Baskets By Sadi

Came Across This

2026-01-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

I have not seen this blog since 2016. I did not remember that it existed. I have read through all my posts and I LOVE them all. I am wondering should I start writing for a blog again...... I would have to get a complete makeover!

The Baskets are Back!

2016-07-24T15:36:00.001-07:00

Hello world!

I have been away from my passion for a long time now! I had so much going on: life, love, love lost, teenagers, senior year. Whew. It's been a lot. I'm going to do a little redesigning. In the meanwhile- I am so happy to be doing baskets again!

Baskets!!

2014-12-26T14:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!!

2014-12-24T10:48:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Gift Basket!

2014-11-23T18:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Eating!!

Thank You Basket

2014-11-19T21:13:00.000-08:00

Just to say thanks to a friend!

Any ideas? Let me know!

Baltimore Basket

2014-11-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

Doing Baskets this fall!!!

Any basket ideas? Let me know!!

lobby

2013-09-30T13:07:00.001-07:00

lobby by sadi1920 featuring woods furniture

You deserve a vacation.....

2013-09-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

Why do we all need a vacation?

According to CareerBuilder.com, more than half of workers say that they are stressed at work. For most working people, their full-time job is not their only full time job. Most of us are Moms, Dads, and spouses. Many of us participate in our churches, and other religious institutions. We are chauffeurs for soccer games, football games, ballet, karate, guitar lessons etc. Then we have to cook,cut grass, homework, housework, and whatever else comes our way. And if you stay in a routine 2 or 3 years can go by in a blink of an eye. By this time, you have knots in your shoulder, eye is twitching, you're irritable for no reason..... There is a reason, it's called BURNED OUT.

Vacations are important. Vacations promote creativity, productivity, health and wellness.

According to Elizabeth Scott, M.S., in The Importance of Vacations, for Stress Relief, Productivity and Health there are seven effects that vacations have. These include:

Vacations Promote Creativity: A good vacation can help us to reconnect with ourselves, operating as a vehicle for self-discovery and helping us get back to feeling our best.

Vacations Stave Off Burnout: Workers who take regular time to relax are less likely to experience burnout, making them more creative and productive than their overworked, under-rested counterparts.

Vacations Can Keep Us Healthy: Taking regular time off to ‘recharge your batteries’, thereby keeping stress levels lower, can keep you healthier.

Vacations Promote Overall Wellbeing: One study found that three days after vacation, subjects’ physical complaints, their quality of sleep and mood had improved as compared to before vacation. These gains were still present five weeks later, especially in those who had more personal time and overall satisfaction during their vacations.

Vacations Can Strengthen Bonds: Spending time enjoying life with loved ones can keep relationships strong, helping you enjoy the good times more and helping you through the stress of the hard times. In fact, a study by the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services found that women who took vacations were more satisfied with their marriages.

Vacations Can Help With Your Job Performance: As the authors of the above study suggest, the psychological benefits that come with more frequent vacations lead to increased quality of life, and that can lead to increased quality of work on the job.

Vacations Relieve Stress in Lasting Ways: It should come as no surprise that vacations that include plenty of free time bring stress relief, but research shows that a good vacation can lead to the experience of fewer stressful days at least five weeks later! That means that vacations are the gift to yourself that keep on giving.

Now, for those of us who may be on a budget, vacations do not have to be extravagant. Here are a few ideas:

Be a Local Tourist. How many of us travel around our own city and discover the sites in our own city? Go downtown, visit your historic districts, City Hall, go to the museums that you haven't been to since 3rd grade. Every city has attractions, check them out!!

House sit. While your friends are away, house sit for them. You are away from home, in another atmosphere, chill out and relax! Grab a book and some tea - TAKE IT EASY!

Stay in a local hotel or bed and breakfast. same idea here, get away, but not far away. Treat yourself. (Oh, stay at a hotel with a pool!)

Stay in vacation homes or condos. Ok, hear me out on this. Usually, vacation rental homes are cheaper than hotel stays. You can find a 2 or 3 bedroom condo rental between $150-$200 bucks a night (same as the hotel). In addition, most of them will have more space, a kitchen and dining room. Instead of eating out every night you can go to the local market and purchase groceries. Overall, it saves money!

Visit a national park. Absolutely all of them are free!

Camp out in your own backyard. Once everyone is in the yard, no one goes back in except to use the bathroom. Make it a real live camping trip complete with tents, sleeping bags and picnic baskets. The great thing is, you can go home in the morning!!

I encourage you to take a vacation, you won't regret it!

Yours truly,

What you did not know about September Awareness Month!

