Pinching Pennies II

With three kids, a thriving business, and just every day expenses, we know as well as you how hard it is to stretch a dollar. When it comes to managing any of these aspects of life (including your upcoming nuptials), one has to be incredibly resourceful. You CAN look like you're worth a million bucks even if you can't afford a fraction of that expense. Here are a few ways:

1. Ebay There are tons of ladies out there who either want to sell their wedding gowns quick, fast, and in a hurry, or simply found another dress before their wedding day that they fell in love with all over again....or a bridal salon could have several previous season items that they need to rid themselves of. The key in finding the gown of your dreams is to pay attention to:

• the auction details and ask tons of questions before committing to buy
• check, check, and double check the sellers' feedback to make sure you're working with a credible person
• bid at the last minute! Never get overly anxious. Just watch the auction and remind yourself to bid in the 11th hour. You'll always get the best price.
• scour the internet and other auctions to ensure you're getting the best deal
• be honest....and know your measurements! (when its all said and done, no one will know or care what size your dress it....just invest in one that can be altered to fit just right)

Here are just a few nice finds:

Jim Hjelm JH8662 :with a buy it now price of $649

Amsale - A445: with a buy it now price of $250

Judd Waddell: with a buy it now price of $500

Kenneth Pool: with a starting bid of $2100 (originally over $5000)

2. Pearl's Place Pearl's Place was the diamond we found a few years ago when we planned our wedding. It is a leading bridal store based in New Orleans, that provides acesss to the best prices in bridal fashions. They're listed in several bridal magazines: Brides, Modern Bride, For the Bride by Demetrios, Martha Stewart, Bridal Guide,In Style Weddings and Wedding Dresses and you will be impressed by their service.

3. PreOwned Wedding Dresses.com

This site is absolutely a great site...particularly for those of us who love expensive couture gowns but would rather use those pennies toward something else! :) One can find designs from J. Crew and David's Bridal to Melissa Sweet and Anne Barge! I think I am a kid in a candy store! Happy Shopping Ladies!

A thousand words

Pictures really are worth 1000+ words. We simply can't get enough of this photographer's blog that we "lucked up" on. DrewB based in Orange County California....you lucky west coast brides! Anyway, we thought we'd add some beautiful eye candy. It's always wonderful to see God's gifts manifested in others. Enjoy!

Pinching Pennies

In light of all of the budget constraints and consumer debt out there these days, we thought it would be ideal to offer insight on getting the most bang for your buck for your next event. Since the wedding season is about to jump into full swing, our points may lean more in the direction of wedding planning than other events…but should be applicable all around. Remember, your wedding is ONE day…and although it sounds cliché, it really is the first day of the rest of your lives together. Why get in debt or send someone else into debt if it is avoidable? These days nothing is certain and you really have to think wisely for your future and overall outcome.

1. First and foremost, discover the PROS of event planning.
Seriously consider investing in a well-established event planner. This will benefit you in more ways than one. They have in most cases, been there, done that with most planning scenarios, and are very skilled at managing even the worst wedding blunders. When you consider the amount of time it takes them to sort through the details of contracts, figures, pictures, your likes, dislikes and the bottom line…why not give someone else that responsibility? Remember it would take you double if not triple the time to manage the details that they’re paid to do…and do it well. Do you have the time equivalent to about spend about $30/hour to make your day be as seamless as you’d hoped? We rest our case. J

2. Keep it Simple Simon, or er, Susie.
When selecting participants for your big day, you will save yourself a ton (literally) of heartache and pain by keeping your attendant count low. Sure, there will be your preverbal acquaintance who you’d rather not offend, or your high school classmate who you thought was your BFF until you found another one in college. Let’s do the math, going from 10 bridesmaids down to 5, will cut your costs in: $50 bouquets (at a minimum), coordinating bridal party accessories, and associated gifts..not to mention the mental cost of trying to keep everyone rounded up and being in place on time for your wedding weekend.
Remember, a true friend will still be willing to offer his/her services regardless of their role. Close friends could always step in as a hostess/usher or assist you when it comes to assembling favors (see #5).

3. Kharma Chameleon
Consider selecting vendors or locations that may not be “established” wedding service providers. For instance, scoping out a restaurant, venue, or caterer that is relatively new and not of the norm will certainly help your wallet (but remember to confirm that they will be able to handle larger parties). You can always offer to pay additional fees for additional help…which is still less expensive than the cost of a popular reception facility. Another example: you’ve received the recommendation of a baker who makes great cakes, but not necessarily fondant-adorned cakes. If they are interested in expanding their territory in their local market, they may be willing to work on fine-tuning their skills to give you the cake of your dreams on a lower budget. Remember, all great businesses started somewhere! When you help others, sometimes, with proper planning and communication, you are helped in return.

