Flirty Girl Wants To Make You Smile

The photo is from Google Maps

One of the most beloved brands in New Orleans, Flirty Girl, was launched in 2009 by single mother and New Orleans native, Lauren LeBlanc Haydel, initially as an online business. Today she has 8 retail stores and 60 employees. The brand was voted Best of New Orleans by Gambit magazine for 11 years in a row.

Flirty Girl's aim is to make you smile while celebrating the city of New Orleans with shirts, skorts, scarves, jackets, shoes, kitchen and bar glasses, hair accessories, food and spices, soap, together with holiday-and-novelty gifts.

The retailer has become a must-stop for tourists but if you can't make it to New Orleans you can still send some "local love + fun finds" by ordering online, the place where it all began. Perhaps someone on your holiday list could use a smile or has fond memories of the Big Easy.

King Cake Bolt Balm

Ahhh, the only cute alligator is a toy alligator (🐊 see far above👆), but LOOK he's crawling away and headed for the flamingo🦩who should not stand tall and be eaten. Run!! ... run away!!!⚜️

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Athletic Works Socks With Cushion Arch Support

Sometimes it's the mundane inexpensive finds in life that can please or even thrill us. Like socks! Most of us wear socks nearly every day and I like to keep a drawer full of them so I rarely have to do laundry because I'm out of socks. It's also a clothing item I wish to mindlessly machine wash and dry with abandon as I have no desire to baby a pair of socks. So I took a chance on a 10-pack of socks by Athletic Works at Walmart and I really like them! Why spend more when these do everything we need them to do?

The benefits include cushion arch support built into the socks. Although I'm often partial to cotton, 100% cotton socks are not necessarily the best fabric for potentially sweaty feet. These have 87% polyester, 11% cotton, and 1% lycra spandex and are made to wick moisture away from our feet. Ok, great!

What first attracted me to Athletic Works socks was the innovative, compact packet, and what sold me was the arch support. When traveling just toss the packet of socks neatly into a suitcase, then pull them out one pair at a time much like pulling out tissues from a Kleenex box after you reach your destination.

The socks come in an assortment of lengths from no-show, or ankle to crew, or tube; as well as, for men, women, and children; and in enough neutral shades to match your wardrobe.

Don't let the unbeatable value fool you! You get 10 - 12 pairs of socks cheap depending on the style selected. The socks are soft, cozy, and do indeed keep your feet dry. After wearing them for months, I decided to buy some for my senior mother also. She can benefit from arch support too. Have you been paying too much for socks?

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Beer Can Chicken

Photo - istock by Getty

I haven't thought of making Beer Can Chicken in years. My mother is European, and this is definitely Americana home cooking. What I like about this dish is its rub, a lot of it! A tasty and easy dinner to make over the weekend.

Beer Can Chicken

Ingredients For the Rub

2 tablespoons smoked paprika

Photo: allrecipes

2 tablespoons dry mustard

2 tablespoons basil

2 tablespoons garlic powder

2 tablespoons onion powder

2 tablespoons salt

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Ingredients for the Basting Spray

1/2 can of the beer

2 cups apple cider

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or whatever vinegar you have)

4 - 5 pound chicken

1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)

remaining half of beer (and can)

Directions:

1) In a bowl, mix the dry herbs and spices to make the rub.

2) Rub the raw chicken with olive oil (or butter) and then rub the chicken inside and out with the dry spice mixture. Or you can wet the dry rub with beer and smear the mixture all over and inside the chicken as this works too.

3) Pour half the can of beer into a spray bottle with the apple cider and vinegar.

4) Leave about half the beer in the can and insert the can into the cavity of the chicken with the chicken resting on the can.

5) Suburbanites can cook the chicken for 2 hours over a medium hot grill (350 degrees) under a grill cover. City coop dwellers can bake it in the oven for 2 hours resting the can with chicken on a baking pan. The beer keeps the chicken moist, as well as, adds flavor. While cooking you can spritz the chicken with the basting sauce every half hour to give it additional flavor. The sauce adds a hint of sweetness without sugar.

6) The chicken is done when it's golden and crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Be careful removing it from the grill or oven and lifting the chicken off a very hot tin can onto a serving dish. Wait at least 10 minutes after removal from the heat before cutting.

Enjoy the weekend! Bon Appetit!

