Our family holiday tradition is to serve Coquito, a creamy, tropical, coconut eggnog that is made with spices (and the optional white rum!) Holidays aren’t complete without this drink at the table and is a special request at Spanish holiday gatherings. My family serves it with our homemade yellow rice with pigeon peas and roast pork shoulder. It is delicious and I recommend you try it with your family this year. I guarantee it will be a big hit!

2egg yolks, beaten

1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

1 (14 ounce) can cream of coconut

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup water

1/4 tea spoon ground cloves

1/2 tea spoon ground cinnamon

1 tea spoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup of white rum (optional)

Directions:

1. In the top of a double boiler, combine egg yolks and evaporated milk. Stirring constantly, cook over lightly simmering water until mixture reaches a temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

2. Transfer mixture to a blender, and add cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, rum, water, cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla. Blend for about 30 seconds. Pour into glass bottles, and chill overnight.

(Please drink responsibly)

A lot of people do a lot of things for us over the course of the year – and the holidays are the perfect time to thank those people in one way or another. It’s hard to know <em>how</em> to thank someone, though! Do we send a nice card as a written thank-you? Should we slip a little cash into an envelope and leave it as a surprise? What about an actual gift? CNBC has shared their <a href=”http://finance.yahoo.com/news/holiday-tipping-guide-2012-190918182.html”>Holiday Tipping Guide 2012</a> to help eliminate the guesswork involved with this sort of thing. Some of the suggestions may not apply to you and some of them might need a little tweaking to fit your personal situation (for example, as a leasing professional at an apartment community, I speak for everyone who works on the property when I say there’s no way we’d ever accept a tip of any kind – so skip suggestion number 1!), but there seems to be something for everyone here. Got any people or tip ideas you’d like to add? Leave them here as a comment on this post – and happy holidays!

There was a time in my life where I said, “I don’t get out of bed for NOBODY at 4:00am,especially to shop!” when asked to participate in Black Friday shopping.

<img src=”{filedir_1}black_friday.jpg” alt=”black friday” height=”212″ width=”238″ />

The thought of getting out of bed to stand in line and shop at that hour was ABSURD to me.

Then the stores started opening earlier and earlier…so I started to join an already-established tradition with my in-laws, but it involved standing outside in line all night. So I actually stood by my word that I wouldn’t get out of bed at 4am to shop…now I just don’t go to bed on Thanksgiving. Crazy…I know. But there is something to be said about the thrill of the chase. The challenge of making sure we all divide and conquer to secure that most coveted “door-buster”! It’s very hard to explain, but it is actually like a game. Who can outwit, outplay and outlast all of the other shoppers while ending up with – pardon the expression – the most toys!

Last year a lot of stores advertised that they would open at midnight, but due to Massachusetts blue laws, they couldn’t open until 1:00am – unbeknownst to all of us standing in line. 2 years ago we got in line at Toys R Us at 10pm – they were opening at midnight – the line of people was already wrapped around the store, down the end of the driveway and along the neighboring sidewalk. Luckily, the store opened at 12:01 (which they can no longer do) – however -we never set foot into the store until 1:30am! That’s how long it took us to get through the line! <img src=”{filedir_1}toys_r_us.jpg” alt=”toys r us” height=”180″ width=”279″ />We grabbed our 2 purchases and then had to wait in line in the EXTREMELY small and crowded electronics department for an hour! I was literally sitting on the floor – miserable! We finally got to the register, picked up the iPod touch that came with a free $50 Toys R Us gift card, checked out and were back in the car at 2:45am! Seriously?! Then we moved on to Target – they opened at 5:00am – we stood in line there for 2 hours! We maneuvered our way through the crowd and manage to get everything we needed before a line at the registers even formed! Victory! (The year prior to that we waited in the check out line at Target for 50 minutes! and ps – I am a cranky shopper to begin with, so it wasn’t pretty!)

Regardless, after a full 12 hours of shopping and door busting, it always seems worth it because there is always a new story or two to share, lots of laughs and always happy squeals of joy when that present that they “just gotta have” is opened!

