A New Year - Tips and Ideas For Setting Goals
December 31, 2008 by Cassie · 8 Comments
The start of a new year is very empowering to me. I feel as though each January 1st is a fresh start and a time to start over and be better. I am sure many of you, as I do, use the beginning of a new year to set new goals and make a list of things you would like to accomplish in the coming year.
Here are some neat tips and ideas about setting goals for your New Year:
Goals:
Set a reasonable amount of goals. Having an endless list will usually leave you feeling like you have too much to do. Try focusing on 2-4 main areas and include subgoals within those areas. This year I have chosen 3 main areas of my life to better myself: Family, Spiritual, and Self.
One Word:
I love the idea of having one word to focus your goals and year on. A wonderful blogger, Tanja, wrote a neat post about her Word of the Year and why she chooses this method of goal setting. If you decide this route, why not have your word put on a charm to be a constant reminder? You can buy a Word of the Year Charm like this at Lisa Leonard Designs (pictured above).
Quote or Saying:
If you have a favorite quote or saying, you can center your goals around your quote. You can use the quote to guide you in making decisions, setting other goals or when transitioning through life changes (i.e. taking a new job, etc).
Hopes:
Use the things you are looking forward to this year as a way of goal setting. If one of your goals this year is to lose weight write on your list “weighing X lbs” rather than “lose X lbs”. Seeing that goal accomplished on paper sends positive messages to your brain.
What do you do when it comes to New Year’s Goals and Resolutions? Share your ideas with us!
Written by Cassie of Madison Envy
Simple Paper Streamers
December 30, 2008 by Emily · 17 Comments
Looking for a simple homemade way to add extra color to your party decor? *Perfect for Casual New Years Eve Parties* This is so easy that your kids can do it with you! (Although, scissors are involved in this project, so they may need to use “safe children’s scissors” or have extra help and supervision).
SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- Tape
- Paper - Any color or design you want, (you can use colored printer paper, cardstock or even *reuse paper scraps*) - you could also use plain white paper and color it, write names on it or add glitter.
- Scissors
Once you have your paper and scissors, start cutting a strip (about 1/2 inch thick) at the end of your paper - cut it straight (almost to the tip - but not all the way) leave about 1 inch to the edge. *You can also cut your strips in wavy lines if you want to add a little flair to your streamers.
Then rotate your paper and start cutting another strip right next to it on the other side and follow the same pattern. You can make your strips as thin or as thick as you would like. After you have your entire paper cut into one long strip, you can leave it long or cut it in half for shorter streamers.
It should look kind of like this:
Finally, hang them up with tape wherever you want - from the ceiling, from a door frame, or you can use them to decorate a room or a desk!
I make these paper streamers all the time. I made these this morning in about 10 minutes! You can use them for any party throughout the year too.
Win It: Mutsy Spider Stroller!
December 29, 2008 by Emily · 822 Comments
Contest Update:
*We have a winner!! The randomly chosen winner for this contest is: #476 Shannon S. Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated - please stop by again as there are new contests each week.*
That’s right, you can win this gorgeous Mutsy Spider Stroller right here at Little Window Shoppe. You know you want this!
The Details: “Revolutionary in design technology, the Spider Stroller is a remarkably innovative product offering all the benefits of a lightweight buggy with the most compact and simple fold available. Its extremely unique 3-wheel design supports a fashionable reclining seat with side protection. The Spider is also equipped with an adjustable handle, a fully protective hood and a basket for storage.”
With rave reviews and excellent ratings, I don’t think you can really go wrong with this one. You can purchase this stroller at www.kiwikidsgear.com - or at any of these other locations too.
Discount:
Receive a 10% discount on any Mutsy order from www.kiwikidsgear.com with code: lws10
Win It:
One lucky Window Shoppe reader will win this Mutsy Spider Stroller ($200 value)!
To Enter:
Stop by Mutsy or Kiwi Kids Gear to check out the stroller and then leave a quick comment letting us know that you want to win!
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(Optional) For extra entries:
- Are you a Subscriber? Just let us know you’re subscribed to Little Window Shoppe in an additional comment.
- Blog about this giveaway and include your blog link in an additional comment.
- Stumble our main web page or blog page (www.littlewindowshoppe.com or www.littlewindowshoppe.com/daily-blog) and leave us your Stumble Upon name in an additional comment.
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This giveaway ends on Tuesday, January 6th at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced at this post Wednesday, January 7th. Good luck, everyone!!
(Please feel free to read our contest rules for additional details)
Christmas Vacation…
December 29, 2008 by Emily · 6 Comments
The most peachy *relaxing* week ever! How about you? How was your Holiday? Are you looking forward to starting a new year? I truly had a nice week and luckily still have one more to go. My husband and I have a two week vacation from work and school this year. Woo! I love that New Years Day lingers slightly after Christmas keeping it around just a little longer.
