PREFALL FUN

 
DON'T FALL APART 'CUZ FALL IS AROUND THE CORNER

It’s the end of summer and you’re restless to revive last season’s rags…

You wake up in the middle of the night drooling over a dream.... a man delivered you a darling Dior dress…Prada pumps…and…a black American Express Card!  You try hard to fall back asleep...no dice! So you crawl to the kitchen to make a pot of “Joe” and that’s when reality sets in.  “OH NO!!”  Fall fashion is just around the corner and you’re BUMMED about your Budget!

Cheer up Butter Cup!  Here are some fabulous finds under $50 that will fuel your fashion needs for "prefall" and buy you sometime while you save $$$$ for the real spree.

Medusa’s Makeup

Not only is this makeup line affordable (6.00 for an eye dust) it’s fun and fashion forward! You will feel like a super model dusting on the wide array of colors.  Medusa’s eye shadows have to offer 48 colors in total!  And for just $8.00 more you can buy Medusa’s sealer.  Dab the clear liquid on your brush before dusting and your eye dust turns into eyeliner!

Pearl’s Please!

This fall is a flash back to flappers with pearls galore!  Long pearls, short pearls, colored pearls…everything is “pearltastic!” 

 The great thing is if you don’t own a set from the late 80’s you can find strands just about anywhere and they are not expensive.  I just picked up this pair in a boutique in Geneva, Illinois for $14.00! But you can check out some other styles for even cheaper at The Limited and Icing By Claires.

Can’t Get En’uff of the Cuff!!

It is all about the chunk this season too, so recycle those vintage cuffs if you can!  If not, look for textures  and mixed metals while shopping.  This little accessory will dress up even the drabbest of duds and it only costs $6.80 at Forever 21.

 
 

THIRSTY THURSDAY'S - GIVE A SECOND LIFE TO YOUR ACCESSORIES!

GIVE A SECOND LIFE TO YOUR ACCESSORIES! So it's Sunday afternoon, and you have just finished a 3-day Closet Karma closet cleanse. Now you are staring at a pile of broken broaches, necklaces, and lone studded earrings. What to do? Your instinct is to dump the excess junk...but wait…

The triple "R" statement has taken on new meaning the last few months…thanks to an ailing economy the phrase no longer refers to just paper, glass and plastic. Now retired accessories like a handbag, jewelry and scarves have found a new career. Its' time to turn your "sh*t" into a shindig!

That's right…this weekend invite all your pals over for a party. Tell them to bring their broken jewelry or mismatched earrings, or whatever else has been junkin' up their jewelry box. Take a drive to your local craft store and pick up things like earring posts, headbands and craft glue. Encourage everyone to bring one idea on how to turn your toss-away items into treasures. Don't forget a Recessionista knows how to make a BYOB party classy…ask each lady to bring a different type of wine for everyone to taste. And before you know it you will have your own private tasting room for your party! Now what if you’re not crafty enough to do it yourself? Or maybe you have some semi-precious or sentimental pieces handed down to you that you want to be properly set or re-finished into a nice new ring or cuff bracelet. No problem!!

Renee Vintage Designs is a fabulous company that Closet Karma came across. For a great price Renee can turn Aunt Betty's beautiful but broken bauble into a hot bracelet! You can also peruse her website and purchase fabulous one or two’s of a kind vintage jewelry that Renee has hand selected and redesigned for you.

