Archive for May, 2014
Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday.
Last week I had the opportunity to not only attend a Girl’s Night Out sponsored by The Money School of Delaware, but to also present a segment on frugal fashion tips. This 1st Annual FREE event was held in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of From Purses to Portfolios, the Money School’s signature event.
Girl’s Night Out the brainchild of Program Director, Shaquilla Holmes was held at the Claymont Community Center where 14 vendors including Nails by Cyn, Alvina Designs, and Pure Pleasure showcased their products and services. Food was provided by Shoprite and the wine was donated by Quadia Muhammad.
The program kicked off with a welcome and overview by Ronni Cohen, DFLI Executive Director as well as an introduction of the new Money Clubs Director Chrisi Lockwood. Dana Thurston, member of “Penney’s 2 Dollars Money Club” spoke about their club’s events and activities which was then followed by the “Guess the Pennies” and “What’s in Your Purse” games.
Ken Briscoe, Director of Communications and Cultural Affairs for the City of Wilmington provided information about the Budget Friendly Activities being held this summer in the city. My segment “Savvy Shopping for the Frugal Fashionista” and “Guess the Cost” game was sponsored by The Great Stuff Savvy Resale Shop in Wilmington.
Ronni and I – Girl’s Night Out
The evening ended with Door Prizes and networking. It was a wonderful event and I wish to thank Shaquilla and the entire DFLI staff for all of their hard work and efforts in putting together this wonderful and successful event!
Enjoy the rest of your day and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
“What I don’t know would make a whole new world”
That was what my grandmother would say whenever she learned something new, and considering she lived to be 98, it was usually only on rare occasions. However, I’m sure she would have said it, just as I did when I received a 32 oz jar of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil.
Two weeks ago I had no idea they were over 100 different ways in which to use Virgin Coconut Oil, and it blows my mind just thinking about a few of those amazing uses. Virgin Coconut Oil can be used as a health and beauty product, in cooking, baking, making sauces, dips or simply adding to a hot beverage or mixed in a green smoothie. I am in no way making any health claims but if you want to know more about the benefits of coconut oil, check out this website http://coconutoil.com/
One morning for breakfast, I decided to try it in a green smoothie so I added a tablespoon of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil to a handful of kale, ½ a banana, and a teaspoon of flax seeds, when mixed with water it became a tasty tropical coconut flavored smoothie.
Hubby and I now use it every morning in our smoothies and although we may switch up on the fruits we use, it’s never without the Coconut Oil.
Mother’s Day was a great time to try it as a baking ingredient. I used a box of muffin mix and substituted the vegetable oil with Virgin Coconut Oil using the same measurements, however, it needed to be melted first, so a few seconds in the microwave did the trick.
I allowed the milk and eggs to come to room temperature before adding the Virgin Coconut Oil so that it wouldn’t solidify in the cold batter. My hubby and mini men ate them all except two which I had to hide in order to have them later!
I also use it as a butter replacement on my morning toast.
Mother’s Day weekend was also a good time to try and make a natural body scrub. It was very easy to make using two cups of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil blended with a cup of white sugar and 5 drops of Essential Oil. This mixture made 3 small jars of the body scrub, which is way more than enough for me, so I will probably be gifting a jar to a friend and then saving one for Father’s Day as a gift to hubby.
Like I said, there are over 100 ways in which to use Virgin Coconut Oil so it will definitely be a staple in our house both in the kitchen and the bathroom.
How about you, what are some ways in which you would or have used Virgin Coconut Oil?
If you’ve never tried it, here’s your chance, Tropical Traditions, has offered to send a 32 oz jar of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil to one of my lucky readers.
In order to be eligible for this Giveaway you must first subscribe to their Tropical Traditions Newsletter. You can also receive Bonus entries into the giveaway for completing the following tasks:
o Follow on Twitter @troptraditions @ttspecialdeals @ambde
o Like Tropical Traditions and DeDivahDeals on Facebook
o Like Virgin Coconut Oil on Facebook
o Follow on Pinterest
o Follow on Google +
o Find Giveaways and Deals!
Good luck, Giveaway ends at midnight, 05/31/14
If you want to learn more ways in which to use Coconut Oil, check out this YouTube Video
If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you
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Summer is right around the corner and if you have little ones or are entertaining the grands this year, sometimes coming up with fun activities can be a challenge and the last thing you want to hear is, “I’M BORED“!
Purex has teamed up with Family Fun Magazine with a chance for 15,000 Grand Prize winners to receive a FREE subscription to their magazine.
I remember when my sons were young, Family Fun Magazine was my go-to for cool tips on outdoor games and activities, DIY’s, recipes and vacation planning. So be ready for when the kids are out of school and you need a few ideas for some family fun, enter to win today by clicking here.
GOOD LUCK!
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Hello Friends, I hope you are having a Sensational Saturday!
With Malik headed off to college in the Fall, it’s not too early to start thinking about some of the things that he’ll need, with laundry supplies top of the list.
You may not be thinking about college shopping but instead Spring cleaning for the holiday, so why not enter for a chance to win a 4-Pack of Purex Crystals.
Enter this Pin It to Win It Giveaway by clicking the picture below, then come back to tell me your favorite Spring scent.
Good Luck and have a wonderful weekend!
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
The countdown is on, there are only two more weekends until the Memorial Day holiday which is the unofficial start to summer!!!! Next week my “baby” graduates from High School and if you read yesterday’s post or follow me on FB/Twitter/Google+/Instagram or Pinterest you would have seen a picture of him holding his acceptance letter to Bowie State University – if not, here it is
BTW, I won’t be able to participate in next weekend’s party so please link up from one of the other host’s blogs.
His father and I are so over-the-top excited for him, yet I can feel the separation anxiety creeping into my soul and my heart is beginning to hurt. Parents of college students understand exactly how I’m feeling…please pray for me!
Let’s Get This Party Started with this week’s Featured Bloggers
Satisfaction Through Christ
Keeping Christmas Spirit Live 365
Sprouts House
Belle of the Kitchen
View from the Fridge
Making it in the mountains
Please feel free to copy and paste this button onto your blog and check our Pinterest Page as you are also being featured there.
The rules remain the same and we ask that you visit as least 3 other blogs and follow your hosts via one of our Social Media Networks
This Simple Home
De Divah Deals
Snippets of Inspiration
A Living Sacrifice
Mustard Seed Mommy
Moms Who Save
Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you soon!
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
Today, I wanted to write about a human interest story that I read in last Sunday’s paper, I hope you don’t mind that it’s not food related. Lance Underwood, a single dad who lives in Dover (Delaware), has been re-creating album covers using photos of his sons, Quentin and Trey. What I found to be most interesting is the fact that he is not a professionally trained photographer, yet his work definitely qualifies as being professional.
Lance’s website featuring the re-creations started as a way for his father who lives in California to keep up with the boys. His website has now gone viral and if you want to see more, check out his Tumblr page
Re-creations of a Nat King Cole, Bob Dylan and Miles Davis album cover.
I think this is such an amazing and creative way to capture not only photos of his sons but also the memories he is creating for them is priceless. Can you imagine how much fun they are having while learning the history of the artists as well as the significance of album covers. In my book, this makes Lance one cool dad!
What album cover would you like to see re-created?
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday!!!
God is so good and he has truly been blessing me and my family and for that I am thankful!
I am THANKFUL for being featured on FabulousAfter40
Bold, Ethnic Prints
Morocco and Africa, as well as all the spicy colors of lands far away are a big part of the global trend. Here’s style blogger Antoinette in a bold ethnic print shift dress that combines orange and red with purple for a look that’s pure energy.
Don’t miss Antoinette’s playful license plate. She’s one proud blogger! Be sure to stop by her site, De Divah Deals, to see Antoinette’s daily outfits and learn some of her secrets for scoring the best deals on fashion items.
Do you have a favorite outfit that makes you look and feel great? Are you a fashion blogger or do you have a favorite 40+ fashion blogger that you would like to see featured here? Feel free to share your photos with my Fabulous After 40 readers.
Please send in a good quality, full-length photo, your age, where you are from, and any details about your outfit to: myphoto@fabulousafter40.com. You’ll be featured on the Facebook page as well as in an upcoming What I Wore. I love hearing from you and cheering you on, Glam Gals!
I am THANKFUL that our son received an acceptance letter to Bowie State University!
I am THANKFUL for being invited to participate in last night’s 1st Girls Night Out Event sponsored by The Money School of Delaware
Can’t wait to post about it next week!
I am THANKFUL to be working on several product reviews which is keeping me uber busy. It truly has been a week full of fun and activities for which I am THANKFUL. I am also THANKFUL for you, my bloggy friends, for my family and of course my faith.
Certainly last but not least next Thursday Malik will be graduating from High School and wow, are we forever THANKFUL for that!
Okay, now it’s your turn – what are you thankful for this week?
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday!
This week’s “You Choose The Shoes” may be a little bit more difficult because the shoes are similar in pattern and style, however, there can be only be one winner so I am really counting on you for this one.
Oh wait a minute, before we begin, here is the winner from last week’s challenge:
Thank you all for participating.
Okay, this week’s challenge is between Payless -vs- Ross
Because the dress is a simple purple sheath purchased from JCPenney, I knew it needed to be punched up with pops of color, so I added this necklace from Avon/Mark – what do you think?
Last season I wanted these pumps so badly that I drove to two Payless stores to get them. Thankfully, the Exton store called others and they found a pair in my size at the Concord Mall which is on my way home.
Okay, which ones do you choose?
You can see they are similar in color and pattern, but the heels on the Payless shoes are pink and the ones from Ross are gray. Can’t decide, take one more look then send me your choice.
Payless
Ross
BTW, hubby is now my photographer, which is why I may be smiling more. At first he made me nervous because he would give me these looks when I’d say, “nope, not right, let’s do it again“. However, I do think that he is enjoying himself but I have to watch him, otherwise, he’s focusing the camera on other parts of my body if you know what I mean!
I’m heading over to visit The Pleated Poppy for WIWW!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello Friends and Happy Tuesday
Have you and your spouse started thinking about retirement? Perhaps it’s several years off or maybe in the not-so-distant future. What are your plans, will you be traveling or just relaxing on the back deck watching the sun rise while sipping your morning coffee?
Hubby will be retiring from the State of Delaware in July, but since I have at least 5 more years, he has to wait for me…and while he waits, he will be working no doubt about it. Just because he’s retiring with a full pension doesn’t negate the fact that we’ll have a son in college and bills to pay.
Retirement should be a dream come true filled with fun and excitement but if you make mistakes in not planning, that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare.
According to the experts, there are 7 mistakes that couples should avoid if they want their retirement years to be truly golden.
- Couples never talked about what each of them expected retirement to be, i.e. personal interest or professional goals
- They haven’t planned for emergencies, i.e. illnesses, accidents and major home repairs
- Couples in their 2nd marriages didn’t plan for unique problems that come with blended families, ie. adult children needing financial assistance
- They didn’t do proper financial planning. i.e. fail to calculate the amount of money needed in retirement, lifestyle and living costs changes
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Couples didn’t consider the high costs of health care or long-term care
- Assuming that because you are married you can act for each other in business and health care decisions, consider getting a Power of Attorney
- Only one partner is handling financial matters – couples need to talk regularly about finances and both should actively participate
If you and your spouse haven’t sat down and talked about your retirement plans, the time to do so is now so you can make those golden years tarnish free!
What are your thoughts?
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Hello Friends and Happy Monday
I am getting so excited in anticipation for the heat of the summer as I’m sure a few of you are as well. Last week it was still a bit cool but the weekend more than made up for it with temps in the 80’s. I can’t wait until it’s officially pool time in just a few short weeks!
Today’s outfit is a combination of JCPenney, Citi Trends, Avon and Target.
The Peplum top is JC Penney, and I was never a big fan of them because I didn’t think they were flattering to my figure – what do you think?
This perfectly color coordinated purse is from Avon (Mark) #loveit Bracelet from Rugged Wearhouse and Necklace and Earring Set from Jewelrymax.net.
I not a big retail shopper and I try to stay away from the malls but I won’t rule out low-end shops like Rainbow, Deb and Citi Trends, which is where I purchased this pencil skirt. #dressforless
The black patent leather Mossimo pumps are from Tar’jay (Target). This is the outfit that I wore to work and later on that evening for teaching a Blogging 101 class at the Bear Library. It was very comfortable all day and worked well for both environments.
I love teaching these Blogging 101 classes because the attendees are awesome!
I’ll be stopping by to see Whitney Nic James for her Personal Style Linkup, come over if you get a chance. I hope you all have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya tomorrow.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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