I know . . .

I didn’t write this week – I’m sorry. . . and now I’m heading on vacation and to my baby brother’s wedding. But I promise, the stories will be worth the wait!

Until then . . .

Examination

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I’ve decided to take my brand of recessionista chic on the road!  I am officially am official a member of the Examiner family.   More specifically, I serve as the Philadelphia Budget Fashion Scene Examiner.  I’m spending my time sharing all of my deals, steals and tricks with the masses.

Because, let’s face it – we all want to look fly for less!

So check me out and let me know what you think!

Philadelphia Budget Fashion Scene Examiner

Signed,
Recessionista Chic Barbie!

Grey’s Style

“Dance like nobody’s watching.” – Unknown

Reason number 472 why I love living alone?  Because nobody is watching. As my arms flail in the air, my hips sway back and forth and my hair swings from side to side, nobody is watching.  I stand in my nearly empty second bedroom, Risky Business-style (if you catch my drift), and sing at the top of my lungs.

“I can’t stay on your morphine ‘cause it’s making me itch / I tried to call the nurse in here, but she’s being a little bitch  . . . You’re just like a pill / instead of making me better / you’re making me ill!”

Yeah, I’m getting it right now. Straight up “Grey’s” style.  As in Anatomy.  I’m in the zone.  Moving to the beat the same way Mer, Izzie and Christina do after an especially stressful/trying/traumatizing/disappointing/all-around tough day.  I dance like (and because) nobody is watching.  I dance because I need to let off some steam.  Frankly, I dance because I can. And I do it while D-Magic listens and dances (I assume) right along with me.  Because, let’s face it, you can’t dance it out “Grey’s” style without a BFF around.

As far as stressful weeks go, this one is up there. Aside from the fact that it’s the break-up-versary it was still unusually stressful.  Work got really crucial this week. The Lakers and Cavs are really effin up.  And there’s a boy (that’s all I’m willing to say about him right now – don’t want to jinx it).  So, in honor of one of my favorite Thursday night past-times (trading “Ohhhhh Emmmm Geeees” with D-Magic during Grey’s) we decide to dance it out.  We were supposed to dance it out last night – but we forgot.  Tonight is better anyway.  It’s Greys’ night.

Most people feel silly dancing it out.  Not me.  I feel level-headed, clear-minded and stress free.  Yeah, I’m getting it right now. Releasing the tension, the stress, the frustration.  Getting it!  I mean, I’m dancing out a whole year’s worth of tension, stress and frustration.  And I’m dancing a year’s worth of joy, excitement and possibilities.

I’m getting it.

You should too.  It’s OK.  Nobody’s watching.

Signed,
Dancing Queen Barbie

Remembering . . .

“In prosperity our friends know us and in adversity we know our friends.”  – Unknown

Memorial Day is a time of remembrance.  Americans take time to remember the thousands of men and woman in the military who have proudly and courageously served our country.  I take a moment to reflect upon an uncle I never met because he died in Vietnam and to remember my favorite military man, my grandfather. 

However, this year, I also remembered Memorial Day last year.  Because Memorial Day, for better or worse, is the day before “Black Tuesday.”  A year ago, it was the day before life as I knew it turned up-side-down.  Last Memorial Day, I had no idea what was going to go down the following day.  If I had – I probably would have tried to sleep through Tuesday and wake up Wednesday.  But alas, ignorance is bliss.

In reflecting on Memorial Day – I couldn’t help but reflect on what a difference a year really makes.  A whole year.  365 days.  I made it.  And I’m stronger for it.  Wiser for it.  Better for it. 

And, I really have to say, for all the bad that went down in the past year there was a whole lot of good that went down too.  A lot of it. 

But, the thing I reflected upon most was my friends. 

In a time when I was falling (I was crashing / this is bad, real bad, Michael Jackson) my friends were there to catch me and make sure I landed solidly on the ground.  They really, really stepped up to the plate.  And helped me in ways they couldn’t even imagine. 

They brought me back to life when I was but a shell of myself.  And they nudged me back on the dating horse with well intentioned (but ill-fated) set-ups.  They made me laugh so hard I cried when we exchanged dating war stories (Jeepers Creepers, the 3.5 and the guy Mini Me told me about at dinner last week – hence forth and forever more known as Pirate Coate –  all come to mind).  And, they let me cry so hard that I ended up laughing – as long and as often as I needed to.  They took me away with their families for long weekends at the beach.  And they opened up their homes and showed me Southern Hospitality (and fed me good, southern food too). 

They’ve listened to me rant over e-mail. 

Indulged my complexes on numerous occasions.

Sent me private messages over Facebook and BB Messenger reminding me that I’m awesome and that things will get better.

Made plans to visit me during Memorial Day weekend because they knew how things could have turned out.

Sat through dinners with me when I was at 60% of my usual self.  And reminded me that it’s OK not to be 100% all the time.

They’ve just been really, really good to me.  And for that I’m thankful. 

