Where Have all of the Warm Coats Gone?
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Photo from Flickr
I have two coats, one is a Columbia brand winter coat and the other is a wool coat. I have gotten lots of wear out of both coats. I also got both on sale. I have had them both for about three years now. While the Columbia coat is looking a bit shabby, but it is still wearable. I wear it when I am working outside, so it’s a little dirty.
My wool coat however, really has seen better days. I got it about 4 years ago at Target. They had the coat on sale for $50. It was made well, and most important it was warm. I live in Chicago and a warm coat is priceless when it gets really cold, and it does. My wool coat is warm. I can wear it on the coldest day and be nice and toasty. It is showing it’s wear. I have sown and resown the buttons on, mended tears and so on. The bottom line is, it is time for a new wool coat.
I began looking for a new coat in September. I have been amazed how thin women’s coats are being made, and women are buying them! I have looked from Nordstroms to K-Mart and everywhere in between. I am still searching for a reasonably priced, warm coat. I consider a reasonably priced coat to cost me between $50 and $70. Do these coats exist? I am starting to think that they do not.
Last weekend I saw an ad from Target advertising wool pea coats for $30. I figured that I would go take a look. The styles were cute and they came in lots of colors, there was just one problem, they were paper thin! I just don’t get it, why aren’t warm coats being made anymore? I have looked at many stores that sell coats at many different prices and the result is the same the coats are flimsy. I don’t want to be waiting for a train shivering in my winter coat.
Virginia asked if there was a Santa Clause, I ask is there a warm coat at a reasonable price out there?
To be continued…. (as the coat hunt continues)
Forget the “Christmas Creep.” It’s More like the Christmas SHOVE!
Photo from Flickr
Every year I complain how the Christmas season starts earlier and earlier every year. This year I started to see Christmas items creeping on to store shelves in August! I would just shrug my shoulders and walk by. However this year, it has been decided that we as a nation will just skip thanksgiving. The Sunday after Halloween my husband and I were reading the Sunday paper and the sales flyers were decked out for the holidays. We also noticed Christmas commercials on television on November 1st.
I don’t know about all of you, but I still have pumpkins on my porch, and as far as I know pumpkins are not a Christmas decoration. I see more and more houses lighting up their Christmas decorations. Has America forgotten that there is a between Halloween and Christmas? I admit it is usually pretty common to see Christmas decor before Thanksgiving, but I cannot recall seeing it this early. A few of my local radio stations have started playing Christmas music only.
I understand that with the economy still recovering that stores do not quite know what the retail sales will look like this holiday season. I went into a Kohls this past weekend and was amazed that they had decked their halls, with Christmas music included! My husband and I just looked at each other as if we had stepped into another dimension. It’s just too early.
The last thing I would like to say on this topic; keep a good eye on those advertisements for amazing deals. I was watching tv about two weeks ago when an advertisement for Walmart came on. They were advertising a gaming system for a deeply discounted price along with a $100. gift card for purchasing the system. This sale was to take place on a Saturday morning starting at 8am. I thought to myself, wow what a great deal. Then the commercial aired again, this time I read the small print at the bottom of the screen and it said, “limit 10 consols per store.” WHAT? That just seemed so wrong to me as desperate parents would be crowded in to their local Walmart stores to take advantage of this sale, and learn that the store only had 10 gamming consols.
There are good deals to be had out there, I am sure of it. Just make sure to read the small print. As for me, I will not be hanging my Christmas lights until AFTER Thanksgiving.
Inexpensive Halloween Costumes
My sister and I getting ready for Halloween
I grew up in a lower-middle class home. We had the basic necessities but extras such as store bought halloween costumes were something that we just didn’t buy. Don’t get me wrong, there were a few time when we were able to do that. However we found that usually the quality wasn’t very good and the costumes did not last very long. My mother decided to instutue a new costume policy in our house, we had to make our own costumes. This may sound cueul but actually it was a blast! My sister and I were discussing this recently and she said, “half the fun was seeing who could be more inventive…and usaully i would lose.” Some of my happiest memories were putting together our costumes.
