Coupon Offer: 50% off Coupon for Payless ShoeSource

Good morning Happy Shoppers!

I was sent a coupon today for Payless Shoesource- Get 50% off Everything in Store good until close of business October 30!  Here's the link!  (Thank you Budget Babe & Oprah!)

I just printed mine out because I need to purchase that super huge Alice + Olivia black bag for my California trip in November!  yay!

Tickles and Smiles to all of you!

Closet Confession #2: I'm a Product-Junkie

Hello lovelies,


"Hi.  My name is Chruszhet (audience responce: Hello Chruszhet) and I'm a Product-Junkie!"  What can I say, it's so sad but true! This past weekend- I decided to accompany my Bestie to the mall (while our hubbies did their Sunday ritual- making a raucous in front of the big screen watching NFL football).  After scarfing down a Spam Musubi, I made my first purchase at the Clinique counter inside Macy's.  This is what I bought:

The Even Better Skin Tone Corrector

It's for correcting uneven skin tone and undo-ing visible sun-damage, dark spots, age spots, yada yada yada.  I'm a big make-up fan, but I also like to have a clean fresh face sans makeup while I'm lounging around.  I have been hearing some rave reviews about this thing so I thought I'd give it a try.  And supposedly I should see results within 4-6 weeks (if directions are followed properly).  To learn more about this product click here.  I will let you all know how well it worked on me. So stay tuned...

So are you a product-junkie like me?  If your cabinets and bathroom counters are stocked with all different kinds of beauty products then YES you are a Product-Junkie!  From make-up to skin-care, to hair-care to body-care do you try and test most of the products out there?  Is Sephora.com set as your home page and do you visit the site every chance you get?  Yikes that's ME!  My mother told me that when I was born, I came out with nail polish on my widdle piggie toes- oh my, so I guess it's in my blood!

Don't get me wrong- I'm certainly not to the extent where I would put my whole family on the streets because of my obsession.  That's pretty ridiculous and for those who do, maybe it's time to seek help.
I do a lot of research and review-readings before I make a purchase because I want to make sure that if I'm going to make an investment (I'm an advocate on investing in yourself- the ROI (return-on-investment) is awesome) that I'm going to benefit from it in some way.  But yes, there have been past purchases I've made where the product did not deliver what it was supposed to deliver.  But overall I usually come out pretty satisfied with most of my purchases.

So since the hubby did well on football-betting this past weekend, I came up with a scary plan!  I'm going to bet a small amount and I mean a small teeny tiny amount on NFL football this coming weekend (this is sooooo unlike me) and my winnings are going towards another product-purchase!  Yay!  (Wow that was spoken like a true junkie...)  I've been eye-ing the MakeUP Forever HD Foundation and Kevyn Aucoin's Celestial Powder...mmmm..mm it's dreamy!

See you all at the make-up and beauty counters!
Ciao

Tip: Trim Inches Off Your Waist by...

Hello Dolls!

I wanna share a little tip on how to look slimmer, sexy, and beautiful especially when taking full-body photos or when you're walking around in your HOT bikini! (not that many of us are, especially since it's Fall season, but pocket this tip for when summer comes!) 

Before my bellydancing days, I never really understood the importance of good posture (okay, well I understood it but never paid too much attention to it), even when I took ballet and jazz at a very young age and in high school, I was told to stand straight but it was never really broken down for me until I started taking some serious bellydancing classes.  Last night I was in class and I noticed in the mirror how my posture has improved.  Great posture just has a way of making you look so Delicious!  Not to mention, it will also make you look a few pounds slimmer!  But there's more to it than just standing up straight.

