Another Day of Writer's Block

Over the weekend, a friend of mine called me and asked me if I wanted to go see a movie with her. It was quite a deal. Her bank sent her vouchers for two movie passes, two small drinks and a small popcorn. I don't know how on earth she managed to get that deal, but what I do know is that "No Strings Attached" is a must see movie.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Thrifty Thursday - A Shoe Lover's Dream at Ross Dress For Less

For today's edition, we're talking shoes. But not just any kind of shoes. Designer shoes! Not quite Louboutins or Manolos. I haven't found a way to get great deals on those (yet). But we're still talking shoes that retail between $75 and $140 at Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom for at least 50% off.

Let me preface this by saying that each Ross is different and could carry different merchandise, so you may have to try a few before you find the diamond in the rough. I'm lucky enough to have the most AMAZING Ross ever less than a mile away from my house. They carry Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, Fergie, Carlos by Carlos Santana, Betsy Johnson, Guess, and even Michael Kors. Yes, I said Michael Kors! Their inventory is beyond compare. We're talking styles that are still currently in season, selling for full price in stores.

One day, a good friend of mine pranced into work with the most adorable pair of black leather Guess pumps. "I went shopping with a friend and was suckered into buying them." She got them from the Guess store and paid $90 for them. I couldn't help but shake my head when I broke the news. "I saw them at Ross last night in black AND brown for $32.99 a pair." Her eyes widened and the next day, she waltzed in with the brown pair. Can you guess what she did? I'm sure you can and, yes, I encouraged it.

They not only carry current ladies' styles, but also current men's designer dress shoes. And I know you fellows spend a pretty penny on shoes, but you'll wear them till they fall apart. You may as well save a few bucks, have a stylish pair of well made shoes, and use the money you saved on, I don't know, the next UFC fight or something.

Here are some of my favorite finds, all for less than $35 a pair. They're all my treasures. Enjoy the hunt!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista 

Carlos by Carlos Santana "Queens"

Guess Patent Leather Platform Pump

Carlos by Carlos Santana "Feisty"

Work It Out Wednesday - From Couch to 5K

Happy Hump Day, boys and girls! I'm trying out something new today. I'm thinking of  having themed posts for each day of the week? Let me know what you think! And back to our regularly scheduled program...

Today is the 26th day of 2011. It has been said that it takes 21 consecutive days to develop a habit. How are you keeping up with your resolutions? It's okay if you fell off. Life happens. But what are you doing to get back on track? Quite frankly, I've been having trouble staying on my running schedule. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm still busting my butt working out, but I'm doing nothing to help me achieve my goal of running a marathon. I know I'm not alone with this goal. So for those of you who enjoy this inexpensive and relaxing workout, or for those who would like to enjoy it, here is some of the research I found to get you off that couch and running a 5K.

Aside from my "Get Running" iPod app, which I LOVE, there are loads of training guides online which are really helpful. My favorite site has been Florida East Coast Runners. They have outlined everything you need to know to get running and meet your goals.

• Start Running
• Run Your First 5K
• Training For The Serious Runner (5K-10K)
• How To Run Your First Half Marathon
• Run Your First Marathon

See? Everything you need, right there. Best of all- its FREE!

Now that you have the information, make a plan. If you had a plan but need to revise it, get to it. Look up running clubs in your area and get the support and motivate you need to keep going. Just don't quit. You may not see the light at the end of the tunnel just yet, but keep it up and be patient. Before you know it, you'll be crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles with a huge, victorious smile on your face.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

JT's Bringing Sexy Back to Target - The Review

Earlier this month I told you about a much anticipated diffusion line for one of my favorite stores on the planet, William Rast for Target. And now it's on clearance! Oh, how I love those little red tags... Since the Target near me is running low on inventory, and because I know that diffusion lines never make it past the 50% off rack, I figured it was now or never on trying the line on for size (in more ways than one).

Anyone who's anyone knows that William Rast jeans are the closest thing you will ever find to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants pants. The word on the street is that the original William Rast jeans that normally cost $200 fit every body type like a glove. So of course, budget conscious fashionistas were hoping that the diffusion version could hold a candle to the high-end pairs. Fortunately for our wallets, they are nearly identical, right down to the "W" stitch in the back pocket.

One of my friends gave me a heads up about the sale and raved about how wonderful the jeans fit. She's got a little more junk in the trunk than I do (and I'm jealous of that fact, by the way), so if they fit her perfectly, I was worried they wouldn't magically add something where there wasn't much. But, then, when I zipped up the skinny jeans and took a look at my backside, it looked phenomenal! I didn't know that a pair of jeans could do what a Booty Pop does without the padding. Needless to say, I was in love. Then I put on the boot cut jeans and the balance it created as incredible. The extra long length (all that were left were 34" inseams) is it perfect for my super high heels. I was in love again. And who could resist the $24.98 price tag? Down from $49.99, and nearly identical to its $200 predecessor, they most definitely get this Budgetista's seal of approval.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Bougie Budgetista Secrets: Big Apple Vacation on a Little Budget

Happy Monday, loves! Over the weekend, a reader emailed me a really great question:

“I’m planning a trip for two to New York City in October. I’m on a really tight budget, but really want to get a feel for the city. How can I enjoy my time there without going broke?”

– Cheap & Lovin’ It

Cheap,

I’m all about living the champagne lifestyle on a Kool-Aid budget, and vacationing is a HUGE part of that. There is no reason why you can’t stay in nice hotels, eat at amazing restaurants, and explore the city’s best offerings all while keeping your budget in check. When I travel, I love meandering around the city like a local would, especially in New York City. I feel it’s the only way to get the true essence of city. Sure, you could visit the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, snap pictures of everything in sight, etc. But if you really want to experience NYC and avoid inflated tourist costs, take a few tips from the natives, and find the hole in the wall places for breakfast and lunch, take the train everywhere, and get local hook ups through your favorite Budgetista approved sites.

First, you’re going to have to get there, right? Start your search for airfare NOW! I have found that the farther in advance you book a flight, the better deals you’ll find. It’s “Supply and Demand” at its finest, ladies and gentlemen. When all the seats of the plane are empty, the prices are lower. But once the flight starts to fill up, the cost starts to go up too. Check out Kayak to compare and contrasts the prices of different airlines. Don’t be afraid to play around with options like “Flexible Dates” or “Include Nearby Airports” because you may find a gem of a deal by flying into Newark, NJ versus directly into La Guardia or JFK. The cost of getting to your hotel from either airport is pretty much the same, so try it out and see what you come up with.

Next finding a hotel. There are two ways you can do this, the easy way, and the Super Savvy Budgetista way. We’ll start with the easy route. Sites like Travelocity and Priceline will find package deals for you. In other words, they’ll find your flight and hotel for one reasonable price. Most of the time, they’re going package you with a Three- or Four-star hotel in the city, which gives you the best bang for your buck. But if you’re not picky about where you stay, you could always take the cheapest route, stay in a lower rated hotel, and use the money to spend on other activities. I did a quick search for two travelers going from Seattle to NYC, staying in the city for six nights, and the lowest price I found was $612 per person for flight, hotel, taxes and fees. Not bad for a cross country vacation, eh?

If you’re really adventurous and are willing to spend some time doing research and comparing prices and you have the patience, you could earn your Travel Budgetista Wings and become a Priceline Negotiator. Most people avoid bidding for travel because they’re afraid they’re going to get stuck on a red eye flight and in a dump of a hotel. Has it happened? Yes. Has it happened to ME? Absolutely not! All it takes is a little preliminary research. Begin at Bidding For Travel. It’s a forum where the hardcore bidders share their winning bids and strategies for getting the lowest price. There you will also find the list for the hotels that accept bids from Priceline. Once you’re on the home page, scroll down until you find the state you’re looking to stay in. In this case, we’re going to click directly on “New York State – New York City”. Find the post entitled “HOTEL LIST” there you will find the hotels listed by zone and star rating. Make note of the hotels you really want to stay in, jotting down the zone and rating. Next, scroll through the different threads. Most of the users will post the star rating, the name of the hotel and the amount they paid for the hotel in the title of the thread. Of you click on one of the posts that is on your hotel wish list, you’ll see how they were able to get that bid accepted for that price. Once you’ve determined what hotels you’re ok with staying at, and how much you’re willing to pay, proceed to Priceline and negotiate! Right now, they’re listing winning bids in New York City. A 2.5-star in SoHo went for $70 (35% savings). Some negotiators were able to score places at 61% off regular nightly rates! All it takes is a little know-how and you could win big too.

