Budget Girl Fashion and Lifestyle Blog

Budget Girl has moved!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:33:00 +0000

Having a blog here on Blogger (or Wordpress or any other blog hosting site) is a little like living with your parents; it's really convenient, and you're grateful to do so, but we all long to move out on our own.

And that day has come for Budget Girl.

As of now, we have moved out and found a place with a little more room, and a little more flexibility. All the old posts are there, so you'll find the same content, with much more to come.

So come on over, don't mind the moving boxes as we make a few changes here and there, and we'll throw a big housewarming party.

The new address is http://www.budget-girl.com/. See you there!

Another cheap-chic boutique: LuLus.com

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:21:00 +0000

Here's another one to bookmark and check in on regularly: LuLus.com offers some of the most up-to-the-minute designs, but at Budget Girl prices.

Their dress designs, especially, make my heart go pitter-pat. Seriously: surf over, click on "dresses," hit "view all," and then I triple-dog-dare you not to find multiple selections over which to swoon. And the best part? Most are in the $39-$59 range.

I'm particularly enamored of the sweetly romantic Daisy Fay dress for $39, and the fabulously trendy dip-dye/tie-dye Willow Tie sundress in berry, for a very reasonable $43.

They have an enormous selection, and in an equally enormous range of styles. Whether you're a country girl, a preppy, or a die-hard urbanite, you're going to find something you like. This is one of those where-have-you-been-all-my-life stores.

And it's not just clothes. They have (as of today, anyway) 195 different styles of shoes, every kind of accessory you can possibly imagine, and--and--a great selection of costume jewelry. All orders over $75 get free shipping, too.

Not that it could possibly get any better than that, but be aware that they also have contests where you can win anything from a LuLus shopping spree to concert tickets. So go, browse, sign up, and enjoy.

Soap & Glory--glory, hallelujah!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:42:00 +0000

You may recall my fondness for the fabulous Bliss Spa house brand line of bath and body products, especially the extra-extra-wonderful Hot Body Scrub.

Now, you know how much I love it when a high-end line of apparel, accessories or body care products launches a masstige line of products, an egalitarian shout-out to those of us on a budget.

You may even have seen the candy-pink packaging and quirky product names such as Sexy Mother Pucker lip gloss or the Catch a Wrinkle in Time day moisturizer.

But did you know the fun and fabulous Soap & Glory line of products (carried by fave budget retailer Target) was created by wondergrrl and Bliss Spa founder Marcia Kilgore? Yeah, you just know it's gotta be good!

Most of the products fall within an $8-$15 range, and you'll find everything from body scrubs to moisturizers to anti-aging skincare products. The real star of the line, in my opinion, is The Righteous Butter, an ultra-moisturizing body butter loaded with aloe and shea butter, and going for $14.99 for a 10.1 oz. jar.

You'll also find several gift and travel sets of the Soap & Glory products, so you can grab a basketful of try-me sizes to decide which ones you really love before going all-in for the full-size products.

How much does a weekend away cost?

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:42:00 +0000

Not as much as the editors at Real Simple magazine think. Hey, it's one of my favorite magazines, but this is another case where I think they miss (big) when talking about travel on a budget.

In the current issue, they've done a cost comparison of 24 hours in different U.S. cities (click on my pic here to see a bigger, readable version). They choose top-rated hotels and restaurants, but judging by the amounts listed, it appears that they're showing full fares, and no discounts. And that, as you can see for yourself, is a bit pricey.

Does that mean you have to stay in a fleabag motel on the edge of town to enjoy those cities in order to avoid dipping into whatever's left of your 401k? Absolutely not.

The first thing you need to do is acquaint yourself with a couple of websites, if you don't frequent them already: Hotwire.com and Hotels.com. Both offer deeply--and I do mean deeply--discounted rates to hotels all over the world. The prices on Hotwire will sometimes be a little better than Hotels.com, but the catch is that you have to pay up front for the hotel, and you also have to choose (mostly) blindly. It'll give you plenty of generic info about a hotel--whether it's a four-star, where in the city it's located, what the amenities are--but you won't be completely sure which hotel you're booking until you actually purchase the stay. If you study both sites closely after you've entered your search parameters, you can make a fairly educated guess which hotel (or three) you're getting, but if you don't care to live on the edge, then stick with Hotels.com so you know exactly what you're getting.

So, how big is the difference in rates? Try this on for size: for the Washington, DC outing, Real Simple shows a hotel rate of $479 per night at the Marriott at Metro Center. The same room bought through Hotels.com is just $228 per night--and that's the weekend rate; expect it to go down even more if you make the trip during the week. And if you browse through the offerings for our fine Capitol city, you'll find equally highly rated hotels for even less.

You get the idea. Never, ever pay what's called "rack rate" for a hotel room. A few minutes of internet searching will always turn up a better rate for you.

Okay, so we've got a sweet hotel room to crash in after a day of sight-seeing, but what about food? Oh, the options are almost endless--and don't think you have to drop $100 and up for a great meal. As long as you're online anyway doing your trip planning, check out the two best websites for restaurant recommendations and REALLY in-depth reviews: Yelp.com and Chowhound.com. Yelp is great for been-there-ate-that reviews; Chowhound is a hardcore foodie site, and will put you in touch with a community of people who know their restaurants. Try searching by city first, narrow it down by type of cuisine if you want, and if you don't find exactly the information you're looking for, post a thread with specific questions. Legions of foodies will come to your aid, and you'll have more insider restaurant info than you'll know what to do with.

