уоur gаrаgе wаll, уоu ѕhоuld lооk into getting a garden hоѕе rееl such as Eley Garden Hose Reels. This саn bе everything frоm thе functional equivalent оf a саr rim mоuntеd on a wаll, to a fullу mоtоrіzеd hose rееl cart and еvеrуthіng in bеtwееn. Something fоr еvеrу tаѕtе аnd budgеt thеn for all your hose reel storage needs from Eley Hose Reels.

Sо whаt dо you need then? Arе you соntеnt with a wall mounted gаrdеn hоѕе reel with a mаnuаl сrаnk, оr wоuld іt bе better wіth either a mоtоr tо рull thе hose back in, or perhaps a ѕо-саllеd rеtrасtаblе hоѕе would ѕuffісе? This is thе ѕаmе рrіnсірlе used оn уоur vасuum cleaner – whеrе you рrеѕѕ a button and the cord rоllѕ back іn, due to a ѕрrіng-mесhаnіѕm. Sоmе models nоw dо thіѕ wіth thе uѕе оf water рrеѕѕurе іnѕtеаd of a ѕрrіng. Wаll mоuntеd mоdеlѕ are fіnе if you dоn’t mind looking аt thе hose hanging on the rееl, оr іf уоu dоn’t hаvе a rеаllу large garden. But if уоu just wаnt thаt hоѕе оut of уоur ѕіght whenever you аrе nоt uѕіng іt, thеn a portable reel, lіkе a garden hоѕе rееl cart, mау be thе ѕоlutіоn for уоu. This is rеаllу juѕt a hose reel оn a frаmе with wheels оn іt, but it mеаnѕ уоu саn easily transport the еntіrе hоѕе tо thе fаuсеt lосаtеd thе nеаrеѕt tо whеrе уоu nееd tо uѕе wаtеr for your water hose reel, instead hаvіng thе hаѕѕlе оf runnіng 300 fееt of hоѕе halfway across your рrореrtу. Some оf you people wіth lаrgе gаrdеnѕ mау hаvе hаd a wаtеr tap іnѕtаllеd somewhere оut there – in уоur асtuаl garden – to mаkе wаtеrіng tasks еаѕіеr and faster tо еxесutе. Thіѕ іѕ whеrе a gооd hоѕе reel саrtѕ соmе іn very hаndу іndееd for all your gardening needs.

Tips for Spending More Time Cooking at Home

If these past few weeks at home have sparked a new interest in cooking for you, turn that love into a permanent way of life. Cooking for yourself is healthier, and it also saves money. If you’re excited about this new hobby, here are four tips to keep you motivated to spend more time cooking at home.

Create Your Space

When preparing meals at home, you can’t work well in cramped quarters, so you’ll need to create some extra room. This can be easily achieved with countertop services Naples FL, that will provide ample space for rolling pastry dough, spreading out ingredients and having several dishes going at once.

Stock Up On Spices

Before you get cooking, stock up on herbs, spices and all the staples you’ll need. Get the basic necessities, like flour, butter and eggs, and then check out the spice display. Purchase the essentials, plus a few choices that interest you so that you have a nice selection of sweet, smoky and citrus flavors available. Then, pick up some fresh herbs, garlic and olive oil, and you’ll be armed for any recipe.

Build an Arsenal of Recipes

With online recipes being the norm, you can find anything you want from main dishes to desserts. You also have access to countless ethnic dishes to satisfy your every craving. Look for specific dishes that contain the spices you’re so anxious to try and print out your favorites.

Get Amazing Cookware

Nothing inspires a chef more than a new piece of cookware. Snagging a brand new shiny skillet, mixing bowls and utensils makes cooking even more fun. If there’s anything missing from your kitchen, now’s the time to splurge to get ready to create a masterpiece.

Experiment With Different Foods

Cooking can be extremely satisfying and healthy, not to mention easy on your pocketbook. Experimenting with different foods can open up an entirely new world and a lifelong love you can share with everyone.

Outdoor Additions for Your Home

Sometimes it seems like there’s always a project to do around the house. Houses require continual upkeep, and there is always something you can add to them. If you are living in your forever home, you could add on things that you specifically could use. If you are looking to sell your home, you can add things that will increase the home’s value so you can get more money from the sale. Either way, here are a few outdoor things you could add to your home.

Garage

Adding a garage to your home can be a very valuable addition. It potentially adds extra storage and living space to your home. You could have a detached garage for more outdoor and vehicle storage. You can also keep your valuable cars and tools protected in a garage. When there is bad weather, having your car inside minimizes the worry about getting wet or having to get to your car in the cold.