First let me share with you how I used to stand; When I was very young, I used to stand with my knees always locked because it was comfortable and it was like a support for my body, my butt would stick out, my shoulders slumped over and my head would fall above my chest (I just had a Scarecrow image from the Wizard of Oz).  This is not a pretty stance for a young girl but it became a comfortable habit for me.  About 6 years ago, my Gynecologist told me that I had a tilted pelvis (WTH?) which is the reason why my tailbone stuck out, developing this strong lower arch in my back (glad to know I wasn't intently showing off my assets to the world)!  I was also having serious back pains.  Fast forward many years later: my bellydance instructor tells me, "Chruszhet, stand shoulder-width apart, tuck that butt in, put your ribcage on a shelf, elongate your neck, and put some energy in those arms! Now look at the curves in your silhouette."  And she was right!  Yeah every now and then I do catch myself slouching with but sticking out and then I have to correct myself. And I've seen those old photos of me with bad posture- NO BUENO!  So here's how to look irresistibly delicious (I'm sure my bellydance sisters can attest to):

1.  Stand shoulder-width apart, with your weight evenly distributed throughout your feet.
2.  Tuck your pelvis (tailbone ) in, but not too much that you look like an animal from a National Geographic episode.
3.  Roll your shoulder blades back and down, causing your chest to lift up (as my instructor said- "put your ribcage on a shelf"). You should also feel your stomach muscles contract a bit
4.  Lift your head up (making those neck muscles long and strong)
5.  Put some energy in those arms, don't let them just dangle to your sides. (In dance, we have certain positions for our arms) but be natural

Ooooweee now look at yourself in the mirror! You will look much slimmer showing off your torso and you will also look and feel confident. Most importantly you will save yourself from a back injury.  So the next time someone wants to snap a photo of you, remember your posture and your SMILE   =D  !

It's about Looking good and Feeling Better!
C-

How to Find the Best Fit When Purchasing Clothes Online

Okay Online Shoppers or Soon-to-be-Online Shoppers, I've got a few tips for you that have helped me with buying clothes online and I'm here to share them with you so grab your handy-dandy clothes tape measure!

1.  Yes, first grab that tape measure or if you don't have one, a ruler will work but keep in mind that since the ruler is flat it may be tough to wrap it around your body!  hehehe

2.  Remember that different brands of clothing run differently in sizes.  If you are buying an item from a certain manufacturer for the first time and you don't own any other piece of clothing from that manufacturer, it can be a challenge at first, but don't get discouraged we will and can fight through this! 

3.  Use all the fitting info and sizing charts on the site.  This is the time to take your measurements and compare your measurements to the sizing charts (note: not all sizing charts are the same, a size 4 on one site can be equivalent to a size 6/8 on another site)

4.  Check all the feedback and reviews on that article of clothing that you are interested in purchasing.  A lot of buyers will give their input on whether or not the sizes run big or small.  Also they may add in a bit of info about the item like "the lapel of the tulip skirt keeps folding over when you walk" and you may not want to deal with such hassle.

5.  This one fits in with #2.  Stick with brands you are familiar with.  The sizing can give you a ballpark idea. 

6.  Grab your favorite-fitting pair of jeans or pants, lay it on a flat surface and measure the waist across (x2), hips, inseam, the rise (from the crotch seam to the top of the waist) and use those measurements (especially when you don't have a tape measure and you're using a ruler).

7.  Grab your favorite sweater or blouse, lay it on a flat surface and measure the arms from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff, the width of the shoulders, and the length of the piece from neck to bottom hem.  Also don't forget to measure the width of the chest area (this can be the most important measurement for all of you who are well-endowed in your upper body or you can also donate some my way!  hahaha)

8.  Always check the website's return/exchange policy before submitting your order!  Most sites will offer free returns and exchanges. 

9.  Buy two sizes and return one.  This is only economical if the site offers FREE returns!

10.  Last but not least, consult the site's fit specialist or call their toll free number and talk to a representative if you are having doubts about sizing!

In my 3+ years of being a work-at-home Mom, I have been doing most of my clothes and shoes shopping online, and have had to exchange only 1 item so far!  I even bought all my bridesmaid dresses online and all I had to do was alter the bottom hems.  Just think of all the gas you save, the stress of jam-packed and messy dressing rooms, and pushy sales people.  What I love the most is that I find some incredible deals and a lot unique stuff online.

Next week, I'll give you a few tips on buying shoes online!

I'd love to know if this post has helped you in any way!

Happy Online Shopping! Hugz & Kisses!

Closet Confession #1: I'm such a geek & a closet-cynic

Here's my very first confession: yes, I am a Geek!  Also deep-down somewhere I found myself to be a closet-Cynic.  (Although this may not be something that I'm proud to admit.)  Read more and you'll see why.

