The most beautiful sunset of 2012

On Christmas day, while enjoying lunch with my family, I was able to experience the most beautiful sunset I could remember from this year. 

While I am thinking of a special and meaningful thing to do this last day of the year (suggestions are welcomed as always), I am leaving you with a couple more pictures from the magical sunset. Although it is one of those perfect moments no camera can capture properly and do it justice.

I wish you can do something for yourself today, as little as a bubble bath or a walk alone in the park.

You deserve it!

| Love, Lisa |

10 Holiday decorations you already have at home | Part 2

In case you need some ideas for boosting up your home decorations just before your guests arrive or only for your own pleasure, I am sharing seven more decorating ideas you probably already have at home. You can check the first part of the post here.

 joy plates | red polka dot cups | red tableware | snowman cups

6. Red and festive motives tableware

berries in a bowl | flowers grouped together | flower blossoms

7. Group together plants of the same color

star projector | vintage Christmas card | card | red card | car toy | tree Bright Bazzar

8. Vintage decorations, old style light projectors and vintage cards

pink boxes | white boxes

9. Christmas present boxes

fabric wreath | cloth pins

10. Four seasons holidays decorations, from Easter, S.Valentine and all you celebrate

rope | wreaths | wood in fireplace

 

11. Natural material decorations (wood, branches, rope)

garland | circles | sequin hearts | ribbon tree topper | ribbon ornaments

12. Feminine touches that double as ornaments (jewellery, bows, ribbons, garlands)

This year, I don't seem to stop willing to decorate for the holidays. 

Do you feel the same or are you done early and don't feel like adding more later? 

Whatever your style is, enjoy your home and your family this days :)

| Love, Lisa |

3 Little Gifts You Have At Home

I am going on with the last minute gift suggestions, as I guess ideas are always welcomed. In my country we use to exchange gifts even for the New Year or exclusively on NYE for the families that don't celebrate Christmas. As much as I love searching for the perfect gift or finding ways to personalize everything, more than often I have to deal with people that have everything, people with very high demanding taste (anyone else with a difficult mom to please?), or people that you want to give something not very expensive because of your long list and short funds. Here is when small gifts come in hand and you might be surprised to see you probably have them at home already.
One day, just by chance, I found three of them in my room, but there must be a lot.
Wrap them in a nice textured ribbon, or a few thin ones, add a little festive touch and you have a dolled up little present.

1. A souvenir
We all come back with a few reminders from our trips. A miniature, a key holder, something funny, postcards, guides, everything is suitable. I found a mini calendar book my dad has brought me from Milan some time ago. It is so tiny and beautiful no one can resist. The secret into making this small gift perfect is matching the destination of the souvenir to the other one's interests. If your sister has always dreamed of Paris, give her a mini language book or a secret guide to the city, a beautiful tiny Eiffel tower or a vintage object. If you have been on a trip with your cousin in Greece last summer, choose something that will always remind him of your fabulous holidays, like a bottle filled with shells.

2. A winter must have
I went with a lip balm I bought in Italy last week (I so regret buying a bunch for 1Euro each). It has a beautiful packaging and a heavenly smell. Even if you go with something natural or super simple, spice it up with the ribbon. In addition to a balm, I'd love giving a mini hand creme or a hand/feet remedy kit, a pair of colorful gloves or a scarf. Everything that is used in winter and has a little style is perfect to gift now.

3. A beauty item
This mini nail polish duo is from H&M in Greece or Germany, I don't quite remember, but I had totally forgotten about it. It is already packaged and the golden hues just scream holidays. Single polishes in glitter or bright festive colors like red and pink are very appropriate, in my opinion. Actually any little beauty item is welcomed from female friends, so never set boundaries.

I really love how a simple ribbon can turn this little items into beautiful gifts. Maybe it is because of the impact of the regular sized ribbon towards the tiny object or it is just the fact I love small cuties.

Would you try this idea for service providing people in your lives or last minute showing friends and relatives? Or do you prefer tipping and gift vouchers because small gifts might look too cheap?