Once you’ve secured travel and lodging, you need something to do, right? Sign up to receive Groupon and LivingSocial emails specifically for NYC. Sure, you’re going to get emails for things you have no intentions of doing on a vacation (like learning to read faster), but you’re also going to get half-off gift certificates to great restaurants around town, relaxing spa treatments (your feet will need them after all that walking), and reduced admission to all types of entertainment (comedy shows, Broadway plays, Cirque du Soleil, etc). Do a little research on Urbanspoon for restaurants in the area. Sometimes, the best eats are the little hole-in-the-wall places that you’d never notice walking down the street. If you MUST do touristy things I’d suggest the Double Decker Bus Tour. It gives you the opportunity to see all the highlights of the city with the opportunity to “Hop on and Hop off” at any of the major stops. You can buy a 48 or 72 hour pass. Currently, they’re running a special on the 48 hour pass if you buy online, and once you’ve purchased, it’s good for one year.

Cabs and car services can take a HUGE bite out of your vacation budget. To get around, I suggest getting the MTA route maps and getting a 7-day pass. For $29 per person, you’ll be able to head from borough to borough day and night. No per-mile costs, no tolls, and no tipping. Ask the front desk person at your hotel for pointers on navigating the subway trains and buses.

With all the money you save by preplanning, you’ll have enough money left over to enjoy the swanky night life in the city that never sleeps.

Have a question you’d like answered? Email me!

Inspiration in Unlikely Places

I have been slacking on my posts, I know. I could give a million excuses, but I'm not going to. Especially not after having met the woman I met today.

I work in admissions for a college, so everyday, I talk to all kinds of people. Some are truly passionate about going to school, others are looking for that financial aid refund check. But every once in a while, I come across a person who is remarkably profound, impacting me in ways I never knew a complete stranger could.

It started off like any other interview with a prospective student - introductions, reasons for going to college, ultimate career goals - and she told me why she needed to get a career going, but the closing of the sentence blew me away. "I'm not working and haven't worked for over a year. I need a career. I need to make money. I haven't been able to work because I was diagnosed with leukemia. The doctors gave me 8-10 months to live. I told them that I wasn't going to let leukemia kill me, and here I am a year and a half later. I told my doctors they'll be writing about me in medical journals one day." She was diagnosed with a rare form of the disease that her doctors had only come across a handful of times (by 'handful', I mean four times, and of the four she's the only one alive). She's a single mother of three children and refused to let anything keep her from them. Not even death.

This is the power of positive thinking and a fighting spirit. When the rest of the world would have just given up on their hopes and dreams, she made new ones. She knew in her heart that she would live to see her children grow up, get married, and make her a grandmother. Having already survived thyroid cancer and melanoma, she knew nothing could stop her. I sat there on the phone with her for two hours and two minutes (yes I was counting) and was speechless. I didn't want to talk to her about school. I didn't want to give her any information or interview her for admission. I was in such awe of her achievements as survivor that I just wanted to be inspired. She didn't come from a wealthy family. She didn't go to a prestigious prep school. This was the first time she had ever even thought about really going to college. But she was quick witted, full of joy and laughter, and very, VERY feisty. I loved that about her. Life handed her a barrel of lemons and she's turned her life into a fabulous lemonade stand, sharing her pains and struggles in a way that uplifts and inspires those around her. One phone call and my whole world changed.

She's lived her life on her terms, never settling for less. She knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. Tell her "No" and she'll laugh in your face and say "Watch me." After all that this woman has been through, how dare I or anyone else in this world say "I can't." Everything happens for a reason. I've slacked on my dreams for what? Time is precious. There is no better time than now to achieve my dreams. I made commitments to myself and to you. And I have to keep them. While in the hospital, after she had been told that she would inevitably die within the year from leukemia, her son came in the room and asked her "Mom, are you going to die?" She answered "No, I'm not going to let this take me away from you." He then said "Promise?" I had tears in my eyes when she said "When you make a promise like that to your children, you have to keep it." She has. And even if I never speak to her again, I know she will.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Getting over Hump Day with a Great Deal

It's Hump Day and I've hit quite a hump with my writing. I can't seem to think of any content lately and it's driving me bananas! But today's Living Social deal really put a smile on my face and gave me something worth writing about.

