Five Little Words

Best Buy supports events which they believe are of importance to employees, customers, and communities. The upcoming Lunar New Year is one of those important celebrations.

For Asians all around the world, including Asian-Americans, Lunar New Year not only celebrates the beginning of the year but also the ending of winter and the anticipated arrival of spring. It is one of the most important holidays celebrated in countries such as China, Tibet, Korea, and Vietnam.

This upcoming year, Lunar New Year, which is based on the phases of the moon, falls on January 31st 2014 of our Gregorian calendar. Best Buy is helping celebrate the event with an Asian-inspired eGiftcard, available for purchase or gifting from BestBuy.com. Scroll to the right of the following link until you see the red giftcard with the two Koi fish: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Electronics/Gift-Cards/cat09000.c?id=cat09000&ref=184&loc=01.

E-Gift Cards

FIREWORKS AND FAMILY FEASTS:
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom.

HOW TO SAY HAPPY NEW YEAR IN CHINESE AND CANTONESE:

Gong Xi Fa Cai:
Pronounced “gong zee fah cai,” gong xi means “congratulations” and is also a way to wish one joy. Fa cai is to become rich or make money. In essence, you are wishing one joy and prosperity in the new year. Business owners and workmates use gong xi fa cai as the usual way to say “happy new year” in Chinese.

Xin Nian Kuai Le:
Pronounced “zeen neean kwai luh,” kuai le means “happy” or “joyous” and xin nian means “new year.” Xin nian kuai le is a great way to say happy new year in Chinese to friends without using a reference to money.

Gong Hey Fat Choy in Cantonese is the equivalent of gong xi fa cai in Mandarin, or simply “congratulations and prosperity.”

Try replying with “Hong Bao Na Lai”. It means “red envelope please”.

ASIAN-INSPIRED BEST BUY E-GIFT CARDS:
Now, Best Buy is helping celebrate the event with an Asian-inspired eGiftcard available for purchase or gifting from BestBuy.com. It’s a red gift card that has that two Koi fish designed in gold. It may not be an actual envelope, but it is pretty similar since they both contain “lucky money”. So instead of giving out a red envelope this year, why not gift them with this red gift card from Best Buy instead? You can purchase these red GC’s over here: E-Gift Cards. You’ll see a link that says “Shop for e-gift cards”. Just click that and when you see the e-gift card designs, just scroll to the right until you see those two koi fish! These Best Buy E-Gift Cards will make your recipients very happy this coming New Year!

GIVE IT TO WIN IT:
There is also a promotion going on during this time. “Don’t miss your chance. Give it to win it. Daily gift card prizes up to $10,000. Buy any Best Buy gift card, $25 & up, then enter for your chance to win.”Ends 12/24/2013: https://bbygiveittowinit.com/Registration/FAQ?ref=67&loc=283&CampaignID=502119&SubscriberID=194816811

Disclaimer: I have been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

OK Magazine and Time Warner Center partnered up to host a contest called National Sister’s Day. It consisted of a day spent at the fabulous Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle with shopping, lunch, and beauty makeovers for you and your sister. I tweeted why my sister and I deserved to win using the hashtag #OKTWCSistersDay and I won!!! When I told my sister we won her mouth dropped open and we were jumping up and down and screaming with joy.

We decided to go on Friday, August 9th because this contest package was good until August 11th.
We picked up our VIP passes which gave us discounts and treats throughout the shops. Also in our goodie bag was a $50 gift card to Sephora and other goodies from them as well as our makeover session voucher, and our lunch voucher to A Voce Italian restaurant. I also loved the hand written note from Stacey Feder Vice-President of Time Warner Center welcoming us to a day of fun for Sister’s Day.

Of course when we arrived the first thing on our minds were shopping!!! We started at H&M and saw so many amazing fall clothing that I wanted it all. I found a few things that I took home like a spiked ring, and beautiful lavender and purple polka dot scarf. I spent no more than $20. My sister loves silver and found herself a cute ring as well for under $6.

Our next stop was C Wonder. I absolutely love this colorful store. There’s a car, bicycles, and a zebra inside which blends in perfect and we just had to get pics. I found a new iPhone 5 case on sale for $13 regular price $45. Not bad right?

We made our way downstairs to Whole Foods. My favorite market in the world!!! There’s so much to choose from you definitely will not leave empty handed. My daughter requested to me to bring her back some sushi and macaroni and cheese. She said “write it down so you don’t forget”. I didn’t write it down but I should have because I almost forgot the mac and cheese. Next time I will listen to her. One of the perks from the VIP pass in Whole Foods was a free beverage any size at the Coffee Bar. We had iced lattes. I purchased so much food that the kids were happy and i was happy I didnt have to cook. At the bakery I took it easy. I got a lemon tart and a chocolate cheesecake mini. My sister purchased the pasta salad.

Our pre -fixe lunch reservation at A Voce was scheduled for 1pm. We arrived 5 minutes early and loved what we saw on the menu. We started with the flakiest soft bread and cheese spread, then our salads came, followed by ravioli stuffed with eggplant and garlic. Oven dried tomatoes were on top with grappa raisins, and pine nuts. For dessert we ordered tiramisu which is lady fingers, mascarpone mousse, and amaretto coffee syrup. Can I just say everything was delicious. We really enjoyed our meal and would love to return. They are also having specials for Restaurant Week so if you want to try them out I suggest you go.

Our beauty makeover session at Sephora was scheduled for 2pm but we didn’t make it in time because we got out of the restaurant a little late so Sephora was kind enough to schedule another day for us to come back but that didn’t stop us from shopping. We racked up and we found lip gloss that actually lasts on our lips, and I also got L”Occitane’s almond skin oil to die for. The brand “Fresh” has a sugar lemon soap wish smells like fresh lemons and sugar. Sooo good!! They also gave us free samples too. My sister also found her a eyebrow pencil that she is very happy with as well as other items.

Lucky Brand was our last stop of the day where I found a iPad case for $5 regular $35. Now you tell me that isn’t a great deal!! I loved the clothing here too. Beautiful fall colors for women, men, and kids.

My sister and I enjoyed our day together very much and will be going back soon to get our makeovers. We want to thank OK Magazine, and Time Warner Center for a wonderful day of fun shopping, great food, and just the girls hanging out!! We ❤NY!!!

These opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated for this post but was given a contest prize package for my sister and I to use in Time Warner Center.
Enjoy the pics of the stores we visited and some of the items we purchased.