Fashion Frugality

Masked Beauty Facial Masks: Review + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 23:24:00 +0000

Disclosure: I was provided two full size masks of my choice from Masked Beauty free of charge in partnership with Brandbacker. This is a sponsored post via Brandbacker. This review, however, was written by me personally and reflects my personal opinions after trying the products. I was not expected to provide a favorable review.

One of my favorite ways to unwind and provide self-care is by throwing my hair up, putting on some pajamas and using a face mask. While I have a pretty set skin care routine that I hardly deviate from, else I suffer the consequences, I love to try new face masks from time to time. I like that you can find masks now for any skin woe. Back when I was younger, you were basically stuck with the run of the mill peel off mask or clay mask. Nowadays, you can find a mask for anything and in any formula!

When Masked Beauty offered to send me two of their masks to give a try, I was all about it. Although I am not perfect, I try to stick to products that use natural ingredients. I find my skin is happier when I do so as well! Masked Beauty products are never formulated with any Parabens, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Triclosan, Polyethylene Microbeads, Bisphenol A (BPA), or Toluene.

I chose the Exfoliating Coffee and Chocolate Facial Mask which will tone and smooth and the Purifying Charcoal and Diamond Facial Mask that provides brightening and refining. These are two areas that I find help my adult, acne-prone skin. Some days I need to smooth and tone the areas that have acne scars. Other days, if I feel a break out coming on, I like to use the purifying charcoal mask. I was also sent a silicone facial mask brush. I have never used a brush to put on a mask before trying this one and, I have to say, what a world of difference! No more mess on your hands or feeling like I shouldn't be dipping my fingers into a pot of product. This allowed for easy, even coverage over my entire face - even on the hard to reach areas!

Here I am, mask on, hair up, relaxing after a long day! So what did I think, you ask? I loved the purifying feel of the Purifying Charcoal and Diamond Facial Mask. You know that feeling where you just feel like your face is getting cleaner and cleaner as the mask sits on your face? Yep. And when you rinse it off you instantly look brighter? YEP! I also felt that the Exfoliating Coffee and Chocolate Facial Mask not only smelled amazing (as in, enjoy some chocolate with this one!) but also provided perfect exfoliation without being too rough.

Masked Beauty facial masks come in six varieties:
Purifying Charcoal & Diamond
Exfoliating Coffee & Chocolate
Toning Red Clay
Overnight Pistachio
Moisturizing Ginkgo & Oat
Soothing Rose & Peony

I think the Overnight Pistachio mask will be coming home with me next. I've been wanting to try an overnight mask and these are just right for my preferred price point. That's right - you can find these at your favorite grocery stores: Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Marc’s, Weis and Kinney Drugs.

** ** **

WIN IT!

Want a chance to try three Masked Beauty facial masks for yourself and win some other beauty goodies to boot? Enter Masked Beauty's giveaway below!

Feeling Active Everywhere in prAna Spring Wear!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 03:34:00 +0000

Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with prAna. I selected the pieces and prAna graciously provided them complimentary to me for my honest thoughts. Opinions are provided solely by me.

Spring is in the air! Can you smell it!? I know, I know... maybe that is wishful thinking on my part. I live in Michigan, after all. It often seems like winter lasts until May in these parts. Last week we had a beautiful, sunny, 60 degree day... and today it happens to be snowing. Despite the snow, I can feel spring peeking out here and there. My daffodils are pushing through the soil in my garden. The grass is looking a little greener. The daylight is lasting a little bit longer. My dog is itching to get out of the house and take as many walks as she can.

Speaking of getting the winter willies out... I had a chance to try two pieces from prAna's new spring 2018 active wear line. When prAna reached out to me, I was excited to give their new yoga pants a whirl. My husband and I recently joined a new, bigger gym because we were looking to increase our enthusiasm in working out and a friend of mine became a personal trainer at the gym we joined. It was perfect timing to start something new! I have a decent amount of active wear in my wardrobe but am always looking for the perfect, comfortable pant that will provide me with the coverage I feel comfortable in. I started with taking a look at prAna's yoga fit guide to get an idea of what they offer and the fit I might like best. I chose the Leda pant in Volcanic Plum Aster since I personally will always choose a printed pant over a solid. Life is just more fun that way. :) And while this style is labeled as a pant, I would place it into the legging category to be more specific. I couldn't be more happy with the fit. I like to use my active wear for a variety of purposes: gym sessions, workout classes, walking my dog, and lounge wear, if I am being honest. These pants fit every need. They are super soft, super comfortable, fit perfectly to the point where I feel supported but not suffocated and look great paired with sneakers for the gym or boots for some shopping! And, drumroll please... They are not see through! This girl has no tolerance for see through ANYTHING and these pants certainly deliver on that promise!

OUTFIT DETAILS

Leggings: c/o prAna - Leda Pant in Volcanic Plum Aster [exact / use AEKKS18 for 15% off!]
Sweatshirt: c/o prAna - Ostara Top in Coal [exact / use AEKKS18 for 15% off!]
Tank: Thrifted [similar]
Shoes: Brooks Pureflow 6 running shoes [exact]

Next, I selected the Ostara top in Coal to pair with my new pants. While I usually find it easy to find work out tanks/tops in the stores, I often feel like I am always wanting more when it comes to a heavier layer on top. Sweatshirts and jackets never provide the length that I am looking for. I was pleased with the fit of this top because it is a bit longer than usual and find it provides a nice, boxy fit as well. I want to be comfortable when I am working out or walking my dog. I personally like a looser top layer to provide some warmth - both for the winter cold and also to keep my muscles warm while working out at the gym. The Ostara top has the look and feel of a sweatshirt with a bit of a heavier drape to it. The lace up detail on the sides provides a cute addition!

CHECK IT OUT!
Learn more about prAna's re-imagined new line of yoga pants... designed and tested just for you by women just like you!

If you're thinking about investing in some new, quality workout gear, I cannot recommend prAna more. They use organic cotton and other natural materials and believe in fair trade and sustainability. I'd say that is reason enough to give them a try but the added bonus here is that they make great looking pieces to boot! Here's to walking out the winter willies and heading straight into spring - being #activeeverywhere in my #prAnaSpring18!

SAVE NOW!
prAna has kindly offered my readers a discount shopping code! Use promo code AEKKS18 and get 15% OFF any non-sale items at prAna.com. Hurry - the code is only valid through APRIL 6TH!

Fall for prAna: Sustainable Fall Style

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:00:00 +0000

This post was created in partnership with prAna. Clothes were provided complimentary by prAna, opinions are provided solely by me.

With school starting up this week around these parts and a bit of an added chill in the air, I am feeling that never-seems-to-leave-you feeling of fall freshness and a new year. I'm in my thirties and haven't been in school for some time now but I never seem to lose that feeling of a crisp new year starting. I'm usually ready around this time to leave my summer clothes behind and start adding on the layers. I love summer but I am an autumn girl at heart. The season is rather fleeting here in Michigan as we move into full blown winter pretty quickly so I have to enjoy it while I can!

prAna recently contacted me to try out a few pieces from their fall collection. I thought this might be the perfect way to dip myself into some comfy autumn gear - something my wardrobe actually lacks! I've never been much of a tshirt and jeans kind of girl so when I get in that mood to throw some comfies on, I lack pieces that are things I would actually want to go out of the house in. Faded cotton sweatpants paired with my husband's old t-shirt is not usually a look I like to share outside of my at home world. ;-) You're welcome.

Chillin out maxin' relaxin' all ~~cool~~ warm... in my dropped shoulder pullover!

