Pecan Cinnamon Coffee Cake Streusel

With fall arriving on the Western hemisphere, I began to crave a generous slice of coffee cake paired with a delicious, oversized cup of coffee on weekend mornings. But my rule is if I eat such treats, mostly I must make them myself. 

Otherwise I could balloon up to 300 pounds, and thus the reason for my rule: I can eat anything I want as long as I'm willing to make it myself! Make sense? Stops mindless eating. Homemade is often better ... and involves more time.

A browse of my blog's cakes and pastry recipes tells you I like sweets containing cinnamon and nuts. So America's Test Kitchen's Pecan Cinnamon Coffee Cake Streusel hits the cinnamon-nuts spot!  

Since you can watch the recipe being made for free online by registering, I think I can post the ingredients below, plus mention -- the (1) streusel topping and (2) cake batter are made separately blended in a food processor. It is necessary to mix the ingredients in the exact order listed with 4-5 pulses of a food processor. Do not over pulse, nor add ingredients out-of-order in this recipe, or what should be a light and fluffy coffee cake will form glutton resulting in a tough cake. And nobody wants to eat that!

America's Test Kitchen's Pecan Cinnamon Coffee Cake Streusel

Ingredients for the streusel topping:

Toss into a food processor --

1 cup of toasted pecans
1/3 cup brown sugar
🥮 Pulse 4-5 times in food processor
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
🥮 Pulse 4-5 times in food processor again. Set aside.

Ingredients for the cake batter:

Toss into a food processor --

1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
🥮 Pulse 4-5 times in food processor

The spring form pan I own.

7 tablespoons of soften butter
🥮 Pulse 8-10 times in food processor

Directions:

1) Watch America's Test Kitchen's video as a thank you to them for creating the recipe for us!

2) After watching ATK, you can return here to my cheat sheet for the ingredients. I watched and jotted them down for you and me to return to time and again.:)

3) You will see how the bakers of America's Test Kitchen pour the cake batter into a 9'' spring form pan.

4) The topping is added from the outer edges first, followed by pouring it in the middle. That way the middle doesn't sink with streusel leaving uneven topping on the edges.

5) Bake at 350 degrees F for 55 - 60 minutes. Wait for the coffee cake to cool before you cut and eat it.

Undoubtedly, you can make the coffee cake with an electric mixer, but ATK made the job quicker with guaranteed light and fluffiness if you follow their directions exactly. 

You can watch AKT for other excellent recipes also!


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SIRUM Aims To Save Lives With Unused Medicine

Occasionally my doctor gives me a prescription for medicine, and sometimes I have some leftover. I know what not to do with it:

1) Don't stop taking the medicine just because you feel better unless your doctor says it's OK. If she says take it as needed, you can stop when you no longer do. If she puts you on antibiotics for an ear infection, it's important to take it all.

2) Don't toss the extra medicine down the toilet, nor in the trash can, as it ends up in our waterways killing fish and harming the environment.

3) Don't take it upon yourself to share your medicine. You need to go to medical school and understand the medical history of another person to know what's safe.

So what should we do with unused medicine?

Recently I asked my pharmacist if New York state lets him redistribute unopened, unexpired medicine free of charge to patients in need who come in with a prescription they can't afford to fill. Not a surprise, the answer is no.

There is a conundrum in our country: 50 million people in the USA skip their medicine because they can't afford the cost. Moreover, it costs money to destroy medicine, and 70 of our waterways are polluted from pharmaceutical runoff.

Waste, waste, waste! But now there is a solution.

SIRUM (or Supporting Initiatives to Redistribute Unused Medicine), is an innovative website started by Stanford University students, which aims "to stop medication waste and save lives" by doing what my pharmacist cannot do. Accept donations from organizations, as well as, individuals and get it to the people who need, but can't afford to buy it.

The nonprofit venture has coordinated a network of medical, administrative and distribution facilities to collect, check, follow state regulations and redistribute the medicine safely and legally.

