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February 27, 2022 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Top dishes you shouldn’t serve at your wedding

Picking the right food for your wedding can be a tricky business. You have to juggle choosing dishes that everyone will like with a bunch of potential allergies, as well as avoiding heavy food that will put lead in people’s dancing shoes, or smelly food that will make socializing a chore. Achieving a crowd-pleasing menu that wows your guests and sets the mood perfectly is no easy task…but it is achievable!

A wedding menu should be a personal thing, and we certainly aren’t going to tell you what dishes you should serve on your own big day! But we can give you a few pointers about what NOT to serve, to ensure that the wedding breakfast is memorable for all the right reasons.

So whether your wedding will have you leaving Florida on a cruise, tying the knot on a beach in California, or keeping it traditional at the church in your hometown, here are four dishes that should NOT be on the menu for your reception afterwards!

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Snacks that need two hands

After the ceremony, your guests will wander around, chat to old friends and new acquaintances, and enjoy a glass or two of bubbly. Cocktail snacks are vital here, but with a drink in hand they need to be manageable and easy to eat with one hand. You don’t want your guests to pass on dishes you’ve thought hard about, just because they’ve still got half a glass of fizz to finish!

Raw onions

This goes for garlic too. No one wants bad breath at a party, and dishes that include lots of garlic or raw onions can ruin the rest of the reception quite quickly. If you absolutely can’t live without the taste of onions in your ideal menu, at least caramelize them!

Spaghetti bolognese

This is shorthand for any messy, saucy, juicy food that takes skill and dexterity to avoid spilling on yourself. Your guests will be dressed up to the nines, and having to worry about getting bolognese sauce all over their finery will put a dampener on the mood. If you do opt for dark-colored sauces or drippy noodles, make sure you prep the table with plenty of serviettes!

Allergy triggers

Even if you ask guests to let you know about allergies, you can never be too careful, particularly if your guest list includes plus ones. Play it safe and avoid high risk dishes (like peanuts), to avoid any disasters!

February 15, 2022 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

The 6 Crucial Tips to Grill on Apartment Balcony

An outdoor barbeque is one of the most fun ideas you can share with your family or friends on weekends and holidays. And with the best electric grill for apartment balcony, you can now carry on the tradition even in the urban. But that’s assuming you know how to grill on apartment balcony without having the landlord evict or call the police on you.

Yes, indeed. You can’t fire up a grill for barbecues just anyhow in apartments and condominiums. There are some state laws and building policies that are against grilling in certain conditions due to the violation of fire codes.

So, if you want to do it, you’ll first need to check what’s allowed in your place. Else, you’ll find yourself on the wrong side of the law for violating the lease and city ordinance.

Safety Comes First before Grilling

Well, it’s not one or two people who have had a grill fire in their apartment complexes. If you’re not a first-timer, you definitely know that animal fat and even vegetable oil are flammable. Hence, perhaps one of the reasons many US states have adopted the international fire code, which prohibits using most grills on combustible balconies.

Just as the name, a combustible balcony is one from highly flammable materials, including wood, composite, canvas, and vinyl. These materials can be part of the balcony floor, wall, railing, or screen enclosure.

So, even if your building and state laws allow barbecuing, you still have to be responsible to ensure your safety and those around you.

That said, let’s look at a simple guide to apartment grilling, with tips and safety rules to make sure you have many balcony barbeques after this one.

A Quick Guide to Apartment Grilling

Here are the six crucial things to consider if you want to enjoy a successful and fun grilling experience on your apartment balcony.

Use A Grill Safe For Your Apartment Balcony

Basically, a balcony is still a part of the apartment unit. So, before you can start making those burgers, you’ll need a grill fit for your situation. That’s in terms of the building policies, state laws, balcony construction materials, and the available space.

In general, there are three main types of grills, which borrow their name from their type of fuel. They include an electric grill, gas (propane) grill, and charcoal grills. However, many states are against using charcoal burners and open-flame cooking devices (like a gas grill) on combustible balconies.

So, the electric grill is the best option to grill on apartment balconies. You just need to get the right size and also have a nearby wall outlet (not a power extension).

Have all the Grilling Tools in Hand

As with any other cooking, you’ll need to have all the tools close when you grill at your apartment balcony. So, a portable kitchen cabinet to hold all the necessities might make your life easier.

Use the grill at the right position:

The worst thing that can happen is for your would-be fun grilling session to end up with a blazing balcony. So, when setting up the grill for use, make sure it’s away (at least 3 feet) from the siding, balcony rails, and screen enclosures.

However, whether you’ll be able to maintain that space allowance depends on the size of appliance you have. Thus, taking us back to the first point on getting the right grill for your apartment space.

