Chocolate Mirror Glaze With Berry Mousse

Photo: Renee Robinson - So pretty!

The cake recipes I publish on THE SAVVY SHOPPER are for cakes I tweak and bake myself with the exception of today's cake: Chocolate Mirror Glaze With Berry Mousse. I haven't gotten around to making it yet and therefore, I'll share Renee Robinson's experience as published on Facebook. The top image, ingredients and directions are hers. Renee's finished cake looks amazing! So away we go ... 🎭

Chocolate Mirror Glaze Cake with Cranberry and Blueberry Mousse

 

The Baker: Renee Robinson

Renee says, "I followed the recipe exactly as written [see link below] for the chocolate cakes layer, but have written it out for you, in what I think is easier to understand language." 

Ingredients for the Chocolate Cake:

1 ¼ cups all purpose flour

Photo: recepetineats

2/3 cup cocoa powder (it wasn’t specified, but I {Renee} used dark Valrhona cocoa)
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 egg yolk
1 egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
1 cup milk
2/3 cup hot strong brewed coffee

Directions for the cake: 

Grease and line with parchment paper two 7 inch cake pans. Preheat oven to 325°F.

In a medium bowl mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda and salt.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat oil and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. 

Add egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract; mix. Gradually add flour mixture to oil mixture alternately with milk, in three batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating just until combined after each addition. 

At the end add the hot brewed coffee and mix together only 30 seconds. Divide the batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes (or longer - until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean). Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes then transfer to a wire rack.

Cranberry and Blueberry Mousse

The baker says, "The original recipe called for fresh or frozen black currants. I don’t have access to either, so I substituted other berries and changed the amounts of other ingredients, as seen below."

Ingredients for the Mousse:

300 grams blueberries

500 grams cranberries

Juice of half lemon
Scant 1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons powdered gelatin
2 cups whipping cream
10 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions for the Mousse:

Place blueberries, cranberries, and sugar in a saucepan. Place over medium heat and cook only until sugar dissolves and fruits burst. Let cool for a few minutes. Add lemon juice. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. 

Place 1 tablespoon of the gelatin in a small bowl and cover with cold water. Set aside for 5 minutes to swell. Gently heat softened gelatin in a double boiler or microwave and stir to dissolve. Add to half of warm puree and mix together. Whip half of whipping cream with half of powdered sugar until stiff peaks. 

Gradually add prepared half of berry puree and whip together.
Line the bottom of 9 inch spring pan with parchment paper. On the base – in the center of the pan, place the first chocolate cake and pour over black the berry mousse. Place in the fridge for ½ - 1 hour.

After this time make the second half of the berry mousse, repeating steps described above. Remove the pan from the fridge, place in the center the second sponge and pour over the second half of the mousse. Even the surface and place to the fridge overnight.

The next day carefully remove the cake from the pan. Place on a serving plate and decorate with mirror glaze.

Photo: mandarinpie

Here is the link to the original recipe for the cake.

https://sweetstyledhme.com/.../chocolate-cake-in-black...

Here is the link to the recipe used for the mirror glaze. Renee followed the steps exactly as written in the recipe. https://www.recipetineats.com/chocolate-mirror-glaze

And finally, what does THE SAVVY SHOPPER think? This cake requires more steps than a basic cake, since we must cook and cool things as we bake the cakes (the dreaded have jobs before you do a job syndrome!), and yet finished and plated, it should taste amazing. This summer I'll return here for the recipe to challenge myself by making this fancy, fussy, multi-steps cake, and now my dear readers, you can too! 

If looking to bake a less work homemade cake, try this buttermilk layer cake. There's no shame in an easy recipe as long as a cake is delicious!! I prefer them. As Jon Bon Jovi knows, "You do what you can."🎵🎂

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A Natural Fiber Rug That Never Sheds

This Nourison wool rug from Macy's isn't it. Opps, the pink tips of my Croc ballet flats are in the shot!