GIRL’S GUIDE TO GETTING FABULOUS IN FIVE MINUTES! THE MAKEOVER EMERGENCY KIT

GIRL’S GUIDE TO GETTING FABULOUS IN FIVE MINUTES! THE MAKEOVER EMERGENCY KIT It was a long day at work…you’re are hot, you’re are bloated, and you’re hankering for a pint of cookies and cream Froyo. You come home, plop on the couch and uncouthly unbutton your pants. Yes! There is a Tori Spelling Lifetime marathon on….”BZZZZZ”, your cell phone starts vibrating loudly on your coffee table…you strain to ignore it …but suddenly your right hand has a mind of its own…you mumble grumpily, “What?” It’s your best friend Heidi and she says you have 15 minutes to get ready and head out the door. She was just invented to the biggest event of the year and you have to go!
	Girls, we all need a makeover emergency kit handy at ALL times! It is simple to make. It will cost you less than $50, and you will most certainly get more than your money’s worth out of it. 1.) LIP SERVICE Now I am the type of gal that rarely wears more than a touch of lip-gloss daily ,but when it comes to fashion emergencies you better believe I bust out the Foxy Red Lips. It is very important to know what vibrant colors can work best on your lips. If you are not the best at matching shades then phone a friend who has irresistible lips and tell her you would like to hit the local CVS or Walgreens for a makeup romp. If you don’t have anyone in mind, try hitting the make up counter at Mac, and tell them that you are looking for a great red color. Try a bunch of colors on and find the one that suites you best, then trot right back to the pharmacy and pick a shade that’s similar for half the price! I personally like L’Oreal or Cover Girl lipstick. It goes on smoothly and they have a good array of colors.
2.) HAIR HAPPY HOT ROLLERS I am Hot Roller slaphappy for sure! I don’t care if you have short hair, long hair, or fine hair…hot rollers can add volume and spring into anyone’s step. My friend at a wedding was skeptical, but when I threw in just 5 hot rollers she quickly saw her up-do had much more lift! My favorite set is Conair’s Instant Heat Travel Hairsetter. It costs $18.00 and has enough rollers in it to give a lift to any head. And if you need a few more rollers then the Conair Ion Shine Roller Set is fantastic as well!
3.) Chunky Monkey Jewelry You need to have a go to neck accessory. My kit has three go to necklaces in it! ONE for neutral outfits, ONE for gold or silver and ONE for black or brown. They are the following: -A strand of off white pearls that can me wrapped around the neck 3 times. -A large chunky go plated necklace -A double strand green necklace with black and green beads. When you wear a great piece around your neck people tend to focus more on the jewelry than the fact you only had 5 minutes to fab up!
4.) GO GET THEM OUTFITS! You need to have 3 go to outfits at all times: -One should be something you can wear with jeans and you feel very comfortable in -One should be a dress that does not wrinkle and fits no matter what mind set your in -The third should involve a skirt whether it is a jean or a black skirt depending on your style. Arming your closet with three things you like to wear that can fit into any fashion emergency category IS VERY IMPORTANT!
		5.) FOOT FANCY OR HANDBAG HEAVEN Shoes are one of the sexiest accessories you can have. And you have to make sure you shop wisely when buying them. I have go-to gold heels that I wear with my jeans whenever ever I am in an emergency situation. But plenty of ladies don’t feel comfortable in a pair of pretty pumps so what do you do? Bust out a “banging” bag. Handbags are like a work of art they can dress any outfit up and make you feel fabulous. I feel whether it is shoes or handbags you need to make sure you keep at least one of the categories as follows. -A gorgeous black or brown that makes a statement -A classy silver or gold that can dress up any dumpy day. -A bright color that compliments your skin town and lights up your night!
Now stop reading and get out the door! It’s Thursday and I am sure you are Thirsty!

5 WAYS TO GET READY FOR A SUMMER WEEKEND UNDER $50!

5 WAYS TO GET READY FOR A SUMMER WEEKEND UNDER $50!
	1.) Neutrogena Ruby Red Lipstick Moisture Shine! - Average price $8.99 on sale at target.com for $6.96. I discovered this yummy feeling lipstick after I received it in a gift bag at the Crystal and Lucy awards for Women in Film. I was excited to support my friend Chelsea Handler who was hosting, thrilled to see all the amazing women who were being honored such as, Holly Hunter and Jennifer Anniston, and tickled PINK to discover this amazing gem. It has SPF 15, and when applied, it feels like a cool mint breeze on a hot summer night! Not to mention the Ruby Red color is just plain sexy!
2.) Sizzling Summer Scarfs! - $9.99 - $14.99 I am obsessed with scarves... yes obsessed! They are the only accessory that can be used year round, and they can dress up old dirty tank tops any day! The Gap has great summer scarfs for just $9.99. But Madewell’s Fringe summer scarfs double as both a light summer wrap and slinky accessory! And this yellow one is on sale now for only $14.99. www.madewell
3.) Janaration’s Blushing Grape Necklace! - $24.00 Here is why I like Janaration... not only is jewelry affordable and gorgeous, but each piece carries a positive message or image. The company was founded by a yoga instructor who has managed to translate her tranquility into her designs. Plus, the grapes are so cute! And they totally remind me of summer and can make any plain old tee FAB!
4.) Bogle Sauvignon Blanc 2005! - $7.99-$8.99 www.boglewinery.com I am not a huge white wine fan, but this wine is crisp and delicious, and the perfect accessory to a summer night hanging with your gal pals. Bottles range from $7.99 - $8.99 and most liquor stores, including bevmo.com carry it. Recommended of course by the ever so fabulous budgetvino.com.
5.) Kara K. Wristlet! Now I usually don’t self promote on my blog, but my gal pals said I had to share this great deal with the world. Inspired by the Recessionista in me, and our popular red carpet light up wristlets featured in O Magazine, we have launched a special addition Wristlet for our Kara K. line. It will only be available this summer online. The wristlet feels and looks like its fraternal twin bag, the Utility Wristlet. All that is missing is the light. The bag doubles as a wallet, has lots of pockets, and can fit your cell, lipgloss, and cash for a gals night out! Made of 100% genuine leather, this little bag will be your new B/F on a night on the town! Available in Cinnamon Red, or Summer Slate Gray. solasfashion.com