So whether you need medicine you can't afford, or have medicine you can donate, here is SIRUM's website (and a phone number: 650-488-7434 for questions) to get started.

It's been a goal of mine to find such a resource. So glad it exists!


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Color Sensational® Made For All Lipstick By Maybelline

Photo: The Today Show

Here's a heads up: There will be 3 blogs published this week. Stop by on Wednesday and Friday for more!

First up is Maybelline's recent launch of a new line of lipstick called  Made For All Lipstick by Color Sensational® that is created to be universally flattering on all skin tones. So if you wear lipstick, you can wear any of the 7 new shades!

Rich pigments, the lipstick is moist and creamy and looks fabulous on everybody, regardless of skin color, or undertones. They are 7 beautiful, classic colors also! Satin and matte lipsticks, the hues are a range of nude, pink, red and plum.

Maybelline calls their Color Sensational® Made For All Lipstick a game changer that takes the guesswork out of selecting lipstick. It's a makeup item that made Allure magazine's Best Of Beauty 2019 list; and customers give the formula and colors high ratings too.

Nudes are trendy and safe, but now women can break out of their comfort zones to try new shades of pinks, plums or reds! Go wild with confidence!

Photo: thehappysloths

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Target Celebrates 20 Years Of Design Collaborations

Isaac Mizrahi for Target silk dress

For 20 years Target has partnered with the likes of Isaac Mizrahi, Anna Sui, Zac Posen, Philip Lim, Lilly Pulitzer and others to launch their designer collections at budget-friendly prices. Clearly I'm a big fan! My 1st Liberty purchase of clothing was a 100% cotton Liberty of London for Target summer dress. Only $25, and I still wear it! Nice introduction, eh?

Italian designer Missoni for Target collaboration captures its trademark zigzag pattern.

Target's 20 years of Design For All launches in stores and online on September 14th -- two days away! -- with a curated collection of the past 20 years of  "collaborator" style.

Photo: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com of Lilly Pulitzer For Target dresses

Target's collaborations make the innovative work of top designers accessible to the public by mass producing it. Customers can pick up some lovely things for their wardrobe, or home at a fraction of their usual cost. The quality may not be quite as rich as what lies in Bergdoff Goodman, but you pay much less for very decent quality. Offering good value for less is a fair tradeoff! Moveover, the goods last for years.

Michael Graves For Target's spinning whistle teakettle

I love the little number at the very top: an Isaac Mizrahi silk dress for $60 bucks! You are hard pressed to buy silk fabric to make the dress yourself for less!

Rodarte for Target for a night out on the town

I've spruced up today's blog with some of my favorites from Target's 20 Years of Design for All collection including: Lilly Pulitzer's Palm Beach floras, Missoni's teacups and Michael Graves teakettle. The Rodarte nylon frocks are dressy and edgy chic!

Thanks Target and partners for 2 decades of affordable style! Jointly you are the Edwin Markham of elite designer commerce: “He drew a circle that shut me out - Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle and took him In!”💋

20 Years of Design for All spans quite a big anniversary collection of wares! Take a look by clicking on the links provided. What are your favorites? What would you like to have in your closet and/or home for less?


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Florence by Mills Beauty From Millie Bobby Brown

Photo: getthegloss

Florence by Mills is a new line of skin care and makeup from generation Z (i.e., 15 year old actress) Millie Bobby Brown. The beauty products contain natural ingredients infused with vitamins and botanicas that are not tested on animals. They are targeted for teenagers, but all ages and skin types can use them. 

Sold at Boots in the UK and Ulta in the US at such affordable price points with good clean ingredients, they are worth putting on your radar! 

Although I always take note for whom products are formulated, when anyone can benefit ... use the brand. Sometimes it's only marketing. At other times, it simply means the beauty line is more gentle. For example, products created for young skin won't have heavy perfume. This brand is phthalate free, paraben free, sulfate free, artificial scent free; and it is good for universal skin!

What's more, I lean towards a fresh, natural look. I want to look like myself ... but my, enhanced, best self! You?

