Welcome to the 10 Steps Meg information page where we continue to offer simple steps to smart fashion and high class living. As the author of 7 Kindle books, (including "What to Wear, Where," and "10 Cheap Things You Must Have in Your Wardrobe..."), Meg Anderson continues her expertise with a splash of common sense and humor, while inviting you to participate and share your own ideas with the world!
August 2022: 10 Smart Ways to Prepare for Back-to-School.
1. Avoid ALL sales, and sale gimmicks---to avoid burn-out, over anxiety in the kids, and frustration!! Shop for September stuff in June--that's right---I said JUNE!! There's still good sales in June, no one is rushing, and you can take your time and plan your kids' outfits and supplies on your own time.
2. Use office supply stores to buy REALLY cheap school supplies (I'm talking like 50 cents stuff).....like pencils and notebooks.
3. Set up a Front Door station in your home where the kids can drop their contaminated backpacks and shoes from school. Arm the station with Lysol wipes, a can of disinfectant spray, bleach wipes, paper towels, and all that stuff. When they come in, they are required to drop everything while you spray and clean off all their stuff (even their eyeglasses and lunchboxes can be cleaned with cotton balls and alcohol. Do all this BEFORE they enter the house or before they can even go to their rooms.
4. Speaking of cleaning (and feeling clean.....yes, kids like to be clean even though it's sometimes a Struggle...lol) always pack the backpack with emergency supplies that NEVER leave the backpack. Items could include emergency phone numbers (see tip #10), tissues to use for runny noses/missing toilet roll in bathrooms, spare roll of natural deodorant because EVERYBODY forgets on one day or another (here's where you can get some all- natural healthy deodorant they can wear day and night: https://lddy.no/1ch0x ). An emergency charger for the phone also could come in handy--nothing frightens a parent more than calling their child and they can't answer because the phone ran out of power!
5. Use Costco, Walmart, Sam's Club, and other big box stores to stock up on their favorite lunchtime and afterschool snacks. Do this way before the 1st day of school and you're already ahead of the game! This serves two purposes: 1)You will always be buying their favorites, which cuts down on waste (kids will throw away or even exchange snacks they don't like and NEVER tell you)..... 2)You won't have to worry about running to and from the store to get snacks in the middle of the week--because you're a smart mom and stocked up early)
6. While you're at the big box stores, stock up on Laundry detergent, stain removers, bleach and even dryer sheets. Face it moms, kids get dirty and smelly from school so washing clothes is sometimes a twice weekly task (if not more). Loads and loads of dirty socks, underwear and outerwear are the NORM---so be prepared, ahead of time.
7. Invest in a well-equipped sewing kit and keep it handy. Kids always seem to mysteriously rip and tear their NEW clothes often even during the 1st week of school. Again, be prepared and load up the kit with different colored threads and good strong needles.
8. Kids grow quickly---so why would you spend $100 on a coat that they ultimately throw down on the ground at recess--save yourself the agony mom!! Take a trip to your nearest Thrift store, or if you can't bear the odor of such stores (like me...lol), then shop online at any of the stores listed below, such as Swap.com, where you can get some pretty nice used kids clothes and shoes for dirt cheap. And while you're there, get something for yourself mom--you deserve it!
Swap.com: https://fbuy.io/swap/meg45527
Mercari.com: https://merc.li/tsWw9wb
Poshmark.com: https://posh.mk/pp6JcvJOHsb
Thredup.com: https://www.thredup.com/r/OZA50Q
LISTIA.com (you don't even need money to buy things on this site--its always points, and its lots of FUN!): https://www.listia.com/r2sy8l9/CWCFQK
And when they outgrow all the things you buy from those sites, wash them and send them back in to those same sites!!!! That way you $ave money and you EARN money too (and, by the way, you are also contributing the to Environment by recycling clothes and shoes).
9. Now is the time to update that Emergency phone list (that should be at the bottom of their backpacks). Over the summer, friends, neighbors and relatives move and/or change their phone numbers (or even their phones). Aunt Sally, your backup pick-up person, might have a NEW phone number, and if you forget to change it on their list, well, it could mean grand confusion on any given day, especially during a bona fide emergency!!! So start calling around and confirming phone numbers BEFORE the 1st day of school.
10. Morning Stress/1st-day-of-school anxiety: Everybody has it, but not everybody knows how to beat it! The trick is to do everything the night before.....school clothes, organizing back packs and putting by them by the door, even breakfast can be half prepared the night before (at least set the table!!). Then you can replace all that stress with lots of smiles, hugs and kisses as they go out the door for that EXCITING first day of school.
There you go! 10 SImple Steps to getting ready for Back-to-School!!
Stay tuned for more tips on a myriad of subjects including how to dress for YOU, how to sell online while having fun, organizing tips, Holiday entertaining do's & don'ts, hunt for classic bags, shoes & boots, and tips for a great New Year made simple.....
......(come back often to get a glimpse of 10 Steps Meg tips here every week).....
August 2022: 10 Easy Ways to Dress Your Best
1. So let's start with what's UNDERneath! Ladies, please always remember that the bra you wear can either MAKE or Break your outfit. Even if you wear Dior, you still need the correct Dior bra size and design for whatever it is you are wearing. That's why they designed "T-shirt" bras so the bra is smooth and neat, and barely visible under your tightest T-shirt. I challenge you to go to your nearest lingerie store/department store and ask to be "fitted" for a bra (it's free). Most women are shocked to discover that they have been wearing the wrong size for decades!! The best bra for you will have absolutely NO spillage, NO back bulge, NO sagging, and will even help you avoid the over-padded bra syndrome (yes, there can sometimes be TOO much padding, that makes you look like a Brigette Bardot wannabee).....
2. If you are a Plus Size gal, then you ARE.....don't try to wear any other size, You will look elegant at all times and your body will thank you for the breathing room.
3. If you are a Tall Gal (5'10 and up), then be sure to shop the Tall gal rack in any of the on-line stores to get your correct arm length on shirts and inseam on pants (to avoid looking like PeeWee Herman). For swimsuit length issues, wear bikinis (yes, even if you have stomach bulge, bikinis always look a little sexier than one-piece suits on Tall gals). Try Alloy for trendy, easy-to-wear styling: https://bit.ly/3TYSbL2
4. Speaking of bikinis, KNOW YOUR SIZE, and you will always look great in one. If you are a G (DDDD) bra cup gal (see #1 above for sizing tips), then you will need to shop for a size 3X or 4X bikini top---I kid you not!! This hack works best on triangle cups with halter ties at the neck and back. Then you can tie it tight or loose, and still have ample room in the cups. This helps to avoid POP-OUTS when swimming, and even if you don't plan to swim, you still need a proper fitting bikini top. Let us know if you agree.....
5. Know Your Fragrance. A vital part of dressing your best is smelling your best. Don't try to borrow your sister's or mom's fragrance--chances are it won't smell nice on YOU. See my book "10 Cheap Things You Must Have in Your Wardrobe" for more on this topic. But for now, if you must buy fragrance on-line, before you have a chance to try it out, then be sure to read the reviews before you buy. Chances are they will help you make a better choice on fragrance.
6. Special event outfits are a must, but never buy one at the last minute!! Especially if you buy it online--you will need to factor in time to try it on, match it to your shoes, alter it, return it or whatever, before the event. So schedule your online shopping at least a month in advance, and wherever possible, shop the second hand stores so that even if you decide you don't want to keep the outfit after the event, you can re-thrift it and not feel the pain of wasted dollars!
7. Sunglasses: while these are a staple for EVERYONE's closet, all sunglasses don't look good on EVERYONE! So these definitely need to be tried on before purchasing. (I find myself to look hideous in Raybans, for example). So make sure you try on several different brands to avoid getting strange looks in the supermarket, or worse, scaring someone's baby when you say hello! (See my book "10 Cheap Things You Must Have in Your Wardrobe" for more on this topic).
8. Shoes: Always buy as high of quality shoes as you can because these could be a long term investment if done properly. Shoes need at least a 1/2 inch or more toe wiggle room at the top and must be your true width size. Don't try to get away with anything less, especially if you shop at stores with NO return policy (we stick with Nordstrom's because they let you return their merchandise even after some time). Shoes need to be broken in, which could require more than a month if you're not wearing them daily. Keep that in mind when you shop for shoes.
9. There's classic Wardrobe stuff you absolutely MUST spend money on (see #10 below), and stuff you absolutely should NOT spend a lot of money on: the little black dress and the bikini are two examples (see my book "10 Cheap Things You Must Have in Your Wardrobe" for greater detail). A black dress is a black dress, and no one will know how much you spent or who the designer is, unless you tell them. So save your money and buy within your budget. Same thing goes for bikinis (unless you are plus size, in which case, you might have to search & spend), and you should not spend a lot on these because, again, nobody cares who made it, and they can't tell how much you paid for it unless YOU tell them.
10. Accordingly, don't try to get away with not spending some good money on your trench coat or hand bag. These scream class to everyone, and everyone knows a cheap one when they see one. So open up the wallet for these items (see more tips on this in my book "10 Cheap Things You Must Have in Your Wardrobe).
September 2022: 10 EASY-to-do Health Tips
There's sooooo much out there about healthy living that even WE are confused! You're seeing tips on weight loss, eating right (even if you're skinny), dietary restrictions (low fat/low sodium), cleansing, supplements and exercising. And it's all overwhelming--we know. So why weren't we BORN with this information already, if it's so darn important?? Well, the truth is, we ARE born with this information. We've just keep forgetting how to do it, hence we are overweight, lethargic, diseased, and just down right tired of all the hullabaloo about health.
So here are 10 easy-to-remember tips for your overall healthy well-being that you can start right now, TODAY.
1. Delete the 3 meals-a-day programming from your brain! Nobody's eating all that food anymore, most can't afford to anyway (both money-wise and health-wise), and the body has never needed that much food or "structured" meal times (ask a newborn baby, they'll tell you they eat whenever they want and how much they want, not at 9, 12 noon and 6 pm!!) Eating light meals and healthy snacks throughout the day is the norm, not the exception. Your body will thank you for the extra energy it doesn't have to use to burn the heavy meals you have stopped giving it. The result: good weight maintenance and more energy ......
2. CUE the Supplements: If you're not eating 100% organically grown food 100% of the day, then chances are you are missing some vital nutrients from your meals. Add to that the microwave, the oven, the fryer and even the steamer used to cook our food, and there goes our nutrients also. So you gotta replace those missing vitamins and minerals some kind of way--and that means including some kind of supplement in your diet. Some of our hacks include juicing fresh fruits and vegetables, liquid vitamins, and our very favorite hack, apple cider vinegar (just a tablespoon in a glass of water can make all the difference in the world). Go here to get the best brand in the world: bit.ly/3CUzG4v
3. What goes in MUST come out! The body is constantly at work breaking down all the stuff we eat....and if you don't get rid of that waste, it will build up and make you weak, tired all the time, and even sick. If you can't find a good routine cleansing regimen then you gotta stick to eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables daily and drinking lots of water. Some of our hacks: strong coffee in the morning (yes, it works), lemon in your water at every meal, and again, our favorite, apple cider vinegar: bit.ly/3CUzG4v
4. Water, water, water: Yes, we get tired of hearing about how much we need to drink everyday, but the truth is you really don't need to lug a bottle around everywhere you go if you play it smart, that is. Even in the tropics, where everybody sweats like crazy, you don't see folks carrying around silly water bottles....but they do consume a lot of fruits that have a lot of juice (oranges, apples), and they almost never dehydrate!! So likewise, we can get a lot of our daily fluids from raw veggies, and juicy fruits like watermelon, grapes and plums. The point is, pay attention to your body signals, and you'll know when you need to gulp down massive amounts of water!
5. GREEN is King: The more green on your plate, the healthier the meal. But even we don't enjoy eating salad unless it's soaked in homemade vinaigrette dressing, made with our favorite Braggs Vinegar bit.ly/3CUzG4v. So the key here is to find the green veggie you like the most and eat it the most often. Who says you have to eat broccoli when you love kale more. Just eat Kale!
6. Hold the Sugar, Sugah! Yup it's hard to resist, we know. But every week just try to use one less tablespoon of sugar in your coffee (yes we saw you using tablespoons---yikes!!). Or try using other types of sweet stuff like maple syrup, honey or even brown sugar instead of white. All of these changes WILL make a difference in your health....try 'em and see.
7. Burn the FAT! Sorry, it's the only way to get it off---except maybe surgery, OUCH! Some of the hacks we use: fresh grapefruit drizzled with your favorite healthy sweetener (see #6 above); plain greek yoghurt used as a dip for bbq potatoe chips--a secret hack that tastes amazingly good and is addictive; fresh lemon juice in your glass of water, or drizzled over your salmon while grilling, or squeezed over your veggies; apple cider vinegar (see #2, #3 and #5 above for details). While you may not see a dramatic change in that belly fat, at least you can help to keep it down.
8. Wind down the WINE: (and the beer, and the whisky, and the vodka, etc). WE too are Wine-o's (especially Chardonnay) but you gotta be careful because these can pack on the pounds, especially around the belly. So take it easy and try to limit it to one or two glasses a day.
9. MOVE, MOVE, MOVE: Your body, that is. Movement is key to burning fat and moving the muscles, the blood and the lymph---all good health indicators. So do whatever you can to move, be it walking, running, dancing, climbing stairs, and even shopping! (yes, you can successfully burn some calories while shopping--just don't get a Big Mac later on to make up for it.....)
10. Always treat yourself: Even if you're on a diet, you gotta find a way to sneak in something you really like and eat just a bit to make yourself happy. This creates a high vibration that attracts more healthy decision making and can still help you diet successfully. If you're miserable while you try to diet, you probably will have a rough time!
These are the tips and these are meant to be oh so easy and automatic, so you don't have to memorize them. You will just DO them, without even thinking, and your health will blossom.....
September 2022
10 Easy Ways to Quick-Clean Your House
So you hate cleaning.....we do too. BUT we found a few hacks to get around that mundane cleaning mood and get it done quicker, smarter, have more fun, AND it will still be cleaner than before.....
1. Use a favorite bandana or any other cloth (not advocating mask use here but do what you gotta do) to protect your lungs from harsh cleaning products. Even some of the organic ones we use have a very strong pungent smell and make us gag! So don the plastic gloves and makeshift mask before you begin ANY cleaning around the house.
2. Out of toilet cleaner?? Use a generous squirt of shampoo, liquid hand soap or shower gel in the toilet. Swish it around, let it sit for a bit and then flush. Lovely scent that freshens the whole bathroom.......
3. While we are on the toilet (no pun intended) add that same liquid soap to a big wad of toilet tissue (or paper towel, or a towel) and wipe it down from back, to seat, to rim, to base and even around the floor. Takes a quick minute, smells divine, and if you have some leftover mouthwash, you can use that to wipe it down again (to sanitize it), and it smells even better. You gotta try these to believe it!!!
4. Jiffy glass cleaner: Grab a spray bottle and mix some vinegar & water (no spray bottle?? just pour a generous amount of the mixture directly on the rag or paper towel) and wipe down any glass items including bathroom mirrors, closet mirrors, windows and glass tables. No fumes and no chemicals on your hands, and squeaky clean glass are the outcomes of this easy task! Get some great Vinegar products here: bit.ly/3CUzG4v
5. Tub Trick: Clean the tub while you're in the shower! This one can be tricky 'cos you can slip if you're not quick AND careful. Bend over (don't worry--noone else can see you) and with a little shampoo or soap on a sponge, do a quick clean of the tub ring, the tile and the fixtures. Let the shower water rinse it off to a shine.... Clean tub without back strain.
6. Bathroom sink hack: While you're brushing your teeth (we do this every morning and every night right??) take a wad of tissue with your free hand, add your choice of soap and wipe down the sink and the faucets. Don't add too much soap, but just enough to get a shine that you don't need to rinse off. Do it again with a squirt of mouthwash and voila, you have a sanitized clean sink ready for the next time you use it!! Moreover, you just did the 2 minutes required for a great toothbrushing experience.
7. The Dusties: Oh gosh they are EVERYWHERE! On all the furniture, the TV, the lamps, you name it! And you're out of furniture polish right? Well, here's a quick hack: dampen a rag or paper towel with just plain ole water. And do a quick wipe of EVERYTHING! Yes you will have to change the paper towel or rinse off the rag more than once, but at least you're getting the top layer of dust off --a temporary fix, but at least you got the major build up and it doesn't even show that much now does it? (try this on your baseboards too--just slide the rag straight across--works like a charm). And if you are anal and really want a good healthy cleaning solution while dusting, just add some apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle with a little bit of olive oil and your favorite essential oil (we use 10 drops of geranium oil) and spray away! Here's where you can get some great apple cider vinegar: bit.ly/3CUzG4v.
