HOW TO BEAT HOLIDAY BLUES AND TRULY HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS

                                                 Merry Christmas

As children, we count the day's until Christmas with so much excitement and joy because we know that when Saint Nick makes his appearance we will be blessed with wonderful toys to play with and so much happiness is in the air.  I can remember as a child running downstairs to the basement to see what Santa brought and playing with my dolls with my Sister; those memories are so heartwarming.

When we become adults we are faced with so many things on our plate such as; Rent payments, Car payments, and the list goes on and on.

Being that there are many people out of work, many of us are faced with wondering where the next meal is going to come from.

Christmas time can be wrought with a lot of sorrow but we still have to put on the brave face so our children can have good memories.

So here are some way's to beat the holiday blues:

1. Buy some sweet treats for yourself and the children and put it in a very festive bowl to boost the holiday spirit and make some decorations yourself to make your environment more cheerful.
2. Put on some happy Christmas music and dance around with your children and don't forget the Camera, so when your children are older, they can get a big kick out of the funny faces you all were making.
3. Buy yourself some Candles from the Dollar Store and Bath Salts and take a relaxing bath and then put on your favorite PJ's
4. This is very old school but what the heck!  Invite some of your friends over and have a card party and ask your friends to bring snacks or food to cook and just enjoy each other.
5. Play some computer games or play a board game with your children and other family members.
6. Give one item away to a needy family and when you see the joy on their faces, this will bring you happiness
7. Ride around the neighborhood to see all the Houses with Christmas lights and decorations.
8. If you have a Digital Camera, make funny videos and upload them to Youtube.
9. Help serve food to the homeless on Christmas to bless those less fortunate.
10. Bake cakes and decorate them with your children. And exchange small, meaningful gifts with each other even if they are handmade.
11. Watch some of your favorite childhood movies with your children or family members.

I have used some of these tips myself when money was tight and it really helps.
The main things are to enjoy life and make the best of the situation you are in and believe in a better future and it will come.

If a family member has passed on and you are suffering from depression, talk about the good times you remember and it will really help.

If you are severely depressed, please call 911 or the Suicide Prevention Hotline at  1800-273-8255.



HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

IT IS SO FUN BEING A LADY

 

 

I just love wearing a dress and being a lady.  Dresses are so easy because you just need a nice pair of shoes and a nice handbag and you are ready to go.

Some of these dresses have a simple styling and that Is what I look for when buying a dress because I don't like clothes that are fussy.

I admire these dresses because they are stylish, yet classy.  Dresses can stand alone or they can also be paired with a blazer, shawl or jacket.

WAY'S TO SAVE MONEY ON FOOD

                                              DEEP FREEZER


I know you are looking at this freezer and saying WTH! I use this item as a way to save money.
You can buy meats when they are on sale and stock up.  I am able to prepare cakes in advance and slice them up and put them in and I have an easy little snack for weeks or months to come.  When your local supermarket have sales on ice cream and ice pops you can stock up for your children and you will not have to run out at the last minute. 

Meals can be prepared in advanced for the week and if you do not feel like cooking you have food waiting for you that can be microwaved or warmed in the oven.  You can use this freezer to prepare some of your Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner in advanced and then you only have to prepare very few items, the day of.

Some people don't think of a Deep Freezer as a way to save money but my suggestion is; just buy one and see.  They do not cost much and you can get one between $160.00- $300.00.

When rice and bread goes on sale for less than $1.00, it is your time to stock up and you will be able to save much more money than before.

I like to catch sales on some frozen foods such as; Tv dinners, onion rings, tilapia, and anything that can be a time saver and not a money waster. lol

A freezer is a good way to freeze your lunch to take to work.  If you can cut your eating out days to just once per week you will be able to hold on to more money that you can put towards your savings or something special for yourself.

METALLICS ( YOU CAN SHINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS)

                  THIS DISPLAY SHOWS THE RICHNESS OF METALLICS


I am so thrilled that this year presents itself with Metallics.  I am such a fan because I am a child of the seventies and eighties and I remember the glory day's of Donna Summer, Patti Labelle and Diana Ross, proudly wearing this style of clothing and I include hints of glitz in my wardrobe.

Metallics  could always be seen in shirts, sweaters and handbags.  I used to watch Dance Fever and see the ladies dancing the night away in shiny dresses and sequins and this image has been in my mind forever.

A few years ago, some people would not be caught dead in a anything glitzy.  I am so glad that glitz and glamour is back this year and I hope that it is a lasting trend.

If you don't want to do the metallic dress, then, you can take just some key pieces such as; belts, handbag, shawl, necklaces, shirts and tanks, and you will be able to stay fashionable without looking like you are wearing a metallic uniform.

I will be getting a gold lame handbag and one in bronze, this year.

I believe that this display shows glitz done the right way.

THE BLACK AND BLUE

This is a beautiful interpretation of black and blues.  The new shades of blues that are out this year are very exciting and mixing with the black, just presents new ways to stand out without overdoing it and gives you a very sensual presentation.  I have always been a fan of black and blues but I find that with the royal blue, it takes it to the next level.

You will notice in this display, there are hints of metallic accessories and that just gives an added punch and pizazz.

JUST SOME OF MY COOKING VIDEOS

I am just sharing with you some of my cooking videos. 

SALMON CAKES

                                         MACARONI AND CHEESE
                                             

SMOTHERED MEATBALLS

                                   FRIED CHICKEN

                              CARIBBEAN STEWED CHICKEN

HOW TO CELEBRATE HOLIDAY DINNERS ON A BUDGET

 

 

We all love the Holiday Season because it is a time for us to get together with our families and enjoy good food and good conversation.  It is a beautiful time for us to reconnect with family members who may live in another town or another State, to spend precious moments with.

