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Tag: home essentials

  • Must-Have Furniture for Newlyweds That Most Couples Miss

    Must-Have Furniture for Newlyweds That Most Couples Miss

    Every week, my husband and I reserve two days for movie night, but since he was out of town, I spent my movie night at a girlfriend’s house. Whoever hasn’t watched The Revenant needs to get on that right now. I’m dead serious, you guys, I’m basically a survival expert now..

    Anywho, as I was watching Leo eat raw buffalo meat (spoiler alert), I noticed something I usually wouldn’t have noticed before. My friend- a newlywed by the way- did not own a coffee table. You see, if it were any other day, I wouldn’t have cared because I’m too busy other days to care. At that moment, I didn’t know where to place my beer or my pint of Ben and Jerry’s (we go hard). When I asked her about it, she claimed she was “getting to it” but Kayla, I’ve known you all my life.

    You’re not getting to it.

    For all my newly married couples out there, don’t be a Kayla and don’t slack on necessary furniture. Here are a few furniture pieces every couple should have in their home.

    1. Coffee Table

    Yes, we need to talk about it some more because a coffee table is the center of your living room. Without it, it’s just a giant space that will haunt you in your sleep. Imagine Superman without the giant S on his chest…that’s how your sofa feels without a table. It’s where guests will place their cups (and beers!), where you’ll dump your stack of magazines, the place where your partner will put up their feet at the end of a long day, and so much more!

    It’s a great addition to any home and thanks to our friend the internet; you can choose amongst thousands of different styles. You can want something as extravagant as this

    Brianna Coffee Table- $189.99

    or something simple like this

    Spurgeon Modern Simplistic Criss-Crossed Coffee Table- $44.99

    2. Extra Chairs or Beanbags

    It’s bound to happen. It will be your turn to host Thanksgiving and someone will almost always bring along a friend, a co-worker, or their mom. You never really think about it, but sometimes things don’t go as planned.

    If your living space is too tight, you always want to have a few fold-up chairs stored somewhere. You can’t have half your guests on a couch, and the rest sitting on the floor. If you pull out a few chairs (beanbags for bonus points), it will only show how considerate and caring you are towards the people that enter your home.

    3. Bookshelves (or any  shelves in general)

    What can I say about shelves that haven’t already been said? I always felt like they were doing the work for me. Shelves are incredibly versatile furniture, are easy to work with, and can be set up anywhere in the house. You could install them in the hallway, the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom, and the bathroom. Just name any room in the house, and it’ll probably be better off with shelves.

    Why? Because shelves give the room an orderly feel. You can place books, cases, frames, and even treasured antiques for a complete look. They’re inexpensive and you can find thousands of DIY ideas on Pinterest. If you’re lazy like me and somehow always hurt yourself while screwing a nail into a wooden board, then you’re probably better off heading to your nearest IKEA.

    4. Artwork

    The great thing about art is that everyone perceives it differently. Thirty people could be looking at the same painting and each one would have a different story to tell. So why do we need art in our homes?

    For one, art is a form of expression. People can walk in and see a painting of a field of sunflowers and consider you to be a light and joyous person. It gives your guest a bit of intel about the kind of person you are. Any art can breathe life into a room and spark conversation amongst you and your guests. If you’re a painter yourself, hang a piece of your work at the entrance or living room.

    If you’re a lover of art, but are on a budget, Minted is a great website that offers incredible paintings and supports independent artists.

    5. A New Mattress

    Let’s be honest here.

    A new mattress should have been on top of the list. Your old mattress has seen better days, and your partner’s probably isn’t better off. Purchasing a new bed is not only the adult thing to do, but it’s also undoubtedly the best thing to do. When you’re a newly married couple, you want to bring comfort into your new home, and mattresses are the epitome of comfort!

    Mattresses can be expensive, but with the power of the internet, I found the perfect store. It caters to all your mattress needs at an affordable price.

    6. Plants

    Not sure if this one counts as furniture, but I’m going to add it to the list, anyway. Everyone on the planet should have planets in their home! They are literal symbols of life and wellness! They purify the air, they’re refreshing, and they make your house feel like a home.

