Shoe Fever

Harajuku Lovers Laila

Steve Madden Trufle

Jessica Simpson Genaviv

Jessica Simpson Vanity

Jessica Simpson Lonna

Part 2 - CVS Shopping week of Feb. 1

I completely messed up at CVS after work this evening. I'm so dissapointed in myself.

I went to the CVS close to my house to see if they had the L'oreal cleansing wipes. I was going to buy the $30 Bayer monitor w/the $30 Bayer coupon to push me over the $50 mark to use my $10 off $50 CVS coupon, but the register wouldn't take it. It keep saying "coupon exceeds limit", the manager tried to adjust the value and it still wouldn't take it! So I had to take it off if it wouldn't take my coupon. Then....I gave the cashier an extra ECB which put me negative and had to pick something quick and bought gum. After I got home I realized I had a coupon for gum, but whatever, it probably would have make me negative again. FINALLY...I forgot to give the cashier my $1 off Glade CRT which would have made the Glade Lasting Impressions Fan w/2 refill pk free.

If I go back and tell them what happened, they'll give me the $1 back right? I'll be at CVS again before the end of the week anyway, so its not like I'm driving back just for the $1, right? LOL.

Anyway....this is how it should have rolled out...

$17.97/3 Loreal Cleansers
$6.99/1 Glade Lasting impressions Plug In+2 refills
=$24.96 - $5 Loreal Coupons - $4 Glade coupons - $1 Glade CRT= $14.96 -$14.99ECBs=
-$0.03+$0.62 tax = $0.59 OOP

Received $22 ECB ($20 ECB for Loreal (bought 1 cleanser earlier today), $2 ECB for Glade)

Instead...I handed over an extra $2.49 in ECB and forgot to hand over $1 Glade CRT. AND bought a pack of gum for to make the total positive.

GRRR!

CVS Shopping Week of Feb. 1st

I started following CVS deals blogs during the summer last year and finally jumped in on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving).

I think keeping track of my transactions on my blog will be pretty fun as I've pretty much bored my hubby to death with all the deals I talk about. I am so glad there are other ladies out there that I can share with that get as excited as I do shopping CVS (hubby will appreciate it too, lol). I'm linking my posts with Money Saving Mom and Centsible Sawyer as thats were I get to see everyone's deals posted.

I skipped the Glade deal this week as the 4 for $10 deal isn't going on in my area. At 4 for $12, it's not that great of a deal for me.

Here's what I got during lunch today:

$1.50/1 - Mr. GoodBar Chocolate Bar (for my co-worker who I dragged along)
$5.00/2 - Colgate Toothpaste
$2.00/2 - Softsoap
$4.99/1 - Bounty Basic 8pk
$5.99/1 - L'oreal Wipes (I could only find one)
$15.98/2 - Earinse (FREE after ECB)
$3.98/2 - CVS Beauty Cotton Balls (FREE after coupons and ECB)
$1.99/1 - CVS Chewable Aspirin (FREE after ECB)
$3.99/1 - Bodiheat pads 3pk (FREE after coupon and ECB)
$4.99/1 - Instant Energy 2pk (FREE after ECB)
Total $50.41
Coupons =
-$10 off $50 CVS CRT
-$3.00 (2 - $1.50 Colgate)
-$1.35 ($1.00+$.35 Sofsoap)
-$0.25 (Bounty)
-$2.00 (L'oreal)
-$2.00 (2 - $1.00 CVS Beauty)
-$1.00 (BodiHeat)

= $30.81-$3.00 Fall '08 Spending ECB-$28 ECB = -$0.19 plus $0.49 tax

Grand Total $0.30 OOP!

Received $27.96 ECB
$15.98 for Earinse
$2.00 for CVS Cotton Balls
$1.99 for CVS Chewable Aspirin
$3.00 for BodiHeat
$4.99 for Instant Energy 2pk

Wow! I made all but 4cents of my ECBs back!

$10 off ProActiv at QVC

I heard through my Google Reader blogs that QVC is offering a $10 credit. I passed it up because when I think of QVC I think of grandma-ish stuff. Well I found out they sell ProActiv products and I have been wanting to try out the Skin Lightening Lotion for my brown spots and old acne scars. Beautypedia highly rates this product as effective and I've never regretted following Paula's advice! So I ran back and searched "qvc" on my Google Reader and quickly signed up!

photo from QVC.com
I saved $5.69 by buying through QVC instead of my local mall ProActiv kiosk. Does anyone know if you can buy single products through the ProActiv website? I couldn't seem to find the option to do so.

I paid $17.58 with tax and shipping. I hope they have more deals so I can keep buying in the teens pricing. I dont think I can bare paying $25 for one ounce of cream every few weeks!

