Frugalista Life

Spring Make-Up Exclusive!

2010-03-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

Sping 2010

Guest Blog by Cheri Haller

Spring has sprung and color is blooming all over, especially on faces! I believe makeup should be worn as an expression of confidence in appreciating your own beauty. Your face is the first thing people see and you should always put your best face forward. We’ll start with skin…

Gotta love a natural finish. Spring is for fresh flowers and fresh skin. Tinted moisturizers are always a great way to give an ultra smooth and hydrated look to the skin. They tend to be a little sheer, so use a concealer that matches your skin tone to add a little coverage and a dust of loose powder will do the trick. Stila’s Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer is fabulous with undertones in pink, beige, and bronze. Plus it offers SPF as well. Great concealer to check out, Kevin Aucoin’s full cover concealer; use a synthetic bristled brush to get the ultimate coverage as well as the most natural blend. A little bit goes a long way so it’s quite the investment. For amazing powder that’ll still give you a natural finish try the Bare Essentials Bare Minerals powder foundations, using a fan brush or a loose blush brush, rather than the standard “kabuki” brush to give you more of a dusting. When it comes to brushes, the longer the bristles the more of a dusting application you’ll receive, the shorter and more condensed the bristles the fuller of an application you’ll get. If you prefer a cream or a liquid, a great drugstore find is the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser has super concentrated goji berry + collagen and SPF. Also, the applicator is like a fuzzy pencil eraser, it has a bit of a slip to it but smoothes texture and tone of the skin nicely.

The skin is even and smooth, now on to Blushes and Bronzers and Highlighters oh my! The cheekbone is the new hot accessory and a well placed highlighter can be magical. In picking a highlighter, let your undertone to be your guide, if you have a creamy pinkish undertone go with something like Benefit’s Highbeam, the “supermodel in a bottle.” Or if you have a gorgeous golden undertone use LORAC’s Perfectly Lit Oil-free Luminizing Powder in Radiant. Love it.
A simple highlighter will add a nice touch but to really turn on the lift, sweep a natural bronzer under the cheekbone. A large 3 on the face will hit all the right contours for a sunswept look. The contrast of light next to dark makes the light pop even more, sculpting the cheek bone. Plus it’ll pull you out of the dead of winter washout we all experience. If you don’t want to do the highlighter and bronzer two-step, a quick fix to liven up your face is a peachy coral blush, swept onto the apples of the cheek and up towards the ear. Peach is a visual highlighter and works beautifully on every skin tone. Orgasm by Nars is a must-see, you know it’s good with a name like that!

Eyes are the window to the soul, and it's time to experiment with some new curtains! Prime that lid baby, no one likes an oily crease. Benefit’s new Stay Don’t Stray eyeshadow AND concealer primer is your new best friend and keeps not only eye shadow on but your concealer too, plus it’s got vitamins and it’s really worth checking out. Once you’re prepped and are ready to shadow go back though your basics, the pastels and natural shades; peaches, pinks, and golds. Start at the lashline and sweep from the inside corner to the outside corner, lashline to the crease. To add a little drama, hit the outside corner of the upper and lower lashline with either a deep dark kohl black, a rich aubergine, or even a bright turquoise, and using the pad of the finger to soften the line, creating a smoldery and sophisticated look when paired with the light colors. Makeup Forever’s Aqua Eyes are great eyeliners, they come in a huge range of color and they wear like a dream.

If you opt not to line the eyes, colored mascaras are a superfun way to throw a pop of color. Plum will enhance the color of the eyes, it is softer than a black, but more exciting than a brown. Blue and green mascaras makes the whites of your eyes look brighter, Urban Decay’s colored Mascaras are funky and fabulous. Or the ever famous Maybelline (pink and green mascara) in blue, an oldie & a goodie. A fabulous ultra-pigmented-triple-threat black mascara worth investigating at Sephora is Makeup Forever’s Smoky Lash. I tried it the other day and it excited my inner drag queen. A lot.

Pair your natural eye with big lashes and a lip that catches attention like a bright poppy pink or fuchsia. Work it! Too much? Tone it down a little and coordinate your coral blush with a coral pink lip, fyi Nars makes Orgasm for the lips too... Just like the skin, a hydrated sexy pout is always in style. When rocking the smoky eye, nude that lip out, try blending a little neutral cream highlighter on the lips and sliding a light nude gloss on top, like MAC’s ‘Nymphette’ or Benefit’s ‘Life On the A List.’

Comb a little brow gel through your eye brows, or fill softly with a brow pencil, Anastasia’s Brow Pencils are powdery and soft, and come with a spooly (technical name for mascara wand) at the end to comb into a really natural look. Brows should be slightly darker that your hair. Slightly.
Most importantly for Spring 2010 wear your makeup with confidence. You are fabulous. If you really feel like you suck at applying go to your Sephora or Ulta, or Department Store Cosmetic Counter. Ask them to teach you a technique, let the artist walk you through the look step by step (you have to apply in public, but you’ll be under supervision!) and then go home and practice! That’s what makeup remover was made for.

Paint your face for the fun of it! And enjoy the warm(er) weather!

A Frugalista Gal in NYC: Part Deux

2010-03-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

After recovering from the day which I call "Leg/Foot Confusion" as I have not seen that much walking since I lived in New York City over three years ago, I was ready for my second day in the Big Apple. My Fiance and I started in the West Village where he got his hair cut by the infamous Dominick while I did some window shopping at some local boutiques. I didn't really find much to shout about but did learn that Urban Outfitters is going to start designing a line of wedding wear- how boho and tres exciting!

After a fab haircut and some more strolling about, we met friends at a local watering hole called Cowgirl on Bleeker in the Village. Good times, good food, and REALLY good pitchers of margaritas is what I call a good time!

Onward and upward! After strolling around the Village, getting a Magnolia Cupcake (a MUST if you are ever in NYC- no excuses!!!), and drooling over the latest Cynthia Rowley shop, my Fiance and I headed to the Upper West side for some investigatory research into the new Spring colors for make-up and the newest trend in skin-care.

After speaking with some not-so-helpful (and not so frugal) shop assistants, I phoned my friend Cheri, a budding (and very talented) Make-Up Artist, and asked for her opinion. She graciously and excitedly offered to write a Guest Blog about the newest trends and colors for the up-coming season so stay tuned for that!

Off to the Dead Poet! A local dive bar with the words of famous poets strewn across the walls and to meet a good friend, Jamie, who is actually performing our wedding ceremony. I guess getting ordained online can be beneficial, especially if you want to one day marry two of your friends! We talked shop for a bit (he works for Conde Nast....ahhhhhhhhhh....mecca!) and then to what's going on in our lives. After a few hours, we headed to Columbus Circle to Jazz at Lincoln Center where my boss graciously hooked my Fiance and I up with tickets to see THE Chita Rivera perform her best-known works.

Let me tell you- for a woman over 75, DAMN can she still bring it! She was absolutely amazing and it was a trill to see her live and performing songs from "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "Chicago". If you haven't been to Jazz at Lincoln Center- the view ALONE is worth the price of admission, trust me.

