Christmas in January

I know, the title to this post is bizarre. It's only January but I'm already thinking of Christmas. You see, I have hoarding tendencies. I also love a good bargain. And it's this time of year when I like to squirrel away things I will definitely use for the next holiday.

Such as gift bags {which I got for 13 cents a piece!}...

And these mini stockings that I can fill with candy or a gift card. They were originally $3 a piece, but I got them for 30 cents each!

These sticky gift tags are always a life saver. Just write the names and stick on a gift. No tape required. TADA! I paid between 10-13 cents a pack. Double TADA!

That's my tip for you. Scour department stores, craft stores and drug stores. They're already getting rid of their holiday merchandise and you'll get discounts ranging from 50% to 90% off their original prices. Then keep these in a drawer that you'll mark "Christmas" so you won't forget you have them.

Here's another tip and I'm doing this to keep my gift tags within reach for all the gifts I'm giving away throughout the year.

Find an accordion envelope. These are available at office supply stores or the dollar bin at Target.

Open up the envelope to find several compartments.

For each compartment, make labels like "All Occasion" or "Generic". This is where we'll put everyday, age-free or gender-free gift tags.

Make another one for "Birthdays". You can even be more specific like "Boy Birthday", "Girl Birthday", "Baby Birthday", "Child Birthday".

Include the holiday you celebrate with gift-giving. Mine's Christmas.

Then in each compartment, tuck in the corresponding gift tags. You'll always be ready when the need arises and the compartments will tell you when you're running low on a specific tag. 

Some people call it organized. I call it blah to TADA!

Day One

This line comes from a television commercial but I found some truth to it, I just had to share:

As this new year begins, it's "planning stage" for most of us. This is a reminder to take that little step towards all our goals and dreams that in our minds we would do "one day".

Have  a wonderful weekend!

Wise Words

Happy Thursday dear friends! I'm a sucker for motivational quotes. I have a whole board on Pinterest just for these. 

While reading over the holidays, I came across some lines that truly resonated. I'm writing these down as a constant reminder. I would love to live these out this year. 

Sending positive vibes your way!

Bullet Journal

I've got a fresh notebook for 2014:

I like how the cover is peppered with hot air balloons -- I can't wait to go on exciting adventures this year! I could fill my notebook with thoughts, doodles, and the occasional watercolor, but I'm going to make it my bullet journal. Here's how it works:

There's an updated version here, too. 

I think this is idea is TADA! How about you, would you try it out?

Ten Things

It's list-making season for a lot of us. We make lists of things we want to accomplish today, tomorrow, this year. I came across this quote on Pinterest:

via Pinterest

I hope this will remind us to make lists that matter. Happy list making!

New Year, New Lists

Hello! How has the first few days of 2014 been for you?

For me, it's getting back into the swing of things, albeit in a slower pace compared to the rush of the holidays. There are still bags to be unpacked from a fun holiday trip, gifts to be distributed to loved ones we have yet to meet up with, and decorations to be put down.

I know these will get done somehow. And when they are, there are more lists to make.

This is a pretty gift from my brother and my sis-in-law. It will be home for all the lists I plan to make this year: "Things to DO", "Things to MAKE", "Random Lists" and a daily "Gratitude List". I think lists are TADA! because they keep us organized and productive.

How about you, do you like lists too?

Simple Joys

May your New Year be filled with joy from the simplest of things. Finding beauty in the everyday...it's one of the ways to count our blessings. 

Wishes of Peace

As we embark on the adventures of 2014, I wish that the PEACE we have inside us may never be disturbed. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2014! One of the definitions of HOPE is "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best." 

May we all be filled with hope this New year!

Farewell, 2013

This year had its blahs and TADAs, but I will look at it fondly and with gratitude.

I hope your 2013 was packed with good memories and life lessons.

2014...bring it on!

Glittery Snowflake

In New York City, where Fifth Avenue and 57th Street intersect, there a sparkly chandelier hangs:

It's the UNICEF snowflake. I think this is my favorite of all the holiday decorations on Fifth Avenue. It's attractive and bright. But it isn't about the commercial lure of the season that this famous shopping avenue promises. 

It's a reminder of all the children of the world that UNICEF aims to help: to stop these children from dying from preventable causes. Because really, all children deserve to experience many, many Christmases.

Light and Magic

Three weeks ago, we started our holiday tour of New York City at Macy's. I guess it's quite fitting to end here. Let me share its store windows on 34th and Broadway:

A night is full of DREAMS, little one. Reach up! Take one. The meaning of Christmas is revealed on this magical night. 

 A crystalline land, behind sleeping eyes, with one lovely rule above all: SHARING is the greatest gift.

In this realm, wonder produces every shade of JOY. Happiness. Bliss. Elation. Delight. Do you see it too? 

BEAUTY elevates all things. But what is real? What is a dream? What does it matter at this time of year?

Christmas waves its MAGIC wand over a secret landscape, and all is mysteriously transformed. 

What we BELIEVE is what is possible.

Sharing and giving, joy, beauty and magic -- these make Christmas dreams come true.

Holidays on Ice

Let's step into a magical world. Yes, it exists! It's on 5th Avenue, in a department store called Bergdorf Goodman. They have the most elaborate holiday window displays and I'm so excited to share these pictures:

A peek inside the store. Look at those light fixtures. Don't they look like strands upon strands of diamonds?

Thanksgiving

This year's theme is "Holidays on Ice" or those special days of the year literally touched with frost. Any Snow Queen would have a ball!

Arbor Day

Arbor Day

Arbor Day

New Year's Day

The 4th of July

The 4th of July

Mardi Gras

April Fool's Day

April Fool's Day (I love this giraffe with a hat!}

Groundhog Day

Halloween

Halloween

Halloween {a spider web made of chains and crystals!}

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Oh Bergdorf Goodman...you blew my mind yet again! Bravo!

Merry Christmas!

Don't you love this Santa that's hanging out at the Lego Store in Rockefeller Center? Wishing that your holidays are turning out to be playful, magical, and maybe, you're being someone else's Santa -- making their Christmas wishes come true!

Christmas Nostalgia

Today, the store windows of Lord and Taylor:

If only you could experience the music and movement of these displays! All the intricate details and vintage touches are TADA! 

If you'd like to see a behind-the-scenes tour, check this out.