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!