Cheap & Chic (for ALL sizes!) Every Outfit UNDER $100!!

Today I felt like shopping, so instead, I've put together some cute outfits for Under $100. I perused the internet for a few hours, putting together some fun, cute and workable outfits for a range of sizes. So.....Get Clicking!

Look One:  Summer Casual

This Pretty Frilled Tube top is only $19.99! also at Charlotte Russe , and comes in Turquoise too!
The Cute White Denim pants were $29.50 at Charlotte Russe as well. These Cute Earrngs are from Charlotte Russe and were only $4!

 

Total Outfit Cost: $53.49

Need some new shoes to go with? Charlotte Russe Currently have BOGO on all their shoes! 

Look Two:  Date Night/Big Event Night/Prom

This look was inspired solely by the dress, which I found when checking out the sales at Nordstroms. Enjoy!

This pretty, one shouldered Lace detail dress is $36.90, and come in sizes from 3-14. The clutch is from Forever 21 and is on sale for $16.99. It's cute cause it matches the flounce of the dress. The pretty shoes are from DEBS and are $20.

Total Outfit Cost : $73.89

Look Three: Friday Night Drinks

I love to go for after work drinks on a Friday night, but I always find myself lost for what to wear out! There are too many choices, but here is one that's guaranteed failsafe. Since most of you are coming into summer, I've tried to offer a couple of options for warmer weather. I'll cover us freezing folk in the next look.

This first dress is from Forever 21, and is only $10.80, comes in S, M, L.

This next dress is from WalMart , and I love that is comes with the belt too! Only $16 and comes in a limited range of sizes because it's so popular! 

Both these dresses would work well with a jacket like this one from Forever 21, in this neutral tone it works day or night. You could try it in Black for a dressier look. Jacket is $32.80

For some cute shoes, why not tryWedges like these Hot wedges from Charlotte Russe only $30 (and six colors!) , or some cute and pretty flats like these from WalMart (click link cause the pic wouldn't work) for only $9!

Total Outfit: $73.60 (MAX)

Last Look for Today! This is a cute Winter Friday Drinks look that I've been doing (in different brands but same outfit) for a little while, and I LOVE it. :) 

These jeans are only $12.99 at DEB, and come in sizes 0-13. They also sell a slightly different version in 14-18. Teamed with these cute shoes from Charlotte Russe , $27.50 sizes 5-9, and this top from WalMart for only $12 in sizes XS-XXL (click the link, the pic doesn't load) and jacket from Dillards  at only $20.65, you can rock this look to work AND afterwards. 

Total Cost for this fun style: $73.14

If anyone has any suggestions for cute accessories, bags or shoe alternatives, feel free to post your links in teh Comments section.

xoxo

My love/hate relaish with SELF Mag

So for a long time I've read SELF magazine. I like it because it's not full of too many advertisements, it's not always full of stick thin gorgeous glamazons, and I love the celebs who are brave enough to go unretouched on either their cover, or inside in the feature.

You can forgive me then, for being a little disappointed to open up my mail copy, and seeing Gwyneth Paltrow on the cover, perfectly airbrushed and retouched to the hilt. The headline beside her? "Gwyneth Paltrow's Healthy Eating Secrets. What she really does to get those Abs!". Now, I'm not into believing magazine claims in general, but I'm even less inclined to believe this one. I flick open, to a 6 page feature at the back, half of which is Organic/Vego/"healthy" recipes. The very last page is the one supposedly telling me how to look like gwyneth. I search, and search, and there, second and third answers, it lies.  Gwyneth tells us she gets her body by doing TWO HOURS A DAY, SIX DAYS A WEEK. I'm sorry, but in reality, who has the time? And all of those sessions? WITH A TRAINER.

Which brings me to my point. While i hate the magazine for sucking women in everywhere with that article, that awful, unrealistic, stupid article, the rest of the mag wasn't too bad.