This year, there is a lot of controversy over stores now opening up on Thanksgiving night. I have to say, I refuse to give up my Thanksgiving to shop. All I can do is hope that the $179 40″ LCD tv is still available when I get there – most likely at midnight. If you are planning on door-busting, make sure you know when your stores are opening. Blue Laws still exist in MA, ME and RI.

Check out this great article in the NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/21/us/blue-laws-curb-consumerism-where-pilgrims-gave-thanks.html?pagewanted=1

Happy Thanksgiving and happy shopping!!

With the holiday season on the brink of being in full swing, many people are busy cooking, travelling, shopping, and wrapping up last minute things at work preparing to be with family and friends.

Many people are looking to give back to the community by volunteering at soup kitchens, food pantries and putting together food baskets to deliver to those in need, or by contributing to charity.

A place to consider donating needed items to might also be your local Animal Refuge League. Many cats, dogs, and other animals awaiting families to adopt them need help too.

The local Animal Refuge League here in Portland has a website with their Wish-List posted right on the website. Their List does note that there are some items they cannot accept and also advises to call the League ahead of time if you have an item you’d like to donate but is not listed on their list.

http://www.arlgp.org/donations/wish-list/

An Animal Refuge League in your area might need some help through the winter and it might be a nice idea to check out their website for their Wish List. A little may go a long way in brightening an animal’s day!

Most of us by now have heard of Etsy. But did you know you could buy almost anything on Etsy? Etsy is known as a site where you can find the most handmade and vintage items for sale on the web. As I was looking for bridesmaids gifts, I found everything from wedding dresses (and pretty cheap, too!) to Louis Vuitton bedazzled pacifiers. What’s the advantage to shopping Etsy instead of eBay? There is no bidding and everything is very inexpensive! Another great thing about their site is that it’s also a social site. They have everything from blogs to wedding registries. If you haven’t started shopping on Etsy yet, I suggest you do. I’ve already purchased a few items from the site and was very pleased with how easy it was. Hello Etsy, good-bye eBay!

Let’s get this out in the open, once and for all. I am a woman that hates shopping. Yes, I know that sounds like a lion claiming to be a vegetarian, but I have my reasons: crowds of people; bored, rude, or oblivious sales staff; racks full of clothing stuffed with everything but your size; or my number one complaint, exorbitant prices. That’s why I am all about shopping online and today I’m going to share a few of my go-to websites.

For me, one of the most distressing things about online shopping is making a return… There are two websites that make this bothersome possibility almost obsolete. First, <a href=”http://www.target.com/”>Target.com </a>gives you access to merchandise that isn’t necessarily carried in the store. Other benefits include regular internet specials, such as “buy 3 get one free ” or free shipping on select merchandise or on orders over a particular amount. In addition to clothing, Target.com carries all the goodies you’d expect to find in the department store, such as shoes, housewares, and electronics. Best of all, if you need to make a return, there’s likely a Target just down the road so you won’t pay return shipping.

One of my other favorite sites for easy returns is <a href=”http://www.modcloth.com/”>Modcloth</a>. This company appeals to a clientele who appreciates retro and vintage-inspired pieces (think Zooey Deschanel). One function I love about Modcloth is that the article description specifies the fit of the piece, whether it is true to size or if it runs small or large. New stock is added every day, so that cool little shift that appears today may be in the sale section within a couple of weeks. In addition to clothing, Modcloth carries shoes, jewelry, hosiery, and homegoods. Plus, if the sizing is not what you expected, you can print a return postage form, drop the parcel at the post office and pay nothing for return shipping.

I confess, I’m also addicted to <a href=”http://www.forever21.com/Product/Main.aspx?br=f21″>Forever21</a>, mainly because their inventory is so extensive. They carry Women’s, Men’s, Girl’s, and Plus sizes, as well as accessories and shoes. This company is trendy and fun and you never know what you’ll find – maybe that perfect party dress for a night out on the town, the boyfriend blazer for next weekend’s date, or a basic pencil skirt for work. Forever21’s sale section is enormous and often heavily discounted. Today’s sale page for skirts featured prices ranging between $4.99 and $15.99. What a deal! In addition to the traditional sales, Forever21 offers daily <a href=”http://www.forever21.com/Product/Category.aspx?br=f21&category=dailyspecial”>”Flash Deals”</a> that are 21% off select new merchandise.

