I've been swamped with work in my so-called real life. Then I realized that this is OLD NEWS. Sorry if you tried to use the code. The good news is that Paula has a new deal (these seem to be coming with more frequency). This one is for 15% off everything, free shipping AND a free vitamin C sample if you spend $50plus. Besides the products I mention below, Miss Em and I have used the BHA and AHA exfoliants with good results.
As before, you will get $10 off (and so will I!!!! exciting) if you use the link below. New code is EDDVIPFEB14. Good through Feb 23.
Back soon--or eventually--with the cheapest, easiest, healthiest recipe I have come across in a long time.
OLD POST BELOW with LINK
This is the only thing I hawk. I am a true believer in this company's products. Soooo...if you buy using my link, I will get a $10 credit and--guess what???--you will too. If you are a previous customer and the $10/$10 does not apply, this is still a good deal.
This weekend, Paula's Choice is having 20% off and FREE Shipping. And if, perchance, you spend $50, you get a free sample of some pricy vitamin c stuff. Remember: all this is guaranteed, so you can return for whatever reason.
The code for the 20% off is EDD20. The LINK and many thanks if you use it!
AND--you get 3 free samples. These are perfect for travel.
Whew! Even though I am a well-known (in a very small circle) cheeeeepwad par excellence, I am going to avail myself of this marvelous offer. I can vouch for the sunscreens, cleansers, serums, and toners.
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Friday, February 14, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
A Thrift Store Miracle
I have a very heavy teaching load, so on my off-days, I permit myself some totally frivolous and time-wasting activities. These involve frugality, of course. It is not really "worth" my time to go to thrift stores, since I don't really need anything. It is not worth my time to check out the reduced for quick sale section at Big Lots and my local grocery because--well--ditto. So I put these activities under the rubric of mental health.
Today I engaged in all of the above. When I hit my last stop--the All Saints Thrift Store which benefits the Food Bank--I had an armful of possibilities. Then I looked at my wrist and realized my grandmother Emmie's delicate bracelet--gold with a tiny ruby and even tinier diamonds--was gone. I've had the bracelet for more than 40 years.
I looked around, informed the workers and other shoppers, dropped my armload of possibilities (which were probably responsible for pushing the bracelet from my wrist) and rushed home. I called the other places I had stopped. Then Mr FS and I headed back to the store.
What karmic message was I getting? Was the universe telling me I was wasting too much time at thrift stores? Should I find a worthy pursuit for my off-days?
A shopper was looking at the armload of clothing I had dropped before I rushed out. I told her she could buy what she wanted, but I wanted to check for my bracelet. She told me that she would pray to St Anthony for me. She mentioned that other saints sometimes were effective, but that St Anthony was the classic.
OK. Mr FS and I headed around the corner to look at the housewares. Another shopper held something toward me and said "Is this what you're looking for?" IT WAS. It had broken and fallen off--it is probably 100 years old.
My two benefactresses discussed St Anthony for a while. The finder told me that she had lost a lot of rosaries--several valuable--but through some miracle had recovered all except the one that belonged to her. This thrift store attracts a spiritual--and very low income--crowd. Goodwill, by contrast, attracts mostly dealers. I wonder if any of those shoppers would have turned in my bracelet.
Mr FS and I are not Catholic. This is a very Catholic area, so perhaps there are miracles everywhere, available to everyone. That's what catholic means anyway: including a wide variety of things; all-embracing.
Today I engaged in all of the above. When I hit my last stop--the All Saints Thrift Store which benefits the Food Bank--I had an armful of possibilities. Then I looked at my wrist and realized my grandmother Emmie's delicate bracelet--gold with a tiny ruby and even tinier diamonds--was gone. I've had the bracelet for more than 40 years.
I looked around, informed the workers and other shoppers, dropped my armload of possibilities (which were probably responsible for pushing the bracelet from my wrist) and rushed home. I called the other places I had stopped. Then Mr FS and I headed back to the store.
What karmic message was I getting? Was the universe telling me I was wasting too much time at thrift stores? Should I find a worthy pursuit for my off-days?
A shopper was looking at the armload of clothing I had dropped before I rushed out. I told her she could buy what she wanted, but I wanted to check for my bracelet. She told me that she would pray to St Anthony for me. She mentioned that other saints sometimes were effective, but that St Anthony was the classic.
OK. Mr FS and I headed around the corner to look at the housewares. Another shopper held something toward me and said "Is this what you're looking for?" IT WAS. It had broken and fallen off--it is probably 100 years old.
