Bargain Brag: H&M Jewelry Haul

While out Christmas shopping, I spotted some great jewelry deals at H&M.  They had lots of marked down items, and there were many for only $1!  I racked up on some cute jewelry for myself, as well as some that I plan to give as gifts to friends.  When I went to the register, I discovered the deal was even sweeter-THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL 30% ON SALE ITEMS!  That made the dollar items I had found only 70 cents each.  I bought a total of 10 items and paid only $8.90. 

 All of these rings were only 70 cents each...I grabbed this drapey 2 finger ring, a set of 4 pearl rings, a set of 3 rings that includes a spiky ring, and a thick chain ring, all in gold tone.

I grabbed these two-toned feather earrings as a gift for my sister.

I got these skin and nail tattoos that feature small black outline shapes. I really like these!

I also go this set of three bracelets that I think will make a nice stocking stuffer.

 I got these 3 necklaces.  A pretty one with rhinestone hearts, an eagle necklace, and one with rivets.

 Marked at $3, the eagle necklace was my most expensive pick.  After the discount, it came to an extravagant $1.90! haha.  I really wanted one of these when they were so trendy last year!  I like the modest size (and price) of this one.  Athough the huge ones were infinitely cooler, this one is a lot more wearable for me. 

So, have you snagged any good deals while Christmas shopping? What is on your jewelry wishlist this holiday season?

Winning is Beautiful!

How I win free beauty products in giveaways and sweepstakes.

Last week, I saw a package for me on my living room table.  That was nothing unusual.  I'm always requesting samples, so I'm always getting some sort of package. I became curious when I saw it was from Mary Kay, though.  The envelope felt like it contained actual makeup, not a sample, and I didn't remember requesting anything from them... 

When I opened the package, there was a pretty bronze cream shadow and a brush.  I had won a weekly sweepstakes from Project Runway and Mary Kay!  How exciting!

This is nowhere near my first win, however.  Last year, I got into requesting product samples after I happened to randomly see a Yahoo News article about free samples that sparked my interest.  The type of people who request samples often enjoy the hobbies of couponing and "sweeping" (or entering sweepstakes), as well.  As I began to read blogs about free samples, I also saw many sweepstakes and giveaways mentioned.  So, I thought, it didn't hurt to enter.  Slowly, I became a bit of a "sweeper" myself.

Although my friends and family make fun of me for it, I really enjoy samples, sweepstakes, and coupons!  I totally understand how, to my friends, they may seem like comical hobbies better suited for a stay-at-home mom with OCD.   But I see it differently.  I have plenty of nonconstructive online pursuits (like Facebook stalking, obsessive online shopping, random Youtube tangents, and so on. I'm sure I'm not alone...) But the thing that differentiates sampling and sweeping is that they are actually productive "time wasters."  I send my name and address out into cyberspace and often get something I didn't have before in return.  All types of nice things show up in my mailbox for free.  How cool is that?

That's why I thought I'd share the love and show you guys some of the things I've won over the past year, as well as give you some sweepstakes pointers.

This is a Dove prize pack I won last year in their daily holiday sweepstakes.  It contained Dove body wash, a nice bath pillow, aromatherapy oil and eye mask, and yummy French Vanilla tea. 

I won this Milani lipstick from a Facebook giveaway. 

I won these full-sized Vaseline products from a "She Finds" sweeps. 

I won these energy bars from a Facebook sweepstakes. (They were really good, btw!)

I got this full-sized Nivea lip butter from a giveaway on Nivea's Facebook page. 

I won Aussie deep conditioner from Allure Magazine.

I snagged a full size Suave Moroccan Infusion Shampoo in a Suave giveaway.   

I was the winner of a Palmer's weekly sweepstakes.  

And just this weekend, I got this email message:

Here are my tips on how you can win: 

1. Find sweepstakes and giveaways.  There are many ways to do this.  Connect with companies you like on whatever social media sites you regularly use.  Many giveaways and sweeps work through Facebook entries.  There are also a substantial amount you can find on Twitter, Instagram, etc.  If you like a company on Facebook, you will be able to see when they post promotions.  There are also tons of blogs and webpages made just for contest, sweepstakes, and giveaway information.  My favorite sites for finding sweepstakes are http://contests.about.com/ and Samplestuff.com's Facebook page " Free Samples And Freebies"

2. Enter the contests that you really want to win.  Since there are so many contests out there, it makes sense to focus just on ones that you actually would like to win.  What good is it to get something useless, even if it's free?  Not only that, but it is selfish, as you are taking a prize from someone out there who really wanted it.  I always think, "Would I actually use this thing?" before submitting my information. I try to only enter sweepstakes that offer something I am either dying to have, or at the very least, could be useful/fun in my daily life.

