HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Happy New Year from Diaries of a Recessionista!

I pray that 2010 was a great year and that 2011 will only be BETTER! 

I am sure saving more money is a new years resolution, so please make sure to check the blog in the New Year! 

Pep the Mascara Maniac on E.L.F. Mascara!

I tried the E.L.F mascara and let me tell you one thing, it’s BAD. Not bad in a good way either!

I guess you get what you pay for. I found this mascara never dries. I wore it and at noon it was still wet.

Meaning lashes were sticking together and forget about lightly rubbing your eye!

Nobody likes looking like a raccoon or Tammy Faye!

Pros

Cost $1 / $2(double tube of non/waterproof)

Can be purchased at Target

Goes on nice with about 2-3 coats

Cons:

Never dries

Smudges

Feels heavy

This is for more of a beginners mascara. Something to practice with!

I give this mascara 2 tight squints!

Pep The Mascara Maniac!

So Busy....sooooooo SORRY!!

Ladies, I am soooo SORRY!  I have been extremely busy lately.  I will spare you all the detail, but believe me, I am doing the most! LOL.   

I miss you guys terribly and I want to do soooo much more with this blog than what I currently have.  I appreciate the feedback from the faithful ladies that look forward to hearing from me every week, sorry I have let you down.  

I also want to give a SUPER shout out to Pep the Mascara Maniac, I look forward to getting her reviews and I am absolutely in love with Falsies mascara that she recommended a few weeks back!  ;o)   Thanks again Pep, you are the best!   If any other ladies want to contribute to the blog please inbox me at diariesofarecessionista@gmail.com

See you soon! 

She's back.....Pep the Mascara Maniac!

We have another product review from the woman we know and love... Pep the Mascara Maniac!!  Read Pep's message below! 

Ok Ladies…

Here is the scoop on the latest and greatest addition to my makeup bag, Falsies by Maybelline.

All I can say is Ohw Ehm Gee! I freakin’ love this mascara. To me it’s better than Rimmell.

When I purchased it I thought about everything the commercial said and thought.. nah they are selling you a line. Well let me tell you ladies, it is just what it says on TV. It gives you great length, separation and volume.

I had it on one day and my dad said: “Oh, so you went and got you some fake lashes too, huh?” I was so excited to say no and that it was my new mascara called Falsies! We continued to discuss this product because he asked, “Why are they so long? Are you telling the truth? They look so fake!” It was a great feeling to purchase a product and it does what it is supposed to do.

PROS:

It does exactly what it says it does!

The price is reasonable. 7 bucks!

Coupons in Sundays ad's

Look for sales at Meijer, CVS and Rite Aid.

No flake or clumps

CONS:

A little hard to come off. Baby oil helped

With that being said.. Ladies I give this product 5 Fast Flirty Eyes Bats! ;c)

Ladies feel free to email me at pepperoni76@yahoo.com for questions and or suggestions on Mascaras.


~Love Pep the Mascara Maniac

Moroccan Oil vs. One N Only

As you may have read in a previous post, I absolutely love Moroccan Oil & conditioning mask (The pricer brand $41 for 3.4oz).  A few weeks ago Sally introduced Only N Only which is a more affordable line of argan oil products.

I bought the entire line Moisture Repair Shampoo, Moisture Repair Conditioner, Restorative Mask and the Oil Treatment (Shown above)  All of these products were under $10 at Sally's beauty supply. 

So far I have used the shampoo and I am sitting under the dryer right now with the restorative mask on.  

I will let you all know next week what I think about this line compared to Moroccan Oil Line. 

Have a great weekend! 

Best Drug Store Moisturizer!

Since I lived in the desert (Phoenix, AZ) for almost 3 years, I know a thing or two about dry skin. Vaseline Intensive Care Cococa Butter Deep Conditioning Extra Rich Cream ($4.29) is the best drug store moisturizer I have used and it even works in the desert!

It is like a body butter, it is even sold in a body butter type package but in the last year I have been unable to find that packaging, but this tube works just the same.

Let me know what you think!

Fall for FALL! (Trend Alert!)

It's that time of the year again!  New trends and colors to add to your wardrobe for fall! 

Here are a few of the trends I am digging at the moment. 

1.  COBALT BLUE -  This color is super popular for the fall.  This color looks good on a lot of people.
I bought the above Max & Cleo dress last week for $30 on sale!  I changed out the ribbon belt...for a different look. This dress is featured in InStyle Makeover Mag (Fall 2010) for $118.  I got it for $30 from Ross Dress for Less!  $88 savings! 