Candelabra Chandelier Project

I get a lot of neat stuff to decorate our home for free. Yup for free. My mom works for a lady whos daughter is an interior designer and they redecorate every few months. She's even friends with Oprah, or at least thats what my mom says cuz they've got some pics of them together with her in her house, lol. Whatever wont work with the new look, they give to my mom. I safely can say that half of the decor of my house has come from her.

One of the items I have kept is this Wrought Iron Candelabra Chandelier thing. I displayed it in the living room for a while, but I recently cleaned house of clutter and I had no place for it.

After being inspired by all the spray painting makeovers, I decided to rehab it to use in my daughter's new "big girl" room. I thought I was going to have to tape up all the glass candle holders and crystals but found out they unscrew. Look how dirty they are:

Here it is all bare and naked.

I didn't want to use real candlesticks in her room. She's a curious monkey I tell you, but I didn't want to spend much on those popular faux candles either. I found these battery operated candlesticks at Taylor Gifts for $1.98 for a set of SIX! Of course I had to pay shipping, but I think I still got a good deal at $1.16 per candle. I had never ordered from there before and the reviews I found were kinda shady. I'm crossing my fingers I get my order soon! I'll post finished pics as soon as I get these candlesticks in. Cross your fingers for me!

I finally score at Goodwill

My local Goodwill has been a wasteland lately. The last time I went I swore never to go back. I was bummed because I found a lot of great stuff when I DD was a baby for her nursery. I decided to stop during my lunch hour yesterday and I am so glad I did. I think since its garage sale season all the cast offs are being dropped off afterwards. Duh. They were still putting stuff out from the back - on a Wednesday! Usually by Monday, all the weekend stuff is out.

This wooden sign was only $1. I dont know if I just hang it up in the kitchen as is or paint over it and write something else on it.
Our fridge has a water dispenser, but we have yet to replace the filter because we cannot find it for sale anywhere. So we've been buying the 5 gallon water and lifting the heavy jug whenever we use it. This was only $5! I'm going to spray paint it because the dolphins motif don't fit my style.
I've been wanting one a tiered platter and this was still wrapped in the original box. I paid $5 which I thought was a good deal. Does anyone know how much they sell normally? The plates are glass and its pretty sturdy, I cant wait to display treats on it.This wood photo frame looks like it was never used. I'm definetely painting it in another color. Cheapo me thought $2 was kinda steep since many of my frames have cost $2 brand new at clearance isles at Home Goods and such. However, the detailing is unique and not just a regular rectangular frame.
My best deal were these 2 sconces - $3 for both! It appears the owners bought a new lamp and put the "old" ones in the new lamp's box. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought these were brand new! They probably came from the side of town were everyone is trying to keep up with the Joneses and changing everything out in their brand new house to something even newer.

I'm planning on spray painting them pink, adding some crystals, and some girly lamp shades for my daughter's room. They'll be used for decorative purposes only. I'm not going to bother with having hubby hook up the electrical stuff, she already has the main room light plus 2 lamps in there. There were some other things I liked, but I think I could get better prices at Target on clearance for what Goodwill was selling used. Even thrift stores are getting pricey, at least in Southern California.

Paint Party

I am always late for everything. Always. Joy's paint party was on Monday, and I am barely showing up on Thursday.

I'm no crafty extrodinaire at all, but after I was done I was amazed with myself. Heck, even hubby couldn't believe it. I redid this chandelier for my daughter's nursery 3 years ago. I got it for $10 for an old lady who was remodeling her house. I primered and spray painted white....in the bathroom.

I purchased all the dangly crystals from an online store and the beaded chain I made with plastic beads from a local bead store and Swarovski crystals taken from some ugly sleeves my mom cut off my wedding dress. The metal flowers I cut off a cheapo Dollar Tree frame. EVERTHING was super glued to the chandelier. I was so glad when hubby finally hung it up because pieces kept breaking off.

I'm sad to say that we left it behind after we moved last year. We had a landlord NIGHTMARE and when we moved the last thing on my mind was taking it down, we just wanted OUT of there. But I miss it dearly now and wish I could have kept it.

The whole project cost me about $50. The brightside of not having it anymore is that I have an excuse to make another one!

Southern Accents

I love Southern Decor, sometimes I think I was born on the wrong coast. Hubby's former boss moved to Savannah, GA a few years ago and they love it. Hubby says we should consider moving after I graduate. Eeekkkh! Don't pull my leg buddy, cuz I don't forget conversations like these.

Anyway, Freebizmag.com sent me a free subscription offer to Southern Accents. I've never heard of this magazine before but the cover was pretty enticing and I decided to check out their website. I must say I'm not that big a fan of plates on the wall, I know, I know. However, I love these printed plates on the wall, I'm going to start scoping them out in thrift stores and yard sales.

Aren't these pink chair skirts cute?

Ooooh and the pink accents in this living room? Great way to sneak in a little pink to hubby, lol.

Love the checkered cushioned chairs and that mirrored side buffet is gorgeous!

