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March 5, 2013
by likeasaturday 2 Comments

Beauty for Less : Finishing Powder

Happy Tuesday, to you! We all survived Monday! Hooray! I actually tend to feel more tired on Tuesday than I do on Monday. What is the deal with that? Oh well…double the coffee!

Some of my favorite makeup is the Makeup Forever HD line at Sephora. It’s especially awesome if you know you’re going to be in a lot of photos, as it prevents that glowy white face look. I used the HD liquid foundation for my wedding. I am in love with this stuff. It covers well, but feels very light weight and doesn’t look cakey at all. Their HD micro finishing powder is just as great. It completes your look, controls oil, sets your makeup, and minimizes the look of pores and fine lines. It is completely sheer, and is great for all skin tones. It’s basically miracle powder. The foundation runs at $42 a bottle, and the powder is $32 for 0.35 oz. Hello. You’re coming in at $64 + tax before even getting to the fun parts {eye shadow, blush, mascara, etc}.

You all know by now that I am ~~cheap~~ frugal. I couldn’t justify spending that much money on my face. I know it’s my face…but it’s just my face…you know? I dug around the interwebs and did a little research. I found silica powder spheres at Coastal Scents…the exact same formula as the HD powder {it’s just silica}….a full ounce….for $4.75. I was sold.

I ordered 2 containers of it and it ended up costing $15.50 total including shipping….half of what one 0.35 oz tub would cost me at Sephora. I was only slightly skeptical that it would stand up against the Sephora brand…..but all of my doubts were erased as soon as I tried it. It is the exact same thing….minus the fancy packaging. I appreciate nice packaging and branding as much as the next girl. My dad used to design packaging for a living, so I get it. My frugality wins over here, though.

{note: the HD powder pictured here is not the standard 0.35 oz size. this is a travel size tub that runs about $19, I believe}

I will still continue to use my HD liquid foundation. I am in love with this stuff and have yet to find anything out there that compares. My love affair with Sephora will continue, but on a smaller scale. {I’m not associated with any of these companies. I just really love their products and a good deal, and couldn’t not share with you all!}.

What is your favorite brand of makeup? Do you stick to drugstore brands or do you spring for the pricier stuff? {Aside from my foundation, I am drugstore all the way!}. Do you have any secret ways you save on makeup?

Have a great day! I’m off for cup o’ coffee number 2!

October 26, 2012
by likeasaturday 1 Comment

31 Days to a Stress-Free Holiday : Black Friday

I think today’s title sounds like an oxymoron. Stress-free and Black Friday in the same sentence? I know, I know. I thought it fit in with this series, though. I know a lot of you are annual Black Friday shoppers, like I am…and if you follow a few of these tips, the stress factor can be much lower.

1) First things first…look at the sale ads and make a list of things you want to grab. Pay attention to all of the fine print. Some of the sales are all weekend long, and not just Black Friday related. If everything on your list is on sale the entire weekend, you might want to skip out on the mad dash and head out once all of the crazy shoppers are napping.

2) Download some Black Friday apps the week before. They’ll get wind of some of the sales to come and you’ll be able to make a better list.

3) Make a list and stick to it! It’s really easy to get caught up in the rush, and just start grabbing good deals….whether you need them or not. Remember your budget. You’ll be happier and less stressed if you don’t stretch your finances too far for a good deal.

4) Try not to get into the mob mentality. People are crazy on Black Friday. I remember one year when I was in college, my sister and I went to Target just to check it out. My sister was walking somewhat fast (because she just does) and a lady in the store saw her and started walking faster. So, my sister sped up a bit. Long story short, this lady ended up sprinting to God knows what thinking that my little sister was competition. People start acting CRAZY. Don’t risk injuring yourself or upsetting someone else over a silly discount. No discount is worth people being hurt.

5) Have fun with it! One of my best friends and I have been going Black Friday shopping every year for a while now (we usually end up with a different grouping of people every year….whichever friend and family member feel like joining in on the delirium at the time). We have our Black Friday traditions. Our plans always include stopping for breakfast and coffee after we hit up our first few stores. We have so much fun spending this time together every year (and laughing at things that probably wouldn’t be as funny if it weren’t 4 a.m.). I’ve seen groups of people waiting in line with matching bandanas on their heads and war paint on their faces. Just have fun with it and don’t take it all too seriously. If they run out of the 70 piece Tupperware for $4.99 before you get to it, oh well. At least you’ll have some fun memories with some of the people you love!

