Extreme Couponing

Extreme couponing for people without a TV crew

Originally posted on Brokelyn, November 7th, 2011


Saving $1 here or there was just not enough after I watched the hardcore couponers on TLC’s Extreme Couponing. But the tactics on the show are not realistic, especially here in NY. Many of the supermarkets change the rules in exchange for being promoted on the show. North Carolina chain Lowe’s even publicly regretted participating in the show. So, can you have major savings when going to the “extreme” is not possible? Yes! I got so good at it my friends and family started calling me the “Coupon Queen,” and I will be sharing my tips in my upcoming coupon class Nov. 12 in Windsor Terrace.

What kind of savings are we talking about? My most recent “extreme” trip netted $101 worth of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, makeup and chocolate for just $18.86! I’ll give you a sneak preview of how I do it here.

Get The Good Old Newspaper
The Sunday paper is still one of the best ways to get coupons. Buy three or four newspapers to get more of the coupons you need. More coupons = more savings.Combine these coupons with store coupons and weekly sales to maximize your oh so precious savings.

Social Media Can Save You $$$
Facebook is not just for clicking through your friends’ pictures. Follow your favorite products and brands on Facebook. Many of them offer coupons for free products or high-dollar-value coupons. I received a $5 coupon from Bounty over the summer. I combined that coupon with a store sale to get a large pack of paper towels to get them super cheap. I’ve also gotten coupons for free products from Suave, Pantene, Herbal Essences and many more, just through Facebook! They are often offered on Fridays, and they have a limited amount available, so you have to be quick! These companies also mail the coupons, so you don’t have to use your printer’s ink!

You can also follow other coupon and saving pages on Facebook to help you find the best deals. “Match-Ups” are exactly what they sound like: matching coupons to a store deal for that week. I often use the Rite Aid and Walgreen match-ups that I find from other couponers on Facebook. Some of the best pages are Living Rich With Coupons and The Krazy Coupon Lady. They show match-ups from different stores around the country, telling you the best deals and different ways to get them. Both have an option of printing out a shopping list, making it easier to remember!

Barter with friends
If you have coupons for diapers, but don’t have a child, pass them along to one of your friends who does. Ask them to put coupons for whatever you need to the side. Trading coupons is a great way to help your friends out and get help. I always pass my mom the cat food coupons, and she always saved diaper coupons for me.

Want to learn more? Come check out my Coupons 101 Class! We will be discussing:

• Where to get coupons
• How to match coupons with sales
• Coupon policies of different stores
• How to get free products with coupons
• Internet coupons
• The difference between store coupons and manufacturer coupons
• What is stockpiling?
• What to do with expired coupons

COUPONS 101
Nov. 12 2pm-3pm
Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace
1224 Prospect Avenue and Vanderbilt Street (near the 15th Street-Prospect Park West station F and G train)
(718) 407-6377
Please RSVP as we have a 50-person limit. The cost for the class is $10 per person.


http://www.brokelyn.com/extreme-couponing-tips/#more-31676

Beauty Commandments: Skin

Beauty Commandments: Clear Skin

Originally posted on AOL Shopping, February 9th, 2011


"Thou shalt not overload your face with too much stuff. It's easy to want to try every cream, serum and moisturizer that targets a specific skin problem, but, if you overload your face with TOO much, you will end up with more problems than solutions! Let your skin take a break from foundations and heavy creams. When you are home, give your face a good scrub and put on a light SPF moisturizer. That's it. Don't overload your skin with eye cream and serums. You'll find that your skin looks fresher if you give it a break!

Amara


http://shopping.aol.com/articles/2011/02/09/clear-skin/

Spring's New Scents

Spring's New Scents

Originally posted on The Glam Life, February 13th, 2011

If you’re on the East Coast, you are probably fantasizing about Spring. With a snowstorm almost every week, it’s easy  to have the winter blues. Don’t fret! Bring the fragrance of Spring with this season’s hottest new scents.

Jo Malone Grapefruit Cologne
A spicy scent that infuses grapefruit and tangerine with a hint of rosemary, this fragrance will easily transport you to warm summer days and romantic summer nights.

