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Holiday Travel Prep List - 11 Don't Forget Tips To Do Before Leaving Home

Are you headed out of town for a few days to visit with family and friends? If so, you've probably got a checklist (mental or otherwise!) of everything you need to pack and bring along - presents, cookies, hostess gifts, etc. And with so much to remember it's easy to forget some home and travel prep essentials. Here's a quick list to help you stay organized while you juggle it all. 'Tis the season!

Security
- Light timers - Set a lamp or two to turn on and off at different times so the casual observer will not suspect you're out of town
- Close & lock windows & doors - Seems obvious but take a second and check all the doors and windows. You don't want to be hours or days into your trip and wonder if the back door ever got locked
- Hold mail & newspaper - No need to signal that you're away with a pile of mail and newspapers out front. Both can be put on vacation hold with just a few simple clicks online
- Garbage cans - Make sure you bring garbage cans in from the curb before you leave or ask a neighbor to do it for you. Again it's just one less signal that you're away

Saving $s
- Hot water tank - Save some dollars for your trip and turn down the thermostat on the hot water tank so you're not heating water you're not using
- Adjust thermostat - Turn down the thermostat while you're gone as well. Again a good dollar saver

Cleaning & Maintaining
- Clean refrigerator - Not a necessity but nice to not come home to a few science experiments. Take a minute and dump out all the old leftovers
- Run dishwasher - Also not a necessity but always nice to not wonder if the dishes are clean or dirty. However, if you forget to do this the odor will often tell you!
- Take out trash - Once of the last things before closing and locking the door is to take out the trash and recyclables to minimize odor
- Water plants & the Christmas tree - This one is time dependent but give your plants and the Christmas tree a good soak before you leave and consider asking someone to help if you're going to be gone awhile

One More Thing...
- Pack a carry-on bag - Whether you're traveling by air or not you want / need some essentials always within arms reach. So pack a bag that stays with you no matter what your journey throws at you! And make sure your Style Rx pill box case makes it into that bag.

Safe travels!

Want to discover more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Holiday Shipping Deadlines

Only a few more days to left to shop, wrap and gift a Style Rx pill box case this holiday season. Don't wait!


Gift Giving Shipping Dates

Ground Shipping for Christmas and Hanukkah	Order by 12/20, 12pm ET
2-3 Day Shipping for Christmas and Hanukkah	Order by 12/21, 12pm ET
Overnight Shipping for Christmas and Hanukkah	Order by 12/23, 12pm ET
Hostess Thank You Gift	Order by 12/27, 12pm ET
New Year's Resolution Gift	Order by 12/27, 12pm ET

Learn more about how Inspired by Dawn makes holiday gift shopping easy this season.

At Your Fingertips Ideas & Inspiration for Easy Holiday Style from Gifts to Decor

You're so close, right? Lots of gifts checked off the list, most of the heavy lifting is done but there's still more than a few details to take care of before we all go into official holiday mode. So to give you a helping hand we've pulled together a few sources of ideas and inspiration to help you wrap it all up in style!

Gifts and Stocking Stuffers
If you're still searching for the perfect gift for your mom, daughter, friend, aunt, etc. check out our Inspired Gifts that Always Fit and Gifts for Women On-the-Go boards on Pinterest. They'll give you last minute gift idea inspiration with great visuals, as well as the ability to order with just a few taps on your phone, tablet or computer.

Gift Wrapping and Holiday Decor
If you're a little further along and looking for inspired ways to add signature holiday style to your gift wrapping or home decor then you'll want to check out our board Inspiration is in the Details, again on Pinterest.

Spirited Holiday Style
Still deciding what you'll wear to your holiday events this week and next? Then don't forget about our Holiday Party Style Inspiration board for ideas on how to be stylishly festive all week long.

Baking, Tipping & Teacher Gifts
Still thinking about baking cookies or needing to pull together some last minute tips or teacher gifts? Here's some helpful hints and resources to get it all done.

Finally, don't forget that Inspired by Dawn is offering 25% Off Entire Purchase  + Complimentary Ground Shipping on all orders placed by 11:59pm Sunday, 12/18 to ensure you can gift everyone a Style Rx pill box case this holiday season.


Want to see more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

1 Simple Tip for Online & In Store Holiday Shopping Success

December seems to go faster than almost any other month. Probably because it's filled with so many extras - more gift buying, more parties, holiday cards to send, cookies to bake, etc. If you're one of the many who have not finished their holiday shopping yet (we're including ourselves here!), take a breath, make a list (or two) and be ready to wrap it up in no time!

In an article from Real Simple we found one of the simplest, yet smartest tips for tackling your holiday gift shopping list - Split your shopping list.

They advise (and we do this too!) breaking out your shopping list into two lists. The first one is for items to shop for online. The second one that requires shopping in a store. Focus on the online shopping first so you can comparison shop easily and also build momentum by seeing quick progress in that daunting list. Save the harder to decide on items for your store shopping trip. That way your time in stores is minimized and you're focused on a few key gifts rather than a vague list of mere ideas.

Oh and before you head out, here's a few more tips on in-store shopping to ensure you're primed for success. Happy shopping!