Can you tell I like pink?

Well I love what I see on the website, I can't wait until I get to read my first issue.

Craigslist Deals

I'm in the process of re-doing my 4 year old's room into a "big girl" room and have been on Craigslist on an almost daily basis. Here's some stuff I'm likin'....

I missed out on these cute metal patio chairs. She was selling them for $10, I don't know if $10 for all three or $10 each. Either way, a great deal. I wasn't surprised when she said they had sold. Too bad, I was planning on using one in DD's room and spray painting it hot pink and adding a seat cushion and the other 2 brown and using those outside.

I also missed out on this full length mirror for DD's room. Isn't is beautiful? I just saw one of these at Marshall's for over $100. The seller was asking $45 OBO. I was about to drive over to get it when the seller let me know her mom had just sold it and forgot to tell her.

I love pedestal tables. I'm going to meet the seller this afternoon after DD's soccer practice. It's only $20 and looks like it's in new condition. I already have one like this (a bit bigger though) in the living room, and it'd be nice to have a pair. I also need a side table for DD's room, so I might even paint this white and use it in there instead. I actually like the stain it is now, so we'll see once I get it.

I've been wanting a chaise lounge ever since I was decorating DD's nursery 4 years ago. I found the cutest one for $40 in mint green and it sold before I ever got to setting up a viewing time. I haven't found any affordable and cute ones until today. Look at the legs on that beauty....

I would totally reupholster it, or mistreat upholster it, since I'm no expert. There'd be hot glue seams all over that thing, but it would look beautiful in an Amy Butler fabric. Here's the problems with this one...while its only $40, I'd need to borrow DH's truck to go get it, which means I'd have to tell him what I need it for and I'm afraid he'd protest that there's no room for it anywhere and I would just end out putting in in storage. Which is true, I'm afraid. Soooo, I haven't called the seller for it yet.

Now what I should really be looking for is that nightstand I logged on to Craigslist to find. Here are some super cute ones that I wouldn't even have to paint.

They're a little more than what I wanted to spend, $50, hopefully she's willing to bargain with me for a lower price. I can't decide which one I like best. It's a little out of my area though and traffic is a pain going to where the seller is located, so I'm gonna wait this one out. If its still there over the weekend, i'll make her an offer and make the drive.

This last one deserves an honorable mention. I love the curvy shape of the chair and the cute curly legs. It definetely has potential as a reupholstery project and its only $25.

So...you see honey...there was this awesome sale...

I have a weakness for Victorias Secret online sales. I can't stand the stores, I think the associates are snobby, however customer service and the sales for VS.com are awesome!

I was reading my favorite fashion chat forum and find out they're having an extra 25% off clearance items (until the 24th) and free shipping of $50+. I also had a $10 certificate they sent me from my last order.

So this is what I bought:

Everything averaged out to $11.77 per item, pretty good huh? Considering there's 2 pairs of shoes in there? Now, how to get home before hubby does on the day all this gets delivered....

Decoupage Makeover

I bought these wood letters on ebay when my daughter was born 4 years ago (Yikes! Time flies!). When we moved, I put them into storage because the second bedroom in our current house was being occupied by my husband's younger brothers. They have since moved out and I've been slowly decorating my daughter's room again. She's out of the "nursery" stage (*tear*) and needs a fun and bright big girl room.

I love to decoupage! I decoupaged flowers one by one from a roll of gift wrap onto this wood side table we used in her old nursery as part of a tea table set. Unfortunately, the table has since died when I left it outside and forgot about it doing rain season and got badly water damaged :(

When I went back to storage I couldn't find 3 of the letters in her name, so I had to order the missing letters on ebay. I knew I would find them when I didn't need them anymore. We found them last weekend.

Anyway, I had some left over scrapbook paper from another project and was inspired by this room on Rate My Space. I traced the backs of the paper, carefully cut them out and pasted over the letters. I wasn't worried about the original paint job, over time the white paint started yellowing. I finished them off with a top layer and voila! They turned out quite nicely. There's some smidges here and there because my daughter insisted on helping...and you moms know how that goes. You cant tell unless you're really checking.

Here's the whole wall:
BTW, I got the pink and green polka dot wall stickers at the Dollar Tree. I got two sleeves and they're suprisingly very durable. Considering they're from the dollar store and my daughter keeps rearranging them and they're still sticking to the wall! The ribbon came from Wal-Mart and I hot glued them and tacked them to the wall.

Blank no more

For a few weeks now I've been slowly decorating our mini house. I was lacking a lot of inspiration so I hit up the blog world and found a lot of inspiration and am so happy our house is looking sooooo much better.

So....this wall in our bedroom has been bugging me:

There is obviously nothing on the wall. I had some black ledges up in daughter's closet that I wanted to use, but wasn't sure what to put on them. I was reading up on my new favorite home decor blogs when I saw Mrs.B's post on a monogrammed frame she made and put on her wall ledges. All the grouped photos looked beautiful on the ledges and it looked so simple! I was thinking too hard!