Their Drop 10 SELF Challenge is actually admirable, in it's approach to balanced diet and excercise, and its realistic "at home" excercise routines. There are fabulous stories about readers OWN BODIES and experiences, and it reminds me that it's ok to fail sometimes, it's ok to look ordinary on days, and...most importantly, that ANY woman, regardless of shape, size or color, IS BEAUTIFUL.

This May issue also contains their 2011 Health & Beauty Awards, roadtested products by readers and editors that have hit the mark, or exceeded expectations. There are some good, affordable products in there.

You can find the mag online at SELF , where you can sign up for their Drop 10 plan (online food plans, workout guides, logs and support), you can design your own 30 minute workout video using moves from their video vault, and you can even check out their fabulous Superfast Beauty routine.

Speaking of Beauty Routines? This week I'm posting BareFace pics.....so you can see how I go from Cleansed and Clear to Flawless Finish :)

TTYS xoxo

Some Cute, Cheap Beauty & Hair Links for Worldwide Followers

Hey Lovelies,

In the spirit of trying to give you some fun while I can't post pics :( , why not take a peek at the links?

I just bought my fave, Revlon ColorSilk Hair Color from here , and it only cost me $12.95 for two boxes including postage. AMAZING! (considering at the Drugstore I just paid that much for one box so i could touch up before work meetings).

Another fave is this cute place Beauty Store , for bits and pieces that you can't find affordably anywhere else.

Last link is here at Budget Deals who have brand new products as well as hard to find things that are on clearance.

I'm about to test a new Mineral Make Up a friend suggested, so keep your eyes open to see my review, and for the link to the product and Cary's web store page. :) http://damajonwithcary.blogspot.com/

xoxo

Freebies Galore!

Hey kiddies!

Check out http://rougemag.com.au/?gclid=CKbhivGOy6gCFQbybwodXlXipA currently they're giving away full size trials of Revlon Eyeliner! :)

Skin Care (and why you should do it!)

So, at the risk of sounding like a harpie, YOU NEED TO ESTABLISH A SKINCARE ROUTINE!!! It's important!

I never really bothered with skin care during my teens, I hardly ever even wore sunscreen. I didn't wear a lot of make up either though, so I guess it was 50/50.

In the mornings, I wash my face with Nutrogena Stress Control Scrub(because without the exfoliating daily, my skin is just awful), followed by BORBAs Orbital Eye Cream, because let's face it, i'm 29 and I need to start being smart about potential wrinkles. I also use Nutrogena Stress Control Hydrating Treatment, all over my face (except where the eye cream is). This stops me from breaking out, but also reduces any uneven tone, redness AND double whammy! it helps heal any acne already there. During summer, I use a light moisturiser with an oil free SPF, but at the moment, I'm using Aveeno Active Naturals with an SPF because the air con inside dries my skin out, and it also provides a nice base for my Foundation. Make sure you wait at least 5 minutes before applying after the Acne Hydrator though, or it gets all tacky and weird. (yuck!)

So there you go. Five, Ten minutes max and you're out the door.

If i'm washing off make up before bed (or during the day if I'm going swimming etc), I like to use Youthful Essence's Cleanser.  It's gentle, smells nice, and washes off even insane waterproof, tattoo like liner. Sometimes, as a treat, I use Dermalogica's PreCleanse, which i found out about because the Twilight Make Up Artist loved it for removing the cakey, whitening make up they used in the films. You use it on dry skin, then add water to emulsify, and it removes EVERYTHING! I still follow that with the Nutrogena Scrub though, I dunno. It just makes me feel better.

I do the same when i go to bed, but I usually use BORBAs Age Defying Wrinkle Repair, which has been discontinued, but replaced with essentially the same thing in their Age Defying Concentrate. It is pretty heavy though....so DO NOT use this in the day unless you're already parched on your skin.

The Long (and the trying to get there from) the short of it

So, if you're anything like me, you'll have been trying desperately to either grow out the short cut that seemed perfect those first fresh few weeks, OR you're trying to maintain and treasure your luscious long locks.

The first thing I want to talk about is Viviscal. Yep, the hair loss pills. They took the underground beauty scene by storm when model Gisele mentioned she'd been taking them for a year or two, and almost never used extensions to fill in her hair during shoots and shows. I didn't buy it then, and I didn't buy it when Vanity Fair ran an article, in which and actual hairstylist guru couldn't stop the acclaim.

A week later? I fell in and bought it. I logged myself into DermStore and ordered my first box. That was almost a month ago. Let me tell you, as I parted with my hard earned $45, I did have hesitations.

I can't say it's the be all and end all and you'll never feel the need for extensions again....but i can tell you that my hair has indeed thickened up, seems healthier, shinier and smoother, and....yes....HAS GROWN. More than it would have without their help. So i'll keep taking them (i just ordered another box), and will post pics along the way to show you the results. For me, they're worth it. Extensions aren't realistic in my life right now.

Anyway, check out dermstore. They have free shipping to the US, and if you join them, you'll get free intnl shipping (along with 10% off favorited items, and 15% off if you review something).

On to Shampoo and Conditioners....and Treatments.

Over time, I've tried probably fifteen different brands...and the two I can't live without are L'Oreal Elvive (the red for colored hair) and Matrix. For an entire year, I used Matrix Sleek (in the orange bottles) Shampoo, Conditioner and Treatment (i don't use their styling products, they gunk my hair up too much). I would recommend them to anyone.

I've just (in the last week) switched to Matrix Biolage Colortherapie, and I have to say, I'm impressed. I switched because I thought I'd purchased the reasonably Organic, Sulfate free Biolage....but I accidentally ordered the regular one. I'm not unimpressed though, my hair feels beautifully clean, and the conditioner rinses out well. Everyone compliments me on the extra shiny softness of my hair, and it's not unusual for a friend at work to want to keep touching my hair because she loves it's feel.
 I bought in 1 liter bottles from eBay, for $54 including shipping, but you can find the regular size here at My Hair Care

Once a week (for the last four weeks), I've also been using Matrix Biolage CeraRepair Hydra, which is a kit of five tubes, you use one a week for five weeks and it repairs your hair. Now, I'm not an idiot, I know you can't actually repair for real, but it does do a lovely job of keeping your hair looking healthy, and making your scalp feel like it's getting some love as well. You can find it here at Westfield

L'Oreal Elvive has been around for yonks and yonks....and if there was no other option? I'd be all over it. I'm lucky in getting a promotion at work, it meant I could treat myself luxuries like Matrix instead.

If you do one thing for your hair in this life? Promise it will be NOT USING PANTENE. That shampoo is full of silicons and nasty chemical compounds which congeal on your hair, causing breakage, buildup, AND you'll notice little black gunky bits on your hot hair appliances....that's the silicon melting off.

Technology Fail!!

So, my sincere apologies for being missing so long. My internet and phone provider damaged something in their exchange, and my whole suburb had nothing for almost 12 days!!

Two posts today to make up: one on hair products I'm enjoying roadtesting at the moment, and one on my skin routine. Product photos will be up today, IRL pics will be updated later this afernoon when I go through it.

xoxo

Fast Update....but more to come

Hi Kidlets!

Sadly, no updates from me yesterday, and today's will be short and sweet until I get home. Our internet has been shut off for a few days due to Cable work in a new suburb being created nearby. FML lol, it's killing me.

New little share though, I discovered yesterday that if you visit the US Target site (for those of you in the US), you can occaisionally get full sized make up and beauty freebies. You just need to keep an eye on the samples page. I think until today they were giving away Pampers, but it pays to check daily, because sometimes (like last week), they give away almost $20 of product. (last week that was 2x Maybelline Falsies Mascara and a Lip Gloss).

xoxo

Super Quick Link to Cute Sale Shoes! (and incredibly affordable fashion!)