2013-09-04T08:36:00.000-07:00

I got an email stating that all employees get 4 hours off for cancer screening this month because September is National Cancer Awareness Month for Childhood Cancer and Thyroid Cancer. I didn't remember this last year, so I looked up September Awareness. WHOA! September is loaded! Were you all aware of all the awareness?

Childhood Cancer Awareness month
Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Children’s Good Manners Month
Cholesterol Education Month
German-American Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)
Guide Dog Month
Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15)
Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
Library Card Sign-Up Month
Menopause Awareness Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Pediculosis Prevention Month
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Month
Preparedness Month
Project AWARE Month (Marine Conservation)
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Self-Awareness Month
Self-Improvement Month
Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Yoga Month

We have some research to do this month!! Let's get more aware!

**Early detection, intervention and treatment are vital to cancer survival!**

Yours truly,

Late summer beach Fabulous Find!!!

2013-09-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

For all of us that go to the beach in the late summer, the breeze can pick up! No need to not look absolutely fabulous. Found this Walsh Gauze Kaftan, nice for a coverall!! You can find it at lemlem.com.

Enjoy!

Bumps in the Road

2013-08-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hello out there!

Well, I haven't written in a long time. I have been battling with what I want to write about. I've been scared to write about certain issues because I never want to make anyone angry or be offensive, or disgrace my family, church family or friends. But things happen and things are happening right? So why not just write? I realized my first huge mistake: I was so impressed and inspired by my sister's blogging and blogging network - that I jumped on her bandwagon - www.onlylaila.com (please visit her page, she's dynamic). What I did not do was research my OWN commonalities. My sister is in a difference space and place in time. She is a decade younger than me, with a much younger child! Hence, all of her followers, bloggy groups etc. were in the same place and space. They have young children, booties, diapers, play dates and cute trips to the zoo are what they blog about. I started following these women - and didn't have much in common. My daughter is going through puberty! Second mistake, I was/am always afraid to offend someone else. Why? Nobody is afraid to offend me, in the public blogging arena, that is... So in order for me to be successful at this, I have to change some things!

Baskets by Sadi used to be an actual gift basket business I did for years. It fell to the wayside because I didn't push enough to keep it going. I had the resources, I just didn't do it. But baskets still remain. I have several of them, the life in general basket, family basket, friend basket, church basket, marriage basket etc. So I am thinking I will keep the name. So in yet another attempt to redo my mo (modus operandi) here I go.

Let me reintroduce myself.

1. I'm 40 ish
2. I'm a mother to a 15 year old (whew). I could stop right here, it's enough right???
3. Wife - in an interracial marriage to an Italian.
4. I love God, I am Christian. Grew up Muslim though. Took me a while to get where I am.
5. I work full time as a Chemist, but always hustling on the side!
6. I dislike my job very much. Not sure if it's the job or the people....
7. Been through a LOT of things growing up, seen a lot, been a lot places, know a lot of people.
8. I fully understand that I do not know everything. However, I know a lot about a lot....
9. When I am stressed I eat, so the chic up there in that fancy banner sitting on the table with the basket.... yeah give her about 10 more pounds!
10.I love to travel, to the point where I get upset if I have to stay local for too long.
11. Most of my life, I have had to be serious about a lot of stuff, so I will not continue to feel bad about wanting to talk about frivolous things.
12. I like sarcasm in all things.
13. I decided that my blog will be about what's in my basket: my mind, my experience, my topic of conversation, whatever.

I can't be afraid to be me. So here I go! You with me?

Raven's Nation 2013

2013-02-04T06:42:00.000-08:00

Ravens Nation Baby! My team ROCKS!! So here we go:

The Ravens start off with a bang! In the second quarter, Jacoby Jones is killing them with his 50-yard touchdown catch, and then coming right back in the third quarter with 108 yard kickoff return. The score was 28-6 Ravens. Then.....the killer, San Fran gets 17 unanswered points immediately following a 30+ minute BLACKOUT. Thanks New Orleans. Somebody HAD to lose their job over that.

I really felt like, the black out caused the Ravens to lose that rhythm, and the 49er's took complete advantage of that, which they should have - it's football. But at this point my nerves were really shot. We lost Haloti Ngata to a knee injury.

BUT the end......
Ed Reed stopped the 2 point conversion with a blitz on Colin Kaepernick at the 5 yard line and got a goal line stand. What a great way for Ray Lewis to retire!!!!!

And my BOY- Joe Flacco - MVP!!! WAY TO GO!

Just wanted to say GO RAVENS 34-31 !!!!!! Enjoy!

The Animal Kingdom - Fabulous Find!!

