Cute Summer Old Navy Dresses

When I came to help my mom, who took a fall fracturing her fibula, I packed all winter clothes, including leggings, t-shirts, and two cardigans since I only thought I'd be away for about 4 weeks, but she is undergoing physical and occupational therapy and I'm still here. Spring has arrived and all my spring and summer clothing is at home. I only packed one dress (this one) that I can wear on a chilly, early, spring day, but not on a balmy, global warming-created day.

So in anticipation of 80 degree F days (in fact we had one today), I bought 2 Sub-Knit Short Sleeve Tiered Swing Dresses in hot pink and medium-navy blue from Old Navy, as well as, a black pair of $2 flip flops to wear around the house. Old Navy's flip flops are great, no need to pay more elsewhere, and I'm happy the retailer once again manufactures 100% cotton dresses. Not polyester, not rayon, no blends, all-cotton dresses!!! ON is forever offering deals. Wait for one to get a dress dirt cheap!

Hopefully, between my ballet flats, Nike sneakers, and the new flip flops I won't lack shoes to wear as the weather warms up. The all-weather mocs I also brought with me will soon be retired until early autumn. 

The thought crosses my mind I'll be wearing the same style of dress over and over like a uniform, but I bet real money the majority of people rarely notice what we wear when we encounter them. They sense if we are disheveled and not coordinated, but can't recall our particular outfits. What do you think?

My life as a minimalist-want-to-be is being tested and frankly, I'm enjoying the noble less-is-more experiment. So far, I'm managing!

Moreover, ladies, look at this handsome guy! Hubba, Hubba!! Posting him fits into our spring fashion topic. Colorful shirts in a breezy linen blend have just arrived at L.L. Bean for men. The fabric wicks moisture and dries fast. 

Get ready, Betty ... Freddy for cotton dresses, linen shirts, and shorts season. 

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My Favorite Oscar Dresses 2022

All photos: People.com here. Kirsten Dunst is wearing Christian Lacroix.

It's 8:30 pm and all but one of the major awards are yet to come. Here are my favorite Red Carpet Oscar dresses of the night. My picks are always the timeless classics, and as you know from previous years, I'm not a big fan of ultra-low-cut cleavage so those gowns never make my list. These ladies stand out simply by looking polished and beautiful from head to toe.

Lupita Nyong'o in Prada, Alana Haim in Louis Vuitton, Jessica Chastain in Gucci

Demi Singleton in Miu Miu, Aunjanune Ellis in Atelier Versace, and Rose Perez in Christian Siriano

How many of my favorite Oscar 2022 gowns make your list? And who steals your eye at the 94th Academy Awards?

I'm adding one more: On camera, I see the sparkle and shimmer of the embellishments on Tiffany Haddish's dark green Dolce & Gabbana gown, and she looks stunning in it.

If selecting a gown for myself, I'm practical so it would be Demi Singleton's Miu Miu dress because it doesn't reach the ground and I wouldn't need a handler to arrange my train as I stand. Dress trains don't magically fall into perfect formation for a photo opp so a celebrity's handlers come with them to the Oscars to arrange their dresses for the photos you see. Once upon a time, the night was more carefree and fun with actresses wearing their own clothes from their closets. Nowadays gowns and jewelry are sent to them by well-known designers, and usually, a stylist is hired to curate their choices and put it all together. As a non-attress I would not be working and be able to observe celebrities, party and have fun! Think anybody would talk to me? Oh, I'd better take a friend along.😎

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America's Test Kitchen's Poulet au Vinaigre

All photos: America's Test Kitchen and the video footage is linked below.

Today I'm sharing a chicken in vinegar dish featured on America's Test Kitchen, watch here. It originated in Lyon, France. As someone with German ancestry, I can appreciate food with vinegar as a flavor. Delish!

A fancy French name to Anglo ears for a simple and scrumptious one-pan recipe, and readers, you know how I love to prepare healthy, real food in a single pan, i.e., no-fuss dinners as there's less to clean up after you finish! Here's the tasty recipe in written form -- you're welcome!

Poulet au Vinaigre a/k/a Chicken in Vinegar

Ingredients:

8 chicken thighs - trimmed and dried with a paper towel, but leave the skin on the back of the chicken

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

3/4 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 shallot, minced

2 peeled garlic cloves, diced

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup white wine

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

🍴🍽🍷

1 teaspoon of tomato paste

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon tarragon

1 extra tablespoon red wine vinegar

Directions:

1) Salt and pepper the chicken thighs on both sides.

2) Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a 12-inch skillet. 

3) Lay the thighs in the hot oil and brown them.

4) Add the sliced garlic. Sear the chicken for 8 minutes.

5) Turn the chicken over and cook the other side for 3 minutes. They will be crispy, but not fully cooked at this stage.

6) Remove the seared chicken from the pan and transfer it onto a plate. From the frying pan and into a separate bowl, pour off all but two tablespoons of the chicken fat.

7) Next add the minced shallots to the remaining two tablespoons of chicken fat, stir and cook with the brown chicken bits left in the pan.

8) Pour in one cup of chicken stock.

9) Add a cup of white wine followed by a 1/3 of a cup of red wine vinegar.

10) Return the chicken thighs to the pan and liquid - the crispy skin side up.

11) Next slide the pan into a heated 325 degree F oven and bake for 35 - 40 minutes. Make sure the temperature of the chicken reaches 195 degrees on a meat thermometer.

12) Remove the chicken and place the pieces on a plate.

13) To finish the sauce that's left in the frying pan, bring it to a simmer, then add a teaspoon of tomato paste, two tablespoons of butter, a tablespoon of minced tarragon, and an additional tablespoon of red wine vinegar. Whisk the gravy until it thickens.

14) Pour the sauce around the chicken on a plate or serving dish, then tilt the plate to distribute the sauce everywhere and under the chicken.

Serve each hungry diner 2 thighs. Eating this dinner at home costs pennies compared to ordering it in a restaurant.

 

As regular readers know, recipes end up on THE SAVVY SHOPPER so I, myself, can return here to make them again. The blog serves as our electronic recipe box. 

In this recipe, you can substitute chicken breasts if you wish. Although in general, I prefer white meat to dark, professional chefs tend to say chicken thighs are the juiciest, most flavorful parts of a chicken, therefore I use thighs in this dish. Try it the first time and note: Test Kitchen mentions in France, a mix of chicken parts goes into the dish, but using all thighs in lieu of a mix of different chicken parts ensures the chicken cooks uniformly. What I love about America's Test Kitchen recipes is they try making dishes several ways before settling on the best ingredients and methods for the dish for us, its viewers. Bon Appetite!

Here's an extra photo too delectable to not post. It's of step 12, getting ready to pull the chicken out and plating it, to finish the sauce.

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The Minimalist Traveler's 28 Personal Care Essentials

I'm still away from home helping my elderly mother with the recovery of her fractured leg. (It explains why I'm blogging less often.) Essentially I'm living out of a suitcase! And yet when you find yourself in such circumstances, you have to continue to take good care of yourself.

In the effort, here are 12 minimalist traveler's skin and personal care products I'm using every day on my trip away from my home stash of skin and personal care toiletries:

For Skin Care:

Morning --

1) Noxema Cleansing Cream - I'm using it to wash my face and body, as well as moisturize my skin. Originally formulated by a doctor to soothe sunburns, it's cool and tingly upon use.

2) AN Artnature Vitamin C Advanced Moisture + Brightening Serum - Applying this serum to my face every morning as a multi-purpose anti-aging elixir. A vitamin C serum also gives you some protection against free radicals and the sun's harmful rays.

3) Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin with SPF 15 - I use it every day of the year, plus as a greaseless suntan lotion in the summer.

Night, Noxema again, then --

4) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil - Applying it to my face at night, the oil came as a 2-item kit with the cream below. More like a serum than an oil, its purpose is to boost the power of the Retinol. Probably we could survive with the cream only.

5) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regeneration
Cream - Applying it to my face at night on top of the serum (oil). Some consumers prefer Olay Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer since its consistency is lighter with more hyaluronic acid in the cream. I like and use both brands of anti-aging face creams and approve of Neutrogena's high potency and thickness. At times I'll add drops of water to the formula to make the cream a little thinner and sometimes not.

For Toothcare:

6) Philips Sonicare Toothbrush - It's well worth packing in the suitcase. You simply can't brush your teeth as thoroughly with a manual toothbrush. I'm happy my dentist's office advised me to buy it, as well as, told me to buy the basic model for about $40 without the extra bells and whistles. You don't need them.

7) Regular manual toothbrush - I use the sonic toothbrush twice a day, every morning and night, and a regular toothbrush for shorter cleaning sessions to clean my teeth if I eat any in-between sugary snacks.

