Friday Fave #6~

 

This Friday my fave that I'm featuring is Seche Vite. A product that I have used for years .

I thought I would switch things up a bit and do a video version for you on my YouTube channel. I had fun doing it and I hope you enjoy it! If you haven't subscribed yet, I would be so grateful if you did!

See you there!

💋xo,

TJ

*this product is not sponsored and is not an ad~just a friend sharing with friends!

Friday Fave #4~

This week my favorite item is the L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara Original. I have lost count of how many times I have bought this mascara. I love how it separates my lashes without clumping for a more natural look. 

Yet, if I want a thicker lash look, this buildable volume mascara allows me to go in with another coat or two to "glam it up! 

And although I usually use either Blackest Black or Black Brown, you can buy it in a range of colors. They offer it in Carbon Black or even a range of fun colors like Deep Burgundy, Deep Violet, Deep Green, and Cobalt Blue.

Occasionally, I have gone off and bought a different type of mascara when I hear someone rave about their favorite mascara, as you can see here. I bought the L'Oréal Telescopic mascara on the recommendation of someone. Although it's not a favorite of mine, I still use it when I know I'll be at home all day. I find it to be a bit clumpy for my liking, giving me a "spidery" lash look rather than my preferred "fluttery" lash look.

Another aspect of the Telescopic mascara that I'm not a fan of is the skinny plastic brush. Somehow plastic bristled mascara brushes and I do not get along. I always manage to poke myself in the eye with them, leaving me with a mascara'd black eye mess that I have to clean up (another reason I don't use it when I know I will be leaving the house!🤣). I like the softer bristles of my beloved Voluminous-they don't try to poke my eye out😉.

All that being said, everyone is different and likes different lash looks and makeup looks. What works for me may not necessarily work for you.  I mean, someone loved the Telescopic enough to convince me to buy it! And apparently she is able to wield the brush around her eyes safely, lol!

If you already use the Voluminous, or decide to try it, I would love to hear your thoughts. And hey, even if you have your own favorite mascara, let me know! You might convince me to try it!

Thanks for stopping by!

💋xo,

TJ

*these products are not sponsored and is not an ad~just a friend sharing with friends!

Use it Up ~ Empties August 2018

It's been a while since I've done an "empties" post!  Of course, I've got more empties than the few I am going to show in this post, but I didn't want the info to be overwhelming.  So, I decided to do a bite sized post, lol!

Without further ado and in no particular order, here we go...

•  L'Oréal Paris EverPure Blonde Conditioner Sulfate Free ~ I purchased this when I still had some blond in my hair while growing it out to reveal it's natural, ahem, "highlights".  I loved everything about it, especially that it was Sulfate free.  It seemed to work well on keeping my hair, both the blond and the grays while in transition, from turning brassy.    I may buy this again in the future, but in the meantime, I will be exploring other conditioners that are formulated for blond or gray hair, just to compare.

•  SUZANNE Organics Foaming Exfoliating Cleanser ~ this product was a gift that was included in another purchase I made well before I went on my money diet and renewed decluttering mission.  One of the benefits of this product are that it cleans away dirt and dead skin cells with a cleanser that won't strip your skin of it's natural moisture and protection.  Another thing I appreciated about this cleanser was the fact that I do prefer to use products that are non-toxic, organic and as close to natural as possible, and this fits the bill.  But products like that usually come with a higher price tag than I am going to pay right now.  Perhaps sometime in the future, when there is a bit more wiggle room in our budget, I would absolutely love to purchase this product again, for all of it's natural and skin loving goodness.

•  Avon On Duty Unscented Bonus-Size Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant ~  I have purchased this deodorant time and time again over the years.  For me, it has proven to live up to it's name keeping me fresh and odor free for the full day!  I prefer the unscented version so that it doesn't clash with any other fragrance I may choose to wear.  I feel it lives up to the benefits listed on Avon's website which follow:
▪ Unscented deodorant for people with sensitive skin
▪ Be odor free for 48 hours
▪ 24-hour antiperspirant
▪ Non-stinging
▪ Non-sticky
▪ Non-whitening
Because it is so affordable, and often on sale, I will continue to keep using this!

•  Avon Anew Skinvincible Day Lotion ~ another Avon product that I won't do without!  The main three reasons I continue to purchase bottle after bottle is the broad spectrum SPF 50, the fact that it's fragrance free and because it also feels great on my skin and doesn't leave a greasy, sticky, icky feeling (that is very important to me as I live in a hot and humid area and would go without sunscreen before I would wear one that makes me feel hotter and sweatier than the weather already does!). Here's a few more benefits listed on the Avon website & not a one of them bad, in my opinion!:
• Broad spectrum SPF 50 and high antioxidant formula protects skin from sun                 damage
• Smart Repair Technology heals skin from environmental damage
• Won't irritate sensitive skin, moisturizes for 24 hours
• Targets dehydrated skin and wrinkles
• Fragrance-free and oil-free
• Contains retinol
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
• Allergy-tested and dermatologist-tested
I will continue to buy this product over and over again and I always keep my eyes peeled for the sales.

