Type Your Way Straight Into My Heart

It all started with a gal named Mavis Beacon. There I was, sitting in front of the computer screen, typing away with silly, yet addictive games teaching me where to place my fingers lightly (but firmly) on the "home row" of keys and how to properly rest my wrists. Each and every word spelled within the allotted time made me want to beat it by just that one letter the next time the clock ran out. Putting it simply ... I was hooked.

When my eyes finally looked up, and away from the screen, a whole summer had gone by in the blink of an eye. (It's the summer where I began practicing typing so fervently that I gained my "need for speed" and to this day, quite proudly boast a typing speed of 85+ wpm, thank you very much) that's when my love affair with words (and writing) began and was realized.

I have a fantasy of sorts that I've only ever shared with one very close confidante o' mine in this whole entire world and can't believe that I'm feeling that it's time to talk (or type) it into existence here and now. (I guess if not here, then where ... right?) I've always been quite enamored with the idea of my very own white knight in shining armor, you know, "the one" ... but the man meant (and made) for me will have one very distinctly different gift that he will bring to shower me with ... no, no diamonds, roses or chocolates here. Nope. All that will make this girlie melt is a vintage typewriter. Yep, you read it right. A typewriter. The love of my life will hand me a typewriter with his promises and vows of undying love resting neatly typed on a fresh piece of paper sitting comfortably inside it. Hey, it's my fantasy here, folks.

So fellas, remember ... the way to woo and win this little chickadee's heart is simply showing up on my doorstep with a vintage typewriter in hand. *Sigh* Be still my heart.

Image courtesy of Ebay; seller: davegies

Time Is On My Side...

...or my wrist...if you want to get all technical about it.

Have you ever had that one piece in your wardrobe arsenal that you must put on, because if you don't, you'll feel completely bare and naked without it? Well...I certainly have one of my own...and that "have to have on" item for me is this watch.

My eyes happened upon it a few years ago now at a Payless shoe shop and I instantly fell for its shiny, silvery just-a-tad-too-big-for-my-wrist face and I took it home with me for a little under $20. I can literally count on my fingers the number of times that I have left the house not sporting this timepiece on my left wrist...that's how much of an essential it has become for me (imagine the horror when I do forget to snap it on, and I look down in disbelief, and am left to do nothing but rub my wrist back and forth where it should be. Drives me absolutely bonkers)

It's truly the one piece that I do wear that gets the most compliments and accolades from complete strangers and passersby. It seems as if everyone can always appreciate a good, sturdy watch. It's been a very good and timeless fashion constant for me over the years and hope we have many more times to come together.

Now I'm totally curious to know what all of your "must" and "can't leave home without" items happen to be. Let me know?

Television Show Of The Week

I know that Wednesday's slot belongs to Website of the Week, but I wanted to mix it up...shake things up a bit...and slip in a little television series that is fast approaching my ever so carefully handed out "crush-worthy status."

HGTV's Design Star is entirely out of my realm of expertise (that which I like to claim as being a retail and beauty world aficionado) but pulls me in all the same with its genuine push for the creative to come onto the design stage, front and center.

What I feel (and hope) that I do for clothing and cosmetics through bargain-hunting, this show does for the home design(ing) universe. I certainly also can't end this post without gushing a bit about the show's toughest critics: the judges (who also happen to be my 3 favorite designers):



Genevieve Gorder (originally from Trading Spaces, now inhabiting her own show, Dear Genevieve), Candice Olson who hosts Divine Design and Vern Yip (also originally from Trading Spaces) now taking the helm at Deserving Design. I also have to confess that I like to see what Miss G happens to be wearing (or what 'do and make-up she's rocking) that week at panel. I can't help it. I can't! I can't! I can't!

See what I mean by watching HGTV's Design Star Sunday nights and feel free to share your thoughts with me here on favorite designs, rooms...or wardrobes.

P.S. I'm including my favorite design from contestants Nathan and Dan from the first episode of the season below. How badly do I want Nathan to come and paint one of my walls with that mural?! Creative genius at work, don't you think? Jealous!

