Macy's Black Friday Sales: 5 Lab Grown Gemstones

The last of my Macy's Black Friday gift guides will also discuss whether or not, you should buy lab-grown precious gemstones as jewelry. Regular readers of THE SAVVY SHOPPER already know my answer. Yes! Absolutely and without a doubt, if the price is right. When priced fairly (meaning not inflated) you'll get a lot for your money! 

Lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are as real as natural-grown diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Lab-grown gemstones are physically, chemically, and optically the same as gemstones that form over billions of years in the earth's mental or crust. 

Natural gemstones are more expensive than lab-grown gemstones and tend to fetch a higher price on the resale market primarily because they are in higher demand by the public, but as lab-grown gemstones gain more acceptance ... and now as more retailers are entering the market plus manufacturing methods are getting better and cheaper, this is changing. In fact, the greater acceptance and availability of quality lab-grown diamonds are already lowering the prices of mined diamonds produced in nature.

Under a loupe gemologists and jewelers can tell the difference between natural-grown and lab-grown gemstones, yet both are genuine, authentic, real gemstones because chemically and optically they are the same. Both mined and lab-grown stones are the same chemical elements transformed into various gemstones by enormous heat and pressure. Gemologists can also determine where on earth natural sapphires, rubies, and emeralds were formed, as there are tell-tell signs informing them of a gemstone's origins, so it makes sense they can also tell when a  gemstone is lab-grown.

I sound like a broken record in saying, never think of jewelry as an investment but only as a luxury good with huge markups, things of beauty we love but do not need. Except for high jewelry (the apex of rarity and perfection of cut, carat, color, and clarity) or the estate jewelry of a celebrity, you'll rarely get what you pay for your pieces on the resale market.

The great benefit of buying lab-grown gemstones is customers can get bigger gemstones with higher color grades and few inclusions for far less money. They cost at least 1/3 less than natural stones. Short of a cartel forming, I predict prices will continue to drop.

Whether buying lab-grown or natural gemstones, we still need to ensure we're getting value for a good stone based on cut, carat, color, and clarity. 

For this reason, I'm a big fan of Macy's for mid-priced jewelry that ordinary people can afford, and I'd be over the moon to have any (or all😍) of the five 14k gold large sapphires, rubies, emeralds, or diamond sparklers featured here today. OMG, I live at the right time when huge gemstones can be grown in a lab! Dear Fairy Godmother, gimme!!!!!

Final thought: Black Friday sales come and go. If you miss this one, wait for another promotion to come around. They'll run all season and several times of the year!

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Waldorf Salad With Leftover Chicken or Turkey

Originally when the Waldorf-Astoria's maitre'd hotel, Oscar Tschirky, created the Waldorf salad in 1896 for a New York City charity event, the recipe only contained 3 ingredients: apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Contemporary recipes of what was once a simple salad on a bed of lettuce turned the dish into a light meal by adding either turkey or chicken, grapes (or raisins, or dried cranberries), and walnuts. Some cooks prefer pecans.

Photographed above (with the recipe below) is my version made with Thanksgiving leftovers:

Waldorf Salad

Ingredients

2 cups white meat - turkey or chicken, finely chopped 

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

1 medium apple, finely chopped - A green apple is usually suggested. I had a New York State apple.

1/2 cup of red grapes, finely chopped - Green grapes are used like a green apple to keep the color of the salad green, but I don't care about the color although I do love granny smith apples:).

1/4 cup of walnuts, finely chopped

3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons of light mayonnaise (Don't use fat-free as it is tasteless.)

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1) Using a chef's knife, finely chop the ingredients, one by one, but you can also chop them into larger chunks if you wish. I favor finely chopped to make a creamier salad and sandwich spread that stays on the bread.

2) Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pepper, and taste to determine if you need the salt. I omitted salt because I cooked the bird with salt.

3) Chill and let the flavors marinate before eating as a salad or sandwich between 2 slices of rye or grainy bread.

Bon Appetite!

