Posts Tagged ‘Affordable’

Fun and Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

Aug 31, 2010 Cupcake Jewelry

The rehearsal dinner which follows the wedding rehearsal is an important part of wedding tradition, but that does not mean that it must be a traditional formal party. In fact, the rehearsal dinner can be as laid back as you like, which also means that you can throw a great party without a huge budget. These are some fun and affordable rehearsal dinner ideas.

Cookout on the beach. A top pick for summer rehearsal dinners, find a beach that allows you to grill, and host a relaxed cookout. Beach food is at its best when it is simple, so think hot dogs and hamburgers, that sort of thing. Best of all, if your party runs into the evening hours, you can have a bonfire and make s’mores. Way more fun than doing your rehearsal dinner in a stuffy hotel and really affordable. Just be sure to check about any permits needed for the bonfire. Wear a sundress and maybe one piece of your wedding jewelry, such as a classic tin cup necklace. A cardigan or wrap for the late night hours would also be a good idea.

Bowling. Yes, bowling. This is one of those ideas that is so out there it is almost trendy. A bowling alley rehearsal dinner is great for families who know how to relax and have a good time together. Bowling a few frames will also help to relieve the last minute wedding stress. To make it even more fun, get vintage bowling shirts for the wedding party or make up mock bowling league shirts that say “bride” and “groom”. Memorable and fun!

Backyard bash. If you or your parents have a spacious backyard, why not have your rehearsal dinner there? Keep the menu easy, and serve the same types of things that you would for any summer barbeque: grilled chicken and burgers, macaroni and potato salad, fresh fruit, and a sweet treat like cupcakes. This can be one of the easiest rehearsal dinners of all to coordinate, as long as the host is not the type to go crazy about remaking the garden to get it “perfect” before the party.
Family style Italian restaurant. Everyone loves Italian food, and it is great for feeding a crowd. An Italian restaurant is a terrific rehearsal dinner idea when you want to have a more traditional type of rehearsal dinner, but still want one that is going to be relaxed and inexpensive. Many restaurants have private rooms which are perfect for hosting parties. The most affordable option is to order large platters of food to pass or to have a buffet style dinner.

If your local Italian restaurant only offers the regular type of service where guests order off a menu, ask if you can create a limited menu of starters and entrees especially for your rehearsal dinner. This will allow you to keep costs under control by selecting entrees within your price range, and it should make it easier for the restaurant to get the dinner out more quickly and efficiently. Order bottles of white and red wine for the table, rather than having guests order wine by the glass as another cost cutting measure. For an indoor rehearsal dinner, you can feel free to dress up a little more. A pretty dress worn with a great pair of shoes and jewelry like your wedding earrings will be just right.

When it comes to planning an affordable and enjoyable rehearsal dinner, let your creativity be your guide. The party can be as offbeat as you like. The point of a rehearsal dinner is to bring the bride and groom’s families and attendants together before the wedding, not to have a fancy or upscale evening. As long as the conversation is flowing, spirits will be high and everyone will have a great time!


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ANNUAL PUMPKINLAND FESTIVAL OFFERS AFFORDABLE FAMILY FUN AT HEAVEN HILL FARM

Jun 4, 2010 Bakery Pies

The 2009 Pumpkinland Festival at Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon, New Jersey offers a variety of country-style family entertainment for festival goers of all ages every Saturday and Sunday from September 19- October 25 including Monday, Columbus Day.

The festival will kick off with loads of affordable family entertainment. Enjoy the scenic countryside on an old-fashioned hayride. Stroll through our pumpkin patches bursting with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes and find that perfect one to take home to carve. Pick a winner of a pig and cheer it on as it races to the finish line of the “Pigtuckey Derby.”

“We’ve put our focus on providing the best family entertainment of the fall season offering it all for the price of admission to the festival,” says Martin Theobald, Heaven Hill Farm owner. Theobald stresses that admission prices to Pumpkinland will remain at last year’s level at only $6 general admission, and FREE for children ages 3 and under.

Children of all ages will love feeding the farm animals at the petting zoo and learning the work habits of bees with an up close look inside their hives. Those willing to get lost in the twisted paths through the hay maze and hay crawl may find themselves right on top of Hay Mountain. For the more adventurous, the corn maze tempts the brave hearted to escape out of 10 acres of 8 foot tall Jersey corn stalks and the Boo Barn offers animated entertainment for the young and young-at-heart.

Other not-to-miss highlights available in addition to admission to Pumpkinland include designing a customized sand art masterpiece and choosing your very own personalized “tattoo” at the face painting booth. Maximize your fun by capturing chills and thrills when you spin, speed and soar on classic amusement park rides. Stay for bone chilling terror as you venture along our trails of fear on the Haunted Acres Hayride every Friday and Saturday through October 30 from 7-10 p.m.

Festival goers need not deny their appetite for true festival food. All of the old favorites like corn dogs, sausage & peppers, French fries, ice cream, funnel cakes, cider, donuts and bakery treats, including our very own fresh baked pies, are available on site and for the drive home. New this year, customers can surely satisfy their sweet-tooth craving with deep-fried cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies.