On a day when I could have reflected about how bad this time last year was – I didn’t.  I was able to reflect on the fact that I have some pretty amazing, stand-up friends.  Everyone should be so lucky. 

Signed,
I Know Who My Friends Are Barbie

Cools Don’t Hang with Lames: A Necessary Rant

“If you ain’t first, you’re last.” – Ricky Bobby, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”

I’m a competitive person. I hate losing. I’m generally not a sore loser (unless money or Yahtzee is involved) but I hate losing. OK – maybe I pout a little. I like to be the best. I like to have a 100% A, not a 95% A on my tests. I like to have the best clothes, the best hair, the best friends (yes, my friends are better than your friends), the best everything. You know that song “anything you can do I can do better?” It’s like a soundtrack running through my mind some days. I.   Like.   To.   Win. Period. Dot.

It’s not that I like beating other people (although I do enjoy giving a good butt whopping every now and then). It’s more that I enjoy the feeling I get knowing that I’ve done my best and that somebody recognized just how good my best was. That feeling is what made me review my papers one more time the night before they were due. It’s what made me figure out how to carry 21 credits and work 30 hours a week to pull my GPA back up my junior year. It’s what made me work my butt off at an investment banking internship so I could get an offer, just to prove that you didn’t have to be a finance major to do well in investment banking. Actually I got two investment banking offers – so ha!

All that to say – there are very few (if any) things I settle for in life. That goes double for men. Except, lately, along with the rampant bitchassness I’m noticing (thanks for pointing it out Diddy) I’m noticing rampant mediocrity. People are OK with being OK. When the hell did that become OK? It’s not OK. Well, that’s not exactly true – I understand that in the grand scheme of things, it’s OK to be OK. However, it’s not OK just to strive to be OK. That’s where my beef is. OK?

My annoyance started when I was having a discussion with a group about children and their activities. My old boss always said that my generation was coddled.  Um, no.These little brats coming up now are coddled. When I was little everybody didn’t get a certificate for showing up. There were no “Perfect Attendance” awards in school. Why should you get an award for doing what the hell you’re supposed to do as a child – show up to school. You don’t have to work, you don’t have to pay bills. You go to school and you learn. You’re SUPPOSED to do it. You don’t get a hero cookie for that sh*t. I didn’t get paid for getting good grades. That’s what the eff I was supposed to do! These kids now want a reward for everything. My piano student told me she’d practice if I gave her extra stickers. No sweetie, you’re supposed to practice. I don’t give extra stickers for that. I tell you good job and keep it moving.

I have further noticed the rampant mediocrity (and bitchassness) while dating. Both from guys on the online site and that I’ve met in person. I can’t tell you how many of them are like “I’m a good guy, I take care of my kids, I have a job.” Ummmm you’re an adult, it’s what the f*ck (pardon my French) you’re supposed to do. If you have a kid, it’s your job to take care of them. If you’re adult you’re supposed to have a job and an income and to be able to pay your bills on time. It’s part of being an adult. You don’t get a hero cookie for that sh*t.

And you definitely don’t get my cookies for it.

Sir, if the best thing that you’ve got going for yourself is that you’re doing what the eff you’re supposed to be doing, I’m not the girl for you. It may sound stuck up, high maintenance or whatever, other term you want to say. But, I really don’t care. I don’t settle. Not in school. Not at work. And certainly not in men. I need you to bring more to the table than the fact that you hold down a job (I got my own), have a house/apartment (I got my own) and take care of your kids (I don’t have my own, but if I did, I’d do it).

What are you doing to advance your career? Do you have goals in life (and wanting to play in the NBA or NFL doesn’t count, and if you’re over 30 neither does being a rapper)? What plans are you making for the future? Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten? Do you give back to the community? How? What makes you above average? At the end of the day I’m looking for an above average man because I know that I bring above average-ness to my half of the relationship. And I don’t want my relationship to be average. I want it to be the best. I will put in work for it to be the best – but I want it to be the best that it can be.

I want my man to recognize that I put in work. And, in turn, I’ll recognize that he puts in work too.

So, dear readers, what do you think? Is my rant warranted? Or am I just being a high maintenance, stuck-up snob? It’s OK, you can tell me. And, do you know any single, above average men you could hook me up with? I got five official dates down and I still have seven (ughhh) to go! But no really. Am I just being to hard on the men out there? And the kids? You know the drill!

Signed,
I’m Definitely Not Last Barbie

Recessionista Diaries: Budget Living

I already know – living on a budget is absolutely no fun! But, especially in these economic times, it’s so necessary. I’m going to link you to a great article about how to create a monthly budget. I’m not going to walk you through all the nitty-gritty because, well, that’s boring and I’m the opposite of boring. But, I will give you a few tips and tricks to help you stick to your budget and ways that you can save a few pennies here and there. I’ve been budgeting since I’ve been on my own. However, I’ve pulled back the reigns even tighter since the recession hit ya girl! So trust me, I feel your pain.