Logo and images courtesy of HGTV

The Best Of The Best

A lovely little birdie came singing in my ear, telling tales of a magical land filled with the best and most beautiful product steals and deals discovered (and voted on) by other mere mortals just like me. When I asked her how I could find where the lovelies resided within this fantastical far away land...she simply chirped that she had found these beauties linked through and a spotlighted from an engaging and delightful "hostess with the mostest" on something she tweeted to me as being called The Rachael Ray Show (who knows...you may have heard of it)

Intrigued in wanting to visit this delightful land filled with bargains aplenty, I followed her descriptions and advice (my suggestion is go to the link above and look for the show airing last week on Monday the 20th, and you'll find a link, 2009 Best New Product Awards through Better Homes and Gardens) and it led me to choose 2 "best new" products of my very own on the list that I absolutely just knew that I wanted and had to have: Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick and Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Shampoo. After making my decision, I also browsed the Maybelline site to find which shades I'd be putting in my shopping bag and I eyed (and found) that by answering 2 very simple questions (what is my skin tone and eye color) the site's Color Advisor told me exactly what shades would complement me the most (and the best). Then I clicked over to the Pantene site and read all about the benefits of using the Beautiful Lengths Shampoo and how it works extra hard to keep your hair healthy before, during and after coloring and even during the activity of growing out your locks. That was it. That's all I needed to throw on a pair of jeans (with my heather grey tank top) some satin flats and grab my wallet to head to the nearest drugstore.

I found myself at Walmart (the creme de la creme when I am needing the "latest and greatest" beauty product(s) fast) and made a direct B-line to the cosmetics where I found 2 tubes of the lipstick at $5 a pop (wanting to try something out of the ordinary because I'm usually such a "gloss girl) and then rushed over to the hair products and found the bottle of shampoo that I'd come for at a very appealing price of only $3.76.

This morning I threw on my "pretend lab coat" and let the testing and experimenting of the products begin. While blow drying my hair, I noticed instantly that it was super soft and silky and needed no extra help from any additional products. It just laid in such a perfect style all by its lonesome that I just ran a brush through it and was done for the day. I'm sold on this shampoo and have no doubt that you will be too. Onto the lips...I chose a shade in the pinks (A78, Wine on Ice) and another in the plum family (C425 Raspberry Rush to be exact) and swiped the pink on (a perfect, almost hot pink) for the summer months when all you really want is a quick coat of mascara and a little more than a gloss and then a plum shade that is the star of the show (no other makeup required, honest)

So why not give yourself a few moments to take a peek at the product list? I just know without a shadow of a doubt that you'll find your very own rave-worthy "and best of the best" items for the most important and beautiful product of all: YOU.

Logo image courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Is The Impossible...Possible?

I have had a love/hate relationship with denim for years now. When you find yourself putting on a good pair...your confidence seems to automatically boost...you find yourself trying to find store windows you can walk by to catch a glance of your stylin' self (even for a "rear view") but when you put on a bad pair...you seem to do nothing but uncomfortably tug, adjust and pull at the waistband for what seems like an eternity (or at least until you get home, run to your closet, and rip those suckers off out of sheer frustration and throw on a pair of sweats instead!)

I've found myself walking into many a fitting room with an armful of denim spilling over me from every shape, size, style and color...we're talking wide leg, relaxed, skinny and classic (and even seeing acid wash come back in all my mags and catalogs lately to haunt me from my childhood) and ultimately always ending up being even more confused on where I want to be classified in the denim spectrum, that I leave the fitting room(s) empty handed.