Established in 1983, Heaven Hill Farm is a 150 acre working farm and full service garden center offering annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, gardening supplies, seasonal produce, patio and pool furniture, sheds and giftware. In addition to the “PumpkinLand” Festival, Heaven Hill is host to yearly events including, Haunted Acres Hayride, Easter Egg Hunts, Seasonal Tent Sales and Educational School Tours.

For additional information and directions, contact Heaven Hill Farm at (973)764-5144.

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Affordable Designer Inspired Kitchen Furniture

Jun 1, 2010 Bakery Pastry

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Do you dream of cooking family meals in a fabulous designer kitchen more commonly seen in houses of the rich and famous? While these debutants’ can usually afford to hire the best designers and purchase top-notch products to put together an ultra-chic kitchen, the rest of us may not have that much disposable income. For those of us that do not have money falling off trees to the point where we can bring experts into our homes, there is still hope to get a stunning kitchen we can be proud of.

These days, luck is on the side of those of us not having multi-million dollar bank accounts. It is now possible to buy designer-inspired modern kitchen furniture styles and much-needed features at very affordably prices. You no longer need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire an expert to design a modern kitchen for your home, and people no longer need to have a six figure income to adorn your kitchen with beautifully fresh fixtures.

Within the housing market, it is very common for homes with modern kitchens and elegant and functional furniture to have a higher appeal to prospective buyers. People who are interested in buying a new home now need the kitchens to include all of the conveniences of a modern kitchen floor plan, consisting of newer appliances and furniture. Prospective buyers want to be able to see themselves living in that home and being able to get things done in their kitchen with ease, while being in an elegantly modern atmosphere. When someone looking to a buy a home sees the modern furniture selections you have made, and how well they suit your kitchen, this can help them picture how their lives would be living there. Maybe you are not interested in selling your home right now or anytime soon, and want a new modern kitchen for yourself and family to enjoy.

If you are not interested in selling your home, and just want a modern kitchen for you and your family to enjoy, there are a few suggestions you can follow as to not get overwhelmed. If you are wondering where you should begin to search for different brands, designs, and features in modern furniture to consider for your kitchen, the internet is a wonderful place to start. The internet can open up a world of information for you to access and gain knowledge from to help you in choosing furnishings for your chic kitchen. One problem you might encounter when using the internet to find information on anything is the possibility of coming across a lot of search results that will ultimately be useless to you as you hope to become a more-informed consumer. Make sure you are getting your information from reputable websites and companies before making any decisions.

There are several note-worthy, designer-inspired modern furniture creations for kitchens that are affordable enough for almost any budget. Below are some items, separated by the pricing categories you will typically find on the internet, and some top companies you may recognize that offer these selections. Top band companies such as Buffalo Tools, C.G. Sparks, Acme, Michigan Maple, Coleman, and Old Dutch are amongst the highest rated:

$25-$50

Mateo Kitchen Chair Pad Set of 2 The Carver Jumbo Chopping Block with Feet Contemporary End Grain Chopping Block Rattan Wine Rack Settee Cushions Beverage Coasters

$50-$100

Free Form Wine Rack Metal Wine Bottle Tower Professional Style Reversible Cutting Board with Drippings Catcher Beechwood Pastry Board Microwave Utility Cart with Butcher Block Top Corner Utility Cart Rolling Brass and Hardwood Carts Leather Kitchen Barstool Swivel Kitchen Stool Folding Table Coleman Pack Away Kitchen for Camping and Outdoor Use

$100-$200

Bamboo and Metal Kitchen Trolley Collapsible Cocktail Table Apollo Bar Table Bistro Chair 3 Tier Bakers Rack 5 Tier Cubbies with Doors Pine Utility Pantry Cherry Microwave Cart Cappuccino Serving Cart Multi Function Waste and Laundry Bin Stacked Cube Cabinet Cookware Stand

$200-$500

Bakery Display Case Oak Hills Microwave Cabinet Pine Corner Cupboard China Cabinet Corner Kitchen Hutch Corner Utility Station Cuisine Cart Wicker Sideboard with Drawer Bistro Dining Chairs Cleo Table and Chairs Adjustable Barstools Leather Kitchen Chairs Faux Leather Storage Bench 3 Piece Breakfast Island Organizers Kitchen Islands with Wheels Globe Decorative Accent Piece Lancaster Counter Table Camberwell Dark Cherry Buffet French Country Work Center

While this is only a small sampling of the many choices in modern kitchen furniture that is available today, there are also many other selections in furniture for your new kitchen ranging in all price values. The selections in modern kitchen furniture shown above illustrate just how affordable it can be to turn a worn out kitchen into a dazzling new area your entire family can enjoy.

You work hard in everything that you do, and you deserve to have a kitchen that lifts your spirits every time you enter the room. Have a modern kitchen that looks like an expert on a million dollar budget designed it for you, all while being on a modern day family’s budget.


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