Organizing Life

Hello... my dears....! How are you? Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet?

Another year is gone.....it's a time for new beginnings, another chance to make resolutions to improve on one's life yet again......

There is something about the new year that makes everyone think....re-consider their goals, both personal and professional......think about the past year and and think about what one could have done better.....(Do you have that kind of thoughts?)

As we roll in to the new year, I too, am awakened with renewed energy and new goals for myself.

One of them being more organized in life...and I'm not talking about organizing my physical surroundings here...I'm talking about getting mentally organized.

I'm a person who lives by the lists.... To do list, list of errands, list of home projects, shopping list...and if you are anything like me ....an ever growing list of DIYs. If something is not on my list, it tends to get lost in the business of everyday life. It's a bit much to keep track of. 

A friend introduced me to Cozi...It's an online organizer and a mobile app to organize your life.

Just the thing I needed....

via

It is my first time shifting from paper notebooks to an online medium.
I'm loving it so far....Let's hope it is a good transition.

How do you stay organized? Do you use any interesting apps? Do share...

Ten Thousand Villages

It was on my recent trip to Philadelphia when I was roaming around the city, looking for some unusual gifts for a few of my friends who I was meeting after a long long time, that I happened to find this store.

As soon as I stepped in, I knew I had to share it with all of you here. As I browsed through the products, the lady at the counter walked up to me and told me all about them.

Sure enough, I was all the more fascinated and so glad that I found them.

Ten Thousand Villages is a Fair Trade International Crafts supplier. They source crafts and handmade products from all around the world, especially to create opportunities for artisans in developing countries.

Every product purchased through them helps provide fair income to artisans.

Not only that, each product comes along with an information card telling the story about the product and the artist who created it. Isn't that so unique?

I thought this was the perfect place to pick up special gifts for my friends.

A few things that I chose.....

An owl shaped candle holder from Nepal





A terracotta dragon from Bangladesh

 

A bird wind chime from Indonesia

  

To read more about ten thousand villages and to browse their collection,

visit their website here.

They have stores all over the U.S:)

Musing about the year gone by...

The whole of December went in a flurry, with work load almost at its peak during the weekdays(phew!) and holiday parties every weekend. I was off from work between Christmas and New years and it was a lovely end to a wonderful year. I wanted to do a wrap up post for 2011 before the start of the new year....but all through out the holidays, I could not grab a few calm moments to put my thoughts together and express all that I has to say. But, it's not too late I guess....So...here goes....

As I welcome the year 2012, I can't help but look back at the year that went by. It was a year full of activity....doing things that I enjoy thoroughly....travelling, crafting, blogging and spending time with loved ones.

The year started off with a long trip to India for my sister's wedding. And what a memorable trip it was......Then there were vacations to Mexico and California in the summer, and a weekend getaway to the mountains up in Georgia. To top it all, a much awaited week long trip to Europe. WOW....what a year it has been!!!!

It has been a very fulfilling year and I owe it all to you, my readers. You are the one who gives me encouragement and inspiration to be creative. I indulged in quite a few creative projects and it was all because of the encouraging words that you write on my blog. Through this blog, I have found so many amazing friends, and I'm thankful to each one of you for being there.

I hope that the year 2012, will be even better, and full of inspiration, for you and for me!

Wishing you a very happy, prosperous and cheerful 2012!

Happy New Year 2012!