OUTFIT DETAILS

Jeans: c/o prAna - Kara Jean in cargo green [exact / use GHFF15 for 15% off!]
Sweatshirt: c/o prAna - Penelope Pullover in lacquered rose [exact / use GHFF15 for 15% off!]
Shirt: Canyon River Blues chambray tunic [bought FREE!]
Shoes: thrifted Aerosoles [similar]
Glasses: Bonlook Skunkboy Twinkle Tort [exact]
Bracelet: vintage copper bangle bought at a church sale [similar]

First, let's talk about these Kara jeans. Can I get an AMEN for jeans that fit in ALL areas? I often have an issue where my jeans might fit my legs well but then have a huge gap at my waist or require me to scoot them back up all the live long day. Not these. These jeans have the perfect amount of stretch without being too stretchy. I like the feeling of being "held in" without feeling like my clothes are too tight. These achieve that perfectly. They retail at $89.00 and are worth every penny because their cost per wear is going to essentially bring that cost to pennies.

I walked around Detroit in these over the weekend and didn't even think about what I was wearing... That's a true indication that these jeans are a winner. No adjustments necessary! If you take a look at their reviews, they have over 900 reviews with a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars! I am always nervous to buy jeans online without trying them on but after reading some reviews and reviewing their size chart, I bought my usual size 8. Personally, I find they fit very true to size as I have not a single complaint to make about the fit. And let's talk about those cuffs... I love that they have this awesome detail. One of my favorite "trends" right now is detailed denim - whether it be an interesting color, embroidery or other little details like that. I think this oversized cuff gives a cool different, edgy look over regular skinnies... but the best part is that the cuff isn't permanent and can be changed up! I love a piece of clothing that I can wear more than one way!

Those cuffs, though!

Oh, and here is something important that we haven't talked about yet: prAna is also all about sustainability. Whether it is fair trade, recycled or organic, they do an exceptional job at creating pieces that are true to their aesthetic in a way that is also good to the rest of the world! For example, my jeans are made with 75% organic cotton. The use of organic cotton helps to cut down on the use of pesticides and fertilizers which is healthier for the cotton farmers and helps to preserve the biodiversity of the land they use to farm. You can learn more about the ways prAna is part of the sustainable clothing movement right here. If you've read my blog for a while or know me personally, you know I am a huge advocate of buying secondhand clothing. Over the last year, I've been learning more about the sustainable fashion movement and have been feeling a pull toward it in addition to my secondhand shopping. That being said, I'm delighted to try these pieces out from prAna and talk about that more with you guys going forward.

The Penelope pullover was an easy choice to add to my closet. I liked the idea that it's a sweatshirt with a twist. I dressed it down here but am looking forward to layering it over some of my dresses to wear to work. The cowl neck gives it a more dressed up look than a normal sweatshirt. This is a great, lightweight layering piece that allows me to feel comfortable and warm without being too heavy or hard to pair with other pieces. I love the way my favorite chambray is peeking every so slightly out at the top. And going back to sustainability, this piece is fair trade factory certified and made with 60% organic cotton. I consider that a look good-feel good kind of piece and I look forward to adding more like that to my closet.

SHOP IT: prAna has kindly offered my readers a discount shopping code! Use promo code GHFF15 and get 15% OFF at prAna.com. Hurry - the code is only valid through NOVEMBER 20TH!

Disclosure: The Kara jeans and Penelope pullover were provided free of charge from prAna. Both products were selected by me, styled by me and all opinions shared are my honest thoughts. #fallforprAna

Linking up with Style Wise Link Up!

Tried & True Review: Finesse Haircare

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 01:30:00 +0000

Does anyone remember Finesse haircare? If you were like me, you were obsessed with it as a child. Though sold at drugstores even then, it had a certain je ne sais quoi. Somehow it had more glamour and seemed more luxe than any of the other bottles on the shelf.

Any why shouldn't it!? I'll be the first to say that I stand by drugstore brands any day of the week. Sure, I've tried fabulous salon brands but I've also come to put together quite an arsenal of drugstore brands that I remain true to throughout the years. And my pocketbook thanks me for that!

Pink tile or bust!

I recently had the chance to try out Finesse's Restore + Strengthen Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. This could not have come at a better time. The Michigan winter we are currently living through this year has been brutal. While it hasn't snowed as much as it has in years past, the chill in the air has been consistent and cold. I feel like this is our coldest year yet. With that, my hair has been drier than it ever has been before. The products are described as being for hair that's dry, stubborn or sometimes frizzy. Yeah, ok, I'll admit to having some frizzy days and certainly to having some stubborn and dry days lately. Now, if you're like me with super fine, thin hair, you are probably very weary of touching your strands with anything that is labeled "moisturizing"... I get you, girl! Me too. Anything that is moisturizing tends to weigh my hair down, make it look super limp and give it the appearance that I haven't washed it in days. To say I was hesitant to try this shampoo and conditioner would be true. Well, let me tell you, I was very pleased with the results!

Give my messy strands a break... did I mention it's also been ridiculously windy here!?
Uh, I mean, I was going for the windswept look... yeah, yeah.

My tried and true review: My hair felt smoother, easier to manage and easier to style after using the moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Both products have that perfect fresh shampoo soap smell without being too overpowering. I love the clean, fresh scent. The shampoo has a thicker consistency than that of an everyday shampoo but lathers nicely without being too sudsy. The conditioner was super easy to rinse out, which, is always a test for me because I hate products that take too long to rinse out or, even worse, feel like they never rinse out.

Bonus: Is your naturally blonde hair currently black? Is red not your "natural" hair color? OK, it's not mine either... though it feels so naturally me! I have good news! Finesse's Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner are gentle enough for color-treated hair too!

Let's talk price: Fashion Frugality approved! Walmart is currently selling the same size bottles I used, a 13oz. bottle, for just $1.98 each. Walgreens is currently selling each 13oz. bottle for just $1.99. At under $4 for the duo, this is a fantastic deal.

Alright, alright, still don't believe me? Let me let these videos do the talking. Because, yes, if I was going to tell you about a shampoo and conditioner, I was certainly going to play the part of shampoo model girl and pretend I was in my own glamorous Finesse commercial! Onward:

Hit play!

Don't forget to head over to my Instagram (@fashionfrugality) to see more glamorous hair videos *wink wink* and my everyday Fashion Frugality items like these!

Disclosure: I was provided the Finesse Restore + Strength Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner free of charge from Brandbacker. This is a sponsored post via Brandbacker. This review, however, was written by me personally and reflects my personal opinions after trying the products. I was not expected to provide a favorable review.

Linking up with: Thursday Favorite Things

Setting Creative Goals for 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 00:05:00 +0000

Oh, hello there. It's been such a long time, hasn't it?

I hardly meant to abandon Fashion Frugality but she took quite a bit of a back burner while life got lived and a wedding got planned and a new job got started over 2016.

That being said... uh, I don't mean to sound braggy, but my 2016 was actually quite kickass in a kickass awesome kind of way. But we will get to all of that on a different day. Today I want to talk a little bit about how I set a creative goal for myself for this 2017 year.

I set a creative goal (resolution? plan? I don't care what you want to call it but I like the word goal because I feel like it has more aim to it) for 2017 because I feel like life has gotten awfully non-creative. I used to have such a blast taking photos to share on Fashion Frugality, I mean... really many of them were pretty awkward and hilarious... but it was fun! I didn't care if they were magically beautifully epically edited with gorgeous backgrounds and fun locations. I just took photos! Of my style! Of frugal fashion! It was what it was and it was fun.

... why did that stop?! Seriously, why?

So, I asked myself that question a lot lately and I realized I really didn't have a good answer. Sure, things like buying a house, moving, planning a wedding, OMG PLANNING A WEDDING STILL TIRED JUST THINKING ABOUT THE PLANNING, and jobs all got in the way but... that's all just everyday things (ok, mostly) that happen to everyone. Why did I stop making time for fun, creative things?

So, yeah, I'm making time again. And I'm bringing along a new friend for the ride...

She doesn't have a name yet so feel free to throw out suggestions. Perhaps I

should name her Mauve after the carpet in our bedroom/closet that came with

our house? It's growing on me...

