The Cheap Diva

Look Pretty and Stay Protected with SPF Makeup

The hottest beauty trend under the sun is makeup that offers SPF protection. I am not suggesting that a light dusting of powder with a SPF 20 will offer lasting protection. Even a high SPF sunscreen offers protection for only a few hours. But adding a little extra protection to your beauty routine is cheap and easy when you buy products from mass retailers.

This creamy Neutrogena 3 in 1 concealer is a concealer and eye cream with SPF 20. It has a nice easy to blend texture and natural looking color.

 Lip balm is the one beauty product that is reapplied throughout the day so a lip balm with a good SPF can offer more protection than a beauty product that fades if a few hours. I love the look of this Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm with SPF 20. It leaves a sheer layer of flattering color on my lips with a subtle sheen that makes my lips look moist, not like I'm wearing globs of gloss.

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For a natural summer look I like to apply a little concealer under my eyes and finish off the look with powder, a semi sheer tinted lip balm and subtle eye makeup. This Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation with a SPF 20 is perfect for summer. It gives my skin a nice matte finish so my face doesn't look like a grease ball the minute the temperature rises.  

Spice Up Your Table with Pier One Imports

Spice up your table with delicious rich colors. Exotic spice colors offer a chic alternative to all the cool ocean themes and cartoon bright colors that dominate summer dishware and tabletop decor. One (virtual) trip to Pier 1 Imports was all it took to convince me to step away from the seashells and add some serious flavor to my summer table.

These hand-painted Sable Serving Pieces for $30 & $35 feature an deep rich, cream, and brown spiral pattern that will serve you well into the fall. 

Natural bamboo material and an intriguing leaf design make this Leaf Basket Bowl $25 worth a closer look. Pile this basket with brightly colored fruit such as oranges or apples for a dramatic centerpiece or line it with an attractive table napkin to use it as a unique serving platter.

Serve up that garden fresh salad with style with this Colorful Beaded Salad Server - Set of 2 for$24.95. The jewelry like beads on the handles make them the perfect accessory for a well dressed table. A dazzling dining accessory also comes in handy for taking attention away from less than dazzling cooking skills.

You Are What You Wear

Have you ever looked at a badly dressed woman and wondered "What was she thinking?" Find the answer to this question in the insightful book You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You by Dr. Jennifer Baumgatner. This book delves into the issue of WHY we dress in ways that are unflattering and inappropriate to who we are today. 

In this unique fashion guide, the author offers reader an opportunity to do a real makeover that starts from the inside (attitude, behaviours and habits) and works it's way out so your clothing and appearance is a positive reflection of you while making positive changes in your life..

The author delves into common fashion traps, including compulsive shopping, dealing with overflowing closets, when you find your look boring, when your look it too revealing, too young, all work and no play, how to break out of a fashion rut and offers practical solutions for each issue.

One of the things I love about this entertaining book is that it doesn't tell you to dump your "fun" clothes just because you never wear them. Instead encouraging you to get rid of those unworn clothes that reflect aspirations to enjoy more social outings, attend creative events and exhibits or do something beyond your boring routine the author encourages you to get a life! This is the first fashion book that I have ever read that encourages readers to create a life they want and then dress accordingly.

5 Tips for Saving Money at Memorial Day Sales

Memorial Day weekend is here which gives you an extra day to shop! Retailers will use any excuse to have store sales so follow these tips to spend your time and money wisely.

1. Visit the store website. Being on a store mailing list is not enough does not guarantee that you will be notified of Memorial Day Sales. I am on the mailing list for Half Price Books, but I had to visit their web site to find out about their fantastic 20% store wide sale through Memorial Day because they didn't notify me of the sale.

2. Be aware of coupon exclusions before you start shopping so you don't get excited about something that is not included in the promotion. Macys offers a printable 15% off coupon on their web site good through Memorial Day but their are several exclusions to watch out for.

3. Shop early. Kohls is having and Early Birds sale that starts at 7 a.m.! Shop before noon Saturday and  get a $10.00 coupon good towards a later purchase. Cute stuff at cheap prices disappears quickly so wherever you shop get there early so you can get the styles you love in the size you need.  

4. Know what you want to shop for ahead of time. Think about gaps in your wardrobe or upcoming events. Do you need a cute dress to wear to a wedding, comfortable shoes for outdoor walks? Knowing exctly what you want cuts down on impulse buys.

5. Shop with cash and give yourself a spending limit. This isn't the last sales event on earth. Be picky about your purchases and you will spend less and enjoy your purchases more.

Fashionable Hi Low Skirts at Low Prices

I was one happy fashionista when I put on a black jersey Mossimo Women's High-Low Knit Skirt for $17.99 I was delighted to see that the fashionable Hi-Low skirt (high in front, low in back) look is an easy to wear style that will flatter just about any shape. The flared skirt is best paired with slim fitting top that doesn't add more volume to your silhouette.The Hi-Low skirt comes in a variety of styles from the classic to the more cutting edge look of this Rock & Republic Embellished Hi-Low Skirt on sale for $30.80. The stretchy waistband adorned with gold studs and texture of the slightly slubbed fabric and eye catching color give the skirt a distinctive look that is best paired with gold accessories and a confident fashion attitude!

 

Maxi dresses often feature narrow shoulder straps that make you choose between exposing your bra straps or walking around braless with droopy boobs. Either way looks tacky. This brilliant Apt 9 Hi-Low Maxi Skirt on sale for $28.80 lets you enjoy the maxi trend while wearing any top you like. Top this off with a well cut tank top or T-shirt for a relaxed yet fashionable look.

