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Get Tan For Summer The Healthy Way

Vernon | October 22, 2020August 16, 2021

With spring right around the corner and summer soon to follow, my mind starts dreaming about glowing tanned skin. Here’s the problem for me: I’m really fair skinned. Growing up, I would lay out by the pool for hours to get even a hint of a tan. As I’ve aged, I have decided that sun damage and skin cancer isn’t worth tan skin, so I avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and tanning beds. I also make sure to use sunscreen every day, especially on my face.

Last summer I found the perfect solution for my pale skin: sunless tanners! I always thought that they meant orange skin (a la Lindsay Lohan), so I had never given them much thought till now. I spent some time trying out several options and I am going to dish all the details about each product.

Let’s face it: this is the only skin that we get, so we need to take care of it. I sound like my mother, I know, but skin cancer just isn’t something that I want to mess with. Read on for some products that give you that same pretty glow without the danger of sun damage and skin cancer.

Jergens Natural Glow – $2.49

This is by far my absolute favorite sunless tanner. It’s a daily moisturizer with just a tint of color, so it starts out really gradual and grows after several applications. This works really well on me since my skin is so fair. I like that it’s a gradual change over several days because it looks really natural. As the color begins to show, you can see what areas you are missing and work on those spots. Plus, hello amazing price?!

Be sure to exfoliate before applying!

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel – $34.00

While this one is definitely more pricey, it consistently receives rave reviews on every website. I decided to splurge and try it out and it did not disappoint. The color is natural, but I made sure to apply it lightly. Fair skin, remember? This gel is nice because it dries instantly and the color starts to appear in 2 hours. I’d recommend this self tanner if you need color quickly. The quality of the color is worth the splurge!

Use Sephora coupons to help knock that price down.

Neutrogena Micromist Airbrush Sunless Tan – $9.19

I’m a huge Neutrogena fan. I’ll proclaim that anywhere, anytime. I love this product because it’s a mist, which basically means that it is super easy to apply. It goes on easily and dries quickly. Plus, you don’t have to risk getting orange hands from rubbing. The color is pretty natural, but be careful not to overdo it. I always say start light. You can always go darker if you need to!

(Drugstore.com coupons)

Those are my three go-to self tanners. They provide natural color and easy application without making me look orange. I make sure to exfoliate first, then apply the color all over, going easy over rough areas like my hands, knees and elbows. If you get too much color somewhere or notice streaks, exfoliate the area again to help rub off some of the color.

Do y’all use self tanners? What products do y’all love?

Fever Pitch Baseball Fashion For Females

Vernon | October 10, 2020August 16, 2021

Hey female sports fans! Chances are, you’ve already got a few baseball T-shirts or jerseys in your closet that you break out on game day to show your team pride (or superstitiously, throw your boys a little luck.) But we’re calling a time out on those tired ball caps and worn-in tees!

More than just ordinary T-shirts or basic baseball caps, our team of 24 apparel and accessory all stars are in a league of their own. Our starting line-up consists of our top 9 most valuable players, with 15 more to keep your spring wardrobe’s bases covered. So whether you’re being taken out to the ball game or you’re cheering Junior on from the sidelines, get ready to hit a home run this baseball season with our list below.

The Top 9 Starting Line-Up

St. Louis Cardinals Ruffled String Bikini

$49.99 at FansEdge.com

Slide into the sand with this sexy swimsuit, which features side string ties, ruffled edging, and front and back team graphics.

Reason to add it to your roster: $4.99 flat rate shipping and check for FansEdge coupons.

Minnesota Twins Crystal Stacked Ring Set

$99.95 at FootballFanatics.com

It may not be a World Series ring, but this trio is still fit for a champion. Team color-coordinated crystals and bands made from stainless steel help make this set sparkle and shine.

Reasons to add it to your roster: $4.99 3-day shipping and a 365-day return policy.

