Alternatives to Flowers

Have you priced fresh flowers in your area???? (in my Chandler Bing voice)

Flowers are EXPENSIVE. These vendors have got to be making a killing!

I refuse to have fresh flowers at my wedding. For one, they die in two days. For two,  I am not going to spend 1/4 of my budget on something that will not last. A year from now, who is going to remember what flowers I had in my bouquet? So, an alternative you ask... I have just the ticket.

Here are just a few alternatives to having fresh flowers:

1. Paper Bouquet

If you'd like to try your hand at this DIY project check out this website: Origami instructions


2. Brooch Bouquet

You can find these on Etsy.com pre made. But, if you'd like to DIY this project go to your local thrift store every week to discover new treasures. 

3. Baby's Breath Bouquet

How charming is this?? You do NOT need a florist to make this for you. All you need to do is going to your local florist and pick these stems yourself, wrap a decorative ribbon around them, and whala! a beautiful addition to your wedding. These could also be used as aisle runners and/or centerpieces. 

4. Hand Fan's

This is my absolute favorite, and will be doing this for my wedding. It is such a classic look. And, think of all the photo opportunities!
Here is a website that I absolutely LOVE. You can get them for just the bridal party, or as favors for your guests.


5. Parasol's

Parasol's make for great photo opportunities as well. You can also decorate the ceremony and reception site! Think of the possibilities!! Check out this blog for more ideas.

6. Ribbon Bouquet

You can find these pre-made on Etsy.com. But, I'm sure if you are YouTube savy you could find some easy tutorials to get your feet wet.

So, what do you think?? These are some fabulously wonderful cost saving ideas, yes? And, who wouldn't want a fun prop during pictures?

Happy Planning!!

Onward.

Wedding Planning Notebook

It has been quite some time since I've posted! At the request of my cousin, I am going to begin a new section  entitled: DIY Wedding. Which sure is fitting because... I'm GETTING MARRIED! Let the countdown begin to September 14th.

So, if you're like me, a DIY, penny pincher, you are going to want to plan everything- as well as MAKE everything. This first blog is to get you organized. You're probably asking yourself, "where do I start?". Don't you worry your pretty little head. Here are links to FREE PRINTABLES. All you have to do is keep these organized in a notebook, and you're off!

Item number one: Pinterest. Need I say more? If you don't already have one, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!? This will inspire your every detail. Trust me, you'll have more ideas than you'll ever need.

My Pinterest Board

Item number two: Organization! Get yourself a binder and dividers. You'll need roughly 10-15 tabs for each section, depending on your organization style. I have labeled mine in the following manner:
- Important
- Budget
- Ceremony
- Reception
- Guests
- Attire
- Photog
- Rehearsal
- Vendors
- Appointments/ Calendar
- Day of Wedding
- Honeymoon

Then, to help you stay organized here are the printables for each of your tabs:
Wedding Party Contact Sheet
Vendor Contact Sheet
Wedding Timeline and Checklist (This link has EVERYTHING you need to plan your wedding. Emergency check list to reception seating plan. Print what you like, as many times as you like after reviewing the .pdf file)


If you'd like more information and ideas, I found this website useful. http://russellandhazel.com/category/wedding

Item number three: Create a wedding website. You friends and family will be able to read about the wedding party, view photos, and sign a guest book. It's a great resource for 'all things wedding'. There are several websites to use, so choose the one you feel most comfortable with. I used mywedding.com. Go ahead explore!

Next on the list, booking a ceremony and reception venue. Consider having this at the same location for simplicity on the day of your wedding. These venues might also offer you a deal if you book your rehearsal dinner at the same location.

Happy Organizing!!

Onward.

A New Endeavor

I am so extremely excited to begin this new adventure for my family; AND to be able to share it all with you! 

I have many passions in life. DIY being one of them; and the main reasons I began this blog. After reflecting on my daily routine, I've come to the conclusion that I have not satisfied the ten-year-old me by working the 8-5 grind. When I answered the question "what do you want to be when you grow up", I would have never guessed I would still be aspiring to it at age twenty-seven. So, what do I want to be when I grow up? A business owner. A life coach. A nutritionist and fitness guru. A stay-at-home mom. A volunteer for local organizations, and for my daughter's school functions.

Well- I think I've come to the cross-roads of 'growing up'. I've discovered an amazing company that will not only provide a clean home and maintain a healthy lifestyle; but provide the income needed to allow me to stay at home with my daughter. I'm a business owner!!!! Not only that, I am helping those around me aspire to THEIR dreams, and THEIR passions. I want to be a passionate leader. Informing people that they too can make all their dreams come true with a little elbow grease.

I'm am determined beyond every doubt in my mind that starting my own business with Shaklee is the best solution to my financial situation, the best solution to fulfill my passion for helping others, and the best solution to create opportunity for my daughter.


Take a minute to watch this inspiring video of Nathan and Jenni Oates' 'Shaklee Story'.