All in all- a frugal day! Only breakfast (at a very quaint French bistro on Jane Street), lunch at Cowgirl and a few drinks at Dead Poet, we decided to treat ourselves to a late-night visit to a new up-and-coming lounge in Columbus Circle called Robert. Again, the view alone is worth the $9 it costs for a glass of house Red, however, my Fiance's friend did work there so we had to stop by and say hello- it's the only polite thing to do! ;) If you get the chance, do go to Robert at 2 Columbus Circle. The sleek lounge feel and the posh view of the park is worth any cocktail you desire to order (from what I hear, they make a KILLER Manhattan! Do try!).

Once leaving Robert, we high-tailed it back to Queens for our 10:30am departure back to suburbia, thus, bidding New York City adieu... but not for long!

A Frugalista Gal in New York City: Part Une

2010-03-10T12:09:00.000-08:00

One might expect a trip to NYC to be exciting and filled with new places to go and new streets to explore; for me, it’s more of a homecoming, a place where places and streets hold memories. After living in New York City for over five years, I moved back to Hartford, Connecticut for a dream job in the arts. I miss New York so much that when the opportunity came up to swap apartments with my future brother-in-law for the weekend, my Fiancé and I jumped at the chance to “go home”.

I arranged for Friday off from work so we could give NYC the proper amount of time and try to squeeze everything in as we possibly could. After leaving late Thursday night, we arrived in NYC and went strait to bed as we has an early start the next day.

Friday morning in NYC; Bodega Coffee, the New York Post and a bagel is all I need! We started the day off heading into Manhattan (did I mention my brother-in-law lives in Queens???) and strait to Bloomingdales where I accosted the Channel counter with millions of questions about the spring line. Jaq, behind the counter, was very friendly and showed me some of the most covered pieces for this upcoming Season (Pictures to follow, I promise). He assured me that nothing would be more “in” the Spring/Summer than neutrals and pastels. He showed me bags that I absolutely drooled after and was so kind as to compliment me on my bag (clearly, not Channel as I work in CT for a non-profit!).

Next it was onto Louis Vuitton as I strolled through the racks and bags, I noticed they were not as eager to talk to me about what it coming up for the Season (I clearly wasn’t at the fashion show so how dare I presume to have the faintest idea what LV stands for!). I took a few shots of some outfits that are easily assembled for less. (Again, pics to come shortly!) After strolling around Bloomies for a little while longer, I noticed my Fiancé getting fidgety so we high-tailed it out of there and on to the upper East Side to see my friends at their day jobs.

After having a few drinks at a local bar where two of my friends worked, we went over to another bar to see two of my guy friends and made plans to meet up at the famous Beer Garden in Queens later that night. After a visit to some art galleries, shopping on the street (I picked up a GORGEOUS berry colored wrap for only $5!), we went to The Museum of Natural History (a favorite of my Fiancé’s) and over to my old neighborhood for dinner at Bravest, a local dive with the best Turkey Burger that side of the East River!
After a quick power nap and a shower, my Fiancé and I headed down the block to the Beer Garden with every possible beer you can imagine and enjoyed some light jazz and the company of my friends and a few rounds as we ended our first day in New York City.

The Socialite Look: How to Dress Like You Have a Trust Fund Even If You Don't

2010-03-08T08:11:00.000-08:00

By Bridie Clark,

Author of The Overnight Socialite
You know the type: It's raining, or 3 am, or the middle of yoga class and this woman looks crisp, pulled together, ready for her close-up. Her hair is freshly blown-out, her jewelry is tasteful Cartier. Linen wouldn't dream of wrinkling when she wears it. Seeing her, you envision a walk-in closet full of neatly folded Italian cashmere. She must be rich, you think. Her look would be impossible to achieve -- or maintain -- without a trust fund and a lot of free time.Actually, the "socialite look" -- we're talking Aerin Lauder, not Paris Hilton -- is just a matter of mastering a few basic rules.

1. Figure out what works and stick with it. Anchor your wardrobe with clean lines, good fabrics, classic tailoring. Develop a signature look . . . even a uniform. Avoid trends. The look you're striving for is fresh but timeless, and most trends have an expiration date.

2. Before you make a purchase, try to calculate Cost-Per-Wear. A Burberry trench that you'll wear every spring for the rest of your life could be worth a splurge. Likewise you'll always want to wear a great watch, "everyday" jewelry with just the right amount of bling, a simple clutch for evening, a T. Anthony tote that's comfortable but chic. A little black dress is part of every socialite's arsenal -- make sure yours fits perfectly, and you'll wear it all the time.

3. Buy at the right time. Stores need to turn over their inventory to make room for new arrivals, so keep your eye out for sales. There's definitely a right time (usually January) and a wrong time (November) to buy that shearling coat.

4. Buy more than one. Say you find the perfect pair of jeans. The right length, the right wash, the right silhouette from every angle. This is a good moment to splurge by doubling down on an extra pair (and if they're really that fabulous, two). Same goes for all your basics -- white tailored shirts, black ballet flats, socks. This way you'll have a fresh set to rotate in when the original starts to show wear and tear.

5. Never compromise on fit. Who cares if it's cashmere -- if the sweater doesn't fit properly, donate it. Keep your wardrobe as streamlined as possible.

6. Take care of what you have. Even if you're short on "staff," it's worth it to pay close attention to the laundry. Skip bleach -- it will hurt the fibers of your clothing after many washes. Instead, soak whites in hot water using detergent and a bleach alternative, like white vinegar. Be vigilant about separating colors. Your jeans and delicates should never see the inside of a dryer. Lastly, spot-clean items instead of always dry-cleaning -- it'll save you money, and save your clothes the chemical treatment.

7. Never pay retail. Why blow your budget at the mall when there are so many places to buy designer clothing at deep discounts? Gilt.com (become a member by signing up at gilt.com/theovernightsocialite), eBay, and consignment shops are just a few of the spots you'll find marked-down treasures that look like you bought them on Fifth Avenue. Somebody did.

8. Master a speedy daytime beauty routine. We all need to get out the door quickly sometimes. After your shower, massage a small amount of mousse into the roots of your hair, flip your head and use a flat brush to blow-dry hair into straight, shiny panels. Smear on some tinted moisturizer with SPF, some mascara, and some lipgloss, and you're good to go.

9. To paraphrase Coco Chanel, remove one accessory before you walk out the door. Less is more. If you want to look effortlessly elegant, put quality ahead of quantity and keep your look simple.10. Exercise clothing should be worn solely to exercise. Ok, and back and forth to the gym. Socialites don't allow themselves to lapse into that comfy, sloppy look that can be so tempting on a Sunday morning.

Splurge vs. Save

Splurge on:
Classic pieces -- the little black dress, the Chanel ballet flats, the perfect clutch -- that you'll wear for years to come.
If you plan on making it as a socialite -- in the Jackie O, not Casey J mode -- you'll be dashing off countless thank you notes. Invest in personalized stationery. Sites like tinyprints.com offer an affordable alternative to monogrammed letterpress.
Charitable giving. Nothing's worse than a socialite who struts the red carpet but can't write a check for an important cause. No matter what your budget, find some way to give -- or give your time -- to the organizations that resonate with you.

