Archive for November, 2014
Hello friends, if you are into saving money like I know you are, your key ring is probably filled with discount and rewards cards. Not only is it awkward and sometimes embarrassing when you’re fumbling at the register but it can also be bad for your car’s ignition.
The weight of the cards pulling down your key while it’s in the ignition can cause problems over the long run. This can cancel out any savings you may have received from the cards because you might have a costly car repair!
I also have a wallet jam packed with discount and rewards cards, so many that I refuse to change out my wallet because it takes too much time. Luckily, I found an app that will eliminate the need to carry these cards on my key ring or in my wallet.
This Android and iPhone app is appropriately called “KeyRing“ and it is totally FREE with some awesome extra benefits.
Simply scan the card’s barcode, snap a pic front and back which is optional and then it’s loaded and ready for you to show it at the register. It also alerts you to nearby deals which is great because there’s no need to cut out paper coupons or get upset that you leave them at home- yay!
BTW – give the kids or grandkids something to do and let them snap the pics of the cards!
Here’s how it’s described on the Keyring app home page:
“Saving is simple when deals and coupons are instantly redeemable from your mobile device. Thousands of exclusive deals from over 13,000 brands and retailers are constantly refreshed and at your fingertips. Deals and coupons from nearby retailers are organized by category and always conveniently available, making it easy for you to save money on the go”
“Carry the weekly sales of over 170 retailers with you to the store. The sales circulars you usually find in bulky newspapers are now conveniently available on your phone. Browse weekly sales, add items to your shopping list, and set reminders. You’ll never miss a good deal again.”
“Create and customize shopping lists to take with you on the go. Include coupons and weekly sales to make sure you’re getting the best price for the items on your shopping list. Take photos of items on your list. Share lists with friends and family members so that multiple people can add and check-off items in one place.”
If you are old skool like me and are afraid of losing the data, just make a copy of the cards in case you need to reload them onto a new Smartphone.
Hurry up and download this app today because it’s going to help you with your shopping and saving this season!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello friends, I trust you all had a wonderful week and perhaps are now gearing up for the best holiday of the season – THANKSGIVING!
I don’t know about you but I think the industry is pushing Christmas way too early, I am still eating Halloween candy! The commercials, the songs, and now the decorations three weeks before Turkey Day is a bit much for me,
What are your thoughts?
Anywho, I finally broke out the winter boots and have worn my favorite pair twice last week, the over-the-knee suede boots and I am lovin’ them.
Today’s Sunday Style Roundup is featuring only two outfits and they are both entitled “Black N Boots” I also wore one of my Infinity Scarves purchased from Burlington Coat Factory to break up all the black in this outfit. The dress is a sleeveless sheath from Ross and the blazer is thrifted from Goodwill.
I always feel so corporate in a blazer and Goodwill is definitely the place to go for them.
In this second outfit the skirt is Worthington and cowl neck are both from JCPenney. The necklace was a new piece thrifted from Goodwill.
Lovely fall leaves
Today I am also featuring my oldest son, Tayair, not for what he’s wearing although he is handsome in his suit jacket. He spoke at his CLSC Open House on Tuesday evening. CLSC is the University of Delaware’s Career and Life Studies Certificate program, a 2-Year, non-residential college certificate program for young adults with intellectual disabilities and I was very proud of him!
What do you think, have they started promoting Christmas too early?Enjoy the rest of the week!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Disclosure Statement: I was provided a sample product from Mirassou Wines in order to facilitate this review, however, opinions are 100% my own.
‘Tis the season to reflect and take stock of all our blessings, to share good times with family and friends and to simply enjoy the wonderful life that we have been given. Too often we get caught up in the day to day activities, stuck and struck with stress and anxiety, so when that happens, remember this motto, “Have a glass of wine and you’ll be fine!”
That’s exactly what my girls and I did on Sunday afternoon, we kicked off the week with fun, food, laughter and of course a couple bottles of wine thanks to Mirassou Winery.
The last time we were all together we had such a good time that we decided to have a day of fun at least once per month. We all live in close proximity so it makes for an easy commute or walk in case we have too much fun!
Our hostess, Carol, had a spread with more than enough food to keep our bellies full and the pairing of the Brie Cheese and Fig Preserves on a Crostini was a perfect compliment to the Mirassou Chardonnay.
This was our first time drinking a Chardonnay and I normally drink Sweet Reds, however, the California Chardonnay was a light and refreshing wine which turned out to be our favorite. The Pinot Noir was a bit too dry for us but we didn’t allow it to go to waste – lol.
To celebrate the season and commemorate the occasion, the bottom of each glass was painted with chalkboard paint so that we could write what we were thankful for using a white permanent paint marker.
The glasses were a gift and to make the day even more special I shot this short video which was supposed to be the outtakes. It was too funny not to show it just the way it was so enjoy our antics #memoriesofgoodtimes.
If you are looking for wines to serve or give as a gift this holiday season, check out the many varieties of Mirassou Wines.
Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato and Sunset Red, all reasonable priced as to not break your budget and can be paired with a variety of foods.
This was Shawn’s favorite, what is your favorite wine to serve for the holidays or when entertaining at home?
For more entertaining tips and recipes, visit Mirassou on Pinterest, Facebook or www.Mirassou.com
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello friends, does your medicine cabinet look like this?
Actually, this is my kitchen cabinet and it’s where I keep my vitamins and supplements.
I remember my grandmother would laugh in amazement as to how many pills some of the women at the Senior Center were taking. She never took a pill, not even an aspirin, as a matter of fact she almost choked taking an Advil.
She never took vitamins or supplements and still lived to be 98, the only “ailment” she suffered from was childbirth and arthritis.
Eating healthy was her remedy which I would hope is the same for me, but just in case it’s not, I am taking my daily vitamins.
I know I have a few bottles of unnecessary ones, so I decided to check in at WEBMD to get their recommendations.
Calcium
Osteoporosis, the bone-thinning disease that most commonly affects postmenopausal women, results from bones that have lost calcium and thickness. Women between the ages of 51-70 should be taking 1,200 mg of calcium daily, more if doctor recommended.
Foods that are high is calcium include Spinach, Kale, Okra, Collard Greens, Soybeans, White beans, Sardines, Salmon, Perch and Rainbow Trout. Foods that are fortified with calcium include orange juice, oatmeal and several brands of cold cereal.
Vitamin D is calcium’s indispensable partner. It’s essential for proper absorption of the calcium you get in your diet. But as we get older, our ability to synthesize vitamin D in sunlight through our skin diminishes. We must either get our Vitamin D through food, especially in the winter, or through supplements and you guys already know that I am Vitamin D deficient.
Foods that provide vitamin D include fatty fish like tuna, mackerel and salmon. Foods fortified with vitamin D like dairy products, orange juice, soy mile, cereals, beef liver, cheese and egg yolks.
B-12
Another vitamin that we tend to get less of as we age is B-12, which is naturally found in animal foods and proteins including meat, eggs, milk, fish, and poultry, as well as in fortified cereals. Adults of all ages should get 2.4 micrograms of B-12 daily.
Folate
Folic acid helps to metabolize a substance called homocysteine, which has been clearly associated with the risk of heart disease and stroke. High homocysteine levels has shown to be associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.”
Vitamin E and Vitamin C
Vitamin E and Vitamin C are both powerful antioxidants; studies have suggested that they may help protect against diseases of aging as varied as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and cataracts.
However, just as my grandmother believed: “To get the vitamins and other nutrients we need, food should always be first, and in a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread, and cereals — especially those that are enriched,” says Smith Edge. “Any decision to supplement ideally should be based on professional input from a health professional.”
So what’s in your medicine cabinet?
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Disclosure: I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer Network campaign for L’Oreal Age Perfect. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with L’Oreal Age Perfect and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.
Mirror Mirror on the wall…what do you see when you look inside? I see me at age 53, with a few ‘wisdom wrinkles’ and ‘worry lines’ but I also see a smile, which lets me know I like what I see.
Ladies, as we age, skin cell renewal decreases and sometimes this will cause the skin on our faces to start looking dull and dry.
Fortunately, I don’t see any of these noticeable conditions however, that doesn’t mean I can neglect my skin especially when it comes to using a good moisturizer on my face.
L’Oreal Paris recently introduced Age Perfect Cell Renewal moisturizers which I have been given an opportunity to try.
My daily regiment begins in the morning after rinsing my face with warm water and towel drying. I put a little of the Day Cream on my finger tips and in an upward motion apply it to my neck and face.
The Age Perfect Cell Renewal Day Cream contains a Broad Spectrum SPF15 Sunscreen which we need even after the harsh summer sun rays have diminished.
The Day Cream moisturizer stimulates the surface skin, replump, refreshes and renews the cells.
Next I pump a small dot of the Golden Serum Treatment onto the back of my hand, also using my finger tips to rub it in an upward motion onto my face. This serum is so silky smooth and it makes my face feel the same. The Golden Serum is non greasy so I can put on my makeup immediately after using.
In the evening before going to bed, I remove all of my makeup with a towelette, rinse my face with warm water and towel dry. The Age Perfect Cell Renewal Night Cream is a rich, creamy moisturizer which is great for cell renewal because our skin absorbs it while we sleep.
There has been no irritation or redness from using these products and I love the way my face looks and feels. I will come back in two weeks with a video so you can see some actual results.
Have a Golden Day!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014
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Every morning someone in the office will greet me with, “Hello Antionette, how you doing”, and I’ll usually respond, “I’m good, it’s another day closer to retirement!” Actually it’s several more years before I can really retire but hey, it’s my fantasy so leave me alone!
Retirement may be my distant future, but we all know that time flies when you’re having fun and it will sneak up on me before I know it. So even with a 401K plan and Social Security benefits, I still need to save for the future. Whether or not your not-so-distant future includes retirement, purchasing your first home, a new car, sending the kids to college or even getting married, here are 6 ways to help you save money for the future.
1) Trim your food costs – for us this has gotten easier with Malik away at school. Believe it or not, since he left, our grocery bill has been cut in half, but I’m spending money sending him snacks so it’s a wash. However, if you eat out often whether at a restaurant or take-out/delivery, find and use coupons or Groupons.
There are many deals to be found on social media so seek them out and save some cash. Don’t forget the grocery store apps to help you save while shopping as well as rewarding you at the gas stations.
2) Shop sale or clearance – you know me, the frugal fashionista, but even if you don’t thrift never pay full retail. Head straight to the sales and clearance racks then put the savings into an account. Buy off season and don’t BOGO, if you don’t need two, don’t buy two unless it is really BUY ONE GET ONE FREE, Most times BOGO is ‘Buy one get another 1/2 off” and don’t be enticed by the 2fer or 3fer deals on items especially if you only need one.
3) Ask for discounts – whether you’re a senior, military, college student, member of AAA, AARP or any other organizations, ask if there are discounts available. You can find savings on dining, car rentals, hotels, auto and home repairs. Put the money you saved into your account.
4) Shop around – for the best prices, especially on big renovations, get at least three bids and check third-party websites such as Groupon and Angieslist.com
5) Pay with cash – most people spend less with cash than when using a debit or credit card and depending on the vendor you may be given a discount for paying with cash.
6) Bargain hunt for travel – name your own price @Priceline.com, is a good way to save money on your travel budget – or just stay local. Seek out fun spots and destinations in your own city or state to save even more money.
There are so many other ways in which to save a few dollars here and there so track your spending whether by writing it down in a notebook or with a Smartphone app, look for ways to cut your spending and save it for the future.
Now it’s your turn, share some tips on how you’re saving money for the future.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Last week as I was heading into work my little “Bloggy Buggy” started acting strangely and knowing that she was in no condition to make the hour and a half commute I drove directly to Diver Chevrolet in Wilmington. What I had anticipated to be some minor adjustments turned into a full two-day recall repair.
However, this minor setback did give me an opportunity to drive a new Chevy Silverado and man oh man, what a great vehicle. First of all, I drove in with the smallest Chevy, the tiny blue Spark and drove out with the largest loaner available the Silverado. To say I was wee bit nervous would be an understatement because the last large vehicle I drove was a mini van when the boys were young. However, once I adjusted the seats and mirrors then drove it for about and hour I was in 7th heaven.
It’s amazing the type of respect you get from other drivers on the road with a vehicle of this size as opposed to my tiny “toy car’. The interior was comfy and roomy enough to seat 8, and the SiriusXM Satellite Radio sound system was awesome, I was jamming to Jazz all the way to work!
