Shopping Rules to make the most of Christmas Sales

Is anyone else feeling like the holidays arrived faster than ever this year?

Nothing is more fun than finding the perfect gift, especially when there are so many amazing deals out there – but knowing where to look and having a strategy will help ensure you get everything on your list and for the right price. From gifts for the kiddos to something for that special someone ...

Make a list. No matter if you plan to do all your shopping from the couch curled up in your pj’s or if you’re putting on the walking shoes and hitting the brick-and-mortar shops, having a list is essential. Include everyone you’ll be shopping for in order of priority so that you can easily keep track of what you’ve purchased and what’s left to buy.

Brainstorm ideas. After you make your list, try to jot down a few gift ideas for each person. That will help guide the process and give you a bit of direction. Rather than standing in the middle of a shop, feeling completely overwhelmed, coming up with a few ideas ahead of time will help you narrow down and find the perfect gift.

Outline and stick to a budget. This is essential so that you don’t absolutely break the bank and get tempted by spontaneous purchases just because of a sale. Think about your total budget for holiday shopping and then break that down per person. Write down the per person limit for each individual on your list – and keep track of what you spend along the way. Budgeting your holiday shopping will help you feel good about your purchases and won’t leave you feeling overwhelmed by what you spent.

Have fun! Buying holiday gifts for friends and family should bring you loads of joy – so enjoy it – even if you are facing crowds and lines. There’s nothing better than getting into the spirit of the season – so get out there and have a blast!

Keep shopping

Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

Tips for Packing de Light

No matter what, when you travel, packing light is a real bonus. Even though it feels great to have lots of outfit options, lugging around a heavy suitcase or loads of bags can really drag you down. You are  thinking about what to pack. Turns out it really pays to keep it simple. Not sure how? Here are a few tips for packing light and smart, especially when you’re traveling for business.

Limit yourself to one bag. No matter how much you want to pack up every suitcase you have, fight the urge and limit yourself to a single bag. Having the one bag limit will help you pair down to only the essentials that can be mixed, matched and used more than once. Carrying one piece of luggage leaves your arms free for your carry on, computer bag or even a cup of coffee – making travel so much easier.

Pack staple items that can be mixed and matched.  

Convention, you probably want to look professional and feel your best.  Going for items like a neutral suit that can be switched out to be worn with different shirts, a light sweater and the matching jacket or skirt on rotation will make packing light pretty easy. When it comes to eveningwear – find items that can be paired with these same pieces – sleeveless of flowing tops, a pair of heels and jewelry to really dress it up. Lay everything out for the week, and each event, so that you have outfits planned ahead of time.

Skip the laptop and carry an iPad or tablet. We’ll spend most of each day in presentations, breakouts and conferences, right? So why lug that heavy laptop around? Pack light by toting your iPad or tablet to make your load that much lighter and more manageable.

When packing toiletries, opt to use what the hotel provides and go light on bringing your own. Most hotels have lovely toiletries and will even provide a toothbrush and toothpaste when you’re in a jam. Rather than loading up on bulky shampoos and conditioners, pack only the essentials and use what the hotel provides.

Make a list. Packing can be a real challenge, especially when you’re trying to keep it light. Making a checklist will help ensure you have everything you need and can work double-duty for helping you to scale back and figure out what you can leave behind and what’s absolutely essential.

Keep traveling

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)