The gift of FREE Energy!

It's official! I'm taking a bloggers break. Yes, it's been a long time coming I've decided to take a break from blogging! I wanted to let my readers know that it's been fun and exciting for me to join the blogger world for a bit. It's been almost a year and I think we had a good run! I still love to give gifts and share gifting ideas but I've recently joined a business and am now a WAHM.

Check out the business opportunity

I like the fact that I can work from home and can make my own hours. It's a good feeling to get checks in the mail each week! And have more time and energy to spend with the people I love doing the things I love to do.

join ambit

Here's to all my fellow bloggers and readers have a happy & safe summer!

To success!
Rochie O

Hello Summer!

With the real heat hitting NYC this week we are actually feeling the first days of summer!

I love summer and all the fun that comes with it! (Ok, humidity not so much!) But I do enjoy the longer days, and the barbeques! Swimming pools, lemonade, and the beach! Here are a few summer themed gift ideas for family and friends. Do you have any summer birthdays or anniversarys?  Maybe you'll need to find a gift for the family that his hosting you at their beach house/ summer home? Perhaps you'd like to get something for the child going off to camp!

 For Him: 

Logo folding chair to watch the game or for the backyard @ overstock.com

Ray- Ban Clubmaster @ jcrew.com

Camping gear

EdgeStar 103 Can and 5 Bottle Extreme Cool Beverage Cooler @ amazon.com

For Her:

Bold Colored Bangles @ nordstrom.com

Summer shades @ bloomingdales.com

Rail and Wharf 48-hour duffel @ jcrew.com

Ria Pitcher and glassware @ crateandbarrel.com

For the KIDS: 

Freeport On - The - Go folding chairs @ potterybarnkids.com

Pool Volleyball @ amazon.com

Little Tikes Get out 'n Grill @ diapers.com

Gigatent Cooper 3 Backpacking Tent @ toysrus.com

To all my readers and fellow bloggers wishing you a Safe and fun Summer!!!

Graduation Gifts...keeping up with the trends!

In a few weeks my younger sister will be graduating! I am so excited for her! and a little less excited for me. (honestly, I could barely sit through my own graduation, let's just say I am less than thrilled to be listening to speeches and life lessons on a Sunday morning)

I hope to make it there just in time to catch a picture of her on the stage and then greet her with some balloons and a gift!

Now that's where I'm holding. Finding her a gift! Because I'm her older sister, and that's what older sisters are for -right?

I was discussing this with a friend of mine, who's younger sister is also graduating. She told me that she always knew what she would buy her sister as a gift. The gift that was the most popular when we graduated. The tiffany heart bracelet! Of course, many years have passed and this trend is long gone. But my friend D is still holding on to her childhood trauma. Her parents were out of the loop (as were mine) and although we appreciated our cameras, other jewelry that we received as gifts. There's still something cool about getting the latest and most popular IT accessory or gadget.

This is where you, my dear readers come in, Please help me by filling me in on the latest accessory, gadget or toy. I want to get my sister something as cool as the Tiffany bracelet was in our days ;)

Mother's Day and how to find the perfect gift!

With just a little over a week, I bet you're still searching for a Mother's day gift! 

It's just the way it is.

Mothers: They do everything for us, and when it comes to choosing a gift for them, it just gets real tough. 

What does she like? I dunno she likes us, I guess. Even though we drive her nuts about her accent/ laugh/ sneeze (fill in the _____with any of your mothers idiosyncrasies) 

She likes her home, I guess. She's always busy cleaning, and organizing, decorating and remodeling.

She likes cooking, I guess. She's constantly occupied in the kitchen preparing meals and delights for her family and guests.

Stop right now and think! Besides for loving and caring, nurturing, and nourishing; besides for mothering, What does your Mom enjoy doing? 

My friend always tells me that her mother likes to learn. (Yes, she's a very bright woman and probably the most intelligent and well versed woman I know.) So every time there's an occasion and they ask her what kind of gift she would enjoy. She always asks about the newly printed and latest edition Judaica books. She's a learner, and she loves to study and learn.

Women have lots of hobbies and passions! Think about which best describes your mother and you may be on your way to finding her the perfect gift. 

IS SHE A GARDENER?

IS SHE A PAINTER?

IS SHE A READER?

IS SHE A BAKER?

IS SHE A KNITTER?

IS SHE A SHOPPER?

For the gardener, you can get a pretty planter or new tools. 

New painting supplies for the painter!

If she loves to read get her some new books or a kindle... 

If baking is her passion you can get her new bakeware or a giftcard to williams-sonoma.

