You can make some hearty meals with your crockpot or slow cooker.

 You can make some hearty meals with your crockpot or slow cooker.

Disclaimer-This post contains affiliate links.  I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made.

I have known about crockpot cooking for many years.  I can remember my mom putting the crockpot on before she went to bed. My mom used to work nights most of the time. There are so many great memories of the smell of stew beef, chicken, savory pork neckbones (a Southern classic), and so many other great dishes.  

My mom loved the crockpot because she could just add the ingredients and let it cook for eight hours, and then she could serve some good meals. 

I have always had a crockpot or what they call now a slow cooker.  Preparing meals was very easy while my child was at school.  

Recently I fell in love with crockpot cooking again while recuperating from an illness.  A crockpot or slow cooker should be an essential part of your kitchen appliances. It is a kitchen staple that you can really depend on.

Right now, I am preparing chicken and I will be adding rice to this dish. I have cooked this dish before and it is so tasty. 

Slow cookers are very reasonably priced and they tend to last a very long time.  The last slow cooker that I purchased I have had for over thirteen years.  

They even have slow cookers that are the right size for one-person households.

My slow cooker does not have all the bells and whistles like some of the newer ones.  It is a plain, manual crockpot but it holds a lot of food.

The new ones have timers, I have even heard of some with the ability to brown your meat.  This is a great update.

If you are busy, like to cook while you are at work, or looking for an easy way to prepare some meals in advance, a crockpot or slow cooker is just for you.

Top 10 Valentine's Day Gift Guide

 

Disclaimer: There may be affiliate links which mean that I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made. 

Valentine's Day is a very special day for couples to show their appreciation and love to special people in their lives.  We usually grab the flowers and the candy but sometimes you really don't know what kind of gift to give to your lover.

Here is a guide to show you some of the products that would be great to give as gifts. Right now, it is a time to do most of your celebrating indoors so you can still make it very special.  You can cook or order some great food from your favorite restaurant and have it delivered.

This year is very different so you have to be very creative and put a little more effort into it. 

Top 10 Valentine's Day Gift Guide.

1. Valentine's Day Candy

2. Romantic Music

3. Gucci Perfume

4. Lingerie

5.Men's Red Boxer

6. Versace Men's Cologne

7. Romantic Couples Game

8. Bonefish Grill Gift Card

9. Wine Glasses

10. Fandango Gift Card

5 Best Inexpensive Watches For Women

 5 Best Inexpensive Watches For Women

This post may contain affiliate links which means that I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made.  My opinion of these watches is my own opinion.

Hello everyone, Today I want to share with you five inexpensive watches for women.  Watches don't only keep time but they are also a fashion statement. There are many watch brands that are nice but they can be very expensive.  Sometimes you want a nice looking watch but you do not want to pay a lot of money for it.

There are many brands today that offer accuracy in time, and fabulous style.  I have some of the more expensive brands but I also wear a lot of inexpensive watches and let me tell you, they work just as well and sometimes better than the expensive watches.

I have had many of my expensive watches repaired and it is not cheap!  For some of my inexpensive watches, I have had five years and I only had to have the battery changed in them. So I have saved a lot of money while my expensive watches are in the watch repair shop.

Below you will see my picks for some great inexpensive watches. Some of them may also be on sale.  Check them out!

1. INC International Concepts INC Women's Gold-Tone Bracelet Watch

                                                               This watch is so cute!       

             

2. Preston Women's Simply Textured Bangle Bracelet Watch

                                                      This watch is available in different colors

3. Casio Unisex Digital Pink Jelly Strap Watch

                                           You will not see yourself coming and going with this one

4. Geoffrey Beene Women's Gold-Tone Metal Alloy Bracelet Watch

                             This watch is not only functional but it exudes sophistication

5. Nine West Women's Crystal-Accented Rose Gold-Tone And Purple Croco-grain Strap Watch

                                                          This watch is classically beautiful

     

This Year Has Taught Me So Much More About Gratitude

This year has taught me so much more about gratitude.

     

I have always been a person who was thankful for the great things in my life.  Life for me was never perfect.  I found myself at times complaining and although my complaints were valid, sometimes I would go on and on.  

Many times I would thank God for food, clothing, and shelter.  Constantly I prayed for a better life for me and my family.  Sometimes I had asked God why others had things that I didn't have and I never received an answer.   Often wondered why those answers never came.  

