Oh, you fancy huh?

No Drake, I'm not fancy, which brings me to this post.  Today I'm dishing my top 5 favorite items for the shower. 

You ladies probably know by now that I'm not fancy nor do I pretend to be.  I just try to ball on a budget.  Every beauty item (for the most part) in my shower can be found at stores like Target, Wal-Mart or CVS.  Here is what I love most:

1. Purpose Face Wash by Johnson & Johnson
I have used this face wash since middle school and I doubt I will ever waiver.  You see, I have had acne since 6th grade.  (Thanks Mom and Dad, 'preciate the acne gene.)  Well, I've been on EVERY topical and oral prescription acne medicine known to man including Accutane.  I tried Proactive and it didn't work for me at all, not that I expected to.

This is the best face wash ever.  It's gentle, removes all of my make-up (even my eye make-up) and doesn't irritate my skin or eyes.  My skin flare ups are under control for the most part now and I give a lot of credit to Purpose.  I wash my face every morning and night religiously with Purpose.

2. Olay Body Wash plus Crème Ribbons
I use the pink one with Almond Oil.  It smells sooo good and is very moisturizing.  Target's brand "Up & Up" makes an off-brand version and it did not compare.  I'm all about generic, but this is not one I recommend trying to save a dollar on.  Just buy the Olay version, it's the best.

3. Dove Shampoo and Conditioner
Again, smells heavenly.  I did a post a while back about my affordable hair care routine where I first mention this shampoo and conditioner. I like their Intensive Repair line best.

Actually, the other day I decided to pick up the TRESemme Color Protection shampoo and conditioner because it was a few dollars cheaper and I'm impressed.  I do prefer the thickness of the Dove and the Dove smell better, but TRESemme isn't too shabby. 

4. Schick Silk Effects plus Razor
Been using this one for years too.  This razor has a vitamin E and aloe enriched comfort strip, which allows blades to glide easily leaving skin smooth and silky.   Can you tell I stole that description from the Web site?  It's true though, this razor really works wonders and doesn't irritate my skin.  Razor refils are so expensive though, it's ridiculous.

5. Stainless Steel Foot File 

Barf.  Sounds so sick, but really ... this is a necessity.  I can't afford pedicures weekly or else I would totally partake.  In between legit pedicures, I use this little scrubber at the end of the shower when the skin on my feet has become properly soaked.  I mean, let's be real.  Wearing heels every day will leave calluses. 

The one I have is from Target and I want to say it was less than $5.  I couldn't find it on their Web site, but it's in the cosmetic area by the all the mani/pedi tools.  It looks similar to this:

So I wanna know, what are some of your favorite bargain beauty bath items (say that 3 times fast)?  Any of you ladies love what I'm lovin?

I'm leaving on a jet plane ...

Thursday morning I will be on a plane flying to Phoenix waving to ya from high in the sky! 

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Now that I'm close to boarding a plane, I've started to think about packing.  Keyword = think.  I never pack until the night before and I'm usually running errands and finishing up last minute stuff until midnight or later.  It never fails.

I thought I would share some of my favorite travel essentials with y'all.  I'm by no means a travel expert, but I was in a 4 year long distance relationship with Lucifer, so I spent my fair share of time traveling. 

Here is what I can't travel without:

1.  Check list and sticky notes. I'm a list person. I can't function without my to-lists and packing for a trip is no different. I make my list a few days before I need to pack, so if I do need to make any runs to say, CVS, I know ahead of time. If there is anything on my list that I can't pack until the day of (phone charger, tooth brush, sleep mask, etc.), then I write it really big on a sticky and put it on my front door so I absolutely can't forget it.  

This is just the start of my list, there will probably be 2 more pages of items added to this list.

2. Flat iron case.  I used to be ghetto and would just wrap my Chi in a hand towel.  This method works, but I eventually stepped my game up and bought this case.  I love it because you can do your finishing touches on your hair, throw your straightener in the case and not have to worry about it burning anything in your bag. 

My case above is from Stein Mart and was less than $10.

3. Jewelry Roll.  I also got this at Stein Mart for less than $10.  They have really cute, affordable travel accessories, so you should check it out if you have a Stein Mart in your area.

 
4. Personalized Luggage Tags to help you easily identify your bags.  My luggage tags were gifts, but lots of stores carry cute, girly luggage tags.  Get one to pimp your luggage.  

Don't mind the "heavy" tag, I always pack my bag to exactly 50 lbs thanks to my handy luggage scale.  See below!

5. Luggage Scale.  A lifesaver.  This little gadget lets me know if I've maxed out the 50 lb luggage limit.  Prior to owning this, I would be that girl at the check-in counter busting open my bag to take stuff out so I could get my luggage on the flight without having to pay the extra fee. 

You don't want to be that girl, trust me.  You will feel the glares of all the people waiting in line behind you trying to check-in.  If you tend to be a heavy packer, just get the luggage scale and thank me later.

While browsing Stein Mart online, I found a similar version called the Travelon Scale if you are interested.

6. Tan Towels.  Hello my fellow sunless tanners (everyone should be practicing safe sun and if not, you and I need to have a talk!).  You must have these tan towels in your luggage when you travel. 

They are perfect for maintaining your sunless tan when traveling.  The best part about them for me is that I don't have to worry about TSA throwing my precious bottle of self-tanner in the trash.  I give the worst side-eye and pout if I ever have to throw away any beauty products.

I bought mine at my tanning salon, but I know Ulta carries them too.  Click here to check them out.

7. Toiletries Hang Bag.  I got this one from my Aunt as a gift, and I don't know how I ever traveled with out one. 

8. Travel size bottles.  I think we all know what these are and that you can find them in pretty much any drugstore, Wal-mart or Target.  I used to never be able to find mine when I needed to pack, so I bought a container from the 99 Cent Only store to stash them in between trips.  I love that they are all in one place and I don't have to dig through drawers, cabinets or luggage trying to find them.

9. And lastly, get yourself a cute, medium sized carry-on bag.  I got this one at Sam Moon for any of you ladies in the Dallas area. 

There you have it!  Hopefully you learned a few tips, but if not, at least you know how I roll way up in the sky.

Flashback Friday: Girly Electronic Board Games

I have two besties I've met via blogging: this sexy biatch and this hot ginge.  Even though I have yet to meet either of them in real life, I consider them real life friends because we text, BBM, Google chat or e-mail all day long.  Fingers crossed, I will meet both of them this summer if all goes as planned and when this magical day comes (and it will), my life will be complete!

Anyway, today I'm linking up with the hot ginge (real name: Beth) for Flashback Friday.  We were getting super excited talking about this post idea earlier this week, so hopefully you enjoy this flashback as much as we did.  Although, I have to admit, her FF post today is hands down the funniest thing I've read in a LONG TIME.  You have to go read hers here. 

I'm flashing back to old school girly electronic games from the late 80s to mid 90s.  You know, the ones you HAD to have or your life would have been OVER.  I'm talking ...

DREAM PHONE

MALL MADNESS

ASK ZANDAR

 and ...

TALKBACK DEAR DIARY.

1.  Dream Phone, my favorite of the bunch.  To play, you'd draw a photo card and dial the number on it using the hot pink Dream Phone.  The boys you called would give you clues, which you used to figure out who had a crush on you.  When you thought you knew who your crush was, you'd call his number on his card and if you were right he'd say, "You're right, I really like you!"  So legit. 

Steve was the hottest of them all and don't try to convince me otherwise.  Helloooooo Steve ...

How pissed were you if you got the Spencer or Jason card?  Ugh.  Bob wasn't bad, but he was a little too borderline uni-brow for my likes.

The clues were like, "he’s not wearing yellow," or "he’ll eat anything except popcorn".  And then of course there was the annoying, “I know who it is, but I’m not telling!”  Oh, dream phone.  I loved you.

2. "It's Mall Madness, the mall with it all!"  The object of the game was to be the first player to scoop up the items on your shopping list at the best prices and get back to your parking lot.  You had to be on alert for exciting announcements like, "Attention mall shoppers!  There is a sale at the fashion boutique!"

