I was browsing around online and I came across this really helpful list. I know when I have a gift to buy someone, and I am not quite sure what to get, I usually fall into one these following categories. I found a list of 10 items on couponing.about.com, but I am just going to list my favorite five. This is a list of what NOT to get:
#1 Worthless Gadgets... Now we all know what these are. We have seen them, bought them, and have given them as gifts. Although you might have someone that is very hard to buy for, please try to avoid that latest new "thing" that everyone must have.
#2 Gifts with a Message... The one that comes to mind is that really funny t-shirt you saw that reminded you of someone you know. Chances are pretty high that they will act appreciative when they get it, but in the end it may just end up at the bottom of some drawer that they never go in.
#3 Artwork... Although this might seem like a really thoughtful and probably expensive gift, try to refrain. Art is usually very personal and there is no telling if they will like it or not.
#4 Themed Undergarments... I have done this myself. Especially at Christmas time you will see all kinds of cute little boxers and similar things and the urge to buy them is so strong. But once again, try to stop yourself and think of where they could wear them. Especially holiday related ones are only good for a few weeks, at the most, out of the year.
#5 A Framed Picture of Yourself... When I read this one I had to laugh out loud. Let me quote couponing.about.com since they put it so perfectly "Loving yourself is important, but sending framed pictures of yourself is an odd gift." I couldn't have said it any better.
Well, I hope these shopping guidelines will help some of you. I know the holiday season is some time off, but it never hurts to get a head start. And of course, if you are looking for some local stores please check out www.localshops1.com.
Your Local Shopper,
Jenn
Friday, September 12, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Patriot Day 9-11
Tomorrow will be the 7th anniversary of the most horrible tragedy we have seen in the United States in a very long time. In remembrance they have made every September 11th Patriot Day. This day we are to show our allegiance by putting up our flags, wearing red, white and blue, and remembering all of the people and the families of the people that lost their lives on that unforgettable day. So this was just a quick reminder to show your patriotism by taking part in some way.
Your Local Shopper
and proud American
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
Your Local Shopper
and proud American
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
Telemarketing madness
So today I was out and about when I heard my cell phone's text message sound. I checked it ... and it was an ad! Ugh. Can't I shop in peace? Has it happened to you? Text-messaging ads??
So I came home, registered my number in the national do not call registry. I had done it for my land line, years ago, but hadn't bothered to do it for my cell phone ... So, just a reminder, if you want to stop getting random telemarketing calls or text messages, here's where you can register your number. Takes just a few seconds, and it's totally worth it:
National Do Not Call Registry at https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
So I came home, registered my number in the national do not call registry. I had done it for my land line, years ago, but hadn't bothered to do it for my cell phone ... So, just a reminder, if you want to stop getting random telemarketing calls or text messages, here's where you can register your number. Takes just a few seconds, and it's totally worth it:
National Do Not Call Registry at https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Beauty tricks you can try at home
A friend and I were having a “girls” day last weekend, and she brought something to my attention. She came over while I was getting ready and she said I had a lot of neat little tricks that I used that she had not seen before. So I was thinking ... maybe I should put some of them on my blog!! So here you guys go, hope they help you, too.
#1 Make your hair smell awesome all day. I take my perfume, spray just a little into the bristles of my hairbrush and brush it through my whole head. (if you are going to style your hair, do this when it is still wet) Now I started doing this a long time ago, when I worked outside a lot, because there is nothing worse than that outside matted hair smell.
#2 Keep away that “stiff” look from hairspray. When I am finished blow-drying and styling, the last thing I do is spray some hair spray on my brush and run it through my hair one last time. The hair spray still does its job, just without that plastered down look.
#3 Dry out that pimple quick. For those unfortunate times when you have that stray pimple pop up at the most inopportune time you can use any toothpaste to calm it down. Put it on the pimple directly and let it sit for a few minutes, up to 15 if you have the time. Then wash normally. There is something in that stuff that will dry it out nicely.
