4 Advent Calendars You Reuse

Vintage Santa Wooden Advent Calendar - Primitives by Kathy here also on eBay

For several years in a row, I've featured the beauty advent calendars that everybody wants ... or ones I'd love to get myself. You can go back in years on THE SAVVY SHOPPER to find the coveted brands since these beauty retailers offer their advent calendars every year. The 2020 editions are out now. Some are overpriced, and still they go fast!

This year a new idea: Consider buying a keepsake advent calendar which could become a permanent holiday decoration and family tradition. You fill it yourself with 24 (or 25) selected gifts. Some might be small material things, but others could be poems; I.O.U. notes that promise a holiday adventure together; or a sweet treat like a favorite cookie or candy. It need not be expensive, just thoughtful and pleasing!

Yes it's more work than buying a calendar already stuffed with gifts, yet over the years a reusable advent calendar should be cost-effective, more personable, and a cherished family event. Each day unwrapping a small surprise, perhaps the true gift is family anticipation and joy:

1) The Primitives by Kathy Advent Calendar (above↑) is made of wood, paper, and metal. Each countdown box measures 17.13" x 3.38" x 14.25 enough room for favorite nick-nacks or snacks!

2) A Fabric Advent Calendar made of burlap with a hoop to hang on the wall. Since it uses only vertical space, it gets the job done with a small footprint. It has 25 pockets for trinkets, candies or messages. 

3) A wooden Tree Shape Advent Calendar with 24 drawers, each covered in beautiful Japanese washi paper and coated with a gloss finish. The drawer pulls are tagged with metal numbers counting down the days to Christmas.

4) The last featured choice is perhaps the most Traditional Advent Calendar. There are no boxes to fill with little treats. Just a celebration of the holy season with a 24-day countdown until the birth of the Christ child. A beautiful gold decoration with the Star of David, 3 Wisemen, and the Holy Family.

Four reusable and unique advent calendars to suit many tastes and ages of family members. Also, a thoughtful gift for family friends who might use it year after year. 

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Blaukraut And Spätzle

Today let's eat, think and speak German! When I was a child my mom told me in Germany "red" cabbage is called "blue" cabbage (blaukraut). After I made the dish, I told my mom over the telephone ... out of the blue (pun intended😁), I'm having red cabbage and at first, she could not recall what the vegetable was.😂 Old names die hard! What's more although she introduced me to Spätzle (also called Spätzli), Bavarians consume far more potatoes than Spätzli. It explains why we ... and now I ... serve cabbage (red or green) with potatoes, a delicious combination, about 90% of the time. It's faster to get into the pot.

Nevertheless, let's take a few easy-peasy, extra cooking steps to prepare 2 scrumptious recipes for Red, or is it Blue Cabbage and Spätzle  ... or is it Spätzli? It all depends on where in the world you live!:

Red Cabbage (or Blaukraut in German)

Ingredients:

Red cabbage, a large head {blue cabbage, Mamma!}

1 medium onion

1 bay leaf

Red or green cabbage works in the recipe.

1 large bouillon cube, any flavor (or substitute 1 teaspoon of salt)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sprinkle of soy sauce (or Maggi, a German soy sauce)

1 teaspoon dried garlic

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 

1/3 cup cider vinegar

1 finely cut up tart apple

Optional: The next 2 ingredients make the Blaukraut dish spicy. Not traditionally German.

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

1 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds

Directions:

1) Using a knife, shred the cabbage. It shreds itself in minutes if you slice in strips. Toss the shredded cabbage into a large 12-inch chef skillet or pan. Lightly brush the bottom of the pan with butter or vegetable oil if you wish. I don't, and the cabbage still cooks without sticking. Butter adds extra flavor. 

2) Dice and add the onions. The dish will be delicious with or without a finely chopped apple, but if you decide to cut one up toss it in also.

3) Next add the seasonings: a bay leaf, bouillon cube (or salt), pepper, garlic, parsley, nutmeg, optional cumin and caraway seeds; and vinegar.

4) Cover with a lip and simmer on low-medium heat for 20 - 25 minutes until the cabbage is tender. Watch towards the end to not overcook. I aim for firm, yet fully cooked cabbage. I also give it a final taste and add another pinch of seasonings, or vinegar if needed. (Should the vinegar be too sharp for your taste, a pinch of sugar will temper it. Normally the cabbage tastes delicious and exactly right without any sugar.)

