Frugal Friday – Cheap Sally

For those of you who love to clip coupons, CheapSally.com might be a site worth visiting. Cheap Sally offers a variety of savings—from coupons to daily deals—all in an easily downloadable electronic format.

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Start out on the homepage by checking out all the coupons and promo codes for the day; which could include percentages off anything from auto rental, to clothing to travel. Next you can click over to the local daily deals and get a feel for the bargains in your city. Pulling from sites like Eversave, Groupon and Living Social; Cheap Sally allows you to see all the offers available to you right in your neighborhood.

The section that would be the most fun for couponers is the groceries area, where you can literally browse through dozens of deals, and virtually “clip” them. Once you’ve selected all the coupons you’d like to use, you can print them all simultaneously and be ready to buy!

You can also purchase things like gift cards and tickets to sporting and entertainment events on the site, and get helpful hints and tips on the best ways to save when you read Sally’s Blog, which is updated often with “how to” tips, DIY suggestions, fitness tips and product reviews.

I have yet to actually use Cheap Sally’s coupons. I logon to the site and see what’s available, but I haven’t downloaded anything. Here’s the rub about coupons and me: I have a tendency to forget to use them. I’ll put them in my specially designated “coupon drawer” and then fail to have them with me when I’m in a situation where they’d be handy; or I’ll have them in my wallet, and just completely forget to pull them out and actually hand them to the cashier. So coupons just kind of “hang out” with me rather than getting put to any use.

Still, I can see the value in CheapSally.com, and those of you with better faculties around your memory will make great use of it. Enjoy!

Happy Weekend!
xo

My Clarisonic Mia

Last month I entered a giveaway at the uber fabulous Midtown Girl blog, and (gasp!) I won! The prize? A Clarisonic Mia for both myself and my bestie.


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I'd heard a bit about the Clarisonic Mia from friends, so I was really excited to have won. It arrived in just a few days--and then I got completely distracted and the box sat in my living room for about a week. I finally opened it last night and I can't believe I waited so long! It is THE BEST.

The soft bristles gave my face the best massage, and my skin felt super clean and tight just a couple of minutes after cleansing. I also had a pretty large red patch on the bridge of my nose where a pimple was developing, and the redness was reduced to practically nothing. I swear, my fingers never gave such good face. The Mia is a welcome addition to my cleansing routine.

So here's my routine:
I dampened my face and the Mia with warm water, then applied a sizeable amount of the accompanying cleanser to the brush. Turning the Mia on, I gently moved the brush over my face, starting with my cheeks, then moving to my chin and finally my forehead. After cleansing, I rinsed my face with cold water so the pores would close, then dabbed it dry with a white wash cloth (I learned in college never to use colored cloths on my face as the dyes can be harmful).

I was lucky enough to win my Clarisonic Mia, but you can learn more about it and/or purchase yours here. It's a bit of an investment at $149, but it is one that will be well worth it!

The Rules of Engagement When Dating as a Single Parent

Dating and the single parent is always an interesting topic—what are the rules of engagement when children are involved? As if dating isn’t difficult enough on its own at times, there are additional elements at play for single parents. They often have budgets, priorities and schedules that differ widely from those of their childless single counterparts--which contribute an additional layer to the experience. One of the most important questions that parents seek to tackle in regards to dating, however, is: when is the right time to introduce your child to someone you’re dating?

This is a loaded question, as there are a variety of factors that play into it: how old is the child? What is his or her level of maturity—can s/he understand what it means to date? How involved is the other parent in the child’s life? Is this person someone you are, or are planning to be serious with? How well do you think you know the person you’re dating?

As likely evidenced by the title of my blog, I am a single parent and as such I do date. My method has always been to keep the people I date separate from my son, and to allow someone to meet him only once I’m sure that things are--or have the potential to be--serious. It has never been worth it to me to bring someone into his life unless they’d be there for a while.

I do not, however, keep the fact that I date a secret from my son. Of course my approach with him has changed over the years; when he was younger, it wasn’t worth bringing up at all; but now he’s old enough (at 12) to understand what it means to date or to have a boyfriend. And I’ve reached an age where marriage has become a priority for my future; so I need him to be prepared for my one day having a husband, and it not being just the two of us anymore. We communicate, and we have a level of trust that lets him know that I would never bring anyone into his life that I didn’t spend time getting to know, and determining that they warrant the opportunity to be there. It helps that he has a good relationship with his father, so he isn’t looking for a father figure to get attached to; and since my son has never known his father and I as a couple (he was very young when we split) there is no underlying resentment on his part. He just wants me to find a partner I can be happy with {insert “awww” here :)}.

So my situation is easy, thank goodness; but I know it isn’t that way for all single moms and dads.

What has been your experience? When do you think is the right time to engage your child with someone you’re dating?

Colloquial Chic: Fashion is a State of Mind

Happy Monday! Welcome to a new week, and a new opportunity to define the future. Make it count! xo

Frugal Friday + This Weekend in Baltimore

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The weather is going to beautiful in Baltimore this weekend, and I hope all you lovelies plan to get out and enjoy it.

For those of you who plan to flex your shopping muscle, South Moon Under is currently having a 25% off sale. Save on merchandise that is already discounted up to 75% when you use code EXTRA25. They're also offering free shipping on orders over $100, so there is no time like the present to shop designers like 7 for All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity and J Brand. The Summer Dress Event is also happening right now at Loehmann's. Be a frugal frockstar when you snag them for as little as $20-30. Click here to find the location nearest to you.

Should you decide instead to frolic on the rolling lawn of the Linganore Winecellars, shimmy to the sounds of summer reggae, and sip yummy vino; check out the article I wrote last summer for Examiner.com on how to be "wine festival fab". And don't forget your hat, sunscreen and water to help keep you cool--and your besties of course. Wine fests are the most fun when done in groups. For more details on the wine festival itself, go here.

And finally, if perusing delicate crafts, fine art and unique jewelry is more your speed; check out Artscape this weekend. There will be performances, and street theater; and the opportunity to fill up on all the festival food your heart desires. This quintessential Baltimore summer event is also free. For specific info on Artscape, go here.

Stay cool, Lovies!
xo

Favorite Color of the Season: Yellow

My favorite color so far this summer might be yellow. It’s just such a positive color, and conjures thoughts of sunshine. A pop of yellow can brighten your mood even on the cloudiest day. It also looks fantastic against the tan I’ve begrudgingly acquired.

If you like to express your summer style by slipping into a dainty dress, these might be for you:

This striped dress from Top Shop is a sunny alternative to the nautical look. The lady like shape, and silk/cotton blend of this Adam dress at the Outnet makes it perfect for work—and with a quick change of accessories—perfect for date night as well. This strapless mini floral print dress, also from Top Shop is the ideal summer day dress; wear it to the mall, the museum or your friend’s barbecue and be casually stunning.

If you’re not ready to be swathed in yellow from head to toe, add pops of yellow with great accessories like this Mojo Moxy pump at DSW, which is on trend with its pretty floral accent. The sparkle on this yellow clutch at Kitson makes you want to head out on the town, just so you can take it with you. There’s no simpler way to add color without going overboard, than to wear a cocktail ring and it’s easy to get enamored with the vintage feel of this one at Max & Chloe.

What’s your favorite color this season?