5 Beauty & Style Finds For Holiday Gifts

Today's 5 beauty and style gift ideas are finds I bought for myself at various times and love so much I have no doubt others will love them too:

1) Anne Klein Women's Rose Gold-Tone Bracelet Watch↑ - I own this gorgeous watch. The rose gold is so pretty, and the watch looks ultra expensive, but it's not. It has Japanese quartz movement, and after over 2 years, it still wears shiny and new! Since the watch has been around for a while, the price has dropped, making it a sweet deal as well!

2) Pro Beauty Tools Professional Gold 1" Curling Iron - A find from T.J. Maxx, where I discover lots of stellar brands, I would otherise not know about. Reduced to a bargain price of $12! The curling iron heats up in 30 seconds flat; and the 1" barrel is the perfect size for most hair lengths. Finally, the curling iron is easy to hold and compact to tuck away. 

3) SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo - Usually comes in 13 oz (but look for a special 19.5 oz size) - The beauty brand began in 1912 making personal care products like shampoos and conditions with nothing but clean, botanical ingredients. There is none better on the market! Plus this top-notch brand is sold in drugstores at drugstore prices! 

4) SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Condition - Like the shampoo, this usually contains 13 oz (but luck into a special 19.5 oz size with 50% more free if you see it). SheaMoisture works beautifully on all hair types; and there are tons of different formulas to address individual needs. Every single one is terrific. (The 2 featured in today's blog are the latest formulas I'm trying over the winter.) Each leaves my hair feeling super soft and smelling terrific!

5)  Tinted Lip treatments - Any of the following are intensely moisturzing with a pop of flattering color:

a. Laura Merier Lip Balm - A pricey splurge, but it's a super thoughtful gift because it hydrates, prevents and smooths chapped winter tramatized lips.

b. Fresh - The retailer has special edition balm collections for a festive presentation.

c. Bite Beauty - Ditto, 
also available in special balm holiday editions.

d. Smith's Rosebud Salve - A personal favorite. I may buy a friend a $22 lip balm for Christmas, but I use a $6 - $8 salve for myself that has been around since the year 1892. Gladly would I make the introduction to others by gifting it to them! The lip salve comes in an assortment of flavors from the original to vanilla, strawberry, rose & mandarin and  minted rose. Housed in a practical tin container and sold at drugstores, Walmart, Target and Sephora. You can't go wrong! 

The friends and family on your holiday list will absolutely love their gifts and thank you for opening their eyes to such wonderful tried and true products.


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Hot Tools Black Gold Charcoal Infused One-Step Blowout

A bulky blow dryer in the hand.

For one week I used Hot Tools One-Step Blowout dryer (price $80). Other retailers have a blow dryer wand including: Revlon ($59), Conair ($48) and Dyson ($500). The Hot Tools unit is marketed as a blow dryer used by professional stylists.

Did I like it? Yes ... but not as much as my Conair 1875 Watt 3-in-1 Styling Hair Blowdryer (see photo below; cost $20). If you already have a blow dryer you like, you definitely will not need a wand (also called a hot air brush). My Conair Styler does everything the new wands do better! There is no rod to wrap your hair around, but it doesn't matter!

The Hot Tools hot air brush is easy to use and has good heat output to dry thick hair quickly just like my Conair Styler. But as I said, my type of blow dryer performs several functions better! Moreover it only costs $20 versus $80 for the new Hot Tools wand.

The Hot Tools Blowout is heavier and bulky, while the Conair Styler is sturdy, yet light and compact. The Conair blow dryer has 3 attachments, which are detachable. Not so with the Hot Tools' (or Revlon's) blow dryer wands, which have a single non-detachable brush. If after time and use, the bristles fall or wear out, you must buy a new blow dryer. You can replace my Conair Styler's 3 attachments as needed like you can with the Conair and Dyson wands. But jeez, look what you're paying for the Dayson wand ... $500!

I expect the new one-step wands to be more advanced, as well as, more convenient to use over my Conair Styler, but, their bulky bodies make them less so in my experience. The fact that I can twirl my hair around a rod isn't an advantage. The motion doesn't add greater volume, or body to my hair over the Conair Styler, nor do I end up with curls at the ends with staying power. It seems I get the same, if not more, volume with my reliable Conair Styler by blowing out my hair upside down (i.e. with a downward tilted head).