    That last one is a big one, but I personally believe that by bringing life into a house, it will feel more like a home. You can find potted plants at your local grocery store and even your 99 cent store. Your choices are endless!

    Happy shopping!

  • Wedding Budget Saving Tips

    Wedding Budget Saving Tips

    Wedding Budget Saving Tips

    If you could describe a wedding in three words, what would they be? 

    If you’ve never had a wedding of your own, then let me take the words right out of your mouth. Beautiful. Elegant. Fun.

    Yeah, yeah, I get it, being a guest is the frickin’ best because unless you’re the bride or groom, you didn’t pay for anything. You went all dolled up, ate a filet mignon steak with a side of couscous, got drunk, and went home. That’s what guests do, and I know this because I attend over three weddings a month. 

    My three words? Too. Damn. Expensive.

    via GIPHY

    According to Business Insider, “The average wedding cost in the US is $33,391”. I’ve been married since 2017, and I am still in debt for the extravagant wedding my in-laws persisted we have. They only have one son so you can imagine how that conversation went.  

    Anyways, there are several things you can do that will help you save hundreds of dollars on your special day.

    Here are our top four.

    1. Scratch Off Anyone You Haven’t Seen In 2+ Years

    Let’s be real. Does your great uncle Paul from your mom’s side that you haven’t seen in over five years really need to be invited? I know when it comes to creating a guest list for your special day, you want the whole world to know, but think of it this way: the more people come, the more money out of your pocket.

    Honestly, I get it. At some point, you feel an obligation to invite some people even though you barely know them. While my husband and I were creating the guest list at the time, we were incredibly stressed out because more than half the people on the list were closer to our parents, not to us. It rounded up to over 200 people. 

    via GIPHY

    A word of advice? Cut out anybody you haven’t spoken or heard from in the past two years. Explain to your parents and future in-laws that you would rather save that extra cash for something that will benefit you and your partner in the near future.

    2. You Don’t Need Filet Mignon With Couscous

    You can’t have starving guests. Even though prices vary per guest in every state, you’re looking at an average of $85 per plate. And that’s the not so fancy weddings. If you want a New York wedding, you’re looking at an $80,000 fee.

    Here I thought California was too expensive.

    So what do you do? If you’re looking to save money, then I’ll tell you what you don’t do, and that is hiring a caterer. As soon as you mention the M word (married), anything that will cost ten bucks will jump to a hundred. We know it’s the same product, but we’re under so much stress at the time that we couldn’t give a shit, am I right?

    via GIPHY

    If you have any close friends that run family-owned restaurants or if your family is in the food industry, you can always ask them to cater! It doesn’t need to be anything fancy because I promise you, people just want to eat. I had a friend who served chicken thighs on top of basmati rice at her wedding, and you better believe it was the best darn thing I’ve ever tasted.

    So no need to over think the food because you’re not going to look back on this day and think, “I should have gone with the $8000 caterers”.

    3. Mother Nature is Your New Wedding Venue

    Haven’t you heard? That’s, like, totally a thing now.

    Renting out a plaza for your wedding reception is crazy expensive. I know this because mine cost me a thousand for the night.

    Lately, I have been noticing a ton of people planning their wedding in their backyard. There are a few who also use public parks because it’s already fixed up beautifully without costing a dime.

    Bridal Musings does a wonderful job on how to set up a backyard wedding.

    4. Skip The Bouquet and Settle For A Single Rose

    For a few of my brides, this might strike a nerve. If you’re one of those brides who want to preserve your bouquet in a glass frame, then by all means, skip this step. Before I continue, I would just like to state that I have been to weddings without a single flower in sight and I have been to weddings where over $2000 was spent only on flowers.

    via GIPHY

    Other than your bouquet, you need to keep in mind the bridesmaids, the flower girls, the corsages, table centerpieces, and much more that I can’t remember at the moment.

    Also, flowers die. Imagine spending $2000 on flowers just for them to die that same night. Holy crap, you can buy a used car with that amount of money. Now, there are alternatives to flowers such as candles, crystal vases, goldfish bowls with petals, and even fake flowers. If flowers are a must, then keep them to a minimal.