The dish is super tasty warm or at room temperature. Vinegar gives Blaukraut about a 2 week, refrigerated shelf life.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Spätzle (a pasta, or German dumpling)

Ingredients: 

(Makes about 2 servings and should be made fresh, not days in advance.)

2 eggs

1/3 cup milk

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (I use a few turns of a nutmeg mill.)

1/2 teaspoon white pepper (I just give the white pepper a few shakes. Cooking is chemistry, yet not rocket science.🙂)

Directions:

1) Into a mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, flour and milk. I like to pour the milk in last, a little at a time as I whisk, so the batter isn't too thin.

2) Add the salt, nutmeg and white pepper and keep whisking. You can always add more milk or flour to get the right consistency. (There's no risk of ruining the batch, only the risk of ending up with a bigger batch than desired.)

4) Boil a large pot of salted (use 1 teaspoon salt) water.

3) We don't own a Spätzle maker. (Unless you make Spätzle often it's not worth buying one. Also, we don't want to clean it.) We dip a teaspoon into the boiling water then scoop up the dough to drop into the boiling pot. Good enough! Work fast so all the dumplings have about the same cooking time. Should you make a big quantity, cook them in batches. Boil each batch of Spätzle for 2 minutes.

5) Strain and sprinkle with dried parsley Butter is optional, between you and the bathroom scale.

Red Cabbage and Spätzle are usually eaten as side dishes with ham or Bratwurst. Yet all by themselves, you have a protein, starch and vegetable. Guten Appetit! 

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Let's Be Grateful This Thanksgiving

In the world of hard knocks, COVID has reminded us of what we intuitively know but don't always let inform our actions. The world is interconnected. Whether we're talking about a disease, healthcare, global warming, or sharing the earth's resources, we need to look after each other to survive. If you simply care for yourself, eventually everybody parishes. 

Humans are basically good ... and selfish. "Love one another" is hard to follow sometimes, isn't it? Because emotions, insecurity and selfishness creep in. Yet if we only tend to our own tiny bubble everyone suffers. When COVID dies in 2021, I hope we keep its "We're all in it together" lessons. The year has been tough, but I'm grateful for the red flag of "must-do" some things better for humans and our country and world.

No turkey this year. I'm thinking: a chicken breast, cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes and broccoli. 

Personally, I think President-Elect Joe Biden is setting the right compassionate tone backed by science and facts to lead our country. I'm grateful for the experience and leadership he shows. When I was still in school I was a Congressional intern in Washington, DC and I remember the talk of Biden as a young Senator who was raising his two young boys alone after the tragic car crash of his 1st wife. Sometimes I sat in the Senate balcony with the Congressional press watching floor votes and can remember where Biden sat next to another young Senator Gary Hart and not far away from Senator Ted Kennedy. Once I was sent down to the chambers beside the floor to deliver a note to my boss and of course, delighted, I took in as much as I could of the activity at eye level. So Biden comes to office with a wealth of Washington government experience which should be good in leading the country. I am grateful for his relationships, character, empathy, and experience.

What a quiet Thanksgiving for those of us who won't be traveling to see family, or joining nor inviting friends over for dinner. Yes, the loneliness sets in.

At times how we handle stresses and calamities define us, right? A wise quote I read recently comes from becomingmininalist:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Be patient and vigilant a little bit longer. Stay healthy friends!!

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Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Hemp Calming Relief Body Oil And Lotion

Palmer's, under the umbrella of E.T. Browne Drug Company, was founded over 175 years ago as one of America's 1st skincare companies. The brand specializes in treatment beauty products selling at affordable prices. The retailer has a worldwide distribution, with a commitment to sustainably sourced ingredients and ethical practices for the farmers who harvest the herbal extracts contained within its preparations.

At my local Walgreens, I picked up a sample of Palmer's new Cocoa Butter Formula Hemp Calming Relief Body Oil and Lotion. There was a week's worth of sample in the packages. On my next trip, I'll definitely buy bottles of each to slather all over my skin after a shower this winter. Both the oil and lotion are rich and super moisturizing, sharing a pleasant botanical scent I love. I called the company to find out what the amazing, clean and subtle smell is. The answer is Tagetes patula (French marigold) and eucalyptus. Hemp seed oil calms inflammation and irritation; and cocoa butter moisturizes and softens skin. They are hypoallergenic and dermatologists approved.