Ideally I hoped to feature a wonder spray or list ingenious tips to stop wool-and-natural-fiber rugs from shedding. But guess what I surmised? If you can't tolerate shedding, avoid rugs made of wool (sorrel) and jute, 2 popular natural materials. Synthetic rugs shed less, yet are often less desired and less durable. Jute rugs last, add texture to a room and shed. Wool rugs made by hand (hand-knotted or hand-woven) are said to shed less than more affordable wool rugs made by machines (or hand-tufted). 

I don't think the usual tips given to reduce the shedding are very insightful: 1) Lay the rug in a low foot traffic area (oh, c'mon!); 2) Lightly vacuum (tell me how?); 3) Vacuum against the grain (which end is it?); and 4) Use a high-quality rug pad under the rug (well, it's a given and doesn't much reduce shedding, although it extends the life of a rug).

My Safavieh seagrass rug from Overstock

So where does this leave us?: 1) Still looking for a miracle liquid or sure-fire practices; 2) Acceptance of the shedding; 3) Never vacuuming with a beater-bar setting; and 4) Buying rugs made of natural seagrass. Oh, that's the ticket ... for some areas!

In my home, my big area rug is wool, which I bought at Macy's. Neither cheap, nor expensive, somewhere in the middle price-range; 100% wool; and made in India. I vacuum it once a week and must accept some shedding. Always, if I walk around my apartment in socks, I pick up little fibers on the bottoms (like owning a short-haired dog).

For accent rugs such as a doorway; or an enclosed patio room; or perhaps a dining room, I highly recommend natural seagrass over some other natural fiber rugs. Seagrass doesn't shed ... luckily discovered after I bought the rug! It's water-resistant, durable, and feels smooth underfoot, but I don't think I'd want it in a living room. There's no shedding, and yet you'd give up the cozy softness of a wool rug.

Readers, I've researched this topic to death on a number of occasions, and this is the best remedy I can come up with. Perhaps one day somebody will invent the miracle product I keep searching for that will stop wool rugs from shedding. Watch this space! 

Meanwhile feel free to share any tips you have to reduce the shedding of wool or other natural-fiber rugs. For sure, inquiring minds and homeowners want to know!

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A Better Aperol Spritz, The Drink Of The Summer

Photo: New York Times

Everywhere there is outside dining in Manhattan I see this sunset-colored orange drink. Yesterday as I passed the Mark Hotel's fancy outside linen tables I pulled the waiter aside to ask, "What's everybody drinking?" His answer: Aperol Spritz!" 

He asked if I'd like to have one. "Thanks," said I, "I never sit and drink alone, not even at home. I'll return with a friend." The gracious man understood. 

Meanwhile out of intellectual curiosity (isn't it why you're interested too?😋), I had to google the cocktail. According to the New York Times, it's become the drink of the summer, as well as, an instagram hit after Campari, the maker of Aperol, launched a successful marketing campaign. Yet according to the publication, Aperol is too sweet, not a bitter enough aperitif (a before dinner beverage to stimulate appetite) and therefore, not the ingredient to use for the best version of this popular Italian spritzer. Instead use any of the following superior bitters ...

Photo: New York Times - click to go there or enlarge

Another necessity is to use good champagne or sparkling wine. Never mix cocktails with inferior ingredients that taste less than great if you were to consume them straight. Advise I hear often even in cooking!

For this in favor Italian Spritz you can use a delicious Prosecco. I've never tried the NYT's high brow quality sparkling wine suggestion - pétillant naturel. But hey, if you have it at home or wish to hop to the wine store, opt for it!

This is an ultra easy cocktail to make at home. For the most delicious spritz I've consulted several sources to learn you always use a 3:2:1 ratio of: 3 parts dry, tasty Champagne or sparkling wine: 2 parts aperitif (bitters): and 1 part carbonated (soda) water. 

So let's turn this ratio into a refreshing recipe, shall we? - per serving: 

Best Italian Aperol Spitz

Ingredients:

3 ounces brut Champagne or dry sparkling wine

2 ounces aperitif (go with bitter, not sweet)

1 ounce club soda or plain sparkling water

Directions: 

1) Start with ice cold ingredients and have ice on the side. Heck, ice the glass before you start too!

2) Pour the ingredients in the order and ounces into a glass (or pitcher). Give it a stir and pour over ice in a glass.