And too, my Conair Styler adds more shine and smoothness to my hair than the Hot Tools wand type. I think this is due to using a comb attachment, as opposed to, going through my hair with the bristles of a brush. And as mentioned, with the Hot Tools wand, you only get one option, a non-detachable brush to blowout your hair. The Conair Styler's comb tames frizz better.

Surprisingly, Conair's comb attachment is gentler on my scalp also. Even though the Hot Tool's brush doesn't scratch my scalp, it leaves it raw ... and I'm unsure if this would feel more severe over a longer period of use.

Still the champion!

Finally the Conair 1875 Styler blow dryer dries my hair in less time (under 5 minutes). Its compact body allows you to move it through a full head of hair faster and with more passes. The Hot Tools wand (i.e. hot air brush) is more of a workout to use, requiring more turns of the wrist to pass over and through the hair. Its bulk makes it slightly awkward to use.

Don't get me wrong: Hot Tools One-Step Blowout does its job of drying the hair straight with less frizz. Everybody on the Internet is loving the new blow dryer wands. Yet they are not comparing them to the Conair 1875 Styler blow dryer, and I am. 

The verdict is in: The Conair 1875 Watt 3-in-1 Styler is still the champ. Better performance for less cash! To straighten long,  medium, or short length hair, I highly recommend it over the hot air brushes ... at least for now. Wait for the next generation of wand blow dryers to become slimmer, cheaper and come with detachable combs and brushes.


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Emerald Jewelry Gifts At Macy's

Hey Macy's, you get me. You had me at "hello!":)

Everybody's heart flutters in response to certain luxuries. Some folks gawk at designer bags; for others it's high fashion clothing; and yet others love couture shoes. Or sometimes the temptation is luxe perfume or makeup. I get it! ~ I'm an under buyer; nonetheless, my hot ticket item is jewelry ... and Macy's knows it! They respond by sending me their jewelry sale catalogs. (I bet you don't get them, do you?) 

I see what I want for Christmas on the latest cover. Unfortunately, it will remain only a wish ... since the tab adds up to a huge chunk of change. Do the math: A budget buster even after applying a 30% discount! 

Still perusing and admiring are free! So let's take a look at the beautiful emerald set on the front cover. For sure, some-lucky-body will get more than sugarplums dancing in her head ... and find these sparklers under her tree. Will it be you?

1) Macy's Emerald (15 ct. t.w.) & Diamond (2-1/2 ct. t.w.) 16" Statement Necklace in 14k White Gold -- Utlra classic! 

2) Brasilica by EFFY® Emerald (9/10 ct. t.w.) and Diamond (1/6 ct. t.w.) Pear-Shaped Ring in 14k White Gold, Created for Macy's - How about created for THE SAVVY SHOPPER ... ahhh, doesn't it have a nice ring to it?:)

3) Macy's Emerald (6-1/2 ct. t.w.) & Diamond (1/8 ct. t.w.) Drop Earrings in 14k White Gold -- Jeminy Cricket Christmas, gorgeous! Also should've been created for muah, but someone forgetful forget to tell the universe!

Save for a small stone in a Christmas bell charm, I don't own any emeralds. They are rarer and thus more expensive than diamonds per carat. Emeralds register an 8 on the Mohl's Hardness Scale of gems; their relative sturdiness make them suitable to wear as necklaces, earrings and rings. They are the birth stone for May babies.

As the Savvy Shopper, allow me to throw you several consolation bones. Many people can't afford the stunning set (above and to the right sans ad copy) without mortgaging their home, but we can find pretty emeralds to get something of the effect of the pricey set. Macy's has a big inventory combined with promotions to fit every budget ... a reason I like their fine jewelry department. You can find a lovely piece and honest customer service at Herald Square and online. Here is a budget friendly pick that will produce a stellar effect for less: 

Macy's Emerald (1-1/5 ct. t.w.) & Diamond Accent Curved Bar Stud Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold - Quite a respectable size! Drop earrings make the effect of smaller stones appear larger.

Other emerald beauties for under $400 (on sale). If you miss one promotion, simply wait for another, as they return during the year:

 
Isn't glitter fun? Gift ideas for a jewelry lover in festive green. Do you have a favorite?