My sister and I would brainstorm for weeks about what we wanted to dress up as for Halloween. Once we had decided what we wanted to be, we would set to making our costumes. We would usually go the thrifts store and find pieces that would work for our costumes. The thrift store always had wonderful surprises for us. From there we would raid our closets and our mother’s closet. We could usually put together a costume for under $10. My mom would do our make-up to go along with our costumes. We would have so much fun that our friends soon joined in as well, and stated making their costumes too.
The funnest part of Halloween was making my costume with my sister. We always had so much fun.
Some of our thrift store costumes included:
A Geisha- made with a silk Japanese robe found at the thrift store
A 1950’s Woman- Made with a vintage dress and jewelry from the thrift store
A witch- Made with a black dress that we shredded ends of.
Fall (the season)- Made with sprigs of fall leaves from the dollar store
A mouse- Made with an old gray terry-cloth robe found at the thrift store, and a pair of store bought mouse ears.
Cleopatra- A large white sheet draped across like a Egyptian dress bought at the thrift store.
Martha Stewart.. This is reality calling!
Photo from Flickr
I have been a Martha Stewart fan since I was a teenager. My mother and sister used to make fun of me for my Martha Stewart obsession. I have always admired how she has such attention to detail and makes sure that things are done properly. I do recognize and always have, that she tends to go a bit overboard on some things. I have been a loyal reader of her magazine and I used to watch her show on NBC. I bought her products and I was even going to go to a book signing.
As the recession hit, I continued to watch her show. She had on guests like Jim Cramer who was talking about stocks and the stock market. While this is helpful to some, it is not helpful to all. While the rest of the country geared up for the recession, to me it seem as if it was business as usual at Martha Stewart Omnimedia. I watched her show to see if she would have money saving tips for the average American household, but I never saw anything of the sort. Eventually I got fed up and just stopped watching her show. Last week I read an article that said that viewership was down for her show. I was not surprised.
My annoyance did not stop with her television show either. I continued to read the magazine but I soon found myself feeling betrayed. I felt like the Martha magazine was targeted to a different audience, one that had not been effected by the recent recession. Recipes and crafts in the magazine still required pricey ingredients and pieces. While she talked about the recession did she actually realize what the average middle class household was going through? The final straw for me was a piece about what every woman should have in their closet. While the pictures were beautiful, the clothing was outrageously priced.
I eventually started reading the magazine Real Simple. I like this magazine because I feel like it has the same quality as the Martha magazine but that it is more accessible to the average middle income house hold. They too have their out- of touch artciles too, but not as bad.
Even though I have been annoyed by Martha Stewart’s constant bragging about the vacations she goes on or the show about designer dresses, I do not hate her and I occasionally do watch her show. I just wish that she would realize that we aren’t all millionaires and target her show that way. I bet if she did, her ratings would go back up.
The Art of Canning
Harvest fresh from the Garden
One weekend not to long ago I received my first lesson on how to can tomatoes. I have always been interested in the process but I have never had the chance to learn until now. My mother-in-law called me one Saturday and asked me if I would like to learn how to can tomatoes from their garden. I am always up for learning new things, especially if it was save me money down the line. So off I went to learn how to do it.
The process was relatively simple. Here is a quick breakdown.
1. Wash your tomatoes in a cold water bath to wash off dirt. Inspect them for holes, mold and anything else that you would not want to eat.
2. Boil your washed tomatoes for about 2 minutes or until the skin starts to peel.
3. Peel the skin off the tomatoes, cut into medium size pieces and put into a bowl
4. We choose to leave the seeds in our tomatoes so we simply mashed them with a potatoe masher.
5. We made sure to boil our Mason jars and lids prior to starting this process- This is VERY important.
6. We filled each jar, leaving about 1/2 inch unfilled at the top.
7. We submerged each jar in boiling water, using a canning pan, until each jar made a “pop.” You must wait until you hear the “pop” noise to know that the jar is sealed. Do not store jars that do not seal as the contents will spoil.