My beloved new discovery is <a href=”https://www.zulily.com/auth/”>Zulily</a>. Yes, you must sign up to be a member (free of charge), but this allows you access to designer merchandise at greatly reduced prices. I recommend you use this website <strong>only</strong> if you are a bold shopper because there are several caveats to doing business with Zulily. First, Zulily does not carry inventory; they get their stock directly from the designers, so in addition to sizes and quantities being limited, returns are not accepted. Also, because they deal with such a variety of clothiers, sizing may be inconsistent. Finally, because items are not “in stock,” it may take up to two weeks before your order is shipped. That being said, the price is The Important Thing. I recently scored a stylish, python-print dress with black piping for just $16.00, a piece similar to one my supervisor swore she had recently seen in a fashion magazine.

I am not a fashionista by any stretch of the imagination, but over the years I’ve learned what I like and what is flattering on me. I’m certain that there are other amazing online shops and I’d love to hear where you score your deals, so please be sure to leave me your secrets in a comment below!

According to an <a href=”http://www.care2.com/greenliving/6-health-benefits-of-having-pets.html?page=1″>article</a> written on Care2.com, there are several health benefits related to the ownership of pets. Want to know how our furry friends can help boost our well-being? <strong>Keep reading!</strong>

Pets can help us to heal emotionally, physically, and mentally, but scientists are also discovering that cats and dogs can help fight disease and assist us in coping with chronic conditions. They can have a biochemical impact on their owners’ body chemistry. Numerous medical experts have provided the results of scientific studies that support this biological basis for what we’ve felt intuitively. Here are some of the ways in which pets can have a positive effect on our health.

1. Pets Lessen the Risk of Allergies & Asthma
2. Pets Reduce Stress
4. Cats Lower Risk of Fatal Heart Attack
3. Dogs Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
5. Pets Can Help People with Serious Illness
6. Dogs Help with Weight Loss

At Princeton Properties, your furry friends are welcome! We proudly offer pet-friendly apartment homes. Check out our <strong><a href=”https://www.princetonproperties.com/Inside-Princeton/1034/Pet-Guidelines.aspx”>pet guidelines</a></strong> for more information!

I don’t often admit this publicly, but I have a strange fascination…(okay…an obsession)…with Mt. Everest. I’ve read the book “Into Thin Air” by John Krakauer from cover to cover seven times. I know how it begins and how it ends…but it’s the elements of passion and fearlessness that compels me to want to relive the story over and over in my mind. Anytime there is an article, news story or movie about someone who has climbed Mt. Everest…you can’t tear me away. In the back of my mind, I’ve always thought I would climb it one day. It’s on my bucket list…but it’s one of those once-in- a-lifetime adventures that I may have to realize through others. Recently I read an article in one of my Human Resources trade magazines about a successful Wall Street executive, Alison Levine, who climbed Mt. Everest. She compares the lessoned learned in her climb to the highest peak in the world to the business world. Her comparisons resonate for me…in and outside of the office. Whether the task is raising my son, fitness goals, or life in general…here is how Alison used each journey – whether it ended in success or failure – to improve her next attempt at anything.

1. Going backwards is NOT the critical mistake; not moving is. Fear is okay as a normal human emotion; complacency is what will kill you. You can’t afford to stand still when the environment around you is shifting and changing.
2. No matter how prepared or skilled you are, things can go wrong. There are always risks in business and in life. Mitigate risks by studying the success stories and missteps of those who have preceded you.
3. Failure can be a valuable learning experience. Alison’s first attempt to climb Mt. Everest in 2002 failed. She claims that the only reason she made it to the peak in 2010 when others turned around was because she had failed in 2002. By giving yourself and others room to fail, you encourage people to take educated risks, which can lead to epic payoffs.
Alison summed up her feat by saying…”You need to be able to weather the storms if you are ever going to have the opportunity to enjoy this kind of view.”

I agree. I think I’m going to read “Into Thin Air” again this weekend!