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Holiday Gifts For A Family

For the holidays sometimes people give one thoughtful gift for an entire family, as opposed to, individual gifts to each family member. I like the fewer, curated gift idea. People shouldn't go broke, or allow materialism to hijack the true meaning of Christmas, Hanukkah (or Festivus for that matter. Hey, to each, his own:)! Giving friends and family hospitality, treats and time together is what they remember the most. 

If you desire and can afford to throw in one gift also, here are 5 gift ideas, perhaps items a family might not think to buy for themselves, yet will love receiving:

1) Wall Heights Ruler (see above↑) - Parents can record the heights of growing children without marking up a wall or doorway with magic markers. And parents can save the ruler without ever having to paint over the height markings (here's a pricey oak ruler version). Ideal for new parents.

2) Murder Mystery Party - A house party activity ... it's a spirited game as an alternative to the usual playing card games.

3) Corkcicle Classic Wine Chiller Cork - The cold ice in the middle keeps a bottle of wine chilled until the last glass. Ideal for wine and cheese evenings at home.

4) Crep Protect Eraser Cleaner - The eraser removes spots from suede and nubuck on leather shoes, jackets and coats. I'll take a practical gift over a glitzy useless one any ole day. It's unlikely your friends will already have a leather spot remover and will love the eraser once you introduce them to it!

5) Personalized Family Mugs - Mugs start as low as $1.70 each unpersonalized. A company with good customer reviews who personalize mugs with a name or logo for about $6 per mug. You can select the size, style, quantity and how to personalize the mugs. Ideal for families with children (who will be thrilled to see their names on the mugs); or people who simply need uniform coffee and tea mugs.

As you can see holiday gifts need not break the bank, these 5 family gifts will please, as well as, suit every budget. Which is your favorite?

  
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A Very Happy Thanksgiving

Photo: 123greetings

Despite challenges along the way, life is good! Thanksgiving is a time to reflect upon our strokes of good fortune: Home, family, friends, health, work, purpose and freedom ... how lucky are we?

Photo: Getty

Again this year, I'm roasting a Thanksgiving chicken in lieu of a big turkey. As much as I love turkey, it's too much of a good thing. Due to all the sides (like potatoes, gravy, asparagus, carrots, broccoli, butternut squash, cranberries, my beer bread) and desserts (pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake -- we couldn't decide on the finisher, so we didn't:) even a chicken leaves more leftovers than can be eaten! Next year perhaps it will be a small Thanksgiving Cornish hen. My favorite side, the bird's stuffing, I'm omitting because it's simply too much to consume, plus the beer bread turned out sooo good ... and can be dipped into gravy! Enough starch, I decided.🙂

Photo: thsobrosnetwork

Wishing all my readers time to relax, reflect, connect with family and friends and a scrumptious meal with all your favorite trimmings to enjoy.

🌽Happy Thanksgiving my Friends ... I'm grateful you stopped by today!🦃    

-- xoxo --

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Which Diamond "C" Is The Most Important?

Photo: Getty Images - 101.7-carat - Worlds largest flawless diamond

Pure carbon, heat and pressure make a diamond. The gem is the hardest natural mineral on earth. It takes 1-3 billion years for nature to create one and 6-10 weeks for a lab to do so. Although both are real diamonds with the same chemical composition, lab diamonds are substantially cheaper due to demand. The demand for diamonds made by nature is greater.*

Most of us know when buying diamonds there are 4 Cs to consider and they determine the value. But do you know how the 4 Cs fall in importance? I won't keep you in suspense for long! When buying diamonds the order of importance is the following:

Photo: Blue Nile

1) Cut -  The most important of the 4 Cs is the cut. Why? Because it has the biggest influence on the diamond's sparkle (its "brilliance" and "fire"). Even if a diamond has a perfect color and clarity, a poor cut -- one that is too "shallow" or "deep" -- will make a diamond look dull. In an "ideal" cut -- one in the right proportion -- "light is returned out of the top of the diamond" (source: Blue Nile Jewelers).

2) Color - The 2nd most important C is a diamond's color ... in reality its lack of color. The less color the higher the grade and cost of a diamond. 

3) Carat - The 3rd C in the hierarchy is the carat, which refers to the diamond's total weight, not its size.

