Hailey's Helpful Hints

  Wondering how to maximize suitcase space? Need to cram a lot into a little without wrinkling everything in the process? It's easy with the smart tips on where everything should go: 1) Line the bottom with a plastic trash bag. After you've packed add another one on top. This helps fend off wrinkles and will keep it dry if it's off-loaded from the plane in the rain. 2) Stash footwear and heavy stuff along the wheel base. Fill shoes with socks or bulky bangle bracelets, then put them in individual bags or shower caps, with the soles facing the sides of the suitcase. Splitting up the pairs saves space. Rest other heavy items like a hair dryer or a toiletry kit next to or on top of shoes. Placing these things near the wheels stabilizes the bag's center of gravity so it won't topple over when upright. 3) Lay the foundation next by tightly packing rolled clothing. 4) Build the second layer by layering folded dresses, pants, and skirts on top of the rolled clothes. Altern...

  While some of us have our shopping completely done, others haven't even started so here's a quick tip to avoid spending more... Retail stores have a clever way to get you to spend more: "the decoy effect." Behavioral research conducted by Dan Ariely, Ph.D of Duke University, has shown that when customers were given a choice between two products, one of which is priced lower and is lower quality (say an MP3 Player that holds fewer songs), they'll often choose the cheaper one. BUT when a third (decoy) item is introduced at an even higher price, shoppers are more likely to opt for the mid-priced-one. Meaning - adding another product nudges shoppers up the price scale instead of making them stick with the bargain buy. Bottom line: Think carefully when you see a display of products at varied prices, and hold steady at the price you can afford.

  Great for breakfast, brunch, tea or dessert. A holiday staple.   ~Spiced Cranberry Coffee Cake~   Ingredients:   3/4 cup(s) (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter , at room temperature, plus more for the pan 3 cup(s) all-purpose flour , plus more for the pan      1 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda 1 teaspoon(s) kosher salt 1 1/2 cup(s) granulated sugar 3 ...

  Super Saver Sales this weekend! Lululemon : Express FREE shipping. Ends 12/17. No promo code. Anthropologie : $25 off every $100 you spend. Online & In-stores. Ends 12/16. Promo code: MERRYMERRY Urban Outfitters : FREE shipping. No minium. Ends 12/18. No promo code. Lacoste : Up to 40% off (Semi-Annual Sale) & FREE shipping. Online & In-stores. No promo code. Splendid : Up to 40% off (Winter Sale) & FREE shipping. Online & In-stores. No promo code. GAP : 30% off Online only. End 12/15. Promo code: GAPGIFT Banana Republic : 30% off. Online only. Ends 12/16. Promo code: BR30LIST J-Crew : 30% off. Online & In-store. Ends 12/17. Promo code: WISHLIST Old Navy : 30% off. Online & In-store. Ends 12/15. Promo code: ONGIFT American Eagle : 40% off. Online only. Ends 12/23. Promo code: 23815931 Justice : 40% off. Online & In-store. Ends 12/16. Promo code: 740 Children's Place : 30% off & FREE shipping. Online & In-store. Ends 12/16. Pr...

  Want to stretch your dollar a little further this weekend? If you're headed to the stores to finish (or start) your Christmas shopping, be sure to print these coupons off before you go! Aeropostale - $10 off $50 Exp 12/24 Banana Republic Factory Store - 15% off purchase Exp 12/16 Barnes & Noble - 25% off one item Exp 12/16 Bath & Body Works - $10 off $30 Exp 12/16 Bath & Body Works - Free product w/$10 purchase Exp 12/24 bebe - $20 off $125 Exp 12/19 Carter’s – Facebook Exclusive 15% – 25% off purchase Exp 12/19 Children’s Place - 30% off purchase Exp 12/16 Dressbarn - 15% off regular priced purchase Exp 12/24 Express - $25 off $75 Exp 12/13 Famous Footwear - 20% off purchase Valid 12/15 – 12/24 Gap Outlet - 15% off $75+ purchase Exp 12/24 Goody’s - Various Coupons Hallmark Gold Crown Store – Facebook Exclusive $5 off $10 Exp 12/20 Hobby Lobby - 40% off regular priced item Exp 12/15 Kirkland’s - $25 off $75 Exp 12/14 Kohl’s - 15% – 20% off purchase Exp...