WARNING: What I'm about to say now may shock you, give you means to pause and take a moment...but I think that I have finally found a brand and fit that feels like they were made for me and just for me. When I zipped them up and took a step back...I had to remember that I was in public and couldn't quite vocally celebrate my personal victory by throwing open the door and running around the store proclaiming: "It's happened! The impossible is POSSIBLE! I've found a pair of jeans that look good...and FIT!" Instead, I quickly (and quietly) hung both pairs on their designated hangers and calmly walked out and headed straight for the registers where I gently placed them on the counter to take home with me. Two pairs (one in a dark wash, one in a medium) of darling "perfect-for-me" denim that rang up for $25 and $3o, respectively. (Gotta love outlet prices) Below are the pictures of my denim dreams realized:

I am proud to be able to say that I, Bargain Bex, am a Banana Republic Boot Cut Fit where my jeans find themselves sitting naturally at my waist and straight through my hip and thigh. So tell me, people...what is your favorite brand, fit or pair? What was your denim dream and epiphany like (did you want to shout it from the rooftops too?) and where do you fit in the denim classification and category? Just remember...if ever you need a fitting room friend, I'll be there...with boot cut bells on.

And The Award For Best Dress(ed) Goes To...

During this scorcher of a month (when I don't have my favorite summer accessory, a bottle of water, attached to my hip) I've been seen sashaying and shimmying in nothing but delightful, ladylike dresses.

Each and every time I've slipped one on and looked in my full-length mirror (one, if not the most important invention and gift ever created for this fashionista) I am suddenly transformed into a Hitchcock heroine, spouting soliloquies and prancing about in a fabulously stylized frock.

So when not staring (and constantly, giddily spinning 'round and 'round) at my own dressy reflection, I'm online hunting down the next flowing piece of fabric that takes my breath away. While "screen shopping" (my version of online "window shopping") I also dream of a perfect imaginary world where I have ample, copious amounts of money to throw at my every purchase and whim (that is until reality hits when I find myself at the "checkout" page with *sigh* insufficient funds) ...but that's exactly why the dresses that I've selected to induce drools and endless envy below are such a bargain ... because no matter the shocking monetary amount on the price tag, I allow them to only exist in my daydreams where they stay free to me and my fellow "screen shoppers."

$260 Quail Batlash Dress

$79.99 Tiered Linen Playa Dress

$99.99 Silk Chiffon Juliet Dress

$70 Vintage 1950s Day Dress, $63 Vintage 1950s Day Dress and $70 Vintage 1950s Day Dress

$198 Tracery Tunic and $268 Striped Lantern Dress

Come, my girlies, come twirl-twirly-twirl away with me!

Images (and screen shopping staples) courtesy of Anthropologie, Devoted2Vintage, J Crew and Sunday Brunch Dress

LUSH FOR LIFE!

I've had New Orleans on the brain lately. The smell of freshly baked beignets wafting through the streets, the architecturally awe-inducing homes that I secretly imagined I owned (each and every one, mind you) and I would drink lemonade on my porch wearing a simple day dress with bare feet as I gently rocked back and forth in my rocker, the artists lined on the walkways with easels and brushes in hand, the tap-tap-tapping boys on the cobblestone and the jazz music playing, surrounding and engulfing all your senses every second and the smiling locals asking how your day is going (and always genuinely meaning it) and casually walking up the rows upon rows of retail shops (wherever I go, I MUST shop, it must be in my DNA) and coming across a jewel of a little boutique that when peeking in reminded me of a little grocery store, but instead of fresh produce in the baskets ... there were cosmetics, bath fizzies and lotion and body cream concoctions galore! I was more than certain that I had just died and gone to heaven. I had to look back to see if there were angels standing beside me, but nope ... it was just the Lush workers donning their aprons. So I can put the debate to rest right here, right now. Angels do exist and their humble abode is in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Upon returning home (after much kicking and screaming ... trust me, I NEVER wanted to leave that blissful place) I researched and found the above company's website, became a devoted online follower (unfortunately they are not anywhere near my home state) and proudly receive their newsletter (all on recyclable newspaper, of course). All the products are pure eye candy and raw, organic perfection (let's not forget the incredibly clever names and titles bestowed upon them as well) It's been a rather difficult task for me this morning to have to highlight just a few, but I must and have done so by narrowing it down to six sweet treats below for your viewing (and reading) pleasure:

$7.95 A Ring of Rose Buttercream

$5.80 Big Blue Bath Bomb

$16.95 Lush Lime Smoothie

$7.95 MMM Melting Marshmallow Moment Bath Melt

$18.55 Marilyn Hair Treatment Hair Moisturizer

$13 Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly

So if you're sadly only able to admire this company from afar (well, from online and your computer) like me, (until I get myself right back to New Orleans where I belong) then please, check out their website here LUSH and you'll soon discover what I am already living: The LUSH Life. Lush indeed.

