The Screaming Pillow: The Story

Sometimes when reviewing products I stumble upon a real gem. When introduced to the Screaming Pillow I immediately loved it. Being a therapist in a past life reminded me of the importance of letting out frustations in a fun and therapeutic way and this product really fit the bill. But behind the product is a great story, as inventor Gabrielle Yetter explains on her website:

"The Screaming Pillow was created after my sister, Katy Langaas, and her three-month-old baby, Sven, were killed in a car accident in South Africa.

Our mother, Colette Said, began receiving emotional support from The Compassionate Friends, a worldwide bereavement organization, whose counselors suggested she scream into a pillow to let out her emotions.

Years later, I created The Screaming Pillow as a novelty gift with a therapeutic benefit. The pillow provides an outlet for pent-up emotions – anger, pain, frustration, joy, excitement, fear – and, when not put to therapeutic use, becomes an unusual, decorative accessory.

The Screaming Pillow is a product of The Brightside Group, Inc., a company I created to remind people through our products that there can always be a positive way to see a negative situation and to encourage people to “look on the bright side”.

The name “Brightside” is in memory of Katy who was born in Brighton, England and whose maiden name was Said (pronounced “side”)."

Gabrielle

The next time you stumble upon a unique product or service, do yourself a favor and read the "about" page. You just might get inspired. Thanks Gabrielle!

Black Friday Shopping Tips

If you are a Black Friday shopper you'll want to take the following steps to prepare for the largest shopping day of the year! Get out your track suit and comfy clothes...it's time to get organized!

1. Get organized! Clean out your wallet to include only the cash,
credit cards and photo identification that you will need to make your purchases. Leave all unnecessary items at home to lighten your load, resist the urge to overspend, and protect against loss or identity theft. Creating a separate shopping wallet is a simple and effective way to keep your lists, cash, cards, and receipts organized throughout the holiday shopping season.

2. Play it safe! Keep a detailed list of the credit/debit cards that
you keep in your shopping wallet in a safe place at your home. Be sure to
include the card name, account number and customer service phone number. Should you lose your wallet or have it stolen, having quick access to this information will save you valuable time and stress should this unfortunate experience happen to you.

3. Pack a snack! The old rule "never go shopping hungry" still rings
true, especially while holiday shopping. During a long day of shopping,
keep your blood glucose balanced by nibbling on a granola snacks, protein bar, or homemade trail mix. These are healthy and filling treats that will boost your stamina, mood, and budget!

4. Dress for success! Minimize your morning primping and select your most comfortable clothes and sneakers to get the job done! Leave your
bulky coat in the car and rely on a fleece pull-over or hoodie to shield you during your long walk to and from the parking lot. You can always tie your hoodie around your waist later and still have two hands to manage all of your shopping bags!

5. Prioritize your list and shop backwards! Buy the small gifts first and big gifts last. Find great bargains by taking 10 minutes to browse the clearance racks first. Challenge yourself to come in under budget. Applying your savings toward the bigger purchases on your list, next year's gift budget or your favorite charity!

Check out my free holiday gift giving survival guide, ‘Giveology’ and learn how to spend less but give more!

Looking Beyond the Bear

While shopping in Goodwill today, I remembered a slick technique that can be used to make a practical gift quite fun. Remember the good old fashioned teddy bear? Well, this little fellow is sure to bring a smile to the recipients face when you give the following items:

Winter Gift Set: Put the hat on his head, the gloves on his paws and tie the scarf around his neck. Too cute!

Romantic Gift: Place the bracelet or necklace on the bear. Just be sure to secure it in some way so it doesn't fall off into the bottom of the gift bag! A straight pin will usually do the trick.

Gift Cards or Gift Certificates: Place the gift card inside an envelope. Be sure to poke a hole through one corner before placing the gift card inside. Thread curly ribbon through the hole, leaving enough slack to tie it around the Teddy Bear's neck. This technique also works very well for fundraisers, auctions or raffles. It really gets the gift card noticed!

I always visit Goodwill stores first when purchasing stuffed animals to use for this purpose. I only paid $3.99 for him and he was in pristine condition....new with tags! If you can't find a new bear, be sure to stock up on them at the end of the holiday season and store them away for future gift giving occasions. They really do come in handy and bring a smile to the recipients face!

Savory Hostess Gifts Under $20

First of all, please excuse the picture quality! My camera battery is dead and wanted to get a shot of this before I actually give this gift tonight! Using the "Gift of Three" strategy, I put together this little gift basket from my stash of goodies in my gift giving pantry. I have been stashing premade edible gifts and mixes in the event an unexpected party comes up and I just don't have the time to make something. Here is a super gift that I put together for a grand total of $16.79. The basket includes:

• Gourmet Olive Oil for $6.99
• Tastefully Simple Tuscan Sundried Tomatoe Dip Mix for $8.99
• A mini-loaf of Italian bread (it's fresh...I picked that up today!) for $.79
• Metal gift basket: Free. I recycled it :)
  

My guess it that we'll probably tear into the basket tonight because it has everything you need for a fun appetizer. Who doesn't love fresh bread and a savory dip? It's all here! Of course you can save even more money if you whip up a dried dip mix (recipe here) and loaf of bread yourself, but we all know that sometimes this just isn't practical. But if you plan ahead, the only out of pocket cost could be the olive oil...it's your choice!