8. The dryer vent: Oh come on--everybody LOVES cleaning this right? NOT! So just dampen a paper towel with plain ole water and wipe away--the lint will automatically attach to the paper towel like a breeze, giving you a clean vent for the next load, without the messiness.
9. Jiffy Mop: No, you don't need to lug around a bucket--just carry a squirt bottle with a mix of water and your favorite cleaner, squirt in one area and mop to a shine. Continue until you have cleaned the entire floor. So easy, right? And no spilled-bucket-of-water mess.
10. Clean your cleaning tools: Yes, the broom, dustpan, mop and rags need to be cleaned too. Toss all the rags and the mop head (if possible) in the washer. And take a damp paper towel and pull off the lint and hair (yuck!) from the broom, and wipe off the dust pan and there ya go!!!!! Clean tools ready for your next cleaning day.....
SIMPLE and quick tips for cleaning that you can do any day or every day to keep your house smelling fresh at ALL times!
September 2022: 5 Things You Need to Splurge On and 5 Things You Don't (for the Fall)
So if you're new to this site, you wanna check out our hottest book entitled "10 Cheap Things You Must Have in Your Wardrobe, and 10 Things You Must Splurge On. It's short and to-the-point, but just in case you STILL don't have time to do a quick read, here are 10 more tips to tickle your fancy and have you dressing like a pro on a dime (where applicable, of course):
1. Socks: Never splurge on these! Just make sure they're cool comfy cotton, especially if you sweat on your feet (boy, do we ever) and no one will ever know how much you paid for your socks, EVER!!
2. Caps: Never splurge on these either! Who has ever looked at the label on a cap??? Buy a one dollar cap at the dollar store and watch folks compliment you and ask you where you got it (I kid you NOT).... :o/
3. T-shirts: Well for ladies, you should just avoid these altogether if you want your man to stick around (see more about this topic in our other hot book: 10 Easy Ways to Make Him Stay, For Awhile, Anyway.... But for guys, ANY t-shirt will do, so why buy an expensive one (unless it's a collector's item)?? Again, no one will ever see the tag, and just make sure it's a cotton blend (preferably 100% cotton) so it's always comfy and wash n' wear easy maintenance-type (i.e. black with very few graphics).
4. Exercise clothes: OK, these can be tricky, but for the most part, aren't you just trying to "show off" when you wear your designer wear to the gym?? Really, now. Just buy something that absorbs the sweat, is comfortable, and again, easy to maintain. It doesn't have to be expensive, just as long as it gets the job done, right? And if folks are looking at your clothes, they didn't come to the gym for the right reasons in the first place!!!! (Get lost perv....)
5. New Years Eve dress: Never ever do it!!! This is a ONE-TIME only event dress that, if you're not careful, could set you back a few bucks, all for NOTHING but to watch a ball drop! (yes, it sounds that ridiculous).... Get the cheap little black dress (LBD), adorn it with lots of jewels, some high heels, and voila--you have a New Years outfit!!! See more about LBDs in our book 10 Cheap Things You Must Have in your Wardrobe....).
6. Boots: Sorry, these are non-negotiables! If your boots are "cheap" everyone will know it, including your FEET!!! So spare yourself and everyone else the agony and splurge on these. Nothing screams class like an expensive pair of comfy, smooth leather, nice-shaft pair of boots. The more unique, the better. Try it and see how many people notice....
7. Gloves: We're talking leather or cashmere here (not the ones Grandma knitted for you), and preferably black or red! Splurge on these ladies and gents, and, even, if you happen to wear them with a cheap coat (which you SHOULD NOT do--see our hot book for more on this), they will make you look elegant and high class, and you will feel like a million bucks! They're hard to find, though, so search the designer outlets, and high end stores for these. Don't leave home without them, and if you drive, make sure you get a driving-type--wow, super sexy, right??
8. Jeans: Since these last forever, why not splurge on ONE good pair so you can keep them forever? It's worth it to step out in a great-fitting pair of jeans--and if you need to, get some with spandex so they really hug your curves and make your figure POP! ANY designer will do, just make sure they fit well, and you'll get tons of compliments and feel great too! (If you're tall, it could be a challenge to find long jeans that fit well but check out this site for some great selections by Alloy: https://bit.ly/3TYSbL2).
9. Athletic SHOES: OK we did say above that you don't need to splurge on gym clothes, but you gotta spend some Benjamins on your shoes. If you jog, run or do aerobics, good shoes are a MUST so you don't hurt yourself. So if you are a serious work-out king or queen, you gotta splurge on these--and replace them often (some people do so every 6 months!!!).
10. Diamond studs: Yes, we know---these are not clothing items. But if you want to improve your image, ladies, wear some real diamond studs in your ears. And if you have multiple ear piercings, one pair in the top most hole will suffice. It gets you looks of approval and you will feel great knowing you're wearing real diamonds--its a vibe thing!
Did these hacks help out a bit?? Stay tuned for more topics, and let us know what you think or tell us what tips you need by sending us a quick email below.....
October 1, 2022: MEG'S MINDSET!!
So occasionally we will feel the need to RANT, and this corner--Meg's Mindset--allows for that. Even if you agree or disagree with our sentiments (and some will blow your mind???), drop us a line to let us know---hit it below and tell us what's on YOUR mind these days.....
1. So we went shopping online looking for all-American clothes and stuff and actually found a very popular and high-end website that claims to be "all-American." But when we looked closer at where the stuff was being made, we got "Made in Spain!" and even "imported" in the product description. Whaaaaaaat???!!!! Last time we google searched the world map, Spain was not in America!! So what do they mean? Nothing. They mean nothing and ARE nothing but a super scam to get your all-American green dollars. CHECK your websites and clothing regularly--you will regularly see "Made in China", "imported" and "Assembled in Italy, but imported fabric", etc. etc. SCAM!!!!
2. "Imported" on clothing items (and this is rampant--check your clothes and your websites) means just that--imported from some other country--most likely CHINA!!! So how can you guarantee the quality is not that different from the cheaper clothes you find in Walmart???!! You Can't. Go figure....(just ranting....roll eyes)....
3. 18 karat Dubai gold that's made in China!!! How is this possible???!!! Be sure to ask if your gold is 100% gold and ask where did it come from.... Maybe they will tell you, maybe they won't ----but ask anyway.
4. Make your own bug repellants cos the ones they sell nowadays ain't working on these GMO bugs--we kid you not. Try borax powder mixed in water, lay down some borax powder to make sure they stay away, and we also zap flies and gnats with our own tea tree oil/geranium oil mixed-in-water spray. They conk out immediately--no fluttering or wild behavior, they just conk out!!!! Great for those of us who loathe CREATURES in our living spaces (they can stay outdoors and attack us--when we are in THEIR space)!
5. We eat out alot---sure you do also--but don't you hate it when the best restaurants and food delivery sites send you a coupon that EXPIRES immediately and you never get a chance to use it! So if you don't want us to use the coupon, why did you send it? Wasn't it to get us to spend some money at your establishment--isn't that what business is all about--or did we miss something about the purpose of a business--i.e. to make money???? Just can't get our heads around this one.......ever.
6. So the big Amazon site sends us products every now and then, and some come ok and some come super damaged, as if the packer said he don't give a damn about the customer--take it or leave it! Unbelievable right? To make it worse, Amazon makes you send the DAMAGED product back to them, and then you sit there and wait for them to issue your refund so you can buy it again--what the F..... This multi-trillion dollar company can't afford to send me another identical item that THEY fouled up--while awaiting me to send them the item back??? Then they don't understand business either (see number 5 above)...... Just rantin'.....
7. Speaking of Returns: We can't figure out why we are returning so much stuff these days?? Are things being cheaply made, or are we just buying too cheap?? Where is the quality and style of yesteryear? The quality of clothes, make-up and even household goods are SOOO inferior, our great-grandparents would laugh at us for even looking at such such stuff, let alone buying it!
