40 Boxes Of Gifts

Longer-burning soy wax candles will not release harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.

Occasionally we need to get gifts without knowing a person's needs or tastes. That's when the giftee gets something I like if I'm the gifter. If I don't know what you want, you're going to get something I want.😁 A good online platform to peruse on such shopping occasions is called 40 Boxes. It was launched by Tory Johnson in March 2021, a professional shopper who frequently appears on Good Morning America's Deals and Steals segments.

The online shopping venture introduces you to new brands and old favorites in 8 categories of goods: Beauty & Skincare, Fashion & Accessories, Food, Health & Wellness, Home & Kitchen, Jewelry, Solutions, and Tech. It's a wide assortment of gift options, therefore offering something for nearly everyone. 40 Boxes reminds me of a well-stocked department store, and yet you can select a gift from the convenience of your living room, not to mention, decide where your gifts should be shipped, either to you or the recipient.

Just like in brick-and-mortar department stores, variety at various price points is the name of the game. There's an ever-changing inventory of quality items offered at reasonable prices. The towels look plush, the jewelry is sterling silver, and the merchandise makes winning gifts without breaking the bank.

What's more, you save time, running around, and the cost of gas. It's fabulous to have online, as well as, brick-and-mortar shopping choices. Thoughtfulness just got more convenient.🎁

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Valentine's Day Jewelry

Photo: Effy Jewelry

Nothing beats getting jewelry for Valentine's Day, not that we can expect to receive it every year. Still, perusing beautiful pieces is fun and absolutely free! 

Effy Jewelry

Moreover, a Savvy Shopper is a mindful buyer who spends more time looking than shopping; and who abhors excessive buying and unsustainable consumption. As with all material things ... and especially when buying fine jewelry you only need a capsule, not a collection of these sparkling gold or platinum luxuries. Think in terms of acquiring a capsule of carefully curated pieces that you love and want to wear every day, as well as, to galas. You'll never tire of wearing the same rings, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces time and again as long as you love them. 

Also if you're lucky enough to receive a gift from your Valentine and know his budget, don't be afraid to hint. Significant others aren't mindreaders, and you know your tastes. Getting jewelry you'll wear is more important than surprises you'll keep in a box. Furthermore, so what if your gift arrives after February 14th as you'll have it for a lifetime.

So now let's have some Valentine's Day fun. Here are several red rubies (in the mid-price range) I like and think you will too.

 From jeweler Effy's website:

And a few pretties from Macy's website -- Effy happens to be one of Macy's jewelry vendors along with other jewelers. If you see an Effy piece you like, check both websites to get the best price. The heart necklace above was for sale on both sites. It's still available at Macy's:

♥♥♥Happy Valentine's Day Peeps!♥♥♥

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Ralph Lauren Come Decorate My Apartment

This top image is Ralph Lauren's spacious flagship store on the west side of [address 867] Madison Avenue at East 72nd Street in New York City. I'm sure the designer's tasteful decor is similar at his other stores in major cities throughout the world. 

Although the merchant's home decor style is a tad more masculine than mine, I use what I see at RL as inspiration since I love his rich, sophisticated, yet unfussy American style.😍 Mr. Lauren combines classic, clean, simple elegance with old-world charm. Just like his clothes, RL's home decor is stylish and cosmopolitan without pretentiousness.

It's always a joy to enter the flagship store (in fact there are 2 stores on Madison Avenue at East 72nd Street opposite one another on the east and west sides of the street), where you are always greeted with friendliness and never stuffiness, disdain, inaccessibility, indifference, or the rudeness of some upscale businesses. Furthermore, RL's price points are neither cheap nor outrageous. They are high-end and expensive, yet not gouging.