First, visit this website (http://financialplan.about.com/od/budgetingyourmoney/ht/createbudget.htm) to get a basic idea on how to create a budget. Now that you’ve got a basic idea of what you’re going to do, let’s get started.

Track every bit of money you spend for two weeks. I know that this sounds incredibly tedious and painful. And, I can’t lie, I will be slightly annoying. But, I promise it will be so worth it. I know that I’m a member of the “no cash” club. I rarely keep more than $10 – 20 on me at a time. If even that much! I have no problem swiping my debit card for everything from gas, to coffee, to a newspaper. When you start adding up your receipts ever day, you’ll see exactly where your money goes. What I found was that I spent an ungodly amount on fancy coffees and impulse purchases (like gum, a cute necklace at a store, magazines, etc.). None of it was very much individually, but it started to add up over two weeks.

Once you know what you’re spending money on, you can cut back. Since I knew I wasn’t going to give up my impulse buys totally, I figured out other ways to get what I wanted/needed. I switched from a thrice-weekly medium Café Caramel Mocha to a regular brew with Hazelnut creamer. I finally broke down and listened to C-Murder and got subscriptions to my fave magazines instead of buying them off the rack.

Think about it; for one year of InStyle I paid $27 (and got a free subscription for a friend). InStyle costs over $4 on the shelves. So for a years worth I was paying more than $50! Multiply that by 5 (yes, I love my magazines). If each magazine averages $25 for a year’s subscription (lots are less) then I’m paying $125 compared to $240. Think about how you can save money? DVD rentals at blockbuster? Buying gum in bulk versus at the check-out? When you know what you’re spending on, you’ll know how you can start saving.

Negotiate. Listen, everybody is trying to cut back these days. And there are tons of ways to do it. One is to negotiate. Everything from credit card fees, to gym memberships. You can even negotiate your gas or electric bill depending on your carrier. I did! My carrier has a thing called “budget billing.” You pay a fixed amount every month for a year. I believe the amount is the average of your last 3 months of usage. I set mine up in the winter so it’s probably a bit on the high side. At the end of the year, if you over paid, then you get a refund. If you underpaid you get a bill. Most of us should break even or get a refund when it’s all said and done. In the summer, my bill is typically half of what it is in the winter. So, all that overpaying in the summer will pay off. But in the winter, you aren’t stuck with unreasonably high bills.

Do you have any services that you can work with? You should check them out and see. Another great place to try this is the gym. A few days after I resigned my gym contract, they offered a special for $19.99/month and personal training for $9.97/month. Well lookey here! My bill is $30/month. I asked them to switch me, and they did. It’s the same price, but now I’m getting to work with a trainer. We start in June (wish me luck!). Or, if your company has a gym facility (and it’s not overly crowded like ours) ditch the membership all together and work out there or outside.

Switch (or at least threaten to). OK – you might think this is a bit low, but whatever. Do you know what happens when you call your cell phone company at the end of your contract and threaten to switch? They give you some deal that is entirely too good to be true! It’s how I managed to get unlimited mobile to mobile minutes AND evenings starting at 7pm before they were options (well cheap ones anyway) with Sprint (note, I don’t have them anymore). I called them, pitched a bit of a fit (rightfully so, they were billing me bogus charges) and they offered to add those features for free. I’m not suggesting you pitch a fit, but I suggest you call your service provider and ask what they can do to keep a loyal customer? This also works for some cable companies.

And, speaking of cable, Downgrade. OK, I’m the absolute last person that should talk about downgrading cable. I’ve got DVR, movie channels, On Demand and the triple play package. However, in June – the fun is over. I originally got the DVR and movie channels because they were trying to keep my business. So they were free. But after that, the fun is over. So what’s a girl to do? Well I’ve priced things out and it looks like I’ll be switching carriers. I’m going to only have cable and internet (because really, when was the last time I used my home phone?) and I’ll be giving up my movie channels. I won’t give up DVR (can’t live without it!) but even with those cutbacks, I’ll save $70/month. Can you afford to give up HBO? I’m just saying . . .

Use a cash only system. My dad always told me that I should only use the cash I have. So he warned me against getting a credit card. But I did. I got two. And, I went a little crazy. Just a little. Not a lot. But I’m paying for going crazy 3 years ago. Boo hiss. After that I decided to work on a cash system. If I don’t have the money for it, I don’t get it. Plain and simple. From ordering pizza to that new tattoo I really, really want to get. I even went so far as to freeze my credit cards. Literally. In the freezer. I’d really have to want something B-A-D to use them, lol. Of course, I could use them for emergencies. However, I like to use cash for that as well. My car is costing me a pretty penny this week – and it feels pretty good to be able to pay for it. Now, granted, it may put a damper on some upcoming travel and party plans, but in the grand scheme of things, I think it’s better this way. If you can afford to use a cash system you should. It will hurt a bit at first, but it feels good to know that you’re spending money you truly have.