Ok, so I know I said i wouldn't blog until tonight, but I found this link and I just HAD to share it with you all. I've only just discovered it, so can't vouch for quality etc, but for Value? AMAZING. I'm planning on a cute pair of booties as an April treat!

Visit Shoe Show here

One particular pair I'm dying in love with? Divine Shoes

I've also been on the ROMWE site (i am in no way sponsored or presently affiliated, I just LOVE their looks!) and found this incredibly cute dress: I absolutely LOVE their styling : Click to See

Another site worth your peek is AusHopLah, they have fabulous affordale dresses, jackets, tops, sweaters, skirts and Formal/Club Dresses for under $20!! (i know right? Impossible you say? so did i, until i ordered from them, and now i can't stop!!) Click the links below to check out a couple of gorge examples of their fabu Collection!!
Cute Dots Vintage Dress $11!!

Gorge 70s Style $13!!

Fabu Summer Cas $11!!

I could keep posting links forever, but that'd mean you guys'd get lazy and not go look for yourselves. The site is amazing. True, it takes some time to look at every single gogeous piece, but do it! Treat yourself, and enjoy the pretty things :) xoxo

Home Made Treat!

Today there'll be two posts, but this first one is only a quickie cause I'm working. Tonight when I go home, I'm going to whip up a fast batch of Brown Sugar & Honey Body Scrub. It's soooo easy to make!

I first got the recipe from a friend, but there's also been variants in Southern Living Magazine & SELF.

You'll need:

1 cup packed Brown Sugar (packed means packed into the cup. it's nooot a type of Brown Sugar)

1/2 Cup Honey (you can use any honey, but i like Manuka Honey cause it's medicinal so it helps soothe ingrowns and razor burn)
Glass jar with lid OR pyrex bowl with lid (you cannot use clingwrap, foil, or anything less than solid to cover this or it just goes awful)

Mix the two together, Et Voila! You can add more honey/sugar as you desire, but you'll get the feel for it pretty quickly. You can add 2 teaspoons of Vanilla Essence to make it smell like fudge, or some sweet almond oil to give you a more silky feel.

On it's own, the scrub leaves your skin so soft and smooth, you'll wonder how you ended up in a supermodel's body! :) I find it's easier to use in the shower, it washes off better, and in the bath it tends to make the bathwater sludgy (bleh).  It's incredibly easy to wash off your body AND from inside the shower, and as long as you don't get water in it, and keep it sealed, this mix will last you two weeks of daily use, or four weeks of every few days. (none of these pics are mine, they're free domain pics from google).

Better Late than Never!

Good Evening Fabulous Friends!

Life has been busy this weekend, and between that and the mixed up internet happening on my recently new Netbook, I haven't been able to post until today. I have a couple of fun things to talk about, as well as a snuggly OOTD and FOTD, and a cheeky SOTD just to keep things rolling.

Yesterday was G*awful freezing, and as a result my wardrobe was pretty casual compared to normal. It was the day that made me think long and hard about overhauling my combos on days I could care less about Fashion and more about warmth. I think I did ok even with the lack of care.

Jacket: eBay Brand New ($20 from "honest-merchant")

Scarf: Cotton On (these are only $2 when you purchase something else, and I have about five colors)

Jeans: Fave Boyfriend (6) American Eagle ($20 in sales)

Turtleneck Sweater: Mizrahi for Target (last season $10 in sales!)

Bag: Abercrombie & Fitch (A leftover from working there)

Cup: Keep Cup (these are amazing, and Environmentally Conscious!)

Sunglasses: Arnette "Myth" ($20 at a clearance sale, usually $189)

Total Outfit? $70 (but everything is a staple I can wear again and again)

SOTD: Ugg "Adirondack" Mid-Calf Boot

These were about $70, but they've more than paid for themselves. They're good for motorbike rides, hiking, cold walks and casual snuggly days. They're Sheepskin Fleece Lined so they're toasty warm inside, and they're leather outer so they stop the cold well (and are waterproofed!). The soles are the Patented "Vibram", which is like a super lovely kind of rubber stuff that makes your feet smile. If they were made slightly more fashionably, I'd wear them every second day.

