Tavel this summer

From a parent who travels with children, my first tip would be to always schedule the actually travel time (by airplane,car,bus, and so on) for when your children with be asleep. I did this on our recent vacation and I am happy to say that the sweaty slept a full 8 hours in the car, leaving only 5 hours for me to juggle entertainment, meals, and breaks. Each one of those were spaced in a 2 hour spacing. Think how it would have been if I had left in the middle of the day and my little one wanted to do what they normally do. Which is not sitting in the car for 13 hours. Another tip is to pack band aids in different themes. Let them stick them everywhere, it is cheap,fun, and is easy to clean up. For a health drink/food pack Pediasure it is good for them and will counter all the eating out you will do. Lastly where big jewelry, such as bangles and heavy bead strands. This way they will have something to fiddle with while they have to stand in line. Also to remember to let your child move whenever possible so they will be more agreeable to sit when needed. Good luck and remember to relax and have fun.

Interview with Diva Cow Girl Boot's

After spending a hectic morning rushing to make my interview with Diva Cowgirl Boots I was met at her door by a warm, welcoming, laid back diva. Wished I could get that knack diva with laid back spunk. She put me at easy right away and after we got all of our children settled down we started right into the interview.
Diva K: Tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do? School? Career? I went to cosmetology school while in high school. I then graduated with my bachelors in elementary education. Love watching old school Martha Stewart and This old House. Currently work part time as a wedding videographer and full time mom of 1 and 3 year old.
Diva K: What’s your beauty secretes? I love eye shadow and hate creases. Once while doing a bride’s hair, I heard a makeup artist say her favorite eye shadow base is Neosporin (aka bacatracin/triple antibiotic)
Diva K: What do you consider your fashion must haves? Hair accessories
Diva K: What do you consider fashion no no’s? There is such a thing as too tan and too many crown embossed outfits
Diva K: What are your favorite beauty products? Hairspray- Suave all the way I had a beauty school instructor that said all the stuffs the same, some just costs more.
Diva K: On a day when you are not feeling like a diva, what do you do to get yourself out of that slump? Do my hair big and teased up
Diva K: Describe a typical Saturday for you, are you an all out diva or a down to earth diva? Defiantly a down to earth chic diva
Diva K: What will be your season must buy? Head Bands
Diva K: What do you think every frugal diva should know? Be original, don’t copy people. Be open to new ideas
Diva K: What do you think makes a frugal diva? Using what you have and making it better.
Diva K: What do you think of vintage stores? Any favorites? Getting stuff from my grandma and modifying is how I go vintage. I love Down East Basics Catalog. My Favorite vintage piece is a cool bright pleated yellow skirt that was given to me. Wished I had kept it.
Diva K: What is your favorite era of fashion? 1940’s and 50’s, right now I am into old family photo’s. I love the hair and clothes they wore then.
Diva K: What do you think of comparison shopping, is it important? What are your favorite online sites to compare and shop? It is very important; I hate feeling like I was ripped off if I find something I bought at a cheaper price. I don’t shop online but I compare prices online.
Diva K: For fun what do you do? Girls’ night and hanging with girlfriends. Shopping by myself on Saturday
Diva K: You are a diva of crafts, where do you get your inspiration, and do you have any tips for us? Look at Jo-Ann’s adds in the newspaper, Better Homes and Gardens, and Martha Stewart. If you have an idea act on it fast
Diva K: How important do you feel it is for a person to take pride in the appearance of themselves? It is very important, your appearance sends a huge message. It also affects your attitude about yourself, family, and friends.
Diva K: Who do you view as a timeless Diva? Why? Audrey Hepburn and Ginger Rogers, I could watch Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers all day long.
Diva K: You are great with hair, what is your favorite hair style? Poufy and then pinned up somehow
Diva K: You have 10 minutes to get ready for a dinner date, what would you do? My hair and makeup, I can do that in 10 minutes no problem.
Diva K: What do you believe is the Fashion must have for every diva for 2010? A good, fun hat. Something that says “I look good.”
Diva Cowgirl Boots kept us entertained around her pool while our children played. In a laid back atmosphere she put her makeup on as we chatted. Latter on she took me around her home and showed me all the great crafts and projects she has worked on as well as hand out sound advice. She addressed how she is able to still get time out for herself in her life as a working mom is by making sure to ask for help in her relationship. For lunch Diva Cowgirl Boot invited us to stay and eat, where she served us peanut butter sandwich (a kids favorite) on her own homemade bread along with her Honeyville Farm freeze dried pineapple, peas, and corn. Diva Cowgirl Boots learned how to make her own bread (she grinds her own wheat) by taking free classes from Shar’s Kitchen and her friends. Diva Cowgirl Boots pointed out that by learning how to make her own bread from the wheat grinding to the baking process she realized it was doable and easy and that it also gave her more self confidence. While we were talking about her learning how to bake bread she pointed out that she learns many things by taking free classes or by trading with friends and people. She will offer free haircuts (Diva Cowgirl Boots is also a beautician) to someone to teach her something or do something for her.
Budgeting is a big part of Diva Cowgirl Boots’ life and she credits a lot of it to the fact that she is lucky to have a husband that is good at budgeting. Some other tips she gave were shopping at the farmer’s market, setting aside money out of each paycheck to buy something you might want, shopping for the long term , shopping around, not buying prepackage stuff, sewing , and decorating through your own craftiness.
The Honeyville Farm’s food was a great way Diva Cowgirl Boots has shown her frugal diva shopping for the long term. We were lucky to try it. I have to say, that is one tip I will be using, the pineapple and peas were delicious and very easy for the kids to eat and enjoy. When you see your own 2 year old chow down on peas you know you must jump of the band wagon.
Samples of Diva Cowgirl Boots’ sewing was shown in her sewing handkerchief dresses for her daughter for only $5 each and also her recycling old t-shirts to make pillows-$0.For her own personal divalicious-ness she make hair bows. Along this line came her craftiness through her $10 shadowbox displaying art and her refurbished rocking chair, to her self-made art . The art is made from paper, mod podge, and leftover cabinetry.
All in all, we had a great morning in which we got so much information that it was hard to pick out what to put down for everyone. We hope that Diva Cowgirl Boots has inspired you to go out and be your best frugal divalicious. Diva Cowgirl Boots embodies the frugal diva. You go girl!
Websites to check out
http://www.downeastbasics.com
http://www.sharskitchen.com
http://www.bhg.com
http://www.joann.com/
www.marthastewart.com/
honeyvillegrain.com