Over this past weekend I ventured on a trip to my local bookstore to buy a Robert Kiyosaki book that my author-friend recommended and while taking a quiet moment to myself on one of the bookstore's randomly located leather chairs.  I came across a humorous book that captured my undivided attention.  About 3 minutes into the book, I found myself chuckling at the oh-so-true observations of this little yellow book called Go Tweet Yourself by Janelle Randazza.  A funny book about Facebookers, Myspacers, Twitters, and all the other Online Social Networker groups (i.e. bloggers, LinkedIn socialites, etc) that we all fall into!  Oh yes, I am guilty of falling prey to pretty much all of those categories at some point or another or at least I've made a login ID in the past with the intention of actually being a member of those sites.  But, hey my optimism was what led me to sign up with some strange notion that my life would be somehow fulfilled by doing so. 

The book is a summation of all the quirky things that people do or don't do and just straight up laughing about it (Enough is Enough: We don't want to see pictures from your business trip to Omaha.  We don't want to see what that random girl from study group is having for breakfast. And we certainly don't want a virtual drink) yeah- give me a real drink, darnnit!  And I have made similar observations myself, but never really came out in public like Randazza has.  I guess that makes me somewhat of a cynic, right? 

In my hopes to share my fascination with my husband, I did my best in explaining the humor I found in the book, he throws me this strange look and classifies me as a full-fledged Geek!  Okay, I will declare to that affirmation.  If anything, I had a few good laughs and enjoyed my weekend being anti-social! 

Let's laugh off some of that misery! hahahaha

Open Your Arms to Looking Good and Feeling Better

There's a lot to be said about looking good and feeling better!  The month of October is the perfect month to feel good about yourself.  Most of all, October just breathes "women empowerment"!  Of course, it's Breast Cancer Awareness month and this is an indication that we all should be taking good care of our health.  Then there's the sudden changing of the weather from running outside in my long tank dress and open-toed sandals to leggings and tops with 3/4 sleeves.  It's also a great month to play "dress-up" and I'm not just talking about Halloween.  I'm talking about SHOES!  Yes, ladies, s-h-o-e-s!  If you know me well enough, there are not a lot of things I collect, but put me in a shoe store and I get mesmerized!



I collect all types of shoes, from inexpensive to expensive, from horribly-fitting to oh-so-comfortable-I-can't-believe-I'm-wearing-shoes!  There's no better accessory on a woman than a great pair of shoes.  They have the ability to make you feel...so feminine...so powerful...so flirtatious!  My favorite kind of shoes are the sexy, won't break the bank, but feel great on your feet type (needless to say it's my hubby's fav, too)!  Believe me, my household consists of 1 youngin', 1 pre-teen, and 3 expensive teenagers, a husband who loves football betting, and a very hungry mini-greyhound- I simply CAN NOT afford to break the budget.



So about 6 months ago, I signed up for an online shoe membership/shoe stylist.  I took their style test and based on my results, my "shoe stylist" picks out a selection of 5-6 shoes for me to choose from each month.  The shoes are high quality but yet inexpensive!  Ahhhhh! There IS a Shoe God!  So what is the cost, you ask?  I am happy to say the cost of the monthly membership including the 1 pair of shoes each month is only $39 (that comes with free shipping and no additional fees or contracts).  I am also a fan of the 'Skip A Month' option, if I don't see a pair I like or if money is a little tight that month, I am under no obligation to buy.  Another awesome feature is to ask for a new selection of shoes if the first selection isn't to your liking.  I'm not a paid spokesperson for them so you'll have to check it out for yourself.  Go to www.shoedazzle.com !  What's important is that I look good and feel good at the same time!



Regardless if shoes are your 'thang' or not, let's re-invent October as Women Empowerment month!  You all deserve to look good and feel better!



Big hugz to your hearts!

Great Deals on Cute & Sexy Halloween Costumes

Hey Bunnies,



I just found some great deals on cute Halloween Costumes that are around $17! 

With the recession here but with Halloween around the corner, the heavens know I can not afford to splurge on some fancy costume that I will only wear once!! 

I do have a nurse costume I got for FREE from someone who was just giving it away, stashed way back in my closet.  But I am a bit scared that it might be too cold for something so skimpy as a nurse's uniform...So I may be looking for an alternative. 

