Wrapping Paper Hack

Today's project is Easy with a capital E, and we will be using a capital P. Confused yet? While I was thrifting, I found a letter "P" and it seemed fitting that I purchase it since my last name is Peterson. It was black, and although black is streamlined and mature, I wanted it to be more fun and quirky. I put the letter in my endless tote of "I'll get to you later projects". Then one day when I was shopping the Target dollar bins I found the most amazing pattern of wrapping paper. After I came home I had a "light bulb" moment from Despicable Me. I knew the "P" and the paper were a match made in heaven. So without further ado, here is what I did.

 I just cleaned up the P a little bit. Then I traced the paper upside down. I used my handy dandy exacto knife to cut it. Used some modge podge as a glue and a sealant, and viola! Instant face lift.

I love my newest addition to the living room. Now I am thinking about what I can smother with wrapping paper next. I have some exciting news and big projects coming up, so stay tuned!

Coupon Tips, Tricks, and Secrets for Beginners

Ok I'm going to lay it all out on the table for you here and now. Here is everything I know about couponing I wish I would have known about long ago. Disclaimer: I am not the crazy couponers you see on TLC getting thousands of products for free that I stock up in my basement that I would never even use before they expire. If you are one of those people, you are talented and way more patient than I am so props to you. I am a quick and dirty couponer (My conversation with myself: "Is that a real thing?" "No, but you can totally make it up." "That could definitely be taken the wrong way." "Who knew you could question that morals of a coupon blog post.")

Now that you have heard the inner musings of my head, let's get to the good stuff. Here are 7 secrets I use to get the most out of coupons:

1. Let other people do the dirty work for you:  Utilize coupon blogs and websites for current deals and offers so you don't spend hours figuring everything out on your own. I know when I first got the itch to coupon, I tried to sit down with a stack of coupon books, store ads, and scissors and before I knew it I was on my way to get a Dr. Pepper and a Reece's to cure my headache. No saving here. Now what I do is head to my personal favorite blog The Krazy Coupon Lady to see what deals are effective with which coupons at which stores. Take a look and you will never coupon the same again, trust me. There are plenty of other sites as well so be on the look out and bookmark your favorites. 

2. Never throw away the "junk" ads in the mail: I know it's tempting to toss a big stack of junk mail, but make sure you look through all the ads to grab out your coupon books. I know here in Vegas I get about 2 coupon books a week and sometimes I dig through the recycling bin at my apartment mail area to pick up a few more (shhhh don't tell anyone). This way you never have to even buy a paper if you don't currently have a subscription. You can just save with what your mailman gave ya. 

3. Cut every day: Every time you get the mail, grab a pair of scissors and start going to town on the coupon books. It only takes me a few minutes to flip through, cut what I know I will actually use at stores I currently shop at. Let me make sure and emphasize, only cut out things you know you currently buy. If you buy shampoo (hopefully you do) then it's safe to say you can cut out a shampoo coupon. It may be a new brand, but that's why it's fun since you get to try new things for a good deal. 

4. Put them in your wallet immediately: The thought of the coupon at the store won't help you out much unless you actually have them with you. No matter what personality is, if you keep them in your wallet at all times, you will have them with you when you shop. I have planned many coupon shopping trips and had my stack of coupons on my desk in a neat array, and then somehow ended up at target without them. This is no bueno. 

5. Make a shopping list: I don't know about you, but sometimes when I have a big stack of coupons and the store is busy I get anxiety and I'm flipping through my coupons and my brain starts to hurt. I now make a shopping list and note what items I have coupons for so I can make sure I get the right product listed on the coupon. It's much easier to make note of everything rather than scramble in the middle of the laundry isle with all the babies and children screaming around you.

6. Double up manufacture and store coupons: I know I know, things are getting crazy. But really this is a simple coupon rule. At most stores, if they offer their own store coupons, they will double up with a manufacture coupon. For example if target had a tide laundry detergent coupon for $2 you could only use at target, you could also use a manufacturers coupon on the same product. Double the savings! If both coupons were worth $2 off, that's $4 in savings!

7. Look for clearance items to pair with coupons: A common misconception is that you can't use coupons with clearance items. Take a look at your store's coupon policy, but I have in most cases been able to use coupons with clearance items. That's a double score!

Confession of a Makeup Addict

Hello, my name is Jessica and I am addicted to makeup. It all started about one year ago when I got engaged. Of course I was planning the Pinterest wedding of my dreams on a not so Pinterest level budget. Having a makeup artist for my big day was something I knew I could skip over. I had a pretty good knowledge on makeup, but I wanted to learn the tricks of the trade to look flawless on my big day. And then it happened, I found Maskcara. And not the kind you put on your eyelashes. "Cara" is a makeup artist and blogger who makes the idea of beauty and makeup easy and super fun. I blame Cara for teaching me the art of highlighting and contouring the face. I have never been the same since.

Like for reals. I'm the girl who can't walk past the makeup isles in any drug store hoping to score the best new products for a good deal.

Or get this... After watching The Walking Dead, I had a dream that a zombie apocalypse started here in Las Vegas. And guess what I did first?? I headed to Sephora to stock up on beauty products. I mean who needs food, shelter and ammunition when you have the most pigmented eye-shadow palettes and blackest mascara.

Now-a-days I can't get enough Jaclyn Hill and Essie Button you tube tutorials on how to do a smokey eye or best highlighter for your cheekbones. So maybe you're in the same makeup boat, but finding makeup that doesn't brake the bank can be difficult. Of course I have splurged on some expensive makeup, but there are also tons of products from the drugstore I can't get enough of. I thought I would share some of my favorite thrifty finds as well as how score high end makeup for a bargain.

