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Fashion Giveaways



Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty Gifts 101

Are you looking for the perfect gift for your favorite beauty guru for Christmas this year? To jump start this year's Holiday Gift Guides, I've rounded up the best beauty products on the market right now. 

HAIR
I have been on the market for some amazing hair products lately, and I was recently gifted some Prive products just in time for the holidays! From Prive, I received the Just Beautiful Hair Trio, which includes one Daily Shampoo and Daily Conditioner, and comes with a complimentary Thermal Protection Detangling Spray. This gift set is perfect for those who are looking for an everyday gentle shampoo and conditioner. And since I'm always on the lookout for the best conditioners and love testing out heat protectants, I really loved this gift set! Plus, the Thermal Protection Detangling Spray is an essential for women who dry their hair or use heat tools regularly. Right now, the set is going for $38, but it normally retails for $61! You can get it here.

EYES

$14.80 at Forever 21

Forever 21 has a lot of great impulse buys at the cash wrap these days, but I'm totally love this 88 shade eye shadow set! It's perfect for makeup afficionados who love to experiment with color, but also have the option for classic shades, too! And seriously, you just can't beat that price!

LIPS

$15.00 by M·A·C at Bloomingdale's
Since I don't normally wear MAC because I think it's way too expensive, ironically, I happen to think it makes a great gift! (It's amazing what you'll ask for when you're not spending your own money, right?) Seriously, most women love MAC cosmetics. The packaging is great, it's popular, and it's a really great product.
Any MAC lip shade will do, but a classic red hue will go with just about any skin tone. Throw in a lip brush and put it in a cute box, and you'll be good to go with this little stocking stuffer. 

NAILS

THE NEW BLACK 'Walrus - Ombre' Nail Polish 5-Piece Set

$22.00 at Nordstrom

As if we beauties don't have enough nail polish already! But okay, you've got to admit these shades are pretty awesome. While I love color, for some reason this season I'm loving neutral hues for the nails. And this set has all the power to make your beauty look ultra classy. 


Posted by valeriekw on November 21, 2012 at 9:00AM | Permalink | 0 Comments
Filed in: Beauty | Related: Hair, nail polish, makeup, lips, holiday gift guide, Gift Guide


Beauty & the Budget Answers: Style and Beauty Necessities

Beauty and the Budget answers some of the season's most hot-topic questions in partnership with JGood.com! JGood.com an exclusive membership shopping forum that features independent jewelry designers and offers amazing deals on fabulous, fashion forward jewelry.

Other than the amazing deals at JGood.com, here's what else I think is pretty darn "good".

What is a good look for this holiday season?

I'm pretty obsessed with sparkles, glitz, and glam--which are all a part of stellar holiday dressing. And sequins are pretty much a must this year. Dress it up or dress it down--depending on your mood. I love how Mandy Moore adds a sequin jacket to black pants and a white cami. It's comfortable, yet she still has an element of luxury.

What is a good drugstore beauty must have?

I can't live without Neutrogena Oil-Free Cream Cleanser Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment ($5.59 at drugstore.com). I use it every night before bed!

What is a good accessory to own that transforms an outfit?

A statement ring is the perfect accessory for me--one that I absolutely cannot live without. Right now, I'm love this Sunlight CZ and Crystal and Gold Statement Ring, $24 at JGood.com.

What’s a good nail color for fall?

Warm nail polish shades are always in style for fall, and right now I'm in love with deep purple shades such as Essie Nail Color Sexy Divide ($8.00 at Walgreens).

Where is your favorite place to find a good bargain?

I always find a good bargain at Forever 21!

Posted by valeriekw on December 23, 2011 at 7:00AM | Permalink | 0 Comments
Filed in: Fashion | Related: shopping, style, accessories, holiday gift guide, Gift Guide, Jgood


Perhaps the Most Amazing Loafer Ever... and it's Only $34

Cooperative Velvet Loafer $34 at Urban Outfitters

Posted by valeriekw on December 22, 2011 at 12:00PM | Permalink | 0 Comments
Filed in: Fashion, shopping | Related: Urban Outfitters, holiday gift guide, Gift Guide, Product of the day, gift guide 2011, obsessed velvet loafers


The Perfect Way to Add a Pop of Color

Wide Brim Fedora Hat with Feather Trim $27.27 at Asos

Posted by valeriekw on December 21, 2011 at 12:00PM | Permalink | 1 Comment
Filed in: Fashion, shopping, Holiday Gift Guide | Related: hats, style, color, accessories, Gift Guide, gift guide 2011


Go Ahead... Party Your Heart Out

After Hours Faux Leather Dress $62 from Threadsence

Posted by valeriekw on December 20, 2011 at 12:00PM | Permalink | 0 Comments
Filed in: Fashion, shopping | Related: obsessed, holiday gift guide, Gift Guide, party dresses, Product of the day, gift guide 2011, faux leather dress


Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Handy Gifts for Coworkers

Ah, your coworkers. You're with them for 40 hours or more a week, you gossip by the water cooler together, you moan about your boss in unison... but when it comes to getting gifts for your coworkers--you draw a blank. So, what do your coworkers really need this season? How about something to help get them through the 9 to 5 grind?

No matter where you work or what you do, there are some gifts that are sure to come in handy for your 9 to 5 friends. I can't think of anything more creative and unique than Anne Taintor gifts. (Yes, it's the second time I've mention them, after picking up a stack of Anne Taintor post-its at Click Boutique--but they're so worth the second mention!) For the working gal, Anne Taintor's line of humorous post-its are always an inexpensive winner. Right now, I'm love this WTF post-it ($4.49 at Anne Taintor). Next up, this Mini Robot Vacuum ($26) is perfect for the working girl who wants to tidy up her desk after a quick stay-in lunch. And I must mention this killer Melie Bianco bag--which I have! This gift is the perfect structured bag for any ocassion, but it especially looks chic with your professional attire.

Like/Dislike Stamp ($12.99 at ThinkGeek.com)

Shop the rest of the items below.

 

Posted by valeriekw on December 06, 2011 at 7:00AM | Permalink | 2 Comments
Filed in: Decor | Related: holiday gift guide, Gift Guide, gift guide 2011, coworker, gifts for the office


5 Items You'll WANT to Add to Your Wishlist

Other than a white Christmas, love, and dreams to come true, I am wishing for some amazing tangible obsessions this December! Think of sparkles, party attire, and red lipstick; something a little more expensive, a little more luxurious than what Beauty and the Budget typically goes for, but still within reach.

Beauties, these are a few of my favorite things...

Posted by valeriekw on December 02, 2011 at 7:00AM | Permalink | 4 Comments
Filed in: Fashion, Decor | Related: wishlist, holiday gift guide, Gift Guide


The Gift Guide: Meaningful Gifts

This post was going to be about last minute holiday gifts, but after seeing one of the following charities spotlighted by Hillary Clinton at a TEDTalk Conference, I felt like last minute gifts would be inferior to a charitable donation. Besides, a donation to a charity can double as a last minute gift, too, except you'll be giving so much more.

Love146:

Purpose: The abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation.

Story: In 2002, the co-founders of Love 146 travelled to South East Asia on an exploratory trip to determine how they could serve in the fight against child sex trafficking. In one experience, a couple of our co-founders were taken undercover with investigators to a brothel,where they witnessed children being sold for sex. This was their experience.

"We found ourselves standing shoulder to shoulder with predators in a small room, looking at little girls through a pane of glass. All of the girls wore red dresses with a number pinned to their dress for identification... These children...raped each night... seven, ten, fifteen times every night. Keep reading...

Posted by valeriekw on December 23, 2010 at 7:00AM | Permalink | 1 Comment
Filed in: budget, Holiday Gift Guide | Related: charity, gifts, donations, honorable gifts


The Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

Can you believe Christmas is almost here? While you're out shopping for those last minute gifts (or just beginning your shopping), don't look over Christmas' most unsung gifts--stocking stuffers. Stocking stuffers are so much fun to give! They're cute, tiny, and fairly inexpensive. Generally, they don't compare to the bigger gifts, but these stocking stuffers are sure to get some appreciation!

From left to right, top to bottom: Marilyn Mini Notebook ($2.95 at Crate & Barrel); Horchow Bamboo Earbuds ($20.00 at Horchow); Dylan's Candy Bar Dylan's Milk Hot Chocolate ($16.00 at Barneys New York); Bcbgeneration Pearl Bow Earring ($15.00 at BCBG MAX AZRIA); Black Fingerless Gloves $12.00 at Topman; Bobble Water Bottles by Karim Rashid ($8.99 at Container Store); Mini Cube Speaker ($9.99 at Avon).

Posted by valeriekw on December 22, 2010 at 7:00AM | Permalink | 3 Comments
Filed in: Fashion, Decor, shopping, Holiday Gift Guide | Related: inexpensive gifts, stocking stuffers


Cash for Christmas: Is it a good gift?

As we grow older, it gets more difficult for our family members and friends to find us the perfect gift. Even though Christmas is supposed to be about spending quality time with the family, it's still disappointing to get a gift you're not satisfied with. And unless you have a super stylish Mawmaw, you're going to get slightly outdated clothing or gifts that don't quite convey your style or personality. This is why I always ask for money, and apparently, gift givers are getting the message.

Cash is going to be the most popular gift this season, reports the New York Post. A Consumer Reports study found that 58 percent of shoppers plan to give money as a gift this year.

However, cash can be a fairly impersonal gift. You don't have to put any thought into it, and even though I ask for money every year, my family still loves watching me unwrap at least a few Christmas presents. Yet as many of us are going through difficult financial times, money allows us to work on paying off our debt, if we choose, or it allows for leisurely spending, which will in turn boost the economy.

Beauties, what do you think: Is money a good Christmas gift?

Posted by valeriekw on December 21, 2010 at 7:00AM | Permalink | 0 Comments
Filed in: finance, budget | Related: gifts, cash, christmas, money, holiday gift guide, presents