Merry (late) Christmas!

Better Late than NEVER!!

I hope everyone had a great holiday! I had a wonderful day full of reminders of how blessed I am. I'm going to share my awesome gifts once I return from Pennsylvania. Currently... on a train up north to visit family and see my aunts beautiful big new house. I just want to take a second to thank everyone for their constant support and comments about my blog. In 2015, I plan on taking it a bit more seriously. I know I haven't posted in a while, but I had lots of performances and then dreaded finals.... 

I hope everyone continues to enjoy their time off and spend some quality time with their families

XOXOXOXO

-Rachel 

The most colorful of fridays.

Thanksgiving is a beautiful time to be with family and give thanks for the blessings one is given. However, Thanksgiving is then immediately followed by a day full of crowding, spending money, rushing and"in the moment"deals. This day is called ...black friday.... and I am one of the lucky few who gets to work in retail that day! YIPPEEE!!!! but actually...
 Unfortunately, due to the "high demand" of ignorant people and the immediacy of the American culture black Friday has now been merged into Thanksgiving Day!
This is something I cannot stand, while I love a good bargain, why do we now have to rush our meal times to make sure we can get in line and beat the crowds?
I usually always go black Friday shopping. While crazy and busy, I love the festiveness, I love to see big families out together, and the Christmas decorations just put me in the holiday cheer.
There are some stores which I would never dare to enter, aka best buy, Walmart, target.. but mall stores are usually not to bad because of the in-and-out nature that they provide.

I'm working at Old Navy on black Friday and that is one store that generally gets hit pretty bad,
Coming from someone who loves to shop, and works in retail here are some tips for Black Friday:

1. Now because of the openness into Thursday Night shopping around 6 in the morning is way less crowded that it used to be.

2. Check and see if your store allows you to buy the wrong size of something, return it and get the right size of the item with the same black Friday deal.

3. Be nice to your cashiers they are having a very rough day...........

4.Many black Friday deals are also available online before cyber Monday, so shop in your PJS!

5. 40% is basically the "good deal" in clothing, black Friday actually isn't the best time on average to shop for clothes so setting this measurement as a deal breaker will allow you to prioritize your shopping

6. I think Karma always follows you, don't be rude and push other people around, who knows how they may able to help you that day and in the future.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Halloween Update!

Hey guys! I told you I would update you on my costume! 

 I Was a Gumball Machine

I already had the skirt and bandeau. I used pompoms and hot glue to make the top then duck tape for the silver!

In total my costume cost me 6 DOLLARS!!!>>>We were Skittles for Dance Class

Dont Fake it Till You Make It.

So recently I've had a lot of girl struggles in my life. Family drama, school drama, and really the hardest one..friend drama. The lesson I've learned most in college and really the dance scene is that some people are just plain       F-A-K-E. 

People use you to their advantage, one day you can be close but if they feel like they can't use you for something they see you as invaluable and break your trust.
 I am very lucky to have gotten extremely close with three girls that I can call my true friends in college. I recently had a self reflection on my life and realized that these 3 girls were the only ones who made me feel like a better person and that this was how true friends were supposed to act.
I wasn't being taken advantage of nor was I feeling belittled by harsh words and comments. Real friends listen. I am a very stubborn individual and a lot of the time I force myself into believing that fake people are actually my friends. Then I take a step back and realize that they are not offering advice and wisdom but yet tearing me down.
 This is such a harsh world full of many different individuals and its hard to place your trust in others. I've learned a hard lesson by having my trust continuously torn down and broken. But at the end of the day now I know who my real friends are and that they build me up, listen, and offer something that I don't encompass which in turn makes me a better person. 

