Favorite Things Friday!: River Otters!

Hello, Favorite Things Friday! is a weekly blog theme at HelloJiggles.com.  Every Friday one, two or all of the HelloJiggles bloggers will post some of their favorite things!

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Awwwww

I really don't have to say to much, these pictures will basically speak for themselves. However I will gush over how much I love River Otters! The North American river otter is a semi aquatic mammal, member of the weasel family, and well known masters at the game of tag. 

Just look at em!

While river otters are native to Ohio I sadly have only seen them in a zoo setting. However seeing these beauties zip in and out of water like a flash is quite the spectacle. 

I imagine his name is Reginald, he seems pretty regal

 So just go on and enjoy this cuteness overload for your Friday!

-Brandon

Favorite Things Friday: Road Trips!

Hello, Favorite Things Friday! is a weekly blog theme at HelloJiggles.com.  Every Friday one, two or all of the HelloJiggles bloggers will post some of their favorite things!
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The wind in your hair, the music blaring, missed exits, gas station food and the open road. All things involved with a road trip. Today I am headed to Chicago, for a short little road trip.  I figured what better a topic for FTF!

1. Break away from the 9 to 5

    For the majority of us work takes up a large part of our lives, weather it's 9 to 5, or the midnight shift. Working becomes a thing of routine. Five days a week it's the same thing go to work, put in your time and come home. It's a quick recipe for "all work and no play, makes ______ a dull boy" -minus the creepy hotel and murder.

Come play with us....

 A road trip is a quick and spontaneous way to liven things up. It could be a short 2 hour jaunt to a different part of the state, or an interstate meander taking up a couple of days. It offers us a reprieve from the everyday, a break from the monotony of the rat race. Road trips work because they are easy and less intense than a vacation, allowing us to fit a great experience into a small amount of time. The risk is minimal and the pay off is phenomenal!

2. The fun is in getting there. 

     There are many types of road trips but the the two biggest ones are destination driven and non destination driven. For instance my trip to Chicago today is to offer some moral support for a friend starting a new music project. Chicago is one of the first stops on the tour and coincidentally one of my favorite American cities. 

 Destinations for road trips is often secondary. It's the act of driving away and getting away that entices us. The destination is like a sweet finish, the cherry on top of the sundae.  Picking up on a moments notice, throwing a roll of quarters for tolls and skipping town is an exciting adventure in itself the destination can often not matter or better yet finding a new and exciting place along the way!

3. Come away with me.

  Solo road trips can be relaxing and a much needed break from social interaction. Turn off your phone, leave your WiFi radius and just zen out. No facebook, no e-mail, or texts. Turn the music up because it's just you and your thoughts. 

However adding friends to the mix works as well. Not only do you get the company of a trusted confidant(s), but it can cut down on costs by splitting gas, tolls and lodging dpending on where you are going. You get to share the road with some of your best friends and some of the driving too!

4. Mix Tapes

   Well maybe mix tapes are bit outdated but the message still rings true - MUSIC! Music is an essential part of any road trip, short or long. Due to the fact that radio stations often change frequently on your way to your destination. Mix tapes/cds/playlists allow you to create your own radio (commerical free at that!) Windows down and the stereo up! Making your own custom mixes is an amazing way to customize the experience  Blasting music to level 11 and having your friends join in on a sing along is all part of the road trip magic. 

These days I mostly stream music through my phone. Gone are the days of endless mix cds and a visor filled with CD-Rs. It's bittersweet really, each one had it's own theme and a road trip was certainly an occasion for a new mix. While it's not the same with streaming music, the sentiment still remains with creating playlists that are also themed. 



  5. Coming Home
   Oddly enough one of the best parts of a road trip is coming home. Paradoxical right? We take road trips to breakaway from everyday life, or things that we feel are bringing us down.  The new places, and people, the feeling of being somewhere foreign is all much needed and amazing but somewhere along the way, we realize that the place we fled from is exactly where we want to be. This is not always the case but more often than not I find myself looking forward to returning home. 

Happy Road Tripping!

-Brandon

A true smile

   Sometimes I think we forget how to smile. I think we get so used to putting on that fake smile that we forget what it's like to actually smile. Between posing for facebook pics, plastering that fake smile for work, or when talking to that particularly annoying family member/friend. We forgot how to just genuinely smile. 

However sometimes that real smile comes out, and usually it's accompanied by an unexpected event. Much like the ones these people experienced when they logged into chatroulette.com. 