Pay yourself, then your bills, then have fun. When I say pay yourself, I don’t mean go shopping and buy that new Prada you’ve been coveting. I mean pay your 401(k), your savings and your Stock Purchase Plan (if you have one) first. If you never see the money, you won’t miss it. And, if you’re church going, a lot of churches let you also pay your tithes. You can set this up to come right out when you get your paycheck deposited. If you never knew it was there, you can’t possibly know what it’s like to have it in your pocket. And, on that note, if you aren’t paying into a 401(k) or IRA account, start . . . NOW! Like stop reading and go do the paperwork. And we’re back. After you paid yourself, take care of your bills. You should know exactly what they’ll be because they should be fixed. Then, divvy out any money you need for essentials like gas, groceries, etc. Then you can use the rest for the fun stuff!

Well kids, I hope you’ve enjoyed this little lesson on budgeting. And just think, if you follow these tips, when the recession is over, you’ll be in better shape than ever! Next week, we’ll chat about shameless money saving tricks and tips. I’ve got tons. I’m pretty shameless, ha ha. So, do you have any budget tips or advice? If you do, share below.

Signed,
Recessionista Chic Barbie

Can’t Let Go

“So many tears I’ve cried / So much pain inside / But baby it ain’t over til it’s over.” – Lenny Kravitz, “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over

I know kids. It’s been a week. I was bad, very very bad. In Barbie’s defense, the nine to five turned into a five (as in a.m.) to nine (as in p.m.) these past couple of weeks. The new gig is fantastic, but you know when you’re supporting people who work half way around the world (literally) it wreaks havoc on your life. And, no, I’m not complaining, because I did sign up for it, I’m just saying

And, there have been lots of things going on. I actually signed up to do the online dating thing. There have been some studs and some duds. And one meeting thus far. And, this weekend I’m heading up to NYC to party with the young, fly and flashy. And, there’s a chance (a pretty good one) that the Scorpion King (I finally decided that I liked that nickname) will be in the building. I was also recently elected to the Board of Directors for an organization that I care deeply about and the Mafia and I switched our vacay from Mexico to the Cayman Islands this week (damn swine-bird-who the heck knows flu!). So yeah – like I said, there has been lots going on.

But I didn’t come here to write about that today. I came to write about dreams. Specifically my dreams. Well two dreams. The same two dreams I’ve been having over and over and over.

Preamble (shout out to D-Magic!): I’m creeping up on the one year anniversary of Black Tuesday (as I’ve decided to refer to the break-up day). I didn’t think it would bother me, but I’m finding it’s actually bothering me quite a bit.

So, the long and short of these dreams are that they both involve moving. The first one has Voldy and I breaking up (well maybe post break-up) and we’re walking through my house tagging everything that is his. It’s like a divorce and we’re dividing assets. The other dream has me picking up and moving and putting my condo on the market. The location is always different – Florida once, New York City, San Diego – but I’m always moving somewhere.

I ran both of the dreams by Mini Me and she had some pretty insightful thoughts. She said (and I quote) “sounds like the dream is pretty blatant. You’re moving on and you know it. Your life is becoming completely different from anything you had with [Voldy]. Completely foreign. Now, whether or not you’re ok with this… I’d say you’re not sure.” I think she’s pretty accurate in her interpretation. Especially about me not being sure about things moving in a completely different direction. What you have to understand is that when I was with him, I always, always, always figured that the spring of 2009 would be our year. That we’d get engaged because he’d be done with school, I’d be stable in my career, etc. and that life was going to begin for us then.

Clearly – this is not the case. And, I think, deep down inside I kind of thought that within a year he’d come to his senses. That he’d come back to me, tell me how young, dumb and stupid he was and beg for my forgiveness. Now, in my head, I always shut him down and tell him that there’s no chance that would ever happen. But, almost a year later, I’m not sure if that’s the truth. What if he’s the Big to my Carrie and no matter where I go and who I end up with it all circles back to him?

I’m pretty sure that’s not the case at all. When I really sit down and think about it, I don’t want him. It still hurts some days, but I don’t want him back. I think that maybe my dreams signify the finality of the situation. That, if things were going to go the way I (or he or we) planned, they’d already be going that direction. And they’re not. They’re moving in opposite directions and pretty swiftly. And, I think I’m just now getting to a point where I can accept that and be OK with it.

So, dear readers what do you think? Any ideas on what the dreams mean? And do you think anybody will notice if I just spend May 27 in bed all day. Really? I’d rather just go to sleep on the 26th and wake up on the 28th. That would be ideal.

You know the drill, way in below.

Signed,
I’m Finally Letting Go Barbie

P.S. I’m putting the video for “It Ain’t Over” down here because I love the song. And I remember being completely blown away to learn that it was Lenny Kravits and not like Marvin Gaye or somebody. I know completely random but worth the listen!