Then early March 2020 came.  I had gotten up very early and I decided that I was going to go to the mall.  I hadn't visited that mall in many years so I welcomed this day trip with open arms.  I went to various stores, then I had lunch.  I was really enjoying myself that day but I did notice that there was a slight eery feeling that I kept having.  I told myself that I wasn't really used to this mall so I overlooked this feeling.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love going to the mall to get out of the house and see the new things that are available.  When it was time for me to leave the mall I still had that eery feeling.   Fast forward to two weeks and there was talk about the Coronavirus pandemic.  There were so many people sick and many were dying.  So many eery images were shown on my television screen.  I had this heaviness that came over me.  I am sure a lot of you felt the same way.

Many days I felt like I was in the "Twilight Zone'  just walking and trying not to really think.  I lost some family members, not due to Covid19 but wasn't able to properly grieve.  Heard of friends of the family passing away.  It was just unbearable.  I quickly remembered the times that I complained.  I thought about the times that I felt that life was unfair.  Being able to breathe was a luxury because I now had to wear a mask everywhere I went.

People lost their jobs and some passed away because of their jobs.  The shopping mall closed.  Quickly I thought about the very things that I had taken for granted.  Life moved in a very weird way.  Going to the supermarket became such a chore but I was thankful that I had money to buy food because some people didn't.  We often wondered whether or not we would find toilet paper at the supermarket.  We all learned how to adapt to the way life was at that moment.

What I learned about gratitude this year has made me a better person.  Worrying about material things will not get you anywhere.  God will provide the things that we need.  That goes for clothing, food, and shelter.  Things will not be perfect in life so I have learned to be even more thankful. As bad as this pandemic has been, we are so blessed to have phones, computers, and social media to keep us connected to other people.

I am thankful that the shopping malls reopened five months ago and all of us are trying to return to normalcy.  This was a lesson for me to trust in God for everything in life.  To be thankful because you never know what tomorrow is going to bring.  

Grooming Products For Men

 Grooming Products For Men

This post contains affiliate links from Macy's Style Crew which means that I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made.

I love to bump into a man at the grocery store, elevator, or in passing, who smells good.  Making a great impression is essential to a man's career and general well-being.  Sometimes men get lost in the sauce which means that some retailers do not have as many new products for men as they do women. Because women are the biggest consumers of beauty products.

It is very important for men to use a daily face wash made specifically for men. This will keep the skin bump-free and hydrated.  For men who wear a beard a good beard oil will keep it looking moisturized and attractive. 

Macy's makes it easy to find all of your favorite products all in one place.  Men always need shaving products and hair clippers.  This will allow them to keep themselves well-groomed when home or traveling for business.

I think a man looks great with a fresh shave and haircut, it really makes him stand out and look handsome.  Macy's has grooming products for men's hair, skin, and shower gels that will make him look his best.

Some men have skin conditions such as; eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin that gets worse in the Fall and Winter due to cold weather and spending more time indoors. Men can get Winter acne just as well as women. Macy's has products that will keep the skin moist and will keep it in tip-top shape.

Macy's carry brands such as;

• Paul Mitchell
• Calvin Klein
• Giorgio Armani
• Remington
• American Crew
• Jean Paul Gaultier
• Yves Saint Laurent 
• Pilot Men's 
• Hawkins & Brimble
• Surker

There are many more products available.  These products make great gifts for the man in your life.  Right now it is good to have products on hand so a man can keep himself groomed without relying on the barbershop.  Sadly we had to learn this valuable lesson when we experienced shutdowns as a result of the pandemic.  

You can check out my Macy's Storefront right here for these products and many more.

Top Ten Fall Fashion Trends For 2020

 Top Ten Fall Fashion Trends For 2020

This post may contain affiliate links which means that I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made.  This helps me to bring you more and better content.

If you know anything about me, I love Fall.  I love to see the trees turn beautiful colors and the slight chill in the air.  What I love the most are the Fall fashions. You will see some gorgeous sweaters, pants, jackets and some cool looking hats. 

 There are so many ways that you can express yourself through Fall fashion.  Fall is a good time to revitalize your wardrobe. You can use a few pieces from last Fall but add in some new pieces to give yourself a new look. 

 In my wardrobe, I like to add some colorful boots in the mix to really make the colors in my outfit pop.  In recent weeks I have found some cute jeans and pretty sweaters in jewel tones that I cannot wait to start wearing.

Fall jewelry adds the right zing that you need to complete your outfit. My jewelry wardrobe consists of blingy pieces, ruby reds, emerald green, and lush sapphire blues.

I am adding a collection of items here that will be the top trends for Fall 2020.

                               Charter Club Petite Open-Front Cardigan Created For Macy's

                                         White Mark Women's Dakota Poncho

                                                  1.STATE Trendy Plus Size Cotton Colorblocked Sweater

                                     Levi's Women's Skinny Wedgie Jeans

                               William Rast Perfect Skinny Jean

                                  Lucky Brand Ava Skinny Jean

                                 Cole Haan Signature Asymmetrical Walker Coat

                             Alfani Petite Faux-Leather Mixed-Media Jacket Created For Macy's      

                                 Calvin Klein Women's Gara Booties

Franco Sarto Haylie Tall Boots

TubeBuddy is the best tool to help grow your YouTube channel

TubeBuddy is the best tool to help grow your YouTube channel



Image courtesy of TubeBuddy
Sashamoniquetalks.blogspot is a participant in the TubeBuddy affiliate program which means that I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made.

Hello everyone, I want to talk to you today about a wonderful tool called TubeBuddy.  TubeBuddy is a tool that can help you to manage and grow your YouTube channel.  This tool is certified by YouTube and it has great features.  It is a browser extension that is easy to install and it will be right there for you when you are uploading your videos.

I am going to highlight the features right here.

• It can help your videos get to a higher search position
• Help you grow your channel by offering you the option of improving your thumbnails.  It can even help you create a thumbnail.
• You can test your thumbnail to see which one would be better for search.
• You can find out the best time when to upload your video.
• It has a keyword research tool where you will be able to find the best titles to use for your YouTube videos.
•  It has a tag explorer. It shows you what tags to add to your video.
• It has A/B testing where you will be able to compare video features so you can pick one that will make your video rate higher.
• They have a free and a paid version.  The free version is good but the paid version has more valuable features.
• You can publish directly to Facebook and Twitter.
• Health report to see exactly how your channel is performing.
• A video topic planner so you can plan the best video to get more views.
• Videolytics: To see advanced analytics and insights.

Cons:

• Some features are not available in the free plan.
• Doesn't have a lifetime subscription option right now.

As you can see, there are so many tools on TubeBuddy that you can take advantage of.  There are also more tools available that I didn't list because I didn't want to make this post too long.  There are not a lot of cons.

I decided to install TubeBuddy because my YouTube channel was not growing and I really needed some help.  It is now starting to grow and TubeBuddy makes it a whole lot easier to manage my YouTube channel without a whole lot of research on my part.  This tool is very safe to use!

If you are on the fence on whether you should get TubeBuddy, I suggest that you start with the free version to try it out.  Then upgrade your subscription to get more features that you will need on your YouTube journey.

Straight Talk Wireless Home Phone Landline Replacement Review

                            Straight Talk Wireless Home Phone Landline Replacement Review

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links where I may receive a small commission if a purchase is made.  I paid for this device with my own money.  This is an honest review.

Hello everyone, today I am doing a four-month update on the Straight Talk Wireless home phone service.  This phone system is a no-contract replacement for your landline phone.

Before I purchased this device I was looking for a phone service that would be affordable.  I saw other devices that I was interested in.  Most of the devices were dependent on the Internet to operate.  At that time, I had canceled my Internet service because of the high cost.  I looked on the Walmart website and I saw this device.

This device sparked my interest and when I was about to order it, it wasn't in stock.  I then looked on the Straight Talk Wireless website and they were out of the device so I waited two more days and I was able to order the device and the nationwide card.

When I received the device it really was funny looking.  It was very easy to set up the device.  The problem that I did have was getting my number ported and when I called the customer service number they kept switching me to someone else.  It was a pain in the neck!

This device looks like something out of the 1980s with the antennas!

Once I got everything straightened out I began to use this phone and was so surprised at how well it worked.  You will experience a weird screeching sound sometimes when someone calls but that is manageable because it doesn't happen all the time.

After four months I am still in love with this Straight Talk home phone because it is so affordable.  I only pay $16.33 including tax.  This is truly a landline replacement.  You can even use it as an office phone.  I do not regret this purchase one bit.  In fact, it is my favorite purchase of all time.

I did a video review on this product and you can see it right here. 

If you want to save money on your phone bills, think about purchasing this system because if you do not like it you can always send it back and get a refund.

Garnier Hair Care Whole Blends Ginger Recovery Strengthening Shampoo

Garnier Whole Blends Ginger Recovery Strengthening Shampoo

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links where I will receive a small commission if a purchase is made.

