Just what I needed...

I have an interview on Monday and wanted to start the process of shopping for that perfect outfit! Typically I wouldn't buy something new for one outing - but this was a very special occasion! I knew that I needed something that would give me that extra boost of confidence!

Prior to shopping I was skimming through Pinterest for ideas of what to wear on a first interview (after all, this is my first, FIRST interview). I came across this image that had been pinned on various boards and wanted to share it with all of you. It was the reminder and inspiration that I needed.

You are ALL beautiful!!!

mth

Whatcha know about strawberries?

Goooood morning love bugs!

This morning I was looking in the mirror and just about had a conniption! All of those years of long nights in the library along side of my best friend coffee had done some serious damage to my teeth! EEK! I didn't realize how slowly I had been staining my teeth, until it was too late - post graduation! 

So, it began, time to search out a budget friendly method to my newest beauty battle! I knew automatically a professional whitening trip to the dentist was out of the budget. I turned to my friends first to see the products they may use! Similar to the cellulite seaweed wrap recommendations - the alternative was a bit too pricey. I just don't have the funds to pay $89 for a spa UV light treatment. Swing and a miss! 

It was time to consult my online buddies...I turned to my fellow economical bloggers for alternative treatments for less, in-which I learned that Crest made the most fabulous whitening strips on the market! The downfall? The product leaves your gums sensitive, which was not an option for me being the foodie that I am (I'm curvy for a reason)!

It was time to dig a little deeper into the blogosphere. Alias! I found the most wonderful recipe which I can already see a result from in just one use! The best part? It's all natural and AFFORDABLE! Yes, my favorite word. The recipe is used by the beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones herself and removes the stains (including coffee) and discoloration from your teeth.

Similar to the cellulite answer, we have to start with paying a visit to our kitchen...

Delicious strawberry photo from foodnetwork blog

Mix together:

One crushed ripe strawberry
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Apply:

With a toothbrush and leave mixture on for five minutes, remove with regular toothpaste.

I am going to repeat this once a week when I apply my cellulite scrub for a regular weekly beauty routine. Welcome back my pearly whites! 

mth

'Chalkboard' nail art tutorial!

I saw the most adorable nails yesterday when I was on the subway - and couldn't help myself but ask the girl if was a nail polish, a decal, or a lacquer! Within seconds my new friend had this video pulled up on her iPhone, ready to teach the world of the new art of chalkboard nails! 

Take a look! Going to try tonight...

mth 

Pass the pita chips!

After a long weekend of pasta salad, grilled chicken and few hundred pieces of tomato and mozzarella at my parents house - I decided it was time to start investing in my own summer recipes! Hmmm...Pinterest anyone? 

Image & recipe provided by stylemepretty.com

Being a girl with a larger pant size, I can appreciate the need to watch those evil little calories! That being said - if you're about to take a gander at the guacamole recipe to your right and wonder about the glorious nutritional facts, pump the brakes! Avocado is your friend. A friend with many fat grams, however, 'good' fat grams. Alright, continue on and look... 

Stir up the concoction and just sit back, relax and enjoy your freshly mixed & scrumptious guac with flatbread pita chips and/or crunchy tortillas. 

Oh and just a quick sidebar...I enjoy mine with a glass of Moscato or three!  

mth

Pinching Piggies

Well hello there beautiful!

I am just greatly enjoying this G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S weather this summer has finally brought us! The temp inspires me to have a moment of honesty about one of my favorite summer beauty practices. Pedicures!  I simply love the warm water in the midst of those magical crystals...but do I really need that pedicure to bring out my inner Goddess? I visit an average priced nail salon on the corner of my block - and even at the LOWEST option for a pedicure (such a budget babe) I can’t seem to score a pedicure for under $30. Yikes!

This called for a case study...

The main nail polishes used in my nail salon were China Glaze, Essie & OPI (each can easily be purchased from any Amazon retailer for under $2-$3), the main tools used were a run of the mill nail file, nail polish remover, a handful of cotton balls, pumice sponge, cuticle trimmer, oh and those magical crystal salts. With a quick trip to my local (dare I say) Wal-Mart I noticed I could obtain all items for well UNDER $20. 

Nautical nail polish image borrowed from sheknows.com

The verdict? 

Save the pedicure for a day you need a little pick me up - and spend some QT with your own piggies. Keep that $30 + tip for something more tangible and practical - like a new pair of pumps (ok ok, maybe not practical).

mth

Happy Birthday America!

Hi my patriotic pals! 

Wanted to provide you all with my fav vintage red, white & blue inspiration...

Vintage dress inspiration - corbin.bigfolioblog.com 

Nail Inspiration - lacquerologist.com

Drink inspiration - theindependenceday.com

Have a happy and safe fourth of July!

mth

Say goodbye to your cellulite woes!

Ladies, bathing suit season is upon us!

If you're a curvy lady like me, the summer season can make you sweat from more than just the heat! In my younger years I thought that finding a bathing suit that fit was the most of my worries. How much I'd give to have those days back! Today my mind is scared to look in the mirror at the clumpy mess of cellulite that is on the back of my thighs. Eek! When did that appear?

I have a few friends that frequent the spas around us for seaweed wraps that help to battle the land of cellulite on the back of their thighs, bottoms and tummies.  If you have the cash flow for this type of activity I applaud you! I hope to one day be able to fund these lovely spa outings at my whim! While I wait, I have been experimenting with many different creams, lotions, and gels that are available in at my local drugstore. Once I even asked the BF to wrap me in an at-home seaweed masque (true story). 

Among all these self-imposed treatments I have FINALLY found something that works for me! Believe it or not this isn't something you can find at your cornerstone, but rather your kitchen...and for only about $1.25 a treatment, OR less if you can swing over to Aldi's or Wal-Mart prior!

Run to your kitchen...lets get started!!

Recipe, image & cellulite loss from henryhappened.com

Mix together:

1/2 cup coffee grounds

& 1/4 cup brown sugar

Apply:

1. Olive oil to your areas with cellulite.
2. The coffee grounds and brown sugar to these areas with a circular motion.

...and rinse off!

I use this scrub every Sunday night and have seen VAST improvement. I usually exfoliate prior to applying the recipe for max results! I bought a big container of coffee grounds and brown sugar that I keep handy. You only need a splash of the olive oil so I recommend using your everyday kitchen supplies.




Let me know of your personal success stories with this recipe wonder!

mth