Thirsty Thursday's Weekend Travel Guide!

THIRSTY THURSDAY’S WEEKEND TRAVEL GUIDE OK so here is the deal... thanks to souring fuel prices, most airlines aren’t exactly making weekend travel easy... so what does a true Recessionista do? VIVA la carry on! Sorry girls, leave the “kitchen sink” at home. $15-$25 each way for a checked bag is more than a few mojitos by the beach. I know what you’re thinking, “How am I going to do that?” What will I bring? What if I forget something?... DON’T WORRY! That is what Closet Karma’s Weekend Travel edition is for. We do all the work, so you can sit back relax and have a vacation in a Staycation economy!
It is Monday morning in the Midwest. You’re drooling as you daydream of a delightful detour from life... a word that has become foreign in your vocabulary the past year... VACATION!... Sadly, your mind drifts years back to your senior spring break... you never thought you’d be jealous of foam parties and tequila contests... but alas you are. You need a weekend of culture, laughter, and girl power! So why not Napa? “Napa?!” I know what you are thinking... “Are you crazy?! How could I ever afford Napa?!” The tastings alone will blow the budget, not to mention I have nothing to wear and have not been able to shop in months!” Well, Thirsty Thursday travel edition is about to show you a side of Napa that is not only affordable, but puts the B in Budgetnista!
NAPA FASHION: While Napa’s somieniete may not have the shiekness of a NYC Bistro, Napa itself was primarily a farming community, so it has a down home country feel. Everything is about casual and comfort. If it weren’t for the Tuscan esq. rolling hills and ridiculous wine, you would swear you were in the hearlland, not Northern California. Shorts are totally acceptable in most establishments, and so are dogs! Dressing up in Napa is about accessorizing. Think bright colored necklaces with a great cotton sundress, or a fabulous pair of earrings to dress up your linen pants. Perfect conditions for packing light and you won’t have to worry about an iron!
WHAT TO PACK: 2 pairs of flip-flops, one for day and one for night. 1 pair of comfy platforms or heels. Anything that says strappy and straw will do! A few tank tops and a pair of jeans or shorts. 1 wrap in case you get chilly. 2 sundresses And a bag of your favorite accessories that will dress up any cotton dress!
WHAT TO BUY UNDER $50: Napa has two main shopping areas on Washington Street in Yountville, and the other on Main Street in St. Helena. While the shopping may not be the most unique, (you will find a lot of brands you can find anywhere) if you look closely at some of the art galleries, especially on Washington Street, you will find jewelry from some northern California designers. We found Holly Yashi earrings to be totally affordable ranging from $14-$30 at North Bay Galleries. And if you are feeling the need to splurge and you want to dress like the “locals” check out Taye and Grace. She has an array of sundresses coupled with island jewelry to give you the true Napa flair. Either item will be easy to pack in your carry on!
WINE AND WARDROBE: I’d rather spend my money on buying fabulous wines than tasting it! And a lot of fantastic vineyards seem to agree! First up, V. Sattuti V. Sattuti is probably the most affordable of all the vineyards. You can print a free tasting coupon online at wine.com or econcierge.com or you can pay just $5.00 to taste. Their Sauvignon Blanc is light, amazing and only $18.75 a bottle. Think: Flip flops, cut off shorts, and gabbing with the gals. The vineyard also makes its own Mozzarella and has free cheese tasting to boot! The deli is amazing and the only one of its kind in Napa. Perfect for a picnic and pinot!
Cakebread: We couldn’t find any coupons for Cakebread online, however, their $10 tasting includes a very intimate tour of the whole location. Tasting groups are never more than 8 people, so you are sure to get the attention you need unlike some of the other cattle call type tasting rooms. Their Rubaiyat Merlot blend is sure to impress a new first date without looking like you’re trying too hard. Think:, a pair of Target jeans topped off with a fire engine red Jimmy Choo. The bottle will run you $32.00 and has an expert from Edward Fitzgerald’s translation of the poem Rubiayat... VERY SWANKY!
Merryvale Merryvale is fantastic because it is one of the few wineries open past 5pm. You can taste until 6:30pm and then pop next store to Trevigne for dinner where there is no corkage fee for wines bought from the estate. You can find coupons online for Merryvale tastings at winecountry.com.
Artesa We almost didn’t make it to Artesa due to time constraints, but if we hadn’t stopped we would have been sorely missing out! Not only are the wines consistently fabulous, the location is breathtaking and literally looks like a Tuscan country side. The history of the architecture in itself is worth the trip! The wine tour takes you through the base of the buildings pyramid structure where Gregorian chants play as a blessing over the wine. The vineyard is owned by Spaniards so of course their Tempranillo wine is the most popular bottle. Costing only $25.00, you will want to throw on your brightest red lipstick, curl your hair, and dance the Flemenco the minute you crack open the bottle. Looking for a reason to wear your little black dress and pearls? Try one of their Pinots! Starting at $25.00 with Carneros, their pinot’s are sure to make you feel pretty! Two for the one tasting coupons are available at winecountry.com as well as winetasting.com. Not to mention they offer 33% discount to people in the restaurant or wine industry! Artesa definitely understands the Budgenista!
ADDITIONAL FREE TASTING LOCATIONS:
-FOLIO (located down the street from Artesa and free with online coupon) -BURGESS -CARTILEDGE AND BROWN
NO CORKAGE FEE RESTAURANTS: http://www.gofishrestaurant.net/ http://www.cindysbackstreetkitchen.com/ http://www.jolerestaurant.com/ http://www.silveradobrewingcompany.com/ http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/6/766576/restaurant/Napa/Rutherford-Grill-Rutherford

