Groupon/LivingSocial

If you haven't heard about Groupon/LivingSocial yet, then please read on if you're wanting to try something new for 1/2 off.  I've been on these websites for about a year now, buying my way through new restaurants (loved Drago, Chado Tea Room), facials (Face to Face-my new facial stop), massages (Thai Sabai, which used thai methods and included hot oil and hot stones...OMG), acupuncture (Golden Monkey-Matt Schwartz is super), mani/pedicures (Bellacures, The Painted Nail), fitness classes (Bikram Yoga and Pole Classes...wish me luck everyone) and even clothes (just got one for Rock N' Republic's warehouse sale).  It's a way of getting to know your surrounding area and all the businesses in between.  You set up an account and you're never forced to buy anything.  When and if you see something of interest that day, you purchase your deal for said amount of dollars which deducts from your account and voila, you've got the deal as long as so many people buy it on that site that day.  Whenever you decide to use your purchase, (you have X amount of days, months, years before expiration) you can print up the receipt or use your phone at most locations to pull up the account and have it redeemed.  Convenient and you get to try something new or old for at least half off on most occasions.  Throughout this experience of savings, I really haven't had a problem with redemption of any purchases (the one I did, LivingSocial immediately gave me an option to get a check mailed or credited back to my account for future purchases) and I've been introduced to new favorite local hangouts which I plan to return...with or without a coupon.  You say you can't afford such luxuries, I say phooey!  Facials for $35 at times, massages for $22, mani/pedi's for $25, clothing stores like the Gap, Nordstrom Rack and M. Fredric matching what you just spent!!!  I just scrape and save all month for these kind of savings so I can spend on other necessities and have money left over.  LivingSocial now offers an "Escapes" section that can help with hotels/vacations when you're looking to get away, so no more full price stays unless you want them but you have to buy that day or during the weekend or the week it's showing and before it sells out because people are on it.  They offer them in many places so you can look and buy for your destination if you choose to do so...so, no excuses....go save some hard earned money and try something new or get a discount on something you already do but don't pay full price unless you have to!  I just love me some savings!!!!!  Below is my link, use it if you want...you'll get me $5 spending bucks on Living Social when you purchase and you'll get $5 for your first purchase, ahhhhh just AWESOME!  Let me know what you bought, I might've gotten it too.

Groupon Link:  http://www.groupon.com/r/uu893083
LivingSocial:  https://livingsocial.com/redeem_invite/2088624-mslani?ref=lnk

Copy, Paste and done or just go to the site and start, just do it now and become the professional addict my beast is now calling me.

Thrifty!

Some people look down on thrift stores and discount retailers as if quality can't be found at these gems located in every neighborhood.  My only problem at times, shopping like this, is the fact that I may have wanted black instead of red or they don't have my size, oh....and the massive digging one must do in order to find something perfect at times but that's the treasure hunt fun of it all.  Don't get me wrong, I love the smell of new, orderly-in line and salespeople to help, but sometimes I don't want to pay the price of such luxuries.  I try to save my super fantastic purchases for special occasions because in this economy I'm just trying to save for retirement and other incidentals that may occur along the way.  I love to shop and I've learned to love bargains but I love to get high quality merchandise in my everyday splurge kinda range.  I don't follow trends much so most of the pieces purchased are along the classic, everyday comfy or work/workout wear. For these items I head to thrift stores in every neighborhood...Salvation Army on Sepulveda in the valley is amazing, I've found brand new Juicy linen pants there as well as cute tees and summer dresses.  Brand names, no names, who cares!  If it looks great on you and it's in excellent condition, isn't it a bonus to pay a fraction of the cost?  I've found countless Free People items at Nordstrom Rack for at least 1/2 off and you can't beat Nike/Adidas clothing prices from Marshalls and Ross.  I've also purchased Nars and shishiedo in TJ Maxx along with my Clarins instead of heading to the dept. stores.  If I can't find it there then I head for the big spots but you'll be surprised what you can pick up at a nice local thrift store and such.  Just found a brand new BCBG long summer halter dress for $8 at Desert Industries Thrift store in downtown L.A. with the tags still on! =)  You don't score like this every time, but if you're patient, you can save a whole lot of money and get a good deal supporting a local store.

The King's Speech....

Inspirational!  Geoffrey Rush's character was riveting...I could watch him all day doing his thing.  I can only hope to rise to the occasion in someone else's life and am truly humble for all the Geoffreys in my life.  Who says talking heads can't be interesting...I found the fact that they used angles and length to add depth to the feel of the movie was fantastic because the only thing I concentrated on were the actors and the moments it created.  Although I watched this weeks ago, it still stirs within my heart.  I mean, how many times were you told you weren't good enough?  Not strong enough?  Not enough?  It's heartbreaking for me in the scene where he is auditioning but told he wasn't right because he didn't have the air of regality.  Someone judging you within seconds not knowing who you really are or the depth of your character, such a quick scene but such a powerful moment.  After partaking in this brilliant film, I feel only inspired to deal with all of life's up hill battles only to answer them with my truth and to keep doing what I know to make others rise around me because in life isn't that what we want to leave behind...inspiration and love?  I do.