Want to see more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

11 Holiday-Perfect Gifts That Are Not Gift Cards

It's undeniable, gift cards are everywhere. They are big business and they are oh so easy! But sometimes you want give a little more. So we've curated a list of one-size-fits-all gifts that are almost as easy as a gift card, but have just a touch more style, practicality and pizazz. What a powerful combination! Stash a few of these away in your gift closet and you'll never turn to a gift card again. You can thank us later!

1. Gourmet Olive Oil
2. Soy Candle
3. Pill Box Case
4. Amaryllis Bulb and Planter
5. Personalized Stationery
6. Gourmet Sea Salt
7. Business Card Holder
8. Cookbook
9. Ornament
10. Luxurious Blanket / Throw
11. Board Game

Happy gift giving!

Want to see more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Shop Small Today with Inspired by Dawn

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ready, Set, Shop! Prep Now to Make the Most of Black Friday & Small Business Saturday Shopping

If you're gearing up for some serious post-turkey shopping on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, take a minute now to plan for comfort and endurance. Here's 7 Shopping Essentials to help you think ahead and be ready to shop those deals:

1. Hydrate - Drink fluids before heading out, and plan to take a refillable water bottle with you so you can stay hydrated while battling the crowds.
2. Fuel - You'll probably eat well before heading out (turkey and fixings or breakfast at a cafe), but make sure to take snacks as well. A handful of almonds or a banana thrown in your bag should do the trick.
3. Rx - Organize your medications or vitamins that you need to take ahead of time in a designer pill box like the Style Rx and you won't miss a dose or a deal!
4. Tote - Spare a disposable shopping bag and bring your own reusable tote for all your finds.
5. Comfort - You'll be on your feet for many hours so choose footwear carefully. This is one time you might want to plan your outfit around your footwear, instead of the other way around!
6. List - Know who you have to buy for before you head out, and try to list a couple of ideas to focus your search
7. Budget - Set a budget ahead of time to avoid pain and remorse later. Consider setting a limit for the day or per gift so you don't waste time on items that will blow the budget.

Plan ahead and enjoy a productive weekend of shopping. Happy Shopping and Saving!


Want to see more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Traveling for Thanksgiving? Don't forget to pack these 3 essentials...

Whether you're driving across town or flying cross-country for your Thanksgiving festivities this year, make sure you don't leave home without these essentials...

1. Medications - Don't take a holiday from your medication. Make sure you organize what you need, and when, whether you'll be gone for several hours or days. Try the Style Rx pill box case and even Aunt Edna won't know that you've got a pill box with you!
2. Phone Chargers - If you're using your phone's GPS to get to your destination or just frequently checking the Thanksgiving sales, you may want a charger to juice up your phone while you're away. Consider bringing a car adaptor phone charger for emergencies as well.
3. Hostess Gift - No matter what the host / hostess says, don't go empty handed. Bring a small flower arrangement (in a vase), a soy candle, a bottle of gourmet olive oil, an ornament for their Christmas tree, or some other small but thoughtful gift to thank them for welcoming you on Thanksgiving.

Want to see more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

4 Simple Plan-Now Tips for Holiday Health, Happiness & Less Stress

In the blink of an eye it’s two weeks until Thanksgiving. Halloween is past, the presidential election is finally over (for better or worse) and holiday music and displays are popping all over. With this beautiful time of year comes a lot of extra commitments and expectations, which can unfortunately make it one of the most stressful times of the year. From holiday office parties, school performances and parties, shopping, baking, wrapping, etc., etc. the commitments can quickly quash the joy and meaning of the season.

So in the hopes of spreading some joy this holiday season, we're sharing some tricks to help you manage the many demands that come at you this time of year, and you help you enjoy the season as well.

1. Make a list of everything you have to do, want to do and/or your family really wants to you to do this holiday season. Don't forget office party obligations and school performances, and make sure to add the steps necessary to do some of those things, e.g. order the holiday cards and buy the postage.
2. Create a gift list that includes everyone you need to buy for this holiday season. Make sure to include teacher gifts, hostess gifts and tips for those who have helped you out all year long. Leave room next to each name to start jotting down a couple of ideas for what to buy.
3. Make it real. Create a chart similar to the one below or start entering each task into your calendar. Only then can you start to see where things make get particularly stressful and plan ahead.
   
   

   November
   11/13 – 11/19	Order holiday cards & postage	Start shopping for teacher gifts	Shop for holiday office outfit
   11/20 – 11/26	Thanksgiving
   11/27 – 12/3	Decorate house	Shop cyber Monday deals for gifts	Address & mail holiday cards
   December
   12/4 – 12/10	School performance (day / time)	Prepare tips for service providers	Gift shopping
   12/11 – 12/17	Office party (day / time)	Baking	Gift shopping
   12/18 – 12/24	Nutcracker performance (day / time)	Mailing gifts	Travel / Prep home for guests

4. Prioritize and just say no. You are only one person and your joy, health and happiness matter this holiday season too. You don't have to do everything. Determine what's most important to you and/or family and say no to the rest. And enlist family members to help ease the burden on the To Dos that remain.

Want to see more ways to Live Life Inspired with a focus on style, health and simplicity? Sign up to receive Inspired by Dawn's email newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.