2013-02-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

Hey hey hey!
Let's talk animal prints...

Now, in the past I have not been a fan of busy prints all over me. And it never occurred to me, that a print can bring a bit of flavor to a mundane decor. I saw a picture of a couple of printed decor pieces and I fell in LOVE!! Although you probably will not catch me in a leopard print (I'm working on it), you might find a print or two in my house!

It IS Easy Being Green!

2013-01-25T19:48:00.000-08:00

Pantone has declared the official color for 2013....

How exciting is that?! So, what do we know about green? It is a color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well being, balance and harmony. Google's definition gives us synonyms of growth and prosperity. Some would say it's the color of money! Well, I say, 'Kermit!! It's all you 2013 baby!!'

Ok so my fabulous green find so far this year:

I cannot wait to rock it!! Some other green finds...

1. Jean Blush Viktoria Dress - nelly.com
2. Green Carmen Steffins Peep Toe - carmensteffins.com
3. Chanel Emerald Green Gripoix Earrings - Vintage - call for an offer - fashion.1stdibs.com
4. Lanvin Silk Snakeprint Shift - flannelsfashion.com
5. Adam and Viktoria Turkish Delight Kelly Green Pillow - zincdoor.com
6. Vega armchair - artdeco.com
7. Scarf - pret-a-beaute.com
8. Green Acrylic bottle plugs - etsy.com

Have fun being green!

Yours Truly,

My Office

2013-01-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

The doors will remain closed...
Ok, so I have an office now. And for the first several months it served as a storage area. I finally got in there and started making it look like an office. I cleared out the boxes, and the junk!!! Now I have been able to get in here, it's like a different world OUTSIDE the house, especially when I close the doors!!!

My husband is not used to it yet, he's trying to figure out why I have the doors closed.... So he keeps coming in asking me stuff. Hilarious! The doors will remain closed when I am in here. I'm going to make this my vacation space. I am soo focused in here. I love it.

My new space is wonderful! Now I have to decorate. This is gonna be exciting! The doors will remain closed...

Special Moments of 2012

2013-01-12T18:28:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you guys, but 2012 went quick for me. I actually did a lot of stuff. I did not realize how much I did until I looked over my pics. Soooo, I decided to take a look at my 2012 in pictures. I wanna share special moments for me and my fam last year!

January 2012

I threw my best friend and Soror a surprise 40th birthday party!!! OMG! It was a blast...

...And I threw Alice a surprise 60th birthday party!!

March 2012
I GRADUATED!!!! YAAAYYY! I officially received my Master's in Business Administration! Whoop Whoop!!

Then I hit a notch on my bucket list- KEY WEST! It was beautiful...

April 2012

PUERTO RICO BABY!!! MUCHA CALIENTE!!

May 2012
We bought a ~~zoo~~, I mean a house!

June 2012

My baby graduated from middle school and my baby sister (who I had not seen in years) was with us to see it all!!!

My very first Lia Sophia Conference. This was absolutely amazing!!! And I got to be on the red carpet!!!

July 2012

OMG! I turned the big 40! I didn't do a damn thing this day because it was 106 degrees outside, so no pics :(. But!!! I bought this mirror... It's my FAVORITE!!! Btw, I will be celebrating my 40th this year!!!

October 2012
I actually had a costume for Halloween...

November 2012

I saw my daughter dance onstage for the first time! And we got to drive to Chicago to see my parents!!!! We had a ball during the drive. I missed them so much!!

December 2012

Made my first diaper cake!

2013 - Let's make it even better!!! My awesome Pastor Gary G. Johnson Sr. said, "You can only win when you refuse to lose." YES INDEED! Here I come....

Yours Truly,

Holiday Clean - up

2013-01-08T16:38:00.002-08:00

Ok so, I think I am late. Most people cleaned up their Christmas decor and mess the first weekend in January. I am always still relishing in the holiday after New Year's Eve! Plus, this holiday, I went out almost every single night to either a Christmas Party or a dinner! By the time everything calmed down, I still had to go through my whole - 'aww Christmas is over' period and I finally got down to cleaning Sunday!

When I first looked at the mess, I immediately got overwhelmed. Of course I called my good friend Shanelle, the professional organizer and re-designer so she could say, 'I'll be over!' OMG, she didn't answer!!! So I was stuck with

this.....

The other issue I was having was the fact that I was going from Christmas cardboard boxes to proper Christmas bins and storage containers. The stuff that I didn't use this year was not organized, it was placed into whatever box it could fit into. So I had a complete organization situation in front of me at 8:00 p.m. on a Sunday night. Serious business....