•  Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Crème ~ another love, love, LOVE product that I have bought more than once!  I honestly can't think of one thing I don't like about this product.  From the light, pleasant fragrance, to the beautiful shine and silky feel it imparts when I run it through my hair, this hair product does just what it claims to do.  Another bonus: a very little bit goes a long way.  It's good for all hair types, it's paraben, sulfate and aluminum free and is humidity resistant!
*I will be trying out a similar product that my daughter told me about that is much less expensive, to see how it compares.  If I can find a comparable styling creme at a fraction of the cost, I will switch, for our budget's sake.

Well, there you have it, just a few of the products I have used up.  I love them all and, in a perfect, money flowing like a river world, would buy each and every one of them over and over again.  The reality is, I have decided that the only two products on the above list that I won't compromise on so far, are the Avon products.  Still, if I heard of similar products that worked as well and cost less, I would be willing to give them a try!

I would love to know some of the products you have loved enough to squeeze the last drop out of.  Please share!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ


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Some posts on my blog may contain links that will take you to my Avon e-boutique (website) where, should you make a purchase, will earn me a commission as an Independent Avon Representative.
We thank you for your show of support for the blog when you use the links to make purchases! 

Five Frugal Things ~February 23, 2018

Whooooowheeee!  Lawd have mercy!  Our weather has changed from chilly/cold/wintry to warm and muggy.  All in a matter of ONE DAY.  I had some Michigan in-laws that came to visit years ago, and after experiencing our high humidity, said they felt like they were suffocating.  Said they literally felt they couldn't breath easily.  So, if that gives y'all any idea of the dripping-sweat-before-you-can-dry-off-fresh-out-of-the-shower ick I am currently experiencing, there ya go.  Or, it could be hot flashes.  No. NO!  Dripping-sweat-before-you-can-dry-off-fresh-out-of-the-shower ick has been a thing the whole of my life living here.  But, I'm not complaining (as much as I could be if I really let loose). 😉

I know from reading instagram posts (@tjssweethome should you be inclined to check it out) that there is such a wide range of weather conditions everyone is experiencing, and it seems everyone is "over it", no matter what they're weather is like.  Even though I grouse a bit, I do realize how fortunate we are here in our climate (the giant fire ants hills and mosquitoes that are already staking their claim to co-exist with us notwithstanding).

I'll let that be a segue into my Frugal Five this week:
•  I saved money by not having to go to the sauna for my steam bath and facials.

Just kidding...

•  I took some bananas that were getting all freckly and froze them, along with some apples that I "baked" in the crock pot with some cinnamon.  I'll add them to my smoothies at some point.  Or a dessert.  It all depends on if I'm feeling healthy or "in the mood for something sweet".  I also placed a small amount of leftover fresh cilantro in an ice tray and filled them with water until they were submerged.  I will throw the cubes into soups or some other yummy dish at some point.  I froze some homemade yogurt, before it got to the aforementioned "lactic acid face mask" stage, in my handy dandy ice cube trays.  They are also destined for smoothies or whatever recipe might call for yogurt (or even sour cream).

•  I have been using some expired homemade yogurt for lactic acid facial masks.

•  I have been leaving the blinds and blackout curtains closed during the sunniest and hottest parts of the day so the a/c doesn't have to work as hard.  Our weather has been in the 70's lately which doesn't sound bad until you add in our high humidity. Being a "lady of a certain age" (😂😭) hasn't helped endear me to our weather either! I follow the strategically placed fans that are throughout our home, only turning them on when I am in the direct path of their glorious breeze. #followthefans

•  I picked up three cans of wet cat food using the last of the coupons that was included in Galahad's (our kitty) adoption kit.  I also had three coupons for free items at our local Randall's grocery store that I received playing their Monopoly game.  And let's not forget the free Chobani coupon I took advantage of to get a plain yogurt to start more crock pot yogurt. (I know I could've used some from my last homemade batch but...it kinda got away from me.  Hence the frozen yogurt cubes and lactic acid face mask.  Sometimes, no matter how diligent I try to be, I miss the mark.  What can I say?

•  And last but not least, making shopping lists and sticking to them! I am getting better at not allowing myself to be distracted by all the pretty shinies that like to capture my attention like so many, trench coat clad, back alley "watch salesmen.  "Pssst! Hey, sweet-hahhht. Wanna buy a... ____fill in the blank_____".  Taking deep breaths, and thinking purchases through, before my trembling-with-excitement hand places said unlisted item in my cart has been my strategy.  My recovery even includes sometimes removing items after taking the item on a happy, breezy tour of the store.  Yes, it means I have to backtrack to put them back in their rightful place, but I try to look on that as the exercise that I so desperately need.

Now your turn!  I'd love to hear how you make those pennies, nickles and dimes clink in your change jar.

Thanks for stopping by! ~ TJ

Five Frugal Things ~ November 24, 2017

*this post contains affiliate links 

As far as I am concerned, this is the most wonderful time of the year!  I cannot sing the praises of Autumn enough.  In the heat of summer, I exclaim that I  am in no way, shape or form, an outdoorsy girl.

Ohhhh, but come fall, I  can't get enough of the great outdoors.  With it's cool, crisp mornings, golden hazy afternoons, and brisk evening sunsets, if you need me, I'll be outside.

