Thu 17 May 2012

Healthy Grocery Shopping: Everything you need to know

Posted by Avery Webster under Groceries
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Shopping a little healthier doesn’t have to be complicated or terribly more expensive than the way you shop now. Following just a few simple tips can keep you and your family eating healthier foods and spending less money on junk food that just makes you hungrier and less healthy at the end of the day. It may take a little more time to compare products, but soon you’ll find favorites and you’ll be a pro at shopping healthy and making the most of your grocery budget.

1. Consider Nutritional Content

What does your family need from a meal? The answer to this question is different, depending on the lifestyle and ages of the people you’re feeding. For example, young children need whole milk whereas young adults are better off with 1% or skim. Do you need to control sodium? Sugar? You might bet surprised at the diversity of nutritional content between seemingly similar or identical products. My favorite example of this is instant oatmeal–I enjoy a popular brand’s “appetite control” version of instant oatmeal, which helps me stay “full” without snacking during long mornings. A friend insisted that this was just normal oatmeal packaged differently and marketed to those of us “silly” enough to prefer the product because of its claims. So, we checked the labels–sure enough, the nutritional content was meaningfully different, with my favorite weight loss, appetite calming oatmeal packet containing the same volume of product, but more fiber and less sugar, with slightly more protein, than the comparable “normal” product. How did I discover this? By taking a couple seconds to read a label, and knowing that type of product best met my needs.

2. “Weigh” your options.

What’s the main difference between an unhealthy basket of groceries and their good-for-you alternatives? Carry them around the store for long enough and you’ll figure it out: healthy food tends to weigh more! Think about it this way: you have to choose a snack for between meals. If you buy an apple for each day of the week, it’s around 100 calories per day, and seven apples will make your basket relatively heavy. How about if you have 250 calories worth of potato chips (that’s one of those single-serving bags) each day? Pretty lightweight, right? That’s because good for you foods tend to pack more fiber and water in, with less fat and sugar.

3. Skip the center

The foods that are best for you are typically found around the perimeter of the grocery store, not in the center aisles. Think about where the produce section, deli, dairy and bakery are located… compared to the chips, carbonated drinks, sugary treats and high-fat munchies. Do your initial sweep around the perimeter and choose fresh, whole foods like cuts of meat, fresh and seasonal produce, and high-protein dairy options. Then, fill in the gaps with the “center aisles” if you need to supplement your milk with cereal, steaks with sauce, etc.

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Sun 13 May 2012

3 Ways to Shop Smarter.

Posted by Avery Webster under Shopping
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Whether you love shopping or dread it, there are always ways to improve your shopping habits to make shopping more fun, less expensive, and just downright better. The truth is, a significant part of managing life is shopping: for household commodities, like groceries and clothes, for business related expenses like office supplies and software packages, and for those little splurges like a new handbag or set of golf clubs. Shopping is everywhere, and we commit a significant amount of money and time to the process. So, why not do it better? We’ve assembled a few tips to help you shop smarter.

1. Watch for local discounts

Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial get annoying with their endless stream of emails and mostly irrelevant offers, but occasionally you’ll get a good on, and it’s all worth it. If you can get a Groupon for your favorite restaurant or for a local shop that sells a product you need now (or will need eventually) then you not only benefit from the discount, but you’ve also benefited a local business and encouraged them to offer this type of discount in the future–something that may help you again!

 

2. Use an online retailer with a good return policy as often as possible

Save yourself the running around and risk of choosing the wrong item by finding reliable sites with good customer service and sticking with them for all of your related purchases. Buying online means returning online–and it’s generally easier to drop something in the mail that to find the time to drive all the way to a specific store only to return or exchange something you don’t want. You’re more likely to return things quickly and get a full refund when it’s easy to return them, so stick with online–or whatever is easiest for you–as often as possible

 

3. Stop impulse buying.

Impulse buys tell us what we want, but they don’t always get us the best option. I’m not saying you shouldn’t ever splurge or treat yourself, but if you’re dying to have that new handbag you saw at the mall, shop around a little more to make sure it’s the bag you want, and that it’s being sold for the best price. Too often, allowing yourself to “splurge” means getting a too-high price or not even checking out options that you may have liked better.

 

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Sun 6 May 2012

How to build a wedding registry

Posted by Avery Webster under Gifts, Shopping
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Wedding bells are ringing! It’s time to register for your big day, but it can seem like an overwhelming task, and in some ways it is. But don’t be discouraged, some simple steps can make building your wedding registry simple and efficient.