I mean, maybe this was the game that started my bargain fascination? 

Apparently there’s now a Hannah Montana version.  I don't know why people try to mess with a good thing.

3. Ask Zandar, the talking wizard.  You'd ask Zandar a question, wave your hand over the "crystal ball" and he'd give you you an answer.  Clearly what Zandar spoke was truth.  "Zandar, am I going to prom with a geek, please say no!"  "There's an excellent chance!"  Pure devastation.

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4.  Dear Diary, the electronic diary.  "Hands off creep!"  I know I had one of these, but I remember it not being nearly as cool as it seemed in the commercials. 

 

Did you play these games?  Which was your fave?  I loved this little trip down memory lane.  Have a great weekend you little bargainistas!  TGIF.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!  I'm linking up with Jamie as usual for What I'm Loving Wednesday aka my favorite link-up.  Click here to participate.

1. I am loving that this Saturday is Crawl for Cancer.  What is "Crawl for Cancer" you ask?  Well, it's a pub crawl here in Dallas and all proceeds raised are donated to cancer research.  This is the 4th year my friends and I have participated and it's always a ridiculously good time. You have about 5 bars on your crawl route for the day and 4 pitchers of beer per bar.  At the end, everyone who participated in the crawl meets up at the designated after party bar for live music!

Everyone who participates gets to pick their team shirt color, but you can dress up your outfit if you want.  This year, we are dressing up as Cowboys/girls and Indians (pics to follow next week).   I picked Cowgirl, but I still don't have my accessories.  I really want a horse and hat like this and I'm not kidding:

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 Crawl for Cancer is in other U.S. cities too, so you should check your area to see if there is a crawl by you!

2. I'm loving my nephew Reese aka Reesey Piecey.  He is so precious, I don't even have words.  I realize these videos will be super boring for all of you because you are not related to my nephew and probably don't care, but I'm sharing anyway.  This is how my Saturdays are spent.  With my little love bug.

And here we are blowing bubbles a few Saturdays ago:

3. I'm loving this Texas weather.  Any day now we're going to hit 100+ temps, so I'm savoring our current Spring weather in the 80s.  Did you know that our state flower is the Bluebonnet?  If not, now you do!  You are welcome.

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4. I love these 2 dresses I got from Express on Sunday for only $29.90 each.  Holla.

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5. Last but not least, I'm loving YOU, my followers.  Y'all seriously make my day and I can't tell you enough how much I love reading each of your e-mails, comments and blogs.  I'm a little behind on responding thanks to the trusty bronchitis, but I promise I will catch up soon.  I like to think I have THE very best followers.  I love y'all, and I know if we all lived in the same cities we would be REAL LIFE girlfriends.  I just know it. 

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Bridal Brunch Bargain Outfit - TAKE 2

First of all, thank y'all so much for the sweet "get well soon" comments yesterday!  I actually feel a lot better compared to last week.  I think the cough syrup is making a world of difference.  FINALLY.  Moving on ...

Remember that little purple ensemble I posted a while back? It was an outfit I put together for the bridal party brunch I am attending in Phoenix next week.  Yes, next week!  I can't believe the wedding is already here.

Well, that purple dress was ordered and delivered. I tried it on and it barely covered my big ole booty. No mam.  I'd prefer not to flash Phoenix if I can help it. I returned it and I should have known better than to order a dress from tween store, Delias. *shakes fist in air*

On Sunday I headed to the mall and found a demin dress that I love from a non-tween store, New York and Company.  And wanna know the best part?  It covers my bo-bo (what my neph calls your butt).  Plus, it was 30 percent off and I had a $20 off $50 coupon.

I'm going to wear it with those suede nude peep toes I got last week and posted about here. I just need to find jewelry and my outfit dilemma will be resolved once and for all.  p.s. I threw in some pink lipglass because it's my fave and basically all I wear on my lips.  And everything in this outfit is $50 and under (as always).
 

Handbag / Earrings / MAC Lipglass / Shoes / Dress