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Use SPF Face Cream All Year Around

Lumin (black) is sunscreen for men, so I've never tried it.

After my morning shower I apply face cream (or lotion) over a face serum every day of the year. Only in the month of August during those dog days of heat and humidity could I skip the step of hydrating my face if desired, however, I don't do so. The reason why is we need to use sunscreen every day of the year to prevent aging (lines, wrinkles and dark sun spots), plus more importantly, skin cancer. Therefore I use a multi-tasking face moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher. Without. Fail. Every. Day. Of. The. Year. 

As we've moved from summer into fall, you may have noticed your skin is getting dryer. I have, and if a dry face bothers you as it does me, you may need to add a face cream to your daily routine, so why not select one that also contains the sun protection you should be wearing daily? Kill two birds with one stone and done!

Allow me to highlight 6 SPF [Sun Protector Factor] face moisturizers whose light, non-greasy consistency I like, as well as, give you the pros and cons of the choices I don't buy:

1) Olay moisturizers come in broad spectrum SPF 15, 30, and 50. I've tried all the formulas but stick with the Olay Complete with SPF 15 -- the most generous size. The sun protection is zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which I prefer to more questionable chemicals. All of the Olay formulas are creamy and greaseless, but the SPF 50 has a thicker consistency than the SPF 15. The Olay Complete 15 Sensitive formula works for me as it moisturizes while disappearing into my skin. With a lower SPF of 15, you simply need to reapply it every 2 hours if out and about in direct sunlight all day. SPF 30 or SPF 50 doesn't provide significantly more protection, but you can stretch the duration of reapplying them. There is none better than the Olay formulas and they are dirt cheap too!

2) Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30 - It's much like Olay, as is the Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer with Total Soy Complex and Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, and all 3 brands are inexpensive and conveniently available at your local drugstore. Olay was the earliest to appear on the market and for this reason, is usually the easiest brand to find, but all 3 are comparable, which lets you grab whichever brand goes on sale when you need one.

3) CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face - Contains the usual suspects of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide along with the extra beneficial skincare ingredients of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides. Dermatologists like that CeraVe puts ceramides (a family of waxy lipid molecules) in it's skincare products to fortify our skin barrier.

4) Laroche Posay Anthelios Face 60 - The customer raves are for the European formula of Anthelios which contains Mexoryl, a patented UVA blocker that is highly stable and approved in Europe and Canada, but not approved by the FDA for use in the USA. The European version is light, thin, absorbent, and doesn't degrade after hours of sun exposure. Laroche is a skincare brand dermatologists universally recommend, but it's expensive. To be honest, I like the brand, but don't tend to buy it. IMHO you can find as good for less.

5) Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 - Paula's Choice is very good skincare, not the most expensive on the list, and yet still pricey if using it every day. Repeated buys add up! With a bit of research, you can often find the same ingredients from less costly competitors. Nonetheless, P.C. is stellar skincare, not crazy expensive, and perhaps sometimes worth a splurge. You decide for yourself.

6. Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Sunscreen 70 - Neutrogena has SPF 30, 50, or 70 face moisturizers galore in cream, lotion, or gel forms, and some with extra ingredients to benefit the skin. Personally, unless I need a particular ingredient to treat a skin issue, I buy the cheapest SPF moisturizer offered that I like. Since I use an anti-aging face serum under my moisturizer, it's the moisturizer with sunscreen I'm after. If our serum already has vitamin C or hyaluronic acid in it, we're covered. More isn't always better, so if the extra ingredient drives the price up, why pay more for it in a moisturizer?

Luckily I'm happy with Olay Complete 15 Sensitive as a moisturizer with sun protection since it's about as cheap as you can buy. Spend more when it matters, but you can save on the category of SPF face creams/lotions without compromise. There are a ton of quality selections for less in a drugstore aisle ... often under $10.🎀💙

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Launer Is A Handbag Fit For A Queen

The public rarely saw Queen Elizabeth II without her Launer handbag. According to Gerald Bodmer, Launer's CEO, Her Majesty bought 10 - 11 of them during her lifetime in the Traviata style from Sully & Sully. The purse's manufacturer was founded by Sam Launer in 1940 and received its royal warrant in 1968.

Each bag is handmade and takes about eight hours to finish. The structured bag of fine-grain calf leather with superb craftsmanship and a signature gold-plated twisted rope emblem lock sells for $2,700. 

