September Link-a-palooza!

Since the purpose of this (little used; bad blogger!) blog is to be a repository of all things link-worthy and lovely, here 'tis. September's Big Bag O' Bidness. Herewith, a passel of links that I've stumbled on and loved, from fashion to makeup to furniture/house-y stuff to...Jell-O.

Bon Appetit!

Face & Fabulousness:
* Hapas unite! Thanks to Mixed Chicks -- a line for those of us who have a little touch of that and a smackerel of the other -- there are products that help with frizzy hair, thanks to their styling products. On my to-do list; ordering a trial size pack for travel and a deep conditioner for home.
* Wanna know how to give yourself a facial massage? Thank Shiseido, they're on it.
* Stuff that Allure magazine has told me is worth plunking down a teeny bit of cash for; their run-down on generic rip-offs include....
- Rx Suncare Faces Sunblock SPF 50 from Rite Aid: created by Ocean Potion, barely greasy. Nice!
- CVS Radiant Eye Treatment from (wait for it) CVS: Glycerin, two polymers and bioflavenoid helps treat wrinkles and cover/help circles.
- Sephora Blush Me! in Merinque Jalouse from Sephora: all-flattering. 'Nuff said.
- Beyond Belief ABH Intensive Repair Serum from Sally Beauty: alpha & beta hydroxy for under 8 bucks.
- Femme Couture Flawless Touch Brightening Corrective Pen from Sally Beauty: They say it's superclose to YSL's Touche Eclat. For 9 bucks. Yes.
- Target Age-Defying Cleansing Towelettes from Target: A nod to the same ones Olay puts out, Allure says keeping 'em in your gym bag is a great way to clean up pre & post workout. I've got a pack in my gym bag right now.

Fashion:
* Give and Take t'shirts: Groovy vintage-look t's that actually support the cause you're sporting. How's that for hip?
* Traveling soon? With the zillions of holidays coming hard on our heels, a young woman's fancy turns to thoughts of...how am I gonna look cute at the airport and still pack what I need? I'm loving Jimeale bags because they're super stylish and amazingly affordable. But you don't have to tell anyone how little you paid, just smile and put on your sunglasses you rockstar. The polka-dot Anne Marie is waterproof and just what I need for my Sedona trip in a few months.
* I've been jonesing for a Military/Band jacket for years now. And they're in style again, finally! Though I love the embellished awesome that is BB Dakota, I'm hoping to get something a bit more toned-down for more than just this season wearability. Victoria's Secret has a cute one in purple. Banana Republic had one, but it's completely sold out, and Urban Outfitters' Silence & Noise jacket is looking all but gone. Sigh.
* Shoes I Must Have:
Sylvie by Indigo/Clarks

Gazelle by Sofft
A grey suede, knee-high slouch boot that slouches on its own rather than having the slouch sewn-in. *shudders* There's no link, you say? Well, the search continues. Stay tuned....

Furniture:
* First off, stuff I can actually afford, from time to time. VivaTerra's great eco-friendly stuff. Yay stuff!
* Sroka Design Inc has been making me drool for days over their re-dos. Great ideas for do-it-yourselfers (or just a great place to head to if you want someone to do it for you.
* Appliance Distributors Unlimited, Inc.; in Takoma Park, Chantilly and Linthicum! Yay! And they have a closeout section. Double yay!
* A zero-VOC paint by Benjamin Moore. Because it's green. And low in odor. Because really, it's all about the win-win.
* I can't express to you how much I love the Veneto Pedestal Sink by Stone Forest. I'm quite sure that one of these would cost more than my car, but hey. It's beautiful! So that'll be my Big Spend when I buy a place, because I can't not have (at least) one. Y'know, after the whole buying-a-place Big Spend.
* For the great outdoors in your own backyard? Garden Design Build Group has some lovely work, just check out their Showcase. Mmmmm.
* Antique addicted? Check out Sunday Driver for the most comprehensive East Coast listings.
Red Barn Merchantile has shopping jaunts to antique markets, perfect to scour for that new thingamabob for your home...or if you're just looking.
* Sally Steponkus was featured in Express, and for good reason: she knows her stuff. A few of her favorite sites (courtesy of Express)? My Notting Hill and Homer's Odd Isn't He. (You can thank her for the last few links too, while you're at it.

