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Holiday Gift Guide 2013

Holiday_Gift_GuideYou’ve still got time!!!!

How are you doing with your holiday shopping? If you need a little help figuring out what to get for your peeps, here are some of my favorite items, gift guides and websites from this holiday season. Good luck!

  1. For the men in your life, Uncommon Goods has some creative and unique items that will surely grab your attention. I like the  Working Man’s Hygiene Kit. I got my brother the mixtape glasses as a birthday present from this online store and he loved them! Another great thing about this online store is that it gives back to the community by donating a portion of their sales to charity. My friends and I are all over this site.

    mixtape_uncommon
    Credit: uncommongoods.com
  2. Real Simple has a list called 29 Great Gifts for Women:  Several things caught my eye like, the Mukki Bracelets, the Tocca Lotion Set, the Agate Print Jewelry Box, the Pink Love Salts, the Alpaca Infinity Scarf and the Sole Society Oversized Oval Crystal Stud Earrings. Many options here for every type of gal.
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    Credit: RealSimple.com

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    Credit: RealSimple.com
  3. If you’re in the mood to make your own gifts this year, LaurenConrad.com offers a great DIY Gift Guide. From a Gingerbread Cookie in a Jar to a Personalized Pillow, you can basically do it all and gift it all. We made a body and lip scrub for Yahoo’s Miss Ideas and it was fantastic! It really works and it’s also a great gift!  For a list of the ingredients in Spanish and English click HERE and watch the video below:
    Exfoliantes naturales | Natural Exfoliants Episode #10 (7.24.2013)
    Exfoliantes naturales | Natural Exfoliants
    Episode #10 (7.24.2013)

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    Credit: via LaurenConrad.com
  4. For the jewelry lovers… I suggest the Jewel Be Mine online store. My friends and I went crazy for their fashionable and affordable accessories. I own this Green Sunburst Bib necklace and the Navy Sailor’s Knot necklace. The young chicas behind this store have incredible taste!

    jewelbemine_necklace
    Credit: JewelBeMine.com
  5. For the babies and toddlers in your life, check out this adorable Gift guide curated by one of my favorite bloggers, Joanna Goddard from A Cup Of Jo. I think this double decker bus from The Land of Nod is too cute.

    double-decker-bus
    Credit: LandOfNod.com
  6. Give the gift of healthy living! I am in love with the Tone It Up fitness routines and recipes created by Karena and Katrina. I do their routines every morning! Gift the Beach Babe DVD to your girlfriends and they will thank you forever. You can also start watching their new show Toned Up on Bravo TV on January 2nd! I’m so excited!!

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    Credit: BeachBabe.com
  7. Board games are always a good idea too! I am a huge fan of Ellen Degeneres and she created the Head’s Up Game App which has now been made into a board game. This is seriously so much fun to play!! My family and I once played this for 2 straight hours! This Christmas I’m also getting Cards Against Humanity. I still haven’t played it, but everyone says it’s great! It’s like an adult version of Apples to Apples. I’m all over it. Oh and you can buy it for $25 or download it for FREE!
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    Credit: EllenTV.com

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    Credit: CardsAgainstHumanity.com
  8. Need Stocking stuffers? Gift cards are always a good idea. Here are some great ideas on how to snag Gift Cards for less! (via PureWow.com) You can also check out The Container Store’s Stocking Stuffers List. I practically want everything in this list. I own this Travalo Easy-Fill Perfume Atomizer and I take it everywhere I go! So cool!

    TravaloRefillablePerfumeSpray_x
    Credit: ContainerStore.com

Then, if you need help wrapping those gifts, you can watch our Gift Wrapping video from Miss Ideas for some ideas. Shameless Self-Promotion, baby!Miss_Ideas_Buenas_Ideas_para_envlver_regalos_Screen_shot_2

Wheww! Hopefully this list has helped you a little bit with your shopping. I know it definitely helped me! Gotta love online shopping! Let me know if you ended up buying anything from the list!

Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!

Signature_Zania(FYI… this is not a sponsored post. I researched these sites and I genuinely like everything that I mention above).

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‘Tis the Season for Giving

Hi everyone!

