Hajji Mart Shopping: Aghany Purses!

Okay, so you all know I like different things, right?  During one of my Hajji Mart outtings, I found a new store that I had never shopped in before, which I now refer to as  "the purse store"  for obvious reasons.  Most of these purses will be gifts to some of the my teenagers at church, but a couple of these will be staying with me! (stay tuned for my future What I Wore's).

Just wanted to share a few of my finds with you!  If you notice below, I tagged this post as a "Vintage Finds", and even though these aren't "vintage" they are some once in a lifetime finds for moi!  Also, just to let you all know, I did some great bargaining on these and can't wait to actually wear the ones I'm keeping for myself!  Yay!

I tried to capture the stitching, patterns and details of the different designs, but it was kind of hard with my bedspread as a backdrop and very poor lighting.  Lol, but you kind of get the picture, right? 

So, what do you think of my Afghany Purses?  Leave a comment below!

Hajji Mart Shopping: Marc Jacobs Sunglasses

Yes, you read correctly, I said Hajji Mart Shopping! 

I figured while I'm out here in the "wonderful" desert, I'd find myself a little hobbie.. tee hee hee!  Visiting the local Hajji Marts once a week has become my thrill of the week!

It just so happens that, last week, I ran across theses little beauties:   

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Oversized Square Sunglasses with Retro Temples

.....and now I call them mine!

If you go into Nordstroms, these babies will run you "only" $98.  I know what you're thinking.. "the vintage shopper, paying that much for some sunglasses?"  Nope, not at all! 

The culture here is that you bargain for prices at the local markets, and is actually considered rude not to.

So, here's what I did:  first, researched the frames to make sure they were in season and "real", and obviously they were.  So, I went back to "my friend," as we say, and practiced my bargaining skills! 

In the end, I paid, just 20 dollars for these darling frames! 

As you see, I was super excited about my new glasses, and decided to model them in my dorm! 

Just for you, CS, just for you!  Lol, still in my uniform and all! 

Even though I can't wear them out here, I'll will definitely be rocking these gorgeous frames when I make my way back to the states! 

More Hajji Mart Shopping to come!!

~Cash

Sale Alert // Nine West

It's so hard to turn the other cheek on a good sale!!

Just click the picture to "Feed into Your Temptation"!!

I'm so there... early!

Money Matters // Tips on Saving

"Money doesn't grow on trees!" Don't you just hate that quote?!

The dreaded memory of my mom whipping out her coupon book, while standing in the line at Food Lion for an extra 10 minutes because she wanted to save money came to my mind when I read this article. LOL! How dare she embarrass me! However, now that I'm a wife and mother, I can dig it!

I found this article on the Yahoo! Finance page. It offers great money saving tips! You will find coupon websites, tips to save on flexible bills (ie, being green), and advice on saving on your mortgages, as well as, auto buying.

Lord knows we can all save a dollar or two! Just click HERE for tips on how to Stretch Your Pay Check!

Out & About // Quest for Vintage Finds

Today, I went out to do some Vintage/Thrift shopping! I know, I know... you may not be into the world of "hand me downs" but, just in case you're thinking of trying your hand at an occasional vintage/thrift shopping trip, I found you some simple do's and dont's of shopping. I found some pretty cool things too.. pics will be up soon(er or later)!

Yes, of course, I ran across these tips on my favorite site, O.M.O. Writes! I told you I love her site, fellow "Blogger-I-Love," Samantha Smikle has some excellent advise for you newbies to thrift!

1. Pack light and appropriately. Don't bring a big, hunky bag with you. Instead, opt for an across the shoulder bag that allows you to sift through racks among racks effortlessly.
2. Pass up the costumey pieces. You'll never wear them!
3. Stick to colors and patterns that you like. If you find a cool shirt in that vintage burgundy-from- Three's-Company color, your look may come off too vintage for your virgin vintage taste.
4. Focus on what your style is and use vintage as the source for better constructed, one-of-a-kind version!

And, here are a few of my tips, I'd like to add when shopping:

1. Dress comfortably. That's a given.

2. Go alone. You won't have to to worry about being rushed or the kids whining.
3. Make sure you have nothing but time!! There are alot of items and you'll want to examine your clothing before you purchase.

4. Try on clothes. You don't want to buy something to small because then you'll just be throwing away money. You can always shower and wash clothes when you get home (I do)!

Have fun and enjoy!!

Hemmed Up!

As I was logging on to my Yahoo account, I spotted an article on a lady named Marissa that was going on a recession proof plan for the year. Her goal is to shop at thrift stores, yard sales, things of that nature, for clothing that was $1 or less, and take it home to transform it into something new and fabulous. I do NOT know why this triggered my interest, but curiosity took over and I took a gander at what she was creating. And WOW! I've got to show you some before and afters because this chick with needle and thread is amazing!!!

And most of her outfits cost less than $5 to make! I am soooo inspired to get on the good foot and learn to sew and re-use my current clothing in new ways. I always wanted to, but just never got into it (i.e. want to buy my clothing already pre-assembled.) But for real, for real, I plan on getting a flyer from the on-base Arts and Crafts Center and am gonna sign up for the new sewing circle! YASSSSSSS!!!! An added bonus with that is too, when my kids need things patched right up or have a hole in their favorite EXPENSIVE clothing, Mother will be right there with my Singer, saving the day! Oh, the possibilities!!!!!!

Click HERE to check out Marissa's site and dig her recycled threads!

Great Coverage For a Great Price

Great scoop for you gals that love make-up but are fed up with not finding the right foundation! Here's the back story: so the other day I was in the BX here in Germany and I was on the search for the new Covergirl foundation that claimed to be "full coverage" *side-eye* Before I left, a divine voice from the heavens told me to walk over a check out the Smashbox counter, you know, just to get some information about my skin tone. Most foundations that I was using had a yellowish tint to them after I would applied them, and those that claimed to be full coverage would fail in "covering." The saleswoman understood my frustrations and began to look at my skin complexion and the tone of my skin. She then placed in my hands the miracle jar!!!

Its was called Dermablend! A full coverage foundation in a small jar...She put it on and when I tell you it worked wonders, believe me, it really works! All of my blemishes were hidden, it was not overpowering and thank God, there was no overbearing odor. Finally, a light weight perfect matching, full coverage foundation!!

From that day, this is all I have used!!! I went on the Smashbox website and couldn't did not find it, but with the help of my aunt, I have found it!! Just click here for it!!

Smashbox also carries a setting powder that is available in 3 colors that will guarantee you 16 hours of smudge proof foundation!! I have both of these products and will promise you, you will not use another foundation ever again!!! Even if you don't have blemishes but would love to have a smooth coverage, this is the foundation to keep in your make-up bag!!


**Sidenote: We are not sponsored nor receive payments for our reviews. These are the honest opinions of the CS staff**

-Pooh

Simplistic Savings: Cherry Culture

I am truly mad about makeup (trying to become a pro makeup artist, MUA for short), so I'm always trying out new products just to see their quality and also just cause I'm a closet online shop-a-holic. LOL! But anywho, I was perusing the world wide web and found out that Cherry Culture has great savings going on! Get on it!!!

 Click HERE for Cherry Culture site.

*pause*  
For those not familiar with these guys, they offer a hodge-podge of makeup lines for good prices. They sell lines such as L.A. Colors (great pigments!), Sugar cosmetics, MILANI and my ultimate fav: the almighty NYX!!!!! I've ordered from them multiple times, and shipping is pretty standard to the US and I've never had any problems with em. And best of all, to our international readers, they ship worldwide & to APO/FPO! Hellz yeah!
  *un-pause*

As I was saying, right now the site also has a 20-50% off sale on selected items. Also, on the regular, Cherry Culture has special offers on items and they have free shipping for orders over $40 to the U.S.

*Sidenote: We are not sponsored nor receive payments for our reviews. These are the honest opinions of the CS staff