Setting the mood

I feel like some people get excited
& then some get depressed.
I'm talkin' 'bout Valentines day! 

I personally think it's just a day to show love to those around you! Doesn't matter if you are single or what not, It's all about showing that we care for those around us - but like I said, thats just me. So I decided to jump right in and start getting some love goin' in this house! 

My recipe;

<3  Start with some jars
I got these from kirklands awhile ago

for about $10! You could also
use any jars around the house! 

Next comes the candy!

I grabbed a couple different kinds,

not only cause I have a sweet tooth

but because the different colors

look cute in the jars!

 

& maybe I dug into them a little soon.. oopsie

& Then I just simply added the candies to the jars!

I also bought some cute ribbon from Michael's

It was like $2! & added a little extra

cuteness to it! I put these jars and candies

on my entry way table to welcome people

in with sweets ;) 

I have a couple more projects for this valentines day so stay tuned!

<3

Pink Packages

Big ones, small ones, long ones.. you name it I love them.Packages!

     I wish I would've taken a picture because there were SIX packages at my door this afternoon! I absolutely love coming home to surprises! I love any mail, cards, postcards, packages and magazines. I'm just never sure what will be in the mailbox or on the door step! In all of my packages today, one stood out to me. Mainly because it was pink but because it's one of my favorites and I knew it was coming soon! 
----> I'm talking about my IPSY SUBSCRIPTION! 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

   Michelle Phan is one of the most known make up guru's on youtube! Herself and some of her youtube friends and stylists came up with a monthly beauty subscription called Ipsy or glambag!  

--> For $10 a month they send you deluxe samples and sometimes full size beauty products based on your quiz results!

---> You take a quiz so your glambag can be personalized for you!

----> After you receive your products ipsy shows you how to use the products & offers discounts if you would like to purchase full size items.


      My glambag for the month of January:

>>My pink packaged arrived! I absolutely love seeing this every month :) 

>>>Then the first thing that you pull out is this card. It usually has the different products listed, different messages and whatever else they added! 

>>>Next comes the glambag! I do have to say this isn't their cutest one, but usually they absolutely adorable bags & you get one every month! They are so handy for your purse, car, or the billion random things I have! But check out ipsy.com to see their last months bag to give you a better idea!

>>>Then come the products! 

>>>Proactive+ Mark fading pads.
I am actually really excited about these!

I have acne marks on my face so I am wanting to see
if these help before I purchase a full size! 

>>>Next inside was a smooth shadow creamy eye pencil.
I haven't played with it much yet but the swatch on my hand,

is really pretty.

>>>Next was eye cream and as weird as it sounds I am so excited about it!
I am so weird about aging so I love creams and things!

>>>Then Mojito lip balm, I was worried I wouldn't like it cause I am not a
mint person, but it was very light mint and my lips do feel better! 

>>>Last but not least is Healthy Sexy hair leave in conditioner!
Now, I actually already use this on the daily and absolutely
recommend it to everyone! I also love that I now have a travel size!

Perfff!

   >>>I should mention this was not one of my favorites, so go to their website and check out their last couple of months to get a real feel for it! I promise it's worth the $10! Please let me know if you try it out and enjoy it! <<<

<3

Cash out, so Cash in

  I don't know about you and your friends.. but me and mine are broke after the holidays!
     So I came up with some ideas how to make some extra money and how to save some. 

• First off lets cash in those gift cards! I feel as though a typical holiday gift now includes gift cards. This often leads to us purchasing something we don't necessarily need or want.. just us trying to use it. I found two websites that I like ( even though there are hundreds out there) to trade your gift cards for cash! Try www.plasticjungle.com or www.Giftcardgranny.com Sell your gift cards for cash and either get to saving or put that cash towards your holiday debt!
  
  
• New year new you, right? I will admit this one is a little odd, but can help the new you, and your empty pocket at the same time! With www.buyandsellhair.com you can do just that! Chop off your hair and sell it! I feel like with a new year everyone is trying to invent their self! So try a new do and sell it so someone else can get a new one as well!
  
  
• Study- No, I don't mean hit the books and study, I mean look up studies being done! There are always college students, companies and hospitals doing different studies, so be their test dummy! You can find them on craigslist, in student newspapers, or look up some on the national institute of health.
  
