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Monday, November 21, 2011
Christmas is sneaking up on us!
Man it seems like we just celebrated Halloween and yet here we are two days away from Thanksgiving....and next comes Christmas. Luckily I've gotten most of my Christmas shopping done, just have to pick up some stocking stuffers and some odds and ends. The only bad thing about shopping early is that it givers you time to see all of the other great things that you would like to get your child and then you end up spending more than you probably would have in the first place lol Anyway I decided that perhaps a play kitchen set, she never did any pretend play when she was younger but now she is starting to try to play now so maybe I would be jumping the gun a bit to get her one now but oh they are just so much fun to look at! They even have a Vintage Kitchen Play Set in White, they have real wooden food and wooden appliances...really good, solidly made toys, they type that they could pass down to their children. If you are in the market for a playset (or anything else for a kid, their selection is out of this world!) I highly recommend checking out the link.
Lice Treatment....
I know, I know, I don't write for a month and then my first post is about lice.....well thats because lice is what we have been dealing with here for the past couple of weeks. Those buggers just dont' want to die! Of course she had to share hers with me so I had to get treated too. I found an absolutely fabulous Lice treatment, its call Quit Nits, the active ingredients are natural, it comes in cream for, you put it on dray , cover the head with a plastic camp and cover for four hours, if its a bad case you can keep it on all night. The smell isn't bad, its vanilla but it is a little bit nauseating to me for some reason. But let me tell you, I had gone through her hair for hours before I put this treatment on and I hardly saw anything as soon as I put the Quit Nits in her hair those suckers started floating right up to the service of her hair. The best part is that this stuff kills eggs, I know a lot of products say that they that they will kill the eggs but this product did it. I checked and pulled a couple of nits out of her hair but they were clear, they no longer had a black speck in them like they usually do. While I hope and pray that you all don't get lice but if you do I really would urge you to try Quit Nits...I'm so glad that the school nurse gave it to me to try.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Tea Collection
I've been up to it again , screen shopping. Well this time I have an excuse, Christmas! Yes, yes, I know, its not even Halloween yet but I really like to get my Christmas shopping done early, with any luck my mid November I will be all done with my shopping less some stocking stuffers and impulse buys. This seems to be the year of babies, every one I know , babies, babies, babies....which makes me wonder, am I the only person that decided to have a baby in my twenties? Anyway, I was looking for some sweet kiddie clothing and my web search popped up "Tea Collection" so of course I had to click on it to see what tea could possibly have to do with girl's clothes and I found out that the website has nothing to do with tea but everything to do with absolutely awesome clothes. Not just for babies and kids but for women too (so when your hubby catches you on there shopping for yourself you can pretend you were looking for clothes for your friends kids!)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Saving Money on Books and Magazines
If you are like me and absolutely LOVE to read I'm guessing that either you put down a nice chunk of cash for books and magazines or you don't read as much as you would like. Here are some ideas to help you keep up your reading habit without draining your bank account.
Library- this is probably one of the first things you think of when you think of free books and it is a great resource. If you are like me you probably get overwhelmed looking through the library , end up with 20 books that you don't get to read because you taken out too many. Luckily libraries have come a long way since card catalogs. Most libraries now have websites that allow you to browse/search their library as well as other libraries that offer inter-library loans. Many let you keep a "to read" list right online as well as hold books and renew books. I am LOVING what technology has brought to libraries. What I like to do is go onto Amazon and browse the books on there using a key word and then looking at recommended books based on that. I open another window with my library site up and when I find a book that I want to read on Amazon I click over to my library window and see if they or another library in the area carries in, then I can put it on hold or on my "to read" list. If after I've read it I like it a lot I will buy it. I've saved myself a lot of money this way.
Used Books-there are lots of used books stores around the countries but you can also get used books through Amazon (can you tell I love Amazon?). I know a lot of people are iffy about ordering from independent sellers but a lot of the used books are fulfilled by Amazon through their buy back program. Here is an example (from the book I wrote about the other day)
Library- this is probably one of the first things you think of when you think of free books and it is a great resource. If you are like me you probably get overwhelmed looking through the library , end up with 20 books that you don't get to read because you taken out too many. Luckily libraries have come a long way since card catalogs. Most libraries now have websites that allow you to browse/search their library as well as other libraries that offer inter-library loans. Many let you keep a "to read" list right online as well as hold books and renew books. I am LOVING what technology has brought to libraries. What I like to do is go onto Amazon and browse the books on there using a key word and then looking at recommended books based on that. I open another window with my library site up and when I find a book that I want to read on Amazon I click over to my library window and see if they or another library in the area carries in, then I can put it on hold or on my "to read" list. If after I've read it I like it a lot I will buy it. I've saved myself a lot of money this way.