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Turkey Pot Pies With Leftover Stuffing

Thanksgiving sides are delicious! They can include stuffing (called dressing when not stuffed in the bird), green beans, carrots, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and potatoes, along with cranberry sauce. It's what we ate. Although we lacked a crowd dining with us, I wouldn't dream of omitting the Turkey stuffing. This year instead of toasting bread and making a pan of cornbread which would make more stuffing than we desire, I used a box of Stove Top Turkey flavored stuffing combined with a box of Stove Top Cornbread stuffing as a starter then added small amounts of grilled sausage, ham, onion, celery, mushrooms, walnuts, hot pepper flakes and dried sage to it. It came out homemade because all you get in a box of Stove Top are the croutons and seasonings. We still had plenty of stuffing! I know just what to do with our Thanksgiving leftovers:

Turkey Pot Pie - Inspired by the recipe off the back of the stuffing box which uses premade and frozen ingredients. We can use our homemade leftovers to make a different meal without really having to cook again!:

Ingredients - already cooked: 

2 cups of leftover stuffing - Mine has tons of onion, celery and sausage.

2 cups of turkey, diced (also works with chicken)

1 cup of cauliflower or broccoli, diced

1/2 cup of green beans, bitesize

1/2 cup of carrots, sliced

2 cups leftover gravy

Directions: 

Mix the vegetables and gravy in a baking dish. Top with the stuffing. Either reheat it in the oven or microwave. If reheating in the oven, brush the bottom of the dish with cooking spray or butter. Because your food is already cooked, it should only take about 15 minutes to reheat in the oven and less time to reheat in the microwave.

Eyeball the amounts of the ingredients. The above is a guide for making 4 servings. Use more gravy if needed, or other vegetable leftovers if you made them. {During the rest of the year, it works well with either leftover chicken or 3 cans of white chicken chunks, a box of stovetop stuffing, and a 14 oz bag of frozen mixed vegetables. If using boxed stuffing, grill and toss in some diced onions and celery.}

You can also prepare the dish for one. Measure out according to appetite and what fits into your bowl, then reheat the single portion in a microwave in about 3 minutes.        

Another leftover we had on Thanksgiving was a bit of an experiment. It's a cherry tart on a digestive biscuit and applesauce crust (as opposed to a gram cracker crust). It has a cinnamon, strudel topping with bourbon-soaked pecans, a few white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, and walnuts tossed on top for good measure. (No added sugar in the crust or crumb topping and just enough butter in the topping to get a crumb texture). The only reason I made it was to use a jar of cherries I've had in my pantry for 1 1/2 years. It had to go! I baked it in the oven for about 20 minutes. The tart was sweet from the cherries yet not too sweet to make you feel sick after eating it. Like a healthy cherry Pop Tart!

Do you have a favorite recipe for using your Thanksgiving leftovers?

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Happy Thanksgiving Friends

This year I'm especially thankful for family and friends.

As a caregiver, I'm thankful my very senior mother is not bedridden but walks inside the home with a walker. She can walk to the bathroom; and for all the foods she'll no longer eat she's surprisingly healthy, strong, and doesn't require any prescription drugs to make any of her bodily functions work properly. I'm slightly in disbelief. How is this possible on such a limited diet? She is strong enough to be safely bathed in a shower chair, which is such a huge help to a caregiver. She gets a complete spa treatment of skin, hair, and nails twice a week from me. I am surprised at how fast her hair grows. A podiatrist told me that all elderly people have nail fungus, yet my mother's nails are white and strong with no nail fungus. They grow fast too, and we must cut them weekly. Her good health for her age is a blessing.

Moreover, I'm thankful for my hometown friends and neighbors who are what we tend to call good people for short. Each one is a godsend to know. They watch our backs and property and give us lots of joy with their camaraderie and kind hearts. I love spending time with them and keeping up with their families. Our bonds make life meaningful and interesting!

Additionally, I'm thankful for my Manhattan friends, one of whom moved this year to Atlanta Georgia. But we all keep in touch regularly by telephone. Luckily I see them occasionally when we're in the same place, and when out of town by phone and texting. With New York friends, spacing out in-person visits isn't uncommon even when both parties are in New York City as New Yorkers tend to lead very active lives.

This holiday season, we miss our dear friend, Sheila, who lost her battle with breast cancer in June 2023. Life is bittersweet and it makes you appreciate loved ones even more. 

I'm grateful I have hometown and New York friends who I'll know for the rest of our days. In both locations, they are good people with kind hearts whose companionship I cherish and thoroughly enjoy.