The back up camera was so cool that when I got home, hubby and I drove up and down the driveway several times just because! This truck was by far a much more comfortable and smooth ride that I’ve ever experienced and surprisingly it wan’t too bad on gas mileage either.
However, the next day I did exchange it for the Chevy Cruze which was the vehicle that my son originally wanted. On 95 in rush hour traffic I need to be able to maneuver a little bit more and I didn’t want to risk running over anyone with a large truck – just kidding (lol).
Thanks Diver Cherolet, for not only servicing my car and letting me have two different loaners but for also having the best Valets in the state – those guys are great! See ya next month for an oil change!
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Have you seen the posts on Facebook about this new social media networking site called “Ello“? It’s supposed to be anti-Facebook which is an
oxymoron since most of the invites are from Facebook users.
Anti-Facebook – why, because they don’t sell ads and they don’t sell your information…at least not yet which if I am not mistaken is how Facebook started.
Anywho, I applied weeks ago and still haven’t received an invitation, which reminds me of the early days of Pinterest. I also applied for an account and never received an invite, then one day poof, it was opened up to the world. Now if a blog post doesn’t have a pinnable pic it won’t get read. WHO KNEW?
It’s not like I need another social media networking site to join, after all, I am still trying to naviagate tsu.co (click here for an invitation).
However, as an instructor of Social Media for Small Businesses, it would help if I knew something about Ello, so please somebody invite me before my next training session – thank you very much!
STAY BLESSED ~ NO STRESS IN 2014!
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It doesn’t matter if you’re having a big holiday gathering or just a small fun-filled afternoon with a few of your friends, if your partyware is from Smarty Had A Party, it’s sure to be a blast!
Last weekend one of my girlfriends hosted a Silpada Jewelry party so I offered to bring my Smarty Had a Party Hors d’oeuvre Party Set. This Elegant Cocktail/Hors d’oeuvre Party Set included Black Plastic Plates, Mini forks, Frosted Stem Wine Glasses, Mini Crock Pots and a package of Dual Peacock Blue Napkins.
I loved the mini Crock Pots which were just too adorable, and we used them for the veggies but wouldn’t they be cool for holding a bean dip? All the items in the set, especially the Black Plates are very sturdy and can be hand washed to be used again.
As you can see from the pictures, the frosted, Stem Wine Glasses were our favorites, especially when filled with cold Apple Cider…and then later with some chilled wine!
My sponsor over at Smarty Had a Party would like to send to one of my lucky readers their own Elegant Cocktail/Hors d’oeuvre Party set, which will include the following items:
Mini Cooking Pot
Blue Dual-Sided Paper Cocktail Napkins
Reflections Mini Forks
Renaissance Black Salad Plates
Onde Wine Glasses
Leave a comment below then enter the Rafflecopter contest for your chance to win. *Contest ends at midnight on November 21st and winner’s name, address, email address and telephone number will be sent directly to Smarty Had a Party on November 25th.
Let Smarty Had a Party be your PPP (Personal Party Provider), and take a look at some of the other great items at http://www.smartyhadaparty.com I am sure you will find something special for your own get togethers and events.
Smarty Had A Party is the nation’s top-rated online party store for entertaining, from back yard pool parties to weddings, bridal showers, holiday dinners and special occasions. Smarty offers the widest selection of budget-friendly, elegant disposable dinnerware, eco-friendly party supplies and table linen on the web, enabling party and event planners to save the expense and hassle of rentals
*The contest is limited to participants in the 48 contiguous US States only
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Hello friends,
For some the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, yet for others it can be the most stressful time of the year. The non-stop swirl of activities associated with getting together with family and friends; finding just the right gift for the In-laws or kids; and the dread of blowing the budget can unnerve the best of us.
So before the shopping, cooking, parties and festivities begin, take a little time to relax and rejuvenate, it’s not only good for the body, it’s also good for the soul.
You can create a mini spa at home with just a few items, here are a few of my favorite things that help me to relax and unwind, what are some of yours?
Lodge – Lighted Birch Candle Lighted Canvas Art – 12 x 12 – Ohio Wholesale
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.
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