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Author Page for Lindy

Lindy started writing at age 8, when she completed her first story entitled Clio the Talking Cat. Fast-forward a few years into the future, and she’s happily moved on to writing celebrity shopping and frugal posts. Lindy lives with her cat (who doesn’t talk), enjoys lazy weekends at the cottage and old episodes of The Golden Girls.

from the archives: tips for hosting new years parties

[ 0 ] December 29, 2011

Sometimes we like to take a look back at the many posts hidden away in our fabulous blog archives. We often come across posts that made us laugh, posts with awesome tips, even posts that got you talking! So, we’re re-sharing those fabulous posts with you in our “from the archives” series! We hope you enjoy them…again! ;)

You want to throw the best New Year’s bash on the block, but it takes more than just a few hats and a countdown. We’ve thrown together a few New Year’s Eve party ideas that will help your shindig not only rock, but go smoothly and safely, too!

Decor

Before you even think of setting up that Facebook event, decide what feel you want the party to have. New Years party themes can be anything from classy dinners to luaus and everything in between. Once you decide, pick out decor to set the mood, and I mean go beyond matching napkins. Check out full-size cardboard cut-outs, disco balls and, of course, noise makers and embarrassing hats. Why not turn your home into Times Square? This celebration scene is sure to set the tone.

Guest List

This one can get a bit confusing. First, decide whether you want a small gathering with close friends and loved ones (easy) or everyone you’ve ever known (a bit trickier). Keeping it limited means less opportunity for finding red wine stains on the carpet and your favorite lamp broken in the morning.

But whatever you do, don’t publicly post it on a public forum. Everyone loves a good party, and nothing busts up a good vibe quicker than 300 people and the cops. And nothing starts the New Year quite like an eviction notice.

Drinks

You can’t just open a keg, let ‘er rip and let guests fend for themselves. Why? Because you could be held responsible if anything happens once they leave your home. Plus, they’re your friends – you want them to get home safe. So here are a few tips:

Hire a bartender or get a friend to watch drinks & cut people off
Keep plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available & stop serving well before the party ends
Have cab numbers available & offer the couch or floor
TAKE KEYS (don’t give them back, no matter how much they “hate you and your stupid party”)

Food

When it comes to New Years Eve party supplies, food is the most important. If you aren’t having a sit down dinner, have plenty of finger foods like mini quesadillas, sliders and pizza. Always keep your guests in mind, so be aware of any allergies like peanuts or seafood. Oh, and skip the fondue. It can get messy and dangerous: Open Flame + Oil + Wild Party = Yikes!
Cater your party for less with our Omaha Steaks coupons.

Now that you’ve browsed these tips for hosting New Years parties, you’re set to have the best (and safest!) bash this side of 2010. Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Are you hosting a New Year’s Eve party? Any ideas or problems you’ve come across?

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Centering Yourself After the Holidays

[ 0 ] December 28, 2011

The holidays can be a busy time. Sure, you may have gotten a few days off work, but those days were more than likely spent on the road and visiting. The holidays are wonderful – but exhausting. Now that most of the parties are over (except 1), it’s time to take a moment for yourself. Here are a few suggestions that may help you rest, relax and detox from the holiday hoopla.

Plus, save on the following product recommendations to help you stay centered and calm from Gaiam! Get free shipping on $75+ orders with our Gaiam coupon code.

Get More Sleep

This may seem a bit obvious, but it never hurts to remind each other how much sleep actually matters to our bodies and minds. Lack of sleep can cause problems like irritability, digestive issues and can even lead to depression. Get at least 7-8 hours a night, turn off the TV an hour before bed and have total darkness in your room. Your body will thank you.

Still can’t get enough sleep? Learn what’s causing your insomnia and discover new ways to get to sleep quicker with Gaiam’s Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions for Insomnia. Definitely worth it for the sleep deprived.

