I like shortcuts. I "collect" ideas of things that make my life easier, quicker, cuter, etc. Here are a few things that have gotten my attention lately or things to which I've been loyal for quite a while.....
1. Barnes & Noble Booksellers - I can go to this store, plop down with a cup of coffee (regular coffee from Starbucks is less than $2.00, and they always have shakers of flavor at the stirring stations!) and read to my heart's content, and then ask someone else to clean up after me....and they're ok with that!!! I can take my kids at naptime and let them snooze in the stroller, bring something for them to do, or offer my older child a book to look at and teach her how to be careful with something that belongs to someone else.
2. Magazines - a natural succession from number one. I also have a weird method of devouring them, I do it back to front. All the secrets are in the back. The beginning is all full page ads for things, so I skip them. I find recipes, funny stories and advice on how to look and feel like I live in 2009.
3. Free Department Store Samples - a couple years ago, I saw something really bad....my face in the mirror. I was tired and dehydrated and Olay wasn't cutting it. The skin on my face was getting wrinkly so I ran to one of the "good makeup" counters....just to see. I was sent home with several packets of product to try from the "Kiels guy". One packet held within in a magic serum, or cream, should I say. The packet itself lasted surprisingly long - a couple of weeks I think. Thick, though it was, it spread nice and evenly and my face felt like the butt of the baby who'd ruined my sleep schedule! I didn't know how economical this all would be, though, because I had only so far tried the sample packet. The jar ended up costing twice as much as my ever "faithful" squeezy jar of Oil of Olay from Walmart, but I soon discovered that it lasted twice as long, and it worked twice as well.....you do the math. Along with the samples for myself, I was also sent home with samples for my kids, and my "Kiels guy" restocks my supply every time I go for a new jar. Do you need a bit of a pick me up or just some refreshing makeup tips? Go to those same counters and start asking questions. Before long you'll be in the chair getting transformed into a new person, and you may end up going home with something that actually saves you money, like I did. These people do NOT mind giving you the hook-up. Treating you well means you will be a repeat customer or that you will at least spread the word and bring them additional customers.
4. Ballet slippers as a stand in for scuffs - I am a long time slipper wearer, but recently I have had the hardest time finding anything that didn't look really ratty after about a month. Then I saw this tip in one of my beloved mags. I can't wait to implement this tip especially now that my dogs got ahold of my scuffs.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide - I have "rescued" so many of my belongings with this stuff. My findings - if it's a natural substance that you're trying to rid yourself of, peroxide will work quite often. It is a main ingredient in many cleaners and even some beauty produc
ts that are more expensive.
6. This bag - first of all, the idea of it is hilarious, tongue in cheek to me!
This particular bag is designer, but I don't think the idea would be difficult to do under a budget. It's a white canvas/linen tote bag with purse handles instead of the nylon ones and the print of a very chic back covering each side! I say, go to the thrift store and buy a worn out bag with good handles that needs your rescue, grab a fabric pen (paint might look a little dated) and get to work! I would probably not include writing on it unless you wanted to make a really close "knockoff" to this bag. We have to carry everything bags these days - who said a tote has to look like it was a freebie from a health fair?! If it already has a print on it, cut out an equal size piece of material, sketch your desired design. You can leave the rough edge and stitch your new image to the front of your bag.
7. Nasal Irrigators - I know, I know, gross! Hey, don't knock it till you try it. Seriously, my
experience with this has been so positive. My colds are much shorter and sinus headaches are less severe because I put less pressure on my sinuses my gently rinsing them. It's sort of common sense. If you're nervous, spend time reading the instruction paper included. It offers tips, clinical information and a lot of reassurance. There is even a pediatric kit on the market as well!
8. Facebook - I have rekindled relationships even with family members through this wonderful website! It has been a great way to photoshare with my inlaws and my grandmother. There are lots of good safeguards (you can set anything you want to "private" including your photo albums) and I'm actually a huge fan of the new version. As long as it is used as a social network and not a way to vent or gossip, this can be a fantastic networking, social tool!