So here's what I did Sunday:

Excuse the unfinished paint job on the trim. DH recently painted the room and I am still waiting on when he will finish the touch ups.

The best thing about it is, I already had everything and didn't spend a dime! I did spray paint the large black frame, it was ugly plastic gold before. (note to self: wipe away fingerprints from frames). I think I put the bottom shelf too close to the closet. I was afraid to put it too close to DH's dresser chest where he would bang his head on the ledge every morning. Oh well...

If I only had a place to put it...

Reason #456,521 why we need to buy a house: I need a bigger place to put more beautiful furnitre in it! I was at Penney's Saturday looking for some filler drapes and took the escalator to the 2nd floor to the window department, when I saw this:

For THIS: $275.00, down from THIS!: $1,900.00! They are remodeling the store and it is a floor sample in immaculate condition. I took a pic with my camera phone (which explains the bad quality pic) and sent it to DH for his thoughts. He never replied...I figured he thought I had lost my mind again since there isn't one inch of space left in our tiny place before it starts looking like an episode of Clean House.

If I had a house with a proper dining area or a separate family room and living room, I could use it in either rooms.

I believe the duplex we rent now is ~650-700 sq. ft. I'm going to have to pull out my tape measure again for an accuracy. If it were unassembled and in the box, I swear I would have bought it and sneaked it in to our storage unit like I did to THIS purchase.

Summer Dresses Sales

Gotta love summer clearance sales in the summer! Retailers are starting their summer clearance sales to make room for fall merchandise already. I've got my eyes on these two Delia's dresses:

$30


$20

I'm back and fat

It's been a while since I blogged, school always gets the best of me and hardly had time to breathe once all my classes kicked off. I learned that now that my daughter is entering preschool and finally old enough to take a wide range of extra curricular activities, plus maintain my day job, and squeeze in time for dinner and a cardio session at the end of the day....that its not such a great idea to take as many college courses anymore. This has been the most difficult semester yet. I think I also had it tough due to my grandmother passing away in the middle of the semester. It was very hard to concentrate and catching up after missing several classes to attend services and the burial.




Anyway, since I've been so busy, many times I had no time to cook or pack lunch so I've been eating out like crazy and it hasn't been good to my waistline. So today, I start my summer classes after a brief two week hiatus from the spring semester. I'm taking it easy and only signed up for one academic course and a fun class to kick my butt into shape. I'm taking Cardio Cross Training with my Future Sister in Law. She's taken the class before and says she's never been in better shape when she took it. Plus she took it during a normal semester twice a week, since this is a summer course we will be working out every day of the week. I cant wait to sport my new bikini after the class is over, just in time for Labor Day weekend and my birthday!!

Fishnets & Monday's Outfit

I love it when I find reputable brands at the 99 cents store. I grabbed 2 pairs of Solutions by Hanes fishnet tights. I would have taken more but they were the only 2 packages that were not opened yet and being fishnets, I didn't want to risk taking a previously opened package with holes in it. They also had a floral pattern but I'm not quite ready to try those out just yet.

Speaking of feeling a bit riskay with my new dark 'do, I wore my 1st pair of fishnet tights to work. The dress code is business casual, which in my company means jeans and t-shirts and anything in between. I'm one of the few people that dress up so I always get weird looks so I wasn't sure if I was getting the usual look or the "OMG she's wearing fishnets" look.

***Sorry for the mess in the backround, I am in "Spring Cleaning" mode and purging our drawers and closets of unwanted items. I will make a follow up post on my progress in the near future.

Details: Silk pink ruffle tie blouse; Forever21, Black Pencil Skirt; Express, Black Belt; Mashalls, Black Patent Peep toe Mary Janes; Steve Madden.

Good Girl Gone Bad

I dyed my hair this weekend. I promised myself I wouldn't do anything to my hair until I lost 5lbs, so as soon as I met my goal, I sped over to the salon!

I feel a lot more riskay with my dark red locks. I know most people go light for the spring and summer and dark for the fall and winter, but I had light hair all last year and was itching to go dark. I hear solid dark hair is easier to maintain than lighter highlighted hair, but isn't red hair high-maintance as well due to the fading factor? I've never had red hair before, so I'm unsure how to care for it and what type of salon maintance it will need.

Anyway...this is my hair before (except imagine my black roots have grown 2"!)

This is me after: (a little dark, but you get the point ;))

Follow Up Post on Kohl's Purchases

While uploading my pics I realized I never posted what I ended up buying at Kohl's a couple weeks ago when I went to check out the Anthropologiesque Skirts.

I ended up returning these because at 5' tall, I was drowning in them and after finding out how much it was going to cost to shorten these from the waist, they had to go back.