Until 7am EST tomorrow, you'll have the opportunity to get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Certificate for $10! Amazing deal, right? At first I thought it was just for books, but when I saw all of the merchandise available for purchase I was super stoked! Get it while it's hot, ladies and gentlemen.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

We Get By With A Little Help From Our Friends (Or Just Friendly Strangers)

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! In honor of this holiday, I want to encourage you to make service a part of your lifestyle as well. We all have struggles – financial, emotional, mental, physical – and often, we think that our troubles are so great that no one else can relate. But here’s where we’re all wrong. My mother used to tell me to look above me and look below me. Though there’s always someone in a better position than I am, there’s also someone who has it way tougher than me. For this reason, I want you all to start thinking about the person who is “below” you and give them a helping hand. All it will cost you is some of your time.

Check out the following sites to find volunteer opportunities in your area:

Do Something

Hands On Network

Volunteer Match

Can’t make it out to an event? See if any shelters in your area are collecting clothing or food. That way, all you need to do is clean out your closet or grab some cans from your pantry and drop them off at the specified location. You may be thinking “What good do my old jeans and some cans of soup do? It’s not like it will make much of a difference.” Actually, it does. I leave you with this:

“A little and a little, collected together, becomes a great deal; the heap in the barn consists of single grains, and drop and drop make the inundation.” - Saadi

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista 

PSA: Schedule Change

Kids, I have an announcement to make. I've been watching the numbers and I've noticed that there not many folks care to read the weekend posts. From here on, The Bougie Budgetista will be running from Monday through Friday. Does this mean I won't be writing daily? Absolutely not! I'm still going to be writing, getting a leg up on the week and preparing pieces advance. If you want weekend blogs back, ask for it! But be prepared to ask for what you'd like to see, because, sometimes, writer's block gets the best of me...

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

I.O.U. Post

Ladies and Gents, I'm exhausted from the plethora of demo classes at Vixen Fitness tonight. Tomorrow expect a fantastic fitness blog, where I recap tonight's events, tomorrow's Zumba class, and much much more!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

For the past few nights I haven't had a clue what to write. Writer's block is the worst. I could tell you about some of the great deals I've found, like a $30 gift certificate to Twist Asian Fusion Restaurant for $15 on Groupon. I could talk about the free pole dancing class I'm going to tomorrow night at Vixen Fitness here in Orlando (thanks to Groupon). I could talk about the Zumba class I'm heading to on Saturday that cost me $2.50 (Groupon of course)... It's amazing how my daily Groupons have become a part of my life. I wake up and look forward to the daily deals. Groupon really understands my plight. I want to enjoy amazing restaurants. I want to be pampered at spas and salons. I want to booty shake my booty off. And Groupon allows me to fit that in my budget. It is by far one of the best Budgetista tools I've ever found. Enjoy the best your city has to offer. Soon, I'll share how to use this same sites to plan your next amazing vacation, Budgetista style.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

When You Wish Upon a Star - Committing to a Goal in a Magical Place

I should be in bed, but writers block (ok, fine, I'll admit it... and Torment by Lauren Kate) have kept me up.Tomorrow morning, I need to be up early to run. You all know, it is my goal to run a marathon. And though this Disney marathon is slated for January 2012 and a bit beyond my original goal date, I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty stoked for it. As soon as the option for early registration is posted, I'm all over it. 357 days to go... Let the countdown begin!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Staying Financially Fit with Freebies

The best things in life are free. As a matter of fact one of the basic needs of life SHOULD be free, but we somehow manage to pay $2.00 per bottle for it. I was sent this video today and thought I should share it with you all. I'm all about being financially fit, so when I saw that Yahoo Finance has a section dedicated to just that, I was super stoked, to say the least. There are some things you just shouldn't pay for. Save your money for something far more fabulous!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Time is Money, So Save Some in the Kitchen!

A friend of mine once told me that he spent $600 per month on eating out. Ponder on that for a minute - $600 PER MONTH! Do you know how many Jimmy Choo's and Christian Louboutin's I could buy in a year with the amount of money he spends on FOOD?!? In short, tons. A really easy way to save both money and time is to plan meals and cook at home.

