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One of the best occasions you could probably ever get invited to is a wedding. Imagine a couple who is about to experience one of the most unforgettable moments in their lives, and they want you to be there to witness it. It would be such a huge honor to witness such an important moment between two people that you care about.

Now, while this couple does appreciate your presence during that unforgettable moment, it would also not hurt to actually bring something that would be there for them for the rest of their lives (or past the wedding at least). So, how can you be a good guest and what should you get the happy couple?

Here are some unique ideas that would be helpful in picking an amazing wedding gift:

Dinner Plates

This might seem like an odd choice for a gift, and you would not probably want to receive dinner plates for your birthday or any other occasion — except of course, during your wedding day. This is a unique option as a gift since the couple would probably need all practical support they could get to start their marriage.

All you have to do is pick the right sets of dinner plates, such as old Havana dinner plates which come in different colors. This would add some life in their kitchen and are microwave and dishwasher-friendly too!

Customized Champagne Wedding Vase

Trust to have a load of drink-related gifts, such as wine or champagne gifts in the UK, to be given at a wedding ceremony to the couple. So you could put your own twist into the number of those champagne-related gifts just to be different but changing it into a personalized wedding vase.

This would not only make a cute design in the newly-married couple’s house, but it would also be a cute reminder for them to keep their relationship’s fire burning to always celebrate with a bouquet of flowers. It would also probably remind them of you, and that amazing day.

Matching Suitcases

A cute set of two suitcases for the newly-wed couple is perfect, especially if the couple loves to travel. Every time they would pack they would be reminded of your thoughtful gift too.

You could also add your own extra touch for flair, such as the initials of the couple engraved on both the suitcases, or perhaps an “I Do, or matching locks if the suitcase is they designed that way. Either way, this is a great gift for the couple with a very thoughtful message.

Gift Cards

A honeymoon place does not always need to be somewhere fancy or expensive; it could also be somewhere meaningful for the couple. A luxurious hotel room is usually the first choice, but if you cannot to arrange such an expensive gift, you could team up with the couple’s families and contribute to their plan. If all is taken care of, maybe you could have your own touch for them to remember the night by arranging a massage or a spa treatment for the couple.

Those were just some thoughtful gift ideas to give to the newly-wed couple — ones that they would not forget, much like that wonderful day for them!

Decorating a small living room can be challenging. You have to be careful with the décor since you are walking a fine line between making the room look cozy or cramped. While there are many guides out there, not each of them will work for your case. You have to know the outcome you are expecting before you start decorating.

An easy way to decorate a room and make it feel spacious is using soft colors. These colors make the room warm and inviting. Your choice of furniture should complement these colors. If you’ve decided to buy your sofa online, many online shops have interactive tools to help you know how different colors will look against different backgrounds. Here are some ideas and inspirations for decorating a small living room:

Add creative storage solutions

To create more space in your living room, you have to find a way of storing items that you rarely use or no longer need. You can do this by adding creative storage options around the living room. One effective method is to install shelves or cabinets on the walls. Make sure that these cabinets aren’t overloaded and that they’re painted to match the appearance of the room. When installing cabinets and shelves, add them to places where they won’t be a distraction or won’t lead to accidents.

Use light colors

Light colors such as white, cream, pale blue, gray, and blush pinks are ideal for tiny spaces since they make the room to appear brighter and inviting. Since you don’t want your living room to appear cramped, these colors can work in tandem with your furniture choices to create an inviting space.

Choose the right furniture

Choosing furniture for tiny spaces is one of the most challenging things you can do. While you want your living room to look and feel comfortable, going for that big plush sofa isn’t a good idea. Instead, select furniture that can offer the most seating without consuming too much space. This means you should opt for sectional sofas, stools, and cushions and avoid large armchairs or sofas. Having multi-functional furniture should be your priority. Your curtains should complement the furniture and colors you have chosen for the walls. If the space is too small, consider going for roller blinds.

Small living rooms need to have fewer items that are properly arranged. To make your room feel big, you need to choose the right colors and keep the space tidy at all times. Install floating shelves and other storage options to keep away items you don’t use regularly. Whether it is the floor or your walls, make sure that every part of the room is designed to make the room feel bigger.

Overall, you don’t have to spend much to make your home cozy. You can incorporate any of the ideas mentioned above to brighten the room and increase storage space. If you aren’t sure of the colors to choose or décor to add, you can always contact a professional.

