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 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!

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!

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!

My boys’ school has been doing a great job of going “green”.  But, as any mom knows, becoming more environmentally friendly can COST you a lot of green up front – even though in the long run it saves you money – and the environment, health and all those things you cannot put a price tag on! At our school, you are not allowed to send any disposible things like plastic water bottles, Ziploc Bags or paper napkins.  Plus, as always, I am trying to come up with ways to feed my family organic for less. So here are a few deals I have found on some of my boys’ favorite lunch items!

My boys went to the store with me and each picked out their own SIGG reusable water bottle – and of course I got one, too!  I pack one in their lunch boxes every day. I keep one for myself in the car, too (good reminder to drink some water in addition to my massive coffee intake!) In fact, we love SIGG so much, it is this week’s OCC giveaway!

We are giving away a SIGG WATER BOTTLE to one lucky reader – just leave a comment here and tell us what YOU are doing to reduce, reuse or recycle in YOUR household, and you just might win a SIGG .4L Kids Bottle – you choose the design (subject to availability)!

Get 10% Off a Case at WH!

You won’t be surprised to know that organic kids snacks usually cost more than processed crap.  So when I find a snack my kids really like, I use the 10% off a case discount that Whole Foods offers!  They will give you a discount on a case of almost anything – not just wine!  When I head for pricier items like seaweed, I always make sure to buy a case at once, instead of little packets.

This month, Whole Foods has a bunch of coupons on some of my kids’ favorite lunch items – be sure to check out their coupons for:

50 cents off any ONE Annie’s Organic Fruit Bites

$1.00 of any bag of Terra Chips (4 oz or larger)

50 cents off any one Icelandic Dairies SKYR yogurt

Plus I found these other deals from Mambo Sprouts on the boys favorites:

75 cents of Rudi’s Organic Bread – our family lives on this stuff!  The Colorado Cracked Wheat is our favorite.

$1.00 off a 4-pack of Wallaby Organic Wallababy or Joey Yogurt – my 3 year old is obsessed with the Grape!

Ok, so humble, old vinegar might take a backseat to some racier products in your kitchen.  And it ‘s understandable – it certainly doesn’t have the star quality of Kim Chee, Proscuitto or French Chevretine goat cheese.  But this behind-the-scenes player should get an Oscar for usefulness, versatility and frugality.  Not to mention it was eco-friendly before it was cool to be eco-friendly!

So, why all the attention to vinegar this week? Well, we happened to notice a couple coupons available right now for vinegar, and it reminded us of all the great uses for this Fab & Fru Favorite…

Whole Foods has a coupon for $1.00 off a 64 ounce jug of their Distilled White Vinegar.  And Heinz is also offering a coupon for 50 cents off a bottle on their website! 

As many of you know, vinegar has a a million uses for both cooking and cleaning – here are some of our favorite ideas:

Buttermilk – Who knew? Often I will have a recipe that calls for some buttermilk, but it’s something I never – ever – keep on hand.  Apparently, if you add a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of regular milk…voila – buttermilk!

Recipe Corrector – Another one I didn’t know about – according to the Heinz website, if you have a recipe that you accidentally made too salty or too sweet, they suggest tossing in a dash of vinegar – it often corrects the dish enough to save it!

Quick Pickled Veggies – I know it’s not everyone’s favorite, but I could just about LIVE on pickled vegatables. I love them and am often caught eating them for breakfast with coffee.  Sounds gross, but it’s an acquired taste. Anyhoo, I have never actually thought to make them myself, and always buying them prepared is a pricey proposition!  But Whole Foods suggests just quick pickling veggies such as carrots, radishes, beets peppers and onions in white vinegar and it will not only save you money but extend the life of your veggies for a few weeks!

Deodorizer – I cannot stand those spray room deodorizers – they always seem to leave a weird film on things and not really get rid of odors.  My favorite solution?  Just boil little vinegar and water on the stove – zaps odors out of the air with no weird floral scent left behind!  You can also just leave a little bowl of it the counter while you are cooking and it will help freshen as you go.

Kid’s Science Experiment – Apparently you can turn a chicken bone into …. Rubber?  Haven’t tried this one yet but it’s on my to do list with the boys for this weekend.  A great way to turn scraps from dinner into an activity!

Windows and Mirrors – My grandmother swore by this, and so do I – clean mirrors with vinegar – the key is to use crumpled up newspaper instead of paper towels!  Yet another good reason to keep getting at least the weekend newspaper – though I fear it will soon be a thing of the past.

