Tag: place settings

  • Financial Tips as a New Married Couple

    Financial Tips as a New Married Couple

    You know that part in every wedding ceremony where the priest or rabbi or best friend goes, “…to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…” and you’re standing there thinking “please God, the richer and health part sounds amazing, let’s go with that”.

    I’ve been there, you’ve been there. Let’s be honest, here.

    It boggles me when people compare marriage to a trap because it only feels that way if you let it. Yes, marriage is a compromise, and you need to give it your all, blah blah blah. I’m not here to play the marriage counselor.

    Marriage is an incredible experience that requires you and your partner to share everything you have, physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.

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    So let’s take a look at that last part there.

    Money management between spouses is a heated topic and will 99.9% of the time in an argument and someone sleeping on the couch. Incorporating your partner’s finances into your own is a difficult step that will take time, effort and a lot of understanding. Before marriage, you were both individuals spending money; however, you wanted.

    But now, you need to figure out how to balance that checkbook and develop new money-saving habits. Here are some tips to help you get started.

    1. Talk About It

    Having the “money talk” with your partner is like having the sex talk with your teenager. You don’t want to discuss it, but eventually, it needs to be out in the open. In every relationship, there’s always someone who is the CEO of money management. They deal with the store receipts, the bills, the spending, the taxes, and so on. Even if financing isn’t your strength, one of you needs to take on the role to keep track of what’s going on in your household money-wise.

    Or should I say, Pennywise, haha.

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    Once you figure out who’s in charge, it’s easier to talk about setting goals, how much money can be spent, and where that money should be spent.

    2. Hold Yourself Account-able

    So how are we doing this? Are we each going to have separate bank accounts? Joint account? An emergency fund?

    When we first got married, my husband made the horrible choice to trust me enough to join our accounts. Boy, did that come back to bite him in the ass. Everyone has a way to deal with their emotions, and mine happens to be retail therapy, so don’t judge me.

    Long story short, to teach me a lesson, he eventually created two separate accounts. Thanks to my excessive (but necessary) spending at Williams-Sonoma, I led my marriage into a financial crisis in just the first year. I was still spending the way I was when I was single.

    You need to figure out what will work best for your particular situation. If you feel like the right thing to do is open a joint account, and both contribute to saving money, then go ahead and do that. If you feel like your partner is an impulsive buyer, and separate accounts will benefit you, then go ahead and do that.

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    No matter what you choose to do, you need to agree on the monthly expenses: groceries, produce, electricity, gas, etc. These things are non-negotiable.

    3. You Can’t Own a Jet if You’re in Debt

    Even though I was the big spender in the relationship, my husband was the one who had more debt coming into the marriage. Having a massive debt will affect your chances of obtaining credit in your future. This will impact you when it comes to applying for a mortgage, buying a car/house, getting a job, and even buying a phone!

    This is why you should consider paying off the debt together.

    Do you need to pay for everything all at once? Of course not. Set up a plan that will prioritize what debt needs to be paid first. I know paying off someone’s debt, even your partner’s, doesn’t sound so hot, but there’s no way to tackle this alone.

    The National Debt Relief has some greater starter tips to help you take your first steps.

    4. Insurance Coverage

    Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

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    That was relevant, don’t fight me. We’ve got life, car, home, health, renter’s, and travelers insurance. It’s always best to know what type of insurance you and your partner have. After marriage, you might want to figure out what insurance to purchase together and which ones to keep separate. Some employers have insurance coverage in their plan so make sure to check yours out. For more information on how to find affordable health care insurance, check out Haven Life for further information.

    5. Goals

    What’s the point in saving money if you can’t spend it? Always set a goal to help motivate you to spend your money wisely. Is there a particular restaurant you’ve had your eye on that’s a bit pricey? An island you want to visit? A house on the market? When you have a motivation, you’re more likely to be wise with your savings. Stay on track and figure out how much you need to save every week (or month) for achieving your goal.

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    Remember, it’s not going to be easy in the beginning, but practice makes progress, and progress makes perfect! 

