05
This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.
In the past year, we've had to rethink how we celebrate so many of life's important events: weddings, birthdays, holidays, births, graduations, and so forth. At least one way we've been able to stay connected through this crazy period of time is with cards. In this digital age, there's something so special about receiving physical mail, something tangible that you can put on the fridge and hold in your hands. One of my favorite companies for customizable stationery is Basic Invite. They have really beautiful designs for all kinds of milestones, whether you're looking for a graduation announcement template or a wedding invitation design or a memorable business card. Here are four reasons why I totally recommend Basic Invite.
1. Sooo many color options.
Basic Invite is allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you've select a design, you can change the color of each element on the card. With over 180 colors to choose from, it's easy to customize your stationery so that it perfectly matches the colors of your school, your wedding's color palette, or your company's branding. In addition, there are over 40 different envelope colors to choose from. The envelopes peel and seal so they can be closed quickly and securely.
2. Customized samples.
Before you place your final order, you can get a printed sample of your actual invitation, to feel the paper quality, see how it will print, and make sure your graduation party invitation is absolutely perfect. This is something that very few companies allow!
3. Easy addressing.
Another thing that's special about Basic Invite is their address capturing service. It allows customers to share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media to request their friends and family’s addresses. The addresses are stored in the customer’s account and can be selected during the design process. Basic Invite also offers recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders (a huge time saver if you're placing a big order!).
4. Great prices.
Basic Invite is already very affordable, and right now they are offering 15% off with the coupon code 15FF51. If you've been thinking that it's time to order graduation announcements, baby announcements, or any other type of stationery, definitely take advantage of that offer!
08
This post is sponsored by Tranquility. All opinions are my own.
Well, I don't think any of us could have predicted what a crazy, historic year 2020 would turn out to be. Unprecedented, challenging, and memorable to say the least! Here in Washington state, we just entered a new round of lockdowns and are being asked not to hold any social gatherings indoors. Soooo needless to say, the holidays will look much different this year. Even if your state is still open, it's likely that you have family members or friends who aren't comfortable gathering. As we head into winter, I've been thinking a lot about the people I know who live alone, especially those that are older. I hope it's not too long before we can see them in person and give them a BIG hug...but in the meantime, I've been thinking about how we can spread some comfort and joy this Christmas season.
1. Gift a weighted blanket: I think a weighted blanket may just be the perfect holiday gift for 2020. It's the next-best-thing to a big, comforting hug! Weighted blankets apply deep calming pressure to help you rest and relax. According to Psychology Today, their soothing effects have many benefits including reduced anxiety and stress, falling asleep faster, and getting better sleep. I have a Tranquility weighted blanket and I love it both for sleeping under, and for getting cozy during the day. What I love about Tranquility is that they have come in different weights and styles, including cooling and temperature-balancing, so there’s a blanket to fit every preference. Tranquility weighted blankets start out at just $25 and can be purchased online at Target or Walmart. They are super soft, durable, and have a removable, machine washable cover. I'll be doing a giveaway on Instagram soon, so keep an eye out for that!
2. Take a drive to see the holiday lights: This is a fun holiday tradition that (thankfully) we don't have to give up this year. Make some hot cocoa, get the kids in the car, turn up the Christmas music, and drive around your neighborhood to see the best Christmas light displays. You could even plan ahead with your neighbors and friends to make this year extra-special. Let them know when you'll be driving by so they can come out on their front porch or wave through the windows. Make sure to return the favor: add some extra cheer to the front of your house this year, and if you know your friends will be driving by, try to do something special like putting a sign in the window with their kids' names.
3. Plan a holiday movie watch party: Try this idea if you're looking for a way to bridge the distance and connect with family members that you won't be seeing this Christmas. Plan to watch the same Christmas movie at the same time, then send each other photos! If you want to take it up a notch, you could even order the same Christmas jammies to wear, and plan to eat the same snacks. This would be a fun thing to do with cousins, grandparents, and the whole extended family.