Stickers and Decals meet their match – My house is covered with remnants of old Spiderman and Sponge Bob stickers that my kids have left behind.  Frankly, I don’t think they are adding much to the overall ambiance of my home.  Did you know that vinegar is good dee-gooifier – try this first before spending money on “goo-be-gone” products!

We know there are a million other uses for vinegar — what are some of your Fab & Fru Favorites? 

By Brandi Savitt – August 18, 2011

Cheap & Easy Vegan Meals

If you’re interested in improving your overall health, adding an extra glow to your skin, and shedding a few extra pounds – it’s time to add more veggies to your diet!  Many people think that buying endless supplies of fresh organic produce is way too expensive, but the truth is, if you’re smart, eating a few meatless meals throughout the week can save you hundreds of dollars a month.

Learning to Eat & Cook More Veggie

Whether you’re mildly interested in learning why nutrition matters, or if you want to dive head first into the vegan lifestyle, I highly recommend reading Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet.  After battling an incurable cancer by changing her diet and her lifestyle, Kris Carr has become the queen of explaining the science and the facts of why eating a plant-based diet may be the real answer to health, happiness and longevity for us all.  A total Fab & Fru lady, Kris’s fun and easy-to-read book is a fantastic and thorough resource to help you start your own exploration into food and health.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner All Under $20

Because I’ve spent the past few months studying the benefits of limiting processed foods and animal products from one’s diet, I’ve also spent some serious time experimenting in the kitchen to come up with some super healthy & delish Fab & Fru vegan recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Here are a few vegan specialties for you to try.  And the best part – by my calculations (after stocking your kitchen with healthy oils & seasonings), the below day’s worth of meals can feed up to four for under $20.  Hope you enjoy!

Breakfast (or dessert) – $4

Banana Millet Cakes

These super healthy & yummy pancake alternatives are not only easy and inexpensive to make, they make for a power-packed breakfast or a delicious guilt-free dessert.

Lite Lunch- $6

Cabbage Kaleslaw

Looking for an easy, inexpensive but hearty salad recipe? This Asian style kale and cabbage salad is SO good -and SO good for you- you’ll want to make it everyday!

Dinner Time!- $6-8

Veggie Delight with Quinoa Pilaf

This vegan stir fry is an inexpensive protein-packed meal that’s so good, you won’t miss meat for a second!

Are you a health conscious eater who loves things to taste amazing?  Please share with us your favorite vegan tips & recipes!

By Megan Segura – August 10, 2011

No Need to Shop When You Can Swap

As summer wanes, the dreaded back-to-school shopping becomes an increasingly necessary evil.  And while you probably need to replenish at least part of your wee one’s wardrobe, part of you can’t help but ask, “What’s the point?” He or she will soon grow out of those expensive clothes, or worse, ruin them with grass stains and lunchroom spills. What’s a Fab & Fru mom to do?

Stop Shopping & Start Swapping

Have you ever been to a clothing swap? From designer threads to Halloween costumes, this hit or miss fashion alternative to thrift shopping really came into vogue when the recession first struck in 2008.  Well, what about kids clothes?  Open your kids closets and drawers, and I’ll bet you’ll find armfuls of items that your kids outgrew before they ever even had the chance to wear them!  Not only will a swap save you money, but it’s eco-friendly. Professional swappers – like the go-to kids clothes swapping site, ThredUp, or the ladies from Swapaholics - have already turned back-to-school shopping into back-to-school swapping – so why don’t you?!

Host Your Own Swap

A clothing swap of kids clothes can save you and other moms you know tons of money. Make a list of your favorite mom pals, send out an evite, and host a kids clothes swap!   Obviously, the clothes should be clean and and in good shape.  Encourage everyone to spread the word and invite all of their other mommy friends, too - the more the merrier!

Even More Fun Than Swapping Spit!

On the day of, set out some fun adult drinks and snacks, and let the women nosh while you sort. First, separate the clothes each mom brought by gender. Next, put each size/age group in separate bags or bins. If you want the clothes to look extra appealing, you should bring in some rolling garment racks and wooden hangers. This also makes browsing a little easier, so moms aren’t having to unfold and refold items that are sprawled out on a table. It might also be helpful for moms who have never swapped before to put some nicely worded signs around the clothes that inform friends to only take as much as they brought. Finally, let the shopping begin!

Don’t Expect to Get Everything You Need

It’s best to begin with a list of all the items your kids need for the upcoming school year. Try getting what you can at the swaps first before heading to the stores to fill in the blanks on your list.