8. People who showcase their kids on social media selling sites like Poshmark, etc. are not "all here"....as in "mentally deranged"! The site is for adults who sell stuff--I'm sure no children are allowed to sell on such sites--so why are people showing their children on the site!!?? Just a rant, but personally, when we see such, we report it as "offensive" to the site admin. You should too---this is unnecessary and should be illegal! This one we ain't letting go--will rant on it forever if need be......
9. While we're on the subject of Poshmark, we noticed the president just sent out a memo saying he sold the company to somebody in Korea??!!! And he waited until AFTER the Poshfest (an annual conference) to tell everybody..... Go figure. Anyways we just feel that maybe sites like Posh are on their last leg--if only because you have people selling USED clothing on there at the same price or even more than brand new clothing on high-end sites like Saks and Bloomingdales---I kid you not. People need to let go of their rags and stop hoarding OLD outdated clothing--and see how they heal immediately--yes, it's spiritual, vibrational to hold on to stuff when you need to let go. Try it and see how light you feel!
10. Sooooo as the world goes on, it continues to change.....drastically. But the more it changes, the more the good things stay the same. So maybe we need to start learning how to grow our own food, and cook our own healthy homemade meals at home, instead of waiting for restaurant coupons. Sew our own clothes instead of buying imported junk (ok so maybe you don't know how to sew, but you could barter to do someone's hair in exchange for them sewing you some Barney-badass outfits that NOONE else on the planet will have--how sweet is that?). Buy 'vintage' whenever possible, including gold, silver, diamonds (natural, not man-made), and even vintage furniture and clothing (the fabric will amaze you).
Are you tired of this fast-paced AI world we are entering too? Drop us a line and let us know how you are "beating the system!"
STAY TUNED! We will have more rants.....cos it's getting really Crazy out there....
10 Steps to Travel-Safety for Females
1. Traveling alone? Then you might want to think twice about renting an AirBnB. Especially if you are in a country you know very little about and know very few or no people at all. Remember, an AirBnB is someone's HOUSE, not a hotel. So all rules are off the table, except the fake ones they list on their listings....think about your OWN house, who sets the rules?? YOU do. Many of the AirBnB's we have stayed in have had flimsy doors and locks, poor outdoor lighting at night, no security fence, gate or guards, and even when they did have makeshift security guards, they always looked suspicious and gave us that "sleep with one eye open" kind of feel at night. You don't know if the owner has their own set of keys (most do), and you don't know their frame of mind when, say for example, they are under drug/alcohol influence, or even mentally ill. You just don't know! Soooo ladies, please if at all possible, stay in a reputable hotel, or even better, travel with a trusted male partner. Not only will the male act as a deterrent to any wild thoughts, but you will garner more respect and get faster resolution to your issues while on site (and believe us, there will be tons of ISSUES--after all, its just someone else's house, and all houses have issues).
Just as a side note, it's best to always use a travel agent if you're going somewhere new. For example for a great safari experience, you might want to use Go2Africa, check out their site here: https://bit.ly/3EdGbOW
2. At the airport: Remember, you are a WOMAN traveling alone! So don't expect to receive good treatment if you come in with a frown and a belligerent attitude. You have to remember, ground crew don't always want to be ground crew--they may have tried to be flight crew and didn't make it--and might take it out on YOU. So come in, stand in line like the rest of us, be pleasant to your line mates, and approach the counter with a humble smile. Trust us, it will get you a rapid check-in. On the other hand, be evil, snap at them, and frown, and be prepared to stand there for awhile as they make you an example for the long line of would-be belligerents watching it all play out. And don't forget to say a loud "thank you" so they will remember you (just in case there's a boarding issue at your gate--don't take anything for granted when traveling). The crews all talk to each other via those walkie talkie things they carry around--don't be their next topic of the hour).
3. At the TSA station: Sorry, what goes for #2 above, is ditto for this area. Females traveling alone are favored more by male TSA staff. But if you get a crew of females, count yourself UNLUCKY, whether you are a male or female. They will tend to yell a lot, love to bark orders like we're cattle (please remove all laptops and cell phones!!, please take off all shoes and place INSIDE the bins!!, etc), and they seem to get a kick out of doing so, especially to females, and they especially seem to get great joy when that damn alarm dings when you pass thru (stupid underwire bra!!!). Then they get the pleasure (we say that lightly) of hand-searching your body and humiliating you in front of that same line of people at check-in. Or they will wait for your stuff to come thru the xray machine and decide to hand check that too (as if you're carrying something the damn xray machine couldn't find????). That too is just to humiliate you--we've notice it time and time again! The female staff just seem to hate the female passengers: we smell nice (hey, we're traveling in a cabin with 400 other people--this helps!), we have on nice new clothes, we are smiling cos we're happy to be on vacay, and they just HATE us. If you're traveling with a male partner, stay close together so at least you have some kind of protection and maybe it could foster a better TSA experience (is there such a thing??)......roll eyes.....
4. What are you wearing? The rule is comfy shoes, comfy clothes down to your underwear and socks. Leave the heels, halters, mini skirts, slippers, tank tops, jewelry, belts and even fake nails and fancy wigs in your carry-on and change later when you get to the other side! Unless of course, you're trying to impress the staff to get a First Class upgrade! Otherwise, airline travel is NOT feminine anymore....gone are the days when you only boarded with your train case in hand and 5 pieces of fabulous luggage checked-in. Nowadays, you don your sweat pants, sneakers and a sports bra (NO underwire ladies please....you gotta make it past the TSA remember?). Grandmas will understand why you look like a bum when she picks you up at the airport.
5. What are you eating? The rule is DON'T! At least not at the airport, if you can help it...airports are well, for airplanes--the passengers are a 2nd thought (as if you didn't know--check the odor in the ladies room, for example), so airports and NOT clean. So if you choose to eat at one of their (terrible) restaurants, you must avoid eating certain foods prior to boarding so you don't get SICK during the flight and blame it on the airline!! Avoid ordering salads, sea food and anything RAW and uncooked because chances are they weren't cleaned properly (hey, it's an airport for AIRplanes) unless you are sure you have a ROCK hard stomach. Personally, we chase down any airport food with a shot of whisky (yes it works) or glass of wine for bacteria safety. But eat-before-you-leave the house is our motto--then couple that with bags of snacks stashed in our carry-on bags to munch on while waiting to board. At the most, you will only need to buy a bottle of ($5) cold water. to drink...
6. What's in that bag lady? You gotta remember: no Matches, no incense, no strange leaves (including parsley/sage/cilantro/dried herbs), no cigarettes (that's why they sell them at the duty-free shops), and no paraphenalia in your checked-in or carry-on bags. Buy them at your destination???? Why??? Well if you're like us, and you forget (we only had cigarettes once, and incense the 2nd time) you will open your luggage when you arrive to find either a big note from TSA explaining why your luggage is a WRECK.....yes, a wreck---because they rummaged through it looking for whatever it is their feisty dogs sniffed out and didn't like the smell of in your luggage!! And once we made the mistake of even having a factory sealed box of cheese crackers in our checked-in luggage that TSA opened and spilled the entire contents into the suitcase!!!!! Needless to say it took all night to clean it up and almost ruined that 1st night of the vacation. Wow!! They are ferocious! So save yourself the agony and leave all that stuff behind. Oh and don't bother with suitcase locks--those are invisible to TSA. If you love your luggage, and don't want a gaping hole where the lock used to be, leave it UNLOCKED!!!!
7. Where are you sitting? Spend the extra cash and pay for the airport lounge, whenever possible. Females, you will feel safer, and if you're traveling alone with children, they will be safer. You can relax with a cool glass of wine and take off some of the pre-flight anxiety and TSA stress. The food is mediocre, but at least you can feed the hungry kids (remember to watch what they eat) and let them jump around a bit so they sleep through the flight! And while you're in there, and now that the TSA drama is behind you, you can freshen up, re-apply your makeup, and maybe even look snazzy enough to bag a 1st class upgrade at the gate (who knows, right?). Won't grandma be proud when she picks you up and you're hauling 3 kids and still looking lovely like right out of a fashion magazine.
8. ....and while we're on the topic of the Kids, moms, please don't leave home without their favorite snacks, cups, spoons, whatever. Kids don't care what's in those expensive snack shops, so you don't need to take them there. Instead, arm yourself with their favorites, because if you can't find their favorites, well, get ready to be embarrassed again in front of that same airport audience (remember the humiliating TSA experience??) with a wailing toddler who simply wants his favorite Cheerios!! Bring your own snacks, steer clear of the shops, and you'll have a happy drama-free airport experience with the kids. Grandma will be proud!