The holiday season brings lots of festivities, food and shopping but it also brings a lot of generosity. It is during this season that we reflect upon our blessings and then pay it forward by giving back to those less fortunate. Read below to see how you can make a child’s Christmas a little brighter this holiday season.Space Coast Credit Union

A FAMILY COMES TOGETHER AMIDST TRAGEDY TO GIVE BACK TO OTHERS

 December 9, 2013 (Miami, FL)- On December 9, 2008, the Garcia family suffered the devastating loss of their son, Kevin Garcia as a result of a car accident. Kevin was just 17 years old, a senior in high school, with a bright future ahead of him. At the time of Kevin’s death, the family was inspired to request toys instead of flowers for his funeral. Kevin’s friend’s and family responded overwhelmingly to this request by filling a truck full of toys to benefit the patients of Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital. Since that initial toy drive, the efforts made by his family and friends has evolved into what is now the Kevin Garcia Foundation.

The Kevin Garcia Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help at risk children and teenagers overcome economic barriers so they can achieve healthier, more productive lives. In addition to it’s annual toy drive, the foundation has also established a scholarship fund to benefit students that excel academically and in athletics, as well as sponsoring other nonprofit organizations such as Amigos For Kids, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and Wonderfund.

When asked what inspired her to commit her life to this effort, Kevin’s mother responded with the following;

“In the 11th grade, Kevin was asked to write an essay about who he would be if he could be anyone in history and why. His answer was Elvis Presley, and his reason was quoted from one of his favorite childhood movies, The Sandlot: “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die”. Establishing the Kevin Garcia Foundation is our next step in spreading the legend of Kevin’s love, hope, and joy to as many people as possible. Kevin did not have money, power or fame, but he had what every human aspires to achieve in a lifetime: The ability to touch another person’s soul.“

The Kevin Garcia Foundation is currently preparing for their 5th annual toy drive on Saturday December 14th at Porcão (901 SE 1st Ave). This year, the foundation is happy to welcome the efforts of Space Coast Credit Union as corporate sponsors in support of the cause. From now until Dec 22nd, all Space Coast Credit Union branches in Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade counties will serve as drop off locations for new and unwrapped toys that the foundation will then deliver to Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital on Christmas Day.

 For more information on the Kevin Garcia Foundation or to make a tax-deductible donation visit, www.kevingarciafoundation.com. For a list of participating Space Coast Credit Union branches please visit: www.sccu.com.

Thank you for reading! Have you donated your time, money or goods this season? Tell me all about it! ‘Tis the season for giving!

Signature_Zania(Please note this is not a sponsored post. I will gladly share any charitable event or promotion as long as I believe in the cause and support the people/companies behind it. The article was not written by me. I’m just the mediator).

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5 Ways to Tie a Scarf

Miss_Ideas_bufanda.jpgIt’s sweater weather! Well, it’s more than just sweater weather in some places (Brrrrr) but here I’m bringing back the first episode of Miss Ideas on Yahoo! where we show you how to tie a scarf 5 different ways. Click on the image above to watch the video. Hope you enjoy it! ¡Que lo disfruten!
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Happy Thanksgiving!

HappyThanksgivingHi everyone!

I don’t know about you, but the holidays tend to creep up on me. I feel like we spend all this time working and focusing on our daily routines and then all of a sudden, BAM! Thanksgiving is here. It happens so fast! But, I do love the holiday season. It adds an extra spring in my step and I’m constantly singing Christmas songs everywhere I go.

I’m very lucky to be able to spend Thanksgiving with my family back home in Puerto Rico. It’s unlike your traditional Thanksgiving. There is no fireside, no sweaters, no hot apple cider and no snow. Instead, I’m wearing a bathing suit, drinking piña coladas by the sea and then having turkey dinner with mango stuffing. I love it! However, if there’s a TV nearby there will be football. With my mom and I being the only girls in the house, this is bound to happen. :-)

I hope today is a day filled with love and grace for all of you. Have a great time and make sure to hug your loved ones tight. Let them know you are thankful for their presence and their love.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post during Thanksgiving day. Click HERE to read my post on those things that I’m thankful for this month.