I had also purchased these skirts from the juniors department which I like much more because:

a. they're cheaper and b. they're made shorter.

These hit almost below my knees. I'm really excited to wear them high-waisted with a belt.

If you don't do so already, I highly recommend checking out the Juniors section of Kohl's, they have some really cute stuff at great prices. I'm kicking myself I didn't get the Candie's Yellow Trench, hopefully I will find it today during my lunch hour, look how cute it looks on Hayden:

Don't say I never gave you anything

Visit: http://www.yoplait.com/products_yoplaitkids.aspx for a free package of Yoplait Kids Yogurt.

Public Service Announcement

This bag:

TOMMY HILFIGER Medium Icon Tote, $69.00 at Macys.com.

It's a really cute bag, I picture it with an airy sundress, oversized sunglasses, paired with a straw hat - but please don't pay that much. I saw the same identical bag at the TH Outlet (dont know for how much, but probably less) and at Ross for $22.99. If it's at Ross, it's probably at Marshalls and TJ Maxx as well.

Four for the Price of One

I've been meaning to replace my daughter's very old Elmo beach towel. While stocking up on some household items at Wal-Mart yesterday, I saw some cute Disney hooded towels (She's currently obsessed with all Disney Princesses/Fairies). At $11 each, I made her choose between the Ariel and Princesses towel. However, at checkout the towel rang up at $3! I ran back and grabbed the Princesses AND the Tinkerbell towel, crossed my fingers, and voila-$3! Then I thought of our best friends 18 month old who gave our daughter a "just because" Disney Princess outfit on Friday and I ran back again and snatched a Dora the Explorer hooded towel for...yup....$3! (Yes, I looked like a crazy woman)

So when I thought I would be paying $11 for one towel....I got 4 for $12. I'm glad I was able to snatch up extra towels to use when the other is in the laundry.

Got Brown Sun Spots?

I subscribe to a professional product review website. I was doing my yearly beauty regimen update and catching up on some of the new and current products on the market and I remembered my mom had complained about sun spots on her hands. I started researching skin bleaching products and decided to try the most effective, affordable, and locally available products. I narrowed it down to 2 products, however I only found one.

I found Black Opal Essential Complex at a nearby Rite Aid store (only a selected few carry the brand). I paid $8.99 for a 0.5 oz tube.

About 3 or 4 days later, I was picking up my 3 year old from my mom's house and she was going on and on about the results she was seeing already. She kept showing me her hands and asked me to buy a bunch more because a 0.5 oz tube can only last so long (or so little!).

According to Black Opal's website:

"Black Opal is a leading skincare and color cosmetics line specifically designed to address the unique skincare needs of women and men of color."

This product will not just work on women of color, but anyone who wants to lighten dark spots, uneven tones and discoloration.

Disclaimer: Just in case anyone is wondering, I am not being paid to review anything. I just want to share my experience on a product that actually works, since we all know beauty products are much more misses than hits. :)

Did You Know....

...that Forever 21 has added a section, "Find My Look" that is updated periodically with outfit ideas of their clothing? I love it when websites do this, even if you do not buy the all or even any pieces featured, you can find out new ideas to refresh your current wardrobe or discover different ways of wearing a certain piece. I also like to see what the clothing looks like on an actual person before I buy.

Here are some potential outfits I might try. I'll make a few switcheroos like wearing a longer denim skirt, switch the leggins for straight leg jeans and maybe add belt to the flowy white tunic top.

Outlet Shopping

On Saturday, we spent the day at the Camarillo Outlet Stores and bought some much needed sunglasses. The last time I bought sunglasses was last July for $7 at Forever 21. I finally threw them out last month when I realized the middle of both lens were complete rubbed off from being thrown around in my bag. Plus they were a bit big on me. I have such a hard time finding glasses that fit my face because they always stick out the sides of my face and look comically big on me (a'la Nicole Richie).

I'd seen some cute ones in the new Victorias Secret catalog, but there was no way I was going to drop $60+ on a pair of Guess? Sunglasses that I may have to return if they didn't fit. Imagine my surprise when I came across the same exact pair of sunglasses at the Guess? Outlet store for 1/3 of Victoria's Secret's cost?

They were having a sale for 2 for $42.99, so I picked up a tortoise frame and a white frame pair to switch off with my outfits. When I got home I checked VS.com to see if they were the same pair and they were, except I paid a total of $82 less! WooHoo! (and they fit too!)

I'll Take One of Everything!

O.M.G. How cute are these totes? Can you guess where they are from?

I hope you are as shocked as I was when you hear they are from Wal-Mart and only $10 for the knot handle totes and $8 for the double handle totes.

Dress Week at Ross

If any of you have a Ross Store near you, you've probably been smothered with the annoying Ross commercials announcing, "It's Dress week at Ross!" or "It's Shoe week at Ross!". I was seriously annoyed to the point that I just had to go over there and check out what the fuss was all about. (Not really, the commercials just reminded be I better get my butt over there before the stay at home moms made it out with every cute thing in the store).

