Take A Trip Down Memory Lane

Need a specialty item? A shampoo long gone from drugstore shelves, or a no gizmo wind-up watch not carried by department stores, or perhaps you have a taste for original cream hazelnuts no longer stocked in candy stores? You can get these long lost products and so much more at The Vermont Country Store. It first opened its doors sixty-three years ago in 1946. Now owned by Lyman Orton and his three sons, this family run general store sells practical...

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Turning To The Web For Eyeglasses

It stemmed from my desire to leave stuff out of my backpack, the afternoon a Canadian friend came to town for a trade show. During a fun, "let's catch up" lunch at the show, I heard THE CRUNCH. I'd broken the frames of my eyeglasses, which if truth be told, I shouldn’t have tucked away in my vest pocket, instead of storing them in their protective case. Certainly I knew better, and now I had to shell out another $450 - $500 – that is, unless I could...

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A Black And White-Speckled Classic

Do you recognize this roaster? It's been around for six generations, manufactured since 1871 by Columbian House Products, a company based in Indiana. There's a good chance your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother baked their Thanksgiving turkeys, holiday hams and Sunday roast beef dinners in one.The pan, a Granite Ware roaster, is made of porcelain over steel. It comes in several sizes and lasts a lifetime. My mother cooked delicious meals...

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When The Price Is Right

Like a lot of woman I love browsing cosmetic counters in high fashion department stores. Chanel and Bobbi Brown are two of my absolute favorites. However, I’ve discovered that good quality makeup doesn’t always have to be expensive. My discovery started with nail polish. One day while shopping in a chain store I spotted the perfect summer shade, incandescent "Seashell,” on a huge rack with at least 50 other bright, glossy and classy colors. I had...

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What Do You Stock In Your Freezer?

Down in New Orleans, they’re called the Holy Trinity – onions, celery, and bell peppers. They are staples in many of the dishes I prepare at home, and to the Holy Trinity I often add diced tomatoes. That’s why when there's a sale on any of the four ingredients* at the supermarket, I buy extra. Onions keep for a long time, so I usually just store them in a cool, dry place. The rest, I cut up and freeze in Ziploc bags. Later I use what I’ve put away...

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A Wonderland Of Odds And Ends

Once a month I like to pay a visit to my local dollar store to pick up inexpensive little things I need. It always adds up to big savings. I buy shower curtain liners, microwave plate covers, dried spices, paper napkins, fancy bows and coffee filters. Why pay so much more elsewhere when you can get the same stuff for 99 cents? My local dollar store stocks a wide assortment of party and holiday items. And, you never know what you will find. I was...

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For Skin Care Try Bath & Body Works

Products that moisturize, protect and keep your skin healthy and young usually cost a fortune. Bath & Body Works is a favorite store to buy skin serums and anti-aging creams at reasonable prices. I use many of Dr. Patricia Wexler's line, which is carried there. If you get on their mailing list, you receive $10 coupons to use at the register. Last night I bought Dr. Patricia Wexler's Universal Anti-Aging Cleanser, which sells for $16. After using...

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