What I found for $40.00

It's been a while since we hit up one of my favorite swapmeets and since the future mother-in law wanted to see exactly what I was talking soo much about we decided to make a trip to Rodium open air swapmeet in Torrance.  I love this swapmeet and although my budget for spending was short I did manage to pick up some really great deals.  Rodium swapmeet is my favorite simply because you can find some really great deals for a fraction of the cost.  I picked up this adorable Charlotte Rousse t-shirt for $.7.00 with the tags attached retail you are looking at $18.99.  Not only do they sell alot of items from Charlotte Rousse they also sell tons of items from Forever 21 at a fraction of the cost as well. 

I am totally addicted to perfume if it smells wonderful and is at a reasonable price I'm hooked and must have.  I have a huge collection but that did not stop me from picking up this great smelling set cale Forever for $10.00 including sample perfume bottle, perfume bottle lotion and body wash in a great gift box.  They had so many different scents it was hard to decide all for $10.00 or less.

The best deal has in the whole entire swapmeet happens to be the makeup.  They have a ton of great deals I bought foundation from Loreal for $2.00 which runs at any local drug store for about $14.99 even on sale you can't find a price that low.  Lip glosses lip sticks eyeliners and eyeshadows all are normally $1.00 I bought a great color lipgloss for $1.00 I was hoping to find some blush but which thyey did have just not my shade.

Lastly I purchased earrings and hair accessories all for $1.00 each.  Normally each pair of earrings would cost around $3.80 at Forever 21 and the hair accessories would run about $4.80 each at Forever 21. In total it was a great day I found all these items for less then $30.00.  If you ever are in he city of Torrance and have a couple of hours to spare the Rodium Swapmeet is a must see.  That's all to report and Happy Bargain Shopping!  

ELF Eye Lips Face Palet's $5.00

So I received some free products from E.L.F (thank you!). I was told to try them out and blog about what I liked about their products and most importantly keep the product yeah! Jazzed that I was chosen I decided to see exactly what E.L.F. was all about. I had never ever heard about E.L.F and did some research online and found that some items are sold at your local Target and majority of their sales are done on line. The great thing about E.L.F is first and foremost the cost the eye Palet's I received not only came with instructions on how to create certain looks with the Palet but are very reasonably priced at $5.00 per palet! The quality of the eyeshadow I would say is similar to MACS palets I would also put them with a close dupe to Urban Decay eye palets as well. The eyeshadows almost all had that sort of creamy soft texture which makes it simply put very easy to create different looks with each palet. I also loved that the eyemakeup last all day even after a 60 minute workout! I'm hooked! If you have a chance check out the website they have eyeshadows, lip gloss, mineral makeup as well as liquid, eyelashes all well priced and many for $1.00. Check out your local Target they are begining to carry this product and def check it out its worth the few bucks that you can save.

Finally some Retail Therapy

So I haven't had the chance to post any great deals or savings not that I haven't found any or haven't been looking fact of the matter is it's been a crazy couple of weeks and I didn't have the time to blog anything :(

I found some really great deals and I am going to share them with you now.
My first must see is a place call Falla's or Factory to You. If you haven't seen one of these around they aren't that hard to locate. There are several of these gem outlets all over California and at first I was a little skeptical about going in but I was pleasantly surprised. First off if your kid wears school uniforms and you haven't gotten around to looking for them this shoud be your first stop. Backpacks are $7.99 that's cheaper then Old Navy's price of $9.00. If you need school uniforms pants run from $7.99 to $9.99 shorts and skirts are at a very reasonable price of $4.99. Shirts are a whopping $1.99 and they are not wash one time and throw away they are of a very good quality of cotten. As far as purses and handbags they carry a wide variety of assortments all as far as I can see are name brand from House of Darrion to Love all $20.00 or less. I picked up a very cute tiger print oversized shirt to wear with leggings for $7.99. They also have perfume Lucky and Curve perfume was $6.99 for a package of two perfumes plus body wash and lotion! I picked up a grey sleevless cardigan $5.99 that will go very well wth leggings and or jeans and I picked up a green military style enspired type t-shirt that would go great with leggings or jeans $5.99. Only thing I do not like about the store is they do not have dressing rooms some do but the one in Westminister does not the location in Long Beach does. So if you have some free time check out their website find a location and Happy Bargan Shopping!
http://www.factory2-u.com/locator/

Santee Alley Back to School Shopping

So it's my favorite time of the year! Yeah I'm crazy most parents don't look forward to shelling out cash and going from store to store looking for school clothes but not me I love to shop. So in order to prepare for school I have each kid make a list of what they need of course it's the usual for the smaller one uniforms, socks underwear backpack hair accessories very easy. With my list in hand I begin with my stops first on my list was the Santee Alley in Downtown Los Angeles from reviews on the internet and word of mouth I heard that this gem in Downtown LA has some great finds. On my list of course was finding those inexpensive uniforms hair clips, underwear and sox. Next was finding a black and brown bag for the teenager for HS and of course maybe something or two for myself.