Meditate

Sometimes the best way to slow down and center yourself is to not think of anything. Meditation calls for sitting and simply concentrating on your breath. I recently went to a beginner’s class and found it welcoming – but much harder than expected.

Clearing your mind takes practice, so be patient. It’s something you can do at home easily, and it can make all the difference.

Try Gaiam’s Jadience Meditation Kit for a lasting meditative experience.

Exercise

This is probably one of the most popular ways to de-stress. I absolutely detest exercising and find it incredibly boring while running or biking, but always feel great after. And you’ll sleep better too! Even just a 30 minute walk around the block every day is fine.

The point is to just get moving and shake off that stress! You don’t even have to get out of the house to exercise. Try the yogacise body lift for a fierce workout at home.

Surround Yourself with Peace

To rejuvenate after a stressful and busy time, go in search of quiet and solitude. Light some candles, take a bath with some aromatherapy soap or spend time doing something that relaxes you – be it alone or with loved ones. The key is to get back to your happy place.

Need more help relieving your stress? Save on this Stress Relief CD with soothing music and peaceful meditations.

How do you de-stress and center after the holidays?

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Tacky Christmas Sweater Uses

[ 0 ] December 23, 2011

We know they mean well. That one person that gives hand knit, slightly off centred sweaters as gifts. Or maybe they saw this adorable vest with reindeers and holly scattered all over it and thought it was “festive”. That’s not exactly the word you have in mind. But no one wants to hurt feelings, so you grin and say thank you and try to figure out what to do with it.

Here are a few uses for those ugly/tacky/odd sweater gifts. And remember – we’ve all been there. And even dogs aren’t immune.

Donate. This is probably the first option to entertain, not to mention the easiest. Not only do you get that monstrosity out of your closet, but you get to help someone else! That could mean someone who actually needs something warm this winter, or someone needing that perfect piece for their Ugly Sweater Party. Which brings me to the next idea…

Hold an Ugly Sweater Party. According to my Facebook feed (very scientific, I know) Ugly Sweater Parties have become all the rage. The pictures look very festive and everyone looks like they’re having a grand time in their tacky sweaters. Misery loves company, I guess.

Unravel It and Use the Yarn for Something Else. This seems almost cruel (and horribly time consuming) but by re-using the yarn, are you not doing something good for the environment somehow? Probably. This only works if you’re handy with the knitting needles, but a good knitter can probably turn that sweater into something amazing and wonderful. Hat and mitt set perhaps?

Re-gift. Tread lightly on this one, folks. When you’ve decided to re-gift that tacky sweater, make sure you’re re-gifting it to someone who will actually appreciate it. Also, make sure that the recipient is clearly in other social circles to avoid hurt feelings and awkward questioning. If you can, ship it across the ocean (the farther away the better). There are so many pitfalls to a re-gift, so make sure you think your plan through very carefully.

Wear It (on very few occasions). Sometimes the best option is to suck it up and be a good sport about the whole thing. It’s probably not going to be the only time you get a gift that doesn’t suit you, so practice your happy and grateful face. Plus, someone probably went to a lot of trouble picking that sweater out. Maybe wear it once or twice when they’re around. They’ll love that you’re actually getting some wear out of it, and isn’t thoughtfulness what this season is all about?

Have you ever received a tacky or horrible sweater? Tell us about it!

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Coffee Gifts for the Coffee Connoisseur

[ 0 ] December 21, 2011

There are two types of coffee drinkers: Those that enjoy a cup of joe, and those that truly relish not just the taste, but the ingredients and effort that goes into every pot.

I fancy myself in the coffee connoisseur category – I really love my coffee. So, I can honestly give you a piece of advice: if you’re thinking of getting the real coffee drinker in your life a new gadget, you may want to look beyond just a classic brewer or French Press. You may want to take a gander at these:

Bodum PEBO

Not only does it make great coffee, but it makes it in an impressive fashion! The Bodum PEBO uses a vacuum to create the perfect cup of joe right on a stovetop. Oh, and it’s dishwasher safe, which is more than I can say for most coffee makers. If your loved one enjoys entertaining and showing off, they’ll be delighted with this. Save on yours today with Amazon coupon codes.