I know that cooking can take some time, but you'd be amazed at how many delicious, healthy meals can be made in 30 minutes or less. In half an hour, you could prepare food for at least two days (lunches and/or dinners), sometimes more. You'll need a few things to get started:

• Recipes - I love browsing the clearance section of bookstores for cheap cookbooks, but then again, I love browsing for books. If "free" is more your style, then check out AllRecipies.com or Food Network's site for boatloads of delicious fare. You can narrow down recipes by ingredients, method of cooking, and cook time. Try new fare. Be adventurous. Invite friends over for a potluck and swap recipes. Any excuse for a shindig sounds good to me!
• Crock pot - Slow cookers are a time cruncher's dream. You throw everything in, set the timer, and forget about it until it's time to eat a few hours later. Have you ever walked in a house that was just fragrant with herbs and spices that have been simmering all day? Well, once you have a slow cooker, welcome home! Those things make everyone a top notch chef. Maximum flavor and minimal effort. You can't beat that.
• Food containers - Once you've cooked up a huge batch of food (trust me when I say it's super smart to do this), you'll need to store it somewhere. Ziploc containers are easy to come by, come in several sizes and are truly inexpensive. After you're all done cooking, separate your delicious meal into individual servings and toss them in the fridge and/or freezer for quick and easy meals. It's so much cheaper than spending $10 per day on lunch and you know exactly what you're putting into your body, which makes for a healthier you and a healthier budget.

Every minute of your day is valuable, but so is every penny in your pocket. Save a little of both by throwing on your chef's hat every once in a while. As one of my favorite Food Network star, Paula Deen says, "Best Dishes," lovies!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Extreme Couponing - A Habit We Should All Pick Up

Holy Crap! I totally didn't get a chance to post today because I was planning my gosh darn grocery shopping adventure. And an adventure it was. Two different stores, price matching, the only thing that was missing were coupons. So, the two big contenders were Publix and Walmart. Publix had great deals on healthy food (I mean, let's face it, it's resolution season; everyone's trying to get healthy) with their BOGO (Buy One Get One) sales, but Walmart is always known for their low prices. I think from here on out, I'm going to have to adopt some tips from the Krazy Coupon Lady and start my stockpile. Why should I have feminine products, body wash, toilet paper, and canned foods on every shopping list and pay full price for them when I could be getting these things for free if not close to it by using coupons? But extreme couponing is no joke! Take a looksie at TLC's special on people who obsess about saving money. But who said that was a bad thing?

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Ditch the Workout, Join the Party - FOR FREE!!!

I'm a Zumbaholic, but paying for classes can get kind of expensive. When I heard that Vanessa Valentin and her Zumba crew from RhythmX studios in Orlando, FL was on Fox 35's Good Day, and that she was offering three free classes, I was all over it! Today, I checked out her class and boy, is she full of energy! The class was intense. Everyone looked like they were having a blast and there wasn't a dry shirt in sight. The choreography was a little tricky, but after a few classes at this studio, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. But anyway, that's neither here nor there. The whole point of this is for my Orlando lovies to take advantage of this super awesome deal! If Zumba isn't your thing, check out RhythmX's website for a schedule of classes, ranging from belly dance to boot camp and everything in between... FOR FREE!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista 

Zumba: MyFoxORLANDO.com

The Bougie Bookworm

If I were a multimillionaire, there are two things that would be in abundance in my home: shoes and books. However, even if money were not issue, do you think I would break my budgetista habits? Absolutely not! Now, shoes are easy to get at a discount. You should see the Michael Kors peep toe pumps I saw this week at Ross! But books, on the other hand, are a little bit trickier to get super cheap, unless you hone in on your super savvy shopper skills. For those of you who are lacking in that department, you know I'm always here to help.

Most people will search for books at Barnes and Noble, Borders and other major bookstore retailers. Those are all fine and dandy if you like coughing up full price for books. Next time you're at the check out counter and they ask you if you want to sign up for their emails, SAY YES! Yeah, so you'll get some random emails about the latest books that you have no interest in, but every once in a while, you'll get a gem of deal, like 25% off your purchase. For the rest of those emails you could care less about, there's the delete button. I will take it one step further, and encourage you to join their membership programs. Barnes and Noble's is probably the best known membership program out there. For $25, you get a one year membership offering you 40% off hardback bestsellers, 20% off adult hardbacks, and 10% of nearly everything else, plus $50 worth of coupons to use. Borders has stepped up their game, but at an even better deal. The original savings program is still available and it's free! With the Borders Rewards program, you get exclusive coupons to use in-store and online, you earn Borders Bucks for qualifying purchases, personal shopping days, deals on beverages, birthday coupons, and 30% off the list price of hardcover bestsellers. For a $20 one year membership, you get 40% off hardcover bestsellers, 30% of selected hardcovers, 10% of nearly everything else AND free shipping on online orders. But wait, it gets better! For a limited time, if you sign up for the Borders Rewards Plus program, you'll get $10 in Borders Bucks back. So basically you're getting a whole year for $10. Not bad, eh?

