The Little Black Dress

Every Monday, JC Penney offers new markdowns. It’s worthwhile to check them out, especially considering the store often ships for free with a $25 order. This week, I found some cute Bisou Bisou dresses on clearance. So, if spaghetti straps are your “thing,” give Lace-Trim Dot Print Dress a try. At $29.99, it seems to be the best of the lot.




Heck, while you are at it, check out the whole sale section. Just remember to ask yourself a couple of questions before you finalize the purchase. The ones the little red devil on my shoulder usually asks me are:

Do you need it?
Do you like it?
Is it a good deal?
Will you wear/use it?

I often ignore the first question and try to answer yes to the rest. If you are having doubts whether the dress is a good deal, remember, it cost $69.99 just a day ago. And don't be cynical, please. Banish "it's not how much you save but how much you spend" mantra from your head and indulge in instant gratification. You can always apply for a loan later.

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Down to the Core

I have a beloved new product. It comes from the Mecca of all things frugal—IKEA. I could devote this entire blog to fabulous finds from the Swedish giant, but I will restrain myself.


The gadget I had to share with the world is Strila Corer. I know, the store has these weird-sounding names for all of their merchandise. Get a clue, marketing department! I wonder if they are just die-hard nationalists or dolts who don’t realize they would sell more if people could remember what the products are called. Anyways, back to the issue at hand. This corer is perfect for taking out the hearts of apples and onions in a nanosecond. When you have limited time to cook or pacify small children, it definitely comes in handy. The best $1.99 I have ever spent! ♦DiggIt! ♦Add to del.icio.us ♦Add to Technorati Faves

Guilty As Charged

Few of us will admit to this guilty pleasure, but let me be the first one. I sometimes read mindless celebrity magazines that consist of mostly candid photos and silly captions. I don’t even know why I waste my time on learning about the mundane minutiae of TomKat or Brangelina. I guess the appeal is just that—it’s sometimes nice not to think and just look at beautiful people being aggravated by paparazzi. So, if you allow your brain to relax, check out the best celebrity blog.





With Pink is the New Blog, you get the scoop just hours after the celebrities live it. You don’t even have to wait for People to arrive in your mailbox. And, best of all, it’s absolutely FREE! So, cancel your subscriptions and give PINK a chance. ♦DiggIt! ♦Add to del.icio.us ♦Add to Technorati Faves

Nothing better than a couple of hours with a good book

If you take pleasure in recognizing the book’s characters as you read, like offbeat protagonists and refrain from moralistic drivel in which the hero’s fate is resolved by the end of the tale, Come Up and See Me Sometime is for you.

Why is this book included in the blog? Well, you definitely get your money’s worth with Erika Krouse’s short story collection. I haven’t enjoyed a work of fiction so much since I rediscovered Chekhov in high school. (If you want to purchase a copy, make sure not to get the Constance Garnett translation. Unless you prefer to read Constance Garnett, not Chekhov).

Krouse suffers from the same affliction as he did. No, I don’t mean tuberculosis. She also loves to paint sad pictures that make us smile.

Now, if we all could take a hint and learn to see the comic aspects of everyday tragedies… Didn’t mean to sound preachy here. Just read the book. Amen.

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You win with Aveeno

You read about celebrities using expensive skincare products and you wonder. The one that keeps reappearing in the press is LaMer lotion. A 3.4 oz. bottle of the heavenly cream goes for $265.00. Now, I realize that rich people are baffled about what to do with their money and have no qualms about spending an average person’s weekly paycheck on a few applications. But, come on! As the ‘90s exercise guru, Susan Powter would say, “Stop the Insanity!” Have they ever tried Aveeno? I have. It’s the only lotion that is non-greasy and long lasting. As someone with extremely dry skin who lives in New England, I panic when I run out of Aveeno lotion. I dare to make a bet that it works at least as well as the more (much more) expensive CREAM. Oh, and you can find an 8 oz. bottle for about $6. Put the lotion in the basket!

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Quick Dinner

If you are hungry, don’t have much in the refrigerator and are craving a nutritious meal, raid your freezer and pantry to prepare Ira’s Improvised Inexpensive Chili. Find a large pan and add the following contents: a 15 oz. can of Great Northern White Beans, a 15 oz. can of red beans, a 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes, a couple of cups of vegetable broth. Cover and do the following while waiting for the contents to reduce. Sauté a large onion with a pound of lean ground turkey and a couple of cloves of garlic. Add some chili powder and cumin, cook on low under a lid until turkey is browned and ready to eat. Add the contents to those in the large pan. Simmer for about a half an hour. End result: great tasting chili. Don’t forget to serve with Near East brown rice and sour cream. The leftovers taste even better!


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Splurge

Even though this blog is about saving money, it will contain an occasional extravagance. Excess in moderation, so to speak. This time, the splurge is a $4.00 bottle of beer. I must add that this is THE ONLY beer that I like. It's thirst-quenching, light and absolutely not bitter. What gives it a unique flavor is added strawberry juice (there are also apricot and cherry versions, but strawberry is my favorite).