2. LACE UP BOOTS - I love a nice new pair of boots when the colder weather creeps in. I absolutely love these boots!  They are French Connection, I have to wait for them to go on sale. But these will definitely be on my list!   

3.GREEN EYESHADOW -  I am really digging this look on Jada. This color is beautiful on many skin colors, you just have to blend and find the right shade.  If you are not this adventurous with makeup, Try a neutral/light gold eyeshadow and add a little green liner, or just a hint of green shadow in the outer corners. 

Pep the Mascara Maniac!

Hey Ladies, I have been a very busy woman lately, and have not had the opportunity to update these past couple weeks....but it was worth the wait, because we have our first guest writer on Diaries of a Recessionista!

Pep is a college buddy of mine who has a secret obsession about mascara!

Lucky for us, we can use her addiction to find us the best there is in the beauty isles!!

Read Pep's message below!

Are you looking for an everyday mascara that gives you length and division? Look no further!

In my many trials and feeding my Mascara addiction, I discovered Rimmel London Glam’Eyes Lash Flirt Volume & Lift.

I found it walking into my local CVS and I was thinking what could it hurt to try a new mascara. I read what it offered and figured what can it hurt?

I normally use 2 coats and WOW!

Pros:
$6.99 ( you can get coupons out the Sunday Paper)
Great separating brush that distributes evenly
Feels like you don’t have anything on

Cons:

Although not waterproof it does not come off or flake easily

Till next time, Pep...the Mascara Maniac!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much Pep!! I am running to Target tomorrow to try it!!

Ladies, look forward to hearing more from Pep...her next review will be on Falsies by Maybelline!

Let them eat cake!

Today is National Cheesecake Day!  All Cheesecake Factory's are selling all cheescake at 1/2 price today!  If you haven't had a chance to try the Red Velvet Cheesecake today is the perfect day!  Some of my other favorites include, Key Lime and Tiramisu! What's your favorite Cheesecake? 

http://www.facebook.com/thecheesecakefactory

Like Cheesecake Factory on Facebook for more details!   

Restaurant Week!

Restaurant week is one of my favorite times of the year! (a close 2nd to my ultimate favorite SPA WEEK!) 

Most major cities have a restaurant week some time during the year where local restaurants offer a special 3 course menu for around $30.  

The meal includes appetizer, main entree and dessert.   Some restaurants also offer an alcoholic beverage included with no additional charge. 

This week Charlotte is hosting restaurant week.  Check out the link below http://www.charlotterestaurantweek.com/Restaurants/TRI.html

If you don't live in Charlotte google restaurant week, your city and make sure to mark the date on your calendar!!  Make sure you make reservations, the restaurants fill up pretty fast! 

Bon Appetit!

Recessionista?

I don't buy too many hair products over $7.  But I do like to splurge a little bit, so the only hair product I am willing to spend a little more cash on is conditioners!!  

Pureology is one of my favorites, I have been using this product for more than 5 years, my hair stylist introduced me to it when I dyed my hair blond.  This product is great to keep your hair moisturized weather your hair is color treated or not.  It's about $25 and this product can be found at Ulta, Beauty Brands and I have found it in Target as well.  Ulta has small sample sizes available at $7-9 if you would like to try it out. 

                                                  

The other conditioner I started using this year is Moroccan Oil.  I bumped into this product at Beauty brands, turquoise is my favorite color, so I was attracted to it just by looking at the packaging.  But what got me hooked is the scent.  It smells so good,  I love this stuff!  It's about $30 at Beauty brands, and your hair is extremely moisturized after use.

I splurge on these products for 2 reasons.  

1. I am unable to find a cheaper substitute for the same results at this time. 

2. I don't use conditioner daily, so I don't run through the product very fast where I would have to constantly replenish. Which would not make me a recessionista!  (LOL) 

Apple Cider Vinegar?? (ACV rinse)

I know some of you are thinking.... EWWW!!!  I thought the same thing at first, but being the recessionista that I am, I wanted to give it a try.  


My Sands/Line Sister Khalilah put me on to the ACV rinse.  She has long beautiful locks and she has been using this secret for awhile! (Everybody at the count of 3 say.... THANKS EL-AMIN!)


To do the rinse you take 1 cup apple cider vinegar and add to 3 cups water.  
(I like to use warm water)  I also put the mixture in a water bottle to help make the application easier. I usually do this in my kitchen sink as I don't want my shower to smell of vinegar.  