  • How to decide if you should change your name?

    How to decide if you should change your name?

    How to decide if you should change your name?

    Changing one’s name is no easy task, nor is it something you decide to do overnight. A person’s name is their brand and identity. It’s how people know us; it’s how they associate things with us. Like if someone mentions your name, others might associate you with your famous chicken pot pie or even something horrible, like being a total asshole. Hey, it could be something you’re proud of, who knows?

    Like I said, not easy.

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    Now, what reasons are there for one to change their name? If you’re like me, you always thought it was just a marriage thing. When you dig a little deeper, you find out some people change their name just because they don’t like them. Other reasons include divorce, combining surnames, religious reasons, or want a less (or more) ethnic name.

    If you’re on the brink of changing your name, but are hesitant and don’t know what steps to take, here’s what you need to know before making a life-changing decision.

    No Fancy Work, All You

    That’s right, all you. Even though changing a name is a long process, it is also pretty straightforward. You don’t need to hire an attorney or worry about it being too complicated. If the name change is not marriage related, the process is relatively simple depending on where you reside.  

    You need to gather up any paperwork with your current name on it (social security, ID, driver license, etc.) and prepare it in case a judge asks to see it. Then you complete a petition for Change of Name where you will provide your current name, SSN, and reasons for changing your name. After the paperwork is filled out, you pay a filing fee which is usually no more than $100 and are assigned a hearing. You attend the hearing, answer the honorable judge’s question, get the judge’s signature, and boom, you’ve got yourself a name change.

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    It’ll Cost You a Couple Hundos

    Most worthwhile things do, I guess. Although price varies from state to state, the big chunk of your payment will be from obtaining a court order and publishing it in a newspaper (more on that later). Documentation fees also vary from state to state, so the best thing you can do is check the website for your county courthouse and see how much each document will cost you (usually between $20-$25). When you get the ok to change your name from the court, you will have to pay up for every official copy you request that is stamped with an official seal.  

    Of course, there are always companies who simplify the name change process by providing you with all the applications you need from your state for an incredible price. They also offer excellent customer service and are with you every step of the way until you are delighted with your new name.

    It’s us. We’re that company, and our goal is to make the name change process as effortless and painless as possible. We’re here for you!

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    There Cannot Be Two Ryan Goslings

    Can you imagine, though? I personally feel like it would make the world a better place. According to Insider, there are a few exceptions when it comes to the name change, and here they are:

    • Celebrity name (intentionally misleading)
    • No punctuations or numerals
    • Nothing racial/offensive
    • If you have committed a crime or are in debt

    Hello World, This Is The New Me

    This is where the other big chunk of your money will go to because the majority of states require you to publish your name change in the newspaper! Yes, you will have to pay a publisher to post that you have officially changed your name under a category named “legal notices.”

    And if we’re being brutally honest here, that shit’s expensive. Of course, all newspaper prices differ, and if you’re lucky, maybe your judge will let you pick where you would like to post your announcement.

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    Slow Your Roll, This Might Take a While

    A wise man once told me, “Seriously, can you chill the f–k out?”

    Kidding, I say that like a hundred times a day to myself. The thing is that this will take a while. Like “longer than waiting for your number to be called at the DMV” while. I know what you’re thinking, but again, if you are not up to complete the process, HitchSwitch will do all the work for you! No lines, no waiting, no worrying, and no more headaches.

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    If you’re having a hard time deciding, I don’t blame you! A name is like a valuable you own and you can’t imagine yourself without it! But with every end, comes a new beginning. So who knows, maybe a new name will lead to a new and better life?

    Cheers to your new name!

  • 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.

     

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    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).

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

  • How to Throw a Valentine’s Day Party

    How to Throw a Valentine’s Day Party

    Holy moly, can you guys believe we’re already in February? I swear just yesterday was New Year’s, and I was toasting to a more productive year, and here I am wondering what the hell happened to January. Well, in the words of Anthony G. Oettinger, “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.”

    Get it? One of the perks of growing old is finding anything and everything amusing.