9. You've arrived.....and if you traveled overseas, Customs is waiting just for YOU! And boy, do we luv to hate them---and they seem to know it--cos they really ask you some testy questions don't they?? But just like with the ground crew and TSA folks, be polite and answer the questions with yes or no--no details needed--unless of course you want a specially designed escort to their back room for a STRIP SEARCH!!!! Yes, they DO these....we know folks who went thru them--successfully, we might add (meaning they weren't imprisoned)! Females, please especially be nice, so you don't have to undergo this very, very, humiliating experience.
10. Layovers: So your next flight is in 10 hours---ugggggh---but that doesn't mean you need to leave the airport or even roam the airport. It's best to just find a lounge and stay put! Customs police walk throughout the airport looking for suspicious looking "characters" and you don't want to be spotted as PREY! And yes, again, they have the right to stop you and ask questions--so be wary and be nice. And also, leaving the airport to go in to town means going through the TSA process all over again (n-o-o-o-o!!!!!!). So stay in the airport, stay in one place, don't take risks, watch your luggage, and wait safely for your connecting flight!
Hope these were helpful, and if you have some more we may have missed, drop us a note below.....
10 Worldwide Body Image Myths that are pure B.S.
Yes, we too have had enough of the fake images on TV, movies, magazines, and the like that portray men and women as Super human beings that have no "flaws" and hopefully you'll believe it and try to look like them---while almost killing yourself in the process. Ladies and gents, those made up fake body part people you see on TV are just that----FAKE! Most have had some type of "corrective" surgery, permanent make-up, fake boobs or butts, wrinkly removers, you-name-it, done to their bodies and most of us can't and won't be bothered (if we're smart) to spend that amount of money to look, well, FAKE!!
So here are the 10 most prominent myths we have seen and found others believing and envying:
1. The Flat Stomach: This only happens to those 35 years of age and under with NO kids--did I emphasize NO enough??!! Moms, your stomach has to grow bigger to accommodate a child--that's what most females are here to do--bear childlren! So how dare you think your coccoon should be flat to smother a child---where's the space for the child huh? And after you have the child, the body is still prepared for yet another child (should you decide to have one) and that abdominal fat stays put!! And then when you reach age 40, of course its hard to remove it--the body isn't stupid--suppose you change your mind and decide to have another child--then your body is already READY!! So ladies, anybody you know who has had a child, has a belly whether they like it or not: otherwise they didn't have one (it's spelt s-u-r-r-o-g-a-t-e), they're transgendered, they adopted, .etc. (that's another topic for another day). And to be our swollen belly companions, men after age 40 have a hard time losing their belly fat too. Why? Because they are in solidarity with their spouses/companions/girlfriends etc and their belly fat makes the female feel warm and comfortable at night while she is carrying her own baby and belly fat. Are you getting this?? So any man without belly fat HAS NO FAMILY.... It means nobody is feeding him, there's no children, and he's probably not a good dating candidate because he's selfish and used to doing things only for himself, etc. Run ladies.....
2. The tight boobs: OK, this one is a no-brainer. Everyone remembers the silicone breast epidemic of the 80s and 90s !!! Check out the hippy Woodstock pics of the 70s and you will see a lot of young gals (who chose to go braless or topless) with hanging boobs and NOT caring what the hell you think of them! That's the reality. If you see a woman over 40 with perky boobs they are most likely FAKE, and furthermore you might want to check out their gender (if they let you) to be sure of their sex. A woman's breast are meant to fall to accomodate, well lookey, lookey, it that kid again!! YES, that's right , to accomodate the CHILD and feed them properly. A tight upright boob causes frustration for the baby---trust us--we know!!! Babies love soft squishy flaccid boobs to caress and punch and suck for their joy and nourishment--that joy is for THEM, not for fashion mags, burlesque shows, or the like. So ladies, be proud of your breast, take good care of them, and you will find that everyone around you will love them too (just ask big mammas in the hood--nobody cares, and everybody loves her!!!)
3. Fat pockets: So this includes cellulite on the legs and thighs, love handles around the stomach and back, and plumb backsides. See #1 above and exercise for your health, not just because you have fat pockets!
4. The face: Yes, acne scars, pimples, wrinkles, bumps, hair, etc on the face is all NORMAL on everybody. So stop trying to look like the newscaster on TV that has a pile of powder, foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick and the like on her face!!! And the next time you are close enough to someone, check out their face: it's got tons of "flaws".
5. The Armpits: Only HEALTHY people have smelly armpits. Yes, you read that correctly, and need to visit OTHER countries to believe this to be true. Only Americans are obsessed with eliminating their underarm odors. Other countries have learned to (try to) ignore it in their bus/subway/office comrades. Even the French/Italians don't bother with anti-perspirants, and tend to have less health problems than Americans--hmmmm---go figure! The body is meant to sweat to eliminate toxins. It comes out via the skin, the underarms, the bottom of your feet and other areas. Be grateful you have good toxin-elimination. If you have no body odor, then you are not eliminating toxins (which could indicate disease). Hope this is clear enough.....
6. The Breath: See #5 above. If you are eating or consuming food of any kind, then you have breath with ODOR! Just because the odor is a little OFFsetting for others doesn't mean you have a problem. It just means others don't like that odor--and so we cover it up with mint and other concoctions that don't work. If you really want to spare your co-pilot, running mate, spouse, etc the agony of smelling your breath, eat yoghurt, parsley, wine or lemon with your meals. Other than that, just learn to live with it--one day, tag, your it, and YOU will be the one with bad breath for the day!!
7. The nose and lips: These are 2 very controversial body parts in terms of Western versus Eastern "civilizations." Sharp noses are considered a Western ideal, but in reality, most Westerners do NOT have sharp noses. ONly the ones you see on TV, and that's why they are on TV: they either already had a sharp nose and got recruited, OR they had surgery to sharpen the nose so they COULD be recruited. And many Easterners/Africans have natural sharp noses without even trying. Is this clear enough? Ditto for the lips: Africans especially used to be teased for their full lips (even though most do not have full lips) but fast forward to today and the TV stars are struggling with various surgeries and remedies to "plump" their lips!!!! Go figure. Leave your body parts alone people--there is no cookie cutter ideal body--we are all UNIQUE (thank you Father!!).
8. The Teeth: Unless you have a superior dental plan (most of us DO NOT), then you have dull, crooked, yellow and even missing teeth by the time you are age 50. Check out other countries and you will discover that their senior citizens are judged as full of wisdom and honored with their crooked yellow missing teeth. An old lady with white, sparkling straight teeth would be odd and shunned! Soooo, man-up to your teeth and skip the implants and whiteners, and in lieu of that huge dental bill, go mentor a child or two (hey, even the dentist will be proud of you)!
9. Your Eyes: After age 50 the whites of your eyes are no longer white and this should be ok with you considering all the seeing your eyes had to do, both night and day! Be thankful you can still see the beauty of God's world! That's why they came out with eye-whitening liquids (avoid them)--to fit your eyes in to THEIR ideal. Run....
10. For men: Yes, it's unfortunate you have fallen in to the "size-matters" generation but can easily STOP the madness by researching how the chemistry works between man and woman, that has nothing to do with the SIZE of anything. Rather, it's spirituality and compatibility that lead to pleasure and satisfaction, which equals a great SEX life: ask the seniors for advice on this one, and they will agree!! Every culture has men with small, medium and large size body parts, and every culture has men who can't satisfy women no matter what the size. In fact, many large size men tend to cause pain because they have no idea how to satisfy the woman, and many small size men are the top performers in bed: go figure!
So there you have it. OUR myth-busters for those of you out there struggling to fit in. What are you trying to fit in TO? Keep your body healthy, strong and active, and you will fit in to whatever your heart desires. Let's UNITE and Keep it real people......
These BOOTS are made for WALKING??
Oh, if only this were true for ALL boots!! Wouldn't that make our live a whole lot easier. To be honest, we only own a few pairs for that same reason: they hurt if they aren't the right ones!!
So we decided to break it all down into 10 easy steps to buying and keeping (sometimes for a lifetime) great boots!!
1. Buying a comfy boot is an art form that a few people have mastered and the rest of us are still guessing. If you can't get to the store to actually try them on, then, unfortunately, you are caught up in the roulette wheel of buy and return, buy and return, buy and return....until you get so tired of it all that you do without (and shiver in the snow when the blizzard finally comes). But DON'T get tired....we have reached the age where going to stores to try on boots will eventually become obsolete...so get used to the roulette wheel and try to have some FUN.... Check out sites like Amazon where you can get like 4 pairs of boots to try on, and get them delivered the next day!! Then you can mull over them, try them on with your favorite outfits and make sure they don't hurt!!
2. An all-weather boot is a MUST! In fact, if you play your cards right, this boot can be BOTH fashionable and practical, meaning it looks great and keeps your feet cozy and pain free. In addition, it can even be a smooth suede ankle boot that's waterproof! We kid you not... So start your search with "waterproof" if that's what you need, and you'll be surprised at what you might find.
3. Boots run big and wide, so make sure you know which brands fit your foot perfectly, or which you might just prefer to use a thick sock with, etc.
4. Most boots need "breaking in" so if you have super sensitive soft feet, then we recommend buying them second hand so they are already ready-to-wear. Read the reviews on new boots and folks will definitely share their horror stories of walking around the block to test the boot and ending up with bunions--ouch!
5. Hiking boots are hard-to-find treasures that once purchased, should last you a lifetime. Make sure they are super sturdy so you don't get a hard rock or branch shoved into your foot, and try to find truly waterproof styles (very difficult to find, believe it or not) so you can walk through puddles and even streams on your hike, and still have warm comfy feet!
CAT Footwear (see them here: https://www.catfootwear.com/US/en/home) has some great boots, and although they advertise for construction work, the boots offer good benefits for hikers.
6. If you live in the city (meaning you WALK around a lot) then a Rain boot is paramount. Folks who drive or live in the suburbs can often get away with NOT owning rain boots, but city folks MUST have them. How many times have you been caught in the rain and ruined a good pair of shoes?? And any rain boot will do, no need to splurge on these--it's just rubber that will lose its usefulness after some time.....get a cheap pair and carry them with you...(and/or leave a pair at work).
7. Your fashion boots must scream CLASS! See our blog article above. Cheap boots do nothing for your feet OR your image: so spend the cash and buy a great pair--chances are they will last a long time (don't buy trendy, buy classics) and you will get tons of admirers and compliments!
8. Snow boots are mandatory if you live in Blizzard-ville! Those are the areas where the snow doesn't just fall, it RISES, fast and high. So for your snow boot we recommend always buying a tall shaft (up to the knees if possible) for those days when a blizzard is in the forecast. Try not to skimp on quality with your snow boots because they need to keep your feet warm AND dry, and can last a lifetime if you choose a good brand.
9. Novelty boots are fun and can even make a statement if you choose the right ones. Cowboy boots, for example, should be a high quality brand that gets you noticed even while pumping gas at the station (yes, they are quite attention-grabbing!). For high class guys and gals, these types of boots are STAPLES in their wardrobe. And white go-go boots can also be fun but must be paired with the right clothes (think mini skirts, bell bottoms, etc) to really complete your look successfully.
10. CARE, CARE, CARE: There's nothing more attractive than a shiny, well-heeled, scuff-free boot. So if you have boots, you gotta care for them. Yes, shoe-repair folks are hard to find nowadays but some boot care can be done yourself: Always keep them clean and polished if leather, and brushed if suede. Redo the heels and soles BEFORE they get run down (in which case, you gotta hunt down that shoe repairman), and sprinkle baking soda or borax in the insoles to preserve the insoles/liners to keep them dry and odor free. And store them in a cool, dry place, away from heat and other elements.
So those are the BOOT-iful tips (we couldn't resist) for boots that apply all year 'round and can help you keep your boots for a life-time.... Got more tips?? Email us below and let us know how you keep YOUR boots kickin'.....
Holiday DRESS UP or DOWN??
The holidays are always stressful.....unless of course, you're a PRO and know just how to navigate all the challenges those stressful days can bring, the most dreadful of which is knowing what to wear, WHERE!!!!!
Here's TEN easy-to-remember Holiday Dressing tips from 10StepsMeg:
1. Don't OVERDO it! Black-tie doesn't mean Tuxedo-it .....it just means "dress UP" not "down". So NO sneakers (unless they're Sequined sneakers), NO shorts, no wife-beater tops, if you know what we mean. Just about everything else is OK. We've often seen ultra short mini skirts, boots of all types, plunging halter tops & dresses, and lots of other outlandish outfits at black-tie events: these are ok as long as you know HOW to sport them and still look stylish and decent! And if you're too tired to put together an outfit, don the little black dress (LBD) and you'll be dressed up, no matter the style. Check out Meg Anderson's book, 10 Cheap Things You Must Have in Your Wardrobe on Kindle.
2. Holiday sequins or rhinestones make it easy: Choosing a skirt or top or sweater adorned with rhinestones can be a top pick for holiday dressing and can be worn to both casual and dress-up events successfully. It all depends on how you coordinate the items: think glitter top and jeans for mom's carolling event, and glitter skirt and silk top for the black-tie event. Easy-to-remember, always a WIN-WIN.
3. Shoes-shoes-shoes: These define, balance and complete your holiday outfit and, again, need to match the occasion: rhinestone shoes with flowing black pants for the black-tie event, plain black flats with jeans and rhinestone top for carolling. You get the idea right??
4. Keep it DECENT! We certainly don't eed to remind you gals to dress appropiately for the Office party so you don't turn out to be the office sleaze... It screams "desperate" and you will lose the respect of your co-workers come Monday morn. Use the LBD for the formal office party. It's both SAFE and Sophisticated. Save the plunging-down-to-the-navel halter top for your private off-site holiday parties (where your office mates aren't allowed).
5. Keep it G-rated: Even if it's your close buddy's party, err on the side of caution and leave your dirty slogan T-shirts/attire at home. Your buddy doesn't wish to offend his guests so why should you?
6. Keep it non-political: ditto from #5 above. And even if YOU are the host of the holiday party, keep your controversial t-shirts in you closet: avoid instigating those alcohol-induced heated political arguments that tend to erupt at all parties (roll eyes....).
7. Avoid WHITE outfits: Especially for holiday dinners. Red wine, coffee, gravy and kid stains always find their way to the white garments! Food spills are everywhere at parties, not just because of TIPSY folks and messy toddlers, but just because, well, it's a FOOD event!! Duh..... So wear navy blue, black, or even red outfits to camoflauge any mishaps. Here's where the LBD really pays off: nothing, and we do mean NOTHING, shows on a black dress or outfit (you can even dry your hands off if there's no towel in the bathroom, etc, and still look great!!!)
8. Do a DRESS REHERSAL of your Holiday outfits at least a week prior to the event. We means try on EVERYTHING right down to the underwear, bra and shapewear! Ask housemates "how do I look?" or take tons of selfies to do a self-assessment of how you REALLY look. At least then you have time to return stuff, or re-order the right shoes, bra or whatever.
9. Stay COOL! If it's a dance party, well, you know fully well how hot & muggy it can get. So plan accordingly with cool sweat-absorbing outfits and underwear (cotton preferred) so you won't overheat with all that alcohol and stuffiness!
10. When in doubt go ALL Black! Need we say it again?? Whenever there's no mention of dress-code, play it safe and wear all black. You will never be OVER-dressed or UNDER-dressed. But you will always look GOOD.....
ON THE MOVE?? (relocating for dummies)
Soooo......you're fed up with your current environment and are getting the "gotta move" 7-year Itch.... Well before you pack it all up to leave, here's 10 easy tips to having a great relocating experience (which still might be a little harrowing, but hey, every little bit HELPS!!)
1. MOVING is STRESSFUL: So if you have poor health, don't have a lot of energy, or just can't possibly move without breaking down in some way, then DON"T!! Moving is right up there with divorce and death on the stress scale....avoid it if you can't handle it. It's not for the "faint of heart" person who throws up their hands at the slightest snag. You're either ALL IN for the move or not in it at all. That's why you wonder sometimes why folks live in their same houses for centuries--they are not MOVERS! And they know it, so they stay put....
2. DECLUTTER before you move: See more about decluttering in our next blog topic below. But just be mindful about taking excess clutter with you into the moving truck. It's cheaper to move LESS and also easier. Most people throw out stuff after they get to their next new house....but why did they take it with them in the first place?? Go figure.