Even though I would like nothing more than to frolick with the leaves that flutter gently to the ground, I still must stay focused on frugality.  So this week I:

my absolute FAVORITE SPF (50!!!) lotion~you can find it here

•  condensed any jarred or bottled product that was almost empty.  Skin care lotion, mustard and dish soap were each inverted and placed on top of the new product so that I could get every last possible drop!

•  used some Amazon points that I earned on a credit card (that I pay off each month so I don't get charged interest) to pay for an Amazon order.

•  redeemed $25 in Swagbucks earnings and loaded it to my PayPal account.

•  made bread pudding with vanilla sauce using leftover bits of bread, pumpkin spice muffins and banana walnut bread.

•  made a delicious pork fried rice using a lone, leftover pork chop.

I hope your Thanksgiving was delightfullying delish!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Use it Up ~ Empties August 2017

*This post contains affiliate links that may put a bit of change in our pockets if you click on them and make a purchase.  This is at no additional cost to you.   My family and I greatly appreciate your use of them and support of this blog!

Along with the foods in our pantry, fridge and freezer, I have been determined to use up products that I have on hand before buying something new that may be catching my eye, creating temptation.  Sometimes that involves searching the deep recesses of closets and cabinets when I have a vague memory of buying multiples of an item in the past.  This month I managed to use up several products, giving me a sense of accomplishment towards my money saving goal.

I will also offer my opinion of the product, for what it's worth, and whether I plan on purchasing the item again.

•  Masqueology Collagen Lifting Cream Mask ~ I purchased this product either at Walmart or Target but you can find a similar one here.  I enjoy, and believe in, pampering myself from time to time, and for under three dollars I believe this little mask is worth it.  I keep these in the veggie crisper drawer of our fridge so this creamy mask felt cool and soothing.  $ saving tip:  I use these type masks more than once, until there is no more liquid or serum left in the packet.  I neatly fold the mask back up, slide it back in the packet and seal it all up in a zipper type sandwich bag and back in the fridge it goes!  I learned this trick from a lady that purchases high end masks and I figure, if it's good enough for her, it's good enough for me!
Will I buy again? Most definitely!

•  Suzanne Organics Healthy Glow Body Lotion ~ I enjoyed the subtle glow this light lotion gave my very fair skin, and the fact that it was a certified toxic free organic product.  In the future, I would love to purchase this item again as I prefer to use items that are as toxic free and organic as possible (or as close to that as I can afford).  At this time however, the price of this item doesn't align with my money saving goals.  So when I want a subtle, sunless tan, I will use my Avon sunless tanners and lotions for a beautiful glow at a fraction of the price!

•  Anew Platinum Firm and Sculpt Cream for Neck and Chest ~ I have enjoyed slathering on this luxurious cream before bed and will likely purchase again at some point in the future during a really good sale.  I am currently using a newly opened jar of this but discovered another, different neck lotion that had worked it's way to the back of my shelf. I will move into using that one when this jar runs out.

•  Flexitol Heel Balm ~ ever since reading that Dr. Phil's wife, Robin, swore by this product for smooth feet, I have purchased, and loved the products' results! Even after comparing the ingredients to other less expensive foot products, I keep buying this one.  I don't know how many tunes I have already gone through over the years but, money diet or no money diet, I will definitely keep buying this.  A girl has gotta have smooth feet, right?!

•  Avon Skin So Soft Satin Glow products ~ I do love the end result these self tanner gels and lotions give, so by the time Avon is offering them again next summer, I will probably have run through my stash and will purchase again.  The price is always reasonable compared to other brands and it allows me to have a little color on my glow in the dark pale skin.  The only reason I might not purchase in the future is if I decide to tighten my spending even more.

•  Dr Scholl's Stylish Step Clear Cushioning Insoles for Flats ~ for less than ten dollars, these allow me to wear my beloved ballet style flats when out and about in comfort for a longer period of time.  As I have gotten older, I have lost some natural Cushioning in the soles in my feet and much to my orthopaedic foot surgeon's dismay, I'm not ready to live in running shoes.  These handy little insoles allow me to still feel stylish while providing comfort.  Not necessarily ALL DAY comfort but for long enough to do a little shopping and errand running.  I will buy these again when needed.  For the time being, I am able to switch them into whatever pair of shoes I want to wear for my outings, allowing me to be able to use the one pair in different pairs of shoes.

•  Assorted skin care samples ~ I like to try before I buy whenever possible so I am a big fan of free samples.  I actually used the whole little sample packets of these two Avon products (there was enough product in them for several uses) rather than forgetting about them while they dried up in their little pouch and ending up in the trash.  I simply folded over the opened part and set them on my shelf where they were not "out of sight, out of mind", ensuring they got used up.  Speaking of which, if you would enjoy receiving a little complimentary sample package of assorted products from me and my Avon business, just let me know~I love sharing our wonderful products with friends!

If you have any questions about any of these products that I didn't cover, don't hesitate to ask!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Avon Skin So Soft Bath Oil Uses

SO MANY USES FOR AVON SKIN SO SOFT BATH OIL!
(I am posting this here, as well as on my Avon Lady TJ blog, because there are so many uses around the house and garden, I thought you might be interested too!)

