Help Keep the Stress Out of Wedding Planning

With one wedding day in your life, working to make the day absolutely perfect can become stressful and tiresome. There are many things to remember and account for before your big day, but it doesn’t have to be all filled with pressure and worry. Use this advice to reduce the stress in your life during your engagement and enjoy planning your wedding with your fiancé. 

Start Early

Even with short engagements, always try to begin planning early. This includes choosing venues, dates and your guest list. Having your dream location already booked by someone else will not help alleviate your stress with planning. Pick your date early as well as your guest list. More people will be able to make travel arrangements to attend if given a substantial amount of time, especially if flights and hotel reservations are needed. Create a checklist specific for your wedding of everything you think you could need. This will allow you to have a basic understanding of everything you will need to do before your big day, both big and small. This will save you stress later on as you are trying to remember if you really did call the caterer or the florist. Here is a wedding planning checklist to help you get started. Understanding the length of your engagement right away will allow you to better budget your time throughout the planning process. 

Stick to your Budget

It’s easy to get caught up in the wedding planning and begin to stray from your proposed budget. This will only cause stress and tension as you try to cover all of these extra expenses. Trust that the budget you originally decided on is the best option and stick to that. Many sites offer you great money saving advice to ensure you are able to include everything you want on your day without going over your spending limit. Tips to Save You Money on Your Wedding offers brides and grooms options to save money to have your dream money without overspending.

Have a Good Support System

Everyone knows that wedding planning is a lot of work, especially if you try to do it all on your own, or even just with your fiancé. Encourage your bridal party to help you work out small details, as well as making favors or addressing envelopes. As your closet circle of friends, many bridesmaids look forward to helping you plan your special day, so let them. They are willing to help you and you should let them assist you. It can be easy to want to do everything yourself to ensure that your day is perfect, but let your close friends and family help out when you need it. Everyone in the wedding party has a role, be sure to let everyone help and participate, as you have too much to take care of to do it on your own. This will save you time, energy and stress and let you enjoy your engagement a little more.

Crafty Wedding Décor for Non-Crafty People

I am the first to admit that I am one of the least crafty or artsy people out there. I mean, I still struggle with drawing stick people; that may be an exaggeration, but you get the point. So when my brother’s fiancé wanted me to help with the décor for their upcoming wedding, I freaked out a little bit. Thanks to the wonderful Pinterest, I was able to figure out some crafty decorations that I could do to help with the décor. Check them out below, but before you do, know that I don’t make decision about the décor, I simply execute the ideas.

 

Centerpieces 

 

Inspiration - My brother’s fiancé liked the idea of following this set-up for the centerpieces, but preferred a chalkboard paint finish for the wine bottles instead of adding paper numbers.

Results - Since the wedding is still 33 days away (eek!) I don’t have a picture of the final set up yet. But the wine bottles turned out nicely; the chalkboard paint looks great! Anybody looking to copy this look should check out Home Depot for chalkboard spray paint, they have the best price.

Place Cards 

 

Inspiration - Sticking with the wine theme, wine corks were used to create the place cards as well. After browsing a lot of ideas on Pinterest, it was decided to use two corks per place card instead of one like most pins showed.

Results - My brother's fiancé isn't the super girly type so she nixed the bow and this is how the place cards turned out. I think they are simple, but they also catch your eye.

Aisle Decorations

 

Inspiration - There are simply too many pictures to choose from for inspiration for aisle decorations. Pinterest has too many great options. When it came down to it, my brother's fiancé had to pick what she felt was the best choice to go along with the theme of the wedding.

Results - She chose a simple jar look which will be filled with baby breathe flowers to be hung in shepherds hooks down the aisle. I'm sure they would look good with any type of flower in them or for a later ceremony, tea lights would also look very prety!

About the Author: Lilly is a guest blogger from The Perfect Card Box, a provider of beautiful wedding card boxes for your special day!

Which Automakers Offer the Best Warranty?

This week's post is from my friend Andrea, who's been a professional in the auto warranty business for quite some time, working with www.autowarrantyone.com.

One of the most important aspects of shopping for a new car is determining the value of the warranty. Most auto companies provide basic coverage which protects the owner against expensive repairs and defects for the first three years of ownership or 36,000 miles. There are some car companies that offer warranties beyond the standard three-year, 36,000 mile deal. By taking advantage of the extended warranty, the total cost of ownership will decrease.

Types of New Car Warranties

There are four main types of new car warranties including:
• Basic
• Powertrain
• Corrosion
• Roadside Assistance

Basic
The Basic Warranty is standard coverage that pays for repairs related to defects on the factory-installed components. Tires are not usually included but are covered under the tire manufacturer warranty.

Powertrain
The Powertrain Warranty also covers the engine, transaxle and transmission mechanisms are lasts longer that the Basic Warranty

Corrosion
A Corrosion Warranty covers any rust that results in holes in doors or side panels.

Roadside Assistance
Roadside Assistance usually includes free towing and tire change services if the automobile breaks down while in transit.

It is always advisable to check with each dealer for specific details regarding the warranties.

Top Five Automaker Warranties

Although there are numerous warranties available on the market, the top five include:

1. Hyundai
2. Mitsubishi
3. Kia
4. Volvo
5. Buick

Hyundai

Hyundai boasts a five-year, 60,000 miles Basic Warranty and a 10-year, 100,000 miles Powertrain Warranty that provides repair for defective componentry. The Powertrain Warranty is only available to the original owner. If the car is sold, the new owner receives the Basic Warranty. Additionally, Hyundai offers a seven-year, unlimited mile Corrosion Warranty and five years of 24-hour Roadside Assistance.

Mitsubishi

Boasting a five-year, 60,000 mile Basic Warranty, Mitsubishi covers the original owner and subsequent owners. The Powertrain Warranty consists of 10-years or 100,000 miles but if the car is sold, the new owner will only receive the balance of a Basic Warranty. Also, there is a seven-year, 100,000 miles Anti-Corrosion Warranty to protect against rust and Roadside Assistance for an unlimited number of miles for five years.

Kia

Kia offers a Basic Warranty of give years or 60,000 miles and a 10-year, 100,000 mile Powertrain Warranty which is available to the first owner. However, if the car is sold, the warranty restarts. The Powertrain Warranty covers engine and transmission parts. Kia also offers a five-year, 100,000 miles Anti-Corrosion Warranty with 24-hour Roadside Assistance

Volvo

Volvo has taken a different route and offers Limited Warranties for four-years or 50,000 miles. The Limited Warranty is a combined Basic and Powertrain Warranty. Consumers are covered under the Corrosion Warranty for an unlimited number of miles for 12 years. Additionally, the company advertises a time-limited complementary service plan which pays for the first three factory-scheduled maintenance services. Furthermore, all new car owners receive four years of complimentary Volvo On-Call Roadside Assistance.

Buick

On its most recent models, Buick offers a Basic Warranty of four-years or 50,000 miles. All models also boast a powertrain warranty with no deductible that is valid for six-years or $70,000 miles. Additionally, the Corrosion Warranty is available for six-years or 100,000 miles and includes the entire body plus sheet metal parts. Roadside Assistance is available around the clock for six years or 70,000 miles.

Where Did the Summer Go?

I don’t know about you guys, but for me this summer has just flown by! I can’t believe that August is wrapping up and Labor Day is quickly approaching. I’ve had a quite an eventful, action packed few months (which is why I haven’t been able to post much) but I am finally able to relax and kick my feet up, so I’ll fill you guys in on what I’ve been up to! 

My wife’s birthday at the beginning of June always kicks off our summer, so this year I surprised her with a long weekend in New York City. We had an exciting couple of days exploring the streets, sightseeing, and eating some great food. This wasn’t her first time in the Big Apple, but it was mine so of course I dragged her to Times Square, Central Park and the Empire State building – all the touristy places! We didn’t get to see a Broadway show like I would have liked but we did see a play called “Potted Potter,” starring two British comedians who try to condense the Harry Potter series into just over an hour: hilarious! We indulged in seafood, got a little sun burnt, and saw quite a few characters in Times Square! On the night of her birthday she wanted to do something a little quieter and more intimate, so we strolled through Little Italy and had a nice romantic evening. It was truly a great weekend and a superb way to start out the summer! 

When we returned home it was right back to work for the both of us. On the weekends we worked on stuff around the house, my wife improving her container garden while I installed patio lanterns and added a fence to our backyard. It took a couple hot weeks of working under the sun, but once we were finished our landscape looked really nice. In fact, we were so impressed we invited our neighbors and close friends over for a little barbecue to celebrate our hard work.

My wife found this awesome blog by Joanne Ellison that we both have enjoyed visiting too. She frequently goes on to catch the daily devotionals, while I have been keen on reading the blog posts. The site also has online bible studies that my wife and I have been in talks about joining; I’ll keep you posted on what we decide!