Save on:
Staying Bergdorf blonde can be an expensive habit. Fortunately, most of the top salons hold "training nights" for stylists' and colorists' assistants to hone their skills under the watchful eye of the experts. Sign up, and you'll get top-end color for significantly less than the salon's usual rates.
Furniture. Estate sales, auctions, and online sites like 1stdibs.com and eBay have heirloom-quality pieces to lend sophisticated polish to your home. If a piece isn't quite heirloom-quality -- but the price is right and the bones are solid -- give it a coat of high-gloss paint, in a quirky turquoise or a punchy coral.
Hostess gifts. Hand-wrapping small items -- soaps, candles, a few chocolate truffles -- adds a personal touch which will impress the recipient.
High-end exercise classes and personal trainers. You can check out what's keeping Gwyneth so fit at tracyandersonmethod.com, or purchase a DVD. Core Fusion, a class that's popular with the Posh Upper East Side set, is also available on DVD. Or you can downward dog along to a Jivamukti yoga CD, the choice of fit and fabulous yogis in downtown Manhattan.
Retail. Paying full-boat is for the masses. Instead, explore sites like Gilt.com (you can become a member by visiting gilt.com/theovernightsocialite), designer outlets, or your local thrift and consignment shops. Make enough of a name for yourself, and it won't be long before designers are sending you their wares.

Author BioBridie Clark author of The Overnight Socialite, graduated from Harvard University, and has written for The New York Times, Vanity Fair, New York, and Quest. Her debut novel, Because She Can, was published in nineteen countries. She lives in New York City.For more information, please visit www.bridieclark.com.

2010-03-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

We all know Bluefly.com- we know it, we love it, and we all agree that it's fabulous! So, when the opportunity came to speak with Tanesha Smith, official Stylist and Fashion Guru for Bluefly.com, I jumped at it right away.

Tanesha Smith jump started her career interning for magazine such as Nylon and Vibe Vixon and eventually went on to work with other publications such as ElleGirl. For the past two years, however, she has been the Official Stylist and Fashion Guru for both men and women at Bluefly.com. Her chill and fun demeanor made this interview a breeze and a lot of fun.

First, I explained what FrugalistaLife was all about- living fabulously for less and she immediately jumped at the idea of Do It Yourself Tie-Dye, a trend that you should start to see popping up this Spring. She suggested to not only tie-dye a tee-shirt, but to be more creative and try a pair of jeans or a jacket to spice up your wardrobe. (Now, why didn't we think of that?!?!?)

Also, distressed jeans are back in a big way which can also be another DIY project. Whether it's an old pair or new (which, by the way, Old Navy is selling adult jeans for $19- hop on that if you can!), the distressed look can easily be accomplished with a pair of scissors and some creativity.

Other looks we should plan on seeing this season? Military styles, Camp details, waist-clinching looks, ruffles, leather and the basic White Shirt.

Leather was a lengthy topic during our 20 minute phone interview. She discussed how it is now being used for more than just jackets and pants. Skirts, tops, cuffs, sportswear and most surprisingly, leggings, were on the list of do's for this season.

When asked her thoughts on couture designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier designing for mass market stores such as Target, she exclaimed: "It's fantastic!". She went on to demonstrate that it just goes to show that America has more style sense than we give them credit for. Just because we don't have the D&G dress, doesn't mean that we don't love it and appreciate it's beauty, we just can't plunk down the thousands of dollars to be able to wear it. When designers produce for mass market stores, it gives everyone a chance to experiment with new high fashion at affordable prices.

So, dear Frugalistas, the moral of the story is this: prepare for leather leggings and if you want a kick ass job, become a stylist for Bluefly.com. If you want to live the fabulous life for less, become a FrugalistaLife Gal. There's nothing saying you can't do both ;)

Skinny Bitch Book Review

2010-03-02T07:25:00.000-08:00

Skinny Bitch? Vegan Bitch more like! I picked up this book at a friend's house (there we go again, not spending money on books but borrowing them from friends and family) hoping it would be a happy-go-lucky book about what foods will whittle your waist and slim your hips in hopes of becoming a "Skinny Bitch".... I was wrong.

This book is a searing look at "You are what what eat". The main focus of this book is to eat all organically with no "chemicals" such as sugar (they even went on a rant about Splenda! Splenda of all things!), simple carbs, soda, coffee (eeek) and animal products of any kind. The main goal of this book is to eliminate all the "chemicals" we put into our bodies by eliminating all of this things (including eggs, cheese, meats, and various drinks).

Alcohol is a big no-no on this list except for organic red wine, which I find hilarious since there is a drink called the Skinny Bitch which consists of vodka and diet soda.

This book is rather hilarious with it's raunchy language and chapter titles such as "Sugar is the Devil" and "Pooping", but it's nothing you haven't learned from high school health class. It's mainly a do's and mostly don'ts about what to eat. There are recipes in the back along with a supporting book list, however, I can't see myself craving to eat Tofu scrambled with zucchini and kale more than an egg-white spinach omelet.

Another aspect of this book which annoyed me was how they kept non-chalantly kept telling you to be loosen with your wallet when food shopping and only to get the best of the best. Now, I like my $7 Bom Dia Acai Berry Juice as much as anyone, but I'm lucky if I get out of the grocery store for less than $110 buying reasonably healthy food. I have no idea how I would be able to afford buying strictly Vegan/Organic... and talk about your Girl's Nights Out flying out the window! Where would you be able to eat unless you live in a major city where Vegan Restaurants run rampant.

All in all, if you're looking for a book that's like Jillian Michaels word-slapping you, then give it a whirl. In all honesty, I would rather be fat than a Skinny Bitch according to this book.

Money Monday

2010-03-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

You’re more than likely picking up this magazine, sipping on your $5.00 latte and worrying about this recession and how little is in your bank account… am I correct? Well, I am here to put your worries to rest and introduce you to a new way of living called the Frugalista (or Frugalisto, for you gentlemen out there) Life. It’s a life of living fabulously, for less.

Why be so frugal, you ask? In this economy, would you rather spend $5.00 a day for your non-fat, no-whipped, half-café latte or would you like to put that $35.00 in your savings or 401K? I’m guessing you’ve picked the latter. But why give up your wonderful life to do so? I’m going to give you some tips on how to be frugal, yet live the life you want without feeling like your sacrificing.

First of all, let’s talk food. We all know eating out is wonderful. You don’t have to work at it- just show up and pay and you’ve had your gourmet dinner. Well, dining out costs 65% more than cooking for yourself. Scared of the idea of whipping up your own dinner? Go slow and try a recipe with less than 10 ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. Rachel Ray makes many cookbooks around this subject.

