The Best Place to Find Tanning Lotions

Sure, sure-- you can pay nearly $100 a bottle at a tanning salon for a fancy bottle of lotion, or you can shop the smart way: buy your tanning lotion on ebay.

I have been doing this for years, and you would be amazed at the quality and quantity of lotion that you can buy for a fraction of the price of store-bought concoctions! Simply type in your preferred tanning lotion brand, and you can find great deals from sellers who primarily deal in tanning lotions.

Need examples?

*I buy Australian Gold's Cheeky Brown in packs of 2 for $23 and free shipping (average price: $30+ a bottle!)

*I also sometimes buy Poten-C tanner (normally $60-70+ a bottle) for about $30 a bottle. Still steep, but half the price!

Just make sure to check the seller's ratings before you buy from them. What are you waiting for? Go ebay-ing and get tan!

Questions, concerns, song and dance routines? Leave me a comment!

Be Green & Greedy: Make Your Own All-Natural Household Cleaner

With the economy forcing everyone to be extra frugal, one of the easiest ways to cut back costs is to make your own all-purpose cleaning solution, perfect for use on counter-tops, bathroom sinks, toilets, and the like. Trust me-- you will never go back to the store bought solutions again...

First, you will need to buy a large spray bottle. These are available at Wal-Mart, or at the Dollar Tree for $1. This is a great bargain, as it is completely reusable.

Next, fill your spray bottle half-way with the vinegar (which costs about $2.50 for a gallon at your local grocery store). Following that, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda (about $1 or less at your local store) into the vinegar. This will fizzle slightly, which indicates that it is working.

Now, fill the rest of the spray bottle with hot water. Add a few drops of essential oils, if you like. The oils will mask the smell of vinegar. I prefer mint oils, but use whatever scent you want. FYI: You can find fragrance oils (in scents such as rose and vanilla) for $1 a bottle at stores like The Dollar Tree!

Finally, seal the bottle, and shake the solution. Store it in a dry place-- this all-purpose cleaner should last your for a long time!

Questions, concerns, song and dance routines? Leave me a comment!

Finding a Cute Dress for $30 or Less!

With the recession rearing its ugly head on us all, girly-girls like me need to become savvy and wise when it comes to shopping for dresses. From Christmas parties to Valentine's Day celebrations to nights on the town, there are definite ways to buy adorable party dresses cheaply.

For $30, you can most definitely find an adorable dress on sale at department stores such as Macy's, Dillard's, etc. However, if you cannot find anything on sale, a number of stores will have their regularly priced dresses available for $30 or even less. Charlotte Russe has a number of cute dresses, and often have great sales on accessories and shoes to match. I once got a stunning white, strapless dress for $15 there. Also, try www.gojane.com for a variety of cute dresses that are around $30. Additionally, try Target for awesome dresses that look way more expensive than what they are worth-- $30!

For $20, I highly recommend stores like Forever 21 and Wet Seal. While most of these stores' dresses run up to about $24, there are some beautiful dresses for less than $15! I often get great deals at Forever 21-- if you are looking at the website, check under the sections titled Fabulous Finds, Sale, and Daily 21 Specials. I once snagged a gorgeous one-shoulder black dress from Forever 21 for a mere $7! Trust me-- it is definitely worth a try!

For $10, I strongly suggest consignment shops. While you may be able to find some good deals at places like Goodwill and Salvation Army, Plato's Closet (with stores nation-wide) is a great place to find great dresses. They frequently have dresses from Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Express, and similar brands for $10 or less. I recently purchased a cute pink dress from Express for $8. Additionally, check eBay for good deals on name-brand dresses, especially if the designer is well-known. You will get amazing deals on these outfits!

For less than $10, I would suggest going through your closet and seeing if there are any dresses that you could dress up in a different way than before. For example, if you had a plain black dress, you could simply purchase a red belt and red shoes to turn it into a completely different outfit. Revamping clothing that you already have definitely saves money, and you might just be able to spend that extra money on some very nice accessories for yourself instead of a brand new dress.

How to Organize Your Life With a Notebook (For the Technologically-Challenged)

As a full-time graduate student and employee, as well as a dog owner and a girlfriend, how do I find the time to do everything in my life? By staying organized. I love my mini-notebook approach to life, and it helps me keep everything in check. Try it-- you will be amazed at your ability to be organized.

Buy a small notebook. This notebook should be able to go with you everywhere, and therefore should be able to fit into your purse, briefcase, or even pocket (if you want a smaller notebook). Be prepared to divide your notebook into, ideally, five sections.

For the first section of pages, write NEEDS at the top. It might be helpful to draw a line down the middle of each page to save paper by using two columns instead of one. In this section, write down your absolute needs-- i.e. milk, bread, toilet paper, ect.-- and cross them off as you buy them. As you have the notebook with you everywhere, it will be easy to always know what you absolutely NEED to buy.

For the second section of the notebook, write WANTS at the top. If desired, also divide each page into two columns so you will be able to write more things on each page. In this section, as you see something that catches your eye, write it down under WANTS. For example, if I see a piece of jewelry, clothing, or anything else that I don't need immediately, I put it on my WANTS list. If I'm rewarding myself, or even telling people gifts ideas for myself, then I can easily refer to the list. It's a lot of fun, and so gratifying when you finally are able to cross something off. However, a word of warning: WANTS lists can be very long, so make sure to allot yourself more room as you see fit.

For the third section, write ULTIMATE TO-DO at the top. In this section, which could be one or two columns per page, write down things that are not urgent to get done, but that you want to do in the future. For example, wrapping presents, hanging pictures, ect. could all go under this listing. As you complete each task, cross them off your list.

For the next few pages, the decision what to add is up to you. I recommend adding a few sections that will help you deal with your life a little better. For instance, I have a PRESENTS section (gift ideas for important people in my life), a GRATEFUL FOR section (a list of things I put down to help remind me why I love life so much), a BOOKS/MOVIES/BANDS section (media I want to experience), and a PERSONAL GOAL section (get clearer skin, run a marathon, ect.). Get creative with this, and determine what you need help with in your life. You can have as many or as few of these extra sections as you'd like.

Finally, save MANY pages for the end, and divide each page into two columns. In each column, write down SUN-SAT and the daily goals for each day of your week. This is very good for adding urgent to-dos for a specific day, and to ensure that you get everything accomplished.

A notebook should last you for quite a while (one lasts me 6 months or more), but when you have no more space you can either add pages to the notebook or start a new one. You should have quite a few (if not the majority of) things crossed off anyway.

Any comments, concerns, song and dance routines? Leave a comment! :)

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.