So it's "Thirsty Thursday" and time to spice up your little black dress!

“Beep, beep, beep,” it is 6:45am, Thursday, and your alarm is blaring in your ear. You roll out of bed and stumble to the shower. Then you realize you have nothing to eat for lunch.... you think, “Time to raid your secret stash of change!” As you are counting pennies it hits you! Tonight is your boss’s engagement party! CRAP! A.) You have nothing to wear. B.) You’re broke! You run to the closet. There it is staring at you... the same BLACK BORING DRESS you wore to the Xmas party, your godchild’s christening, and your last interview. You are in a pickle and panicking! OH NO!!! Ladies, we all know what it is like to have a Thursday morning ruined because you realize you have an unexpected festivity that weekend. Whether it be a baptism, a birthday, or a ball, I promise you can survive even the most dismal of Thursday’s and still be Fabulous Under $50.00.
Back to Basics.... Since Coco Chanel, owning the “little black dress” has been a fashion rule. It should be simple and versatile and even though you may be bored with it, there is always a way to dress it up or down. Now if you don’t own a black dress you’re comfortable in, fear not. Mossimo at Target has made buying a little black dress very affordable. For under $30 after taxes, you can pick up a comfortable cute black dress that will easily be transformed into an exciting ensemble.
If you already own your basic black dress here is how you are going to make it Fab under $50. LAYERS! LAYERS! AND MORE LAYERS! Raid your jewelry box and start combining necklaces that you never thought of layering before. Layering can be an elegant way to dress any outfit. Every woman should own one long strand necklace. Why? They are easy to mix and match. Turn your neckline into a work of art so no one is paying attention to that dress you already wore 10x’s this season.
This long stranded black necklace at Target is only $14.99 and can be used as a foundation for layering.
So now that all the attention is on your neckline, it is time to captivate people with a little drama on your eyes! I am a huge fan of fake eye lashes. What I have learned through my years of trying out every lash in the book is that the best kind... are the cheapest kind! MODLASH IS ONLY $4.99 and can be found at any drug store!
And once you get the hang of it, they are super easy to apply. The trick is to look down at a mirror while you are applying. And if you still are having trouble this blog: http://www.ehow.com/video_4411059_lash-basics-fake-eyelashes-application.html has a whole how to video on how to apply lashes!
And my new addiction is Loreal Shocking mascara! It can even be applied with false lashes! The wand is amazing and the mascara runs only about $11.99! But you don’t have to take my word for it. Check out what other ladies are saying! http://www.chickadvisor.com/item/loreal-volume-shocking-mascara.html
Finally, you need a hot pair of shoes! You know those yellow stiletto heels sitting in your closet you have been dying to wear? Well tonight is the night. And if you don’t own a pair of hot stand out shoes this is the part of Thirsty Thursday where you phone a friend and beg to borrow!!! Be bold! When it comes to shoes you are allowed to play, so be wild! Be a little daring. I promise no one will notice the dress is from 2006 ;).