You can garnish with an orange slice (or olive) if you wish.

So readers, here's your chance to sip a better Aperol Spitz, the drink of the summer, by following this simple recipe, as well as, saving the $30 bucks charged by the Mark Hotel. You're welcome! I love you too!!😍

Thank you, New York Times for the nitty-gritty tips (article linked)!

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New Hair Product Launches: Garnier, Shea Moisture and Schwarzkepf

 Whenever you walk into a drugstore or beauty store with free samples, take one. See if you like a newly launched product without risks. The following items were introduced to me as free samples, and I highly recommend each of them:

Enlarge to read benefits

1) Garnier Whole Blends Repairing Leave-in Conditioner - In general I'm not a big fan of leave-in conditioners, but the moment I rubbed a dab of this one between my fingers I knew I'd like it in my hair. Non-greasy, no perfume, and it doesn't leave a residue on my skin. Moisturizing and clean on my skin ... to moisturizing and clean with no residue in my hair. My no-fail test for any hair conditioner is how clean it feels on my hands. Readers may recall I normally spray Tsesumme Heat Tamer and Protector on my hair before blow drying it daily, but I think this Garnier new product works as well. So now I have two options, not just one hair protector and can buy the lowest priced when I go to replenish.

Click to enlarge.

2) Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intense Hydration Treatment Masque with Fig Extract & Baobab Oil - Let me cut to the chase, I highly recommend every beauty item this company makes, and they are many. I use them all for my skin or hair type, and I've never bought a failed skin or hair care product from the Shea Moisture line. I regularly use the soaps, moisturizers and treatments on my face, body and hair. The products are organic, affordable and fantastic!💙💙💙

3) Schwarzkopf Got2b Insta Hold High Hold Hairspray - Honestly I don't use hairspray much, but was happy to see the half tin-sized sample at CVS because, indeed, I needed some. Over the years, I've used a light spitz of hairspray in my hair on high humid or rainy days to tame and get the locks to behave. In NYC we've had several days in a row of high humidity this spring, and I'm not detecting any stickiness nor residue after a light spray. I brush through my hair after a spitz to avoid stiffness. Got2b stops flyways and unruly hair from doing its own thing.

Thanks Garnier, Shea Moisture and Schwarzkepf for the samples. I'm your newest customer -- numbers: 1, 2 and 3 are SAVVY SHOPPER approved!

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6 Best Fabrics To Wear In Summer

Photo: Stitch Fix Style

I must overcome my bias for natural fabrics to give you more shopping choices for summer clothes. In fact, if the price is right at Uniqlo or Old Navy on cute summer dresses in a manmade material, I make an exception; and in the past, it has worked out. So let's begin ...

 6 Best Fabrics To Keep Us Cool On the Hottest Summer Days:

Photo: Cotton Citzen

1) Cotton - A natural fabric that starts as a plant, cotton keeps you cool because it breathes and absorbs sweat. Cheap and plentiful; soft and comfortable; can be machine washed and dried; and I find it to be most durable -- lasting over many summers of wear. Includes: Denim, a sturdy cotton twill fabric. Most of the world's cotton is grown in the USA, Uzbekistan, China and India. Other leading cotton-growing countries are Brazil, Pakistan and Turkey. Cotton is a personal favorite, as well as, the most popular and versatile fabric in the world.

2) Linen - Cloth woven from flax that is light and airy. A tad stiffer and more sophisticated than cotton, yet still soft, casual and cool. Moderately priced and affordable. Very durable. Winkles are accepted in linen clothing. Nowadays linen is often treated so it can be washed and line dried. The garment label will say if it's machine washable. Includes: Chambray - a cotton or linen-finished gingham cloth with a mottled appearance. (Photo of shorts: H&M)

Photo: Old Navy

3) Rayon - A manmade fabric from regenerated cellulose (viscose). Honestly I don't 100% like rayon, yet I appreciate it enough to own several Old Navy summer rayon swing-style dresses. Cheap and flattering, machine wash, gentle dry, but not as durable as cotton or linen and doesn't hold up as well. Rayon is wrinkle-resistant, and the price super budget-friendly, so perhaps that's the trade off. The dresses stretch longer after a summer of washings, but they don't cost a lot to replace. So literally, the pros and cons of rayon are a wash!😊 Includes: Cupro - discussed in #6.

4) Modal - A semi-synthetic fabric consisting mainly of beechwood pulp, it is shrink-resistant and unlikely to fade. Frankly I'm not completely in love with modal either as it too stretches and I find it warmer than cotton ... yet every source I consult says it keeps us cool. I do have a modal sweater (and of course, it's cooler than wool). Modal is popular nowadays with retailers, so if the price is right, you might consider buying one stylish garment (or two).

5) Silk - Fine, strong, lustrous fiber spun by silkworms in making cocoons. The silk fiber is turned into fabric. Previously expensive, but demand and modern industry have lowered the cost. Super light and cool ... another favorite fabric of mine. Still I tend to save my silk dresses and shirts for work or attending events, not running Saturday errands. Not as cheap as cotton, and I don't as mindlessly wash it. I suppose it's why I don't mindlessly wear it, yet I do love it.😍👗 Silk includes: Chiffon, taffeta, and crepe de cine. (Photo: Silk dress: Halston) 

Photo of BraTop: Uniqlo

6) Nylon with moisture wicking technology - Uniqlo and a few innovative retailers combine Nylon with cupro (Cupro is made of regenerated cellulose fibers from recycled cotton linter. A type of rayon, made using copper and ammonium, it is "breathable and regulates temperature like cotton, drapes elegantly," and feels soft like silk) and spandex to manufacture its pieces of clothing with a cool touch and moisture wicking technology. Sold as Airism tops and dresses, they are also anti-bacterial with odor control. I love Uniqlo for its affordable, inventive and stylish clothing! Wear its bra tops with shorts or under dresses to absorbed sweat. That way you can wash the bra top and save the dress!

Sometimes an apparel maker uses fabric blends, for example 95% cotton with a touch of 5% spandex, to give a dress or blouse a benefit like wrinkle resistance, or strength or shape which I don't mind in a dress despite a tad less softness in the blend. (However, for bed sheets pure 100% cotton is a must.) 

With the knowledge of what fabrics will keep you cool on soaring hot days, have fun shopping for your summer wardrobe!

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Zircon Is A Favorite of Gem Dealers And Collectors

Another radiate gemstone, a favorite of jewelers and collectors yet usually overlooked by the general public, is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4), which is its chemical name. Known in the jewelry trade as zircon, the mineral rates a 7.5 on Moh's Scale of Hardness, making it durable to wear as jewelry. Don't confuse zircon with cubic zirconia, a cheap lab created diamond substitute, only their names are similar.

Natural zircon is one of the earth's oldest gemstones (at 4 billion years old) and rivals diamonds in sparkle.

In fact, zircon has a higher refractive index (a/k/a brilliance; or sparkle) than sapphires, rubies, emeralds, spinels or tanzanites (and tanzanite is priced as a gemstone for its high refractive index). It turns out, zircon has more fire than most colorless and colored gemstones. Brilliance is the colorless (or white) light emitted from a gemstone, while fire is the colored light, or sparkle you see when the stone is exposed to light. Zircon has both brilliance and fire in abundance, glittering nearly as much as a diamond. It's a semi-precious, affordable stone.

Natural zircon comes in an array of beautiful colors: Blue is the most popular and green is the rarest. Historically, blue zircon comes from Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Burma. White zircon, with its excellent brilliance and fire characteristics, makes a very fine budget-friendly diamond-substitute for anyone who desires a natural, as opposed to, a lab created gemstone. Jewelers call "yellow" honey zircon. Tanzania has become a main source for mining red, orange and honey zircon. As in the case of other gemstones, heat treatment is allowed in the jewelry world to enhance zircon's colors and the process doesn't lessen its value. Heat is an accepted treatment because it doesn't weaken, nor change the composition of the natural crystal, and heat is the same element that over billions of years caused the formation of precious and semi-precious stones.

Photo: JTV

Unlike either diamonds or manmade cubic zirconia, zircon is birefringent -- making it unique -- it has two different refractive indices [indexes] whereby a ray of light is spilt by polarization into two rays of light, each taking slightly different paths.

