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.
A Very Green Christmas
December 12, 2008 by Lauren · 6 Comments
Going eco-friendly this holiday season is not only smart and savvy, it’s totally hip! These next shoppes have everything you’ll need to celebrate a very Green Christmas:
Adorn your gifts with these beautiful Upcycled Gift Bows made, from hand-crafted with high quality matte catalog paper, and found at Pretty Little Things.
Let Santa stuff one of these Tiny Upcycled Stockings, sewn by Wonders in a funky patchwork pattern from t-shirt pieces.
Send out a little love to Mother Earth with these Plantable Mini Tags and Notecards from Claudia’s Creations. They’re made with recycled paper, embedded with wildflower seeds and – the Christmas card that keeps on giving!
Lauren’s blog: Supermom Central - tips, tricks and tidbits for the aspiring Supermom.
Fun Halloween Features
October 20, 2008 by Emily · 2 Comments
Over the weekend, my family and I went to a witch-palooza event at a little boutique village near our house. It was so much fun to see all of the shoppes and boutiques decorated for Halloween with treats and funny-looking witches. Likewise, many of the online shoppes I have come across lately are also ready for Halloween and I wanted to display some of their work today.
My first feature is from Panjo Kids “Super Capes for Super Kids!” Now what would Halloween be like without a few good capes to play with?
These spooky soaps from Twin Birch Bath and Body are so adorable. I love the rubber ducky pumpkin and witch. There are even more to choose from…Franken~duck, Mummy~duck, Ghostly~duck, & Dracu~duck. Wouldn’t they make perfect party favors? You can even customize the labels.
Tutus are perfect for all occasions and Halloween is no exception. At FaBOWlous, you can create the prettiest costume ensemble complete with poofy clips, bows and a custom made tutu for your little girl.
You can’t go wrong with this sassy little feature from Dainty Couture. Sturdy and personalized with your initial, this little black bag is all ready for to go for trick or treating.
And finally, FALL in love with these cute Trick or Treat and Boo Signs from My Lil’ Doodlebugs.
The Box Girls
October 17, 2008 by Emily · 5 Comments
Happy Friday! I LOVE Fridays and always seem to get so giddy and excited about the weekend. It’s a great time for relaxing, catching up, sleeping in, throwing parties and hanging out with friends! Do you remember looking forward to slumber parties? They were the best and I personally always looked forward to them, especially for the fun games and activities.
This little Slumber Party box of questions by The Box Girls, would be absolutely PERFECT for a sleepover. It is made just for this event and creates fun chit-chat and conversation as each girl participates and asks and answers the slumber party questions. So fun!
The Box Girls also have more little boxes like these for all kinds of parties and events including: family dinner parties, baby showers, birthdays, bridal showers, girls night out, office parties, Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays…and much more.
If you are lovin’ this idea, you can get your own here. Regular size boxes are priced at $20 and mini-size boxes are $7.
Fresh Ideas for Modern Living
October 9, 2008 by Cassie · 8 Comments
In the last couple weeks, I have loved finding new Halloween décor ideas while surfing blogs, all of the creative people out there amaze me. I came across Matthew Mead from another blog and really liked his clean, fresh, and modern ideas. You can take a look at more of his entertaining tips on his web site Matthew Mead Style.
He also has two awesome books that you can find at Barnes and Noble and Borders Bookstores. Tricks and Treats is his Halloween book and recently Matthew wrote an entertaining book called Entertaining Simple.
The best thing about Matthew Mead’s ideas are that they are simple and easy that won’t take going out to the store to buy all new items, they are meant for real people like you and me!
What are your favorite Halloween décor ideas that you have discovered this year?
Cassie’s shoppe: Madison Envy - offering the latest items in fashion.
Sweet Shoppe: Cubs Kids Wear
October 6, 2008 by Emily · 4 Comments
“Handmade with love” Cubs Kids Wear clothing for children and babies is handmade using only the finest quality materials. This shoppe offers a variety of fun accessories - like tutus, capes and princess wands.
I loved the princess wands - these magical must-haves are handmade from scratch to match your tutu and can be designed as creatively as you want. They would go along perfectly with Cubs Kids Princess Party Packs ~ where you can design a set of tutus for your guests and the party girl gets her tutu for free.
Stork Avenue Baby Shower Packages
September 23, 2008 by Emily · Leave a Comment
In addition to their lovely and very popular birth announcements and invitations, Stork Avenue creates the cutest Baby Shower packages too! Complete with matching cups, plates, napkins and balloons (that you can pick and choose), you will have everything you need to host the perfect baby shower. Starting at $22.
Holiday Tablescapes
September 18, 2008 by Emily · 2 Comments
J. Bee Designs creates custom tablescapes with hand painted glassware (I don’t hand-paint glassware, but I imagine it must take a lot of time and work)! The glassware is painted to match your linens and color scheme for decorated holiday, birthday, and anniversary tables.
In the spirit of Halloween (coming in about a month, can you believe that?), I was drawn to these Halloween-painted cookie jars. Fun!
Buttons, Buttons, Buttons
September 16, 2008 by Vanessa · 7 Comments
My daughter and I had a fantastic time with this super easy project. The week before we decided to have a little ring and hair barrette making party we started collecting our buttons from around the house, in our craft boxes and the local art & craft stores. We came up with such a selection!
I ordered retro looking buttons and the ring bases from the Etsy Shop, Wistful Supplies. And we also picked up the metal hair barrettes from Roberts Arts & Crafts on their jewelery making supply aisle.
So simple, plug in a hot glue gun and glue away! How fun would this be to do as a birthday party activity? Check out the fun ring and hair barrette creations we created:
Vanessa’s blog http://www.inevergrewup.net - Ideas and Reviews to Help Parents Entertain, Care for and Educate their Children.
