Boyfriend Material

I've recently had an emotional epiphany of sorts (and yes, the proverbial light bulb did turn on) and the clouds parted, and my eyes were opened to the fact that this single gal (and all the rest of you that have a VIP pass to this exclusive club) doesn't need a man in her life. Nope. Not when I have all the boyfriend I need in the new casual, slightly roughed up and pegged, worn for days boyfriend jean.

So with a twist on the infamous sentiment of Beyonce...All my single ladies...you don't need no stinkin' ring...you just need a fabulous pair of jeans to have all the fulfillment of the perfect relationship that you could never find before while residing in the "Single 'Hood." Who knew love could and would come in the form of a pair of jeans?

Image: YNQ jeans (under $25) courtesy of Veggie

Just Dew It

If asked, I would put my complexion right in the normal to dry category. When it's residing in the latter of that realm (particularly around my nose, cheeks and chin) I have to face (get it, face) the fact that I'm not going to be getting the glow that I am forever trying to achieve with my normal liquid foundation; foundation is almost instantly lapped up by my parched skin which always ends up in a matte finish, forever and always feigning any and all of my dewy attempts.

Enter Aveeno Positively Radiant SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer. Once on my skin, I get immediate natural coverage and my coveted, awe-inspiring dewy glow. HALLELUJAH! It's a miracle! Added bonus: No concealer needed. Totally serious. Now I know what I've been missing. I've been "dewified" and there's no way I'm ever going back. It says it right there in the name: positively radiant. So what are you waiting for? Go get your glow on! Just dew it.

Image: $15 Aveeno Positively Radiant SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer in Medium and Fair to Light, courtesy of aveeno.com

Brooching The Subject

A few days ago while gabbing away with my sister on the phone, the conversation turned to antique jewelry and how fun it would be to one day start collecting individual pieces; that got me thinking about how much I've always adored the decadent look of brooches and how oh so very versatile they can be (take a moment to imagine how FABULOUS they would look strewn across the collar of a cotton tee or cleverly arranged into your initial of choice on a blazer lapel) so I decided to devise a plan, play detective and begin my very own, one-woman search party for the bejeweled beauties.

About two clicks in, I came across a site's title that immediately lured and enticed the bargainer in me to take a peek, and what I found at Fashionjewelryforeveryone.com, I am now quite proudly displaying as my finding's first and second placers in two of the three pictures featured above (the third place, bronze medal winner, being an unbelievably low-priced gem that I stumbled upon while shopping Forever21.com)

Good work, Detective Bex. Case closed.

Images (l-r): $17.99 B340 Sparkling Round Bridal Dress Brooch, $17.99 B011 Vintage Brooch courtesy of Fashionjewelryforeveryone.com and $6.80 brooch courtesy of Forever21.com

One Two Punch

There have been some earth-shattering, history-making pairs in this world: star-crossed Romeo & Juliet, delectable peanut butter & jelly, the genius of De Niro & Scorsese, even the legendary Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton...but they pale in comparison to this new pair and discovery of mine:

$10 Schick Quattro Razor (For Women) $8 Vaseline Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning Body Lotion

After I've showered and shaved with my new best friend (its awe-inspiring and amazing with its four blades because you literally can't miss one hair because it obliterates even the tiniest hint of follicle and completely eliminates the thought of stubble) I immediately slather on the body lotion for the (and I say this sincerely) smoothest legs I have ever had.

So if you want to treat yourself to this luxury, I can't possibly recommend it any higher than I already have by writing this little entry...and you never know...your silky pair may just be the world's newest latest and greatest, earth-shattering discovery!

Tee (shirt) Time

I adore nothing more (when you've been staring at your closet for entirely too long) than to go with the old standby: the ever-essential t-shirt and a pair of worn-in jeans; but there are just some days that I can't ignore the nagging feeling that it's time to switch it up, tweak that comfy cozy t-shirt a wee bit and fold those jeans up. That's where my current obsession lies. Please, meet my denim replacement: The T-Shirt Dress.

Throw this one little piece on and you're done. Accessorize it to your little heart's content. Maybe you'll choose to throw on a few long necklaces to layer it up or define your waist by cinching on a belt; plop a cute, straw fedora atop your head and finish the look with a pair of sunglasses. There are no wrong answers here. Whatever shoe adorns your foot (be it a rugged motorcycle boot, a simple ballet flat or a buckled sandal) you can't go wrong. That's the beauty of it. Dress it up or dress it down, it's always going to turn out to be the perfect casual summer outfit. All the comfort without any of the effort. Now that's what I call Tee Time.