I'm also grateful for a few blogging and Facebook friends, who reach out from across the miles 🌍🌎🌏 to support me. I suppose generosity and kindness know no bounds. Readers and fellow bloggers, you touch my heart! I enjoy connecting and hearing your thoughts. A special thank you for becoming a kindred spirit!

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Types Of Potatoes

Photos courtesy of Markets at Shrewsbury: Fingerling potatoes. Click the link for more potato facts.

Although I rotate the starches I eat to include whole grains, corn, sweet potatoes, and pasta (as I do within other food groups) in an effort to consume a varied and balanced diet ... it's really white (as opposed to sweet) potatoes I love the most and could eat daily as I never get tired of them! Is my English and German ancestry the reason why?

Russet (or Idaho)

A potato is a tuber root vegetable, a perennial in the nightshade family. There are nearly 4,000 types of potatoes in nature. They are categorized by their content of starchy compounds to solid-to-water ratio and texture. Potatoes are classified as 1) starchy (i.e., mealy or floury), 2) waxy, or 3) all-purpose.  

Below are several varieties of potatoes commonly found at the supermarket: 

1) Starchy potatoes - Have high solids, amylose starch, and low moisture. Russet (a/k/a Idaho potatoes), Goldrush, and Long White are three examples of starchy potatoes. They are good baked, mashed, or fried, mm, like French fries. They pick up moisture and lose their shape when boiled. Personally, I don't think that's a bad thing in a vegetable medley as it thickens the broth! I also like to use Russet in American potato salad mish-mashed with eggs, onions, and celery.

Red potatoes

2) Waxy potatoes - Are high in moisture and sugar, but low in starch (here called amylopectin). Waxy potatoes include red potatoes, fingerlings, new potatoes, golden, and baby potatoes. They hold their shape when boiled, so they work well in soups, stews, and for making scalloped potatoes or German potato salad. Ideally in German potato salad, you slice and hope the slices hold their shape, yet in our family, we use whatever variety of potatoes, waxy or not, we have on hand. We want dishes to be delicious but aren't foodies. A foodie would use the right type of potato.:)

Blue potatoes

3) All-purpose potatoes - Are medium in starch and therefore fall between starchy and waxy potatoes. They are suitable for most recipes as they hold their shape better than starchy potatoes and are good for roasting, making potato salad, pan-frying, boiling in soups, and gratins. You can bake or mash them also, although they are less fluffy than starchy potatoes. Examples include Yukon Gold, White, Blue, and Purple potatoes.

Potatoes are rich in vitamin B6, potassium (in fact higher than bananas), and dietary fiber. What's more, like most brightly colored vegetables Blue and Purple potatoes are packed with antioxidants, containing 2 - 3 times more antioxidants than white potatoes.

Yukon Gold potatoes (left) and white potatoes (right)

Over the years I've leaned towards buying Russet potatoes, but have eaten red, golden, fingerling, white, and blue potatoes. Hey, does a bad type of potato even exist? I volunteer to try as many of the 4,00o potato varieties on earth that come my way!

Yellow potatoes

What's your favorite potato? Our family eats potatoes in one form or another with most of our dinners (over rice, corn, or pasta -- which we eat less often). How about yours?

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Macy's Black Friday Specials: 10 Awesome Gifts For $10 or Less

Bell de Mar Button Pearls

If you're a high earner it's fantastic to buy loved ones expensive gifts. How lovely for people who have the means to give generously to others. It's equally vital to remember that Christmas was once not the over-the-top commercial holiday it's become. At one time people were content to exchange inexpensive treats like fruit, chocolates, or homemade gifts. So if you're on a tight budget this year don't fret, it really is the thought based on what you can afford that counts. 

Since I promised to create gift guides this year from Macy's Early Access Black Friday Specials I'll select 10 Awesome Gifts for $10 or Less:

1) Bell de Mar Cultured Freshwater Button Pearl Earrings - A very decent size 8-9mm with sterling silver (a precious metal) posts and backs. However according to many reviewers, the backs are flimsy and loose, so plan to use alternate posts you already have in your jewelry box or enclose a few rubber backs in your gift box for your giftee, so when worn an earring won't fall out. Despite their ill-fitting backs, I still think the earrings are an amazing buy and I'd be lying if I say I don't want a pair of pink pearls for myself! I only own white pearls! The button-shaped pearls are available in ivory, pink, grey, and black. Sale price: $8.12.