With warmer weather upon us, there will be umpteen reasons to break out the bottle of Avon Skin So Soft Original Bath oil ! So, I thought I would post this list as a reminder for us all.  It's not new but it's useful!

*SSS bath oil is approved by the FDA/CDA only as a bath oil.  Avon does not endorse its use for anything other than a bath oil. This is just a list compiled from people like you & me that have tried it for things other than bath oil. You can find lists similar to this all over the web!

**Disclaimer- I don't guarantee any of these tips as they have been borrowed from others.

PERSONAL USES

1.      It's a bath oil and after shower moisturizer. Obvs!

2.      It can be used to remove makeup.

3.      Great tanning oil (no sunscreen).

4.      Hot oil treatment to soften cuticles.

5.      Great massage oil for tired muscles.

6.      Cleans off tape marks left from bandages on skin.

7.      Cleans ink off the skin.

8.      Insect repellent.

9.      Helps relieve itching caused by dry skin.

10.  Applying SSS over bug bites alleviates itching.

11.  Cleans oil and grease off of skin.

12.  Painting something? Use SSS to remove paint from the hands.

13.  It soothes light sunburn.

14.  Rub hands with it before washing, it helps get them cleaner.

15.  Rub on dry, cracked skin.... helps heal skin in 2-3 days. (Funky feet anyone? Sandal season is upon us!)

16.  Add to liquid soap and use it for shaving legs and under arms. Helps razor glide and leaves skin feeling smooth.

17.  Pour a little into your foot bath to help moisturize your feet while you relax them.

18.  It removes chewing gum from hair, skin, and most nonporous surfaces.

19.  Cleans permanent ink off stamps.

20.  SSS Original Bath Oil works GREAT on Head Lice!!!!! Saturate head and let it set for 15 minutes. Then rinse under an outdoor faucet, but the lice were gone!!!!!!! Of course, shampoo hair a couple of times to get the oil out, but the lice are gone and stay gone!

21.  It kills ants instantly.

22.  Spray on skin to relieve dry itching skin. Helps skin retain its elasticity.

23.  Wash hair with shampoo and conditioner like always and after it dries.... Use about the size of a dime of SSS and rub it in your hair. It goes straight in and leaves hair as shiny as the ads on TV, not greasy at all, just soft and shiny.

24.  It can help eliminate psoriasis.

25.  It lessens the sting of removing bandages from children's sensitive skin.

26.   It removes gum from hair better than peanut butter. (Where have we heard this before?)

HOUSEHOLD USES

27.  Sponge it around doors, windows, and on screens to keep crawling bugs out.

28.  It's a good wood cleaner and conditioner for natural wood.

29.  It removes glue and gum left from price tags and labels from glass, metals, and most plastics.

30.  It removes soap scum from shower doors and curtains, and bathroom and kitchen figures.

31.  It removes lime and hard water deposits from fixtures, tile, shower doors and windows. (I'm gonna have to give this, & #30, a try as we have HARD water.)

32.  It's an oil lubricant for fitting pipe joints that won't slip together.

33.  It cleans ink off most vinyl and painted surfaces.

34.  It cleans heavy oil and grease from nonporous surfaces.

35.  It takes fur off of clothing.

36.  Rub on brass ornaments or figurines to help keep them from turning dark.

37.  Removes crayon from appliances and most painted surfaces.

38.  Wash cupboards with it mixed in your cleaning water to keep ants off and out of the cupboards.

39.  Excellent at removing lipstick stains from furniture, clothing, etc.

40.  Use it to discourage hornets from building their nests. After using a hornet killing spray, remove the nest and keep the area sprayed with SSS. They will not rebuild there.

41.  Use it to clean leather; it will also keep it soft and supple.

42.  Use it on your air conditioning screen (filter)--your incoming air will smell fresher and the filter is easier to clean.

43.  Rub all over windowsills to keep ants out.

44.  It cleans paintbrushes easily and leaves them soft as new.

45.  It removes gum from carpets.

46.  It removes scuff marks from patent leather shoes.

47.  Use it on running rails for sliding glass doors and windows.

48.  It removes "ring around the collar".

49.  It removes liquid nail (paneling glue).

50.  Two glass bowls or glasses stuck together? Drizzle a little SSS down the sides and they'll come apart easily.

51.  It removes candle wax from furniture, carpets and clothing.

52.  Hummingbird Feeders: To deter bees try rubbing SSS on the feeder surface by the feeder ports.

53.  It works for maggots in the garbage can too! You squirt SSS in can and lid, then later flushed with soapy water, and you shouldn't have any bugs in cans rest of summer!!!

54.  It is a great furniture polish!

55.  Put it in one of the bottles that you attach to your backyard hose and then spray down the back yard! Will cut down on ants, mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies.

56.  People spray it on their rose bushes to keep the deer from eating them, and at the cemeteries on the flowers they put out there for the same reason.

57.  Kills spiders.

58.  It cuts grease and cleans dirt from range hoods.

59.  Add a cap full to wash water when doing laundry...acts as a fabric softener and keeps the bugs off clothes.

60.  Spray on orchids and other flowers for moisture and to keep bugs away.

61.  Cleans baseball caps. Just spray on and rub with toothbrush.

62.  Try this recipe:  mix one part SSS and 2 parts water and spray on tomato plants to keep those ugly old tomato worms off. Spray plants about every 2 or 3 days. Works great!!

