Get the Green Light
A few days before the wedding, ask the groom how they will be leaving the wedding. This is very important because you’ll only want decorate a car that you know is okay to decorate. So speak to the owner of the car first, or contact the car service for guidelines and/or restrictions. Be aware that some limousine and car rental companies discourage tying anything to the car.

Materials
Your choice of materials will depend on the type of vehicle they’re using to make their exit. If it’s the best man’s car or even the groom’s car, get creative but please, PAH-LEASE don’t use materials that will damage the car.

Avoid
Spray paint (c’mon now), whipped cream (sugar damages paint), tin cans (they will spark) and electrical or masking tape. Remember, safety first. Sit in the driver’s seat and look around to ensure that the car is drivable. Don’t obstruct any views and don’t hide the license plate!

Do
- Use plastic soda bottles, streamers or old shoes instead of tin cans. Attach these to the rear bumper.
- If you’d like to write on the windows, use bar soap, shaving cream or white shoe polish. Avoid using shaving cream on the paint, it can sometimes damage it. Play it safe and stick to windows.
- Use scotch tape as it won’t damage paint.
- Tie streamers and ribbons to the antenna, bumpers, side-view mirrors and door handles. Use varying lengths and colors for maximum impact.
- Attach a few balloons and throw some in the car. If you’re feeling extra spicy, fill up the inside of the car to capacity.

What to say
“Just Married,” “Just Hitched,” “Finally Hitched,” “Mr. & Mrs.”, “Tied the Knot,” “Lovebirds,” “Old Married Couple,” pick something that fits the couple’s personality.

Final Goodbye
If they have a driver, put a bottle of champagne or wine in an ice-filled bucket and stick it on the back seat. And since the couple often misses out on eating during the reception, ask the caterer to set aside a plate of food as well as a couple of pieces of wedding cake.

DIY Signs
“Just Married” template
“Just Married” Banner

REMEMBER
- Do not put anything on the car that may damage it.
- Only decorate a car that you know is okay to decorate. Speak to the owner of the car first, or the driver for final okay.
- Do not obstruct the view of the driver.
- Do not use confetti in the car. It is not a good idea because it it very difficult to remove.

That’s why we have created this handy month-by-month calendar to help you keep track of your home maintenance (and ours). We invite you to submit your ideas to us on Twitter and we’ll update this list with your suggestions.

January
Check that fire extinguisher is charged. Replace if necessary.
Check all toilets’ seals for leaks or dry-rot.
Clean grease filter on range.

February
Check interior caulking around your tubs, showers and sinks. Remove and replace if dry-rotting.
Ensure sump pump is in working order (if you have one). Consider installing back-up system.
Check fire extinguisher.

March
Check all windowsills and doorsills for cracks. Caulk and repaint if necessary.
Inspect your tub drains’ rubber seals. Clean them and remove blockage.
Clean the aerator in your faucets.
Inspect roof eaves, soffits, gutters or downspouts for any problems.
Check any siding around the house.
Check fire extinguisher.
Clean grease filter on range.

April
Check fire extinguisher.
Inspect exterior caulking for dry-rotting. Replace and repair if necessary.
Tighten garbage disposal drain connections.
Ensure sump pump is in working order.

May
Clean all window and door screens. Replace any damaged screens.
Clean lent from ducts and surrounding areas.
Check fire extinguisher.
Clean grease filter on range.

June
Test smoke detectors’ batteries and replace if necessary.
Clean the aerator in your faucets.
Ensure sump pump is in working order.
Check fire extinguisher.

July
Have a professional check out HVAC system.
Check fire extinguisher.
Check all toilets’ seals for leaks or dry-rot.
Clean grease filter on range.

August
Have septic tank checked by a professional.
Check fire extinguisher.
Ensure sump pump is in working order.

September
Clean the aerator in your faucets.
Check fire extinguisher.
Clean chimney. Inspect for cracks in flue or mortar.
Inspect all doors’ weather stripping. Replace if deterioration found.
Clean grease filter on range.