Some general tips to keep in mind to keep costs down while dining out (and dining well):

Check around to find out which restaurants offer a prix fixe menu--that's a fixed-price menu, usually three or more courses, where you'll have your pick of a range of appetizers, entrees and desserts, and it's usually a bargain compared to ordering a la carte.
Don't be afraid to go the appetizers-in-lieu-of-entrees route; unless you're completely famished, you can probably fill up quite nicely on appetizers and a bread basket, and save a fortune on your tab.
If you want wine with dinner, call ahead to find out if the restaurant will allow you to bring your own wine, and if so, stop by a wine shop before heading to the restaurant and choose something nice (and within your budget). Wines at restaurants are generally marked up 100 percent (and sometimes more) over retail, per bottle, so you'll almost certainly save by buying your own bottle and then paying the corkage fee at the restaurant (usually $15-20).

And finally, don't feel that you have to have a white tablecloth under your plate to have a great meal. Use Chowhound to scout out the great ethnic restaurants wherever you're going. If that happens to be DC, you'll find just about anything your palate desires--neighborhoods in the Virginia suburbs known for their incredible Vietnamese cuisine, Chinatown, Ethiopian restaurants near Georgetown--and almost all of them are less expensive (sometimes greatly so) than the trendy, high-priced joints.

If you've scraped together even a tiny travel fund for the summer, you can still eat and sleep in style--just do a little homework first, and make sure you're getting the most for those precious travel dollars.

Let's play get the look for (a LOT) less again--this time, the preppy look

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:50:00 +0000

Let's play around again with InStyle magazine's Shop It! feature for summer, this time taking a look at their weekend-out lineup for a preppy look.

The pieces are all fun, casual and feature soft peach and aqua colors. But the price tag for everything on the page? Hope you're sitting down: it'll cost you $2,337.

Can we do better than that? Without bringing back too many election flashbacks--Yes, we can!

First stop, Target. Let's replace the $475 gold designer tote with another gold designer tote--try this one from Felix Rey for Target, on sale for $31.48. You'll find an almost identical coral-colored polo by Mossimo, on sale for $6.99 (it'll go back to $9.99 when the sale ends). The v-neck sweater? Mossimo/Black has one for $17.99 in more than 10 colors (including pink, like the one in the magazine feature).

Target recently began carrying an expanded selection of scarves, which are a super-hot accessory right now--try this floral scarf for $13.49, or find another one you like better, all within a $12-15 range.

So what about that sweet white eyelet dress? Strapless, with an oh-so-flattering empire waist--think that's a one-of-a-kind that you'll never find for less? Oh, ye of little faith. Alloy has one that's almost identical--white eyelet, strapless, empire waist--for $42.50.

In place of the pricy designer jean, Newport News has a colored jean in a range of colors, in a very slimming classic cut and just a touch of Lycra, for $19.00. They also have a shirred bikini similar to the InStyle choice; it's from their figure-flattering ShapeFX line, and on sale for $49.00. If you want to cut down even more on that price and go with a slightly different style, both Newport News and Target have their mix-and-match swim separates on sale right now, so you can build your own bikini for even less than the budget choice I've linked to.

And finally, the jewelry. Let's head back to my new favorite source for accessories, Sam Moon. You'll find a very similar gold chain and beaded necklace there for $9.95--oh, and it comes with matching earrings, too, included in the price. They also have a sculpted gold bangle that's almost indistinguishable from the designer offering, just $3.50 each.

That covers everything, so let's add it all up. If you were to buy the budget versions of everything in the preppy lineup, including three each of the sculpted gold bangles, the total comes to $200.90--and just like our last time around, that comes in at less than 10 percent of what the designer pieces would cost.

Plan on doing any entertaining this summer? Check out Pier 1's sale.

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:04:00 +0000

Pier 1 Imports is having a big 50 percent off sale right now, and includes a lot of seasonal and outdoor items such as votive lanterns and chandeliers, glazed ceramic pots, and stone garden decor.

In addition to the big clearance sale, they have great specials on all their outdoor entertaining supplies, as seen in this promotional flyer, and you'll find everything from melamine serveware in bright summer patterns to poolside supplies and patio decor.

If you're opting for a "stay-cation" this year to save funds, you can still brighten up your yard or patio and engage in a little budget-minded party time. You can check in at Target, IKEA and Cost Plus World Market for inexpensive summertime gear, too--and, as I suggested a few days ago, don't forget your local 99 Cent store, because they're also a good place to find inexpensive seasonal entertaining goodies such as colorful plastic plates and glasses.

Great freebie at EyesLipsFace.com

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:29:00 +0000

If you get tired of dragging all your makeup around on trips (or just get tired of sorting out the essentials into your travel bag), you'll definitely want to check this out.

With a $15 minimum purchase, you can get EyesLipsFace.com's mini makeup kit, a $15 value, free. I happen to have this little gem, and it's a great all-in-one, grab-and-go kit perfect for travel.

It folds up to a tiny 4 inches square (and one inch deep), but when you open it up and fold out the little trays, this is what you'll find:

9 eyeshadow shades
1 cream eyeshadow shade
1 blush
1 bronzer
10 lip gloss shades
1 brow powder
1 eye liner pencil
1 dual ended eyeshadow applicator and brush
1 face brush
1 lip brush
1 mirror

Pretty nifty, huh? Toss in a tube of mascara, and you're all set. Just use the coupon code FREEMINI at checkout, and remember--if your purchase is $20 or more, you'll also get a free magazine subscription; the current offer is for Health magazine.