4. Organize a front porch Christmas cookie exchange: Instead of gathering in-person for a Christmas party, try a Covid-friendly Christmas cookie exchange. Everyone bakes a few dozen of their favorite Christmas cookie, then packs them up in tins or boxes. On the same day, drop them off on each others' front porches, so everyone ends up with a variety of cute, yummy cookies to enjoy. You could even pack cookies carefully in a box and mail them to family that's farther away.
5. Open gifts together virtually: We may not be able to get together in-person for Christmas, but at least we can gather virtually. Zoom or FaceTime can make opening gifts a little more personal. After all, seeing the reaction when your loved ones open your gifts is part of the fun!
What other ideas do you have for keeping the holiday spirit alive in 2020? Wishing you and your family all the coziness and comfort.
19
This post is written in partnership with Tranquility. All opinions are my own.
We all know that sleep is important. In fact, it's as crucial as exercise and eating well, according to Medical News Today. A good night's sleep can make a huge difference in our productivity, mood, and overall well-being. And yet, many Americans suffer from lack of sleep. Sometimes, the reason is obvious: we're staying up way too late binge watching a show, or we're sick, or we have a baby waking us up in the middle of the night. Other times, the reason isn't as clear. Perhaps we're really trying to go to bed at a decent hour, there's nothing specific we can pinpoint that is keeping us up...and still, we can't seem to get enough sleep. We toss and turn for hours, or wake up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason. I know, because I've been there. Sleepless nights made me feel so frustrated and helpless--and a bit resentful of my innocent husband, blissfully snoozing away (how dare he?!). For the sake of my health, my sanity, and my marriage, I did some research. Some of the results I found were things I already knew (afternoon coffee is not such a great idea). But other things were kind of surprising. A lot of "sleep mistakes" we make are super normal, common activities. These daily habits could be sabotaging your sleep without you even realizing it! The good news is, most of them are easy to fix.
03
This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.
If you’re building a house, adding an extension, or renovating some area of your home, there is a lot of work—and money—involved. Just the thought of it can be overwhelming. Not surprisingly, one of the biggest factors that holds people back when it comes to renovations is the cost. Achieving your ideal space rarely comes cheap. From the planning stage to polishing off the finishing touches, it can be difficult to keep the costs down. And a rising renovation bill can be overwhelming, leading to unfinished work or an unsatisfactory end product. The good news is that home renovation on a budget is possible! The first step is to realize that you will have to compromise on something. But that doesn’t mean you can’t end up with an end result that you love! Here are twelve money-saving tips when you’re renovating on a budget.
1. Plan, plan, and plan some more
Saving money is all about finding little ways to cut costs. So it’s important to be organized and plan out every single stage of the renovation.
Create a timeline of the project and take note of when each stage is set to take place. Write action lists detailing what needs to be done and organize them in terms of priority. Once your plan is in place, you can be more precise with your budget and spending strategy.
Remember to consider all the possible disruptions you’ll encounter. For example, if you’re carrying out a kitchen renovation, have a plan to pre-prepare meals that an be made on a grill, hot plate, or crockpot, so that you’re not scrambling and eating out every night.
Work through your plan and re-evaluate if necessary.
2. Get multiple quotes
If your goal is to save money, then you have to go the extra mile to reach it. This means shopping around and getting multiple quotes for the work. Although you might think you’ve been quoted a good price, you’d be surprised at your bargaining power when getting another quote.
Getting multiple quotes for each stage of the renovation can save you hundreds, if not thousands on your build.
Aim to get at least three quotes per job. Research and read reviews of the service providers’ previous work. Make sure to note that the cheapest quote isn’t always the best option. Weigh up all things before making your decisions.
3. Hire the right people
Hiring the right people to carry out your home improvement work is critical to your budget and he success of your project overall. Not only do they need to have the skill and ability to complete the job, but it’s also crucial that you can communicate effectively with them.
An obvious route is to hire the best-in-class for each aspect of your renovation. However, this can drive up your costs significantly. By doing some extra research on what people to hire, you can save a lot of money.
Instead of hiring an expensive carpenter or bricklayer, consider using a handyman to cater to some of the more straightforward jobs.
4. Re-use and re-cycle
Save money on expensive new items by finding alternative uses for products that you already own. Second-hand materials are also cheaper options to consider.
