Easing Holiday Stress: Step 2

As you know, Out of the Blue Delivered's mission this season is to Ease the Stress of the Holidays! If you're working along with us then you have already completed step one which was to Make a Budget!

 

Step 2: Make a Prioritized List (and check it twice!)

 

Though it may seem basic, this is a VERY IMPORTANT step! It's not only about making a list, but then prioritizing it.

 

You have a gift budget (thanks to Step 1) and now you need a list of who you will be spending that allocated money on. Begin by listing everyone that you WANT to buy a gift for. Include anyone that you normally give to: family members, friends, neighbors, nieces, nephews, your kids' friends, boss, co-workers, nanny, teachers, caregivers, doorman, mailman, etc. Be sure to include any secret-santa or other gift exchanges you are planning to participate in. Also, if you send out holiday cards, be sure they were included in either Step 1 or Step 2.

 

Once you have your list, you MUST prioritize it. (Otherwise you'll run out of money before you get the gifts you REALLY need!) Decide which gift recipients are most important and rewrite your list in descending order starting with the most important recipients at the top and working down to the least important.

 

Have an iPhone? Of course there's a Holiday Gift App that can help you make and track your holiday gift list!    

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Easing Holiday Stress: Step 1

The Harry Potter characters, Star Wars figures and assorted princesses have all come begging for candy (and gone home to devour a years worth of sugar) which means that the holidays are officially upon us!

 

Our mission for 2010: Stop the Cycle of Madness!! Let's make a pact right here and now that we are all going to ENJOY the holidays this year.

How, you wonder, are we going to do this? One step at a time.

 

Today's assignment (aka Step 1): Make a budget

In order to prepare for the holdiays, you MUST know how much you can afford to spend on them. There is NOTHING more stressful than the stack of bills that arrive in January that you work all year to try to pay off only to do it again the next year. This year, the cycle of madness ends!!

So sit down with your computer, your checkbook, your significant other, and whatever else you need to decide on your budget and figure out the dollar amout that you are willing to spend on the holidays this year. Be sure to allow for gifts, travel, accomodations, food, Holiday meals, etc.  Need Help calculating a holiday budget? Here is a worksheet plus tips to help!

 

Stick with Out of the Blue Delivered as we work together to make this your best, most enjoyable holiday season ever!!

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Breast Cancer Awareness and Support Stones #breastcancer

Supporting cancer patients just got a bit easier! Out of the Blue Delivered can now deliver these inspirational stones hand-painted by Central Florida artist Chrissie Grace. Who needs to know that you care today?

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Cancer Care Package #breastcancer

Yep, it's October and pink is once again the dominating color reminding us to get our annual boobie-squishing! Out of the Blue Delivered has creative gift ideas for all the cancer fighters in your life!

 

In honor of one of our good friends and breast cancer survivor Jacki Donaldson of My Breast Cancer Blog, we created the Jacki's Cancer Patient iCare Package. This care package is filled with the things she says that a cancer patient needs most: socks (Because they are always cold!), lotion (Because chemo dries out their skin) and a Bernie Siegel Book (She loves his uplifting messages!)

 

Out of the Blue Delivered specializes in unique gifts and care packages for the tough stuff in life. Who needs to know that you care today?

 

 

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Attn Bloggers: Enter to WIN our Grand Prize Giveaway! #blogHer #blogHer10

Out of the Blue Delivered, along with CommXPERTS.com is thrilled to be sponsoring Jennifer Leet from “The Dirty t Shirt” at  the BlogHER ‘10 conference in New York City.  Be sure to follow @jentifa during the conference for chances to win random give-a-ways (including an iPhone Solar Charger and several Card Cubby Organizers) as well as our Grand Prize gift box.  Hint: You must have a bag tag to win the random prizes at BlogHER so be sure to get one from @jentifa at the conference.

Everyone is eligible to win our Grand Prize Gift Box! See details below on how to enter.

Grand Prize Gift Box includes:

• iPhone Solar Charger for the iPhone 3G/3GS
• How Do You Pico – T-Shirt
• Assorted Cellular Accessories
• Card Cubby Organizer of winner’s choice
• Coupon Cubby Organizer of winner’s choice

Out of the Blue Delivered specializes in gifts and care packages…especially for the tough stuff in life.

