Sephora Swap: Use This, Not That!

VS.
I will be the first to admit that one of my addictions is makeup. I could spend hours grazing through Sephora stores! Unfortunately, until I graduate from grad school and have an actual salary, I cannot yet afford the luxuries that are contained in those glorious white-and-black striped bags (sigh). However, I have occasionally lost to my temptation and bought expensive cosmetics, only to realize that they are just as good (if not worse) then your average drugstore/Walmart/Target brands.

And so, for this week's Sephora Swap....

Lorac Lotsa Lash mascara vs. Max Factor's 2000 Calorie Mascara

Lorac Lotsa Lash mascara is available for $19.50 at Sephora and online at Sephora.com and Amazon.com. It comes in two shades (black and brown), and claims to enhance the look of lashes by depositing tiny microfibers from the mascara onto your lashes.

Max Factor's 2000 Calorie Mascara sells for $4.99 in drugstores, Walmart, Target, and similar retailers. You can also find it online at drugstore.com and on Amazon.com. It comes in 4 colors (rich black, soft black, black-brown, and deep auburn), so there is more variety. It goes on smoothly, and is hypoallergenic.

THE WINNER: Max Factor's 2000 Calorie Mascara. I was very disappointed by Lorac Lotsa Lash's mascara. I was expecting dramatic results, and ended up with lashes that were not as long or thick, and were also very flaky from the micro fibers. Additionally, the mascara brush was so large that it made the mascara nearly impossible to put on. I have been using Max Factor's 2000 Calorie Mascara ever since I heard about it's popularity, and I must say that it makes my lashes look thicker, fuller, and longer more so than Lorac's Lotsa Lash. For 1/4 of the price, it exceeds its Sephora counterpart.

P.S. By the way, go for the darkest black color of mascara you can find. It will really make your eyes pop.

Shopping, Hold the Guilt: Plato's Closet

First of all, before you judge me as being an old, miserly lady, allow me to explain: I am a 23 year old graduate student who is obsessed with the typical girly addictions. I love OPI nail polish, salivate over expensive handbags, and could clothing shop as a profession.

Thank the Lord for Plato's Closet!

Plato's Closet is a chain of nation-wide stores that specializes in buying gently used, name brand clothing, and selling that clothing for a fraction of the original price. Not only could you sell your clothes for cash, but I strongly recommend doing a lot of shopping here, as well. They carry brands from Mossimo and Forever 21, to Juicy Couture and Seven for All Mankind. They have clothing for guys and girls, preferably teens to young adults.

Wanna know my top 5 favorite clothing finds at Plato's Closet?

1) Michael Kors black wedges ($12)

2) ADORABLE red and pink Puma sneakers ($18)

3) 3-- yes, 3!-- Lacoste polos ($14 for the first, then $5 for the other two)

4) Jessica Simpson brand-new brown pumps ($8)

5) About 20 different dresses from Express, never costing more than $10 each

As you can see, it's a great way to find cute clothes for cheap. I always find something fabulous and different than the last time I went in. Check out www.platoscloset.com for more information.

P.S. If you can, go to the ones in bigger cities: they will generally have more clothes to choose from.

Cool Tip: Save serious $$$ by making your own household cleaner

While there are certain things you should splurge on in life (*ahem* food, skin products, and the like), store-bought household cleaners should NOT be one of them. The majority of cheaper cleaners are riddled with horrible chemicals, and the more expensive, organic ones can be, shall we say, overpriced? The answer? Make your own household cleaner using white vinegar, a spray bottle, and some fancy oils (that cost a whopping $1). Here's how:

Things you will need...

1 spray bottle ($1 at your nearest Dollar Tree or similar store)

White vinegar (about $2 for a big jug at your local grocery store)

Water (free-- cha-ching!)

Scented fragrance oil-- I prefer rose, but use whatever you like ($1 at the Dollar Tree)

How to Actually do it...

1) Fill your spray bottle half-way full with vinegar.

2) Fill the rest of the bottle to the top with warm (or hot) tap water.

3) Put a few drops of your desired oil in the bottle to curb the vinegar smell.

4) Close the bottle, shake, and spray.

P.S. I have used this recipe for a year or so, and it works great! Try it in the shower, too, for a daily cleaner.

P.S.S. DO NOT use this on flat screen high-def TV's. Only use water.

Website Winner: Swaptree.com

If I am considered a pack-rat with anything, then it would easily be one thing: multi-media. Okay, okay.... so the term "multi-media" could actually define 20 or more different categories of stuff, but nevertheless, I love to stock my many bookshelves (Ikea, of course-- if you don't know what Ikea is, Google it now, please?) with as many thick novels, crappy horror movies, and Wii games as much as possible. However, I HATE spending any money at Barnes & Noble (besides on a small cafe au lait once a week-- hey! You need to drink something tasty while reading all of the magazines for free), and so Swaptree.com is a great alternative.

At Swaptree.com, you can list items that you have (books, DVDs, CDs, and video games) and no longer want on their website. You then can create a want list of similar items by listing them. The website then sends you matches (I get AT LEAST 2 a month, if not 20 a month), so you can trade with other people for free. Basically, both parties get rid of no-longer wanted stuff, and gain something they want, too! All you pay for is shipping, and for about $2.33 a trade, it is well worth it.

My top 5 favorite finds on Swaptree.com?

1) "Twilight" (tons of these copies floating around now)

2) "Cooking Mama" for Wii

3) "Big Ass Book of Crafts" (do you know how expensive that is at Borders?)

4) "House Season 1" ($2.33 for an entire TV series? Oh yahhhhh...)

5) ALL of Rachael Ray's cookbooks, in a BRAND NEW condition (acquired over time, of course)

Best of all, membership is free, and Swaptree.com is very easy to use. Go to www.swaptree.com and start treating yourself!

P.S. A tip: Look for things that your loved ones would be interested in WELL IN ADVANCE on this website. Then, we you can trade for it, you will only have spent $2.33 or so for a CD, DVD, book, or game.

An Introduction...

My name is Katie, and I like two things above all else: sticking to a budget, and finding great deals.

Needless to say, love, family, friends, and great food rank before being frugal, at least in my book. However, I love being able to shower myself, and my loved ones, with gifts and luxuries. Unfortunately, I am also a raging penny-pincher. That is why that, for me, discovering frugal ways to life is more of a challenge instead of a chore.

Therefore, take advantage of my nearly-obsessive need to find the best deals possible, as well as my desire to store them all in one place. Let me know your advice, your thoughts, and your feelings about my suggestions and practices for a better lifestyle.