The Clock is Ticking...

Resolutions, it's that time again & we all love to think of resolutions to better ourselves in the coming year. I am not along in this and have been thinking of REALISTIC ones to better myself and those around me.

I stumbled upon blogs on Borders.com that are all about New Years resolutions & I loved the idea based on the book, "29 Gifts". I heard the book is outstanding and the premise is just right for what I am looking for as the new year is dawning.

My first steps...coming up with my own 29 gifts of giving and how I am going to chart them. Will it be in a journal, calendar, on my post board? I like the tiny journal idea best so I can carry it with me wherever I go to draw from & as a reminder of my goal. A goal made of tiny but significant steps of giving to others and visioning how that may create a better community, state, America...

Won't you join me in the 29 gifts of giving upward, to be passed on from one act of kindess to another?

Kindredly, Lynne Laura

New Year, New Beginnings

Encouragement from friends and family are taking me down this exciting path. For years my friends and family have told me I find the best deals and have been encouraging me to do this as a business. I don't know how this will turnout, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. With the new year, I'm looking at it as a bright new beginning and thus I am putting my sign out. I've never been good at self promotion so this will be a real challenge for me.

You will notice I have added a link to be your Personal Shopper to the right on my blog. Feel free to email me if you are interested in finding something for a better price. Right now there are fine deals you can find on your own but perhaps as time goes by you may need a little help finding that item you want but need a lower price, I'll be here. Shop on! Keep your fingers crossed & wish me luck...

Kindredly, Lynne Laura

Pretty Low Cost Last Minute Gifts!

We are all feeling the strain right now of getting everything done in time for the big day...Christmas.

I am making a few last minute gifts this weekend and wanted to share. Last night my husband and I ran around picking up the supplies.

Also grabbed some clothes pins at the dollar store ($1 for 36)to make cute clips to give in bundles. You can use stamps or handwrite on these for lovely stocking stuffers or thinking of you gifts for Xmas. This is not a new idea but it will be great for your friends to use to hang photos, Christmas Cards, use on their kid's lunch bags...tons of uses...little notes to leave your hubby...
Using water and craft paint I made a pink and a blue solution to soak them in and let them dry, could paste on pretty scrap paper, fabric, wallpaper, stikers, glitter, etc., to jazz them up. I hand wrote the sentiments to the paper covered ones, but you could simply stamp them. This was so much fun, I plan on buying more of these clips & give out. Great for Valentine's Day ideas too!

Bought these calendars at Target ($1 @)and covered with craft paper and added the inside pocket to stash little notes. Went through each month on the large one and added some embellishments for the extra touch. Lovely and cost so little as I had all the paper & embellishments in my stash. What a terrific last minute gift too.
Here you can see the book mark I made and the inside pages with a pocket on each for plenty of notes.This is what they looked like from Target.

I hope these ideas helped you in preparing some low cost great last minute gifts. Please let me know, and feel free to link back to my blog to share the ideas with your friends!

Kindredly, Lynne Laura

Do love getting comments and read each one.

Grab it while it's a steal! $14.99

I had to order this since it is such a steal and have wanted one for over a year.

This is not on sale at this price in the store...click here for the Acorn pan

Once you have placed an item in your cart, go to your cart and at the bottom of the screen click on View More Specials. They will show you the phone discounts, keep scrolling through until you can't to see all the specials.

FYI, I am not a rep for Williams-Sonoma just a lady sharing bargains.

Kindredly, Lynne Laura

Catch The Deals

We are all looking for great deals this holiday season and I am no different. Here is a list of what I have discovered.

Williams Sonoma: Every Wednesday afternoon they have call-in specials. Just call them at 877-812-6235 and ask them what the specials are for the week. You can also just ask about a particular item you are interested in and they will let you know if it is on sale.

Also they are having Thursday - Sunday specials each week, one item per day is on special price so check them out.

Pottery Barn: Since, Pottery Barn is the same company as Williams Sonoma, they should be doing the same kind of promotions.

Amazon: I am sure you all know about "Today's Deals" but wanted to mention it just in case you don't! This link, Lightning Deals, gives you the Amazon summary in a quick view of all their specials.

Walmart: Cyber Week Deals

Best Online Sites for Christmas Deals 2009: This article lists sites and gives tips when they will have their best deals.

Happy Shopping! If you know of other deals, please let me know and I will add them here.

Kindredly, Lynne Laura

Christmas Day 20 - Snowy Christmas Tree

Love this picture of a snow covered tree with red ornaments, really loving red this year. I do like the snow covered tree look, I just might have to hunt for one after Christmas for a deal.

Do you decorate your tree in one color?

Kindredly, Lynne Laura

Chrismas Day 23, COOKIES Yum

I found these yummies at Better Homes and Garden's web site.

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1- 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
• 3/4 cup finely chopped almonds (optional)
• Raspberry Ganache
• Fresh small raspberries (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, beat shortening and butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, baking powder, and salt; beat until combined. Beat in egg and vanilla; beat until combined.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa powder. Beat as much of the flour mixture into the butter mixture as you can with mixer. Stir in any remaining flour mixture. Stir in chocolate pieces. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. If desired, roll balls in chopped almonds. Place balls 1-1/2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press thumb into the center of each ball to make an indent.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are set. Immediately use the rounded side of a 1-teaspoon measure to press down the center of each cookie. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool. Spoon Raspberry Ganache into center of each cookie. Let stand 1-1/2 to 2 hours or chill about 15 minutes or until set. If desired, garnish each cookie with a fresh raspberry. Makes about 56 cookies.

Raspberry Ganache: In a small microwave-safe bowl combine 6 ounces chopped (70 percent cocoa) dark chocolate, 1/3 cup whipping cream, and 1 tablespoon seedless raspberry jam, if desired. Microwave on 100 percent power (high) for 1 minute. Stir until melted. If desired, add 1 tablespoon raspberry liqueur. Stir until smooth. Let stand until slightly thickened (about 15 minutes). Makes 1 cup.

To Store: Layer plain cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before serving. Or, store filled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Can't wait to try these, What are you making special this year?

Kindredly, Lynne Laura