Good Afternoon Dear Reader:
Large bird print, $6.24 & small prints $3.24--75% off at Target
It is Friday and more than seven months into the year, which means if you haven’t already started, shouldn’t you be doing some Christmas shopping now? Think of how much stress you can eliminate if you just buy a gift or two a month.
Of course, you want to buy things that most likely the person will not need to exchange, or shop where they have a liberal return policy and and always ask for a gift receipt. I know that both Kohl’s and Nordstrom’s have great return policies and will take items without a receipt at any time. Walmart is another retailer that has a generous policy. If you know other stores that with great exchange policies, please share!
Unbelievable, 7 ceramic canisters, $14.98, Target!
Another idea is the huge variety of gift cards on the market that are sure to please most people. Just purchasing a few of those, wrapping them and checking those names off the list is quite an accomplishment.
At Target, new heavier Corelle patterns, 16 pc., $48.99
Also great items to purchase now include household decorator items that know no season and kitchen items. Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Sur la Table, Target, and Kohl’s have summer clearance sales in housewares, linens, as well as bath and kitchen goods.
There is probably not a mother, father or grandparent who would not be thrilled with a photo gift book prepared just for them. The wonderful hardback books that can be done either online ( at Shutterfly.com, Inkubook.com, Kodak.com ) or through stores like CVS, Walgreen’s or Walmart kiosks make a great, affordable and so personal gift. What they are is time consuming to assemble the photos, decide on backgrounds and captions. What you have right now is roughly 5 months to get it done, so don’t wait!
Inkubook.com has a great feature that allows you to create a cookbook with your own photos as well, which would be a great gift for newlyweds or kids going off to college or to their first apartment.
I love my magazines!
Yes, I do feel at home at B&N!I hope they don't start charging rent!
Right now, many great magazines are offering unbelievable bargains. Bon Appetit has a special deal for one year at $1 an issue, $12 total. Two years are only $24, plus you get a copy of Tastes of the World with your subscription. Single issues are $4.99, so it is one heck of a deal.
Women’s Health, another great magazine is also on sale with 10 issues for $11.97 or 20 issues for $19.97
These also make great gifts that keep on giving!
Sleep better and longer!
Sleep is precious but there are more than 60 million Americans who suffer with insomnia. Here are some helpful hints from Women’s Health, “ Enjoy Deeper Sleep” by Brigid Sweeney, page 74.
- Eat some carbs before bed, a banana, crackers.
- Block out all light, even a blinking computer light .
- Keep your bedroom around 68 degrees and wear socks to help blood vessels in your feet to expand. It encourages blood flow and aids metabolism. If you put lotion or Vaseline on your feet before you put on the socks, you can wake up with softer feet as well.
- Alcohol may make you feel sleepy, but once it is digested, your brain rebounds leaving you awake and restless.
Caution: Change out your pillow at least once a year. They can be breeding grounds for dust mites even in the cleanest home and can contribute to allergy attacks.
Take an online sleep test to see if you are getting your sufficient rest at WomensHealthMag.com/SleepQuiz
Some of us can sleep anywhere! Be sure to shut out all light!
Have a great weekend and come back on Monday!!
Diane