Work it out Weekend– Preparing for War(rior Dash)

I was browsing Facebook a few weeks ago and saw pictures of some of friends covered in mud with big cheesy grins on their faces. They had just participated in an obstacle course race and for some reason, I was inspired to do the same. I found the next race in my area, the Warrior Dash, and registered.  It’s not anywhere near as difficult as the Tough Mudder, but I figure it’s a nice starting point for future races. I knew pole dancing and spinning classes alone weren’t going to get me ready for this. So I printed off the training schedule. Wowzers! For you fellow Budgetistas who want to start getting in shape before the holidays, but don’t want to add the monthly expense of a gym membership to their budget, here’s an inexpensive, at home workout courtesy of Tommy Hoke and the Warrior Dash.

What you’ll need:

Running or cross training shoes
Jump rope
Chair
Stop watch (or a cell phone with a stop watch feature)
Yoga mat
Access to a staircase
Calendar

On your calendar, list out the workouts and rest days for the full 12 weeks. Notice your workouts will intensify as the weeks go along. Runs get longer. Rest between circuits becomes shorter and you will do more rotations over time. Note these on your calendar! Make sure you allot enough time each day for your workout, no excuses. Once you’ve mastered these workouts, do one of two things to avoid a plateau: A) add weights to the exercises in the circuit, or B) move up to the next Warrior level.

Whether you decide to compete in a race in the future or if you’re just looking to do something different with your workout, find the Warrior in you!

♥ - The Bougie Budgetista

Thrifty Thursday – Getting a big bang with half the buck on Half Off Depot

Paying full price for anything is so last decade. You all know I’m a fan of discount sites, especially those with deals that don’t expire after 24 hours. I introduce you to Half Off Depot! Don’t get me wrong, I still love Groupon and Living Social. But sometimes, I need more than a day to decide whether I want a deal or not. Half Off Depot is a one stop shop for fabulous frugal living all over the U.S., Europe and Australia. So go ahead! Browse, buy, and benefit from the good life without breaking the bank!

♥ - The Bougie Budgetista

Fashion Friday - The First Lady Rockin' A Frugal Frock, And Still Looking Fab

As I was checking my email I came across an article that made me stop in my tracks. “Michelle Obama wows in a $35 dress.” I instantly had to give my BFF the heads up about it. Her response: “You a damn liar!” Seriously. She was on the Today Show in a dress from H&M and it looked like a million bucks! A few styling edits and BAM! A phenomenal dress to fit her wonderful sense of style.

Regardless of your political affiliation, you have to admit, the First Lady has an impeccable sense of style that we haven’t seen since Jackie O. She appeals to the everyday woman and has become quite the fashion muse. If you’ve noticed, she’s not a brand snob. We’ve seen her in Target, J. Crew, White House Black Market, and now H&M. One thing is clear about Mrs. Obama’s personal style - It’s not about following trends or wearing big name designers. It’s about knowing who you are, what looks good on your body and what makes you feel good. PERSONAL style. It doesn’t matter who you wear, it’s HOW you wear it.

My best friend said it best, “Whether it's a $2000 dress or a $20 dress it doesn't matter it's all about how you wear it and how it fits your personal style.”

So find what works for you. Try different looks and trends and styles until you find what best fits YOU.

♥ - The Bougie Budgetista



Thrifty Thursday - A Valentine's Day for One

This year, I am without a Valentine. So instead of participating in Singles Awareness Day (S.A.D.), a day chock full of misery and despair, I decided to treat myself extra special for the day. Lots of restaurants are going to have great deals on dinner for two, and that’s fine and dandy, but I’m not in the mood to hang around a whole bunch of sappy couples. I’ll be enjoying an at-home spa day instead.

The first step is to plan your day. Well, mine won’t be a whole day, but more like an evening, consisting of a facial, body scrub, hair treatment, a hot bath, and a yummy and healthy dinner. If you have the ability to make it a whole day, throw in an early morning workout and plan healthy meals throughout the day. Prepare yourself for your day. Make sure your favorite robe, PJs, slippers, and workout clothes are clean and put somewhere easy to get to. Pull out your favorite candles and dim the lights in your bathroom and bedroom. Have clean sheets on your bed and your fluffiest towels right by your tub. Spray them with your favorite fragrance and indulge in your senses.