4) Clarity - Often the least important C is clarity since tiny imperfections are microscopic and can't be seen with the naked eye. Natural diamonds nearly always have flaws: blemishes (exterior) and inclusions (interior) but usually lumped together as inclusions. The number and size of inclusions will set the price as they can effect the beauty, brilliance (how well white light reflects) and fire (how well colored light reflects) off the diamond. Tiny imperfections that can only be seen by using a loupe may not effect the beauty of the diamond to the naked eye.

The value of diamonds gets tricky. Diamonds are not rare in nature. but bigger gem-quality diamonds are rare in nature, therefore a 5-carat diamond will cost much more than 5 times the cost of a 1-carat diamond. Each carat of diamonds increases exponentially because the gem-quality stones over 2 carats are rarer finds. Also, demand plays a role. If demand for diamonds ever fell, so would the price.

On a budget, you can get more carats for your money by choosing lower grades of color and clarity and still end up with beautiful diamonds. In other words, by being flexible with color and clarity, you can get a great effect without going broke.

Here's how I see it. Like sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other precious stones [technically semi-precious, but Alexandrite and tanzanite are expensive], diamonds are the work of nature over billions of years improved by the artistry of man. Although the element carbon is as common as dirt, people covet and will pay $1000s for it after heat and pressure have worked their magic by turning it into a diamond.

*Diamonds created by nature are marketed as unique; no two are alike. Lab grown diamonds can be mass produced in a factory, which lowers their price. Whether or not, it's a bad thing is debatable. Hey, I'll take an affordable lab grown 20 carat diamond. Hand it over! :)



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Sèzane: The French Way

Once again it's time to think about the holidays. Noël is upon us, so I'll feature a few places to pick up some lovely gifts and/or attire for holiday parties.

Sèzane is an clothing, shoes and accessories retailer designed with a French flair. Launched in 2013 by Morgane Sèzalory, many items are handmade using quality fabrics and leathers that are created to last over time. The merchant is committed to making quality pieces -- not exactly cheap, but affordable with margins below the industry standard for what you get. 

An e-company, Sèzane also has brick and mortar stores in 3 major cities: New York, Paris and London. The shops sponsor fun activities like group yoga, talk events and teas.   

Goods are made to be durable with eco-friendly materials and manufacturing. Giving back is important to the retailer and backed up with sustainability and philanthropy programs.

It's French style you don't have to jump through hoops to acquire  -- like spending years on waiting lists, or buying lesser items first before you move up on that list (a practice of Hermès). Just walk in the store (or go online) and walk out with your selections, as well as, a few bucks left in your wallet. Ooh la, la! 

Finally uncomplicated French fashion fit for a fashionista!

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Artisan Beer Bread

This one I tossed in 1/2 cup of oatmeal instead of all the flour.

On the spur of the moment at the supermarket, I decided to come home and make a loaf of Beer Bread. Fresh baked bread is always appealing, as is trying something new, so the next step was to find the beer aisle. I bought a single can of Wolters Pilsener, a German beer for $1.50. The choices were either buy it; or a Russian can of beer; or a 6-pack of a familiar brand. I only wanted one can, and I don't think Russia is known for its beer ... or am I wrong? Moreover 45 loves Russia, or at least he loves Putin, but does Putin love us back? 'Tis dubious😳, so I went with German beer.🙂

Next I chose to use all-purpose* flour because I always have it at home, and simply add eggs instead of buying 5 pounds of bread flour (which is slightly higher in protein). I also like to add ground flax seed when not using whole wheat flour, but y0u can use bread* or whole wheat* flour in the recipe ... as all three types of flour work in making bread. (I leave flax seed out if using whole wheat, a denser flour.) Finally if you let the dough proof overnight, you won't have to kneed it. The flavor develops during the proofing process. Here is my recipe:

Artisan Beer Bread (for a large 2 pound loaf)

Ingredients
14 ounces beer (of your choice)
1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
2 large eggs
4 cups all purpose flour*↑ (+ extra for sprinkling.) Note: When I use all-purpose flour, I will use whole wheat flour for sprinkling to give the bread more fiber. At times I desire the lightness of all-purpose flour in baking, but do try to make the bread healthier by tossing in flax seed and use whole wheat flour for sprinkling to work with the dough. Life is about balance. Eating healthy 90% of the time, while enjoying treats 10% of the time keeps you healthy and happy!
1/2 - 3/4 cup ground flax seed (more or less)
a squirt of extra virgin olive oil (or butter)

Directions: 

1) Pour 14 ounces of room temperature beer into a bowl.

