Cheap Thrills

It's funny to me sometimes. You can buy a dress that costs you $400, a pair of shoes that cost you $200, jewels to line your neck and wrists, and a tiara to top it off. You can have yourself dripping in diamonds and expensive fabrics. Sometimes, though, it's not the most expensive or luxurious items that make you feel like a million bucks. Sometimes, it's that t-shirt you bought on a whim.

I snagged this t-shirt from Forever 21 online a few months ago. I was putting together an online order, and I needed to add one more item to throw my over order to the point where I would get free shipping. I threw a t-shirt into my shopping cart and went on my way. When I got all of my items, though, this shirt stuck out.

It fits me like a glove. The neckline flatters my "decolletage", if you will. The sleeve looseness & length sits perfectly on my upper arm. Not to mention the fact that the cotton the shirt is made of is the OMG SOFTEST THING EVER.

Basically, putting this shirt on makes me feel awesome. In it, I feel comfortable, fit, and...yes, just a bit sexy. (gasp!) It makes me feel like a badass...and all for only $12.






I suppose it also doesn't hurt to throw on some red lipstick and a fresh coating of red hair dye to make a gal feel firey.






So I ask you: What is your "item"? What seemingly ordinary item makes you feel like a million bucks the second you put it on?

GIMMEH FREE STUFF!

Why hello my lovelies! Do you remember me? I haven't forgotten about you! I'm going to be starting this blog up again, as I've really missed it. It's nice to have a place where you can talk about things like fashion, makeup and savings, and all the while, you're talking about it with people who actually CARE. It's refreshing, yanno? ;)

Today, I wanted to give you guys a head's up on a certain topic.

HOW I GET FREE SHIT
Some people I know have called me the "Queen of Finding Deals"(tm) or something equally as amusing. While I don't claim royalty status, I will admit that I'm pretty damned good on getting the free/discounted stuff that the internet has to offer! Here are some tips of the trade I've learned over the years:

1) Look for online survey sites.
I've been doing online surveys for YEARS now. You take a few minutes out of your day, answer some questions online about what you bought/are planning to buy/think of a commercial and you earn points. After earning enough points, you trade them in to get rewards! Yes, it really is as simple as it sounds.

My favorite site for this is E-Rewards. They're pretty good about not making their surveys too long to take, and the rewards tend to add up really quickly. I just got my second $50 Target gift card in the mail today from them. It's completely legit and I love them! I also use E-Miles (to earn A+ credits with Air Tran Airways), and NPDOR. All awesome.


2. Save those soda caps
Coke (and all Coke products) have been running a program for years called My Coke Rewards. Every Coke product has a code on it. If you have a bottle, the code is on the cap. If you have a case of soda, you'll find it on the cardboard box. You put these codes into the website and save up your points! (And no, you don't have to save all of your caps. Once the code is in the system, you're good to go!)

This is another one that I've been doing for years. All of my co-workers and friends have even started saving the codes for me, so they add up quickly, too! I've gotten movie tickets, skins for my phone/camera, gift certificates, and a TON of magazine subscriptions. (Seriously, one year, I got all of my friends magazine subscriptions solely through using Coke points.)


3. "Like" your favorite companies on Facebook/Twitter

So many companies (including the one I work for) do special giveaways only to their Facebook/Twitter friends. If you keep an eye out, you can get some amazing deals. I've snagged free tickets to the drive-in movie theater, free bottles of Zoya nailpolish, a makeup bag stuffed with goodies from Target and a lot more.


Maybe a lot of people would be too proud to sign up for a lot of these things to be able to earn incentives, but hell - I'm not too proud! Very little gets me more high than snagging an amazing deal or something for free that I know is worth something.

What are your favorite sites/methods for snagging free stuff??


I look forward to chatting with you all again! I miss you guys! (Anyone still out there?)

Higher Ground

Lately, I've been feeling that age-old emotion of the "need to purge". I look at my closet and very little in it inspires me anymore. The few pieces that DO inspire me and make me feel like a rockstar are over-worn at this point.

I was going to call this a New Year's Resolution, but let's call it a NOW Resolution. I will purge whatever I do not wear in my closet. This goes for you, hot sweater that I swear I will wear and never do. You're not exempt, gorgeous boots that I had re-soled, even though they never fit me in the first place. You too, t-shirt that the style is HOT, but I haven't worn you once.

My plan is to use the money I make from Ye Olde Purging (tm) and put it towards a new batch of clothes - ones that are of higher-quality. This means I will have to ban myself from looking at Forever 21 for a while. *sniffle* I'll make do somehow.