The purse is pricey, and yet it's 1/3 cheaper than an Hermès Kelly, and without the nonsense and games its French competitor puts its customers through to buy a bag. Also, a Traviata is much easier to reach into than either a Birkin or Kelly is and just as secure!

The Launer's other winning features include a back pocket, center division, interior pocket, inner zip, swede lining, leather-covered mirror, matching gold-plated handle hardware, and a long shoulder strap ... extras customers love!

Launer luxury bags are available in a range of colors and finishes with Queen Elizabeth favoring the black patent style. According to Vogue magazine, "To make the bags truly her own, she would modify them with additional pockets, a built-in coin purse, and longer handles to allow for easy handshaking." In the image above (courtesy of Getty), we can see how her top handle is longer than the standard Launer purse. In fact, each bag is made to order. The company offers all customers the chance to customize their bags without the additional costs of a customized handbag.

Queen Elizabeth II was a born Savvy Shopper with impeccable taste and class. She had no need for overpriced status handbags despite having the money to buy whatever she desired. One never saw her wearing a Cartier love bracelet or carrying a purse with a blown-up brand name across it like a YouTube influencer. What she bought was quality, durability, expertise... handbags that she kept for over 70 years, never tossing them out according to Launer's Mr. Bodner. She had no need to buy ever-changing, status merchandise, nor to show off because she was the Queen. Let it be a lesson for us all: When you've got it, there's no need to flaunt it as the fact is so self-evident everybody knows it.

With the Queen's recent passing, there's such a demand for Launer handbags, they are on backorder until January 2023. If I were to ever spend such a tidy sum on a bag, this could well be it ... in black! [Another contender is here.]

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Peripera Velvet Lip Tint Is An Amazon Favorite

Peripera Velvet Lip Tint is exactly what we want, a high-pigmented natural lip stain that is soft, smooth, weightless, and lasts all day. Apply the liquid tint as a velvety lip color in the morning and by the end of the day, there's still a rosy natural hue, which doesn't smudge if you dab lip balm over it to moisturize your lips. It's also paraben-free.

The 31 shades go on your lips wet and after they dry, they are waterproof, kissproof, and foodproof. The colors are buildable. Apply a thin coat of tint with a spongy applicator and wait for it to dry before applying a 2nd thin layer if you wish. If you apply it too thick to start with, you'll need to blot it off, thereby wasting product.

There's a color to flatter every skin tone. Reviewers like the feel of the velvety formula.

The search for lip tint in natural colors with real staying power is over! Cost: Under $10.

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Live As An Under Buyer

Today I'm playing a game called all the jewelry I'd buy at Macy's if I wasn't a mindful, Savvy Shopper. Sometimes I play this game at Tiffany, Hermès, Bergdorf Goodman, Chanel, Saks, or any number of retailers with upscale merchandise, but today let's play the game of jewelry web shopping at Macy's. 

Most of us have the good sense not to spend a million dollars for a piece of jewelry since it's much more than many of us could ever pay off. The temptation is greater for things we perceive as stretching our budget -- yes -- that we could somehow, someway reach with effort and a dose of wishful thinking. Nevertheless, if we are not realistic, mindful, savvy shoppers such pricey luxury buys will land us into credit card debt.

THE SAVVY SHOPPER way requires separating our wants from our needs. Sure we can splurge occasionally, but as a general rule, be an under buyer and seldom, rarely, or never become an impulse buyer. So often impulse buys are emotional purchases triggered when we are bored, stressed, or blue. Don't let regret, waste, clutter, or debt follow a day of retail therapy! Frequently going for a walk or exercising will lift our moods just as much as an impulse buy. Luckily I'm an under buyer because my walks take me to T.J. Maxx!😊

What's more, the sibling of impulse buying is buying more than what we need. Buy enough (sometimes called creating a capsule of clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc.), not more than enough. It's likely my small New York City apartment keeps me in line by giving me the disciple to not bring home beautiful things I don't really need, but only think I do when standing in front of it.

 

Falling for beautiful, impractical and yet ultimately useless things will clutter up your home before you realize it! Always value your space as much as anything you put into it. To look its best a room needs the right ratio of space to furniture. Every nook and corner need not be filled with stuff whether it's furniture, clothes, handbags, shoes, nick-nacks, or even jewelry.