New York Mets Silk Sash Belt by Vineyard Vines

$36.97 at Shop.MLB.com

Strike out a boring belt with this 100% silk scarf, which features a dainty bow finish and team logo print.

Reasons to add it to your roster: $3.95 shipping and check for MLB Shop coupons.

Chicago Cubs Fanatic Purse

$41.99 at FansEdge.com

Pack up your peanuts and Cracker Jacks in this Cubbies purse, which is constructed from authentic MLB license plates.

Reason to add it to your roster: A 60-day satisfaction guaranteed return policy and check for FansEdge coupons.

Detroit Tigers Personalized Replica Jersey

$79.99 at DicksSportingGoods.com

You may not have made the cut, but you can still have your name printed on this Motor City Kitties jersey. Customize with your name, number, or favorite team player.

Reason to add it to your roster: Free Shipping when you spend $99 or more and check for Dicks Sporting Goods coupons.

PF Flyers Rambo Lo

$45.99 at 6PM.com

The Sandlot promised that PF Flyers will make us run faster and jump higher. While that may not be true, we’re pretty sure they’ll at least make you look pretty darn cool. They’re made from natural-colored canvas and come trimmed with baseball-esque red stitching.

Reason to add it to your roster: Free Shipping on all orders.

Bobbi Brown “Yogi Bare” Lip Balm

$18.00 at Nordstrom.com

The name of this Bobbi Brown balm is a nod to former Yankees player/coach and Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, who’s a personal pal of the makeup pro. The formula combines natural oils, beeswax, and petrolatum to help keep lips soft, smooth, and protected.

Reasons to add it to your roster: Free Shipping and Free Returns.

China Glaze White on White Nail Lacquer

$5.99 at SallyBeauty.com

Baseball Fun Fact: Catchers paint their nails white to make signaling more visible to the pitcher. Get your mitts on this opaque white polish, which can be also decorated with temporary team decals for extra fan flare.

Reasons to add it to your roster: Free Shipping on $50 and In-Store Returns.

Chicago White Sox Spaghetti Strap Dress

$33.99 at FansEdge.com

Show the opposing team who’s the boss in this Alyssa Milano-created cotton dress, which is made from a lightweight fabric to help keep you cool and comfortable under the spring and summer sun.

Reason to add it to your roster: Eligible for same day QuickShip and check for FansEdge coupons.

The Benchwarmers

They may not have made the line-up, but these pinch hitters are ready to go to bat. From sequined ball caps and flip flops to crystal covered jewelry, you’ll shut out the competition with these 15 fan fashions.

Which Major League Baseball team is your favorite?

Done Ways To Save More On New Home Appliances

Vernon | September 29, 2020August 16, 2021

Are you contemplating moving to a new home and purchasing new appliances? Or do you just want to replace or upgrade your refrigerator? Appliances are the indispensable necessities of any home that help us perform innumerable household chores without any hassles and most importantly, make our lives easier. However, it is a known fact that appliances are very expensive items and getting the best deal is the dream of every homeowner. If you want to save on appliances, but do not want to compromise on the quality, then consider the following useful tips:

Avoid Getting Unnecessary Appliances

There are innumerable choices of home and kitchen appliances available on the market and it is imperative that you must chalk out a well-detailed plan before going shopping. Make a list of the essential items and then review it again to figure out, if there are still some things that are not required at the moment. After all, you really would not want to spend money on buying unnecessary appliances that would clutter your home.

Save by Buying Used Appliances

The new or the advanced models of the appliances are launched regularly and as a result, the older models are considered to be obsolete. Many stores just look forward to clearing off their inventories of those older yet still functional models. Purchasing older models of the appliances will enable you to get good discounts.

Look for Dented and Scratched Appliances

There are plenty of retailers in the market that have a huge inventory of home and kitchen appliances that have developed some kind of scratch or dent during transportation or from merely lying unsold in the store. You can certainly get an attractive discount on these appliances, but you must also ensure that the dents do not have any bearing on the performance of the appliance.

