Losing Weight on a Budget: Part 1, Fitting in exercise

The holidays are over, I don't know about you, but I'm ready to lose some weight!

According to Business Week, Americans spend an average of $40 billion dollars a year on weight loss! Well, this American doesn't have ANY money to spend. But that's not going stop me.

This is the first post in a series called Losing Weight on a Budget. I will share how to eat right and exercise without breaking the bank. It's easier than you might think.

My first challenge is to sneak exercise into my already busy day, I found this on Pinterest:

 

Unfortunately, according to my calculations this won't burn 100 calories. I timed myself and it only took about 2 and a half minutes to do this. I calculated it on myfitnesspal.comm and it would burn about 73 if you did this twice for a total of 5 minutes.

SO my challenge to myself and to you is to do the above set twice a day. Surely we can find 5 minutes. :)

In Part 2 I will introduce keeping a food diary.

SALE! E.L.F. 50% off site wide, last day! eyeslipsface.com

What did u get when you take 50% off already cheap makeup? Anything you want! I'm so excited about this SALE. Use the code LASTBLAST when you check out with at least $30 of mercy in your cart. Plus spend $30 (after discount) and get free shipping. Hurry! There's only hours left.

Coming soon ELF haul!

 

Review: Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusions Deep-Conditioning Shine Mask

I love Moroccan Argan Oil! I received a sample a while back in one of those make-up bag of the month things.Let's just say that I was very sad when my sample ran out. I've been tempted to buy some more, but it's just too expensive for me.

Imagine my joy to find that I was given a full-sized product from the Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusions line. I got the Deep-Conditioning Mask, a rinse-out treatment that you use after you shampoo once or twice a week. The thick creamy conditioner also contains coconut oil, a popular oil for treating hair. And it smells so good, like musk perfume.

I loved the way it made my hair feel so soft and silky. My hair needs a trim and has some split ends. To mu surprise, the Deep-Conditioning Mask made this a lot less noticeable. It also definitely makes your hair shine like it claims to.

My favorite part about this product is that it is so affordable. The 8 oz bottle retails for $2.88 at Walmart.

I honestly can't find anything about this product that I don't like. I'm looking forward to trying the other products from the line, namely the shampoo and conditioner.


 "I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes."

Influenster Vox Box! Suave Family

This was the PERFECT Vox Box for me. I'm all about family, looking our best and doing so on a budget. I'm very familiar with Suave products because they are such a great price and such good quaility.

Here's what we got in our Vox Box:

• Suave Kids Double Dutch Apple Detangling Spray. I'll have the twins try this.They need it because they have such sensitive scalps, and they hate tangles/
• Suave Men Body Wash in Active Sport scent. Hubby and oldest son can try this.
• Suave Professionals Moraccon Infusion Shine Mask. This one's for me and I'm SOO excited about it. I LOVE argan oil!

Stay tuned for reviews of all these products.

 

Sugar and Spice Influenster Vox Box, March 2013

My first Vox Box arrived today! When the mail came, my husband shouted: "Whatever you ordered is here." But I didn't order the Vox Box! LOVE IT! I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.So fun!

Here is the first impressions video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjSejem1ZDA

Here's what was included:
 -Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer (Yay!)
-Nectresse sweetener, 40 packet box
-Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes, 20 count box
-Colgate Optic White Toothpaste, muthwash and toothbrush
-belVita Breakfast Biscuits, one pack of 4 biscuits


Stay tuned for a complete review post.

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New video! Ipsy Glam Bag Unboxing, March 2013

I love it when my Glam Bag surprises me in the mail! I had no idea it was coming so soon.here my un-"bagging" video. http://youtu.be/VOpJZEZSaQQ Thumbs up for more Unboxing vids.

Bargain Alert! Cvs sale!

I´m super excited about two of the beauty sales at Cvs this week. Physicians Formula brand cosmetics are 50% off. I scouted the new BB cream at $14.99, so I´ll be picking this up for $7.50.

I´m also pysched out the Buy One Get One 50% off Wet N Wild cosmetics. I've heard great things about the brand and it's affordable to begin with.  As icing on the cake., there was a $1 off 1 WNW coupon in Sunday's papers. I love a bargain!

Beauty on a Budget's Most Wanted: And My Plan to Get Them for Less

Here;s a few things that I need or have been wanted to try. My mission: to get them for less!