Recessionista Diaries: You Are What You Wear

Sorry, but you are. There is no way around it. I realize that it’s petty, superficial and probably makes me a horrible person for thinking it . . . but it’s still true. If it wasn’t true, then we wouldn’t have to wear suits to interviews, look fly for a first date and there would be no such thing as designer anything. So yeah – like I said, you are what you wear. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way – I’m here to help you look fabulous for less. After all, we’re all in this Recessionista chic lifestyle together. And actually, it’s probably not a bad way to live in general. And, you know I’m a fan of designer duds at discount prices, so I’m going to share all of my tips and tricks with you.

Clothes

No surprise here, I’m a complete clothes whore (or “woman of the night” if you prefer). I’m a bigger shoe and purse whore, but, I’m a clothes whore none the less. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve got a crap load of clothes. I fill my walk-in closet, my second closet, a dresser and an armoire. I know, it sounds excessive, but I score most of my stuff (even designer) on the cheap. Here’s how:

Online deals and steals. I belong to a plethora of online sites that do everything from scour in the internet for the latest sales, deals and steals to provide online sample sales. My three favorites are: Shop It To Me, Rue La La and Editor’s Closet. Shop It To Me is a fantastic site that is like your own personal shopper. You sign up, provide your size, favorite brands and styles and let the site do all the work. Twice weekly (or more often if you choose) you get an e-mail that lists all of the great online deals you can get. And it’s everything from clothes, to shoes to handbags. This site is awesome because it does all of the dirty work for you – sifting through department store websites, designer’s sites and discount sites – to only show you brands, styles and sizes that suit you. Rue La La and Editor’s Closet are online sample sales. I’m not sure if you’ve ever attended a sample sale, but you can get designer clothes and accessories (think Nicole Miller, French Connection, Anne Klien, Rock and Republic, etc.) for a fraction of their retail price. I’m talking designer pieces for 60, 70 and 80 percent off. Catch my drift? You need to sign up. Like yesterday.

Outlets, Now if you know anything about me, you know I’m a fan of a good outlet. It’s hard to beat the great clothes at a fraction of the cost. There are some things you should know about outlet shopping:

• If it’s not more than 30% off, it’s not a deal (this is actually for anything clearance or sale – at the regular store or outlet). The typical mark-up on most retail items is 30%. So at a 30% discount, you’re really only paying wholesale.
• Just because it is discounted, doesn’t mean you need to buy it. If it doesn’t fit, or is going to require more than some slight tailoring (changing a hemline, a new zipper, etc.) don’t get it. Most sales are final, and you don’t want to spend a bunch of money fixing something you got on the cheap.
• Buy during the off season. My friends will tell you – I buy fall and winter clothes in the summer. It’s how I get the best deals. Don’t believe me? That’s why I save the tags (no really). I’m happy to show you my $399 coat that I got for $90 (that fabulous BCBG frock I mentioned in an earlier post) or my cashmere sweater dress originally $499 that I copped for $50 (Michael Kors). Yeah – I bet you’ll start trying on sweaters in July too. You’re welcome.
• Try it on there. Like I said earlier, most sales are final, so you’ll be upset and annoyed if you buys something that doesn’t fit and you can’t return it.

Get Basics Cheap. Yes, I will spend a pretty penny on a clothing item that I really, really like. But I also have no problem copping the basics from a place like Target, Old Navy, Ross or Forever 21. Let’s face it, a camisole is a camisole whether it came from Target, Gap or Nordstroms. In fact, Target usually has camis in all the basic colors for around $4-8 a pop. Compare that to $24 at Nordstrom and you catch my drift. White tees are another thing you should get on the cheap. Pretty much anything that is a wardrobe stable but also simple can be purchased inexpensively. Think about what you wear lots of, but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on. For me, it’s socks and tank tops. I get all mine from Target and I’m proud of it. And almost all of my tees (plain and graphic) come from Old Navy.

Shoes

I think we’ve established that I have a ton, ton, ton of shoes! Although I do have a few expensive pairs, most were incredibly reasonably priced or downright cheap . . . here’s how I do it.

Buy Trendy on the Cheap. OK, yes, peep toe ankle boots were all the rage this season and really, really cute. Shoot, I even got myself a pair. But really, what are the odds that these shoes being in style come next Christmas? Probably slim to none. Same goes for the gladiator platforms I’m currently coveting and a plethora or other shoes we saw strutting down the runways in September and February. Let’s be real – if it’s not a classic style (pump, ballet flat, etc) it’s probably not going to be around forever. So what’s the point in spending large sums of money on something that will be “out” in 6 months? Right, there isn’t one. Instead, cop the shoes from Target, Payless (which has stepped up it’s game immensely), Kohl’s, Ross or Marshalls. And don’t sleep – a lot of these places either have famous designers designing for them (Isaac Mizrahi for Target or Vera Wang for Kohls) or carry top brand shoes (Betsey Johnson and Steve Madden at Ross and Marshalls). So you’re getting the real deal for much, much less.