3. Increase your odds.  First, if you enter tons of sweeps, statistically you are bound to win some!  So the more you enter, the better your chances.  There are also some other simple considerations to boost your odds.  Sweeps that are for lesser known companies, less valuable items, or nitch products will likely have fewer entrants, making it easier for you to win.  Sweeps with restrictions (state/age/gender etc) also will have better odds than those with none.  Check the entry rules about how often you can enter, too.  Some allow daily or weekly entry, others are one time only. Enter each as much as possible to boost your chances.  Any contest that requires you to do something extra or creative (upload a photo, write a paragraph and so on..) will likely have fewer entrants than those that just require a form.  The more prizes given, the more likely you are to win.  With the Mary Kay sweeps I just won, they chose 5,000 winners weekly.  Those are much better odds than just 1 winner a week.  The shorter the entry period, the better the odds.  So, those quick day-long Facebook giveaways are pretty easy to win.  Many of the items I won are from this type of sweepstakes!

4. Always check your email.  I didn't get any message about winning the Mary Kay sweepstakes, but usually, with even the smallest giveaways, they inform you that you won and ask you to verify your address within a certain time frame.  If you fail to respond you can lose your prize.  Over the summer, I was travelling in Guatemala, and due to spotty computer access, I did not check my email often.  I won a lip and cheek color set from Lucky Magazine worth over a hundred dollars, but I didn't respond to the email soon enough.  Unfortunately, I lost out on my most valuable prize so far.  Not cool!  Also, many times the notification email is sent from an individual employee, and can look quite unofficial, so check your email regularly and carefully.  

5. Think like a winner.  I totally believe in visualization and positive thinking.  If you feel like you are going to win, you probably will.

Finally, and most importantly: 

6. Don't give up!!! Keep entering.  It takes time for sweepstakes to close, for the companies to choose names and contact winners.  Chances are you will forget you even entered by the time you hear you won! Give it time, and keep going.  If you are persistent you will surely win.  

I wish you the best of luck!    

So, do you enter giveaways and contests?  Have you ever won any?  Please feel free to share your own winning tips in the comments.

Bargain Brag: Free Makeup with Coupons

Hi everyone.  Today I just wanted to tell you about how I often score free makeup by using coupons.

I recently got all of these items for free at Dollar Tree.  I got Rimmel Glam Eyes HD shadow in two colors: English Rose and Black Cab, and Wet N Wild Mega Protein Mascara.  

I have been using coupons for the past year, and I have come to believe that it is 100% worth the time and effort to shop with coupons.  I get deals like this all the time!  If you want a more in-depth look at how I score free and cheap cosmetics and beauty products check out my previous post on couponing here.

In this case, I had various coupons for different drug-store brand cosmetics.  Most cosmetic coupons are usually for a dollar off of one product.  When I saw the Rimmel shadows for just a dollar at Dollar Tree, I was able to match them to a dollar off any Rimmel eye product coupon I had.  I had multiples of that coupon, so, I was able to score both shadows for nothing!

Same with the Wet N Wild mascara.  Wet N Wild often offers dollar off coupons, which I find curious, since their products have such low prices to begin with.  I have gotten free nail polish from them in the past at CVS, but finding this mascara at Dollar Tree was an even better value since it usually costs $2 or $3 in drug stores.  Thanks to my couponing, this entire shopping spree was free!    

The Rimmel Black Cab palette features shimmery silver/gray/black shadow.  I just read two articles in the November issue of Spanish Cosmopolitan about makeup looks using these shades. 

The English Rose Palette features peachy-pinks/tan/brown.  These colors are very much my style, so I know I will get a lot of use from this shadow set.  Generally, I have become very snobbish lately with makeup.  I tend to stick to my MAC and Naked palette and steer clear of buying drug store brands.  But for free, it doesn't hurt to add a little variety to my makeup bag!