October
Clean heat sensor on thermostat. Check accuracy. Replace thermostat if not functioning properly.
Inspect roof eaves, soffits, gutters or downspouts for any problems.
Tighten garbage disposal drain connections.
Inspect exterior caulking for dry-rotting. Replace and repair if necessary.
If you have freezing winters, shut off valves to outdoor faucets. Open spigots. Store hoses.
Ensure sump pump is in working order.
Check fire extinguisher.

November
Drain water heater until clear of sediment.
Check any siding around the house.
Clean lent from ducts and surrounding areas.
Check fire extinguisher.
Clean grease filter on range.

December
Ensure sump pump is in working order.
Test smoke detectors’ batteries and replace if necessary.
Check fire extinguisher.

All heating systems are different. Check your owners manual for how often to change your filters and add that into the calendar appropriately.

Is frozen fruit as healthy for you as fresh fruit?

Yes, but read your labels carefully. That shouldn’t be an issue since you already do that, rigghhhhttt? Scan the front and back of the package and make sure the contents does not contain syrup. Syrup packs in extra sugar and calories, things you don’t need with your fruit.

Frozen fruit is also picked at its peak of ripeness and quickly frozen. Fresh fruit, on the other hand, can often sit around for days while waiting for shipping and purchase. The longer the fruit sits, the less nutritional value it holds. So buy your fresh fruit from farmer’s markets, produce stands or ask your grocer to direct you to the freshest fruits in their store.

Frozen Fruit Cheat Sheet

Avoid:
Berries frozen in syrup, it adds extra calories.

Buy:
Whole or sliced.

Top picks:
Blackberries, cherries, pineapple, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, mango, raspberries, mixed berries or tropical fruit

How to use:
Topping for desserts, ice cream
Baking
Fruit salads
A healthy snack
Use instead of ice cubes in drinks
Fruit Cubes
Smoothies/Slush
Assorted recipes

Nutritional Benefits

Blackberries
A Naturally Low Fat Food
A Naturally Cholesterol Free Food
A Naturally Low Sodium Food
Low fat diets rich in fiber-containing fruits and vegetables and grain products may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors
While many factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of this disease
Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors
Healthful diets with adequate folic acid may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect
Excellent Source of Dietary Fiber
Excellent Source of Vitamin K
Good Source of Folate
Excellent Source of Manganese

Blueberries
A Naturally Low Fat Food
A Naturally Cholesterol Free Food
A Naturally Low Sodium Food
Low fat diets rich in fiber-containing fruits and vegetables and grain products may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors
While many factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of this disease
Development of cancer depends on many factors. A diet low in total fat may reduce the risk of some cancers
Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors
Good Source of Dietary Fiber
Excellent Source of Vitamin K
Good Source of Manganese

Pineapple
A Naturally Low Fat Food
A Naturally Cholesterol Free Food
A Naturally Very Low Sodium Food
While many factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of this disease
Development of cancer depends on many factors. A diet low in total fat may reduce the risk of some cancers
Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors
Excellent Source of Vitamin C

Raspberries
A Naturally Low Fat Food
A Naturally Cholesterol Free Food
A Naturally Low Sodium Food
While many factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of this disease
Development of cancer depends on many factors. A diet low in total fat may reduce the risk of some cancers
Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors
Excellent Source of Dietary Fiber
Excellent Source of Vitamin C
Good Source of Vitamin K
Excellent Source of Manganese

Strawberries
A Naturally Low Fat Food
A Naturally Cholesterol Free Food
A Naturally Sodium Free Food
Low fat diets rich in fiber-containing fruits and vegetables and grain products may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors
While many factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of this disease
Development of cancer depends on many factors. A diet low in total fat may reduce the risk of some cancers
Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors
Good Source of Dietary Fiber
Excellent Source of Vitamin C
Excellent Source of Manganese

*nutritional information from Dole

The social media check-up has become nearly as common as looking at a cover letter, so it’s important to take a look at what a potential employer good find on your good name. Here are a few quick tips on converting your social profiles from college to career mode.