It smells like a meadow on a sunny day and goes down much better than sweet iced tea. So, if you are craving something alcoholic that tastes like summer, this is your drink. Pick up a bottle of Melbourn Bros' Strawberry Beer and kick back. Cheers! ♦DiggIt! ♦Add to del.icio.us ♦Add to Technorati Faves

Don't part "with" money

How does one look "with-it" without spending a fortune on the current trends?

• Update jewelry and accessories

• Check out trendy teen stores (the same accessories, lower prices)

1. Forever 21
2. H&M
3. Target
4. $15 Store
5. Alloy

• Avoid Gap and Old Navy (I have nothing against cookie-cutter deserts, though)
• Patronize JCPenney's Nicole Miller section and Bisou Bisou (Yes, that's JC Penney)
• Shop at Wrentham Village Outlets (if you live in the N. East)
• Be discriminating at Classic Closeouts (free shipping over $40 and frequent $10 off $50 coupons)
• Visit DealCoupon to save on your online purchases
• Check out Zappos' shoes sale section (free shipping rules!)
• Pay attention to Nordstrom's 70% off sale
• Rummage through Sephora's sale stock to find great make-up, perfume and skincare deals (Soon, soming to a JC Penney near you; thank you, Budget Fashionista)
• Explore SmartBargains and Overstock to find designer clothes at a fraction of their original prices (both offer flat-rate shipping and periodic coupons)
• Do not shop on an empty stomach

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Yogurt Cake

Whenever my children deserve some homemade desert or when I need to bring some cake to a party, I consult my trusty authority on the subject, Clotilde.



This woman is a culinary genius and I adore her blog, http://chocolateandzucchini.com. At 26, she knows more about cooking than most of us will at 76, providing we will live that long.
So, the cake I usually make is Gâteau au Yaourt.





This is Clotilde's version of a French staple that never fails to collect compliments. Since everyone is always asking me for the recipe, I decided to share this delicious site. Enjoy and Bon Appetit.

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The Cropped Blazer

The Parameter ivory tweed cropped blazer I really wanted from Bluefly.com is no longer in stock. Not that I would have bought it for $105 anyway. But a girl can dream, right?



Enter LaRedoute.com. This tres chic French store offers a more affordable version for those who must have this season's must-have, a short jacket, but lack the toned abdominals of this mannequin. So, check out the Couture Blazer by LAURA CLÉMENT.




I cannot say one negative word about this designer. The pieces I own are absolutely great. Oh, and the prices are even better. The Couture Blazer above retails for $39.99. ♦DiggIt! ♦Add to del.icio.us ♦Add to Technorati Faves

Another ode to Target

I know that this season is all about the natural colors, but I cannot help but want this Xhilaration® Wigwam Tote in Turquoise from Target.




Granted, it's not leather, but it does look expensive (more than its actual price of $18.99) and stylish. Who would have thought--Xhilaration® ... I guess there is more to Target than Mizrahi and Mossimo, after all.

And don't forget about Michael Graves, the Target designer for the Home section. A couple of friends were looking for a tasteful alarm clock, so I decided to add my two cents. Here is what I found for under $15.00:




Notice the natural color. Am I good or am I good? ♦DiggIt! ♦Add to del.icio.us ♦Add to Technorati Faves

The Food Dude

Whenever I comment that my selection at a restaurant looks particularly enticing, my friends joke that I should photograph it. That's because I have been raving about one of my favorite websites, http://arthurhungry.com/. Arthur is a student in Boston who likes to travel and eat out. Oh, and he takes photos of his food which he posts along with some succinct commentary and prices. Borscht, anyone?

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Cool Jewels

If you are in search of one-of-a-kind jewelry, visit this site: http://www.ginacreations.com/index.html
Its designer, Gina O'Flynn creates gorgeous pieces that are extremely reasonably priced. I will take the Green Aventurine and Sterling Ring, please:

It's just my size (7) and costs only $15! Seriously. (I think I have been watching too many episodes of Grey's Anatomy)

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If you have a sweet tooth. I do.

I have read about these Spanish cookies in one of the many foodie mags I subscribe to and have been craving them ever since. So, if anyone visits San Francisco, you know what to bring me. Gump’s or Destino’s carries these butter delicacies which are filled with dulce de leche (сгущенкa to the Russian community). They are called Alfajores and look really yummy. ♦DiggIt! ♦Add to del.icio.us ♦Add to Technorati Faves

If you are thinking of giving me a gift cerificate...

I have recently discovered a great online store that carries beautiful vintage-style clothing that is brand new. So, if any of you are captivated by 1950's-style outfits, definitely check out this site:
This Doll Dress is my favorite.



It's $109. 95. Not a bargain, but more unique than just another white eyelet spaghetti-strap number. I love the details on it--the white buttons, the fitted sleeves, the cute collar and the pocket stripes. What else can you ask for? $110 bucks, please. ♦DiggIt! ♦Add to del.icio.us ♦Add to Technorati Faves

The Skinny on "the Skinny"

Target offers an affordable version of "the skinny jeans". Can't go wrong with this pair for $22.99.

Oh, and substitute these high-heeled flip flops for Mossimo® Paprika Platform Slingbacks (Also, $22.99)




Much better than paying $670 for a pair of Christian Louboutin Sling shoes. Who needs suede and cork anyway? After all, these will probably be out of style the next season. ♦DiggIt! ♦Add to del.icio.us ♦Add to Technorati Faves