Happy New Year!

I love New Years! For me it signifies new beginnings, new adventures and most of all new opportunities to be better and grow. Hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful evening ringing in 2016.

Happy New Year.

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“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” – Brad Paisley

Best of Letters to LALA Land 2015: Life Style

2015 was a big year, with many successes and equally as many fails that helped me learn and evolve accordingly. Late June of 2015 two co-contributors joined Letters to LALA land. The blog hasn’t grown past me needing more than one contributor but in order to grove and keep consistency Amy and Zahra joined the team.

  

With Amy and Zahra coming to the team we introduced new segments and topics.

Movies & TV Guide

Music Guide

Books Guide

Our top 5 favourite things 

We also talked about travel, fitness, recipes and even some DIY. 

Here few of my favourite five posts from life in LALA land:
How to (do anything) is my section. How to build your confidence up is my favourite post.

This was my first attempt at a DIY... thankfully you can't kill a cactus.

 Desserts are my favourite. One day I plan to run a bakery. Everyone starts somewhere, right?

Before 2015 I had never been to Jasper. It turns out I love it.

Few things about getting old.  

Best of Letters to LALA Land 2015: Fashion

Can you believe it ? We're in the last few days of 2015, with 2016 on the horizon! I had started blogging about three years ago around this time. I posted sporadically when I felt like it, and than 6 months ago Letters to LALA land became more of a focus!  I thought that I would round up some of my best posts - from fashion to travel to food to give you some Winter reading material!

 

First up: Best of 2015 Fashion

Yellow daisy dress: This has to be one of my personal favourite outfits. It's simple and bright which is a huge change from my very black OOTD's that frequented letters to LALA land.

 

This OOTD is surprisingly one of the most read and popular posts. I searched for a perfect paid of OTK boots and these won.

 

2015 was filled with maxi dresses and skirts. This dress has to be my favourite as its comfortable and girly.

 

This midi dress was a little out of my comfort zone but I needed to stop out of my comfort zone and be a little more out there. There is no going back now.

 

If there is one OOTD that says "This is Nermisa" I believe this would be it. Black head to toe, ripped jeans, leather jacket and high heels.

 

2015 was a great year, and in huge part it was great Thanks to you. Thank you for you continued support.

Out of office.

In my house, holiday season is for spending quality time with family and friends; it’s for eating way too much, drinking your weight in champagne, creating memories and laughing a lot. Letters to LALA land team will be away Dec 25th to January 4th at which point we will return to our regular programming. 

We have prepared few posts rounding up best of 2015 that will go live during the time we will be away. In mean time you can find us on instagram and twitter.

or here are some posts from 2015 if you in reading mood.

xo Nermisa

How to do (anything):

• How to be more organized.
• How to manage your finances better.
• How to land that dream job and dressing for success
• How to write a thank you note. 

Recipes:

• Chocolate chip brownies
• Coconut mini cakes
• Raspberry oat bars
• Heart shaped cookies



Thank You and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season.

From our families, to yours:

During the Holiday Season more than ever, our thoughts turn

gratefully to those of you who have made our progress and growth possible.

 

 Thank You and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Nermisa and Letters to LALA land team!

 

Top 5 Winter Date Night Ideas

I hate snow and being cold! I know what you're thinking "You live in Canada!" I may complain about being cold a lot and I mean a lot but I really do love living here.  I will admit after the first snowfall when everything is covered in a white blanket it looks so pretty and downright magical. Just make sure you enjoy the view from the window and under a warm blanket. So since we have Winter for the better part of the year here, I thought I would share some  Winter date night ideas.
 

1. Skating
 

I know this one is cliché and everyone does it but you can make this so romantic. Take advantage of the weather and find an outdoor rink or find a pond (one you know is reliably solid!) and pack a little hot chocolate or coffee with Baileys and a blanket and turn it into a private picnic for two.
 

2. Make Gingerbread Houses

If you prefer to stay in, this is a great way to spend quality time together. You can either buy a kit or bake your own gingerbread house see a recipe here. Plus the sweets! Yummy! One for the gingerbread house, one for me or maybe two for me!
 

3. Sleigh Ride/ Horse Drawn Carriage

So provided you are not allergic to horses (aka you don't go red and puffy) this is def a romantic date! Unfortunately for me I am allergic so I have not done this, but I see it in movies and I am envious. You and your significant other wrapped under a blanket being driven under the stars, picture perfect!

 

4. Sledding/ Tobogganing

This is a cheap date night idea that you can do pretty much anywhere, well one requirement is a hill. Oh, and something to slide down the hill with. You can use anything from a crazy carpet which is just a long hard piece of plastic to a solid wood toboggan, to a big rubber tube. Whatever you decide to use just make sure to have fun and don't get injured.

 

5. Ice Sculpture/ Winter Festivals

Winter festivals are something you can find in pretty much every city that is cold and has snow. They may have different names but they all have the same premise. Here in Edmonton we have Ice on Whyte you can google your city to find your festivals. If you find that there are none in your city there maybe one in a city close by so take advantage and turn it into a day trip!

 

What are your favourite Winter date ideas? Let me know how your date went!

Last Minute Gift Ideas!

You know those people who have their holiday shopping done in September? Ya, they blow my mind too. I just started shopping . . . today. It's a problem. Now there isn't a quick fix for all the people on your list but I do have some last minute ideas for a few of them! 

Booze: Almost always the answer. Many people seem to love the wine. The prices start at $10 and go to the top of any budget. Or hard liquers are good too. A good scotch maybe? 

Gift Cards: You know what is hard to pick out for many people? Books, music, movies, make up. How are we supposed to know what they already have? We aren't. A gift card for any of these things is GREAT. 

Subscription: Magazine, Netflix, Wine of the Month, Make Up, lottery tickets. There is actually something for everyone.

Coffee/Tea: Coffee comes in many forms ... beans, grinds, candy, ice cream. Just make sure they have a grinder if you are going to get them beans (all true coffee lovers have one). Or tea is good too. Tea bags, tea leaves, tea leave reading. 

Tickets: To the movies, to a concert, to the ballet, to a play, to the art gallery, to a museum. So many places we don't think of going until someone either takes us to or gives us the idea with admission. 

What are your best last minute gift ideas?

Modern home design with DWR

Holidays are in full swing, and in the midst of all of the festivities my sister and I are actively looking to buy a place downtown. This is great, with one exception; we are leaving our rooms that have been converted into walk-in closets and garage walls lined with shoe racks (thanks Dad) for a much smaller space in beautiful Edmonton downtown. Storage will be an issue but furniture shopping and getting to design a new space is so exciting.

 

I got a chance to partner up with Design Within Reach to show you some of their amazing furniture pieces that are on my wish list. DWR makes authentic modern design accessible. They were founded in 1998, at that time the classics were very difficult to find. DWR changed that. They made innovative works by iconic designers accessible for the first time, and they continued to offer the best in modern design – past, present and future – ever since. In other words, they make design within reach.

This bedroom is simple, practical and elegant. I will take on of each please! This Matera Bed with Storage would work wonderfully in our new small apartment. It offers lots of storage, its unique yet modern. The Matera Six-Drawer Dresser & Nesta Rug complete the look. This bedroom give you ample storage and the carpet makes it cozy and comfortable.

 

Everyone needs an office. Well, I do for sure, as I currently blog while sitting in bed, which is nor practical nor recommended. This Renew™ Sit-to-Stand Desk and Eames® Aluminum Group Executive Chair not only offer authentic edgy design but are practical.  Both the chair and the table can be adjusted for your comfort and support. I love the fact the desk can be raised so you can stand; sitting all day is not fun, having an option to stand and work would help you stay healthier and more engaged.

 

DWR is currently having a winter sale.  What is on your DWR wish list?

 

 

 

This post was sponsored by DWR and Shopping Links .

Thank you for supporting brands that support LetterstoLALAland.

 

OOTD - A line skirt

This past weekend, Thank to Mother nature, I was able to wear this skirt along with bare legs.  I love the classic A-line shape of this skirt.  However, to keep from looking bottom heavy, which can happen with a-line skirts, I paired it with a more fitted top to balance out the volume. I finished the look with this faux fur vest.

Skirt: Marhalls

Top: Lululemon

Purse: Kate Spade

Shoes: Town Shoes

Vest: H&M

Watch: Jord Watches

TV/Movies- Holday Past vs. Present

 Christmas would not be complete without my favourite line-up of Christmas movies. Every year I watch the same movies in the following order. The best part is curling up with a hot drink and a blanket and maybe someone to cuddle with.

Home Alone 1& 2

This is my absolute favourite Christmas movie, the holidays are not complete until I have watched both 1 & 2. And yes I know there is two of them but I lump them together because they have to be watched one after the other. Don't even mention the other Home Alone movies, as far as I'm concerned they don't exist. They should have def just stopped at two! Oh Kevin Mcalister you are a genius. I mean after watching that movie didn't you all make an emergency plan in case of a robbery, no just me?

Miracle on 34th Street (1994 version)

So I know there is a 1947 version and I have no issue with older movies I enjoy them a lot like Meet Me In St. Louis, but I have to pick the 1994 version simply because it has Matilda in it. If you don't know who or what that is you did not have a childhood. I love Matilda, after seeing that movie that actress will forever be Matilda to me. She is fierce! The movies is about Santa and believing and no matter what you believe it is a feel good movie that is perfect for the Holidays.

 The Grinch

I think we have established that I love animated movies and while this one has an animated version I happen to enjoy the version with Jim Carey. He did such a good job with embodying the Grinch. This movie has everything and gives you all the feels. You go from hating him, to feeling bad for him to finally falling in love with him. It's a movie you can watch with kids or on your own.

Now we move onto the new movies these may even make my favourite line-up for Christmas movies.

The Night Before

This is a comedy about 3 friends who have been friends since childhood and meet every Christmas Eve for a night of debauchery and hilarity. This year is no exception, only since they are getting older they decide to find the most epic party ever which is the Nutcracka Ball - the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. Seth Rogan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie star in it. Considering who is in the cast this will probably be a comedy that your man will like more than you do but it's Christmas so give it a shot you never know you may actually laugh!

 Krampus

I despise scary movies, but since not everyone does I have added this to my list! If having the crap scared out of you is something you enjoy and find fun then this movie is for you. I mean the poster itself is terrifying enough. I legit have to look away from the poster as I type this. So you crazy people the movie is about a little boy who has a bad Christmas and loses his Christmas spirit which unleashes the the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers. I guess it could kind of be a feel good movie if you go by the description of, the only way to survive is for the family to work together and fight for each other.

 Love the Coopers

Now this is definitely a true Christmas movie it has the dysfunctional family, and the crazy antics that go on, on Christmas Eve. While there hasn't been much out about this movie and critics have panned it as not being very good I still think it's worth checking out. I don't usually agree with critics anyway. I'm not looking for some indepth emotional journey; just a fun, family oriented movie about the holidays. So if that's what you are looking for as well then check this movie out!

What are your favourite Christmas Movies? Do you have a list of movies you watch every year?

Ultimate holiday gift guide for her

When we kicked off the 2015 holiday gift guide I was excited! I like shopping (more like I have a problem), and I like finding things people would like and cherish. All the special women in our lives are the hardest to shop for, at least for me. As always, we’ve tried to find things for every personality and budget, and we really hope you like it. 

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Super comfortable PJ's set $25-$150

Wine of the month club $25-$35/month

Murray’s Brie Baker Set $54

 

Fit Bit $100-$300

Cozy throw blanket $30-$80

A good book; Girl Boss or Hunger Games if I had to choose $10-50

 

I smell great sample pack $15

World map DSLR Camera Strap $45

Candles $10-$50

 

Gift certificates to yoga, Starbucks, and spas are also great.