63.  Put a little in your mopping water to help keep crawling bugs out. (Not too much or the floor gets slippery.)

64.  Use to clean windows.

65.  Removes crayon from most surfaces.

66.  Screens can be lightly sprayed with Avon SSS to repel no-see-'ums and tiny gnats that otherwise might slip though the screens.

67.  Another use for SSS is it will kill those pesky earwigs. Spray it on & they don't return to life.

68.  If you ever make candles, melt clear wax and put SSS in it and let it harden.  Works great for outside in the summer.

69.  As a deodorizer, spray into air and let settle, kills those nasty pet odors.

70.  If a child wets the bed, spray the bedding and sheets before washing and will give it a fresh clean smell.

71.  It keeps bromine and chlorine from corroding metal and keeps the top of a pool pump filter lubed for easy opening.

72.  Use SSS in an oil burner outside to repel bugs.  I use the ones with the little dish on top and a tea light below.  Just put a cap full or so of SSS into the dish and light the tea light.  Your patio will smell great; it works better than citronella candles, and no citronella smell!

ANIMAL USES

73.  It's a great insect repellent for your pet. (As recommended in "Outdoor Life" and "Field and Stream")

74.  Mix 5 parts water, 1 part SSS and mist on animals. Brushing it in makes their coats gleam and keeps insects off so the animals don't fidget in the show ring.

75.  Mix in your pet's bath water. It takes the fleas off of them...and in between sprays them with the 5 parts water, 1 part SSS mixture to help keep them off.

76.  Rub on your hands before and after working with your pets and farm animals. It will remove the strong smells.

77.  Black Fly Spray For Dogs: Use as a spray or a dip. 1 cup SSS, 1/2 cup liquid detergent and 3 gallons of water.

78.  For dog’s dry skin mix 1 tablespoon of SSS per gallon of water and use as an after bath rinse. Or spritz your pet's coat once per week.

79.  If your dog should get tar or asphalt on the pads of their feet rub on SSS and then wipe off.

80.  Flea Bath: Use a flea and tick shampoo. Rinse, rinse, rinse so no soap residue is left. Follow with final rinse of 2 gallons of water mixed with flea dip and 1 cap full of SSS. The SSS helps replace the oils lost in bathing and has the added benefit of repelling insects.

81.  Flea Repellent: Avon's SSS Bath Oil. 1-1/2 ounces per gallon of water; used as a sponge-on dip (or as a spritz) has been tested and proven to have significant, but not complete, flea-repellent activity for a 6-day period. It should help those dry coats, too.

82.  It works great on animals with dry skin.

83.  Use the following on horses and on dogs when necessary. 1-cup Avon SSS bath oil 1-cup white vinegar 1-cup (or more) water 5 cc of essential oil of citronella (from the health food store NOT the type you burn to keep insects away that is available in a drug store) Mix in a spray bottle. Straight SSS works well for mosquitoes too but really makes your dog greasy.

84.  (Barns) Use as an inexpensive fly control spray or a diluted mix of Avon SSS in water can be sprayed on barn walls and floor to discourage insects from hanging around or to eliminate them before putting in the new bedding. As time permits, and if you can keep your goats out of the barn for a few hours - let the barn stand and air out before re-filling with bedding.

85.  A natural way to help cats with flea problems and flea allergies is to rub Skin So Soft into the skin. Fleas don't like it either! Spread the word!

86.  Cats: SSS IS SAFE FOR FUR. Don't overuse the SSS. Use the lotion, and rub it into the skin, not more than every few days. Common sense is the rule. *Please check with your vet to be sure it's okay...

USES FOR HORSES

87.  SSS can be used as a hoof polish. This will put a nice shine to the hoof without drying it.

88.  SSS can be used as a muzzle, eye, and ear enhancer. SSS works great and still helps keep bugs away.

89.  Horses that have allergies and also get dry skin very easily can get baths in SSS. Bathe her like normal and then put a cap full of SSS in a 5-gallon bucket of warm water and sponge this all over her. Her coat dries silky soft and she quits itching.

AUTOMOBILE USES

90.  It removes tar spots from the car without damage to the paint.

91.  Use it to clean vinyl dashboards, seats, and tops. It not only cleans, but also keeps it soft and helps to prevent any cracking.

92.  After washing your car, use it as a tire dressing to keep them looking like new.

93.  Put some on a small washcloth and leave in the car to help keep the air fresh and clean.

94.  Wipe down vinyl surfaces inside your car. Cleans nicely and removes smoke odors left by cigarette smokers.

95.  It gently cleans heavy grease and oil from skin and nonporous surfaces (great for Mechanic's Hands).

96.  It removes tree sap.

97.  Prior to traveling...rub SSS on headlights and grill. It makes insects and bugs easier to remove.

98.  Shines vehicle tires

CAMPING USES

99.   Spray it on the outside of the tent, especially near the door & windows and it keeps mosquitoes away!

BONUS USE

100.  Recently, I read in a Facebook group for Avon reps, that SSS will keep mice away.  Does anyone have any experience with this?