  I love the idea of Little Cuties. Translation: Fruit, custard, cream or meringue mini-pies baked in ½-pint, oven-safe mason jars. What a perfectly portioned treat. Just press the crust into the containers (available at Amazon, Walmart, even your hardware store). Choose a canned filling or whip one up yourself. Come dessert time, there’s no need to cut and serve. “People can grab a jar and dig right in,” says Shaina Olmanson, author of Desserts in Jars: 50 Sweet Treats That Shine . “They’re great for parties.” And your waistline - as long as you eat just one. Great as gifts too! :: 2 Crowd Pleasing Little Cutie Ideas ::   Mini Apple Pies: Who doesn't love apple pie!?!? Ingredients: 2 boxes refrigerated pie crusts 8 Tbsp. butter 1/4 C flour 1/4 C granulated sugar 1/4 C brown sugar 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/8 tsp salt 6 C sliced apples 1/2 C dried cranberries (optional) Directions: 1. Heat oven to 350° and set out 8 wide-mouth 8 oz jars. Cut...

Starbucks Buy One Holiday Beverage Get ONE FREE of equal or lesser value is here!!! Stop by Starbucks Thursday, December 13th (today) thru Sunday, December 16th between 2PM - 5PM and when you buy One Holiday Beverage, you get ONE FREE of equal or lesser value. Mix & Match your favorite flavors. This BOGO Free offer only valid for four days, so hurry on over with the kids after school or a friend you've been meaning to catch up with during promotional dates & times. If you're unsure if your location is participating, simply call your local Starbucks. Starbucks will carry the Holiday Drink tradition thru 12/31/12. Valid at participating locations. Not valid at airports & grocery retailer stores. Holiday flavors to choose from: Caramel Brulee Latte: Made with espresso, steamed milk and caramel Brulée sauce, topped with sweetened whipped cream and caramel Brulée topping. Peppermint Mocha: Made with espresso, steamed milk, mocha sauce and peppermint flavore...

  Give the sweetest present this year; yummy treats wrapped in pretty packages! :: Sweet :: Peppermint Bark  : 2 pounds (4 small tins) at $1.96 each Chocolate-Peppermint Cake Pops  : 48 pops at $.23 each Layered Chocolate Cookie Mix  : 1 jar at $7.33 each; 3 1/2 dozen baked cookies Marbled Walnut Fudge  : 4 dozen pieces at $4.01/dozen Mixed Berry Granola : About 6 cups at $1.98 per cup Cranberry-Poppyseed Biscuits : three 2 3/4 cup bags at $1.55 each :: Salty :: Chunky Salsa : Makes 10 cups at $1.53 Trio of Rubs : 1 jar (11 teaspoons) at $1.50 each :: Fast and Easy Gift Packaging Ideas :: Raid your pantry and drawers for these items to repurpose on the fly... Mason or other lidded glass jars: These are ideal for holding homemade candies, nuts and other small bites. Just sterilize with a quick boiling water bath first. A ribbon around the top makes it extra special. Brown paper bags: Use lunch sacks or cut apart large bags to make wrapping paper. Add a gin...

  Back in 2010, I jotted down a few gift ideas for specific people in your lives - the workaholic, the beauty queen, the movie buff. The list goes on. Sadly I'm sure there will be links that don't work and a few products that might seem "dated" or not even available anymore but reposting wasn't necessarily about the specific products but more to inspire your inner creativity to give something more thoughtful. Instead of just getting them something mainstream, think about each individual person. What do they really like to do? What is a gift they will keep and use, not toss in the drawer? Check out the post HERE . Happy Shopping!

