Shopping list demystified

I am a pseudo adult. Aren't we all though? Adulting is hard, but thanks to technology some adult things have become easier. Like you can pay your bills off your cell phone and order basic stuff off the internet.

One thing that is the adultiest thing to do is grocery shopping. Real life grocery shopping that doesn't only consist of tube chips and candy. I've been an adulting amateur for a while but when I moved out a had to go pro because if I don't buy bread and milk, I have no bread and milk. Here is my monthly routine and tips:

Make an inventory of all the food you have in the freezer, fridge and pantry.

I have a few basics that I always have to make or add to a meal. Stuff like pasta, canned tomatoes, herbs and spices. It's time to start cooking and adding things to your 10 bags of macaroni. You're becoming one of those people, the ones in the Math problems. (I unpack my cupboard at least every 6 months. That way I can see what to replenish in my pantry staples. That sounds heavy but it's a different way to say 'see if I have enough canned tomatoes')

Now I know, for instance, I can skip the pasta isle and I have a instant soup problem.

Make a chart to plan meals

No lies. This seems so lame but trust me it will save you time and money. My food list is based on what my mom did when I was a child. Mondays it's pasta's. So Mac & Cheese, Alfredo and even those Knorr Pasta Mates can be used. 

Tuesday it's Chicken, pork or lamb.

Wednesdays we eat at the in laws. 

Fish Thursday and Steakhouse Friday. 

Saturday and Sunday I have a few basics because we're with my family one of the two days and we eat their food so I plan for half the days. I also have a 4 meals I like to call Spares. Like if we do eat a full meal for lunch there is options. It takes the guess work out of what to make for dinner.

Here is where I bring in my Pinterest boards because if there are any unusual ingredients I can pick them up. This is great also if you plan on following a different eating plan to know what foods you need to buy. Or if you decide to Meat-less Monday.

I used some of the food on my inventory list to fill in the blanks

Go through your weekly ads:

It's my favourite part of the newspaper. That and the cutey pre-shool kids doing cute things. Most people are like, I'll buy all my sh*t at the same store, idgaf. I'm one of those lucky people who lives close to all the big retailers thanks to all the new developments, so it's affordable for me to basically free my car down to Checkers/ Makro/ Pnp to get deal. Just make sure they are deals.

Like a nerd, I do math on product to the gram/ millilitre because it it says:

SALE!!!

doesn't always mean its a bargain. PnP had a “SALE!!! only 3 per customer!!!” on washing powder. I bought 3 of course. The next day I went to my friendly Spar and it was THE SAME PRICE with no limit per customer. I felt like a sucker.

If you don't get weekly circulars (For a few months I didn't score a newspaper) go to the store's website or visit Tiendeo or Guzzle

Make that list

I break down all the meals into Meat, Veg and Pantry. I have a laminated page on my fridge that I write on with dry erase pens as soon as any household/ food or pantry item is finished.

Not sure about household items? Here is my checklist:

Floor cleaner

Bathroom cleaner

Toilet cleaner

Kitchen Cleaner

Oven cleaner

Window cleaner

All purpose Cleaner

Dishwashing liqiud

Washing powder

Fabric softner

stain remover

I use a book because of recent events I don't want to walk with a device. But if you are a bit more trusting than me, the PnP app had a digital shopping list where you can pick of things on previous shopping you have done. Another great list app is Google's Keep. There you can break down your shopping in different sections with different colours. (Household/ Blue, Veg/ Green) and I love the satisfaction of ticking things off.

Go Shop

Remember your bags and not to hate humanity.

Bonus tips:

• Work in eat outs and events like birthdays or other get togethers. That way you know to buy or not to buy extra food. (or buy the food for the birthday or get together)

• Use store cards. You may not be saving millions but in a tight month a few extra hundred Rand mean you don't have to spend more
• I buy meat in bulk and package them into smaller portions and every two weeks I buy fresh veg and fruit.
• Every 6 months I try to empty the fridge and freezer. Bargain bulk buys aren't a bargain if you never eat it or toss in away because it got freezer burn.
• Write down as soon as something finishes. That way you don't need to go though your cupboards or pantry every en of the month and prevents buys of multiples. (I wish I'd listen to myself as I have a few unopened Mixed herb refills and that ton of Macaroni)
• Remember to take your list with you.
• Make multiple lists if you want to pick up other things form other retailers. (sometimes Clicks & Dischem have those 3 for 2 deals on toiletries or supplements then it's worth going past them. Also check Makro's R100 deals)

Breathe calmly and greet your teller.

é

Mall of the South: Not really a Haul haul.

Yeah more like a “Wanted to get BB cream but got carried away looking for a lipstick” thing.

Arm swatches so you know I'm real.

Yardley London got me all: They are not the same. They are similar.

 

Okay, these are the same.

All was done at Mall of the South. Here are the details:

Clicks:

This is a big Clicks so it's got the full roll out of all their stocked brands like OPI, Essie, WnW and Essence.

Wet 'n Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Cherry Bomb: My one sister and I are riding the 90's vampy dark lip trend. After doing some heavy internet swatch research I decided this was the one. And they only had that. One. And no testers. I have previously bought 'Bare it all' as a MAC 'Velvet Teddy' dupe and I loved it. They also didn't have 'Vamp it up' in stock but I did swatch it and it is good. I will have YOU, 'VAMP IT UP'

R44.95

(See later in the post I did purchase another Cherry Bomb and a Vamp it up at my local Clicks.)

Clicks Baby wipes: My arm was getting full of lipstick so I bought some wet wipes. R8.95 for 10

Oh So Heavenly Vanilla Cup Cake Bubble Balm: First saw it on PinkPeonies and bought it the next day. Here is my previous one:

Cool packaging without the EOS price @ R29.95 (If I went last week it was 3 for 2 but who's checking that)

Wet 'n Wild Wildshine Nail Color in Kaleidoscope: Recently I have found out what the term is of the feelings I feel because I am attracted to rainbow holographic things: I AM HOLOSEXUAL.That is the only reason I bought this. Great price at R24.95

Cardies:

"We don't like your big camera so we'll stare at you from down here"

SPCA support beaded Bracelets: I bought one a while ago and wanted the pink, white and blue one. And for a while I saw bracelets for the Red Paw Project. Because of uneducated people and my two dogs being at harm. this is a charity that is getting my money. The Lilo & Stitch is R55 and the steel beads of the Red Paw Project is R150

Dischem:

They had a stock taking during the week so there where people with open boxes every where. I got offered a free skin analysis but I wasn't sure if they would be able to see my skin through the contour, hard layer of concealer and powder.

SkinStrategy Sheet mask loose draws: That's how you know it's getting close to month end. Loose draw sheet masks. Face and neck Boto Mask and serum R14.95 and Soothing and calming Face Mask R12.95.

McNabs SuperCharge Energy Drink in Sparkling Rasberry: How do you thing this post is getting written? Magic? No way son. Anything I can read the ingredients of and understand what they mean, is good in my book. (also Vegan and made with No Genetically Modified ingredients because that is who I am now.) R19.25

Catrice All Round Mascara in Ultra black: Uhg! Yes! I bought it again! At R52.95 try to find a better one.

LA Girl Endless Semi Permanent Auto lipliner in Dark Plum: I bought this liner in True Red and it is true boss. This is the liner I want to pair with the WnW Cherry Bomb.

H&M

Just a slouchy beanie and wool hat. Walking with that bag makes you look like a bad bi*ch. This is the photo I sent my sisters telling them to get on my level:

And that is it.

é

Here are some bonus swatches:

LA Girl Endless Auto Lip liner in Dark Plum

Wet 'n Wild MegaLast in Cherry Bomb over LA Girl Endless Auto Lip liner in Dark Plum. I got this combo for my sister and called it the #Noempielipkit in IDGAF

Wet 'n Wild MegaLast in Cherry Bomb

Wet 'n Wild MegaLast in Vamp it Up

More swatches:

Wet 'n Wild in Kaleidoscope

K bye now.

D.I.Y. Carpet Deodorizer

Aaw snap, more hippy crap about natural living and essential oils. Not really. More like, I like carpet deodorizer BUT I'm not going to pay that much for something that is actually a luxury.

