Boot-cut jeans from Banana Republic

I recently went through my closet to find jeans to donate because the collection can grow pretty quickly and plus I just like to donate to charities.

I found several pairs to give away. Anyway....

I ordered these Indigo boot-cut jeans from Banana Republic.com for $45.99 sale (regular $78.00).

They fit very comfortable without feeling tight. They are very flattering and chic without being overly trendy. These are a classic pair that will last.

Great price for a great pair of jeans.

Mark. Helps Your Eyes Shimmer

I have been searching for a sparkly, iridescent eye shadow and I found one in the mark. catalog. I ordered this mark. I-Glimmer Illuminating Eye Color ($6.00, avon.com)

It blends into the skin with a sheer wash of iridescent shine. I like the it starts off creamy and turns into a powder. It's worth the six dollars because the quality of the eye shadow is quite good.

Palmer's Olive Butter Body Balm

Even though this is not sandal season (depending on where you live), I still like to keep my feet nice and soft. I use Palmer's Olive Butter Formula Organic Body Balm ($5.99, drugstores).

Before going to bed, I rub this in and put on a pair of socks then in the morning I have smooth and soft feet. You can use this on other parts of the body too, I just like to use it for my feet.

Total Hair Recovery

Another product I tried for dry hair relief is VO5 Total Hair Recovery ($5.99, drugstores).

I used it for a few months before I went to my hair stylist and she actually said my hair did not feel dry (usually she says it's a little dry).

The directions say you are suppose to use it once a month but I use it twice a month for 10 - 20 minutes and had pretty good results.

Q & A: budget

I got an e-mail with a question asking me, how much do you budget for beauty products?

I budget $50 a month for beauty products and that includes online purchases too. Sometimes I don't buy a lot of products during the month. The money I have left over I just add it to next month's $50.

Deep Cleaning Facial Mask

A month ago, I mentioned to a friend over the phone, whose lives in TX, that I've been looking for a new facial mask to try and she recommended Farmaesthetics Rosehip & Clay Mint Mask (4 oz. for $19.00, farmaesthetics.com).

It contains organically grown peppermint leaves & rosehips which are suppose to remove oil and bring down skin inflammation. I found it easy to use and I saved money because I mixed only the amount that was needed with water (use filtered or bottle water for best results) to create a paste.

From directions: Let dry to tingling then remove with water.

A Cute Cardigan

I thought this Wallpaper Ella Cardigan $25.50 (delias.com) was cute and I was thinking about all the different ways I could wear this.

It's different because it has that victorian era look to it. It would look great with a button down shirt or a cami.

Reader's Frugal Glam Product

Since the snow storm sort a put a pause on my posting I thought I would post a reader's product review.

Evelyn washes her face with store brand baby wipes and they cost less than $2 a pack. The last thing she splurged on was Bath Fragrance by Bobbi Brown for $40 (bobbibrowncosmetics.com or bergdorfgoodman.com) because it smells so clean and fresh.

Dry Scalp Relief

Sometimes, my scalp can become a little dry and I like to use AVEDA Scalp Remedy ($12.00, aveda.com) to help.

The first time I used it, my scalp tingled but it also felt like it was also cooling it. I know that this is for the scalp but it left my hair so soft. You are only suppose to use just a little bit and massage it into your scalp and don't rinse it out.

It's a small bottle and a bit pricey but you don't have to use a lot for it to work. You only need to use it 1-2 times a week until your scalp feels better, a little goes a long way.

Colour Perfect Lip Gloss

Okay, I know I'm a lip gloss addict but I really wanted to try Max Factor Colour Perfection Luxe Gloss ($5.99, drugstores).

The gloss gave a gorgeous shine to my lips and according to the package it contains conditioning petrolatum gel, vitamin E, aloe vera and shea butter to keep lips moisturized.

A Pretty Way to Stay Orgainzed

Wow it seems like Friday came really quick.

