Ground Beef Stroganoff

Photo: Betty Crocker, the recipe is not Betty Croker.

I love one-skillet dinners. What's not to love? A mishmash of flavors and textures, and all your food groups tossed into one pan to cook a balanced meal. You can add a salad, grainy bread, and a glass of wine if you wish. After eating your meal, the breezy cleanup consists of a single pan and a few plates and utensils. Here is the recipe:

Ground Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

2 tablespoon olive oil

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1 large onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 stalk celery including leaves, diced

1/4 cup red pepper, diced

1 - 1 1/2 lb ground beef

1/4 cup wine - red or white

4 cups water

2 large any flavor bouillon cubes, or 4 small cubes

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon each of dried chives, garlic, and parsley

A dash of Worcestershire sauce

8 ounces of curly noodles

1 cup of sour cream (which I never have so use plain Greek yogurt.)

Directions:

1) Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a 12'' chef skillet or a dutch oven and bring to a simmer to tenderize and brown the sliced mushrooms. Sprinkle in some salt. Set aside in a separate dish.

2) Use the same skillet to add another tablespoon of olive oil and tenderize the diced onion, garlic, celery, and red pepper (takes 3 - 5 minutes).

3) Toss in and brown the ground beef. A dash of salt and

pepper. It cooks for about 5 minutes.

4) Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour to coat the ground beef and cook for another 3 minutes so the flour won't taste raw.

5) Pour in the wine and 4 cups of water and dissolve the bouillon cubes. Use a wooden spoon to stir and mash up the bouillon into the liquid.

6) Add the dried spices and Worcestershire sauce.

7) Next toss the dried uncooked curly (egg or any) noodles into the dish and cook until al dente.

8) Return the mushrooms to the pan and stir. Turn off the heat.

9) Finish off with sour cream (or substitute Greek yogurt). If using Greek yogurt be mindful of curdling. Temper the yogurt with a small amount of stroganoff sauce before dumping it all into the dish.

A simple one-pan meal that sticks to your ribs. Delish!

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Nordstrom's Valentine's Day Themed Offerings

Part II: At Nordstrom🌹

While consumers can great an assortment of pleasing merchandise at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, IMHO, Macy's has a better selection of quality goods at every price point so you can find a wide selection of fabulous merchandise for less there. You'll spend more at Nordstrom and much more at Saks Fifth Avenue for desirable stuff, plus the promotions aren't as deep as the sales at Macy's due to each department store's respective business models.

That said, posted on today's blog are some lovely Valentine's Day-themed articles suitable as gifts or a splurge for yourself.

I selected only jewelry that is sterling silver or 14k gold, so no fashion jewelry pieces. To find them search for "hearts earrings" or "14k gold hoop earrings" on the retailer's website.

Diptyque (1) fragrance or (2) a candle in a rose sent.🌹

The last fun piece from Cult Gaia is an over-priced acrylic box clutch purse typical of some of the articles Nordstrom carries (also it was characteristic of the now-defunct uptown Barnes). The Venus et Fleur rose in a box (look up 👆) is another enchanting overpriced item. Appreciate them for inspiration, then go out and find something similar to get the same effect for less if you wish! Here is the Eos by Cult Gaia bag at Saks Off Fifth Avenue discounted but still a lot of moola. Keep looking until the price is right.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 

For him:

(1) Faherty cotton and cashmere cardigan, (2) Jo Malone London cologne, or (3) Ugg slippers  

You'll find everything featured on Nordstrom's website here.♥

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Macy's Valentine's Day Themed offerings

Part I: At Macy's♥

Valentine's Day must have been invented to motivate us in the Western Hemisphere to hang on until the spring. An excuse to eat delicious chocolate and perhaps share a nice dinner with loved ones ... be they family or friends. If single you can still get in the spirit by wearing red and splurging on a little something for yourself in celebration that life is good! Let's do a round-up of items Macy's has to tempt us:

Earrings and ring are Macy's in-house brand

Gem-quality diamonds are expensive mainly due to demand 1st created in the 1940s by DeBoer's wildly successful  Diamonds are forever ad campaign. Customers not wishing to drop 5 figures for bigger and cleaner stones have another pretty gem option, morganites, for beautiful Valentine's Day gifts and spurges. Rating an 8 on Moh's Scale of Hardness, they're durable and so free of inclusions some folks are setting the clear pink beryl as their center stone in engagement rings instead of a diamond to save $1000s of dollars. Certainly a pleasing sparkler without breaking the bank!

Moreover, customers can never go wrong with classic pearls as a gift or splurge on Valentine's Day ... or any other occasion for that matter. You'll enjoy them over a lifetime!

Special edition gift sets with shades of red lipstick would please a makeup maven and ...

Embellished red leather purses are certain to make purse aficionados happy!

1) Effy, 2) Alex Woo, 3) Alex Woo

All the heart motif necklaces and jewelry are adorable too!

