Vouge Style on a Budget

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On a budget, but don’t want to sacrifice your style for price? Here are the best places to get the latest styles on a budget. The secret? Skim three of your favorite fashion magazines before going shopping. Pick out a few styles you love for this season, so they are fresh in your mind. I say three magazines because, if you haven’t noticed, sometimes Elle will say, “Black is the color this season. Everything black with only slight sprinkles of color.” While Vogue will say, “Red is the new black. Everything red.” The reason for this is that these articles may be written based on different shows, even in the same city. The editors of these magazines are picking their favorites, just like you and me. So skimming three magazines gives you a true sense as to what you want to create in your style this season. I will also be putting together a cocktail of each season’s fashions on this site. Look for the Spring 2007 article in the next few months.

Target

The best shoes at the best prices both at target.com and in the store. Great purses, if you search through you can find the best new styles for $12 to $30.

Forever Twenty One

Everything you need and up to minute styles, all for very inexpensive. This is one of the best places to buy trendy jewelry, $2 to $5 per pair.

Zara

Right about now you may be thinking, I thought you said budget prices. Well you may not know that Zara has two sides. One side has the same prices you would find at Banana Republic and one side has the prices you would find at Forever Twenty One. Delicious styles you’ll love.

Payless Shoes

If you have not checked out payless shoes in a while then I have one word for you, go! Payless has totally updated their styles and you will love them. They also often have sales like, buy one get one half off. If you can’t find the size you want in the store go to their website, its got everything you need.

H & M

When it comes to the clothes, they may be a little pricier than Forever Twenty One, but they are very up to the minute and less than Banana Republic. And did you know H&M has lingerie, beautiful bras for $14.99?! As for the jewelry and accessories they have a huge selection and great prices. This is my favorite place for earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Charlotte Russe

Great basics, super cute dresses, and up to the minute fashion. This is the store to have fun and not get too serious. Cheap trends to wear what you want, now.

Victoria’s Secret Clothing

Very sexy clothes and overall reasonable prices. Also try clicking on the sale button on the website, great finds.

The other great way to go is to buy at the end of every season for next year. The sales go up to 70% off. So if you buy the basics that are classic then you can have very high quality basics and spice it up with inexpensive trends every new season.

Hot Shopping Tip!

Filed Under Blog, Seasonal, Skin Care | Leave a Comment

Merry Christmas Eve! To follow up your Christmas and fill in on anything you still desire or presents for that after Christmas visit, hit Bath and Body works. On Wednesday, December 27th Bath and Body Works starts its annual sale! For this week only all bath and shower gels are only $3. This is a sale that is not to be missed, not to mention, during this sale only they bring back all their classics scents. Try their Shea butter lotions, they are very nourishing and feel amazing on freshly shaved legs.

Enjoy and have fun!

Cure for Cold Sores

Filed Under Blog, Natural Medicine, Skin Care, Well Being | 2 Comments

Whole Life Times magazine ran an article in the December 2006 issue about chamomile oil and its effects on cold sores. Being an advocate and lover of Naturopathic medicine I was very excited to see read this article as I did not yet know the benefits of chamomile oil. According to the magazine, Germany’s University of Heidelburg did a test on several essential oils and chamomile oil tested to be effective on the Herpes virus, of which cold sores are a strain. It was also found that chamomile oil was effective on stains of the Herpes virus that do not respond to traditional medicine.

To put this remedy to use you need to mix the chamomile oil with carrier oil. In aromatherapy, essential oils are mixed with carrier oils so that the essential oil does not burn your skin. There are some essential oils that do not have to be mixed with carrier oil, such as lavender, but if you are not sure it is best to use carrier oil.

You can buy carrier oils in your local health food store. Good carrier oils are almond oil, grapeseed oil, and jojoba oil. Almond oil is a good all-purpose carrier oil, grapeseed is good for the skin due to its antioxidants, and jojoba oil is also good for the skin. As a side note jojoba oil has a property in it that will dissolve clogged pores and ingrown hairs.

To mix the oils use two ounces of carrier oil and add ten to twelve drops of essential oil, in this case chamomile oil. If you are going to store the oil for later use it is important to put the oil in a dark glass bottle, such as brown or cobalt blue. You can buy these bottles at you local health food store, as well.

Now you can apply the chamomile oil to your cold sore. The best way would be to put a few drops of the mixture on the end of a Q-tip and apply it directly to the sore. I would do this twice a day until its gone. If the results from this study prove to work, using the chamomile oil may help curb future breakouts as well as quelling the current one.

Christmas Treats

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Every year at Christmas companies release special items only available during the holiday season. These are a few of my favorites. Snatch these yummy treats up quickly because they are here one day and gone the next, not to return ‘til Noel of next year.

Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Three in One Shower Gel

Surround yourself with this classic Christmas scent every morning or put it in your bath to rejuvenate in the evening. Peppermint is wonderful as it can both invigorate and relax you. What more could you ask for, a candy cane in a bottle!

Williams Sonoma Peppermint Bark

This is the best peppermint bark hands down. Every Christmas season I rush to Williams Sonoma to stock up on this delicious treat. If you have not tried this particular brand of peppermint bark I urge you to try it. If you have never tried peppermint bark at all, don’t bother with other brands, buy this one. As you take a bite, let the refreshing mint flavor melt with the soft milk chocolate into a seductive treat in your mouth. Hooked are you?

Victoria’s Secret Cranberry Crush Lotion

New this year this is a delightful treat for both your nose and your skin. It’s scent reminds me of warm cranberry bread fresh out of the oven and the hint of tangelo gives it a delightful kick. Sure to make your Christmas morning merry.

Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar

Every year Starbucks brings out it’s holiday treats right around thanksgiving and year after year I scramble for the Cranberry Bliss Bars. The blond brownie with white chocolate chips, cream cheese icing and cranberry fruit pieces sprinkled on top looks like Christmas should look. Pure white with a dash of red, like berries freshly fallen in the snow. My favorite thing about these bars is the way they look on a silver tray at a Christmas party, cheery, bright and sinfully delicious.

Strauss Family Creamery Organic Cream on Top Eggnog

This is the eggnog from the people that make milk with the cream on top. It’s creamy, thick and sinful. If you are going to bother to have eggnog, tossing all caloric concerns to the wind for that one glass, have this one. And don’t forget to sprinkle the fresh nutmeg on top!

Iced Gingerbread Cliff Bar

For the health nut in you this bar is delicious. I was a little skeptical when I first saw a Christmas release Cliff Bar, but this bar is truly good. It has that fresh gingerbread taste that reminds me of making gingerbread houses as a little girl.

Illumination’s Mulled Wine Candle

What are the holidays without mulled wine? This candle is so scrumptious that it will even scent a room if the jar is left open and unlit. Picture it, the Christmas tree, all the presents, the garland and the room filled with the scent of cinnamon and oranges mulling in wine. What could be more inviting to come home to?

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