Start with a search engine

The most basic search an employer is going to run is a search of your name. Head over to Google, type your name in parenthesis. You may be surprised what “Your Name” will turn up. Many social profiles will appear on the first page. Even worse, search your name in Google’s image options. Eek! This can easily be corrected by visiting your privacy settings (for example, on Facebook visit “Privacy Settings,” then “Apps, Games and Websites” and turn off the “Public Search” option).

Hunt and gather what’s out there

Think of every social media profile or blog you have ever created. Just because you’re no longer using your MySpace profile doesn’t mean it wont show up in an extensive search. Close any profiles or blogs you’re not using. Make a list of profiles you have that are active. Now we move on to the next step.

Social cleansing

If you post about your private life then you should definitely consider making all profiles private. Your future employer may not understand your late night postings of Death Cab for Cutie lyrics or your Bonnaroo photo album. Once your profile is on lock down, go through your photos and remove anything that you would not want strangers to see. As a general rule, you can ask yourself if you would want your grandmother to see the post. If not, you should probably take the photo down or untag it. If yes then it’s fine, unless of course your grandmother is Betty White. In that case, can you hook us up with an autograph?

Forward thinking

Once your profile has been wiped clean of all debauchery, keep it that way for future posts. Think twice before uploading all of your photos from last week’s bachelorette party, or at the very least make sure the privacy settings are on lock-down. Don’t post your angry thoughts about your current employer, you’re only foreshadowing for prospective employers. Instead, be a thought provoker and post about industry related news and links. Become an influencer in your field and have a profile that you would be proud to show to potential employers.

If you have more tips, please share them with us on Twitter.

What makes Key West such a phenomenal location? How about a 110 mile drive with a 360 degree view of vibrant teal ocean, miles of fish houses offering up the freshest seafood in the world and knowing you have literally driven to the last (or maybe it’s the first) mile of pavement in the US? If we have your attention in the least, check out these basics to the perfect road trip to paradise.

Where to begin
Even if you live in Florida, this can be an excruciatingly long drive. The drive from the northwestern tip of Florida to Key West would take almost as long as driving down the coast of California. So when planning your trip, consider flying into Miami and renting a car. Then you’re only 3 hours away and can enjoy the beauty of the drive instead of sliding into that “are we there yet?” mentality.

Enjoy Highway 1
This is one road trip that the journey certainly is as great as the destination. Highway 1 is not like any road you have ever driven, although you will see your occasional tourist trap along the way. At any given point you’re just a few minutes drive from a great diving destination or a beautiful state park. Unlike most coastal drives, this drive gives you a great view of two amazing bodies of water with the Atlantic Ocean on the driver’s side and the Gulf of Mexico on the passenger’s.

Stop for lunch
Whether you’re looking for a fresh grouper sandwich or to try your first alligator, this trip is peppered with great seafood joints along the way. The Islamorada Fish Company in Islamorada brings great food and the perfect atmosphere for a long lunch. Dine just a few feet above the water and take a walk around the docks and spot lobsters, sharks and other marine life while waiting for your food. A few other options in this area are Snapper’s Waterfront Restaurant and Pierre’s Restaurant.

Lodging in Key West
Lodging can be surprisingly affordable in Key West. Your options vary quite a bit as well, ranging from your basic hotel up to the nicer resort-style. Our favorite idea? Camping. That’s right. At half the cost of the worst hotel we could find, it’s certainly your cheapest option. What? Are you thinking the whole “no shower” thing isn’t for you? We agree, that’s why we would go with the KOA in Key West. Not only do KOA’s have really nice showers, this one has a hot tub, sauna, Wi-Fi, pool, fishing, bike rentals, full service marina and the list goes on and on. Good luck finding a hotel that offers all of those amenities for $65 a night.

Must-Do Activities

How many places have a nightly arts festival? None that we know of besides Key West. Every night in Mallory Square hundereds of people come together for the Sunset Celebration. It’s a guaranteed good time.

Even if you’re not into diving, you must at least try the snorkeling. Key West is home to many beautiful coral reefs and fish and is known for its shallow, easy dives.

