As the wedding gets closer, I’m getting more nightmares about it.  I guess the planning is starting to really stress me out.  So I decided that I need some pampering.  But it’s not cheap, so I just stick to facials which also help prepare my skin for the wedding.  Excluding the extraction, facials and the facial and shoulder massages that come with it are pretty relaxing.

I recently got a promotion from my salon… $50 for a 50-minute facial plus eye treatment (valued at $130) through Groupon.  Today at Groupon, you get 54% off dance lessons at Dance With Me.  Click on the video below how Groupon works.  It’s really cool and you get really great deals (in New York at least .

Click here to join Groupon. Membership is free.

I heeded Lexi’s advice and bought a bridesmaid dress to wear as my bridal gown.  I went to RKBridal and found a Watters bridesmaid dress that come in off-white for $236!  You can actually get it cheaper if you don’t want alterations.  And here it is…

It was my first time to try it on and I’m going back to see the seamstress for alterations.  The dress needs to be shortened, tightened a little bit everywhere, and tightened a lot at the bust area

It’s not the dream dress that I mentioned here earlier.  But for the price, I couldn’t help but smile.

I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m just so excited that I had to share.  It arrived at the store last Thursday and I have an appointment on Thursday for my first fitting.

I owe it all to very helpful friends who shared their advice on getting a dress for less when I posted about my first dress hunt.  I got my dress for a lot less than I budgeted for.  Here’s a summary of the cost-saving tips:

• Sale and sample sale events
• Discount stores
• Pre-owned (tip from Jessica)
• Student or up and coming designer/seamstress (tip from Daphne)
• Bridesmaid dress (tip from Lexi)

 Loading …

First-class mail stamp is going up from 42 cents to 44 cents on May 11, 2009.  So don’t forget to stock up on Forever stamps which is valid forever regardless of increase in stamp prices.

Photo from Getty Images

Click here for more information on the price increase.

I’m looking for centerpieces that I won’t need fresh flowers for and I saw this DIY Magnolia centerpieces at Martha Stewart Weddings.  They’re adorable!

All you would need are crepe paper, craspedia blooms, white floral tape, scissors, and Magnolia petal template.

Click here for template and instructions at Martha Stewart Weddings.

I didn’t really care for Carnations before.  But as I started planning my wedding and looking for ways to save, I was able to realize the flower’s potential.  Carnations are very affordable.  Sometimes because of this, they’re looked at mostly as filler flowers or something not that elegant.  But when done right, they can be chic and beautiful on their own.

Row1: Samm Blake Photography, Real Simple, InStyle Weddings, Martha Stewart ; Row2: Martha Stewart, Brides.com, Brides.com, Martha Stewart

Row1: Brides.com, Wallcoo; Row2: Martha Stewart, With This Ring, Brides.com, Martha Stewart; Row3: InStyle Weddings, Toasts and Tables, Style Me Pretty

Row1: Brides.com, InStyle Weddings ; Row2: Brides.com, Brides.com, Country Living, Row3: Style Me Pretty, Pico Soriano Designs, The Bride’s Cafe, Amber and Jeff

There are plenty of ways a bride can find ideas and inspirations for her wedding. And I will not allow myself to spend a cent to do this. The magazines below are just some that I’ve gotten for free. Others I already gave to a friend.

Below are some ways to get ideas for your wedding at no cost:

• Go online! The world wide web is populated with tons of wedding websites where you can get plenty of ideas and inspirations for your wedding. Visit wedding sites, blogs, forums and photo sites. A few of my favorites are Brides.com, Snippet and Ink, Southern Weddings Mag, The Bride’s Cafe, Flickr. Click here for a complete list.
• Attend bridal shows or expos. Besides getting ideas from the event itself, you can also get free wedding magazines. I don’t go to events that I have to pay for. There are a lot of events that are free. If the event is not free, search online for coupons or ticket giveaways. Weddingwire.com has an extensive list of events and promotions. Wedding blogs often host contests and giveaways.
• Ask previous brides for ideas and if they want to get rid of their wedding magazines. Don’t just ask the people you know, join forums too. TheKnot forums has local boards which makes it easy to find brides in your area.
• Sign up at your local online wedding guide if any. I signed up at www.yournewportwedding.com and I received a lot of helpful info including the Newport Wedding Magazine.
• Ask vendors when you meet with them. Vendors sometimes receive complimentary copies of magazines that they can give their current and future clients.
• Browse through magazine racks. All you need is to see an idea or inspiration. You don’t need to take it home and stare at it, do you? If you think you won’t remember, jot it down or take a picture.

Tip: Take a note of where you get your inspirations from. I find myself going back to my sources for more info on those ideas I liked. For example, Brides.com usually has a note for each photo that includes where the materials were obtained and MarthaStewartWeddings.com has instructions on some of their ideas.

If you got the idea online, instead of just saving the photo, favorite the site or use tools like Polyvore.com. Plumeria Bud of BridalBuds has a list of online tools you can use. If you found the idea in an event or publication, take a photo. In addition, if you post the ideas online, you’ll be able to credit your sources.

Where do you get your ideas and inspirations from?

Photo from GeekSugar.com

I see myself looking at my budget worksheet all the time and trying to find a way to cut down on my living expenses.  The highest bills that I could probably lower are the heating and cell phone bills.

I still don’t have my heater on.  I just pile on pajamas and sweaters.  So I’m hoping to get a lower bill this year than last year.  But am I willing to cut down on my cell phone services?

I lived more than half of my life without a cellphone and a third of my life without any type of phone!  I also read an article stating reasons to stop using cellphones.  So I should be fine cutting some of my cell phone services or even cutting it totally, right?  Ummm I don’t think so.

I’m sorry but I love the convenience of being able to call someone anytime.  My friends text me all the time so I need to keep my texting plan or else my bill will be much higher if I pay per use.  My internet access is definitely a big expense and unnecessary.  I really don’t want to take that service away, but if need be I will.  But for now while my contract is not up, I have a reason to keep it .

How about you?

 Loading …

Photo from Impact Lab

The data plans that come with the iPhone don’t include text messaging.  You have to either add a messaging plan or pay per text.  After voice and data plan monthly charges, nobody needs another.  So I compiled a couple of ways you can send texts messages for free from your iPhone.  Some also apply to other smartphones.Remember that the recipient may incur charges for the messages you send.

1.  AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

Just like your computer-based AIM, the AIM iPhone app can also send text messages to phones.  Access to AIM on the iPhone is included in the data plan and does not count as a text message.  Recipients of your messages can reply directly to your message and you will receive the replies via AIM. Click here for instructions at Wired: How-To Wiki.

Read on to see more ways to send text message for free from you iPhone.

Read on…

Before school starts, several states suspend sales tax for a few days on certain items like school supplies and clothing.

Below are the states offering tax-free holidays. Click here for details on the products the states are waiving sales tax on.  I’m sorry this post is late for other states.

*State tax only. Local taxes may or may not be waived, depending on location.

Click here to see a complete list of tax-free holidays.