Hot DAMN, I Look Good!

As I’ve watched those around me (including myself) struggle to loose weight, over the years, I have learned one very valuable lesson:  Buy clothes that make you feel good about yourself AT YOUR CURRENT WEIGHT.  Waiting until you reach your goal weight will only serve to make you feel crappy about yourself in the interim.  Contrary to popular belief, this will not serve as motivation to shed those extra pounds.  In fact, you may strap on the feedbag even more!  Now, this is not a license to go out and spend $500 on the Ann Taylor suit that won’t fit in five pounds.  I mean, look cute, but don’t spend a lot of money on clothes that may be transitory.  Give yourself permission to buy something that will be so out-of-style next season, you could gag, BUT … do it on the cheap.  I’m not talking Walmart here.  Familiarize yourself with the discounts that are available to you.  You may have opportunities through your work, auto club, or union, to name a few.  You’d be surprised by how many people aren’t aware of the fact that your AAA membership will get you 10–20% off at places like The Gap, Target.com, Payless Shoes, Banana Republic, and New York & Company.  (Don’t think I don’t tell every sad soul attempting to pay full-price at the register.)  DO NOT be afraid to ask for discounts any and everywhere you go.  I know, my step-mom and husband constantly make fun of me for this, but 7 times out of 10 I get one.  Whether or not they “technically” offer it.  If you don’t ask, you won’t get … or know about.  Wait for free shipping, and use coupons and coupon codes.  (My older sister is a MASTER at this.)  Find your favorite store and become a member of their frequent shopper program.  Also, sometimes their store credit cards offer special discounts and ongoing incentives.  If you’re disciplined enough to pay them off every month, take advantage.  (If not, don’t even think about it, sister!  Those sky-high APR’s will whoop you’re cute little booty.)  Pick one or two stores that regularly have things you like, that fit well, and be loyal.  Know their inventory so you can strike quickly when that markdown comes along.  For me it’s New York & Company.  I wait for one of their frequent sales or clearance deals, then use my 15% AAA discount (sometimes it’s 20%), or one of the many coupons they send me through their rewards program.  (They can be up to as much as 50% off!)   I also like HSN (Home Shopping Nuisance & Avid Avarice), but wait for the clearance deals ‘cuz shipping can add a butt-load onto regular prices.  What I’m trying to say is, shop smart and don’t think it’s frivolous.  When you loose the weight, march your snooty-patooty booty down to the Prada store and go hog-wild (if you can afford it), but don’t just save looking good as a reward.  The better and more fashionable you look, on a daily basis, the more motivated you will be to get your hot bod even closer to perfection.  What do the say?  Look good, feel good?  You simply MUST look good to feel good.  Come on, we live in a superficial society, it’s just the reality.  You’ll be AMAZED by how much better you feel.  So that's what I think. 

*Product Review:  AAA and Retailmenot

OK, do you really wanna hear me gab anymore?  I will just say that AAA and Retailmenot.com are excellent resources for shopping discounts.  They’re two of my favorites.  If you get lucky, they can absolutely be … 5 Stars.

Beauty is as Beauty ... Knows?

OK, so you know I’m a total people-watcher who likes to make sociological observations about the world in which we live. Well, one thing I’ve noticed is that pretty people have pretty friends. (And if, per chance, they have one randomly not-as-attractive amigo, he/she is super stylish to make up for it.) Why is that? From an early age, do they go looking specifically for equally pulchritudinous pals? Are they so shallow that they won’t even dain to speak to a homely type? You’d think, given human nature, that they’d look for slightly less alluring types, so they could be the most enchanting. Or … maybe they know that the opposite sex is more likely drawn to a group of beauties. I mean, heaven forbid you walk up to a good-lookin’ soul and get stuck with their fugly compadre. I don’t know.  I know they say opposites attract, but maybe like attracts like even more.

*Product Review Updates:  Lips, Bras, and Body

Alright, well I figured it was time for a little follow-up. As you live with a product, sometimes you begin to feel differently about it, and I wanted to give you the latest updates. First of all, my go-to lip product still seems to be the Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain in Sassy Mauve (Post - Occam's Razor).  Despite some close competition from Maybelline’s new Color Sensational Lipstain line (I Had a Point), I still prefer CG’s Sassy Mauve to In the Buff.  For some reason, I also seem to be slightly allergic to the Maybelline Lipstain line.  It does give me a bit of a rash on my lips, but it goes away in a day or two.  Not enough of a bother to keep me from using it, but just another reason why I’m stickin’ with my Cover Girl.  On those very rare occasions when I find I’m in the mood for somethin’ sassier, I keep reaching for the mark. Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain in Bella (Here's the Story, of a Girl Named Crazy). 

On to more intimate things … I remain enchanted by the shaping and support of Natural Touch by Vanity Fair’s Full Coverage Bra (Two Steps Closer to Cuckoo).  Now, even more so, since it’s on clearance at Target for $10.48.  The only reason I don’t wear it more often is because the fun and fabulous animal print shows through my summery lights.  Can’t wait for Fall!  (Colder weather will serve the full coverage cut better too.)  Also in its category … the Natural Touch Contour Underwire Bra (Bedtime Bath and Beauty).  Though the shaping doesn’t hold up quite as well, that’s forgivable considering it too is on Target clearance for $10.48.  Gotta love that clearance.

Now, I have to be brutally honest and say that, as much as I love the Avon NATURALS Vanilla Roll-On Anti-Perspirant Deodorant (The Truth Sucks), it doesn’t cut the funk quite as long as the Secret Scent Expression’s Truth or Pear.  It’s still great, but when I need maximum funk guard, I opt for the Secret.  Finally, the sweetest truth is that I’m still in love with Dylan’s Candy Bar Strawberry Licorice Candy Butter Cream (Plastic On the Furniture), only now it’s even sweeter on Sephora clearance clearance for $5.50.  Hello!!  Original price was $22!  So there you have it.  Updates on some of my favorite thingamabobs.  You can’t say I don’t tell it like it is.

I'll Cut You, B****!

Never trust another woman’s opinion on clearance merchandise.  If she’s even remotely your size or sensibility, she’s a liar.  “Hoops or dangles?”, I asked of the sweet, unassuming gal perusing the clearance jewelry next to me.  “Ohhh … definitely dangles.  I haves a pair like those and they’re great.”  Unsure, but persuaded, I placed the hoops back and headed for the register.  Halfway there I had my doubts, though, and went back to reclaim my hoops.  …Where were they?  How could they be gone in 2 minutes time?  I mean … wait … there’s that gal again.  And what’s in her hot little hands?!  MY HOOPS!  …Back-stabbin’ hootchie.  Dangles my ass.  And now, as nice as the dangles are, I can’t even appreciate them.  They stand as sparkly little reminders of how I was duped, swindled, done wrong.  How could such a normal, kind-looking individual rob a total stranger of her clearance joy?  Oh, I know … WOMEN LIE!  When you least expect it, Lady.  When you least expect it.

*Product Review:  Almay Amazing Lasting 16 Hour Eye Pencil

Alright, enough fighting over clearance items, already.  When I can pick up an everyday staple at an everyday low price, that's sooo much better that fisticuffs in the penny-pincher's pile.  Let's speak simply ... everyone, at some point, needs an eyeliner.  Yes, it is true. For major drama black is nice, but for everyday beauty … brown is all you need.  With all the expensive, swanky, options out there, all you really need to do is march your little booty down to the nearest drugstore and pick yourself up an Almay eye pencil.  Their Black Brown color is versatile enough to take you from ordinary day to night-on-the-town.  It works on virtually everyone and costs a measly $6.50 or so.  (Less if you have a coupon, my friends.)  It goes on easily, is water-resistant, you never have to sharpen it -- my eyeball’s a freakin’ magnet for pencil shavings -- and it stays put all day.  The only downside is that you have exactly 2.5 seconds to correct any screw-ups before it sets forever and a day.  Once you get the hang of it, though, you’ll really appreciate the longevity and intensity of pigment.  Honestly, where you can cut the complications and save a few bucks, why not?  Enough said … 4½ Stars.

Almay Eyeliner with Built In Sharpener, Black Brown 206, 0.01-Ounce Packages (Pack of 2)

Not Just a Pretty Face

Here's what I've learned:  1)  Despite what she may want you to believe, I’ve never met a beautiful woman who wasn’t extremely intelligent as well.  The universe simply wouldn’t give her all that power without the smarts to know how to use it.  2)  There is no such thing as a dumb blond.  Blonds may even be brighter than the general population.  In fact, I believe there's an alternate universe where they reign supreme ... if it isn't this one.  That’s what I think.

*Product Review:  Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz

My Whole Foods just started carrying the Kinky-Curly line.  I’ve been eyeing it for a while, but since I didn’t have to pay for shipping and handling (and it was in front of my face) I decided to give the Spiral Spritz a go.  Now, I realize that everyone who loves this line swears by the Curling Custard, but I don’t care for it. It flakes up something fierce in the mass quantities I require.  However, the spritz is a different story.  I will preface this by saying that I haven’t used it as an initial styler, though.  For whatever reason, I only use it to refresh and redefine “next day” hair.  Well ... maybe I shouldn’t say “refresh”, as you can’t really spray it on.  Its consistency is pretty thick, like a juicy gel, so it comes out of the bottle in a stream.  So, I squirt it on my fingertips and slick it on any wayward, frizzed-out curls.  It brings them back to life and leaves them with a smooth, glossy finish.  Usually, any kind of refreshing product is either so watery that it leaves my hair frizzy, or is something that needs to be used in conjunction with water.  I like the fact that I can apply this right on dry hair, and don’t have to use any water to make this product work.  It’s quick and simple.  Side Note:  Wouldn’t it be nice if I could just spritz a little spray on my funky bed-head, sexily bend over, toss my long luxurious locks back-and-forth for exactly 6 seconds, and stand up to a do that would make Keri Russell wanna weep with envy?  Yeah, right.  Not so much.  Despite product descriptions and empty promises, I don’t expect that much from ANY beauty buy.  Back on course ... I think the value is pretty good, especially since it does double duty as an adult and kidlet styling tool.   Of course, everything is priced up at Whole Foods, but you can buy 8 oz. for $12 at Curlmart.   The fragrance is not my favorite (kinda lavendery), but it fades super quick.  I do use it as an initial styler for my daughter, who has much finer, silkier, looser curls than I.  On her, it’s just the light amount of definition and hold she requires.  One day I’ll get bold and try it on my freshly washed locks, but until then, it’s a handy (completely natural) touch-up tool for those annoyingly errant strands … 4 Stars.