DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Archive for November, 2013

Small Business Saturday

Hello Friends and Happy Shop Small Saturday

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Black Friday has come and gone so today we celebrate and support small businesses and all that they do for their communities. Please join the SBA and organizations across the country in supporting them by shopping at a small business in your city or town.

On Main and Broad Streets in Middletown there are some great small businesses that feature unique and affordable gifts for everyone on your holiday list.

Decor by Moore’s located on 500 North Broad Street recently celebrated their First Year Anniversary, and if you mention DeDivahDeals you’ll receive an additional 10% off your entire purchase until December 31st.  “Stop in and Be Amazed” at their wonderful and unique gift items including “Diva” ornaments, personalized wine glasses, animal print boxes, lighted pictures and handcrafted cabinetry.

Decor by Moore’s is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9-6, Wednesday and Friday, 9-8, Saturday 9-7 and Sunday 11-3.

 

Purple Sage Herbs & Gifts located on 41 West Main Street has more than 100 apothecary style teas and you’re sure to find something to soothe your soul or remedy anything that ails you.  Now and until the end of the year they are featuring new holiday teas as well as the new Holiday Troll Beads.  

If during this busy holiday season you are seeking stress relief or a little relaxation, make sure to stop in for personalized service and a cup of hot tea.   Purple Sage Herbs & Teas is open Monday through Friday, 11-7, Saturday 10-4 or Sunday 11-4.

A high end fashion boutique with warm friendly customer service can be found at Femme Fatale Boutique on 25 West Main Street.  

Femme Fatale Boutique is currently featuring the “Black Friday Limited Edition Pandora Bead”, Alex & Ani and the Brighton collection.

Free gift wrapping and personal shopping assistance is available for the men who love the women in their lives but don’t know what to buy them!  

New in stock are the Brazilian Butt Lifting Jeans, guaranteed to fit sizes 2-20.  These jeans stretch but don’t sag and are available in assorted colors.  

Holiday hours are Monday through Friday, 10-7, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-3.

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The Gibby or Gilbert W. Perry, Jr., Center for the Arts is a cultural staple in downtown Middletown featuring works by local artists.   Their Small Works Perfect Gift Shoppe is currently showcasing unique handmade jewelry, clothing, photography, ornaments and home decor.  

Free parking across the street at the Municipal lot makes it convenient to shop Thursday and Friday 12-7 and Saturday 10-5.

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 A unique gift boutique specializing in jewelry and craft design can be found at Jewelapalooza. A recent transplant from Galena, Maryland, Jewelapalooza is located on 104 West Main Street and is featuring a Santa’s Workshop where kids can create homemade gifts that will be cherished for years to come.

Jewelapolooza specializes in Jewelry Making Parties as well as after school camps and workshops for the little ones in town.

Melissa & Doug Toys and Chamilia & Kameleon jewelry is prominently displayed throughout the boutique.  Other unique boutique items include women’s shoes, dresses, sweaters, purses and totes.  

 

I don’t know about you, but shopping makes me hungry so take a break and stop in at the mother and daughter owned bakery, Half Baked Patisserie located at 13 W. Main Street.  

Make sure you get their signature Half Baked Cupcake which is made with chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookie dough center, topped with brown sugar frosting and sprinkled with chocolate chips….yes, it is AWESOME!!!

Vegan cakes, muffins, custom cakes and catering is also available during their daily Holidays hours of 10-4.

 

 

 

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As you head out of town after a long day of shopping make sure to drive down to 725 North Broad to the Middletown Square Shopping Center and check out the newly opened Middletown African Market.

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This Market features authentic African and Caribbean food items, Kente Cloth, clothing, videos, health and beauty products as well as kitchen items.    This long-needed ethnic market sells wholesale and retail fresh, canned, packaged and frozen foods.  African spices, sauces and seasonings that is guaranteed to jazz up your holiday meals.  The Middletown African Market is open Monday through Saturday 9-7.

Swinging after shopping was the best part of their day!

 Why not catch a show at The Everett Theatre?

Where ever you decide to shop today, I hope it will be an enjoyable Shop Small Saturday.  

Rest up tomorrow because next is Cyber Monday!

American Express Sponsor

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Farmer’s Market Friday

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!

Today is “Black Friday”, and in the United States it’s the day after Thanksgiving, noted as the first day of Christmas shopping. Crowds of consumers are drawn to special offers by retailers and some people even lose their minds!

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your point of view this year some retailers began their Black Friday sales Thursday night!

Die hard Black Friday shoppers are those who after Thanksgiving dinner will leave the warmth of their homes and drive to stores to camp out overnight for the latest, lowest priced gadget. 

Are you a Black Friday Shopper?  If so, more power to ya just don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes, carry snacks and a bottle of water in a small purse and check out this 2013 Black Friday Shopping Guide.  

Have Fun and Be Safe!