Blues the Season's Color

Blue is the season's color, and knowing this Diva, I went shopping. From studded clutches to scarfs and aviator glasses, we seem to be channeling the lay back feel of the coastal life. Below are some great finds I found online.
For the Ladies:
I love the "Wyatt- Blue poplin elbow Dress" at http://www.bluefly.com. For 30% off. Light and airy, and can be used for weekend or work, depend on the accessories.
Dress it down with:
"BDG Suede and Canvas Carryall" from UrbanOutfitters.com for $40
"Eve Gladiator Sandal" from AnnTaylor.com for $158 (I think of shoes of an investment expense, you will wear them many times over and the nicer they are the better the whole look is)
Add Some stunning earrings from your own collection (reuses here, saves money)
Belt it with a "Wide Weave Belt" From Forever21.com for $6.80
Slip your Aviator glasses on from Forever21.com for $5.80
You are now ready for a weekend out being your Diva self. Don't forget to moisturize.

For a work approiate look:
Add cotton leggings from AmericanApperal.com for $28- your choice, if you are bending over often or are a teacher of small children you at risk of showing more than you want to at work.
Change your weekend bag for "Nine West 'Iggy' Medium Cross-body Bag" from overstock.com for $29.99
Slip on "Leatherette peep toe espadrille wedge" from gojane.com for $22.90
If you have some hot heels wear them, you can never go wrong with a sexy heel. Now get a move on and strut yourself to work.