So there you have it!  Spray, dip and soak your troubles away with Skin So Soft Bath Original bath oil!

If you have any uses not listed here, I would love to hear about them!

Don't have any on hand? Go here to order yours today:  Avon Skin So Soft Original Bath oil

Thinking of starting your own Avon business? Go to www.start.avon.com and use reference code: tommielombardi 

Saving...It's a New Day

This past month we have had to adopt a new way of thinking. We knew it was coming. My hubby is now officially retired and with that comes a new level of budgeting. Even though he is in charge of finances and bill paying (because, really, he is so much better at it than I), I try to do my part in being frugal in the areas that I spend, mainly groceries, gift giving and personal spending such as clothing and beauty items.

Where groceries are concerned, I do prefer to spend more for organic milk, cream, sour cream and most cheeses, some organic produce (I go by the "dirty dozen" list when deciding how to spend on organic produce) and occasionally other organic food items. For whatever reason I haven't wrapped my head around yet, I still buy regular butter, cream cheese and American cheese slices. Mostly because I have to "pick my battles" so to speak moneywise and also because hubby is particular about his American cheese (: Anyway, I do what I can.

I also prefer to spend the extra money to purchase humanely raised chicken and eggs. I would love to buy organic, grass fed but again, money is not a limitless supply around here so I do the best I know how. We don't eat tons of beef although hubby loves him a good ribeye! When I buy fish it's wild caught.

All that being said, if it ever came down to spending the extra money for organics & higher priced items or going hungry, I will definitely make fillin' our tummies the priority!

But for now, in order to be able to continue to afford to buy these higher priced items, I will do my best to be as economical as possible in all other areas. For example, I've decided that I have enough makeup, lotions & potions to last until the cows come home (& I don't own any cows so they wont be comin' home any time soon!) so I have put myself on a "makeup starvation diet". I will stick to my favorite frugal motto which is...

Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
 

I am determined to continue to use what I have until I have used up the last little bit of any particular items until I am totally out and then I will go out and replenish the item. I started doing this in the past in order to try and declutter a bit. But I fell off the wagon. I'm only human...

Back to the grocery budget...a few things I am going to begin doing on a regular basis are

• making all our bread. We love our French bread recipe and having the luxury of having my bread maker, it wont be a sacrifice, it will be a pleasure! (note~I prefer to use the dough cycle only and bake breads off in the oven.)
• baking in general. Cakes & cookies are easy and economical enough, especially when I stick to tried & true recipes for basic sweet treats like oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cookies, and chocolate chip cookies. And to make things easy on myself, I've started making bar cookies to save the time of dropping each. little. cookie. tray. after. tray. It's one stop shopping! I also have favorite recipes for quick sweet breads (zucchini! and banana! Yum!) And muffins and cakes! Oh my! Biscuits and pancakes have become hubbys specialties.
• building up our stockpile/pantry with sale items.

For now, that is what I am really, really, really going to concentrate on. I know all these things. I've done all these things during lean years of being a single mom to three chirren. But more prosperous times led me in new directions. Well, it's time to tighten the belt a bit again so we will be able to continue to enjoy many things that we have for a good long time.

Little things I already do and have been doing in the kitchen (because I'm basically a frugal chick anyway) are:

• make my own broths from bones & veggie scraps.
• wash & reuse (fairly clean-no greasy, meaty ones) Ziploc bags & aluminum foil.
• look up recipes in order to be able to use ingredients I already have on hand. Online searches make this fairly easy.
• improvise a bit when cooking & following certain recipes. Sometimes I just don't have the ingredient called for so I do an online search for substitutions for the ingredient the recipe calls for. After years (and yeeeeeaaaars) of cooking, I feel a little more comfortable doing this.
• I save that bacon grease y'all. To season all kinds of good things mainly veggies/green beans. I'm not sure if that's just a southern thing or not.
• Meatless meals and simple meals. We don't always require a big production when it comes to meals. Sometimes a quick sandwich with chips or fries suit us just fine. Leftovers make for a quickie meal as well. And some days we just graze. I portion out a lot of meals that make too much for us and that serves for other meals in the future.
• I cook up dried beans and divide them up into two cup portions to freeze for future recipes.
• I try to buy in bulk when it will be economical. If I can store it safely for future use I'll buy it. But only if it's the better deal. Sometimes buying smaller sizes end up being cheaper. My calculator is my friend for figuring out price per ounce/pound etc. 

There are so many little things I do on a daily basis that have become second nature that I can't begin to think of and list them all right now, but this gives an idea of some of the things I do.

It's all about balance.

Thanks for stopping by!~TJ

The Avon Corner~My New Beauty Obsession: AHA's!

 

 

*Please note: links may take you to my personal Avon website
My latest beauty obsession is AHA's, also known as alpha hydroxy acids. As we get older, we don't shed our outer, dead layers of skin as quickly as we did when we were younger. In order to reveal the newer, fresher skin hiding underneath, it helps if we give ourselves a little help! That's where the AHA's come in handy for me.