Purchase Appliances from Small Local Stores

You can shop for the appliances at small local stores largely because they sometimes tend to offer the better deals than the big appliance stores. By doing some research work, you can be successful enough to find plenty of small stores that will not hesitate to offer discounts to the customers just to clear off the stocks of their older models.

Try Buying Online

You will find a plethora of online shopping websites that offer both used and new appliances. One of the best ways to save on appliances is to use JoeShopping’s comparison shopping search to compare prices and zero in on the one that offers the best deal. The best thing here is that if you are tight on a budget, then you also have the choice to pay for the items in easy monthly installments (EMI) that certainly will not be too much of a burden on your pocket.

Therefore, when you plan to buy an appliance, do not take any decision in a haphazard manner. Just a little bit of research work and smart shopping will enable you to save thousands of dollars.

Done 5 Tips For Surviving School Mornings

Vernon | September 25, 2020August 14, 2021

With the new school year quickly approaching, it’s time to get kids back in the routine of waking up early and getting ready for school. For many parents, the thought of dealing with cranky kids on an early morning time crunch instantly conjures up stress and anxiety.

But take a deep breath! Follow these 5 easy tips, and you’ll have your kids out of bed and off to school with a smile on both of your faces!

Skip the Snooze Button

A good morning starts with a good attitude. Use the extra 10-15 minutes that you would’ve spent sleeping to make some “you time” before the kids roll out of bed. Use this time to indulge in a delicious cup of coffee or catch up on your favorite social network and you’ll feel a little more relaxed before the morning routine is in full swing. And with any luck, your happier a.m. attitude will rub off on the kids!

Pour your favorite brew in a mug that wakes up with you. Morning Mug, $25 at Amazon.com

Get Kids to Use (and Like!) an Alarm Clock

You can’t blame kids for wanting to sneak in a few more ZZZs, but repeated trips to their bedroom to wake them up wastes time and builds stress. Try putting kids in charge of getting themselves out of bed with a fun alarm clock that they won’t mind waking up to.

An alarm they can’t possibly ignore, this bouncing clock will wake them up to their favorite song or custom voice message. Tocky Alarm Clock, $29.99 at UncommonGoods.com

The Wash and Rinse Relay

Now that you’ve got them out of bed, the name of the game is to stay on schedule. Before they bombard the bathroom to bathe and brush, having a simple bathroom caddy handy will help keep them organized and on track. Fill the caddy’s compartments with their grooming supplies and throw in a kitchen timer or mini countertop clock to keep them on time. Bonus: The caddy will also help reduce bathroom clutter!

Store all of their get-ready essentials in the 16 pockets included on this durable tote. Ikat Bath Beauty Bin, $35 at PBTeen.com

Fly Through Food and Fashion

The more that gets done at night, the less there will be to do in the morning. The night before each school day, have your kids select their outfits for the following day. This will keep them from digging through their drawers for matching socks or throwing on mismatched outfits at the last minute. Breakfast and lunch can also be pre-prepped the day before, too, and kept in portable, kid-friendly food containers for easy eating on the go.

Milk and cereal on the go is made easy with this leakproof BPA-free storage container, which also comes with an attachable spoon. Klip-It Breakfast-to-Go, $6.99 at The Container Store

Grab and Go

Keep a designated area (ideally near the front door) for homework, lunchboxes, backpacks, keys, and other school essentials to beat last minute scrambles searching for misplaced belongings. You may also want to stash an extra umbrella here, too, in the event you’re greeted with an early morning rain shower. This area is also a great place to post notes reminding kids of any important daily activities they’ll need to remember (like soccer practice or early school dismissals).

Find keys, backpacks, and more in a flash with this organizer, which includes a washable chalkboard, calendar, storage compartments, nameplates, and hooks. Reclaimed Wood Chalkboard, $49 at Urban Outfitters

What are your tips for minimizing the morning mayhem?