Macy's in-house label

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

For the man in your life, I like the Puma fleece jacket and Adidas cozy jogger pants. Be sure to tuck several chocolate hearts wrapped in red foil in a pocket. Generally, I'm not a fan of sweatsuits but this combo looks polished and neat. 

Stay tuned! Although my heart belongs to Macy's (and I'll explain why in the next blog) to be fair tomorrow I'll post another Valentine-themed roundup with enticements from Nordstrom!! [Here it is.]

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Catherine Of Wales Suited In Alexander McQueen

Photo: Getty Images

Catherine of Wales looked stunning when she got off an airplane in Boston with Prince William to attend the Earthshop Prize ceremony.

Her suit, gorgeous and elegant, also looked comfortable for flying. I had to know more about it and perhaps you'd like to know too.

First of all, although the suit looks black and dark purple in some shots, it's navy blue. On this trip in late November, she wore it with a turtle neck to keep warm. Catherine also has the suit in white and pink, and she wisely recycles her wardrobe wearing them on different occasions. 

left - Steven Locke images and right - pool images

The suit is a ready-to-wear Alexander McQueen, although I wouldn't be surprised if Kate has her clothes altered. So many high-profile people in the public eye do which is one reason they look impeccable in their clothes. The attire fits her perfectly! 

The Alexander McQueen Single-Breasted Classic Suit Jacket costs $2,190. I found it at Bergdorf-Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue here in the U.S. 

The pants are Alexander McQueen's High-Waist Long Cigarette Trousers costing $1,190. Although definitely not cheap, Catherine of Wales wears her off-the-rack garments beautifully and gets good value for the money! I love the pragmatic and realistic example she sets. 

The clothes in my closets that I like also get worn time and again to different events. And, why not? The wearer looks good repeatedly! 

And that's your Savvy Shopper #short for today (like a YouTube short, only with photos and copy:).

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The Heart Shaped Bags Are Back

Coach Crossover bag

For 2 years in a row, retailers are bringing out their heart-shaped bags in time to buy for Valentine's Day. Last year I featured Valentine's Day themes in luxury brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton (see that link below). You can now look for their inventory + several inspired labels at 2nd hand stores, outlets, and discount retailers this year.

Kate Spade New York

Customers should keep an eye out at T.J. Maxx for Kate Spade's heart-shaped bags and Karl Lagerfeld's bags have landed at Saks Off Fifth Avenue.

Karl Lagerfeld Paris

My favorite brand Coach has 2 styles in 2023, a top handle in crossgrain leather at the Coach Outlet plus this year's edition in glovetanned leather sans a top handle at Coach's flagship store, as well as, selling in major department stores -- catch the sale days, or you may have rewards dollars to spend for it.

BTW, you must see all the things Coach has launched with a Valentine's Day theme in 2023, as they are so darn cute!

Coach in glovetanned leather -- which I prefer when I can get it. It's a preference as all of Coach's leathers are beautiful and durable.

Although Forever 21 (in bankruptcy) cut down its store count to 450, the retailer is making a strong comeback by opening 100+ new stores together with its e-store, where you'll find a less expensive faux leather heart-shaped bag for under $25 because sometimes it's all you really need to pick up a novelty or trendy bag. A structured bag that looks to be a sensible size to hold essentials! I've missed popping into Forever 21 in New York City to browse inexpensive accessories.

Forever 21

Unsurprising to readers, I love the Coach Outlet bag and despite its $199 price tag, 2022's crossgrain leather is a bestseller for the retailer and nearly twice the cost of my ampler rectangle-shaped Coach bags. Charming isn't cheap!!

Paying the piper depends on how often you'll grab it. What is Valentine's Day cuteness worth to you?♥

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A Girl Named Tom Love

This music was posted on YouTube a year before the trio appeared on The Voice.

There are only 2 times while watching NBC's The Voice that I picked the winners of the season during their blind auditions, not because I have a crystal ball and can predict these things, but solely because I loved their voices so much during the blinds, I wanted them to win. Ears don't lie. Girl Named Tom was one of the 2 talents I rooted for all the way through to their win! {Since someone emailed to ask I'll tell you the other singer: Jordan Smith, season 9}.

From the competition - The Battle round.

It turns out this sibling group has uploaded on YouTube lots of entertaining videos, including their music; sometimes lessons introducing viewers to grassroots music around their native Ohio; and sharing stories about touring. 

Touring the USA

Now that I'm a Girl Named Tom fan, I'll enjoy watching their careers rise. I'm happy they have each other on their journey, and can't wait to see what's next for them. Check them out here on the blog, see them while they're playing smaller venues, and keep them on your radar!

Here's a bit more about the sibling group ... Enjoy!🎵♩♪

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Know The Minimalist Skincare

Photo: Minimalist

A savvy shopper needs to have a selection of brands to get the best value on skincare. Feel free to enter the words "skincare," "serum," and "anti-aging" in the blog's search box on the upper left to learn about some amazing brands that like today's featured line focus on efficacy, transparency, and affordability.