This picture has been inspiring the hell out of me lately.



We'll see where it goes from here...

Well hello!

Hello there! I suppose after not posting on here for SO long that I figured this blog would sort of fade into the mist of every other fashion-type blog out there. I have to admit, though - I'm still surprised when once every few weeks, I get notification that someone has commented on a past blog!

I am thinking of starting this little baby back up again. Seeing where it takes me. I miss writing, and I think it might be time to get back into the swing of things.

*waves*

Hello, hello! Oh, it's been so long since I've posted anything. I haven't forgotten about this blog. I suppose my "fashion endeavors" just haven't been very exciting as of late. I haven't bought too much new stuff, but that might be picking up again!

Last night was my work's annual Best of Baltimore party. I had a complete blast and dressed up like crazy. It has been so long since I've gone out anywhere that it was appropriate to go all out, so I took advantage.



Shirt: Forever 21, $13.90
Shorts: Forever 21, $19.80
Boots: Steve Madden via DSW, $69.99
Hat: Fredericks of Hollywood, $4.95!! (One helluva clearance find.)

And some of my completely fashionable friends!






I will really try to update more! I know that when I was putting more effort into this blog, I was also putting more effort into my outfits. Time to get back in the swing of things. ;)

Eye on the Prize

I'm completely, madly, hopelessly in love.

A friend of mine pointed out a fairly new designer to me. She's from Australia and doesn't have too much for sale as of yet. Her newest outfits had my jaw on the floor, though. Everything has a style of rebel, rock n' roll, and classy trashiness to me. I'm just...I'm at a loss for words.

Here are some of the looks that stood out to me in particular.


This dress WILL be mine.









There is so much more on her blog. Platnium Evil, will you marry me?

Another huge sale!!!

Sadly, the two pairs of shoes I was most excited about recently (Colin Stuart & Jessica Simpson) just.don't.fit. My loss is your gain...

Click here to go to my Livejournal! It's the 2nd entry down.

You don't have to have a LJ account to comment. Just comment anonymously and leave a place I can contact you.






....and I hate to ask this, but if anyone can repost this for me on their My Space/Facebook/whatever, I'd be eternally in love with you. LOVE.

Interior Decorating

For the first time since we've been together (and we're coming up on 10 years together), my husband and I are getting a new bed. It's not going to be anything super glamorous - just a queen size bed with a most-likely modest frame.

Because we're getting this and eventually all new bedding and such, I want to update everything in our bedroom and make it less cluttered and more "funky"-looking.

I'm looking for unique ways to store/display my jewelry and accessories. People are big on suggesting jewelry boxes or those little jewelry tree thingies. While those are pretty, I'm looking for cooler ideas.

So help me out!! How do you store your stuff, or how would you LIKE to store yours??

Here are some of my picture inspirations:


(This one is my #1 favorite. GOD I love Erin Wasson.)









I could use any kinds of tips or advice! (Pictures are always a huge help!)

A lil bit of trash

I'm going to ignore the fact that the weather today in Baltimore is in the 40's, and instead, I'm going to concentrate on the fact that it was in the upper-60's all weekend. That kind of weather makes me think of nothing but summer fashion.

I usually take all summer clothing with a grain of salt. I figure that if it will keep me cool, that's all that matters. Well, what if it kept me cool AND I liked the way it looked?

I suppose getting some major inspiration this weekend didn't hurt either. My husband and I watched True Romance for the first time in years. Patricia Arquette's style in the movie had me on the floor. Red lipstick? Check. Cow-print miniskirt?! Check. Metallic blue Wayfarers?!?!?! CHECK!!!




Here are some styles I have my eye on right now.

Rock n' Roll Summer 2009 by cruxgothgirlie featuring Brian Atwood heels & wedges

Of course, it's not everyone's style, but I love the trashy 80's vibe that a lot of clothes out there have right now.




So what styles are YOU looking forward to rocking out this summer?

Want Need Want.

I love shopping - that's a given.
I'm convinced, though, that the only times that I really crave a good, old-fashioned shopping spree is when I'm as poor as the day is long. Ugh. Well, at least I can share some lovelies with you guys!!

I would like all of these, please-and-thank-you.

Forever 21


I'd love to cut the sleeves off of this, cut the neckline a bit lower, and pair it with a barely-peeking-out bikini top for the hot summer days.


I can just visualize this top paired over some shiny leggings with my slingback mules. Rawr.


I want this relaxed tank top in every color that they offer - and at only $6.50, that might very well be possible!


Cheesy? HELL yes, but words can't even convey how badly I want/need this shirt.