With regard to shopping, try your local grocery store before going to a chain. They’re much more likely to have better sales and fresher stock than a Shaw’s or Big Y. Farmer’s Markets are also a good way to pick up your fruits, veggies and herbs for a fraction of the cost.

Now, let’s go back to that coffee conundrum. Say you drink one Starbuck’s coffee a day. That equals to about $15 a week which is roughly $800 a year! I say buy yourself a Keriug, a travel mug and some K-Cups and call it a day! This way, you will save about $700 a year which can be put towards your saving, credit card payment or a splurge on a cart full of new outfits from Target!

That’s all for Money Monday- check back tomorrow when we’ll be talking about weight and how to loose it according to the “Skinny Bitch”!

Designers for Less on Fashion Friday!

2010-02-26T08:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Frugalista Life's Fashion Friday! This week, we will be exploring the fabulous trend of couture designers working with mass-market stores like Target and Kmart!

Jean Paul Gaultier (yes, THE Jean Paul Gaultier) is designing a line for Target that hits stores March 7th! This line is inspired by American Pop Culture so look for alot of texture and embellishments with this line.

Also designing for Target, Liberty of London! This British Brand Brings it's signature floral prints to an affordable market! Look out! Liberty of London hits store March 14th with items starting at $12.99!

French Designer, Sonia Rykiel hits H&M with her signature knit-wear with a Parisian flair. Her designs are in stores now and start at $5.95! All are super-feminine and superflattering!

Jen Groover and her Bulter Bags be $400 no more! Ms. Groover recently began designing a line of her Butler organizing bags for KMART which are in stores now and begin at a mere $29.99!

This trend of high-designers working with stores such as Target and H&M is hopefully one that will continue as we at Frugalista Life LOVE the styles and prices. Next time you're out and about looking for some couture- why not stop by Target for some originial Jean Paul Gaulteir??? ;)

The Mommyologist

2010-02-26T07:11:00.000-08:00

We here at Frugalista Life like to give credit where credit is due... first of all, I would like to thank my good friend, Mary, the Mommyologist for introducing me to the blogging community and helping me get my foot in the door.

For those of you who have not read her blog, it is an insightful, hilarious look and mommy-hood with a breath of much needed honesty. I encourage you all to visit her site, the Mommyologist and keep up with her and her little man who happens to be my buddy as well (which makes her posts extra hillarious!)

What Would You Buy?

2010-02-25T08:10:00.000-08:00

In a recent article in People Style, we discovered that you can purchase one FABULOUS Chanel Highlighting Compact or eight mid-priced beauty products. Let's let our readers decide... what would you buy?

A) One Chanel Highlighting Compact $65.00

B) One Physicians Formula Mineral Bronze Compact $13.95

One Rimmel London Glam Eyes Mascara $7.49

One CoverGirl Smokey ShadowBlast Eye Shadow $7.49

One Almay Intense i-Color Eyeliner $7.49

One Mark Color and Shine Lip Gloss $7.00

One Maybelline New York Expert Wear Blush $5.50

One E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Lifter $3.00

One Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick $12.00

You choose... what would you buy?

What's New Wenesday

2010-02-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to "What's New Wednesday"- our newst segement at Frugalista Life. This is where we tell you the latest gossip and trends when it comes to money, fashion, and saving you some cash. This week- we have the latest and greates Aps that can help you while shopping!

LikeThis- Click a pic of your item and this app will search the web for items similar in style and color- the best part about this app- it's free!

Sale Price- Enter in a item's price, discount and tax and the app will compute exactly how much the item is selling for (and how much you're saving!)! Another great reason to get this app- it's free!

Shop Style- Look for items on sale with this app that helps you refine your search to show only items on sale in almost every store you can think of...Net-A-Porter.com to Old Navy.com! Best part- this app is also free!

Fashion Friday

2010-02-19T19:59:00.000-08:00

To our Fugalista Lifers~
Introducing our additional weekly segment called Fashion Friday. Check back here every Friday for tips on looking and feeling fabulous while not breaking the bank! We give you experienced style insight (like everyone, we've had our terrific shopping moments and terrible shopping moments... we will share everything!) and we offer plentiful advice on how to shop, reconstruct and wear clothing, accessories, shoes, beauty - everything in regards to fashion!
Thanks for joining us for Fashion Friday.... today's tip:

Nothing wrong with being thrifty!

OK, we do suggest that you stay away from the sequent shoulder-padded thigh length dress you found collecting dust in the back of your local thrift store- even if it's only $1. Soon enough, you'll have a closet filled with 50 questionable "dollar-finds," and you'll then realize what you could have purchased that would be a excellent condition and in season (a new bag and pair of shoes at Target, perhaps?). However, what we strongly add is that you can find stylish, gently used clothing for a fraction of department store prices at various second hand shops your grandmother didn't sell to (we love you, Grammy). Here are a few of our favorites: Plato's Closet, Buffalo Exchange, Once Upon A Child, and of course, DIY. There are plenty of online stores, such as Deja Vu Vintage on Etsy, Snow Jane Vintage, Neon Life Vintage & Art House Vintage (...we like vintage). Have fun, and don't hesitate to ask us anything! Your fashionistas are here to help ;)

Money Mondays

2010-02-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Fugalista Lifers~
Welcome to our new weekly segment called Money Monday. Check back here every Monday for tips on saving, spending and using your money wisely. We will be introducing new tools to help you keep track of your spending and hopefully save some bucks in the process!
Welcome to Money Monday.... today's tip:

Keep your receipts!
Keep your receipts for at least a year- or more! You'll be amazed at what you can write off during tax season and get some of that hard-earned cash back! Go to Target and get a clearance box and toss your receipts in there and go through once a month and separate by category and bind with a paperclip. Come tax season, you'll be glad you did.

The Sits Girls

2010-02-14T12:52:00.000-08:00

The Frugalista Life Gals are now members of the SitsGirls! Visit their website for more information!

Waste Not Thy Beauty Products

2010-02-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

... and we're back!

The frugalistas apologize for the long absence, but we've returned better than ever! Here are some great beauty product tips to kick off this month of romance: A Frugalista Lifer doesn't just buy any old product that's out there just because it's cheap. We splurge on Estee Lauder and Paul Mitchell just as much as the next woman... the only difference is, we know how to work out products to our advantage. In the post-holiday coma we've all been in (including us!), we're all watching our food portions. What about your product portions? Follow this guide and you'll be saving your precious products for months to come.

For your beautiful face:

Facial Moisturizer
The Right Size: Two Peanuts
The Wrong Size: A tasteless glob on your finger tips - to use facial moisturizer in it's most effective way, apply while the skin is still moist (not wet) in two small peanut sized amounts.

Under Eye Concealer
The Right Size: A tic-tac
The Wrong Size: The amount of facial moisturizer you use - who says you can't get so much for so little? We do! Tab this mint sized amount and lightly tab to conceal dark circles.

Eye Cream
The Right Size: A pea
The Wrong Size: Whatever comes out after you smoosh your finger into the tiny container -eye creams are perhaps the most costly of the facial products so you'll want to use it sparingly, yet, effectively. Pat the size of a pea under your eye lashes to smooth those crows-feet and bags away!

Foundation
The Right Size: A Bottle Cap
The Wrong Size: Whatever amount fits in your hand - to avoid a "caked-on" look, pour the size of a round beer bottle cap onto the back of your hand and brush those flaws away!

For your rockin' body:

Sunscreen
The Right Size: Three Grapes (you pick the color)
The Wrong Size: So much that you're wiping your hands on your sandy towel afterward - divide your body into three sections and apply grape-sized sunblock on each section. This will help you to remember to put more on when you get more color in one area and also save you money. However, please remember that you can never use too much sunblock. Use as much as you think to prevent sun damage.

For your gorgeous hair:

Shampoo
The Right Size: For long hair, the size of an Oreo cookie. For short, the size of a Hershey's Kiss The Wrong Size: Squirting the bottle into your palm while it drips down into the tub - it's very easy to over-do shampoo, especially in the morning before our wake-up lattes. Save your suds by applying said amounts to your palm and massaging your scalp and working your way about half way down your hair where dirt and oil tends to build.

Styling Cream
The Right Size: For fine hair, a dime. For thick hair, two nickles.
The Wrong Size: Scooping out two fingers worth of cream into your palms - styling cream an go horribly wrong horribly fast. Swipe out a dime or nickle sized amount to apply to dry hair to smooth away fly-aways and keep your coif in line.

That's our product saving tips for the day. Check back for more from your Frugalista Life Gals!

After-Holiday Clean Up

2009-12-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

Don’t throw away used wrapping paper that still has potential! Besides neatly folding it back for next year’s usage, there are plenty of other ways to utilize wrapping paper to reduce waste, save money and add a little more color to your daily life.

- Spice up your office supplies (wrap colorful wrapping paper around tins, pencils, etc)
- Shred it and use it as packaging material
- Make book covers
- Frame the prettiest paper for wall art
- Save the rest in your arts & crafts box to use for future projects

Cool tip I found out today: when wrapping gifts, use a small piece of fishing line underneath the piece of tape, leaving small ends on the outside. This allows a smooth, clean unwrapping so the paper can be reused.

Ribbon and tissue paper can also be saved. Have fun! Save the earth. ;)

2009? Go Out With A Bang!

2009-12-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

The exciting New Year is approaching! We have a great feeling that 2010 is going to be an amazing year… why not go out with a bang? Here are some good tips to have an enjoyable night with friends while not having to spend much money, especially after the recent holidays.

Use online invitations, either by regular email or Evite.com (my favorite). This way, you are able track RSVPs and guests’ comments. You also have the ability of sending everyone updates all at once.

Decorations can be inexpensive but also festive and glamorous. You can use balloons and streamers (one never can go wrong there) but also use the help of your holiday decorations. Take down the Christmas tree, menorahs and Santas, but leave up the Christmas lights and red poinsettias. Dim the house lights, take out the candles and turn up the music for a romantic mood.

For beverages, stock up on one to two signature drinks, in addition to non-alcoholic options (announce these signature drinks in your Evite so guests who wish to have something different can bring their own). And FIY: a bottle of wine amounts to 5 servings, bottle of champagne equals 6 servings, and one liter of alcohol makes up to 22 mixed drinks.

With food, keep it as simple as possible. Instead of a 3-course meal that would take you 3,000 hours to prepare (when you should be spending that time relaxing and getting that massage you deserve), serve finger food and appetizers from the frozen food section of the grocery store (they are easier to serve, easier to eat and saves money for you). Create a little more glamour by serving these appetizers on attractive, festive dishes. If you really don’t want to deal with serving all of your guests food, suggest pot luck.

Children: set up a kid-friendly room with games, a DVD player, and/or radio. Inexpensive snacks and drinks can be crackers, cookies, fruit snacks, juice, milk and water. And what New Year’s Eve party is complete without noisemakers? You can find plenty of options at your local $1 store or have everyone make or bring their own.

As for dishware, I stress you to not use paper goods. Reduce waste by not throwing everything out after one use. Concerned for water? Invest in a water bin that will fit in your sink. Washing a few dishes won’t kill you! You had a fabulous night, so what could bring your beautiful, fabulous self down?

Happy New Year from your Frugalistas, and we wish you lots of fun, happiness & love!

Wishing You Peace, Love, & Joy

2009-12-22T10:38:00.000-08:00

Season's Greetings, dear Frugalistas! We hope that you have been not been too strained this month! Take some time for yourself, your family and loved ones. Take a bubble bath, have some hot cocoa by the fire place, let your inner child explore by making crafts with your kids. Relax...

Your Frugalistas wanted to apologize for the regrettable absence. As the holidays have been time-consuming, thus not putting up more material as we wished, we will be back full-throttle for the very exciting New Year! We have so many articles to share with you, fabulous events are being planned and our own, exclusive Frugalista Life website is on its way!

Thank you for your patience, and as always we appreciate you all.

Happy Holidays! and Love,

Homemade Gift Ideas

2009-12-09T17:26:00.000-08:00

Fa la la la laaaaaa! The holidays are approaching, and the "money-savvy vibe" is everyone’s strongest yet! Frugalista, are you stuck, indecisive or out of ideas on how to show your loved ones you appreciate them without breaking the bank? We’re here to help you.

This article could be endless! I’ll put together my favorite crafts for you, especially the ones I have found most successful in the past years of gift-giving. Of course, homemade gifts require a little more creativity, though they can also be very enjoyable to make (if you have kids, get them involved!) and crafts by hand can be very heart-warming and more filled with love.

Gifts in a jar The contents could be something already made, or you can put together the ingredients for them to make cocoa, cookies, or brownies (yum). If you choose the ingredients option, make sure you include a tag with baking instructions! Wrap the top of the jar in decorate fabric & ribbon.

A side note: If you’re having trouble coming up with gift ideas for the men in your life, you can never go wrong with food! Have his much loved baked-good wrapped or add a variety of his favorites to a basket with a side of his favorite bottled drink.

Christmas Tree Ornaments Gather up arts & crafts supplies, photos, magazine clippings… creativity could be infinite. Make up a decoupage photo frame, or something that simply sparkles!

Tie-Dye/Customized Tees You can buy plain tees in all varieties of colors at your local craft store. Stitch, paint tie-dye… let your creativity soar, keeping in mind the receiver’s personal style (my 17-year-old brother wouldn’t be thrilled with glitter and unicorns, no matter how amused I would be). Add their favorite quotes, drawings or symbols.

Bookmarks This one is really fun for kids. Cut out strips of colored paper, about 6” tall and 2” wide. Decorate with drawings, paint, glitter, stickers, etc. To reinforce strength, cover with lamination paper or plastic sleeves. Add a tossle for embellishment. Add a book to the gift, promote reading!

Personalized Calendar You can print out a blank calendar online for free and then decorate it, either by scrap booking photos or adding the receiver’s favorite artwork!

Coupons These are really fun, whether they are intended for children, friends or significant other. Cut out large rectangles of colorful paper and create your own coupons that can only be redeemed by you! Or, print them out from a huge selection online. Here are some funny examples: http://www.givecoupons.com/

Photo Frames & Photo Albums A well-printed photo in a simple frame could be the perfect gift (you can buy quality frames at your local dollar store), although you can also put a personal touch to it by decorating it with gems, stickers, glitter… anything you want! Scrapbook within a photo album to make it more personal and creative.

Music This is always a favorite gift of mine, whether it’s giving or receiving. Burn a CD of music your friends and family would really like but may not have in their collection already. Do some snooping in their iTunes or simply ask them. Does somebody (or lots of somebodies) you know need to relax? Burn them a meditation soundtrack. I remember Ashley asking me for some booty-shakin’ tracks last year, so I put together two CDs of the most bass-filled, best killer-beat artists I had at that time. We’ve rocked out together several times.

Frugalistas, this is my list of homemade crafts you can make for the people in your life on any occasion, whether it’s a holiday, celebration or a I-just-wanted-to-let-you-know-that-you-rock moment (well, besides the Christmas ornaments). Have fun, and as always, let your creativity explore!

How to Get Sick the Frugalista Way!

2009-12-02T16:27:00.000-08:00

After about two weeks of struggling with a runny nose on top of being over worked- it finally happened- I got sick. And not just any sick- the rampant flu that is plaguing everyone and their brother. Usually- this would send someone into financial hell- the doctor visits, the co-pays, the medication, sick days, etc, but not the frugalista lifer! Let’s face it- getting sick is no picnic, but at least maybe we can salvage a few bucks in the process.
We all know, there is a Frugalista way to do everything- even getting sick. Follow my short steps and you will in fact save money (and maybe loose a few pounds) in the process.

ACKNOWLDGE THE SICKNESS EARLY
After a few days of being sick- acknowledge it! Go and see a doctor so you don’t wind up sick as a dog in a cold waiting room somewhere or (even worse!) sitting in the hospital ER already dreading the $100 or more co-pay you’re going to pay. Seeing your doctor early will get you on meds and healing faster resulting in less sick time and less time in pain.

BUY GENERIC
Whether your doctor prescribes you medication or just recommends you take a certain OTC drug- buy generic. If the doctor gives you a name brand pill, ask the pharmacist if there is a generic and if you can substitute that for the name brand. Usually, pharmacies have a $3 or $4 dollar program for generics so take full advantage if you can. Also, if the doctor recommends taking a zinc or other Over-the-Counter drug, there is usually a generic. Let me tell you, IT’S THE SAME THING! It’s usually even made by the same company and usually about half of the price! Same thing goes for tissues and cough drops, OJ, etc.

CUT DOWN ON SICK DAYS
Sometimes, with a little sniffle and some not so subtle begging- your boss may let you work from home in lieu of taking a sick day. If this is the case, seriously work from home. Don’t just sit around and respond/send the occasional email. Start or finish a project and show your superiors that you can juggle the work load. If you have to take a nap in the middle of the day- email your boss and be honest about taking the time off in the middle of the day. Even of you take half of a sick day- it’s better to have that time to fall back on at a later date. If you have a job where you don’t have paid sick days, try to go into work if you can. If you feel well enough and are not contagious, get up and try to work. It’s better to go home after a few hours then giving up a full day of work when you could have worked for a few hours. Be honest and let your boss know that you are not feeling well when you get in a promise to “try and make it through the day”. If you can’t, at least you tried and didn’t give up a whole day’s worth of pay.

So, there is it Frugalistas! Your guide to getting sick- and getting better for less! May you colds be fleeting and your flu’s be few.

Frugalista Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T10:38:00.001-08:00

The holiday season is officially here with Thanksgiving only a few days away! Your frugalistas at Frugalista Life will be pouring tons of creative, frugal tips and ideas to have a gorgeous holiday of food and decorations. These Thanksgiving ideas will not only help you save money during this season but also throughout the year!

Linens, such as napkins or tablecloths, can run on the pricey side, but you can definitely get away with cheaper options for this annual event. Many dollar stores offer attractive tablecloths that would be perfectly acceptable by your loved ones (they love you no matter what, anyway). And, not only does it make the dinner table more elegant, but using non-paper plates and napkins will save you money in the long run and help reduce waste.

Decorate from nature! Instead of wasting your hard-earned dollar on cartoonish, plastic decorations, scatter colorful (clean) leaves on the table. Add twigs and berries to an assortment of fall flowers for a centerpiece. Decorate the whole house with little pumpkins and gourds. Christmas ornaments (especially glass balls) look lovely when delicately placed in a pretty bowl. Candles, table runners and other artistic, holiday-themed objects are easily found at second-hand shops.

Here are some great crafts for the kids: You can go a far way with construction paper year-round, and I remember having so much fun doing this project. Create a turkey by tracing a hand and cutting it out of brown construction paper (or pink or blue, whatever you’d like). Your thumb is the turkey’s head and the rest of your fingers are its feathers! (Here's an example of a Hand Turkey) Or, you could be a little more elaborate and cut out several “hands” to become an array of feathers on a separate turkey’s body. Decorate with markers, glitter, anything your little one desires! (Look at this cute Festive Turkey Basket)

Older children can create fall-colored placemats: first, fold a piece of paper in half. Cut a series of lines from the fold to the edge, but leave a “1 border. Unfold it. Out of other colorful pieces of paper, cut several “1 wide long strips. Weave the strips into the first piece of paper, making sure that each piece is pushed up next to the previously woven piece. Secure the ends with glue or tape. Walla! An adorable placemat ready for the festivities.

Pine cones are also great to use during the holiday season! Decorating them with glitter can be very pretty; hang the cones up with a piece of yarn or string. Other craft items found around the house can be made useful, such as colorful pipe cleaners, pom poms, markers, paper rolls, and feathers to make little animals! Click here to look at this little guy, he’s so cute!

A beautiful Thanksgiving home isn’t essential to enjoy the delicious food and company, but it does add something a little more special in honor of the holidays. With a little imagination, you can garnish your home fabulously and still have plenty of money to spend on dinner.

DIY Hair Color

2009-11-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

Calling all brunettes, redheads and blondes! Whether you visit the salon every 6 weeks or stroll through your day al naturalé, there’s always room for addition shine to your locks.

Julie Gabriel, the author of The Green Beauty Guide, created these natural ingredients for a temporary boost and vibrancy to your hair. It only takes a few minutes a week, and you won’t have the mess of dyes, chemicals, or odors!

Blondes

What you need: 1 lemon, 1 raw potato, ½ cup chamomile tea (room temperature)

What you do: Grate potato and blend with inside of lemon to form a paste (squeeze out the lemon juice before doing so). Then, add tea. Massage mixture lightly into clean, damp hair. Cover with PVS-free shower cap or plastic wrap, and then evenly heat with hair dryer for 3 minutes. Rinse and style, you bombshell blonde!