Some people use the ACV rinse only, to cleanse hair.  
I must wash my hair with shampoo so I shampoo before using this rinse.   So after shampooing I apply the ACV rinse and work it through my hair.  
You immediately begin to feel your hair get softer.  After I worked the rinse in for about 5 min.  I rinse with water.  Then I apply a deep conditioner like Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Pak.  I usually sit under a dryer for 20 min with a plastic cap.  I find that using the conditioner after the rinse eliminates the smell of vinegar.  My nose is extremely sensitive to smell so I never skip this step!


After this is completed your hair is super soft and shiny!! 


If you are at all confused about this process, look it up on You tube.  
You will find plenty of tutorials on the rinse, some vary in the amount of vinegar & water they use.  I found this amount to work the best for my hair.  


Let me know what you think! 

FAIL!

I ran out of my Olive Oil Eco Styler gel, so I went to Sally's to get some more, well they were out of the Olive oil kind, so I thought, this should work.  

NOT!!!  This is a NO GO for me! 

My hair was sooooo dry and it was hard for me to work the product in.  I am taking this back to the store today to get my Olive Oil Eco Gel!  Let me know if you have different results, but I can't do this one!   Have a great weekend ladies! 

My Favorite Makeup Remover!

Had to go to the store today to get another bottle of...


Neutrogena Makeup remover.

I love this stuff, costs about $5 and it is very gentle on the eye area but very effective in getting off the waterproof mascara I wear.  Try it out, let me know what you think.   

My Wash & Go!

I have been getting a lot of questions about my wash & go regimen lately.  So I decided to do a post.  This regimen I originally got from DPrincess28 on Youtube, but I have changed my regimen since last summer.  

ALL of my hair products are less than $7!  I refuse to splurge on product I use daily, I only splurge on good conditioners, I will do a post on those on a later date. 

  

First I wash my hair with the Creme of Nature then I condition with the Replenishing conditioner.  I also comb my hair using a wide tooth comb.  Then Rinse. I also deep condition once a week as well. 


I towel blot my hair, then I apply the Giovanni Conditioner, I use this as a leave in conditioner as I am not impressed with this conditioner for a regular conditioner, it is too lite for my hair and my hair needs more moisture than what this product provides.  But it is an awesome leave in! 


Then I apply the olive oil moisturizer all over raking it through my hair, then I use a dime size of the bronner bros hair oil, this seals all the moisture in my hair.  Then I apply the gel and mix it with the vegetable glycerin while applying.  (I find the glycerin helps me apply the gel evenly and it helps keep my hair soft)


I know this sounds like a lot, but it only takes me like 10min or less with the thickness and length of my hair.


I would like to try to mix all of the products and see what type of hair product I get...and can use it in one step. 


Let me know how it works for you!  ;o) 

THANK YOU!! OVER 1000 viewers in 3 months!

I have really enjoyed this BLOG! Thank you all for visiting, I enjoy hearing from you, please email me @ diariesofarecessionista@gmail.com, if there is anything you want more of from Diaries of a Recessionista!  

Eco Styler Gel Results!

I did a post a while back about Eco Styler Gel vs. Kinky Curly. I wanted to show you the results I have gotten from Eco Styler Gel.  It works for me!  
I leave conditioner in my hair, use a moisturizer, apply the gel in and let it air dry.   Super easy wash & go style for the summer. 

Let me know if this works for you as well!  ;o) 

CHI flat irons on sale @ Beauty Brands!

The Clearance Center at Beauty Brands has been pretty good to me lately.  A few months ago I found a Denman brush for like $4 (Regular $15) and this month I found CHI flat irons for only $65!! This is a great bargain since this model goes for $95!  


The only catch is that it is the Breast Cancer Awareness Limited Edition Model so Beauty Brands has them on sale since this item was promotional in October.  Hey, I celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness all year, so I purchased a pair! 


Check it out! 

Free with Bank of America!

I love Bank of America!  They are the only bank that has been in every state that I lived in! They also come in handy for those of us that travel a lot as well.  


Well I am going to give you another reason to love BOA!  


One weekend of every month they offer free visits to museums and other cultural locations.  In Phoenix they also offer a free Zoo visit.   This month the dates are May 1st & 2nd!! 


Visit this website for more details! 


http://museums.bankofamerica.com/

SORRY I CHEATED!!

     Ladies,  I am sorry I let you down!  I really intended to stay on track, however I had a last minute trip to Puerto Rico and I needed a few beach items.   ;o(  I got the items on a good deal!  I am going to continue from now on through the month of May as well since I cheated.  I hope your results are better than mine!  ;o) 

Talk to you soon! 

