Best Dressed At The Oscars 2020

                                     

Photos courtesy of Page Six, CNN & Harpers Bazaar: 1) Kaitlyn Dever in Louis Vuitton; 2) Zazie Beetz wearing unknown designer; 3) Renée Zellweger in a custom Armani Privé; 4) Penelope Cruz in Chanel; 5) Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Vera Wang; 6) Brad Pitt wearning a Brioni suit; 8) Margot Robbie in a vintage Chanel; 9) Adam Driver and his wife, Joanne Tucker looking smashing in ??

Here I am publishing my favorite outfits at the Academy Awards while I'm watching the show and before the winners in the major catagories have been announced. I don't want to be influenced by anyone else's list of favorites. It will be fun to see who agrees with me. 

Brad Pitt won early, and he's just so cute I had to throw him into the mix. The last part of his acceptence speech when he talked about loading up his car to come to Hollywood, thinking about people he met, and now accepting his award (for what is truly his best performance) in "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood," has me tearing up a little. Touching! Success is a long road.

Also I tossed in Adam Driver and his wife as the most stylish couple. He, too, gives a great performance as an actor in a leading role in "Marriage Story." So he gets a nod from me!

It never hurts to have tuxedos and gowns expertly tailored to fit a person's frame perfectly. We could all look our best if we did. I may shop the racks, but I strive for this courturiered look!

Did you pick any favorites? Enjoy the show.

Homemade Sloppy Joe's Sandwiches

Photo: Chowkhound

Food is one of THE SAVVY SHOPPER'S topics because it takes a big bite out of a budget. No matter what, we have to eat every day! Today's feature makes an easy weekend dinner.

I never ate Sloppy Joe's as a child as my Mom never made it. To me it was a Hunt's TV spot called a Manwich.

According to Wikipedia, the sandwich was created in the 1930s in Sioux City, Iowa by a cook named Joe. Recently I obtained a 2020 calendar from my local Key Food Supermarket with the recipe, and decided to lighten it up a tad:

Homemade Sloppy Joe's

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter (omit)
1 teaspoon olive oil (omit)
1 pound lean ground beef
1/3 green (or red) bell pepper, minced
1 medium yellow onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon brown sugar (I reduce it to half a teaspoon of brown sugar. Sweet enough for me.)
1 teaspoon yellow mustard (I stock Dijon, or brown mustard.)
3/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (I use sea salt.)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
dash of hot sauce (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat butter and oil in large skillet over medium/medium-high heat. Add beef and brown, breaking apart into crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes. (Note: I omit the butter and olive oil to brown the meat since even lean ground beef has some fat, which is enough to brown the meat.)

2. Add onion and bell pepper to the same skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Add tomato paste. Stir well.

3. Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes and hot sauce (if using), and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

4. Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, until mixture has thickened to your liking. Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns. (Another tweak: I toast 2 slices of grainy bread in lieu of buns. I also like to butter one side of the bread so it browns better and for taste.)

Unlike canned Sloppy Joe's sauce, you control what goes into the pan. Lean and relatively healthy, this homemade recipe is the perfect blend of savory, tangy, zesty and a hint of sweet. Enjoy!


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All About Cocoa Powder

Photo: kingarthur.com

The word cocoa is a derivative of the word cacao. Cacao seed-like beans are roasted and dried, then formed into cacao bars, or ground into cacao (a/k/a cocoa) powder.

When shopping for cocoa, there are several varieties that may have you starching your head over which to buy. Here is a handy guild from King Arthur Flour that I will summarize. You're welcome!:

1) Natural cocoa - is solid unsweetened chocolate that's had most of it's fat removed before being ground into a powder. Baker's chocolate is an example. Use this one for cake frosting, brownies and hot chocolate.

2) Dutch process cocoa - is natural cocoa that's been treated with an alkalizing agent to lower it's acidity. This lets its pure chocolate flavor shine through, making it ideal to use in baked goods like chocolate cake.

