Holiday shopping strategies

This year, I'm trying to get a jump start on my holiday shopping and avoid the December rush. I'm always such a last minute girl with Christmas! I keep thinking: If I can just iron out my gift list now, I'll be so prepared when Cyber Monday rolls around! 

Since I have time on the subway, I've been using my morning and evening commute to jot down notes about the people in my life that I love and gifts that might suit their interests. It sounds funny, but the subway is such a helpful place to ponder ideas. My goal is to at least have a finished list by Thanksgiving. Fingers crossed. ;)

Do you have any gift-giving strategies? How do you get a jump start on your shopping? Would love any tips and advice!

PS: One of my favorite sites for gift ideas!

(Image via Pinterest)

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday! My dear readers, I hope each of you had a lovely week. Now, on to the weekend! What do you have planned? I'm hoping to finally start my holiday shopping — never an easy task! I'm also going to see Gatz at the Public Theater with Matt. A six hour play? We'll see how I do! Here, to get your weekend started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

The fashionable princess-to-be: a look back. 

I have so much to do that I'm going to bed. 

Scenes from the High Line.  

Atmosphere, earth and ocean prints! 

The book I'm reading next.

Elton John gets a standing O.  

Purple potato chips! 

Time to start a book club. 

Ideas for a handmade wedding. 

A happy puppy — and a staircase I adore!   

Scarlet red from Alexander McQueen.

The coziest mittens to keep you warm.

A peek at the trailer for Matt LeBlanc's new show, Episodes. 

(Photo by labaronesa via flickr)