Weekender Pupil

I'm a bookworm. I can't live without books and go into withdrawal if I am out of the States and cant get anything to read. It was the best incentive I ever had to learn another language. This weekend though I am lucky to be in the States and able to go to my local library. For a no brainer I am reading Charlain Harris's From Dead to Worse. It is part of her Sookie Stackhouse series, and if you haven't read some check out TrueBlood on HBO. The show is inspired by her books, but I find both to be good and have their own uniqueness. This is my relaxing read. To counter this I am also reading Empire of Illusion by Chris Hedges. To say the least this book is a counter to my first book. Chris Hedges is addressing degradation of society by media, TV, pornography, and much more. I can relate to the numbing of our society he addresses. A deep read, one that must be countered with a lighter one. Last but not least I am working my way through An Incomplete Education: 3684 things you should have learned but probably didn't. I am still in the literature part. I wish I had found this book while I was still in college. I would have enjoyed it's witty remarks on some the work I had to read. Favorite quote from this book so far would be it's comment on Washington Irving, saying "That Irving's grace as a stylist didn't quite make up for his utter lack of originality, insight, or depth." I got a good laugh at this and vindication that I was not the only one who wanted to toss their books sophomore year.
Cost for this Diva's entertainment: $0

Interview with Diva A

Below is an interview Diva A. Diva A comes to us out of Chicago heading for her first year in college. Thank you Diva A for your contribution.


Diva K: What do you consider your Fashion must haves?
Diva A: Tory Burch Reva ballet flats and Tiffany sterling silver bead bracelet

Diva K: What do you consider Fashion no no’s?
Diva A: Boat shoes and ill fitting clothes

Diva K: What are your favorite beauty products?
Diva A: Chanel tinted lotion and Dior show mascara

Diva K: On a day when you are not feeling like a Diva, what do you do to get yourself out of that slump?
Diva A: Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha

Diva K: Aviator Sun glasses, yes or no?
Diva A: Yes, but I'm more a Wayfarer person

Diva K: How do you view the natural beauty industry? Do you have any favorite products?
Diva A: Burt's Bees

Diva K: What’s your favorite perfume and why?
Diva A: Gilly Hicks La Perouse and True Religion Eau de Parfume

Diva K: How important do you feel it is for a person to take pride in their appearance and style?
Diva A: It really depends on the person and their confidence level

Diva K: Who is your fashion icon? Why?
Diva A: Emma Watson, her style is simplistic yet classy

Diva K : Do you know how to hem pants, do you think it is important?
Diva A: Yes. No, I have trouble finding pants that are long enough

Diva K: What do you think makes a Frugal Diva?
Diva A: Smart spending

Diva K: Coach vs. Fossil? Which? Why?
Diva A: Well for watches definitely Fossil but leather wear Coach

Diva K: Chanel vs. Louis Vuitton? Which? Why?
Diva A: Definitely Chanel

Diva K: What type of car do you drive? Why?
Diva A: 2010 Ford Mustang convertible, I like the cherry red color

Diva K: What do you believe is the Fashion must have for every Diva for 2010?
Diva A: White plastic or ceramic Swarovski encrusted watch

Frugal Diva Spa Day

We all love going to the spa, salon, or hairdresser. We always feel more lovely and beautiful after visiting, and we definitely feel like we are channeling our inner diva. Think about your frugal side and take your spa, salon, or hairdresser home. First point of the at home spa is to get rid of the distractions. This means turning off your phone and TV, locking the doors, making sure kids are away or in bed, and significant other is busy or gone. Best bet would be for that significant other to be gone so they don’t interrupt you. Don’t think about this experience as being selfish, you are pampering and nurturing yourself so you can nurture others in your life and focus on work with calm and giving mind.