At any rate, I DID IT!!! My organizational guru (Shanelle) had given me a Christmas bin for Christmas (yay!!) and I had purchased two of my own. So I sys-tem-ma-ti-cally (painful) placed balls with balls, ornaments with ornaments, put all the colored snowflakes in plastic baggies and all the wreaths in a wreath container!!!

I am soooo proud of myself. And I got it done in one night!!! Whoo hoo! Sadi. organized. 2013!! Let's go!!

Yours Truly,

Happy New Years!! Quotes to make you laugh!

2012-12-31T10:49:00.000-08:00

Hey people!!

So 2012 was good for me. Like anybody else there were ups and downs. I don't really make New Years Resolutions but I will say 2013 is going to be different. I have had some battles to conquer and I am WINNING! I can say this upcoming year I will be different. I am excited, I am light, and I am READY.

As I am hesitant to make any resolutions, I will give you guys some good quotes!!

Here goes:

James Agate says, " My New Years Resolution is to tolerate fools more gladly,provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time." Ha ha!

Oprah said, " Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

Joey Adams says, " May your troubles last as long as your New Years Resolutions!" Lol

The dog says, " My New Year's Resolution is to not chase the stick until I actually see if leave the hand..." LOLOLOLOL

Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones's Diary,
"I do think New Year's resolutions can't technically be expected to begin on New Year's Day, don't you? Since, because it's an extension of New Year's Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system. Also dieting on New Year's Day isn't a good idea as you can't eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second." Hilarious, btw this is one of my favorite movies...

Mark Twain said, "New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions."

Brooks Atkinson says, "Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go."

And last but not least....

Phyllis McGinley says, "Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody."

Hope it was a good laugh......

Yours Truly!

Good Deeds at Little Cost!!

2012-11-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

Hello people,

This post piggybacks off of my previous post about paying it forward. I just wanted to share a few more things we can do to make someone else's day! I wanted see, what things I could come up with that did not cost me much or anything at all. I came up with:

1. Pray for someone else.

2. Next time you are in the market and you have a cart FULL, and the person behind
you only has one or two things, let them in front of you!

3. If you have extra time left on your paid parking slip, and you are leaving, if you see another car pull up- give your extra time to them if you don't need it. I did this a few weeks ago and the couple looked shocked, but thanked me!

4. You threw a party, but not every one showed up. The next time you see those friends, give them the party favor they would have received. That way, they feel good, and you don't have a bunch of party favors around the house and nothing to do with them!

5. Offer to help an elderly person with getting the groceries to the car.

6. Instead of donating clothes to Goodwill, donate them to a homeless shelter. If you can get your friends and family to donate, the more, the merrier!!!

I think these may be great ways to make someone's day!! What about you? Please shoot me more ideas!!!

My Halloween Costume- Fabulous find!

2012-10-10T08:21:00.002-07:00

Hello people,

My favorite time of year is coming. I love fall and winter holidays! Starting off with Halloween. Now, I am not promoting the worship, belief or remote support of ghosts, ghouls, bad spirits and the like. What I do like, is to dress up and have a complete BLAST. I love the make-up part and the creativity of costumes! Last year, my daughter was the prettiest witch on the block! I'll have to find that photo...

Anyway, this year I was reading through a magazine and saw a costume that was awesome!! I had never even thought of this - but it is creative and inexpensive!!! POPCORN!!!

OMG! How dang cute!! So here we go:

Materials:

card board box
red and white striped wrapping paper
packing peanuts (white or yellow)
spray paint or acrylic paint (yellow)
white, red or yellow tee-shirt

Instructions:

Take the cardboard box and cut off the top were you want your head to be; on the bottom, cut holes for your legs but not to big because we are going to put the peanuts in the box. Cut holes for you arms too ( on the side). After you have got the box ready for you to get in, wrap the box red and white stripes. Then make a sign that says popcorn, and glue the sign to the box.

Put on your white or yellow tee shirt, and step into your popcorn box, have someone fill the box with the peanuts so they look like popcorn, and go trick-or-treating. If you have yellow packing peanuts, you don't need butter (yellow paint). If you cannot find yellow packing peanuts, use the spray paint or acrylic paint to add butter! This is a great idea that can be from the ages 10-12 or 35-40 (lol).

Yours Truly,

It's Free in August!!

2012-07-24T20:27:00.001-07:00

If you live in or near Baltimore, Maryland, there are plenty of free things to do in the first two weeks of August!

August 1-4, Baltimore Clayworks is featuring 'Thought Signs - Shayla Marsh Solo Expedition'. Her work displays intrinsic limitations of communication. Baltimore Clayworks is located 5707 Smith Avenue.