Why good skincare is important, even in a recession--part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:23:00 +0000

So consider this my attempt to freak you out (a little) about why it's so important to take good care of your skin, even when economic times are tough. TotalBeauty.com just published a list of the 13 worst-skin cities, and it isn't pretty.

Every part of the country has at least one metropolitan area that makes the list, and the negatives that add up to a bad rating include everything from smoking statistics to stress to pollution to overly humid and overly arid locales.

It's just another reminder that the environmental conditions no matter where we live probably take a negative toll on our skin unless we take steps to protect it. So, while the list may be scary, all those negative factors can be mitigated by good skincare habit.

Take a look at yesterday's post, and take the time to keep up at least a minimal skincare regimen to take good care of you.

Have you recession-proofed your skincare routine?

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:42:00 +0000

As people begin cutting back on non-essentials to survive the recession, some of the first things to go are high-ticket non-essentials, and for a lot of us that includes the skincare products we all love so much. The to-die-for facial cream or super-moisturizing masque might be much-loved, but when it comes to wondering if you'll have enough extra cash to buy groceries, plunking down $50 or $75 or more for a tiny jar of cream suddenly seems the height of folly.

The June issue of Marie Claire magazine features a cover story on "budget" skincare; their grand total for recommended budget products for a woman in her 30s is $278.21. That's for enough product to last you about six weeks.

I'm not sure the editors of the magazine truly understand what "recession-proof skincare" means for those of us struggling through the bad economy, because $278.21 so entirely exceeds my budget that the magazine's total is just laughable. What chagrins me most about articles like this, however, is knowing that women out there will read it, see the outrageous "budget" price tag, and resign themselves to abandoning their skincare routine because they think good products are still beyond their fiscal reach.

But just because the magazine editors don't get it, and just because you've had to cut back, do not resign yourself to abandoning your skincare regimen.

I've previously shared my recipe for homemade makeup remover, and raved about my favorite inexpensive skincare line, Boots No. 7. Those are a good start. I'll write about other bargain products in the future, and I'm on the hunt for more skincare recipes that'll put you in league with the most prestigious spas, many of whom make their fabulous creams, scrubs and masques from items you'll find in your own pantry.

Don't forget, however, that there's more you can do to care for your skin from the inside out--and these reminders are important no matter what the condition of the economy.

Drink plenty of water. Dehydrated skin will make fine lines and wrinkles appear more prominent.
Get plenty of sleep. It'll reduce the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.
Eat a few servings a week of cold-water fish like salmon. The Omega-3 oils in the fish are vital for skin to renew itself (plus, it's good for your heart). If you're concerned about mercury levels in farm-raised salmon, then check the freezer case at the supermarket for wild-caught Alaskan salmon--it'll probably be cheaper than you think, too.
Always cleanse your face before bedtime, even if you just use a quick option such as a makeup remover wipe. The dirt and grime that accumulate over the course of a day can clog pores and cause breakouts.
Always wear sunscreen, and make sure your foundation contains a sunscreen. I use mineral makeup, which has a 15 SPF sunscreen, and has protected me against many unexpected extended sun sessions--walks at the farmers' market, etc. EyesLipsFace.com carries a mineral line with a $5 mineral foundation--and it contains a 15 SPF sunscreen. That should fit into anyone's budget.

As long as times are tough, daily budget struggles take a toll on the psyche, and neglecting your skincare regimen will only make it worse. Remember to take care of yourself, inside and out--and be aware that there are very, very inexpensive options out there that'll allow you to maintain a soul-boosting personal care routine. You'll feel better, and your skin will thank you.

You do frequent your local 99 Cent Store, don't you?

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:35:00 +0000

Well, you should. If you do patronize yours--whether it's the western 99 Cent Only chain or some derivation in another region of the country--then I'm not about to tell you anything you don't know.

But for those of you who previously wrote it off as a repository of cheap plastic crap nobody wants and packaged foods of dubious date and origin, you might want to give it another look.

When you do, you'll find an impressive array of kitchen gadgets, a huge selection of (mostly desirable) canned foods, frozen foods, spices and--believe it or not--tons of fresh produce, eggs and breads. And, as this is the 99 Cent Only store, you can load up your fridge and cabinets without dropping too much coin. See the pic here? That's $25 of randomly selected food that we picked up on an impromptu stop there this week. As you can see, in with the canned food is fresh celery, green onion, romaine lettuce, low-fat Breyer's ice cream, tortillas, sparkling mineral water, low-cal frozen dinners--quite a haul. And a nutritious haul, at that.

You'll even find gourmet goodies there--jars of marinated artichoke hearts, tins of oysters, imported crackers, sun-dried tomatoes--so it's not a bad place to check when you're stocking up to entertain. So promising are their offerings these days, that it's spawned a 99 Cent Only Store Cookbook, filled with recipes using--you guessed it--nutritious meals using ingredients easily found at the store. And the cookbook, in turn, has spawned a blog, where you can get a heads-up on new shipments of especially good stuff, along with occasional recipes.

Still think the 99 Cent Only Store is beneath you? Hey, even NPR covered the only-a-dollar awesomeness recently, and you can listen to it here.

And while the edible goodies at the 99 cent store should be enough to get you in the door, don't forget to check the personal care aisles, too. Toothpaste, shampoo, lotions--all those things that add up so quickly at the drugstore--won't wipe out your pocketbook here, and you may be surprised at the brand names you find on the shelves. With most of us cutting back and watching what we spend a lot more closely these days, it's a relief to be able to walk into a store like this, stock up on everything we need--including fresh, nutritious produce--and spend no more than $20.

