Pardon My Back Summer Dresses

Lulus - Good Deeds Royal Blue Lace Up Dress

Are you ready for the summer? Me ... I wait six long months for the season to arrive. As I mentioned in previous blogs, I love balmy days, endless hours of daylight, the great green outdoors, strappy sandals and easy-breezy dresses. You won't see me in trousers again until early autumn. It's too tempting to just slip a piece of pretty fabric over my head and walk out the door.

Revolve - Blondi Dress Tiare Hawaii

On the mean streets of Manhattan, I notice lots of men wearing sandals already. Certainly, modern men are abandoning their socks and business shoes to walk the city pavement in open toes like never before! I'm counting a 1 in 5 male-in-sandals ratio. I suppose the laid-back equivalent for women is a bare back. Women wearing bare back dresses in public is quite common these days.

So let's do a Pardon-My-Back Summer Dress Roundup! The cute, relaxed dresses selected here retail from $23-$69. Feast your eyes on a variety of summer style, patterns and affordability:

Pinkice.com - Impressionist Spirit Dress

Some low dipping, back baring dresses might be better suited for a barbecue, and yet, many others cover enough skin to look classy for everyday tooling around town. How I love the easygoingness of summer! And, if you show some skin to keep cool on a hot, muggy August night, it looks perfectly weather appropriate, not naked!

Lulus - Kind Words Grey Print Swing Dress

Lulus' flattering swing dress with a peek-a-boo back will help you beat the heat. Doesn't the red and white pattern look lovely over a grey background?

Old Navy - The Cami Dress

These classic Cami dresses from Old Navy are adorable in 12 different colors and patterns. Very versatile, they can be dressed up or down with the right shoes and bling. Drape a scarf or sweater on top of a cami dress, and you can visit, in style, any conservative, European church that frowns on bare shoulders.

The Letter - Empire Waist Dress

Gingham is ultra trendy right now. Really, it never totally goes out of style. The Letter's Empire Waist Dress has fancy lace trim, while the blue and white gingham pattern gives it a casual playfulness. Cute, no?

With such chic, cool, cozy dresses, who needs shorts? Come-hither, summer! 

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Anti-Aging Face Serum For Less

You won't need to rob a bank to buy anti-aging skin care that really works. After sunscreen, face serum is the most effective weapon in your beauty arsenal. One of my most popular blogs discusses the importance of face serum, plus lists a number of budget friendly options. Because. Regardless of how good a luxe face serum is, if it's too pricey to use everyday, it's of no use to you! You don't want to find your pretty, unwrinkled self standing in a bread line, do you?

Face serum should perform the following anti-aging vital functions: (a) add hydration to the skin; (b) reduce the appearance of fine lines and winkles; and (c) encourage the production of collagen and new skin growth. 

Three ingredients in skin care products help to slow down aging, and/or repair skin damage by promoting the grow of collegan: 1) retinols; 2) alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid, lactic acid and citic acid); and 3) vitamin C. 

Face serums have smaller molecules than lotions and creams and so penetrate deeper layers of skin. The newest trend is to layer a face oil loaded with antioxidants and omega acids over your face serum, an influence of Korean and Asian skin care. Like you, I think, another product, another step, nooo! Stop the madness!!! ... but I loved how the face oil moisturized my skin (without the grease) over the winter ... and looking good is what it's all about!

Here are 4 Highly Effective Face Serums (+1 oil) priced at $20, or less:

1) Emu Oil All Purpose Moisturizer - This is the +1 on the list: No, it's not a serum, but Australian Aborigines have used emu oil for thousands of years to do wonders for the skin. Containing high levels of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, it absorbs easily into the skin, never clogging pores. Emu oil is an anti-inflammatory. (It's inflammation that causes aging.) Emu oil stimulates the growth of collagen, helping to repair sun damage. Plus, you can use emu oil as a rub to heal sore joints and muscles also!

2) Now Hyaluronic Acid Firming Serum - Suitable for all skin types. With age our skin loses moisture, but hyaluronic acid is a super moisture binder. The serum contains antioxidants to fight free radicals along with collagen building agents to soften lines and wrinkles.

3) Derma E Firming Serum with DMAE Alpha Lipoic and C-Ester - An intense hydrating formula to tighten, tone and promote skin elasticity. DMAE lifts and tightens skin. Alpha Lipoic Acid stops free radicals from aging skin, and C-Ester improves skin texture by helping to build collagen and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C also helps sunscreen work better. At $18, you get lots of bang for the buck!

