St.Ives Apricot Wash > Chocolate

I'm just going to say it. St.Ives Apricot Scrub is better than chocolate. And man, I love me some chocolate.

I have been using the St.Ives scrubs/cleansers since highschool. Every once in a while I switch it up and try something new but nothing I've used so far has even come close to giving me the results I get with St.Ives. Right now I use the 'Blemish Fighting Apricot Cleanser' and it is fabulous for my 20-something year old, acne prone, combination skin type. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and clean and keeps away blemishes. I get compliments all the time on my "glowy skin".One of the best things about this product is its value. You can get it from any drugstore for about $4.

I've also use the 'Blemish and Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub' and it is amaze as well. The scrub is more of an exfolient but I had no problems using it daily. I also like to use the scrub on my body because it makes my skin super soft.

I def encourage you all to give this product a try. Your skin will thank me.

Indulge.

I haven't posted anything lately because I have been so busy, which actually inspired this post. Young women today are busier than ever and we often forget to take time to actually enjoy our lives, to indulge in life. The majority of us spend our time working hard at our jobs and/or at school. We work hard to improve ourselves to make things better for ourselves in the future. What about now? Too many of us starve ourselves of indulgences which we truely deserve. Okay, so obviously we can't just quit our jobs and move to St.Lucia but there are small ways to squeeze a little something special into every day. I'm going to share some things that add a little special spice to my everyday life, I encourage you all to try some of them out!

• Take a bubble bath. Bonus points for candles and a chilled glass of Moscato.
  


• Get a spray tan. You'll instantly feel prettier and skinnyer. And at least you'll look like you just had a tropical vacay.
  


• Eat a fancy piece of cheesecake.
  


• Add whipped cream to your morning coffee beverage. So what if it adds an extra 100 calories, that's what makes it special!
  


• Buy the expensive lipgloss. True, Maybelline's does the same thing for 1/4 of the price... but you'll feel giddy evertime you swipe in on.
  


• Put down whatever you're studying (it CAN wait) and instead read your favorite magazine cover to cover. In bed. In PJs.
  


• Do something unexpectedly nice for someone. Nothing beats that oowy gooey do-gooder feeling.
  


• Wear sexy lingerie every day. Why wear cotton when lace is just as comfy?
  


• On occassion, get something new and trendy to improve your home's decor. A candle, picture frame, lamp shade, whatever. Beautiful surroundings= beautiful life.
  


• Give yourself a pedicure. With glitter nail polish. It will take you back to childhood.
  


• Invest in high-count sheets. Everytime you get in bed you will feel like you're at a 5-star hotel. Pure bliss.
  


• Make a pitcher of homemade lemonade. So delish.
  


• Call an old friend. You'll likely be laughing for hours after about old times.
  


• Take a weekend road trip somewhere new. Explore.

Saving Money On Textbooks

Back to school time! Yayyyy! Everyone knows that one of the worst things about college is the cost of buying textbooks!! Over the past 3 years I have developed a textbook strategy that now saves me a lot of money so that I can purchase more important things {such as shoes, jewelry, make-up :)}.

• Rule #1: Skip the bookstore. 99.9% of the time you will find the book cheaper online. Ebay, Half.com, and Amazon are all great.


• Rule #2: Buy older editions. Usually the changes between editions are extremely minor. Not to mention it is very likely that your professor used an older edition when he/she made the exams. This will save you a ton of cash!!


• Rule #3: Consider renting. Personally, I don't usually rent my textbooks because I will inevitably spill coffee on them, lose them, forget the deadline to return them, etc. Also, I'm a highlighter freak and some renters don't allow you to highlight. HOWEVER, I know a lot of people that are more responsible and less clumsy than I am and they love renting.


• Rule #4: International Editions are basically the exact same book at a much cheaper price. The past few international edition books that I purchased simply had different cover art. You will come across international editions a lot on sites like eBay and they are def. the way to go.


• Rule #5: Wait until after you go to your first class before you buy your books. Often the syllabus will state that a book is required but when you go to class the professor will tell you that you don't actually need it. Just wait.


• Rule #6: Re-sell! But NOT to the bookstore. The bookstore rips you off big-time when it comes to selling back your books. Instead, open an eBay account and sell your books that way. True, it is more of a hassle but it's so worth it. Sometimes I have gotten more from selling my books than I originally paid. (This is another reason that I'm not really into renting.)


• Rule #7: Buy something fabulous with all the money you've saved!!

$14 Outfit Alert!

Sale Time! I'm a huge fan on getting clothing at a great price. In high school my best friend and I had a mantra: "If it ain't bargain, we don't buy it!". We were also two of the most stylish girls at our school (if I do say so myself). The junior's store Rue21 is a hidden gem for sales. It can take some effort to find the good goods because a lot of their clothing is tacky and poorly made but there are certainly stylish, fun items mixed in.



On my past trip I found:
A pair of cutoff jean shorts $3
A vintage looking printed shawl $4
A pair of heels $5
A statement necklace $2
Total damage: $14

Simply add a cami and you have a complete outfit for under $15. Wow.

Tips for shopping Rue 21:
-Head for the back! Like most stores, Rue has their sale racks in the back.... this is where you want to be!
-Check back often.... their sale prices change regularly
-They usually give you coupons that can be used on future dates when you checkout, these typically don't apply to sale items. I have found they aren't worth using.
-Don't forget to look for the shoe and accessories sales. I've gotten cute shoes for $2 in the past.
-The checkout girl will try to sell you one of their fragrance for $10. Don't. They smell good but fade almost instantly.
-The men's side also has good sales, pick up something for your man!