There is prep time for this. Plan a day ahead. Go to your local library and check out some relaxing music, a healthy cook book, a light read, and a yoga video. Clean home; make sure your day is clear of anything that will need done on spa day. This means pay the bills, hire a babysitter or set up a play date with friends for your children or pet. If you have family around see if they will watch them. Make sure your significant other knows that you won’t be free on spa day. Make sure there will be no distractions on Spa day that will take away from you. This is a spa day, but you can also modify it to being a spa evening depending on your time. Pick and chose what you want to do. I am going to give you the whole Spa Day I love to do. Depending on what you have in your home you might have to also go to the closest grocery store, walk or ride your bike, this way you don’t spend any money on transportation and you are getting your own free spin class in without having to pay the gym membership.

What you need:

Healthy cook book-from library-zero expense

Yoga video-from library-zero expense

Relaxing music CD- from library- zero expense

Light read-from library-zero expense

Fruits and veggies- to your taste and in season so you save money

Extra Virgin Olive oil- I get my in bulk from Costco $19-25, (I get mine in bulk because of the multi use I get out of it), look for deals though at your local grocery for cheaper products

Chamomile tea or any other relaxing tea you like-$2 local grocery store, Dollar store $1

Sugar- as low as $.85

Bath Sea Salts- Your local Dollar store for $1

Honey- Dollar store $1

Banana- depending on season

Avocado- depending on season

Plain yogurt- $1-3 at local grocery

Cuticle kit-Dollar store $1

Nail polish- Dollar store $1, Wet N’ Wild $.88-.99, Sally Hanson $2-7 CVS

Base & Top Coat- Dollar store $1, Wet N’ Wild $. 88-.99, Sally Hanson Base and Top coat 3.05 amazon.com

Check out your local news paper for discounts, www.amazon.com, www.harmondiscount.com, www.delightfulchaos.com (for coupons), store circulars, and the store’s website yourself, before shopping. Make a list and pick the most frugal way.

In the morning:

Wake up and go for an early morning walk- enjoy the sun rise, nature, or just what is around you. Don’t forget to stretch

Follow it up by have some yummy fruit – if in season I love strawberries in the morning

Drink your Chamomile tea while going about your morning routine , make sure you chose loose comfortable clothes, but try to keep it a little sexy, on spa day I like to keep it together with some silky underwear under my loose yoga pants and shirt. We are looking for comfy not ratty, how we look has a big effect on how we feel so if we don’t look good, we won’t feel good. This is so not Diva.

Make sure everyone is out of the house and that they are all safe and happy. Turn off the TV and Phone, lock the house/apartment up, have loose lighting. Now it is time to set the mood.

Take your time and fix a pitcher of ice water, cut up a few lemons in it and set it aside on your counter with your favorite glass next to it (I use a clear glass pitcher and my deep wine glasses (you can get these at a discount store and no one will know the difference, the trick is to make sure that the cute is good and clear, but for the at home Spa Day use what you have at home). Chop up your fruits and veggie and arrange on platters so they look nice and cute. Take your time and enjoy and create. Remind yourself to take deep breaths and enjoy. If you have a garden, pick a few flowers and put them into a vase. Voila! You now have you own finger food buffet. Munch whenever you want.

Light all the scented candles you have in your home. Spread them throughout your bathroom, living room, and kitchen.

Have you light music playing in the back ground

Put in your yoga CD and now it is time stretch and relax your body- remember to drink a large glass of water when you are done.

Jump in the shower when you are done.

Do the works- meaning shampoo and conditioning, shaving, buffing, and pumicing. Before shaving use the body scrub below:

Sugar and extra virgin olive oil body scrub

½ cup olive oil

½ cup sugar

Mix together and scrub body , spending a while focusing on the hands, feet, elbows , and knees- about 4 minutes, about the time as a song, hum one of your favorites . Rinse and then shave.

When done with shower lather up in your favorite lotion and put on some comfy clothes though remember the sexy diva that you are and keep it diva-ish.

Brush teeth and pluck all stray hair on face, you can also now do the at home waxing kit you might have. When done rinse face and put on light lotion, though you are going to do a facial soon you never want to let your face become dry.

Next we want to deep condition your hair. Follow directions below.