CommXPERTS.com specializes in Consumer Electronic Products, such as iPhone Solar Chargers, Handheld Laser Pico Projectors and other Wireless sp

• ENTER TO WIN OUR GRAND PRIZE by leaving a comment on BOTH Out of the Blue Delivered’s blog and commXPERTS BLOG.

All winners (random and Grand Prize) will be announced via Twitter.  Please follow all 3 companies below, for up-to-date information and drawings.

Contest ends August 16, 2010.

Follow us:
@jentifa – Twitter
@commXPERTS – Twitter
@blueDelivered -  Twitter

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Out of the Blue Delivered

Attn Bloggers: Enter to WIN our Grand Prize Giveaway! #blogHer #blogHer10

Out of the Blue Delivered, along with CommXPERTS.com is thrilled to be sponsoring Jennifer Leet from “The Dirty t Shirt” at  the BlogHER ‘10 conference in New York City.  Be sure to follow @jentifa during the conference for chances to win random give-a-ways (including an iPhone Solar Charger and several Card Cubby Organizers) as well as our Grand Prize gift box.  Hint: You must have a bag tag to win the random prizes at BlogHER so be sure to get one from @jentifa at the conference.

Everyone is eligible to win our Grand Prize Gift Box! See details below on how to enter.

Grand Prize Gift Box includes:

• iPhone Solar Charger for the iPhone 3G/3GS
• How Do You Pico – T-Shirt
• Assorted Cellular Accessories
• Card Cubby Organizer of winner’s choice
• Coupon Cubby Organizer of winner’s choice

Out of the Blue Delivered specializes in gifts and care packages…especially for the tough stuff in life.

CommXPERTS.com specializes in Consumer Electronic Products, such as iPhone Solar Chargers, Handheld Laser Pico Projectors and other Wireless sp

• ENTER TO WIN OUR GRAND PRIZE by leaving a comment on BOTH Out of the Blue Delivered’s blog and commXPERTS BLOG.

All winners (random and Grand Prize) will be announced via Twitter.  Please follow all 3 companies below, for up-to-date information and drawings.

Contest ends August 16, 2010.

Follow us:
@jentifa – Twitter
@commXPERTS – Twitter
@blueDelivered -  Twitter

Posted via email from Out of the Blue Delivered

Grab this Tag and WIN at BlogHer '10 this weekend!! #blogher #blogher10

If you’re going to BlogHer ‘10 this weekend, be sure to look for Jennifer Leet of The Dirty tShirt Blog. She’ll be handing out these bag tags from Out of the Blue Delivered and CommXPERTS. Grab one and hang it on your bag and you could win fun prizes all weekend long!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Fab tribute to cancer patients by Lance Armstrong and Team Radio Shack

At Out of the Blue Delivered, we have a special place in our hearts for cancer patients. So, you can imagine how thrilled we were to see Lance Armstrong and the entire Radio Shack Team ride to honor cancer patients worldwide today.  As the teams rode out for the start of the final stage of the Tour de France, Team Radio Shack showed up in all black jerseys with a huge number 28 on the back. (Smokin' hot, sharp jerseys!)

 

"Today, we're riding for every one of the 28 million people all over the world whose lives and families are affected by this disease," said Lance Armstrong.

 

Unfortunately, the officials did not let the Radio Shack team wear the jerseys for the race, but they did get their message out and raise awareness about cancer patients, their families and the impressive number - 28 million - people that are living with the disease today.

 

At Out of the Blue Delivered, unique gifts and care packages for cancer patients are our specialty! We offer hand delivery in the Orlando and Central Florida area and we ship worldwide.

Who needs to know that you care today?

 

Want to honor a cancer patient on facebook? Radio Shack has a black #28 jersey that can be sent as a "gift" on facebook.

 

Thank you Lance Armstrong and Team Radio Shack for honoring all of these courageous cancer patients and survivors! You give them inspiration and strength!!

Posted via email from Out of the Blue Delivered

Adorable Tooth Fairy Pillows to hold those tiny lost teeth

New find from Out of the Blue Delivered:

 

Nothing is more exciting in a child's passage from little kid to big kid than the loss of their first tooth. In fact, my 5 year old can hardly contain herself she is so anxious to loose a tooth. It seems that all of her friends have lost multiple teeth but she is still awaiting the loss of her first one. Every day she comes to me so that I can wiggle her front teeth in hopes that one will be loose and ready to come out. She is also thrilled with the idea of getting a visit from the Tooth Fairy... that mystical creature that flies in while a child sleeps to take the lost tooth and leave a surprise in it's place.

 

In preparing for the first lost tooth, I've been on the hunt for what to put it in for the Tooth Fairy's visit. I've seen boxes and bags that hold a lost tooth, but was hoping to find something unique. As you know, at Out of the Blue Delivered, we specialize in delivering creative gifts and we LOVE anything handmade in the USA. Check out these adorable Tooth Fairy Pillows we've found! They are such an original gift idea and are available in a wide variety of themes for both girls and boys. The free personalization is a big plus as well.

 

Measuring approximately 6" x 8" and feature a little pocket on the front to hold the tooth.

 

Cute little not

In this pocket you will find
A teensy, tiny tooth of mine.
So while I sleep where dreams are made,
Let's see if you can make a trade.

 

With 80 adorable Tooth Fairy Pillow designs, this original gift idea is sure to be a huge hit with the toothless child in your life!

 

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"Out of the Blue" find in the Florida Keys

At Out of the Blue Delivered we love to bring you unique,original gift ideas for every occasion and life event. Sometimes, we come across creative gift shops that we just have to share with you! While in the Florida Keys this past weekend, we happened upon just such a gift shop... Out of the Blue Gifts! While it's not hard to figure out that the name drew us in, we were surprised and thrilled with the eclectic range of gifts we found inside!

 

Located in a bright pink house at mile marker 29 on Big Pine Key, Out of the Blue Gifts houses an eclectic collection of gifts including a wide range of handmade gifts by artists in the keys (and you KNOW how much we love to support local artists!) Our absolute favorite were glasses made from recycled wine bottles. The bottoms of the bottles were turned into tumblers and the tops into fluted glasses. INCREDIBLE! And at $12 each they were a bargain.

 

Upstairs was a kids' area filled with stuffed animals, books and games. The backrooms of the store "house" a consignment boutique cleverly displayed. If you're passing through Big Pine Key, FL, be sure to stop and browse. You're sure to find something fabulous that you can't live without or the perfect gift to bring someone at home.  Oh, and when you stop by, be sure to tell them that the girls from Out of the Blue Delivered in Orlando, FL say "hello".

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A Drink With Legs: Are you hooked or happy?

Are relationships your "drug of choice"? Do you (or someone you know) jump from one bad relationship to another? Are you afraid to be alone? If the answer is yes, then you are going to LOVE this book by Roy Biancalana! The full title is A Drink With Legs: from Hooked to Happy - a Spiritual Path to Relationship Bliss. Whew, that's a mouthful but the name says it all.

 

At Out of the Blue Delivered  we loved it so much that we decided to create the A Drink with Legs Gift Box. We paired the book with a bottle of Margaritaville margarita mix (yes, it reallly does go together) to create this unique gift idea. The chapters of the book have a Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville theme - hence the margarita mix pairing. Cheeky, yes. But hey, what is one really supposed to send a friend who's depressed, down on love or heartbroken that will be uplifting and useful? We think this gift box makes it easy to show someone love and support AND help lift them out of the dark depths and back onto their true path. What's not to love about that?!

 

Before we decided to offer this book, I had a chance to sit down with Roy. I had an instant connection to his heart because I saw that his passion is helping others! Through his coaching and his book, he has found a way to help others find their true relationship bliss and I could see the joy that this brings him. I loved that about him!!

 

A bit more about the book: Using his own experiences in life, relationship coach Roy has put together a 12 step guide to finding a good relationship. It's an entertaining, insightful read that is loved by men and women alike. (Lord knows it's almost impossible to find a gift for a heartbroken guy - which is another reason we like this book.)

“Roy is a masterful coach whose wisdom and insight come from what he’s learned on his own evolutionary journey. Through a variety of life experiences and challenges, Roy has chosen a path that has produced aliveness, purpose and love in his life. His experiential, real-world training, coupled with his enthusiastic personality and compassion heart, make Roy an ideal coach to support you in creating the life you’ve always wanted. If you are open to discovering what’s kept you from realizing your dreams, whether personally or professionally, then Roy is the coach you want at your side.”

Gay Hendricks, Ph.D.
CEO, The Hendricks Institute; Founder of Spiritual Cinema Circle and Earth Friendly Publishing; Author of 33 books, including Conscious Living, Five Wishes and The Big Leap.

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My Inspiring 4th of July Moment

Happy 4th of July from Out of the Blue Delivered. We pause for a moment to say THANK YOU to all of the men and women in our armed forces (and their families). Thank you for the sacrifices you make to ensure our freedom! How truly fortunate we are to live here in the USA!!
 
This evening we attended the Oviedo Independence Day Celebration. In addition to playing on the inflatables, visiting the various vendors and eating the yummy food, we were looking forward to hearing Scott Mackenzie, Gladys, Bob Frier and the rest of the Simulcast band. Shortly after we arrived, it began to rain. So, we grabbed some grub and sought shelter under a big tent. While we were eating D’ Smokin’ BBQ a woman pulled her wheelchair up next to us. She was decked out in red, white and blue from her patriotic hat to her flag-patterned keds. I was charmed by her attention to detail (which included sparkly red M&M earrings) and impressed by the effort she had put into showing her American pride. With legs that didn’t work and fingers that had no fine-motor skills, it could NOT have been an easy feat to get all decked out for today. Yet there she sat – happy and beautiful! Suddenly, the skies really opened up, rain poured down in buckets and we separated in an effort to stay dry.  
For the next half hour, rain pour down relentlessly and it looked as if the celebration may be cancelled. Our 5 year old daughter was understandably disappointed. As we huddled together, I glanced across the tent at the lady in the wheelchair and realized that today’s celebration wasn’t just about all of those big freedoms that we often take for granted (such as the freedom to choose where we work and live, to vote, to speak openly, to bear arms, etc). For me, it was a reminder to celebrate the little freedoms I have… such as freedom to walk around on two working legs and hold my husband’s hand with fingers that open and close. In that moment, today’s water-logged festival turned into a true celebration of freedom.
 
Holding my daughter, I ran out into the rain and jumped into the biggest puddle I could find! We spent the next hour dancing in the rain, jumping in puddles, playing, skipping, chasing and cherishing each new memory we created. I am truly grateful to the sweet lady in the wheelchair for reminding me to cherish and celebrate each moment we are blessed with in this life!
 

My sincere hope is that we will continue to be proud Americans who treasure each and every freedom we have – big and small! What freedom did you celebrate today?

How to Help after a Friend's Cancer Diagnosis

Tips for Showing that You Care After a Friend's Cancer Diagnosis

Have you had your annual boobie squishing or physical yet this year? Be sure to remember to take care of yourself. So many times we get busy over the summer that we postpone our own care!

Unfortunately, most of us have already been touched by cancer... breast, lung, prostate, lymphoma, leukemia, colon, ovarian, cervical, etc.

What’s a girl to do when her business associate, friend or loved one is faced with cancer? Well, here are a few tips I picked up during my 12 years of treating cancer patients:

• First, depending on your relationship with the patient, drop by, send a card or leave a message of support. It’s ok to send funny, uplifting cards - they don’t all have to be serious and deep.
• It’s ok to tell her/him that you want to help but don’t know what to do or say! The patient just needs to know that you care and support her. The patient has a whole medical team to give her answers!
• When you’re with your friend, take cues on the conversation. There will be times they want to talk about the diagnosis and journey and other days when thety will want to avoid it altogether!
• Remember that cancer affects all of those in the patient’s immediate circle. Depending on the situation, offer to give the caregiver a break by driving the patient to an appointment or treatment, watching the kids or grocery shopping.
• If the patient has a family, drop by with dinner. Don’t ask, just do it! Many times, patients hesitate to ask or accept help. Figure out how you can help and go for it!
• Google and learn. Did you know that there many types of breast cancer? or lung cancer? etc. Learn about their specific type so that you can better understand the patient's journey. This knowledge is for YOU! Do NOT share all the gory details with your friend regarding their cancer, treatment, prognosis, etc. The patient has doctors for that!
• Be persistent in your support! Call, send cards, email…show support in whatever way you can. NEVER expect a response. Depending on where the patient is in the journey, they may not be up to responding…just keep supporting! Trust me, your love and support will lift the patient up.
• Pace yourself! Battling cancer can be a long process… A little support ALL the way through is much better than 24/7 support for the first couple weeks!
• Pray for your friend often and be sure to be extra grateful for all the blessings in YOUR life!

by Dawn Veselka - Radiation Therapist and owner of Out of the Blue Delivered