Be careful what you re-use. Some materials shouldn’t be used twice, particularly if they’re important to the structural integrity of the building.
Re-using and re-cycling are often best suited to design and home interiors. The online marketplace has never been more ideal for buying secondhand.
5. Look to seasonal sales for future planning
Seasonal sales are often the best opportunities to make major purchases. At certain times of the year, companies hold large sales, offering huge discounts on all products. In most cases, these sales occur every season.
If you’re well organized and have planned ahead, you should look to these sales to get bargains. Hardware and furniture stores generally put out their offers ahead of time, giving you further opportunities to strike good deals.
Ensure that you’re aware of the regular price of the sale items before committing to the purchase.
6. Consider taking a DIY approach
By taking on some of the work yourself, you can save a lot of money. DIY projects can also be enjoyable, as well as satisfying. There’s nothing quite like seeing your very own hard work come to life in front of your eyes.
If there is no major time pressure, make sure that you take things slowly to ensure that a good job is done. While DIY projects can turn out great, they can also quickly turn into a disaster. Don’t attempt something that you don’t have the tools, skills, or knowledge to complete. Construction and DIY can be dangerous.
For a lot of people, painting, demolition, and other basic work will be the limit, while others will be able to handle more complex duties. However, when it comes to crafts such as plumbing, gas, and electrical work, it’s advisable to hire professionals.
7. Focus on sustainability
Renovating provides you with the perfect opportunity to create a more sustainable home. Although laying the foundations for a sustainable household can require higher up-front costs, the long-term savings can be significant.
If you have the means, consider installing some renewable energy systems. If this simply isn’t an option, perhaps a smaller scale approach will suit better. Start to switch out old energy-sapping appliances with more sustainable versions. These will give you significant savings on your energy bills and are becoming much more affordable.
8. Know when to splurge
When you’re adhering to a tight budget, you can get stuck in the mindset of paying the least amount possible for every aspect of your renovation. While this is a positive when it comes to saving money, there are times when you should fork out a little extra cash.
For things that affect the safety of you and your family, it’s vital to pay the necessary costs to ensure a good job is done. Electricity, plumbing, and structural work are potential health hazards. You must not compromise when it comes to these areas. Hire a qualified and skilled professional to handle this type of work.
In addition, there are cosmetic things where splurging a little on a higher end product can really make a difference visually. For example, if you’re already hiring someone to tile a backsplash, the labor costs are probably the biggest expense. Going for a more expensive tile that you love won’t add a huge bump in cost...but it could make your kitchen feel way more fancy than the basic subway tile.
9. Invest in time over money
When it comes to saving, there is generally a trade-off between your time and money. If you want to save time, you must be willing to pay extra. For example, paying an additional cost for fast delivery. However, if you want to save money, you must be willing to invest your time into the project.
By dedicating the majority of your spare time to your renovation project you can save a lot of money. In your spare time, you can research suppliers, supplies, and renovations online. You can also shop around and use your time to find the best deals available. If you want to get hands-on, you can help out on-site and carry out basic tasks that need to be done.
10. Choose value over cheap
Although you’re trying to save money during the renovation, the main priority should be to create the best possible home improvement project within your budget. This doesn’t mean creating the cheapest renovation imaginable.
When making purchasing and hiring decisions, opt for good value over cheap. Cheap items are often more expensive in the long term. Underpaying for renovation work often leads to additional work being necessary down the line.
Find a balance between good work and price, and prioritize excellent value rather than low cost.
11. Create space with light
Many renovation projects are carried out with the intention of creating more space. While this may be necessary for small rooms, natural light often increases the perceived space in an area. Instead of paying extortionate construction costs to extend the size of your home, look to more strategic ways of creating space.
Skylights, large windows, bay windows, or double doors can work wonders in letting additional light into a room. Mirrors are effective in dispersing natural light around a room and can give it more depth.
Remember that a larger room doesn’t always equate to an increase of perceived space.
12. Focus on the smaller details
To make a house a home, it’s important to add features that align with your personality. Avoid getting caught up in expensive home trends that don’t add true character to your living space. Focus on the smaller details to achieve your dream home. Avoid splashing out on expensive and unnecessary items that won’t benefit your space.
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