  I love to cook and share in the festivities but there comes a time when unexpected things happen when planning a Holiday meal; like when Aunt Marilyn calls a week ahead to say that she is coming from out of town, but she is also bringing about 6 or 7 more people with her; What is a girl to do?

You love Aunt Marilyn but you didn't anticipate 6 or 7 more people when you already have 10 invited.  Well, the best thing that you can do is tell all guest to bring about 4 food items that they are responsible to cook and bring to the dinner and ask different family members to bring the beverages for the entire family and someone to prepare all desserts or purchase ready made cakes, pies and ice cream.

I would then be responsible for the bulk of the Dinner and then we would set up a long table and make it buffet style.  The expense should not be all on one person when you are receiving guest who weren't even invited to the affair.  Family Dinners are about being together and enjoying one another.

This has happened to me in the past and it can be uncomfortable to have to run out to the store at the last minute to buy more food for guest that you didn't anticipate.   Also let dinner guest know that they cannot bring no more than 1 or 2 extra guest to the dinner.

                                           BON APPETIT

BLEACH ( MY MIRACLE CLEANER)

 

                            CHLORINE BLEACH THE MIRACLE CLEANER


I love to clean my whole house with chlorine bleach because it is a disinfectant and it is also cost effective.  What I usually do is put on some clothing that I don't mind getting bleach stains on and I put my radio on and just clean away.

Bleach is excellent to clean your toilet and I do this about 3 times a week and it is certainly a germ killer, so I clean the outside of the toilet and also my sink and bathtub.  This product is really good to soak your toothbrush in and then soak in clear water and you just disinfected your trusted toothbrush.

I have wood floors and it is not recommended that you use bleach to clean your wood floor but sometimes I use less than a capful in my mop water and I sanitize my floor and clean my walls and this gives my home such a wonderful and clean scent.

I like to do my own nails and tweeze or shape my eyebrows with the razor shaper and I soak my nail implements and tools in bleach for about 3 minutes 2 times per week.

My stove is white and sometimes it is very hard to keep clean but with Chlorine Bleach this chore is no longer something that I dread doing and I also bleach my counter tops and refrigerator.

Soaking my containers that contained food such as; onions, eggs, garlic and broccoli in bleach prior to washing will definitely remove the lingering food smells.

Don't forget to soak your comb and brush in bleach water with less than a capful of bleach to disinfect these items and then rinse in clear water.

If you have athletes feet; soak your feet in a bleach and water solution with a capful of bleach and this will relieve this malady. ( Always talk to your Doctor first for the best advice)

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen; I could definitely go on and on about this bleach thing but you can see why I love bleach and the fact that I can use this product so many way's and I can usually get a big bottle between $2.00 and $3.00 is really a good savings and this will last me for more than a month.

There are so many way's that we can cut back but still live a rich and rewarding life.  In the comment section; leave your tips for your uses for chlorine bleach.

THE BEST LOW PRICED MAKEUP

I am by no means, a makeup expert but this is some of the makeup that I have tried and I really like.  I am a Vlogger on Youtube, so I get the opportunity to ask some of my friends and viewers what they think and I have learned of some makeup brands that are very quality products.  These cosmetics can be bought for little money and they are very long lasting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See, you can use different brands of Eye shadow and make a lot of different looks.

 

 

 

 

JEANS CAN BE CLASSY

THE PERFECT MARRIAGE OF JEANS WITH A HINT OF SOPHISTICATION

I saw this display and I immediately fell in love with it.  This display shows how you can take your jean pieces and incorporate them with different fabrics to make it look more classy.  I love how the outfit on the left has brown pants and the gold jewelry to make this look like an outfit that you can go out to the movies or you could add some cute heels and go out for an evening out.  On some jobs this outfit could also qualify to be worn for business casual.

I have never been a fan of the Acid Wash Jeans, but I really like this Dress; I think it is fierce!

My favorite is the Down Coat and I just love the belt that was added to give the pop of color, and the streamlined fit of this Coat.

You can take some of your Jean pieces that you already own and create this same look and also add your own special touch to it.

I have seen some Acid Wash Jeans at the local thrift store and I will buy some to create different looks without burning a hole in my pocket.

IS SOCIAL MEDIA KEEPING YOU BROKE?

I decided to talk about this subject because on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram and etc.  I find that there are a lot of products being talked about and being shown.  I love to review products so I am guilty of this also, but I find that a lot of people are trying to purchase a lot of the products that are being shown or reviewed.

 We have always been enticed by products through Television Commercials but now Social Media have become another way for companies to sell products and some of us are not aware of the impact it has on our lives.

 There is nothing wrong with seeing products that you like and purchasing them, but, why are we purchasing them? I find that it is becoming an obsession with some people because they feel that if they do not have the latest Mac, Sephora, and etc.,  they are really missing out on something when the truth is some of these products are no better than some of the lower priced Cosmetics.

If you can afford these product there is nothing wrong with buying them, but, if you are taking money that you need for food, clothing and shelter , you may need to make a careful assessment whether you should perhaps pull away from Social Media to see if this will help curb your addiction and reliance on products.

Do we really need these products or are we just trying to fit in or convince ourselves that we are nothing without these things?  I am a saver by nature but I have at times purchased things that I really didn't need because I liked it on someone else. 

 

 

 

These items are beautifully packaged, but if you are impressed with packaging; how about we buy our own products and package them ourselves in beautiful majestic packaging and show our own creativity and perhaps even sell these products ourselves for a profit;  Just a thought.