Food:
* A DC foragers heaven, from the Post: "Urban foragers, this one's for you. On the sidewalk between Subway and Starbucks, on New Hampshire Avenue NW, right near the intersection with U Street, is a wire-bound raised bed of herbs. The gates are unlocked, and you can reach in and pick. It's okay. Go ahead. You really can." - Joe Yonan
* Are you over 21? Do you like Jell-O? Is the Pope...er, Pope? If you answered yes to all the above (well okay, to the first two), you're sure to love Jell-O Lounge, the tasty treat's official site for all things wiggly and alcoholic. Sangria Cups, Pina Colada Pops and my personal favorite, Jell-O Strawberry Breezer "Mousse-tini" is all kindsa fun and nothing to share with those kids down the street.
* And do you have someone who could really use a gift of comfort food 'cause he or she is going through a hard time? Sympathyfood is all over it. I'm thinking that with cold & flu season coming up, perhaps a sick friend could use a little meatloaf. They're coming up with soups next, so soon? Sending someone virtual chicken soup will become virtual. What a great idea!

Phew -- all caught up! Lucky, lucky you. Oh how I wish I had a Mojito Granita right now....

Not budget-worthy in the truest sense, but hey, cute shoes!

I'm loving these BCBG Max Azria heels!

The fact that they're slingbacks but have a more substantial strap that wraps around the foot in a criscross is just gorgeous. And though the stacked heel/platform look is very much in style now, these have a classic vibe to them.

Others I like:

* Tahari's Shine at Lord&Taylor: on sale!
* The pair I'm really lusting after: Born's Enga heels

Packin' light, or What To Do This Summer Before Traveling

I'm really hooked on the articles on Divine Caroline, and this go-round there were a slew of 'em about heading out on vacation. 'Tis the season, right? That started me on a quest for info on how best to get myself outfitted for a decent trip without lugging a huge 10-piece set along with me everywhere I go. So here are a buncha links to what to do, how to do it, and what to put it all in.

10 Smart Family Vacation Travel Tips from chiff.com -- great tips for anybody, only tip 9 (take your child's safety seat and stroller) is just for families. And I think I have an old, dusty Game-Boy classic around here somewhere....

Before You Leave on onebag.com -- how to close down shop at home. I never thought about scheduling payments for utilities and such. Great idea! As for cleaning the fridge? I don't do that even when I'm at home...well, until the cheese starts talking to me.

Travel Resources on onebag.com -- a HUGE list of where to buy just about anything. I'm thinking about getting a copy of The Packing Book because I've always aspired to be one of those cool chicas rolling a single carryon, one that holds all manner of things I'd need. Because right now I'm lucky if I remember my underwear. And I could really use some Chums, not only on vacay but at spin class. It gets sweaty in there!

Dream Carryon, Part One: Redoxx's line of carry-on luggage, especially the Sunchaser and the Gator Bag. They probably wouldn't hold enough for me, but sigh. A gal can dream, right?

Meanwhile, I've been lusting after my roommate's Ogio travel backpack for years now. It's got two water bottle holders, two side zip pockets for stashing little things like sunscreen and your wallet, and three roomy storage areas. Sweet, right? She picked hers up for about fifteen bucks at Marshall's, and I've been hunting for one just like it for quite awhile now, with no success.

Last but not least, since Miami is my vacation destination this summer, what to pack for a trip to Miami from about.com. Nice article, with separate sections for each season.

Bargain bracelets: yes please!

Mmm, accessories. What else is there that takes the stuff you already have in your closet and perks it up for this season? Right now I'm all about bracelets, and the pickings are really great right now!

You don't need to spend alot of money to get yourself in with this seasons trends, though I do love Burberry's Wrap-around studded watch...but it's $1175.00. I love to eat and pay my rent even more. So I'll try to soothe my longing by picking up Urban Outfitter's Studded Wrap Bracelet. I may even see if I can string a big pendant on it and wear it as a necklace (hey, it's 34" long, it could work.) Speaking of multi-tasking, Nordstrom's Dogeard Leather Wrap Bracelet is a great basic piece and could double as a choker. Plus, it's fourteen dollars cheaper than their similar peace wrap bracelet, and the basic design of this piece will weather the fashion trends much better while still looking fresh.

As usual, Forever 21 has a ton of fashion-forward bracelets to choose from. Their Chain Trim Fabric Bracelet II works in the chain trend and the bright colors that are popping up everywhere. Plus it has a 80's retro vibe that I'm really liking right now. And I think several of their Mixed Charms String Bracelets would look really great with a maxi-dress or just jeans and a t-shirt.