Next, prepare your treatments. You can do a search for different treatments or just visit The Spa Index to browse recipes and find whatever floats your boat. Here are the ones I’m going to be enjoying:

For the face, a Honey Oatmeal Facial, courtesy of The Spa Index:

1/4 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 tablespoons of honey

Finely grind or process the oatmeal in a blender or food processor. Set aside. In a small bowl, stir together honey and yogurt, and then add ground oatmeal. Mix thoroughly until a smooth paste consistency has been reached. Smooth over your face and neck, leave on for fifteen minutes, and rinse off with warm water.

For the body, I was given a homemade body scrub a while back, so I’ll be using that, but this recipe is very similar:

2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 - 1/2 cup almond oil
1/2 tsp of vitamin E
45-60 drops of fragrance or essential oil

Mix almond oil, vitamin E and fragrance or essential oil together in a glass bowl. Add the brown sugar and mix in well. Gently scrub over skin, focusing on rougher areas, such as elbows, feet, and knees. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

For the hair, I’m actually using a sample from Lush called Hair Doctor, but this is one that my friends and family frequently use:

1 banana
3 tbsp honey
1/2 cup olive oil
1 vitamin E capsule
2 tbsp of Mayo

In a small bowl smash up one banana and add the honey, olive oil, mayo, and then empty the vitamin E capsule into the bowl. Stir with a spoon. Mix it all together really well. Then pour all of the contents of the bowl into a blender and puree till creamy and smooth. Leave in hair for 30 minutes and then rinse.

I can’t help buy indulge myself just a little bit. So I bought everything that I needed to make Mermaid Water. The Big Blue Bath Bomb was $6.35 and the Sunny Side Bubble Bar was $6.95, and I know I’m going to get at least three baths out of them, so that’s a good deal. And finally, I’m going to jazz up what’s already in my freezer and make a petit steak dinner with rosemary roasted potatoes and steamed veggies. Valentine’s day seems like a great day to show love to the one person on the planet who deserves it the most… YOURSELF!

♥ - The Bougie Budgetista

A Budget-Friendly Birthdaycation Extravaganza

This past weekend, my best friend Shawntel of SOA Event Concepts came to visit me here in Orlando for her birthday weekend. I was forewarned that the budget was going to be tight for the weekend, so I had to prepare my budgetista skills to squeeze a dollar out of a dime and have a FANTASTIC time. Here is the breakdown of our fabulous BFFcation, and some of the killer deals we scored.

Friday night, we went to a swanky restaurant in Winter Park. I liken that area to Buckhead in Atlanta, back in the day. Some of the entrees on Luma’s menu were a little on the exotic (and pricey) side, but the ambiance was well worth it. So what do you do when you want to experience poshness, but don’t necessarily have a posh budget? Order off the appetizer menu, of course! When I was in high school working at Plato’s Closet, my co-workers and I would get together for appetizers and desserts, to a) not spend a lot of cash, and b) have a quality girls night out. Think about it - Appetizers are normally large enough to share and reasonably priced. Typically, you’re not going to find an appetizer over $20 on any menu. We opted for the fancy pizza. It was delicious! We saved our splurge for their incredible wine selection. A glass ranged anywhere from $6 to $12, but the selection was astounding. The first night was a great success.

Saturday, we attended a class at Vixen Fitness, which I will elaborate on tomorrow’s edition of Work It Out Wednesday and enjoyed lunch at Crave, an American fusion bistro. When I tell you this place is awesome, it’s an understatement. The décor is chic, but welcoming. The staff is by far some of the best I’ve ever come in contact with. And the food is to die for! Try the lamb burger. I promise you, you won’t regret it. The best part of it all was that we had an ODeals Daily certificate for $30. I only paid $15 for it a few weeks ago. The key to a great trip is preparing in advance with the deal sites. Let THEM decide where you’ll be dining on your vacation and save up to 50% on your tab. Just be nice to your server and tip on the full amount for the service you receive. Our server Blake was worth 40%. Just saying…

No BFF rendezvous is complete without a shopping trip. But not just any shopping trip. We hunt for super sales, deals and steals, and a gem of a find. By the looks of it, it was a great success. Check out her Max and Cleo dress, purchased from Dechoes for $14.99 and my Charlotte Russe romper for just $9.99. 

Max and Cleo Dress

Charlotte Russe Romper

Sunday should have been a beach day, but it was cold and rainy, so we did some window shopping instead (but still managed to come away with some loot). What? Come away with look when you window shop? Who does that?!?!? We do. No, it’s not illegal by any means. I’ve been reading about a store called Lush for what seems like ages. It’s cosmetics store with products made of all natural ingredients. After walking in and basking in the natural fragrances floating around the room, I totally understood the reasoning behind the company name. These simple products make you feel good – literally. The associate demoed Buffy, a soap with granules in it that exfoliate on our hands along with Flying Fox, a body wash with an interesting back story, and our hands felt like silk afterwards. We played in Mermaid Water, a mix of the Big Blue Ball bath bomb and Sunny Side bubble bar and became mesmerized be the waters beautiful colors and skin softening effects. And, our favorite part, they gave us tons of samples! Not just a tiny, one time use packet, but enough for a handful of applications. I didn’t have to purchase anything to get them, even though I did (I’m treating myself to a bath in Mermaid Water for Valentine’s day, but that’s neither here nor there). And the associates were so kind and so helpful that there is no way anyone would leave that store and not come back to purchase something. Great sales tactic, if you ask me.

We ended the weekend at our favorite bakery in town, Sweet by Good Golly Miss Holly for Mini-Mania. Every Monday, they sell their delicious mini cupcakes for $1 each. As a birthday gift to the best friend a girl could ever ask for, I bought her a dozen, and ended up saving $6 on the pack.

Yeah, I saved us a lot of dough this past weekend, and we scored big, but spending time with my Bestie in celebration of her special day was priceless.

♥ - 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"

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!

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

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

Fusion Fashion for the Financially Fit Fashionista

It should come of no surprise that I love fashion. One day I WILL own a pair of Christian Louboutins. Preferably in the year 2011. But that's neither here nor there. I know my fellow fashion addicts lust for the looks on the runway, but since few of us are celebutants, A-listers, or a Trump, the prospect of having a closet full of Chanel, Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, and the likes any time soon is not yet in the cards. How does a budgetista make due in the meantime while working on on becoming their own CEO?

The fashion dieties have heard our pleas and created affordable lines for the masses, available at our neighborhood H&M, Payless, Target and Kohl's. With price points that fit everyone's budget, the financially savvy fashionista in all of us is finally satiated.

I remember being in elementary school and watching Cindy Crawford report on the latest and greatest fashion trends by designers like Isaac Mizrahi on MTV's House of Style. Yes, I've been in love with fashion since then. By the time I got to high school, I heard about his line at Target and felt like a little kid on Christmas morning! I could finally own something with Isaac Mizrahi's name on it! And so, my love affair with diffusion lines was born.

These days, high-end designers have taken diffusion lines to a whole new level. Today, H&M will have a sneak preview in select stores of it's newest collaboration line and will be available in more stores on November 23rd. The Parisian designer Lanvin has collaborated with the brand to create gorgeous dresses, with hints of vintage flair. Ruffles and bright hues make these looks perfect for any holiday soiree you have on your planner. And you know if it's at H&M, it's going not going to cost an arm and a leg. Lanvin is just the newest addition to H&M's designer collaborations. Over the years, Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Madonna and even Jimmy Choo have worked with the brand, and the buzz over Lanvin Heart H&M is proving to be as anticipated as its predecessors.




Target has long been known for teaming up with designers to give us fashion hungry shoppers access to the hottest looks for less. Their latest partnership with handbag designer Mulberry is truly delightful. Together with the retailer, Mulberry has put together a collection of satchels and crossbody pocketbooks that are closely resemble their original handbags for a fraction of a fraction of the cost!

Mulberry Satchel - $1,250

Mulberry for Target Satchel - $49.99

In January of 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama looked stunning in a mint green dress by Cuban-born designer Isabel Toledo. Now we can all partake in her delicate and highly feminine designs for Payless Shoesource. Yes, I said PAYLESS! And it doesn't stop there. Project Runway's Christian Siriano is also contributing his fierce styles to the discount shoe store. With chunky heels and bold accents, we can all make the sidewalk our runway. Can we say "Vicious"?

Isabel Toledo for Payless, Toreador Pump - $44.99

Christian Siriano for Payless, Mena Dress Boot - $59.00

With that said, if you hunger for high-end fashion, you can finally satiate yourself on a low-end budget. Designers all around the world have heard your plight. Go forth and be fabulous... Budgetista style!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Big Ballin' (On A Budget) Is My Hobby

Over the past few weeks, I've shared with you my personal path to enlightenment. We've also discovered what it truly means to be bougie. Now all that's left is to answer the one question everyone's been asking me: "What on earth is a budgetista?"

I'll admit, I made this word up (don't judge me), but no other word in the English (or Urban) language could embody who I am and what I'm trying to convey. I live a lifestyle. I love to travel, I love fine dining, I have a passion for fashion, and I need to be able to do it all on an entry-level employee's salary. And I'm sure all of you know how dismal the dollar figure on one of those checks can be. But what we all must internalize from this moment on is this thought that a wise woman once shared with me - It's not how much money you make, it's what you do with it.

What are you doing with your money? Have you actually taken a look at the items listed on your bank statement online (or for the less green, on your paper statement) or do you just check to see how much money is left? I'm not going to lie, I would do it too. And then I'd wonder why I was living paycheck to paycheck. Quite frankly, that never felt like living. I'd feel a rush when I saw that my direct deposit had cleared. I'd excitedly pay my (read: past due) bills, treat myself to a little retail therapy, eat out everyday for a week, then after a while, I'd take a peek at my account. Suddenly, I was drowning in a wave of panic. How was I going to to pay the rest of my bills? What was I going to eat? Is what I have left in my gas tank going to last me until the next paycheck? Then, once the next deposit cleared, I was back on Cloud 9. I lived for payday and nothing else. One day, it hit me. I realized that the vicious cycle had to stop if I ever wanted to do more than "just get by." So little by little I began making changes. Now I challenge all of you who can relate to my plight to do the same by following a few easy, albeit a little time consuming, steps.

First, really take a look at your spending. Every day for a whole month, collect all the receipts for the day and write down the business name and the amount spent in a notebook. If you paid a bill or rent, write that down too, but highlight it since it's probably a fixed amount you must spend on a monthly basis. Make a few notes about the day's transactions (what you bought, why you bought it, how you feel about the purchase, etc.), staple the receipts to the page, date it and move on to the next day. At the end of the month, categorize your spending. Did you eat out a lot? How much did you spend on clothing? How much of your income went to essentials versus non-essentials? Believe you me, I won't judge you if you felt those nude patent leather Jessica Simpson pumps were essential to your wardrobe. Just be honest enough with yourself to differentiate between your needs and your wants.

Next, once you've categorized the month's expenses, plug the numbers into a budget calculator. Take a look at the results. Are you over or under for the month? How do you feel about the total? Now take a look at all of your entries for the month. Where can you cut back? Restaurants? Shopping? Drinks at the bar? Really think about where you can tighten your purse strings without feeling like you're sacrificing too much. Do you like to cook? Make your favorite meals in advance, pack them in containers and put them in the fridge. You'll have lunch AND dinner for a few nights. Don't know how to cook, but want to look like you know how? Invest in a slow cooker and check out All Recipes for some amazingly delicious meal ideas (and yes, iPhone users, there's an app for that!). Don't know where the kitchen is and quite frankly don't care to find out? Find a friend who likes to cook, provide them with containers, and chip in to their grocery bill!

There are so many ways to cut back without sacrificing too much. Take your cable package, for example. I'm a HUGE United States of Tara fan. Amazing show on Showtime. Get the premium channel for the season, then cancel afterward. Let's face it, the premium channels play the same eight movies over and over and over again. If I wanted to watch Twilight seven times in a 24-hour period, I'd hit up a Redbox, and get it for $1.00. Are you good friends with your next door neighbor? Split the cost of a super-duper router, password protect the network, and go half on the internet bill every month.

Once you have your spending in check and you're making cuts here and there, you're going to see the results of your budget calculation go up. Now, the final step is to learn what you're going to do with your new-found expendable income. If you're coasting through life, getting up in the morning, fighting traffic, clocking in to work, busting your tail for the duration of your shift, clocking out, then fighting traffic to get back home, do you give yourself the opportunity to enjoy the the fruits of your labor? Now's the time to create your lifestyle. You may be a little nervous about splurging a little too much on yourself, but fear not! Here are a few of my Budgetista secrets to help you "live the champagne lifestyle on a kool-aid budget."

For my fellow foodies, culture lovers, and pampered princes and princesses, bookmark Groupon, LivingSocial, and ODealsDaily (for those in Central Florida). You'll find ridiculously wonderful deals for at least half-off gift certificates to some of the best restaurants, the symphony, and even the spa. I highly recommend signing up for their email lists so you'll never miss a chance to treat yourself to the finer things in life. Jet-setters, Priceline and Travelocity should be your best friends. Stay tuned to find out how to become negotiating professional! What? You didn't think I was going to give away all my secrets, did you? *wink*

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista