2. Are you as pumped for a coffee break as we are?

3. Color us crazy, but some of these vibrant combos are blowing us away.

4. Our sleep space could use a revamp. Cue the inspiration to get us there.

5. These luxe hair accessories have us rethinking our everyday ponytail.

Can’t get enough Pinterest inspiration? Check out past boards that caught our eye.  

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Spring has officially sprung – though judging by the sub-arctic temperatures here in Boston, I would be inclined to disagree. In addition to some much-needed spring cleaning, I’ve decided to jump-start the seasonal transition by switching up my routine in as many ways as possible. Take a peek at one week of daily tweaks, designed to break me out of my winter blues.

Monday: Instead of going to the gym after work, I opted for a 6:15AM spin class. Let me just say – endorphins before 7 are the new coffee-with-four-shots-of-espresso. I felt great well into the afternoon – and bonus? I had plenty of leisure time on my hands post-work.

Tuesday: I challenge you to find a transportation system worse than Boston’s. My answer to eliminating morning subway stress? Taking the bus instead. I actually found it made for a (relatively) quicker commute, and I had the added challenge of actually paying attention to where I was going.

Wednesday: I set my alarm a full hour earlier and went to a neighborhood café (a.k.a. not a Starbucks, a.k.a. one major daily adjustment) to sit down with coffee and read my book for a whole thirty minutes. There’s seriously nothing like a change of scenery and a bit of relaxation in the morning to put you in the best frame of mind for the rest of the day.

Thursday: In an effort to change the soundtrack of my day, I overhauled my media consumption. I swapped my normal morning playlist for a podcast and perused new websites and blogs instead of glancing at my RSS feed. Pros? Learned something new. Cons? Realized I’ve let my knowledge of current events fall by the wayside.

Friday: You know those perfume samples that get tossed into your shopping bag every time you re-stock your favorite scent? I am a legitimate hoarder of these things. Instead of reaching for my signature scent, I tried one of these little babies on a whim. The result? I actually fell in love with my random selection, which resulted in a weekend trip to the nearest Sephora.

By Lauryn Paiva, Staff Writer

Have any good ideas when it comes to switching up your daily routine? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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It’s better to give than to receive – sage advice we should all be following, especially during the holiday season. This nugget is doubly important to bear in mind when shopping for your next Yankee Swap soiree.

I know I can’t be the only one who suffers from severe shopping anxiety when it comes to finding the perfect communal gift. Your purchase is bound to change hands multiple times throughout the night, so it needs appeal to everyone.

Whether you’re shopping for family or friends, men or women, or a mixed bag of the aforementioned, show up with any of the following and your gift will be the envy of the evening.

Wine. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to gifting a bottle of vino. Stick to classics like Malbec, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Riesling to accommodate even the most discerning of taste buds. Dress it up by pairing your bottle of choice with a set of new wine glasses or wine charms to adorn the neck. Voilà! Instagift.

Gift cards. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone at a party who won’t appreciate saving a few bucks on their everyday staples. Coffee, music, and book purchases all fall under this umbrella, but feel free to get creative – try filling a decorative coffee mug with eye-catching tissue paper and resting the gift cards on top.

Think cozy. Pair winter-friendly items together to create an irresistibly comfy gift set. A fleece throw and a lightly scented candle will make the weather outside seem not-so-frightful.

Gourmet touches. The holiday shelves are stocked with plenty of tasty, pre-packaged gift packs. From hot cocoa to pastry mixes, there are more than enough appetizing options out there for aspiring chefs (or anyone with a sweet tooth). Find a unique bowl or platter to jazz up your presentation.

By Lauryn Paiva, Staff Writer

What are you bringing to your next Yankee Swap? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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The Get Gifty: Our Holiday Gift Shop Boutique is now open.