My two benefactresses discussed St Anthony for a while. The finder told me that she had lost a lot of rosaries--several valuable--but through some miracle had recovered all except the one that belonged to her. This thrift store attracts a spiritual--and very low income--crowd. Goodwill, by contrast, attracts mostly dealers. I wonder if any of those shoppers would have turned in my bracelet.
Mr FS and I are not Catholic. This is a very Catholic area, so perhaps there are miracles everywhere, available to everyone. That's what catholic means anyway: including a wide variety of things; all-embracing.
Novena to Saint Anthony to Find a Lost Article
St. Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find [name the item] which has been lost. At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favor, I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Cold Weather Attire: Frugal Style
It is supposed to get down to 15 degrees F here in the Deep South. That may make Mainers, Minnesotans, and Canadians et al roll their eyes in derision. But it's not the cold (only), it's the precipitation. It's the threat of a thin sheet of ice on bridges and roadways that accounts for the all the closings.
I post now and again about what I'm wearing in my cold house. I have 12 foot ceilings and big windows, so even running the ceiling fans backwards doesn't do all that much. I also posted recently about sending Miss Em's friend Mr C off to Serbia in December with a puffy down jacket, acquired by yours truly for a mere $5.00.
Right now I'm wearing the neatest pants. I hardly ever succumb to things in thrift stores because the label is interesting, but these were irresistible. They are ski pants, with stirrups (natch) and all sorts of zipper compartments. For some reason, ski pants are a common sight in Goodwill in Louisiana. I am not a skier--and, since I'm the opposite of sportive, I am unlikely ever to go skiing. These pants, however, are WOOL (my fave fabric), not the puffy synthetics of today. The label says "Herford Original" "Made in Western Germany for [drumroll] SAKS FIFTH AVENUE."
There have been many blog discussions of late lamenting the quality of clothing, especially in the women's department. Everyone agrees that store labels are no longer a guarantee of quality. Not all wool is created equal.
However, older labels can be an indicator of quality. These pants are--at their youngest--almost 30 years old. The print on the label looks older than that to me. SAKS is, of course, a luxe department store. And WESTERN GERMANY was known for the high quality of its consumer goods. (Perhaps that is still true of the united Germany? ) I doubt that many--or any--of my Goodwill competitors would have been interested in these. But I was also helped by the fact that I found them last summer.
My whole outfit was bought last summer: in addition to my ski pants, I am wearing a down vest topped with a Patagonia fleece jacket. I feel quite chic.
If you anticipate EVER needing something for cold weather in thrift stores, look OUT OF SEASON. It's too late now.
I post now and again about what I'm wearing in my cold house. I have 12 foot ceilings and big windows, so even running the ceiling fans backwards doesn't do all that much. I also posted recently about sending Miss Em's friend Mr C off to Serbia in December with a puffy down jacket, acquired by yours truly for a mere $5.00.
Right now I'm wearing the neatest pants. I hardly ever succumb to things in thrift stores because the label is interesting, but these were irresistible. They are ski pants, with stirrups (natch) and all sorts of zipper compartments. For some reason, ski pants are a common sight in Goodwill in Louisiana. I am not a skier--and, since I'm the opposite of sportive, I am unlikely ever to go skiing. These pants, however, are WOOL (my fave fabric), not the puffy synthetics of today. The label says "Herford Original" "Made in Western Germany for [drumroll] SAKS FIFTH AVENUE."
There have been many blog discussions of late lamenting the quality of clothing, especially in the women's department. Everyone agrees that store labels are no longer a guarantee of quality. Not all wool is created equal.
However, older labels can be an indicator of quality. These pants are--at their youngest--almost 30 years old. The print on the label looks older than that to me. SAKS is, of course, a luxe department store. And WESTERN GERMANY was known for the high quality of its consumer goods. (Perhaps that is still true of the united Germany? ) I doubt that many--or any--of my Goodwill competitors would have been interested in these. But I was also helped by the fact that I found them last summer.
My whole outfit was bought last summer: in addition to my ski pants, I am wearing a down vest topped with a Patagonia fleece jacket. I feel quite chic.
If you anticipate EVER needing something for cold weather in thrift stores, look OUT OF SEASON. It's too late now.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
For oatmeal and oat groat eaters: a good deal that ENDS TODAY
Yesterday, I was having one of those "What's it all about?" days common on big birthdays. I was talking to Frugal Son about it. I said that in some ways, it doesn't matter that much if I'm frugal anymore. I'm pretty close to retirement, after all, and just chugging along en route to a frugal one as far as I can tell.
Frugal Son said, "Well, I know how to be frugal and so does Miss Em. Now you need to tell the millions." Haha. I certainly don't reach the millions--or even the thousands--but, in keeping with my belief that a zillion little frugalities over a lifetime ADD UP, here's a little one.
Everywhere you go, you read about the virtues of oats. Mr FS and I eat oat groats almost every day. We get them from Honeyville in 50 lb sacks. We still have a lot left, so we can't take advantage of this. But YOU CAN. 15% off with code FRESH (it's right on the website, so don't worry). $4.49 to ship. They have all sorts of stuff, but the only thing we buy is the steel-cut oats. With the discount, they end up being about $1/lb. We don't have a good source here for bulk foods, so we were happy to find this place.
We cook a potful up every few days, refrigerate, and reheat for breakfast before heading off to work.
A frugal, healthy, timesaving breakfast from Honeyville: the jackpot!
Frugal Son said, "Well, I know how to be frugal and so does Miss Em. Now you need to tell the millions." Haha. I certainly don't reach the millions--or even the thousands--but, in keeping with my belief that a zillion little frugalities over a lifetime ADD UP, here's a little one.
Everywhere you go, you read about the virtues of oats. Mr FS and I eat oat groats almost every day. We get them from Honeyville in 50 lb sacks. We still have a lot left, so we can't take advantage of this. But YOU CAN. 15% off with code FRESH (it's right on the website, so don't worry). $4.49 to ship. They have all sorts of stuff, but the only thing we buy is the steel-cut oats. With the discount, they end up being about $1/lb. We don't have a good source here for bulk foods, so we were happy to find this place.
We cook a potful up every few days, refrigerate, and reheat for breakfast before heading off to work.
A frugal, healthy, timesaving breakfast from Honeyville: the jackpot!
Monday, January 20, 2014
Happy Birthday to Me: Fake It Till I Make It?
Today is my long awaited/dreaded birthday. Since I am something of a self-denier (a debilitating disease of the pathologically frugal), I decided I would get myself a biggish (for me anyway) gift. I have been musing: a nice bag? some earrings? a scarf?
Choosing THE ONE was driving me crazy with indecision. Then I realized I could get all three, if I chose mid-priced models. And I could stretch out the purchases over the year, an idea I like. Here's my "progress."
1. EARRINGS. I would like some big pearl earrings. I even solicited and got personalized suggestions from the great Duchesse, a pearl expert. THANK YOU. I sent them to my senior advisor (aka my daughter, who is far away till summer). She said WAIT till I get home! And, she said, In the meantime, wear the big fake pearls you have. These were a hand-me-down from my mother, who bought them many years ago at the Metropolitan Museum Shop.
OK: fake it #1. I suppose a test drive would be a good idea.
2. HANDBAG. How to choose? I finally bought a bag from Garnet Hill that I had been eying for a while. By the time I sprung for it, it was half price! Frugal-ish! Guess what? The reviews are 99% positive. 1% said It looked cheap. Guess where I stand? Have to return.
A few days ago, I was donating several bags of stuff to the Food Bank Thrift Store. I peeked in. I spied a color-block bag in maroon and black, colors I love. The inside had the label UE with a prominent Certified Vegan (i.e. plastique) tag. Still, it was not really cheap looking and--drumroll--it was also half price at $1.50. So I bought it on a whim.
When I got home, I noticed some weird snaps inside. I pulled out the sides and discovered that I was the proud owner of a FAKE Celine Trapeze bag! I had bought a knockoff bag in complete innocence.
OK: fake it #2. Since I figure no one in my day-to-day life would think this was a real or fake anything in particular, I am going to test it out too, till my daughter returns to advise me.
3. SCARF. I haven't even thought about this yet.
PROGRESS? I am not sure. I am thinking there might be karma involved, but I am unsure as to whether this is a TEST (a roadblock in my effort to be LESS PATHOLOGICALLY frugal, at least now and again) or a GIFT (till Miss Em returns, the forces of frugality have offered me substitutes).
Tomorrow night, Mr FS and I will attend a concert in New Orleans. I will be sporting my two FAKES and an as-yet-to-be-determined scarf.
Choosing THE ONE was driving me crazy with indecision. Then I realized I could get all three, if I chose mid-priced models. And I could stretch out the purchases over the year, an idea I like. Here's my "progress."
1. EARRINGS. I would like some big pearl earrings. I even solicited and got personalized suggestions from the great Duchesse, a pearl expert. THANK YOU. I sent them to my senior advisor (aka my daughter, who is far away till summer). She said WAIT till I get home! And, she said, In the meantime, wear the big fake pearls you have. These were a hand-me-down from my mother, who bought them many years ago at the Metropolitan Museum Shop.
OK: fake it #1. I suppose a test drive would be a good idea.
2. HANDBAG. How to choose? I finally bought a bag from Garnet Hill that I had been eying for a while. By the time I sprung for it, it was half price! Frugal-ish! Guess what? The reviews are 99% positive. 1% said It looked cheap. Guess where I stand? Have to return.
A few days ago, I was donating several bags of stuff to the Food Bank Thrift Store. I peeked in. I spied a color-block bag in maroon and black, colors I love. The inside had the label UE with a prominent Certified Vegan (i.e. plastique) tag. Still, it was not really cheap looking and--drumroll--it was also half price at $1.50. So I bought it on a whim.
When I got home, I noticed some weird snaps inside. I pulled out the sides and discovered that I was the proud owner of a FAKE Celine Trapeze bag! I had bought a knockoff bag in complete innocence.
OK: fake it #2. Since I figure no one in my day-to-day life would think this was a real or fake anything in particular, I am going to test it out too, till my daughter returns to advise me.
3. SCARF. I haven't even thought about this yet.
PROGRESS? I am not sure. I am thinking there might be karma involved, but I am unsure as to whether this is a TEST (a roadblock in my effort to be LESS PATHOLOGICALLY frugal, at least now and again) or a GIFT (till Miss Em returns, the forces of frugality have offered me substitutes).
Tomorrow night, Mr FS and I will attend a concert in New Orleans. I will be sporting my two FAKES and an as-yet-to-be-determined scarf.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Dental Decision and A Silly (Frugal!) Recipe
Thanks for all for comments on my dentist distress. Perhaps because of unacknowledged anger on my part, I made the dentist seem awful. In fact, ours was a cordial discussion and at the end the dentist promised that the collection issue would not recur. I feel kind of sorry for the dentist: hers is a small practice and she is a brainy and conscientious woman. She is not surrounded by people of her caliber, however. She probably can't--or isn't willing to--pay for a receptionist/manager with better skills.
Why do I want to continue to see this dentist? She was one of two recommended by my oral surgeon, who has been enriched considerably by the errors, incompetence, and negligence of my previous dentist and her crony, the endodontist. The oral surgeon was loathe to recommend anyone at first ("We work well with all dentists") but relented when I started crying (from constant pain and frustration) in his office!
Some readers recommend I consult Yelp and Angie's List. Interestingly, both my current and former dentists have all positive reviews. The former dentist is noted for her wonderful attitude and beautiful smile. UGH.
Thanks again to all.
As a break from expensive dentistry, I present a weird recipe, which I may try tomorrow. I took the visiting Mr C to Big Lots, where I got stuff for me (with my $15 off $45 coupon!) and a few things for his harried student kitchen. Right by the entrance, I spied a cart filled with bags of potato chips marked down to 10 cents! I don't think I have ever bought potato chips (though I do buy corn chips on occasion), but how could I resist?
When I got home, I did some searching and found this recipe. I have GOT to try it. Would you dare make a frittata with potato chips?
Why do I want to continue to see this dentist? She was one of two recommended by my oral surgeon, who has been enriched considerably by the errors, incompetence, and negligence of my previous dentist and her crony, the endodontist. The oral surgeon was loathe to recommend anyone at first ("We work well with all dentists") but relented when I started crying (from constant pain and frustration) in his office!
Some readers recommend I consult Yelp and Angie's List. Interestingly, both my current and former dentists have all positive reviews. The former dentist is noted for her wonderful attitude and beautiful smile. UGH.
Thanks again to all.
As a break from expensive dentistry, I present a weird recipe, which I may try tomorrow. I took the visiting Mr C to Big Lots, where I got stuff for me (with my $15 off $45 coupon!) and a few things for his harried student kitchen. Right by the entrance, I spied a cart filled with bags of potato chips marked down to 10 cents! I don't think I have ever bought potato chips (though I do buy corn chips on occasion), but how could I resist?
When I got home, I did some searching and found this recipe. I have GOT to try it. Would you dare make a frittata with potato chips?
