Time to re-stock the closet with timeless classics for work and play. This week, my focus was on affordable white shirts with classic style. Why? I'm dashing out of the house awful early these days, and I just want to grab something that always looks good with whatever I'm wearing for the day. My favorite look for fall is a stark white French Cuff shirt. Classic. Timeless. And looks as good worn with jeans as it does with a designer pantsuits. Luckily - it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Check out my finds below...
Lands End Modern Long Sleeve: $49 (and currently 20% off at Lands End Shops within Sears). Affordable no-iron dress shirt with a bit of stretch. Nice French cuffs too! An excellent basic utility dress shirt.
Ann Taylor Cotton French Cut Shirt. $70. Nice V neck and rhinestone button cuff links. If you can't afford diamond cuff links, rhinestone buttons may be the way to go!
BrooksBrothers French Cuff Shirt. $89 or 2 for $149. Tailored fit. with French Knot buttons at the cuff. Definitely a prepster's fashion statement and one of Oprah's favorite picks for Fall last year. Seems pricey, but its quite a bargain. High quality. Maintains it shape. Great cut of fabric. I buy one every year. Love them!
FYI - What's old again is new. You can always update that old white shirt you have hanging in your closet. Spruce it up by replacing the buttons with french knot buttons (sold at JoAnn Fabrics. 4 for $1.89). Tres trendy (and thrifty too!)
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Pizza
Nothing like a good pizza pie to kick off a holiday weekend. I've just prepped my dough and toppings for my own little celebration. I thought I'd share my favorite recipes for homemade pizza that you can make for your family and friends. Better yet, save yourself effort by making a simple pizza dough and provide the toppings. Let your guests have fun doing the rest.
Recipes. Here are two great recipes for homemade pizza dough. You'll save time making these recipes. They're quicker to make than ordering take-out and much cheaper to make than buying a pre-made pizza.
King Arthur Flour - Easiest Pizza You'll Ever Make. Great basic recipe that is easily completed by hand. Consider adding 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil and 1 tablespoon of a herb (e.g., rosemary or Italian seasoning) for an extra flavor boost.
Sarah Moulton Food Processor Pizza Dough. Another great recipe but this recipe requires you to use a food processor rather than hand mix. Try making her Middle East Pizza or Grilled Southwestern Pizza. Fantastic combinations of flavors that can bring out the very best in your pies!
Music. When I make pizzas, I play Italian music. I think music adds alittle something to the dinner. So head off to the library, and check out compilation of Italian bistro music or perhaps so Pavarotti. Or download some songs:
- songs for your Italian dinner. recommended by my friend Robert
- the ideal Italian dinner party - recommended by Global Journey
- The Godfather and Cantable for the Violin and Guitar - by LastFM
Games. While the pizzas are baking in the oven, it's always good to have a few activities planned to keep friends and family entertained. A few ideas listed below that are fun for both adults and kids.
- Personalize Chef Hats.
- Kitchen Charades
- Hot Pizza (a twist on the "hot potato" game)
- Trivia (take a few cards from a Trivia Pursuit Game and pass them around for guest to read and ask others for answers)
Recipes. Here are two great recipes for homemade pizza dough. You'll save time making these recipes. They're quicker to make than ordering take-out and much cheaper to make than buying a pre-made pizza.
King Arthur Flour - Easiest Pizza You'll Ever Make. Great basic recipe that is easily completed by hand. Consider adding 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil and 1 tablespoon of a herb (e.g., rosemary or Italian seasoning) for an extra flavor boost.
Sarah Moulton Food Processor Pizza Dough. Another great recipe but this recipe requires you to use a food processor rather than hand mix. Try making her Middle East Pizza or Grilled Southwestern Pizza. Fantastic combinations of flavors that can bring out the very best in your pies!
Music. When I make pizzas, I play Italian music. I think music adds alittle something to the dinner. So head off to the library, and check out compilation of Italian bistro music or perhaps so Pavarotti. Or download some songs:
- songs for your Italian dinner. recommended by my friend Robert
- the ideal Italian dinner party - recommended by Global Journey
- The Godfather and Cantable for the Violin and Guitar - by LastFM
Games. While the pizzas are baking in the oven, it's always good to have a few activities planned to keep friends and family entertained. A few ideas listed below that are fun for both adults and kids.