Day 2 of Shop In Your Closet!

Haven't had a chance to really take any photos of my new looks, but day 2 is going well.  I did put a look together with a J.Crew blazer I bought a few years ago and maybe only wore 3 times.  It it is a light blue color and is a lot like the new boyfriend blazer trend.  I found a few shirts in my closet that will go well with it. 

Check out this video I found on shopping in your closet.  

Shop Your Closet (And Score 5 New Outfits!) Fashion: glamour.com

Good luck!

Challenge: Shop in your closet!

   I would like to Challenge you all to shop in your closet for 30 days.  Don't buy anything, and I mean anything at the mall for the month of April.  Wear things in your closet that you normally don't wear. 


I have quite a few shirts and skirts that I have never worn or only wore once or twice.  I will post some of the pics of the outfits I create by shopping in my closet . 


Keep me posted on what you create! 

My Top 3 Spring Trends...so far.

I am too excited about a few spring trends. 

1. Florals!  
Floral shirts and dresses are in this spring. I wore one of my favorite floral dresses to church this past Sunday, I was too excited.  This dress above is from H&M and is only $19.95!

2. Coral lips!  
I bought a bright coral MAC lipstick this Sunday, it's called Vegas Volt.  It is super coral, I like it because I can mix it and make it bright with pink lipgloss or mute it with a little nude lipstick. MAC Vegas Volt Lipstick $14.00

3. OPI - You don't know Jacques nail polish! 
  As soon as I saw this color on instyle.com I went out to the store to purchase.  I absolutely love it!  $5.25 on amazon.com

Show Me What you got Pretty Ladies!

Hey ladies!  I want you! Yes you to send me what bargins you have been finding!! 
With the changing seasons I am sure you found some great deals!!  


Send me an email with the following information to diariesofarecessionista@gmail.com: 

• picture of item
• description of item
• estimated full retail value
• sale price

Please sumbit by March 20!  

I am also going to be launching a challenge on April Fools day, I will give you the details next week!!  

Stay tuned! 

(I thought this photo was cute, since I titled the post Show me what you got, I googled it and this is a pic I found, too funny, the Bratz are balling!) 

Mixed Chicks!

I was recently in Charlotte, NC and a good friend of mine suggested I try Mixed Chicks Hair products.  I have not tried Kinky Curly but another good friend of mine in Phoenix, AZ put too much Kinky Curly product in her hair and it was crunchy.  She has since perfected the application and has no more crunchy hair, however I wanted to try it before I purchased the product for $30+.  

Mixedchicks.net has sample/trial size for $0.99! 

The sample includes 3/4 oz size of shampoo, deep conditioner and leave-in conditioner. 

Check it out let me know what you think!  

Skin Care!

Great skin is the BEST asset a woman can have, in my opinion.  I am sure we all have had issues with our skin a time or two in our lives.  For some reason a lot of us like to take matters into our own hands, I would reccommend if you are having issues to see a dermatologist. As much as I enjoy bargin shopping, I am a firm beleiver that some things you have to make an investment in, and great skin is worth it! 

However, I only use a couple of face wash products that my Dr. reccommended that are inexpensive.  Olay Daily Facials is only $4.99 at Target....this product is convenient since I travel quite a bit, easier to carry on and pack in your luggage.  

My Dr. also reccommends Pink Dove Beauty Bar $2.99 at Walgreens.  Not sure why it has to be pink in color, but this works well for me also. 

Are there any skin products that you prefer? Please share.

You have to love a cute Shootie!

I found this cute shootie on Endless.com, I really enjoy finding unique shoes. 

I never heard of this brand, so I am not too sure what to expect in quality but the reviews on the website seem to say that it is a great shoe. This shootie comes in a variety of colors from black, gold, tan, gray and red. 

Michael Antonio Symth Shootie Regular Price $74.95

     My Price $48.83

$ $ $ TOTAL SAVINGS $26.00! 

Arden B. Sale!

It's that time of the year!  When the seasons change all retailers have huge clearance sales.  This is one of the best times to find bargins! 


Arden B is currently having a buy 1, get 1 for $5 sale!  

Arden B Crinkle Moto Vest Regular Price $48.00

     My Price $29.00 ....But wait! 

     You can buy two vests for $34.00! 

$ $ $ TOTAL SAVINGS $62.00!

Check it out!  Ardenb.com