2) Toss in 1/4 teaspoon of active dry yeast and stir.

3) Add the salt (it fizzles) and mix.

4) I like to toss in 1/2 cup of the flour and next incorporate 2 eggs before mixing in the rest of the flour and ground flax seed. You can use the long handle end of a cooking spoon to incorporate the flour and ground flax seed to form a ball of dough. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl clean with a spatula. Let the dough sit to proof in the bowl.

5) Squirt a tad of olive oil on the top of the dough; cover with plastic wrap and and proof it in a warm spot in your kitchen. After 12 hours (overnight) or so, it doubles in size.

6) The next morning use the long handle of your cooking spoon to stir the air out of the dough. Sometimes I use a small spatula to help twirl and press the air out of the dough. Sprinkle flour on top of the dough as needed. Work the dough by stirring a few times, not much is required. It should feel elastic and smell like yeast.

7) Next lay the dough into a well greased baking pan. Pull the dough long if you bake it in a large rectangle loaf pan, or leave the dough round if using a cast iron dutch over with a lid ... whichever you desire.

8) I butter the pan and top of the dough. After laying the dough in your greased loaf pan (or greased dutch oven), let it raise (i.e., proof) again for another 1 hour, or longer. (One hour minimum time. I let the bread double again in the pan.) You are now ready to bake the bread.

9) In a 400 degree F preheated oven, bake covered for 40 minutes and another 10 - 15 minutes uncovered to get a fluffy loaf of bread with a hard crusty top. In a loaf pan, I use aluminum foil as a cover before removing it at the end to let the top brown.

The finished bread is tasty with butter, or soup; and a 2-pound loaf makes nice sized slices for sandwiches too. To preserve the feshness of your loaf, slice and store in the freezer (not the refrigerator). You can remove slices from the freezer as needed. Enjoy!


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Stuff I No Longer Buy

Efforts to simplify life can involve either 1) getting rid of things; or 2) buying (and restocking) less for home. To illustrate, I'll share a few articles no longer on my shopping list:

1) Nick-knacks and decorative trinkets - Nowadays I don't bring anything into my home that has no function. Not even a footrest that doesn't also provide storage! Every object must do something more than collect dust. It must hold, organize or have a job - a talent (so to speak) like mixing a cake, or housing a blanket.

2) Windex glass/mirror cleaner - Now I use a mixture of white vinegar and water. On the rare occasion, I need a stronger solution for an extra tough stain, I mix water with ammonia. So I no longer need to buy Windex.

3) Bathroom cleaner - I use a mixture of white vinegar, water and baking soda to clean bathroom fixtures. Adding plain ole table salt to the mix removes extra tough gooey soap scum. To be truthful, I do keep one bottle each of bleach and ammonia to attack stains that other solutions won't clean, but honestly, I very rarely use either.

4) Spot removers and specialty laundry soaps - An eco-friendly laundry ball to wash clothes which easily fade. Dish soap to get out a food stain on a shirt. Frankly I still use liquid laundry soap for a full load of laundry. Until the balls are validated by scientific studies, go with soap, the tried and true method for heavy-duty laundry cleaning.

5) Floor cleaners - White vinegar and water clean and kills germs without ruining rugs.

6) Oven cleaner - I clean with less abrasive white vinegar and water to keep my new stove looking pristine. I also use white vinegar to clean inside a microwave.

7) Breakfast cereals - The box keeps shrinking to the point it's not worth buying anymore. Instead, I eat oatmeal and other whole grains.

8) Guacamole - Rarely do I buy it. Alternately I buy avocados, usually at $1 each from a fruit stand to eat with hot sauce or salsa. Or make your own guacamole by smashing an avocado in a bowl with a fork. Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes to taste, garlic, chopped cilantro, and some lemon juice. Delish.

9) Cake mix and canned icing - Nope. Homemade from scratch, or made by a good bakery. No in-between!

10) Fashion jewelry - All I need are a few pieces of fine jewelry that I love wearing over and over again. I wouldn't discourage a teenager or twenty-year-old from having the fun of experimenting and changing up their looks with inexpensive fashion jewelry. Been there, done that. Nowadays I'd rather save up for a few lovely pieces of real gold and stones, then wear them to death. Less is more ... as you only need a few good pieces.

Can you make my list longer by adding items you've stopped buying?


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