Images courtesy of LUSH

Website of the Week - If The Shoe Fits...

... WEAR IT! That being a fashion motto of mine that I like to live by and it seemed quite appropriate for today's installment of Website of the Week.

I have been waiting ever so patiently for the re-launch of one shoe shopping website in particular, Irregular Choice, for what seems like forever in my little world (oh, alright ... that is a complete fib!) Have you ever heard the saying: Patience is a virtue? Well, when they were passing out that particular one, I must have been bending down to tie my shoe or something because I wasn't blessed or bestowed with it whatsoever, so you can imagine my utter elation when just a little bit ago, I opened this message from my e-mail's Inbox:

I immediately found myself clicking on the link and was carried away into a fantastical land full of fairytale-like whimsy where birds sing and I can run through the grass all day and night in my unique and stunning Irregular Choice shoes.

If it were possible, I would just include a picture of every single pair from the website, but I tried to edit my giddiness and total love for each shoe as best I could and chose a few standouts (for both women and men and made the images larger than usual to show off every little detail) that when I gazed upon them, I almost forgot to breathe:

$115 Abigail's Party

$50 National Vacation

$100 Countess Clef

$132 Ding Donging

$145 Firelite

Although the price tags are a little higher than I am used to, I couldn't help myself because if you just bought one pair of these shoes for every season, I have no doubt that they would carry you through and you would have to fight off the compliments and wipe the drool off of people's faces because that is how fabulously one-of-a-kind each pair really is. Not to mention, Ladies, how fantastically amazing they would look paired with this coming Friday's post all about dresses. Check out http://www.irregularchoice.com/. You won't be disappointed that you did. Not even a bit.

P.S. The website's prices are in pounds (given that they are based in the UK), so I used the Currency Calculator from x-rates to convert each price into U.S. Dollars for this post.

Images courtesy of Irregular Choice

Mini Vacay

... I'm thinking ... I'm thinking ...

I'm taking my little self right out of town for a few days to soak in (and up) some wondrous new sights and sounds so I can give inspiration a fair chance to hit me for all future posts to come that will grace this blog o' mine.

I'll make you a deal ... I'll put on my thinking cap, if you promise to put on yours, and we'll meet back here on Wednesday and gush and gab about all the fresh, new and exciting ideas that we've come up with ... Deal?

Gettin' My Shop On

Recently both The Veginator and I had our hair did by our own personal J-Lo. While in total love with both of our coifs, Veg did mention that she may like to have a shopping jaunt to find some bargain-y bobbies and clips to adorn her new 'do (and hold her bangs off her sweet face) so we did just that earlier today and, not to pat ourselves on the back or anything, I do believe we had quite a successful little shopping trip.

Veg's Loot:

From Left to Right and Top to Bottom: Can you take a wild guess as to where we found most of our little lovelies today? Ha! From Forever 21: 3 Silver Floral Bobbies for $4.80, 2 Chiffon Bobbies for $1.80, (Yeah, I know!) 2 sets of Neon Rose Bobbies for $4.80 each and from Pac Sun: 5 Kira headbands for $6.50.

Which means Veggie's total (before tax) for her hair accessories came to $22.70 (Nice!)

BB's (my) Little Stash:

From Left to Right and Top to Bottom: All from Forever 21: Black Chiffon Bobby for $1.80, (insane!) 3 Silver Flower Bobbies for $3.80 and 2 Chiffon Bobbies for $1.80 (I saw V's and had a total case of wanting what I didn't have so she was kind enough to let me get a pair too! That's why she's my shopping partner-in-crime, people!)

When all was said and done, my total (before tax) for my goodies came to a WHOPPING $6.40!