We hate to recommend museums when you’re in such a beautiful environment, but there are quite a few really cool ones in the area. Check out Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Eco-Discovery Center and the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. The list of similar attractions goes on and on.

Key West is known for its colorful crop of people and as the Village People said, “Take a walk down Duval Street, you never know who you’ll meet.” It’s people watching at its best. Take a gander at some of the better known bars, such as Sloppy Joe’s and the place as popular as it is small, Smallest Bar (really, this bar is smaller than our wine cellar). Or you can visit every bar in this area with the Duval Crawl, a self-guided tour of all the bars and their specialty drinks.

That’s it! Did we miss something? Let us know on Twitter! Before you get to planning though, we want to leave you with this quote:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

1) Fridge Makeover
Clearing magnets and clippings from your refrigerator door will have a huge visual impact on the look of your kitchen. In less than 5 minutes, you can go from messy to neat. Tidy up by getting rid of old invitations, business cards and take-out menus. If you’re feeling bold, remove everything stuck to your fridge and hang a pretty bulletin board near your kitchen workspace. Use it to attach important items of note. If you don’t have free wall space, attach inexpensive corkboards to the inside doors of a few kitchen cabinets.

2) Contrasting Bookshelves
Add a splash of color and a sophisticated look with this trick: paint the back wall of a bookshelf in a bright, contrasting color. Simply remove the back of the bookshelf and paint it. If that’s not possible, cover the shelves with painter’s tape while you paint the back. Or you can choose to also paint the inside walls of the shelves. Just leave the outside in the original finish for contrast.

3) Wall Revamp
Artwork can quickly go stagnant but with a few simple swaps you can keep your walls looking fresh on a regular basis. Every six months, either rotate existing artwork or swap out whatever is in the frame with something new.

If new artwork isn’t in your budget, look no further than things you probably already have. Calendar art, greeting cards and gift wrap all make for great, frameable pieces.

4) Lighting Refresh
Update the look of old light fixtures and sconces by replacing the shades.

In the spring and summer your house may not need as much light, so try swapping out to a lower wattage. (Be sure to check the recommendations on your fixtures before this step and always stay within the wattage guidelines).

5) Soft Goods
These super easy “soft good” updates will make a world of a difference in your kitchen and bath. Use a real rug, not a bathroom rug, in front of your bathroom sink. Replace your shower curtain and any accent towels.

In your kitchen, replace the rug, dish towels and pot holders.

6) Fresh Scent
Bring in a fresh scent by planting fragrant plants near your exit doors or under frequently opened windows. Gardenias, lavender, and jasmine are great choices or ask someone in your local garden center for advice.

If you don’t have a space to plant, you can still bring in a floral aroma with candles, diffusers or fresh cut flowers. To save a few bucks, look for inexpensive bouquets and split into smaller vases and jars around your house.

7) Doormat
Doormats often get the doormat treatment: overused and neglected until they become an eyesore. Why would you give such treatment to the first and last thing you and your guests see when entering and leaving your home? Instead, purchase a new one every season or rotate four every Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter.

8) Brighten and Whiten
White adds a sense of brightness and freshness to any room. Try using white wherever you wish to add this feeling. Try bathroom towels, lampshades, candles, picture frames, throw pillows and bed linens.

9) Mirror, Mirror
Mirrors reflect light and, when used correctly, can create fantastic visual drama. Large options can be pricey, so visit your local thrift store or purchase inexpensive, unframed panels. Hang them across from or adjacent to windows to add depth to a flat space. Or, set them under or behind accents for an instant play on light.

10) Bring in the green
Plants are the definition of fresh. Check out our list of recommended house plants and just remember to water!

Patriotic Pancakes
An impressive stack of regular pancakes layered with red velvet pancakes and topped with a handful of fresh blueberries.

Berry Stuffed French Toast with Vanilla Yogurt Sauce
So what if it’s French? They helped the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, a fact that makes it okay to enjoy this delicious breakfast treat.

Red, White & Blue Salad
This delicious salad, made with grilled chicken, berries and a sesame poppyseed vinaigrette, can be served as a main dish or fantastic side.