I had a lot of fun learning how to can tomatoes. I think I may actually do it again in the future. If you are interested in canning, I would picking up a book on how to do so at your local library. The process may look overwhelming but it is actually pretty easy. Happy Canning!
Affodable Halloween Menu That will be Sure to Spook Your Guests
I love Halloween, it is my favorite holiday of the year. This year I decided to host a halloween dinner in my home. My goal was do throw my party as inexpensively as possible. I scoured the internet religiously for ideas for my spooky menu. I finally figured out what I am going to serve, and I will share it with all of you.
As a rule, I do not serve “gross” food. I came across many recipes that were so unappetizing that there was no way that I would ever eat it, such as kitty litter cake. (which looks like a box of used kitty litter) So without further ado here is my Spooky Menu.
Appetizers
Deep Fried Blisters with Blood Dipping Sauce (Deep fried ravioli with marinara sauce)
Crushed Mummy Brains with bone shaped bread (Garlic Hummus and pita bread cut into the shape of bones)
Steamed Maggots (Gnocchi thats been cooked)
Pumpkin Cheese ball with crackers
Moldy Monster Brain Dip with skin pieces to dip (Spinach dip in a hollowed out bread bowl, using the innards of the bowl for dipping)
Dinner
Roadkill Spaghetti Sauce on a bed of worms (Marinara with meat on top of linguini)
Poison Leaf Salad (Basic salad with many colors of lettuce leaves)
Garlic Bread
Dessert
Pumpkin Pie with whip Cream on top
Chocolate worm Mousse
Recipes
Deep Fried Ravioli
This Recipe is super easy and looks like it was very difficult to make.
1 package of pre-made ravioli with cheese filling
1/2 cup of milk
1 cup of Italian Bread crumbs
3 cups of oil heated to 350 Degrees
Simply dip each ravioli in the milk, then into the bread crumbs and then into the oil.
Make sure to coat each ravioli completely with bread crumbs.
When you fry your ravioli do not crowd them in the pan. they cook for about 3 minutes. Make sure to watch them. They will need to be flipped half way through frying.
Place the ravioli on paper towel to absorb excess grease when done.
Steamed Maggots
1 package of pre-made gnocchi that just needs to be boiled
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup of olive oil, heated over medium flame in a frying pan
3/4 cup of parmesan cheese (optional)
Boil the Gnocchi according to the directions on the package or when they begin to float. Scoop them out of the pan and put them into the hot frying pan with oil. Fry the Gnocchi for 1-2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and cheese. Place a toothpick in each piece of Gnocchi and arrange on a creepy platter.
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
1 store bought cheese pall
2 olives that have been cut width wise (eyeball Shape)
1 slice of red pepper, cut into a jack-o-lantern mouth shape
Push olives into the cheese ball to make eyes and red pepper to make the mouth Add crackers.
Moldy Monster Brain
1 Small to Medium Sized Bread Bowl
2 cups of Spinach Dip (I buy mine pre-made from the store)
Hallow out the bread bowl, reserving the inside. Scoop the dip into the bread bowl. Tear the reserved bread into dipping size pieces. You can make a face on the bowl like the cheese ball above.
How to Go Out to Dinner on Budget
Photo From Flickr
This current recession has hit everyone hard, from the average jane, to retailers and even restaurants. People have been frugal with their money and have been eating at home. In most cases it is easier to buy from the grocery store and make a meal yourself, rather than pay someone else to cook it and serve it to you. As a result of these difficult economic times, restaurants have had to find a way to adapt in this challenging market. This means one thing, costumers are now eating cheaper.
My husband and I signed up for T.G.IF’s meal club card. It is not a credit card, you know how we feel about those here at austerity. Instead, for every dollar that you spend in their restaurant, you earn points towards a free meal, and other good coupons. Now I know that this restaurant is not considered fine dinning, but if you are looking for eating out on a budget, I would not suggest the five star bistro in your area, that is guaranteed to be pricey.