Combined, our total came to $29.10 (before tax) Under $30? Now that's what I call a good deal day! I can't wait for my next bargain-hunting shopping adventure! Bring it on!

Website of the Week

For the past few hours, I've been immersed in a world of makeup, clothes and stars and I've had the ridiculously fantastic task of choosing what shades and styles go best by being a virtual personal stylist (aka my dream job) Ahh ... this is the life, people, this is the life.

On roiworld.com, you can play dress up in mass amounts via different categories ranging from Vintage Beachwear (the first of my images below), Bling Makeup (the second image) and in an ode to the new Harry Potter film that is opening (and I'm so ready to get my "geek on" when I see it this weekend) I've included Emma Watson (aka Hermione Granger) in this post since I've been dying over her fashions as of late to all of the film's premieres ... oh, and I couldn't resist (this is for you, Veggie) throwing in a little Johnny Depp just because he's so nice to look at, even in cartoon form.

After styling an outfit, you can even enter it into daily fashion challenges to see how you stack up with all of your online competition (the site's members) and you can join too...for FREE...what a bargain! So needless to say, I'm pretty sure this is my own personal heaven and I'm going to go and play a little more dress up now...

Images courtesy of roi world

Raising The Brow

Today's product spotlight is something that I've intentionally been keeping secret for much too long now ... my chest is starting to tighten even now by mentioning this because I feel ultra guilty because I've been so insanely selfish when it comes to this magic little wand and what it does to perfect my thin-ish eyebrows.

This brow-perfecting product is a Prestige Cosmetics eyebrow pencil in the shade EB O3 Blond. I can draw on and pencil in any shape that my imagination can dream up. If I want a light, feather-y line? Done. How about a darker, thicker, more dramatic look? Yep. It does that too. I don't know how it does it, but this pencil always gives a complexion-fixing, hair-matching, genius result (whatever your shade may be)

My obsession and addiction is quite evident with the above pictures ... I can't help it. I mean ... it even has a brush on the end! Come on! I just love my stubby little nub of a pencil and really should give in and buy a few more (given that it is a little over $6 in price) and you should too ... your brows will thank you.

Romper Room

For quite some time now...it seems as if everywhere I look...whether it be ogling the latest and greatest trends online or even practicing and perfecting the lost art of window shopping...I've seen one trend repeated: rompers, one pieces and jumpsuits.

I'll admit that every time I see one of these items, I have to take a minute to stare and then I proceed to scratch my head and walk (or look) away because I'm just not sure whether I'm truly brave enough to experiment with the trend or even if I could ever have enough confidence to pull it off. The "wishy-washy," back and forth affect it has had on me has made me want to really hunker down and see if I can't find a style that would work for this indecisive shopper.

The styles and pieces that I did find (seen below) not only put a giddy little smile on my face, but also completely convinced me that I could very possibly see myself rocking this trend:

Lulu's $40 Maverick Jumpsuit

~Just throw on a pair of Converse sneaks with this little onesie and you're done.~

Newport News $49 Colorblock Jumpsuit

~The bright pink sash that lends all the necessary contrast to this jumpsuit is to die for. All you need is a denim jacket and you're out the door.~

Lulu's $41 Tweedle Dee Romper

~The neckline is the showstopper on this little romper. Pair it with a metallic shoe (flats or heels) and hold a clutch in your hands. Perfect.~

H81 $19.90 Strapless Smocked Floral Jumpsuit

~I saw this pattern and almost died. All I could envision was a pair of black opaque tights with patent leather ankle boots and two or three necklaces piled on top of each other with a tuxedo jacket/blazer in case wherever you go gets a bit chilly. Love, love, love it!~

I didn't think it was possible, but I really have fallen hard for this trend largely in part due to the fact that it has allowed me to revert back to my childhood where I was able to remember the little 4 year old girl with the long blond hair struttin' her stuff in a powder blue leotard and brown cowboy boots. That little girl knew all the way back then that the key to any style or fashion trend is the ability not to care what other people may think of you and your duds...but how you feel when you strut that makes it (and you) successful.

Images courtesy of Forever 21, Lulu's and Newport News