It's time for another episode of get the look for (a LOT) less

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:09:00 +0000

As each season turns, InStyle magazine runs a few put-it-all-together pages for an assortment of looks. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to take each of this summer's looks that they present, and put it together for you for much less.

First up: the Urbanite look. InStyle has put together a nice collection of separates and accessories that'll last you through a summer weekend: shorts, a top, a sundress, a bikini, a coverup (which can double as a casual dress or topper over jeans or capris), embellished sandals, a set of 3 bangles, a straw hat and a patent leather bag. Total for all the pieces: $2,242.

That's just a little bit out of my budget; I'm guessing it is for yours, too. But everything on that page is fabulous. Can you get almost identical pieces for much less?

I'm Budget Girl, and that's why I'm here.

First up, the accessories: the straw hat, $10 at Sam Moon. Set of bangles? I'll go you two better with a set of five charm bangles from Sam Moon for $4.95. And the patent handbag? $23.95, also at Sam Moon.

Those white cotton short-shorts are cute, but a bit much at $295. Find almost identical white linen tie-front shorts at Victoria's Secret, on sale for $19.99. The tunic dress (and part-time swim cover)? How about $44.50 at Alloy.com. The $315 chiffon blouse? There are at least seven very similar to it at Forever21.com, but I like this one best, at $22.80. Instead of the pricy green silk sundress, Victoria's Secret has this one, very flattering with the ruched front and in a range of summer brights, on sale for $18.99.

And finally, the swimsuit and sandals? Target's swim separates are on sale for $14.99 for each piece, and you have the advantage of choosing not just the color and pattern, but which top and bottom styles look best for your figure. And you'll find a bejeweled sandal very similar to the one in the magazine feature at Alloy.com for $29.50.

So, what's the damage if you go for the budget versions of every piece in that urbanite weekend ensemble, even accessories? $204.66, less than one-tenth the price of the ensemble featured in the magazine. I'll leave you to ponder that (and click away on the budget-priced links), and I'll be back with another look for even less in a few days.

Exciting changes coming soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:05:00 +0000

Budget Girl has been under the weather all day, so I have no detailed budgety items to pass along this evening.

However, I thought it would be a good time to let you know that this blog is moving to its very own website in about a week. It'll be easy to find, and I'll post a permanent link here to make sure you can find your way there.

The new, improved site will be expanded, with posts divided by topic; you'll have a weekly newsletter subscription option as well, and a new link for up-to-the-minute Twitter posts--all geared toward keeping you informed on all the best budget fashion and lifestyle info out there. I'm very excited about what's on the way, and hope you'll enjoy it as much as I am as I put the finishing touches on the new site.

Over the next few days, I'll be posting some look-for-less features on great summer ensembles, so be sure to check back daily!

Big summer markdowns gearing up--well, just about everywhere.

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:03:00 +0000

And it's just in time for summer, so the timing couldn't be better. The markdowns seem to be coming a little sooner this year (and seem to be a little more dramatic), which is probably because of the economy. Hey, we'll take our breaks wherever we can get them, no?

The first one you may want to check out is J.Jill's big sale. There are markdowns site-wide, and now through May 25, you'll get an additional 40 percent off all J.Jill Outlet items. Have your eye on something that isn't on sale yet? Take 20 percent off any full-priced item with the coupon code 20MAY09, and all full-priced shoes will get a $15 discount at checkout.

J.C. Penney has all their summer dresses on sale, along with their entire inventory of swimwear, and even the i heart ronson line has several pieces on markdown. To cap off the sales, you'll get free shipping on orders of $99 or more.

You'll find the same kind of deals at Newport News, with a serious dress sale, all the swimwear marked down, and through Memorial Day weekend, you can take an additional 30 percent off already marked down items with the promo code 502 at checkout.

Old Navy has their summer lineup on sale, with particularly good $5, $10 and $15 deals on everything from shorts to fun and breezy summer dresses. Lots of color going on in Old Navy's clothes this summer, so there are some really fun pieces to play around with.

Just about everywhere you look, you'll find good markdowns on summer clothes--whether online or in stores. I could've gone on for paragraph after paragraph listing all of the sales, but this hits the high point. Besides, I'll leave some of the fun of the hunt to you. Why should I have all the fun?

Want deeply discounted services at top salons? Go here.

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:43:00 +0000

It's a brilliant idea, really--work with top salons who, like the rest of us, are hurting a bit in the current economy, and find a way to get them booked up during dead hours if they offer the services at a discount.

I give you Lifebooker.com. It's a relatively new site, and for now covers salons in the New York and Los Angeles areas only, but they expect to expand nationwide very soon.

Here's how it works--you search for salon and spa services online, and you're given available time, the amount of the discount--as much as 50% in most cases, with occasional specials for even bigger discounts--and book your service for the available time, much the way opentable.com works for restaurant reservations.

Lifebooker began its online service about a year and a half ago for salons and spas in New York City, and just added Los Angeles a couple of months ago. You can search by service, price, neighborhood, salon name or appointment time. And if you go back and add a review after your service, you'll earn "Reward Dollars," cash-back credits that you can use on future appointments. They offer everything from standard salon services (for women and men) to waxing to tanning to full-blow spa packages.

If those highlights are looking a little faded or your layers have disappeared, if your eyebrows make you look like Groucho Marx or you just want a massage, you'll find great deals on Lifebooker. For those of you in other cities, keep an eye out for their entry into your market, and I'll update here whenever I see new cities added to the menu.

Great summer-weight cardigan on sale at J. Crew

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:21:00 +0000

I'm a die-hard sweater girl, so I'm always reluctant to put away the heavier knits when warmer weather arrives. I'd always rather wear a cardigan than a blazer on any given day (unless formality and business situations dictate otherwise), and if I stumble upon a warm-weather alternative to my beloved sweaters, then I'm a happy girl.