1. Register for things you need: This one seems obvious, but it’s always worth asking around to see what you really will need as a newlywed. As friends who were recently married what items they use the most often and what items they’re surprised they don’t use. Keep in mind that if you and your fiance lived independently, you may already have many of the things you “need” like kitchen gear and linens, and can use this opportunity to update or upgrade some things without unnecessarily replacing things you already have. Take inventory, and get started.

2. Register for things they think you need: Some people have predetermined ideas of what you’ll need as a newlywed and what things they should always buy for wedding gifts. If they’re going to buy you those items, you might as well register for versions of the item you at least like (or that are easily returnable!) so you can have some say in the matter. Although many modern couples don’t find them useful, some traditional folks insist on buying formal china, stemware, or household cleaning appliances. Make the best of the situation–you may be able to convince grandma that a 4-setting suite of cool modern stoneware from that upscale boutique is the “new” formal china!

3. Register for returns: Most people coming to your wedding will buy gifts in a certain price range, and what this price range is depends almost entirely on the formality of your wedding and social bracket of your friends and family. When I got married, most of our friends got us gifts in the $40-$50 range–but we registered for almost nothing in that price bracket. Guess what we got? Lots of duplicates, things we didn’t need, and gifts that we couldn’t return because they weren’t from a registry. With this in mind, be willing to register for items strategically, knowing you may end up returning some of it for store credit to put toward bigger (or smaller) purchases. People like buying gifts they can imagine you enjoying–nice editions of board games, seasons of your favorite television show, or fun camping gear. So find things in your target price range and register, after making sure your store of choice has a reasonable registry return policy, of course!

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Tue 17 Apr 2012

Shopping For Summer: Trends and Essentials

Posted by Avery Webster under Accessories, Clothing, Fashion, Shopping, Trends
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Have you been outside today? Around here it’s sunny and it feels more like summer than early spring—so it seems like the perfect day to give you a quick update on what to buy in preparation for a fashionable summer in the sun!

Teal, Orange, Dark Neutrals
This summer’s palette for women’s fashion is straight from the art deco of sunny Ft. Lauderdale. Don’t miss out on the fun, feminine, juicy and understated colors of 2012. Turquoise and teal accent provide a cool counterpart to burnt oranges and warm, dark peach hues that pop against the dark grey, taupe, and navy neutrals of the most in-demand clothing lines in town.

Scarves
Classic retro scarves are back, and they’re in high demand as head wraps, headbands, on-the-cuff wraps and on-the-hip accents. A scarf is a versatile way to dress up a basic piece or add a pop of color to your weekend wear. The best part? Many scarves will transfer well into cooler weather, and still look good with a light jacket or in an autumn office setting.

Flats
This summer you’ll see fewer sandals and strappy dress shoes and more flats and dainty lace ups, for both casual, corporate and ceremonial events. Pairing a classic canvas sneaker with khaki shorts or a springy skirt hints of years gone by, and understate kid flats add a fun but mature statement to your office wear. Don’t miss out on the cool shoe trends of 2012—they’re among the best of the last few years.

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Sun 15 Apr 2012

Places to get great summer salads

Posted by Avery Webster under Groceries
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As the weather warms up, salads are a great meal choice—they keep you fit for the shorter sleeves and bathing suit weather that’s just around the corner, and they have high levels of water that keep you hydrated as the mercury rises. They’re a good choice when you’re on the go, but it’s not always easy to find a salad that’s both healthy and delicious during your quick lunch break. Here’s a basic guide to help guide you when it’s time to find the crisp, cool greens.

Thai Restaurants
It may be surprising to some, but your local Thai restaurant probably has a large selection of delicious salad options, some with Thai staples like pork and chicken, and others with spicy sauces that make a boring salad an exciting meal. The herb and citrus flavors that are key in Thai cooking offset well against the lettuce and veggies that go into a basic salad.

Cafes and Bagel Shops
Small places, like the café or bagel shop across from your downtown office or on the corner of main street in your small town, often have really good salads. Why? I’m not really sure. Bagel shops tend to put bagel bites in lieu of croutons, which is really tasty.

Seafood Restaurants
Putting seafood on a salad is super yummy but not particularly common. Check at your local seafood restaurant or sushi place for sushimi or cooked fish and shrimp on a salad bed or mixed with greens.

Pack it
Can’t find affordable or delicious salads in your neighborhood? Good salads are surprisingly easy to make if you push the boundaries a little and challenge yourself to try new toppings and greens and delicacies like homemade dressings and more expensive meats to top with.

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Sun 25 Mar 2012

Making the Most of Your Wardrobe (Every Season!)

