-- Wickedly perfect December!

Here are a few of my recent frugal adventures with some helpful tips.
*No I haven't forgotten the Popcorn Recipe...next one. Promise....*

*Every ticket I bought for everything I have done, I received a MASSSSIVE discount on all and I explained each one below*

Wicked

I took my mom to see Wicked at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles for her birthday!
*Frugal Tip: Buy your tickets early and always, always look for a discount code*

Work Holiday Party

*Frugal Tip - entertaining our 30+ people Professional and Student Staff can easily be done if you just think frugally*
What simple additions can you do to make an instant impact?
I created a Hot Chocolate Bar for our students, they raved & I blushed.

Also, look for candies that are on sale during Christmas time, or that sell in bulk!
I used: Butterscotch Chips, Mini Chocolate Chips, York Pieces, Reese's Pieces, Mini Candy Canes, and Mini Marshmallows.

Holiday Sweater

*Frugal Tip - Do it for the Children, it's less embarrassing that way.*
Even though this is a terrible terrible angle/ picture I am so confident in my ugly Christmas sweater that I will share it with you, yep all 16 of you ;)
This baby was about $4.00 at a local Thrift Store, hand beaded and perfectly gaudy.
I received many odd looks from my 14-18 y/o students, and compliments from my older staff members on the beautifully crafted piece.

Yes, it was hard not to laugh, but I took the compliments and ugly faces graciously

Seaworld
*Frugal Tip - Be friendly and get a Facebook*
My dear friend posted that she had some extra tickets to Seaworld, I messaged her, my boyfriend met her at her work and hours later we were watching Shamu(s) for $0.00.

Disneyland 

Personal Frugal Tip

The Sweetheart seen below is a Marine Corps Veteran, as such he receives certain discounts and promotions for his time in the military. He got our tickets to Disneyland for a steal.
It's the least corporations could do if you ask me...

I think I phrased it either, "World peace" or "Peace on earth" when Santa asked me what I wanted for Christmas last night, I was partly joking but after watching the frightening news what else could we hope for?

My sweetheart and I

My absolute favorite treat at Disneyland.

Well now that you have read what fun I have had this month, tell me!
What fun have you had!?
I adore getting those one or two comments a month but I want more.
I want to read about your adventures and frugal finds. 

Lovelovelove
&
Happy Holidays

M

Old Navy $0.75 dress?

"Steal of a Deal"

This is a quote i commonly say while shopping for two reasons,

1. I am always buying things from the clearance rack

 and 

2. Because I usually feel like I am stealing by their low prices

I typically get some dirty looks, because people think because I say this I am going to steal.

I have never and will never steal. It is disgusting, there is no reason to ever steal. period.

Below you will find the story, the pictures of the items I bought and my electronic receipt that Old Navy sent me after I took advantage of their sale.

Here are the details:
My boyfriend is awesome, he gave me his $30 old navy bucks because "you will actually use it"

God love him

I put it in my wallet so after any purchase I would remember to see it, I waited until the date finally came...

I went into Old Navy and saw signs saying that their clearance was an extra 30% off,  this excited me as I knew that was exactly where I was heading.

I instantly saw this little beauty, originally priced at $44.94

Source

I asked a Old Navy sales girl if she could tell me how much this was dress was, because it didn't have a tag, after much confusion she said, how about I say it is $13.99 so it will be around 9 dollars. I said sold and ran to the dressing room to try it on, loved it!

Then I saw a body clutch that was priced at $9.99, it was going to be around 6 dollars,

The reason I say around is because of this next part of the story..

I got in line ready to buy these two items and then looked at the old navy bucks, I needed to spend up to $20 to get at least $10 off.

So I got out of line, I went back to check on a sweater I saw that was on clearance but in different place in the store, I asked a manager if it was the same  30% off clearance for this sweater he said "yes and if anyone at the front asked tell them the bald manager said it is" with a smile.
 It was stickered at clearance for $13.99, with an additional 30% (around 9 dollars)
originally priced at $34.94!