Aftelier Candide
A jasmine and frakincense infused fragrance. Jasmine has a calming effect on the senses, and can instantly put you in a better mood. The perfume also has notes of blood orange and pink grapefruit, which gives the scent a spicy kick.

Michael Kors Island Palm Beach
The name says it all! The renowned designer has launched a scent that infuses grapefruit, tangerine, jasmine, black tea, rum and vanilla. A perfect cocktail of a fragrance, this perfume will have you fantasizing about long weekends at the beach.

Banana Republic Wildbloom
With notes like guava and kumquat, this fragrance will leave you craving those juicy summer fruits. An exotic infusion of fruity and floral notes will leave you wondering when the local farmer’s market gets back in season.

Escada Taj Sunset
This Indian inspired fragrance will leave you feeling like a Bollywood heroine in no time. With notes of mango, sandalwood, coconut and musk, Taj Sunset has made Indian available without travelling. Warning: Spontaneous singing and dancing may occur.

Halle Berry Reveal
The third fragrance from the acclaimed actress, Reveal has notes of mimosa, peach and melon. Berry has said that she wanted the fragrance to be “velvety soft and airy”. While most women dream of looking like Halle Berry, we can settle for smelling like her.

http://theglamlife.net/archives/398

This Season's Hottest Trend!

This Season's Hottest Trend: Self Confidence

Originally posted on The Glam Life, February 6th, 2011

Self confidence. Every woman can have it, but every woman doesn’t use it. Why not? Self confidence instantly makes a woman look healthier, more approachable, more intelligent and instantly sexier! Here are some ways to boost your ego!

SMILE!
Smiling is the first sign of self confidence. A woman who smiles is showing her true beauty to the world. You have to be confident to do that! Regardless of the shape or size of your teeth, smiling can make you look years younger! If you want to boost those pearly whites, use whitening strips. You’ll feel even more confident with a smile that is bright.

STAND UP STRAIGHT!
A proper posture is crucial for exuding self confidence. Walk and sit straight as well, and you will open your body to good energy. Would you trust someone who was hunched over?

BE HONEST
Be honest with yourself and with those you are surrounded by. When you are telling the truth, you are going to be confident in your responses. Lying always leaves room for doubt.

TRY NEW THINGS
Let yourself be open to new possibilities. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Confident people are willing to try something new. Whether it be ordering something new from a menu or asking the boss for a raise, taking a risk will boost your confidence and might turn out reaping more rewards than you expected!

DRESS THE PART
Is your signature look drab? Change it up! Try bold makeup, chunky jewelery or the highest heels to boost your ego. When you have on a piece of clothing or jewelery that accents your best features, you will feel better about yourself.

LOVE YOURSELF
This is the most important tip. Remember, you are important. You have value. You make a contribution to this world. Take notice of all of your achievements and good deeds. When you love yourself, you leave the door open for others to love you. You cannot be confident without remembering who you are and how great it is to be you!

Here at Just Glam, we encourage self confidence. Remember, It’s Not Just a Look, It’s an Attitude!

http://theglamlife.net/archives/363.

What's Your Eye-Q?

 What's Your Eye-Q?

Originally posted on The Glam Life, January 30th, 2011

We all love to play up our eyes. Whether it be neutral colors or a dramatic smoky look, eye makeup can transform drab into fab. But did you know that your eye shape can help you pre-determine the right makeup look for you?

If you have SMALL EYES, don’t go overboard with the eyeliner! Heavy eyeliner on top and on the waterline can make eyes appear much smaller. Apply a thin line of liquid eyeliner, thickening it at the outer corner. Try light, iridescent eyeshadow colors, as it can reflect light and make small eyes appear bigger. Mascara is always a must on the top and bottom lashes, in order to open the eye area.

PROMINENT EYES are eyes that are set forward on the face. In order to lessen their domination over other facial features, use a dark shadow over the entire lid and blend into the crease.  This will help recede the eyes. Use eyeliner on top and bottom lashes and add two coats of mascara.

CLOSE SET EYES are eyes that appear to be closer together. To make eyes look further apart, apply a light eyeshadow to the inner 1/2 of the eye and a darker shadow to the outer half,  blending  well.  Extend color up to the browbone. Apply eyeliner in a very thin line, thickening it at the ends. Keep eyeliner darker on the outer corner. Add two coats of mascara to the outer lashes. Also, pluck your brows in the middle to widen the space between your eyes.

WIDE SET EYES are eyes that look far apart from each other. To make them appear closer together, apply darker eyeshadow on the inner corners of the eye, and a lighter shadow on the rest of the lid. Draw a very thin line with your eyeliner on the top and bottom lashes. Use pencil to fill in brows to make them appear closer together. Use mascara on top and bottome lashes.

ALMOND SHAPED EYES are the most common eye shape. Apply a light eyeshadow on the entire lid up to the brow bone. Use a darker shade of the same color on the outer corner of the lid. Use eyeliner only on the upper lid and apply two coats of mascara, emphasizing the outer lashes.

Use these simple makeup tricks to make your eyes more proportioned for your face. You’ll look like you had a JUST GLAM makeover!

http://theglamlife.net/archives/349.

Sweet!

Unusual Tips for Beauty

Originally posted on AOL Shopping, January 28th, 2011

"Sugar can help slough off dry, scaly patches on various parts of the body, from your head to your toes. Use a little on your lips to make them kissable, mix it with your favorite body wash to make a great body scrub, or add a touch of olive oil to it for a salon inspired foot massage. Sugar washes away easily and costs pennies compared to some high end scrubs."
Amara


http://shopping.aol.com/articles/2011/01/28/unusual-tips-for-beauty/

Haute Hair!

Haute Hair


Originally posted on The Glam Life, January 24th, 2011

Haute hair isn’t hard to achieve. With the right cut, color, products and tools, you too, can have hair that is lustrous and envied.


Cut
The right cut depends on your face shape and personality. Figure out your face shape by outlining your face on a mirror with lipstick. It will become clear what kind of shape you have.

Heart: You and Naomi Campbell have something in common! Heart shapes are wider on top and narrower on bottom. You want to balance the face, so try a chin length bob or layers that start at the chin. By doing so, you’ll bring more fullness to the chin area, proportioning your face.

Round: Try parting your hair to the side, making the face look less full. Adding height at the crown can also slenderize the face. Take a cue from Drew Barrymore, another rounded face gal, and keep hair longer than the chin. If you want to be more daring, go for a super short cut, but make sure it’s swept back, away from the face. The key is to not frame the face, because it will make it look fuller.

Square:  The sexy Demi Moore knows how to work the strong angles of her square face. Adding wispy bangs and layers around the face can soften hard angle of square face shapes. Waves and curls also have a softening effect on the face. Short to medium length hair are ideal for square faces.

Oval: Well, you have the ideal face shape! You can wear almost any cut or style. Take a cue from Tyra Banks and try a variety of styles! Avoid heavy bangs and wearing the hair around the face too much. Show off that sexy shape by wearing hair away from the face.


Color
Color can be tricky. Should you go lighter or darker? How much of a change should you make? Here are some tips to make it a little less scary.

Brown: works for women who have brown hair already. If you want to go richer or deeper, chocolate is a good option for you. Choose brown if you don’t want a lot of maintenance involved.  If your hair is dull, brown is also a great option, as it reflects light and makes the hair shine.

Red: for women who have pink undertones in their skin. If you are outgoing and like getting attention, red is also a great option for you! Red is for women who want to stand out. Your hair has to be in good condition, as damaged hair will not hold on to red dye. Red also involves A LOT of maintenance, so be prepared to invest the time.

Blonde: works for women who were blonde as a child. If you don’t mind a sexy bombshell image, blonde is also a good choice for you. Blondes are for women who have the time and money for maintenance (root touch-ups, highlights). If you are planning to go more than 2 shades lighter than your current hair color, go to a professional!

Follow the above tips and you will see how easily your look can be transformed! With the right cut and color, you can take years and pounds off your Just Glam face!

http://theglamlife.net/archives/240