Jon and I have had our club card for almost a year now, and we have received almost 5 free entrees with our club card. We usually go about twice a month. The best thing about this club card is that every dollar counts, you can order just drinks, or just appetizers… whatever you want, it all counts as points! I usually order an appetizer when we go out, it keeps our bill cheap and the portion size correct.
I highly suggest looking to see if your favorite restaurant has a club card, or coupons. You would be surprised how many restraunts offer deals, aside from senior hour….
Here are My Favorite Tips for Eating Cheap at a Restaurant:
Order an Appetizer for Dinner
They are usually the yummiest things on the menu, and the least expensive. Ordering an appitizer also allows you to have adequate portion control, which is sorely lacking in most restraunts. I find that even with this portion size, I still end up taking some food home.
Watch What you
Drinks can be the biggest expense on the bill after a meal. As a rule of thumb, I won’t pay anymore than three dollars for a soft drink or beer. In some cases if beer is cheaper than soda, and you like beer, go for it. If you are interested in an alcoholic beverage, ask your server what the specials are for the evening. As a rule, if I am going to have a drink, I order good liquor, don’t settle for something that tastes bad just because it was cheap, it’s not worth it. If you decide not to order an alcholic beverage, ask your server if the restaurant has free refills.
Order a Meal to Share
This is an awesome trick to keep you bill down. If you are going with someone who is not such a big eater, or you are going somewhere that has enormous portions, consider spliting a dish. My in-laws do this all of the time. They are good eaters too, no one is walking away from the table hungry. If you are not sure if a meal is large enough to split, consider ordering a salad or bowl of soup prior to your meal coming. Both soup and a side salad will cost much less than a whole meal. I usually find that this works well when I go to lunch with a girlfriend.
Choose Where You Go to Eat Wisely
Some restaurants are pretty much a given that they are going to be pricey. Usually seafood restaurants, steakhouses, and foreign food tends to be pricey. However, this does not mean to avoid these places entirely. Go on a special occasion or not very often. Try not to order the most expensive item on the menu, and watch what you drink as well. Sometimes, you need a good meal, and you are worth it. If you splurge on your favorite French bistro every now and then, don’t beat yourself up over it… enjoy it.
I hope that some of these tips will help keep your bill affordable when you eat out. Bon Appetite
Boots… You Get What You Pay For?
Photo from Flickr
It is official, I am in love, with a pair of boots. I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of boots for almost two years now. When I say “hunt” I mean I have looked everywhere, just short of taking out a wanted ad in the newspaper. I have been seeking for the perfect boot, a cross between a motorcycle and riding boot.
My last pair of boots where given to me by my sister. they were black, pointy- toed, heeled boots, otherwise known as perfection. I loved those boots and wore them until they gave out. My beloved black boots tore away from the zipper on the side of the leg and that was the death of them. Ever since that terrible day, I have been searching for their replacement.
I live in the Chicago area, where we get winter and snow… lots of snow. So as my search continued, I decided that while my black heeled boots were perfect, perhaps a riding style boot would be more functional. After all, I am all about making the most out of what I purchase. The riding boot does not have a heel, which comes in hand on those icy city streets. A riding boot is also tall enough to cover my legs when the wind is whipping off of Lake Michigan. So as you can see a riding boot seems to be the most functional option. There is also the issue of comfort with a riding boot because it is a flat.
So, as my search continued, I found many boots that were wonderful but just too expensive. The majority of the boots that I found ran over $150.! I found boots that were less expensive but the quality of the boot did not compare to the more expensive ones. So I asked myself, do you really get what you pay for when it comes to boots?
In my opinion, I think the answer to my question is yes. On Saturday, my search for the perfect boots came to an end. I found the perfect boot for me, a cross between a motorcycle boot and riding boot, in beautiful carmel colored leather. The boots were made by Michael Kors.. which means one thing, expensive. I found the boots at my local Marshals. The ran $160. which seemed resonable for boots, since I have been shopping around for boots for the past two years. So I can officially say, that the price was fair, and taking into account that the boots were designer made, I would say that it is more than fair.