Aeropress

The Aeropress is what the French Press wishes it was. Not only does it take a mere 10 seconds to brew, gives beverage strength equal to espresso, but it also lessens the acidity making it easier on the stomach. It’s also perfect for those who love traveling! The Aeropress is small, so it can easily fit in a bag and be taken on the road. All in all, a great gift for under $50.

Coffee Filter Straws

At first glance, this may look a little like something else – but it’s not! These glass straws have a filter attached, so it’s easy to get that cuppa anywhere. Just put loose coffee grounds or loose leaf tea in a cup of boiling water and sip away. The filter makes sure you don’t taste any grits. A perk? No lipstick smudges on the cup!

Joulies Thermo Beans

It always seems like a cup is too hot or too cold. What could possible fix this problem? Well, magic beans of course! To be honest, I can’t figure out how they work, but put these in your hot beverage and the temp drops to an acceptable level – then stays there. Sure, at around $100 they’re a little pricey, but can you really put a price on the perfect cup of coffee? The coffee connoisseur would surely say no.

What’s your favorite coffee gadget? Have you ever been given an awesome coffee gadget gift?

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lindy’s phone picks

[ 0 ] December 13, 2011

My phone is terrible. Okay, it’s not so much terrible as it is old and simple and people laugh when I answer it. It was pretty cool back in the day, and to be honest I’m still a bit attached to my Motorola Flip W385. Go ahead. Have a giggle. At the time I bought it, it had everything I needed. It called people. It could send texts and even take really blurry pictures.

However, now that my contract is up, I’m thinking it’s about time to upgrade. I really love my husband’s iPhone, when I get a chance to check it out, so smartphones are looking pretty good right about now. Which one to get? Here are a few I’m currently looking at:

Samsung Stratosphere 4G

Like most smartphones, the Stratosphere has a touch screen. It also boasts a 5 mega pixel front and rear camera for video conferencing which is always nice if you have loved ones far away. Plus, it offers Bluetooth technology, which is always a nice bonus.

Galaxy Nexus

Ah, if I only had a million dollars…or even $700. This phone would be mine. The Galaxy Nexus is the first one to run on the Ice Cream Sandwich operating system which means it’s pretty slick. Added features include multi-media messaging and email and calendar synching. That would be really helpful. Oh, and the cool factor of the Nexus right now is off the charts. Unlike my current phone.

HTC Wildfire S

One of the biggest pluses of the Wildfire for me is that it’s sturdy. If you’re a major klutz, you may want to avoid dropping it on purpose, but it’s a nice reassurance when your phone feels a bit solid in your hand. Although the screen is not necessarily as clear as some other models, it does have a cool feature in that the screen subtly vibrates when you “click” something to let you know the signal went through – a nice feature for those of us not used to a touch screen.

iPhone 4s

If the idea of purchasing a new phone is too overwhelming, there’s always the safe bet, which in this case is the Apple iPhone 4s. Should you go for broke (almost literally), and update to the newest version, you’re sure to get a treat in the iPhone 4s. The operating system makes it the most powerful iPhone yet. Then, of course, there’s Siri which is like having a personal secretary built into the phone. And if you love taking candid shots while you’re out and about, the camera is pretty great. Definitely Facebook worthy at the very least.

Please help me choose! Add a comment below about which phone you think I should get. And don’t forget to use Best Buy Coupon codes for free shipping on select phones.

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easy holiday dinner recipes for the rookie

[ 0 ] December 12, 2011

You’re all moved into your new house. Finally – a house. Gone are the days of that cramped 1 bedroom apartment in the 3-storey walk-up. You have an actual kitchen and a table and an oven that fits regular-sized cookie sheets. Life is good. Then the phone rings. And it’s Mom. Or Dad. Or Grandma. Or the siblings.