3) Black cocoa - is new to me as my otherwise excellent supermarket doesn't carry it. It is a cocoa that's been strongly Dutched giving it a very dark color and intense flavor. Homemade faux-reos cookies (think Oreos) owe their nearly black color to this ultra-strong cocoa.

You are wondering what is in that can of Hersey's cocoa in the back of your cupboard (the same one your mother bought over the years) aren't you? Its classic natural cocoa powder, although nowadays you have a 2nd choice: Hersey's Special Dark, a blend of natural and Dutch process cocoas.

These are the main 3 cocoa powders sold at the supermarket, the ones most of us use. Chocolate connoisseur bakers can click the links to read about the history, as well as, special blends of cocoa powder. Home bakers, you now have enough information to head to the supermaket!


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Happy Valentine's Day To You

Give us some of your candy little bear.😍

Perhaps it's the vivid red color, or falling in mid-February with not much else to compete with it that's appealing, but getting yourself a little treat for Valentine’s Day seems like a great idea, no?

If you work and save up your money, why not be good to yourself once in a while? If I don't crave chocolate on any other day, I will succumb to temptation on Valentine's Day. And when I receive gifts nowadays, they often aren't exactly what I'd pick for myself, so why not get a little something for myself that is precisely what I want? See how easy it is to justify buying yourself a gift? xoxo

A large department store should help us find the right something. The following selection is available at Macy's, both in-store and online:
 
An assortment of chocolate covered Oreos, or a box of  Godiva chocolates that you can share with family and friends.

Fine jewelry to match your budget and tastes ... something you've wanted for a long time! Pearls are always lovely and affordable!

There is no shortage of cute hearts whether it is fine, or Kate Spade fashion jewelry. A Macy's sale makes them budget friendly, and any of the choices can be worn beyond Valentine's Day.

Lancome Monsieur Big Eyeshadow Palette, or Borghese 3-Piece If Lips Could Thrill Gloss Gift Set, if you are a makeup maven.

I tend to be very practical when buying things for myself, even a splurge, yet I don't enjoy it any less! Sometimes we need a new pair of flats for our wardrobe, or a warm cashmere wrap that endures, or Ugg slides to keep our feet warm around the house. A useful article to fill a need brings much joy!

These last 2 items: a Kate Spade New York Watch and Deny Designs Wonder Forest Kiss Lips Coffee Mug are super adorable! Fun to wear, or use every day of the week. Daily mood lifers, it's unlikely you'll get tired of either!

Don't hesitate this Valentine's Day to get a little something for yourself!♥


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The Beauty of Essential Oils

Lots of beauty and wellness products with expensive price tags contain essential oils. But you can buy pure essential oils for less and make your own remedies! Improve your well being or looks, cheaply and naturally, by adding a few drops to products you already use! According to Energy Times (and backed up by WebMD + other sources), here are 5+ essential oils with 5 ways to use them:

1) Evening Primrose oil - Add a few drops to your shampoo to thicken your hair ... or for a richer potion, add 3 drops to whipped egg whites to make a hair mask. Also adding drops of lavender oil conditions your hair and scalp. Why it works: Evening Primrose is rich in omega 9 and fatty acids, which nourishes follicles to stimulate hair growth. Lavender has over 100 constituents. Click WebMD here for a list of essential oils to benefit hair.

Photo: naturalingredientsusa

2) Tea Tree oil - Add a couple of drops to your shampoo to treat dandruff. Why it works: Tea Tree oil contains terpinen-4-ol, a powerful anti-inflammatory and dandruff fighter.