Honestly, I have to give a Cabi stylist that I found on Pinterest credit for the mannequin idea. I'm pretty sure I immediately re-pinned five zillion images of outfitted mannequins after I found the first one. Guys, it's like seeing a mannequin styled in a J. Crew store or an Anthropologie window display. I loved it! Why didn't I think of this before?

I don't have someone who can take photos of me on a whim in perfectly sunlit hours any day or time of the week. Often, the weather here in Michigan is drab during the winter and it is dark hours before I get home. That photo lifestyle just never worked for me and left me feeling frustrated and defeated when I didn't have the photos taken that I wanted to share. A simple fix of someone new like Miss Mannequin up there allows me to take photos when I have time and... while I am personally still in pajamas. That's creative happiness right there.

Keeping it real: This girl needs a sweater shaver to take care of that fuzz! Yikes!

Another creative goal of mine for 2017 is working on my photography skills and getting to know my camera better. I've had it for years now and I have never taken the time to hone any real skill to using it.

So here's to a creative new year and bringing back some frugal fashions to this here blog of mine!

Like the look above? It is 100% secondhand items! GAH! That makes my frugal fashion soul so happy. I've linked to similar items below so you can recreate it if you like but never forget the treasures that thrift stores hold. It's so easy to find these items secondhand too!

LOVE THE LOOK? SHOP SIMILAR ITEMS BELOW!

Wearing & Reviewing: Victoria Emerson Wrap Bracelet Review

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 16:13:00 +0000

Disclosure: Victoria Emerson provided me with a bracelet of my choice for free to wear and review. All thoughts written below are 100% mine.

If one does not post outfit pictures does one really get dressed?

HA! I kid, guys. Of course one gets dressed. I like to think I wear cute outfits almost daily (ok, let's be honest, every day cannot be a cute outfit day... sometimes it's just a "this will do" kind of day, ya know) but between life, the snow and cold air in Michigan, limited sunlit hours, dog time, planning a wedding and gym time... I never seem to get around to taking pictures of any of them! Life happens. Luckily, life slowed down a bit a couple weeks ago and I got a chance to convince my fiancé to snap a few photos of my outfit on our way to a relaxed family dinner.

Jean Jacket: thrifted Old Navy [almost exact match]
Stud Sweater: thrifted [cute tshirt option]
Maxi Skirt: thrifted and REVERSIBLE to a different animal print!
Boots: Blondo via Amazon [exact]
Wrap Bracelet: c/o Victoria Emerson [exact]
Glasses: Zenni Optical [exact]
Earrings: Gold hoops - an old gift from a previous AWESOME employer

I'm in the middle of a love affair with gold and skulls, guys. Random? Maybe. But there it is. Gold and skulls.

I've had this gold studded sweater in my closet for a few years now but seem to always forget about it. It's one of those 1980's kind of oversized, light poly sweaters that looks terrible on a hanger but once you have it on, you're like... hmm, this looks kind of cool and slouchy. Like, maybe I should be wearing this more often instead of just letting it hang for months on end without any wear. (This might also be an indication I have too many clothes. That's just a story for another day though.)

This maxi skirt embodies the perfect animal print. A little bit of tan, a little but of black - wearable with both color families. I found this particular skirt on a thrifting trip I did while on vacation a few years back in Traverse City, Michigan. I like my souvenirs to be thrifted too. So much more useable than a silly tourist trap souvenir you'll discard later on, am I right?

When Victoria Emerson reached out about sending a bracelet over to me, I eagerly agreed to try out one of their pieces and share my thoughts here on my little corner of the internet. I really liked what I saw on their site: pretty, affordable pieces of jewelry - exactly what the doctor ordered for Fashion Frugality! I chose the jet hematite and gold skulls on black wrap bracelet and could not be any happier with it. I absolutely love that it has a slight edge to it (hello, skulls) without being over the top. From far away, it simply looks like simple gold beads. Up close, fun skull arm party. (Does anyone use the word arm party anymore? I must be late to the party. Har har, get it?)

A few more good points - it is super easy to put the bracelet on yourself and, bonus, this type of bracelet works great for any wrist size! I have abnormally small wrists and sometimes find that a lot of bracelets are way too loose on me. Wearing a wrap bracelet like this means you can essentially customize it for your wrist size. In addition, while I love me some bangle bracelets, can we all agree that they are not desk work friendly? I mean, unless you like to listen to the sound of your bangles hit the desk every three seconds. I don't and I am quite sure my co-workers don't as well. That being said, this wrap bracelet is the perfect wear to work look! It has a close fit to your wrist, doesn't dangle and doesn't clang against your desk as you work. At $24, I consider this a great, affordable look.

Love my bracelet? Head on over to Victoria Emerson to get one for yourself or another piece of their beautiful jewelry. Right now you can save 20% with coupon code "fashionfrugal20"!

LOVE THE LOOK? SHOP SIMILAR ITEMS BELOW!

Linking up with: The Pleated Poppy!

Join me for another Goodwill Pop Up Shop!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 01:21:00 +0000

Here's the pop up shop's, YB Blue, details before I get any further:
WHEN: Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 10am-4pm
WHERE: Shed 2 at the Detroit Eastern Market, Michigan
WHAT: Goodwill clothing items & home items, hand picked by me!
WHY: Shop-Save-Donate-Help ----> Your donated/purchased goods help put people to work and you save money on great items! You can read more about Goodwill here.

Guys, over the past month I have been visiting all five of the Metro-Detroit area Goodwill stores to hunt down great clothing pieces, fabulous vintage clothing and fun home items for you to shop at this month's pop up shop at Eastern Market in Detroit! I had a blast and may or may not have also picked up a few items for myself while doing so... oops!

I think the Goodwill pop up shop is perfect for thrift-newbies and thrift-lovers alike! You get a curated taste of the great items that you can find at Goodwill without becoming overwhelmed with everything you might see in one of the stores.

I hope you have the time to come out and join us!

In case you're not already following me on instagram - stop by and follow this week to preview some of my favorite finds that you'll be able to pick up on Sunday!

Channeling Jenna Lyons

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000

I'm beginning to think that Jenna Lyons (president and executive creative director at J. Crew, if you don't know) is my spirit woman. I'd say spirit animal but she's obviously not that. The woman knows how to dress and I've caught on... she seems to always pair her eye catching glasses with the perfect topper. A jacket. A coat. A blazer. A button up. The woman always has the perfect topper - be it simple or be it statement, it always looks perfect and very HER. I love how she looks classic even when she is wearing something very un-classic. I decided to switch that up and paired my very un-classic glasses with a classic topper...

Jeans: Old Navy [exact for $22]
Blazer: Apostrophe, Thrifted [love this tuxedo jacket for $32.90!]
Tunic Button Up: Worthington, JCPenney [polka-dotted J. Crew for $24.99!]
Shoes: Franco Sarto, Thrifted [similar in patent leather for $17.70!]
Eyewear: Zenni Optical #636024 [exact - just $19!]
Monogram Bracelet: c/o 9th & Elm [exact]

There's something so delightfully easy about black and white, a blazer and a button up, denim and oxfords. I'd love to say I'd like to "simplify" my closet and cut myself down to all black and white pieces... but a girl just needs some color in her life. I do, at least. These glasses are one of my favorite colorful pieces. I get a lot of questions when I wear them: Are they real? As in, do I have prescription lenses? Yes, most certainly. My driving is better for it. :) Do they glow in the dark? Har har, no. But I guess that would be pretty cool. Does the color hurt your eyes? Only first thing in the morning when I am half awake. Only slightly kidding. Some people love them, some seem horrified by them. It's cool. I fully realize neon green is not every person's cup of tea. (I dislike tea, for the record.)