• Maybelline's Baby Lips: I bought my first Baby Lips this weekend in Cherry Me. Now I'd like to get one of the clears and Peach Kiss. How I'm saving: Coupons! You can print this coupon for $1 off Baby Lips twice. SO Walmart has Baby Lips for $2.97, with the coupon that's $1.97 each. Not bad for such a nice product!

•  Seche Vite: This fast drying top coat won best budget top coat in the Temptalia Editor's Choice Awards. I've heard a lot of good things about it. I'm ready to trying to for myself. How I'm saving: I found this on Amazon for $5.01 with free shipping, that's about half of retail price. 

•  Rain Boots: This is not necessarily for a fashion statement. Where we live, it gets really muddy when everything thaws. I'm tired of running shoes! How I'm saving: I'm not sure yet. Walmart had some cute polka dotted ones on sale, but they were still $23. Too much for this cheapskate. :)

Ipsy Glam Bag: Budget Friendly?

I went for it. I subscribed to Ipsy's monthly Glam Bag at $10 a month. Question is: is it worth the $10? Is it budget friendly? Let's look at January's bag and see:

-Nailtini, Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer, Frappe FULL SIZE, $13 retail
-Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, $14 retail
-Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Mini Body Butter, $7 retail
-Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray, over $6 retail
-SOHO Concealer Brush, $7.99 retail

Total value = over $47.99! Bag actual cost $10.

Conclusion: If you want to try high end products and you are on a budget, the Glam Bag would be a good way to go. Plus, ipsy offers specials if you want to order the full size products. Love the idea of grab bags? Don't look at the sneak peeks. Lots of fun for $10! 

New Mani Inspired by DailyLook Cardigan

I absolutely LOVE the heart string cardigan from Daily Look! Sadly, I won't be buying it. (I don't have $45 to spend on a sweater and they don't carry my size.) BUT if I did buy it I would wear my nails in a black french tip with accent hearts. I love this look! What are you're thoughts?

Here's the nail art tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4FKBW37cs0

Price Match and Save

I have become a price matching addict! I search local ads for lower prices and simply tell the cashier when I'm checking out at Walmart. I was nervous to try it at first, afraid I would annoy the cashiers and the people behind me because I was taking too long. But once I did it and got some really good bargains, I was hooked!

Price matching is not just for groceries. This weekend I was able to get Suave Professional Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner for $1.98 each. Regularly they are $2.50 each. I saved $1.04. I know. That doesn't sound like that much, but imagine if I purchased 4 sets and put them back for later use. That would have save $4.08. My point is that price matching can save you money. Combine that with coupons and you're golden.

Check your store to see if they price match. Here's a link to the price matching "rules" on the Walmart website.

Share your bargains!

$5.99 Fashions? Too Good To Be True?

I recently stumbled upon 599fashion.com. I am totally intrigued by the idea that everything on this website is $5.99 or less. They have ALL kinds of things including plus-sized and kids clothes, makeup, shoes, purses and jewelry.

I know what your thinking, and I’m thinking it, too. It’s too good to be true. The clothes must be made of really cheap fabric using slave labor in another country. Well, the website claims that a lot of the pieces are made in LA. As far as the cheap quality of the clothes, I was hoping to place an order to see for myself. But, alas, bills must be paid. And our family motto is: “You pay before you play.” Bill come first.

So if you’ve placed orders with this company before, let me know your opinions. I hope to place an order sometime after we get our tax returns back. Stay tuned!

In the meantime check out these video reviews by other Youtubers:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qldf5DbUy5Y  BUSBUNNY3
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzgnGPEmDjI  delahmae
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-44hRL5ko78  MsCreativeDiva

Three Free Nail Polishes from Zoya.com! No Joke!

I just placed an order for three free polishes from Zoya.com. I just used code ZOYA2013 in the shopping cart. All I had to pay was $10 shipping and handling. For three $8 polishes!

Here are the shades I ordered:

• Lael = a red-toned purple cream
• Irene = a metallic green with yellow shimmer
• Phoebe = a turquoise matte

I'm so excited!

Grow Long, Strong Nails: More "Tips" :)

Yesterday I shared the tale of what I learned doesn’t help grow long nails. Today I thought I’d share what I’ve learned that you can do to promote nail growth.

• Nutrition: Since your nails are a living part of your body it makes since that you need to eat well for your nails to be healthy. Fruits, vegetables and lean meats are always a good choice, growing your nails out or not. J Consider taking a multivitamin. I read the Vitamin B, especially, is good for your nails.

• Rubber gloves: Don’t soak your nails in water. Any time you will be doing dishes or using cleaners wear rubber gloves to protect your nails. Don’t worry. They make really cute ones with feathers and fur now. J

• Pamper your nails: Soak your nails in olive oil for 5 minutes then massage your cuticles and nail beds. The oil will moisturize and the massage with stimulate blood flow, therefore encouraging growth. Plus, it will be fun to play spa!

• Treat your nails as if they were always wet: Ok, let’s get serious. I can’t go around not touching things! I’m a mom of four!

• Always wear a base coat: Even if you aren’t wearing color. It will act as a strengthener and shield against cracks and flakes. I find that I need to reapply at least everyday.

Hope this helps. Share your tips! Tips, get it? NAIL tips? Tips of your nails? heehee

Growing Long Nails: A Lesson Learned. The Hard Way!

    I’ve recently discovered nail art, so I thought it would be nice to grow my nails out a little. Not dagger long, but enough to make my child-like hands look a little more grown up. dutifully did the research and watched Youtube videos on how to grow long nails. I immediately began to follow the tips. I ate plenty of fruits and vegetable and took a daily vitamin to provide the nutrition my nails needed to grow strong. I faithfully wore my strengthening base coat and even wore gloves when I did the dishes. Yet the craziest thing began to happen. My nails got flakey and brittle. They broke off as soon as they reached the end of my finger and sometimes broke down into the live part of my nail. What was going on???
    Thanks to another Youtuber, Nicholamaria, I figured it out. I was watching her Glossy box un-boxing when she gave me the clue I needed. She had received nail polish strips in her box and had tried them out. Only after three nails she decided she didn’t like them and tried to take them off. They didn’t come off with regular nail polish so she “brought out the big guns:” acetone. That’s when she said she didn’t like to use acetone because it made her nails flakier. I realized that I had just bought a new nail polish remover. Sure enough, when I checked, the first ingredient was acetone. I know, duh, right? Acetone is bad for your nails. Well, I learned that the hard way. Needless to say, I won’t be using that remover any more. (It probably cost more any way! :) I can’t wait for my nails to grow out and be normal again. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Check your remover! 

More tips for growing long nails. Click here.
 

Save Money by Cutting Your Own Hair! You Can Do It!

I’m so excited. I cut my own hair and it looks great! I haven’t been to a salon for a hair cut in probably three years. I cut my own. Yeah, I’m really cheap. I just get out the scissors when my hair gets too long and snip it of, straight across, bluntly. My hair had no shape, and it was probably not even at both sides. I usually ended up throwing my hair in a pony tail.

Well, I got tired of. There had to be something better than this. That’s when I found farahdhukai‘s video on how to cut your hair in long layers. She even showed how to cut your hair to frame your face. I worked up the nerve, gathered my supplies and locked myself in the bathroom. I had to cut my hair in stages, because my kids kept needing me, especially my 14 month old. But I did it! And it actually looks good. I like this method because it leaves the bottom layers long. I really didn’t take much length off. I just added layers. My hair has shape and movement. It’s stylish and cute, and it didn’t cost anything. A special thanks to Farrah for sharing! What would I do without the Youtube beauty gurus!  







Farah's Helpful Video

 

My new blog: Beauty on a Budget!

Beauty on a Budget: That says it all, doesn’t it? We want to look great and pamper ourselves, but we don’t want to break the bank. While an occasional splurge is fun, we need to be smart with our everyday beauty dollars. I created this blog to share my journey to find high quality, on-trend beauty and hair products and clothing at reasonable prices. Face it, not many of us can afford $50 foundation. (And still pay the bills and eat, anyway!)

My husband and I made many sacrifices when we decided that I should stay home with the children. We don’t have cable or satellite tv. We don’t have the latest cell phones or tablets. We can’t run to the restaurant every time I don’t feel like cooking. But these are sacrifices that I am willing to make. And with a little time and effort, we can still have nice things and look great.

Being frugal is helpful for everybody: from teenagers with only allowance to spend, to retired ladies on a limited income and everyone in-between. So come learn with me and share what tips you know!