The Mininalist is a high-performance skincare brand with an array of cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen based on science to address a range of skin concerns. The company was launched by 2 brothers (one a scientist, the other with a business background) in October 2020 to make low-cost skincare available in India because, at the time, The Ordinary (launched in August 2016) wasn't on shelves in India. Today both brands sell in both India and the USA, so everybody wins! The consumer has choices galore! Mohit Yadav is the CEO and co-founder with Unilever as an investor.

Although the Minimalist is not The Ordinary and The Ordinary is not the Mininalist, here's what they have in common: Clean packaging, transparent information, and ingredients that are scientifically formulated at rock-bottom prices -- all fantastic! While many consumers can get all their skincare needs met with products developed solely by The Ordinary or solely by the Minimalist, the Mininalist is especially good at offering a wide range of chemical peels and sun protection. If you have acne or rosacea, you'll have a greater selection of treatments from the Mininalist. An emphasis on treating acne explains why the Minimalist offers more chemical peels than The Ordinary. There's also better sunscreen at the Mininalist possibly because the company started in India, a continent where the population needs good sun protection.

The more knowledgeable you become about skincare ingredients and what you want your skincare to do, your appreciation for companies like the Mininalist and The Ordinary grows. Initially, it might seem confusing and like lots of work to learn about what ingredients to buy, but after you do the research to know, you know.

Moreover, sometimes the two companies pair or combine ingredients differently, and I think this also gives customers a greater chance to personalize their skincare. So for consumers, it's awesome to have not one, but two companies with stellar ingredients for less on the market! Hats off to The Ordinary for changing the skin suspension game, as well as, to the Mininalist for expanding it!🎩

2 Conversions: Retinol --> Retinaldehyde --> Retinoic Acid

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Bejeweled Athletic Shoes

Blue by Betsey Johnson

As a gal who loves the glitter of gemstones, bejeweled athletic shoes always catch my eye, yet I don't own a pair and am not tempted to buy them for myself. When it comes to footwear I always select function over fashion so never stray from Nike. It's likely because I live in New York City and walk miles on concrete. Also, I don't want to invest in more than one pair of athletic shoes at a time as the functional ones with guaranteed arch support and stable heels are expensive, and I desire more from my sneakers (or trainers as the British like to say) than to look good wearing them. Lately, when I buy shoes (or clothes), I don't forget their original purpose and want them to serve their intended purpose.

Kurt Geiger London Laney Crystal

That said embellished sneakers (a/k/a tennis shoes) are a trend, especially with a chunky midsole that will boost your height by an inch or so. Without a doubt, they're super cute and can elevate your style! An all-black or neutral outfit will benefit from a pop of shimmer.

Tretorn Nylite Plus Glitter 

You can find them for under $80 (if unlike me) you don't mind having multiple pairs of sneakers hanging out in your closet. They're not as washable as sneakers without jewels which may limit their use, but if you have a job or attend a lot of events where you can dress casually smart, you'll probably get your money's worth buying a pair. It all depends on your lifestyle.

Clarks Nova Spark Sneaker

While I've never bought bejeweled sneakers, I do own black bejeweled high heels and previously owned (1) black and (2) silver rhinestone ballet flats, which are fun to wear! Often other people compliment them, so the sparkly style seems to be a mood booster!💫

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Best Carpet Stain Remover Ever

In helping my senior mother with her life, I've had to tackle (1) a dirt (escaping from a vacuum cleaner) stain; (2) spilled coffee stains; and (3) blood stains on her otherwise lovely and pristine-looking carpet. In case you're wondering about the blood, it occurred as she absentmindedly scratched a white mole on her ankle. The injured mole bled a lot and she didn't even notice it, dripping blood on 3 areas of the rug as she returned to her chair.

An all-purpose stain remover from a dollar store didn't work.

Through trial and error (avoiding cleaners that would take the color out of the carpet), what got the stains out was a combination of the following ingredients:

Homemade Carpet Stain Remover

Ingredients:

water-diluted ammonia in a spray bottle (50/50 is actually too strong. I use it as an all-purpose cleaner for household surfaces and now only pour about 1/3 ammonia to 2/3 water, still too much according to this.)

Dishwashing liquid

white vinegar

baking soda

tap water in a cup

a scrub brush

several paper towels

Directions:

1) Wet the stain with water-diluted ammonia.

2) Follow with drops of soap and undiluted white vinegar.

3) Pour baking soda on top of the wet mixture and let it fizzle. I use a scrub brush to work the mixture into the carpet. Toss some clean water on top if the paste is too dry.

4) Let the paste set/dry until the next morning. After 5 minutes or so you can also blot it with paper towels but not excessively so. I covered the wet spot with a couple of paper towels until the next morning so my mom remembered to walk with her walker around the stain. While drying it smells like a big salad.🥗:)

5) Repeat the treatment if needed. When a stain is extra tough, drops of dishwashing detergent can be added to the effort. When the treatment is complete and dry you can vacuum over it. 

We only needed one application. The stains are gone. What a welcome surprise!

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