Source

I smiled and walked back to line,
The cashier became very confused as I was telling her all of these new prices, so she called for a manager.

The bald manager came back, he then said these beautiful words

"Okay so this black dress was bought online and then returned here, so instead of calling Old Navy online and wasting 20 minutes of your time, how about I sell it to you for $1.47" 

My mouth dropped, I smiled said thank you repeatedly and I was very close to hugging him!

I then asked, can I still use my Old Navy Bucks?
He and She both said yes!!

Here is my receipt.

Yep. $0.75 for a $44.94, dress

These are the reasons to be nice to managers, wait for good sales, use your coupons and be frugal!

lovelovelove
M

"It's my best thing"

Favorite things:

1.

Sending Cards to people. 

I remember when pen pals used to be the coolest thing, however it didn't go too far, more like passing notes in class then sending across the US of A. I think it is fun to send my friends near and far a little something for them to remember that just because we don't talk everyday, doesn't mean I don't think of them, love them and wish them the best, daily.

Picture credit: http://www.mariahatling.com/

2.
Trader Joe's

I basically love everything in this store, from the creatively designed products, to the prices, to the checker today telling me she thought I was a celebrity based on my style (which, was nothing to write home about, but she made my day!)

Picture Credit: http://image.mapmuse.com/

-- Also these babies,

Picture Credit: Amazon.com

If I fall asleep before I finish this post..sorry...zzz

3.
Travel Bag

My Jessica Simpson Havana Nights Travel bag has been near and far, but most recently from San Diego, to Riverside County to Los Angeles, and to San Marcos.

I live about 45 minutes from work, 1 hour + 25 minutes from my boyfriend, 30 minutes from my best friend and have friends in between, needless to say, I travel A LOT! I use up a lot of gas, keep half of my closet in the trunk of my car and stay at my Boyfriend or Best Friends at least once a week until I find a place of my own.

4.

CND Super Shiney Top Coat

This stuff makes your nail polish look awesome and clearly "super shiney"

*they spelt it that way not me*

5. Old Navy Fall Sales (prices coming soon)

$9.98

&

$35-ish

I hope this colder weather says around for awhile, I love it!!

Lovelovelove

Maya

ps. refer to #2 if none of this makes sense, it kicked it quickly!

-- But seriously, I am addicted.

I am not proud.

I am ashamed.
It is compulsive.

My name is Maya and I am a watch-oholic. 

Okay remember my gold watch? 

This One

Well I started wearing it DAILY. Which resulted in a few dings here and there, nothing too crazy but I wanted to make sure that I got a back-up just in case something happened to it. Well my darling friend has a Michael Kors watch that she spent some moola on but she invested in a great timepiece. It is beautiful, it is large and in charge and I am jealous every time I see it on her cute little wrist. Well then my frugal mind got to thinking, I could invest in a REAL MK or get another "Folex" well I am in between positions at work so I decided to do what would make me happy, save money and go on an adventure to get it!

I headed over to Overstock.com which has a ton of cool watches. At first I typed in Gold Watch (women's) And then I realized that what I wanted was LARGE so I took a look at the men's and Geneva Platinum (Common brand)  And then I found him.

Beautiful
Brand: Geneva Platinum
Price: $20-30 (depending on style)

I haven't named him yet but oh how wonderful is he?

Here is the real version of the watch

Michael Kors:

$250-300

Seen at Splendora

The color is a little off but I am going to take a picture when I get it and let you know how it looks :) One more great thing about Overstock they give you a warranty deal(4.99+) so if anything happens to it I can send it back and they will either fix it, give me a new one or give me a full refund. How often do you get that option? 

- Ah wait one more, Shipping is $2.98. Seriously ah-mazing.

Now before I go any further I need to thank someone!

 Miss Mommy!

She started a great link party on her Facebook . I went from 5 Followers to 12 in one day. I felt like I was writing to two people and now I am even more eager to keep this up. More to come and maybe a giveaway? 

