I was awoken today incredibly early by a tornado warning. Times like that make me glad I can only sleep with the TV on. But, despite grabbing the pot of coffee and adding my sugar and chocolate milk to it, I am still dragging rear. So, with only about half of m To Do List for today accomplished, I think I should pack it in.

On a positive note, I guess this means I have time to play more of the Shivering Isles DLC for Oblivion. I am on my sixth game of Oblivion. The biggest trick to playing Oblivion is to avoid the Priory from the start of the game until you are ready to have the Oblivion Gates everywhere you go. Then, I would have to say getting a house is important to stash your stuff. Personally I bought the house in the Imperial City then stole the upgrades to cut some in-game financial corners.

. . r

Isn't it odd how the characters we play in video games are not who the people we are in our day to day life?

Also, I am nearly done testing the Fishing Spots for The Sims 3 for Xbox 360 and in sometime in the next 30 days I should have it up for all you Sims game lovers.

Finally, please keep the people affected by the terrible weather today in your thoughts, hearts, prayers and donations. Remember those BOGO coupons for some great canned goods? Why not toss that free one into a donation box to help someone else out.

Until tomorrow readers, stay frugal but mostly fabuloso!

In today’s world, just about everything is digital. One of the things I love about digital information is the space saving it provides by not having a ton of books lying around the house. One of my biggest book collections used to be my cookbooks. With my iPhone and iPad, I no longer need those big bulky books sitting in my kitchen! Below are 5 of the best iPhone apps to use in your kitchen.

Cooking

Although this is not a recipe book, it is a reference for those that need a little extra help in the kitchen. One of my alter egos is The Floundering SAHM. Literally, I am domestically challenged. And this carries over into the kitchen. Once in a while, I have a huge cooking success, but I’m not the most creative or daring cooks in the world. Sometimes, I just don’t grasp the basic concepts. This is where the Cooking app comes in. It helps you with ingredient substitutions, measurement conversions, and high-altitude information. A must have in the kitchen. (FREE)

Allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner

This app, created by the world’s #1 food site offers you over 40,000 recipes to choose from. You can choose by type of dish, ingredient, or prepare/cook time. Shake the iPhone when your selections are made and recipe ideas pop up. You can also do just a regular search for recipes as well. You can also share recipes via email and save recipes to your favorites for future use. (FREE)

Paprika Recipe Manager

Need one place to organize your recipes? Paprika is the new recipe manager on the iPhone. Add your own recipes, download recipes available online, create a shopping list based on your recipes, and there is also a meal planner included with this app. Paprika also allows you to email recipes and shopping lists…so you can send hubby to the store for you! ($4.99)

Campbell’s Kitchen

I can’t say enough about Campbell’s Kitchen. I did a review on this free cooking app on TechTools4Mom back in January. What do I love about it? The best is that you can take your iPhone and scan a Campbell’s product which will automatically bring up recipes that use that ingredient. Like I said, I’m not that creative. I have things in my cabinets I’m not sure what to do with; this app helps me when it happens to be a Campbell’s product! Similar to The Dinner Spinner, Campbell’s kitchen allows you to make selections to find new recipes. Search by keyword or browse by categories. If you are already a member of CampbellsKitchen.com, you can save and organize recipes within the app. (FREE)

Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Recipe Finder

I have to admit, being a bad cook; my crock-pot is one of my best friends. I don’t have to slave over the stove and cooktop all the time. On busy days, or days when I just don’t feel like cooking, I make a slow cooked meal. I love how it makes the house smell delicious all day. Something in the crock on a Sunday during football season just makes the lazy day feel awesome. Sunbeam put together Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Recipe Finder for those that love their crocks. The recipes range from main dishes, breads, and desserts, with much more than just that. Add ingredients to your search to find a recipe, search by crock size, cuisine, course, and many more. Save recipes to your favorites and utilize the Virtual Cooking Timer included with the app! (Free)

Guest Post by the awesome Tina @TechTools4Mom
Tina is a SAHM of two girls, one dog, and a husband. She started TechTools4Mom where she blogs about iPhone and iPad apps busy moms can use to make their lives just a little bit easier.
Be sure to visit her for more fabuloso tech stuff!

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Today I'm going to post some beauty shortcuts and tips for you all. Some you have seen before, others may be new to you. Feel free to post your tips in the comments section.

1. Olive Oil - For centuries women in North Africa and throughout the Middle East have kept their hair beautiful with olive oil. For me, I do this treatment once a week. Using a little cheap low grade olive oil, massage into hair gently, avoiding the roots unless you absolutely need to. Then, wet a towel with hot as you can stand water and wrung it dry. Wrap it around your head and let the heat do it's work for you. Be sure to leave the hot towel on until it has cooled completely and/or 30 minutes have passed. Rinse out. Be sure to wash hair the next day using minimal shampoo. Saves on those expensive hot oil treatments. M/W $

2. Shampoo - Odd how a Hindu word made it's way into our lives, but it did. Honestly, you only need about a dime size amount of shampoo. Even if your hair comes to your waist like mine does. You see, you are only really washing your scalp and about four inches of hair from the scalp. Be careful when you shampoo to avoid the ends of your hair. If you use a bunch of products on your hair, you will need to give a quick wash to it all once a week. M/W $

3. Conditioner - Shampoo once, condition twice. But do the reverse when conditioning as when you were shampooing. That is right, condition the parts you didn't wash. M/W

4. SPF - Or as I like to call it, sun shield. Add a little bit of your favorite sunscreen to your liquid foundation. Do you really think the SPF 10 is enough that most liquid makeup claims to have? Add a little bit to your favorite lotion. This way you are always sure to be covered. Get it...covered? Nevermind. LOL

5. Hair Gel - While this strictly isn't hair gel, it is a method for keeping those stray hairs in place with sleek pulled back hair styles such as buns, ponytails, etc. Add a few drops to the palm of your hand of baby oil. Rub your hands together then smooth over your hair. Presto! $

6. Face Powder - I have used this method on my niece whom is Eritrean so I am sure this will bend nicely into women with dark skin. Baby powder is your friend. Nothing worse than running out of loose or pressed powder. Simply use baby powder and sweep over face with a large makeup brush. Be sure to check for pockets of baby powder as this will make you look like a clown in spots. As you will rarely be using this, just pick up a travel size for about $1 and it will last you at least a year. $

7. Makeup Brushes - At least once a week get out a cup, fill it with cold water and a drop of shampoo. Put your makeup brushes in there, brush side down to soak for about 30 minutes. Swish each brush around in the soapy water then rinse well. Place back in now empty cup brush side up to air dry. You have just extended the life of your brushes and now that mystery color won't be on your eyes. $

8. Color - Spare a few drops of your usual hair color for your shampoo and conditioner. This will help extend the life of your coloring. Taught to me ages ago by my favorite hairdresser. M/W $

9. Pearly Whites - Mix a little baking soda and water together to make your own whitening toothpaste. Tastes icky but works beautifully. Also, sipping through straws will bypass your teeth, but help towards the "smoker's wrinkles" around the mouth. Your choice. M/W $

10. Freezer - Keep your eyeliners and lip pencils in the freezer in a bag. This will help them not break as you sharpen or use them. $

Legend
M/W = Men & women
$ = Save some cash

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