Guess who’s coming to Christmas dinner?

Before you panic too heavily and ultimately regret your moves altogether, remember that all those people also had their first big family dinner, too. Anyone can come up with delicious and easy holiday dinner ideas – even you. The important thing is to know your limits. Now is not the time to think big. Now is the time for humble pie. Or a simple pumpkin pie with store-bought crust.

the turkey

Frightening? Are you kidding? Other than the unbelievably long roasting time, cooking a Christmas turkey is the easiest part of prep. Let’s go with an average weight of the bird as 15 pounds.

Preheat the oven to 475.
Rinse the turkey with cold water and take out the gross bits. Inside the turkey, there should be a bag with things like the giblets and neck. We’ll just throw those out.
Separate the skin from the breast a little. Pour in some melted butter. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also put thyme or rosemary in there.
Brush the top with more melted butter and turn down the oven to 325.
Cover with foil loosely and throw it in the oven. For perfect cooking, use about 20 minutes per pound as a rule. Baste about once an hour or so. Once you take it out of the oven, let it sit for about 20 minutes to let the juices seep in.

mashed potatoes

It’s time to put away the instant potato flakes and graduate to the real thing. One of the best things about mashed potatoes is the price. They are CHEAP and easy! All you need is butter (see a trend?), milk, maybe some sour cream if you want, and lots of potatoes.

Peel potatoes and put them in boiling water for about 15-20 minutes.
Drain the water and mash them, slowly adding a pinch of salt, a 1/2 cup of milk, a little butter, and sour cream if you want extra zip. If you want to go really crazy, try a bit of garlic salt or cheese.

cranberries

This is the real stuff, not canned. But if you’re worried about going too crazy on your first try, canned is perfectly acceptable. Just make sure you squish them up so the lines of the can aren’t visible anymore.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 1 cup of sugar. Add cranberries.
Simmer for about 10 minutes or until the cranberries start breaking. Done!
For some extra zest, add grated orange peel, pecans or nutmeg.

pumpkin pie

I’m not going to lie – I bake a bit and my first pie crust was a complete failure. So, unless you’re confident in your baking skills (and your oven), there’s no shame in buying the crust. It’ll still be delicious, and you can always try the crust when you’ve mastered the rest of the recipe.

Beat eggs, 1 can of pumpkin, 1 1/2 cups of half & half, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice and 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
Pour mixture in pie crust.
Bake for 45 minutes at 350.

And there you have it! Not only is it easy to make Holiday favorites, but it’s actually relatively inexpensive – running only about $40 bucks for the whole thing. And that’s without coupons.

Have you ever cooked a big holiday dinner? What tips can you share with us?

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fabulous staff picks for the “it” gifts of 2011

[ 0 ] December 7, 2011

Finding the perfect gifts for those on your holiday wish list can be pretty stressful. Sometimes we over think it, trying to find that unique gift, when in actuality some of the best gifts are the ones we all want.

I did an informal poll of our staff to see which items are on their wish lists this year. The result? We are one tech-nerdy bunch. And we also love our sleep.

Kindle Fire. One of the most popular items on our holiday wish list seems to be the Kindle Fire. I live in an eReader-friendly household, and they’re absolutely amazing. But the Kindle Fire takes it one more step, adding tablet elements. It includes free cloud storage for all your movies and music, as well as a super-swift dual-core processor. And it’s in color!

Samsung Galaxy Nexus. This was a close second in the polls. The Galaxy Nexus is the first phone to run on the Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. It’s a big deal! I’m not 100% sure what that means, but it sounds fast and delicious. (If you can lay it out in plain-speak, comments are welcome.)

Nintendo 3DS. Gamers everywhere are waiting impatiently for the possibility of getting the Nintendo 3DS this year. This portable gaming system offers 3D imaging (no glasses needed), parental game restrictions, and you can even adjust the “3D-ness” of the screen. Handy!