DSW. DSW is seriously a shoe fiend’s paradise. When I walk in I go straight to the clearance section. Let me give you a tip – we all know DSW shows you the four color tags and what they mean (Blue = 30% off, Green/40, Purple/50, etc.). But, when you’re in the clearance section look for the yellow tags. That’s immediately what I go for. Yellow tagged items are 80% off the DSW price (which is typically less than retail). Yesterday, I saw a beautiful pair of black coach pumps on sale for $40. They were originally $200+. Catch my drift? The shoes in clearance are usually gorgeous (with a few misses) and are always a steal! Don’t believe me? Feel free to come check out the $234 worth of shoes I copped for $40 yesterday. Right.

Invest in Repairs. We know that in this economy we can’t afford to just run out and buy a new pair of shoes whenever we please. So invest in shoe repair. It’s cheaper in the long run. Aldo used to fix their shoes for free. I’m not sure if they still offer this service, but it’s certainly worth checking out. You can get the heel of a shoe fixed for as little as $5. Doesn’t that beat buying a new pair of pumps? Trust me, you and your wallet will thank me later.

Accessories

Bag, Borrow or Steal. This website (www.bagboroworsteal.com) was probably made even more popular by all the screen time during “Sex and the City: The Movie.” But it was the ish before then. Here, you can rent designer (like Hermes!) handbags for a fraction of what they cost in real life. If you fall in lurve with one, you can also buy it. There are various membership levels and a lot of bags cost around $60 to rent for the month (compared to $500+ purchase price). That’s a great price for a Louis if you ask me. I’m just saying . . .

Beg, Borrow or Steal Re Duex. I don’t really mean steal. I just mean beg and borrow from your girlfriends or family. My mom used to be a purse person, but now she isn’t. Before she got rid of her stuff, I asked if I could go through the goods. What I found was a vintage (circa 1983 so maybe not that vintage) Gucci purse. My mother barely knows how to say Gucci, but she had his purse. I’ve had friends come in my closet and find some obscure handbag I totally forgot I had. I usually have no problem giving it away. Same goes for jewelry, belts, etc. My mom has a bunch of jewelry and sometimes she just gives it to me when I go home. Other times I have to beg, borrow or steal (just kidding – kind of) it.

Vintage. Don’t sleep on thrift stores. You can seriously score a ton of great stuff on the low low. Everything from beautiful antique looking brooches, to cool wide belts to wear around your cardigan. Check out your local thrift shop or Salvation Army for great steals and deals.

So, my dear readers, what do you think? Are you going to give any of these a try? Which do you already do? Have any other tips to share? Can’t wait to read them!

Signed,
Recessionista Chic Barbie

Turnin’ Me On

“You’re fly as hell, swagger right, brown skin poppin’ / you know just how to talk to me / know just how I like / you’re turnin’ me on / you’re turnin’ me on / you’re turnin’ me on . . . / Goin up on it, you actin like you want it / And you stuntin like your daddy, checkin for this little mama / You turnin me on (aaaah) / You turnin me on (aaaah) / You turnin me on (aaaah)”
– Keri Hilson, “Turnin’ Me On”

If Swagger is defined as moving with confidence, sophistication and to be cool or to conduct your self in a way that would automatically earn respect, then Orange Aura can only be described as Swagger on a hundred thousand trillion. If Swagger is something that you can feel when a man walks into the room, then Orange Aura wafts into the room, smelling like the sweetest scent possible, wraps its fingers around your waist and draws you closer and closer to that man. D-Magic says there are men out there who have Orange Aura.  She swears by Lil’ Wayne and his Orange Aura (although, I’m still looking for it).  I have just never personally encountered a man with Orange Aura . . . until last Saturday.  Now, you can call me a bona fide believer in the Orange Aura.

You see, the thing about Orange Aura is that you don’t see it coming.  It disguises itself behind the Swag and then just drops on you like a ton of bricks.  When I walked into the Ballroom at my Alma Mater early that afternoon, I had no idea what I’d be in for.  And, when I sat down next to Mr. Orange Aura himself (I’m still working on a nickname – so I’ll probably try a couple out) I didn’t even realize his aura was about to get me. In fact, I planned on paying him no mind when I sat next to him.  I thought he was some college kid that got stuck in the front row and decided to keep his shades on inside as a silent protest.  Boy was I wrong.  I knew how wrong I was the second he turned to me, extended his hand, gave me a firm handshake and introduced himself as Visa (you know . . . because he’s everywhere I want to be . . . . nah!).

I’m not sure what got me first . . . the smell of his cologne, the electricity I felt when our hands touched, his straight white teeth or his New York accent.  I’m not sure because they all hit me at the exact same time. And then, I did a scan of his ensemble and realized that no college kid could afford the three-piece grey suit he put on, with matching shirt/tie/argyle sock combination he had going on.  And the legit Dolce and Gabbana shades AND glasses sealed the deal.  He was the real thing.