Any-who I came across Mandee.com, while the selection isn't large, it may do for some of you.  Click on this here link!  Or there's always ebay!!!

Which Sexy Wifey are you?

As most of you know...I loooooovvveeee shopping online for wild and crazy things and I found a great site with tons of Urban Fashion.  So I snatched me a WIFEY tshirt from a brand called TITS (Two In The Shirt)!!!

Which Wifey are You?  (I chose the second one- i love to bbq and I'm the one always in front of the grill.  And as for my Hubby- He loves it!) 
Oh and the sizes run small so if you do order one get one size bigger!  Roll on over to www.karmaloop.com and if you sign up for their newsletter they will give you $15 off your order!

Happy Shopping!

Want Your Face as Smooth as a Baby's Bottom...?

Hey lovelies,

If you are obsessed about having a super-clean and super-smooth face like I do and I mean SMOOOOOTH (very much like a baby's bottom) I highly recommend using Kiehl's Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion. I use it every 2-3 days and it helps minimize my pores. It's also a lot less expensive than going to get a Micro-Dermabrasion Treatment which can literally cost nearly $100/per treatment.

It has all natural ingredients like micronized shells, shea butter, and willow herb. It has a creamy but sandy texture that you scrub onto your face for no more than 2 minutes and then rinse off. Trust me, after you rinse and dry, take the back of your hand and feel the softness of your face! You will be amazed! Click here to go to the website. Try it and you just might fall in love all over again!

I love it- and I also ordered Kiehl's Pore Minimizing Moisturizer- it came over the weekend! Yay!

p.s. What is your skin-cleaning regimen?

Fall Shopping + Offer Codes = Smart Savings

It's getting chilly outside (brrrrrrr) and I want you to stay warm!

Victoria Secret is offering some A-M-A-Z-I-N-G deals on fall sweater and jackets...BUT hurry because it ends Wednesday!

Get 20% Coats and Jackets at http://www.victoriasecret.com/ and use code= WARM20

And.....

for fall fashion take 20% off select sweaters, pants, denims and more for a total savings of up to 40% off. USe offer code: 25FALLVS this ends TODAY!!! Yikes!!!

HUGZ

or click this: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/collection/?cgname=OSCLOTLOZZZ&cgnbr=OSCLOTLOZZZ&cm_mmc=di-_-091012COAT-_-V01-_-v16&cm_em=chruszhet@cox.net

O-M-G! I think I'll start-a-blog BLoG

Hello World! So I've decided to start a "sharing" blog because there are sooooo many things that I would love to share with all you fashion-enthusiasts, feel-gooders, powerful women or kurious-kitties out there. I would love to invite you all into MY CLOSET (literally and figuratively speaking)!!!

What I mean by this... if you look inside a person's closet you are more likely to find things that represent them, their past, present and future.  Inside my closet are more than just a collection of stilletos and a sherbet variety of clothes, it is a big treasure box of stories and hidden encounters.  While, I do get questions about where I get my clothes, shoes, and other fun stuff from and how I do my makeup or hair, in which I will answer.  I simply would love to share other bits of treasures that will make you feel like a bright shining STar  (BY NO MEANS- DO I FIND MYSELF AN EXPERT- I JUST DO WHAT FEELS GOOD TO ME)....

My literal closet: the health, beauty, and fashion are just the surface layers (warning: it can be a bit messy, fun, wacky, serious) and beyond that closet is another layer-the world of bargain hunting, online shopping, tips and tricks of fashion. I will direct you to the videos I watch, the sites I visit to do some really inexpensive shopping, how to shop for just about everything online (some are skeptical about clothes or shoes shopping online, I can show you how I've learned to overcome that), and then there's the figurative closet (my life closet): the people I follow and read about and adore that will help you feel oh-so-good- about yourself (because you deserve to feel good), the secret to feeling beautiful no matter what you're clothed in, and my other experiences that I hope will spark that inner fire within you!

So I'm opening those doors for you to peep in! Take a peak and you just might find yourself something useful to stash into your own closet! 

Most importantly, join me in the journey in discovering the True Beauty that lies within!

Ciao Bellas!