Olive oil hair conditioner

½ cup olive oil

Warm olive oil up in microwave until warm. Warning not too hot, we don’t want to burn you. Rub oil into scalp and comb through hair. Wrap a plastic shopping bay on head. Leave on for the next ½ hour.

Next start your bath. Put in your favorite essence (I love peppermint or lavender), we are looking at about 20 drops, ½ cup honey, and 2 cups milk powder. Let tub fill until comfortable. Grab your light read and relax with a rolled up plush towel in the tub.- when done rinse off in the shower and re-shampoo and condition hair followed by moisturizing the body and jumping into bed for a light nap. Make sure candles are snuffed out or that you feel comfortable that they are on.

When you wake up first stretch and take a few deep breaths and enjoy how refreshed you are. Follow by a light lunch from your buffet in the kitchen.

After you are done and are already in the kitchen start making the facial below.

Banana & Avocado Mask

1 banana

½ avocado

½ cup yogurt

¼ cup honey

Mix and mash together- apply to clean face and leave on for ½ an hour, followed by washing your face and applying a lotion with an SPF if it is still daytime.

Remember that this is your spa day and you are pampering yourself so relax and embrace your own time now.

Finish your spa day by doing your manicure and pedicure.

Start out by first doing your pedicure. I prefer to do my pedicure in my bathroom because I have an easier access to water, towels, and pedicure tools. Chose wherever you feel you are comfortable.

Steps for the pedicure

1. Soak feet in warm water with your favorite bath salts until soften. Pumice away any dead skin, and lotion your feet.

2. Push back cuticles with an orange stick and remove and loose or dead skin-don’t cut away the cuticle, this can cause infection.

3. Trim and file nails- square your nails and round out the side, this is the best technique to help stop ingrown toe nails.

4. Rub in warm honey to feet and cover with your own recycled grocery bags- you will need two bags for each foot. Rinse and lotion up with either a peppermint or tea tree oil foot lotion. I love Seacret Minerals from the Dead Sea’s Foot Cream with Tea Tee Oil. Foot Therapy and Goldbond are good brands to check out also. (You are done now but if you would like to apply color to your toes continue on)

5. Wipe off toe nails with nail polish remover to remove any lotion.

6. Nail polish time-apple a base coat to your nails before you add a color coat, followed by a top coat. You can get nail polish that is both a base and top coat, saves you money, space, and time. Get Sally Hanson’s Base Coat. Their new summer color’s are out and I love their Charm collection- check out at http://www.sallyhansen.com/explore_bundles_promos.cfm?group=59

7. After your toe nails have dried fully rub a dab of olive oil into the cuticles

Last is your pedicure, and if you have spent the most of your time bent over, stretch and curb any hunger or thirst cravings you might be having at this time.

Steps for manicure

1. Cut and shape nails. Use nail clipper and nail file. Remember to file in the same direction and to not saw back and forth. Filing back and forth damages the nail.

2. Soak nails in a small bowl of warm water and your favorite bath salts. Dry hands.

3. Push back cuticles using a cuticle stick, remove any hang nails and dry and cracked cuticles using cuticle trimmer or cuticle nipper.

4. Lotion hands with a rich hand cream. (You are done now but if you would like to apply color to your nails continue on)

5. Wipe off nails with nail polish remover to remove any lotion.

6. Nail polish time-apply a base coat to your nails before you add a color coat. Finish off your paint session with a top coat. You can get nail polish that is both a base and top coat, saves you money, space, and time. Get Sally Hanson’s Double Duty
Strengthening Base & Top Coat. Their new summer color’s are out and I love their Charm collection- check out at http://www.sallyhansen.com/explore_bundles_promos.cfm?group=59

7. After your nails have dried fully rub a dab of olive oil into the cuticles.

Hope you have had a wonderful day spa at home.

Total for this day spa should have cost you from $0-$15 versus $300-$400 at your local spa. Please post and let me know about your experience, modifications, and deals.

Blessing upon you

Diva K