DIY or do-it-yourself projects are great ways for you to economize while making improvements on your home. Not only that, but it’s also a way to practice your skills in home repair and woodworking. These projects are widely available, and kits are affordable.

You can find them in any hardware store, and supplies are always on shelves. There’s almost no reason for you to ignore the possibilities and not attempt a project or two. It may seem challenging at first, but just like any other hobby; you can learn to do it better as you practice.

Put that DIY magic to your advantage and apply it to the purpose of meeting your home’s needs.

Artsy Accents

Paintings and other works of art are staples when it comes to home décor. Although they usually have a high price, you won’t need millions of dollars to obtain similar pieces. Many artists nowadays sell prints of their work that are available online through websites that offer the service of producing them. What’s great about it is that you get to choose from a vast array of concepts and themes.

When it comes to the DIY part of it, frames aren’t included in most of these products, so you might as well apply your customization know-how and put it to the test. Materials for making a frame as well as mounting, such as foam adhesive strips, are easy to find and are quite affordable.

Extra Storage

Another need that can be filled by DIY projects is storage. If you’re going to have additional spaces built into your home, it can take a while before you get to use it and the wait can be torturous. Fortunately, do-it-yourself cabinets are available for you.

They’re easy to build and are usually made from lightweight materials, so even children can help you with them. You don’t even have to buy kits if you’re experienced enough with woodworking.

If you have spare wood lying around, you can repurpose and shape them into the desired parts you need to create your own furniture. It’s not only a money-saving idea but also great for the environment since you’re practically recycling.

Outdoor Improvement

It’s not only the interior that could use a little freshening up by your hands. Your home’s exterior and your property as a whole open a lot of possible improvements. One such area is the lawn.

If you’re like any other person who wants to make it look good, you’ll most likely hire a landscaper to take care of it all. But there are things that can be accomplished by your own hands.

For example, you can construct plant boxes with the use of everyday materials such as spare wood or even repurposed pottery. Do you want to have a play area for your kids? You can also apply your DIY skills to make it! You only need to be resourceful and imaginative enough.

It’s always nice to know that you can improve your home without calling in a lot of outside labor and spending much on materials. All you need is a bit of imagination and basic construction skills to perform such enhancements that will positively affect your home life.

Being good at something takes practice and perseverance. It also applies to the arts. Some are born with the inclination toward it, while others support their creativity in any way they can. There are many forms of art, ranging from painting and sculpture to dance and music, as well as modern digital art. Regardless of the form, one thing that binds all artists is the support of their patrons and the people around them who have given much of their time and effort to show their idols that what they do makes others happy. Purchasing their work is one of the best ways you can show practical support, but there’s so much more you can do other than that:

Go for Local Talent

When it comes to the arts, big names are renowned internationally and are showcased worldwide. They have a big following in their native country as well as outside, hence their success. Over the years, we’ve seen artists who went to the top, but looking back, we see that they’ve started small. It’s the same with all the local artists who are doing their best to become recognized in what they do. Lots of times, they can start feeling hopeless because most would rather go for the big shots instead of the budding talent that’s available in the area. If, for instance, you’re in Detroit, Michigan, then try getting a local professional photographer, musician, or painter.

Always Be Present

Speaking of support, your presence is most important when it comes to boosting an artist’s morale. Knowing that there are people who patronize their music or creations and that their work makes people interested gives them a sense of appreciation. One way of being there is showing up at their shows or workshops. Do you have an artist friend who has a gig, event, or convention? Go buy some tickets, or better yet, gather other friends or family members to join in on the fun. Even if it looks like a small gesture, your presence can mean a lot and even go farther than monetary support.

Promote!

At the end of the day, art is still a possible source of income or business. That said, you can prove to be an artist’s ally by helping them promote their work to the public. With the spread of digital technology nowadays, it’s even easier to spread the word through the use of social media. Online marketplaces also have ways for them to gain a following. If you’re a frequent buyer, you can leave a review or comment and publish it online. Leaving feedback would make it easier for others to make a decision to try their products and services out. A like and share can go far once it’s out there.

Your support can make a lot of positive impact on the artists you promote, as well as their work. Regardless of the methods that you use in showing your patronage, it’s always great for them to know that certain individuals or groups are there to put their time and effort for them. It’s an effective mood and confidence booster.