Potato Chip Omelet
2 SERVINGS
2 SERVINGS
Courtesy of Ferran Adrià originally published in The Family Meal: Home Cooking With Ferran Adrià
6 eggs
2¾ oz. salted potato chips
1½ Tbsp. olive oil
2¾ oz. salted potato chips
1½ Tbsp. olive oil
• Break the eggs into a bowl and beat with a balloon whisk until very frothy.
• Add the chips, being careful not to break them, then let soak in the egg for 1 minute.
• Place a 10-inch nonstick frying pan over medium heat, then add 2 teaspoons of oil.
• Pour the mixture into the pan and stir gently with a rubber spatula.
• Use the spatula to loosen the omelet from the edge of the pan.
• After 40 seconds, when the bottom of the omelet has set, cover the omelet with a plate. Hold onto the pan with one hand, then carefully turn the pan over, so that the omelet slides onto the plate.
• Remove the pan and return it to the heat. Add another 2 teaspoons oil.
• Slide the omelet from the plate and into the pan, so that the uncooked side is in contact with the heat. Cook for another 20 seconds.
• Serve the omelet on a plate.
• Add the chips, being careful not to break them, then let soak in the egg for 1 minute.
• Place a 10-inch nonstick frying pan over medium heat, then add 2 teaspoons of oil.
• Pour the mixture into the pan and stir gently with a rubber spatula.
• Use the spatula to loosen the omelet from the edge of the pan.
• After 40 seconds, when the bottom of the omelet has set, cover the omelet with a plate. Hold onto the pan with one hand, then carefully turn the pan over, so that the omelet slides onto the plate.
• Remove the pan and return it to the heat. Add another 2 teaspoons oil.
• Slide the omelet from the plate and into the pan, so that the uncooked side is in contact with the heat. Cook for another 20 seconds.
• Serve the omelet on a plate.
Reprinted with permission from Phaidon Press
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Dental Distress Over or Not Over?
Thanks to all for your comments, many of which I used when I spoke to the dentist herself. I would like to stay with the dentist, if possible. We had an incompetent dentist for many years and the new one is good. As far as I can tell, there is but one other good dentist in the area. It is a field with a lot of incompetence, I'm afraid, and little recourse for patients.
The receptionist (who took payment AFTER--unbeknownst to us--sending bill to collection agency, which is perhaps illegal and definitely unethical) insists that the bill never got to the agency. I called the agency and they have no record with Mr FS's name. However, they did say to keep checking back. How long should I do this for?
I had a long chat with the dentist. She kept repeating two things: "I think $200 is a lot of money" and "I'm sorry you feel that way."
As for the first, I refrained from responding with the obvious riposte: "If it's so much money, why did you send it to collection, which takes half the money??"
As for the second: this one burns me up. There are times when it IS appropriate. But it has become a customer service cliche that--like the passive voice--absolves the speaker of responsibility. So every time she said that, I said "Are you saying that my feelings are without cause or justification?"
Finally, she did relent on this and said that she would make a personal call to patients before sending a bill to collections. I don't know how much her feelings are shaped by the $5000 in upcoming treatments we have mapped out.
I do have a lot of hostility remaining. A decent dentist a short walk down the street...that may be worth dealing with my anger.
My last (I hope!) question: how many more times should I check with the credit agency? Should I ask for something in writing from the agency and from the dentist's office before scheduling any work?
And once more: THANK YOU.
The receptionist (who took payment AFTER--unbeknownst to us--sending bill to collection agency, which is perhaps illegal and definitely unethical) insists that the bill never got to the agency. I called the agency and they have no record with Mr FS's name. However, they did say to keep checking back. How long should I do this for?
I had a long chat with the dentist. She kept repeating two things: "I think $200 is a lot of money" and "I'm sorry you feel that way."
As for the first, I refrained from responding with the obvious riposte: "If it's so much money, why did you send it to collection, which takes half the money??"
As for the second: this one burns me up. There are times when it IS appropriate. But it has become a customer service cliche that--like the passive voice--absolves the speaker of responsibility. So every time she said that, I said "Are you saying that my feelings are without cause or justification?"
Finally, she did relent on this and said that she would make a personal call to patients before sending a bill to collections. I don't know how much her feelings are shaped by the $5000 in upcoming treatments we have mapped out.
I do have a lot of hostility remaining. A decent dentist a short walk down the street...that may be worth dealing with my anger.
My last (I hope!) question: how many more times should I check with the credit agency? Should I ask for something in writing from the agency and from the dentist's office before scheduling any work?
And once more: THANK YOU.
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