3. Working from home? If you're relocating but you work from home, then it makes no sense to take a lot of clothes with you. Dump the clothes, especially all those skirts and pants that NOONE is going to see anymore (can't see but the neck up on ZOOM calls), and you'll have a lighter load when you arrive. Everything regarding clothing should fit in to ONE suitcase (yup, that's right, just ONE).
4. Car or no-car life? If you are relocating to a big city, you will not need a car, unless you plan to live in the suburbs (in which case a car is a dire necessity). So sell the car and use the extra cash to buy a bike or transit tickets or use some of the funds to splurge on the fancy coffee shops and restaurants you will find right out side your window in the best of the big cities.
5. COST OF LIVING: So this brings us to the point of how much more or less you'll spend in your new location. If the cost of living is higher, you really need to dump your clutter and save up your $$$ for that high-life in the city living. But if the cost of living is lower, you WIN, and can probably even take your car with you and sell it and have loads of cash to spend and splurge.
6. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: Yes, you need to do some real thorough research on where you are going to live BEFORE you move. Don't try to wing it and discover your neighborhood when you arrive--you could be in for a very RUDE awakening with sour neighbors, high crime, and filth everywhere. And the nearest coffee shop is 50 miles away!! Look online and check out the reviews for the neighborhood schools, businesses and even the local church. This will give you an idea of the general overall sentiment in the area and then you can make a good call on where to live.
7. Moving with Animals: Nothing irks us more than to see a HUGE dog stuck with an owner living in a 2 by 4 apartment in the city. Why would anyone punish their animal like that? But people do it all the time and some even think it's cute. Animals need a lot of space, just like children do: so if at all possible research and relocate to a space that's size-appropriate for your pets (AND your children)!!!
8. Moving with Children?: See number 6 & 7 above.
9. Contacts: If you don't know anyone your new town, you need to start joining some type of on-line group that knows the area and can answer your questions quickly and thoroughly. Then you won't feel isolated when you arrive and who knows, you might be invited to a meet-up and can get to know even more folks.
10. Relocation is not for everyone: If you're not a pioneer, you don't like being alone, you already depend on someone else, or you are just plain lazy, then do yourself a BIG favor and stay put!! Lonliness, depression, over-exertion and anxiety can all lead to illness if you're not a MOVER! So avoid it and try to make the best of where you're already at! It's doable and can be a joy if you do it right.....
10 Easy Ways to Use Essential Oils
- On the plane spritz some lemon or orange essential oil (mixed in water) on a shawl or your airline blanket to have a great scent-station throughout your flight. It’s mellow, doesn’t offend your fellow passengers, and acts also as a sanitizer. Use that same spritzer to sanitize your dinner tray table, while you’re at it….
- A few drops of tea tree oil in water in a mini spray bottle can act as a quick “shower” just before you land. Smells great, sanitizes, and can be sprayed ALL over the body (except your face, of course). You will feel refreshed too.
- Got insects in the house?? Don’t we all—well don’t poison your family while trying to get rid of them. Put about 10 drops of lemon essential oil in a tall spray bottle full of plain water. Shake and spray all over the house, in the crevices where bugs hide, on the windows, in the closets, etc. Bugs hate the smell of lemon and will quickly leave. If you have flying bugs, add a little Dawn dish liquid to the bottle…it kills on contact!
- A really good hair conditioner spray is your favorite conditioner mixed with 10 drops of tea tree or geranium, rosemary or lavender oil (you can mix them too) in a tall spray bottle. Spritz it on your hair between shampoos to keep it detangled, moisturized and fresh smelling.
- Need a quick air freshener?? Again just add some drops of tea tree oil to that same tall spray bottle filled with water. Spritz around the house for a clean, fresh sanitized scent.
- For your nails: add 5 drops of tea tree oil and 5 drops of geranium oil to a mini bottle of your favorite base oil (we luv Castor oil or jojoba). Shake and then rub into your nails and cuticles. Repeat on your toe nails and watch how bright and clean your nails look, without a professional manicure!!
- Got dandruff?? Use the same mixture above on your hair. Massage it in to your scalp and away goes dandruff and dry scalp issue! Use on your skin too.
- Intimate spray: don’t buy those wipes from the drug store—make your own with a quick spritz of tea tree oil and water on some tissue or cotton ball, wipe front to back, and voila, ladies you will feel refreshed instantly (gents will love using this hack too). We don’t recommend this for the little ones because the oils can be a little too potent for youngsters.
- Got dust?? Just add some geranium oil to that same tall spray bottle—about 5 drops—and a tablespoon of vinegar (any type). Shake well and spray over beddings, mattresses, window sills, sofas, baseboards, and even dusty pillows. Let the area dry and it will be dust free for days.
- Here’s a link to some amazing Essential oils that are both affordable and effective. https://shrsl.com/3uvsn. And drop us a line to let us know how YOU use your essential oils.
A 10-Steps Meg View on Buying and Selling On-Line
Soooo you're an Avid buyer or seller on-line right? Well, we are too and just like us you have noticed a few things wrong or right about the whole ordeal (or maybe you haven't, in which case, these few Reveals might help you--or at least, make you THINK!)
1. Sellers: We feel really bad for those sellers who got caught up in all the on-line, make money quick scams like Pallets, Bins, cartons, wholesale, dropship, branding and the like. And it's okay, we all did it, and we all came out scarred but healed right? But the key is NOT to do it again......so be wary, don't be the guinea pig for new ventures, always check the TRUE reviews (not bought and paid for by the company), and don't spend a lot at first so you don't get burned.
2. Sellers: why do some sellers list a whole bunch of clothing without......wait for it.....MEASUREMENTS!!! If you have an item that's just sitting there an it's really popular, the reason why no one bids is because they don't have enough information: list out the armpit-to-armpit measurements, at least, and you'll probably get somewhere. Used clothes and even new, have varying measurements regardless of size ( a medium in vintage could be equal to a Small or Large today--yes, it's true--we've seen many). So be a Smart Seller and add measurements: it only takes a minute to grab a tape measure and whip it across the top or waistline of any garment. Remember on-line buyers are lazy--unlike mall shoppers--so they aren't gonna take the time to message you for measurements and will just click over to the next item--and YOU lose the sale.
3.Sellers: And why do you sellers say we should make an offer and then when we do, you get insulted and refuse to answer or even BLOCK us as if we are criinals trying to steal your out-dated merch. Don't ask if you can't handle the haggle. Haggling is not for the faint of heart and only works for those willing to "engage" and "bargain" with the buyer. If you're not a "people-person" or you're shy, or you're stingy, then don't ask for offers. Non-responsive sellers are not wanted on ANY of the platforms--read their fine print. It's bad customer service to not respond to sellers--so don't ask for offers if you're not gonna answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. Platforms: Why do the various platforms HOLD our money when someone buys from us. The buyer didn't hold their cash--they paid. And the seller has nothing to hold on to when the platform HOLDS that payment. Why do they do this? Are they secretly making interest on the money for those few days of holding. Seems to me they are in bed with the banks!! What do you think? Give us our money up front so we too can benefit from selling and get our stuff moving.....
5. Platforms: Also still wondering if the selling platforms aren't in bed with the Post Office too!!!! Otherwise why don't they subsidize the shippig and offer it FREE sometimes--or are they getting a CUT from the post office?? Or let us pay a monthly fee for shipping like Amazon, the king, does--or like Door Dash and UberEats do when you order frequently.
6. Buyers: Always check to see if a seller has more than one item that you like before you purchase or make an offer. Then ask for a bundle price on the items and pay ONE shipping charge. If they don't agree--LEAVE!
7. Buyers: Try shopping locally on certain platforms like Mercari and Ebay to skip shipping and even get your item the SAME day (that even beats Amazon)!!
8. Buyers: Gold, Silver and platinum (and even diamonds) should be bought with extreme care in on-line platforms--especially with sellers with no return policy!!! A lot of the gold could be resin-filled or adulterated with silver, nickel and other metals--not fun! We only buy 18-22 karat solid gold--mostly Saudi-type that's real light and thin--but it's REAL. And we only buy from folks we've bought from previously. Start small (under $50) so you don't feel the pain if it's not real. Then when you garner trust, you can try their higher priced gold.