The light face tints, under eye concealers, cream blushes and lip glosses are worth a browse.

It's fantastic to have additional choices, budget-friendly prices and simple yet attractive packaging ... all bringing us back to what is truly important. What's inside: Products that work, sans wasteful packaging, or inflated costs to pay for fake, so called exclusive "luxuries."  The fact that Florence by Mills is sold at Boots and Ulta, retailers who run a ton of sales, means trying them for less is a must.

The future's Generation Z looks bright, no? Not to mention fresh and attractive!


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Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese Scones

Photos of scones: Delish

Many people like sweet scones (or snacks). I have a savory palate and love spicy, salt and cheese. The following cheesy scones, tweaked from King Arthur Flour, make a delicious breakfast or evening snack. 

Homemade is usually better, but who has time or the desire to spend hours in the kitchen? So like all the recipes on THE SAVVY SHOPPER, these scones are easy-peasey to make and bake:

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1 cup whole wheat and 1 cup all-purpose)

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder

Photo: WiseGeek

5 tablespoons ice cold butter, diced
2 large eggs

1/3 cup buttermilk

1 cup chopped, extra 
sharp cheddar cheese (Extra sharp is the only way to go!:)
1 small (about 1/4 cup) onion (or scallion) chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon hot sauce

Directions:

1) In a large mixing bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together: flour, salt and baking powder.

2) With your hands, quickly work in the ice cold, diced butter until you get a crumbly consistency. Try not to touch it too much. You want the butter to stay cold and in pieces (that's what's makes great scones, as well as, southern biscuits).

3) Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, Dijon mustard and hot sauce. I like spicy, but you may leave out the mustard or hot sauce if you wish.

4) Toss in the extra sharp cheddar and diced onion.

5) Sprinkle plenty of flour on a flat surface. Dump the dough onto a flat surface. Flatten and form a rectangle. Toss extra flour on the dough and your hands as needed.

Oh look, somebody ate half the batch.

6) Cut the flat rectangle into 5 squares, then cut those on half to form 10 triangles.

7) Transfer the triangle unbaked scones onto a buttered and floured prepared baking sheet. Optional: You can brush the tops with a little melted butter and/or sprinkle on more cheese, if you wish. Oh, ye'ah!

8) Bake for 20 - 25 minutes at 350 degrees F in a preheated oven until they begin to brown and the the scones are done. Remove from the oven and eat warm. 

9) Throw any leftovers into the freezer to reheat on another day. Later remove one or two and microwave for a minute to eat. Place a wet paper towel in the microwave to maintain moisture.

Cheddar cheese scones are perfect for a weekend brunch, no? Crusty on the outside, soft on the inside and melted cheese with every bite! Serve with Virgin or Bloody Marys, and your guests may never leave!


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The Convertible Maestra Bag

Senreve's Maestra, an Italian leather bag with a stain resistant suede interior (in 3-sizes) is a fabulous find! The clever bag is an all-in-one satchel with top handle; crossbody bag; and backpack. The transition from one form to another is easy by pulling the straps. It only takes seconds!

Upscale and stylish, the interior holds lots of stuff. A side compartment secures a 10.5 inch iPad, and 7 pockets keep all your belongings organized. What's more, the large convertible Maestra holds a 13 inch laptop; your lunch; and a sweater according to Business Insider.

The gold knobs on the bottom look rich, and the bag comes in 27 colors, as well as, different textures (smooth, pebbled and dragon) in strong cowhide leather, as well as, mixed leather. 

If I had to come up with one improvement, it would be to widen the top flap (or cover), since if you look at the images, there are two openings at the top of the bag on the sides. There is an interior pouch that zips, yet the 2 side comparents are exposed -- and for the price, they shouldn't be, in my opinion. It isn't a dealbreaker, but a detail I noticed in seeing the bag in store.

Not an inexpensive bag, yet well below the exorbitant prices of so many well-known luxury bags. The Maestra is every bit as rich as the exclusive French brands, but costs far less -- all 3 sizes under $1,000 -- and has a lifetime guarantee. Expect the convertible Maestra bag to hold up for decades even with constant use. The purse is carried by Nordstom and resalers like The RealReal, so it's quite possible to catch a reduction.

With its elegance, sturdiness and versatility, the Maestra convertible bag makes a great work, or travel bag. Chiao Bella! The next big thing!! Because ... now, don't we all want one?!!!


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IT Velvet Luxe for Ulta Makeup Brushes Now Only On EBay

Learn how to use makeup brushes here.

On THE SAVVY SHOPPER, I don't normally write sales-flash posts on products. Occasionally, I'll post a too-good-to-ignore sale alert on the blog's Facebook page, where such up-to-the-minute (act now!) information works better. Here (by design) readers can go back 10 years to read blogs that mostly keep their relevance. The advice and tips don't date like this present blog entry will eventually do ... in a day? ... a week? ... or a month's time. (Well, we will ... together ... find out.)

But a price drop on a stellar makeup brush (that is also unwisely being discontinued) is too good not to share!

Last year I bought a quality makeup brush from the IT For Ulta Velvet Luxe line. The brushes in that particular line, are plush, soft, firm, precise in the application; and never, ever shed. In other words, everything we want: It is hands down the best makeup brush I've ever used! 

Retailing at $48, I was happy to get it on sale for $24. In the future, I knew I had to buy more makeup brushes in the Velvet Luxe line to replace inferior brushes ... when they again went on sale. Although on sale, the money still adds up! 

Not until a year later did I return to Ulta to buy my 2nd (a blush) brush. To my great surprise, Ulta is out of stock of the It Velvet Luxe blush brush (as well as many of the other Velvet Luxe brushes which do other jobs expertly). Why??? Because IT Cosmetics is in the process of discontinuing their Velvet Luxe variety of brushes. Insane!!! ~~ as their new brushes  -- at the same price -- are inferior! They are not as soft or plush! So double trouble!!

Readers, the light at end of the tunnel is ...  you can (while supplies last) still buy the IT For Ulta Velvet Luxe brushes on eBay for even less money than Ulta's best sale price.

I own 4 of the IT Velvet Luxe brushes: LBD Powder #307; Plush Foundation #304 (a multi-tasker, I use it for blush and bronzer); Soft Focus Sculpting #315 (blush); and I just ordered the Empress Fan brush #324 (such a price drop why not? ... to set makeup with finishing powder). I also like the Kabuki brush -- it's the biggest of the brushes. If you don't mind the size, you can use it in place of  the #307 and #324 brushes. Truly once you pay for an item and walk out the door, it's nobody's business how you use it!

As to why IT Cosmetics is replacing their superior Velvet Luxe brushes with less plush, or stiffer bristles I haven't a clue. THE SAVVY SHOPPER doesn't like change unless it's an improvement. :(


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Silicone Kitchen Tools Worth The Money

Silicone kitchen tools are plentiful nowadays. A flexible, durable material not melted by heat, silicone can do jobs as well as, if not better than metals of yesteryear. Silicone's lightness and resilience give it a space saving advantage over rigid tools.

I have silicone baking mats to line aluminum cookie sheets, and a silicone bundt cake pan, but with these 2 examples, the texture of cookies and cakes lose a little something when baked on silicone, as opposed to, on their metal counterparts. Still I often use the silicone mats to bake cookies on because of the easy cleanup. And supple silicone allows me to have a bundt cake pan as I lack cupboard space for an aluminum bundt cake pan.

Here are 3 more Silicone Kitchen Tools Well Worth the Money - Each is weightless, pliable, tough, super functional (and best of all) cheap:

1) OXO Microwave Omelet Maker in Red - Making an omelet, or a hot nosh sometimes seems like more trouble than it's worth. So much to clean up for a small bite! The omelet maker reduces your cleanup. It has a 3 egg capacity: Mix, microwave, and eat it all in the same silicone dish. I like to steam vegetables in it too. The silicone maker folds in half and seals, so the vegetables get steamed tender in 5 minutes. After they cook, unfold and voilà, you have a silicone plate. Plus an easy breezy one vessel cleanup. 

