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I have a curious mind. Blogging gives me an excuse to try new beauty products I might otherwise leave on a retailer's shelf.  Combine my curiously with an interest in beauty (one of THE SAVVY SHOPPER'S 6 lifestyle topics), add T.J.Maxx for less to the mix; and I find myself the unabashed new owner of a Revive 4 in 1 Micro Needle Facial Roller .    Yes, poking teeny-tiny microscopic  holes in your face is a thing now! They are so small though, they are not considered harmful. Do I see eye rolling? 👀 Oh, d on't pretend like me, you're not dying to know if these devices really work! Because ... your nose will grow longer! Here's what you get in the box: 1) Large 1.5 mm roller (1200 pins) for use on legs, hips and body. (Probably I won't use this one.) 2) Medium 1.0 mm roller (720 pins) for use on cheeks, forehead and neck. (I'll began with this one. I can move it around the eye area too.) 3) Small 0.5 (300 pins) for use around eyes and on lips. 4) A plastic c...

Let's play a game. You are a traveler ... but the airline has lost you bags and you have nothing to wear on your vacation. Where would you shop for clothes and what articles would you buy? I'll go first: Whether the season is winter or summer, I'd hot-tail it over to Uniqlo , one of my favorite retailers for basics and casual wear. I know I'd find ... quality, style, and a few bells and whistles that won't break the bank. So it-being-the-summer here in the USA, here are several pieces I might buy: 1) The Uniqlo Bra Dress (top photo) - Frankly, I love the style and own 5 of the dresses already. Every year  Uniqlo partners with a famous fashion house to design the new season's floral patterns. Yet, they always have the bra dress in stock at the store. The bra dresses range from knee length to midi. Some have sleeves, while others are sleeveless. I own the above Studio Sanderson For Uniqlo Bra Dress , which I bought this past June. Other floral patterns and color...

Photo: Wide Open Pets As mentioned in a previous post , I looked for an accent lamp to sit in a corner of my living room. Recently while surveying at  T.J. Maxx ,   my new accent lamp found me!  T.J. Maxx is one of my favorite stores for a hodge/podge of useful items, from handbags, shoes and my brief case, to a sharp chef knife, pots and pans and bathroom towels. In fact, T.J. Maxx is a sister company of Home Goods so you will often find the same household articles at both retailers. For sure, you get quality goods for less and who doesn't love the savings!  It is the place to go for a wide selection of luggage too. And, beauty products. And, snacks. And for many savvy shoppers ... clothes. What makes a visit to T.J. Maxx so much fun is you never know what you'll find. But if you need something and browse for a few weeks, it will always turn up. Their inventory is astonishing! Sometimes you don't know you need something until a bargain  catches your eye....

Ballet Slippers Queen Elizabeth II wears Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers . It is reported to be the only color the Queen will wear. You never see members of the British royal family in wild or bold shades. It is customary for them to wear only demure nail hues.  I, too, have an understated signature nail polish color. For years I have worn Nicka K in Seashell . It has a subtle incandescent glow that people often compliment. Another benefit: Unlike darker colors, chips aren't noticeable. I wonder if that's one of the reasons the royal family favors the calm colors also. I mean, nobody has time to do nails more than once a week. Not to mention, it's too repeatative! Lately, I like natural, short nails sans nail polish as much as my signature polish. While I still wear nail polish sometimes, I worry about all the chemicals in the beauty products we use. Allure Meanwhile, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, has her own signature shade: Essie Nail Polish in Allure .  Essi...

There are many easy things about summer. Wearing flip flops around the house is one of them. What's more, I also see men and women walking all over Manhattan in them, but podiatrists say don't do it!  Flip flops don't provide enough support for your arches or heels ; and using them as everyday walking shoes will lead to foot problems: (1) A lack of arch support can result in fallen arches. It leads to longer pronation - turning the foot inward to absorb shock and distribute weight as you walk, which  eventually causes deformatives such as bunions and hammer toes. (2) And, when the heels are unstable, toes tend to grip the thong, and it can lead to tendinitis, painful heels, callaouses and corns, none of which are desirable. While foot doctors prefer that you walk in shoes with a stable back to secure the heels of your feet, many like the Vionic Bella II .  These sandals have the American Podiatry Medical Association seal of acceptance because they provide arch su...

