The First Date Emergency Kit

I thought it'd be fun to do a post catered to all the single ladies out there! While I know you should never except a last minute date from a fella, there are some instances when you will be caught off-guard and need to pull yourself together stat! 

Enter: The First Date Emergency Kit

This is full of last minute things that will help you when your frazzled or in a bind: 

1. Teasing comb - Add volume to hair that may have fallen during the work day

2. Nail file - For fixing those nervous nibbles

3. Tweezers - Always good for a quick clean up. You can actually do this in the car with natural sunlight and it works almost better than the bathroom florescents

4. Bobby pins (to match your hair color) - When teasing isn't enough, pull your bangs into a side plait for a simple but cute look

5. Pale pink polish - For when you don't have time to get a mani/pedi
6. A subtle glow - This is my go-to for adding quick color

7. Foot petals - You never know if your man will take you out dancing... or maybe those new shoes you just splurged on haven't quite been broken in yet

8. Crest 3D White Strips - A great smile is one of the first things men say they notice about women

9. Lint Roller - So you don't bring your furry friend to dinner with you

10. Downy Wrinkle Releaser - A god-send, seriously! This will get out wrinkles stat!

11. Listerine Strips - You don't want to look like a cow chomping on it's cud all night (wow, my Texas came out there), so opt for a quick dissolving Listerine strip to freshen your breath

12. Mini Wine - Pre-date jitters. This mini bottle is the perfect amount for one glass of wine. Be careful that you don't get sloshed before hand though. Sloppy isn't sexy.
13. Sample perfume - I like perfume that is subtle. This is my very favorite not only becuase it mixes with your natural pheromones to give you a completely unique smell, but it's so light that it comes off as almost an afterthought.
14. "Pumped Up" Playlist I love Spotify because you can stream anything! Put on some girl power music, and get ready for a fun night!

Broke February: 6 Dresses PATIENTLY waiting in my Shopping Cart

I love window shopping, always have! Granted, it's kind of a bummer when you can't just slap down the cash and never look back, but hey, savvy spending right?

When I see a dress or top, I immediately think about where I could wear it. That mentality has kept me from making some random purchases. "Oh that's gorgeous, but when will I EVER be brunching with Emma Watson in a London cafe?" Get real.  

Below are some great dresses that I can see myself wearing pretty much everywhere. 

Case in point, this first little green number with the front cut-out. Now this would be perfect for brunching with Emma Watson... should she ever invite me. Also the little white dress next to it? I see it as THE staple in my closet for the next six months. When in doubt, ill grab that one!

green / white

I'm not in Junior League, but I could see myself wearing this Black & White Zigzag number to a meeting (I told you my imagination runs wild). I would also where it to a wedding or baby shower (and Lord knows I've got several of those this season). 

I'm kind of in love with this yellow one. It's sheer, but still sweet. Again, totally could wear it to any of the places I just listed. Versatility people! 

black & white / yellow

I have already purchase the pink one below for a wedding. I'm a bridesmaid, and the bride's only rules were that it was coral and short. She's one of my very best friends so I also knew it had to be appropriate for the beach, still fancy enough for the wedding and simple enough to not take away from her. Four stars for me; she loved it! Whoop!
I picked the other floral dress below, because I love how easy and pretty it is. It'll take me no time at all to get in to comfy-vacation mode. I want something I can throw on quickly, be comfortable in but still look put-together. Also, my-white-self will probably get sun burnt the first day, so this will be perfect for not clinging to my skin ;)

pink / floral

Broke February: Mani Pedi

 

If you have a steady hand and a couple of dream products, there is NO reason for you to go to the nail salon. Honestly, I don't have much patience for getting my nails done anyway (I realize I'm in the minority), so if I'm going to do it, I'M going to do it.

My classic go-to color is "Petal Pusher" Insta-Dry polish by Sally Hansen. Why? Because it's the fastest drying stuff EVER. KNOWN. TO. MAN. A+ in my book.

I also like "Mon Cherry" by Revlon. Its a great, bright red with a perfect balance of blue and orange undertones for my pale skin. And it smells like cherries :) No joke!

My new "trendy" polish to use is... wait for it... Ballet Slippers by Essie.

Wait, what?! 

I know you're probably thinking that I'm crazy. Not only has Ballet Slippers been around forever, but "fashion-forward" is not exactly the first adjective that pops into mind.