The rest of our summer was dedicated to spending time with family. My wife’s parents came and stayed with us for a week; she was thrilled about their visit since they live across the country and we don’t get to see them very often. Luckily we had great weather so we could entertain our company in the new and improved backyard!  

It was another busy, but fun summer for us; I am still in disbelief that it’s coming to a close! I hope everyone enjoyed their summers as well! Did you relax, travel, or spend time with family? Let me know! And what your plans for Labor Day Weekend; we are still trying to figure out ours!  

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The Importance of Public Art

Cloud Gate Sculpture in Millennium Park, Chicago, IL

What comes to mind when you think of public art? The term public art is used to encompass a work of art in any media that has been planned and executed with the intention of being visible in the public sphere. Public art is usually outside, free, and accessible to all. In contrast with traditional artwork featured in fine and contemporary museums, public art is much less passive because it exists in the midst of our everyday lives- we move around it, it changes in the light and seasons, and it becomes an integral part of the community we live in.

With a shift toward tolerance and more liberal ideas, combined with an emphasis on the value of creativity, data suggests that public art has been growing in popularity within the last 15 years. More public art coalitions and organizations have sprung up in urban areas and college towns across the United States—but it’s not just art enthusiasts and private donors behind the push for more community art. Some people are surprised to learn that the federal government, state, and local governments have been allocating funds for public art projects too. Even smaller economic development organizations are getting involved in areas not traditionally known as art communities. For example, Lansing Economic Development Partnership (LEAP), a regional economic development organization in Michigan, recently announced that they would be designating $30,000 for a public art grant program in nearby townships.

The benefits of public art are numerous. First, because public art is typically installed in frequent and high-foot traffic areas, works can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds, professions, and walks of life. They don’t require dishing out extra cash, dressing up for a fancy gala, or going out of your way to appreciate them. Public art is free and accessible for all- allowing direct, ongoing encounters that stimulate thoughts about art, society, connectivity, and more. Public art makes people more aware of their surroundings in general by causing people to question what they know, and take a different perspective by trying to understand the meaning behind the art piece in the space it is found. The ability to think critically and abstractly about such works provides a useful tool that can be transferred into other areas of life, personally and professionally.

Aside from broadening people’s mind, making them more aware of their surroundings, and creating an understanding of different viewpoints, public art creates an attachment to one’s community. Consider a survey called Knight Soul of the Community (SOTC) conducted by Gallup over three years across the United States. The goal of the survey was to understand the factors that attach residents to their communities emotionally, and to discover the role community attachment plays in an area’s stability and economic growth. Gallup surveyed approximately 43,000 people in 43 cities and discovered that “social offerings, openness and welcome-ness,” and, importantly, the “aesthetics of a place– its art, parks, and green spaces,” ranked higher than safety, education, and the local economy as a “driver of attachment.” Some studies even suggest that public art can result in economic revitalization by making communities more attractive to live and work in.

Public art has the ability to make an area more interesting and vibrant. Just think of how many places have gained character and widespread recognition for their iconic artwork alone. Perhaps Anish Kapoor’s unusual sculpture Cloud Gate (otherwise known as the Bean) in Chicago comes to mind, or the Olympic Sculpture Park along the Seattle waterfront. Public artwork enriches communities by adding an off-beat, thought-provoking element to the spaces we live and move through. These works often become popular attractions, and prized icons, in the city they’re part of for visitors and residents alike. Regardless of where they’re placed, public artworks have short and long term advantages that everyone can enjoy. What public art do you love most? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! 

One Little Idea to Help out Healthcare

The president has come up with his budget request, which entails cuts to the Medicare program and increases in domestic security. While I understand that this feeds into our national obsession with being safe from the terrorist threat, the inefficiency with which we go about trying to accomplish this approaches that of delivering health care in this country, which seems to be a lingering problem we can never shake. Couldn't we:

1. Impose a $1 a gallon tax on gasoline so that we can starve out those authoritarian regimes we are up against by decreasing consumption of the one commodity that props them up? 
2. Spend some dollars training foreign speakers so that we can actually decipher some of those communications that we are so keen on intercepting? 
3. Understand that we are not the only ones suffering at the hands of religious zealots and extremists (e.g. the Danes)? 

I wonder if providers could get in on the homeland security action. We could pitch the notion that preventive care improves security by keeping people out of hospitals, so that they could spend more time being vigilant, mindful, etc. I mean, look at Jack Bauer, the counter terrorism agent on “24”. He is one healthy dude, right? He has got to be getting some stellar health care.

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