If you're looking to read the latest bestseller, aren't a member of any program, and can't wait to get your hands on that book, take your tush straight to Target or Walmart. I have yet to see a novel priced at the list price. With an instant savings of anywhere from 10%-30% off the cover, it's your best bet when patience isn't your virtue.

Personally, I love going to bookstores. The smell of new books, the sound of crisp pages cracking, the feel of the books in my hands make me happy. But, if you're willing to give up the experience, or modify it, you may be able to find even better deals! Go ahead, peruse the shelves armed with a pen and a pad of paper, and jot down all of the titles you want, then hit up Half.com. When they say you could get your favorite titles for 50% off or more, they're not joking. I've gotten books for as little as $0.75. I can't even get a cup of coffee for that cheap! The caveat, though, is that you do have to pay for shipping on each item, which could run between $2-3 per item. But if you order from the same seller, shipping costs drop, since they can ship multiple items to you at once. It's an awesome, inexpensive way to build your library, especially with hardback or hard-to-find books.

All my love to my fellow bookworms out there. Happy reading!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

JT's Bringing Sexy Back to Target

I'm a huge fan of diffusion lines. One of the most recent and most anticipated collaboration for Target comes from William Rast. Justin Timberlake (yes, our childhood boy band heartthrob) and Trace Ayala put together an amazing line at an amazing price for the department store. It's a fusion of motorcycle roughness and bohemian softness that is sure to please all tastes, and quite frankly, all budgets. Check out the designers themselves dishing on the inspiration behind the line and the take a look at the line itself.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Stairway to a Heavenly Tush

Tomorrow morning, I'm throwing a new workout into the mix, and of course, it doesn't cost a penny (you know how I roll)! In the January/February issue of WeightWatchers Magazine, they encourage stepping up your fitness game, literally. The gluteus maximus (a.k.a. booty) is the largest muscle in the body, which means working your back-side will have more calorie burning power than working your biceps, for example. So, the fitness experts at WeightWatchers Magazine convinced me to take to the stairs. My building is three stories high, so to keep me motivated to keep moving up and down those bad boys, I've put together my power play list.

1. "Hold Yuh Latin Remix" by SUPERNOVA (Warm-up) - 3:16
2. "She Wolf" by Shakira - 3:06
3. "Move Shake Drop" by Pitbull - 3:47
4. "OMG" by Usher - 4:30
5. "Imma Be" by Black Eyed Peas - 4:16
6. "I'm Back" by T.I. - 3:43
7. "Like a G6" by Far East Movement - 3:39
8. "Sexy Chick" by David Guetta - 4:04
9. "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" by Usher - 3:42
10. "Rock That Body" by Black Eyed Peas - 4:29
11. "FlashDanze (Remix)" by SUPERNOVA (Cool Down) - 3:16

These tunes already make me want to shake my booty, so I'm sure they'll get me pumped enough want to work it too. Workouts, Budgetista style! Wish me luck!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Go Ahead and Kiss, Because This Lip Color Won't Tell

Last night, I had the urge to paint my nails black, so on the way home, I stopped by CVS to pick up some nail polish, but I couldn’t resist the urge to peruse through the cosmetics area. I’m constantly looking for the perfect lip colors for me. I’ve found my perfect red (MAC Red to be exact), but have had trouble finding any other perfect shade. With $1.50 in ExtraCare Bucks and a coupon for $3.00 off, I figured I’d try something new. Normally, I’m hesitant to buy any cosmetic counter shades, since there’s no way to try them out before purchasing, but there was something about Maybelline’s Superstay 24 2-Step Lip Color in Perpetual Plum that was just calling my name. Maybe it was the fact that it looked a lot like my natural lip color with just a hint of shimmery mauve. Maybe it’s because the display was color coordinated from lightest to deepest shade (I’m a bit OCD and things like that appeal to me). Maybe it’s because it didn’t look like a lipstick, but more like a lip gloss, which I’m more comfortable with. But whatever it was, I bought it. To tell the truth, I’m so glad I did.

The application was simple: apply the color to clean lips and allow to dry for 2 minutes, then apply the conditioning balm. The color glides on with a wand with a tip slightly larger than a lip gloss wand, which is great, since it covers more area and evenly distributes the color. While I was letting it dry, I put on my mascara, just so that I could leave my mouth open (I don’t know about you, but I can’t apply mascara or eye liner with my mouth closed - it just doesn’t work for me, I’ve tried). At first, the color felt kind of sticky, but once it dried, it was smooth and matte. The conditioning balm is so light weight and adds tons of gloss without feeling like a typical lip gloss. You reapply that as needed throughout the day.