Grilled Chicken with Salsa
Another fabulous red, white and blue recipe that isn’t just for breakfast or dessert. If your summer celebrations are seaside, you can also substitute fresh grilled fish for chicken.

Cheesecake Bars
These delicious and easy to make bars can be cut into bite sized bits for easy snacking.

Independence Cake
Wow guests when you cut into this white layer cake. The Old Glory inspired layers will certainly surprise!

Berry Pies
Nothing says Americana quite like a fresh baked pie.

Sparkling Star Punch (non-alcoholic)
Serve this brightly colored punch with a wreath of frozen berries for a super snazzy presentation.

Blue Wave Shots
Mix equal parts Fünf Moscato, Clue Curacao and ginger ale. Pour into shot glasses and serve.

Red, White & Blue Wine Bottles
RELAX Cool Red, Fünf Sassy White, and RELAX Riesling! C’mon, you know this post wouldn’t be complete without a mention of our red, white and blue bottles!

We also have a host of other festive recipes and patriotic party inspiration on our Red, White & Blue Pinterest board. Follow along and share your favorites with us below!

While being self-made is something to be proud of, it can also be very frustrating and downright scary at times. Expenses that would have been your employer’s now all fall on you. Leads are not generated for you; instead you must earn them. A lot of freelancers actually work longer hours than their 9-5 peers. If you’re up to the challenge, the benefits are aplenty, such as being in control of your own hours.

Lucky for you, we have a few people who were self-employed before joining our team and they’ve offered up several tips for getting started. If you have any tips to add, please share them with us on Twitter.

Social media cleanup
The first thing to do is cleanup your social spaces. When hiring contractors for jobs the first thing someone does is scour the Internet for your website or possibly other work that you have done, and a simple Google search can easily pull up your Facebook photos or Twitter profile. Don’t lose a gig — and therefore money — because of a social media unveiling.

Always be ready
More often than not, freelance work comes out of nowhere. You will be at family dinner and a client will call you and need your confirmation pretty quickly. If you’re not available, they have a long list of other contractors who will take the gig. If you turn down too many in a row, you become the one they know is always busy. You want to be the one they call first because you make time.

Get a smartphone
We figure most of our readers already have smartphones, but the benefit of having email on the go cannot be overstated. If you get an email for a potential gig, don’t neglect it. Answer it as quickly as possible because more often than not contract gigs are first come first serve.

Never stop networking
Every conversation you have is a chance to drop your name and what you do in someone’s ear. Heck, if you’re really slick you will even have a few of those business cards on you to leave with them. This doesn’t mean to walk around a cocktail party handing out business cards like they’re food samples at a food court. Use your best judgement.

Setup a website
Even if it’s as basic as it gets, your website needs to have a work sample of some kind and your contact information. A bio and downloadable resume are nice, too. Check out About.Me and WordPress for easy setups.

Get organized
You may have gotten through college and your first couple of jobs being an organizational nightmare but that must end the day you become self-employed. Every tax form, bank statement, receipt and invoice should be neatly filed away. Come tax season you’ll thank us.

Expenses
Speaking of taxes, now that you’re self-employed you need to think of all of your expenses in two ways: business or personal. Get a business bank account and keep track of everything that you spend on your business. It’s important for a lot of reasons, but the most important is taxes. Neatly and accurately keeping track of your expenses will save you (and your accountant) a lot of time come tax season. Actually, losing those receipts will even cost you money when you forget to claim certain business expenses.

Set up an office at home
Studies have actually proven that those who work from home usually put in more time than those who don’t, which you may or may not find beneficial. You may also be able to deduct some of your basic home expenses (such as your Internet and phone) from taxes if you have a home office, but we definitely recommend speaking with your CPA about that since we’re in the relaxation business.

Unless you’re from the Bluegrass State, you may need a little help in planning a drive to the derby. Here are our tips:

Lodging
Unless you really get started early, you’re not going to find a room at Louisville’s luxury hotels, such as the 21C Museum Hotel, but you will find a few hotels with some rooms available. They won’t come cheap, though. If you can’t find anything reasonable, try neighboring towns, such as Shelbyville, Taylorsville and New Albany or Jeffersonville. An alternative is to search for locals who are renting their homes for the weekend.