Oh god, yes.


I think I need to actually try these on next time I'm in the store. They look so CHEAP, both on the website and in person...but I've seen them in so many pictures from online fashion bloggers, and they look FANTASTIC in them. It's worth a shot.


I'm picturing these with a very "Sandy-from-Grease"-esque outfit.


Wet Seal


<3


I could deal without the little bow, but I love the rest of it.


I've been looking at these since the day they popped up on the site (literally). I might need them.


I think that's enough babbling for now.
So what items are you coveting right now?

Kickstart my Heart

Since November, the date "Saturday, March 14th, 2009" has been one that I've looked forward to. It turned out to be everything I could have hoped and more. I'm going to work fashion/beauty into this entry, but forgive me if my girlie chromosomes and glee take over at times. ;)

After spending a collective 6 hours waiting in line for it, I FINALLY got to meet my ultimate fashion idol - Kat Von D. She was doing a book signing for her new book, and I was ECSTATIC to meet her! She was even more stunning and rock n' roll in person, and I'm in awe.

Yes, I look a bit silly here, but you have NO clue how excited I was!

Kat and I! I have to admit that I got a little blushy when she shook my hand and exclaimed, "Girl, you look awesome!!"

From there, I was only back home for a mere few hours before it was time to go to the Motley Crue show. I donned an outfit that, for me, was extremely gutsy. I guarantee that many people looking at the outfit would think it was slutty, but screw it - I was happy. And for once in my life, I wanted to be a bit of a rock n' roll groupie chick (without the sex...haha).

I felt confident and awesome. I finally got to wear my new Lip Service vest and American Apparel bikini top. I also love this new necklace my hubband got me!

The concert itself was AMAZING!! Crue never fails to let me down. I was also super excited to see the opening band, The Last Vegas. If you haven't heard them yet and are a fan of dirty rock n' roll, do yourself a favor and listen now. I LOVE these guys!!


....and because I couldn't go without, I have to post a few of the Crue pictures I got!!!


The one, the only Tommy Lee.


Vince Neil.




Nikki...f**king...Sixx!!!

I'm blushing!!

I have a few things worth mentioning (for once). haha

First off, I was SO honored to be awarded this from the fabulous Mrs. Munster's Magnificent Life!


How sweet is she! Thank you so much, doll. :) So now, I'm paying it forward. Here are some blogs I think are worth checking out:

1) Waitin Round to be a Millionaire: Sara's blog is probably what made me want to start my own in the first place. Everything about her blog just screams "awesome". It's all very well-written and every picture is perfection. Queen of Photoshop!! :)
2) Scarlet Empress: Javy is a complete sweetheart! Her takes on beauty are fantastic and always well-written.
3) Sugar Rush: I've loved Ashley's blog from the beginning, but it has only gotten better! She'll leave you drooling over her outfits AND her baking.

So thank YOU, all, for keeping me entertained time and time again!!



Secondly, okay, I KNOW you're all tired of hearing me talk about this, but...
I figured maybe you Style Sleuths could help me out here. ;)

I’ve been searching for this pair of boots for a LONG time now:


They’re Colin Stuart booties from Victoria’s Secret. They’ve been sold out on the website for months now. Do you guys have ANY idea for places I could continue to look for these?? I’m already searching Ebay daily with little luck. When they do pop up, there’s someone trying to charge close to $300 for them when they retailed brand-new for $99.

OR…
Do you have any suggestions for dupes of these?? HIGH, high heel, ankle boot, studs, etc.??

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
xoxo
Linda

Cosmic!

Ah, the event I look forward to every March. My work throws a party called the Cosmic Cocktail Party. Basically, about 40 restaurants from all over Baltimore, MD come and showcase their food and drink.

I really just use the party as an excuse to eat my face off. Have I mentioned in this blog before how much I absolutely adore food?? Well, I do. All of it.

PLUS! I actually had two drinks last night, which is a big deal for me. I VERY rarely drink, so after two of these little cocktail thingies, I was pleasantly buzzed. What can I say? I’m a cheap date. ;)

I was super excited to wear my new Forever 21 faux leather miniskirt, but WOW, is this ever MINI. I had to be careful when doing things like going up and down stairs or, yanno, WALKING. I love it, but maybe it wasn't the best choice for a work event. I might just wear this to the Crue show next weekend, though.

Black Faux Leather Skirt: Forever 21, $19.80

Joan Jett t-shirt:: Lucky Brand, $45 (eek! A HUGE splurge for me. Huge.)

Black platform shoes: Aldo, $80