According to the packaging, Maybelline’s Superstay 24 2-Step Lip Color is made with a micro-flex formula that doesn’t transfer and lasts up to 24 hours (hence the name). So far, I’ve made it through breakfast, a bottle of water and a mid morning snack and the color hasn’t budged. I even wiped my mouth with a napkin and didn’t see any color come off! I’ve noticed that other long wear lip colors dry out your lips and flake off if you don’t constantly reapply the balm or gloss they normally come with, but this stuff has staying power like no other. It’s as if the color just takes on the nature of my lips.

As the day went on, I noticed that the lip color did get a little gritty, but that went away as soon as dabbed on more conditioning balm. The day is well over halfway done, and though there are light stains on my water bottle and my coffee mug, my lips still look a lovely shade of mauve and feel oh so soft. And at $7.99, it’s definitely a great deal. In fact, I definitely would try other colors (as long as I have a coupon for it). Maybelline’s Superstay 24 2-Step Lip Color gets this Budgetista’s seal of approval.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista 

Perpetual Plum

Maybelline Superstay 24 Lip Color

Let's Get Physical

I’m willing to bet my most recent pair of Guess pumps that most people have resolved to lose weight and get in shape this New Year. Am I right or am I right? Here’s the problem, gym memberships can be pretty costly, especially if, heaven forbid, you break your resolution and forget to cancel your membership. Paying for something you’re not using regularly is no bueno. So how do you get jump started on a fun fitness routine without breaking the bank or making a commitment you’re not ready to make? Now is the time to take advantage of some sweet deals at places you wouldn’t expect to focus on fitness.

I’m a huge fan of group fitness classes, especially ones that don’t feel like you’re working out. I secretly hate working out, but I’ve found some really cool workouts that trick my brain into thinking it isn’t working out (read: Dance classes). There’s a sense of camaraderie and accountability in those classes. If I were left to my own devices, I’d probably quit whenever I got tired, but having an instructor motivating me to keep going, reminding me that I’m almost there, and a group of individuals cheering with me until the end pushes me harder and ultimately gives me better results. For those of you who share my sentiment and enjoy a group workout of any kind, several studios and smaller gyms across the country that specialize in those types of workouts are offering exclusive deals that most people don’t know about. Ladies and gentlemen, now is the time to sign up for Groupon, LivingSocial, and OdealsDaily emails. Have you ever wanted to try a Mui Thai class? How about a pole dancing class? Is kickboxing more your thing? Here’s your chance to try out different fitness classes in different locations, giving you the opportunity to find a fitness home all while burning boat loads of calories and keeping your muscles confused (for those of you who have heard of or done P90X, you know all about how muscle confusion boosts your weight loss goals). Some recent deals that I’ve gotten include 10 dance aerobics classes for $25 ($80 value) and 4 female fitness classes for $30 ($84 value). Different locations, different instructors, different classes, same goal – sweating my butt off!

My other go to work out is simple and relatively inexpensive – Running. Think about it: all you need are a pair of running shoes and the open road. Most of us have iPods or a phone that can be loaded with mp3s, so load it up with your favorite fast paced songs and hit the track! But before you get started running, go to your nearest specialty running store (In Atlanta, I recommend West Stride and in Orlando, Fleet Feet and Track Shack) and have them fit you for the right shoes. Experts at these shops are going to help you find what works best for you, and the best part is that the fitting is free! I’m not going to lie, a good pair of running shoes will cost you between $70 to $125, but your knees, back, shins, and nearly every other part of your body will thank you for the investment. Once you’ve found the right shoes (and, ladies, the right sports bra), you’re all set to start running! When I decided to pick this up, I had never run more than 10 seconds in my life. Come to find out, there’s an app for that! For those of you who don’t have an iPod Touch or iPhone, there are guides online to help you get started. All of them will encourage you to alternate between walking and running, increasing the amount of time you run from week to week. Eventually you’ll be able to run 30 minutes without stopping – your first 5K!