4) Baebody Retinol Serum - This has 2.5% retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to smooth, firm and moisturize the skin. Retinol is the non-prescription strength of Retin-A (tretinoin). Avoid the side effects of redness, dryness and rawness by starting with over-the-counter (retinol) and building up to the prescription strength (Retin-A). Use retinol at night to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, not during the day as sunlight destroys it.

5) Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir - (This is being discontinued so online prices are rising fast! If you find it for $13 or less, buy several!) It has glycolic acid which speeds up cell turnover. Glycolic acid brightens your skin by helping you shed dead skin and bringing new skin to the surface. Many women alternate their use of serums, using a retinol based serum one night followed by a glycolic acid serum the next ... back and forth. Once this product is gone, you'll spend over $20 for glycolic acid elixirs. Olay rocks!

Use these budget friendly youth potions every day and night and still have moola left in your wallet!

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Homemade Protein Bars On A Budget

Question: What can I do with two tubs of whey protein powder, chocolate and vanilla? They have been in my cupboard for a long time. Here's an idea. Homemade protein bars, a recipe, via Fitness World, costing about 55 cents per bar verses $1.50 for store sold protein bars. Occasionally, I eat a protein bar to keep from getting cross if I can't avoid missing lunch. The following recipe for homemade bars is fairly simple:

Homemade Protein Bars

Ingredients

8 scoops chocolate protein powder 
1 cup oatmeal
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
3 tbsp honey
1/2 cup 1% milk
3 tbsp crushed peanuts

Directions

1. Mix together the protein powder, oatmeal, peanut butter, honey and milk.
2. Form into 5 bars and then roll in the crushed peanuts to finish.
3. Place in the fridge for about 30-45 minutes, or until solid.

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Ok, so I made them:

I won't lie, a protein bar will never be as tasty as a hot meal, or a delicious overstuffed sandwich (let's not kid ourselves!), but they do stop hunger; and when faced with skipping lunch, they keep your blood sugar level stable. Better than eating an unhealthy snack!

Next, vanilla protein bars to use up the vanilla tub. I can see rolling vanilla protein bars in cocoa powder, nuts, or chopped dates or raisins.

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Speaking of dates, a recipe for Raw Brownie Bites (by Josh Axe) appeared in the Epoch Times, a New York City newspapper, which looks even better!

Ingredients:

2 cups whole walnuts
2 1/2 cups medjool dates
1 cup cacao powder
1 cup raw, unsalted almonds, chopped
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1) Place the ingredients in order, one at a time, in a food processor. Finely grind the walnuts, but pulse to combine everything else. The consistency should look like cake crumbs. The dates will hold the mixture together. If not, add more dates.

2) Shape into balls and refrigerate on a plate until ready to serve.

I haven't tried these yet, but have the ingredients. Looks delicious!

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Fashion Hendricks' 5 Must-Have Products For Summer Hair

Today we are in for a treat! Fashion Hendricks, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Manhattan's popular NYC Weave Studio, is sharing 5 of her favorite hair products for the summer with the readers of THE SAVVY SHOPPER.

Ms. Henricks is passionate about making clients look and feel beautiful! Her trendy salon has glowing reviews from tons of returning customers; and the distinguished hair stylist has appeared on television shows, such as Jerseylicious, The Nate Berkus Show and Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns.

Here are Fashion's 5 picks to tame and style your tresses all summer long. They are suitable for every hair texture to counter the elements of the dog days ahead, including: sun, humidity and heat.

1) Watermelon Love Drops (by Fashion Hair Solutions) - A humidity frizz buster and heat protectant. With a light scent of watermelon, it adds a clear shine to dry hair. Won't weigh hair down and protects hair from sun damage. Fashion says, be sure "to bring this little bottle of awesomeness to the beach!" 

2) It's A 10 Minute Styling Serum (available at any drugstore) - The serum protects colored hair, seals the cuticle and resists humidity.

3) Shaper Plus (by Sebastian) - This is Fashion's go to light hair spray, which she says is a must! Even after lots of brushing, this light spray still holds a style!

4) Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer (by Bee Mine Natural & Organics) - This moisturizer will single handily restore your hair to good health "after abuse from the sun, heat styling and saltwater," according to Fashion: "It repairs ends and strengthens hair from root to tip."

5) Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Gel (available at drugstores, Walmart and Target) - For vertical styles and smooth, sleek ponytails. Fashion likes this gel because "it's not sticky and won't disappoint. It keeps every strain in place! Talk about taming, this one is it!"

Well, lucky SAVVY SHOPPERS, you now have the wisdom of a hair professional! These hair products really work ... without breaking the bank. Many thanks, Ms. Fashion Hendricks, for your awesome recommendations! Here's to a summer of good hair days!

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One Pan Oatmeal Cake with Pecan Frosting

Recently a friend posted this recipe on Facebook. It looks delicious! I will make it for brunch. No it's not healthy, but a treat; nonethess, it has protein and some fiber. Choose your poison, right? I choose death by pecans and brown sugar. (Only joking, eat everything in moderation.) Coffee and a slice of this cake should hit the spot. Bon appetit!

Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Pecan Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal (1 minute or 5 minute oats work.)

3/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sugar (I'll cut the sugar down to 1/4 of a cup.)
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup flour
1/2teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1/4 cup of shortening butter (Butter is my tweak. I don't buy shortening.)
Directions:

Mix the oatmeal with the boiling water, stir and cover. Mix the remaining ingredients then stir in the oatmeal mixture. Grease and flour a 9 X 9 pan. (For the perfect crust, I will use a cast iron skillet.) Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 for 23-25 minutes.

Coconut Pecan Frosting:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons melted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Carefully spread frosting over the top of the cake. Broil until coconut is just brown. Watch very closely – it doesn’t take long. Cool, slice and serve.

Let's call it three-day holiday weekend cake!

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DIY Rich Soothing Hand Cream

Photo: Coconutoil.com

Homemade hand cream is easy to make, so easy that I'm making two different formulas -- the first one to keep my hands moist and beautiful,and another for my mother's arthritic hands. What's that you say? Yes, I can hear you! My hands are too beautiful!! As are yours, and they deserve to be pampered. 

Rich Soothing Hand Cream (to treat dry hands)

Ingredients

3/4 cup Shea butter 
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
1 tablespoons pure water
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E
14 drops of peppermint essential oil

Directions:

1) Scoop the Shea butter, coconut oil and water into a microwave safe bowl and nuke it for 20 seconds at a time until the Shea butter and coconut oil melt. Whisk together.

2) Next whisk in the olive oil, sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil. (Note: You can substitute another organic oil, such as argon oil, jojoba oil, or marula oil. They are interchangeable carrier oils for the skin in making hand cream. Almond oil is more expensive, so I combine it with the cheaper, yet equally beneficial olive and grapeseed oils.)


3) Add the vitamin E and peppermint oil to the mixture. (Vitamin E gives your emollient a longer shelve life. Peppermint oil gives the lotion a tingle and clean scent.) Continue to whisk briskly until the mixture turns into a cream. Alternately, you can use an electric mixer if you wish. I just mix by hand since I have no desire to clean mixer beaters.

4) Scoop your hand cream into clean empty containers. I chill the cream in the refrigerator for about an hour to give it the perfect consistency … turning the liquid into a rich white cream.

Extra tips: 

1. If you have beeswax or cocoa butter, you may substitute either for the Shea butter. All will thicken the hand cream. In hot weather, you can add 4 tablespoons of Shea butter, beeswax or cocoa butter for extra thickness, since a hot temperature will keep it soft. Alternately, if you want lotion, stop at 2 tablespoons.

2. All essential oils will work, so substitute your favorite essential oil(s). I like how peppermint essential oil soothes and tingles. Also feel free to mix 2 favorite essential oils, such as 12 drops of peppermint and 2 drops of lavender.

3. If you can find the right jar with a tight lid, you can eliminate using the bowl and transfer. Microwave (without lid) and mix or shake in the same jar, then screw on the lid! I love these jars for bottling the hand cream. After shaking vigorously, I pop the hand cream directly into the refrigerator to solidify faster. 

Made in January, 2020

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Rich Soothing Hand Cream (to treat arthritis)

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Shea butter
2 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons tincture of Arnica alcohol

3 tablespoons cayenne powder

I keep tincture of Arnica alcohol in my medicine cabinet to treat bruises. (If you only have Arnica gel, substitute it.)

Directions:

1) Nuke the Shea butter and coconut oil in a microwave save dish for 20 seconds at a time until it melts.
2) Mix in the Arnica and cayenne powder.
3) Whisk briskly until it turns into a cream.
4) Scoop the cream into clean empty containers.