Moreover, it won't do your bank account any favors. COVID has taught us the importance of having an emergency fund for food and bills. As much as I love jewelry, I browse 99.99% of the time and buy .01% of the time. And the very few pieces I splurge on are well within my budget. Moreover, I know where to compromise: The stones are eye clean and not the biggest, most flawless, or most translucent stones I desire. At Tiffany, I only browse as its colored gemstones are the top of the line (i.e. budget-busters for regular people), and at other retailers, I'm still selective!

Over to the right is a gorgeous 4 7/8 t.w. carat emerald and diamond (1/2 carat diamond) ring I love and visit whenever I go to Macy's Herald Square, but any stone over 2 carats gets very pricey, so it stays at Macy's for me to peer at occasionally. The diamond stud earrings (↑above left) are called martini studs as the setting looks like martini glasses, and in my fantasy, I'd buy 4-carat studs, however, too expensive for me to undertake! [For the look, check out this white sapphire pair instead. Not affiliated with this blog, only a tip.]

Being financially responsible means focusing on the big picture: Your financial security. Separating your wants from your needs helps you to spend what you must and save what you should. Staying out of debt gives you more money to cover tomorrow's essentials. Plus freedom. Freedom from worry. Freedom from working just to pay bills. Freedom from losing your home.

All of today's featured pieces are classic and very wearable temptations. Although not buying, I love them all. Planning a splurge every now and then is fine if you are mindful (consider how often you'd wear it) and make the splurge one you can afford. Finally, if considering a purchase, think capsule, not collection. Stop buying after reaching enough! We don't need more than enough.

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IMGN By IMAGINE Dermatology

I didn't expect to be writing about skincare so soon after writing about skincare, but in the wake of discovering a stellar anti-aging brand at an amazing price point, of course, I have to share it with my readers. You!

IMAGINE Dermatology is a small family-run US business with 40 years of experience in skincare, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, and biology. Their aim is to make the best skin care products on the market with clean, results-based ingredients from reputable sources that are affordable. IMGN is luxury beauty containing anti-aging properties that 100% work without breaking the bank, a subject forever up THE SAVVY SHOPPER'S alley! Customers will also appreciate the bigger 2-ounce sizes of IMGN serums. This merchant never skimps on value! Normally you only get 1 oz bottles of serum.

The IMGN brand offers a full array of beauty scrubs, serums, hydrators, and treatments including these:

1) Beyond Retinol Creamy Bakuchiol Serum - A gentle retinol alternative that according to a British 2-blind scientific study produces all the benefits of retinol to soften lines and wrinkles plus brighten the skin without the irritation of retinol. The formula contains 1.0% bakuchiol, which is double the amount used in the British study. Among its anti-aging ingredients are anti-oxidants to fight free radicals and niacinamide (vitamin B3), which helps improve the skin's protective barrier by stimulating the synthesis of ceramides within the skin. Ceramides are needed for a strong skin barrier. The serum has a faint citrus scent.

2) Pure Retinol Creamy Serum - Has stabilized 2.5% retinol with an advanced delivery system, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamin E. This is an excellent retinol serum in a great big bottle for cheap!

3) Pure Vitamin C Serum - Along with ascorbic acid, it contains ferulic acid and hyaluronic acid which together moisturize and help promote collagen synthesis and skin brightening. The whole line of skincare has no parabens, soy, sulfates, artificial colors, or fragrances. Here again, customers get a generous 2-ounce size cheaper than what many competitors charge for 1-ounce.

4) Smoother Skin Anti-Aging Renewal Complex - A cream that moisturizes, smooths, and firms the skin with an algae yeast complex that treats wrinkles. Everybody needs a face cream sometimes and do we mind if it builds collagen while moisturizing our faces? Nooo!

5) Instant Lifting Wrinkle Fighter - With acmella oleracea, an ancient plant from South America, to instantly ease the appearance of lines and wrinkles similar to botox. Personally, I'm not interested in quick temporary fixes, but hey, perhaps a person has a reunion to attend, an old girlfriend-or-boyfriend to see, or works in a profession where aging is frowned upon. Nooo judgment here as people have different skin care needs!

To economize I always start with a serum (1st) and a moisturizer (2nd), then I might add products as needed. The website has more than the 5 serums and treatments featured above to whiten, hydrate or bathe the skin in powerful anti-aging ingredients ... all worth your time and money. Take a browse to be impressed with the brand!

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