  
• Give to get- Sometimes donating pays! These days you can donate plasma, sperm, eggs, blood, time, and so many others! Check out www.plasma.com
  
  
• Out with the old- Got new clothes for christmas? Cash in on the old ones! You can trade them in at Consignment shops, Plato's Closet, throw them up on craiglist, or a facebook community resale. Got new electronic or video games? Cash in on them! Game Stop takes video games, cellphones and other electronics you might not need anymore. You can also always get your friends together and have a garage sale to sell any items you might not need anymore.
  

& Here are some tips on saving money

• Where does it go?- My money always seems to disappear so fast, but where does it go? www.mint.com is a free and safe site that links up with your bank account and gives you a spreadsheet of where your money is going! It really makes me realize how often I stop for coffee, and how fast it adds up! It can also help you to come up with a savings plan. 

• Visit the app store- The app RedLaser helps you compare while you shop! Think something is a good price? Scan it and it will let you know if somewhere else has a cheaper. Make sure to ask the store if they do price comparison before you take the drive to the store with the cheaper item.
  
  
• Everyone gets gas- in their car. While you are at the app store, another great app to pick up is Gasbuddy. While on the road, this will let you know where the cheapest gas is around you. Why pay more than you have to?
  
  
• Loyalty- Most stores these days have a loyalty rewards program. If it's free sign up! Most of them have great perks from getting extra coupons to free goodies, how can you say no to that? but what I DO hate about it is that I have enough cards in my wallet, that I don't need another! Try the app Keyring. It stores all your loyalty cards so that way you don't miss out if you don't have it on you & one less card in your wallet.
  
  
• Savings not boring- Some people think while they are trying to save money they shouldn't be going out! Check out www.livingsocial.com or www.groupon.com for great deals on food, activities and other things! They always have great deals so that way when you do go out you aren't spending all your saved money! Another great tip is to go out with friends during happy hours! This way you can get half price drinks and appetizers without spending a fortune!
  
  
• Challenge- I am going to challenge you! Come up with some creative way to save a little here and there. I've seen it on Facebook & Pinterest so I though I'd share it on here! The 52 week saving challenge. I dare you to use it if you don't come up with another way of saving. 

I am also going to participate in this challenge, so lets do this!
Hope you enjoyed and got at least one good idea out of all this. 

What's in my purse?

  Switching purses and I thought...
                                    why not share what I carry in my purse?

                                                                The purse;

This beauty is made by Betsy Johnson.
& I ordered it online from Macy's back in October.

I didn't picture it but the inside is a cute floral pattern.

Let's Dive Inside;

First thing I pulled out was my planner!
I purchased this in August from Victoria's Secret.
It was originally just for school, but with my crazy life,

it's came in handy so much! I write everything in it.

Excuse the fingerprints, next thing was my kindle!
I love reading, & I like having this on me for waiting rooms, 

down time, and whenever I can get my hands on it. 

My wallet.
It def doesn't go with my purse but it's so roomy!
I purchased it from Maurices this winter. 

Next two items;
Fat & Carb Blocker.. I work weight loss remember?
& Motrin.. ya never know.

Viva La Juicy Lotion
&
Batiste dry hair shampoo- My absolute favorite,
It's handy for when your hair gets greasy or
you need some extra volume! 

Next I have this little make up bag from
Too Faced ( I got it with their favorite pallet)

& inside I have..

What I call my survival kit.
- Toothpaste & tooth brush
- Three baby soft lip's chapstick
(I don't think I need that many but there there)

- Two lipgloss
- Two lipsticks
-Two perfumes
-Hand sanitizer
-Deodorant
-Mascara

-Face powder

- Hand lotion

Now that I've gone through that.. it's a little much.
Remind me to lighten it up in my next bag. 

My favorite candies.. oops.

I then have this bag where I carry my phone accessories
Inside;

I have a usb cord, two plug ins &
a Halo extra battery! I seriously LOVE
my extra battery.. if you don't have one,
you need it!

Last;

..but not least
My ray ban sunglasses,
I absolutely love them but am horrible
about keeping them in a case!
oops.

Anyways, that concludes what is in my purse! I hope you enjoyed, and please leave me a comment with what your purse essentials are! I'd love to see what you carry around! Also, any suggestions on what I should carry around! 

And if you were wondering, here's what I am carrying next.. 

<3

A blog for what?

Hello;

My name is Ally, it's great to meet you! Okay, that was a little cheesy. Lets skip the non sense and get to the point. I am starting a blog.. for what you might ask? I haven't figure it out yet. I have a bunch of ideas that might be helpful to you or this may end up being a blog for myself. Either way it's here. Well that's it for now, stay tuned!