Image: T-shirt dress for $22.99; courtesy of gap.com

To Gage or Not to Gage...

...that is the question. Or at least the question that I used to ask myself every time I would see one of my most stylin' of friends sporting a new pair, dangling from her ears. They were and are so insanely different from my usual jewelry aesthetic, but something about them is so intricate, unique and not me...hence the attraction. What doesn't attract me though is the permanence of these little beauties. I have a tendency to change my mind rather quickly (I blame it on being a Gemini). Luckily for me, I don't have to wrestle with the thought anymore. I've got my gal Triple H and her trusty Rachael Ray magazine to thank for that.

In the beauty section of the mag this month, there was a website that caught my gal's eye and she was gracious enough to share it with me. At lulus.com, after clicking through their vast array of the most adorable AND affordable of jewels, my little heart skipped a beat when I stopped on what I like to call "faux gages." Like the site says, "...no stretching required." *Phew* An answer to this mind-changing, commitment phobe of a Gemini's prayers. See my favorites below:

$18 Isolina Earrings

$22 Lelania Daisy Bone Earrings

Images courtesy of: lulus.com

Item of the Day, Everyday

Every time I see a new month's cover of this magazine at the stands I get so obliviously happy, so giddy to the point that I try with everything in me to hold in my squeals of delight; you would think that the feeling would dissipate or lose its luster over time, but it NEVER does. I'm just like a little kid in a candy store, every month, every time.

After I get it home, clutching it tightly to my chest, I immediately put it down because I have to take a few moments just to stare at it, to breathe and soak it all in; I, of course, need to give it the utmost respect that it deserves and give it the proper time to revel in all its glorious greatness.

When I finally do open the cover, I literally treat each glossy page with gentle delicacy as not to rush it and possibly lead to a *gasp* tear on its angelic frame. I shudder at the thought. I only ever allow myself a few turns of the page during one sitting because any more would prove to be catastrophic if I came to the last page too naively and quickly (you think I'm kidding).

So, needless to say, you now know the reason behind it being my item of the day, everyday and I hope that my words will inspire you to pick it up (ever so carefully) and bring it home for yourself to study its contents when it comes to anything and everything involving beauty, decorating and shopping. I find it nothing but glamorously ironic that the title of this magazine is Lucky because I have no doubt that it is I (and hopefully) you that are truly the lucky ones for being able to read such utter perfection.

Breathtakingly Beautiful

I can proudly admit that I am an American Idol fan (leaning closer and closer to a full on fanatic) and was nothing but completely, incredibly elated when I heard that one of my favorite contestants of the season (that sported the one hair color that I still want to try...the Run Lola Run red/orange hue) was going to be singing with one of the most iconic singers (with a personal style that I can only ever hope to aspire to) that I had the pleasure of growing up with and listening to over and over (and still do)...

So when I heard their duet of Time After Time, (one of my all-time favorite songs), I knew that I wouldn't have any other choice but to post it here. Truly breathtakingly beautiful. Please enjoy Allison and Cyndi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVUIUCIukJw

Essential Espadrilles

It's official. I've had my very first fashion request and I'm super giddy to report my findings here today. Someone very close to me e-mailed and asked what item they needed to add to their closet to have the quintessential summer wardrobe; I quickly put on my thinking cap, and within minutes, I came up with the answer: ESPADRILLES! Of course! So simple. Every fashionista knows that your wardrobe is never complete until your fabulous feet are donning a pair of shoes that you can wear with everything in your closet:

shorts (of any length) to elongate your lengthy and lovely gams

dresses (whether they be the ever-popular Maxi style to add "oomph" and height or a simple, casual t-shirt dress that draws all the attention downward to your feet

jeans (whether you cuff 'em up to show off your tootsies) or to a wide leg pair that perfectly covers and shows just a peek of shoe

So with my fingers a-typin' and a-clickin'...my bargain-hunting search for the perfect pair(s) (Why limit yourself to just one?) was on! I was so excited to find that the choices in height and style were incredibly immense this season, from flats to the highest wedge, every style is represented at prices all of us "recessionistas" can afford. Scroll down to see the results of my findings:

Images Top to Bottom (l-r): $15 Old Navy Espadrille flats, $8 Newport News Floral Eyelet Espadrille, $10 Newport News Ribbon-Trim Flat, $15 Old Navy Knotted Espadrille Wedges, $20 Jersey Ankle-Tie Wedges, $24 Newport News Denim Mary Jane Espadrille

Pictures/Images courtesy of: oldnavy.com and newport-news.com

Eczema Be GONE!