I give this film a B+ because of the spirit it evoked in me.....Geoffrey is worth the watch!

Love and Be U!

With my yearly cleanse coming up around the corner, it got me thinking about this war on diets (schmiets), raw, vegan, vegetarian, kosher and just good ole fashion eating.  I've come to the realization, after years of self deprecation, that I'll never be 5'5, under 120 lbs. and as thin as I want to be.  All I can shoot for is the best me right now and that entails doing things that are the best for me, I encourage you to do the same.  Don't go for a way of eating just because someone else is doing it, they look great and they preach about it because what may work for them, may not necessarily be the right thing for your body...inside or out.  About a year ago, I had the pleasure of meeting an amazing korean/chinese herbalogist that told me my body type via listening to my blood by pressing down on my wrist, then proceeded with various tests of lifting weights while I held my arms out and the grand finale of holding dried out food packets while he broke my energy on the foods that weren't good for my body.  Years of switching to brown rice, eating all veggies and fruits, consuming chicken, beef and fish, eating nuts, drinking protein shakes, less carbs, good carbs, beans, tofu was only adding detriment to the inner workings of my machine.  Working out 4-6 hours a day, 5-6 days a week and still a tire around my tummy...what was I doing wrong?  Everything, because I was listening to everyone but my self, my body.  I forgot to check in because I was too busy wanting something else that someone else had that I was destroying my body from the inside.  I may have developed allergies because my body was fighting from the inside to keep me healthy while I was eating things I was told was good for my body.  Get this...he told me pork of all things was better for my system and energy level, I should consume most fish and seafood and white rice worked for me.  I was to give up soy, dairy, brown rice, red lettace, some fruits and nuts.  REALLY??!!!!!   Well, I decided to give what he said a shot...I had listened to everyone else and they hadn't nearly done any of the tests he performed on me.  A year later after giving myself one cheat day a week (I'm only human), not only is my dreaded tummy smaller, I feel stronger and more alert without vitamins.  I aggressively attacked my way of thinking of what's good for me to what was best for me and now I'm reaping all of the benefits.  I've gone down to about an hour a day, 5 days a week of working out and I can personally tell you that me at 18 can't touch me right now.  So forget what the fad is, listen to how your body feels and learn more about your body type from someone reputable...then go and live your life because it's too short to deprive yourself of all of the goodness life has to offer.  Don't feel guilty for enjoying meat, snacking on chocolate or licking yourself happy with an ice cream cone...just moderate and be you!  Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Product Favorite Jan. 2011

I hate giving out my face secrets but some products just stand out so much, they deserve to help every face out there.  This amazing gem should be in every household because it not only works but gives you the coveted "spa face."  I bought a small version in December 2010 for $10 and after seeing glowing skin and getting compliments when not wearing make-up, I vowed to purchase this diamond the next time at the beauty supply which I did in January.  The 5.1 oz cost $37 but so well worth it because I do secretly want to look 40 when I'm 60 without the surgery so I'm doing everything in my power to fight back now!  After searching the web, Amazon is offering fantastic deals ($23 plus shipping-still less than what I paid for it) on this product so go test it out for yourself and see what all of this "great skin" is about.  I love this version better than the multi spray toner and saw results immediately, hence nothing but love spewing from these lips.  I'm also a month in and after refreshing my small bottle, I still have over half left spritzing only in the morning 6 sprays all over the face, 2 for all over the neck and once to the back of my neck...again just pushing to look super for-ever!  Well worth the hype, well worth the money and well worth my adoration. =)

It takes a village...(the $10 challenge)

With so much outreach poured into other countries I got to wondering about our own.  Why have we become so blind to the needs of our own, living within our community.  Is it easier to give to someone suffering elsewhere so we can justify our charity when it's clear that we are so damaged where we are in the present.  We have children in need of adoption here, we have people needing medical and simple living  here, we have hunger here in this vast wealth of America so I decided to help home.  I don't have much but I decided to see what I can do with the little I had to give, to challenge myself to think out of the box.  So with money put aside I went to the .99 cent store to see what I could come up with.  Not only did I pick up a few things for myself, I got small boxes of raisins, 2 four packs of minute maid juice, 8 mini bananas, wheat bread, jelly, peter pan whipped peanut butter, lunch bags, stickers (to seal) and an 8 pack of small crunch bars for $10.  I made 8 full lunches consisting of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, 1 juice box, 1 raisin box, 1 mini banana and a bite size crunch bar.  I then proceeded to hit the streets of downtown LA and pass them out.  For the exception of one person whom I just left the bag within his area because he stared at the wall, each bag was received with a "thank-you and god bless you."  If we could all challenge ourselves  to give when we can, we can change our nation.  You don't have to go broke nor give to every open hand, but you can make more of a conscious effort to skip a latte or an ice cream cone and then do something within your means to help someone else in need.  Start small...someone appreciates it!