Fortunately, I had all of the ingredients (except for the Shea butter) on hand. You can buy them cheap from these retailers: I ordered my Shea butter and organic coconut oil from Puritan's Pride; bought the almond and grapeseed oils at TJ Maxx; and got the arnica and vitamin E at the local drugstore. When I run out of peppermint oil, I'll check Puritan's Pride and TJ Maxx. So feel free to shop around to find the best price, but read labels to make sure all the ingredients are 100% what-they-say-they-are and nothing else. Peppermint oil should be 100% peppermint oil, coconut oil 100% coconut oil, and sweet almond oil 100% sweet almond oil, etc. Luckily, TJ Maxx carries a wide selection of quality essential oils! The retailer has quite a beauty section for less moola.

A bit of chemistry and voilà ... your own personal nourishing hand cream! You may never return to store bought again. Here are a few more tips on making your own whipped body butters here. It explains the difference between all the oils you can use.

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Nasty Gal For Edgy Clothes

I'm astonished I have waited until now to feature Nasty Gal, as I've upload its new styles on our Facebook page many times! If you're looking for chic affordable clothing, shoes or accessories, take a look at their website.

Nobody does cute, hip, edgy, fast fashion better. The offerings are eclectic. Nasty Gal has both vintage and ultra trendy clothing. Personally, I stay away from the super short dresses and breasts-revealing-necklines. (Having attended Catholic schools, a certain modesty stays with you forever :). To be sure, there are lots of other eye-catching styles in addition to the more risqué numbers, so women of all ages can find a cute, inexpensive piece for their wardrobe.

I especially love the Jeffrey Campbell designed shoes and boots, one pair is more adorable then the next! ... they are very affordable. It's always fun to see what is on sale, and I also recommend clicking the "Nasty Galaxy" section for fashion ideas and professional tips. Tuesdays seem to be the day of the week when new inventory hits the e-market.

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Higher Tea For Your Health

Photos: Higher Tea

Over the course of the blog, I've written about the many health benefits of drinking tea. As my readers know, I had to give up sodas and supermarket bottled teas because they were eating my enamel, causing my teeth to become too sensitive. A cup of tea prepared from dried tea leaves at home is far less acidic and most likely retains more of its healthy, antioxidant polyphenols.

Serious tea drinkers will want to know where they can buy quality tea leaves. Higher Tea is one such tea merchant, founded by New Zealand Naturopath, Sophie Howard. The company's aim is to provide consumers "with healthy and pure tea," so that tea drinkers can brew a perfect cup of tea. To achieve its mission, the family-run company explores the world to find tea from every corner of the planet. Whether you drink popular English Breakfast Tea, Earl Grey, or want to try an exotic blend like Dragon Well Tea, or Coconut Pu-erh Tea, Higher Tea offers world class dried tea. 

I'm sampling three teas that Higher Tea selected for me:

1) Green Gunpowder Tea - A classic style of green tea from the Zhejian province of China. Caffeine free

2) Detox Tea - A senna and caffeine free blend to boost metabolism and balance the digestive system. This tea is a nice surprise. Tasty and gentle, it doesn't mess with your digestive tract in any unpleasant way like some other brands do, thankfully.

3) Weight Loss Tea - A blend to improve digestion and ease bloating and detoxifying. Also caffeine free. Although I don't tend to worry about the caffeine in tea -- it's less than coffee; without a doubt, I don't have to avoid drinking these three naturally caffeine free teas late at night.

Photo: wintergoddessfoods.com

All of the tea is 100% certified organic and blended in small batches. Refreshing and delicious, I especially like how each blend of tea lists its ingredients, as well as, how to measure and brew a perfect cup of tea. So often you don't know exactly how many minutes to seep a cup of tea for the best taste. The packaging gives you the correct brewing time for each tea. 

Higher Tea's website, too, has a wealth of tea information. The blog section tells you more about specific tea blends, plus gives wellness tips, such as how to sleep better, or reduce life stress.

The one bit of information that I believe customers will want to see added online is the weight of tea they are ordering. The packages I received were 3 ounces each. Online, customers can order quantity: 1, 2, 3, etc. of tea, but I don't see the weight listed. Noneless, the quality of Higher Tea is top-notch and healthy. It makes a great hostess gift!

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