A glimpse into my week:
Meet our snowman the “Italian Stallion” (a.k.a. “Rocky”) dubbed by my husband Scott. We finally had our first real week of snow and we were so excited. The snow came down powdery and beautiful and was just right for making a snowman. I think there must have been at least a foot or two of snow in our backyard.
As you can see, my two very favorite guys in the entire world were hard at work building this masterpiece and playing in the snow. My little boy loved it too - sipping on his hot chocolate, eating snow and munching on carrots.
And just in case you started to forget what I looked like - this is hot off the press and was taken last week (I think you can even see my freckles in this picture). ;)
I hope that you had a nice break too. Do you have plans for New Years Eve/Day? I think we are going snowboarding - so excited! I am definitely going to post a few more times this week (here and there), so come back and visit us again!
Merry Christmas and 10 Free Gift Tag Downloads Too
December 19, 2008 by Emily · 13 Comments
We hope you have the best Holiday. We’ll be out-and-about over the next week, but don’t worry, we’ll be back with more sizzling hot posts for the new year. And meanwhile - just in time for gift-giving, here are 10 links to FREE supa-chic printable gift tags ~ simply click, download and print as much as you want!
*Sweet, Pretty, Simple - Made by Yours Truly - Emily (pdf) (So Proud! They look really cute printed out on White Cardstock) 
*Free Martha Stewart Holiday Clip Art Tags (pdf) (traditional)
*Mod Mom Shops - Christmas Birdie Gift Tags (can they get any more adorable?!)
*Holiday Gift Tags by Sew Mama Sew (pdf) (A little modern flair)
*Four Seasons by Fog and Thistle (LOVE these)
*SERIOUSLY FUNNY Gift Cards by Angry Chicken (Warning, you may laugh your head off)
*Seussville Gift Tags ~ (for fun) ”If you’d like to have some fun, Just print these tags, cut out each one, Color them and add some string. For Christmas gifts, they’re just the thing!”
Holiday Gift Tags by Amy Butler (for the handmade diva at heart!)
For the Stylish People In Your Life Gift Tags by Bucklette (pretty hilarious)
*Penguin Printable Gift Tags by Tricia-Rennea (brace yourself for even more cuteness)
Win It: Kushies My Bag
December 19, 2008 by Emily · 465 Comments
Contest Update:
*We have a winner!! The randomly chosen winner for this contest is: #381 Amy A. Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated - please stop by again as there are new contests each week.*
Running out of cool bags that are ready to go when you are? Introducing Kushies My Bag, an innovative all-in-one bag designed for any ”on-the-go” activites, these bags are perfect for daycare, overnight and travel activities. Featuring a fun array of compartments for kid’s “stuff”, My Bag is also designed to make mom and dad’s life easier by helping keep the on-the-go stuff a little more organized.
My Bag includes:
- An insulated snack box
- An insulated medicine box
- A clean clothes bag
- A dirty clothes bag
- A soiled clothes bag with laundry bag insert
- A spare clothes bag
- A pillow and blanket
- A handy hook for hanging
Win It:
One lucky Window Shoppe reader will win a Kushies My Bag ($80 value), any color of your choice!
To Enter:
Stop by Kushies to check out the My Bags and then leave a quick comment letting us know which one you would choose if you win!
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(Optional) For extra entries:
- Are you a Subscriber? Just let us know you’re subscribed to Little Window Shoppe in an additional comment.
- Stumble our main web page or blog page (www.littlewindowshoppe.com or www.littlewindowshoppe.com/daily-blog) and leave us your Stumble Upon name in an additional comment.
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This giveaway ends on Sunday December 28th at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced at this post Monday, December 29th. Good luck, everyone!!
(Please feel free to read our contest rules for additional details)
$1 Store Finds ~ Turned Into Cute Storage
December 18, 2008 by Emily · 12 Comments
“Storage items abound at the dollar store…the secret, though, is to unlock their hidden potential.” One of my very favorite magazines comes from Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection. In their Fall 2008 collection, they listed a variety of ways to turn simple $1 store finds into creative storage solutions. I fell in love - it’s amazing how everyday items can be easily turned into sensational organizational accessories, don’t you think?
Food storage containers make great change collectors! Just cut out a slit in each lid and line them with your favorite decorative paper.
Measuring cups are perfect organizers for a hodge-podge of buttons or any other sort of kitchen accessory. You can sort them by size, color or shape and they fit in successfully in any craft room or craft storage area.