Happy Thanksgiving! ¡Feliz día de Acción de Gracias!

Signature_Zania

 

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#ThankfulNovember

#ThankfulNovemberSo by now you’ve probably heard a gazillion times how the month of November is dedicated to giving thanks. Well this post is no different! It’s so important to be grateful for your life and everything you have. I publicly shared those things that I’m thankful for in 140 characters or less and using the hashtag #ThankfulNovember on Facebook and Twitter on a daily basis.  (If you are not following me on either one of those social media sites you can easily do so by clicking on the links on the right column of this page). I’ve also read several of the things you are thankful for! Some are hilarious!

Well, on this post I will list all of the things that I’m thankful for. Brace yourself… some are funny, others are deep and others just plain cheesy but I mean every single one of them. They are true to who I am. Maybe these are a good reminder of some things you are grateful for. Enjoy!

  • November 6: Today I’m thankful for SLOW COOKERS. Cuts my time in the kitchen by a whopping 75% (or more!)
  • November 7: Today I’m thankful for FLATS. Comfortable & fashionable. See my favorite flats on @Pinterest here.
  • November 8: Today I’m thankful for MORNING WORKOUTS. Refreshing. It’s extra special with the videos from the @ToneItUp trainers!
  • November 9: Today I’m thankful for SOCIAL MEDIA. Keeps me up to date with friends, family, news, deals, inspiration, ideas, events, etc.
  • November 10: Today I’m thankful for FRIENDS. Both the real ones and the TV show!! LOL! My world is a better place with them in it.
  • November 11: Today I’m thankful for the MIAMI FALL WEATHER. Love the breeze, the warmth & lack of layering clothes. Island girl talking.
  • November 12: Today I’m thankful for TO DO LISTS. Can’t live without them. Crossing things out gives me pleasure. Dork? Yes. Love!
  • November 13: Today I’m thankful for WOMEN EMPOWERMENT. This is extra special when women help other women achieve their dreams!
  • November 14: Today I’m thankful for my iPHONE. Wakes me up, alerts me & entertains me. It’s my office assistant & my memory.
  • November 15: Today I’m thankful for SCENTED CANDLES. Always have them on in my house. Pick your favorite fall scent at @TheYankeeCandle
  • November 16: Today I’m thankful for LOLing! I actually don’t make noise when I laugh, but the joy that comes along with it feels great!
  • November 17: Today I’m thankful for my PUERTO RICAN ROOTS. U can take the girls from the island but u can’t take the island from the girl.
  • November 18: Today I’m thankful for the smell of HOME COOKED MEALS. Always made with lots of love. Can’t go wrong. Unless you burn it.
  • November 19: Today I’m thankful 4 SCANDAL, THE BLACKLIST, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, MODERN FAMILY, ELLEN, THE BACHELOR, PROJECT RUNWAY & HGTV
  • November 20: Today I’m thankful for SHARING. Laughs, stories, kindness, food, aid, prayers, support, ideas, tips, memories, love & joy.
  • November 21: Today I’m thankful for the POPPING SOUND PRODUCED BY BUBBLY BEING OPENED. Synonym for celebration & good times. Cheers!
  • November 22: Today I’m thankful for WAKING UP EVERY MORNING. I breathe. I live. I’m alive. That’s good enough for me.
  • November 23: Today I’m thankful for SUNSETS. Those colors!!! They bring out the best in the sky. It’s my daily spectacle.
  • November 24: Today i’m thankful for ANYTHING GIFT WRAPPED. The curiosity. The anticipation. I love tearing up that paper!
  • November 25: Today I’m thankful for my HUSBAND. 2 years ago on this day we started our marriage. He is more than I ever imagined possible.
  • November 26: Today I’m thankful for VACATION TIME. So much more enjoyable after working hard. Islands, snowy mountains, family time!

What do you think of my #ThankfulNovember tweets? Want to read the rest of my #ThankfulNovember messages for the rest of the month? Check back to this post or my Twitter and Facebook feeds until the end of the month.

Now… What are you thankful for? Leave your comment below or on any other social media site with #ThankfulNovember.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!!