3) Eucalyptus oil and 4) Rose Oil - Add a few drops of each to your face cleanser to soothe and prevent wrinkles. Why they work: Eucalptus oil has anti-inflammatory properties that slows down aging, and rose oil improves the texture of skin. Rose oil can also be added to skin moisturizers. {Since the age of 14, I've used Noxema skin cream to clean my face. It turns out Noxema contains eucalyptus and camphor, 2 anti-inflammatories.}

5) Lavender oil - Mix 2 - 3 drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil (such as almond, olive, grapeseed, or jojoba) and apply to your temples or behind your ears to promote sleep. Or put drops of lavender oil on a handkerchief to slip inside your pillowcase to sleep more soundly. Why it works: The aroma sends a message to your brain and central nervous system that it's time for rest and sleep. (Other essential oils with similar slumber inducing powers include: 6) Sandalwood, 7) Bergamot, 8) Frankincense and 9) Chamomile. On the other hand 10) Rosemary oil has the opposite effect - its aroma will stimulate and wake you up if mixed with water and sprayed in the air. A follow up in the morning!)

Photo: indiamart

Sometimes people think natural remedies can do no harm. False! Like everything else, you must use them correctly. WebMD has several dos and don'ts to consider. As helpful as essential oils are, they are too concentrated to rub directly onto your skin without carrier oils. Adding drops to shampoo, face cleanser, lotion or cream dilutes their potency. Know: stronger isn't better. The right amount is all it takes to do a job. Also if you take prescription medicine, always check with your doctor before trying natural treatments, so he/she can flag potential drug interactions.


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T. J. Maxx Beauty Haul

T. J. Maxx, where I find top-notch beauty brands for less, spoils me. Pricey designer names arrive at the retailer greatly reduced! Steals let you experiment and take a risk. The following 5 items are bargains and happy discoveries, ones I will buy again:

1. Clarins Joli Rouge - (Above↑) Creamy moisturizing long-wearing lipstick in a sheer satin finish. I have it in soft berry - balm-like with subtle yet lasting color - Reduced to $6.

2. Azure Hemp & Retinol Moisturizing Nourishing Sleep Mask - From Korea, a country with an ultra-advanced beauty market. This night cream is formulated from 100% organic hemp seed oil, retinol, hyaluronic acid, collagen, cucumber fruit extract, vitamin B3, Shea butter oil, and vitamin B5, the usual suspects in anti-aging skin creams, such as Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Facial Moisturizer, selling for $25 - $30 a jar. At $5.99, Azure's anti-aging moisturizing cream is a must-buy!

3. SheaMoisture Green Coconut & Activated Charcoal Purifying & Hydrating In-Shower Styler - With green coconut, white tea, and lemon balm, it's an in-shower styler that infuses essential nutrients into my locks for the perfect wash-and-go style. As it happens I like to add a little extra conditioner to my hair during the winter months and with this one, perhaps I can forgo heat since it's created to give your hair body and texture without blow drying. Plus, it's made to treat oily roots and dry ends alike, thereby adding extra conditioning without a greasy look. Reduced to $3.

4. and 5. SheaMoisture Peace Rose Oil Complex Nourish & Silken Shampoo and Conditioner - The entire line of SheaMoisture products in every formula is brilliant. Peace Rose is a scent I love! This is a no-brainer... come home with me at $5.99 each. 

Extra hair tips: According to Energy Times here's how to winterize your hair: 1) Rub coconut oil into your hair and leave it wrapped in a towel for an hour; 2) Sleep on a satin pillowcase to stop breakage; 3) Message your scalp to increase blood flow; 4) Eat a healthy diet; and 5) Only wash your hair twice a week (not possible for straight hair like mine, but for curly!).

5. Laura Geller Iconic Baked Sculpting Lipstick - Creamy and moisturizing lipstick with lasting color. T. J. Maxx introduced me to Laura Geller, a brand I didn't previously know! The texture, and consistency of the makeup (lipstick, cover stick, powder) are fantastic! Lovely weighty packaging containing a generous amount of product to boot! Cost: $3.99.💖

I go to T. J. Maxx about once a week. These beauty items were bought on multiple, yet recent trips. (I tend to be an under buyer ... always good to be.🙂) The stock is ever-changing, useful, and cheap, compared to department stores and boutiques. If you don't need an item yesterday, it eventually lands on the retailer's shelves. Time and money well spent!


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