Here me out, OK?

image / image / image

White nails were ALL OVER the runways during Fashion week. Celebs are jumping on the bandwagon. Bloggers are jumping on the bandwagon. I'm jumping on the bandwagon. White IS the color right now. Or is it the absence of color? I can never keep that straight. Anyway...

However... I am too pale to paint my nails white. Just am. SO, I tripled-up on Ballet Slippers giving me a very opaque, pale pink. While its not white-white, it's still a light white and keeps me from looking like I painted liquid paper on my nails. #Winning

So for one easy payment of $7.00 + tax you too can get a bomb-dot-com manicure sure to glean compliments from even the most loyal salon goers.

Broke February: Free short stacks for National Pancake Day!

If this doesn't count in my #BrokeFebruary series, I don't know what does!

Image courtesy of IHOP

 Today is National Pancake Day, and I. am. pumped! Not only because IHOP is giving away FREE short stacks, but more importantly because all donations benefit my favorite non-profit, the Children's Miracle Network, and the local Children's hospitals. 

Give me some stats, ABC News!

"For the eighth year, IHOP restaurants are offering a free stack of buttermilk pancakes today from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The popular pancake chain hopes to raise $3 million in donations for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.  The charities will receive 100 hundred percent of proceeds {Jessika says, 'Yay'!}.

In 2012, IHOP raised more than $3 million for the various charities.   The restaurant has raised over $10 million over the past eight pancake holidays."

As the National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan is in Los Angeles to kick off promotions!
 

Image courtesy of IHOP

Love it!

So get your savvy bootay over to IHOP and "stack up" on the goods! 

{Baha, I just crack myself up lol}

Don't forget to check out the past #BrokeFebruary posts here:

2. Spray Tan for less

1. Night out with the Roomies

Vintage perfume bottles for a Valentine's twist

Perfume is one of my favorite gifts to receive. Being the picky person I am, it took me years to find one that is so light and subtle, that it comes across as this mesmerizing afterthought.

This Valentine's Day, take it a step further by getting your honey a vintage perfume bottle like the ones below to house her favorite scent:

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Isn't that last milky blue one divine? It's a perfect pop of color for my bedroom. *wink wink*

Subtle as a shot gun aren't I?

Muah!

Broke February: Spray Tan

Next up in our Broke February series is a favorite beauty secret of mine. I don't know about you beautiful peeps, but I am PAAAALE! Like Casper the Friendly Ghost pale.
As a natural blond, I'm used to turning a glowy shade of blue in the winter months. Normally, a quick pass through the VersaSpa will do the trick, but it doesn't fit within my "savvy spending" budget.


Enter: Victoria's Secret's Bronze!

images courtesy of VersaSpa and Victoria's Secret

 I feel like self-tanners get a bad rap, and rightly so. If you find a good one though, its a fabulously cheap and quick alternative to a booth.
I like Bronze: Instant Bronzing Tinted Body Spray by Victoria's Secret. It comes out in a fine mist, not runny and (most importantly) doesn't leave you with an that oh-so-unsexy orangey hue. 
Also, it's perfect if you need a quick boost of color and don't have time to run to the tanning salon.

Broke February price break down you ask?
VersaSpa = $35
Bronze self-tanner = $15
Saving me a whopping $20 bucks!
Technically more, because I'll be using this good stuff more than once ;)

Make sure to check out past #BrokeFebruary posts below:

1. Broke February: A Night Out with the Roomies

Broke February: A Night Out with the Roomies

Welcome to Broke February! From clothes to food to night outs, this month-long series will be dedicated to finding {cheap} alternatives to things I do on a normal basis. With a trip to Maui for my best friends wedding coming up in April and paying off the ole credit card (Hey, 2013 resolution!), I've had to cut back on the luxuries. So instead of wallowing in self-pity, I decided to make the most of this savvy saving spree and blog about it!

First up: A Night Out with the Roomies

images courtesy of UpperCrust

My roommates and I are on different schedules, so the most time we usually spend together is passing by the coffee pot in the morning or squeezing in an hour at night to watch our favorite show. However, once a week we try to get together to do something fun and catch up. 

Enter: Upper Crust! We just had one open in our town, and its been packed every time I've driven by. Each Monday night from 5pm until close, you can get a large pizza and bottle of wine for $25! For all you non-math people (uhm me), that's a little over $8 a person. Considering a night out like this would probably run us around $50, this deal fits nicely in my "Broke February" budget.
How ya like that?! 

If you know of some other fun things to do around town for a cheap price, tweet me and use #BrokeFebruary!

xo