Signature_Zania

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Chocolate Shortbread Logs

Straight from The Baking Corner, here comes the November recipe: Chocolate Shortbread Logs adapted from the book “Cookiemania – 100 Irresistible Recipes for Cookiemaniacs“. These delicious cookies are the perfect combination of crunchy and soft. So easy to bake and so delicious. I bet you already have the ingredients at home! The part where you dip the cookies in chocolate is my favorite! Perfect recipe for kids! Enjoy! ¡Buen Provecho! Continue reading “Chocolate Shortbread Logs”

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Miss Ideas #22 – Bedside Table Renovation | Renueva tu mesita de noche

This is one of my favorite makeover projects that we did for Miss Ideas on Yahoo! en Español. Actually, it’s one of my favorite DIY projects ever! You know, there’s no need to spend a lot of money for great design. This bedside table only cost us $10 at a thrift store and then we glammed it up to make it look absolutely stunning. Take a look at the video and you’ll see how we turned a boring piece into a masterpiece! You’ll love this bedside table renovation! Enjoy! For sourcing reference on the wallpaper, go HERE.

Este es uno de mis proyectos favoritos de Miss Ideas en Yahoo en Español. Puedes transformar una simple mesita de noche a una pieza totalmente única y especial. Toma un poco de tiempo y dedicación pero te aseguro que vale el esfuerzo. Hazle click a la imagen de arriba para ver el video. ¡Quedarás super impresionada! ¡Que lo disfrutes! Para ver en donde conseguimos el papel de empapelar, puedes ir AQUI.

Signature_ZaniaPara mas videos de Miss Ideas vayan a ESTA pagina. For more Miss Ideas Videos, please go HERE.Miss_Ideas_Header_Banner_Yahoo

 

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Happy Halloween 2013!

Happy_Halloween_White

We really enjoy Halloween here at Zania.net. To celebrate the festivities, I’ve made some delicious Crisp Candy Corn Treats (click HERE for the Martha Stewart recipe), crafted some DIY mummy jars, decorated my door with our gleeful skeleton, put together a low budget costume for myself but I have yet to carve a pumpkin! Oh well. At least I was able to put together a cute Jack O’Lantern post for all of you to see. If you haven’t seen it, you can check it out HERE.

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This year, we’re headed out to Lincoln Road in South Beach, FL  with friends. I will be dressing up as Mary Poppins! I love that Julie Andrews. I’m just going to have to stop myself from singing “just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down…” Make sure to follow me on Instagram as I will be sharing my favorite costumes of the night!

What have you done this Halloween? Upload pictures of your crafts, decorations or costumes on my Facebook Page HERE.

Have a Spooky and Safe Halloween!

Signature_Zania

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Miss Ideas #21 – Decorate With Duct Tape (Part 2) | Decora con cinta para ductos (Parte 2)

Miss_Ideas_Decorate_with_duct_tape_part2_titlecardAnd here is Part 2 of our Duct Tape series on Yahoo’s Miss Ideas! This one is easy to do and can give any table a shocking makeover. Now I want to cover everything in duct tape! Click on the image above to view the video.  To view Part 1 of this series click HERE. Thanks for visiting my page!
To receive these posts directly in your inbox, click on the “Follow Zania.net” button on the right side of this page. 

Y aquí esta la segunda parte de la serie de decoración con cintas para ductos de Miss Ideas en Yahoo! Cuenta con una transformación increíble al cubrir una mesa con estas cintas. ¡Ahora me ha dado fiebre de cubrir todo con cintas! Házle click a la imagen de arriba para ver el video. Para ver la primera parte de esta serie házle click AQUI.   ¡Gracias por visitar mi página!
Para recibir estos posts directamente en tu inbox házle click al botón “Follow Zania.net” en la columna de la derecha. 

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Apple Streusel Muffins

As promised, here is the very first recipe from The Baking Corner! (Learn who’s behind The Baking Corner HERE). These apple streusel muffins, adapted from a Betty Crocker recipe, are so good I ate two of them while stuck in a traffic jam. One just wasn’t enough! I hope you make these at home for breakfast or dessert and then tell me all about it! ¡Buen provecho! Continue reading “Apple Streusel Muffins”