Review of the Alley:
1st and foremost arrive early if you get there past 12noon crowds crowds crowds
2nd you must check out the bacon wrapped hot dogs! Yummy Yummy Yummy
3rd Haggle Haggle Haggle never hurts if they say ten dollars I say seven
4th Quality before you buy make sure of the quality yeah it's five bucks but, you want that five bucks to stretch I always think WDF (wash dry fit) if I wash and dry will it fit again

We arrived a little too early 8:30am but early enough to get prime parking $7.00 right on the Alley vallet was $10.00 most of the stores weren't open or were begining to open.  The Alley is huge and they also have regular shops open on the sides and corners of the Alley.  After about 30 minutes of walking I found some great finds on jewelry.  Retail price for the earrings I purchased would be $3.99 per pair I got them for $1.00 I found some really cute bangle bracelets retail price $4.99 I purchased them for $1.00.  I found these jade bracelets that I wanted so badly but retail price at fashion Q was $2.99 each and I didn't want just one I purchased several colors for $0.50 each that was a great find!  After a while the shops do start to get repetative I found a super cute Hello Kitty Shirt for $10.00 I also found a Victoria Secret Pink sweat suit perfect for fall workouts but I passed and regret not purchasing the set for $11.99.   I purchased Nina Ricci perfume retail price $52.00 Alley price $10.00.  I also purchased a black super cute handbag which I love retail price $52.00 at the Westminster Mall Alley price $15.00.  I didn't fnd any school uniforms or good deals on school clothes the shoes were a little over priced for my taste and some of the clothing was either retail price or regular discount priced I could get at Fashion Q.  Overall the Alley was just ok nothing that I couldn't have found at one my favorite swapmeets or discount store.  We left around 12noon it took that long to walk it I didn't find anything to rave about exept the perfume and handbag by 12noon all the shops were open and the crowds were huge! Overall I wouldn't go on a regular basis but may take a trip once a year it's not a must see but it is worth checking out at least one time.
That's all to report for this weekend Happy Bargain Shopping and for next weekend I'll be checking out the Golden West Swapmeet I haven't visited this gem in several months with my aunts B-Day fast approaching and she is a woman who has everything it's that time of year to go junking and see what gems I can find.

Pick of The Week Pesto 4-Cheese N Bacon Pizza

Other then hunting for bargains another one of my passions is cooking.  I have two great taste testers at home that encourage me to cook cook cook.  I love finding bargains at the grocery store and since I no longer eat red meat it has sometimes become a challenge to make unique different dishes with fish, turkey and chicken you can only eat so much of it right.  Because I am the non red meat eater in the family I don't make them suffer with my decision and on occasion I will cook the family a red meat dish usually once a month.  In my quest for more chicken dishes I discovered a really unique inexpensive healthier alternative grocery store.  Fresh N Easy they are popping up everywhere in the OC and I noticed on my way to work that there was one in Long Beach so they are fast growing.  The friendly supermarket isn't that big but they have a better quality of fresh fruits and veggies then your average grocery store def check out the fresh strawberries, apricots and cherries very sweet and reasonably priced.  They also have the 98 cent bagged fruit usually oranges apples but they as well have a sweet taste and are very inexpensive.  Milk eggs and cheese are all cheaper then what you would find at the grocery store I love the boneless skin less chicken breasts and there pre-seasoned fajitas are also a very good buy for the price.  If you love to BBQ then check out the BBQ value packs that include hamburger, hot dogs and chicken variety packs fish is also reasonably priced and fresh.  Water there bottled store brand water taste great and is a great value.  Def check out there brand items such as Pizza Dough, Pesto, pre-packaged food like wings and meat loaf I heard was to die for frozan veggies and french fries are of high quality and with a low low price.  Items too expensive and a watch out for are of course cleaning very expensive, paper towels dish and laundry soap you are better off going to the grocery store for all those items and boxed food. Breads are more health food orientated they don't taste like Webbers so if you want regular bread buy it at the grocery store. Def check out the pre-packaged deserts yummy! If you are looking for a semi healthy alternative to Pizza then check out this recipe I whipped up that my family of taste testers request at least every other week.
Fresh N Easy Grocery List:
Fresh N Easy Pesto (Pre-maid in package)
Fresh Pizza Dough (In Fresh N Easy Package)
Fresh N Easy 3-Cheese Shredded
Fresh N Easy Parmassian Cheese Shredded
Fresh N Easy Bacon
Fresh N Easy Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (1 lrg breast)
Recipe:
Pre-Heat your oven to 375 degrees
Greese you pizza pan with non stick spray
Roll Out your fresh and easy dough onto pizza pan when oven is ready place rolled out dough on pizza pan in the oven for 15 minutes
Meantime
Cook about 4 slices of bacon
With bacon fat season your boneless skinless chicken breast I cut into strips season to your liking I use minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder salt and pepper to taste
Shred Chicken and make bacon bits with cooked bacon
With Pizza Spread Pesto over pizza
Sprinkle 3 Cheese Shred and Parmassian Cheese
Place Chicken and Bacon on top of pizza
Sprinkle a little more 3 cheese and parmassian cheese
Bake an Additional 15-20 minutes until crust is golden brown.
Cut and Serve