So...."Shoe Week" officially su.cked. I've found a wider selection of cute shoes when it's not "shoe week" at Ross. Then again, maybe all the stay at home moms took all the cute shoes before I got there, but I don't want to think about that.

Howevah...."Dress Week" is awesome. I filled up my cart with dresses to try on but I only left with 5. Which turned out to be a good thing because my husband (and my wallet) would have just about died if I bought all of the dresses.

I was mainly looking for jersey dresses because they are so comfy and so easy to dress up. The best thing of my shopping trip, I got all this for under $69.00!








If you noticed, I bought 2 dresses in different styles but same ivory color. Ivory was the only color the styles came in, so I will be attempting to dye the 1st dress pictured yellow or plum. Thanks to Kasmira's step-by-step and very informative clothes dying instructions, I think I can do it.

Cute 'Anthropologiesque' Skirts

^^I think I made up a word.

Fashionable Yet Frugal awoke me to these fabulous spring skirts on her blog. She hit it right on the nail when she mentioned they were reminicent of Anthropologie's skirt styles but at a much lower price. I couldn't believe they were from Kohl's and under $30! I took an extended lunch to check out the stuff IRL the other day. I must say I was very impressed and walked out with a few skirts (some pictured and others I could not find on the website). I'll make a seperate post with my Kohl's purchases later - once I get pics uploaded from my camera.







Use this 30% off Code: GRAND30. It can be used from March 13 -18, 2008. If you can find a free shipping code it can be stacked for additional savings. You must purchase with a Kohl's card to use the 30% off code. Maybe you can borrow your BFF's card and pay her for the stuff, LOL!

My New Vanity

I've been obsessed with this vanity table since I saw it featured in Domino Magazine's February 2007 issue. They featured a how-to on converting a room into a spacious dressing room/closet.



Here's the after pic of the woman's room they did. You can see the vanity in the back.



...and here's a closer look at it...if you notice the price of the vanity is $400.00....



...and it was on sale on JCP.com last year $269.99 and there was a code for 30% off, but procrastinator me was holding off for a better deal. I waited too long and the 30% off code expired and shortly after the price shot back up to $400+tax/shipping.

Its been at least 6 months since then and periodically I'll check to see if its on sale again, but it's never gone on sale....until now. PLUS, there's a 30% off code. I wasn't going to let get away again.

I had it shipped to my local JCP store to save on shipping costs. Out the door with tax and shipping and discounts, it was $225.69. I saved 50%!

Here's a few more pics from JCP.com that are better quality than the magazine scans:




Unfortunately for now, it will sit in storage since the house we're renting is too small and I don't want to risk my three year old or hubby crashing into it and breaking it. I can't wait until we buy a house so I can set it up!

Cute Skirt FREE from La Redoute

I got an offer email from La Redoute. This weekend only with any purchase of $25 or more, you get this full skirt FREE. It's currently on sale the website for $14.99. It doesn't only come in White, you can also choose from Coral, Beige or Black. Here's the SKU in case you can't locate it on the site: Item #: 1623-47972-1136

Use coupon code: LRFREESKIRT to take advantage of the offer. Expires 3/9/08 at midnight.

New Blog Name

I changed my blog name "Budget Chica". I did not notice that my blog name was very very similar to another awesome blog. I had not frequented the blog in a while since I lost my favorites links from my work computer. When I realized it, I felt bad having the title almost identical, almost like I had stolen the name. So I changed it.

My new title is "Budget Pretty". I figure its short and sweet and it reflects my current lifestyle.

My new link is: http://budgetpretty.blogspot.com/

Mary Janes

Do they ever go out of style? Who cares, I'll still be wearing mine. I've had several pairs of mary-janes pumps but since I wear my shoes to the ground, many of them have been retired and I only have one pair at the moment.

I've had my eyes on these Steven pair which were on sale on 6pm.com. I waited too long to get them (as I do most of the time), then I heard Zappos.com had bought them out and all of the sudden the shoes dissapear from 6pm.com and re-appear on Zappos.com but at an overpriced "sale" price. 3% off is not a sale, Zappos!

Steven 'Korect':



Some more Mary-Janes I "need"

Guess by Marciano 'Newbury':


I love the rugged fierce look of these mary-janes.
Steven 'Naiyo':


Steven 'Dreamin':

Perforated Shoes

I'm guessing Laser Cut or Perforated Shoes are all the rage for spring by judging all the styles I found and loved! Once again I cannot decide which to pass on.

I included some of the same pairs in different colors that I also cannot decide which color I like the shoe in the best.