Mr. Ralph Lauren, please come decorate my home! Hey, already I have your bath towels and bedsheets and if you agree to come, I'll turn the rest of the place over to do with what you will. I trust you completely, Ralph! Your style is my style.😍

Readers … I'd also love to have the huge space to go with the substantial furniture in RL's flagship store. In NYC, large rooms are a rarity. First a dreamer, then a realist I like to say. Perhaps you don't have the budget or space to fit the whole shebang of furnishings into your home, but you can get the feel by adding several of the smaller, less costly pieces. Perhaps I'll have to settle for the one martini/wine glass above.🍷😉 However, I'll be sure to buy more than one if Mr. Ralph and his team stop by. Call me!

 

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The Heart Shaped Bag

The heart-shaped luxury purse trend wouldn't have caught my eye had Sophie Shobet not featured it on her YouTube channel (see sidebar for her link) in addition to it being near Valentine's day.

Adorable as they are, I don't plan to buy into the trend. It's too much money to spend for a novelty bag that due to its shape likely won't hold all one's essentials ... plus I'm not a bag maven. My tendency is to buy a goes-with-everything black crossover bag, then I don't think of buying more bags until it wears out. That said, different strokes for different folks, and the heart-shaped pocketbook is feminine and super cute!

Why all the designers are launching heart-shaped bags in 2022 I haven't a clue. There's no research to explain it. Why do you think it's a trend?

Chanel has a small and large size; and my favorite brand, Coach, is on-trend too with a color-block, red and pink version. 

Do you want a heart-shaped bag or do you own one?💕

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Drew Barrymore's Valentine To Customers: Lip Kit Duo

Flower lipstick by Drew Barrymore has become one of my favorites. The reason? Because of its stellar quality in addition to its array of natural, gorgeous colors rivals the luxe brands at a fraction of the cost. If you wish to try it, now may be a perfect time because ...

For Valentine's Day, the beauty company is offering a limited-edition bundle lip kit duo pairing a full-sized lipstick with a full-sized lip liner to create cupid-approved lips at the special sale price of only $16 per kit. When I went to the website a promotional coupon also popped up to reduce the final price further, and free shipping was offered, making a purchase that arrives in your mailbox a steal!

Although you can mix and match the hues yourself, Drew has the following guide of complementary colors for those who seek help:

There's absolutely no reason to pay more when you get the quality and beautiful hues, bar none of Flower to create lusciously rich pigmented and moist lips. I have several Flower lipstick shades ... all of them super wearable, not to mention, relatively cheap! Plus the packaging looks as good as the luxury brands.

Now is your chance to splurge, save and discover a great makeup brand simultaneously!♥💋

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A Cautionary Tale: Toe Nail Fungus

Here's a cautionary tale: A savvy friend did a bad thing because she had a momentary lapse of good judgment. At T.J. Maxx she slipped her bare feet into a pair of very cute toe-shaped water shoes. Well, nobody is perfect, however, this one and only time is all it took to catch a nail fungus (a/k/a onychomycosis). She says she never tries on shoes in stores barefooted, but since the water shoes were shaped like real feet, she made an exception because her sock didn't fit into the shoes and she was unsure whether to go up 1/2 size. Still, she knew better! 

Her nail fungus began on the big toe of one foot, but since she had zero experience with this disease, at first she didn't know what was the matter with her big toe ... and so repeatedly soaked her feet in a moisturizing foot bath to treat it, thereby spreading her nail fungus from one big toe to all 20 of her digits, fingers and toes. Yikes!

Her doctor says there is no quick cure for nail fungus, and it is very contagious! If the fungus is on the skin or in-between the toes, it is called Athlete's foot.

The remedy to heal a nail fungus is to swallow a prescription drug called Tervinafine, one tablet per day, for 6 months or longer. Although rarely, Terbinafine can cause liver damage. While taking it, a patient must have a blood test monthly to ensure the drug isn't affecting the liver. Holy Moly!!

My friend recommends also painting a coat of liquid solution with 25% undecylenic acid plus sprinking foot powder containing 2% miconazole nitrate on the nail fugus extra remedies before sticking your feet into socks or sandals.