So now that you know more about zircon, do you want one? If so, what color appeals to you?

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Trendy Maxi Dresses For Summer

Photo: Refinery 29 go here

Currently I see very long -- to-the-ankle -- maxi summer dresses for sale in all the shops. At every price point the maxi dress is making a comeback as the newest fashion trend of 2021. 

I don't mind if other people wear the long length, yet as a gal who walks all over Manhattan, I'm not embracing it. It's too confining, and I don't like the feel of my knees hitting fabric as I walk all over the city. Plus, I'd clean the sidewalks with a maxi dress. 

Furthermore, I'm not a fan of a sleeveless, backless long, long, long dress. It's a personal quirk of mine as I dislike the unbalanced look of it. Also if it's hot enough to wear sleeveless and backless dresses to cool off, is it not too hot to cover up your legs to the ankles? Doesn't the season and temperature dictate uniformly whether to cover or uncover all of you? Why would you want legs covered with a clump of fabric on a sizzling August day, or a bare back on a nippy one? Wouldn't the cloth be wanting or not airy enough on the top or bottom ... one of the areas, um insufficient half of the time? Just asking.

Photos: Right - Vineyard Vines; Left -  Marimekko for Uniqlo

On the bright side: The new maxi trend is great for my budget; there's no temptation to add the dress to my summer wardrobe. The only one of the examples posted, I'd likely not be bugged wearing is the Vineyard Vines dress ... it looks to be a tad shorter than ankle length although one customer returned it, saying the bottom was too much dress for her. So it's risky too as I trust her review! You want to wear a dress, not have a dress wearing you!

Photos: Old Navy

Another fear of mine is these very long dresses will look dated by next summer. I don't see the pioneer ankle length lasting beyond 2021.

Why do you think everyday dresses are going to the ankle now? Are you a fan of the summer maxi dress?

👗👠🩳🥿👅

Just for fun, I'll list 5 wardrobe pieces you'll never see me buy or wear (not to be mistaken as judgment of others. Fashion is subjective.):

Photo: Soft Serve

1) Everyday summer sleeveless and backless maxi dresses (the subject of today's blog👆).

2) Loungewear/terrycloth/sweats - Are you kidding me? Where exactly do they look good? Not at home. Not at the gym. Not in a supermarket. Not at Walmart. Nowhere. These are nothing more than thick pajamas worn after your day should have already started!

Photo: Ugg

3) Ugg Fluff Yeah Slides - So popular I see women wearing them up and down 5th Avenue. Who began this fashion trend out in public? $100 house shoes, people! Wouldn't you rather spend the money on Ugg boots or a proper pair of walking sandals for running about New York City? You're wearing your house shoes outside the house, people!

4) I'm very much alone with this next one: Although I don't mind a feminine dipping neckline in a dress or ball gown, I would never, ever wear a gown with the cleavage split down past my breasts. Another personal quirk since the open, deep, V-cut, missing cleavage style is so prevalent on red carpets with the made-to-measure couture Oscar dresses. I don't understand it ... where's the missing front of the dress? 

Photo: Express UK

Don't get me wrong! I love Amanda Seyfried, the image I'm using. Mega talented; and on talk shows she's delightful with a great sense of humor and down-to-earthness in her interviews. Although I dislike the deep dive of her gown, she still looks beautiful! For the cost of the dress though, she should  have gotten all the fabric!🙂

Photo: BBC

5) Ripped, torn, worn out denim - No, no, never, ever, un, un, un! This is when I replace blue jeans. I'm not paying good money to buy 'em this way.

Feel free to chime in with your style likes or dislikes. Agree or disagree?

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Dior Spring/Summer 2021 Collection

Dior is launching their 2021 Spring/Summer Collection into their boutiques as I type, and although I don't buy Dior as I can't justify spending thousands of dollars on a single bag, hoodie or pair of sneakers, certainly I love and am inspired by the new lookbook of Dior's top-notch designs + craftsmanship. The new collection is feminine, super chic and gorgeous! 