Posted by Avery Webster under Accessories, Clothing, Fashion, frugality, Shopping
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When you buy clothing, you hope to get the most out of it, and the best way to do that is to buy pieces that will work from season to season when layered and accessorized easily. If you’re lucky enough to live in a climate where you wear the same amount and style of clothing all year long, you can skip this article and go back to enjoying the stability of your local weather. But, for the rest of us, take heed to these simple tips to make your clothing budget go farther and your layering go more smoothly:

Pick a Palette.

It’s true that every season the fashion industry throws a new set of colors, textures and cuts at us, but you can avoid some of the closet chaos that this can create by choosing a basic color palette from the beginning. Choose colors that work well together, look good on you, and that you enjoy wearing. For example, my own color palette is navy, grey, cream, with accents of turquoise and a peachy pink. I find that this palette works well in a variety of weather conditions and is easy to shop for.

Layer. Layer. Layer.

I rarely buy a piece that can’t be layered in multiple ways. Dresses that can be worn in the sun, layered under a cardi for a chilly fall wedding, or worn under a blazer for a winter job interview. Tees that can be worn under a sweater, with a jacket, or alone. You get the drift. But before investing in that new find, ask yourself when you’ll wear it and how you’ll wear it. If the piece is really limited, you may want to find something similar that will give you more options.

Accent.

Accessories can make or break a look. The same pair of jeans can look summery with the cuffs rolled up to make capris, cozy for winter with chunky socks, casual for fall with a warmly colored skinny belt or ready for spring with a pair of sandals and a tucked in cami. Think about what you have in your collection that will look great with a new purchase—necklaces? Scarves? Tights? Decide now, and think about your whole wardrobe similarly when you choose to buy accessories.

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Sun 4 Mar 2012

3 Shopping Rules for Instantly Slimming Styles

Posted by Avery Webster under Clothing, Fashion, Plus Size Fashion
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When you shop for clothes, you want to find the styles that make you look your best, so why not take the time to consider what clothing will make you look your best and trimmest? Whether you’re choosing an outfit for that family portrait (the camera adds 10 pounds, so fight back!) or just looking for casual styles that will help you feel more confident and flatter your body, look for these styles before you hit the fitting rooms:

  1. Size Honestly
    It feels great to choose a smaller size, but it may be an unflattering decision. Wearing clothing that is too tight will make you look heavier and accentuate the wrong features of your physique. On the other hand, wearing clothing that is too loose or baggy will make you look shapeless, and that’s not good either. If you’re not sure what size to get, try on several options and always opt for the size that is comfortable to wear (not too tight) but shows your body’s natural shape (not too loose).
  2. Opt for Darker Colors
    Whether it’s a darkwash denim or a black t-shirt, the darker the color, the more flattering the fit. Matte black fabrics are the most flattering color, but if you want to avoid a monochromatic wardrobe, dark eggplant, navy, charcoal and denim are also good choices. These colors slim by minimizing the appearance of shadows while emphasizing your silhouette and figure. Adding a bright scarf or necklace is a good way to bring color to a flatteringly dark outfit.
  3. Follow Your Body
    There are always fads, but they don’t always work for everyone. Before you buy into the latest trend, assess whether it is a good choice for your body shape. Everyone’s body is different, and while some styles can work for yours, others may not. The most fashionable decisions are the ones that make you look and feel your best, whether or not they’re on the cover of this month’s fashion magazines.

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Sun 19 Feb 2012

Not As Expensive As You Think…

Posted by Avery Webster under Clothing, frugality, Groceries, Shopping
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Sometimes we make assumptions about products—and most of the time, those assumptions are actually correct. Yes, most orange juice is essentially the same product and you can save money by buying generic over the counter medication. But sometimes we write off a product because it’s “too expensive” without considering the value of the product—and that the high price might be worth it.

Smoothies and Blended Juice
You know what I’m talking about—they’re in the produce section of the grocery store and usually have a list on the side of the bottle telling you all the fruits, veggies and nutrients that are contained without. They usually cost between $3 and $4, a price many consumers find to be exorbitant. Then again, how much would you pay for a dozen strawberries, a whole banana, a whole apple and whatever else is in the bottle? The truth is, these types of drinks aren’t just “juice,” they can act as meal replacements or supplements for on-the-go adults looking for a quick and nutritious option. Worth $3-4? I think so. After all, you’d pay that much for a less healthful fast food option, right?

