Sensible Life’s Style writer, Marlene Alexander, has a regular newsletter that readers can sign up to receive through Dollar Store Style. For anyone wanting cool tips on decorating, entertaining and gift giving, these newsletters remind one to visit www.dollarstorestyle.com to see what money saving tips Marlene has to offer that can simplify their life and aid in sound budgeting. We liked the current newsletter because it touches on the very essence of Sensible Life Magazine’s philosophy. We encourage you to check out the links below, and also our Reviews section that features Marlene’s e-book, Christmas Dollar Store Style.
Reprint of newsletter from Marlene Alexander
I was interviewed recently, by a reporter from our town’s local
newspaper http://bit.ly/9dI3g7 and one of the questions she asked
me was, “How do you get past the stigma of shopping at the dollar
store?”
Stigma?
Dictionary.com defines stigma as “a mark of disgrace or
infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one’s reputation.” Whoa!
Why should I feel disgrace for a shopping experience that’s both
fun and rewarding?
Whenever someone admires something in my home, I can’t wait to tell
them that I got it from the dollar store. Yeah, you do get the
impression sometimes, that the item’s worth immediately plummets in
the eyes of the beholder but, what can I say? You can’t change the
way people perceive value and I don’t feel the need to try.
Visit www.dollarstorestyle.com to read regular article. In the issue current at the time of this publication, Dollar Store Style invites you to a beach party in your own backyard; a review of D Gourmet Herbal Tea and Medi-care waterproof
bandages and Marlene’s answer to a reader’s question about Dollar Tree.
I would like to hear from you, so please feel free to send in your questions or suggestions for using
things you’ve found at a dollar store. Or perhaps you’ve tried something that you liked (or not!) and would like to share your thoughts about it. Just give me your name and where you’re from or
tell me if you’d rather remain anonymous. Reach me at
marlene.alexander@sympatico.ca
————In the current issue:
1. Article – Backyard Beach Party, by Marlene Alexander
2. Worth A Closer Look – What’s new at a dollar store near you?
3. Dollar Store Product Review – D Gourmet Herbal Tea and Medi-Care
Waterproof Bandages
4. Quick Tip – Use those pretty hair elastics for more
5. Reader Questions – Dollar Tree in Canada?
———–
1. Article – Backyard Beach Party, by Marlene Alexander
The May, 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens had some wonderful
ideas for outdoor entertaining and I found that I could duplicate
quite a few of them with less expensive things from the dollar store.
Sticking with the beach party theme, here are four ideas for summer
entertaining that will cost you a lot less if you shop at the dollar
store.
Read the full article here:
http://www.dollarstorestyle.com/backyardbeachparty.html
———–
2. Worth A Closer Look
This month’s picks:
From Dollar Tree:
- hard cover books, $1
- collapsible fabric storage containers, $1
From Dollarama:
- Rubbermaid dustpan, $2
- small metal step-on garbage can, $2
- full-size ceramic toilet brush holder with full-size brush, $2
———–
3. Dollar Store Product Reviews – D Store Gourmet Honey Lemon
Herbal Tea and Medi-Care waterproof bandages.
Medi-Care waterproof bandages – I like the regular Medi-Care
bandages that you can find at the dollar store. I’d tried all of the
store brands and found them lacking and then discovered these at
Dollarama. They’re sterilized and stick as well as the name brands,
even after getting wet.
I wanted to say that before I reviewed the Medi-Care waterproof
bandages which I found to be a)too fussy to put on, b)too thin and
c) if they’re not put on just so, which is hard to do, they won’t
stay on, especially when they get wet.
If you like herbal teas, but don’t like the grocery store prices,
here’s good news. I gave my sister-in-law, Janet, a box of D Gourmet
honey lemon herbal tea to try and she said it was as good as any
she’s had from a specialty shop and took the box to work with her.
Cool!
———–
4. Quick Tip – Those hair elastics with the fabric flowers attached
make great summer napkin rings. You could let your lady guests take
theirs home with them, if they like.
———–
5. Reader Questions:
Q. I love your website to which I have recently subscribed. I
notice you recommend a number of items from Dollar Tree. I have never
heard of this store so looked it up on the web, where I see it is an
American company with no mention of Canadian stores. Are there
actually some located in Canada? -
Sylvia, Lindsay, Ontario
A. Sorry Sylvia, unfortunately, there are no Dollar Tree stores
located in Canada. I phoned Dollar Tree Direct
http://www.dollartree.com/home.jsp to see if they shipped
to Canada but, alas, even that isn’t a possibility for Canadians.
You will see that I reference Dollar Tree, 99-Cent Only Stores,
Family Dollar or Dollar General stores from time to time. To my
knowledge, none of these stores do business in Canada.
– Have YOU got a question or an idea for me? I invite you to write
to me at marlene.alexander@sympatico.ca with your original
decorating and gift ideas using items from the dollar store. If you
would like to be acknowledged as the sender, please include your name
and where you live, as well as detailed instructions for your project.
I am unable to answer every email I get personally, but each month
I will include one or two of your questions and/or suggestions in
this newsletter.
My thanks to those who have sent in questions and suggestions for
past issues.
I hope you enjoyed this issue of the Dollar Store Style newsletter.
I will be sharing new and creative money-saving tips and ideas with
you every month. If you know of a friend or a family member who might
also enjoy reading these tips – please feel free to forward them
this newsletter and/or my web site address:
http://www.dollarstorestyle.com
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