2) Art+Sound True Wireless Earbuds - The earbuds have a "crystal clear" sound, a comfortable fit, and many positive reviews. Fabulous time to buy them! Sale price: $9.99

3) Art & Cook 2-Speed Immersion Blender - Often I wish I had an immersion blender so I could insert it into a pot on the stovetop instead of pouring soup into a blender to cream it. Less cleanup! At $9.99.

4) Thermal Shirts - for men or women - For layering. Winter is coming! Nice to have warmth without bulk! Sale price: $9.99

5) First Aid Ultra Repair Cream - 2 ounces - A stellar skincare brand in limited edition holiday scents with serious moisture to treat dry skin. Hand/body creams make fabulous emergency gifts if you need a hostess gift or for an extra visitor at your gathering. Sale price: $9 {In the past I've also fallen back on quality scented room candles as an emergency gift which Macy's is offering for $10. A Christmas ornament can be a winning hostess gift.}

 6) Thirstystone Printed Coaster Set - Every home dweller needs stylish coasters to protect their furniture from drips and rings from drinks. There is an assortment of brands, designs, and colors. The sale price for a set of 4: is $7.99.

7) Holiday Lane Shine Bright Collection - Ornaments start at $2.99. In the USA it's protocol for a boss to give employees holiday gifts, but employees aren't expected to reciprocate because bosses make higher salaries. It can be awkward giving a boss a gift, but you can play it safe with either a lovely ornament or homemade Christmas cookies and a festive card. This eliminates dilemmas like wondering how much to spend; is the gift too personal, or appropriate? {I once brought homemade Christmas cookies in a tin to the office that my managing editor at Time ate during Christmas week, until he said, "Oh, please don't bring any more cookies in, I can't gain more weight!" I've published my cookie recipes throughout the blog.}

8) A set of peppermint, cinnamon, and vanilla-flavored lip balm. $8.93.

9) Art & Cook Coffee and Spice Grinder - For the serious home cook or serious coffee drinker who likes to grind her/his own spices or beans. $9.99

10) R.H. Macy & Co. Chocolate Rum Cake - A premium blend of cocoa and dark rum with the flavor of butter syrup tossed in. Cheaper than a cup of coffee and a slice of gourmet cake at a cafe! 1 lb weight. Sale price: $9.99

Nobody should max out their credit cards for the holidays. Instead, give friends and family your time! With a little thought and the help of a Macy's Black Friday sale, you can find perfect gifts that are thoughtful and budget-friendly.🎄

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Macy's Black Friday Specials To Beat the Cold

Style Republic

I'm biased: Macy's is my favorite department store in New York City. It's where I go first and where I score the best bargains for designer and quality goods. I'm in heaven when browsing inside Macy's. There's always a wide selection of whatever merchandise I need. Apparel, shoes, home goods, jewelry, you name it, nobody offers better sales than Macy's. To boot, there are Last Act racks on many floors where among other articles, I got fully lined cashmere blazers for only $14!

Macy's Black Friday Specials are on. If you want to buy exceptional holiday gifts for family and friends at a fraction of the usual cost, be sure to start your shopping for big savings now. The following are 8 Black Friday Specials to Beat the Cold for under $50: (available in several colors)

1) Style Republic - 100% Pure Cashmere Women's Ribbed Cuff Beanie - Why settle for acrylic, nylon, or rayon when for the same moola you can get super soft and warm cashmere hats and scarfs? Cashmere feels so fine against the skin, it's the warmest fabric, and it lasts years longer than manmade materials.

2) Club Room Cashmere Crew-Neck Sweater, Created for Macy's - Classic and practical menswear. They'll last for decades.

3) On 34th Women's Sweater Blazer, Created for Macy's - It's polyester so you can mindlessly machine wash and cool dry it. As an alternative to a sweater, a blazer is a versatile piece that can be casual or dressy while keeping you warm. At times I like to wear a blazer for its pockets especially if not wearing a jacket. 

4) Charter Club Women's Packable Hooded Puffer Coat, Created for Macy's - Puffer coats are very popular nowadays. Lightweight and machine washable, I own a jacket-length puffer coat for fall and early winter before it gets super cold, and a goose-down long puffer coat for January and February. Last year I bought a long puffer coat for my mother too. Although puffer coats weigh next to nothing, they are as toasty warm as animal furs and by far more budget-friendly. A jacket-length puffer coat is perfect to keep the chill at bay without layers before the temperatures drop to freezing. 