So that's it for right now. What are yours? Share with me, share with me!
1. Barnes & Noble Booksellers - I can go to this store, plop down with a cup of coffee (regular coffee from Starbucks is less than $2.00, and they always have shakers of flavor at the stirring stations!) and read to my heart's content, and then ask someone else to clean up after me....and they're ok with that!!! I can take my kids at naptime and let them snooze in the stroller, bring something for them to do, or offer my older child a book to look at and teach her how to be careful with something that belongs to someone else.
2. Magazines - a natural succession from number one. I also have a weird method of devouring them, I do it back to front. All the secrets are in the back. The beginning is all full page ads for things, so I skip them. I find recipes, funny stories and advice on how to look and feel like I live in 2009.
3. Free Department Store Samples - a couple years ago, I saw something really bad....my face in the mirror. I was tired and dehydrated and Olay wasn't cutting it. The skin on my face was getting wrinkly so I ran to one of the "good makeup" counters....just to see. I was sent home with several packets of product to try from the "Kiels guy". One packet held within in a magic serum, or cream, should I say. The packet itself lasted surprisingly long - a couple of weeks I think. Thick, though it was, it spread nice and evenly and my face felt like the butt of the baby who'd ruined my sleep schedule! I didn't know how economical this all would be, though, because I had only so far tried the sample packet. The jar ended up costing twice as much as my ever "faithful" squeezy jar of Oil of Olay from Walmart, but I soon discovered that it lasted twice as long, and it worked twice as well.....you do the math. Along with the samples for myself, I was also sent home with samples for my kids, and my "Kiels guy" restocks my supply every time I go for a new jar. Do you need a bit of a pick me up or just some refreshing makeup tips? Go to those same counters and start asking questions. Before long you'll be in the chair getting transformed into a new person, and you may end up going home with something that actually saves you money, like I did. These people do NOT mind giving you the hook-up. Treating you well means you will be a repeat customer or that you will at least spread the word and bring them additional customers.
4. Ballet slippers as a stand in for scuffs - I am a long time slipper wearer, but recently I have had the hardest time finding anything that didn't look really ratty after about a month. Then I saw this tip in one of my beloved mags. I can't wait to implement this tip especially now that my dogs got ahold of my scuffs.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide - I have "rescued" so many of my belongings with this stuff. My findings - if it's a natural substance that you're trying to rid yourself of, peroxide will work quite often. It is a main ingredient in many cleaners and even some beauty produc
ts that are more expensive.6. This bag - first of all, the idea of it is hilarious, tongue in cheek to me!
This particular bag is designer, but I don't think the idea would be difficult to do under a budget. It's a white canvas/linen tote bag with purse handles instead of the nylon ones and the print of a very chic back covering each side! I say, go to the thrift store and buy a worn out bag with good handles that needs your rescue, grab a fabric pen (paint might look a little dated) and get to work! I would probably not include writing on it unless you wanted to make a really close "knockoff" to this bag. We have to carry everything bags these days - who said a tote has to look like it was a freebie from a health fair?! If it already has a print on it, cut out an equal size piece of material, sketch your desired design. You can leave the rough edge and stitch your new image to the front of your bag.
7. Nasal Irrigators - I know, I know, gross! Hey, don't knock it till you try it. Seriously, my
experience with this has been so positive. My colds are much shorter and sinus headaches are less severe because I put less pressure on my sinuses my gently rinsing them. It's sort of common sense. If you're nervous, spend time reading the instruction paper included. It offers tips, clinical information and a lot of reassurance. There is even a pediatric kit on the market as well!8. Facebook - I have rekindled relationships even with family members through this wonderful website! It has been a great way to photoshare with my inlaws and my grandmother. There are lots of good safeguards (you can set anything you want to "private" including your photo albums) and I'm actually a huge fan of the new version. As long as it is used as a social network and not a way to vent or gossip, this can be a fantastic networking, social tool!
So that's it for right now. What are yours? Share with me, share with me!
