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Posts Tagged ‘cheap

Burt's Bees Radiance Day Cream - $18.00

Burt's Bees Radiance Day Cream - $18.00

The other day I tried Burt’s Bees Radiance Day Cream and now I’m hooked for life!  It’s light, absorbs quickly and leaves your skin hydrated without feeling greasy.  

Whether your skin is dry, or oily like mine, this day cream will give you a marvelous glow.  The best part is that it includes royal jelly, which is packed with nutrients:

– 17 amino acids

– Vitamins A,C,D and K

– Multiple B vitamins

– Bee pollen

I’m looking forward to trying the night cream.  I’ll be sure to keep all you marvelous girls posted!

Photo by LotusHead
Photo by LotusHead

Consumers are expected to spend significantly less on Easter candy this year, according to industry research firm IBISWorld.  Overall sales are forecasted to decline by 10.2 percent, compared to a decline of 7.1 percent in 2008.  

 

“Although candy sales are expected to decline greatly, the forecast could have been much worse had it not been for the holiday’s calendar date,” explained George Van Horn, senior analyst with IBISWorld.  “Easter occurs 20 days later than last year, so candy producers and marketers have additional days to merchandise their products.  This will cushion some of the inevitable blow on spending.”

 

More than 30 percent of all holiday confectionary purchases are made during the Easter period, totalling $1.77 billion.  Chocolate confectionary accounts for the majority of purchases at 56 percent, followed by non-chocolate candy at 33 percent and gum at 11 percent.

 

When it comes to purchasing, more than 55 percent of all Easter confectionary sales in 2009 are estimated to arise from supermarkets, while 18 percent will be from chocolatiers and specialty confectionary retailers.  The remaining will be made up by big box retailers, discount, convenience stores and online sales.

 

This Easter the nation will roughly consume:

 

  • 16 billion jellybeans (with cherry, strawberry, grape, and lime being the favorite flavors)
  • 700 million Marshmallow Peeps

 

As far a chocolate is concerned, 65 percent of adults are expected to consume milk chocolate while 27 percent are predicted to consume dark chocolate.
Photo by modish

Photo by modish

Are you tired of giving your mom the same old flowers or chocolates for Mother’s Day?  Well here are several inexpensive ideas to please even the most difficult mothers:

Down-to-earth mom – saving the planet one plastic bottle at a time, this mom would love an aluminum watter bottle ($18) from Macys.

On-the-go mom – busy with tennis and lunch with the girls, this mom would get a great deal of use from a Shake ‘n Take Personal Smoothie Maker ($20) from Irie Bargains.

Classic mom – somewhat conservatives with a taste for pretty things, this mom would love personalized stationary ($23.00) from PaperStyle.com.

Natural mom – often seeking products free from parabens and sulfates, this mom would enjoy a Radiance Kit ($15) from Burt’s Bees

Fashionista mom– a lady who likes accessories, this mom would adore an Angie & Lola half ring handle clutch ($20) or a Mossimo black snake clutch ($17) from Target.

Love-me-love-my-dog mom – with her pooch by her side, this mom would beg for soaps shaped like her canine friend ($20) from Gianna Rose Atelier or dog-themed wine charms ($15.00) from Chimpfeet.com.

Long-distance mom/grandmother – overjoyed with photos of you and/or your children, this mom would cherish a customized photo greeting card ($2.79) from CardStore.com.

Sweet-scent mom – romantic and confident, this mom would smell super sweet in Courtney Cox’s Spotlight perfume ($23) available through Avon.

Home-decor mom– constantly decorating her home, this mom would appreciate lumiere candleholders ($3.95 – 7.95) from CB2.com.

Girly-girl mom – a sucker for a good chick-flick, this mom would love the movie The Women ($20) from Wal-Mart.

Gourmet mom – always preparing delicious treats, this mom will devour a giant cupcake pan ($27) from Cakes N Kitchens.

Whatever the gift, be sure to wrap the package with a beautiful ribbon.  This will instantly add value to your gift by giving it an upscale-boutique appearance, making her feel extra pretty on her special day.

Mossimo® Lupe Gladiator Flip Flop - $12.99 at Target

Mossimo® Lupe Gladiator Flip Flop - $12.99 at Target

Nine & Co.® Faux-Snakeskin Clutch - $24.99 at Kohl's

Nine & Co.® Faux-Snakeskin Clutch - $24.99 at Kohl's

Skinny Snake Belt - $2.50 at Forever 21

Skinny Snake Belt - $2.50 at Forever 21

Slub Silk Penelope Gown - $695

Slub Silk Penelope Gown - $695

So you’re looking for the perfect gown but can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on a Vera Wang dress. Just because you can’t buy couture, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look like you’re wearing couture. Still a well kept secret, J.Crew now offers a bridal collection that will have you looking beautiful while feeling like a smart buyer.

According to J.Crew, the company’s designers search the world for the best and most luxurious fabrics (many of which come from couture fabric houses). They are obsessed with detail, ensuring that every dress is cut to fit, impeccably finished and always elegantly designed.

The company also has an array of exquisite shoes and bridesmaid dresses. This is truley an easy, inexpensive way to a fabulous wedding.

Suggested dresses:  Feather Chiffon Gown ($795.00) and Solid Silk Chiffon Whitney Long ($325.00)

yatai1In Los Angeles the words “gourmet” and “low-cost” seem like oxymorons.  Well that’s no longer the case when it comes to Asian-tapas bar, Yatai.  This West Hollywood eatery has excellent food, fantastic service and a fabulous atmosphere…all at a reasonable price!

Last night my boyfriend and I visited the restaurant for the second time and were once again thoroughly impressed with our dining experience.  After a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, the bill was only $80.  Why go to Koi, which is overpriced and has mediocre service, when you can eat just as well and spend half as much at Yatai?  

Here’s a few dish suggestions:

  • Tempura pumpkin w/curry salt – $5
  • Spicy tuna over crispy rice – $6
  • Bite-sized rib-eye steak w/caramelized onions – $16

When the weather is nice, Yatai also has outdoor seating.  The restaurant is located at 8535 W. Sunset Blvd.  Parking can be a problem, but it’s so marvelous it’s worth it.

Photo by Avolore

Photo by Avolore

National Cleaning Week is right around the corner (March 23-29).  Are you ready?  Instead of breaking out the broom and mop, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen suggests that people consider the following remodeling alternatives when contemplating ways to clean up their home’s appearance:

  • Refacing – Outdated kitchens and baths can get a quick upgrade by simply refacing cabinet frames and adding new door fronts and drawers. As long as the existing framework is in working order, wood veneers or laminates can be added for enhanced functionality and style.
  • Lighting upgrades – Well-placed, quality lighting can improve the overall beauty of a home while it can also help hide flaws. Install multi-functional fixtures and dimmers to assist in accenting specific items and brightening dark corners.
  • Bathtub liners – Say goodbye to hard-to-clean grout lines with the installation of an acrylic tub liner. Typically done in one day, this upgrade instantly brightens the room and is easier to clean and maintain.
  • Hardware – Replacing hardware, including items such as cabinet and drawer pulls or towel bars, can provide a simple, immediate update to any kitchen or bath.

“National Cleaning Week is an ideal time for people to restore their homes with a few simple tasks. Doing so can provide a breath of fresh air while simultaneously increasing the value of any home,” said Doug Dwyer, president and CSO of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen.