Fashion Friday ... Save vs Splurge

Silver hoop earrings ... Forever 21 {$1.50}

~


My outfit today totals a whopping $30.50 ... I am all about finding amazing steals vs. spending big bucks on designer labels. Don't get me wrong ... I have a couple pairs of Sevens and a few Juicy Couture pieces in my closet, but I have learned that I enjoy having lots of variety and cute clothes to play around with, rather than a handful of items that have a name status. I totally understand the quality of these designers, but for the cheaper prices I get my threads for, I can easily replace them and update frequently. Ain't no shame in my game.

~ Black skirt ... Target {$14}

White tank ... Target {$4}

Gray Tank ... Forever 21 {$4}

Necklace ... White House Black Market {gifted}


Flip flops ... DC Shoes ... Ross {$7}

Save vs Splurge ... DIY or Salon trip?

Box or Salon?

Pros and cons for a trip to the salon ... if you are like me, then you love the salon experience! The wash, the dry, the blow-out ... hair looking gorgeous without having to do the work myself - l.o.v.e.!! The cons? Spending 2 (or more) hours of my day and handing over the credit card to pay the ginormous bill. Not.so.fabulous!
My hair is pretty basic. Long, layered and dyed one color ... black. Once a year, I like to head into the salon for a trim and to define my layers. This year, I added the purple extensions - SO fun, LOVED them, but they started to fade after just 5 weeks, so I took them out - SO sad!! This year's salon trip cost me $150, not including tip. I dyed my hair at home before my appointment to save on time and cash, but without doing the extensions, my bill would have been the same if I had the stylist dye it for me. Just the hair coloring alone, with my long hair, at any salon starts at $75. I simply cannot justify spending that kind of money every 4 to 6 weeks.

I have access to a beauty supply store that is open to the public. I usually get my hair color there, as do a lot of salon stylists. I pay $6 per bottle of color (my hair takes about a bottle and a half, so I always purchase 2) and $10 for a bottle of developer (which lasts several colorings). I have a brush and a bowl, and my sister-in-law and I get together to do each other's hair. Simple, easy and cheap.
This last time around, I wanted to try Clairol's Nice N Easy Color Foam (found at your local drugstore). The advertisements for this line claim for an easy, no-drip application that covers entirely (including gray hair) and lasts a full 4 to 6 weeks (its a permanent color).

To mix, add bottle number one to bottle number 2, attach the pump and shake until mixed. Literally takes a minute of your time.

Next up, squeeze the bottle. The dye comes out as a foam. Apply it all over your hair, as you would shampoo. Yep! No need for portioning off your hair ... just saturate with the color foam! Leave on for about 25 to 35 minutes, and rinse. As with most in-store hair coloring products, Clairol includes a super hydrating conditioner packet to apply after you rinse, plus an extra one to use in 3 weeks.

The foam did not drip, as promised, and covered completely! I am three weeks into my color and it has not faded. My roots will noticeably grow-out in the next 2-3 weeks, and I will re-dye then.

The winner ... If you have one hair color (no highlights or special treatments), then absolutely save the cash and do-it-yourself at home. Most permanent hair colors you find in the stores are just as suitable as salon formulas. However, if you have the extra dough in your budget, then hit up the salon, girl! There is nothing quite like the pampering treat of having a stylist maintain your locks for you.

And by the way ... the pic of me at the top of this post was the results of the color foam, just dyed and blow-dryed ... could you tell?

Save vs Splurge ... Makeup Remover Wipes

MAC Wipes, Vitamin E infused, classic MAC scent, silky textured cloth, quickly removes eye makeup, great for touch-ups. Purchased at Nordstrom, 30 ct. for $15.

Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes, Evening Soothe with Chamomile and White Tea. Quilted little wipes with a heavenly scent that wipes away my eye makeup with ease. No oily residue left behind, just clean skin. I purchased a 30 ct. package at Target for $4.79.