The last two clutter-buster tips are so fitting for the holidays! For your ribbon - store it in clear straw dispensers…just slide your ribbons onto the rods and there you have it, a pretty display in minutes.
And I’m sure that many of you have been pulling out the cookie cutters, pass up keeping them in a drawer and simply stack them on a paper-towel holder to treasure on your counter-top.
What are some of the creative storage ideas that you have at home?
Make Your Own Cinnamon Stick Candle Holder
December 18, 2008 by Emily · 6 Comments
Time to shine! When you want to brighten a room with a little bit of ”handmade-holiday”, this festive candle holder ought to do the trick. This easy-to-make Cinnamon Stick Candle Holder is a crafty project idea courtesy of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.
And really, what would I do without Jo-Ann? This craft and fabric store is a place I can lose myself for hours. Oh the craft possibilities.
SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
• 1 Glass container (you can go with any size or shape - round, small, large, square)
• 2 pkgs Cinnamon sticks (may be less if you are making a smaller size)
• 1 spool Green wire-edged green ribbon, 1 1/2″ wide
• 1 Pine sprig
• 1 Small pinecone
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Wire cutters
• Scissors
• Glass cleaner and paper towels
DIRECTIONS:
1. Clean glass container.
2. Using wire cutters, cut all cinnamon sticks to a length 1/2″ below top of glass container.
3. Refer to photo in placing all materials.
4. Glue cinnamon sticks to sides of container. Let glue dry thoroughly before proceeding.
5. Wrap ribbon around container and tie a knot. Trim ends at an angle.
6. Glue pine sprig on knot. Glue pine cone in center of pine sprig.
Optional design: Add small berries or holiday-themed picks if desired.
Umecrafts Felt Treats That You Can Make
December 17, 2008 by Emily · 3 Comments
Imaginary play is an important part of any child’s life. And for a little girl, her toy box and play kitchen isn’t quite complete without a play tea party set. Best of all, you can make this felt set yourself!
One of Little Window Shoppe’s fabulous sponsors, Lit’l Brown Bird, has the cutest shoppe called Umecrafts. All Umecrafts tutorials come with actual cut-out pdf patterns and easy to follow step-by-step detailed colored instructions to help you along the way. {Priced between $4 and $10}.
And don’t forget to add a few delightful treats to your tea party too. These felt cakes look almost yummy enough to eat…
Discount:
Enjoy a 20% DISCOUNT on ALL patterns from now untill December 25th! (See Umecrafts’ shoppe for more discount details).
Survey Results Are In:
December 17, 2008 by Emily · 2 Comments
In a nutshell: You LOVE the Featured Shoppes and want even more Crafts and Recipes. Sounds good to us!
Thank you, Thank you to everyone who helped us out by taking our survey! It really gave us a better idea about what you want to see more of at LWS.
We are learning so many things and know it’s going to make Little Window Shoppe even better, so here’s what we found (based on the results from a couple hundred participants):
Our Bloggy Demographics
- 98% of the readers are women (I think my husband was one of the few guys who took it)
- 70% of you have children under 10.
- Over 90% of you read blogs regularly, have your own blog, have a Facebook account and like to shop online.
- Only 30% of you have a Twitter account or have joined a Ning site.
- Most of you stop in daily, every other day or weekly to visit. (Thank you so much for stopping by so often!)
- Almost 100% of you prefer the images and graphics (we’ll definitely keep ’em comin’ for ya) and you think the site navigation is easy to follow. (Fwew).
Your Top Favorites - we’re actually so glad about these results, because these are our favorites too!
- #1. Plain and simple, you want more crafts and do-it-yourself projects. In fact, some of you mentioned (in the comments) that because of the economy you like to make things rather than buy things and you even prefer handmade craft ideas and DIY projects over the discounts. (Good to know).
- #2. You are still loving the featured shoppes each week (and are happy about an occasional shoppe discount).
- #3. And of course, you like the contests (which will be coming your way each week).
From the Comments, (in addition to your favorites), you also want to see:
- More Recipes, fun recipes, recipes for kids & holiday recipes! So, we may just have to include a recipe section…we do feature them from time to time, but I think we may step it up a notch.
- More green/eco-friendly shoppes (we’re happy about this too - we think it’s a great direction for some of our shoppe posts).
This is good stuff all around. Thank you so much again for your help and for all of your sweet comments! We’re so happy that you are finding Little Window Shoppe to be a helpful resource when you’re on the web.
P.S. I especially want to thank Stephanie at Metropolitan Mama for giving us question inspiration for part of our survey. And if you’re thinking about offering a survey on your site, I would definitely recommend Survey Monkey. It was easy, fast and free to set up.
Featured Shoppes