Tickets
Tickets are always made available for purchase online, but if options become slim there is always the option of general admission. Tickets are $50 at the gate, which considering the price of tickets for any other major sporting event, is more than reasonable. If you’re looking for a wild party, head to the infield. If you want a more classic experience, stay on the grandstand side of the track.

Derby Attire
If you’re going to the infield, just go for comfortable because it’s a party that happens to be next to a horse race. If you plan to be in the paddock and grandstand area then take a quick glance at these photos for ideas.

OK, the Derby, but why Louisville?
You mean besides the horse race? Well you can start with about 2,500 restaurants. Louisville is a hot spot for great restaurants and has been getting national attention for its expanding Nulu area, where bourbon, beer, wine and ace restaurants are aplenty. A few of our quick recommendations are Harvest, Toast on Market, Lynn’s Paradise Cafe, Against the Grain and Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar.

In between getting your belly full of grub, be sure to gallop around the area. Within 100 miles of Louisville, 95 percent of the world’s bourbon is produced. You can follow the spirit along the Bourbon Trail, and you’ll likely see why Kentucky is horse country along the way.

You’ve probably heard of another staple in Louisville — the Slugger. You can visit the home of the most famous piece of equipment in sports history, and tour the Louisville Slugger production area and museum.

A few more quick recommendations:

21C Hotel and Museum – The gallery is free and open to the public. The showcase is ever-changing and always interesting.

KFC Yum Center – The only thing Kentucky loves more than bourbon and horses is (possibly) basketball. If you get a chance to see the University of Louisville’s arena, it’s worth it. It’s also conveniently located right next to Whiskey Row.

Waterfront Park – Warning, there are “dangerously high levels of oxygen” with this park. With an excellent view of downtown, space to play and the historic Belle of Louisville, the waterfront promises to please.

Parks – Did you know Louisville has more parkland than Chicago or Denver, and has more green space than Baltimore, Boston and Pittsburgh combined? Many of them were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the mind behind Central Park. You shouldn’t have a problem finding a place to go for a morning run.

Louisville Mega Cavern – Some say the underground mine is the safest place in Kentucky, others say it’s the most fun. With an underground zipline, it’s kind of hard to argue against that statement.

Kentucky Oaks Race – If you want to double up on your horse racing experience you can attend Oaks on Friday before the Derby.

Haunted Louisville – Louisville is considered one of the most haunted cities in America, and while it may not be the season for screaming, you’ll find plenty of places to give you the willies, most notably the old tuberculosis hospital, Waverly Hills. You will need to make an appointment for Waverly, though.

Now you have it! Those are our tips. What, you wanted some betting tips? The only sure bet we know is to spend that money on a glass of wine and just enjoy the atmosphere! Beyond that, we haven’t a clue!

Share your tips and pics with us on Twitter.

To get started, you will need five things: containers, plants, soil, water and sunlight. To plan your perfect patio garden, read on for our tips. The rest is up to you!

Start small: If this is your first try at gardening, remember that it’s okay to start small. In fact it’s amazing the difference that just one plant can make.

Go up: If you don’t have much ground space, you can also “grow up.” Try a hanging basket, sunny windowsill, or balcony.

Think beyond pots: You can make almost any container ready for the garden. Buckets, old plastic tubs, tires etc. Just make sure that whatever you use has a drainage outlet. You can easily do this by punching holes at the bottom of the container.

Bring style to the space: Your choice of containers will dictate the look. For a formal aesthetic, fill urns with cascading flowers. If you love eclectic, use lots of different pots and flowers. For a modern space, mix in grass and opt for a simple monochromatic color palette.

Experiment: If you fail at growing one thing, don’t give up. Ask someone at your local garden center for tips on what to plant. You can also ask them to direct you to hardy plants for your climate. Gardening should be fun, so experiment and play around.

If you’d like to learn more, we have lots of other great gardening tips and tricks on our RELAX in the Garden Pinterest board.