http://www.freshandeasy.com/

That's all to report this week.  Happy Cooking and Bargain Shopping

The Best Little Cheap Salon

Ok about a month ago I had this brain storm yes I have those sometimes and they aren't that often thank god! This one was a doozy I decided to go lighter with my hair. Summer was fast approaching and I always had dark locks. I always wanted light brown hair but after years of dying it black the colors I always picked never came out. The solution I heard from a couple of people strip the color out of your hair then dye it the color you want seemed simple the box looked easy enough to follow boy was I mistaken. I decided on a Tuesday night to strip the color out of my hair and dye it the light brown I always wanted. Problem is yeah the color stripped right out the new color never appeared I was left looking like a black oompa loompa it was horrible. I do have the best fiance in the world and he felt so very bad for me he said it doesn't matter what it cost just get your hair fixed. Now it's been many years since I even ventured in a salon having no clue where to go or what to do I called around first searched the web and because my hair is extremely long and thick I was looking at $180.00 to $300.00 easy so I decided to go to a little place called Edwards Salon in Huntington Beach CA on Springdale and Edinger the reason for my madness is my step daughter had went there a few times for hair cuts and they did a pretty good job and the price was reasonable. I walk in tears in my eyes and the first thing out of my mouth is can you fix this? No problem she says after spending nearly four hours there I was left with the best hair dye job I could ever hope for. Total cost was $60.00 thrilled I gave her a $20.00 tip and was told to touch up my routes only $30.00. This salon is small and there is only two people working but, they do a great dye jobs, hair cuts, updos, and straightening. If your looking for a stylist and are tired of paying high prices then I would def check out Edwards Beauty Salon in Huntington Beach don't be discouraged by the appearance of the salon looks can be deceiving I highly recommend this salon. One month later I maintain my color get hot oil treatments and love love love my new dew!
Thats all to report on this discount adventure. Happy Bargain Hunting!

Edwards Hair Salon
5942 Edinger Avenue Ste 110
HB CA 92649

Rodium Open Air Swapmeet

The Roadium is a 15 acre open air market providing an opportunity for shoppers in the L.A. area for new and used merchandise for dramatically reduced prices. From antiques and collectibles to baby clothing and fresh produce. The Roadium is open 7 days a week all year long for your shopping pleasure. On an average weekend day you will find 500 sellers offering their merchandise to 10,000+ buying customers.
Things to check out:
Makeup/Perfume/Handbags:
MAC Makeup prices range from $5.00 to $20.00
Covergirl Makeup (all types mascara, eyeliner, shadow, powder, foundation etc) $1.00
Revlon Makeup (all types mascara, eyeliner, shadow, powder, foundation etc) $2.00
Milani Minerals *my personal favorite* (all types mascara, eyeliner, shadow, powder, foundation etc) from $1.00 to $2.00
Designer Perfume prices range from $10.00 to $25.00 per bottle
Handbags *my personal favorite* $10.00 any bag
Skinny Jeans $10.00
Clothing Designer Labels and Names
Various Vendors you have to look prices range from $7.00 to $20.00
Wet Seal, Charlotte Rousse tons of Forever 21
Fruit and Veggies
The best fresh fruit produce and nuts
I also love to check out the jewelry and hair accessories
Don't forget to stock up on your favorite name brand Shampoo Conditioners and razors all for low low low prices
If you get a free weekend this swapmeet is a must see!
http://www.roadium.com/