I also got this Mega Protein Mascara by Wet N Wild.  I was a little wary about buying such cheap mascara.  I think the last time I tried Wet N Wild mascara was in my junior high days! However, since the mascara was free, I gave it a shot, and I was very surprised by how nice this product is!  It goes on smooth and without clumps. In fact, it is nothing like the dry and clumpy Wet N Wild mascara I remember from the past.  The effect is not very dramatic though.  The look it gives is rather natural, but I would definitely wear this on days that I want a no-fuss fresh-faced look.    

So, have you found anything cool at the dollar store lately? Do you ever use coupons on makeup?

New In: Chanel-Inspired

I am a huge fan of Chanel and I can't wait for the day that I can afford a classic 2.55 bag.  For now, though, that's just a dream.  Unfortunately, the only Chanel items in my current budget are cosmetics!  Still, a girl can dream...

That's why I am always delighted to find Chanel-inspired pieces within my price range.  Here are my two latest finds: 

I found this awesome white with black logo hoody at Forever 21 for only $19.80.

 It reads: 

"Label Junkie

Rich 
Famous

Paris" 

with iconic double CC's in rhinestones in the middle

This top is a hot item, it seems.  There were 3 on display while I was shopping and all of them were sold by the time I left the store! 

I love it and can't wait to wear it!

  

I also found this small quilted flap bag on Ebay for only $19.99 with free shipping from China.  The quality of this bag is decent for the price and I love the size and style.  

The gold chain strap is long enough to wear cross body.  

So, have you bought any designer-inspired pieces lately?  What designers would you love to own?

Sale Alert- Tillys.com

To all my American readers, I wanted to wish you a happy Thanksgiving.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday!  And for my American readers, we also know that with Thanksgiving comes a lot of great sales.  With all the pre-black Friday alerts hitting my inbox, I've already been online shopping like crazy!  

That's why I wanted to tell you about the best deal I've found so far.  Tilly's is having a 50% off sale merchandise promotion with free shipping on all orders-no minimum!!!  Their sale prices are inexpensive to begin with, and after the discount, there are accessories for just $2-$3, tee shirts and sandals for just $5.  I tend to not buy online unless I get free shipping, so, I jump at sales like these.  If you are not familiar with the store, Tilly's is a sort of skater/surfer shop.  They sell brands such as Roxy and Oneil.  Because of the laid-back beachy vibe, I particularly like shopping this site for swimsuits and sundresses.  Here are a couple items I really liked but did not end up buying:

These open oxfords were only $10 after the discount! I saw a similar pair for $25 at Forever 21 just last weekend.

 These adorable sandals were only $8..unfortunately they only had a size 10.

This fringed backpack was just $10. Nice!
  
They also have lots of cute little rings and necklaces that would make great stocking-stuffers and they carry men's and children's clothing as well, for those of you who are shopping for Christmas gifts.

Although this sale does feature some current season items like sweaters, flannels, and boots, the best deals to are to be found on off-season items.  For all my savy shoppers, it is time to stock up on cute sale items for spring and summer!  If you are someone who has a good feel for trends, you can easily rack up basics and trendy items that will still be cool into the next year.  I always shop this way, and it saves me tons of money.  I saw many items that I liked, but ended up restraining myself to the absolute best bargains.  I ended up buying two cute summer dresses by Full Tilt that were only $5.99 each! Since this is my first time buying from Tilly's I'll do a post about the experience and the items I bought, so look out for that some time soon.     

So, have you found any amazing deals/sales yet?  Do you plan on shopping on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday?

For my international readers, does your country have any big shopping days like Black Friday in the US? 

Outfit-Downtown Shopping

It has been quite awhile since I checked in... I have been really busy, but I will try to post more regularly. Hope all my readers are doing well. 

Thought I would just share a casual look I wore this weekend to do some shopping downtown.  My sister and I also grabbed a buy one get one free offer on holiday flavors at Starbucks. Yum!

Downtown shopping by artaslife featuring an army green jacket

Long Distance Love Graphics

Hi everyone. Today I thought I'd share a few pretty and cute cartoons and pictures related to long distance love that I've collected from around the internet. None of these images are mine, but they are really sweet. I'm sure anyone who has loved someone who is far away can relate.