Archive for Shopping
January 20, 2009· Filed under Shopping, Technology
If you have been reading my posts long enough, you know I have this little thing for red - it is my favorite color - even my Treo cell phone was decked out in red. Well, that beloved Treo finally bit the dust and for Christmas my family bought me a new pink Blackberry Curve. So, its not red, but it is in the same color family.
As much as I like the Blackberry Curve, it is taking some real getting used to. Old habits die hard and I have spent more than my fair share of time looking for ways to change this setting or that, dialing someone’s number instead of texting them, etc.
The one thing I had forgotten about was that with no real cover, all it takes is a bump in your bag and you’ve dialed Birmingham. That is the reason I had bought a slick Sena leather, magnetic flip cover for my Treo
. So, getting one for my Blackberry Curve was essential. Since I had a pink phone, I opted for the pink magnetic flip cover. Oooh, is it nice!
Now that I am getting a little more comfortable with the Blackberry way of doing things, I am using it a bit more to its potential. I love that my email is pushed to me - and with the on the go lifestyle I have it is a good thing - I can respond to client needs from the ice rink, the pool or anywhere else my busy life takes me.
Texting is my friend - it is the fastest way to communicate with 90% of the people in my life and I’m learning that texting is not just for checking in with the kids. You can do everything from search Google to order pizza using SMS (see how you can run your life through SMS and 10 things you didn’t know you could do with text).
And as for my little thing for red? No worries - I just got a new camera (the one I used to take these pictures) and it is… a Nikon Coolpix L18 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom in RUBY RED.
January 15, 2009· Filed under Shopping
You know the saying “what was old is new again”? Well, I know it is so true. Lately my kids have been scouring the Cartoon Network for the shows I watched as a kid. They seem to really love Tom and Jerry, Snoopy and even the classic Mickey Mouse shows. My 7 year has discovered the Power Puff Girls and now wants a t-shirt with them on it. In my search for the Power Puff Girls tee, I have found a bunch of great vintage (and 80s - is that vintage yet?) cartoon t-shirts that we as parents look back on with fond memories and our kids would gladly wear now.
Tom & Jerry
Speed Racer
Strawberry Shortcake
The Peanuts (Charlie Brown, Snoopy & Friends)
Smurfs
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Tinkerbell
There are so many great shirts to choose from - talk about a quick trip down memory lane! What are your favorite vintage cartoon shows?
January 14, 2009· Filed under Shopping
The holidays are over (finally) but many people are about to get friendly holiday reminders in the form of the credit card bills for all those holiday purchases. After experiencing one too many of those after Christmas nightmares, I made a pact with myself years ago that Christmas could not be charged. If I hadn’t budgeted for it and couldn’t pay cash, then it was not a gift that had to be given.
Being a responsible shopper is a challenge but not impossible. With a bit of pre-planning, common sense and these 5 tips for being a responsible shopper, it can be done. The first item on the list - only buy what you set out for - is probably the most important one in my book.
What are your smart shopping strategies?
December 9, 2008· Filed under Holidays, Shopping
Last year I posted the ultimate clutter-free gift giving list for everyone you know because I feel like as a society we have become all about the stuff and less about substance. As we get into the prime time for holiday shopping, keep these ideas in mind - the people on your gift giving list will thank you - not only for your thoughtfulness, but also because they don’t have to put the gift away.
This is also a great list to give to aunts and uncles, grandparents, and friends, too.
For the Kids
- Movie tickets
make a great clutter free gift. We rarely go to the movies, so movie tickets are a huge treat for my kids.
- Make coupons for tuition for sports lessons, a drama class, or new activity. Five years ago we gave our kids ice skating lessons for Christmas. They loved it and it sparked an interest in my son - he is now in his third season on the ice hockey team.
- Coupons for a day with Dad (or Mom) - or for a special dinner out, bowling afternoon, round of putt putt, etc. The gift of time is the best one you can give.
- Magazine subscriptions or book club memberships are gifts that keep giving through out the year. Kids love to get mail! (We like Tessy & Tab Reading Club for Preschoolers, Zoobooks
, Highlights for Kids Magazine
, Discovery Girls, Popular Science just to name a few)
- An iTunes gift card will give them the opportunity to fill that iPod nano with the tunes they love.
For Teachers, Coaches, and Such
Gift certificate to a local cafe, coffee shop or restaurant.- Teachers spend a lot of their own money buying supplies for their own classrooms. Teachers love gift certificates for a teacher supply store.