    If you’re the DIY’er in the family, then all you need is to pick a few roses from your nearest public park and get to working.

    The list goes on and on…and on. Shop for your dress or tux off the clearance rack, ask family and friends to help with the setup instead of buying professional work, buy affordable wedding rings, stay in state for the honeymoon, set up karaoke instead of hiring a DJ. 

    Ok, maybe that last one isn’t necessary, but you get my point. 

  • Homemade Valentine’s Day Gifts

    Homemade Valentine’s Day Gifts

    Homemade Valentine’s Day Gifts

    In our last article, we talked about throwing an incredible Valentine’s Day party, and I’m sure if you read that article, then your Valentine’s day party was the talk of the town. Now, while your local Target is probably overfilled with human-sized teddy bears at the moment, there’s always something about homemade gifts that hold more sentimental meaning to what love truly is. To save you time and trouble, we have picked a few simple ideas that will have your partner smiling from ear to ear.

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    Valentine’s Day Mason Jar

    “I am obsessed with Mason jars!” says the stay at home mom who spends hours scrolling through Pinterest every day. Let me tell you why Mason jars are the absolute best.

    •     You can use them to plant herbs
    •     Great for smoothies and juices
    •     Toothbrush/pencil/twine/buttons holder
    •     Prep salad in them and take them to go
    •     Overnight oats or puddings

    The list is endless! For Valentine’s Day, here’s how you can benefit from a mason jar: 

    • Fill it to the brink with candy hearts, and you can use either a boutique of fake or real flowers. Your call.
    • Handpick your loved one’s favorite chocolates and cut out paper hearts with sweet messages on them. You can choose to paint the jar pink or wrap it with a red glitter ribbon.
    • Valentine’s Day goodies! This includes heart-shaped cookies, pink/red macaroons, sugar cookie hearts, Hershey’s Kisses, conversation heart cookies.
    • Fill the jar of notes on why you love this person. Design the outside of the box with glitter, hearts, and both your initials. Anytime your loved one feels down; they can open a note and remember how much they’re loved.

     

    via GIPHY

    Heart-Shaped Bath Bombs

    Even though bath bombs have been a thing since the 1990s, they only gained popularity in early 2018. After they blew up, I felt like they dominated the cosmetics industry. People were making bath bombs left and right. There was so many shapes, colors, and scents to pick from that you would have thought at this point, I would have tried one.

    Creating your own bath bombs at home is an incredibly simple task. You can find the steps here and get creative! You can make them heart-shaped, cupcake shaped, and even in the shape of lips. You can literally find the mold for anything on Amazon. You can present them in a mason jar (obvi) or any acceptable container you have on hand!

    If you’re planning on creating this gift for your partner, always remember bathtubs are fit for two (wink, wink).

    via GIPHY

    Scavenger Hunt

    I know what you’re thinking. Who has the frikin’ time to create a scavenger hunt?

    The answer is me, always me. I’m adding this to the list because it was my gift to my husband last year and he thoroughly loved it! If your loved one is a fan of riddles and finding things, this one’s for you, too! Every puzzle and hint was kept within the house, so it didn’t take long. I kept them short, simple, and sexy.

    The last clue-which was really more of an answer-led him to a hotel where I had rented a room for the night. Rose petals everywhere, lavender scented candles, a steak dinner, a bottle of bubbly, a sexy film (Secretary), and err, that’s it.

    Now I’m just waiting for someone to hand me the “Best Wife” award. Should be any minute now.

    via GIPHY

    Homemade Cake with Message

    Do you love to bake? Does your house always smell like the holidays because of the cinnamon buns you’ve been baking? Do your neighbors continuously ask you for your recipes because your pecan chocolate chip cookies are the best damn thing they’ve ever tasted?

    Then I want YOU to bake a cake with a loving message this Valentine’s Day. You know the phrase “The quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”? Yeah, well, I’m here to tell you that the quickest way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach because food is fantastic and clearly essential to our survival. I just never understood how they made something as simple as food about men.