My favorite piece of jewelry right now is this perfectly sized monogram bracelet that I picked up thanks to 9th & Elm. I've been admiring monogrammed pieces for a while now but was never sure what type of piece I would want to get monogrammed for myself. When I saw this bracelet I knew it was the piece I had been looking for - silver, small but not too small, and affordable. It works well worn alone and also stacked with other bracelets.

Can we have a keeping it blogger-style real moment, please? First of all, yep, my shirt is hella wrinkly. These photos were taken around 7pm after a full work day, a walk with my new puppy and plenty of playing with my puppy. Wrinkles happen, man. Second of all, my fiancé (engagement/wedding stuff is another planned post, I'm getting there... I swear) told me I was wearing this bracelet wrong and made me fix it before I took photos so that my monogram is facing anyone in front of me instead of facing me. I feel like it is strange to wear that way. Am I wrong? Please school me: how do you/would you wear a monogram bracelet? Am I silly for wearing it facing me?

Summer Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:59:00 +0000

I feel a little silly telling you that these are a few of my favorite pieces of clothing this summer. I mean... jeans and essentially what can be called a jacket? For summer? Erm. I know. Doesn't seem quite right to me either but this summer has been very mild here in Michigan (or perhaps my body is still thawing out from the ridiculous winter we had) so things I would normally cringe just thinking about wearing in our normally hot and humid temps have gotten a pass this year. As much as I would like to say that has annoyed me, it really hasn't. This girl will take the chance to layer any day of the week. :)

Jacket: Lady Bayard (vintage), Estate sale find, $1.00 [similar idea but different print/colors]
Jeans: Pilcro & The Letterpress (ANTHRO BRAND!), Salvation Army, $7 [exact pair but full price]
Tee: Cheapie old-as-dirt Kohl's buy
Sandals: Guess via T.J. Maxx clearance, $10 [similar w/ studs]
Earrings: Blossoming Trio, made by 4 All Humanity via c/o 9th & Elm
Bracelet: Fitbit Flex (keeping it real!)
Glasses: Zenni Optical

When 9th & Elm contacted me earlier this summer and asked if I would like to try out their site and pick a few items out, I was all ears. HAR HAR. But really, I was looking to add some statement earrings to my wardrobe seeing as how I seem to have quite an array of necklaces and bangles but just a few pairs of earrings. Summer always feels like a good time for earrings, right? Minimal skin contact and easy. Earrings feel like less work than a necklace or a bracelet does. At least to me.

I was eager to give the new-to-me 9th & Elm a try as I am a huge fan of any shopping site that promotes the work of handmade and independent designers. When I'm not spending money at thrift stores or estate sales, I like to spend it on items that are handmade or one-of-a-kind. I love supporting small businesses by purchasing their well made, unique items! I like that 9th & Elm puts together a daily email that shows me all of their sales and hot items - it's a nice curated look at handmade items at great prices.

The earrings I am wearing here are the Blossoming Trio earrings from 4 All Humanity. I loved the shape, size and color of them but I also really liked that 4 All Humanity employs artisans in impoverished areas that use fair trade and homemade products to create their items. Fashionable and friendly? That's a great combination. I was pleasantly surprised when I received these earrings to find out that they are super lightweight! When I ordered, I was actually worried they might be a bit hefty on my ears and I am not a fan of sagging lobes due to a pair of earrings. These give all the look of a beautiful statement earring without all the weight they so often seem to have.

Unfortunately, these are no longer available on the 9th & Elm website, but, no worries, there are lots of beautiful earrings you can choose from! Here are a few of my favorites that are all under $27:

(1.) Silver and Green Glass Earrings by The Glass Bird, (2.) Cream Chevron Earrings by Megan's Beaded Designs, (3.) Faceted Turquoise Studs by Pink Avenger, (4.) Aqua Tassel Earrings by 4 All Humanity

Stay tuned for more looks that include jewelry that I picked up from 9th & Elm!

{Linking up with What I Wore!}

Makeup by One Direction: The Looks Collection Review

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 22:32:00 +0000

Disclosure: A makeup kit was provided to me for free by Markwins in connection with Brand Backer. This review, however, was written by me personally and reflects my personal opinions after trying the product. I was not expected to provide a favorable review.

Recently I had a chance to try out one of the new makeup kits in the Makeup by One Direction Looks Collection. OK, I know what you're thinking: One Direction and makeup? How do these things go together? I get it. But I kind of like these sort of collaborations... they are different and who says one thing goes with another? Am I right?! That being said, I was excited to try one of the kits because, despite generally being a makeup minimalist, I have such a thing for makeup kits! I love it when I can get a whole perfectly packaged look within one item. It takes a bit of the guess work out for those that are looking for an easy look or maybe aren't very cosmetically inclined.

The Looks Collection includes three different kits inspired by One Direction's three albums: Up All Night, Take Me Home and Midnight Memories. The Take Me Home and Midnight Memories kit appear to include some pretty neutrals with a pop of an accent color in each. I received the Up All Night collection which included two neutral eye colors, three pops of blue eye colors, a hot pink gloss (that GLOWS under a black light!), a vibrant blue chubby eye pencil, a vibrant pink creme lipstick, a good basic black mascara, a funky blue/green metallic nail color and stencils to create cosmetic tattoo-type creations. To say I was challenged was a bit of an understatement. Blue eyeshadow? This girl? Let's just say, the alternative title for this post should be: How to wear blue eyeshadow without looking like a 1980's prom queen. Because I think I achieved that and I think I became a blue eyeshadow fan while doing it!

I put together three different makeup looks using this kit that I hope you'll find useful. I am most certainly not a beauty blogger but I like to dabble in it every so often. That being said, I feel I should fully disclose that I like to spend probably 10 minutes or less putting on makeup. I also don't believe in using 2847475736 products. It's just not in my nature nor do I, personally, feel it is good for my skin. As you'll see, I'm prone to breakouts and covering my entire face in heavy makeup only makes it worse. If you can handle that, then I hope you'll like the looks I put together!

MY EVERYDAY STLE LOOK

Products used here include: More than This on entire eyelid, Gotta Be You on eye crease, Little Black Dress mascara and Taken lip gloss. Nothing too fancy about this look but this is true to my every day style. A simple eye with just a curled eyelash (no mascara), a bit of blush and a little pop of color with gloss. I'm an avid eyewear fan so I don't often feel the need to go to town on the eye makeup. For every day makeup, I follow the "KISS" method: Keep It Simple Stupid. ;-) The Taken lip gloss appears very bright pink in the tube but goes on pretty sheer. I imagine it could be layered for a brighter look, but I like the subdued pop of pink it gives me in this look.

FUN DATE NIGHT LOOK

Products used here include: More Than This on entire eyelid, mix of Gotta Be You and Save You Tonight on eye crease, and Stand Up creamy eye stick as top and bottom liner. This is a look I would wear on a fun date night to somewhere like a concert or eating out at a funky restaurant in downtown Detroit. It's much more makeup than I would normally wear during the day so it's perfect to up the anty a bit for a date night. I kept my lips nude with a bit of glossy chapstick considering the eyes were heavily lined with the creamy blue eye pencil. I smudged the pencil a bit with a Q-tip to purposely make the look a little more deliberately messy.

A FANCY VINTAGE LOOK

Products used here include: More Than This on entire eyelid, mix of Gotta Be You and Save You Tonight on eye crease, Another World eye color used as top liner, Little Black Dress mascara, and I Should Have Kissed You creme lipstick topped with the Taken lipgloss. Guys, I love this look. My favorite makeup look, when dressing up, is a good cat eye flick paired with a pink lip. Normally my cat eye is made using typical black liner but I love this updated look with the blue glitzy Another World as the liner! I think I am a blue convert.

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Final thoughts: I'm surprised by how much I like these shades! I imagine they are geared towards a younger crowd but I think I made them also work for those of us that are, ahem, 30 and possibly older. ;-) My favorite pieces of the collection are all of the eyeshadows and the Taken lipgloss. The eyeshadows are easy to apply, stay put and don't have much fallout. The shades blend well and compliment each other or work well alone. The lipgloss has a great, flat applicator brush, has a great color to it that I think would work for a lot of different complexions and also has a very faint, sweet scent. My least favorite part of the collection is the Stand Up blue creamy eye color stick. I found it was a little hard to apply neatly so it is best used for a smudge-necessary look like my Fun Date Night look above. I also wish the kits came with a cheek color in order to complete the kit and make it an entire look. Other than that, I think these kits are a great value!

Are you loving this collection as much as I am? Are you interested in checking out the rest of the kits? You're in luck! Kits hit Macy's stores around the U.S. starting today, August 11, 2014! After that, you can start finding them in Stage Stores, Dillards, Beauty Brands and Lord and Taylor stores on August 25, 2014. International releases will be announced soon!

Don't forget to connect with Makeup by One Direction on their facebook page!

Join me for a Goodwill Pop Up Shop!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 01:23:00 +0000

I was ALL ears a few months ago when Suze contacted me a few months ago about working with Goodwill to style some outfits for a pop up shop they were putting together for the Detroit Eastern Market. If you've been following me on instagram or twitter, you know that I've been hopping into my little Smart car and shopping and styling my little heart out ever since!

Here's the pop up shop's, YB Blue, details before I get any further:
WHEN: Sunday, July 27, 2014 from 10am-4pm
WHERE: Shed 2 at the Detroit Eastern Market, Michigan
WHO: Goodwill outfits styled by me & hand-picked home items!
WHY: Shop-Save-Donate-Help ----> Your donated/purchased goods help put people to work while you save money on great items!

Each Sunday the YB Blue pop up shop has had a different Detroit-based stylist selecting the pieces you can purchase! Each shop features between 30-50 styled outfits and accessories along with hand-selected home items and even vintage pieces that Goodwill has curated!

As you probably know by now, I'm an avid thrift store shopper. I've come to a point in my life where, nine times out of ten, I prefer an item secondhand because it not only works for my budget out of necessity but also out of desirability. I can always find five (or more!) well-made pieces of clothing for the price of one piece at a non-secondhand store. And that one piece is probably not as nice as those five I can find at the thrift store. I also like the variety of items I can find in one store, as I'd say my style varies from different looks depending on the day... I don't have to wander from store to store to find what I'm looking for - I can find it all within one Goodwill shop!

I have spent the last few months visiting each of the three metro-Detroit area Goodwill stores selecting pieces for outfits I've put together with every size kept in mind - from extra small to 2X. I tried to make sure to include every beautiful size and every kind of style. I, myself, like I said, like a good mix in my closet. I think you'll find the same to be true here - from work appropriate (but still sassy!), to vintage, to summer ready, to ready for winter... a little bit of this and a little bit of that, I hope everyone can find something that they are looking for, or, better yet, that special piece that you didn't even realize was missing from your closet! :)

But, wait, are you new to shopping second hand? Not sure if it is for you? Or maybe you like shopping second hand but have a hard time finding the time or the patience to put pieces together? Then the YB Blue pop up shop is perfect for you too. I think it will give thrift-newbies and impatient shoppers an easy shopping experience! The outfits are already put together for you and you get a curated taste of the great items that you can find at Goodwill without becoming overwhelmed with everything you might see in one of the stores.

Here's a little sneak peek at some of the outfits I put together for the shop...

Want to see more? You can find these images and more if you follow me on instagram and/or twitter. Want some general outfit inspiration? Follow me on pinterest and pay close attention to my dedicated YB Blue Inspiration board where I'm pinning all sorts of outfit ideas with the pieces I have already selected kept close in mind!

Can't wait to see you at the shop!

Winning Wednesday: Fashion/Beauty Giveaway Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 01:12:00 +0000

Winning Wednesday is back! Below I have put together a list of my top 10 favorite fashion/beauty giveaways going on this week. I hope you take the time to enter each one - you never know, you might be the next lucky winner!

1. Emily Reviews is hosting a giveaway for a $75 gift certificate to Me and My Feet. I'd love to use this on a pair of the limited edition gold Saltwater Sandals - these are literally the most comfortable sandals in the world and the gold just makes them even more fresh. Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 24, 2014

2. Essie is hosting a "Mojito Madness" summer sweepstakes! Lots of prizes are involved including weekly prizes of manicure kits and $100 Piperlime gift cards and a grand prize of a $1000 Piperlime gift card! Click here to enter! (Note: I receive additional entries by you using that link to enter - thank you!)
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 31, 2014 --- but remember you can enter daily!

3. Hellorigby! is hosting a giveaway for a super cute anchor dress and anchor jewelry from Style Gather. I love the nautical theme - especially during the summer when all I want to do is be anywhere remotely water-related. Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 12, 2014

4. Do you have a passion for fashion? Link up with Lena B Actually's Passion for Fashion this week in order to earn yourself an entry into winning a $20 Modcloth gift card. Anything fashion goes! Click here to link up and enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 10, 2014

5. Selective Potential is giveaway your choice of shoes from BOBS from Skechers to two lucky readers! I'm totally digging the floral design on the Utopia-Turfs style. Can't you just picture those now with a striped dress? Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 15, 2014

6. In Honor of Design is showing off her perfect nude high heels and offering up a pair of Shoemint shoes of choice to one lucky reader! Since I am forever in a boot state of mind, I am loving the Violette in nude - such a great summer bootie! Click here to enter! (Note: I used my Shoemint referral link here which means any purchase you make after clicking the link will result in Shoemint points for me. Thank you!)
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 15, 2014

7. Love your monogram? Bramblewood Fashion teamed up with ONecklace to offer one reader a $25 gift card to the ONecklace etsy shop! I like their necklaces but I'm actually really digging their ring selection! Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 25, 2014

8. Here & Now is giving away the ultimate gift card for anyone: A $100 Target gift card! Get all the low down on her honeymoon packing essentials and enter to win this fabulous prize while you're at it. Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 13, 2014

9. Blue Eyed Finch and a group of other bloggers are offering up a huge giveaway: a little bit of fashion for your home in the form of gold foil fashion prints and $300 cash! I think these pretty prints would look right at home in my half-bath and that $300 would look just as pretty in my wallet. ;-) Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 15, 2014

10. Love nude eye makeup looks? Me too. Blushing Noir sampled the Maybelline The Nudes Expert Wear Palette and shows off great swatches for you to get a real feel for each shade. Even better, she is offering one up for one lucky reader! Click here to enter! (Note: The Maybelline link is an affiliate link to Ulta - thank you!)
GIVEAWAY ENDS: July 22, 2014

Do you have a fashion and/or beauty giveaway going on right now? I'd love for you to join me and link up with my NEW Winning Wednesday giveaway linky! Each week I will be hosting a new round up and may feature your giveaway in my favorites! All I ask is that your giveaway be fashion or beauty related somehow - it can be geared toward women, men or children. Please include the name of your blog, the giveaway item and the date the giveaway closes. For example: Fashion Frugality | $50 JCrew Gift Card| 07/14/14.

PEACHY KEEN

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 15:36:00 +0000

Recently I took a trip to Kohl's to use up some Kohl's cash I had earned from buying my guy a new set of luggage for our vacation to Cozumel in May. I went in on the hunt for something perfect for summer and, as a requisite, it needed to not be a dark color. Lately, I feel like all I ever wear is black! Summer is here - I need to start dressing like it!

I came across this peach toned dress on the clearance rack and it fit the bill perfectly. It's sleeveless so it's perfect to wear now AND wear later (something I always aim to do with my clothes), has great color, and is super comfortable. Oddly enough, though I bought it with summer heat in mind, the first time I wore it, it was actually a slightly chilly day so layers were a must.

Dress: ELLE from Kohls [similar for $34.99] - FREE after Kohl's cash & gift card
Lace Sweatshirt: Dots [Similar in navy for $22] - $15
White Jean Jacket: GAP via Salvation Army [LOVE this one!]
Shoes: Mossimo from Target [d'Orsey version for $20] - $6.48 clearance find
Necklace: Vintage estate sale find
Eyewear: Zenni Optical [exact] - $25.95

LOVE THE LOOK? SHOP SIMILAR ITEMS BELOW! Linking up with: Passion for Fashion at Lena B, Actually!

I'M BAAAA-CCCKKKK!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 01:27:00 +0000

Oh, hello.
Remember me?
Little 'ol Fashion Frugality?
Well, I'm back and have lots to share with you along with a brand new look!
Stay tuned for more soon as I whittle out all the bugs around here...

Put a bird on it!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 01:38:00 +0000

Disclosure: I was provided with a MakerWear hat of my choice and Target gift card in return for my honest opinion of the product and brand. Opinions expressed are always, always my own. The compensation received will never influence my content.

Now that we've talked about hats let me show you the MakerWear hat that I picked out!

Skirt: Vintage, Hand me UP from Suze! (similar stripe skirt in pastel shades)
Sweater: Merona, Thrifted (similar green cableknit sweater)
Denim Jacket: Old Navy, Thrifted (similar and under $40!)
Boots: St John's Bay, Thrifted, $4.60 (similar brown boots under $30)
Necklace: Old Navy, $4.99 (gorgeous triangle shape necklace alternative)
Hat: ℅ MakerWear [retails for $16.99]
Glasses: Firmoo, $6.95 [exact pair]

Naturally, out of all their hats, it was the Put A Bird On It hat that spoke to me… I'm loving it for two reasons: 1.) It's navy and I think I'm having a color love affair with navy right now and 2.) The birds give it a vintage, happy feel. The artist that created the design is J.J. Spectre who, according the artist bio (all can be found with each hat on the site and the tag that come with the hat), is a unicorn who is a design nerd and type lover. Sounds like a fun guy/gal… hope they're enjoying how I styled the design!

Since the birds are quite colorful, I thought I would go that route too. As you can tell, it was a sunny day and, despite being cold, a sunny day calls for color, am I right? This skirt is such a favorite of mine… I could never believe Suze gave it up, but I'm glad she did and that it came to live with me! This denim jacket is also quite a go to for me… I think it was supposed to be a dress but I use it as a jacket - it fits perfectly over almost everything and covers all the right areas. :-)

I had the day off on Monday so I wore this to do some thrift shopping since it was a half off clothes sale day at Salvation Army. Super comfortable and easy to wear… I normally wear a headband when I don't feel like washing my hair, but I think this hat is a great new addition for those kinds of days! Why did I never think of that before? Cute accessory doing double duty to cover up yesterday's hair? Yes, please.

I love that the underside of the hat brim is a different color than the rest of it. It adds a fun pop of color that I think looks great with my glasses… or my Sally Jesse Raphael's, as I call them. Please tell me you know who SJR is or we might have issues... Plus, red and navy together are just so classic - you can't go wrong with that combination.

One of my favorite things about the hat is that IT FITS MY HEAD! Such a novel concept but I swear I often try on hats and they never seem to really fit my head. I don't know if I have a small head (I wouldn't think so), but all baseballs hats normally feel really roomy on me. This one fits perfectly snug and I think the leather strap and buckle on the back might have a lot to do with that. It allows for a really good fit and it is still easy to adjust while you have it on which I really liked - it made it easy to get the perfect fit without having it take it on and off each time.

So, let's review:

MakerWear is powered by the people - they call it "curated crowd sourcing" and they're using it as a powerful new way to bring fashion to market. Independent artists make designs, the best designs get made and…
They are sold at Target! I'm sure you can agree - it's one of the best stores. Click here to see if they are available at a Target store near you. (Unfortunately, they're not available in every store yet but let's change that, shall we!?)
The hats retail for $16.99. Less than a twenty spot for a new accessory that looks cute AND covers up that dirty hair that we all know you didn't wash this morning……. ;-)

________________________________________

Ready to become a part of the MakerWear revolution? There are a few ways you can take part:

1. BECOME THE FACE OF THE REVOLUTION! Become the role model for the maker revolution… not only will you star in their photoshoot, but you'll also win a $1,000 Target gift card. Uhhh, HELLO! Click here to learn how you can enter! I would love to see one of my readers win this!

2. JOIN ME FOR A TWITTER PARTY! I'll be joining the @MakerWearDesign twitter party hosted by @ThriftyChicMom and @TammileeTips tomorrow, January 22nd, at 9pm. You'll definitely want to come too because there will be fabulous giveaways: five $25 Target gift cards, one $100 Target gift card and 15 MakerWear hats! Head on over to Thrifty & Chic Mom to view the official party details. See you there!

SHOP THE LOOK:

Let's talk hats...

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 05:04:00 +0000

Disclosure: I was provided with a MakerWear hat of my choice and Target gift card in return for my honest opinion of the product and brand. Opinions expressed are always, always my own. The compensation received will never influence my content.

Can we talk about hats for a minute? I feel like they are popping up everywhere on everyone's heads… and I'm not talking just for warmth purposes. (Although the past few weeks here in Michigan have been FRIGID. I'm sure many of you can relate.) I'm talking wide brim hats, I'm talking beanies with fancy details, I'm talking baseball hats. I'm especially talking baseball hats.

Growing up, my favorite hat was a deep, bright pink felt hat that had a black ribbon around it. Very much a girlie-girl, I was never into the baseball caps my older brother wore on a daily basis. Back then, they didn't exactly have a wide variety of baseball caps for girls who weren't interested in sports teams. Nowadays, there are so many more choices and I am loving them...

Photo Credit: Garance Dore, Chic City Fashion, J. Crew, Waiting On Martha
I've been gathering some quoteunquote intel on some of my favorite ways others have worn a baseball hat and I am coming to the conclusion that I like mine with a side of feminine touches. Soft leather, full scarves, cuffed sleeves, and amazing statement earrings? Yes, yes, and yes please!

So I was itching to get a hat of my own when Ellen of Thrifty and Chic Mom contacted me asking if she could introduce me to MakerWear - it was kismet! I'm loving the design I picked out and can't wait to show it off to you tomorrow, but let me tell you a little about the MakerWear folks first.

MakerWear is powered by the people - as in, the best designs get made and the designer gets a cut of the sales. They call it "curated crowd sourcing" and I love it! Anyone can become the next designer and what the people want gets made. Underground artists get a voice. New ideas come to the forefront. It's a whole new way of bringing new fashion ideas to market. The hat's tag really sells that idea home:

Right now you can check out all their current designs on their website and can buy the designs in select Target stores. I'm delighted that my favorite mass merchandiser is carrying this brand and hope that more of their stores will start to as well - if you're wondering if you can find them in your neck of the woods, you can use their handy dandy "find your nearest store" tool to find out.

And you know what else is cool? They're currently looking for a face for their revolution… yep, you could be their cover girl! Their model search begins today, January 20th, and runs through February 9th. If you win, you will not only be their cover girl but you'll also have a $1,000 Target gift card in your hand. And, I'm just sayin'… there's a lot you could do with a $1,000 Target gift card. ;-)

Come back tomorrow to see which design I selected and how I wore it… till then, are you into rocking the baseball hat? Which MakerWear design can you see yourself wearing?

Knock, Knock! Anyone there?

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:03:00 +0000

Guys, it's been ages. Is anyone out there!? Hello, can you hear me? :-) While I've been away, I've been keeping up with everyone via all our social media avenues… but I have been missing my blog something fierce! I miss sharing my good deal alerts and frugal outfits. I miss Winning Wednesday posts!

Here's a little dose of what I have been up to since you last heard from me here...

BOUGHT A HOUSE IN JULY! I call it my Christmas-in-July gift! Best ever! :)

Wore lots of dots… don't act surprised!

Finally bought new glasses… um, five pairs to be exact. These are from Zenni Optical.

Thrifted like a mad woman… psst, this cost $2.10!

And went back to school to study Small Business Administration!

That being said… my plate is pretty full but I am excited to add this as an extra slice to it all. I have some new outfits coming soon, an exciting new hat line to share with you, a new layout to roll out and lots of fashionable giveaways to carry on Winning Wednesdays! See you soon!

Tried & True Review: L'Oreal Paris Magic B.B. Cream

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 02:33:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, SheSpeaks offered me the chance to try L'Oreal's Magic B.B. Cream and I jumped at it! I have been reading SO many good things about b.b. creams but had yet to take the plunge because I was pretty happy with my current makeup - which consisted of a foundation and concealer combination. I'm always up to change things up - especially if it comes with the promise of not only covering the things I'd like to hide but also correct issues over time! After using it almost daily for a few weeks now, I can honestly say that I am a believer!

A few things you should know: My skin is sensitive. My skin is acne prone. My skin is combination. I have what some call "adult acne"... I like to call it stress acne. I never had problem skin in middle school, high school or college. Honestly, I never had much acne up until the last few years of my life. Why it suddenly started to appear now is beyond me - I just know I want it GONE or at least hidden. The L'Oreal Paris Magic B.B. Cream has helped me do a good job of that while still letting my skin breathe. That is something I really appreciate and can be rare to find. I have tried dozens of different concealers, foundations, tinted moisturizers and powders over the years. This one is my favorite.

That being said, I thought to best demonstrate the coverage, you would want to see some before and after photos. I'm hardly afraid to show myself without a stitch of makeup - my skin is what it is. I will admit that it looks better when I eat better, get good amounts of sleep, work out and have low stress levels... but this is the real world and I rarely maintain that kind of heavenly schedule. :) The stress part has especially been high lately so my skin is certainly wearing some flair buttons right now, as I like to say...

Here it is for you: Not a single stitch of makeup. Fresh from the shower. Acne, visible pores, dark circles. All things no one really likes to have, but it is what it is.

This is after using just the L'Oreal Magic B.B. Cream. I like that it provides a more even base for me. It takes away a lot of my redness and covers up my acne decently enough. Most importantly: It feels so light - like I am literally wearing nothing! (Note: I never add any makeup to my forehead because my bangs are not a fan of sticking to makeup!)

My typical completed look: Added a little extra coverage with some concealer, a little bit of eyeshadow/eyeliner, mascara, blush and gloss. (And in desperate need of a hair cut! Just disregard that!)

Perhaps you're wondering at this point what the heck B.B. Cream even is.... I understand! I had to google it when I first heard of them because I had no idea either! I kept seeing all kinds of these new creams pop up with no explanation of what they even were. Well, "B.B." stands for beauty balm. The L'Oreal B.B. Cream comes with the promise that it has four actions - prime, perfect, hydrate and correct. I found that it stood by that promise:

Prime: I own a Stila primer but never feel the need to use it with this cream. It covers smoothly without any help.
Perfect: It lightly covers my acne and red spots just like a foundation would - without the heavy feel. Admittedly, I do still use concealer as I feel I need the extra coverage in certain areas.
Hydrate: I don't use a moisturizer with it at all. While I do have dry spots, I wouldn't consider my skin to be especially dry so this might be different for each person. Keep in mind, though, it is winter in Michigan. And I still don't have to use a moisturizer with it. Awesome.
Correct: I can honestly say I have seen an improvement in my skin. I have seen a little bit less acne and have noticed that a lot of my older acne spots have started to fade.

Overall, at around $10.95 a bottle, I can 100% feel comfortable recommending this product. It can be found in drugstores, is budget friendly, and lasts! A little goes a long way and will last you all day. I love this as an addition to my everyday look. It is so easy to apply and I never feel like I have to worry if my makeup looks or feels obvious. This is light but effective.

Disclosure: I was provided the L'Oreal Paris Magic B.B. Cream (in Fair) free of charge from SheSpeaks. This review, however, was written by me personally and reflects my personal opinions after trying the product. I was not expected to provide a favorable review.

Winning Wednesday: 10 Fashionable Giveaways

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 04:58:00 +0000

Winning Wednesday is back! Below I have put together a list of my top 10 favorite fashionable giveaways going on this week. I hope you take the time to enter each one - you never know, you might be the next lucky winner!

1. The Average Girl's Guide and Ebates is giving one lucky reader a $100 gift certificate to GAP! I would totally buy these metallic dot legging jeans if I won. Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: November 27, 2012

2. Pop of Style is giving away an amazing statement necklace from Trend Boutique! I think I would keep my outfit simple with this - just a simple black dress and a jean jacket. Let this baby really shine! Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: November 28, 2012

3. Haute Whimsy is giving away a pretty luxe cowl from Foldi. This is sure to keep you nice and cozy during these cold winter months! Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: November 25, 2012

4. Wildflowers in Bloom is giving away a pair of boot socks from PeekABoot! I love the look of tall socks with boots - so cozy! Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: November 26, 2012

5. The Art and Tree Chatter Blog is giving away a silver wreath ring from Kate Szabone Jewelry. I love classic rings like this one - they look great with everything. Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: December 5, 2012

6. Chic Luxuries is giving away an Alexa bag from BagInc! I absolutely LOVE the stud detail on the bottom of this bag! It is so tough! Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: December 10, 2012

7. Wear Abouts is giving away a $30 gift certificate to H.C.B. I'd love to purchase the chevron maxi dress - there is nothing quite like a comfy maxi dress, am I right? Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: December 5, 2012

8. Rebecca is hosting a mini giveaway for her silver hoops in the gemstone color of your choice! I think the burgandy gemstone would be perfect! Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: November 28, 2012

9. Wldhrts is giving away a piece of jewelry from Lucidity by Uma to two lucky winners! I really like her simple silver peter pan necklace. I think it would be a great accent piece to wear with a bunch of my favorite dresses. Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: December 1, 2012

10. Sweet Fix is giving away a pair of gold plated earrings from Maria Corcuera Jewelry. I love how delicate these are - I can see them paired with some pink and white tones. Click to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: December 5, 2012

Do you have a fashion/beauty giveaway you'd like featured on one of my Winning Wednesday posts? Drop me a line at fashionfrugality@gmail.com to let me know about it! I'd love to include you!

Free Apparel Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:46:00 +0000

I know it has been a while but I promise you I am still lurking around these frugal fashion parts... I got busy back in March and then lost momentum from there - I'm sure you've been able to tell!

I'm slowly but surely working to get back to blogging and, with that, a totally new blog layout. This one needs some updating... and perhaps an actual about me and blogroll page to boot!

But today? Today is about pure, unadulterated, frugal fashion. How frugal, you ask? How about free...

You heard me: FREE! Sears Outlet Stores gives away free apparel every Tuesday! All you have to do is become a Shop Your Way Rewards member, print off the coupon and head to the store! You get to pick from nearly anything (the coupon will tell you what is excluded) your heart desires in the store.

Looking for a coupon? Head over to the Sears Outlet Stores facebook page and like their page to get ahold of these awesome coupons. And if you throw an extra tshirt or two into your shopping cart, never fear - this is an outlet store so the prices are already amazing!

I picked up this summer friendly sleeveless chambray tunic from Canyon River Blues. The original price was $36.00. The outlet price was marked down to $7. PLUS, all the misses tops were on sale today for $4. My total came to $0 thanks to the awesome free apparel coupon.

So don't forget: Next Tuesday, print off your coupon and head to your local Sears Outlet store. I'll meet you back here to talk about and show off our free new fashion! :)

Psst! Did you become a fan of Sears Outlet on facebook? Why don't you like the Fashion Frugality page too!

First Day of Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:42:00 +0000

In case you didn't know - today is the first day of spring. I will take a spring day that includes blue, sunny skies and 75 degrees any day - let alone the first. I think that is a great indication of how wonderful this spring and summer will be, no? Shall we sing our spring praises? Ahem. No? Oh.

Top: Liberty of London for Target, Thrifted, $4.99

Necklace: Gift, Made by my best friend

Winning Wednesday: Great Fashion Giveaways!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:20:00 +0000

Winning a giveaway is fantastic for two reasons: 1.) You have a new item to add to your wardrobe for free. What could be more frugal than that!? 2.) You are (most likely) introduced to a new company/store/brand/what-have-you. This is a great way to try something you either might not have bought on your own or try something you may have never heard about prior! I love that. This, my friends, is why every week I write a little post called Winning Wednesday.

1. Koi Story is giving away winner's choice of shoe from B.A.I.T Footwear! I love the Hariette style in black! Which is your favorite? Check them out and then click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 20, 2012

2. Tooodayi is giving away a super cool Blue Rose floral brooch from Oh Blackbird. I love the idea of this pretty brooch pinned to a flowy spring dress! Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 17, 2012

3. Stylish by Nature is giving away a $50 gift certificate to Fox House! I'm digging their Danny Sheer Dress - I think it'd look cute over some black skinny jeans and killer heels for a night out. Click here to head on over to Stylish by Nature to win the gift certificate and own a piece you love!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 30, 2012

4. Blush and Blossom is giving away one of her pretty handmade headbands this week! Head on over to enter to win so you can add this pretty piece to your hairdrobe! :)
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 27, 2012

5. I Heart This Blog is giving away a simple yet beautiful necklace from Silver Lotus Designs. Better yet, the winner gets to choose whether they would like the silver or gold version of the winning necklace! I'm a silver girl myself, typically... how about you? Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 19, 2012

6. Irish Italian Blessings is giving away a GORGEOUS green agate ring from Binster. The ring can be worn alone or stacked with other rings from her shop. I absolutely love the color and simplicity of this ring - so pretty! Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 16, 2012

7. Jesse Anne Designs is giving away a goldtone vintage jewelry set and gift card to . This is a perfect set to add a little sparkle to your spring wardrobe! Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 31, 2012

8. A Thought Is The Blossom is giving away a pair of Blowfish shoes to one lucky reader! My favorite pair in their shop right now is the Rulla - SO CUTE! Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 15, 2012

9. Oh To Be A Muse is giving one lucky reader a $50 gift certificate to Shabby Apple! The question is - what would you buy if you won!? I'd totally indulge in the Overboard dress - I have been lusting over that for a while now! Click here to enter and be included in on this giveaway!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 23, 2012

10. De*Nada is giving away a four piece gift set from their most recent collection of knit goodies! Head on over to their blog to check out the pieces and learn how to win! Winter is over yet, folks! :)
GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 30, 2012

1. Chic Luxuries is giving away a pretty beaded bracelet from Isabella Rose Designs. This would look so pretty with a spring dress! Click here to enter!

GIVEAWAY ENDS: March 16, 2012

Do you have a fashion/beauty giveaway you'd like featured on one of my Winning Wednesday posts? Drop me a line at fashionfrugality@gmail.com to let me know about it! I'd love to include you!

EBEW: Gingham and Green

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:45:00 +0000

Everybody, Everywear always reinvigorates my passion for sharing my outfit. I love seeing the different ways everyone takes an idea and runs with it.

It was decided that this month would be devoted to green. Well, naturally. Green is perfect for March - it makes me think of fresh grass coming up through the snow, cold and muck of winter. And it, of course, runs perfectly with St. Patrick's Day!

Top: Shirley of Atlanta, FREE, Inherited from my boyfriend's grandma's closet
Skirt: Waterville, FREE, Inherited from my own grandma's closet
Boots: Sofft, Thrifted @ Value World, $6.20
Belt: Forever21, $2.50
Necklace: Bought at an estate sale, $1
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
TOTAL (not including glasses) = 9.70

I love the idea of combining pieces I've been given from my boyfriend's grandma's closet and my own grandma's closet. We all know I am a thrift lover but there is also quite a sweet spot in my heart for pieces that belonged to those I love. Even if they're not always something I would have picked for myself, I always keep everything I am given and make it work in one way or another.

Ignore that shoebox. Oops!

I paired these two together because I like the idea of a loose blouse with a more fit skirt. I don't know if it transitioned into photos as well as I would have liked but that is ok. It probably looked fresher this morning without my wrinkles and bumps. Real girls have wrinkles at the end of the day though, right? :)

I've actually wanted a green gingham shirt for as long as I can remember... which dates back to seeing the most amazing Anthropologie green gingham shirt on their website a while back. I still dream of owning that shirt one day but, in the meantime, this one will do just fine.

I added in some green eyeshadow (ok, you can't see it here but I pinky swear I was wearing it) and a crazy thick gold necklace and called it a day. I'm keeping it pretty simple these days.

Now head on over to Everybody, Everywear and check out how everyone else wore their green today!

True Story

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:46:00 +0000

Truth: I've been busy. And lazy. I've neglected my little spot on the web and I miss conversing with you guys! My closet is bursting (literally... it's a little scary in there) with lots of goodies to wear and tell you about so I am hoping to get back into the game a little bit more regularly quite soon!

I'm hoping to spend some quality time with the blog this weekend. I have high hopes of moving it to Wordpress and making it a lot more friendly and pretty. Because right now? It's sad and not pretty and pretty bland. Let's put a stop to bland, shall we?

Winning Wednesday: Great Fashion Giveaways!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie | FashionFrugality.com) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:12:00 +0000

1. Hope's Cafe is giving away your top of choice from Langston's. I think I would pick this plaid tunic-length button up - it would pair great with jeans and boots for an easy look. Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 27, 2012

2. Hope's Cafe is also giving away a $50 gift card to Yala Designs. I would love to get the Tessa tunic in any color - that is totally something I would wear and could wear year round. Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 22, 2012

3. Purse Pixie is giving away a J. Crew newsstand tote! GORGEOUS! Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 26, 2012

4. Transatlantic Blonde is giving away a pair of Hold Your Haunches leggings in your choice of style. Head on over to her blog and check out how great they look on her! I'm not normally a leggings girl due to my curves but these sound and look awesome! Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 28, 2012

5. My Style Diaries is giving away a super cool statement necklace from Jennifer Elizabeth. I'm thinking it would look pretty great paired with a simple black tee. Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 20, 2012

6. Fashion Is My Drug is giving away any piece of jewelry of your choice from Shop Belina! I'm personally a huge fan of their new Emily Spike Bracelet - how cool is that? Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 16, 2012 (Hurry!)

7. Blonde Bedhead is giving away a pair of shoes (your choice!) from Blowfish! Have you checked out their new spring line? I am love, love, loving the Tush wedge sandal (in every color)! Click here to enter the giveaway!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 19, 2012

8. Orchid Grey is giving away a pair of shades from Bonlook! I think we all know how much I love some sexy spex! I'm currently loving their rose gold pair. Pretty! Click here to enter to win!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 20, 2012

9. Favourite Vintage Finds is giving away a beautiful spoon bracelet from Silver Spoon Creations. You have to check out this etsy shop - it's the newest shop added to my favorites! Click here to enter!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 28, 2012

10. Jaebum Fangirl is giving away a fun mermaid design sweatshirt from Pina Styles. I love the designs this company creates! Be sure to check out their entire shop! Click here to enter the giveaway!
GIVEAWAY ENDS: February 16, 2012 (Hurry!)

Do you have a fashion/beauty giveaway you'd like featured on one of my Winning Wednesday posts? Drop me a line at fashionfrugality@gmail.com to let me know about it! I'd love to include you!