 FOTD: Face of the day was reasonably lazy for me, and I know, the photo doesn't really give you too much idea (My bad. I was too cold to take my gloves off to take a self shot of my face)
L-R Clockwise: Maybelline Great Lash BIG "Blackest Black", Lacura Pressed Finish Powder "Toffee", Maybelline Baby Lips "Cherry", Chantecaille Futureskin Foundation "Ivory", Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Palette, Maybelline Stylish Smokes Quad "Natural Smoke"

Okay. So let me start by saying, this day was a heavy on the Maybelline day, but not every one is. It just happened to work out that way. The brushes in the Pic are an Elizabeth Arden Kabuki Brush (which I use for the pressed powder to set my foundation), A Covergirl Shadow Stippler (I refuse to use anything else since I tried this late one night) and a cheap drugstore brand Blush Brush (that's just the right balance of stiff but soft and cost me a whole $2.75)

Mascara: I used to switch between Benefit's Bad Gal Lash and Sheer Cover's Natural Mascara, but Bad Gal flakes a lot, and Sheer Cover was a little too natural for me. It darkened my lashes, but that was about it, and I like my lashes to look Big. When I was back home in the US last year, I went to a supermarket where they had a special on a new Maybelline Great Lash, and I figured, for $4.99? Why not. I've never put it down since. EVER. I live for this. It's now 6 months later, and while I should be thinkign about tossing it, I can't bring myself to do it. I wear this every day, often two coats, and I'd still have enough for another 6 months in there. This is a Go To Product, and I'd give it to everyone if I could.

Pressed Powder: Lacura is "Aldi" (the german supermarket slowly taking over the world) in-house brand, and to be honest, for $3.50, I really doubted its abilities when my mom presented me with it proudly one afternoon. Well. I sure learnt my lesson there. Previously having only used Physician's Formula multi-bronzer powder to set my foundation, I had decided to leave the team. This Powder is my absolute favorite, and when it eventually looks like Aldi aren't going to sell it, I'll be buying absolutely every compact left in the stores. I use a color called Toffee, which is a slightly bronzed looking Ivory Cream color. It works winter and summer, and in Summer I've been known to wear it alone on bare skin, just to even my tone.

Baby Lips: I don't really need to explain this one, except to say this. I've been a lip balm user for years. Probably 20. (i'd have gotten some kind of chapstick when I was 8 or 9 and have never put it down). The problem was, eventually, my lips would peel, or itch, or just look plain old disgusting, but not with Baby Lips. I LOVE this product, and can't live without it. It leaves a nice, non sticky sheen on your lips, and doesn't even come off with lunch. ($4.99)

Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation: This is my one Holy Grail make up item. It's an oil-free gel based foundation, and glides onto your skin like something delicious. It took me two tries to get the tone right (in summer I wear Sand, winter I wear Ivory), but my skin has thanked me by not breaking out. True, at $75 a pot, it's expensive, but it's worth it for me. A 30g pot lasts me about six months, which I think is ok. That's about $11 a month, which I don't really notice. It leaves your skin looking fresh, never dries into your pores or any wrinkles, I just can't speak highly enough of it. In a coming post, I'll compare it to some other popular brands, but in the meantime, I'll say this: If i'm having a tight money month and I've not got any of this left? I use Revlon Superstay Oil-Free. Not only is it oil-free, but it's free of Parabens etc, which clog your pores and are the culprits for breakouts. That one's a reasonable $9.95 at the drugstore.