Adopting a Shelter Animal
Back in August, I brought home a wonderful little cat who I named “Tali.” She is an orange and white long haired cat with some health issues, including tear ducts which are too small and cause her to sneeze on everything! (You know you love a cat when you don’t mind if they sneeze on you.)

When I was thinking about getting a cat, there was no doubt in my mind that I would adopt one from a shelter or a foster situation. I also decided almost immediately that I would adopt an older cat and not a kitten. There were several reasons for this decision and I hope that if you are considering welcoming a furry friend into your home that you will follow my logic and adopt a pet instead of buying one from a breeder.

Shelter animals often come from bad situations; situations where they are abused or perhaps neglected or even where they were simply let out on the street to fend for themselves. They need love perhaps more than any other creature on the planet.

Take care in selecting your pet. I suggest several visits to the shelter or foster home to make sure that the animal is a good fit for you. Also, most shelters or foster programs require that all members of the household be present when meeting the animal. I highly recommend this, including having each person spend time alone with the prospective new addition to your family, so that the animal can get comfortable with everyone.

Another factor, of course, is the cost. Breeder fees are usually much, much higher than adoption fees, so if you are looking to get a new furry friend, adoption will cut down on costs. Keep in mind, that the cost of getting a pet is usually higher than just the adoption or breeder fees simply because of things like food and toys (and litter and box for a cat, leash for a dog, etc) as well as spaying or neutering. In this respect, it might also be better to consider giving home to an older animal. Kitten and puppy adoption costs are often double the cost to adopt a cat or dog who is only a few years old. To keep in mind also, the older and longer a cat or dog stays in a shelter, the less likely it is they will be adopted, but they often have great personalities and require less work than puppies and kittens!

By adopting, instead of purchasing, a furry friend, you are helping to curb the overpopulation problem of cats and dogs, which is a problem in many areas. These stray animals often wreak havoc on the ecosystem around them, so adoption is good for the environment as well. Please also remember to get your new pet spayed or neutered, though yet another benefit of adoption is the fact that many shelter pets are already spayed and/or neutered.

I adopted Tali from the Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton, MA. They were absolutely wonderful people to work with and very friendly with a good facility. If you are in Massachusetts and considering adoption, please consider working with Baypath. Broken Tail Rescue is a good foster program, if that is more your preference.

Make sure to do your research and read reviews. Petfinder.com is a great resource. Baypath was up-front with me about Tali’s potential medical problems and would absolutely not let me take her home until they were sure she was healthy. They were honest about what kind of problems she might face, but I am lucky to see that she is a very healthy little ball of fluff!

Hard to believe the holidays are just about here, but they are. This joyous time of year is filled with family gatherings, office parties, cookie swaps…and stress. Lots of stress. And I’m not talking the agita you feel when your grandparents ask why you haven’t given them great-grandchildren yet. I’m talking about the stress you feel when you think of all the money you have to spend on gifts, decorations, food, gifts, outfits, and more gifts. Oh, and all the bills you somehow have to continue making payments on during the season. It can be overwhelming. But we’ve got to take a step back here. We don’t <em>have</em> to spend all that money and fall behind on our bills and throw ourselves into debt every year. The holidays have somehow morphed into a cruel, commercialized joke on us. What happened to just getting together and enjoying each other’s company and being thankful for what/who we have and making memories that’ll last way longer than the iPhone 5 or whatever outrageous gift someone spent a fortune on? Sure, if you can afford to shower everyone you know with a thoughtful and/or extravagant gift, have at it. But if you’re strapped for cash and you’re stressing about making ends meet, don’t lose sight of what’s important. Pay your rent so you can keep a roof over your head, your electric bill so you’ve got lights & heat, and your car loan so you’re able to get to all those fabulous parties and have a little fun. This time of year should be cause for celebration, not collection calls.

This isn’t an anti-gift post, though! As much as I believe gifts aren’t necessarily a necessity, I do enjoy giving them. So here’s a great <a href=”http://happyherbivore.com/2011/11/holiday-holiday-money-savings/”>post</a> from last year that offers helpful tips for holiday budgeting and great ideas for gift-giving. Check it out and see if you can’t put some of it to use… just don’t forget what the holidays are really all about. Enjoy the aseason!