And this makes me very happy.

J. Crew has a lightweight jersey cardigan that'll double for everything its heavier cousins do, but without overheating you. It comes in a range of eight different colors, and normally sells for $49.50, which is pretty reasonable, but it's just gone on sale for $39.50.

That puts it right into the "rush out and buy that puppy NOW" category for me. I'm picking a couple up, probably one in a neutral or black, and the other in that gorgeous coral. J. Crew rarely offers coupon codes, so you just have to wait for markdowns to get good deals. This is one of those good deals.

The easiest way to save money on your wardrobe: take care of what you already have

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Mon, 18 May 2009 01:40:00 +0000

All of us undoubtedly have had that one article of clothing or pair of shoes we loved so much that we just wore it to death, until it literally began to come apart. Over the long long run, there's no way to avoid that, but it is possible to extend the life of your favorite and essential wardrobe pieces so that you can get a lot of wear out of them.

The first and easiest thing you can do is remember to hang-dry any delicates or cotton-content clothes. Dryers are tough on fabrics, and letting them air-dry keeps them from shrinking and fading. Invest in a $20 drying rack and set it up where there's decent ventilation (so that they don't develop a mildewed smell).

Dryers aren't the only things that are tough on clothes--so are dry cleaners, but they're a necessary (and expensive) evil. Or are they? If you haven't discovered the Dryel home dry cleaning kits, give them a try. Good Housekeeping approves, and so do I--the kit really does work, and it's much gentler on your clothes. The kit costs around $10, but you'll find manufacturer coupons for it often, and the big drugstore chains have it on sale regularly.

Once you take your clothes out of the Dryel bag, that brings us to the other tool you should have on hand to keep your clothes looking like new, and that's a small handheld steamer. This will put the finishing--and professional-looking--touch on your dry cleanables (and on all your other clothes that usually feel the touch of the iron).

A steamer will do more than get rid of wrinkles, too. It'll put creases where you need them and restore the nap on fabrics like velvet. It's also easier on clothes than a steam iron, so you can say goodbye to that unwanted sheen that cotton and rayon clothes get from an overly hot iron. I own the Joy Mangano steamer, and it works like a champ. It doesn't take up a lot of room, and it's small enough to stick in the suitcase when I go out of town. You can pick one up for around $30 from HSN.

And your shoes should get a little attention, too. Learn how to polish your shoes (ask your dad or your brother if you've never tried it). Get rid of most scuff marks on lighter-colored shoes by gently scrubbing with a little toothpaste. Seek out your local shoe repair shop, and take your shoes in when a heel breaks or a sole wears down, instead of throwing the shoes in the trash. I have a pair of cowboy boots that are my go-to footwear with jeans, and I've been wearing them since I was in high school. They're well-made Acmes, but I've worn them just about to death. When the soles finally gave out on me about six months ago, there was no way I was about to toss them--I love those boots, and they were perfectly broken in. $30 and a trip to the shoe repair store later, I had new leather soles on them, and I continue to wear them every time the jeans go on.

No matter how well you care for your clothes, there are some things that can't be avoided--but in most cases, they can be fixed. Keep those extra buttons that come with your clothes--find a place to store them so that you can find them again when you need to sew on a lost or loose button. Never picked up a needle and thread before? No problem. YouTube has a wealth of how-to videos on just about any subject, including how to sew on a button, so you see how to do it (instead of just reading instructions).

For quick treatment of spills and spots, keep a few Shout wipes tucked in your purse. I'm aware that Tide also makes a stain remover pen, but I've tried it and it didn't work anywhere close to as well as the Shout wipes do; those little towelettes have saved many a garment of mine from permanent spots from mustard, marinara, red wine--and on and on. I'm a klutz, and I spill, so I really can't live without my Shout wipes.

For perspiration stains that develop over time around collars and under arms, there's a fix for that, too, and it's probably sitting in your medicine cabinet right now. The humble aspirin is a miracle worker for removing sweat stains from cotton and cotton-blend clothes. Just crush a tablet into some warm water, and soak the stained area in the solution before going into the laundry as usual. The video here will show you a demonstration of how this works--I was amazed when I discovered the trick.

When we talk about having a wardrobe of essential pieces, the unspoken idea is that we need to care for those pieces so that they last a really long time. Classics don't go out of style, so do what you can to make sure you don't have continually reinvest in replacement pieces.

Hair. Don't ignore it; it doesn't have to be expensive.

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:13:00 +0000

I'm speaking more to myself than any of you, I think--I have hair paranoia and a very small budget. I've had one too many bad cut over the years, so I'm instantly suspicious of every new stylist I go to--which is unfair to the stylist (mostly).

For me, it's like going to the dentist, but without all the pain (oh, but the pain will come later--I'm always sure of it). I dread the price tag, I dread getting a stylist who gives me a blank look and just nods a lot when I try to explain what I want--even as I'm pointing to the picture I brought with me. I dread the possibility of getting a stylist in a bad mood. Run, do not walk, to the nearest exit if your stylist seems grumpy--trust me on this. I dread the bad cut that I probably won't get, but that I'm afraid I will get--truly, I do have hair paranoia. I like my hair. I have pretty nice hair. I'm picky about my hair--probably too picky. And I don't want anybody to mess it up.

There's a not-small part of me that's a little like the Stuart character on the old Mad TV skit. On the inside, I'm all "LET ME DO IT!" And that's not terribly helpful, so I'm working on that.

So why this discussion of my personal hair psychosis? Well, it's a lead in, of course. I need my hair trimmed and my layers spiffed up. Honestly, I needed it done a few months ago. The situation is rapidly approaching "dire." Split ends? I'd rather not talk about that, thank you very much. As I mope around trying to decide exactly when and where to submit myself to the shears, I realize I'm probably not alone in wanting the best value for my money when it comes to salon services. That part I'm not paranoid about at all--there are some marvelous options out there that some of you may not be aware of.

We all know the budget-priced salons such as Fantastic Sam's and SuperCuts and Great Clips--get a cut and style for around $20, not including tip (yes, you DO have to tip--20 percent is the norm).

But there are other, better options. Pull out your yellow pages or go to Yelp.com--one of the greatest consumer review sites on the web, especially for restaurants, but hair salons will be covered, too--and search for beauty schools. Just about everybody has a beauty school in their town, or at least fairly close by, and they all offer extremely inexpensive styling services.

Don't recoil at the idea if you haven't tried before--they won't be turning Edward Scissorhands loose on you unsupervised. The stylists you get for these cuts will be advanced students at the end of their training (only then are they turned loose on real, live heads), all of whom are closely supervised by licensed instructors. It's probably one of the safest places to go for a haircut and feel confident that you'll come out with a great cut.

The prices for these services will range from $1o-20, and be prepared to spend a little time in the chair. The student is going to be extra-careful to get that cut just right, and will consult frequently with their instructor during the process. This is a good thing--just be patient and enjoy the ride.

As paranoid as I am about my hair (hey, I never said it was rational), I'm at least smart enough to know that I have one of the best stylists' schools in the country just down the road from me--the Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica is one of the most prestigious beauty academies in the nation, and I'll be sitting my fanny down for the 2- to 3-hour experience next weekend. It's a little more expensive there, so I'll be out around $25 (plus tip), but that's still a huge savings over the fancy salons here in Los Angeles.

Many of these schools offer a full range of salon services, so you can also get a great deal on highlights, color, perms--even facials and manicures in most cases. Call them up, ask about their schedule and pricing, and give it a try.

How about a little (jewelry) drama in your life?

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:49:00 +0000

No, really--Jewelry Drama. I saw their small display ad in the back pages of Rolling Stone

magazine, of all places, a few years ago, and they became an instant favorite of mine when I checked out their website.

Their prices are oh-em-gee low, and their jewelry is designer-inspired; think Tiffany, Judith Ripka, David Yurman--you get the idea.

I'm smitten with the Hidalgo-esque enameled rings. They offer 3 different styles in a rainbow of colors, and all will stack and mix-and-match nicely. The style pictured here is $14.95, a fraction of what the sales tax would be for a Hidalgo ring. Most of their jewelry--including the enameled rings--ships free, too.

You'll also find bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants, but their ring selection is the real knockout. If you've stared longingly at that Cartier ad, and then laughed at your own fleeting folly, go here. They probably have a (very) similar design, but with a guilt-free price tag.

Embrace your inner geek.

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:44:00 +0000

I am an unrepentant gadget freak. If it's a tech gadget--or, really, any kind of gadget with a definite "neato" factor--I'm all about that.

But gadgets can be expensive. Naturally, I've looked around for killer deals on tech devices in the same way I have an eagle-eye for fashion deals. And there are some really, really great deals out there. One weekly email I always look forward to is from Buy.com, with their LONG list of weekly deals. Their specials every week range from hardcore computer equipment (USB hubs, external hard drives, etc.) to things such as watches or LCD frames or digital cameras. It's a veritable pot pourri of gadgety goodness, and their prices are just about impossible to beat.

One of this week's deals is for the GE designer photophone, pictured here. So, that's cool, right? Cordless phone and LCD photo frame in one. But it's better than that. Link photos to phone numbers, and it acts as a visual caller ID. Say you're elbows deep into dinner prep, the phone rings, and you have to make the decision whether it's worth dashing across the room dripping food all over the floor. No problem! Just cast a glance at the photophone, and see if mom's pic has popped up on the screen, or if it's some nameless bozo trying to sell you an extended car warranty (you're getting those annoying robocalls, too, aren't you?). And it has other nifty gadgety functions besides that one. This week, the photophone is a whopping 69 percent off, just $39.99. Oh, and shipping's free, too. I love that.

The Buy.com weekly deals are a great starting point to do father's day shopping, too--I know, you're feeling pleased with yourself for remembering mother's day, but don't forget about dad! How about a handsome, almost $500 stainless steel watch? Weekly deal has this Invicta men's watch for $89, discounted from $495. And free shipping.

And Buy.com is much more than gadgets (though I do love those gadgets). They offer deep discounts on books, and you'll also find such non-gadget items including fragrances and jewelry, so check over there frequently, as you never know what kind of crazy deal they'll offer on any of those things. If you sign up for their email list, they won't bombard you--you'll get an utterly reasonable single email a week with details on all of their weekly specials. Those car warranty telemarketers could learn a valuable lesson from Buy.com's example. So, go sign up, and embrace your inner geek.

Keep these two items on hand, and you are entertainment-ready

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:19:00 +0000

And, naturally, that's entertainment-ready on a budget. Even if you don't cook, I promise you you can whip up amazing and impressive appetizers and tarts with just minutes of prep time. No, really. Are you capable of cutting a sandwich in half? Chopping up some fruit or vegetables? Grating some cheese? Those are all the skills you'll need.

What, and why? Puff Pastry. Go. Get some. Keep a package or two in your freezer. It's in the freezer section, probably near the bags of frozen fruit and frozen, pre-made pie shells. You can pull it out, thaw it, and use it to make an almost infinite variety of appetizers both sweet and savory, or larger-format tarts and galettes.

And when I say "cook" for these things, all you'll have to do is cut up the puff pastry, and pile it up with whatever you choose to go on it; consider the pastry your pallete. Depending on what recipe you grab in a panic, you might have to saute some vegetables before spooning them onto your puff pastry squares, but that's about the maximum effort here. See? Told you it'd be easy.

If you go to my favorite recipe source, Epicurious.com (the collected recipes of Gourmet, Bon Appetit and Food & Wine magazines, among others), you'll get 289 possibilities. If you search more widely on Google, there are almost too many to count. The results you'll get on Epicurious are pretty dependable, however, and the reviews section is both accurate and a great source for more detailed instructions and suggestions for how to improve upon recipes.

Now that you have the puff pastry on hand, all you'll have to do when guests drop by on short notice is thaw out the pastry, check for a quick recipe, and perhaps dash to the supermarket to get one or two ingredients (if you don't already have them on hand).

An easy savory example is this recipe for a mushroom and leek galette, which you can either make full size, or downsize to mini-galettes. Spend 10-15 minutes chopping and sauteeing, a few more assembling, then it's into the oven--you can take a deep breath and wait for your guests to arrive and be terribly impressed with your gourmet tasties. Open a bottle of wine and assemble a quick cheese tray, and you'll put the Barefoot Contessa to shame without even breaking a sweat.

Prefer something on the sweet side? Oh, even easier. Pick up a few of whichever fruit is in season--strawberries, blueberries, peaches, segments of sweet tangerine--slice some up, and toss with sugar. The technical term for tossing with sugar is "maceration," and it'll both sweeten the fruit and draw out its juices. Cut out squares of puff pastry, sprinkle with sugar and bake. Take them out of the oven, pull them in half as you would a biscuit (they'll be very flaky). Put one half of the pastry on a plate, spoon on some fruit, top with the other half, and top that with some whipped cream. Dust with cinnamon or cardamom if you're feeling extra-fancy. It'll look beautiful, and taste even better.

See? I told you that was easy. Now, for ingredient number 2 to keep on hand--a good but inexpensive sauvignon blanc. I prefer Geyser Peak's, because their budget-line sauvignon blanc is always outstanding, widely available--your supermarket probably has it, no matter where you live--and it'll run you about $10 maximum. It's crisp and citrus-y, and pairs well with just about anything, unless you're doing a heavy sauce or red meat, which you probably won't be doing with puff pastry. Keep it in the fridge so it'll be chilled and ready to go whenever you need it.

Keep these two things around, and you'll always be ready to entertain at a moment's notice, and on a shoestring. And you'll look masterful doing so, which is always a bonus. Happy partying!

Update: Remember those bargain-priced eyeglasses?

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:58:00 +0000

You may recall I wrote about Zenni Optical and their you-must-be-kidding prices on prescription eyeglasses awhile back. A couple of you have asked how I liked them, so here's my review.

Well, after three and a half weeks, my order finally arrived. First, let me grouse a little about how long it took to receive them. Their FAQ section estimates a 2-week wait to receive your order, and mine took substantially longer than that. I called and spoke to their customer service department about the delay, and they said they've been swamped with orders the last few months. It seems many, many of us shopping on a budget have found Zenni--their sales have almost tripled in the last five months, and they're almost overwhelmed with business. While it's nice to see somebody doing well in this recession, I was less than thrilled with the delivery time. I'm a want-it-now kind of gal, so if it's going to take 3.5 weeks, then please tell me it's going to take 3.5 weeks so that I can adjust my expectations accordingly.

To their credit, however, they were very responsive in keeping me updated with delivery estimates and tracking information, so they do pay attention to their customers. The rep I spoke with said that in light of the huge rush of business, they may amend their FAQ section to give a more realistic expected delivery time.

Given their amazing prices, that's really a minor complaint. So, now that I have them, what do I think? LOVE them. The prescription was perfect (no errors), the frames fit, and were exactly as pictured on the website. I'll probably order a few more pair, just because the idea of $20 for a complete pair of glasses is irresistable, and just because their frame styles are so much fun. Definitely give Zenni a try if you're looking to save some serious cash on your eyeglasses, but do be prepared to wait a few weeks to get them. Unless you're in the midst of some kind of eyewear emergency, it's absolutely worth it.

Step right up--wardrobe essentials at Old Navy at ridiculously low prices

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:56:00 +0000

I've gone into some detail in an earlier post about the importance of having a foundation of essential garments in your wardrobe, all of which can be the basis for an almost infinite number of outfits no matter the time of year.

I was, of course, riffing on Tim Gunn's excellent "10 Essentials" list, and it's a guide all of us should be familiar with--it's also available in book form, as Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style (Tim Gunn's Guide to Style).

So, I try to keep my fashion radar up for good deals on the wardrobe essentials, and pass them along to you as I find them. Which brings us (if a little long-windedly) to tonight's topic, the excellent classic trench at Old Navy.

It's a steal at $49.50, and is traditionally tailored, doubled-breasted, and with a tie belt and faux leather-covered buttons. It's a timeless style, but you'll have a hard time finding it for a better price.

If you sign up for Old Navy's email newsletter, they'll send you a $10 off $50 purchase--you know I always dig around for ways to sweeten already great bargains, so take advantage of that.