Palmer's is a name I knew of forever, yet surprisingly, overlooked at the drugstore. Now I'm hooked! The clean botanical scent, top-notch ingredients, and nourishing feel on the skin are fabulous and addicting! You want to use it every day!

Palmer's makes a slew of different skin cleansers, creams and treatments to address individual concerns for everybody in the family.

The emollients are an excellent value for real coconut oil, cocoa butter, hemp oil, olive oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. The formulas are developed from years of experience and tested by time and science.

Sold at drugstores, Target, Walmart, and Amazon at unbeatable prices ranging from $6 - $10. 

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Jewelry Holiday Gift Ideas At Macy's

The brilliance of a diamond tennis necklace has a huge effect. See my budget-friendly tips below.

Last week I was invited to a Macy's jewelry trunk show at Herald Square. You know I went, People!😍 It was the most upscale, expensive, and gorgeous jewelry I've seen in a department store. I tried on a flawless 12-carat Tanzanite ring ($85,000), a 7-carat pigeon-blood ruby ring with diamonds ($49,000), and a 5-carat emerald and diamond ring ($43,000). Each piece was spectacular, yet even before arriving, I knew I wouldn't be buying anything. Who walks into Macy's and drops that💰sum💸 on one luxury item? Rich folks and broke folks, that's who!

Some of the very expensive jewelry from Effy's trunk show at Macy's. Lots of trunk shows now.

After perusing the gems at the trunk show I walked around the jewelry department, looking at everything in the display cases. To be sure, Macy's has a huge array of jewelry from costly to moderate prices. (It's why I love Macy's ... throughout the store, you can find quality items to fit any budget.) From now until Christmas, expect tons of sales. Wait for a Friends and Family, Black Friday, or VIP sale to get an extra 30% off on already well-priced merchandise.

Coseup of the Effy trunk show sapphire and ruby rings - the expensive heirloom line.

If you ask me (and even if you don't😊) jewelry is always a winning holiday gift. The following are beautiful examples of mid-priced jewelry from Macy's showcases -- precious (diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds) and semi-precious (the amethyst) stones set in 14k gold:

1) Diamond Pavè Huggie Hoop Earrings; 2) Ruby & Diamond Necklace; 3) Amethyst & Diamond Accent Oval Ring

4) Effy Emerald & Diamond Earrings; 5) Belle de Mer Pearl Studs; 6) Diamond Hoop Earrings

7) Italian Gold Bangle Bracelet; 8) Velvet Bleu by Effy Sapphire & Diamond Bracelet; 9) Effy Emerald Drop Earrings

The 2 pairs of emerald earrings and ruby heart pendant look gorgeous in the store. I wanted them!!! The 5-carat amethyst ring is a splendid color, size, and clarity ... and affordable unlike precious stones of similar size. The hoop earrings, pearl studs, and gold bangle are classic pieces that never go out of style. The sapphire and diamond tennis bracelet is as lovely as its pricier all-diamond sisters. I've linked all the jewelry (except the diamond necklace, which is at the store to try on) so you can read more details. Lots of the pieces are available in other gemstones also, and the pearls are in other natural colors.

Macy's makes sparkle more affordable, and the trunk shows have fun, to-die-for, eye candy. Will I ever get tired of gawking at jewelry? Never!👀 

Extra Budget Tips: Due to its brilliance, a diamond tennis
necklace of 3 carats has a huge effect, therefore, bigger may not be worth the exponential price increase of buying more carats. Consider how 5-7-or 10 carats of diamonds get more expensive, not simply doubling or tripling per carat, but exponentially. And yet on your neck, the effect is not always as big as the exponential rise in cost! Until you bump up the diamonds to 20-30 or 50+ carats, i.e., Elizabeth Taylor or Queen Elizabeth II size, the effect isn't automatically more stunning, so may not be worth the huge price hike. Therefore, my budget-friendly tip is to buy the "effect," not the carat weight in a tennis necklace.

Curiously, sometimes the 10-carat stone necklaces twist and turn on the neck while the 3 carats don't ... which is definitely a disappointing effect!

