Hair Straighteners

I don’t get to the hairdressers as often as I would like to. Time and money are equal reasons as to why. I just don’t have the time in the day to go off to the hairdressers once or twice a month. I also don’t have the money on hand to be able to have that luxury.

Fortunately for me, my hairdresser showed me how to keep my hair looking great in between visits. All I needed to do when I wanted was to use this wonderful hair straightener. You can get it for $113 from the Overstock website. I am sure your hairdresser will show you what to do with it if you ask them to, but it is really easy. Just turn it on, wait for it to heat, add product to your hair if you need to and use. It really is simple.

There is quite a big range out there as it seems every man, woman and girl wants a straightener as part of their bathroom accessories. There are different heat plates, some you can use straight on wet hair.

So which one for me? Not the one that hairdresser recommended, as it was a bit out of the price range and I was sure I could get one for less. I could and I did. Best Buy to the rescue! Found this one there that I think will do the job perfectly for $15. Thank you to my hairdresser for suggesting this. It will save me time and money.

Luggage

As a family we are fortunate enough to be able to go on holidays every now and then together. Sometimes this does include air travel and for me, I like to have a matching set of luggage that helps us identify it all at the baggage carousel. For this reason also I like to have different looking luggage. Bags that stand out from the rest. There is a huge range of bags and suitcases. Different sizes, different colours and different types.

I like the cases that have the little wheels in the bottom so you can pull them behind as well as a handle that you can carry too. Having different sizes in your set is a good idea too. I get the big one!

I came across this wonderful range of luggage that really had all different sized cases and bags as well as matching makeup and wet bags. They were perfect for us. Well, except for the cost of it. This set sold for over $1000. There was no way I was going to spend that amount of money on a range of luggage! That was the cost of our holiday!

Fortunately the Amazon website saved the day and I was able to get this range, also available from Target, of wonderful luggage for a lot less. Only $54 for all 5 pieces.

Our family will be all set for the holidays now. I just have to talk hubby into getting the red set of luggage instead of boring black.

Women’s Wallets

A woman’s wallet, or purse as some women like to call them, is probably one of the most used daily items; as well as our keys and mobile phones. What they are used for mainly is to hold our money, but they are also used for carrying credit cards, licenses, business cards and other cards that we seem to always accumulate these days.

If you need a new wallet, ask yourself what you need it for? Just money? Or are you looking for it to carry the extra cards and things. I needed a new wallet so I asked myself what I needed it to do for me, as well as carry money. I need the space for notes, coins as well as all the cards I have. My bags are big enough so the size of my handbag is not an issue. I like something that looks a little different too.

Perusing the Internet I came across this Marc Jacob’s wallet. I really like the quilter leather as well as the large coin section on the side. However, at $425 it was staying right where it was.

So I searched the Internet some more. I wanted something that looked like the Marc Jacobs wallet, but was not saying it was one when it wasn’t. Accessorybug.com is a fantastic website to search for ‘inspired’ items. Here is a gorgeous wallet for $34 which looks like the Marc Jacobs one for a mere fraction of the cost.

I am sure my new wallet and I will be very happy together!

Vacuum Cleaners

Housework is a dirty job. A lot of people – myself included – just hate doing it. It takes me away from time with my family and also being able to have time just for me. Having time for me is very important as a mother. It really does help me keep sane and helps me appreciate my family even more.

So there is no way that I would want to do housework during this precious time. That is why I have considered getting a heavy duty vacuum cleaner to help me cut the vacuuming time down.

There is no way out of it, I have to vacuum, so to cut the time down, I thought the simple thing to do is to do that with a vacuum cleaner that will give you the most in terms of power and suction and ease of use.

With this in mind I checked out the Dyson vacuum cleaners. They really are the top of the line, top of the range vacuum cleaner. It is easy to see why. They look a little cool as well as having the power to suck it up! I liked this one for $387.

I really wanted to see what else was out there and I was surprised to find the Eureka vacuum cleaner. It looks like it will do the job for a lot less money. This was music to my ears! Eureka is $68, so a great price. Vacuuming will be an easier job for me now.

The Sarah Jessica Parker Clothing Line

Having a celebrity name attached to a line of products usually means that the products are going to be expensive. Sarah Jessica Parker has created a line of perfumes that are quite pricey.

However with the line of clothes she has bought out, she has redeemed herself. Nothing in her whole entire line costs more than $19.98 a piece. She has the most gorgeous clothes in extra small sizes to triple extra large. Sarah Jessica also has a bag, shoe and jewellery range.

Her clothing line and website are called Bitten and her line is sold through Steve and Barry’s in the US.

Sarah Jessica knows that not everyone can afford designer prices. She knows that people have other things to do with their money, and is aware that a lot of people do not have the luxury to spend the money to look fantastic in designer threads. With Steve and Barry’s help, she has put her name to a clothing range that doesn’t blow the budget.

The Bitten clothing line is a very fashionable line and has pieces that include jeans, tops, sweater, pants and dresses. She has the most adorable little cardigan which is so cute.

It is wonderful that Sarah Jessica has not taken the expensive road, which she so easily could have done. That it is ok to have pieces that only cost $20 a piece. It is great to see that she is thinking of the average person. Good on her and thank you Miss Sarah Jessica Parker.

Handbags

A woman can never have too many handbags. At least that was what I was telling myself and my husband when I saw this delightful green handbag on the arm of Kate Moss. Kate caused quite a stir when she stepped out with this Mulberry Bayswater bag. It is on the Mulberry website for 525 UK pounds. That is about $1000 American dollars. So yes, it is certainly worthy of being on the arm of a celebrity like Kate Moss.

I just love green. A bright green like this one is so cheery on a winter or autumn day. And it is not out of place in summer time either. We’ll just call it the year round bag! This particular bag comes in various colours, although I think Kate picked the best one.

It is a lovely large bag. This comes in very handy to carry everything you need in there. Especially when going out with a toddler it is handy to have a lot of extra room for the things they need like snacks and drinks. Of course I could fill this bag myself really, but it is handy to have the extra room.

$1000 is a little too much money for my budget, so I am happy to say that I found a similar one at Shop Suey. It is the Mulberry Bayswater inspired bag and they call their bag the Victoria bag. They have it on sale for $58. $58 instead of $1000 means I am one happy lady!

Lamps

As I am redesigning my house, I have decided I need some lamps for my family room. A design that is simple and stylish without costing the big bucks. My usual foray into the home design TV shows and interiors magazines have given me some good ideas.

I have yet to buy any lamps for the house, so when I started looking I could not believe the choices out there! Lamps can literally cost thousands of dollars or as little as one dollar. So many choices, so many colours and so many designs. I really do like the idea of them though as you can adjust the lighting to suit your mood.

I don’t want anything too big or colourful. I figured if I buy 2 then I can adjust the light as I wish in the room. That is if I want a bit of brightness then I can have the 2 lamps on but if it is just me and the hubby watching TV then we just have the one lamp on.

I just love this lamp, with its gorgeous white base and a lovely pale blue shade. But at $725, it is far too expensive for me. Especially since I want two!

So I am on the look out for something less pricey – and I found it! At Pier One I found this lamp for $55. Here the colours are different, but I can get the same colours with the Jonathan Adler one at Pier One.

Ugg Boots

After a big day of work, school or at home with the kids, there is nothing better than sitting on the sofa and putting your feet up. Doing this with Ugg boots on your feet will make the experience extra relaxing and enjoyable. They are the most comfortable, warm and relaxing slipper around.

It seems I am not the only one that believes that this is so. It looks like everyone, including celebrities, are wearing the Ugg boot these days. Ugg boots are typically Australian and have made their way across the whole globe where even the celebrities have been seen wearing them. Oprah herself has been known to buy them for her friends because they are so warm and comfortable. She even listed them as one of her favourite things for 2007.

The inside of the boot is made out of sheep’s wool. The outer part of the boot is made out of different material, depending on the design of them; it’s usually suede material though. There is such a huge variety of designs and colours, there are even some designed to wear in the snow! There really is something for everyone.

I found some gorgeous Ladies Ugg Boots online for $150 a pair. These are the tall boot designs. There are Uggs available for men and children as well.

There are some Ugg inspired slippers available as well. They are also found in differing colours and designs. I found the short Ugg boots for $73.00 at Zappos.

Toasters

I am sure that 80% of us in the world have toast in the morning for breakfast. Almost all of us will have a toaster to cook the bread to make the toast.

You may be surprised that a toaster can also do other things – they are not merely for cooking a slice of bread to have spreads on it! You can get 4 slicers that do 4 slices of bread at one. You can also have ones with wide slots so they accommodate thick slices of bread or muffins or crumpets. Some have a defrost button, a reheat button, a warming plate.

I have even spotted toasters with a spot to cook eggs, so you can toast the egg and cook the toast at the same time. There is so much more to a toaster these days! They come in various designs and various colours. I am sure there is one to suit every kitchen.

There is one out there to suit my kitchen for sure! Now I just have to find it. To suit my kitchen, I am going to go for a silver one, possibly with 4 slices, at least thick slices. I would love as many options with it as possible as well.

This 4 slice one from William Sonoma, at $100, it is a little on the expensive side for me.

I found this one at Kmart.com, which I think would do just as good a job. For $40, the price is right too.

Bread Makers

As we have food allergies in our family, this makes finding suitable bread a little difficult. And if you want something different for bread like fruit loaf or savoury bread, then forget it. No chance of ever buying anything like that. If you are lucky enough to find bread like that, it will most likely cost you an arm and a leg to buy it. I call it gold plated bread!

I knew the answer had to be there. I was already baking so many things we normally couldn’t have like cookies and muffins and cakes. I then realised I could be making our own rolls and bread! And the simplest way to do that is to buy a bread maker. What a great idea!

Like all kitchen appliances, they can come in different ranges, sizes and colours. They have many different functions as well. With some you can make pizza dough, bread rolls and even cake dough in them!

I just wanted one that I could put on and leave. I also wanted one also that I could make different types of bread in. I like sundried tomato and basil bread – yum! As long as the bread maker lets me do this then I will be happy.

This one on Amazon seems pretty special – it has a delay starter, so you can program it before bed and wake up the next morning to fresh bread! It even makes jam! This one is $150.

This one for $40 looks great and has very similar features as the previous one. Looks good for me!

Wooden Ladder Shelving

I love furniture design and really get a kick of out watching the home design shows, as well as reading the wonderful home design and interior decoration magazines. One thing that I have noticed becoming big lately is using old wooden ladders as shelves. I think these look wonderful in homes that have the rustic charm about them.

My home does not however have the rustic charm. It has the “messy I have a toddler living here” charm, but not the country rustic charm. Plus we don’t have an old wooden ladder lying around and I have never been lucky enough to see one at garage or yard sales. I still really like the look of the ladders as shelves though.

Then I saw them: actual shelving in the design of a ladder. Perfect! I knew I had to have these, so I went on the look out for them, for the best price of course. The cheapest way would be to score some at a yard sale or a charity shop, but you could be waiting forever. Of course if your parents have some in the garage, lucky you! All you need to do is maybe put a lick of paint on it and sand to make sure there are no splinters and away you go.

However, for the rest of us, we can purchase them from a shop. You can then pick the colour and style you like. I found this one which is $130 and it comes in 4 different stains.

Here is another one that I think looks just the same, at a cheaper price.

Digital Music Players, Trend of the Future

Ever bought a CD after hearing the released single on the radio and not liked any other song? What has happened to that CD? Probably sitting at the back of your entertainment unit collecting dust.

I really love the way the music industry has changed in the last decade thanks to the revolution of the digital music players. A lot of us know them as iPods or MP3 players. I don’t know too much of the technicalities behind it but I do know if you have one of these, you can also download something like iTunes or similar and choose which songs to have on your music player. You don’t have to buy the whole album; you can just buy the songs you want. It is a much more economical way of organising your music. Plus you don’t have top buy storage for all those CD’s

Digital music players can have headphones attached to them so you can listen to your music while exercising or doing housework around the house. But, there is no longer a limitation to this as there are also docking stations that you can place your music player, which are attached to speakers, so you can listen to your music at home. Pretty cool hey?

So I have had a look at the different players out there. There is no doubt that iPod is the most popular but it is also the most expensive. So I wanted to find one that is similar and has similar features but not the price tag.

Here is an iPod that is 8GB and has Video for $240.

I have found this MP3 player that has 8Gb as well for $100 on Amazon.

Kettle That Will Serve You Well

Every kitchen across this huge world of ours would have to have a kettle of some description. The choice in kettles also reflects this. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like having a cup of tea or coffee or has one so their visitors can have a cuppa when they drop by.

I needed a new kettle so I went on the search for one. I decided I would like an electric one, without a cord and even one where you can adjust the temperature of the water inside if that was possible. I would like a silver one if possible to match my other appliances but it wasn’t a priority. I did need it to be a very reasonably priced one as well. Not too much room in my budget to spend on this kettle.

The trusty Internet is my friend and is really the best place to compare prices. Try shopping with a toddler and you would know what I mean! You cannot drag a toddler from shop to shop comparing makes, models and prices. Just not fair to the wee ones. Best thing I think to do is shop and compare online the different models and prices.

I like this one, nice and sleek. But at $100 I think I will leave it there.


I found this Black and Decker one, which looks like it will suit my needs. It is $37 and even though the temperature is not adjustable, it switches off automatically when it has finished boiling.

Can Afford Sunglasses

I love Victoria Beckham’s oversized sunglasses from her own dVb style line. They are so stylish and so gorgeous. I wonder if this means if I wear Victoria Beckham’s sunglasses that I will look as amazing as her? Or make me as rich as her? Hmmm…. Probably not. Not all of us actually have the money to buy these wonderful sunglasses, plus at a few hundred dollars, I could buy several pairs of other ones!

Spending this type of money on sunglasses does worry me, especially since I don’t have as much as Victoria Beckham! I would constantly worry about where they are, have I lost them? Are they scratched? I do have a habit of breaking mine early in the piece so this really would not be a wise investment for me.

Plus sunglasses should be part of your wardrobe, have several different pairs for different occasions and outfits.

This led me on a search to get a similar pair, as I don’t have the dollars to get the dVb brand. As I mentioned, like all good designer sunglasses, they are expensive. Here they are at $300 a pair.

Also like any good brand of sunglasses, they have plenty that look similar so you can achieve the same look for a fraction of the cost. I found some here for $18.00. Now it does not matter as much if you lose them or scratch them. They are affordable to replace. You can also change your look easily and cheaply.

Mesmerizing Jewelleries

Like any female, I love jewellery. I am a simple girl so I like simple and understated jewellery whether it is rings, bracelets or necklaces.

A friend of mine told me about the Pandora Charm Bracelet that everyone seems to be getting lately so I know I just had to check them out.

I am so glad that I did! Basically you get a starter bracelet, either gold or silver and then you add all types of different charms to it. Many women are asking their families to buy them for special occasions, like birthday’s, Christmas, anniversaries and Mothers Day. I think that is a wonderful idea!

The charms are all different; you can get gold, silver, glass, all different types of charms. For example; there are heart charms, baby charms, wedding charms.

Just like all jewellery, there are many varieties out there, starting from the top of the line to the less expensive. Here is a gold starter bracelet for $1000 and a charm like this one is $235 Silver will be significantly cheaper. The glass ones even cheaper.

There are less fancy versions that are Pandora inspired. A great affordable solution, especially if you want friends and family to buy them for you for those special occasions. I found this website that has silver bracelets for about $14. They are known as Biagi bracelets and charms. The charms are about $18.

They sure are beautiful and a wonderful way to personalise your very own special piece of jewellery.

Shopping Cart Covers For Babies

Being a parent is a wonderful part of life. It is also one of the most nerve-wracking as soon as you are aware you are pregnant, your whole life changes. Suddenly there is someone that is totally dependant on you.

One of the most challenging parts is making sure, especially in the first 12 months that the baby is not being exposed to too many nasty germs. Another challenging part, is going shopping with the baby and getting your stuff done as well as keeping baby happy.

There is a way to ease your challenges. I must say I have personally use this product and it is a wonderful product. No parent can not afford not to have one!

The shopping cart cover is a cloth like cover is inserted in the top of the shopping cart to completely covers the seat and the handle you push with. It covers the nasties that lurk on the handlebars and seat of the shopping cart. Makes the seat a little more comfortable for the occupant and eases the parents mind. It is a win-win situation!

You can also use them on public highchairs when you got out for meal. They are completely washable. Many of them also have handy pockets and toy loops to attach the toys to it.

Check them out, here is one at the top end of the scale, you can choose from different patterns and colours this one is $126. Yep can be a little pricey but trust me, there is one to suit all budgets.

Here is one from Target.com for $17.99

Cheap Ice Cream Makers

Parents of children that have food allergies or people that have food allergies themselves will know what it is like not being able to choose whatever they wish from the grocery store. This also includes all sorts of yummy food like ice cream.

Unfortunately there are not many brands out there that have allergy friendly ingredients. Or if they do they cost an arm or a leg because they are a specialty food. Also if you are out for a family day out and feel like an ice cream from an ice cream store, than this is more than likely not possible as they often have foods that affect allergy sufferers.

How to get around this? No need to miss out. Why not check out making your own? There are several ice cream makers on the market and you will know exactly what is going into the ice cream. Perfect not just for allergy sufferers but parents that what to know what their child is eating.

You choose the ingredients that go in. Normally it is some sort of milk/cream, fresh fruit for flavouring, sugar and away you go. Being in control is very important for food allergies.

So which one to get. There is a vast array of ice cream makers on the market. Some even top the $600 mark! This one is $75 and is able to make yoghurt and sorbet as well.

This one is cheaper for $29 and looks just as good. This is the one I will be getting.

Automatic Floor Cleaners

Housework is a tedious, horrible affair. Is there anyone out there that actually likes housework? Apart from Bree Van Der Kamp (Desperate Housewives) and Monica Bing (Friends) of course. I cannot stand vacuuming personally and since I have a bit of a bad back, my back doesn’t like me doing vacuuming either.

Now, I have spotted something that I have to seriously consider buying. An iRobot. This is an automatic floor cleaner that will clean your floors as you schedule it. Wonderful! Tick that chore off your list. It is a round disc shape machine that is close to the floor that is low enough to fit under the furniture and if it runs into walls, it just backs back a bit and keeps going.

I think that if you have pets or small children especially, this will be a perfect cleaning product for you. Also, if you schedule it to clean once a day, surely that would cut down on your dusting as well?

Every household needs this. Especially those of us that have bad backs and cannot do the vacuuming or if you are so busy that it is the last job on your list.

This is the top of the range one for $649. At the moment the iRobot is the only robot vacuum cleaner I can see on the market. So to get a cheaper model, try checking out the reconditioned model iRobots on Amazon for $150.

Cheaper Wares

Tupperware is well known around the world for its quality plastic products. Its quality products really have stood the test of time and this has been proven.

How many of us have Tupperware that our mums have given us? I know I have, even in the groovy mission brown. I remember those mission brown round Tupperware Containers sitting on our kitchen counters when I was a young tacker and ours had tea, coffee and sugar in them.

There is something about plastic containers that get people excited. The only criticism of Tupperware is that it is costly. For example a sandwich keeper will set you back $15.

Really can anyone do a better job in pantry organization than the Tupperware storage containers?

In America I know that they have Snapware and Rubbermaid, which are very low cost as well. I have seen similar sandwich holders from these companies for $4. I am sure you will agree with me that is quite a difference in the price.

Other countries will have their own plastic ware as well. For example; Australia has the Décor plastic ware range which is very similar in product line to Tupperware with ¼ of the price tag.

Some of you may say the quality is less but having experience both products, I would say that Snapware and Rubbermaid are quite comparable to Tupperware. Why not get these products especially if you get 3 times as much for your money?

I know that it is a personal preference but I wanted to let you know my experience.