Geeze! A second of error ... 6, 8, 9, ??? months of medicine and doctor visits to cure it. Is it worth it? No.

As of yesterday, this savvy friend who had a momentary lapse of good judgment is not experiencing any problems with Terbinafine, but golly, let the example of her momentary lapse of good judgment stop the rest of us from trying on rack shoes barefooted that other people may have tired on! I'm sure I've done so a couple of times over the years myself. Boys and girls, just don't do it! Never, ever, um, um, um!! Our moms were right!!!

Other safe practices to keep foot/nail fungus away include: Always walk around public pools or gyms in flip-flops. Use a disposable foot bath moisturizing boot only once, then toss it out. Reusing it is not worth the money saved. 

Many thanks to my friend for sharing her story. The lapses of our friends remind us not to suspend our own good judgment. As my father (quoting Sam Levenson) always said: "Learn from other people's mistakes. Life is too short to make them all yourself!"

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Black Forest Cookies

I'm still busy away from blogging but I'll jump on as time permits. Today for the first time ever I tasted a soft, chewy, and ultra chocolatey cookie that I never knew existed! The rich dark chocolate (like an Oreo) cookie is filled with chunks of white chocolate (or substitute dark chocolate chips) and maraschino cherry pieces. I think both the taste and texture make the cookie delectable. Here is the recipe:

Black Forest Cookies

Ingredients:

1 stick butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar (I try to cut the sugar a tad without a resulting cookie failure😏)

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

6 tablespoons good cocoa

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

a pinch of salt

1 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped

1/2 cup white chocolate chips (or chopped and feel free to substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips)

1) In a large bowl and using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

2) Next add the egg and vanilla and beat with the mixer.

3) In a 2nd bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

4) Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in portions until just combined.

5) Mix in the white chocolate and maraschino cherries.

6) Cover the dough and refrigerate for 2 hours or more.

7) Scoop the cookie dough (into tablespoon-size balls or globs) and deposit onto a buttered or parchment-lined prepared cookie sheet.

8) Bake in a pre-heated 350 degrees F oven for 9 - 11 minutes or until the edges set.

I like Black Forest Cookies even better than the cake. Delicious paired with a cup of milk or coffee. Down the hatch or freeze a batch!

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Taking A Blogging Break

photo: minsmash.com

A temporary pause: I'm stepping away to take care of a few things, but will return as soon as events permit. Stay tuned, my lovely readers.

Be good while I'm away!😘

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The French Slip Dress

Revolve

The French Slip Dress is a classic. Rumor has it every stylish French woman has a slip dress in her wardrobe and thus the name. The dress comes in different lengths and necklines ... and can be cut or styled to look elegant or playful.

VIR Girl

They also come in different colors and fabrics, although the most classic color and fabric are probably black silk ... with white silk a close 2nd.

ASOS 

Old Navy has its version of the French Slip Dress (below) which unfortunately I didn't see until it was no longer available in my size. I first spotted it online Christmas week, then went to the store to find it, and asked the manager: How did I manage to miss this dress when it arrived? He said the brick and mortar store only got a few of the dresses in and therefore hid them in an obscure place before they ended up in the discounted section for quick sales. What?!? Oh no!

Old Navy calls its version a Loose Vintage T-Shirt Midi Shift Dress, but it looks like a French Slip Dress to me. Instead of 100% silk, it's 100% cotton, and you can dress it up or down with shoes and accessories if your size is still in stock. Sorry I missed it. Next time around! The good thing about a classic is, it never disappears.

Uniqlo

Uniqlo's slip dress in its signature Airism fabric and built-in bra is a collaboration with fashion designer, Mame Kurogouchi, but I'm not a fan of a deep plunging neckline. It is simply a matter of personal taste. I tend to like more versatile necklines you can wear anytime and anywhere. Of course, a sweater or stole would hide a plunging neckline.

So it seems a classic is making a restyled comeback in 2022.

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