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    Moving on! Another month means another holiday and with all the heart-shaped cookies, balloons, and candies at every corner, I’m sure you can guess what holiday we’re talking about here. If I’m honest, I have never been a fan of Valentine’s Day because, um, hello, it’s dead set on shaming all my single people. A shame, I know, considering the history behind Valentine’s Day is a beautiful one.

    But it’s become a commercialized holiday just like Christmas.

    Damn it, America, you insatiable beast.

    Alright, I’m done ranting, let’s move on to why I still think it’s a good idea to throw a party on this particular day. Personally, I don’t need a holiday to tell me to buy sweets and teddy bears for my loved ones because I already know I’m #blessed. The reason I love throwing a party is that I have tons of single friends who don’t know how to express themselves due to society’s ridiculous notion that being single is abnormal.

    So I host a party and invite all my friends, regardless of their relationship status because even though this just another day of the year, everyone needs to feel like they’re loved.

    So here it is people, this is how you throw a righteous Valentine’s Day party.

    Invite (Almost) EVERYONE

    Ok, I know what you’re thinking. Is it really a good idea to mix my single friends with my dating/married friends? And the answer to your question is yes, it a fantastic idea. This isn’t your “making out in a corner” or “get a room” kind of party, and it’s always best to make that clear when inviting people over. This is not your frat house college party, this is a gathering of your loved ones, and people need to be on their best behavior.

    Is kissing off limits? No, I’m not a monster, but if couples wish to be passionate, then they can stay home.

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    Now here’s who you don’t invite:

    –  That one friend whose sworn off men/women

    – Jim, from accounting, whose mood kills party vibes

    – Anyone who was dumped February 13

    While you do want to be considerate towards everyone, you need to know where to draw the line.

    Heart Shaped Invitations

    Or cupcake shaped. Or bear shaped. Hey, be creative. If you’re feeling up to it, you can even send out personalized invitations to all your guests! Just make sure you send them out a week before, so you have an estimate of how many people RSVP.

    Now, invitations are amazing because this is where you’re going to state the event, place, time, food,  and my personal favorite, the rules.

    What, a party with rules? Yes, those are the best ones, duh.

    There will be singles at your party, so you need to make it clear that there is NO KISSING ALLOWED. At least nothing heavy and makes people wonder why they showed up in the first place.

    But alas, an invitation is not a rulebook, so if anyone has any questions about the party, they should be able to contact you via phone or email! I once had a couple bring their kids and leave. Do you know where I am with those people now? I’m not. Because I cut people out the same way I cut paper hearts, smoothly and without complication.

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    The point is, always know what’s allowed and what’s prohibited at YOUR party. For some, it’s a very sensitive day, and the last thing you want to do is hit a nerve.

    Ariana Grande Your Place

    I’m talking pink walls, pink hearts, pink plates, pink balloons, pink punch, pink lightning, etc. I guess you can pop a red in there somewhere. This one day a year is when you can go HAM on decor. Have heart-shaped balloons fill the ceiling, pick an array of red and pink foods such as chocolate cupcake with pink frosting, heart candy with messages (obviously), chocolate dipped strawberries, raspberry and strawberry punch, etc. Purchase red and pink curtains and cover up the walls.

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    Of course, can’t forget the DIYs. Your choices are endless, and they’ll make great additions to your home even after the party is over.

    Be Extra

    Well, more than your usual extra. You want to go all out? Here are some bonus tips:

    – Hire a professional photographer to snap pictures of everyone.

    – Set up a Photo Booth with a hedgewall that says “I’m a Lover!”

    – Set up a projector and play a few classic romance movies in the background.

    – Piñata, Piñata, Piñata! With heart eyes blindfold!

    – Goodie bags (be that badass host!)

    – Palm reading!!

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    There are just a few things you can incorporate into your party! No matter what you decide to do, the most important thing to add to any party is lots of love and laughter. I know that sounds like something out of a fairytale, but hey, it’s true.

    XOXO,

    Your Friends at HitchSwitch

  • 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.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    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.