The winner ... this is a tough one, because I am generally a MAC snob. Their makeup remover wipes are pretty awesome, removing makeup quickly and getting the job done. Sometimes they can leave behind a pretty heavy oily layer that I need to wipe away with a hand towel. With the Pond's towelettes, I needed to get used to the quilted texture. It was a little rougher than I was used to with MAC. The scent of chamomile and white tea is so amazing! That alone earns extra points in my book. Overall, I feel like the budget-friendly Pond's is just as suitable for a makeup remover wipe as MAC's. I do think the packaging could be a little better though. The sticky flap looses it's ability to seal, so I end up using a zip-lock bag to keep the wipes moist. MAC was thinking ahead and added a plastic snap-top on their packaging.

And a tip to keep any makeup remover wipe fresh and moist ... store the package with the top facing down. This ensures that the cleanser doesn't pool up on the bottom wipes.

Save vs Splurge ... Hair Care

This week, I wanna share some comparisons that I have found between some of our everyday beauty products. I will let you in on which brands are worth the extra pennies, and which are better on the budget!
Shampoo and conditioner ... can not live without them! Salons rave about Pureology's vegan line of hair care products. Organic ingredients, UVA/UVB sunscreens, anti-fade formulas and free of sulfates, Pureology promises to protect your hair and nourish your strands. Retail starts at around $25 for a 10-ounce bottle of shampoo or 8-ounce bottle of conditioner.

L'Oreal also has a line that is sulfate-free, 100% vegan, made with botanicals and UVA/UVB filters, and an anti-fade system. EverPure promises to protect and nourish your locks, and adding some aromatherapy to your shower with scents like Rosemary Mint. An 8.5-ounce bottle of shampoo or conditioner will run you $6.99 per bottle.

The winner ... L'Oreal EverPure! I have used both of these lines, and I adore EverPure so much more! Salons will rave about Pureology and their all-natural benefits, but compare these 2 labels, and they are pretty much the same! Plus, Pureology tends to weigh my hair down after using it for a few weeks. EverPure is lightweight and does not build up in my hair. Plus, I love the smell - rosemary mint and juniper scents are awesome in the shower steam. An added bonus ... L'Oreal often has coupons for their products, so you can snag these products for an even better deal!

Randomness for Thursday

I am prepping for my annual garage sale today ... I thought I could get away with not having one this year, however hubby and I decided to clean out the closets last weekend, so there is much to sell! For a one day event, these suckers sure do take a lot of time and energy out of ya!
I tend to sell pretty much everything at my sales, and if that is the case this year, I have a couple wish list items to purchase. Now I know it is technically summertime for most of you all, but the Pacific Northwest has yet to show us the heat (or even the sun for that matter - did I mention that it is still RAINING here??). So, I am already shopping with the fall season in mind. I heart these Kensington boots by Ugg.
And how about an iPad? Let's throw that on the list, too. Anyone have one of these? Thoughts?

I am off to make my signs and price out my stuff ... hope y'all are having a great Thursday!!
Oh ... and the winner of my giveaway was announced on dot...dot...dot...'s Facebook page this morning!!
♥

Turn It Up Tuesday ...

I can shake my azz like dat ... just sayin.

xoxo

♥
And don't forget to 'Like' dot...dot...dot... on Facebook (link in the sidebar -->) for your chance to win a $25 gift card to Target!! I am picking a winner tomorrow!!

Fashion Friday ... Jeans in July??

Welcome to Oregon ... only here do we need to wear sweaters and jeans in the middle of July! Ugh!! I am so jealous of all you bloggers who are posting about all the summertime fun you are having in the HEAT!!

Ruffle sweater ... Express
Jeans ... Gap (Long and Lean)

Dress ... Ross

DC Flip Flops ... Ross

Have a great weekend ... and be sure to enter my giveaway (click on the link in my sidebar) for your chance to win a $25 gift card to Target!!

xoxo

I tried it ... I L.O.V.E. it ...

This is my absolute FAVORITE buffer in the whole world ... well, in my world anyway. Bath and Body Works carries this line of products by C.O. Bigelow and the Mentha Body Smoothing Body Buffer is uh.maze.ing!! Little peppermint sugar crystals exfoliate your skin with a refreshing scent and a skin-cooling sensation. The gritty texture is fabulous for your body's rough spots, but I love using this on my face as well. This body buffer retails for $14 and worth every penny ... promise!! It is currently sold out on Bath and Body's website (cuz it is that awesome), so check with the store nearest you to see if they have any in stock. You can also purchase it here online through the company who created it, Bigelow Chemists.

Yep ... it's official!

My blog is now on Facebook ... YAY!!

I wanna celebrate by kickin' off a giveaway!! If you 'Like' dot...dot...dot... on my new Facebook page, you will automatically be entered to win a $25 gift card to Target! Super simple, easy entry, just click on the link in my sidebar to the right --->!! If you want an extra entry, leave me some comment love on my wall while you are there!
One lucky winner will be announced on dot...dot...dot...'s Facebook page on July 20th!!
xoxo

Blog hoppin' today ...

I am playing along this week ... I love meeting new peeps and finding new blogs to adore!! Let me know you are here - I would love to visit your blog, too!!

xoxo

Fashion Friday

We are off to the beach this weekend ... I hope everyone has a safe holiday weekend!!

Ruffle Cardigan ... Express

Capris ... Buckle

Top ... Target

adjustable straps ... soft, lightweight material

Earrings from my hubby for our anniversary!

Wedges ... Target

China Glaze Lemon Fizz nail color with Jade Diamond Dust glitter top coat

I tried it ... MAC Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara

This mascara got a 4.6 out of 5 rating on MAC's website ... and I couldn't agree more!!

Haute & Naughty is the perfect name for this dual purpose mascara. Two brush options give 2 amazing looks ... simple and sweet, or dramatic and bold! I am a girl who loves the look of false eyelashes, but hates the hassle (and the glue) of putting them on. So when I look for mascaras, I try to find the formulas that are going to give me the results of falsies.
I had never used MAC's mascaras. I know they have a few formulas, but I had never thought to try them out. I happened to be at a MAC counter one day peeking in on the latest collections when I remembered my current mascara at home was starting to smell a little funky. I asked one of the artists which mascara she recommended to give me the look I desired, and she pulled out this lovely tube.

Check out how thick the brush is and how much mascara it hangs on to!!

Perfect for that dramatic, full-lash look!!

Here's where your 2nd option comes in ... say you are having a day where you wanna look a little more natural than made up - simply un-twist the pink wand ...

... pull the brush through the purple opening ...
... and watch how the brush is wiped free from the extra product! Now you have a lighter application for your lashes!! Fabulous!

I hardly ever use the lighter wand for it's sole use, but I love to use it after I have applied a thick coat and need to seperate my lashes a bit.
Overall, I am loving this mascara. My only caution is that this formula can get a bit goopy around the tube, but is easily remedied with a little swipe of a make-up remover. Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara retails for $18, a bit more spendy than your average drugstore brand, but considering the dual uses, definitely worth the extra $$.

Music on Monday

Miss Britney ... she looks amazing!! Not sure how much of her is edited, photoshop'd, or airbrushed in her latest video, but she is pretty h.o.t. in 'I Wanna Go' from her current album, Femme Fatale.

♥

Fashion Friday ... Anniversary Date

♥

Thank you so very much for the sweet anniversary comments!! My hubby and I had a great night out celebrating with dinner and some shopping! He knows me so well - ha ha!

My outfit came right outta my closet ... I love when I don't have to stress about buying something new!
Top: Nordstrom Rack ($14)
Shorts: Forever 21 ($7)

Shoes: Shoe Dazzle ... Kim Kardashian's shoe club ($39.95)

~

Of course, I didn't rock the heels while shopping. This girl has had enough blisters on her feet to learn her lesson in life. I brought along my Roxy zebra flip flops to run around in. Tune in each Friday to see some of my cute finds!!

10 years ago today ...

... I married my best friend. He is my rock, my love, my heart and soul. I could not have been more blessed. ♥

The song I dedicated to my hubby on our wedding day ...