To get the most "effect" for less money, buy a graduated diamond-style tennis necklace. People notice the bigger stones at the front, not the decrease in sizes going towards the back of the neck, an area unseen if you have flowing hair. The entire necklace, including the smaller diamonds towards the back, will sparkle like crazy! A big effect at a lower cost!! Another tip in buying a tennis-style necklace or bracelet for less is to consider compromising on color and clarity since the diamonds are tiny. But, the color in the line must be consistent and match!

Of course, at a trunk show try on the Queen Elizabeth II big gemstones. I say, be a dreamer, then a realist! And yes, Your Majesty, I will definitely accept your kind invitation to see the Crown Jewels. Hey people, you never know who reads the blog.🙂😍💂

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5 Coach Outlet Bags Reduced And Fabulous

The Coach Emery bag I love costs $395, cheaper than Chanel or Louis Vuitton, yet still steep (see the blog here). As a value shopper, it may be a while before the price drops enough for me to own it. Meanwhile, there's no need to wait to replace a bag! 

The Coach Outlet online store has so many beautiful full-grain leather bags so we can always find quality and style for less equivalent to our budget-buster 1st choice. And since the holiday gift shopping season is here, I'll select several winning Coach bags costing under $100. $100 finds keep $300 in the bank! Perhaps you, too, can replace your own bag, or find a holiday gift for a loved one:

1) First up is the Gallery Tote - (Top image↑) - It is made of cross-grain leather and has outside and inside pockets. Both the body and shoulder strap are of sturdy leather construction. These days many leather totes and purses cut corners with a cloth strap, but not Coach!

2) The Rowan Satchel - is another cross-grain leather bag with exterior and interior pockets for organization. The Rowan has a structured design; zippers; and 4 chic golden feet. I bought this bag in black with gold hardware. It comes in 6 colors of leather, as well as, several colors in canvas.

3) Lena Crossbody - Fans of bucket bags will love the Lena Crossbody for its inside pocket and large capacity to hold lots of stuff. The bag is of cross-grain leather and has a drawstring and snap closures. A gorgeous green color, it has an emerald interior that one reviewer uses turned inside out. As I like to say, once you pay for a product and walk out the door, it's nobody's business how you use it!

4) The Mae File Crossbody - is of refined pebble leather, which is one of my favorite textures of leather because pebble leather is scratch-resistant and stays new looking for decades! Like the other Coach bags, there are inside and outside pockets, and it comes in several colors. Had I had to stick with the same shape as my budget-buster 1st choice, the Emery bag, I would have bought the Mae File Crossbody instead of the Rowan Satchel. However, I like the structured look of the Rowan with its too cute golden feet better.

5) Mini Camera Bag -  Camera bags are wildly popular at the moment. IMHO, men can carry them too without looking feminine, not that there's anything wrong with men who adorn a feminine accessory as what is considered feminine for men evolves. The Mini Camera bag comes in black and an array of colors, as well as, in leather and canvas. The name says mini, yet the purse is a decent, practical size. There's also a bigger size for just over $100.

In life, many of us live on a budget. As a wise person said, "Ain't nothin' wrong with that!" When you can't always get what you want certainly at Coach, you can get what you need and love ... which are stylish bags in full-grain leather of lasting quality ... in black with gold hardware, or a lovely new color to complement your wardrobe. Enjoy!😍

Extra budget tips:

Happy and casual

1) Personally I buy bags in understated, neutral colors to go with all my outfits and coats. But if a unique hue brings you joy and despite its limited use, there's nothing wrong with buying it. On the other hand, if you want a bag to go with everything, stick with understated neutral colors. The bag on the right is adorable, but the combination of colors makes it a casual bag limiting its use. Complements your black or camel coat, yet not your red plaid trousers.

2) Skip the pricey SLGs (Small Leather Goods) - Compared to the cost of a bag, SLGs are expensive. The Coach wallet on the left is stylish and well-make, but it will wear out faster than the bags and for a few dollars more, you can buy a bag! Instead, I buy nice enough SLGs from T.J. Maxx for $8 - $15, which look fabulous inside my better value Coach bags, leaving more dollar bills to put in the wallet! Plus, you never know what brands will end up at T.J. Maxx discounted! I see Italian leather and designer names all the time! Budget-friendly SLGs are equally stylish, durable, and hurt less to replace.🦖

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Maybelline Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette

With the need to wear face masks many of us aren't thinking of makeup as we do in normal times, but I notice women are still wearing eye shadow and it's an excellent practice to look pulled together on Zoom calls. Looking your casual best helps to lift your mood as it's an area you can control! As usual, Maybelline makes it easier with top-notch shadow for less!