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I don’t like shopping in the holiday madness and prefer to stay local which is why I like places like the Dutch Country Farmers Market in Middletown. My sons are older so there’s no need to wait until Christmas to buy them gifts, those days of hunting for Tickle Me Elmo, Furby or Star Wars memorabilia is long behind me.  I can now enjoy leisurely shopping and watch others stress – lol!

Here’s a look inside our local Farmers’s Market

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Tomorrow is Shop Small Business Saturday so come back to see which Middletown Shops I’ve featured.

Happy Black Friday – Smooches


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Happy Thanksgiving Thursday

 This week I am Thankful for:

having a warm home; #blessed

having plenty of food to eat; #blessed

being gainfully employed; #blessed

able to pay my bills; #blessed

having good health; #blessed

family, friends and faith! #blessed #blessed #blessed

What are you thankful for this week?

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What I Wore Wednesday

Hello Friends and Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

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Okay, the countdown is officially on…if you haven’t thawed that turkey or baked those pies you are definitely in a tizzy…right…nope!

Take a deep breath, check your list and then get to it because tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

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This is no time to be sitting around stylin’ and profiln’ … bloggin’ or vloggin’ – get to it!

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Hey you, yes you, I’m talking to you, turn around and get in that kitchen!

Day before Thanksgiving

Kick it into high gear and get to steppin….

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Who me…not stressin’

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Just chillaxin’ in my jazzy socks and scarf!


Today I am linking up with my girl Whitney over at her Personal Style Wednesday Linky Party.

Take a break, pour a glass of wine and come on over for a visit to see what’s happening in her neck of the woods!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve – Smooches!

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Tasti-Lee Tomatoes Tuesday

Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday

Sponsored post written on behalf of Tasti-Lee Tomatoes, however opinions are 100% my own.

There’s nothing like smell or taste of a fresh ripe tomato straight from the vine, but in Delaware that only happens for a few months in the summer.  Unfortunately, my home garden didn’t yield as many as I would have liked and the frost killed the last ones hanging.  I usually have a salad for lunch so tomatoes are always on my grocery list.  

When the folks at Tasti-Lee Tomatoes partnered with Sverve, looking for bloggers to try their new premium vine ripened tomatoes I jumped at the opportunity and was glad to have been chosen.

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Not only did I receive 2 packs of premium fresh ripe tomatoes, the package also included a few other goodies including this apron, a Tasti-Lee reusable bag, Recipe Cards, Key Chain, Bottle Opener and a tube of Chap Stick.

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I began to think of the many ways in which to use the tomatoes including as a salsa or pasta sauce but my first instinct was to slice one and eat it!  That was definitely the right choice because it was juicy…juicy…juicy and so full of flavor!

Tasti-Lee tomatoes are non GMO and contain 50% more Lycopene than regular tomatoes which is definitely a health benefit.

I used another one for a salad but since I’ve never had or made baked tomatoes, I decided to give it a try.  This easy breezy recipe for Baked Parmesan Tomatoes was found online at www.eatingwell.com.

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INGREDIENTS

 

  • 4 tomatoes, halved horizontally
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

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 I know…I need a new muffin tin…don’t judge!

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A great appetizer and with some French Bread…oh la la!

I tossed the ones we didn’t eat into a Crock Pot recipe with chicken thighs.

Tasti-Lee Tomatoes Tasti-Lee Tomatoes is always running contests like best recipe or best picture campaigns, so check them out on Facebook and don’t forget to sign up to receive coupons and to enter the giveaways.

Have a Tasti-Lee Tomato Tuesday – Smooches!

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Family and Football

Hello Friends and Happy Monday

I hope you all had a great weekend, the last one before the official start of the Holiday Season, even though the Christmas commercials, parades and decorations are already in full effect.  According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Winter does not officially begin until December 21st, but the temperatures definitely stated otherwise…it was freezing cold yesterday!  

On Saturday I drove down to Dover to meet up with my cousins from Jersey, we met at DelState for the DSU -vs- Morgan State football game.

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Unbeknownst to me, I had a 2nd cousin who is on the Morgan State Football team, Marcolm Banks is a freshman and a Fullback for the Morgan State Bears.

Fam and Football 146 His mother, my cousin Michelle and I were very close growing up but had a falling out in 1990.  It was a stupid arguement, she got upset with me because I didn’t want kids at our Wedding reception and at the time she had a young daughter.  We stopped talking and 4 years after she gave birth to her second child, Marcolm, she died from cancer.  We never made up nor did I ever apologize and to this day I still regret that…

Family is all that really matters and during this joyful time of the year it’s especially important to share the love and have good times.  I’m asking if you have an estranged family member or friend, please let it go and make up now because life is too short!

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Fam and Football

Fam and Football As a DelState Alum – Class of ’83, it was the first time that I had sat on the opposing team’s side in the stadium, it was definitely a different view from the stands.

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 Fam in the stands!

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Although DelState lost the game it was fun and the fans, family, and students enjoyed themselves despite the cold wintry winds!

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I told my cousin if DelState lost, I would wear his Morgan State cap in front of a Hornet’s backdrop.