4. It’s just black and white.
Some brides spend so much time trying to come up with a fantastic color scheme, yet end up with hues that are much more trouble than they bargained for. Sometimes certain colors are not easily accessible and are difficult to coordinate in the long run. Here are a few basic color schemes where color was used more as an accent than the overall palette. Check out this fashionable bride, "springchic":

In addition, once you choose a color scheme, if you have more than 6 months to plan, you might get lucky and locate seasonal items that you can utilize for your big day or towards gifts for your attendants. For example your local department store might run their oversized terry cloth robes 75% off at the moment. That will really be a cost savings for the gifts for your groomsmen (you can even add a touch of class by having their initials monogrammed on them since you’ve saved so much).

Also, when you choosing your color scheme, always consider your ceremony and reception venues. What an ungodly sight to have to "work" burgandy and white walls with a springy pinks, pale yellows, and greens....

Here's another example of how less = more, with more great moments featured on Drew B's Photography Blog

and we just couldn't get enough of these romantic images from Gabriel Ryan Photography

5. Favor your wallet first.
When its all said and done, very few individuals will be concerned about receiving a favor. Let’s be honest. Most of the favors you receive at weddings are not functional and serve very little purpose. Why burden someone else with the same task that you had last summer of decluttering your home of random trinkets picked up at their friends’ weddings?

6. The bar is closed.
So yes, an open bar sounds nice…but really is it all that necessary. Most guests will take what is offered. Why not consider just two or better yet, one signature drink as the alcoholic option…and make it fun! From to there are a ton of options out there…and if they aren’t privy to your selection, they’ll most likely drink less and that will help your piggy bank.

Heaven Sown loves Etsy!

We hate to say it, but we're just recently learning about Etsy. Yes, we've been living under a rock evidently. ...and for those of you who have been under a rock as well, per the 2nd gospel, http://www.wikipedia.org/ , Etsy is

is a website which provides the general public with a way to buy and sell handmade items. The site follows in the tradition of open craft fairs, giving sellers personal storefronts where they list their goods for a fee. It has been compared to "a crafty cross between Amazon and eBay"

There's a magnanamous variety of vendors selling hand made items that are unique and beautiful, so we thought we'd offer them some exposure here. From custom jewelry and fashionable bags to cloth diapers, invitations and monograms, you can find it all on Etsy.

Custom Silouhette Stationery

Decadent Designs Stationery

Yes We Can Canvas - GeeZees

Next to do....discover twitter and what the hoopla is all about. Stay tuned.

Add a little extra flair to your holiday tables!

Of course, red and green hues are customary this time of year. We like to change things up every once in a while and offer a little twist on the common, as Booker T Washington once said, "doing a common thing an uncommon way..." Here's a glimpse at one of our most recent holiday corporate events that we actually created the decor for. Coppers, silver, golds, and bronze shades...all warm wintery shades with just a touch of flair. The great thing about enjoying the holidays in 2008 is that there are sooo many color combos to choose from...so now you can coordinate your ornaments with your ribbons and wrappings, we can now all look like Martha! Let your imaginations run wild!!

Brown Paper Packages tied up with Strings...

Yes, these are a few of our favorite things! Don't you just love looking at all of the great gadgets and gifts out there for our perusing enjoyment? Even if you don't want to purchase, they're so fun to look at! So, as you try to find gifts for your loved ones and acquaintances that you don't quite know what to purchase for, here are a few options for you! Your child's awesome teacher

$:Custom stationery packaged witha pretty pen and stamps!...they seem to be the few people left in the world willing to write a casual note from time to time.

$:A nice office supply gift card so that he/she can purchase much needed supplies for the class. A friend who's purchased a home recently $:A baking pan filled with great goodies: papertowels, dishtowels, unique cooking utensils (think can opener, cheese slicer, potato peeler or masher), and your very best recipe cards inscribed on paint card samples (idea from Real Simple). $$: Keurig Platinum Coffee Maker + K Cups The great thing about this coffee maker is that its sheek, it makes coffee for your friends guests, even if the potential owner doesn't indulge, and is great for teas and cocoas as well.