Keep the kids & pets away from the grill area:

Do you let your kids close to the stove? Well, the basic kitchen rule is that kids should never be let near a burning oven or stove without the appropriate training. The same rule applies to a hot grill.

In fact, the U.S Fire Administration provides you should have at least a three-foot safety zone for your grill. Then, keep the kids and pets clear of this section.

Other Safety Protocols for Grilling on Balconies

Apart from keeping your kids & pets away from the burning grill, you’ll also need to keep watch on the device the whole time. A lot of the accidental fires usually start when we’re not looking and no one was near to put them out.

So, it might be worthwhile to have a fire extinguisher nearby while grilling at your balcony. You should also have protective gear, including grilling gloves and stainless steel tools to protect you and other grill-ers from burns.

Note: in some states, you’ll need to have an automatic sprinkler system installed on the balcony before you can grill. The said states include Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington.

Remember to Turn off your Grill and Clean

After you have seared your last steak, turn off the electric grill and disconnect from the power outlet. If you were using a propane grill (do not recommend for balconies), also remember to turn off the gas cylinder.

Furthermore, you’ll also need to clean your grill after use. In doing so, you’ll get rid of the excess grease that can cause flare-ups and start accidental fires.

In Conclusion:

Even with no backyard, it’s still possible to enjoy a mouthwatering steak crust right from your apartment balcony. Thus, saving you the time and even money you’d have spent at The Grill House.

Furthermore, grilling at home gives you the freedom to use any meat variety and also the marinade you want. Then, you have control over the quality of the ingredients and the cleanliness of the tools.

Even so, do remember to check with your building manager and state laws before you start grilling on your apartment balcony. Also, use the right grill for your space and in the right manner.

February 1, 2022 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

The Benefits of Applying a Promo Code to Your Order

There are a number of benefits to applying a promo code to your order. It can help increase sales and build customer loyalty. You can use it to monitor the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and even reward customers for referring friends. If used wisely, you can boost your average order value by up to 15%. You can also make your customers feel special by offering them a reward for signing up for your newsletter or recommending your product to their friends.

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Offer More Personalized

Another benefit of applying a Chipotle promo code is that it makes your offer more personalized. Many consumers love personalisation, so giving out personalised offers to existing customers can boost conversion. However, if it is too personalised, it might turn off potential new customers. It is best to keep it simple by creating a separate promo code for new customers or those who share their details with you. If you can, offer a customised offer to each of these groups.

Appreciation for Customers

Regardless of the reason you apply a promo code, it can benefit you in more ways than one. By offering an exclusive code to your customers, you’ll be demonstrating your value and appreciation for your customers. These customers are valuable and will pay for the extra effort. You’ll be glad you did. A unique code will also allow you to impress your customers with a special offer. And remember that using a promo can increase sales by up to 15%.

Cross-sell Other Items

You can also make use of a promo code to cross-sell other items, such as higher-priced items. For example, an electronics store can use a promotional code to encourage its customers to upgrade their headphones after using a discount coupon. Ultimately, this will increase your profit. Similarly, a beauty salon can offer a discounted massage, which will encourage them to buy more expensive products. The benefits of applying a promo code are endless.

Increase Sales of Your Business

Using a promo code can increase sales for your business. It can increase your profits. When you have a limited number of items, a small percentage of the price of each product can help you boost your sales. If the discounts you offer are too low, you should consider other ways of lowering them. In many cases, using a promo code will increase the number of customers who will buy your products. You’ll also be able to track the effectiveness of your marketing.

Increase Number of Visitors

Aside from boosting sales, it can also increase the number of visitors. This means you can boost your conversion rate. If you want to increase your earnings, you need to increase your sales. By implementing a coupon, you can maximize your potential client base. Your coupon will bring more people back to your site. There are many benefits to using a promo code. Your website will get more traffic and more clicks. By adding a coupon, your social media campaign will grow.

Customer Engagement

An effective promo code can increase customer engagement. Using a promo code will encourage customers to participate in your marketing campaign. By providing a discount, customers will be more likely to buy your products than others who are not members. Additionally, a promo code can drive more traffic to your website than a single banner ad. Often, a promotion will increase your customer’s interest and keep them on your site.

Unlimited Number of Promotional Campaigns

When applied wisely, promo codes can be a great way to increase profits. It allows you to create an unlimited number of promotional campaigns and target specific demographics. By using targeted ads, you can increase your revenue. Moreover, you can increase the lifetime value of your customers by using a promotional code. By implementing a targeted promotional code, you can eliminate the need for multiple tabs at checkout. Hence, you can enjoy the benefits of this type of promotions.