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I love my cousins, thanks for inviting me to the game!

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 Have a wonderful day – Smooches!

Fam and Football

 

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Middletown African Market

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!

In today’s Friday Foodie I am featuring the Grand Opening of the Middletown African Market located on 725 North Broad Street. Owners Abena Mansah and Kwaku Duah are recent transplants from the Bronx, by way of Ghana.  In partnership with other family members they also owned an African Market in Yonkers, NY.

During their many visits to family and friends in Delaware they were often asked to load up the car with food items to bring with them. These visits also highlighted the need for a place to purchase authentic African and Caribbean foodstuff.  However, in not finding anyone who was interested in doing so they decided to take a leap of faith and left New York to open the Middletown African Market in the Middletown Square Shopping Center.

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Abena and Kwaku along with their son came to visit Delaware, fell in love with Middletown and never left, “we love it here”, says Abena, “the people are friendly and the school district is wonderful”.

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The Middletown African Market hopes to meet the needs of the large African population in Delaware so they no longer need to travel to Philadelphia or as far north as New York.  The Market’s shelves are fully stocked with African and Caribbean food items, clothing, music, movies, jewelry, beauty and novelty items.

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Freezers are stocked with smoked fish, turkey, chicken, beef, cassava and other root vegetables.  Long shelves contain canned meats, fruits, vegetables, bags of rice, wheat, potatoes, dry beans and snack foods. Authentic oils, spices, canned goods as well as fresh Sweet Yams and Plantains are available.

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Kente Cloth, Waist Beads, Kufis, and beauty products including lotions with Shea Butter and Coconut Oil, Black Soap, shampoos and conditioners are neatly displayed across the back shelves.

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Saturday’s Grand Opening was both exciting and lively with many customers, both African and non-African shopping, sharing and filling their baskets with food items to be used for Sunday’s dinner.  

Middletown African Market accepts all major credit cards, EBT and is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 8:00 p.m., closed on Sunday.

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Abena offered to teach me to cook a few authentic African meals, so expect to see them showcased in a future Friday Foodie Features.

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 Have a wonderful day – Smooches!

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Thankful Thursday

Hello Friends and Happy

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This week I am Thankful For:

positive results from my last medical exam #blessed

finding some great thrifted items for the Goodwill 2014 Runway Show (check my Instagram pics) #winning

Thanksgiving is next week – 3 day work week #relaxing

meeting some fantastic people in town last Saturday #friendly

of course, family, friends and faith #love

 Pants and Top – Boscov’s // Scarf – Burlington Coat Factory

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Now it’s your turn, what are you thankful for this week?

Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!

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Favorite Fall Scarf

Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday

Do you have an article of clothing that has sentimental value and you know that you’ll never ever get rid of it?  Well that’s exactly how I feel about this scarf that once belonged to my sister, Gloria.  I don’t particularly like wearing coats and jackets so this large wrap scarf is perfect for the Fall weather and I know it’ll be part of my wardrobe forever!

Made of 100% Viscose in India reminded my best friend of a Magic Carpet but no matter what it will always be my Favorite Fall Scarf!  

What is your favorite article of clothing that has high sentimental value?

Linking up today with Personal Style Wednesday – hop on over and join in on the fashion fun!  

Have a fantastical day – Smooches!

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Returning to my 1st Love

Hello Friends and Happy Monday

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are now in the midst of a stress-free work week.  Teaching has always been my first love, but the last time I actually taught consistently was in 1983, it was third grade in the Caesar Rodney School District.  I loved teaching and even as a child played school with my sister and cousins, but after 1 year I left in pursuit of more money in Corporate America. I’ve always missed the classroom but never returned although it was my grandmother’s dream for me to do so.  

Fast forward 30 years and guess what?  I can now once again be called a teacher, I have returned to the field of education…yes, ladies and gentleman, I am now officially an Instructor for The Money School of Delaware (applause…applause…applause!)

Thanks to the overwhelming positive feedback from the previous classes I was offered the opportunity to become a regular (volunteer) instructor and I couldn’t be happier.  I will continue working my full time job and will only be teaching once per month but this works well with my personal and professional life.  #blessed  

The Money School was established in 1999, and it offers over six-hundred free community-based financial education classes annually. Classes are scheduled on a wide variety of subjects and are taught in a hassle-free manner by more than 100 volunteers, all experts in their financial fields.

Money School instructors can hold classes at work sites, conferences, or religious and community organizations.  I enjoyed teaching the Blogging 101 ~ The Basics and Blogging 201 ~ Learn How To Earn with Your Blog classes, but the Dress for Success on a Budget class wasn’t so popular so it’ll be put on the back burner for now.

If it weren’t for my two girlfriends attending the class I would have been all alone in the room.  Oh well, I tried to float that balloon and it fell flat, “Move on Mary…Move On!

Who Knew?

 

Thank you Cecily and Lynette for supporting me!

Thank you Money School for allowing me to return to my 1st love!

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