Redheads

What you need: 2 medium carrots, 2 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons yogurt, ½ cup cranberries

What you do: Chop carrots in a food processor or blender along with cranberries. Add yogurt and honey and mix well. Add evenly to clean, damp hair and keep in for 2 minutes. Rinse and style, you ravishing redhead!

Brunettes

What you need: ½ cocoa powder, ½ cup plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

What to do: Whisk all ingredients together into paste and apply to clean, damp hair for 3 minutes (remember to wrap a towel around your neck to avoid dripping and temporarily staining your skin). Rinse and style, you breathtaking brunette!

Enjoy your enhanced color, frugalista, and be cautious as to not break necks as you walk down the street.

Frugal Exercise Activities

2009-11-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

Hopefully, you’re now thinking about fitness as a frugal (and easy!) activity, while being relatively cheap in regards to equipment and being more convenient to your schedule and location. Here’s the thing, if you really want the gym membership, use it or lose it. Another good tip about working out is strength in numbers. People tend to stay more motivated when they’re within a group towards a common goal (I would never make it through an hour of core strength yoga without being surrounded by other people watching). Have a friend to work out with, or join a community class.

Here are some activities you can definitely do even in your busy work week:

Like I said before, there are countless media resources available at the tips of your fingers, literally. Not only can you borrow DVDs from your library or from friends, check out www.YouTube.com and type in whatever fitness activity interests you the most. One of my favorite sites, http://www.5min.com/Category/Fitness, has 5-minute fitness videos for not only gym exercises or yoga, but also for kids. 5 minutes is perfect during the week for the busy bee, and it’s so much healthier than nothing.

Here’s a good one: walking. No equipment needed and you get plenty of fresh air. This is especially great if you have a dog. Try to take a quick stroll around the block before you get ready for work (wave to that cute neighbor you’ve been eyeing, he’ll love that cute new bod you’re sporting). For instance, I live about mile away from work so I walk. It’s not only good for my legs but also great points for my carbon footprint.

Rock out while cleaning! I do this on a weekly basis. Turn up the volume to your favorite music that gets you moving and scrub the heck out of that floor. Overall, just move! Grab your girls and go out dancing!

Gardening is also a good calorie burner. Depending on the size of your garden and the types of plants you tend to, you can get a pretty good work-out while make your fabulous life even a little more colorful.

Have a free weekend? Go hiking for a scenic change and it’s great for all seasons (hiking is also a fun free date, bring a picnic!) Ice skating is also a fun date idea as well. From personal experience, it’s a great work out for your arms and your laughing muscles to pick yourself, or your date, up after falling a thousand times. Enjoy a hot chocolate cocktail afterward.

Community and state parks often year round trails, tennis courts, swimming pools and fitness courses you can participate in. Check out your town’s website for more info.

The world is your playground, frugalista! Go play.

Your Frugalistas: Ashley & Kait

2009-11-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

How to WORK a Sale!

2009-11-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

Hey Frugalistas! So... many people ask me how I stumble on such great deals. It's no great secret- I just know how to work a sale and after following my four easy steps, so will you! This is what works for me, so feel free to put your own spin on these steps. Follow the essentials and I'm sure you'll be walking out of any sale happy and under-budget!

MAKE A PLAN
I'm not talking about making a list of what you want to buy (because then you know you will never find it!), just be prepared. Take a look around your closet and dresser to re-fresh your memory of what you already have so you can add to your wardrobe. Borrow a magazine from a friend so you know what the latest trends and styles are so you can update your closet with a "now" piece. Put together a game plan of what stores you want to hit up and in what order. I usually go to the furthest spot first and work my way back. Lastly, I know we all love to shop with girlfriends, but usually I come across my best finds solo. Sometimes you just need some peace and clarity without dealing with a friend's issues. Bring your ipod instead and make a mellow "shopping" playlist so you have some stimulation while hitting the racks.

DRESS THE PART
Wear make-up. Yes, I said it, wear some make-up. You're going to be looking at yourself all day in dressing room mirrors so why not look your best? Plus, sales associates are naturally drawn to people who are put together. They will be your guide when getting another size to finding your item in another store/location. You'll want to wear quick on/off items like a shirt dress and flats to make dressing room trips easier. Don't pile on accessories or perfume for this shopping trip- it will just cause you added stress. Wear the right underwear! If you're shopping for a special occasion, bring the bra you plan on wearing to avoid any fit/strap surprises later on. I am also a BIG fan on thongs as they show no panty-lines and can be worn with virtually any outfit. Lastly, carry a roomy purse. This allow you to carry a bottle of water, a snack, and all your essentials while shopping (even throw your Spanx in there!). Make sure it's something not too heavy but comfortable on your shoulder.

WHEN YOU GET THERE
Now comes the moment of truth. You've arrived at the store. Your head is clear, your body is hydrated, your mind ready to find some great bargains... so next are some rules while actually shopping. Keep an open mind when it comes to sizes. Every designer/store/brand/whatever has its own rules on what is a four compared to a six. If you have to go a size bigger, so what! As long as it fits nicely and looks good (and what doesn't!) don't be so nit-picky about the size. When trying on clothes, bring the next size up and then next size down into the dressing room with you. This will save you time and energy running around the store in your socks trying to find another size. Once in the dressing room, take your time. Walk around in the clothes, sit down, stand up- take them for a test drive. If you can't walk comfortably or do you business in what you're wearing, it's not worth it. Lastly, take a whirl. Make sure what you have on looks good from all angles, not just the front. God made us with curves, ladies, let's not forget them!

WHEN YOU GET HOME
Invoke what I call the 24 hour rule: Don't remove your tags for 24 hours after you've purchased the product. That way, if you wake up the next morning not loving it- you can return it with no hassle. Most importantly, save those receipts! I like to put them in an envelope and label it with the date, and reminders about what I bought so I can find a receipt if something needs to be exchanged or returned. On that note, keep your eyes peeled for further reductions. Most stores will refund you the difference if an item you purchased goes on a deeper sale after you've purchased the item. If you see this within two weeks of your purchase, take your receipt back to the store and kindly ask for a price adjustment. Usually, stores are very accommodating when it comes to this.

Lastly Frugalistas, enjoy your purchases! If you don't LOVE them, take them back! Life is too short to walk around it something that doesn't make you feel fabulous

Frugal Fitness

2009-11-07T11:11:00.000-08:00

We all know the building blocks of health: a well balanced diet and good exercise program. However, with our fast-paced society you can’t help buy the quick gym membership with the plan of stopping by at the end of the day and getting that work-out you need.

But what happens? You never go. You’re either too tired, you don’t have enough time, or the feeling that you’re regularly exercising by just having the membership is enough. That’s at least $30 a month, $360 a year, thrown away and you’re sitting home on the couch.

Your Frugalistas are here to help, since we both have been in the same exact situation. There are going to be several upcoming blogs on frugal fitness and health, including several resources to help stay in shape and happy (while saving a chunk of change!)