6) OR! Skip it all together! If the though of standing in line in the cold in the middle of the night and then dealing with grumpy crowds isn’t your thing, then no sale or discount is worth the stress and loss of sleep. Stay snuggled into bed a little bit longer than you normally would. Sleep of that turkey coma and spend some time relaxing and thinking about all you have to be grateful for, and the fun that is to come in the month of December.

Do you love the rush of Black Friday shopping? Or do you prefer staying in the day after Thanksgiving?

I hope you all have a great weekend! My sisters are coming in town for my birthday and a cool front came through! I’m a happy camper.

October 24, 2012
by likeasaturday 1 Comment

31 Days to a Stress-Free Holiday : Do All of Your Online Shopping

I have a confession to make. I have a love affair with online shopping. More specifically, Amazon. I have a Prime account, I buy books, health food, music, gifts, and even wigs from Amazon. It’s a disease. I just know I can find anything I need on there, usually for a better price, without even getting out of my PJ’s. And then, there it is, on my front porch in a matter of days.

So, it’s no surprise that I do a majority of my Christmas shopping online. It’s just so easy. I can find what I need and price compare without any rude folk running me over with their shopping carts or sneezing their flu-season germs on me. {Boy, do I sound like a shopping curmudgeon!}

But, here’s the thing. You and 90 million other people are getting your online shop on and clogging up the shipping express ways…and Christmas does not wait for shipping mishaps. Get all of your online shopping out of the way early! I would say the last day you should be hitting that purchase button would be Cyber Monday {the Monday after Thanksgiving…known for it’s crazy good deals}. Just get it done so you can be worry free!

There are SO many ways to save by shopping online! I already mentioned my love, Amazon. My other love, Target, just recently announced that they will be offering price matching online between November 1 and December 16. Plus, if you’re a Red Card holder, you get 5% off and free shipping. BAM. Savings.

Last year, I also tried out Ebates. If you do your online shopping at your favorite stores by clicking through their site, you can earn cash back, as much as 10%. You can find some serious savings by combining those cash back offers with other sales.

Last, but not least….we shall, of course, always follow the cardinal rule of online shopping. Thou shalt not check out until thou hast googled for a coupon code. This is a hit or miss way to save money, but often times it will definitely work out in your favor! It’s always fun to find a little extra deal here and there. Plus, many stores will be offering free shipping during the holidays.

Happy {online} shopping!

October 12, 2012
by likeasaturday 2 Comments

31 Days to a Stress-Free Holiday : Create Holiday Menus and Shopping List

Happy Friday! This week seemed to fly by, but I’m still glad that the weekend is upon us! My youngest sister is coming home for the weekend, the Texas vs OU game is tomorrow, and I’m thinking a visit to a pumpkin patch is also in order. It should be a great weekend. Now, if only we could do something about this warm weather. Hello, Texas! It’s October!

It’s time to talk about one of the best parts of the Holiday season – the food. {On a side note – can someone please do a 31 days series on now to eat all of the good stuff you want during the Holidays and not gain a pound? I’ll name my first born child after you if you can figure that one out for me!}.

Let’s start with planning the meals. Plan on making family favorites and your traditional items. Unless you’ve done some testing before hand, this probably isn’t the best time to experiment with a new Pinterest recipe. Cooking a ton of food for a group of people can be stressful enough, so stick to what you know works. We bake my great-great grandmother’s recipe for buttermilk pie and my great-grandmother’s recipe for pecan pie every Thanksgiving (how’s that for southern?). It’s something we all look forward to every year! In your menu planning, make sure to include the main dish, salad, side dishes, bread, desserts, and beverages.

{source}

If you are hosting a big meal at your home, make sure to delegate! Don’t feel like you have to prepare every last dish. I’m sure your guests will be more than happy to help out by bringing a dish or two. If you’re not sure which items to assign, you can ask if there is something on the list that they would be more comfortable with. If you’ve invited someone who isn’t from your family, it might be a nice idea to ask them to bring one of their personal holiday favorites. Just make sure you get a commitment from everyone well ahead of time so you don’t end up with three green bean casseroles.