Be proud for making this commitment to yourself. It’s a huge one to make, but you’re worth it! Here’s to getting physically fit while staying financially fit!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Closet organization for the "Clueless"

Getting ready in the morning is a mission and a half. For one, I like to sleep in (don't judge me).Two, I have loads of clothes, but never enough to sort through all of it to find the perfect look. And three, I've got an image to maintain! I'm a firm believer that you must dress for the job you want, not for the job you have. But when you only give yourself an hour to get up, get ready and run out the door, how on earth can expect a flawless look each and every time? Now, we all can't have Cher's closet or her super awesome wardrobe software, but we can take a Saturday afternoon, treat a BFF to a home cooked lunch and grab a camera (preferably digital, but Polaroid will suffice) and get to playing dress up!

I'm a huge fan of playing dress up, in fact, I encouraged my favorite 2-year-old to do so this past Christmas. I gave her a trunk of Disney Princess dresses. Well, they weren't really dresses, they were pretty little tops and skirts, but when put together, they were quite the ensembles. It even had the accessories! Awesome, isn't it? That gift gave me the best idea ever. One skirt, four tops, four different looks. All with five pieces. Such an economical way to perk up your wardrobe, don't you think?

So on this Saturday afternoon, pair tops and bottoms, accessorize, put looks together that you never thought you'd ever wear in public and snap a picture of it. Once you're done, upload the pictures to your PC (or Mac, if you're a cool kid) and take note all the looks you've created. Is it work appropriate? Is it more suited for brunch with the besties? Did you find a killer date outfit? Create folders for each classification (work, weekend, date, party, etc). I would take it a step further by printing the pictures, writing a brief description of each item in the look and the accessories I jazzed up the look with, then tape them to the back of my closet door - well, at least the work looks, since that's what I'm normally rushing to find in the mornings.

The next day, separate your closet into sections (pants, skirts, long sleeved tops, short sleeved tops, cardigans, etc) and, if you're so inclined, color coordinate the sections as well. It makes finding the coral ruffle shirt you wanted to pair with your beige pencil skirt a lot easier. Once you've accomplished this task, you're ready to take on Monday!

Soon, I'll post some of my favorite looks from my closet and I'd encourage you to do the same! Send me some of your best creations! Good luck, lovies and make it fab!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Planning for Progress

As you all know, I have made a commitment to myself to write every day this year. Whether it be a full in depth post about amazing deals, fashion fixes, or inspirational entrepreneurs or just a motivating thought for the day, I must fulfill my need to write. And yes, it is a need. It is my catharsis. It soothes me. It helps keep my emotions in check. It makes me feel like my true self. This, however, is not my only goal for 2011. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the year of preparation and progress. Great things are going to happen, and in order to embrace the positive changes, we must prepare ourselves for them.

"People will achieve anything if they think it's worth it and that they're capable. Capability comes with information. Educate yourself about your goals so you can make powerful choices that affect the changes you want in your life!" - Jillian Michaels

Today, I challenge all of you to take a look at your goals for this year. Are they realistic? How committed are you to achieving them? Are you capable of achieving them? The only way to know is to buckle down and do your research.Take the month of January and prepare yourself to take on the year. I'll use my goals to give you an example of my game plan:

• Become a Zumba Instructor
• Lose another 20 pounds
• Run a marathon
• Blog daily
• Become a certified wedding planner
• Build my portfolio as an image consultant
• Build my portfolio as a full figured model
• Plan my BFF the most amazing Bachelorette weekend ever (hey, it's one of my goals, ok? Don't judge me) on a reasonable budget
• Save $10,000
• Organize my closet to make getting ready in the mornings a cinch

Some of these I've been working on for a while - picking up running (I'm up to 2 miles and working on my first 5K), following the WeightWatchers plan, etc. - but other things required a lot of investigating.

I am an avid Zumba enthusiast. I love going to classes, I have the DVDs at home, I love the sweat I work up, and most of all, I love that Zumba is basically one big party. But over time, I realized, I was dishing out $5-$15 dollars per class. Not the smartest move for a Budgetista. If you put on your hustler's hat, the first thought that should come to mind is "if you're going to do something you love doing, why not get paid for it?" Think about it. An average class has about 20 people in it. Most instructors teach at least 3 classes per week. You do the math. So I asked my fellow enthusiasts, some of which are instructors themselves, and got the inside scoop. Since then, I've set aside the funds to get certified, learned what I need to do to gain experience, and plan on actually teaching classes in March!

Think about your goals. Ask questions. Seek answers. Take the next 31 days and develop a solid game plan. Because, let's face it, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail and 2011 is not a year for failure. In the words of my BFF, "go forth and conquer your dreams."

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista