Wedding Bells Without Huge Bills

Nothing makes a wedding more special than adding your personal touch.  Though wedding magazines may make you feel every detail has to be professionally executed, it’s the homespun additions that are most memorable – not to mention the most cost effective.  By adding even a few Do-It-Yourself details, you can save a ton of dough!

Centerpieces

I used to work for a high-end floral designer.  I know how amazing flowers can be – and how outrageously expensive!  For my own wedding, my sister and I put together green fruit baskets as centerpieces to complement my verdant outdoor setting, our sage green invitations and party favors.  At the end of the night, we donated the centerpieces in honor of our guests to a local food pantry.  The centerpieces cost under ten dollars per table – versus what could easily have been hundreds per table.  They were simple, beautiful and went to an excellent cause!

Do Yourself a Favor

Instead of wasting hundreds of dollars on party favors your guests may not even notice, let them take home a little something to remember YOU by.

Maybe you’re a known for your baking skills, or your hubby-to-be makes a mean Manhattan.  Give your guests that secret recipe for your pineapple upside-down cake, signature cocktail, or your family’s famous marinara recipe. Fabulous LA-based event planner Mikki Kane remembers one of her favorite brides gave out tins of her famous praline cookies along with the recipe as a gift to her guests – sweet!

Table Your Spending

Before you spend a zillion dollars on high end linens and crystal, we have an idea to jazz up your tabletop that is absolutely FREE! When I got married, it was important to me to tell each guest how much it meant to me that they were there, but I worried I wouldn’t get a chance to speak to everyone individually.  The solution turned out to be both meaningful AND money-saving…

On each place card I wrote one sentence personalized to that guest to make them feel special and appreciated – it was a welcome surprise for the guests as they sat down to find their messages written just for them!  No one cared about the basic white linens or lack of fancy silverware – the thoughtful, personalized words were the talk of the table instead!

We’d love to hear some of your D.I.Y. wedding success stories – and of course, failures too – if you’re brave enough to share them.  Here’s to a summer of love …and savings! 

by Brandi Savitt – May 3rd, 2012

Gross the Most at Your Next Garage Sale

If you’ve ever strolled through Brooklyn between April and October, you know that you can’t walk down the streets on the weekends without stumbling upon multiple stoop sales (our urban version of a garage sale).  And this Sunday, my co-op is hosting a stoop sale in the front yard of our brownstone.  Our goal?  To sell as much unwanted clutter from our apartments as possible, and put our collective earnings towards a bunch of small repairs we need to make in the building.  At the end of the day, what ever we don’t sell we’ll donate to Goodwill. Not a bad idea, right?

In fact, I’m excited to mingle with the passerbys, bargain with hardcore rummagers, and rake in some cash.  Our expectations are high, so I talked to the one expert who rocks it every time – our favorite garage sale guru, Sofia Black.  Check out her tips on how to turn your front yard into an inviting and lucrative boutique for the day.  –Remember- one woman’s junk is another woman’s treasure!

Set Up Your Shop Strategically

When you’re setting up shop, think like a boutique owner and lure the foot traffic in with inviting and prominent signage.  Another trick to get people to stop and shop is to display an eye catching item at the front of sale that people can see from the street.  But the real strategic key to your set up is to keep any furniture and BIG ticket items closer to the house.  You want your customers to have a reason to walk through your entire display and see everything while they make their way back to those super steals!

Create Streamlined Displays

When your setting up your displays, keep in mind how YOU like to shop.  Categorize items into sections so it’s easier for people to peruse – women’s clothing, men’s shoes, housewares, etc.  If you’re selling a lot of clothes, try grouping all the like colors together a la Goodwill – it helps to create a more calming shopping experience.  Use brightly different colored stickers for price tags.  And set up a freebie box of things you know won’t sell.  People love to get something for free, and it encourages them to want to buy something else!

Get Your Cash in Check

The worst thing is to lose a sale because you can’t make change!  Make sure you go to the bank and get at least $30-40 worth of singles, some fives and some tens (these amounts will depend on what your selling and at what prices – do the math).  When you start to make some sales, take your initial investment out of the till before you forget – especially if your hosting the sale with other people!

by Stephanie Berenbaum – April 25, 2012

Go Green & Save Money with LunchSkins

My sons’ school has been doing a great job encouraging parents to pack “no waste” lunches for the kids.  No waste meaning: no paper napkins, no disposable utensils and absolutely no plastic sandwich bags!

And while I am all for the Green movement – it has taken a lot of trial and error to find eco-friendly products that I would actually recommend to friends and Fab & Fru readers.  After experimenting – a lot – I found a baggie alternative I love:  LunchSkins!  And what’s even more Fab & Fru?  They are now available at TARGET!  Now you really have no excuse.

Dollars & Eco-Sense

In addition to protecting the environment, LunchSkins  also protect your wallet.  For example, Ziploc sandwich bags run about $4.50 for 100, and Ziploc’s snack bags run about $3.90.  Assuming you are constantly replenishing your supply like most moms I know, you’re probably dropping at least $100 a year on plastic bags.  Instead, the next time you are at Target, pick up a LunchSkins two bag pack (snack and sandwich bag) for $10.99 and reuse them hundreds of times.  — Or you can buy snack, sub and sandwich bags directly from the LunchSkin site  for between $8-$11 dollars each.

Don’t Be A Landfill Loser

Here’s the scoop – the moms who founded the company were shocked to hear that 20 million plastic sandwich bags – A DAY – were going into landfills from school lunches.  So they designed LunchSkins to be even better than a regular old baggie.

LunchSkins are made from a thick cotton fabric that is coated with a food-safe polyurethane liner – which contains NO BPA, lead, or phthalates!  LunchSkins are also grease proof and moisture proof making them ideal for messy sandwiches and snacks (is there any other kind of snack?)  And they’re easy to clean and dishwasher safe.  Plus, I love their modern designs!  Seriously, what more can a girl ask for?  I highly recommend investing in these fun, eco-friendly lunch bags.  Cutting back on waste and saving money = totally Fab & Fru!

Create a Headboard without the Price Tag

I don’t know about you, but every year as soon as there is a little inkling of spring, I get the itch to spruce up a room in my house.   This year, I have decided to focus on my bedroom – or should I say my bed…  Pushed up against a boring white wall, my sleeping sanctuary is screaming for a headboard.  The problem? Headboards tend to be pricey and bulky.  So – if you don’t have extra room – or the extra money – check out these alternative solutions and give your bed a Fab & Fru makeover!

Sticky Situation

Stuck on the fact that headboards can easily cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars?  No Problem! We love the wall sticker “headboards” from Dali Decals.  Ranging from about $35-$65, you can add stylish flair to your room without a lot of money or fuss. Added bonus: they are easy to remove and inexpensive, so next year you don’t have to feel guilty about changing your look or buying a different sized bed.

Paint One Wall

We love the look of painting just one element of a room in a contrast color – and this trick is a great way to create a faux headboard!   Whether you paint the entire wall behind your bed, or just part of the wall, it’s an easy way to create a focal point around your bed without the expense of a real headboard.

 Photo Finish

Hanging a framed photo that you love, or creating a collage of different size frames - instead of using a headboard - is a fabulous way to decorate and accentuate your sanctuary.  And remember to choose wisely when picking photos for this intimate area – you might love that picture taken of your and your grandmother at the beach, but do you really want her gazing down at you and and potential sleepover guests?!

Pillow Talk

Add a couple big, square, decorative pillows behind the rumpled ones you sleep on.  If big enough, these can also mimic a headboard and give your room a pulled together look – and a comfy place to read in bed.   You can either pick out fun fabric or, as our own Claire Sheehan suggests, dig through your own collection of scarves and lonely buttons, etc. and make custom pillows that only look like they came from Anthropologie.

Or…. Try mounting your favorite pillows, in your favorite color to plywood boards and hang them symmetrically behind your bed for a cushy modern look!

Free Flowing Fabric

Another alternative trick to add color and elegance to your boudoir, is to drape a patterned fabric over a curtain rod and hang it in lieu of a headboard.  The vertical flow of the fabric adds height and texture while brightening up the entire room.  Voila!

What are your favorite Fab & Fru Headboard Alternatives?  We want to hear your ideas of how to sleep in style! 

by Stephanie Berenbaum – March 21, 2012

Cops, Robbers & Homeowners Insurance

Yesterday was an ordinary day, until I found myself at the center of an international crime thriller!  Okay, well, not exactly … but I DID have two car seats stolen from my very own driveway.  Here’s what happened: our babysitter set our car seats down next to my car – in my driveway – and then came back inside for maybe 60 seconds because I had forgotten to give something to her.  She went back out and – that’s right – the seats were GONE.

Get to Know Your Local Police Precinct

Or at least have their phone number handy!  Not only did I not even know what police precinct I was in, I didn’t even have their number.  By the time I managed to look them up and call, many minutes had gone by.  I know the odds of catching the car seat thief was slim, but I realized that my precinct should definitely be on my go-to list of important phone numbers!

Insurance to the Rescue?

This theft – the first since we moved into our house 8 years ago – actually was a wake up call for me.  Because, to be honest, I realized how little I knew about our very own insurance policy.  I always just took my homeowners policy for granted, and was a little embarrassed that I actually had no idea if something stolen from my driveway was even covered…

I called our insurance agency (Travelers) and told my agent (Michelle) what happened.  Here’s the 411 on what I learned about the ins and outs of insurance and theft!

Does The Driveway Count?

Talking to agent Michelle, my first question was if my insurance policy covered things only inside the house, or outside too.  I honestly didn’t know, but she assured me that property in my driveway was covered under my plan.  She broke it down further to explain that I had two kinds of coverage: a certain amount for personal property (like my car seats) and another amount for dwelling coverage (like if someone breaks down your front door).

Coverage On The Go

My new BFF Michelle also explained to me something I had no idea about: if I am traveling and my luggage (or car seats!) gets stolen, it is also covered under my “personal property” homeowners insurance – even if the theft happens away from home.  *Note: Most renter’s insurance policies are the same.

Make a Video Diary

One thing Michelle highly recommended to speed up any insurance claim: make a video diary of your high ticket items!  Of course it helps to also keep all of your receipts.  But if you haven’t done that, just take 5 minutes and shoot video of your pricey jewelry, TV, computers, clothing and, oh, I don’t know, maybe CAR SEATS?!  That way when the insurance adjuster comes out you can prove to him that, yes, the $250 pair of jeans really was yours (no judging, we swear…).

by Brandi Savitt – March 8, 2012

Why Avoiding Chemicals Is Worth the Price

You’ve probably noticed that at most major drugstores there are typically ZERO non-antiperspirant deodorant options for women – while the men’s section offers at least 3-4.  And you’re also probably aware of all the reports suggesting potentially harmful links between aluminum (a major ingredient in antiperspirants) and breast cancer, and of course Alzheimer’s disease - not to mention other terrifying chemicals found in deodorants, like parabens… So what’s an educated consumer to do – especially when the social norm (and more importantly the consumer price point) still pushes women to use toxic chemicals to stop sweating and smelling?

While none of us ladies want to smell bad, the health risks of using chemical laden deodorants and antiperspirants are just too great.  So, we’ve done a little homework and gathered the info you need to know.  From the most cost effective high-end organic brands to homemade deodorant recipes, we have the Fab & Fru stink on how to smell your best – the natural way!

Chemicals to Avoid & Why

It seems logical that rubbing chemicals on your pits may not be the healthiest choice – no matter what the chemists say.  While the list of chemicals to avoid can be rather daunting,  Naturalcosmetics.com has done a superb job summarizing a full list of nasty no-no’s to look for when reading deodorant labels.  And the two top chemical compounds to watch out for are: aluminum & parabens – here’s why…

Aluminum

Aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants block the sweat glands to keep sweat from getting to the skin’s surface. Some research has suggested that these aluminum compounds may be absorbed by the skin and cause changes in estrogen receptors of breast cells. Because estrogen can promote the growth of both cancer and non-cancerous breast cells, some scientists have suggested that using the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may be a risk factor for the development of breast cancer.

And while no clear link to breast cancer has been established yet… the unclear part of that is good enough for us! There are many alternative health care practitioners that believe that high levels of aluminum in the body may be the link to many diseases…

Parabens

Naturalcosmetics.com states that “parabens in their many forms (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben) are a class of artificial preservatives widely used in cosmetics and personal care products that are being investigated for their possible role in breast cancer. Parabens mimic the activity of estrogen in the body. Since estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells and a woman is eight times more likely to develop breast cancer in the part of the breast closest to the underarm, scientists are studying the connection”.

Looking for an aluminum and chemical free deodorant that will leave you smelling pretty all day?  Well, we found some great deals on our Fab & Fru staff favorite – Weleda Spray Deodorant.  We’re partial to the Citrus scent, but you can choose Rose or Sage if you prefer… The spray is effective, all natural and smells great!

The Deals..

Weleda deodorant retails at $13 on their site (free shipping with orders over $70) for a 3.4 ounce bottle, and up to $15 in stores! Although on the pricey side, this long lasting spray is currently…

•  On sale at Vitacost  for $8.18 – Vitacost is also currently offering free shipping on orders of $49 or more.

• Drugstore.com is currently offering 20% off all Beauty products with code beauty20 – but just until 3/9/12!  So with the discount, their price on the Weleda deodorant is $10.40 – but their minimum for free shipping is lower than Vitacost – at just $25 to qualify.

• Shipping fees may vary, but Amazon is currently offer the Weleda Citrus scented 3.4 ounce bottle for $10.33.

• Or if you want free shipping without the minimum?  Dermstore is offering the Weleda 3.4 ounce bottle for $13 – but offers free standard domestic shipping all the time – no minimum required.

ENJOY!

by Brandi Savitt – February 15, 2012

6 Tips to Preserve Your Favorite Denim

Six months ago, I invested in a pricey pair of dark denim jeans that I absolutely love.  I thought I was doing everything right when it came to caring for them.  I turned them inside out in the wash to help preserve the color.  I washed them in cold, and I usually – but not always – hung them up to dry.  And while there’s still some life left in them, sadly my favorite pair of jeans has seen better days…

You want to know the worst part?  I only bought one pair, and now I can’t seem to find the same style in my size…anywhere!  So, in effort to stretch out the life of my bootcut bad boys, I thought it was time to get educated on the best way to care for denim!

Stop Washing Your Jeans

It doesn’t matter who you ask, all experts say that washing your jeans wears them out way more than wearing them.  In 2010, Carl Chiara, Design Director of Premium Brands at Levi’s, told The Wall Street Journal that throwing your jeans in the washing machine agitates the cotton in the fabric causing it to ‘bloom’ and then tighten up and shorten the fibers.  In fact, Chiara is so serious about preserving his personal denim wardrobe, he only officially washes (or should I say soaks) each pair of jeans in the bathtub every six months.  He fills the tub up with cold water and Dr. Bronner’s soap, and then soaks each pair lying flat for 20 minutes.  Chiara never scrubs the fabric, and after rinsing, he hangs his jeans up by the belt hooks, and let’s them air dry.

–This sixth month rule may sound disgusting and a little extreme for us laundry obsessed ladies.  Of course, these are not the care instructions listed on the Levi’s label, but do take note…  If you want to make your jeans last longer, washing them less is the answer!

Spot Clean & Steam

Keep in mind, Chiara does not suggest that you walk around wearing filthy jeans either!  When you take your jeans off at night do a little spot cleaning to remove any stains or dirt.  Chiara likes to use a damp cloth with a cleaning agent like Windex to blot out the dirt, but a drop of Woolite or Dr. Bronner’s will do the trick too.  Avoid using any chemicals if cleaning up any sensitive areas (if you know what I mean)…

After cleaning any stains, hang your jeans on by the belt hooks (to help keep the shape) in the bathroom while you take a shower.  The steam will help to freshen and restore the shape to the fabric while steaming out creases and wrinkles.