- Put together a gift box of stickers, small prizes, pencils
and the like for the teacher to use as rewards and incentives in the classroom. (DEAL ALERT from SmileMakers who have the best stickers: Save 20% off your entire order. Enter Promo Code: AFILT21
)
- Treat your child’s teacher by sending in breakfast or lunch one day - be sure to include a note expressing your appreciation for all they do all year long.
- Designher Gals has the coolest notepads, stickers and cards that you can completely customize to look like your child’s teacher. Guaranteed to be a huge hit!!
For All the Other Grown Ups in Your Life
Grown ups like movies, too. Treat them to a movie night out (complete with babysitting services) or for movie nights in, try a Netflix.com
subscription. Dress up the gift with some packets of microwave popcorn and theater size candy and you have a fun gift for just about anyone on your list.- Tickets to a favorite sporting event are always a hit. I gave my husband tickets to a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game last year and he had a great time! StubHub Gift Certificates
are perfect because StubHub is the best source for tickets to sporting events and concerts.
- Tickets for an upcoming concert, show, or similar event - do your research and this can be a very appreciated gift! (see my recommendation for StubHub above)
- Gift certificate for a local car wash.
- Gift certificate for house cleaning. You can also make your own coupons and give your own cleaning services - especially for an older family member who would love the extra help and the company.
- Treat a friend to a spa facial, manicure or pedicure.
- Indulge in a hobby - spring for golf lessons, sign you and your honey up for ballroom dance lessons, or a pottery class. This make take some research, but the recipient of the gift will certainly know you care.
Not only are all of these items clutter-free, you can get them last minute and make them budget friendly. One note, if you are purchasing a gift card for someone on your list make sure the retailer will be in business for a while. Millions of gift cards go unused every year.
November 13, 2008· Filed under Shopping, Working from Home
If there is one thing I have a total weakness for, it is journals, notebooks and agendas. I have them in every shape and color. For someone who does a lot of writing, works from home, or wants to stay organized, journals are a perfect gift for any holiday! My favorites this year include:
Venetian Wrap Journal from Kiki James
Based in London, Kiki James carries an amazing selection of gorgeous leather journals, diaries, address books and gifts. I recently received the Venetian wrap journal and it is just gorgeous. The leather is buttery soft and feels rich. I love the wrap closure detail and the pages are a nice medium weight. The pages in this journal are unlined which makes it perfect for adding doodles, sketches, photos and momentos to journal entries. It comes in a variety of colors, but of course, I had to have red because we all know I have a little thing for RED.
2008-2009 momAgenda Personal Portfolio
It’s no secret that I love my momAgenda planners - I have sung their praises before (can you say sanity saver) - and I proudly advertise their products on my sidebar. They are that good. As a busy mom who juggles 3 kids’ sports and school schedules, my own business, and our family schedule, the momAgenda planners and organizational tools are created with me in mind - I’m sure of it.
The momAgenda Personal Portfolio is THE perfect gift for any Mom who likes to stay organized (or wants to make that a goal). The smart looking portfolio contains momAgenda’s unique weekly layout that lets you plan your week and the activities for up to 4 kids all at one glance. It also contains monthly calendar pages, an address book, organized notes areas for a variety of topics, a zipper pocket and places for business cards. I have one and I use it everyday.
See Jane Work
See Jane Work is like going into a candy store for hip office supplies. I could seriously buy everything for my office there! They have a great selection of journals and notebooks that range from fun to funky to classy beyond belief.
At $17, this Orla Kiely Pear notebook is affordable and fun.
Give Green
As we become more eco-concious, I know people will be looking for eco-friendly gifts this year. The Green Office carries a wide variety of paper products made from recycled materials, contain lower chemical levels and are biodegradable. Each product is marked based on its classification, too.
Personally, I really like the Casebound notebook that is made from 100% premium-grade recycled paper with 30% post-consumer material. Its 9-1/4 x 7-1/4 pages are permanently bound in lizard-look hardbound textured covers. The pages are ruled, too.
Right now they have a special deal, too -10% OFF Gift Cards at TheGreenOffice.com! Give Green, Save Green!
Moleskine
Moleskine is the legendary journal that has a community following of its own. Moleskine’s come in so many different sizes, paper styles and covers that you are bound to find one that will be a perfect match for the big thinker in your world.
Moleskine are especially great for capturing tales from travels, sketching out designs, keeping track of important data, and anything else you may be able to imagine.
I love the smaller versions which fit easily into a pocket or purse like this set Moleskine Museum Sketchbook - 6 pack: 6 Assorted Colors per pack.
Others We Love:
Truly Mom Leather Planner with its unique tri-fold design with pads including “my day”, “my list”, “a note to”, Post-it note pad, pull out spiral bound calendar. It also comes with pocket, pen, address booklet, and a heart clip.
Happy writing!
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