My skin's nemesis has decided to rear its ugly head again. It only appears when there are obvious changes in the weather (IE: Winter and Summer) and it has decided its favorite spots to rest this summer are on my upper arms and on my hands, particularly around my knuckles. My foe has a name and it's Eczema. Little does my nemesis know...I have found the anecdote, the cure, in two very effective yet different products:

Ask any pharmacist (like my trusty white-coat wearing Harmon's experts) what an inexpensive Eczema treatment is and they'll utter two simple words before you even finish your sentence: Hydrocortisone Cream.

Every morning after I've showered, I put on Western Family's Hydrocortisone 1% Anti-Itch cream; this thick, paste-like cream is rubbed on the Eczema-ridden areas until it disappears (and I repeat the process right before bed each night) It instantly calms my irritated patches and within seconds, my skin returns to its normal tone and is ready to face the weather...whatever it may be. Let's not forget that it's also the perfect cure for your bank account too, seeing as this little cream only sets you back $3.00.

Since I suffer from Eczema, I've had to regrettably give up any hope of being able to wear any of the scented lotions, body butters and creams that waft through my senses each and every time I set foot in Bath & Body Works...until I met CO BIGELOW and its Dr. Hiosous QUINCE hand lotion, No. 007. I hesitantly rubbed in the sample onto my itchy, red hands, and as I was admiring the other products in my eyesight, I looked down and noticed that my hands had returned to their normal state; all dryness had disappeared! It was nothing short of a miracle! So, not only could I wear this beautiful, lemon-scented hand lotion without worry of Eczema showing up, but I no longer had to admire the scents from afar...I could wear them too! Not to mention that it held true to its name (No. 007) since it really did act just like the secret agent known as James Bond would have when facing his own enemy! This is a bit of a beauty splurge at $15.00, but for this gal, it's worth every penny and lasts forever! (I've had mine well over 6 months now and counting)

So...for all of you fellow Eczema sufferers out there...suffer no more! There is hope for you in these two products and I hope that you can enjoy an itch-free summer too!

Lip Tip/Trend of the Week(end)

Unless you share my same unhealthy obsession for red Icee slushees, I have another way for you to achieve the perfect stain for your lips. All you need is your favorite lipstick shade and less than 5 minutes!

Here is the easy 3-step process for your perfectly stained pout:

1. Take your index finger and place on top of your selected lipstick and swipe.


2. Take said index finger and dab and blot color on to lips (No need for perfection here: the messier, the better)


3. After you have as much or as little of your new stain on your lips that you desire, take your favorite lip gloss (I'm partial to good old Vaseline) and gently smooth it over (with that trusty index finger) your stained lips for the finished look.

Voila! Now you have the perfect lip stain ... and all for a bargain, budget-friendly price: FREE!!

There's only one word left to say to that:

Image courtesy of: Mary Engelbreit

Floral Frenzy

There is always one trend that stands out to me every style season that I flip for and this upcoming summer is no different with its floral invasion. Maybe it's the romanticism of it all or that it leads me to dream that I'm somewhere in Europe traipsing through a beautiful rose garden, but lately everywhere I look all I see are flowers, flowers and more flowers! So...whether you want to flaunt your flourishing flowers

in your hair

on your little ears

or as a garland around your neck

...put those petals on and come join me in this floral frenzy as we smell, er, wear the roses!

Images courtesy of: forever21.com

Miracle Workers

Shhh. Listen. Do you hear that? Yep. It's the angels. They are strumming their little harps and singing again because they have sent two slices of heaven directly down for us mere mortals to use when it comes to our beauty regimens...and I'm ready and willing to share them with you now for this week's installment of Best Beauty Bargain Buys.

My lashes have long been the bane of my existence. I was born with what some may call "lash envy" and I'm not afraid to admit it. I have tried every lengthening, thickening plumper out there and have always been left unsatisfied. Until now.

