Tuesday, December 1, 2009

PriaVanda's Gift GIving Ideas - Part 1

With the recession still lingering, everyone is looking for ways to save a buck. With the holiday season around the corner, we need to start our Christmas shopping… affordable but unique!

To help inspire you, I would like to share my top finds under $30!


For the text-a-holic in your life, I suggest the Echo Touch Gloves. Keep your hands warm while you keep in touch! Use the Echo Touch glove for your iPhone, iPod and other mobile digital touch sensitive devices. Made of a wool blend; retails $30US: http://www.echodesign.com/Product/echo+touch+glove/default.aspx?rid=4853&crid=656


For the shuffler in your life, I suggest the Mophie Bevy, four in one: a protective case for your shuffle, earphones wrap, key chain and a bottle opener! Normally retail $15US; currently on sale for $5.95US. Find out more: http://www.mophie.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=bevy&x=0&y=0





For the Ice breaker in your life (as seen on Oprah)
, I suggest the down-filled Ice Scraper Mitt. Keep your hand toasty warm while scraping ice from your car windows. Polyester mitt is filled with premium northern European goose down with an elastic wrist for a secure fit. Retails $14.50US. http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=33915&prodsearch=6&cm_cg=T95&mr:trackingCode=43E2B0DC-3ED6-DE11-974B-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=Affiliate&cm_pla=Tier3&cm_ite=Tier3


For the crafter in your life (in the NYC area), Martha Stewart is hosting a Craft Sale on Saturday December 5th. Dozens of artisans and crafters including many from within the Martha Stewart family will be selling their handmade projects and crafts. To learn more visit: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/holiday-craft-sale-2009



Last but not least, let's not forget the organizer in your life, the PriaVanda, entwined for you day planner/ journal retailing $20US. Place your order by emailing your 3 colors to: foryou@priavanda.com.




Please note: I do not benefit from any of the non-PriaVanda products; I am simply sharing my finds. Watch this space for more finds next week..!

Happy Shopping!!!

Friday, November 27, 2009

My First American Thanksgiving



Being from an Indian background from Canada, Thanksgiving was never a big celebration with my family. Even though I had lived in the States in the past, I always had to work through the holidays and never got the opportunity to participate in the festivities. Since this is the first year that I am able to control my schedule, I took full advantage of this holiday.

My day started early by meeting Shagun so that we can attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was an early start to my day but it was well worth it. Imagine standing in a crowd of 3 million spectators and everyone is in a joyous mood. Although we weren't standing close enough to see all the floats, the blown up balloons were exciting to see. The experience of the parade gave me a better understanding of this great American holiday.

For those of you ignorant as I am about American history, Thanksgiving was first celebrated as a feast held in the autumn of 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag to celebrate the colony's first successful harvest. The first Macy's Day parade was held in 1924 by first generation American store employees that wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving with the type of festival their parents had loved in Europe. To learn more: http://social.macys.com/parade2009/

Only being the two of us I did not make the whole big Thanksgiving dinner. Although V (my husband) was disappointed he understood that a 20lbs bird was not for us. Instead we enjoyed a quiet dinner with the Babjaj family, where Aunty made the perfect turkey breast. I on the other hand spent my afternoon make the side dishes like stuffing. I had never tried stuffing (I know embarrassing) and had no idea on what it tasted like. I made it anyways and hoped for the best.

All in all, I enjoyed this holiday and will celebrate it with my family and friends for years to come. Let's not forget about the shopping on Black Friday. Now that is going to be dangerous for V's credit card!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Thank you

After being miserable with my last employer, I decided to quit my job in late 2008. Knowing I had the demands of planning our wedding and moving, I was lucky to have the job title of “unemployed”. I found myself bored at home and realized I did not have the bride gene and took up crafting. I know crafting sounds like a hobby your grandmother enjoys, but it was an activity I loved since I was a child.



This is how I came up with my stationary line…PriaVanda…entwined for you. It started last holiday season when I made day planners for family and friends as Christmas presents. Who knew they would be such a hit and here we are today! I know you are probably thinking a year to launch day planners that were already made in 2008 but yes it took me a year to get the confidence to make this public (and dealing with being 30, got married and moved in the meantime).



There are special people in my life which pushed me towards my goal. First of all I would like to thank my loving husband, Vishal. Thank you for giving me the opportunity of having the job title “unemployed” and pursing my dream of being a designer. You believe in me and motivate me. Thank you!



Secondly, my parents, who taught me that my hard work would pay off and they were right. Of course, there is my sister Rashmi and brother Yogesh. Although we didn’t always get along when living together, the new distance has brought us closer together. Thank you my siblings for being my number one fans and promoters!



Then there is my BFF, John, who is the genius behind me website and some of the photos. (The website should be ready in a few days-John the pressure is now on…lol) He has waited for me patiently throughout the year to work on my site but I wasn’t ready. Now that I am, poor boy has to cram all this work in. So John, thank you for your late nights and dedication to me. (Message me if you are looking for an amazing web designer!)



Let’s not forget Christine & Rahul who have been of my free PR reps since I started this hobby. (Sorry guys in advance for putting your names in the same sentence…lol.) Also a thank you to Mike for some of the photos you took of my line on such short notice.



I would also like to mention my cousins and brother in law who helped me test the product line and make improvements. (This is starting to sound like an acceptance speech…but I haven’t won an award…well not yet!)



To wrap things up thank you all for reading my first blog ever and please follow me on twitter and facebook!!!