Once you have your menus finalized and you know what you are responsible for, make your grocery list. Purchase as many items as you are able ahead of time. Obviously, you will need to wait until closer to the day to purchase things like fresh produce. If you shop ahead of time you’re more likely to find what you need before the shelves start becoming bare, you’ll take less of a hit to your budget, and you’ll be able to avoid the last minute crowds. I’m a fan of avoiding all of those things!

You’ve already bought your baking items, so that will help spread out the budget and shorten your shopping trip.

Choose a day and time to shop. If you can, plan to go when you know the stores aren’t as busy. I love getting to the sore earlier in the morning before everyone else does. It’s so quiet and peaceful. It’s a rare occurrence since I work outside of the home full time, but it is glorious when it does happen!

I have more printables for you today to help get you started and keep you organized! Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Menu

Christmas Eve Menu

Christmas Breakfast Menu

Christmas Dinner Menu

Holiday Grocery List

Is there a dish that you just have to have every year to get into the spirit? For me, it’s not Christmas until we make some poppy seed bread! So good!

Y’all have a great Friday and a fantastic weekend! and Hook’em!

October 8, 2012
by likeasaturday 345 Comments

31 Days to a Stress-Free Holiday : Plan Your Holiday Wardrobe {Giveaway CLOSED}

Hi, y’all! I hope everyone had a nice restful weekend and that you’re ready to tackle another week!

Now that you have your calendar worked out and know which events you’ll be attending during the Holiday season, it’s time to take a look at our wardrobes. Assess what you have and see if you can get a little creative by piecing together different items to create new outfits. Find a few outfits you can wear to different Christmas parties and events throughout the season. It’s ok to recycle outfits. You can always freshen up the look by changing out your accessories. I’m a big fan of The No Brainer Wardrobe. Hayley over at The Tiny Twig put together an awesome eBook that is stock full of helpful tips .

While you’re in your closet, if you find anything you don’t love, don’t wear, or doesn’t fit, go ahead and toss it into your giveaway bin. There’s no sense in something you don’t need taking up precious closet space.

Now, figure out what items you need to purchase for your Holiday wardrobe. Remember what your clothing allowance is in your Holiday budget. There are a lot of ways to find the clothing you are looking for at an affordable price. Just this weekend, I was shopping at Goodwill and found a bunch of really cute dresses that were either hardly worn or brand new for around $10 a piece.

Planning your outfits ahead of time and making sure you have all of the pieces you need will eliminate so much Holiday stress. I have far too many memories of myself trying everything on in my closet, throwing it all on the floor and claiming that I have nothing to wear. When I do that, I usually end up late to wherever I’m supposed to be and grumpy because of the less-than-pleasant getting ready experience. (And then I come home to a huge mess. Blech. I hate hanging up clothes.).

How would you like a little help with your Holiday wardrobe? I’m excited to be partnering with Shabby Apple for today’s giveaway!

Shabby Apple is an online clothing boutique that offers an array of fashionable, vintage-inspired dresses, blouses, and accessories for women. Besides their beautiful clothing, I love that Shabby Apple gives 5% of their net sales to help empower women across the globe. That is something I can get behind!

Shabby Apple has everything you need for all of your upcoming Holiday events!

They have gorgeous cocktail dresses…..

…including plenty LBD’s.

They have more casual options, like their shirt dresses….

…or adorable blouses.

They even have a great selection for my preggo friends!

Shabby Apple is offering a grand prize $75 gift card. You can choose anything you want in the store with this awesome prize !

All you have to do is check out Shabby Apple’s site and leave a comment here telling me what your favorite item is. You can earn additional entries by liking Shabby Apple’s Facebook page and liking Like a Saturday’s Facebook page as well, and then commenting here to let me know that you did. Remember to leave a separate comment for each to ensure all of your entires are counted!

Now, we don’t want anyone to be left out, so Shabby Apple will also be offering a 10% off discount for all Like a Saturday readers for the next month! That should help with your Holiday budget! All you have to do it enter the code below at check out.