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Earl Scruggs and Friends* play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" None of us will live forever;  and yet the loss of a great musician and human being is still very sad.  Earl Scruggs was a legend who helped define bluegrass music.  He died Wednesday of natural causes; he was 88 years old.  As fellow musician, Bela Fleck, said: “When Earl Scruggs joined Bill Monroe's [band] his playing propelled bluegrass to the level that we're still talking about it today. … His soulful quality came though.  It transcended the music.” As Fleck explained, Earl Scruggs had great taste and technique.  He became known for “playing the banjo, using three fingers in a rotating fashion to create a fast rippling sound that had never been heard before.”  By alternating two finger picks and a thumb pick, "he could play as fast as he wanted.  This was an incredible leap.” In addition to being a music pioneer and virtuoso “ Banjoman ,” Scruggs had great personal integrity, becoming...

Have you ever received a gift you love, but one you wouldn't have thought to buy yourself?  That in my opinion is a perfect gift, when a friend expands your horizons by introducing you to something special you paid little attention to before, or perhaps never knew existed. My palate likes savory, but until a friend gave me a gourmet sea salt sampler, I never gave much thought as to how finishing salts can enhance the flavors of food.  As many five star restaurants know, the characteristics of salt go far beyond table (refined), sea (unrefined) and Kosher (coarse, no iodine).  Often salt -- a compound of sodium and  chloride  -- is a chef's best tool in creating mouthwatering dishes. Williams-Somona has a delicious collection of exodic salts to try.  They include: 1. Haleakala red sea salt - Origin: Hawaii; has a nutty, sweet flavor. Use it on pork and fish. Great in Mexican cuisine, tomato soup and Bloody Marys too. 2. Kilauea black sea salt - Origin: Ha...

Without a doubt, Laura and Lydia Rogers,  The Secret Sisters ,  of Muscle Shoals, Alabama will collect some major awards and honors in their music careers.  Here they sing their latest,  “Tomorrow Will Be Kinder , ”  a haunting song they wrote while on tour in Australia, after watching television coverage of the damage caused when tornadoes struck Alabama last April.  Locals lost everything and are still recovering.  This original song is included on the  Hunger Games   Soundtrack .   Just in time for the Easter season, the song is about hope and optimism and human perseverance. Black clouds are behind me I now can see ahead Often I wonder why I try Hoping for an end Sorrow weighs my shoulders down And trouble haunts my mind But I know the present will not last And tomorrow will be kinder Tomorrow will be kinder It’s true, I’ve seen it before A brighter day is coming my way Yes, tomorrow will be kinder Today I’ve cried a many tear And pa...

A trench coat is a wardrobe essential.  When I see people replacing their heavy winter coats with a lighter trench coat, it starts to feel like Spring.  It's outerwear that travels well and looks smart.  Waterproof and layered enough to protect you from the chill of a strong wind, trench coats come in many styles including loose, belted and double-breasted.  They can be buttoned, zipped or snapped closed.  Understated or patterned, there is also an array of colors and embellishments. I must give a shout out to the The Today Show for featuring 9 selections all $100 or less.  I will add two more retailers to their list,  Lands' End – for unbeatable quality, style and prices for men, women and children.  Outerwear from LE is durable, multi-pocketed and usually machine washable too.  And London Fog , a company which has been making polished, affordable, well-made raincoats for over 60 years. Treach coat, $100 anthropologie.com BKE doubled coa...

Photo by What's Up Cupcake I have many friends and relatives born in the month of March.  So to save time, as well as, our waistlines, I only bake 2 cupcakes at a time.  Not only is it fast and easy, but if you don't have a big family to feed, who needs 12 cupcakes?  Sometimes all you want is a serving.  And by making them from scratch, you can use  premium  ingredients:  real  vanilla, butter and whole grains.  Here is my recipe: 2 Vanilla Cupcakes Ingredients:  ¼   cup whole wheat flour  2  tablespoons sugar 1 egg white [save the yolk for an omelet] 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon baking powder A pinch of salt 2 tablespoons milk [Add  a tiny punch of baking soda if you use buttermilk or honey instead of milk or sugar, or if you use lemon juice/zest to make lemon cupcakes] Directions: 1) In a mixing bowl whisk the ingredients together, one at a time until smooth. 2) Line a muffin pan with 2...

The models are students from The University of Pennsylvania  KNO Clothing is not your typical fashion house, but an online retailer on a mission to end homelessness.  Co-founders and college friends, Stephen Caldwell and Anthony Thomas, first noticed the plight of homelessness in Pennsylvania, where they lived and saw that not enough was being done to restore the lives of people experiencing it.  So in November, 2010 they launched KNO Clothing , which uses 50% of its profits to fight homelessness and poverty in America through fashion. Customers can feel good about a purchase.  For every article of clothing sold, the company donates an item to a homeless person.  Working closely with non-profits to determine needs, KNO also funds local agencies who provide shelter and services for the homeless.  So far the company has helped cloth over 500 people and house over 11,000 people in 102 communities. KNO began selling t-shirts and expanded to tanks, polo shirts,...

The Z Mobile Cart is perfect for small spaces. Trust me.  Living in New York City forces you to think about every piece of furniture you bring into your home. In an apartment, space is as valuable as your property.  Whenever I think about buying furniture, I always ask myself if I mind losing the space it will occupy.  Personally, I like a bit of sparseness and would rather not fill-up every nook and cranny in a room. For several years I have wanted a desk for my laptop.  But I value my space more.  I'm happy I waited, because as it turns out, I really don't need a desk.  The reason :   Computers keep shrinking.  They have gotten so compact, and just when you think they can't get any smaller, they do.  With constant innovations, in a few short years most of us may be able to replace our present computers with one the size of an ipad, or something so tiny we can't imagine it now.  So why invest in an expensive desk that soon may become ob...

You know the old saying about how time flies?  It's true!   THE SAVVY SHOPPER celebrates another year {tomorrow, 3/3 - to be exact}.  Who knew?   Thank you, Readers , for stopping by ... and contributing.  I love reading your emails and hope you find some wisdom, practical tips and entertainment here. Going forward, let's attempt another spectacular year of writing.  Now for the presents! *****   ***** Companies offering birthday gifts to you ... free , if you sign up: Retail: 1. Aveda – Get a free Personal Blends Pure-Fume , or body care product custom blended with the aroma of your choice, worth up to $24. 2. Sign up for The Body Shop 's Rewards Card to receive a free birthday gift, plus 10% off on all purchases and other promotions. 3.  Old Navy  – Subscribe to Old Navy's emails and get a $10 gift card on your birthday. 4. Sephora   – Join their birthday club to get free beauty products. 5. Victoria Secret – Receive a free $10 gi...