9. LIVE Action selling: This is becoming the norm--you remember QVC TV and how we would sit and watch it all day long (and most times buy nothing--just leave it on for entertainment--go figure). Well, it's coming back and it's regular sellers that are doing LIVE selling on Poshmark and Ebay with ease--and there's even a newer platform called Whatnot. With the lockdowns, folks have gotten real lazy and just aren't out there shopping like before. Soon, no one will be buying on-line without seeing the item LIVE and in color!! Join now so you don't miss out--stuff sells like hotcakes, yes, sometimes at a loss, but sells regardless. New to Poshmark? Sign up here and get $5 off your first order: https://posh.mk/Irx6Z5Y3ywb
10. Amazon and Ebay are still the king and queen of supply and delivery. But because they are so massive, they make a lot of errors too. We've returned tons of defective merch to them and have found better quality merch on the smaller platforms. So do shop around--this goes for both buyers and sellers.
SO YOU WANT TO HAVE A PARTY, EH??
Well here's ten quick tips for having the greatest party EVER.....(the trick is to make your guests feel special and like they matter to YOU)....
1. Great Music: Always, always hire or designate a good ass DJ, one who knows the top 40 hits of ANY era, be it DISCO, HIP-HOP, Dance, Rap, 70s, 80s, 90s......you get the idea. That way folks can either dance, sing-along or BOTH, and have a great time. While you're at it, designate a male dancer to dance with all the single ladies so they don't feel like wall-flowers and will come back to your parties every time!!
2. Line Dancing: Make sure the DJ plays one or two line dancing songs to get EVERYONE up and dancing....
3. A "get to know me" game should be used for everyone at the door (for game rules, get our hot selling book, How to Host a Great Party" by Meg Anderson.....on Kindle). This helps to ice-break the party....
4. WINE: Have lots of it!! Red, white and rose are great for house parties, and give the buzz without overdoing it. And PLEASE use nothing but REAL wine glasses (not paper cups). It makes everyone feel special...
5. Simple Food: Please avoid plated foods (unless, of course, it's a dinner event).
6. Simple Food: If you're feeling real lazy about preparing party food just roll some hamburger meat into meatballs, fry them in olive oil, wrap a soft piece of cooked turkey bacon around each one, stick a toothpick in it, and voila.....you have an appetizer that satiates and soaks up the alcohol just like it's supposed to do...
7. Simple Food: Or if you're feeling REALLY lazy, just grill some steak, cut it into bite-size pieces, and garnish with red and green bell pepper pieces stuck in with a toothpick! These go great with any drink and are very satisfying all night long!
8. Door prize: Give everyone a ticket at the door and tell them they must be present to win. It keeps the party going because most people won't leave till the end.....duh
9. Gifts: Those who DON'T win a door prize should be given small wrapped gifts as tokens of appreciation from the host. Your guests will be surprised and will always remember YOUR parties.
10. Designated Driver: Find a friend who doesn't drink or drinks in moderation to be the designated driver for those who can't drive (needless to say, use a male driver for males, and a female for the females--or better still, allow females to just stay overnight).
And there you have it--a simple but FANTASTIC party!!
Buying and Selling On-Line (PART 2)
Selling on line is NOT for the faint-of-heart, you have to put up with a LOT of rejection: what YOU think is CUTE and nice and fairly priced is NOT what the average consumer thinks. Sooooo, you have to be really saavy and up-to-speed to appeal to the AVERAGE consumer. And that takes a lot of research and knowledge about what's HOT and what's not. Here's some of what we discovered after over 15 years of selling on line:
1. Shoes vs. Clothing items?? Preferably shoes over clothes whenever you can. Unless you are super SAAVVY about what's trendy and what's classic (meaning it never goes out-of-style). The trends change so quickly that you could end up stuck with a pallet of out-dated clothes in a minute...
2. Shoes, on the other hand, are a little more stable in terms of fashion and it's usually only the type of heel that changes from season to season, but still, not as fast as clothes!! Stiletto heels, for example, are universal favorites and never fade with time, just like ballet flats (a wardrobe staple for ALL women). Block heels, however, have been going in and out of fashion for decades. Only invest in these for re-sale if you can sell them quickly and in-season.
3. Handbags: HIGH couture bags NEVER fluctuate in terms of popularity. Think FENDI, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada. Buy these for resale or even for keeps.
4. Middle couture bags are risky re-sale items: Michael Kors, Coach, Dooney & Bourke. These have been going in & out of fashion for over a decade. Buy carefully and sell them quickly!
5. Mini and Maxi dresses and skirts fluctuate terribly in the fashion world. Sell them as fast as you can when they are IN. Otherwise, stick to knee length stuff for long-term re-sale items.
6. Real leather is always timeless, fake leather is trendy. So never re-sell fake unless it's in fashion and you can sell it quickly.
7. Jeans are a worldwide favorite, BUT they still go in and out of fashion by Brand-type. Think True Religion, Rock & Republic, etc that are no longer the kings of jeans. More stable brands include Joe's, Levis, Wranglers and even Old Navy.
8. Leggings have (finally) become a worldwide wardrobe staple that have stood the test of time (remember stirrups that we wore in yesteryear?? Well THEY are back in style!!). While slim leg and wide leg trousers go in and out of fashion, leggings have stayed fairly consistent. But if you really need to sell trousers, stick to higher brands like Talbots, Ann Taylor, St. Johns, etc.
9. Coats: 100% wool coats never fade. Also nylon jackets and upscale trench coats (London Fog, Burberry).
10. Accessories: make sure your hats are up-to-speed or no one will buy. Right now beanies are hot (Old Navy, Nike, Gap). Gold and silver hoops are timeless (preferably real metal if you can afford to re-sell). Otherwise gold-filled and real silver are very popular.
Ribbon Anyone??: The Many Uses of this Simple Decor Item
Ribbons are timeless treasures that can be used to enhance just about anything (think flowers and handbags, for example). You can find assorted types from vintage to modern, satins to grosgrain, and blingy to floral. Here are some very cool ways to use ribbons in various lengths:
1. Fringe: Fringe on your bag, your beltloop, your jeans, even your curtains. And sometimes it requires just one single yard tied in a knot on whatever the item. And voila! You have a decorated new item just because of a piece of ribbon--go figure....
2. Curtain tie backs: So you lost the matching tie backs for the living room curtains. Well, just get a hold of some fancy ribbon in your fav color and use that instead. Gives your curtains and funky look while letting the sun shine in.
3. Shoelaces: Nothing screams "creative" like sneakers with upscale shoe laces. Substitute the archaic pair of laces in your current tennis shoes with some bright Chanel ribbon and watch them pop right before our eyes! Or use simple satin ribbon from the Dollar Store--same effect....
4. Forgot your belt?? Keep a role of ribbon in your suitcase or office desk as a back-up for when you forget your belt or need to keep ANYTHING up in an emergency.
5. Hair ties: Ditto from above. Keep a roll handy for tying up that ponytail for Happy Hour, beach time, pool time or wherever.... Always looks classy and neat.
6. Bracelets: Yes, a piece of ribbon around your wrist is a sure "attention-getter" and folks will always ask you "what does your ribbon represent?" Just say, oh, just my own fashion trend, and watch them go copy you!!
7. Choker: Ditto from above. Looks cool and original all the time!
8. Card-making: If you are in to making your stuff stand out than invest in some ribbon, cut, and glue to a mundane card to pop your plain boring send-outs! People will remember you for your creativity....
9. Linen closet: Match up your linens and tie them up with different ribbon to make for an upscale linen closet that's neat and organized.
10. Misc: Ribbon is also good for marking your suitcase during travel (get a bold piece and tie on the handle to help identify your luggage on the carousel), they make excellent bookmarks, and they are and will always be the best accents for gift wrap!!
Need some in-depth tips on everyday issues and problems??
Get a hold of these 7 fast-selling books by 10 Steps Meg (aka Meg Anderson) on Kindle today!
1. 10 Cheap Things You Must Have in Your Wardrobe (And 10 Things You Must Splurge on)
2. 10 Steps To Dressing Well in the Office--For Plus-Size Gals
3. 10 Easy Ways to Host a Great Party
4. What to Wear, Where
5. 10 Cheap Dating or First-Date Ideas
6. How to Pay Your Rent on Time
7. 10 Easy Ways to Make Him Stay....for Awhile, Anyway.
Visit us on Kindle or send us an email and you might win yourself a FREE book!!