The Color Intrigue palette, I use mainly for the blush (the shadows are a little hard to use unless you mix them with a medium first, and I never have time lol), which is "Romance". It's a peachy, Apricot kind of shade, and is comparable with Nars Orgasm for a nice, naturally Flushed cheek. (this however doesn't sparkle, and I kind of enjoy that when I wear it to work). ($18 at www.smartpoppy.com.au  see note at end)

The Smokey quad is a staple, it has directions so anyone can make a nice, natural smoky eye, and you can tailor it to your own preference by using three shades or even just two, instead of all four. This one is a lovely chocolates selection, and it makes me smile just thinking about it. ($9.95 drugstore, Priceline, Supermarket)

Total Cost Overall? $120 (approx) but that would be if i only used those items once. If you break it down into about 250 days (the minimum amount i'd wear make up in a year), it costs less than 50 cents a day. AMAZING! :)

now, about www.smartpoppy.com.au  . This site is ABSOLUTE GENIUS. The girl who runs it is a doll, and they offer free shipping on all orders over $85. At this discount site, $85 gets you a HECK of a lot. Things like MAC Dazzleglass for $27, Kiehl's for $14, Stila Lip Glazes from $12 and Stila Eyeshadow Pans from $12. INSANITY! I've made someone a lot of good money from my purchases there.

Ok, so kidlets, Good night! Apologies for such a long post, but I will try and condense them in future. Keep an eye out for my Foundation Roadtest (Tuesday), my Skincare Routine (Wednesday) and tomorrow's Home made Body Treats. xoxo

Quick Beauty Hint :)

So for some unknown reason I've agreed to get up ridiculously early to spend time with some family. (I love them, i do. But it's my weekend. 6am is not cool)

As I was settling into bed last night, I was trying to think of ways I could wake up without looking ridiculously tired and worn out. My eyes settled on the jar of Vaseline sitting on my nightstand, (it's handy for when you wake up with the dryest lips imaginable in winter) and VOILA! I remembered my grandmother's trick of dabbing some under your eyes (or all over your face for a treat) before going to bed. Now, usually I do this as a treat when I tint my eyelashes (because you're already using it as a barrier cream anyway), but last night I felt adventurous, and swiped some on, closed my eyes, and set my alarm for....*GASP*....5 hours away.

Overnight, a funny thing happens. Your skin kind of swallows up the Vaseline, so when you wake, the skin there is just baby smooth and wrinkle free. Even the bags that I've probably had there since i was 16 are, temporarily at least, gone! (It lasts until you go to sleep again pretty much).

So there you go. OOTD and FOTD coming later today when I get my brain to function, but until then, why not give it a try?

Update on What's Coming!!

In the next few days I'll be testing Winter Coats, swatching and endurance testing Five Foundations, Staying Power of Eyeshadow (Does the price really matter?) & "High End Vs. Affordable" To Die Shoe RoadTest.

Stay tuned if you'd like to know where to find some great bargains under $30! Some of the results will surprise you (heck, might even surprise me!) I'll include links to help you find the amazingness!

Over the next two weeks I'll also create two Looks for Work/Weekend that you can mix and match to your hearts content, using Clothes you already own!

Feel Free to comment with any Questions, Things you'd like to see tested, Items you want to know how to wear! :) xoxo

Greetings Fashion Passionistas!

Hello Lovelies!

Welcome to my Fashion Passion Blog where I plan to roadtest products I use(or just plain take my fancy), post OOTD, FOTD and sometimes SOTD (because i may just have a teeny bit of a shoe passion!). Look forward to some FABULOUS Giveaways!!

As much as I love luxury and designer things, the aim of this blog will be trying to keep in mind the average Recessionista/Frugalista. Having said that, sometimes the Luxury things are the best value in the long run!

So, keep an eye out for posts late today, and enjoy! I'll be updating my widgets etc with some of my fave sites, along with a few fun things, so check back in a few hours! Welcome to newcomers, and welcome to the Lovelies who followed me across from my old place at MySpace! :)

While I'm setting up, why not take a peek at two of my Favorites, http://www.romwe.com/  (they have incredible pieces and FREE shipping!!) and also http://www.fragrancedirect.co.uk/  who have incredible make up and fragrance bargains (which we'll talk more about later), and here's a sneak peek at just one of my precious pairs!

xoxo