We all desire to be healthy and fit, but who could blame you for rather being comfortable at home after a stressful day in this big, bad world? Tired of wasting money on membership to some fancy gym that I never went to, I decided to step up. Not only am I getting my needed fitness at home, but it’s practically free! Here’s how I do it.

There are several work-out instructional videos available online (especially on youtube.com) and also at the library. The only tools you need for your home gym are your computer or TV, a fair amount of floor space, and your choice of inexpensive equipment:

A jump rope. Pick one up at Target for $2.50.

Resistance bands. They increase coordination, add variety and are great for all fitness levels. $3-6

Fitness ball. An excellent choice for core work. They also make exceptional office chairs if you are trying to keep your spine aligned and posture a priority. $15-20

An exercise or yoga mat. They provide great non-slip support, and roll up thin for storage. $10

A decent pair of athletic shoes. These will a little more of an investment, considering you need good quality for proper foot alignment and something to last for a long time. Shoes are the only thing required for running, power walking, hiking, and aerobics. $50-100

Dumbbells. Lifting weights, even something as simple as exercising with small dumbbells, make your joints stronger, prevents osteoporosis by increasing bone mass, and promotes weight loss by adding muscle mass and losing fat. 2 for $20

Stairs. Perfect for raising your heart rate and working those legs. Free.

Reusable water bottle. Keep yourself hydrated while being environmentally friendly. $5-10

The great aspect about all of these tools is that storage space is minimal.

Check us out soon for upcoming articles on frugal exercise activities, and online/book/DVD and community resources!

2009-11-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

Here we are in faithful Target with a few but great examples of how you, gorgeous Frugalista, can shop clearance while still looking and feeling fabulous! Finding your classic black dress, looking like your favorite actress, or making a skirt for all seasons for under $20? You're welcome.

Dress like Audrey for Less!

2009-10-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Audrey Hepburn. That name sends shivers down the spine of every fastionista. She is the epitome of style, class and fashion. What woman wouldn’t have loved to be dressed by Dior and Givenchy themselves? We recently read an article on how to dress like Audrey Hepburn for under one thousand dollars. Um, one thousand dollars? As a frugalista, I’m thinking “I don’t think so”! But who wouldn’t just adore to dress like the impeccable Miss Hepburn? So, I’m going to show you how for less than one hundred dollars!

First, let’s take her trendy, beatnik look in Funny Face. This outfit is easily obtained by a $24.00 H&M black turtleneck, $10.00 black leggings (or, for those of us less brave, $24.00 pencil black pants from Forever 21) and a pair of black ballet flats (anywhere from $10.00-$20.00 at Payless or Target). Voila! Instant classic Audrey!

Secondly, who doesn’t just worship her look in Breakfast at Tiffany’s? To achieve this look, just pull out your LBD (Little Black Dress) and a pair of black pumps. Purchase yourself some $5.00 to $10.00 dark sunglasses at either Forever 21 Accessories or Target and pull the look together with a layered pearl necklace from Forever 21 Accessories (about $8.80). Hello, gorgeous!

To accomplish her Roman Holiday look (this look best be saved until spring and summer). Just pull out a plain white oxford and roll up the sleeves as far as they will go. Purchase a long, flared (linen preferably) at Target or Goodwill and a belt that will fit snugly around your waist. This should not cost you more than $20.00 for the skirt and belt. Bonus, since it is officially fall, most sandals are on clearance at places like Target, DSW Shoe warehouse and your other favorite shoe stores. Since strappy greek style sandals were SO in this summer, you should have no trouble finding a pair for $15.00 or less on clearance. Just put this look together and perhaps your Gregory Peck will find you as well!

So here are three Audrey Hepburn looks for under $100.00! Get dolled up and feel like the fashion icon Miss Hepburn still is. Timeless, Classic, and of course, Frugalistic!

A Fun and Frugal Halloween

2009-10-25T18:02:00.000-07:00

Don't become frightened at the high costs of the holidays, including upcoming Halloween! If you handle this All Hallows Eve the frugalista way, costumes, decorations and even candy can be very inexpensive. All you need are a few tricks to treat your wallet…

Costumes can be a killer on your finances, but with a little time and effort the best costumes can be made cheaply and even come right out of your own wardrobe. A perfect example is when we took a trip to Ocean State Job Lot. Ashley’s costume was derived in a matter of minutes: delicate, glittery wings for $4.99, white nighty (ooo la la) for $3 and body shimmer for $1.99. Walla! A gorgeous fairy for $10. The matching tights and ballet slippers were already in her closet, waiting at home for free.

Be creative and have fun, frugalista! Sift through your wardrobe and household items and see what brilliant ideas you can come up with. Check out Goodwill and Salvation Army. Reuse costumes from Halloweens past, or ask a family member or friend to borrow theirs. There are so many ideas out there, we’re positive you can come up with something totally free and fabulous!

Now, for the sweet-toothed penny pincher: discount stores offer low prices on generic brand candy that is just as tasty as leading brand names. As always, keep an eye out for coupons and sales for a sweet deal. Another alternative is to buy a box of small plastic sandwich bags and filling them with gum, plastic rings, pencils or other low-cost toys you can buy at your local dollar store.

Another scary situation: after Christmas, Halloween is the most decorated holiday in the United States and is becoming a huge moneymaker. Don't let these retail corporations suck you into highly priced dry-ice cauldrons and shrieking heads: enlist the help from your kids and few inexpensive items. One of our favorites is hanging ghosts: all you need are a box of tissues, cotton balls, yarn and a black marker. Wrap the middle of a single tissue around 2 or 3 cotton balls (this creates the ghost’s head), and tie a piece of yarn around to form the neck. Draw a face with the marker, and hang several of these in your home or outside on a tree. Here’s a picture of what they look like: Frugal, yet spooky, tissue ghosts. Fake spider webs, including the spiders, are also extremely cheap while adding a very creepy effect to wherever you choose!

After the holiday is over, invest in an inexpensive storage container and save all of these items to use next year (leave the rotting pumpkins for the compost). Set aside the haunted hayrides and scary music to spook you on this Halloween and not the investments of costumes or candy.Have a glamorous All Hollow’s Eve, frugalista!

The Make-Up Hook-Up

2009-10-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ladies, we all have our favorite brand of make-up...

Almay, Clinique, Neutrogena, Estee Lauder... we know it, we love it, but we certainly pay for it.

My favorite hot-spot for make-up (my brand is Almay SmartShade) is Big Lots... for the price of one tube at Target- I got three (yes three) tubes of foundation PLUS the smart concealer. How can you beat that? Places like Big Lots and Ocean State Job Lots carry brand name make-up for a third of the cost simply because the chain stores were overstocked or they discontinued carrying that specific color/brand/type of make-up. I will admit, it is hit or miss... but when you do hit, stock up because there is no guarantee that it will be there again in the future.

Big Lots and Ocean State are also good for stocking up on hair products, brushes, hair accessories, etc. Take a trip in the next few days and see what you can find. As always, don't buy something for the sake of it costing $2.00. Make sure that you love it and you will use it- otherwise, save you money for another Frugalista purchase.