        Ok, so chatroulette.com is basically good for nothing other than creepers, frat boys, and boobs. However every once and while something as worthless as chat roulette proves itself worthy by becoming part of the human experience. This video of a man parading around to Carly Rae Jepsen’s “call me maybe” side by side with his unknowing audience and their varied reactions. 

        Once you get past the quizzical WTF look, almost everyone begins to grin or sing along. You know that grin, the kind that happens when something completely unexpected surprises you. That I shouldn’t be smiling at this man prancing around in a bikini singing one of this summers catchiest tunes, but damn it I am smiling at it. So the point I am making is that sometimes you need something so ridiculous, something off the wall and insane that catches you off your guard so you can flash a truly genuine smile. In fact on of the viewers actually thanks the man for “making his day”

-Brandon

Bride on a Budget: 10 Great Gowns under $300!

I recently posted a few tips and tricks on how to save money when shopping for your wedding gown. In the post I mentioned that bridesmaids dresses are MUCH cheaper than wedding gowns and that they come in a wide array of colors including white. I figured I'd share 10 of my favorites here to show you what I'm talking about. The majority of these dresses are $250 or less. Every single dress posted with the exception of one are available in white or ivory as well as a ton of other colors. I've noted on each dress whether they come in white, ivory or both. The size ranges vary, but all dresses are available in up to a size 26 at the very least.

 

Alfred Angelo Modern Vintage Bridesmaid Dresses - Style 8604 - $249.00

I saw this dress in person in "morning fog" at a local bridal salon and it is GORGEOUS! I love the soft netting overlay and the way that the dress falls. It is not available in white or ivory, but I absolutely adore it!

 Bill Levkoff Bridesmaid Dress - Style 530 - $195.50

I have seen this dress in person in "canary". It is available in ivory, but not white. It has a slight train and a lace up corset back which is a nice touch. 

Dessy Bridesmaid Dress - Style 2749 - $179.00

I have not seen this dress in person. I love the above color so much! I think it would make a great wedding gown in that color, but it is available in white and ivory as well as a bunch of other colors.

 

Lazaro Bridesmaid Dress - Style 3141 - $280.00

I saw this dress in person at a trunk show at a local bridal salon in the above red color and it is stunning! I love the corset top. It is very elegant and would look great on a plus size bride! It is available in ivory, but not white.

 

Bill Levkoff Bridesmaid Dress - Style 539- $225.00

I have seen this dress in person in bright pink and it was very pretty, though I wasn't crazy about the color. The back has a lace up corset. I absolutely love the off the shoulder neckline on this dress as well. It is available in Ivory and White.

 Liz Fields Bridesmaid Dress - Style 231- $198.00

I have not seen this dress in person, but I love the detail at the bust and the way that the fabric hangs off of the models body. It is available in white and ivory.

Dessy After Six Bridesmaid Dress - Style 6577 - $152.00

I have not seen this dress in person. I love the black sash at the waist, although it is available in many other colors. The dress is available in white.

Bill Levkoff Bridesmaid Dress - Style 557- $118.00

I have not seen this dress in person. It is available in ivory and white. You also get to choose the color of the sash. I love the back of this dress. It would make such a lovely wedding gown!

 

Alfred Angelo Bridesmaid Dress - Style 7181 - $199.00

I have not seen this dress in person. It is available in white and ivory. I love the organza overlay on this dress! It makes an otherwise simple dress much more elegant. You get to chose the belt color as well.

Dessy After Six Bridesmaid Dress - Style 6532 - $136.62

I have not seen this dress in person. The dress is available in white as well as ivory. You get to select the lace color. I love the bust on this dress and the lace at the empire waist. 

Would you ever wear a bridesmaid dress for your wedding dress or do you think that they aren't fancy or detailed enough? Which dress in the post was your favorite? Mine is definitely the Alfred Angelo 8604. I love the netting overlay and the little details along the neckline.

Bride on a Budget: How to Save on Your Wedding Gown

 

The first and only time I'll ever wear a white formal gown! Charity Ball, 2004. Image obscured protect the innocent.

I have a secret that I will shamefully let you lovely folks in on.. I really genuinely enjoy watching Say Yes to The Dress. I love looking at all of the dresses and seeing what kinds of dresses the ladies gravitate towards. Partially, because I've never really been into the whole big white dress thing. It just doesn't suit my tastes, plus I am always spilling stuff on myself.

