Money Saving Beauty Tips

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I am a thrifty girl (sometimes I use the word cheap, but in the wrong context this can get me into trouble...I kid...but thrifty does sound better doesn't it?). Being thrifty doesn't just apply to my closet, I also try to be thrifty when it comes to my beauty routine. Not so much that I deserve a spot on TLC's Extreme Cheapskates, but I do like to save money and avoid waste (if you have not heard of this show I urge you to click the link and watch a few of those videos...they will blow your mind!!). So now I'm passing the savings along to you!

Alternative shaving cream

Instead of buying shaving cream I use conditioner. More specifically the ultra hydrating conditioner I get in the box of my hair dye. I always have leftover conditioner when I'm done dying my hair and can't bring myself to throw it out. I find it makes my legs super soft and smooth for days! It's a product two for one! I save money by not buying foaming shaving gel and I stretch the dollar on my hair dye because I never throw out the un-used conditioner.
If you don't dye your own hair I think any rich, hydrating conditioner would be just as good.


Zit spot treatment

Lemon juice. Works better than toothpaste (In fact I've found that toothpaste doesn't work at all). I take a Q-tip and soak the end in lemon juice and apply it to the spot and let it dry. Doesn't get rid of a zit overnight, but it does reduce size and swelling dramatically and done over several nights can make a spot completely disappear. Lemons cost less than 50 cents each. 'Nuff said.


Stretching the life of your beauty products

All you need is a pair of scissors and a zip lock bag. Do you know what I'm gonna say? Yup, I'm one of those people. The ones who cut open their toothpaste tubes and scrape out whatever is left when I can't squeeze any more toothpaste out. I also do this with my face wash, moisturiser and anything other product I can cut open. When I'm done cutting it open I store it in a ziplock bag until I use the rest of the product. Honestly, you'd be surprised how much product is trapped in most containers...ok, now I'm a little embarrassed that I just posted that on the internet...
oh well...

How do you stretch your dollar? Any money saving tips you'd care to share?

Lisa.xo

Fickle Head

Not even three months ago I cut my own bangs. I've trimmed them once since and once again they're in my eyes. So much so that I've been wearing them like this for the last three days:

I can't decide whether to cut them again or let them grow out...

In fact my whole head needs an overhaul. My hair is super long right now. It's all the same length and is in desperate need of a trim. Or a cut. I just can't decide what to do with it.

Here it is air dried with no styling. Looks rough, I think.

I'm actually thinking about cutting it much shorter. probably around my shoulders like this

(sorry guys, I have no sources for these photos, I've been collecting them for weeks. Let me know if you know the source or if one of these belongs to you and you'd like it removed. Thanks!)

I really love Marilyn's hair in this photo. I could totally rock this with my grown out bangs.

Or maybe chin length like this

These are kinda like my hair from a few years ago. Here's the proof:

Or maybe I'll completely chicken out and just get a trim and some layer put in

I really can't decide right now. I'm always up for something pretty drastic in my head, but I worry about regretting my decision after I get my hair cut.

I've been hating my hair, which is why I cut bangs. It was always a temporary solution. I can't afford a real haircut (and by real I mean done by a professional) until I get back to work in October so I have some time to think about it.

What do you think?

Lisa.xo

Eye Candy: Vintage Show Girls

I have a bit of a thing for show girls. I am totally taken over with the beauty, the glitz, the glam, the mystery and allure, not to mention the sex appeal of them.
In another life I've run away to Vegas to be one...

So for something a little different than my usual posts and since Halloween is approaching and you may be needing some costume inspiration, I thought I'd share some vintage show girl images with you.

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Hope you enjoyed these! Happy Sunday!

Lisa.xo

Wishlist: Vintage Polka Dot Coat

The weather has gotten quite crisp here in the 'Peg and I am looking for ways to warm up.

I found and fell head over heels for this coat on Etsy last week:

buy it for me here!

Isn't is amazing?! If you can't tell from the photo, I'd just like to point out that those polka dots are blue.

*Sigh*

The problem? It's $895 USD. Now if I only had $1000 laying around I would be calling this beauty mine...

*Sigh*

I'd look so cute in this coat...

Lisa.xo

*Sigh*

This Sucks

Well this may not be a new apron or house dress, but my dreams of becoming a vintage housewife are one step closer to becoming a reality! lol!

Say hello to my "new" Hoover Constellation!

This funny little guy came my way this summer while The Boy's brother was cleaning out his house. The Hoover came with the house. I couldn't let him go to the trash, so I rescued him.

How could I not? He works, he's vintage and he's GREEN! My favourite colour! Win, win, win. Right?

A good blogger would have cleaned him up a bit before taking pictures, but I was too excited to share him with you.

And naturally, I had to do some research and I was overwhelmed by the amount of information out there on vintage vacuums! Did you know some people collect vintage vacuums? I can't help but wonder: where do they keep them? 
I found a whole forum about vintage vacuums for those of you looking to start your own collection or just bone up on some vacuum knowledge: Vacuumland

Here an original ad for my model:

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I like this next ad better, I like the graphics. Particularly the woman pulling the vacuum at the bottom. The coolest thing about these vacuums is that they hover! You heard me! There are no wheels or tracks on the bottom they hover on their own air stream (according the the ad). I'm just hoping my vacuum still hovers. That would be awesome!

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And for fun, check out these guys! Neat!

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Who knew I'd be so excited about a vacuum? Maybe this is the start of my own collection? ...no, probably not. lol!

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Suddenly It's Fall

I know I was the one posting Inspiration posts about fall earlier this week, but it was still hot and sunny then...it never fails...I yearn for fall and when it gets here I'm always a little bummed for a few days. Every year I have a small grief period and say good-bye to summer. 

I had coffee with my friend Michael yesterday afternoon and had planned to wear a dress, but when I let Dave out before I left the air felt too cold for a dress without tights...and I'm not ready to wear tights yet...

So pants it was. So this is what I threw on before I left.

This blazer is vintage. It's part of a suit I bought at Value Village for $7. I love the lining! It's another piece I almost sold and is now living in my closet.

Vintage Blazer: thrifted, Value Village

 Vintage Flower Brooch: Ruby Slipper

Sequin Dot Tee: Joe Fresh

Jeans: Forever 21

Green Pumps: Forever 21

Coral Bangle: Forever 21

Vintage Tooled Leather Purse: thrifted, Value Village

It's been a quiet week around here without The Boy. I am enjoying having the whole bed to myself at night, but other than that I miss him. 

Lisa.xo

When the Cat's Away...

the Mouse gets Painting!! (that's how the saying goes right!?)

The Boy has been away for a three day bachelor party marooned on an island in the middle of a lake in Ontario somewhere and has now decided to spend the weekend at our place at West Hawk. So I find myself home alone for a week!!
 He's a funny boy, he loves the "after" of home renos, but detests the mess between the "before" and the "after".

So while he's gone I've taken it upon myself to get some unfinished painting done that has plagued me since we painted our living room, dining room and hallway three years ago: the hallway doors. It's not unusual for me to get a project done while The Boy is away. I get to make a mess and work at my own pace.

In fact, having The Boy away for so long (we're rarely apart for more than a day) has made me revert to my livin' single days.

I've spent the last three days watching bad movies on tv, Sex and the City, drinking copious amounts of coffee till noon and eating vegetarian food for dinner. Or breakfast for dinner, whichever strikes my fancy! And of course I've been eating in the living room watching tv.

Oh and painting...
I painted three closets this week...I took my time...it actually only took me two days...and I only painted the doors. Ok, maybe that's a long time, but it was a pain in the butt! I had to paint the trim, the doors are 8 feet tall, they have all these nooks and crannies...this is why it wasn't done three years ago...it sucked. I am so sick of painting. Now I know why all the rooms in my house aren't painted yet either. I like to get started and when I'm about 3/4 of the way through I am cursing myself for starting this messy project. I am a messy painter and always end up with paint ALL over me.

This is just a taste of me covered in paint. My feet look weird. And yes, those are my pj pants. Why get dressed if you're gonna get messy? Stay in pjs I say...

Right, the painting...I'm all over the place today...
It's a subtle difference, but here's the front closet door before. As The Boy calls it in "Dirty Old Bra" colour that much of our house was/is.

And the subtle after. Can you tell the difference? Yes, you can. It's so overcast today I thought I'd be able to take some decent pictures, but the light is messing with my not so fancy camera.

It makes the alarm box look dingy...maybe it's time for a new one...

Our front door needs to be painted inside and out as well. I'm still trying to decide what colour to paint it. Any thoughts people?

That mark on the bottom left corner is from the former owners dog scratching to get out. It had also chewed some of the baseboards in the house as well. Annoying!! 

So that's been my week and I still have three days before my man gets home. I've made some plans with family and friends this weekend to keep me busy.
After all, I did just spend a month at the lake. I have some catching up to do...

Have a great weekend!

Lisa.xo

Mixing it Up

Yesterday's post actually inspired me to play dress up in my closet for most of the afternoon.

My favourite outfits revolved around this 70's does 30's two piece outfit. I bought this ages ago when I worked at Ragpickers. It was one of my first vintage purchases. I've considered selling this outfit a few times, but I'm now glad I decided not too. I have a feeling this top and skirt will be staples in my winter wardrobe.

As you can see from the photo above the fabric is pretty light weight (and see through!) so a slip underneath is a must. Making these pieces perfect for year round mix and matching which I've done below. Click on the photos to enlarge the images.

Left: Blazer and Flower Brooch: Ricki's;  Rhinestone Necklace, Purse & Seafoam Wrap Sweater: thrifted; Slip: Lune Vintage;
Boots: Le Chateau
Right: Slip (worn as camisole): Lune Vintage; Belt & Straw Clutch: thrifted; Wedges: Le Chateau

Left: Vintage Enamel Earrings: thrifted; Camisole: Randy River; Belt: Le Chateau; 40's Wool Skirt (part of suit): Ruby Slipper; Navy Vintage Suede Purse: WildWoodRose Vintage; Pumps: Calvin Klein
Right: Camisole: Randy River; High Waisted Jeans and Coral Bangle: Forever 21; Turqoise Bangle and Red Straw Clutch: thrifted; Wedges: Le Chateau

This is another great example of how to take vintage pieces and mix them up to keep them from looking too costume-y (Go here to see my last post on dressing up modern basics with vintage accessories). I think all 4 of these looks have a very modern look to them with enough of a vintage touch not too look like a cookie-cutter mannequin straight from the mall. My favourite way to wear vintage!

Lisa.xo

Inspiration: Cozy Vintage Layers

It may be a little early for this (the temp will be 30 + here in the 'Peg this weekend!), but like many fashion and lifestyle bloggers, when September arrives I start dreaming about cozy fall layers.

This is an oldie, but a goodie from Sally Jane Vintage's Four Ways posts (love them!):

The thing that I really love about these looks is that I really feel that I could wear them to work without feeling like I'm too dressed up. That is a win win in my book.

I have several vintage suits and this is tempting me to play in my closet today in anticipation of the drop in temperature.

Lisa.xo