An old summer standby: On the 4th of July baked beans were on sale because the supermarket knows what people want to eat at a cookout. However, I returned cans of a popular brand to the grocery shelf because they contain too much sugar for my liking. Instead, I bought 5 cans of regular beans and made my own recipe of  Barbecue Franks and Beans without adding any sugar. Barbecue sauce is sweet enough! And so, the dish was delicious. Here is the recipe for your next cookout: Know that you can:  Begin with a package of dried beans, but I did not think that far ahead, therefore used canned beans. Canned beans save the time of overnight soaking and are cooked and tender straight out of the can. (In other words, who the heck knew yesterday, come today I'd make baked beans?)   Barbecue Franks And Beans (About 4 servings) Ingredients: 2 cans (15 ounce) beans (I happen to use: One can of small white and one can of pinto beans. Any bean will do: navy, pink, pinto, Roman, etc.) 1 ...

It's a scientistic fact: The Earth is getting warmer.  New York City is expected to hit 94 degrees F today!    Madewell , a sister company of J. Crew, has summer dresses to keep you cool during any heat wave ahead. The style is casual smart. In a nutshell: Comfortable, flattering and effortless. Here are three to consider because we like looking at dresses, don't we?: 1) The  Fern Silk Faux Wrap Dress above ↑ in spiced rose has slender straps, a v-neck and pleats with a stylish flowing bottom. 2) Lakeshore Button Back Dress - A brilliant royal blue shift dress with a V-neck back and oversized buttons make the viscose fabric dress super cute. 3) Strawberry Print Pintuck Ruffle Dress - Chic black canvas featuring strawberry prints. It's 100% cotton. A split square neck with a ruffle outline makes it fun to be a lady! Simple ... with unexpected details, no? Stylin' in the summer heat! Do you have a favorite? You may also enjoy: Lulus Is On Trend Fashion   ...

With summer here, many of us will hit the road. Let's do a roundup of luggage and practical organizers to make leaving home a little easier:  Biaggi Leggero 22" Foldable Spinner Carry on  suitcase (top↑) is light, holds lots of stuff and folds up when not in use to store in a small space. With interior and exterior compartments. Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffel 45L - Many travelers prefer duffel bags that go into an overhead bend or under a seat. Lightweight, durable, and made of water repellent material with zip pockets to organize all your things. LL Beam Ticket Organizer  - Another weightless and slender travel accessory with oodles of slots and compartments to hold your ticket, boarding pass, identification and money. Slimline Travel Umbrella - Compact from  The Container Store , toss in a purse or jacket pocket. Strong when in use. Case Elegance Vegan Leather Travel Jewelry Organizer  -  I have reservations about this recommendation because rarely wou...

Buy a spray bottle at Home Depot or a hardware store to keep a white vinegar-water solution to grab as needed. Cleaning is repeditive, no matter how well we do it. If we can save on the products we buy, it really adds up over time. An even greater consideration is safety. Lately I use white vinegar and water as an all-purpose household cleaner and it works! One bottle costs about 89 cents. I have long known that white vinegar combined with baking soda keeps drains free flowing, but recently I tossed it into the bathtub, to attack soap scum without scrubbing. (Verses Scrubbing Bubbles, $5.) I sprinkle the baking soda along the sides and bottom of the tub, then spray white vinegar and water from a spray bottle on it. The mixture fizzles and all I have to do is wipe with a damp sponge to remove the soap scum. Rinse with clean water to finish, if you wish.  It is safer to have a residue of baking soda and white vinegar underfoot, as opposed to, unknown chemicals. (Sometimes I read sto...