You can find more gift ideas here, here, here and here.

8 alternative gift ideas - Albanian Edition

As the years go by and I grow older, the desire to pick up present for everyone increases in me. So does the need to sophisticate my choices and adapt them to the occasion and the person specifically. Until now I haven't failed too much into understanding people's needs or desires and I usually get a big smile and happy face when they open and see my choice. Even if it was the opposite, I don't think I would never stop doing this, as it fills me with joy and it is one of my favorite activities ever. 

But I know a lot of people are stressed out a lot by the whole procedure of choosing gifts, packaging them, tags and presentation and the moment of the surprise too. 

I assume the same problem goes on everywhere, but it is slightly bigger in my country and other countries, where it is still difficult to easily find the proper gift without spending a fortune and escaping traditional or safe choices. 

That is why I will share with you some of my favorite options to give (and receive) for alternative gifts ideas. The names and companies below are the ones I have tried and I can suggest. Of course there are many others and I invite you local readers to share more with me if you know.

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1. A swimming pass at Nobis. It could be one day, 3, 5 or a whole month if you can afford it. Everyone appreciates swimming in winter. This giant wellness center also offers spa services, face and body treatments and heavenly massages. I have tried their facial and it is reasonably priced with a bonus hand and foot massage you get while your mask is doing its job. It's perfect. You can check their facebook page for more gift ideas, including self care sets combined with passes and treatments

2. Books. My new favorite is Bookstore in TEG, because of it's big space, the wide range of books they have and the fact the sale girls don't bother you unless you ask for themselves. I usually spend an hour wondering around until I pick my books and I feel no pressure. Finding the perfect gift in this situation is easier if you know the person very well and you choose a classic favorite of them or a new best seller. And if you really want to go all the way, pick a trilogy or an encyclopedia with several volumes, something they might enjoy, but never indulge in for themselves. For young friends, go with a bunch of mini books or pop up pages, crafts and hobbies themed books.

3. A gift coupon for a night out at a new bar/restaurant/club in the town. I am so glad that websites like www.123.al, www.zero.al and www.lal.al are bringing companies and services closer to us consumers. Great offers are presented everyday, ranging from places to eat out, vacation packages, self care items and rad services. A gift coupon with a spa treatment for a friend or a night out for your favorite couple amongst your relatives would be great.

4. Mr&Mrs Smith gift voucher. This one is international but it is my favorite. As I would love to get this gift, I guess everyone might enjoy a prepaid or partially payed stay in a hotel of your dreams. The options are endless, according how far you want to take your friends and how much you can pay.

5. A language course. There are several available in all websites mentioned in number 3, but you can also ask directly at a language center nearby your house or your friends' house. I find this gift a great one for younger people, like teenagers and kids in your family, a sibling or a parent, even for your partner. If they need help improving their English (or any other language), need a talking focused session for their next job travel, or just enjoys learning new languages and cultures, don't hesitate. It might not seem as attractive as the other options but it might be even more useful, as gifting this possibility means you really care about them and didn't just throw another ball in your basket.

6. Nowadays a lot of salons offer gift coupon ideas, starting from a manicure/pedicure, hair treatment, facials, specific body treatments and massages, as well as a total package of everything. Sometimes you can score great deals and save a lot of money. If you know the person well, you can choose the package yourself, otherwise set your desired amount of money and let them do what they like at the salon. Gift the coupon in a nice little box or sealed envelope and make them smile. Girls appreciate it most, but also the men in our lives should start to experience the value of taking care of yourself.
massage/treatment gift coupon. I have tried buying and using gift coupons at Velur Spa and I have loved the experience and the great service.

7. Taxi Shop. You choose the gift from their relatively wide range, you pay online and they bring it wherever you are in Tirana. Or you can send it directly to your friend or surprise your parents at work while they are busy. I love their IT tools collection for my brother, the self care kits for everyone and the leg massage mini spa for myself. I haven't tried this service yet, but they seem pretty correct and fast.