The two main ingredients are:

Bicarb (I use the whole 500g Robertsons)

2 tsp Corn starch 

 

Perfume as per your style.

You can perfume it as you want. I didn't know if it really was a thing until I started looking at other peoples recipes. Some add dried herbs and spices and others (and I) add essential oils. I had an ant problem so I added peppermint oil and the ants reduced heavily. Mosquito season, I add citronella and lemongrass and the mosquitoes dgaf. I was thinking I want to add vanilla or cacao powder, even cinnamon. (PSL carpet smell anyone)

Some oils are pricey (That’s why you see Citronella and lemongrass) but it's an ingredient that you are going to get multiple uses from as you only use 20 drops. Buying a refill of dried herbs are a bit cheaper. I like the Rosemary and Thyme idea.

Mix the Bicarb and Corn starch in a bowl. I add corn starch as my bicarb tends to get clumpy. Even the store bought ones have an anti-clumping agent.

For the container, I used the mass produced store bought one . (Recycle 4 lyfe $$$) but you can store it in a jar and make holes in the lid for sprinkling. I read big spice and salt shakers can also be used. Even a sugar shaker. An empty clean mayonnaise/ Peanut butter/ Cheese spread jar would do the job. (Empty and clean because no one want mayo in their carpet deodorizer)

(Maybe, if you like mayo you do) (I don't judge)

Or be next level with this Ball Jar.

I fill the jar to a 1/3^rd and add my smell agent (Two table spoons of ground up herbs or 10 drops of oil). Fill another 1/3^rd and add the same amount of your choice of smell maker. Top with the rest of your Bicarb mix. Close the container and shake to mix well. I think it's best to smell your creation and decide if you want to add more smell maker. I don't care for this step as I have anosmia.

 

Some blogs said to leave this for 24 hours to a week but ain't nobody got time fo' that. I use mine immediately.

To use, shake a thin layer on the carpet and leave it for 15 min. I usually sweep the floors, wash a toilet and forget about it for a while.

Then just vacuum as per usual. It's optional to smell go down and sniff the carpet.

This is also great puppy accidents. Sprinkle a thick layer over the pee pee and leave to dry. Then just vacuum the clumped up mixture.

That is my wisdom for the week. As you were.

é

P.s. I like this blog's post. I was like: #same

June 2016 Favourites

This was one of my worse months in a while but I'm writing this and you are reading so I think we made it okay. My sister says life gives you lemons, you think you you're making lemonade but when you drink it, it's p*ss.

These are the thinks I liked this 5 week month:

Painting nails with a cosmetics sponge

I recently bought sponges specifically for that. You can do an ombre effect or a galaxy effect. The polish dries fast and a top coat helps to blend colour together. I picked mine up at PnP

Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasure System.

This range had me intruged when I first saw it at Clicks (but it's pretty much everywhere now) as it's Paraben free. (That is a preservative that is believed to trigger cancer) I pretty much saw the difference in my hair from the first wash. You can read on their FB Page about how people love this product. Buy at Clicks, Dischem, Takealot and PnP.

PnP Real Clothing Pajamas

I know this isn't really fashion BUT it is winter and I'm an indoors kinda person then. I'm not really into the onesie trend. I don't want to undress every time I need to go to the toilet. This is also the cheaper option @ R180.

Eating the last of the food in the fridge.

So many times I 'keep things for later' then end up throwing it out because it's old/ rotted/ got freezer burn. Every few months I like to empty the fridge and deep freeze and getting creative with food. A real life “Chopped” episode but instead of Ted telling you you're chopped, your family tells you to rather not make it ever again.

Roasted Beetroot

Set your oven at 200°C. Chop the beet into ½ and then into 3. Glug with oil (I choose you olive oil!) and add salt, pepper, and herbs and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Roast for 45 min to an hour.

Webtoons

I downloaded it for Helios: Femina and stayed for Yumi's Cells, Siren'sLament and The Blue Chair.

Takealot.com window shopping

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It's only costs a little data to browse all the awesome things on Takealot. Here are a few things I found that you might not know is on there. (Click on pic to go to the link)

Boom! That's my story.

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