Avon has a new Foot Works product that includes alpha hydroxy acid:

Foot Works AHA Moisturizing Cream

 



 

Right now, as of Campaign 22, you can purchase a 2.5 ounce tube for only $3.99! I love to pamper my feet with this luscious lotion and also rub a little on my knees and elbows too.

 

 

You can check out the complete Foot Works line HERE.

 

Happy shopping!~TJ

 

P.S. take advantage of the FREE SHIPPING when you purchase $30 or more!



AND...be sure to visit my Avon blog at: Avon Lady TJ to get to know my business and products a little better!

Hair Colorista

It started out innocently enough... 

then she grew up and

began following in her mama's (hair coloring) footsteps...

Platinum...

Brunette...

 Auburn...

and then...

it started getting interesting.

She took her hair color places her mama's had never been before /= ...

ummm...Calico(?)...

 Purple

AND

 Blue...

 Red, White and Blue

(or as I called it: The bomb pop)

 Turquoise...

 Cherry, a bit 'o blue and orange-y blond...

Rose.

 

I must admit, at first I was shocked, appalled, beside myself! I didn't like the wide array of hues. (Egads!!! WHAT would people think!?!?!)

 

But...she is not me, she is she: a sweet girl and a budding cosmetologist. 



 

 

I've learned to choose my battles.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you have a rainbow-licious day!~TJ

Prom

 
 
 
 
Glitz & glamour ready for Senior Prom!
(Pearl necklace, glitzy earrings, crystal flower hair pins, and a sparkly "wavy" hair pin. Oh, and between the hair pin & the earrings, at the top, you can see the bottom of the bottle of bronzing shimmer. She opted out of the earrings, wavy hairpin & bronze shimmer.
All these items we had on hand! Yay! Money saver!!!)

But first...
Cinderella's evil parents make her toil before the ball.
(just kidding, she was getting some clothes for a sleepover to pack)
Will she meet a handsome Prince?!
(Lord...her daddy hopes not!)

My beautiful "baby"

(Dress, Betsey Johnson wrap , stockings, and shoes all from Dillard's. Approximate cost $210. Give or take. I couldn't find the receipt for the shoes or my memory of the cost)

Gorgeous!

 

Silly!

(I need a new camera already, lol!)

 

Besides being giddy about prom, she was still OVER THE MOON excited after running into her FAVORITE YouTube guru Bunny, aka grav3yard girl, at Target while we were out shopping for prom.

Whoo hoo! Life is good!

 

Thanks for sharing this monumental, momentous event with us!

~TJ

TJsSweetHome is now on Instagram!

Frugal Five

I had gotten out of the habit of sharing my "frugal five" (five things I've focused on to save money for the past week, but a quick visit to some frugal blogs has "shamed" *not really, giggle* me into figuring I would get back up on that horse.
 So, without further ado, heres five things I've done this past week to save a bit of dough.

1) My breadmaker died weeks ago & since hubby didn't jump right up & say we would go out & buy another, I secretly thought maybe he was "over" my homemade bread. So for those few weeks, I would buy his go to store bought bread, Natures Own Honey Wheat. At our most supermarkets it goes for almost $3 but I found I could getit a the Dollar Tree for, well $1 obviously, lol! I don't remember the conversation but one day we found ourselves having breakfast and planning to go to Target for something & hubby said "let's get a breadmaker while we're there". I could only find one on the shelves but we took it home & now it happily whirs oatmeal, flour, butter & yeast at least once a week to make a nice soft loaf of homemade bread! Good thing, because before my old breadmaker died, I had just hauled home a 25 pound bag of bread flour!

2) I have been picking up a few mystery shops to bring in a little extra money.

3) I picked and dried some basil and oregano out of my garden.

4) Our roses are blooming a bit and so I've been cutting & bringing a few in at a time for little fresh flower arrangements. I also picked up a $3 floral arrangement at Kroger. It lasted a good week or so andvas flowers started wilting I would take them out, leaving the good ones. The arrangement shrunk down to just daisies, and I put them in a smaller vase.

5) Had my hair trimmed, a paraffin treatment on my hands and my eyebrows waxed by my daughter at the beauty school. All for a mere $15! It helps the students get hands on experience and she earns "points" for each service she provides. The instructor is on hand to check the work when done. So, if you're in need of a little trim or a bit of pampering, find a cosmetology school nearby. You help them out while receiving a service in return! Win, win.

Have a great week!

The AVON Corner~Mega Impact Eyeshadow

 

*Please note: links below may take you to my personal Avon website
One of my newest Avon "faves" is the Mega Impact Eyeshadow in Flash Black.

It's intensely pigmented and can be used wet or dry. I love to use the black as an eyeliner applied wet and the off white color makes a beautiful brow bone highlight! (I'm very fair and some black eyeliners are just too harsh for me. Used wet with an eyeliner brush, this is "just right".)

(this was taken indoors with overhead lighting)







Right now, as of C26 2012, (page 39 in the brochure) it's only $4.99! Using it the way I am, as a liner & highlight, it will last for A LONG TIME! However, I do think it would make a beautiful smoky eye as well and fully intend on experimenting with it in that way when I'm in a smoky eye kinda mood!