I am still sticking with my New Year's resolution of staying organized. Tuesday I ordered this Sweet Storage Desk Organizer from Pottery Barn Teen for $9.99 (pbteen.com).

I wanted something that I can put my mail in and this would keep the entry table clear. Hopefully it looks as nice as does in the picture when I receive it.

Side note: I might not have been a fan of Anna Nicole Smith but I feel bad for her family especially her new born daughter.

Another way to get your vitamins

So far this winter has been really cold and usually my skin would start to feel dry from all the extra indoor heat. Since I've been using ST. Ives Mineral Therapy Body Wash ($3.99, drugstores), my skin doesn't feel dry or irritated.

It's a very rich moisturizing body wash that contains potassium and iron to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin. It might not be in a glamorus bottle but as long as your skin looks glamorus that's all that matters to me.

Money Saving Tips

Today's post will be a little different. I decided not to post any products because I am working on my budget.

Looking pretty can become expensive sometimes. I am saving money for a future move and I also just want to have money in the bank instead of hanging in my closet as shoes, clothes, accessories. I enjoy trying to save money and I'm trying to figure out ways I can cut back and still look pretty.

Some of the ways I save money are:

Giving myself manicures and pedicures $$
Cutting back on buying magazines each month $$
I cook meals to reduce buying take out $$$
Check-out some books from the library (I read a lot) $$$
Go to Happy Hour $$
Drink water instead of pop $$
For clothes, buy quality over quantity and classic over trendy (most of the time) $$$
Go to parties at friends home instead of paying expensive prices for trendy clubs $$

What are you saving for? What are you willing to cut back on?

Products I use from Clinique

Lately, I have been obsessed with getting the perfect Bridget Bardot eye look. I bought Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner in True Black ($14.50, Clinique). It's small and a little expensive (I just adjusted my beauty budget) but I heard such good things about it. It's very easy to use and goes on effortless. I felt like a movie star because the liner look really great.

Another Clinique product that I buy seasonally is Clinique Clarifying Lotion (6.7 oz for $11.00, Clinique). I only buy this during the summer because I like to use a creamy exfoliate during the winter.

Also, the price is rather high but it does really work so I just limit my use to the summer. It's so easy to use and all you have to do is pour a little on a cotton ball and you will see dead skin cells wiped off.

Pink can be Authoritative

The weekend was so cold I didn't go any where. I enjoyed staying home watching TV and spending time with my family.

Sometimes I think my mom has ESP, because I was looking at this Nadalie Shirt by Lilly Pulitzer (celearance: $68.00 regular:$105.00, inthepink.com or where ever Lilly Pulitzer apparel is sold) last week and then I get a "just thinking of you" gift (and it's not even my birthday) from her and it's this shirt.

Maybe I had the website up, who knows. This is a great shirt for work especially if you work in a corporate setting and you want a little color and your personality to shine through.

Thanks mom

Winter Foot Care

Walking around in winter boots, my feets feel heavy and tired. I came up with a three step "treatment".

Step 1: I bought some comfy inner sols to put in my boots

Step 2: Foot massage

Step 3: Use Sally Hansen Spa Foot Moisture Mousse ($7.95, drugstores) on my feet after the foot massage. This is actually kind of cool because you squirt it out like hair mousse and just apply it to your feet. I can feel it tingling as soon as it's on.

Black History Month Feb. 1 - 28

It's not just Black History it's the US History.

A Must if you want soft and silky hands

If you love soft and smooth hands then you really need to buy Carol's Daughter Love Your Hands Kit ($22.95, carolsdaughter.com).

The kit includes: Lemon & Jojoba Cuticle Oil, Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar, Lemon & Rose Hand Cream, Orange Stick and Nail File/Buffer Combo

To keep my budget down (and to save money) I do my own manicure and pedicure. The Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar made my hands feel so soft (I would pay $22.95 for that alone).