#4 Make your clothes smell nice. Have you ever received some of those really pretty soaps that you just can’t use? My mom used to give them to me every Christmas and they would just sit in the box in my closet. Well, she gave me a good idea on what to do with them since I am just not the “guest” soap type of person. Put them in your undie drawer, she says to me. Well, I took it one step further and put it in my nighty drawer, my shirt drawer and every other drawer I have. It makes clothes smell awesome! So instead of spending all that money on cachets ... you can buy these really cheap almost anywhere.
#5 Shave without shaving cream. Another tip my mother gave me was to use hair conditioner instead of shaving cream. I had run out one day and she suggested it to me. I was a bit leery at first, but it worked amazingly. And another thing you get is nice smooth legs. If you’re like me, some of the shaving creams seemed to leave my legs a bit dry. Not so with the the conditioner. You wont be disappointed.
If anyone wants to share some cool tricks they use, you can post a comment, or send them to me, and I would be happy to post them.
Your Local Shopper
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
#1 Make your hair smell awesome all day. I take my perfume, spray just a little into the bristles of my hairbrush and brush it through my whole head. (if you are going to style your hair, do this when it is still wet) Now I started doing this a long time ago, when I worked outside a lot, because there is nothing worse than that outside matted hair smell.
#2 Keep away that “stiff” look from hairspray. When I am finished blow-drying and styling, the last thing I do is spray some hair spray on my brush and run it through my hair one last time. The hair spray still does its job, just without that plastered down look.
#3 Dry out that pimple quick. For those unfortunate times when you have that stray pimple pop up at the most inopportune time you can use any toothpaste to calm it down. Put it on the pimple directly and let it sit for a few minutes, up to 15 if you have the time. Then wash normally. There is something in that stuff that will dry it out nicely.
#4 Make your clothes smell nice. Have you ever received some of those really pretty soaps that you just can’t use? My mom used to give them to me every Christmas and they would just sit in the box in my closet. Well, she gave me a good idea on what to do with them since I am just not the “guest” soap type of person. Put them in your undie drawer, she says to me. Well, I took it one step further and put it in my nighty drawer, my shirt drawer and every other drawer I have. It makes clothes smell awesome! So instead of spending all that money on cachets ... you can buy these really cheap almost anywhere.
#5 Shave without shaving cream. Another tip my mother gave me was to use hair conditioner instead of shaving cream. I had run out one day and she suggested it to me. I was a bit leery at first, but it worked amazingly. And another thing you get is nice smooth legs. If you’re like me, some of the shaving creams seemed to leave my legs a bit dry. Not so with the the conditioner. You wont be disappointed.
If anyone wants to share some cool tricks they use, you can post a comment, or send them to me, and I would be happy to post them.
Your Local Shopper
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
Monday, September 8, 2008
More hurricane resources
Bay News 9's Web site has a page with lots of resources and links you might want to check out, too. Evacuation routes, lists for getting ready, etc.
Here's how to get to it: http://www.baynews9.com/Hurricane.html
Here's some interesting info, from their FAQ section:
How are hurricanes ranked?
A tropical cyclone becomes a hurricane when sustained winds reach 74 mph.
According to the Saffir-Simpson scale, a category 1 hurricane has winds of 74-95 mph. It's associated with a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet.
A category 2 hurricane has winds of 96-110 mph. It can have a storm surge of 6 to 8 feet.
A category 3 hurricane has winds of 111-130 mph and a 9-to-12-foot storm surge.
A category 4 hurricane has winds of 131-155 and a 13-to-18-foot storm surge is possible.
A category 5 hurricane has winds of 156 mph and greater. It can have a storm surge of 19 feet or greater. Category 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes are also classified as major hurricanes or intense hurricanes.
What does an average hurricane season mean?
An average hurricane season brings 10.6 tropical storms. Six of those become hurricanes and two become major hurricanes, meaning category 3 or greater. The average is based on data from 1968 to 2003. Officially, the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, although storms can form outside this time period.
What year was the most active? What year was the least active?
Until recently, 1933 had the most named storms on record with 21. In 2005, that record was broken when the National Hurricane Center identified 28 storms. Since all of the traditional names had been used for 2005, the last six named storms were called "Alpha," "Beta," "Gamma," "Delta," "Epsilon," and "Zeta," the first six letters of the Greek alphabet.
