Summer Sessions

This summer, I enrolled in a couple of summer classes, just to make my upcoming semesters a little lighter.  The first class began in June and lasted four weeks. Looking back, I was terrified of the thought of an entire semester all rolled into four weeks, but in all honesty, it was not all that bad.  Don't get me wrong, it was pretty intense with a pretty heavy work load, but it was manageable. 

I have heard horror stories and read them online, but I have come to realize over the years that it is usually the students who don't do well in classes that rant on and on on the teacher rating sites. 

Below, I will list some of the things that I have learned throughout the past four weeks in ACC 255.

1. Time Management
• This is most likely the most important factor I have taken from this course. Students are often tempted by sunny summer days, where homework is the last thing on their mind. In the past four weeks, I was able to train myself, you could say, and make a weekly schedule in order to accomplish tasks for each project.
2. How to create an ebusiness from scratch
3. Blogging
4. How to create a website
5. How to gain traffic to sites
6. I learned that bloggers can become affiliates in order to produce revenue
• I have always wondered how bloggers created a living this way.
7. The concept of affiliate marketing
• I was disappointed to find out that I wasn't able to become an affiliate for amazon because of Illinois tax laws.
8. How to use html codes for customizing websites and blog posts
9. Implementing advertisements through html codes
10. How to find key words that will help others find your site/blog
11. How to link to sites within a webpage or blog
12. How to create an ebook
13. Discovering my niche
• I learned that this niche site and blog might be something that I continue to do.
14. How to help others through my past experiences

Tutorials: DIY Fingerprint Invitations

This is another post for DIY Invitations.  Invitations can be pretty pricey, depending on how many guests you plan on having. Usually, if you're having a smaller wedding, it's more cost effective to create your own, whereas, if you're having a fairly large wedding, many online places will give you discounts if you plan on having a lot of guests. 

My friend Ann did this for her wedding and it turned out beautifully! Ann ended up doing this for her save the dates, but this can easily be converted into an invitation. This project is beyond easy and super cheap. 

Photo Credit: Ann's Personal Photo

Fingerprints

 Supplies:

- Card Stock

- Alphabet Stamps

- Ink Pad

- Ruler

- Paper Towels

- Fine Tip Pen 

**For the ombre invitation tutorial, click HERE**

Photo Credit: Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step One: Print First

...If you're deciding to print out the invitation details on your computer, do this first! This will allow you to leave space for your fingerprints without having the to smudge the ink.

...If you're writing out your invitations, do this before too, just to avoid smudging the ink.

Step Two: Takes Two to Tango

...Now, this is the rare occasion where he will need to be involved. That's the whole fun of this project! Once you have designated the area of where you are going to put the fingerprints, take your index finger and press it onto the ink pad. Immediately transfer it to the invitation before it gets dry. If you are wanting to add stamped letters, similar to Ann's, ago ahead and do this here too.

I know how stressful planning can be, so if you need a little pick me up, watch this video. It's hilarious and will guarantee to brighten your day! 

Happy planning!

With Love, 

     Olivia Mae

Tutorials: DIY Carnation Centerpieces

This is another centerpiece that falls in all the right categories: beautiful, simple, and most importantly, CHEAP! This project also allows some wiggle room to personalize and variations. Go crazy and let your mind run free!

Photo Credit: Hostess with the Mostess

Bell of the Ball
Supplies: 
- Candle Holder
- Floral Foam Ball
- Half Inch (wide) Dowel Rod (optional)
- Real or Fake Carnations
- Water
- Glue

Step One: Prepping for Real Flowers
... Real Carnations- Soak the foam ball in water for forty five minutes prior to project. This will keep the foam moist for the flowers. Once soaked, let sit on a paper towel to drain excess water.
... Fake Carnations- No real prep needed.

Step Two: Start Stickin'
... Real Carnations- Begin to work the flowers evenly around the foam, making sure to cover every inch of foam, without compromising the weight; meaning, try to avoid over flowering certain sections. If there are gaps, we can fix them later.
...Fake Carnations- With your DRY foam ball, take a blossom and add a drop a glue to the tip of the stem, then begin to distribute evenly around the ball. 

Photo Credit: DIY Weddings Magazine

Step Three: Stabilize the Sucker (optional)
... This goes for both real and fake carnations, if you feel comfortable leaving the ball balance on top of the candle holder, great, but if not, you may want to follow this step.
...With your carnation-filled ball, take the dowel rod and generously apply glue on the rod, then stick it into the foam ball a quarter to half the way in. This will stabilize the ball and keep it from falling off the stick.

Photo Credit: Cheap Unique Wedding

Let me know how yours turned out! Happy Planning

With Love,

     Olivia Mae

Tutorials: DIY Glittery Centerpieces

I hope everyone had a great fourth of July weekend! I can relate to how difficult it can be to get back into the swing of things. It seems like I have had writers block for the last couple of days, but no worries, I'm back!

I am going to cover more DIY projects for your wedding reception. Today, I will give you a tutorial on a centerpiece I helped my friend Ann with. I will also list the supplies needed to accomplish the project. If you click on the supplies, it will lead you to a site where you can purchase them online, if you so choose to. 

Glitter Candles/Sticks

Photo Credit: Brunch at Saks

Supplies: 

- Candles/Candlesticks

- Glitter

- Pan

- Masking Tape

- Spray Adhesive

         or

- *Mod Podge*

- *Paint Brush*

Step 1: Find a designated working area.

...If possible, try to do the project outside or in a well ventilated area. Fumes will be strong but don't have a ceiling fan! Glitter will go everywhere.