These are all my favorites:

Jessica Simpson 'Hasper':















BCBGirls 'Proud':
















BCBGirls 'Sandy':


















BCBGirls 'Spring':















BCBGirls 'Millar':
















Guess by Marciano 'Miracle':

So many shoes, so little cash

I am currently obsessed with hidden platform shoes. I can't afford to get all of them, yet I can't decide which one to settle for. I want them all!

These are all from Aldo: (and.. unfortunately [for me] $100 each.)

Steve Madden 'Lately':

I know these have been out for a while but I still like them....if they're on sale:

Steven 'NV':

Tip of the Day

According to Dr. Frederic Vagnini in Fitness Magazine:

Did you know that brushing with the opposite hand you write with improves brain signaling, which helps prevent age-related memory loss?

I thought this was interesting, especially since my hubby is now terrified that either of us will suffer memory loss when we're old like in The Notebook and not remember each other. Isn't that cute? He complained the entire time when I made him watch it with me, he hated it, but ended up loving the ending. (He'll kill me if he knows I shared that about him).

It's been a long time!

Happy belated holidays and New Year. I started off really well on my blog and school work caught up with me. I honestly underestimated how much work I was putting on myself. As you know I'm enrolled in school full time, while holding a full time job AND have a three year old and a hubby. School started out great, but mid-through, the classwork was just overwhelming. So much, I failed one of my classes. :( Now that I think about it, I could have passed it, but it was a late start class that started right before Thanksgiving. It was also 80% online, so for the entire Thanksgiving week I did not log on at.all. Not even once. I was just so busy and honestly I knew I would not get anything done with a house full of people over. Oh well, I am not going to get discouraged. I am currently enrolled full time in the winter intersession, which is a semester full of class info crammed into 5 weeks! Fortunately I am only taking one academic course and the other is a physical education class - no brainer.

What I Wore Friday

The weekend side tracked me and then the fire threw me off even more that I forgot to post my Friday oufit.



I'm having trouble putting outfits together with this Delia's Vest. If anyone has any outfit suggestions, I would really appreciate it!

Shopping for a Cause: Free Tote with Purchase

I'm not too fond of promotions that required you to send in proof of purchase in order for you to get a rebate or another incentive, but I think this one is so worth it: Purchase $20 worth of enviroment friendly Method cleaning products and get a Free Tote. Not only will you "clean up" your act by cleaning "green" but you'll get this really cute reusable tote to put your groceries in!



For more information on how to claim your free market tote visit http://www.givegreener.com/. Hurry, this offer runs while supplies last from October 1st through December 31, 2007!

Fire, Fire Everywhere

Last weekend our town was plagued with jammed packed streets from the closed freeways do to a huge accident on the I5. This Sunday, a wildfire broke out and as of yesterday, there were three wildfires burning in our area. Today is not as bad as yesterday; yesterday I stayed home from work because the hills behind our business park were on fire. My husband also stayed home from work because another fire was also near where he works.

What I Wore Yesterday (Thursday)

Kind of matchy



Ann Taylor Loft White Gauze Shirt
Forever 21 Pinstripe Pencil Skirt
Forever 21 Gold Heart Chain Necklace
Tommy Hilfiger 'Castle Rock' Small Satchel in Bordeaux
Marshalls Black Elastic Wide Belt (mine has a copper hook closure)
Joey O Black Platform Slingback Pumps

What I Wore Yesterday (Wednesday)

Wednesday is the last day of the week I have to open the office at 6AM, its hard to be creative when its dark and cold when you get up.



GAP Wool 3/4 Sleeve Jacket
Wet Seal Gray Cowl Neck Top (mine has cap sleeves)
GAP Jeans
Marc Fisher Black Suede Loafer Wedges
$1 Turquoise Layered Beads
$1 Barrette
Tommy Hilfiger 'Castle Rock' Satchel in Bordeaux

Preppy Feet

I paid a visit to my local 99c Only Store to stock up on some food & misc. items for our aparment. I couldn't pass these ankle toe socks for only $1 and in a preppy kelly green and navy stripe.





I gotta say they're actually pretty comfortable and keep my usually cold toes warm. My husband hates it when I touch his leg with my freezing foot, so when I showed these to him he said, "Great, now you can wear those every night".



To get your own pair, check your local $1 in case they're carrying them too. I see Sock Dreams has a very impressive selection of lenghts and colors and they offer Free Shipping on all orders.

Here's what else I found during my $1 store trip:

Wood Paddle Brush Jelly Barrettes

Free Shopping!

I went shopping for free....at my parents' house at least. Older relatives accumulate an insane amount of stuff over the year. Most of the time they're happy to give the stuff away to make room for more things.

Anyway, here's my free loot:

1. Pink rhinestone desk frame. I love pink and have been wanting a girly frame to put on a pic of my daughter on my desk at work.

2. Asian inspired porcelain vase

3. W Hotel brand XL bolster pillow in beige. This will go in our bedroom.

4. Framed Painting. I'm trying to work this into our bedroom since we only have one small frame on the wall right now.

(Pic coming soon)

Hmm....maybe its time I pay a visit to my aunt Arlene.