1. L'Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner- I have always been a liquid liner girl, but this gel liner is my new go to for an every day eye look. A cat eye with this blackest black liner and my sigma liner brush makes for a perfect look night or day. It also comes with a nice brush if you don't have a liner brush you love. It doesn't smear, run, or go anywhere all day. You can get it here or at most drug stores. Less than $8 and lasts for a long time.

2.  Milani Baked Blush- Perfect cheek flush of color. These are comparable to the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushes with different hues of colors you swirl together to get the perfect cheek color. I love these and they are a steal for less than $6. I get mine usually when drug stores run bogo 50% off. You can get them here if you can't wait.

3. Covergirl Bombshell Mascara- Two wands, one perfect look. The first time I bought this, I put my Too Faced mascara on one eye and used this on the other. I asked my husband if he could tell a difference in my eyes and he asked why one of my eyes had longer eyelashes. (Mind you my husbands knowledge of makeup is believing that mascara goes on your cheeks. Really. He really believed that). If he notices, there really must be a difference. I love there are two different wands, one plastic and one traditional mascara wand. It's easy to make your lashes full and long looking with this awesome product. You can buy it here or at most drug stores. Awesome deal for around $9.

4. NYX Butter Gloss- You know when you put on lipgloss and you feel like you just ate a spoonful of honey and it's all over your face. Maybe it's just me, but I hate a sticky gloss. These are seriously BUTTER glosses. So smooth and smell great. They aren't sticky or uncomfortable. And they come in sooo many colors. Perfect for a quick flush of color or to finish off a lipstick look. I always get mine during the BOGO 50% off sale at Ulta they have all the time.

5. Maybelline Eye Studio Quad- Okay these are the creamiest, most pigmented eye shadows for a super great deal. The colors in these quads are great for beginners since they go together perfectly to create a flawless eye look. They come in a variety of colors, but my personal favorite is "Copper Chic". It is a neutral similar to colors found in the Naked palettes. You can buy them here or at most drugstores. For less than $8 for shadows that compare to high end products, these are a steal.

If you want an updated list of the products I am dying to get my hands on make sure and follow my "Makeup Shopping List" board on Pinterest here.

I also just scored some The Balm products for 50% off retail price. Mary Lou Manizer is on it's way to my house right now! If you want to know what else I got, stay tuned this week. I will be doing a few more makeup thrifts!

Let me know what your go to drug store makeup essential are!

Stay beautiful!

Consignment Stores-- My Inspiration of the Week

Consignment stores.

What do you think when I say that? 

This week, I think iNSPIRATION! 

I went home to visit the family this weekend and we ended up stopping in St. George, Utah at the most adorable shop I have every seen. Have any of you shopped at Urban Renewal?? It is the most unique store. I fell in love. And when I say love, I mean like drooling, can't get it off my mind after I leave, twitter-patted, real love. Whew! Glad I told someone about that. 

The only thing I am disappointed with is myself. Why do I forget to take pictures of things I love? I could never tell you. But I did catch a few pictures of my FAVORITE pieces that I will share with you today. 

This dresser above is like my dream piece of furniture. This iPhone photo doesn't even give it justice. I want you to go to this store and just see this piece. You won't regret it. It appears to be a wicker piece that was painted and sanded or used the Vaseline technique. I just love it. 

Also those awesome pieces of artwork on top are perfect. The stacks are books with the covers pulled off. This gives a muted and nude look to the stacks as well as very worn and vintage. The store tied jute around the stacks to give them that cohesive feel and look. Also, sea shell, duh. That's awesome.

This next piece was hard to take a picture of since the store is literally head to toe furniture and decor. There are tables stacked on tables stacked on chairs. It sounds like madness, but it is pure bliss. 

This table is my inspiration for a FREE table I am scoring from my parents. They actually bought a super amAAzing table from this store, and had this smaller table they need to get rid of. I love the two tone look of black on white. I also love the glossy top. 

What do you think? Should I go another direction with my table? 

Do you shop consign and design stores? I would love to know. 

DIY Fall Flag Banner

Fall! It's here! And I love it. 

Here in Sin City it's actually starting to feel chilly. Like when I say chilly, it's colder outside than it is inside. This NEVER happens. 

I started going crazy with this being my first fall with a home to decorate! 

I don't have a fireplace mantle to cover with pumpkins and cobwebs, but I do have this ledge that peeks out the kitchen to the living room. It was perfect for all of the decorations I wanted to put there. The only problem is I had none and a teeny weeny budget. So with a little craft party and thrift shopping, this is what you get...

Today I am going to teach you how to make the super cute flag banner for less than $1. For real. You don't want to miss this. 

What you're gonna need:

brown paper bag

sharpie

stapler

jute rope/twine

awesome background music (optional) ((but really necessary))

I started by cutting out a flag shape of the paper bag with some scissors. 

I then attempted cute handwriting and wrote a letter on each bag with a black sharpie. You are bound to have one hanging around the house. 

I took the edge and folded it down to make a hole for the jute to go through and stapled it. 

2 minutes later you are done. Now you can spend the rest of the night enjoying apple cider and a scary movie. During the really scary parts you can look away at your new homemade fall decor! I wrote "HAPPY AUTUMN" on mine so I can keep it up until Christmas, but you can write whatever your little heart desires. 

Happy Friday!