The Gift of Beauty Under $20

Save money on a married couple by giving them a combined gift that they both can use and enjoy...sometimes that can be tough! But today at TJ Maxx I was inspired by these beautifully monogrammed washcloths that rang in at a mere $7.99 for a set of eight! This is a perfect example of a central gift for your "Gift of Three" strategy. What else could you give in addition to the washcloths that would really make this gift pop? I'm going with a couples theme, but you could also do this for a friend, relative or office mate. Here are a few ideas that I have....can't wait to hear yours!
Pick two from the list and you are done!

• A large bar or small set or organic soap
• His and hers hand lotion or antibacterial soap from Bath and Body Works (They are having a sale!)
• A decorative soap dispenser and soap dish to match
• A set of finger-tip towels

I was so excited about these that I bought a set for myself! My husband loves them, too! What are your ideas? How would you use these in your next "Gift of Three"...

For more great gift ideas, please download your free copy of Giveology and share it with your friends. Happy Giving!

Bargain Alert: New Bargain Websites for Fashionistas!

Thank you to Stevie Wilson from LA Story for sharing the following insider info for the bargain fashionistas among us! You know you have someone on your gift list that just loves the designer labels...but she doesn't need to know that you found her gift for a STEAL!

RowNine is an invitation-only website focused on helping you find luxury brands at member prices. Featuring luxury products from designers or authorized distributors and brand partners, members can save up to 80% on the finest luxury brands knowing that all products are guaranteed authentic complete with warranty. www.rownine.com

ShopStyle a new division of Sugar Enterprises (the online network of various web ezines and communities) has dropped into the shopping universe with an opportunity for members to become their own fashion editor or interior designer by featuring a variety of home furnishings and fashions for men, women and children. Devoted to featuring the most popular brands and cutting-edge designers, the search engine allows every store is open 24/7 for you to find the product, style, designer or even a color that you are seeking. One other aspect that is different from other stores is that ShopStyle allows users to create stylebooks and looks that can be shared on blogs or emailed to friends. (Will a FB app be far behind?) as well as group to share and draw inspiration.

Not so new and definitely not forgotten, ShopItToMe.com is must for all fashionistas who seek to find bargain prices on their favorite brands. This amazing search engine allows users to customize the fashions (women, men, children) presented in either daily or weekly emails that are specifically tailored to the sizes, items and brands that you have selected.

Stevie Wilson pens the LA-Story.com blog on Southern California lifestyle and trends and contributes to Gather.com. Her blog includes videos, podcasts and a sassy attitude featuring an eclectic mix of topics. Stevie is also an expert contributor for Giveology where she shares even more money savings websites for the budget conscious consumer. Download your free copy today and share with your friends! Follow Stevie on twitter @LAStory.

Giveology: A Gift Giving Survival Guide

I am so proud of this edition of Giveology. I am looking at it right now and am filled with such gratitude that I can hardly breathe! It took three long months to complete but the final results are amazing...I don't think you can find this kind of money saving and gift giving advice anywhere. Giveology really does have it all! And what did I do to earn the trust of my four fabulous contributors? Stevie, Aly, Kim and Julia...thank you for allowing me to share your voice and expert knowledge with the world. I am simply honored and humbled beyond belief. To my friends, supporters and unofficial editing team, THANK YOU! Expect a special thank you gift when you least expect it :) And praise the Lord for granting me with the patience, knowledge and resources that I needed to get this important publication out into the hands of the folks who need it the most. My prayers have been answered...AGAIN!


If you haven't checked it out yet, you can view your free copy of Giveology by clicking here. I am very anxious to hear your feedback and hope that you will share it among your friends and networks. This is great stuff and it needs to be shared! As always, thank you for visiting and being such an inspiration to me! God Bless and Happy Giving!

Surviving the Holidays: Simple Tips to Save Your Sanity

Today we kicked off the holiday season with a shopping fundraiser to benefit our local senior center. Although we had a great crowd and sales were good, I have to admit I heard a bit of rumbling--"It's too early to think about Christmas...it's not even Thanksgiving yet!"...I completely disagree, and this is why...

Much of the stress of the holidays is caused by procrastination and the lack of planning. The holiday season spans much more than one day, folks! The earlier you begin to shop, entertaining friends, and exchange gifts the less stress you will have during peak season! Here are a few tips to help you rethink your holiday giving strategy and enjoy the season from this moment forward.

• Sit down with your calendar and block off a few dates that you plan to have available to celebrate with extended family and friends. Get on the phone and coordinate a holiday visit, dinner, brunch, pot-luck or gift exchange (if applicable) as early as possible. Plan on exchanging any gifts on that date...even if it is next week!
• Stressed financially? Now is the time to re-evaluate your gift list and set a firm budget. Rather than cross people off of your list, consider an affordable lunch or breakfast party where you can enjoy a delicious meal together...go out, or cook in! Creating a new holiday tradition can save you money and enrich your relationships for years to come!
• Give holiday themed gifts BEFORE the peak holiday season! Examples include fresh evergreen wreaths, poinsettia plants, holiday centerpieces, and fashion accessories that can be enjoyed during the holiday festivities. Giving something with a holiday theme after peak season just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. To be very honest, the gift is most likely going directly into the attic or closet just to be forgotten until next year. Where is the fun in that?
• Strapped for time? Never feel obligated to spread yourself so thin that you can't enjoy the holiday season! Remember your favorite childhood holiday memories and build your holiday schedule around what makes you and your immediate family happy. Schedule post-holiday visits with those you were unable to see after the New Year. It will give you both something to look forward to without the added stress!

How do you keep sane during the holidays? Any great sanity saving tips that work for you? Please share in the comments below!

PS...this is my Mother, Jo Ann. As you can see, we share the same holiday spirit and avid sense of humor! She came out to the fundraiser today and got the party started! Love you, Mom!