    Moving on. If you’ve got a message for your loved one, then grab that frosting and get to writing. Then enjoy with a glass of red wine while cuddled under a blanket watching Pretty Woman.

    via GIPHY

    You + Me on a Tree

    Click here for a visual. When I first stumbled upon Jamie’s DIY, I immediately thought “What the-,” because never in a million years would I have thought to use leftover firewood to make a memorable gift.

    Did I believe it would be difficult? Most definitely. Was it? Nope. But it does require you to be patient and careful since you will be using a utility knife and woodburning tool.

    The result is rustic, romantic, memorable, and a great addition to any room.

    See? There are just a few ideas to get those wheels in your head turning. All simple, all significant, all made with love and appreciation. Regardless of what you choose to make, always remember that at the end of the day, the perfect gift is you being there for your loved ones.

  • Partner Moving In? Here’s What You Need To Know

    Partner Moving In? Here’s What You Need To Know

    First comes the engagement, then comes the marriage and then comes the moving in together. It’s not easy sharing your home with another person, even if that person is your significant other.

    I mean, this is your safe place. Your sanctuary!  Everything has its place, and you can’t imagine having to shuffle things around just to fit in some of your partner’s stuff. But hey, you said it: “till death do us part”. It’s going to happen sooner or later! Here’s how you can cope with it.

    Communication is key

    Here’s what to keep in mind. Needless to say, it’s pretty obvious that your taste and your partners may not exactly line up perfectly. It’s like the classic Ella Fitzgerald song, you like tomato, and they like tomahto. But hopefully, you won’t need to call the whole thing off because, in the end, this is just another step that will bring you closer to building your new life together.

    As they start moving in, try not to make any faces (as tempting as that is) at their items of choice and always keep honesty priority. Of course, you can’t point at their armchair and claim that it is “the ugliest thing” you have ever seen.

    That won’t work. Trust me.

    Eh, you live and you learn.

    Instead, express how you feel and help them understand why this piece of furniture doesn’t go with the rest of the room. You don’t want to end up with three different colored couches and a red plaid leg rest. There will be a lot more furniture, but still, the same amount of space so choose carefully.

    Speaking of choosing…

    How do you calmly and gently settle on what stays and what goes? I don’t care how big of a hoarder you or your partner are because at the end of the day, there’s going to be a lot less furniture and I’m sorry to say that some of yours will have to go! One way to figure what to keep is to both agree that you love it. For instance, you both really enjoy the coffee table from Pottery Barn, so you both decide to keep it. You can always pick a few things that are dear to you and are utterly irreplaceable. It could be a family heirloom or something you’ve had since your college days.

    And no, you can’t pick everything in the room, that’s not how it works. By both taking turns saying what stays and what goes, you’ll find out more about each other’s style and figure everything out together.

    Prepare for trouble, and make it double

    Ok, so now you got two mattresses, two (or three) couches, two tables, two coffee machines…you get the idea. In this scenario, you can always pick depending on how much space is available. The size of the item is important because now it will be serving two people. If your home is spacious, you can then check the condition and quality of the item. Is it worn out, is it new? Can it last a few more months, let alone years?

    4 hours and six arguments later

    Hey, I didn’t say this was going to go smoothly.

    At this point, you both have probably disagreed on…a lot? Yeah, a lot sounds good. You’re probably thinking one of you has to give and no way in hell it’s going to be you!

    Relax, what if I told you there’s a way where you both can be (slightly) satisfied?

    BUT HOW?

    You might not like it but here are some options:

    1. You let your partner have it their way. It’s simple; you love them so much that you’re willing to let them keep their foosball table or that weird painting of puppies they got for sale at Michaels.

    Hey, it happens, I’ve been there.

    1. The 3 Re-s. Repaint, remodel and recover. You might not like an item because of its color or how old it looks, but somewhere deep down you’d be willing to accept it if were retouched.

    Hey, another Re-.

    1. You both don’t agree, so you sell, donate, or burn it. The last one is a little too intense but I’ve seen things…

    This is your last resort because if you can’t keep your teardrop table lamp, then neither can they. Go big or go home!

    Kidding, that’s an entirely different article.