From what I can tell from my research, most brides spend between $800 and $1,500 on their dress alone. As outrageous as that sounds to me, I can understand how that happens. In 2004 I was asked to participate in the big charity ball in my hometown as a debutant. Part of being a debutant was wearing a white gown, usually a wedding gown that had been altered to fit the requirements outlined by the committee. I remember shopping for a gown with my grandma and many of the price tags at the bridal boutique being well over $1,000. We found the perfect dress for me, wrote down the style number and went home to hunt for the dress online. In store the Mon Cherie gown was priced around $1,100. I can't remember the exact price, but I know it was in that range. We found it online for just $500 and I believe that we also used a coupon code for an additional percentage off of the price.

I'm wearing two black gowns for my upcoming nuptials and paid well under $300 combined for both of them.   I did wear a white wedding dress back in 2004 when I was a debutant (ha!) for the Charity Ball in the city that I grew up in, but I wasn't into it then either. I guess what I'm say here is that I have experience shopping for a white wedding gown and I have experience shopping for a more nontraditional wedding gown on a tight budget and thought I'd share a few tips on how to find the best price on your gown for the big day whether you're wanting to wear a traditional white gown or going for something a bit more nontraditional.


Tip 1: Schedule a visit a large bridal boutique in your town. Look at as many dresses as possible and try on different styles to see which suits you best. Once you find a gown that you want to purchase write down the designer, style number, sizing information and whatever else will be useful in searching for it online. Go home and google the designer and style number. You may find it at an online bridal boutique for a large discount.

85% off?! Yes, please!

Tip 2: Alternately, once you have visited a bridal boutique and found a dress, visit online wedding dress resale websites and purchase your dress second hand for 25 to 50% off or more depending on the designer! You will more than likely have to have it altered to fit your figure properly, but you would have to do that with a new dress as well. Don't forget to check Craigslist and the classified sections on various wedding boards online!

Online Wedding Dress Resale Sites:
www.preownedweddingdresses.com
www.woreitonce.com
www.oncewed.com

Alfred Angelo Bridesmaid Dress in White - Style #7205 - $189.00

Tip 3: If you're not looking for a dress with a large train, lots of fancy bead work, or all of the extra details that many wedding gowns have consider shopping in the bridesmaids section. This is also a great tip if you're looking for a dress in a color other than white. Many of these dresses come in tons of colors and cost considerably less than a wedding gown would. Don't forget to look online for the style number to see if you can find the dress for a better price online than in store as well! Plus, these dresses can very easily be spiced up by having a talented seamstress add some bead work or fabric flowers or a ribbon belt.

Tip 4: Have your dress custom made by a local seamstress or someone on Etsy. As I mentioned above, I have two wedding dresses for my big day. One dress is custom made by a woman who I found on Etsy that is local to me. I paid $100 for a vintage reproduction dress custom made to fit my body in colors and fabric of my choosing. My dress is very basic, but I have seen more ornate and detailed gowns on Etsy for very fair prices, plus you're supporting an independent business person which is always a plus!

Tip 5: Rent your dress! Call and ask around and find out if there is anywhere local that rents out formal dresses and wedding dresses. I was unable to find one in my area, however I found tons online for other areas so they are out there!

Jessica London Linen Dress with Eyelet Detail - On Sale for  $59.99! I love this for a backyard wedding.

Tip 6: Buy an off the rack dress. If you're not having a huge formal affair and want a more casual dress there are tons of off the rack dresses that would work for a wedding dress with the right shoes, accessories, and headpiece that you can purchase for well under $100! This is a great option if you're having a backyard wedding or beach wedding.

How are you saving money for your big day? Any dress hunting tips that you have found helpful that you would like to share?




Note: I've included white dresses, since I know that many/most girls prefer the traditional white wedding gown. I will absolutely do more at a later date and include different colors.

OoTD - All Avenue

Outfit Details-

Top - Avenue $4

Skirt - Avenue $10

Leggings - Avenue via Thrift Store $0.50

Sandals - Avenue $15

Necklace - Bought in the 90s on vacation in Arizona

I rarely find myself wearing an outfit that is entirely from one store, but somehow it happened today! There are two Avenue stores in my area that have been turned into temporary clearance outlets and will be closing very soon. In the meantime, there are racks and racks of clothes marked down by 50 to 75%! I went a few weeks ago and scored $300 worth of clothing for $85! Everything that I am wearing in this post is from that haul, aside from my leggings and necklace.

I was unable to find the sandals on the website, but I know that they're still available in store. They're super comfy and VERY wide width! I had no problem fitting my chubby little feet in them and being comfortable all day long. I'd highly recommend checking them out!