Bangles are still big, which is great because I have a ton of 'em from the last few seasons. But I've added a few more from Lou Lou in Dupont Circle; they have stretchy silvertone bracelets that look like bangles but stretch to fit for $6.00. That's a steal! They're perfect for gals with smaller wrists who lose their favorite Camden Market bangle because it was too big and now she'll never replace it because the market burned down.... Oh, sorry. Where was I? Lou Lou, right. This is the place that fashion-conscious, bargain-savvy women in D.C. will be talking about and heading to, so get there now and you can say you were there before all the fuss started.

But you're tapped out until next payday? Don't worry, you can still work this trend. Just grab an old chunky chain necklace from your jewelry box and wrap it around your wrist until you can't wrap any more. Voila! Instant chain wrap bracelet! (Tip: don't have the storage space in your jewelry box for old, clunky items? Take an old shoe box and tuck those things away; you can always re-purpose them later. Just remember to mark the box "Old Jewelry" so you know it's not a pair of pumps.)

After I finish drooling over all of these bracelets, I'm hoping to get a little shopping done at the newest consignment kid on the block: Mint Condition in Old Town. According to Daily Candy it's up and running. And who doesn't love a great consignment shop? You take in your old stuff, pick up some new stuff...win-win!

DC Budget Fashion Trends Examiner: Four cute sandals, each under $20!

Four cute sandals, each under $20!

Oh, and the jelly flip-flops at Forever 21? They're $5.50; look for the clear plastic cubes full of 'em stacked on racks near the cash registers....

(This actually went up on Monday. I'll get better with the whole linking-my-articles thing. Promise.)

Hyperlink Budget Bonanza!

I love Spam sometimes. When I sign up for it, that is. It delivers so much good stuff to my inbox. Here's the latest I've gotten all aflutter about:

* Ann Taylor Loft has marked down a good number of their Summer dresses to $29.50! And not just the spaghetti strapped ones you'll regret buying as soon as you realize that the dress makes your hooters look like you're charging by the hour. (Of course, if you don't have that problem in strippy-strap sundresses or camis...I'm seething with jealousy.) I'm loving their Smocked Squarneck Print Dress, because it has plenty of room for bra-ness and it could do double-duty as a tunic when the weather is less than steamy. The Sleeveless Dress With Twist Waist and Sleeveless Dress With Front Twist look like classic staples, but the twist waist one gets the upper hand because it has pockets. Pocket-ses! That makes my inner Gollum shriek with happiness.

* Nana the Fly Spy over at The Tastemaker Diaries asks; do you wear short shorts? Nobody wants to see my gams in crotch-high shorts, but I do have to admit I think they're adorable. But for my public, I wear above-the-knee skimmers. Maybe if I hit the gym more often I could switch. What about you?

* One of my favorite blogs EVER is Guanabee, for many reasons, including the tidbit that cheese (in particular Queso Fresco) may help fight obesity. Bring it on!

* Maybe pack some Queso Fresco in your pic-a-nic basket (hey, it keeps for the 10 seconds it'd take to snarf it down, right?) Daily Candy Travel came up with a great picnic feast, though it ain't the most budget-friendly nosh in the world. For that, hit up the Frugal Family Fun Blog. Mmm, German Potato Salad. BTW, corn on the cob, rotisserie chicken and iced tea won't do your figure much harm at all. Which will leave you looking even hotter in that sundress.

And last but not least, if you're looking for someplace to head out 'cause you're looking fabulous... (and of course you're looking fabulous!) Look no further; check out the events for this year's Capital Pride festivities. The parade is Saturday and the street festival is Sunday, but there's lots to do before then. You can always make one of the events right after that stop at Ann Taylor Loft....

Examiner.com article: Wear Today Gone Tomorrow!

I'm sure everyone by now knows about Bag Borrow or Steal -- I mean really, Jennifer Hudson's character mentioned them on Sex and the City last summer -- but did you know that along with that super-hot bag you could bop on over to another Web site to get yourself dolled up head-to-toe in the latest fashions for the week?

Yep, Wear Today Gone Tomorrow is exactly what you're looking for if you'd love a great outfit or dress for an event, but don't have the wallet heft (or closet space) to pull off a purchase. Don't worry, you're not getting someone else's cast-offs; each piece is drycleaned after it's returned, before it goes to the next happy renter. And the pieces are rented at 90% off their retail price per week. Not bad, but remember the return date; this ain't a library book fee we're talking about. Returning items is easy thanks to a postage-paid bag that they mail to you along with the piece you've rented.

So the next time you get asked to that embassy gala and you have absolutely nothing to wear? Don't sweat it, with a click of the mouse your'e covered.