Silent Sunday
Have a Blessed day – Smooches!
Archive for December, 2013
“Say It Again Saturday” – REPOST
REPOST FROM OCTOBER
The holidays are just around the corner here and most of us are a bit more budget conscience, however, if you are looking for cute and unique gift items at affordable prices, please check out GOANDGIFTSHOP.COM.
GoAndGiftShop is an online store that sells all types of gifts, collectibles, home, garden and seasonal decor that fits into most budgets.
With some gifts priced well below $20.00, and others more than $50.00, you are sure to find something for everyone on your shopping list. They also carry unique items such as this “Shoe Wine Holder” for the fashionista in your life.
Do you want to give your home a mini makeover or just find something special for a family member, friend or co-worker? Take a look at their online catalog and if you are not ready to make a purchase create a “wish list” or order a Gift Card. Also, don’t forget to sign up to receive exclusive promotions and discounts for when you are ready.
As an added incentive GoandGiftShop has offered my readers a $10.00 off Gift Code to use towards their purchase, valid only until December 15th. Simply send an email to info@goandgiftshop.com with “I want a $10 gift card to GOANDGIFTSHOP.COM” in the subject line and you’ll receive a reply back with the discount code.
Now is a great time to start thinking about indoor and outdoor decor for next year’s season at today’s discounted prices. Check them out and let me know what you think.
Happy Shopping and Saving!
Friday Foodie Feature – Oxtail Stew
Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
This week’s Foodie Feature is Slow Cooked Oxtail Stew
Oxtails or tails of cattle is a very popular dish in *South Africa and this bony, gelatin-rich meat is usually slow-cooked. In our Delaware home as soon as the weather cools Oxtails are definitely on the menu-of-must-haves and this is how I slow cook mine.
Unfortunately the cost of Oxtails in the grocery stores can be outrageous which is why I stalk Dutch Country Farmer’s Market to get them!
Ingredients:
- Oxtails 6-8 pieces
- Vegetable Broth
- Ground Ginger
- Brown Sugar
- Vegetables: Onions/Celery/Parsley/Carrots
- Canned or Fresh Tomatoes – optional
- Garlic fresh or minced
- Oxtail Seasoning
- Dry Beans or Lentils
- Flour
- Olive Oil
Put Oxtails into a plastic bag and pour in enough flour to coat, adding as little or as much of the Oxtail Seasoning, Ground Ginger and Brown Sugar according to your tastes. Seal bag and rub all dry ingredients onto Oxtails.
Pour in just enough olive oil to cover bottom of a pan, heat on low and add coated Oxtails turning to brown on all sides.
In the meantime, chop and dice veggies
I also added a little Curry to the browning Oxtails, however, this is optional.
Remove browned Oxtails from the pan, then rinse the lentils or beans. Coat inside the Crock Pot with cooking spray for easier clean up.
Put in the Oxtails…
…add lentils or beans
…top with sliced and diced veggies
Pour in 2 containers of broth or use water seasoned with Beef Bouillon Cubes – enough to cover all ingredients
Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 depending on your Crock Pot/Slow Cooker
I had to work late and none of my men took pictures so I don’t have the finished product, but trust me it was good! You can add any vegetable or potato or omit the beans and serve over rice. No matter how you make it, it’s oh so good and filling especially on a cold winter’s night!
What is your favorite Slow Cooked Stew?
* This post was written only a few hours before Mr. Mandela’s death
RIP “Giant for Justice”
Thankful Thursday
Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday
Last week I was thankful for the opportunity to have met the beautiful and “blessed with success” owner of Lai Renise Boutique, Nadira Alston. Lai Renise Boutique is located on the 2nd floor of 11 West Main Street in Middletown.
Nadria and her family relocated from Philadelphia where she started and still operates a successful online boutique with clients from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware. She moved to Delaware and on the 3rd of May opened Lai Renise which is partially named after her daughter.
Lai Renise is a high end yet affordable shop for women looking for something special or a one of a kind outfit. Nadira offers a personal shopping experience and hosts Trunk Shows in which family and friends gather for wonderful evening of shopping and styling.
Nadira had always dreamed of operating a brick and mortar shop and was blessed to have found this location which was previously a dance studio. The mirrored walls were already in place so she just added the shelving to showcase the beautiful handbags and accessories with brands like Big Buddah Bags, Betsy Johnson, Vieta and Russ Jewelry.