Thirsty Thursdays

So it is “Thirsty Thursday” ™ and you and your lady friends are hankering for a much-deserved drink. Unfortunately, your makeup bag looks crusty, your wardrobe drab and your wallet is…well, empty. I remember in 6th grade my dad would give me my allowance for yard work on Sundays. It was usually about $10.00. I would rush to the mall with my sister and buy a bag of tacky fashion goodies. Jelly bracelet’s and pink lip-gloss was the bomb! I never broke my budget because it wasn’t an option. I just didn’t have any more money. So I would strategically tour the stores and chose as many items as possible for $10.00. Now I know inflation has turned that $10.00 into $40.00, but the concept is the same. This week’s “Thirsty Thursday” is about going back to the basics. First off all pull out your favourite pair of jeans. If they are dirty…I don’t care…throw them in the dryer. Come on girl’s were in a recession just pretend your in the dorm again it is fine! Next, pull out your favourite go-to white or brown T-shirt, whatever makes you feel sexy and comfortable. Ok. It is time to go shopping! First stop…Claire’s Boutique! I know “cringe!” But girl’s accessories are the key to making an old wardrobe look new and when it comes to earrings Claire’s is a gold mind…and come on, how fun to reminisce being 12 again! These etched hoop earrings are fantastic and neutral. They have a bit of texture but they are not too cheesy and they are only. $6.50! http://www.claires.com/catalog.asp?rcid=31&scid=32 Next Stop….The Limited. This multi-strand ethnic necklace is $29.50 and the vibrant color will pop on any basic T-shirt. Plus, The Limited has a buy 2 get one free sale! So if you and two girl friends go shopping, you could easily turn this $29.50 price into $19.50 before tax. http://www.thelimited.com/detail/multi-strand-ethnic-necklace/1482153
Now that you’re accessorized it is time to splash some color on your face! Let’s hit the local drugstore! Eye shadows are another great way to make an old outfit look new! Purples, greens, blues, and golds can make YOUR EYES and YOUR ACCESSORIES stand out when you are wearing a basic T-shirt. Revlon’s Illuminance Crème Shadows are fantastic! They are $6.49 at most drugstores and can be worn alone to pop color or for a more dramatic effect you can layer. http://www.revlon.com/ProductCatalog/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=51 Now, every girl needs movie star cheekbones. Since I travel a lot for closetkarma.com I have been blessed with working with some of the most talented makeup artists around. I was astonished when my make up artist and friend Mandy of, http://www.tmink.com in DC told me about this next fab find…IT IS WET AND WILD! Talk about 12 years old again! Wet and Wild’s Mega Glo is beyond amazing and cheap! You can obtain a dramatic bronze from it or subtle blush if you like and it is $3.99! Don’t just take my word for it. Check out one of my favourite beauty-blogs, Bella Sugar, if you don’t believe me! http://www.bellasugar.com/1835716
Finally, finish your outfit off with a fantastic pair of shoes or a bright color cardigan. If you don’t have either in your closet it is time to phone a friend! This outfit is so basic yet sexy I guarantee any of your gal pals will have something you can shop in their closet for. Plus ladies, I don’t have to remind you we are on a budget, so I highly recommend a little “pre-partying” at one of your houses while you get ready. It will save you cash both on your outfit and your evening’s bar tab!