Used Books-there are lots of used books stores around the countries but you can also get used books through Amazon (can you tell I love Amazon?). I know a lot of people are iffy about ordering from independent sellers but a lot of the used books are fulfilled by Amazon through their buy back program. Here is an example (from the book I wrote about the other day)
| You would click on the (18 used....) and that would take you to a list that would show the sellers and prices, below the "new, used, all" tabs click on Free Super Saver Shipping and that will show you the used books that are fulfilled by Amazon. With that being said, I have ordered from independent sellers on Amazon many times and have never had an issue. E-Books/E-Magazines- I have to admit, I have not jumped on this bandwagon, for me I really enjoy the actual book, I like to dog ear the pages, I like to physically flip through the pages, with magazines I like to rip out the pages I want to keep.....that being said..I am close to jumping on the bandwagon. I like the idea that it is better for the planet, that its compact so I can take many books and magazines with me in my purse without breaking my back or using up precious cargo space on camping trips and I really like that these are less expensive and of course instant gratification is a plus. Another bonus is that some libraries lend ebooks (just make sure your ebook has that capability). Borrowing from friends and family- my neighbor and I read magazines and then trade which is quite awesome (well except for her because I'm always ripping pages out of my magazines!) But if you have friends and family who enjoy reading like you do then this is a good option (and I'm sure you can work something out with page rippers like me) Book Swap- I haven't tried this one, I don't know why, I always mean to but I forget...I'm going to have to try it out. Basically you have a wish list of books as do other people and when you have a book another member wants you pay to mail it to them and when there is a book that you want the person who has that book pays to send it to you. This isn't lending, the books is yours to keep, if you don't like it you can list it again. So basically you can get books that you want really inexpensively especially if you use the media mail option at the post office. |
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Book Review: :Fashionable Food
Oh my goodness, if you are a retro gal, love being a housewife and love to cook then you really have got to check out this book. Its part history of food and part cookbook, I love it. I took it out of the library a couple weeks ago (and darn it I'm probably going to have to return it before I finish it because someone else requested it so I can't renew!)
Anyway, its called "Fashionable Food: Seven Decades of Food Fads:" With each decade it covers fads, things that promoted the fads such as Betty Crocker and different recipes from that time period. I have to say that the gelatin decade grosses me out...actually I'm wondering about a lot of the decades and what people were thinking! Seriously, check this one out.
Peanut Butter Tea Sanwiches
1 C natural smooth peanut butter
2 T ketchup
2 T finely chopped sweet pickles
1 loaf white bread, buttered and thinly sliced
1 head iceberg lettuce
Make a paste out of the peanut butter, ketchup, and pickles. Spread on the slices of bread. Top with a lettuce leaf and another buttered slice of bread. Cut off the crusts and slice the sandwich into three fingers.
Uck! Really?! Maybe it tastes good but I don't think I could bring myself to try it.
They do have some great recipes in here though like "Swedish Meatballs" as well.
I love getting a glimpse into the lives of people in the past and what a better way to learn than through food.
Anyway, its called "Fashionable Food: Seven Decades of Food Fads:" With each decade it covers fads, things that promoted the fads such as Betty Crocker and different recipes from that time period. I have to say that the gelatin decade grosses me out...actually I'm wondering about a lot of the decades and what people were thinking! Seriously, check this one out.
Peanut Butter Tea Sanwiches
1 C natural smooth peanut butter
2 T ketchup
2 T finely chopped sweet pickles
1 loaf white bread, buttered and thinly sliced
1 head iceberg lettuce
Make a paste out of the peanut butter, ketchup, and pickles. Spread on the slices of bread. Top with a lettuce leaf and another buttered slice of bread. Cut off the crusts and slice the sandwich into three fingers.
Uck! Really?! Maybe it tastes good but I don't think I could bring myself to try it.
They do have some great recipes in here though like "Swedish Meatballs" as well.
I love getting a glimpse into the lives of people in the past and what a better way to learn than through food.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Can I please just tell you all how irritated I am with my blog lay out at the moment? My background is all jacked up and I can't fix it..
Oh well, what I really came on to tell you all is that I have another review on The Retro Housewife Reviews
This time its a book called "Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay"
Oh well, what I really came on to tell you all is that I have another review on The Retro Housewife Reviews
This time its a book called "Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay"
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Managing School Day Mornings
Mornings can be extra hectic now that school is back in session but you can make your life a heck of a lot easier with a little preparation the night before. I know, I know, at the end of the day all you want to do is kick back and relax, I get it, I'm the same way, but taking 10 minutes or so to prep for the next day will save you so much trouble which will start your day off on a good note.
Have a designated spot for school things. For us there is a nook at the bottom of our stairs, we have a small three tiered entry table along with a dry erase board, school calendar and hooks for sweaters, book bag and a basket for odds and ends on top of the table.
Have your child pick out their school outfit for the next day and lay it out so its all ready to put on.
Have your child (and you will probably want to check this) get all their school supplies ready and at the designated school section of your home.
If you make your childs lunch then make it the night before school. (Set yours out too!)
Prep the coffee maker and set it to auto.
Check the calender to make sure your child has the appropriate things for the appropriate days (like sneakers for gym class)
Check the dry erase board to make sure there are no fliers or paperwork due from you to the teacher.
Doing this takes maybe 15 minutes and many of the things you can do while you are waiting for your spaghetti water to boil or your onions to brown.
Once you get into the routine of doing these things every night it will be just like breathing and you will be amazed at how those few things take some stress out of your morning.
Have a designated spot for school things. For us there is a nook at the bottom of our stairs, we have a small three tiered entry table along with a dry erase board, school calendar and hooks for sweaters, book bag and a basket for odds and ends on top of the table.
Have your child pick out their school outfit for the next day and lay it out so its all ready to put on.
Have your child (and you will probably want to check this) get all their school supplies ready and at the designated school section of your home.
If you make your childs lunch then make it the night before school. (Set yours out too!)
Prep the coffee maker and set it to auto.
Check the calender to make sure your child has the appropriate things for the appropriate days (like sneakers for gym class)
Check the dry erase board to make sure there are no fliers or paperwork due from you to the teacher.
Doing this takes maybe 15 minutes and many of the things you can do while you are waiting for your spaghetti water to boil or your onions to brown.
Once you get into the routine of doing these things every night it will be just like breathing and you will be amazed at how those few things take some stress out of your morning.
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