Keurig believes that " the perfect cup of coffee means something different to everyone." So they've designed a system that offers tons of different "K-Cups" varieties so that you can enjoy your favorite flavor one cup at a time. Officemate / Casual acquaintance /Snack-Lover

Fairytale Brownies has some slammin' tasty victuals that will make ANYone happy to recieve. With flavors like Peanut Butter, Toffee Crunch, Espresso Nib, and Raspberry Swirl, your most difficult decision will be which flavor to choose from. To eliminate additional overboard debate, we suggest purchasing a sampler of their "magic morsels" or their Brownie Bunches for larger quantity discounts so that you can split up and package say, with a mug and delicately wrapped in cellophane paper...and no one would ever know the difference! They even offer a sugar-free option. Friend who likes personalized items Vinyl Thought provoking wall words gift certificate to tickle their fancy: $: There's a plethora of sites out there who produce these. Here are some of our faves: From Etsy: PopVinylStudio and Wonderful Graffiti:

and SingleStoneStudios, also featured on Etsy:

A new baby:

$: Cushy and unique, functional and reversible bib and burpcloth sets....what more could you ask for?!

$:Adorable long johns Tech savvy Techie

Beautiful Swarovski Crystal for everyone on your holiday list. I'm loving the USB memory key and the Ziggy ring. Happy shopping! USB memory key disguised as a lock. Polished stainless steel and Silver Shade crystals set in Ceralun(TM) with slide-out and hooking mechanisms. For 1 GB of data (about 250 songs or 1’000 photos) with password protection, high-speed USB 2.0 interface.

Susie Homemaker Desperate Housewife $: A certificate for baby sitter hours (where she can select the date and time) so that she can get out and attend to much need errands or pampering. What mom wouldn't want that!? $$:Williams Sonoma Greats! Adorable Chef-In-Training Robe Melamine Puzzle Tray Personal Embosser Acord Cakelet Pan Your lawn guy who makes your yard the envy of your neighborhood: $: A gift card that he can turn right back around into his business is always great appreciated. Lastly, but not least, for your wonderful husband in preparation for your NYE date night: $: Murano Cuff Links $$: Donald Trump Watch

Susie Homemaker Goodies

Just in time for the holidays, a few tips and treats that even YOU can implement for your own tabletops and buffets! We're all looking for not-so-labor-intensive designs that are festive and fun, so we thought we'd ablige you with some easy ways to embellish your home over the next few weeks.

Fresh Fruit Topiaries

You will need:

• 4-inch dry foam sphere or 12-inch dry foam cone

• Pedestal or footed container

• Florist clay

• Box of wooden toothpicks

• 1 bag of fresh cranberries or 2 1/2 pounds fresh kumquats

• Sprigs of nandina

• Gardenia leaves

To make: Step 1: Secure the round foam topiary to the footed container with florist clay.

Step 2: Starting at the bottom of each foam core, insert toothpicks spaced to size of the fruit.

Step 3: Pierce the fruit onto the toothpicks.

Step 4: Continue piercing the fruit until each foam core is completely covered.

Step 5: Add leaves to the top and bottom of the topiaries for desired effect, inserting the stems into the foam core.

Photo Credits: Fruit & Berry Topiaries

Candy Cane Vase

You will need:

• Glue gun

• Tall drinking glass

• Box of large candy canes, individually wrapped in cellophane

• Red ribbon

To make:Step 1: With the glue gun, gently glue a candy cane to the exterior wall of the drinking glass, pressing gently for 10 seconds to set in place.

Step 2: Continue this process until the glass is completely covered with candy canes.

Step 3: Tie the bright red ribbon around the glass and secure with a dot of glue

Photo Credits: Candy Cane Vase

Festive Mantel Decor

Spruce up your mantel for the holidays with evergreen garlands and clear glass containers filled with bold cranberries. Step 1: After filling the vases with cranberries (or small ornaments) add candles on top to create a pretty glow. Step 2:Take things further by suspending a galaxy of large ornaments. Pushpins in the ceiling will barely leave their mark. Step 3:Simple white stockings add to the crisp and sophisticated look of this festive hearth.

Photo Credits: Festive Mantel Decor

Evergreen Candles

What You Need: • Glass hurricane candle holder • Evergreen pieces • Spray adhesive • Pillar candles

Step 1: Prepare the glass surface by cleaning it with window cleaner. Then select any flat evergreen pieces you would like to use. Coat the greenery with spray adhesive.

Step 2: Wait a few seconds for the adhesive to get tacky and then attach each piece to the container with the ends hanging from the bottom of the container.

Step 3: Allow the greenery to dry for a few minutes. Then trim the bottoms with sturdy scissors, floral snips, or garden shears.

Photo Credits: Evergreen Candles

...and lastly a few more simple ideas who have an excess number of ornaments!

Photo Credits: Better Homes & Gardens