August 1-12, The Walther's Art Museum will display Hashiguchi Goyo's Beautiful Women. Walther's Art Museum is located 600 North Charles.

August 1, Broadway Pier at Fells Point will feature 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' movie at 8:45 p.m.

August 3, Power Plant Live features The Best of Baltimore Local Showcase as a part of the Friday Night Live Free Summer Concert Series 8 p.m.

August 3, Little Italy's 15th annual Cinema al Fresco features 'Letters to Juliet' movie at 9:00 p.m. The show is located on the corner of High and Stiles Streets

August 4, The Natural History Society of Maryland presents 'Family Cricket Celebration'. Celebrating all things crickets! Located 6908 Belair Road 1-3 p.m.

August 4, 11, 18, 25, Yoga in the Formal Garden. Lectures and Classes in the Cylburn Arboretum 4915 Greenspring Avenue. Classes led by instructors from Bare Hills Racquet and Fitness Club.

August 5, Free Family Sundays at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. Realistic Sculpture lectures and classes- hands on workshop!

August 8, Broadway Pier at Fells Point will feature the movie 'Drive' at 8:45 p.m.

August 10, Power Plant Live features '3AM'. Show starts at 8 p.m.

Fabulous Free Finds!!!
Yours Truly,

Fabulous Find- Creative Lighting

2012-07-16T11:27:00.001-07:00

Anyone that knows me personally knows that one of my FAVORITE stores is Home Goods. I think they have the best stuff at discounted prices. I stumbled upon this AWESOME outside lighting idea!!!

I am loving this IDEA!!! A creative lighting idea and not expensive!! I checked on Walmart.com:

The Tiki lights are $20.00

Planters range from $14.99 up! The planters shown below are $25.00 and less!! Very cute!!

And then grab a plant and the decorative brown leaves (fake plants work as well)! Awesome decorating find!!! Nice for sitting out in the backyard after the sun goes down. What do you think?

Yours Truly,

Happy 4th of July - Summer Sales!!!

2012-07-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July this week!

1. Stop by IKEA with your kids starting today, July 1 through Wednesday, July 4 and you can get a FREE Kids meal ($2.49 value). Limit 1 meal per child per visit and no purchase is necessary.

2. To encourage the national conversation on #INDIVISIBLE Starbucks will be giving away a FREE tall hot brewed coffee on the Fourth of July.

3. Cool off indoors with a movie this week at Cinemark Cinemas with a FREE small popcorn with the purchase of sour patch kids candy. Coupon is valid through July 4, 2012. https://www.facebook.com/cinemark/app_326957207366280

4. Click on the coupon Quiznos and get a FREE small sub when you purchase a sub sandwich and a large drink. This coupon is valid through July 7, 2012. Click here: http://www.quiznos.com/july-4-coupon.aspx

5. Smoothies are perfect for the summer and with this Buy 1 Get 1 FREE printable coupon you can save as you cool down! Coupon is valid through July 4, 2012. http://www.jambajuice.com/assets/images/Coupons/2012summerbogo-4up.pdf

6. Take this printable coupon to Dollar General and save $10 off a purchase of $30 or more in summer, lawn, and garden items. This coupon is only valid for use on July 6 and 7th. http://www2.dollargeneral.com/Ads-and-Promos/Coupons/pages/Index.aspx?ab=CMS_HP_I1_5off25_Corp_Savings_None_070112

7. Save 30% off Coach Factory Stores with this coupon (valid through July 9, 2012). Find a location near you here:
http://www.coachfactory.com/store/default/storelocator/

8. Head over to The Limited Facebook page and “Like” it, once they reach 300,000, you’ll be emailed a coupon for $25 off $50. (Make sure you fill out the form on “Fan FRIENDzy”).

9. Shop at Shutterfly and you can save $10 off a $10 or more purchase with coupon code: SAVE10 at checkout. Code is valid through July 4, 2012.

10. Use this printable coupon at Build-a-Bear to save $5 off a $25 purchase or $20 off a $40 purchase. These coupons are valid through July 4, 2012. http://www.savingcentswithsense.net/2012/07/build-a-bear-printable-coupons-july-2012/

Thanks Melissa Hurst over at Lifetimemoms.com!!

Fabulous Find for Father's Day

2012-06-11T08:37:00.002-07:00

Hello People,

What to get Dad's that have mostly everything? I don't know either... So, I came across this man bag that I thought was hot for working men! Check it out at www.coach.com

Loving this for men who have to carry around maybe a laptop or an iPAD. It's got swag!!!

Yours Truly,