We’re excited to see that Whole Foods is introducing it’s “Eco-Scale” system -which will easily rate household products they sell to see which are the greenest!  By April of this year, the chain has vowed to have all its products rated and verified by a 3rd party – making it a whole lot easier to be greener.

Check out the following coupons on natural and non-toxic cleaning products:

From Whole Foods…

$1 off any One Method Item

$1 off  One 365 Everyday Value Laundry Product – either 80 ct. fabric softener sheets OR 5 lb. concentrated laundry detergent powder

*Our Fab & Fru Fave: Method Smarty Dishwasher Detergent Tablets 

Mrs. Meyers…

Is offering a whopping 60% off their remaining seasonal products - good while supplies last or until 1/29/11.   I don’t know about you, but Gingerbread smells good to me any time of year!  Love that Mrs. Meyers products offer you a cleaning and aromatherapy product in one.

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: Mrs. Meyers Gingerbread Liquid Hand soap.

BioKleen…

This consistently top rated brand is offering many coupons, check out:

$2 off any TWO BioKleen LAUNDRY Products

$1 off any TWO BioKleen CLEANING Products

$1 off any ONE BioKleen KITCHEN Product

$1 off any ONE BioKleen Soyblends Cleanser

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: BioKleen BAC-OUT Stain & Odor Eliminator 

Naturally, It’s Clean…

I’ve mentioned before that I LOVE the enzyme based brand “Naturally, It’s Clean” – their floor cleaner is one of the best I’ve found.  Something else I found – major discounts on this brand at IHerb.com!  Many of their products are over 20% off, plus you get free shipping with orders over $20 — AND right now they are also offering an ADDITIONAL $5 off your order for new customers with coupon code BUY123.  We like IHerb for the low minimum to qualify for free shipping and be sure and check out their major discounts on Seventh Generation as well…

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: Naturally It’s Clean Enzymatic Floor Cleaner

Seventh Generation…

Speaking of Seventh Generation, you can sign up on their site to receive coupons and special promotions sent right to you!

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Liquid

And, of course, we always suggest looking in your own pantry first – you’ll be amazed at just how much household cleaning you can do with old-fashioned vinegar and baking soda! 

by Alexandra Pauline – January 23, 2012

Your Big Day The Green Way

Planning a wedding is a costly, emotional and time consuming undertaking – often leaving little room for the idea of sustainability.  I mean, this is the one day where the entire focus is on you, right?  And with so much going on, it might not even cross your mind to think about the environment…  But if you’re planning a wedding, going Green doesn’t have to mean more work and more money.  In fact, by making your wedding a more sustainable event, not only will you make your big day even more memorable, you can save some serious cash!

Go Partially Paperless

While there’s still something special about sending printed invitations for your actual wedding, save money and paper by sending digital invites for your save-the-date, engagement party, rehearsal dinner and shower.  Websites like Paperlesspost.com, Evite.com and Punchbowl.com have some elegantly festive Fab & Fru options so you can get the job done without chopping down a single tree – all with pricing packages that range from free to budget friendly!

Keep It Local – Even when Far from Home

Even if you’re not getting married in the town you live in, you can still make sustainable local choices that will help make your wedding one of a kind!  Wedding photographer Michelle Posey commented, “I saw a couple do a great job of putting on a sustainable wedding in 2010.  They had their wedding outdoors, made local food and wine choices, used flowers from friends’ gardens instead of having them shipped in, and used a family wedding dress instead of buying a new one.”

Eatwellguide.org makes finding caterers who specialize in using local ingredients as simple as just typing in your zip code.   Not only is going local better for the environment, and your taste buds – it may also save you on the cost of food.  The less your food has to travel, the fewer hands will be looking to cash in on its journey!

Take Out The Good China

Big weddings often lead to people cutting corners when it comes to using china and flatware.  Setting the tables with proper place settings not only helps to make your day feel more special, it will also allow you will avoid the extra waste that comes with using paper and plastic products …no matter how high quality.  The caterer or the venue may have to wash a ton of dishes that night, but it will be worth it in the end!