8. Dancing courses. There are so many dancing centers now in the city. From a quick research online i found this, this, this and this. I am sure there are a bunch more, so you do your search. They teach your the basics of dancing or advanced and specific genres. I love the short courses especially for couples who are getting married, although I think it is great for every couple with a social life, attending weddings or formal events. You never know who might invite you where, so you better be prepared. I am eager to try one and I will let you know how it goes.

Christmas decorations - German do it best!

It is not that I am a big fan of Germany or its people for any particular reason or personal connections, but from my few visits and trips to some cities I have an official announcement to make. When it comes to big holidays, like Easter and Christmas, German people really know how to bring out the festive spirit and decorate. Maybe it is the rustic tone of their ornaments and the fact that it perfectly fits their architecture and wooden interiors. Or it could be the traditional colors they usually choose like red, green and gold. All in all I love seeing every space decorated, every house, big or small and especially hotels. They really know how to make you feel at home with their open spaces, non locked halls and little terraces, where you can sit wherever you want and grab an apple, a cup of tea, read leaflets and treat yourself with small sweets. 

I will give you a small glimpse of the hotel atmosphere during my last short visit. It was near the touristic alpine South-East Germany, covered in snow.

The humble and real spirit tree lit with plastic candles at the Nuremberg airport

 The view from the room's giant window

 

 

Can you guess? The breakfast nook. My favorite place in the world wherever I go.

 

 The fireplace

 Special details

How cute are this teddies?

What is your personal experience with the decorating traditions? 

Do you think there is a particular country who does it best and why? 

I'd love to know more, because as you already are aware of, 

I love holidays and festive decorations :)

| Love, Lisa |

Links to help simplify and inspire your holidays

Image by me

 While the internet and blogs particularly are filled with gift guides and festive decor inspiration (that I adore and never get enough of), I thought it is worth sharing with you some special links, for your soul, your inner or practical desires, to cheer you up or help you relax, to make you laugh or leave you speechless.

Are you secretly wishing you were in love this holidays?

How to simplify the holidays

Etheral white inspiration board

56 Things to do instead of spending money

A rad magazine full of festive ideas

A memorable yet inexpensive holiday vacation

Something funny and worth reading up to the end (via Apartment 34)

30 days of inspiration on Pinterest

The most beautiful holiday family pictures you have ever seen

Just in case you haven't discovered heaven yet

 Don't forget to find your own rhythm and what is more important to you this holidays season

and everything will feel like magic :)

| Love, Lisa |

Happy Holidays

Image by me | The Alps in Austria December 2012

I would like to wish each and every one of you Happy Holidays!

Whatever religion you belong to, either you believe or not, wherever you are

and no matter what your life is like at the moment, there is always something to make you feel grateful and put a smile on your face. Find it my friends and you'll feel blessed.

I hope you all have what your heart desires and mostly your beloved ones by your side.

Let's use this days to connect to the spiritual level of holidays, although I can't give you the exact cure to spend these days totally stress free and not think of material stuff. 

It's been a couple of years now that this time of the year brings out the best in me

and increases my already high sensitivity to others.

As I try to do a little of what I can, I know all of us can do more if we believe in good acts,

in spreading love and smiling to one another, even if it is only for 10 days a year.

May you all be blessed and loved. Happy holidays!

| Love, Lisa | 

The 2 most special and inexpensive gifts I've ever given

If I haven't told you already, let me officially announce to you all that I love giving gifts. It makes me as exciting as receiving one. The whole process of searching, buying, stocking up and wrapping is priceless for me. I usually collect gifts all year round, as soon as I find something great, with someone specific in my mind or just in case. This year, I have planned gifts like always, according to my relatively tight budget. But in addition to traditional gifts, that will hopefully have more meaning and thought than monetary value, I was wishing to make non traditional gifts, including experiences and helping for good causes. And luckily, I randomly came over two great opportunities today.