8) Colgate Maximum Strength Whitening Sensitive Toothpaste - After years of drinking 2 cans of soda each workday at the Time, Inc consumer magazines, I now have sensitive teeth, so I've given up soda altogether and use sensitive toothpaste to try to "repair my enamel" as much as is possible. At mom's age of wear and tear of her teeth, we both use it.

9) Dental Floss - I miss my water pick, but felt I had to limit what to pack and left it at home. Frankly, I hate the necessary evil of teeth flossing!

10) Equate Anticavity Alcohol-Free Fluoride Mouthwash - Yeah, I buy the purple mouthwash, however, which one's really the best for our teeth and gums, only our dentist knows for sure. Probably adults don't benefit from the extra fluoride, who knows? The dentist!

For Body Care:

11) Crystal Body Deodrant Stick - The salt crystal seems to prevent wetness and underarm odor. I have the travel size with me and the thicker stick at home.

12) Cetaphil Body Moisturizing Cream For Very Dry Skin - I bought this one for my elderly mother's skin, but sometimes dip my hand into the jar as a hand and body cream. It has zero fragrance and is super moisturizing and non-greasy. Skin doctor recommended too. Now I prefer it to other brands.

For Hair Care

13) SheaMoisture Shampoo - Whatever formula is available at the drugstore.

14) SheaMoisture Conditioner - Ditto, whatever formula I find at the local drugstore has been terrific.

For Makeup: 

I've only used the 1st three items on the list below and only on Zoom calls. Since we still wear face masks in certain indoor places, I mostly don't wear makeup these days. Yet I brought the following along --

15) L'Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur

16) Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer

17) Bobbie Brown Pot Rouge For Lips and Cheeks - in Pink Raspberry #18

18) Milani Lipstick - in Dulce Caramelo #27

19) Milani Lip Gloss - in Delight Deluxe #01

20) Adrien Arpel Eye Crayon - in Forest Green

21) Sephora Brow Sculping Pencil - in Light Brown and it has a tiny brush on one end.

22) Lip Balm - Beeswax is the main ingredient.

Finally, I brought my stash of samples packets that I save for overnight trips. In a pinch, I'll find a product I need (face cream, shampoo, or conditioner) to tie me over until I can get to a Walmart, Target, or drugstore. 

Moreover, the Tool Makeup Bag contains:

23) Tweezers

24) Hair ties

25) Nail clippers

26) Nail files

27) Nail buffer

28) Mini Nail Brush

The only three tools I've used are tweezers, nail clippers, and hair ties. 

I'm functioning just fine with three small organizing makeup bags of basics. Makes me think minimalism of toiletries is all we ever really need! A less is more mindset saves us tons of time and money. Why not pare down to a simple approach both at home and away from home?

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Spring Fashion 2022: Cut Out Middles And Matchy-Matchy

Photo: Yahoo News

Although I don't go out of my way to dress trendy nowadays, I still follow what's new and in vogue and if I happen to have a piece in my closet which becomes a fad, I'll make an effort to wear it. You?

Two of several styles fashion editors tell us will become big this spring are (1) outfits consisting of 2 pieces exposing a bare midriff or waist; and (2) matchy-matchy outfits. Now I've always been somewhat of a matchy-matchy dresser stopping short of buying shoes and purses cut out of the exact same pattern as my dress. In the 1960s women often bought shoes and handbags that matched 100% in the exact leather and color; or fabric, texture, and pattern as one another ... so everything old becomes new again!

I think I could pull off a matchy-matchy top, trousers and blazer in the same solid color, it's when you wear patterns you must be careful not to overdo it. It can look juvenile. I also don't mind a little peek of a waist as it's not too revealing, especially in a warm climate.

Vintage matching shoes and bag

What are your thoughts on either fashion trend?

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The Ordinary: Haircare Rooted In Skincare

The Ordinary, famous for offering effective skincare based on science at fair and affordable prices, just launched new haircare products on March 8th that are also rooted in the science of skincare.

Introducing a trio of products led by science to gently cleanse, condition, and hydrate the scalp and hair. It makes perfect sense: After all the scalp is an area of the body consisting of skin with oil glands. The new hair products which are rooted in skincare include:

Sulphante 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair - It contains SLES-2, a milder sulfate formulated to be gentle on the scalp and clean the hair without color fade. Usually we think of sulfates as bad, but The Ordinary re-engineered the chemicals to make them mild and effective.

Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner - Lightly coats the hair strands for a soft, smooth effect that tames and conditions the hair without weighing it down.

Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp -  A milky serum that includes hyaluronic acid and squalene (ingredients naturally produced within the skin) to hydrate and protect the scalp skin barrier. Massage a few drops into your scalp daily for treatment.

This trio of new products join a 4th older one:

Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density - A concentrated peptide serum created to make hair look thicker, denser, fuller, and healthier.

These hair products come from a company committed to giving customers budget-friendly products with good, clean ingredients backed by science that truly work. One or more of them may be right for you!

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About Beds In A Box

Little did I know when my elderly mother fell fracturing her leg, I'd be buying 2 beds, but she can't climb her stairs and must reside on the ground floor. I'm helping her, and there were no suitable beds for us to sleep in. 

We bought 2 full-size mattresses.

As it happens, 2 years ago I needed to replace the bed in my own Manhattan apartment. I did quite a bit of research then before buying it. At the time I didn't select a bed-in-a-box although the mattress reviewers and customers give this type of mattress 5 stars. I also tested a bed-in-a-box in a brick-and-mortar store by laying on it and was impressed! Luckily I saved a favorite bed-in-a-box mattress manufactured by Zinus and sold on Amazon because it got top marks by professional mattress reviewers. It is a 12-inch Support Plus Pocket Spring Hybrid Mattress. During a sudden family crisis, the ability to click to have 2 mattresses delivered by Amazon in 5 days is priceless. (How did I know to save it on my Amazon wish list?) Now that my mother and I sleep on the beds, I can from personal experience say we love them too! 

What's more, they are less than half the price of those sold by the bigger, well-known beds-in-a-box companies such as Casper and Nector Sleep and yet they seem to be made well and have all the necessary features.

Moreover, I ordered the 16" steel bed frames from the same merchant as I wanted to ensure they are a perfect fit. (The frames also come in 14" and 18'' heights). If you have the extra time to do the measuring, Amazon Basics offers slightly cheaper steel bed frames costing slightly less than Zinus.

The firm beds-in-a-box I bought are considerably cheaper than my firm box spring mattress at home, therefore it's a wash if they wear out and must be replaced sooner. They are guaranteed to last 10 years. You still save a heap of cash for a quality supportive and comfortable mattress. Highly recommended, I couldn't be happier with the mattresses or the price!

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Vitamin C Serums That Work

Dermatologists agree: Applying Vitamin C serum to our faces benefits our skin. It should be part of our daily anti-aging routines. After washing our faces each morning we should use a vitamin C serum under our sunscreen and makeup. Vitamin C brightens the skin, reduces dullness, and encourages new skin growth. It also helps sunscreen work better to protect the skin against the sun's harmful rays.

Personally, I try to keep the expense of beauty serums under $25 whenever possible and therefore have featured many effective budget-friendly skincare potions, including vitamin C serums, in previous blogs (which you can pull up via THE SAVVY SHOPPER'S search box on the upper left). Nowadays we can find steller skincare brands at drugstores, Target, Walmart, and Ulta without emptying our wallets and therefore can afford to use them every single day without skimping. 

Here are 7 more dermatologist-approved Vitamin C Serums with a range of prices from cheap to reasonable to more expensive:

1) CeraVe Vitamin C Serum - Has 10% of ascorbic acid, the purest form of Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.

2) Maelove Glow Maker - Contains Vitamins C, E, Ferulic Acid, and Hyaluronic Acid.

3) Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 - Olay recently launched its serum along with a face and eye cream. The formula, "crafted with Vitamin C, Vitamin B3, and Lactic Acid, visibly brightens and hydrates skin." Lactic Acid also treats acne. 

4) Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum - With antioxidants, fruit enzymes, and a potent 15% of vitamin C.

5) Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster - Features a light formula for fast absorption. 

6) BioBare Vitamin C, B, E & Ferulic Serum - Defends against free radicals, dryness, and aging.

7) Biossance - Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum -  Uses 10% vitamin C and white shitake mushroom to treat dark spots and stop new ones from forming.

Although it's fun to try different brands of serums, CervaVe at $16 works superbly ... and is as dermatologist-approved as are the other choices, so you may not need to spend more. But, selection is a Savvy Shopper's best friend for spotting sales and bargains. At times you find a 2 for 1 Olay sale at your local drugstore which halves its $29 price. Sometimes what works for one person is irritating to another's skin, so being in the know by having options based upon science is a very good thing!

Photo: BeautyEdit

 

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