 Shaklee Videos: Jenni & Nathan Oates

With a company like Shaklee that promotes 'doing good' not only for individuals, but for the environment, I couldn't turn this opportunity away. Thus, let us embark together on this journey of health and wealth!

The corporate website is www.Shaklee.com
I will post my website as soon as it is up and running.
Any further questions- or comments on the products/ company please feel free to email me at:
janeecarlile@gmail.com

http://JCarlile.myshaklee.com

I would love to talk to you about YOUR passions!!! Email me to set up a time to Skype, chat, or conference call.

Privacy Screen

You know those horridly expensive privacy screens that are flimsy, and might fall at the passing of a train in the next city? Well, save your monies on this one. Here's a few ideas to create your very own!

Yes, I found this idea, yet again, on Pinterest. I just modified mine a bit.

Here is the original post I got the idea from:

DIY Folding Screen

I went to my local Habitat for Humanity Resale store to browse around. I couldn't find any small narrow closet doors like I was looking for, so I decided to look at the store through my creative goggles. I found the Bi-fold closet doors! Hinges already attached (I really didn't feel like doing handyman skills). So, I thought I would start with a bi-fold for the space I was needing, and if I decided to try a tri-fold, I could go back and get another panel.

This is what I needed to cover up. Eye-sore, I know. I hate walking into this from the garage every time I come home.

After I pulled all the bi-fold's down off the shelf to inspect them, I settled on this one. 

For...wait for it... $10!!!!

And, let the cleaning begin! I washed this puppy down well. Dust and spider webs galore.

After 2 cans of white spray paint, I had a transformed screen!

I was so excited to put it in this space! 

No more eye-sore, that's for sure. And all for around $18! Can't beat that price.

For this small space, it is really turning into a cozy part of own home!

creative. endeavor= complete

Onward.

Natural Laundry Soap

During my daily pinning on Pinterest, I ran across a homemade laundry soap recipe. I just HAVE to share how easy it is to make. How inexpensive it is. And, how CLEAN it gets your cloths. With just three ingredients, you too can make your own.

I started with Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, Borax, and a bar of soap.

Grate your soap (you can use Ivory or a body washing soap as well) with a cheese grater into a bowl. Put one cup of A&H, and one cup of Borax into the bowl. Use a wooden spoon to stir together until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

Use 1 Tablespoon of the mixture for each load of laundry (more if you wish). Also, safe for HE washers. Safe for septic, safe for your family, and safe for the environment! What else could you ask for!?!

I put mine in a cute jar above my washer and dryer. I can't tell you how excited I am to wash with this, AND how cost effective it is. I will never by 'laundry soap' again.

Happy Washing!

creative. endeavor = complete

Onward.

Brick Patio Tutorial

Since CE (creative endeavors) has been relocated outdoors for the summer, I decided to post about a DIY brick patio. You can do this as a weekend project, no problem. I took the project a bit further, and will be adding more on this week. I at least wanted to show you what I've been able to do!

So, I started researching patio templates and designs and I came across this one on Sunset.com.

The hardest part about my project was pulling the bricks UP from the space. Laying them was the fun part, and didn't take as long as I thought it would.

Here is my patio before:

Yes, I pulled every. single. one. of the bricks out of the space and made a few piles.

Then I prepped the soil:

Made sure it was somewhat level, and pulled out all the weeds.

Lay and level sand in the area of where you want to place bricks. I found where I wanted 'center' to be and made a circular template using some ribbon.  I marked off 5 1/2 inches on the ribbon to give me a diameter of 11. Tie the ribbon to a 'center' (I used a screw driver), and use your finger as a marker to draw in the sand so you know where to place the ends of the bricks.

And...begin to lay the bricks in the design/ pattern you want!

After about 20 or 30 minutes this was my outcome: I put some river rock in the center. You could use the center for a bird bath, plant, or fire pit to name a few.

At this point, the template pattern ended on Sunset.com, but I'm going to keep going to fill the whole space. I purchased some bamboo and grass plants to fill in around the bricks to give it a whimsical garden feel. I can't wait to complete it! To finish off the bricks, I will be laying sand in between, then using a mortar-sand mix to interlock the bricks since it will be a high traffic area.

You could easily complete this in a weekend if you wanted a small two person patio somewhere in your yard. This garden is going to take a few weekends to complete, so stay tuned.

UPDATE

Patio is complete!!

I can't wait to drink my coffee out there!!!

creative. endeavor= complete

Onward.

Mail Call!

Most of you can relate to this: Pintrest will be the death of me!

For my next project, I got the idea from this photo:

Isn't this the perfect idea to put outside your little one's door? You can write them notes, put some cookies in there, a small gift. The ideas are endless!

So I wanted to make one for Lilly. I found this mailbox on sale for $7 at Menards, but I'm sure you can find one at a local hardware store, or maybe even Goodwill.

I painted it a flat black, and used a tooth brush to splatter some pink paint on it for her. Then I used scrapbook letters to put her name on the outside.

And, then hang on the wall! I wrote her a little note and she just loves to put things in there to 'send' to me too.

creative. endeavor= complete

Onward.