Photo Credit: Lee Mae Marie

Step 2: Taping the Top

... Only half an inch away from the top and bottom if you so choose to. This will give a polished look in the end.  

Step 3: Getting Sticky

...Spray Adhesive Users- Generously spray the candle/candlestick while avoiding to touch any wet areas. 

...Mod Podge Users- Dip the paint brush into some mod podge and brush a thin layer onto the candle/candlestick.

Step 4: The Fun Part

...After applying your choice of adhesive, immediately begin to cover in glitter. Hold the wet candle/candlestick above a pan and sprinkle the glitter, making sure to cover the entire area. Then set aside to dry.

Let me know how yours turned out or other ways you found made the project easier!

Happy planning!

With love,

     Olivia Mae

Must Haves: Emergency Kit

"It's my wedding day. Everything has to be perfect!"

Sound familiar? It's okay, every bride goes through a panic stage; whether it's during the planning process or the day of, but no matter what, it's best to always be prepared!  Today, I'll be covering the Wedding Day Emergency Kit.

The Maid of Honor is the one who is usually in charge of this, so if she tends to be forgetful, remind her of how important this is! 

On the day of the wedding, no matter now much we want everything to go smoothly, there are always going to be a few bumps in the road.  However, with this DIY Kit handy, you will be ready for all of those pesky bumps!

**These items should all be able to fit in a 

medium to large makeup bag**

What You'll Need: Safety pins, double-sided tape, bobby pins, ponytails, lint roller, mints/gum, tissues, chapstick, lipstick, lip gloss, travel sized deodorant and hairspray, Advil, tampons, pads, mirror, Tide-to-Go, comb, nail polish, mini sewing kit, tweezers, nail filer, tums, and most importantly, a granola bar.

The granola bar, or any small snack, is crucial! Make sure you eat! Your nerves will be going haywire, making your tummy probably feel queasy (that's what the Tums are for), but make sure you have something in your stomach. The last thing you will want is to pass out while you're standing at the alter!

Planning a wedding can be stressful, to say the least, but with the right tools, it can make the process much easier.

Happy Planning!

With love,

   Olivia Mae

Budget, Budget, Budget

As theMODESTbride, I thought I could go over some tips on how you and your fiance can stick to your planned budget.  After doing some research and going on past experiences, I have concluded that the average wedding costs up to $20,000. Makes you a little sick, doesn't it?  As I said in previous posts, it is imperative to sit down and have a serious conversation about the budget and seeing whether or not the parents are going to be contributing. It may be an uncomfortable conversation, but it has to be done. Once you have figured out the numbers, stick to it! Here are a few tips to stick with your budget:

1.) What Is Most Important: Once you have decided on your budget, you two need to decide on what about the wedding is necessary to have, then write it down. This will be your list to remind you about what is important to purchase, stopping yourself from splurging on unnecessary items.

2.) More People = More Alcohol & Food: The bigger the head count, the bigger the bill is going to be for alcohol and dinner. Decide whether or not you are going to have an open bar or any alcoholic beverages at all. And for dinner, if you are having a smaller wedding, ideally less than one hundred people, consider doing a buffet! Cheaper!

3.) Mmm Dessert: Traditionally, people have beautifully decorated cakes but lately I have seen a lot of people doing cupcakes! It's a great idea but keep in mind the head count! Try not to purchase more than you need.

4.) Reduce-Reuse-Recycle: Purchase decorations that you can reuse! I remember throwing away so many decorations from my sister's wedding; they were beautiful but such a waste! If you use a lot of mason jars, use them as pots for plants or even cups! 

5.) Choosing Wedding Dates: Believe it or not, there are some days in the year where you will receive a discount from venues! My best friend Brittney and her fiance chose the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend because they found a ton of places that reduced their venue prices! Never do it on a holiday but weekends of holidays are great too!

Happy Planning!

With love, 

    Olivia Mae

Themes: Red, White, & Blue

Happy early 4th of July!

I will be at my brother's annual fourth of July party, so I figured I do some posts before hand. I got to thinking about what to cover and I thought, why not do a red, white, and blue wedding! 

Photo Credit: One Lovely Wedding

July fourth is not the only holiday a couple can do a red, white and blue theme. For instance, if you have been following my blogs, you would have learned that my best friend is getting married on Memorial Day weekend, which is another great holiday for this color scheme. Not only that, if a couple chooses to have their wedding on a holiday weekend, venue prices are relatively cheaper! But, please, try to avoid having your wedding on the day of a holiday. Guests tend to not show up, as well as making it difficult to find a DJ and photographer that is willing to give up their holiday time. 

Anyway, when someone thinks red, white and blue, one tends to think of independence day and good ol' America. While some people may think this theme is tacky, there are others out there who have proven them wrong. Below I will show you how someone can pull off a beautiful independence day wedding.

Bridesmaids

Photo Credit: Unknown

This is a very patriotic theme and luckily, it becomes an no brainer when it comes to choosing the bridesmaid dresses. All you need to decide on is the style of the dress. Since these themes are great for the summer season, women tend to go with short dresses. 

As you can see in the photo, you can mix and match the colors, and no matter which colors you choose as the focal point, it will look beautiful.

Photo Credit: Studio 1208

Decorations 

If you're having a Military wedding, many couples have chosen to do a more sophisticated set up, as shown on the right, or you can make it more of a fun and quirky atmosphere with the lighter blues mixed with the reds.

Photo Credit: United with Love

Photo Credit: Unknown

Photo Credit: Storyboard Wedding

Photo Credit: Taylor 'D Events

               
                  

As for flower arrangements, here's a link where you can customize your own online.

Click Here!


Enjoy the holiday weekend!

With love,

    Olivia Mae