Whether you are on a limited budget or not, you should celebrate your dream wedding the way that you want it to be. Although it may sound almost impossible, there are many ways to reduce your wedding costs without compromising your big day. To help you with planning your wedding, here are a few practical tips.

Hire a Wedding Planner

Most brides assume that getting a wedding coordinator will only add up to their expenses. Little do they know that hiring a wedding planning can save them a lot of money in the long run. From finding the best wedding venue in Kent to getting the best deals from partner vendors, wedding coordinators can help you turn your dream wedding to reality.

Trim Your Guest List

Another easy way to cut on costs is by trimming your guest list. Although it can somewhat be emotionally straining, trimming the number of guests can help you save on everything. For instance, if you invite 70 guests instead of 150, and your wedding cost is at least $80 per head, you will be saving a lot by cutting 80 people from the event. This will make a huge difference in your savings.

Be Practical With the Dress

Gowns usually take a considerable chunk of a couple’s budget. So, you might want to be a little more creative by choosing a more affordable fabric or wedding dress design with fewer embellishments. Also, you might want to check nearby bridal salons for dresses that have similar designs that you would want to have.

Rent in Groups

You can all wear black suits or even encourage everyone who will be attending the party to rent formalwear from the same bridal salon. Doing so may give you a chance to get a group discount or even have the groom’s tuxedo for free. If you want everyone to wear casual or semi-formal attire, then a nice suit will do the job perfectly.

Get a Less Expensive Car

Although getting a limousine is excellent, choosing a town car over it can still do the job but can also save you some money. Another tip is to rent an average-size car that will only fit you and your partner. You can ask the guests to take a cab or use a regular town car to get to the reception venue.

Book a Rising Musical Talent

Hiring a live string quartet can cost hundreds of dollars just for your wedding reception alone. If you want to have the same feel but in a much more affordable fee, you can hire music students instead. Not only will you be able to have the same performance, but you will be able to get it at a lower price, too.

These are just a few of the ways to help you cut some costs on your big day. Keep in mind that you do not need to spend all of your money, and eventually end up broke, just to make your wedding special and memorable.

Deciding what perfect gift to give is already difficult in itself, but this could prove more challenging if you are giving to someone who seems to have everything from the top of the line gadgets to prized jewellery.

While it might seem that you won’t find any decent gift ideas for people who already have everything, there are still gifts that could surely bring delight to your intended recipient.

Something Personalized

Items that seem ordinary become special when they are given a personal touch. Try to give something personalized to a friend or family member to make the gift more meaningful.

When you give something embroidered or engraved with the recipient’s name or designed particularly for that person, you show that you put an extra effort and thought into giving the perfect gift.

Personalised items need not expensive too. You can give drink sets as gifts. Alcohol is always a classy choice — with an engraved box or glasses, or a leather journal embossed with the recipient’s name or initials.

Experience

If you’re giving a gift to someone who appears to have enough material things, think beyond tangible items and consider giving experience instead. You can prepay for an event, class or experience that you think could give the person memory and even skills. These are more valuable compared with expensive devices or clothes he or she likely already have.

Depending on the interest of the person, you can prepay for a cooking class if he or she is interested in learning new cuisines, tickets for a new movie, photography class so your recipient learns how to take better pictures with his new camera, a meditation class, a hot air balloon ride, or a much-needed vacation to some exotic destination.

Something for Their Collection

If the recipient is a collector of anything, add something that can be added to this collection. If the person is a bibliophile who collects old or limited edition books, you might want to give a book that will likely stir his or her interest.

Charity Donation

You can donate to a charity instead of giving a gift to your intended recipient. There are likely a number of charities and causes that are likely close to the recipient’s heart. A loved one who is passionate about cancer research will likely appreciate you giving a donation on their behalf to the American Cancer Society.

If your friend is passionate about the conservation of threatened species and habitats, you can donate money to the World Wildlife Fund. You may also want to check credible crowdfunding sites to see if there are individuals like patients battling with cancer who can benefit from this gift.

You do not have to give materials things if you are giving a gift to someone who has everything. Giving is not all about selecting the most expensive or even the perfect item.

It is showing how you love and appreciate the person in a way that you are willing to think of the things that he or she is passionate about. This can make your gift more meaningful.

There are so many things that you need to plan out when it comes to a wedding, especially when it’s your own. Although hiring event planners in Denver can certainly make the job a lot easier, you still must be very hands-on in all the details.