Believe it or not, I did not purchase the perfect boots. I left to think about it. I did not want to buy them on impulse. As I thought about it, I know they are the perfect boots for me. I hope to return within the next week to make my boot dream a reality. Like the Nancy Sinatra song says “these boots were made for walking.” and that is just what I am going to do.
An Inexpensive And Elegant Dinner
Although I may be what some consider “cheap” I do not eat like it. I do not believe in eating garbage food. I believe that what you put into your body you can expect to get out of it. Now I am not saying I eat lobster and drink champagne, but there are staples that I must have in my house. The recipe below are made from items that I alway have in my house. I accompany this meal with a red wine. I prefer Robert Mondavi cabernet. Just a note on wine, you usually get what you pay for when it comes to wine, so it is worth the few extra bucks. This recipe should feed about 4 people. This recipe just goes to prove that one can eat will and not spend a fortune. So without further ado here is one of my favorite meals;
Ingredients
1 pound of good linguini (I prefer Barailla)
4 Tablespoons of olive oil or enough to coat a medium frying pan
3 Cloves of fresh garlic. Do not use jared garlic.
1 Tablespoon of crushed red pepper
1/2 Cup of tomatoes. The tomatoes can be diced fresh or canned. You can use any type of variety of tomato that you like
1/4 Cup of Parmesan Cheese (optional)
Let’s Get Cooking!
To start set water to boil in a large pot for the pasta. Add salt to the pasta water (about 2 tablespoons). Meanwhile, in a seperate frying pan, coat the pan with olive oil. Heat the oil with medium heat. While the oil is heating finely chop the garlic and add to the oil. You want the garlic to brown slowly. After the garlic has browned add the crushed red pepper. By now the water should be boiling and add your linguini. While your pasta is cooking add diced tomatoes to the olive oil pan.
When the pasta is done drain it and dump it into the pan with olive oil. Toss the pasta over medium heat so the olive mixture coats all of the pasta. Once it is fully coated, serve the pasta hot. Pour Parmesan cheese on top and enjoy. Bon Appetite!
Back to School for the Last Time
It is official this is my very last semester of college. I have been working on my degree for almost eight years. I had to take a break in my education due to financial reasons. I feel like my entire adult life has been spent in college. I am so ready to enter the workforce and put this stage of my life behind me.
As the weather is turning cooler where I live, it means that the college semester starting. As so many new students enter college there is some wisdom that I would like to share with them, tips of the trade so to speak.
Never Buy Text Books Brand New
I see this every semester, the book store attendant on the campus tell parents with incoming freshmen, that new books are a wonderful investment. That the books will hold up better. I fell for this myself as a child of parents that did not go to college. I did not have anyone to tell me any better. Listen to me all incoming freshmen…. THIS IS A LIE! Never buy new books if you can get around it. When yo sell your books back at the end of the semester you will not receive half of the value back. New textbooks are like new cars, they are both devalued as soon as you walk out of the store with them.
Buy Your Books On-line
There are wonderful deals to be had online on textbooks. My advice here is to get your book list as early as possible so price out what your books will cost you. The best was to search for text books online is by searching by ISBN number. I have been buying my books online almost exclusively for my entire college experience. Stick to trusted sites as alway. The same goes with selling your books back at the end of the semester.( yes you can do that!) Sell your books online at the end of the semester it is the most lucrative way to sell them back.
College May Resemble High School… But It Is Not
The beauty of college is that it is not high school. I hated high school, and I am not afraid to say it. To all incoming freshmen, you are an adult now and you are treated as such. There are no tardies in college, you can eat in class and you are accountable for your actions. College professors expect you to be accountable for yourself. Lame excuses will not get you anywhere.
Have Fun
The biggest piece of advice I would give to an incoming freshman is to have fun. Keep in mind college is a unique place to be in life. While I had to work my way though my entire college career, I recognized that this may be the only time in my life when I did not have to hold a job with an eight hour workday and a forty hour work week. Cherish this because for most of us, it is inevitable. As long as you keep a balance between studies and fun, you will do just fine.