Nadira also runs a full time Ministry and enjoys working with young women in empowerment and positive transformation. On Saturday from 4:30 to 8:30 she is hosting “Daughter’s of Excellence Annual Dessert Cafe” a fellowship featuring an Open-Mic, Singing, Poetry and Storytelling at 14 West Main Street. For more information please send an email to daughters@trclive.org.
In honor of #ShopSmall Saturday I treated myself to a Big Buddah Handbag – it was a tough decision but I purchased the black one.
Now it’s your turn – what are you thankful for this week?
Thrifting During Thanksgiving
Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday
I trust you all had a safe and enjoyable long Thanksgiving weekend with an opportunity to do something special. Everyday I am thankful for the little things that God blesses me with and even more so when I can share those blessings with others.
On Friday fellow thriftanista and BLMGirl, Whitney Nic James embarked on a Thrift with Nic Weekend Tour (#twntour) sponsored by Kia Motors and her first stop was in Delaware. I honestly had no plans of going out or even getting dressed but when she texted I knew I couldn’t let her visit my state without seeing her. It wasn’t just because we are fellow bloggers but because I’ve adopted her as my “lil sis”, and you know that I lost my real ‘lil sis in a car accident in 1992.
I quickly dressed and drove to meet her at the Goodwill Outlet in New Castle. The outlet wasn’t originally on her agenda but one of the consignment shops that she chose was closed and thankfully the outlet was closer to me.
I had never been to a Goodwill Outlet and from the looks of things it was obvious that it’s the “early birds that get all the worms”. Somewhat disappointed but not defeated, I suggested we head further south down to Smyrna, to one of my favorite Goodwill locations. Her husband, Darrius was the driver and also a native Delawarean, however, he had never been to the Smyrna store and was eager to go.
Whitney and her new hubby Darrius are a thrifting duo!
Can’t leave a Delaware Goodwill without buying a
“I Love Thrifting” t-shirt!
It was the day before Goodwill’s 50% off Saturday Sale but there were a few items that I just couldn’t pass up.
If you read my profile you know that I am a big supporter of Goodwill, not just because I love to thrift but because it was the last place my sister worked before her untimely death. She is the first thought that comes to mind when I enter a Goodwill but on this trip she was more than just a passing thought.
My sister had a best friend named Darlene, they were inseparable until she left to join the United States Air Force, and it was during that time they became separated forever. Darlene was in Boot Camp when Gloria was killed in a car accident and unfortunately wasn’t able to attend the funeral. Darlene and I spoke briefly afterwards but never saw each other again … not until Friday and at all places… Goodwill.
Between the hugs and tears, I discovered that she now lives in Smyrna and works in Middletown, and is also newly married. How amazing was it that thanks to my adopted ‘lil sis, I was reunited with my real ‘lil sis’ best friend at a Goodwill! #blessed
What started out as a Black Friday turned into a Blessed Friday!
I am linking up with Whitney’s Personal Style Wednesday so come on over and meet some other thrifting fashionistas.
Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!
Delaware Today ~ Women In Business Luncheon
Hello friends and Happy Tuesday
Today I’ll be attending the Women in Business Luncheon sponsored by Delaware Today Magazine.
Have a wonderful day – Smooches!
Dress First
This is a sponsored post for DressFirst.com, however, opinions are 100% my own.
Now that you’ve eaten the last of the Thanksgiving turkey, survived shopping on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, today is Cyber Monday so it’s time to start thinking about the holiday parties!
During this time of the year there are always special events to attend, whether it’s a Christmas, Kwanzaa or a New Year’s Eve party. There are also house socials with family and friends or little get-togethers with co-workers and neighbors.
Have you starting planning your outfits yet?
If you are you looking for something a little extra special make sure to check out Dress First.com Dress First is an online shop that carries a large selection of dresses for all occasions including Homecoming, Cocktail Parties, Proms, and even Weddings.
This is just one of the new arrivals of LBD’s which would be perfect for a New Year’s Eve celebration. Dress First also carries a large selection of shoes, and accessories all reasonably priced.
Dress First advertises weekly specials with savings up to 80% and free shipping on all all dresses.
So today while shopping online check out DressFirst.com and don’t forget to “Like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter so you’ll be the first to know about the specials, new arrivals and of course the Giveaways.
Happy Cyber Monday!