Holiday Ideas

Is it December again? I know, everyone says where did the year go? Hopefully it was filled with so much fun the time just flew by as we prepare to start fresh for 2015, but don't rush things, here are some ideas to spend December in a fun and relaxing way and stop making the corporations rich for another season and start enriching yourself and those around you.

Gifts

No need to spend a lot of money, buy a few pretty scented candles [be careful if you have pets or small kids]. If you are buying as a gift, I think disposable gifts are the best. Sometimes you buy someone a gift and they wonder where the heck they are going to put it, but candles? Use them and toss them, or save the votive for more candles, and they look pretty anywhere you place them.

You will never go wrong with jewels, for you or a friend, yes the real stuff, stop wasting your hard earned cash on the fake stuff, however, a few of the fake is not bad, I truly hate mixing the real with the fake as I have seen so many women make that mistake and it looks tacky. If you are on a budget, pick a few small pieces of the real stuff, if you wear the fake, only wear fake, but pick nice pieces, and don't wear everything you own all at one time...examples?

Good example of how to wear fashion [fake] jewelry. Large pieces look good and still doesn't overpower the model. Keep it in the same color family.

Looking for some of the real stuff? Anything from one of these blue boxes would do nicely. Surprisingly, Tiffany's does offer a lot of nice jewelry at non-millionaire prices.

Good example of wearing the real thing, make sure they match in size.

Good example of what NOT to do; even though you can afford tons of diamonds, do not wear them all at once.

Food

Watch your waistline as you browse the shops this year and start the day with herbal tea or coffee, making sure you eat something within the first half hour of waking to keep your system on an even keel.

Opt for a vegan lunch or dinner to lighten up this holiday season and get you started on a new you for 2015. [Pictured above are roasted carrots with mushroom, cashews and bread; check various Internet sites for some vegan or vegetarian recipe ideas to fit your taste.]

Movies

A few of my holiday favorites as we close out 2014 and ease our way into a new year and a year of more fun.