Question 1: Who is interested?
Oh and Miss Mommy is extra amazing because she is from Australia!! I am from California and I personally think basically any state is better than this state mainly because we don't have accents! 

Question 2: Where is everyone from!?

lovelovelove

M

- Madden Girl

My newest find came tonight while shopping with a dear friend! Among the ridiculous glitter heels, crocs and absurd tall stilettos, I found these. Sure they were a 1/2 size too small... but I tried them and they fit PERFECTLY! (don't you love when that happens?)


Madden Girl: Kleyo

Amazon lists these at $39.96 - $49.95
I got them for $20.00 +tax


Luckily, I was wearing THE perfect trouser pants tonight to really get the idea of wearing these day to day or to work! They are so comfortable. I am also in love with the color of these for fall outfits too! Go Me! ...And my friend that made me just put them in my hand and go, without doing my "thing" aka. hold it and then put it back and leave.


I must say. I LOVE Madden Girl. I have a few pairs of heels and a few pairs of sandals but these are on a whole other level. To die for. 

Lovelovelove

M

-- EYE love it

I was recently asked what I like to do for fun.

Here was my list
Dance
Watch Movies

Spend time with Family/Friends

and....

Find an amazing deal! Pathetic?

Oh what do you know ;)

So yesterday I stayed a little late after work and decided to go to one of my favorite college poor-girl finds. This store is in an area I affectionately call.... "The Barrio" it isn't that bad but I like to name everything that meets my eye. So I went and found a great little love.

Brand/Name: Eyeshadow Long Dress, Strapless Straight Ruffled Eyelet Empire A-Line Maxi
Originally Priced: $48.00
I paid:$9.99!!
My Dress is black, but I couldn't for the life of it find the black version so here is a purple one.

There is also a makeup section at this place: It has all sorts of different makeup for ONE dollar. Yes, it is a cash only place which is a little odd but everything is sealed and safe so I got a few trinkets

Kleancolor Eyeshadow: American Eyedol Wet/Dry Baked Shadow, in Bronze. $1.00

I love a good bronze/gold color, it is the perfect summer look! You could also use a little bit on your shoulders to enhance your summer glow

L'OREAL Paris, HIP (High Intensity Pigments) Cream Shadow/Paint - 809 Lofty. $1.00

I love this product, if you are MAC kind of gal/guy this would be like a painterly paint pot. It doesn't crease, it added a great amount of color and this would be a great product to travel with you, if you dont have a lot of time you could apply it to your lids with some mascara for a really easy look under 1 minute!

L'OREAL Paris, HIP Pure Pigment Shadow Stick, 834 Alluring $0.50
L'OREAL Paris, HIP Pure Pigment Shadow Stick, 858 Exquisite $0.50

These little babies are new and I am so excited to use them!
 I love using Pigments!   "The most basic definition of a pigment describes it as a type of material which affects the color of light reflection and absorption."

L'OREALParis, HIP Jelly Balm, 720 Luscious

I found one of these at a Dollar store in the past and fell in love! Great color, very light and not goopy. Perfect for summer!

 

I also made a little trip to Forever 21 in Anaheim. I like to call this place Heaven. There is one amazing quality for plus size women at this store. There is an entire section for YOU. It is beautiful, organized and rarely do you see a size 2 in your section. But when you do they typically look at a size and say something rude like "Ugh who wears this" .... nice huh? But then I laugh and try to hold myself back from pointing at the 5 other areas in the store devoted to them.
;)

So I made a trip, headed to their amazing clearance racks and found these  this beauties y.

Price: 11 dollars, Yellow tag deal

Well shucks I have two floral tops one for work and one everyday but I can't find their pictures. Once I find them I will update this post.

The other reason I love Forever 21 Anaheim is because ...wait for it...

It is two stories.

The top level is all sale/clearance.

Need I say more?

Until next time.

lovelovelove

M