When you need a last minute present or just simply don't have time to package and ship, the "Treater" app can't be beat! This free app (for both iPhone & Android) lets you instantly give any friend gift certificates from everything from movie tickets and massages to gourmet dinners. Simply pick and purchase a "treat" and send it via Facebook, text or email. Great for the holidays but a useful app all year round for those life events that sneak up on you!

No time to shop? Stumped on what to give a girlfriend that has everything? Give the gift of a re-occuring monthly box of high-end assorted cosmetics. Truly the gift that keeps on giving. For only $10-$21 per month (you can pick how many months you want the box delievered), the recipient will be able to try out in-demand, luxe skin creams, perfumes, makeup, and hair products. Here are a few beauty bento boxes to consider: Birchbox : Sidestep dissapointment by testing trial-size luxe beauty supplies that have receieved numerous thumbs-up. My favorite option from the list. $10/month. www.birchbox.com   Myglam : Not only does myglam offer it's four or five monthly samples in full or deluxe sizes, it also includes a cute makeup bag with every package. The website offers makeup tutorials too. $10/month. www.myglam.com Beautyarmy : This sampling program recommends makeup, fragrances, and more based on feedback from customer questionnaires. You can take user's advice or sel...

I don't know about you but I'm always struggling to juggle my money clutch, phone (god forbid I go anywhere without it), Target bags and a child's hand or two so whoever had the patent pending idea to manufacture a wallet that accomodates an iPhone, up to three credit cards and alittle cash is a genius in my book. The Q Card Case for the iPhone 4/4s and 5 are a practical gift for both men and women, even teenagers, this holiday season. At only $40, you could even slide in a small gift card or some cash into the pocket for a secret surprise.

I love the idea of a lunch box filled with a few extra goodies as a Christmas gift. I'm especially obsessed with Frecklebox's personalized lunch boxes ($29.95) that have a chalkboard inside the lid for those "I love you notes" you want to include.   They also offer a  "look like me" box ($29.95) that allows you to customize the lunch box with the correct skintone, hair color, and their favorite activity. And if you want to take the lunch box to the next level, you can personalize a Yubo box  ($39.95). Incredibly functional with three built-in food containers and a custom built ice pack. All dishwasher safe and BPA-free, phthalate-free, and lead-free. So much to choose from! Now fill it with little surprises and you've got yourself a super fun gift! Frecklebox also carries an entire line of personalizable items from chore charts, placemats, puzzles and binders. All so cute and affordable prices.

Stumped on what to get your sister? Friend? Babysitter? I know clothing is hard to give but the Bobeau Asymmetical Fleece Wrap Cardigan  makes the perfect gift. It lightweight so it can be worn year round. Flattering. A comfy throw on piece. And on sale! Currently marked down to $39.90 in the "Point of View" section at Nordstrom. Pair with a pair of earrings or a some nailpolish and you've got yourself a fashionable gift for under $50. Or if you want to bypass the mall chaos, buy online and get free shipping! Available in 13 colors.

December 1st. A perfect time to set out a game plan for the chaos of the coming weeks. And by game plan, I mean start making lists. I am a total list person. I have a list of a list of a list. I find that when I am most busy though, the Any.DO app is my saving grace. It's slogan says it all - MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. Reviews on the internet claim it's better than Gmail Tasks. I agree. The functionality of the Any.DO app is spot on. When a to-do pops into my head, I quickly and easily log it as a today, tomorrow, this week or later task. Under each task, you have the ability to mark the task as urgent, move it to another folder (this is great if you want to separate lists into personal, work, etc), set an alarm to alert you about it on a specified day and time, add a note to it, or forward it to someone in your contacts book as an email or Facebook message. And if you don't want to type out your list, it has voice recognition. Think driving and list making. Ahhh, that sings t...