And he just kept getting better!  Degree from a respectable university (one of my mother’s Alma Maters), owns his house in Harlem (yes, owns it . . . a mortgage ya’ll), good job, great sense of style.  Oh, and he’s a Scorpio.  Now, ya’ll know how I feel about horror-scopes, however, it has been said on numerous occasions that a Pisces-Scorpio combination is one of the hottest that you’ll find between the sheets.  Let’s just say that the Scorpion King (hmm, that could work) had me dying to find out if he lived up to the hype. And, this is all before he took those blasted sunglasses off.

Side note: He had them on because he had an unfortunate rollerblading accident that ended in a battle between him and the fence.  The fence won – he had the stitches, swollen eye and popped blood vessel to prove it.

The whole time we paid more attention to each other than what was happening on stage.  So much so that Miss Independent pinged me:

M.I.:  “Are you two flirting.” (notice it was a statement, not a question).
CCB: “Yes.”
M.I.:  “I knew you were, I know your moves.”

Woooooooooooow!  But I didn’t care.  I was getting sucked in further and further by the Orange Aura of it all.  If I had realized what was happening, I may have stopped myself from inviting a complete stranger to dinner with me and D-Magic after the event (and God bless D-Magic’s soul for offering to feign illness if I wanted dinner to be a twosome).  Now you know it has to be way more than Swagger for a man with a busted up eye to look so good!  I found myself enjoying our conversation, however inappropriate it may have gotten at times.  And I was looking forward to dinner.

Thank goodness D-Magic arrived before he did so I could give her the 411 on the situation.  But, when he arrived, I’m pretty sure she knew I had been sucked in by the Orange Aura. If by nothing else than the smile on my face when he kissed me on the cheek upon arrival.  I’m positive she knew – because she spent all day at work e-mailing me about how she “could see everything [we] were doing,” and how I “can’t keep anything from [her]”  She said she saw all the eye things, the knee touches, the leg rubs… oh LORD, let me stop before I get in trouble, lolol.  But you get the point.  There was lots of eye contact (“specific, deliberate sexual eye contact” if you ask D-Magic), lots of flirting, laughing, touching.

And, at the end of the day – your girl felt good!  So good that I made him promise that he’d call me when he came to Illadelph in a couple weeks.  So good, that I finally confessed to being swept up in the Orange Auraness of it all and admitted to loving every minute of it.  Now THAT was a man with swagger on a hundred, thousand trillion.  Whew!

So dear readers – have you ever encountered a man who possessed the Orange Aura? And did it make you do some really out of character things (like randomly invite him to dinner)?  And, is there anyway to combat the Orange Auraness of it all?  If not, I may have a bigger problem than we thought.  And, what should I nickname him?

Signed,
The Orange Aura Got Me Barbie

Recessionista Diaries: Beauty Isn’t Just Skin Deep

Hey kids!  Your favorite recessionista is back at it.  And today, we can chat about how to save money while still managing to look good. Now – I will do a whole segment on being a fashionable recessionista with tips on how to get the latest fashions for cheap (including a fabulous website called Bag, Borrow or Steal) – but today, we’re going to focus on your beauty regimen.  So, here are some tips for your face, hair and skin 

Your Skin

We know you’ve got to take care of your skin.  Here are some ways I save money with my skin care routine.

1. Samples, samples and more samples! Call me cheap, but whatever.  Scour your favorite department store and see what kind of samples they’re giving away at the beauty counters.  These days, I almost always score big time when I go.  By far the best is Estee Lauder.  Last time, I got a fantastic facial moisturizer and eye crème (not to mention lipstick and eye shadow).  The worlds best luxury items without the luxury price tag! (Cost: $0)
   
2. If you’re not particularly dry, then you can use a 2-in-1 body wash and moisturizer. In the winter, I’m too dry for all of that, but in the summer I SWEAR by them.  Bath and Body Works has a great collection.  As well as other beauty shops.  It gives you just enough moisture to go out without feeling ashy (all my sistergirlfriends know what I’m talking about) but not enough to make you feel hot and sticky. (Cost: $4-6 per 6-8 weeks)
3. Out of shaving cream?  No worries – grab your hair conditioner and smooth it on your legs while you razor up in the shower. It only takes a dab and it works the same way.  It even leaves you feeling moisturized.  Or, to save more money and time – go with a hair removal system like Veet or Nair.  I find that they keep my hair-free longer than shaving.  I swear by them in the summer.  (Hmmm, seems I swear by everything, lol). (Cost for conditioner: $0 if you have it in your shower; Cost for Veet or Nair: $6-8 per 8-12 weeks)
4. Unless you’re super oily, you don’t have to wash your face at night and first thing in the morning with your facial cleanser.  Well, unless you were getting especially hot and heavy between the sheets. Instead opt to rinse off with a wash cloth and warm water, or a facial wipe.  If you’re oily, you could go with a cleansing wipe instead of using your expensive cleanser. (Cost for washcloth: $0; Cost for facial wipes: $6 per month)
5. Breakout much?  I always tend to breakout during the seasonal changes. If you need to zap a zit fast (and cheap) do one of these two things.  If you notice it before bed, dab some toothpaste on it.  I know, totally weird, but it works.  If you are on your way out the door and notice a zit, grab your Visine and put a little on a Q-tip.  Then, dab it on the zit. It will take out the redness and help the size go down.  Just, make sure you don’t accidentally ingest any – we’ve all seen Wedding Crashers. (Cost: $0 if you have eye drops and/or toothpaste already in the bathroom).