 

Beautiful Closets Offer Design Inspiration

contemporary closet design by los angeles closets and organization Lisa Adams, LA Closet Design

A fabulous wardrobe deserves a fabulous closet. Even if you can't afford to build a walk in closet the size of a two car garage, you can still be inspired by these wonderful closet designs from Houzz.  Lisa Adams of LA Closet Design took a pretty and practical approach to closet design by not only including a stylish fashion sketch in the background but a fold out ironing board as well.  Having a hamper, laundry products such as a stain stick or small sewing kit for loose buttons or small repairs in or near a closet is super convenient.

traditional closet design by tampa general contractor Javic Homes

A pretty bench in this lovely closet designed by Javic Homes provides the perfect perch for slipping into your favorite heels or cute flats.  Long narrow mirrors, which can be bought cheap at mass retailers, mounted on closet doors frees up wall space for artwork or other home decor.

closet design

This glamourous white closet by tinkerbell7878 (I swear I did not make that name up) is adorned with rich gold accents. White provides the perfect backdrop to showcase the rich colors and pattern of clothes. White also makes any space feel more expansive and fresh and clean looking.

Learn How to Get the Most Cash for Your Clutter

Learn how to cash in on your clutter at my free presentation revealing the secrets to selling your unwanted stuff for more money based on my book The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money! whih is available on amazon.com as a Kindle book for under $5.00 and as a paperback as well.

 

Join the Create. Learn. Renew group for the evening and enjoy a presentation by me, Stephanie Ann on how to sell your unwanted stuff quickly and for the most money this Thursday, May 24.  This informative yet relaxed get together takes place at Johnson County Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Merriam, KS.

You'll never waste time on ineffective selling strategies once you discover:

*The most popular and effective online and local sales outlets for home decor, clothing and media items.

*How to identify which sales outlet, web sites, consignment stores or used book stores etc. would generate the most cash for items you are selling.

*How to determine what your stuff is worth before trying to sell it based on supply and demand.

*Which items aren't worth the time to try to sell and should simply be donated instead.

So, if you've ever looked at something lying around the house and wondered "Could I get some money for this this thing?" That question will be answered in the presentation and in the book.

Running of the Brides Never Runs Out of Laughs

Running of the Bride: My Frenzied Quest to Tie the Knot, Tear Up the Dance Floor, and Figure Out Why My 15 Minutes of Fame Included Commercial Breaks by Rachel Eddey is a funny and often fascinating account of one woman's quest to create her dream wedding in just a few months without losing her mind. The story, based on real life events, begins with a romantic proposal on the Sex and the City movie set and escalates into a frenzied rush to get countless wedding details taken care of before the big day.

Stories of the strategic military like hunt for the right wedding dress to bad makeup artists that seem to have learned the trade in clown school and more are all told in a conversational tone with a great sense of humor. The author is offered a chance to have her wedding dance featured on a reality show. This episode of the book offers amusing insights into the highly staged and practically scripted world of  "reality" TV. The book wraps up on a satisfying note with the author reflecting on how committing to the perfect soulmate is far more important that having the perfect wedding.

Look Great with Beauty Products that Travel Well

Long flights, long waits and humid frizzy hair weather environments are few less than pretty aspects of travel. No matter where you go you can stil look great while traveling.

The beauty of this North American Hemp Co. Hemp Exfoliating Face Cloth, (Pack of 2) for $19.98 is that it can work as a makeup remover as well as a regular wash cloth.

Take your favorite beauty products wherever you go with this F.A.A. Approved Jet Set Solutions Travel Kit for $12.99 which provides a convenient assortment of bottles and beauty jars in a re-sealable F.A.A. approved pouch (complies with airline carry-on requirements). Almost any gel or liquid can be transferred into these handy containers. Pouch includes: 1 Plastic 50 ml. Cap Bottle 1 Plastic 100 ml. Lotion Bottle 1 Plastic 10 ml. Sprayer Bottle 1 Plastic 80 ml. Flip Cap Bottle, 1 Plastic 25 ml. Jar, 1 Plastic 30 ml. Sprayer Bottle, 6 Plastic 6 ml. Stack jars, 1 Plastic Square Pill Case 1 a Plastic Pippet and 1 Plastic Filling Funnel.

Face moisturizers with sunscreen, foundation with sunscreen and just plain old sunscreen are great for your face, but what about your lips? Show your lips some love by protecting them with a high SPF lip balm like this Softlips Lip Balm Protectant Value Pack, SPF 20, Raspberry, 2-Count for $14.34. A lip balm can be layered under lip stick so you can still rock your best lip colors.  

Make it Work with Clever Office Accessories

Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the most stylish working Diva of the all? With this lustrous BUTCH & Harold Stickr Message, Peel and Stick Dry Erase Board, New Mirror Finish for $22.64 even the most mundane messages take on an air of glamour. Peel and stick this memorable message board anywhere you want to record your noteworthy thoughts, it's designed to stick to any surface. The pretty and practical set comes with a dry erase marker and a peel and stick marker rest.

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Lighten up and beautify your office space with this  Vinea Magazine File for $23.99. The metal file holder features a fresh floral design in a pure white finish. With this attractive desk organizer magazines, files and important documents are always close at hand and upright so even when work piles up your paperwork doesn't. In other words you can create the lovely illusion that everything is under control and you are a super organized business wiz.

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Work may be boring but your office accessories don't have to be. Liven up that dull cubicle with blinged out office accessories like these Crystal Desk Accessories for $9.95 - $29.95. The glammed up mouse is the perfect accessory for disgruntled employees updating their resume and surfing the web for job web sites.