To help you with your special event, we have listed a few of the top things that you need to prepare when planning a wedding. With enough luck and a ton of effort, this list might even help you with remembering all the fine details, too.

1. Always have a backup plan

It’s a must to have a contingency plan in case the weather changes. No one can predict the weather all the time. There are times when a hot and sunny day can turn to severe cold fronts or even hail. So, try your best not to get wrapped up with the aesthetics of the entire venue that you forget to create a contingency plan.

The website www.Brides.com suggests that brides should find out the historical weather as well as the temperature of the area. Doing so can help you build so you a more realistic expectation so you can prepare for it. You should also decide in case the weather changes to something less ideal.

2. Get the right number

You need to get the right number of guests that you’ll invite for your wedding before thinking of a venue. The Knot says that doing so will help ensure that you have enough space for everyone. You can allow at least 25 to 30 square feet for every guest. It may look like a lot of space, but the measurement has yet to include the tables, the band, as well as the dance area. However, if you feel like your budget won’t be enough, it’s best to limit your guest list to your closest family members and friends.

3. Assign the first point of contact

Having a person to act as the first point of contact for your wedding is crucial to organize everything, especially the wedding vendors. Things can get overwhelming during the entire event. You can choose a close friend or a loved one to be the first point of contact to help you manage everything. Doing so can be especially helpful when it comes to dealing with wedding vendors. Although you still must make a few decisions, you can have someone else take the call while you’re trying to arrange other things.

4. Check your finances

You can take advantage of the high expenses spent on the wedding and sign up for a credit card that offers excellent rewards programs. Whether they provide shopping deals or other promos, combining your costs in a single card can help you earn rewards points. Preparing for a wedding can be a tedious process. That’s why it’s best to hire someone to do all the things for you. Doing so can help you enjoy the entire event without any worries about things going wrong. If you’re not comfortable with it, then you can always check out a few magazine sites and articles for more wedding tips and ideas, too.

Your apartment is a part of you, even if you’re only renting it. As much as you love your space the way it is, there’s always room for improvement. But don’t get too excited to overhaul your apartment. Every rental property has its set of rules enforced by the landlord. You’ll need a solid strategy to get your landlord’s nod to any major changes to your unit.

Here’s what you can do to get that dream renovation going.

Start with Small Improvements

It’s always smart to build a good professional relationship with your landlord, especially if you want to make significant changes to your unit, such as installing new windows. One of the ways you can win your landlord’s trust is by making small improvements to your unit. Start with changing old wallpaper or replacing old taps. Once you’ve racked up these small achievements, try asking your landlord if you could take on bigger projects.

Do Your Research

Before proposing anything to your landlord, it’s important to do your due diligence and read up on your rental contract. See if it says anything about the extent of changes a renter can make. If you want to make a big renovation to fix an issue, it’s also in your best interest to review Salt Lake City laws on major repairs. If there’s anything that can convince even the sternest landlords, it’s cold, hard facts.

Prepare and Present Designs

When making a case for changes, it helps to provide visual aids for your landlord to see. Try to start with creating a mood board with designs you found online. If you don’t know where to start, try signing up to Pinterest.com and searching for designs that fit your vision.

Talk About Adding Value

Improving a feature in any property will increase its value, but it depends on whether that change is actually worth the time or money to do. Kitchen and bathroom upgrades are almost always going to give big returns, so your landlord might be inclined to allow them. They won’t always be on board with more experimental and personal projects, though.

The best thing to do is to find a middle ground between your preferences and your landlord’s potential profit or benefit from the renovation. If you do plan on renovating your old kitchen, you might have to opt for a neutral color scheme to make sure it will be fairly acceptable to the next tenant – should you decide to move out.

If you have a bit of interior design or architectural know-how, draft a plan for your improvement. You can also walk your landlord through your apartment to show them the spot you propose changing. Reasonable landlords can make an informed decision when they have a clear picture of what you want to get done.

While you do have the right to make major changes to your unit, landlords are often the ones who initiate renovations. It’s important to create a clear case for them to allow your plan. Give them solid evidence that justifies your proposed improvement. Have an estimate of how it will cost, too. They’ll usually pitch in if they think it’ll add significant value to the apartment. If they’re reluctant to do so, volunteer to shoulder the bulk or all the renovation expenses. It is your personal project, after all.