December 17, 2021 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

How to Make Your Backyard Wedding a Casual and Laid-Back Affair

Have you or your partner ever thought about having a backyard wedding? It’s intimate and casual with a small number of guests, depending on the size of the yard. It may seem like the epitome of a laid-back ambiance and relaxed bliss. However, it still requires considerable planning and is less expensive than a traditional wedding venue.

With the following guide, you’ll know how to plan your backyard wedding to the most delicate details so it will be a memorable affair:

1. Set the Mood

Make sure that you set the mood to meet your desires for your backyard wedding so that everyone is comfortable and relaxed. What kind of environment do you want for your party? Will there be some lawn games, or will it be intimate and cozy under the string of fairy lights you’ve set up? Perhaps the guests are required to wear stylish boutonnieres?

Plan the wedding decorations and activities according to the mood you wish to invoke at your wedding. Among the factors that can help set the mood for the event are the décor and the program, both of which will transport guests into the magical ambiance.

2. Consider the Weather and Time of the Year

Consider the weather and time of year when planning the event. Are you going to need heaters or an open fire pit to keep everyone warm? Maybe you can provide your guests with custom-made hand fans during the hot season or umbrellas if you’re having an event during the rainy season, or perhaps you should invest in a large tent and citronella candles to keep away those pesky mosquitoes. Taking into account the time of year and the event’s weather will prevent a backyard disaster.

You can also consider the dress code here. Perhaps you prefer that your guests wear sundresses or shorts rather than black ties. You can do whatever you like as long as the guests are comfortable.

3. Pick the Focal Point for the Backyard Wedding Ceremony

Choose the spot where the wedding ceremony will be held, the place where you both will say ‘I do’. Consider your seating arrangement as well; are you working with an open expanse of grass, or do you have a large tree in your backyard that will make for a picturesque backdrop for the ceremony? Would your guests be seated around the focal point in a circle or closer together? Where will the reception be held? You may want to set up tables throughout the yard, or you might want a long family-style table so that everyone can see each other and feel like part of the family? You should determine a ceremony’s focal point by considering these aspects.

4. Consider a Few Rentals to Make the Event Special

Traditional wedding venues already have everything you need, including chairs, plates, tables, flatware, and glasses for the number of guests attending. Vintage stores and flea markets tend to be popular with couples who want to create an eclectic design. In contrast, others prefer renting elegant glassware and artistic ornaments to create the ambiance they desire. You can also commission artists or videographers to prepare videos for the event.

You can also hire any entertainment you wish to include in your event, whether it’s fire dancers or a DJ. When it meets your desires, you can create an atmosphere of magic for your guests.

What’s more, you can make your wedding more casual by hiring a food truck catering to take care of the food. This can create an atmosphere where guests can feel comfortable and relaxed.

5. Prepare Your Home With the Necessary Amenities

You probably don’t need more than one bathroom for a minimal wedding, but if you expect more than 20 guests, you need to consider renting nice portable restrooms. This will prevent people from constantly asking where the bathroom is and stopping queues at the toilet.

It’d be best if you also had ample parking available at your residence. Make arrangements for temporary parking if needed. To prevent your guests’ cars from taking up the majority of the streets, you can encourage them to carpool to the event. If some guests will sleep over at the venue, make sure there are extra blankets, towels, and toiletries to accommodate their stay. If you’re having guests traveling from afar who can’t stay at your residence, make sure you supply them with alternative accommodations.

6. Make Sure There Is Good Food On the Menu

Consider the style of the wedding when choosing the menu. Would you prefer a grazing table with various food stations? Perhaps you’d like your favorite food truck or restaurant to cater for your wedding? If you decide to hire a caterer who’ll prep in your kitchen, make sure they know about your facilities before the event. BBQ-style meals tend to be the most popular choice for backyard weddings.

What about beverages? Is there a bartender available, or can guests make their cocktails? Additionally, you can offer self-serve wine, beer, cocktails, and juice for guests who don’t consume alcoholic beverages. Keep track of any dietary restrictions to cater to your guests’ needs.

Endnote

A backyard wedding can be a casual affair, but planning them is no less stressful, especially since you won’t have the convenience of having everything provided like with traditional wedding venues. The mood should be set by decorations, seating arrangements, and meal arrangements, and the weather conditions should be considered. Your home will also need to be equipped with all the necessary amenities, including bathrooms for your guests and kitchen facilities to inform your caterer.

There might be extra stuff that you need to rent like tables and chairs to make everyone comfortable and pick the focal point of the ceremony so they can relax and enjoy the wonderful romantic ceremony.