There are other gorgeous color duos to choose from in shades that would suit just about anyone!
~TJ

Five Frugal Things

If anyone is peeking in here, I hope you are having a wonderful beginning to your week. We are experiencing some deliciously cool, sunny and NON humid weather! Love it!

On the other hand, I can so feel for those who have been devastated by hurricane Sandy because, living here on the Gulf Coast, we have our share of hits & near misses with those weather "tasmanian devils". God sees you all. Look to Him for comfort as many of us are lifting you up to Him in their prayers.

Remaining frugal minded this past week...

In the Garden~ I picked up a few more seed packets in the mark down bin at Walgreens. (We won't go into the marked down halloween candy that we bought. And ate.)

At the Grocery Store~  I've been stocking up the pantry with canned goods and other goodies to build up our stockpile that I've let run low in past weeks. It feels good having that type of "insurance" if need be. I think the recent hurricane put it back front and center in my realm of focus. And as much as I like having plenty on hand in case of emergency or unexpected company, I find that I tend to tap into a lot of that stuff to prepare comfort foods. And anyone that knows me knows I'm a bit fluffy so I have to watch that!
So...I also am making a point to stock up on some non-fattening stuff too:

 

In the Beauty Department~ I got out and used some leave in hair conditioner that I got with samples and I AM LOVING it! It made my hair so soft & less poofy! I may just invest in the full size of that stuff (especially since the samples came with a $! off coupon!)

 

 

In the Kitchen~ well...all the frugal meals & sales will take some time to make up for our new refrigerator & (finally!) dishwasher!!! I'm so excited!!! In the long run...I'm sure...they will pay for themselves. Right? I feel like I should say that ;)

 

In the Health Department~ I have been back on that treadmill! I had a daily goal of 30 minutes of exercise a day. Which I haven't quite hit this past week but I HAVE managed three days. 0-3. For me that's somethin'. And...I've been contemplating the big 5-0 coming up and asking myself how I want to usher that in??? So for three days straight, I have been eating well (no mo' halloween candy!) and when I have been tempted by my big bad sweet teeth (yes, I have more than one), I've indulged in fruit. Yay me!

 

Thanks for sharing my frugal five with me! 

 

 



Five Frugal Things

Here's five more frugal things I've done this past week...

1)  In the Garden~ Planted more seeds: White Lisbon Bunching Onions; Grand Rapids Leaf lettuce; Salad Bowl leaf lettuce; Parris Island Cos (romaine type) lettuce; cress; Purple Top White Globe turnips,Red Cored Chantenay carrots; Oriental Red Poppies; Shasta Daisy "Alaska" seeds and a few Sunflower seeds

A lot of the seeds I buy are from Walgreens or Walmart. I am going to check out some online sites for "freebies" to see what's available. Just out of curiosity.

2)  In the Kitchen~ made "clean out the fridge (and freezer and pantry ;D )" soup. It made enough for 3 meals.

3)  Cosmetics~ used up a hair conditioner, a hair mask and the rest of a travel/sample sized BBcream (love that stuff & really want to get a full sized container! But first, I have three more little ones to use up. I bought them on Amazon using a gift card  I earned from Swagbucks!~{Interested in Swagbucks? Just click on the "earn free prizes Swagbucks button off to the right here!}) I cut the tube open & got several more days wear out of it after I couldn't squeeze anymore from the tube (I do that whith all things tube-y). I put the tube in a zip top baggie to keep it from drying out.

4)  At the Store~  although not a necessity, we like sweets, so I stopped by Walgreens the day after Halloween and bought (only) a couple of bags of their half priced candy. Yum. I will probably find myself in there (if my timing is right) after the candy has been marked down 75-90%. Usually by then though it's slim pickins.

5)  Refuse Rescue~ I washed many a plastic zip top baggie this past week. From Gallon to sandwich size. Yes. I did.

Thanks for stopping by!

Spahhh...On a Budget

When I want to feel like a million bucks, I find I can do so without sticker shock.

I found packets of Village Naturals Therapy mineral bath saok at my neighborhood Kroger store for only a dollar a piece. Wonderfully fragrant but I can duplicate the same by just using plain epsom salts from the drugstore and adding a few drops of deliciously scented essential oil(s) to the tub. Push the button for some jacuzzi action, lie back and close my eyes and I am on a mini vacation!

And I just couldn't resist these single foot, hand and facial masks that I found at Forever 21! For less than $2 each, why would I?

How do you like to pamper yourself?

Crazy for Coral!

{top, l to r: Sally Hansen Coral Reef #405; Maybelline Peachy Scene #525; Revlon Orange Flip #710. Bottom: Maybelline Coral Glow~I think, label's too small for my vision!}

This season I have been drawn to all the beautiful shades of coral, peaches and and soft apricots. This is highly unusual since I've always been drawn to pinks and roses and berries, feeling that they best set off my naturally pale coloring.

A girl can change her mind...right?

{top, l to r: Chico's blouse; close up of detailing on blouse; bottom: still obsessed with "accent nails" Ulta peach nail polish~can't find the bottle to get the true name/: & OPI Nicole Love your Life on ring finger}

{Revlon Orange Flip on lips; the Ulta brand peach colored nail polish. I am SOOOO impressed with Ulta's polish! Lasts for days with minimal chipping and wear!}