Driveway

Having a paved driveway is important, but especially in areas that regularly get ice and snow. It is easy to plow and shovel pavement rather than gravel. It also limits the amount of dust and dirt vehicles could receive. No matter the area, rain can wash away gravel driveways and make grass and dirt ones muddy. When you asphalt your driveway, you make it both convenient and cleaner for going up and down your drive.

Pool

Adding a pool to your home adds value and fun. Having a pool can make your home the center of excitement. While above ground pools are cheaper and can be easier to take care of throughout the year, inground pools are convenient and nicer looking from afar off. You can search for accessories such as diving boards and chlorine products by looking up pool and spa supplies near me. It might take some money and effort to upkeep a pool, but it is a worthwhile investment once you start using it.

Porch

Adding a porch to your home adds an extra area for you to enjoy outside. You can screen in and enclose your porch, so you are able to enjoy the fresh air without letting in all the bugs and animals. You could have a grill and table set outside to enjoy a meal or family picnic. It also provides a place to tan and layout in the privacy of your own home.

A home is one of the largest purchases you will ever make. Adding some of these outdoor additions can help you enjoy your home to the fullest.

Little Changes That Go a Long Way: Food That Improve Mental Health

There are many studies to prove that diet has a great impact on our physical as well as mental health. What we eat affects our functioning, our behaviour and also our mood. This is why it is said that ‘we are what we eat’!

Eat Better

Speaking from a personal experience, it is very true that whatever you eat has a massive impact on how you feel. There are many reports out there stating that there is undoubtedly a clear link between depression and high sugar consumption and processed foods. What makes it better and how we can improve our mental health with foods? Read the the details mentioned in the article.

What Diets re Good For Our Mental Health?

To give yourself an improvement jump start, increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega fatty acids. This wont only help your health, but will also help improve your mood and energy levels. Above all, here are the diets you can opt for for a long term improvement.

1. Mediterranean diet

There are many diets out there which not only upsets our health but are also not good for our long term functioning. Among common diet plans, the Mediterranean diet has the strongest evidence and supporting study to confirm its ability to reduce the symptoms of depression. Mediterranean diet is also a diet that experts routinely recommend for overall health and well-being.

2. Low calorie diet

The second diet that can possibly have a good impact on our mental health is a low calorie diet. People who try short term calorie restriction has shown some significant drop in the symptoms of depression.

Calorie restriction diet is not something which one can decide on their own. If anyone wishes to try calorie restriction or low calorie diet should also speak to a doctor or a registered dietitian about how it will be beneficial for them or not.

3. Intermittent fasting

Thirdly, many professionals and dieticians have noted that fasting could contribute to improvements in mood. Not only mood but can also improve people’s subjective sense of well-being, alertness and tranquility. A small experiment which included men over the age of 50 years; found that, as compared to a control group, those who participated in intermittent fasting experienced a decrease in:

  • anger
  • tension
  • confusion
  • mood disturbances

Be a Positive Person

Lastly, the most important thing which can improve us is our own thinking, approach and perspective. Negativity is self-fulfilling. The more you catastrophize, the more likely you are to be unhappy. In the current pandemic situation , the best you can do for yourself is to eat good, think good and behave good. Try and look at situations from a new, more positive perspective. Instead of saying “I can’t survive this”,

  • Take care of yourself and your family
  • Maintain your mental health
  • Spending more talking to your friends and people you love
  • Be active

If you feel like talking to someone, a professional, you don’t have to leave your house because Marham.pk now allows you to talk to a professional by staying at home! Talk to a certified counsellor by using our online video consultation and help others by introducing them to this facility.

Because it is not possible to survive this time of social distancing without taking care of yourself and your mental health. Stay home, stay positive and stay healthy!

 

What You Should Know Before Transitioning out of a Crib

Moving from a crib to a real bed is a big step in a child’s life. Making the transition can be overwhelming for a little one, so it’s important to make sure you follow the steps to help things go as smoothly as possible. Here are a few things to think about before you begin the process.

Find the Right Bed

Many people choose to try a toddler bed before moving to a larger child’s bed. If this is the case, you may want to check if your crib converts to a toddler bed so that you don’t have to buy a new one yet. If you want to go straight into a child’s bed and skip the middle step, you’ll need to start looking for kids furniture Chicago. A twin bed is usually the best choice for such a young child.