Your Face

OK – all you MAC divas, these tips are for you!

1. If you like the bright eye color selections that MAC has to offer you should opt for the cheaper Loreal H.I.P brand at your local drugstore.  The compact will run you around $10, but it includes two eye shadow shades. There is usually an ultra-bold color (think pinks, teals, etc.) and a complimentary color (slate, gold, etc.). They are comparable to lots of MAC colors, but without the $14.50/each price tag.
2. If you do have a bunch of MAC make-up – make sure you don’t throw away the cases.  If you take in six (6) empty cases you can get free make-up (usually a lipstick). Most MAC retail stores and department stores offer the recycling program. (Cost: $0)
3. Sometimes in the summer, regular foundation is too heavy for your face.  I know it is for mine.  I live and die by my tinted moisturizer. It gives me coverage and moisture without being too heavy or caked on.  If you run out – or don’t want to invest because summer is only a few months – then you can make your own.  Simply us a nickel to quarter sized drop of your facial moisturizer and a squirt of your liquid foundation and mix them together. Apply like you normally apply your foundation and voila – your own tinted moisturizer. (Cost: $0)
4. Down to your last bit of lipstick?  Do not – I repeat – do not throw it away. Grab a pill box (you can get one from the dollar store) and scrape that last little bit into each of the squares.  Then, mix it with some Vaseline and dab it on your lips. Now you’ve got a cute lip gloss! (Cost: $2 for a pillbox and Vaseline from the dollar store)
5. OK – this isn’t for your face, it’s for your make-up brushes.  I have a friend who would throw out her brushes when they got too dirty.  Ummmm what?!?!?!?  Ladies, that is a “No No!”  Instead, run them under warm water and use a tiny bit of shampoo to clean them. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel.  You’re good to go.  On some brushes (like your concealer and foundation brush) you may want to use an oil-free make-up or eye make-up remover first.  Then run it under the water and shampoo. (Cost: $0)

Your Hair

Admittedly, I’ve got a bigger hair complex than most. Under normal, non-recession induced conditions I’d have no problem what-so-ever dropping a pretty penny to keep my locks in tip-top shape.  But even I have found some ways to take care of my hair for less.

1. Head to the pricey salons to get a new cut or style.  But, once that’s taken care of you can maintain your cut and style by heading to a chain hair salon. My spot of choice is the Hair Cuttery.  I get my bangs trimmed every four to six weeks for only $6.   Yes, $6. As a black woman, I just ask them to do a dry trim and then I take care of the washing, blow drying and flat ironing myself. A full trim will only run you $12-$16, depending on hair length.  How can you beat that?  Really.
2. Head to a place like Nordstrom Rack to get your hair care products.  I use Biolage Shampoo and Conditioner and I always score mine from The Rack. It comes straight from the Nordstrom Salon but not at the price.  Also, JC Penney almost always has their hair products on sale – often 2 for 1.  Check them out! (Cost: $15-25 per 8 – 12 weeks)
3. If you must get your tresses done – try a Dominican spot instead of the salon.  They will wash, set, blow-dry and wrap your hair for $15 – 30.  That’s cheaper than my stylist who charges around $50 for the same service.   They can even do chemical treatments and colors for less than the salon.
4. If you’re coloring your hair color, D-I-Y. It’s really not that hard.  And, even if you think the color was in too long – it’s OK.  Most over the counter colors stop activating after a certain amount of time.  So, you really aren’t able to mess-up.  If you’re going more than 2-3 shades from your natural color then go to the salon.  And here’s a tip.  If you have thick hair (like me), get two boxes of color. It’s better to buy a little extra color, than not have enough and end up in a salon to fix your botched dye job. (Cost: $7-10 per box of color every 4 – 8 weeks)
5. Surf the web and your favorite magazines for tips on home recipes for hair.  There are a plethora of blogs (like the Duckter’s natural hair blog: here) and videos that can help you save time and money by making your own hair products with the stuff that you have in the kitchen. My favorite home remedy?  Using tea to give my hair some highlights in the summer time.  I lighten my tresses come summer, and then I wash it with tea (lipton works).  It causes some of the strands to lighten when out in the sun.  I have no idea why.  I tried it and it works.  So it’s been my secret ever since. (Cost: $0 – just use what’s in your kitchen)

Well dear readers, those are some of my shameless money saving tricks! What others do you have to keep your beauty game up to par during these tough times? And do you do any of the above?  How are they working out for you?

Signed,
Recessionista Chic Barbie

P.S. We’re back to our regularly scheduled twice-weekly posting.  I’ve missed you guys!