Dog Days Top Picks For Your Pup

Vernon | September 19, 2020August 14, 2021

Everyone has heard that familiar quote: “a dog is man’s best friend.” I firmly believe that this is true. Pets of all kinds are so special, but there is just something about dogs that really makes that bond between animal and human run deep. Maybe it’s that sweet face or that endlessly wagging tail; maybe it’s the fierce loyalty or the constant companionship. Whatever it is that bonds a man/woman and a dog, it’s a strong bond that lasts forever.

We have three dogs in our house: a lab, a pitbull and a golden retriever. Sometimes it can be quite a handful to have three BIG dogs, but we wouldn’t trade them for anything, even if it meant having a cleaner house! I can count on them to be waiting with wagging tails every single time I come home. They give their best to us, so in turn we want to give the best to them.

Our pups: Cashmere, Radar and Diesel

Below are a few of our favorite dog products, tested and approved by our beloved babies.

Dingo Rawhide Chews – $5.58

These chews are our favorite go-to treats. They have real meat in the center and are then wrapped in rawhide. They come in various sizes, so they are perfect for any size dog. We (obviously) have to get the large ones. They also come in beef flavor or chicken flavor. Not only are these great for their teeth as they chew, they also give us a few moments of quiet.

Kong Toys – $10.39

We have probably tried over a hundred toys for our dogs, but most don’t even make it through one night. Diesel, our pitbull, is a big chewer and can tear most toys to pieces in a few minutes. I had heard that Kong toys were long lasting, so I finally gave in and purchased one. Boy, am I glad that I did! They are definitely worth the pricier tag because they actually last. We have several that have lasted months… and are still around to boast (like this one). If you have a dog that is a chewer, try these. They have several sizes and even ones that you can stuff with treats to keep them entertained for awhile.

Isle of Dogs Shampoo – $11.99

I used to think that dog shampoo wasn’t really important and I would just use whatever I had at home or buy whatever was cheapest at the store. I was given an Isle of Dogs shampoo by a friend once and I haven’t stopped using it since. Not only does it clean thoroughly, it smells wonderful and leaves their coats moisturized and silky smooth. The dogs still don’t really enjoy their baths, but we sure do.

Rubber Brush – $3.45

We have a rubber brush that is made to get rid of the dead, loose dog hair without actually pulling or hurting. Brushing our pups is absolutely mandatory for us. Our lab and golden retriever both shed so much that we could probably make clothing out of their hair. Not that we would, but y’all get what I’m saying. We try to brush them a few times a week and I’m always amazed at how much hair comes off of them. The more hair on the brush, the less hair on my floor… and that makes me happy. I’ve been wanting to try the FURminator. Have any of y’all ever tried it? It’s a little pricey, but apparently amazing.

Tip: Be sure to check out the Petco Coupons page if you purchase any of the above!

Have A Stay At Home Date Night And Save Some Money Too

Vernon | September 19, 2020August 16, 2021

Before (and even after) you get married, people are always generous with giving their advice on maintaining a happy marriage. One thing that my husband and I heard over and over again was to “continue to date once you get married.” We have tried to incorporate this into our marriage, mostly by going out to dinner or to a movie once a week.

Let’s be real, though – dating gets expensive! One of our goals for this year has been to work on cheaper ways to date each other from the comfort of our home. Not only are we saving money, we are having fun thinking of creative ways to spend time together!

Here’s a few ideas for date nights at home that are unique and fun but won’t break the bank:

Have a Picnic – $25.99

A picnic is super easy to do at home – spread a blanket out in the backyard, on the bed, in front of the fireplace, or right on the floor! Fill a picnic basket with both of your favorite foods – or even do dessert only! There are even picnic baskets with sports teams logos for the guys! Plus, once you buy the basket, it’s basically a free date night – just grab a few things from the pantry and go!

Look for Bed Bath and Beyond coupons to help!

Play Card Games – $3.99

Playing cards together is super inexpensive and guaranteed to create a fun, competitive environment with a few laughs! Take turns playing each other’s favorite games. We love to play War, UNO, and Old Maid. (Yeah, Old Maid is my choice.) : ) Invite a few couple friends over to play along…the more the merrier, right?