First I discovered Own a color by Unicef, such a fun, innovative and modern alternative to Own your own star, which was cute at first, but then became kind of cliche. I bought a color for the man of my life. I choose the sunshine yellow and I named it Hopeful Sunshine. The description is publicly displayed and I went with "For the sunshine of my life and for everyone who needs a ray of hope to keep smiling :)". When you check out, you can choose to donate from $1, $5, to $10 or more and you can specifically read what Unicef can do for the children in need with the money you are giving. Thanks God I don't use credit cards that you can use now and pay later, otherwise I'd be put in big debt, buying everyone I know and all my favorite bloggers a color. But a girl can dream, right?

The second unusual gift is something I was looking forward to for a long time. I was hoping to find the right cause to donate to this year, because I live in a country outside EU and procedures are disturbing usually with online payments. While checking Mara's & Danny's blog like usually, I found this heartbreaking story and I knew immediately what I wanted to do, although I wish I could donate much more than that. Our hearts are more touchable this period of the year, our eyes produce tears more easily and somehow everyone is a slightly better person.

I hope I can find more creative, thoughtful and helpful gifts like this and forget about stuff I can gift all year round. Have you ever made or gifted donations or other innovative experiences? I'd love to read all your stories. Enjoy your Saturday and the holidays' spirit :)

| Love, Lisa |

The easiest and most versatile advent calendar you will ever make

The title of this post is already too long, but the correct one would be "The easiest, cheapest, cutest and the most versatile advent calendar you will ever make!". This is not some kind of cheap SEO trick my friends. Last night (at magical 3 a.m) I came up with the most genius idea I've had in a long time.
There is only one day left (we can cheat on the first one and start counting this evening) to start the official countdown to Christmas, so leave those poor excuses and grab some post-it-s and a pen. Lets have fun! Yes, you only need a bunch of square dimension post-its in a fun color you like (if you happen to have patterned ones, it would be cool too and I am jealous of you). I chose pink because it's different from any other advent ideas I have seen until now, cute and feminine, modern and of course it's kind of unexpected even if you carry it around everywhere. Because let's not forget how I told you that I need a portable advent this year to stop coming up with excuses.

It's pretty easy. Just take a post it, write an activity or anything you like on the glued side, fold it diagonally in two and press the side glued, while letting the other one free. For extra security, you can add a stripe of paper glue to prevent them opening up especially if they will be staying close to air conditioned flow. You can write on the outside too, but I prefer not to put numbers. You can make 24, a bunch (feel free to use all my 40 doable advent ideas) or just a few favorites (because who will say no to drinking hot chocolate more than once?). I love having a lot of options. If we end up liking something very much, we can always put it back to its place and repeat another time.
The best part about this simple calendar is how versatile it is. I challenge you to 5 different options:

1. Try putting them all in a bowl, round patter, box, vase or mason jar like a wreath. It will look so beautiful as a display.

2. You can easily spread them around the house tucking them into frames, shades, ornaments, tree and everywhere you with by a little pin or clothespin to keep in place.

3. Take a wire clothes hanger (the cheap ones from the dry cleaning) and bend it a little to give it the shape of a bell or rhombus (diamond) shape. Put all the little post-it pockets on it with a little clothespin. Go with only 1 color, 2 or 3 of them. I stick to one as it was very bright. Fill the pockets with anything tiny you like (candies, pine cones, ornaments, nuts, mini presents, cinnamon sticks or anise etc.)

4. Here comes my favorite one: If you want to have the advent with you all the time, it can be done in a minute. Take an empty mint tin or any other little box you can carry in your bag. Press the pockets so they lay flat. I had to fold them again in middle to fit into the tin. Put in all your ideas and the holidays will be great.
5. Don't you think no.4 would be a fun surprise to send by mail to someone?

6. Stack them one inside the other or tuck them into a piece of cardboard with holes inside and hang on the wall like modern 3D art.

Oh my! I am so loving those little cone pockets and their endless uses. Fill them with everything you like, the more unexpected the better. Let them on display at home or hide them secretly in your purse. 

Now we can officially 'TIS THE SEASON! 

I hope you enjoy my suggestions. Let me know if you find this genius or just a waste of time. 

Happy December and happy holidays everyone :)

| Love, Lisa |