5) Hawke & Co. Men's Quilted Fleece-Lined Hooded Puffer Jacket - Wow a puffer jacket for men for under $40 … cheaper than the women's and boys! Once you get to Macy's you'll have choices galore to get the right price, fillings, and style for you!

6) Karen Scott Women's Zip-Up Zeroproof Fleece Jacket, Created for Macy's, 7) Karen Scott Petite Princess Seam Zeroproof Zip Front Jacket, Created for Macy's 8) Tommy Hilfiger Women's Faux Sherpa Full-Zip Hoodie - To be honest, I don't have fleece in my wardrobe, but fleece hoodies and jackets are in vogue right now. Fleece is soft, cozy, inexpensive, and easy to machine wash and dry which might explain its frenzy. Suitable for kids to wear in school or keep in a locker, or adults to take to a gym without worrying about babying it. At $15 - $18 you couldn't buy the fabric and zippers to make it yourself any cheaper!

As long as Macy's is running these amazing sales, I might do a few more of these holiday gift guide blogs! Macy's could be your one-stop retailer as it often is mine!

This blog is not sponsored. How could a Savvy Shopper, not adore Macy's! It's good I don't live next door or I might float in too often for retail therapy. When you actually need something, the telephone associates give you great advice too.♥♥♥

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Great Gifts From Macy's Black Friday Sales

I judge every gift by whether I would love it if I received it myself. Here are 5 Macy's Early Access Black Friday Specials where my answer to loving the gift as a giver or receiver is an enthusiastic yes!:

1) Macy's 25 Days Of Beauty Advent Calendar (above👆) - In years past I've featured some of the most coveted advent calendars on the market including from the London merchant Liberty, but priced at several hundred dollars, perhaps they aren't really worth the money. Macy's puts out a winning advent calendar every year containing a lovely curated assortment of top-notch makeup, skincare, and haircare goodies to pamper every recipient! The advent calendar is specially created for Macy's so you get a lot of products for your money. If I were to buy a beauty calendar for myself, I'd select it and use my savings for something more important.

2) Nike Women's Tanjun Move To Zero Casual Sneakers - Nike is the original brand that innovated support and comfort to advance the technology of making sneakers. Other retailers followed. If you need a new pair of athletic shoes you can't do better than Nike. Usually more expensive, how great to find them as an Early Black Friday Special!

3) 2 Piece Set White and Pink Cultured Freshwater Pearls (8 mm) Drop Earrings in Sterling Silver - I bought these ultra cute and classic earrings this morning as a gift for a friend, and the anticipation of surprising her ... I can't wait! I'm counting on her not reading this blog, but if she does, she won't know she's the friend getting jewelry. Ha! I love the 8mm size baroque-shaped pearls and set in sterling silver, a precious metal. Pink pearls are a color and drop earrings are a style I'm often tempted to buy for myself so I think she'll love them. The sales associate I placed my telephone order with said she now intends to buy a pair too, so today I bought a pair and sold a pair! Macy's, you're welcome!😆

Update - November 17th: My friend was totally surprised, she said overwhelmed and loves her beautiful new earrings!

4) Family Pajamas - Frankly, it's a new holiday tradition my family doesn't follow, but if you need new pajamas, why not buy them now that you can get good substantial cotton and attractive designs at a great price. Also if you don't know what in the world to buy someone, almost every person needs a warm pair of pajamas. There are also matching PJs for the family dog! These are the substantial types of night clothes I like to wear to spend the night at someone else's house so I can leave the guest bedroom or sit at the breakfast table without having to jump into my clothes too early in the morning.

5) Accessories: Scarfs, gloves, belts - Wow, a terrific selection of textiles, styles, colors, degrees of warmth, and price points. It's why I love Macy's, you always find quality to fill a need at the price you can afford. I don't think I've ever had a fashion, beauty, or home good need, traveled to Macy's, and retired home empty-handed. The Herald Square store has  9 floors and such a wide selection!

There's plenty of quality and value to be had right now during Macy's Early Access Black Friday Sale! How thrilling to give fantastic gifts without emptying a bank account.

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