Stick to A Routine

Although your little one will be sleeping in a different bed, the rest of your nighttime routine should stay the same. A new bed is already a big change, so you don’t want to add something else into the mix at this time. Give your child a bath at the same time, read a story, brush teeth and do whatever else it is that makes up your evening.

Have Patience

You can expect there to be some resistance to the change. This is likely the first time that your child is able to get out of the bed by himself, so you may find that he takes advantage of this and gets up multiple times before he actually goes to sleep or even during the night. Have patience and know that it will take time, but keep up your routine and he’ll catch on eventually.

This process is likely going to be overwhelming for your little one, so be sure to talk him through everything and keep communicating as time goes on. It isn’t always easy, but it is something each child has to go through eventually, so just do your best and know that your little one will adjust in the end.

How to Get Your Home Ready For Exterior Paint

On average, homeowners spend 4% of their property’s total value on maintenance annually. As time goes by, the home you live in will start to look a bit run down. Instead of allowing this to happen, your main goal needs to be keeping your home appealing.

One of the best ways to improve the curb appeal your residence has is by hiring professionals to paint it. Attempting to do this work on your own may result in less than stellar results. However, you can do some of the prep work to save a few dollars. Here are some of the things you need to do to get your home ready for a new exterior paint job.

Pressure Wash Your Home’s Exterior

One of the first things you need to do when trying to get your home ready for exterior paint is to pressure wash it. By doing this, you can remove all of the paint flakes and dirt that may be present. Failing to remove paint flakes and dirt will result in a lot of problems over time.

When pressure washing the exterior of your home, be sure to avoid putting the nozzle directly on the side of your residence. Ideally, you want to have the pressure nozzle about a foot away from the side of the home. By doing this, you can avoid doing any damage. If you are not sure how to perform this work, allowing a painting contractor Biddeford ME to handle it is a good idea.

Apply Caulk to Any Cracks

Once you are done pressure washing the exterior of your home, you need to look for any cracks or seams. These seams and cracks will need to be filled with a high-quality caulk. Doing this will not only reduce the chances of water damage, it can also make your home more energy-efficient.

Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

While a new exterior paint job will be costly, it is worth the investment. Improving your home’s curb appeal can add to it’s value,

Top 5 smartwatches introduced in 2020

The modern watches have to be multitaskers: from helping your voice search on the net, using GPS for location tracking, monitoring your heartbeat, to, of course, telling the time, they have to do it all. Like all the latest gifts of technology, the smartwatches are supposed to make your life easier in so many ways, and the new features added to these devices on a regular basis offer further reassurance of that.

So, are you looking for smartwatches online to add to your collection? Make sure you consider the following five watches that have been gaining popularity in 2020.

  1. Apple Watch Series 3

It looks like Apple got the best parts of Series 2 smartwatches, and just decided to make it even better. From fifty meters water resistance, in-built GPS, to LTE radio, this latest offering from Apple packs quite the punch. The maximum brightness is of a thousand nits, which is sufficient to keep things readable. With a better heart rate monitor and a number of fitness apps, this watch is every fitness enthusiast’s first choice.

  1. Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro

This range of smartwatches has almost everything that you can look for, from good battery life, a stylish design, to amazing software. To top it off, there are apps like Map MyRun to count your miles, Under Armor for your gym sessions, and Speedo for your swimming sessions. Moreover, you get to listen to your music without your phone.

  1. Huawei Black Unisex Fitness Band 2 PRO

A sleek design that is packed full of features: this smartwatch from Huawei is here to win your heart. It is one of the first smartwatches to use the latest 1.1GHz Snapdragon 2100 chipset, and it comes with 4GB of internal storage, and a non-removable 420 mAh battery. On an average user, its battery can easily last for about two days after a single charge.

  1. Amazfit Bip Smart Watch

If you want a smartwatch that does not burn a hole in your pocket, then this one right here will fit your needs perfectly. One of the cheapest watches around, this smartwatch comes with heart rate monitors, GPS, and works with both iOS and Android. The colour display is soothing to the eyes and the battery lasts for a pretty long time.

  1. Fitbit Versa 2 Smart Watch

With an upgrade from the previous model, this new smartwatch from Fitbit now gets an in-built Alexa and advanced sleep-tracking features. Wait; there are more improvements in this model! It also has a monitor for blood oxygen saturation, which helps in identifying sleep apnea. The addition of Spotify means you can even listen to songs on this, though you can’t save offline playlists. On top of that, this one is pretty easy on your pocket.

You will find plenty of guides on buying watches or smartwatches, you can go through them before you make a purchase. So, which of these smartwatches captured your attention? Which one are you going to go for? Let us know in the comments section below!