    1. Shopping! Buy something entirely new that you both agree on.

    Before the big move, you probably had the perfect vision to make your home the perfect home. Granted, you won’t say eye to eye on everything, but always remember what led you here in the first place. This is going to be your new home and your children’s first home! Memories are just waiting to be created.

    The beginning will undoubtedly be rough, but what beginning isn’t? Believe me when I say, in a few months, it won’t even matter and you’ll just be glad you’ve got the love of your life laying down right there beside you.

     

  • Home Essentials For Every Newlywed Couple

    Home Essentials For Every Newlywed Couple

    Congratulations! You are engaged, and you’re working with your fiance to put together the perfect registry and plan your dream day. Don’t be one of those couples that fail to put together a wedding registry or make an incomplete one and ends up with four blenders and two toasters. There are some newlywed home essentials that most couples forget to put on their list yet a super crucial for your new home.

    A set of tools

    Whether you own a home or are renting an apartment, it’s important to have a well-stocked toolkit. Things like drills, screwdrivers, measuring tapes, levels, nails, screws, and wrenches come in handy more often than you think — especially if you’re putting furniture together or hanging artwork. Don’t forget to add a step stool and ladder to your wedding registry as well.

    A new mattress

    This may not be applicable if you cohabitated before getting married, but if this is your first time living together as a couple, a new mattress is a definite home essential. Let’s face it — your new spouse doesn’t want to sleep on an old bed where you did heaven-knows-what with heaven-knows-who in times past.

    Artwork

    Whether you’re living in a house or an apartment, plain walls are boring. Spruce up your place by adding artwork to the walls. Landscapes and abstracts are a great way to brighten up your living space without interrupting the flow of your design. And you don’t have to break the bank either. Stores like Hobby Lobby and Michael’s often have great artwork, and if you search online, they usually have coupons for 40 percent off a regular priced item.

    Image Via Pinterest

    Cookware

    Cooking as a couple is a great way to bond. Add a quality set of pots and pans to your wedding registry, or purchase a set with the gift cards you receive. Even if you’re no Emeril Lagasse, having the right tools can make cooking easier and more enjoyable.

    A set of knives

    Just as a set of cookware is essential for an easier and more enjoyable cooking experience, a good set of knives can make the difference between effortlessly chopping up a salad or just ordering takeout in frustration. You might want to register for a set that comes with a sharpener as well so that you can keep those bad boys sharp at all times.

    Emergency / First Aid Kit

    No one expects to have an emergency — and hopefully, you never have one — but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Amazon offers a stellar emergency kit with essentials that you can use in the event of a hurricane, flood, earthquake or another form of disaster. It includes a flashlight, high-calorie food bars, water packets, ropes, goggles, and a slew of other things that can come in handy in case of an emergency.

    Robotic Vacuum

    Vacuuming your own house is so 1990s; get a robot to do it for you. Schedule your Roomba to clean from your phone or directly on the vacuum. You can also instruct your Roomba to start cleaning using an Alexa device. Is it a home essential? Not really. Does it come in handy? Oh, yeah! Just be sure to add it to your wedding registry because it is kind of pricey.

    Linens

    Every newlywed couple should have a set of linens. From towels to bed sheets and kitchen towels to placemats — these home essentials don’t have to be perfectly matching, but it’s nice if the colors compliment each other well. When picking sheets to add to your wedding registry, remember: the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet and the better it will wear over time.

    Place settings

    You don’t need a super expensive china set, but as a married adult, eating from paper plates and drinking from red Solo cups just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Be sure to add a full set of beautiful place settings that you can use to entertain whenever you have guests or can bring out for a romantic dinner for two.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Image Via Pinterest

    Dining room set

    A dining room set is essential in any home. After all, where are you supposed to display your beautiful place settings if you don’t have a table? Choose something that suits your space, and consider the possibility that you may someday have little ones running around, so make sure that it’s large enough to fit a potentially growing family.

    Author’s Bio:

    Darlene Mase lives in Newnan, Georgia with her husband and daughter. She is a stay-at-home mom and works as a freelance writer for Zumper.com and other popular sites. During her free time, Darlene enjoys travelling, hiking, camping, cycling, gardening, caving, kayaking, or anything else outdoors.