Maybelline launched yet another gorgeous nude palette in early 2020. Its Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette contains 16 creamy mix and match shades that are universally flattering on every skin tone: light, medium or dark. Luscious and rich pigments, rivaling top brands Urban Decay and Too Face, glide on smooth to last all day long. The palette makes a fabulous splurge or no-fail, holiday gift that won't break the bank! From fresh pale pink for a rosy natural gaze to subtle shimmer and browns to create a killer smoky eye, there's not a wasted dud color in the bunch!

Golly, despite having Maybelline's other nude or "mini city" palettes, these are such pretty shades, the Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette is a must-buy from the beauty brand! For the price, you can buy 2 and keep 1 palette for yourself! Available at Ulta, Walmart, Target and local drugstores for $11.99 - $13.99, depending on the retailer.

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Back At Uniqlo on Saturday Wearing Uniqlo

 

The SAVVY SHOPPER is a written word, not a photoblog, therefore photos of me are few and far apart. (You're welcome readers, I spare you!😁)  Every once in a while, I throw one up here because it's normal to be curious about a blogger.

New Your City is very spring-like for several days. In fact, it will be 76 degrees F today in November ... summer! This was me on Saturday browsing in one of my favorite stores, Uniqlo, the innovative Japanese retailer of super practical and budget-friendly clothing, accessories and occasionally shoes. Frankly, the shoes are not up to the same standard as Uniqlo's other offerings, but the merchant has just ventured into shoes, so their quality will likely improve if continued. Fashionistas will be tempted to buy Uniqlo shoes for their unbeatable prices ($19 - $49) and perhaps the looks ... not for their durability though. Also, they lack adequate support and comfort for walking on concrete city blocks.

In the picture above, I happen to have on some of the articles I've recommended on THE SAVVY SHOPPER. How apropos to be wearing the Uniqlo dress I bought in the spring to Uniqlo! Truly, a useful transitional dress, or when the weather is wonderfully out-of-wack balmy. I'm wearing a Uniqlo airism bra top underneath it as a camisole, as well as, a Uniqlo nylon parka. The sneakers are the decades-long-world-popular Converse, and I insert Nazaroo insoles inside for arch support so I can walk around the city in them. No-show (plus ankle) socks I always buy 5 pairs for $9.95 at H&M. My black "liberated" leather Foley & Corinna crossover purse completes my outfit. And of course, during our pandemic days, we never leave our homes without our face masks. Bulletins are posted at the door of all New York City retailers: You must wear a face covering to enter.

How I love days before we start freezing! It's so lovely to be out and about without all the essential layering of cold weather!!

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Spicy Ground Beef and Eggplant Stirfry

Luckily my local supermarket always has delicious lean, ground beef for sale, so I have it for dinner at least once every other week. Sometimes as burgers, chili, or spaghetti with meat sauce. But at other times I like to try something new -- mix up the meat and vegetables to eat a variety of colors in a diet.  A few days ago, I made ground beef and eggplant stirfry, but you could easily substitute chunks of beef or chicken and whatever vegetables are in season. This is a good way of eating vegetables you don't love that are nonetheless good for you. [For me it could be asparagus or okra. I don't hate asparagus or okra, yet never crave them either.] My recent dinner, featuring ground beef and eggplant is a quick one-pan meal that turned out tasty:

Spicy Ground Beef and Eggplant Stirfry

Ingredients:

2 stalks celery, diced

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, cut up

1 jalapèno pepper, sliced

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef, broken up

1 eggplant, diced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon basil, or a bunch of fresh basil

Season to taste, I use rosemary, parsley, dried garlic and basil, as well as, fresh.

Directions:

1) Dice the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, jalapèno pepper and grill with the broken up ground beef in a skillet uncovered until the beef starts to brown. Uncovering it at first lets the liquid evaporate so that you don't end up with a stew.

2) Salt and spice to taste. Add diced eggplant.

3) Cover with a lid and simmer until the eggplant is tender. (It's fine to cover it now so the eggplant can steam.)

Serve on brown rice; a grain of your choice; on top of grainy bread; or rolled inside a tortilla with cheese. The stirfry dish is very versatile. Enjoy!
 

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