- Personalize Chef Hats.
- Kitchen Charades
- Hot Pizza (a twist on the "hot potato" game)
- Trivia (take a few cards from a Trivia Pursuit Game and pass them around for guest to read and ask others for answers)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tent Sale. Cheap Deals on the Holiday Weekend
When most folks think of Labor Day; they think Back to School. When I think of Labor Day, I think great Tent Sales where the bargains are many, the merchandise is good, and the deals are cheap. Here are a few great tent sales that I'm aware of. If you know of any great warehouse sales or tent sales this weekend, let me know and I'll post the information.
Restoration Hardware. Sept 3 - 7. Rugs, lightening, furniture, and linens available at steep discount. Additionally, Restoration Hardware is offering an additional $25 for every $100 spent.
Eastern Boarder. Sept 4 -7 in Leominster, MA. 40 - 50% off all things snowboarding related. Great opportunity to upgrade your bindings, buy new boats, or grab a fashion jacket at discount.
Reebok and Rockport. Thru Sept 7. Stoughton, Ma. Shoes, hats and workout gear. You'll never look so good heading out to the gym!
LL Bean Outlet Sale. Sept 4 - 7. Concord, Nashua, & Claremont NH. Save up to 70%. Technically, this isn't a tent sale, but honestly, the discount too good to pass up.
Happy Shopping.
Restoration Hardware. Sept 3 - 7. Rugs, lightening, furniture, and linens available at steep discount. Additionally, Restoration Hardware is offering an additional $25 for every $100 spent.
Eastern Boarder. Sept 4 -7 in Leominster, MA. 40 - 50% off all things snowboarding related. Great opportunity to upgrade your bindings, buy new boats, or grab a fashion jacket at discount.
Reebok and Rockport. Thru Sept 7. Stoughton, Ma. Shoes, hats and workout gear. You'll never look so good heading out to the gym!
LL Bean Outlet Sale. Sept 4 - 7. Concord, Nashua, & Claremont NH. Save up to 70%. Technically, this isn't a tent sale, but honestly, the discount too good to pass up.
Happy Shopping.
Monday, August 31, 2009
A Step Ahead of Christmas with Cheap Deals
I was telling someone this weekend that the secret to enjoying the Christmas holidays often rests in the ability to think of Christmas well ahead of day. Advanced planning is the only way to save money, time and effort in preparing for the holidays. So, start now in order to enjoy a hassle free holiday. Here are a few tips to get you started...
Be a perennial shopper. Keep an eye out throughout the year for great sales and clearance items that you can take advantage. Pick a theme an build gift baskets around it by filling it with end of season items, great sales items, and clearance items that you find throughout the year. Examples: (1) Flip flops, beach ball, beach towel, beach chair (with fan!), frisbee - all for $23. (2) Golf shirt, Scrabble (golf version), box of golf balls, and magnetic poetry - golf version - $25. (3) Stainless steel coffee thermo, 3 lbs of gourmet coffee, NY Crossword Puzzle book -$18. (4) Hand painted needlepoint canvas, assorted threads, needlepoint scissors, and needle case - $20. Great stuff. Cheap Prices. True Bargains.
Store Gifts in One Location. It's just easier to keep everything in one place. I put all gift purchases in an armoire. And organization is key to saving effort. In the armoire, I've got gift bags set up for the different themes, labelled with the intended recipient's name. I toss items in the bags, so everything is pre-sorted come the holidays.
Make your gift list. I keep my gift list in my armoire. I cross names off the list as I stock the gift armoire with purchases. This helps me keep track of who I've bought for, what I've bought, and how much inventory I've got left to work with.
Know your sales. I've been tracking my favorite stores for so long, I know when the best time to do my shopping. Every Columbus Day weekend, Toys R Us runs a Buy One; Get One Free Hasbro Game Sale. LL Bean Outlet runs a 50% off Canvas Tote bag sale. Michaels runs 25% off Everything in the Store Sale. And yes, every year, I'm there stockpiling, games, tote bags, and arts & crafts at deep discount.
Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Estate Sales, whatever - just go. You'd be amazed at the great gifts that you can be found at bargain prices. A copper weather vane (great gift for a friend's barn), original edition Scrabble (for a crossword enthusiast), antique tools and hinges (for a woodworking hobbyist), and a cordless cookie gun and cake decorating kit (for me, the baker- even I need a luxury every now and then.)
Be a perennial shopper. Keep an eye out throughout the year for great sales and clearance items that you can take advantage. Pick a theme an build gift baskets around it by filling it with end of season items, great sales items, and clearance items that you find throughout the year. Examples: (1) Flip flops, beach ball, beach towel, beach chair (with fan!), frisbee - all for $23. (2) Golf shirt, Scrabble (golf version), box of golf balls, and magnetic poetry - golf version - $25. (3) Stainless steel coffee thermo, 3 lbs of gourmet coffee, NY Crossword Puzzle book -$18. (4) Hand painted needlepoint canvas, assorted threads, needlepoint scissors, and needle case - $20. Great stuff. Cheap Prices. True Bargains.
Store Gifts in One Location. It's just easier to keep everything in one place. I put all gift purchases in an armoire. And organization is key to saving effort. In the armoire, I've got gift bags set up for the different themes, labelled with the intended recipient's name. I toss items in the bags, so everything is pre-sorted come the holidays.
Make your gift list. I keep my gift list in my armoire. I cross names off the list as I stock the gift armoire with purchases. This helps me keep track of who I've bought for, what I've bought, and how much inventory I've got left to work with.
Know your sales. I've been tracking my favorite stores for so long, I know when the best time to do my shopping. Every Columbus Day weekend, Toys R Us runs a Buy One; Get One Free Hasbro Game Sale. LL Bean Outlet runs a 50% off Canvas Tote bag sale. Michaels runs 25% off Everything in the Store Sale. And yes, every year, I'm there stockpiling, games, tote bags, and arts & crafts at deep discount.
Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Estate Sales, whatever - just go. You'd be amazed at the great gifts that you can be found at bargain prices. A copper weather vane (great gift for a friend's barn), original edition Scrabble (for a crossword enthusiast), antique tools and hinges (for a woodworking hobbyist), and a cordless cookie gun and cake decorating kit (for me, the baker- even I need a luxury every now and then.)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Knowing What Plants to Grow
Ever get frustrated trying to figure out which plants will work in your garden or why a plant isn't thriving? Get yourself an EasyBloom Plant Sensor ($49 -60)and take the guesswork out of what to plant. This tool monitors your soil environment (e.g., sunnlight, temperature, humidity, soil moisture and drainage) and then provides you with plant recommendations (e.g, what to buy, how to care for it, pruning, fertilization, etc.) specific to your garden's conditions. So you save money by buying the right plants upfront, and save effort because you'll know what does/doesn't work for your garden.
And it's easy to use. Leave the sensor in your garden for at least 24 hrs, then hook it up to your computer's UBS port. It connects to the Easy Bloom website and turns the sensor's readings into recommendations for plants for your soil environment. Once you've received your results set, you can then filter based on desired bloom color or season, plant height, drought tolerant, deer resistant, and other features.
Christmas is around the corner. EasyBloom Plant Sensor is a great gift for a beginner gardener, anyone who has moved and has a new garden to set up, and co-workers with lots of plants in the office.
Related Links:
Buy on Amazon
EasyBloom website
Plan A Garden
And it's easy to use. Leave the sensor in your garden for at least 24 hrs, then hook it up to your computer's UBS port. It connects to the Easy Bloom website and turns the sensor's readings into recommendations for plants for your soil environment. Once you've received your results set, you can then filter based on desired bloom color or season, plant height, drought tolerant, deer resistant, and other features.
Christmas is around the corner. EasyBloom Plant Sensor is a great gift for a beginner gardener, anyone who has moved and has a new garden to set up, and co-workers with lots of plants in the office.
Related Links:
Buy on Amazon
EasyBloom website
Plan A Garden
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