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. When Mr. Jobs and Mr. Isaacson were planning this book, Steve made it clear he wanted everyone interviewed, both friend and foe, to be completely honest. What came out of the almost 40 interviews conducted is a completely rounded story of a man who was tough as nails, a visionary and one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time.

The Snazzy Sleeper. Running a website is hard work, as shown by this submission by one of our staff. No words. Just watch. Oh, and it’s very real: Watch it here.

Honorary mentions go to the iPad2 and iPhone 4S. Basically, if you’re stuck on ideas, look towards the world of electronics and tech gadgets. And don’t forget to use our Amazon coupon codes to save. So, tell us: What’s on your gift list?

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commuter bag conundrum: anything but the rolling suitcase

[ 1 ] December 2, 2011

Commuting to work is exhausting. And when you’re trudging twice a day across town, your bag of choice can be a giant burden. Since you’ll be donning it for a few hours a day, you want a bag that not only makes moving around easy, but one that also makes you hold your head high with pride.

To and from work my commute is about 2-3 hours depending on if the subway and bus all magically align. This means I have to take careful consideration into which bag I slug around on the trek. I’m actually on the lookout for a new bag right now, and here are a few things I’ve found that really count (notice none of them are wheels – those are tripping-machines):

Weight – it has to be lightweight enough for easy movement, yet sturdy enough to handle commuter necessities e.g. the free paper, eBook, lunch containers, a sweater, a hat and possibly extra shoes.
Pockets - technically pockets and zippers. That bag is moving in all different directions and your stuff needs to be locked up tight.
Looks – thousands of people are going to see your bag. One or two “what a cute bag!” comments can really brighten your day.

My fave style of bag by far is the messenger bag. The crossbody straps make it a bit easier on the shoulders and simple to manoeuvre through turnstiles and up escalators. Plus, they have more pockets than you can shake a stick at. Here are some divine ones I found on eBags. We even have an eBags coupon for 20% off your order, so you can save the extra change for tokens.

Kipling Madhouse

First off, this bag is way light at only 1 pound. It’s also available in a number of different colors, so you can match it to your personality. And finally? It’s expandable! Perfect for days when you bring your lunch or need to carry a book or two.

Nuo Eco-Friendly Canvas

I love this bag. The color is great, it’s not overly huge, and it’s eco-friendly (bonus!). Not only can it fit all your books and keys and such, but it also fits your laptop and has power cord pockets. Very low-key, yet it is perfect for commuting long distance with a ton of stuff.

ClaireChase Messenger

The bags above are pretty casual, so you may need something a bit more professional for a meeting with your top client. Thus I bring you the ClaireChase. The ClaireChase is a bit heavier at 4 pounds, so be a bit more selective in choosing what to put in it. But the elegance really shines with the 100% cowhide leather. You’ll really be taken seriously with this pro messenger.

Urban Junket Stella Device Bag

Personally, this is my fave of the four. It may not be able to handle a big lunch container, but will keep your eReader safe and snug, and it’s made from recycled plastic bottles for those of us that like to go green. Plus, it’s too cute and will most definitely get you a compliment or two.

Which one do you like? Do you have a favorite bag to take to work?

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Shellac attack! is it worth it?

[ 0 ] November 30, 2011

Shellac manicure using UV light

Even though it made a grand entrance onto the market back in 2010, the Shellac nails trend is just being discovered by those living under rocks. Like me.

A cross between a polish and a gel? That doesn’t chip? It sounds like magic!

Well, it is magic. Or pretty close. My nails are terrible. I have the gross and awful habit of biting them when I’m stressed, so they’re barely worth getting manicured or fussed over at all. However, when my wedding rolled around, I tried to make a conscious effort to NOT bite them – I was going to get them all gussied up with a Shellac manicure. I ended up getting a French Manicure, and even my teensy nails looked like a million bucks afterwards. And for 14 days afterward.