DIY: Super Easy Succulents Terrarium Tutorial

I've been wanting to make some terrariums for the longest time and decided a while back that I wanted to have terrariums for my centerpieces at my upcoming wedding. We're going for a science-y nature-y kind of theme, so they would be perfect! I recently tried my hand at making a few to see how it went and I was more than pleased with the results. Very easy and super fun! Here's a little tutorial so that you can make your very own succulents terrarium at home!

Materials Needed:

• Glass Container. I used 11" fishbowls. I found them for $7 at my local craft store chain, Pat Catans. You can frequently find many bowls or containers that would work at a thrift store a dollar or less, but I wanted them to be uniform for my centerpieces.
• Succulents. I bought them from a local garden center, but you can find them online as well.
• Activated Charcoal/Horticulture Charcoal. I found this for $6 for a large bag at a local garden center.
• Cacti/Succulent Soil. I found this for $4 for at a local garden center.
• Small Rocks/Pebbles/Fish Tank Rocks.
• Spray Bottle/Spritzer.
• Newspapers or a Plastic Table Cloth.
• Small Paint Brush or Old Makeup Brush.
• Art Sand. (optional) $3 - $6 per bag
• Decorative Figures. (optional) 

Prep Work:

If you are working inside, cover your work area with newspapers or a plastic table cloth. Things get messy pretty quickly and you will regret it later when you're cleaning up. Prepare your containers by washing your containers and removing any stickers or price tags. PRO TIP: WD-40, a credit card and a paper napkin work great for removing left over sticker residue. Be sure to do this BEFORE washing or you might have to do it again before planting as you don't want any weird chemicals in the containers that could affect the health of your plants.

Step 1: Add the stones.

Start by filling the bottom of your container with some stones or pebbles.  This will help to create a false drainage layer and help you avoid flooding your plants and killing them. The depth of the layer depends on the size of your container, but I kept mine at .5" since succulents are typically watered with a spray bottle and you don't ever need to add a ton of water.

Step 2: Add the activated charcoal.

Add a layer of activated charcoal. This part is pretty messy, so be careful! You don't need tons of this, just be sure to cover your rock layer completely. The activated charcoal will help keep the bacteria and fungi in check and also help to prevent unpleasant odors from decaying plant matter. It is absolutely key to maintaining the health of your terrarium, so don't skip this part!

Step 3: Add the soil.


Succulents and cacti need special soil, so be sure you buy the right product. Add your soil on top of the activated charcoal. I added a layer that was approximately 3". In hindsight, I wish I would have added a bit more. You have to be sure that there is enough room for the plants to grow and accommodate their roots.

Step 4: Prep your succulents for planting.

Carefully remove your succulents from the pots that they came in and separate the hard rootball before planting. Be very careful not to damage their roots in the process! If you are separating your plant into multiple parts, be gentle.

Step 5: Plant!

Dig a little hole (I used my fingers) to plant your succulents in. Make sure there is a spot for their roots to go. Place the plant in the hole and cover the base with some soil. Pack it tight enough that it stays standing and the base and roots are covered, but not so tight that the soil around it is hard/extremely compact. Avoid planing around the edges, although some leaves will most likely touch the sides of the container. After planting, use your paint brush or make up brush to remove any soil debris from the plants. If you wish, you can stop here and be done, or you can continue on to make your terrarium a little more fancy.

Step 6: Add Sand and Accessories.


I used art sand in white and tan and added it carefully in layers. I made sure to use my old makeup brush the plants between layers to remove any that landed on the plants. I also added little plastic dinosaur skeletons to mine and buried them partially to fit with the theme of my wedding. After adding the sand, use a paintbrush or makeup brush to situate the sand and clear any excess sand off of the plants. Spritz lightly with a water bottle to hydrate them.

That's it! Each one took me about 15 or 20 minutes to complete. You water them using a spray bottle. They don't need tons of water. In fact, over watering these little fellas is the easiest way to kill them. If the leaves are looking a little shriveled and wrinkly give them a good spritz, but otherwise the only need watered every 2 to 4 weeks. Keep in mind that these plants prefer partial shade, so keeping them out of direct sunlight is best for them.

I've only made 2 so far, but in the coming months I will be making a handful more of the succulent terrariums and about 8-10 moss and fern terrariums. I'll post pictures of them eventually!

So, what do you think? Have you ever made a terrarium? What kinds of plants and accessories did you use?