1933 is now second, and 1995 is third with 19 tropical storms. 2005 also had the most hurricanes in one season with 15. The least number of tropical storms happened in 1983 when just four storms formed. In 1982, just two hurricanes formed, making it the year with the least amount of hurricanes since 1968.
There's lots more there, so you might want to check it out.
Here's how to get to it: http://www.baynews9.com/Hurricane.html
Here's some interesting info, from their FAQ section:
How are hurricanes ranked?
A tropical cyclone becomes a hurricane when sustained winds reach 74 mph.
According to the Saffir-Simpson scale, a category 1 hurricane has winds of 74-95 mph. It's associated with a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet.
A category 2 hurricane has winds of 96-110 mph. It can have a storm surge of 6 to 8 feet.
A category 3 hurricane has winds of 111-130 mph and a 9-to-12-foot storm surge.
A category 4 hurricane has winds of 131-155 and a 13-to-18-foot storm surge is possible.
A category 5 hurricane has winds of 156 mph and greater. It can have a storm surge of 19 feet or greater. Category 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes are also classified as major hurricanes or intense hurricanes.
What does an average hurricane season mean?
An average hurricane season brings 10.6 tropical storms. Six of those become hurricanes and two become major hurricanes, meaning category 3 or greater. The average is based on data from 1968 to 2003. Officially, the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, although storms can form outside this time period.
What year was the most active? What year was the least active?
Until recently, 1933 had the most named storms on record with 21. In 2005, that record was broken when the National Hurricane Center identified 28 storms. Since all of the traditional names had been used for 2005, the last six named storms were called "Alpha," "Beta," "Gamma," "Delta," "Epsilon," and "Zeta," the first six letters of the Greek alphabet.
1933 is now second, and 1995 is third with 19 tropical storms. 2005 also had the most hurricanes in one season with 15. The least number of tropical storms happened in 1983 when just four storms formed. In 1982, just two hurricanes formed, making it the year with the least amount of hurricanes since 1968.
There's lots more there, so you might want to check it out.
Hurricane Emergency Information
I'm sure everyone has been watching the weather these past few days with Ike out there in the Atlantic creating havoc. I just wanted to give some quick information about our Emergency Operations Center here in western Pasco. You can go to www.pascoemergencymanagement.com or call them at 727-847-8959 to get information about which zone you are in and to get info on the evacuation routes. It is always a good idea to be prepared, especially since we are smack in the middle of "hurricane season." Good luck to everyone.
Your local shopper,
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
Your local shopper,
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
Sunday, September 7, 2008
In case you missed it ... (dry-skin advice)
I don't want to be redundant, but I had a response to my earlier post about make up saving tips for summer asking about some "dry skin" make up tips.
Here you go, everyone:
local shopper jenn said...
I did some more research for you and I found quite a few tips for dry skin.
1. Use a good moisturizer, made for dry skin. When using the moisturizer in the morning, leave it on for at least 15 minutes before applying foundation.
2. Now, about foundation: Go for the liquid kind and make sure it is has a high moisture content.
3. When buying any make up, try to make sure that it states that it is for dry skin. It seems as though most of the make-up out there assumes everyone has oily skin cause the products can really dry you out.
4. Try not to use any powders for the purpose of removing shine. You can use the oil blotters if you ever have an issue with shine.
5. There are some mineral sprays out there that can are used as make up "finishers." They moisturize your skin while giving you that "dewy" look.
Here you go, everyone:
local shopper jenn said...
I did some more research for you and I found quite a few tips for dry skin.
1. Use a good moisturizer, made for dry skin. When using the moisturizer in the morning, leave it on for at least 15 minutes before applying foundation.
2. Now, about foundation: Go for the liquid kind and make sure it is has a high moisture content.
3. When buying any make up, try to make sure that it states that it is for dry skin. It seems as though most of the make-up out there assumes everyone has oily skin cause the products can really dry you out.
4. Try not to use any powders for the purpose of removing shine. You can use the oil blotters if you ever have an issue with shine.
5. There are some mineral sprays out there that can are used as make up "finishers." They moisturize your skin while giving you that "dewy" look.
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