Brands with Lifetime Satisfaction Guarantees
There are just some brands worth springing for. Yeah, they’re more expensive up front, but they save you a bundle long-term. Great examples? Birkenstock, who will replace products for the rest of your life. The same goes for L.L. Bean, who won’t let you keep a product that is less than like-new. You know those L.L. Bean backpacks everybody’s got? I’ve had mine since Kindergarten, and I start grad school next year. Still carry the same bag. Not kidding. If it wears out, they’ll replace it for free.

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Mon 23 Jan 2012

Curvy Girl’s Guide to Plus Size Separates

Posted by Parker under Plus Size Fashion
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As a plus size girl it’s hard enough to find clothes that fit properly and flatter my curvy shape.  I find that I continue to fall within two categories when selecting my outfits no matter if the event is formal or informal.  First, I always default to baggy, frumpy, tops and improperly fitting pants somehow persuading myself to think that I’ll look smaller if the clothes are bigger.  The second category is what I refer to as “over accessorizing.”  I start off with good intentions end up looking like a sale rack in the corner of a department store.  I’m layered in shirts, sweaters, a jacket, a scarf, necklaces, big earrings and sometimes even a hat.  I cover myself in layers and layers of items that often don’t mesh well together in hopes to draw attention away from my flaws.

So I had my “light bulb” moment the other day when I glanced in the mirror.  What I saw looked like a six year old playing dress up with mismatched items from a musty trunk in her grandmother’s attic.  This had to stop. For the next month or so I watched every fashion “how to” show I could find.  I read fashion magazines I never knew existed and tried on outfits that I never would have considered in the past. I scoured the internet for blogs and tips and here’s what I learned about dressing curvy.

1.)  It’s OK to wear snug, tailored clothing.  It is not OK to wear tight, revealing clothing.  One of the items that I would have never dared to try on is the blouse shown above.  It’s the Kiyonna Loretta Lace Top.  In the past I would have thought, it’s too tight, too revealing, and too low cut.  What I found after trying it on is that it had a tailored, crisp, trendy look.  It gave me a waistline that I haven’t seen in years and had a plunging neckline that was cut just right to create a little intrigue.

2.)  If you’re like me, comfortable flattering pants are impossible to find. If they fit nicely through the waistline they are too right through the hips.  If they happen to fit comfortably through the hips, they’re too long.  I’ve found that looking for a waistline on pants that hits slightly below your natural waistline will make your waist look smaller and lengthen your torso.  Another tip that I hadn’t considered:  alterations.  If you find trousers that fit perfectly and are comfortable through the hips, but they’re just too long, find a good seamstress.  Hemming pants is quick and typically inexpensive.

3.)  A fun tip in the reinvention process:  Buy new shoes.  Find a great pair of trendy, comfortable shoes that accentuate your look.  Heavier style heels that are not too tall will balance out your calves. Additionally, avoiding strappy shoes will lengthen your legs and make them appear thinner.

4.)  Lastly, have fun accessorizing, but don’t over do it.  Sometimes less is more.  Though one of the benefits of being plus sized is being able to wear larger jewelry, pairing metal accessories with glass beads or pearls with a trendy bangle just doesn’t work.  Pick a trend and use it consistently throughout your look.

 

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Sun 22 Jan 2012

Are K-Cups Expensive?

Posted by Avery Webster under Groceries
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If you’re considering a Keurig coffee brewer, the cost-effectiveness of brewing a cup of coffee is an important consideration. You’ve probably heard that Keurig brewers are convenient, but unless you can afford the K-Cups to use in it without breaking the bank, it’s not a practical purchase.

The basic answer to your question about cost is this: you can buy coffee online for your Keurig brewer for about 58 cents per K-cup, which brews one mug of coffee.  Compare that to the coffee you pick up on your way to work each morning. Depending on where you buy it, a morning cup of joe might run between $1 and $3 per cup… which makes $0.58 per cup quite a bargain.

But what if you’re comparing the cost of K-Cups to the cost of using your drip brewer? It’s harder to calculate this cost up front—because when you make coffee, you may use more or fewer grounds, or a more or less expensive brand of coffee, but especially because of how much you waste when you don’t finish your pot of coffee. Using good coffee grounds from a local coffee shop to brew a pot of coffee will usually cost around $1 to $2 for three cups or so of coffee. When you consider the figures, K-Cups are about comparable to your current drip brew costs, but you should consider that K-Cups also add a measure of convenience you lack with a drip brewer. If, for example, you enjoy hazelnut coffee but your spouse doesn’t, then you can each have the type of coffee you want in the morning rather than making a single pot of coffee that will be a compromise.

At the end of the day, the K-Cups are affordable compared to conventional methods of preparing coffee, but they pack an extra punch with added convenience. If you’re an avid coffee drinker, it’s probably a good investment.

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