What I'm Wearing Today

I think I should have worn a thin belt over the cardigan, but it was another 5AM dressing and my brain was still asleep.



Oh yeah...and since I rushed out I stuffed my earrings in my bag and I lost one of them.

Faux Pearl Drop Earrings
Tommy Hilfiger Silver Pink Watch
Banana Republic Brown Bedford Handbag
Delias Pink Leopard Print Cardigan
Banana Republic Brown 3/4 Sleeve Shirt
GAP Jeans (lighter wash than pictured)
Marc Fisher Black Suede Loafer Wedges

My Dollar Store Loot

So I did not find the cocoa butter lip balm I was looking for, but I did score with these cute accessories:

1. Amber Earrings

2. Laser Cut Wood Hoop Earrings

3. Hot Pink Ribbon Pearls Bracelet

4. Leopard Print Glass/Metal Ring

5. Turquoise Beaded Necklace

What I'm Wearing Today

I had to be in the office at 6AM today so I didn't come up with anything too exciting. I'm still half asleep when I get dressed at 5AM.

I couldn't find the exact cami I wore, the only difference from my own is that mine is silk and it doesn't have beading on the neckline.

Black and Gray Dot Fabric Headband
Forever 21 Black Lace Top
Kohl's Satin Silk Teal Cami
Old Navy Jeans
Banana Republic Brown Bedford Handbag
Jessica Simpson Black Suede 'Harla' Pump

California Adventures

Because of this, all traffic from the 5 freeway overflowed into our peaceful suburb streets. This is a picture taken from my car while we were stuck in the middle of it Sunday:

Yup...it resembles the highway during rush hour, except its a street with condo communities on both sides. I guess it was not a good day to have an Open House for condo owners. To make matters worse, a transformer blew out on our street and the entire block lost light...even the street lights went out. Thankfully, we were at a party across town in L.A. and missed the whole thing.

Favorites: Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

I have a love/hate relationship with my lips. For as long as I can remember my lips have always been chapped. I remember getting in trouble in 2nd grade because I had *make-up* and my mom coming back to school with me and having a *talk* with my teacher about my chapstick. She told my mom I kept taking it out and that it was disruptive, but I had to! I constantly re-apply my lip balm or else I look like I just rose from the dead.

I recently tired out a new lip balm, Cocoa Butter Lip Balm from Cococare from a cute little 97cent store (yes, they exist). I should have grabbed the entire bucket because they dont have them anymore! This is one of the best lip balms I have tried on my lips. I'm down to scooping the remaining pieces of the one tube that I bought. I headed over the 97cent store again today and I'm crossing my fingers they will have a new bucket of them!

Ironically, when I was pregnant I had the hardest time keeping a good supply of cocoa butter sticks for my expanding waistline. I guess every pregnant woman in my town had beat me to every Rite Aid and Sav-On in town. Now that I have no need for them, the 97cent store has plenty in stock! Forget the sticks, bring out the lip balm - ASAP!

Casual Weekend Outfit

I'm short, 5'0" and I'm really self concious because my husband is 6'1", therefore I live in 4" heels. Its a good thing I learned to walk in heels when I was a little girl, I used to clank around the house in my mom's 80's patent pumps. Since 99% of my shoe closet is heels, it's really hard for me to look casual during the weekends.

This casual outfit idea came to mind while flipping through the appropriately titled Victoria's Secret catalog, time to get casual: holiday 2007.

I'm *this close* to breaking down and buying some cute leopard print flats and giving my feet a break. I've been thinking about this Target pair:

Cute Outfit Idea from GAP

I haven't been too thrilled with GAP items in a while, they've become so "safe" and everything seems to be just basics in dull colors. I immediately put this coat on my wishlist when I saw this outfit.

I already ordered the crochet beanie in red and black today with the 30% off code:

And the boots on my fall wishlist would be perfect for the outfit.

The bag she's wearing is very similar to the Izaac Mizrahi genuine suede satchel I bought on clearance for $7.50 at Target earlier in the year:However, the coat...I have to wait until it goes on sale, $128 is too much for me right now. Plus, I was really lucky stocking up with GAP wool coats last year by calling around stores and had them do a charge-send. Hopefully I'll have the same luck this year.

These are so freakin cute!

For those of you GAP Card holders theres a 30% off code regular prices and 15% off sale online: GCSTYLE. It may or may not work for you but it took 30% off my entire order, including sale items.

I got these shoes in brown and red for my 3 year old. I think they are the cutest pair of (affordable) shoes yet!

She loves sparkly and bright stuff so she will loves these. I especially love the quilted detail and the cute little bow on the back. She had the red mettalic pair from last fall and wore those to death, I'm glad GAP came up with a cute replacement this year.