I also noticed their classic white shirt--another wardrobe essential--is currently on sale for $15. It's crisp cotton with just a touch of stretch, and comes in several colors. At that price, you could pick up a white shirt (or two), and perhaps one in French blue.

These are items that will never go out of style, and easily pair with any number of other separates (dress slacks, a pencil skirt--even jeans), and everyone should have these in their closet. At these prices, it's much less painful on the pocketbook to add them if you don't already have them.

A little Sunday afternoon closet-shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Mon, 11 May 2009 01:13:00 +0000

I've had a fashion crush on all things apple-green ever since I picked up the free green straw tote at Ulta with my fragrance purchase a few weeks ago. Problem is, that straw tote is the only thing I own in that color, and I certainly don't have the disposable income at the moment to go on an apple-green shopping spree.

So, after obsessing over my wardrobe possibilities for a few days, I finally had my "aha!" moment. I was officially on the hunt for an apple-green sleeveless top to wear with the black pencil skirt that's one of my wardrobe staples. After flipping through catalogs from Newport News, Victoria's Secret, J. Crew and Chadwicks and coming up empty, I was off to eBay.

A quick search for "sleeveless green" in the sub-category of women's tops, and I found exactly what I was looking for: a new-with-tags apple-green sleeveless silk blouse, with a special free-shipping offer. Nicely, tailored, too. Perfect! So I put in a bid, was outbid this morning, and hovered over the auction like the good little sniper I am, and re-bid this afternoon. I was victorious!

The strappy black gladiator platform sandals I just picked up to go with the black surplice dress I just posted about earlier today will go perfectly with the outfit, and all I need now is a choker-length (or slightly longer) chunky black necklace to complete the outfit. Those sandals, incidentallly, will go with many, many outfits, and will likely be the only pair of high-heeled sandals I buy this spring and summer.

My cost for the blouse was $20.50 after re-bidding--still a great deal for a brand new designer silk shell--and not counting whatever jewelry I find to go with (which will probably come from Sam Moon and cost no more than $10-$15), that was my total (new) cash outlay for the outfit. This is an excellent example of how and why to have a foundation of certain key pieces in your wardrobe, and how to work with them to get an almost infinite number of looks. A pencil skirt is especially flexible, and works for an enormous variety of looks--this one will be bright, spring-y and trendy, but it'll go back just as easily to classic cool-weather looks for work this fall and winter.

Black surplice dress with gladiator heels - get the look for less.

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:13:00 +0000

The surplice dress continues to be one of the hottest styles for tops and dresses, probably because it's an almost universally flattering style.

But if you wander around your local mall, you'll find the prices can be a little steep. One of my favorite boutiques--if a bit on the high end for me--is White House/Black Market. They carry a version of the surplice dress in black that you've seen featured in O magazine, among other places, and it has a price tag of $148.00.

That's a little outside my budget at the moment, and probably is for you, too. However, you'll find an almost identical version of the dress at Newport News for just $49 (that's it pictured here in this post). Factor in any of several 15 percent off coupons that are easily found on a quick google search, and the deal is even better.

The surplice dress pairs beautifully with this season's strappy gladiator platform sandals, but those are often priced well into the stratosphere, too. A little savvy shopping will get you Steve Madden's Madden Girl Kenyaa sandals for an utterly reasonable $39 at DSW (with free shipping under their current promotion, using the coupon code MYSHIP).

With the dress and shoes coming in at around $90, you're saving at least 2/3 the price this outfit would run you if you went with the more expensive options (the option you see in the magazine features, specifically). If you have any cash left, you can pick up a handbag and jewelry for a few bucks more at Sam Moon, which I told you about a few days ago.

It's a look that transitions perfectly from day into evening, and you can put the whole outfit together for much less--just remember which stores and catalog companies carry similar pieces, and go on the hunt for the magazine-featured outfit that you adore, but pick it up for a fraction of the price.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month--and Olay wants you to get a FREE skin cancer screening

noreply@blogger.com (Robin Black) — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:15:00 +0000

It's hard to find anything more budget-friendly than "free." Olay has generously set up a program with dermatologists all over the country to offer free skin cancer screenings. FREE. No co-pay, no nothing. No insurance (or anything else) required.

Before you just shrug that off, take a look at some of these skin cancer statistics from the American Cancer Society:

One person dies of skin cancer every hour in the United States*

62,480 people were diagnosed with melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) in 2008

Melanoma is the seventh most common form of cancer among women

One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer over the course of their lives and one in 200 women aged 40-59 will develop melanoma

When detected and treated early, the five year survival rate for melanoma is 99%, but once it has spread, that number drops to only 15%*

UV exposure at tanning salons is just as risky as sunbathing outside

People with fair skin that burns rather than tans, people with red hair and people with blue eyes are at greater risk of developing skin cancer

People who have many (extensive) freckles on their upper back are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer

People who have a history of sunburns, especially during childhood, are at a greater risk

The depletion of the ozone layer may be significantly affecting the incidence of melanoma
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and exposure at high altitudes are the most dangerous times to be exposed to the sun

Those with an impaired immune system — especially those who have had an organ transplant, leukemia or lymphoma — are at a greater risk of melanoma

According to one study, the use of a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher during the first 18 years of life would cut lifetime risk of melanoma by 78%

Those are pretty sobering statistics, so give some thought to taking advantage of the free screening. You can find a list of participating dermatologists in your area here, and can also email your girlfriends with a heads-up. Heck, make it a group activity, and take a group of friends with you so you can all take advantage of the free screening.

Taking care of your skin is much more than a surface-level vanity activity--your very life may depend on it. Go see Dr. Dermatologist for the screening, and always wear sunscreen!