Frankly if I were to buy a Lady Dior bag, it would be the practical and versatile medium black leather with black hardware Lady Dior. Still I love the fabric choices in the new patterns with embroidery as well. For the money, the Lady Dior bags in this collection come with the guitar strap that usually is purchased separately, so at least you "save" (i.e., it's all relative people!) on the strap. The strap alone costs about $800+ and perhaps for the very 1st time, it comes with the bag ... in the matching pattern.

As you, my darlings can see, the new patterns with embroidery are a rich leopard brown print that Dior is calling Mizza and Blue Toile de Jouy, named "technical fabric" by the designer. They are sold as apparel and accessories. 

I can't decide which pattern is cuter! My favorite items are the hooded anoraks (and yet for my $4,000, I would require them to be cashmere topped with waterproofed materials. They are polyester.); the backpack; the perfectly fitted jacket; the leopard sneakers, the modern trench coat (below👇) ... and of course, the Lady Dior bags ... OMG, which pattern would I get??? 

Not all the new pieces in the Spring/Summer 2021 Collection have dropped yet, there's even more to come to the stores during the month. 

Oblique Trench Coat

Without a doubt, the new Dior collection makes eyeballs happy and wallets a little sad. Sans deep pockets, we'll need to find inspired articles of good quality elsewhere. Look, admire, rollick in the Dior shop ... and only splurge on what you can afford!

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Amazon Delivers On A Holiday Weekend!

Yellow light: charging!

Dear Readers,

I didn't think I'd be able to blog until mid-June. You see I work on a 13 inch MacBook Pro, and its charger died suddenly on Wednesday, May 26th. I can't easily blog on a phone or iPad unless I were to merely upload a photo, or a bunch of words without photos ... yet I do both, which sometimes requires editing to make the blog look its best. Plus, nearly all of my blogs require research, as well as, fact-checking and reading everything available on a topic for accuracy. It's possible to use a phone or iPad for research or editing, but it would be super slow and annoying.🙂

So alas, let's get to the subject of today's post: Ordering from Amazon. 

Despite a desire to support local brick and mortar stores, as well as, small businesses (as we should do!), we can also support Amazon with a good conscience. Often Amazon really comes through for customers, and I must give the online retailer its due in offering fantastic choice, price and customer service:

 1) On Amazon, customers have an abundance of sellers, products and price points to fit their budgets. At times you need the top of the line, and at other times you don't ... so lots of selection lets you save money by ordering exactly what you need at a price you can afford.

2) Consumers can't beat the convenience as the products are delivered straight to your door saving you additional time and money.

3) I like the transparency of how the items are listed. By reading everything, I have a good idea of the articles. Plus I read all the customer reviews before I buy an item, and I leave detailed reviews as a guide for other Amazon customers.

4) I appreciate how Amazon stands behind the merchandize sold on its website from various sellers around the world, so if anything goes wrong, I don't have to worry about losing my money. Amazon resolves what goes wrong between you and the seller. Also customers have windows for free returns.

5) And finally ... golly, you often get faster-than-expected delivery ... nearly always quicker than the delivery date you are told! My Wednesday purchase -- the laptop charger -- which was supposed to arrive on June 11th, came today on a holiday weekend! I'm doing a happy dance!!!

Prime Amazon (which I do not have) is worth considering especially if (1) you live in a house or apartment building where packages are left on doorsteps; or (2) you order lots of single items under $25 and wish to save shipping costs; or (3) you simply desire the benefits of Prime Membership. I don't need a Prime Membership for the security of my packages, and I get free shipping with my Amazon subscriptions. I also bundle purchases on non-subcription goods to qualify for free shipping (as I try never to pay for shipping). Sure I'd love to watch the Amazon movies and series (called Amazon video) or have access to special deals, but for now I'm fine (and can better resist temptation) without a Prime Membership. I am forced to wait a beat before ordering. Moreover, I think Amazon would agree that despite not having a Prime Membership ... I'm an excellent customer who definitely helps keep their lights on. 

And a final thought: A happy customer like me always desires happy company employees! Please always treat workers exceptionally well, Amazon, by trickling down your tremendous success to lift up the quality of their lives. Success should be shared.🙏

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