2) Silicone Sponge Scrubber - It seems like regular sponges fall apart without much use, whereas the silicone is super durable. "Sponge" is a little misleading. These won't absorb like a sponge, but are great for wiping and scrubbing dishes, pans and counter tops. So they won't replace your sponge, but they do some jobs better, and you won't need to buy as many sponges, which saves time and money in the long run. Another benefit, silicone is bacteria and odor resistant, partly because it dries faster than a regular sponge. 

3) Clean + Simple Scrubbing Gloves - What is better than silicone sponges? Little scrubbers attached onto silicone gloves! Nothing to hold! Protect your hands from heat and cleansers while you scrub-a-rub-dub away.

No need to shop at upscale retailers as all the above silicone tools are found at T.J. Maxx and Home Goods for less. When in stock, be sure to snatch them up!

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Pretty Pear Blue Sapphires At Macy's

The sale at Macy's - see here - it ends soon but usually returns if you watch for it.

I love fine jewelry like some other bloggers love designer shoes or handbags. Although I pop into Tiffany & Co., Bulgari and other Madison Avenue jewelers occasionally, there's no way I can justify paying thousands of dollars on such expensive pieces. I mean, few of us actually have $100,000 sitting idle, plus a gal would need the lifestyle to merit buying such sparkle. Would I adorn myself in 6-figure jewelry only to walk up and down Madison Avenue? Or go to a movie, or the ballet? Nooo, I'd have to be part of the Met Gala or Page Six society ball set. I look because it's fun to see gorgeous, top-notch jewelry! And younger, my father and I used to gawk at jewelry store displays, picking our favorites.😍

Because I don't live the lifestyle, it's safe for me to browse. When on a spending hiatus, it's T.J. Maxx where I dare not go!

As my readers know, I don't consider jewelry an investment since you will rarely (or never) get what you paid if you resell it. Realty: Short of being famous (with millions of fans), or a queen, you will lose money on jewelry. So only buy it because you love it!

A matching necklace here.

It is why I'm a big fan of Macy's fine jewelry department for mid-priced jewelry. To find value to suite your budget and taste, it pays to shop where there is a wide selection. Although the gems are not top-notch, you still get lots of bang for the buck. Macy's offers real gold, variety, great design, reasonably good stones; at bargain prices. The gems aren't top-grade, but you haven't paid for them with an arm and a leg either, so it's a smart trade off enabling ordinary people on budgets to own some glitter IMHO. I mean, we can save up to buy a proper piece. 

The earrings featured at the top ↑ is an example of what I think is a steal ... or at least a good deal:

• 6 carats of blue sapphires, with 1/4 carat of white sapphires, so 3 big carats per ear
• Set in 10k white gold
• Original price: $1,250.00
• Sale price: $445.99 (64% off)
• Extra 25% off, so with offer = $335.24           

Don't get me wrong, Macy's isn't giving anything away. Here are the reasons the earrings are affordable:

The gold is only 10k, the sapphires are navy blue, so on the dark side, yet still blue (not black). The diamonds aren't diamonds, but white sapphires. All OK with me for the price. 

Earrings in 18k gold, or platinum; with 6 carats of certified natural Ceylon (color not country) sapphires; surrounded by diamonds would cost between $7,000 - $10,000+ depending on color, clarity and cut. BTW: Sapphires are no longer mined in Ceylon (the Island country a/k/a Sri Lanka) so those rare sapphires can be $20,000 - $100,000+ especially for single, bigger stones!

The Macy's earrings are much less in quality and price than what Tiffany sells. Nonetheless, you get real bling with real gold and real sapphires ... a luxury splurge with money leftover to buy necessities. That's a good deal for a Savvy Shopper!

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