Yes, Shellac is the stuff you put on furniture to make it look seriously glossy. But it’s actually safer than a lot of regular polishes. It doesn’t contain some of the more toxic substances found in some brands, like formaldehyde, DBP and toluene (look on your bottle at home). And yes, I was a little taken aback that they use a UV lamp to dry the polish. In actuality, you get more UV exposure walking across the parking lot than through the lamps that are used.

Okay, so let’s take a look at Shellac nail polish and some of the pros of this product:

It dries instantly and doesn’t chip or smudge when you’re reaching into your purse for the keys 8 seconds after you leave the salon.
The finish is beautiful. It’s really shiny and the color choice is growing all the time.
Pricewise, it’s not that much more than a regular manicure. A little bit more, but does a regular manicure stay on for 14 days? Nope. Worth it!

The main con is that Shellac removal is best done by a professional, which costs extra. It’s tough stuff! By the end of 14 days mine was starting to peel, so I chipped away at it. This is not recommended. My nails looked ridiculous afterward. Please take your nails to a salon and get it done right (it involves a lot of tin foil and acetone).

Basically, Shellac is a wonderful method of polishing those nails on special occasions where having chipped nail polish just simply isn’t an option. It may hurt your budget if you go on a regular basis, but I would definitely consider it for that holiday party or wedding. It’ll look fabulous in photos. No matter if you’re embarrassed at the state of your nails or not, you’ll love it!

Have you tried a Shellac nail treatment? Would you try it again?

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7 treatments to get your body winter ready

[ 0 ] November 23, 2011

When it comes to my skin, winter is the devil.

The rest of the year I revel in the joy of combination skin – a mixture that brings me about one pimple over those 8 months and requires very little moisturizer to feel great. I’m not going to lie – it’s awesome. But when the leaves start to change color and Mother Nature’s icy claw of dryness known as winter starts to wrap its fingers around me, I’m done for. Goodbye well-behaved softness; hello scratchiness, breakouts and dry winter skin. Winter? My skin hates you.

So like any woman craving rejuvenation and anything that will cure a little SADD, I’ve learned of a few winter health tips that make the winter months a little more bearable. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

start from the inside. The winter blahs are real and don’t let anyone tell you different. To lift your spirits take a yoga class or two, drink lots of decaf tea and give yourself more time to relax and center yourself. Stress and emotional factors do have an effect on your skin, so slow down and take it easy.
drink plenty of water. This one isn’t necessary a spa treatment – it’s not at all – but, it’s essential to feeling your best and having great-looking skin. In winter, hydration is the key.
moisturize. Like nobody’s business. Dry winter skin not only looks dull, it also hurts. Don’t be afraid to go crazy with the moisturizer once winter comes. Look for one with an oil base rather than water. It leaves a protective barrier over your skin. Shea butter is pretty fantastic.
Don’t forget the sun, son. Just because it’s not 30 in the shade doesn’t mean you’re immune to skin diseases. Always use SPF. It helps to find a moisturizer with an SPF included – two birds one stone.
get clarity on mud wraps. Mud or seaweed wraps are popular during the winter for a number of reasons. First, they help with blood circulation, a big problem when the body temperature drops. Not only that, but they’re said to literally take inches off your body. Not for the long term, but a quick fix to look hot for those holiday parties.
thermal masks. You can get this done at a spa, or even try it yourself at home. It actually heats up for a relaxing experience. And because it’s heated, it’s easier for the nutrients to get into the skin and increase circulation. Vitamin C facials may also give your spirits and your skin a boost.
head to the tropics. If you can get away – do it. Your skin will love the treat of more humid temps and that sun beating down is an instant mood booster. The pina coladas don’t hurt either.

Need to find a spa asap? SpaFinder is a great site that will point you in the direction of the closest spa to your location, and what kinds of treatments are available there. You can even book your appointment right there. Need a deal? No probs. We have a SpaFinder coupon for 10% off $100+. Take that, winter.

How do you keep you skin soft and your sanity saved when winter gusts in?

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