Sears Coupons

Dance! – $8.89

Not only can dancing be considered exercise, it’s also fun! Music is frequently tied into some of our most important memories! Light up the fireplace (or a few candles) and turn up the tunes, then go ahead and let loose! Whether it’s slow dancing, line dances or just silly dancing, it’s a guaranteed good time! There are even video games that involve dancing!

George Strait is one of our all time favorite musicians to dance to!

“Camp Out” and Make Smores – $13.95

For something a little more romantic, think chocolate! Smores have always been one of my favorite things, and these days they aren’t reserved for camping! Use pillows and blankets to build a little “fort” together, then snuggle up and enjoy feeding each other some Smores! Use a fireplace (if you have one) to really set the mood! Just be careful and practice good fire safety.

Home Depot coupons

So there are a few of my ideas for a fun, romantic, “cheap” date night at home. We have the Smores date scheduled for this coming week and let’s just say…I can’t wait!

Get those creative juices flowing and plan something sweet for your significant other. These date night ideas are also perfect for Valentine’s Day, especially if y’all are aiming to save a little money

Do y’all have any great stay-at-home date night ideas?

Find A Perfect Purse For The Springtime

Vernon | September 19, 2020August 16, 2021

I’ve always loved a good handbag. Matter of fact I love handbags as much as my mom loves collecting pillows. A purse that holds all of my accessories and has enough space for a book or sweater is my favorite, but the smaller bags are sometimes fun too. I also love a handbag that has personality. Usually something unique about it makes me want it all the more. I’m talking about soft leather, pretty detailing such as jewels or sequins, and other fun elements.

During the springtime is the best time to switch up your accessories and implement some fun colors. Since bright colors are in in the fashion world, they’re also in style for handbags as well. But this doesn’t mean forgetting about your basic brown and black handbags. There are several different kinds of handbags that I have my eyes on and maybe after I show them to you, they’ll be something you want as well.

Juicy Couture I Love Dotty Dahlia Daydreamer Bag -$159.99

I’ve always been a fan of Juicy Couture and their handbags are no exception. With their fun colors and pretty detailing, every single handbag has its own personality. This handbag comes in a fun polka dot pattern with fun details such as gold hardware and fun leaf patterned leather hangtags. I would love to have a handbag like this in a heartbeat – the color and polka dots are lovely and plust this purse also has a good amount of storage room.

B Makowsky Blair Top Zip (Salmon) – $81.99

Another brand name that I’ve recently found out about and now love is B. Makowsky and their handbags are amazing. Most of them are made out of leather and they have excellent storage room! The description on the JoeShopping website says it well: “The subtle sparkle from the Blair Top Zip handbag will delight your companions with charm and function.”I think so too! I’m especially loving the salmon color – so pretty!

Betsey Johnson Tiger Knock – A – By Bag, Taupe – $94

For a smaller handbag that’s cute and comes in a basic color (taupe), Betsey Johnson offers this great purse. Usually Betsey Johnson has handbags that are bold and sparkly, but this one is nice for a change because it is a lot more basic and classic. If you don’t have as much stuff to carry this handbag is ideal. Bring it on vacation with you and when you tell someone that it’s a Betsey Johnson handbag they’ll be impressed!

The Sak Handbag Crossbody Bag – $89

A crossbody handbag is also another great purse to consider for travel and day-to-day life. I love crossbody bags because they usually have enough space for a book and sunglasses too. You also don’t have to worry about losing a handbag that goes against and over your body when you’re out and about.

Not all of these handbags that I just mentioned are bright and cheerful – having a handbag that’s in a neutral shade is also a good idea. That way if you have a bold ensemble with the bright neon colors that are out the purse will tone down your outfit. So what kind of handbag is your favorite?

I hope you have fun accessorizing this springtime as much as I am!

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