Today I am reviewing the Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo.  This was my first time buying this product.  I was interested in this product after I read the label and it said that it had ginger and golden honey in it.

I have always loved the way ginger smell.  Today I convinced myself that I needed this shampoo in my life.  My hair is very dry and brittle.  Lately, I have been trying to pamper myself with good products and am working on improving the health of my hair.

I opened the cap and the herbal smell of ginger was intoxicating.  I  absolutely loved it!  This time I  did not get the conditioner but wish that I had.  The next day I washed my hair and this beautiful fragrance filled the air around me.  My hair felt very soft and I conditioned my hair with a hair conditioner that I already had at home.

Next, I combed my hair and didn't see as much hair in the comb as I usually did.  The fragrance still was noticeable but not too strong.  My hair is natural so I am very careful what I put on my hair.

This shampoo is a little pricey for the size of the bottle but, let me tell you, it was well worth it!

The bottle is a 12.5 FL OZ.  It is enriched with natural extracts and it is paraben-free.  Try it, you will love it!

How to become a better writer with Grammarly.

This post may contain affiliate links which means that we will receive a small commission if you make a purchase.

How to become a better writer with Grammarly.

I have been writing for about six years and I love sharing my thoughts and point of view through my writing. Blogging has provided such a great outlet for me to express myself in ways that I never thought was possible.  There are times that you can be so busy writing and creating that you will make mistakes.  You will look over your work, yet still, make mistakes with grammar, spelling, and usage.

I tried Grammarly and I love how it will correct your spelling mistakes as well as your grammar.  With Grammarly, I am not nervous about submitting work with spelling and grammar errors no longer.  You only have one time to make a great impression, and that is the first time.  If you are seeking employment and your resume is full of spelling and grammar errors, I can guarantee you that you will not get the job.

This application will even let you know if you are being too wordy which I am at times.



Grammarly has allowed me to save time because everything will be clear and concise without spending hours proofreading.  Grammarly will make you a better proofreader if you are in that profession.

Pros and Cons of using Grammarly

Pros

• Very easy to use.
• Intuitive.
• It makes your writing more understandable.
• It is very affordable because they have a free version that is good but they also have a paid version that has more features.
• The paid version has a plagiarism feature that checks over 16 billion websites.
• It will naturally help to enhance your vocabulary.
• It is perfect for people who don't speak English well.

Cons

• The paid version can be a bit pricey.
• If you are using it on different browsers it will have to be installed on each one.
• You have to install it on every device that you are using whether it is your tablet or another computer in your home.

Who is Grammarly for?

• Students.
• Business people.
• Anyone who wants to write and speak better.
• Job seekers.
• Writers.
• Copywriters.
• Scriptwriters.
• Songwriters.

Check out Grammarly to see if it is the perfect fit for you!

Disclaimer:  All images on this page is courtesy of Pixabay

How to get out of a creative funk.

this post contains an affiliate link which means that we will receive a small commission if a purchase is made.

Image courtesy of Pixabay      

How to get out of a creative funk.      

This has been a difficult month for me.  I am not one to smile when I am going through issues in my life. This month taught me a lot of valuable lessons that I will never forget.  Wearing my heart on my sleeve is my greatest challenge.

It was hard for me to make the choice of whether to carry out all of my endeavors or to just take a break for a while.  I had to make myself snap out of it and find inspiration in many other ways.  I found myself in different locations and talking to new people.  Although I have experienced great sadness and some regrets, it helped me to move on and make some major decisions on how I will move forward.

The only person that you can change is yourself.  You can also remove yourself from any negative situations.  This is essential to healing your heart and your spirit.  My work is important to me and it keeps me going.  This year I want to express myself more in photos and continuing my product reviews.  Blogging makes me happy and it is my way of escaping.

How To Get Out Of A Creative Funk        

• Talk to some other people to find out what inspires them to go on.
• Go out in nature and admire the beauty that is readily available. This can help you to get those creative juices flowing.
• Do something different. Go somewhere and have lunch or dinner at a new place where you can meet some new friends who are creative like you are.  Take some new online courses; that is what I have been doing and it was very affordable.
• Evaluate yourself and be determined that you will put yourself first in life and your career.
• If you are lonely, get yourself a pet because I think that they bring out the best in people.
• Close the door to negative people who really don't care anything about you.
• Walk freely with your head held high and refuse to let people manipulate you.
• Wear bright colors because they make you feel more happy and optimistic.