This wand of wonder literally does it all for me in one swipe. Never again will I long for luscious, thick lashes or fear clumping catastrophes. So to all of my fellow green-eyed lashers out there, envy no more. Run out and get CoverGirl LashBlast mascara now (for a little under $8) You're welcome.

Insomniacs, unite! This little pencil that you see to your right has saved me more times than I can even begin to remember; one application of Wet 'N' Wild's white eyeliner pencil #656A to the inner, bottom rim of each eye and you have bigger, brighter compliment-inducing peepers. And that's not even the best part. This little miracle-working gem will only set you back pocket change; it doesn't even break a dollar. Now that's what I call a bargain!

BONUS: Just a little more proof for you. I'm even throwing in my own personal "before and after" photos below. Before is without a stitch of makeup on my eye and after is my two miracle workers hard at work:

Before

After

To Mom With Love

With Mother's Day fast approaching, I keep finding all of my thoughts going back to my own mother and given that I want this blog to be all about beauty, it hit me that my mother has always been the true definition of the word to me; no one has ever looked at me with such pure and unwavering love like she does (without fail)and no one has ever made me both feel and BELIEVE that I truly am beautiful like she has...so when I came upon this video, it touched me so and made me think of her. I love and adore you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day.

Click here to see this touching video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cZGgtN42ns

Video courtesy of: mkraish

Popping THE Question

It's happened. Just when I had given up with ever knowing true love and declared I would be single forever, it's happened. I've found "the one." I've fallen head over heels in love. The kind of love that you only read about and see in the movies. I can't believe that I now understand the cliche that I've heard ever since I was a little girl: When you know, you know.

This man has been there for me, waiting patiently in the background ever since I can remember: every mistake I've ever made, he's forgiven and erased with his touch...every tear-smudged eye of mine, he has wiped clean and every morning he tickles my ear as he whispers sweet nothings to me.

I can't imagine having to live one second more without him. So, with baited breath and fingers crossed, I ask: Mr. Q-Tip, will you marry me?

What's In Your Closet?

Have you ever noticed that you literally dress your mood?

I recently noticed this when I had a "clean your closet" session with my personal assistant, Veggie. Yes, Veggie. That's the name I've bestowed upon her since she is our resident vegetarian. We had a fantastic system going on where I plopped myself on the bed while she stood at the closet and would lift each item up individually for my approval or dismissal; each and every time a pair of my shoes (or as I like to fondly refer to them, "my babies") made their way into the "give away" bag, my heart sunk a wee little bit, but Veggie quickly reminded me that it really is quite unnecessary to have more than one style of a shoe in the exact same color and it was time to let go. After I said my final farewell to my babies and wished for them to find good, fashion-loving homes, it was my turn.

As Veggie and I switched places (she sitting comfortably on the bed now) and I now stood in front of my closet...it was my turn to finish the task alone and organize my closet the way I saw most fit: by color. But by doing so, I came to an abrupt realization. Now that I am older, I noticed that the majority of my closet consists of the very basic and dark: black, blue and grey with white thrown in occasionally for some semblance of brightness. Is this what happens as we grow older? We think that dressing "adult" means taking out all color from our wardrobes? Do we lose our sense of style whimsy and fear splashes of color and pattern?

After my color coding task was finished, I took a step back and couldn't believe what my big eyes saw. I have no doubt it was my subconscious trying desperately to remind me to be carefree and happy again and to embrace color because the section that I first lay my eyes upon each and every time I open my closet doors is where I hung the minute, tiny color section of my closet (as evidenced in the picture above.) My subconscious was (and is) telling me that it's okay to reintroduce color into my little life.

So, I encourage all of you to go peek through your closets and see what your subconscious is trying to tell you. When you have your own "closet epiphanies," please come, report back and tell me (us): What's in your closet?

Allow me to introduce myself...

Ahem. Hi. I'm Bex. I wanted to officially introduce myself and let you know a little bit about what you'll find, read and hopefully learn while browsing this little blog of mine. I'm just a girl that believes that you can have amazing style on any budget (the lower, the better)and want nothing more than to share my beauty bargains and frugal fashion finds with you. BARGAINBEX is ready and waiting to be your interactive fashion forum where we can gab and chit chat about all things stylish and I am so very excited to meet each and every one of you.

Welcome to my world, fellow fashion-obsessed. Welcome.