Some woman love to knit... if that sounds like your mom? Get lots of yarn in her favorite colors.

For the mom who really enjoys shopping get her a giftcard! (and make it personal like I did here.)

Maybe your mom is a jogger? or traveler? or photographer? 

Whatever she enjoys doing she will most definitely enjoy receiving a gift that you've picked out especially for her.

Birthday Cake Anyone?

For the past few weeks, or dare I say months, I have been thinking about my baby's first birthday. Not to mention all the magazines, and catalogs I have been receiving in the mail. I was stunned at how many companies there were for 1st year birthday parties. So many different themed birthday ideas with all the matching party goods and favors, pinatas, and balloons. Birthday bibs, and birthday outfits, customized paper goods, and birthday crowns.... 

It's easy to get all crazy about this big milestone in your baby (and your) life! 

 

I couldn't decide on a birthday cake to order - I kept finding more and more and more pinterest.com

 

And just as I was getting all swept away with my ideas - of a backyard party with BBQ and decorations, cupcakes, and dessert not to mention the growing guest list....

My better half, and sensible husband, started talking some sense into me! 

POP! (that was when my little dream bubble burst) Of course, it would be fun for me to organize this pretty party with coordinated cupcakes and decorations, but I realized that it was SO not going to be a celebration about our daughter. She would be overwhelmed by all the guests, and way too tired by the time we actually sang happy birthday...
 

Instead, we decided to do a traditional home party. The way my parents celebrated each of our birthdays growing up. I opted for a homemade birthday cake and we brought it over to Bubby & Zaidy's house. The excited aunts and uncles had decorated the place with homemade birthday signs and streamers. We sang happy birthday (at least 5 times) and said L'chaim! We ate the cake, and opened the gifts. 

The cake looking homemade as ever ;)

it actually tasted really great!

Tzivi was more than thrilled. She smiled, and laughed and played with her balloons. She squealed every time we clapped for her, and hugged her new doll the entire time. 

It was simple, it was sweet, and it was more than enough! 

  

Diving in & Weekend Wrap up!

The hardest part about getting back to blogging is writing your first returning post. It's not that I don't have what to share! On the contrary, I don't know where to begin. There is so  much to catch up on and all these good gifts and photos to share!

Instead of waiting for some time (because there is never enough hrs in the day) to write up a terrific post, I'm just jumping right in. Kinda the way you just brace yourself and dive into a swimming pool even before you have a chance to test out the water.

Thanks for your emails and messages I missed you guys too! (Naomi, at last a new post :)
Just want to share the good news my really close childhood friend C. just became a mommy to an adorable little boy!

There's Mother's Day approaching, and lots of birthdays in my calendar.

My booba (hebrew for doll) is turning 1! and we're getting ready to PARTY!

My hubby will be celebrating a milestone birthday and 2 very close friends soon after.

So let the fun begin! Actually it's been ongoing in my head for weeks, brainstorming, and coming up with different plans and ideas. I would LOVE any feedback and ideas you can share with me.

If you have any advice or tips from personal experience that would be great!
What have you done that was special to celebrate your babys first birthday?!?

Have a wonderful weekend!
Rochie

and we're back.... Wedding gift idea!

I'm sorry for being MIA for a full month, first we were busy with our move, than my sister's wedding and a dreadful week of NO INTERNET!
I've got lots of gift ideas as promised, and although it's too late for Purim ideas I will be posting gift ideas galore!


Like every wedding, the weeks before are filled with excitement and drama, preparation and planning and of course craziness and fun that only happens when all of my siblings get together for a party!

Family, and friends getting together to celebrate is the greatest gift of all!

which reminds me how excited my sister was when her friend texted her the day before her wedding.
S from London: When will you be home? I have a package being delivered for you.
My sister: I will be home in an hour
S from London shows up at the door surprising my sister for her wedding!

 Since I too, just recently got married, my sister asked me to help with her wedding registry, I told her which items I really use in the house, and what gifts I got that were so practical and useful.

Then I started to think of what I could get her for a wedding gift. I wanted to do something personal for my younger sister.  I've heard of different family members putting together a recipe box for the bride to be and I liked that idea a lot, except I wanted to find a nicer twist to the old fashion index cards. and I did! I signed up to tastebook.com and collected my favorite and most used recipes from friends, family, and fellow bloggers... I created a personalized book for Mushky with over 30 recipes including pictures and tips. I loved how simple and easy it was to organize the recipes and create the book. The best part is that she can add her own recipes even after I ordered her book!

Check out the book I made here. and let me know if any of you have recipes on tastebook!