“An acquaintance merely enjoys your company, a fair-weather companion flatters when all is well, a true friend has your best interests at heart and the pluck to tell you what you need to hear.” 
― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

Putting on my Face

So it is no surprise just how much I love makeup. I wear literally a full face of makeup to class everyday, which is sometimes silly because I sweat it off in dance class. However, there is something to be said about staring at yourself in a mirror for hours and being able to like what you see.
My favorite makeup brand is:
CLINIQUE

When I switched from drug store makeup to "big girl" makeup I started with bare minerals at first which I loved, but it didn't have enough coverage (I still use the powder ). Now,  clinique doesn't clog my pores and doesn't make me break out. I use their eye shadow, mascara, blush/bronzer, chubby sticks, foundation, powder, lip gloss,the Happy perfume, and the 3 step skin care system ( I highly recommend this!).

My go to concealer is benefits Erase Paste. Its simply the best for under-eye circles. It doesn't just cake under my eyes it covers and lasts for a long time. I think I had a pot of the concealer for over 6 months.

MY MAIN POINT IN THIS WHOLE POST...............
is talking about how I save on makeup.

Ebay is great for buying bundles.

Since I know my skin color number for clinique I don't have to try on the different options. I've bought some GWP's  (gift with purchases) on ebay because they are such great travel sizes and you can bid on them and wind up with a great deal.

But speaking of GWP's... Today my mom and I went on a makeup shopping spree.. I was running low..of literally everything and my bank account was about to take a hit but luckily my mother saved the day. We went to Macy's and bought my powder and foundation and they were having a GWP deal for limited time.  

Sometimes Its worth it to spend money on skin care and makeup, I can find deals on ebay for products I know will work or bundles that I cant pass by. Often though, department stores will include a GWP that will make the deal worth it! I suggest buying at these times, they also make great gifts!

Spooktacular Savings

Lets be real for a second.
  I love parties,
I love to dress up and  go out especially when there is a theme. So Halloween has always been a fun occasion to wear something spectacular. Every year I try to be something creative and original. Now, I have been a cat and a bunny (who hasn't) but I like putting my own twist on things and making my own costumes. My mother always handmade my brother and I's costumes growing up. She would buy old prom gowns from the thrift store and I would be Miss America or she would buy material and create my own costume. Frankly speaking, the costumes you buy at the store are cheaply made and overly priced!

Pinterst is full of amazing diy Ideas! I highly suggest snooping around to find something fun and different. My costume last year was inspired from a picture I found off of Pinterset.


 Last year I was a Scarecrow! I used costume makeup for the face painting, my roommate's floppy hat, and a flannel and TADA costume for under 4 bucks!

 with some of the room mates^

^^^^^I will admit I looked scary at first glance, especially in the dark. I spooked myself a couple of times!

<<<<This is the start of my costume this year! any guesses as to what I'll be??? I will update when complete!

Why Does Pre-Owned Have To Be A Bad Thing?

So many people have a problem with wearing used clothing. Personally I do not. While certain things I want to be mine (ie undergarments) I believe that buying used is just as good if not better that buying new.  When people turn their nose up to pre-owned items I like to point out these things..

1. When you buy previously owned, it is usually cheaper even if it has only been worn once. The price still drops. Which means you can get a shirt regularly 80 for 65 because someone wore it to a lunch decided they didn't like it and took it off.

2. People try on clothes all the time, this means bodies have been in the clothes you call "new". Washing a garment disinfects any previously owned odors. However, if it comes from a home with smoking or pets the seller usually informs the buyer. This allows the buyer to be informed of the environment and to then decide if the allergens are worth the risk.

3. When an item looks just as good pre-owned as it does new it means that it is made with quality. Some items will fall apart after the first wash, When you are buying pre-owned items you do need to notice wear and tear but if the item has been washed multiple times and it looks pristine, then you know the stitching is made with quality and that the fabric and dye will not fade.


I bought my Hunter Boots Pre-owned on Ebay and saved around 80 dollars. They had been worn once and have barely any wear on them. I've been saving up for these boots for a long time, so to finally get a pair and save a bundle made me overjoyed.
This is how I wore them for the first time:

It was chilly in Fairfax on this rainy day so I styled my hunters with a monogram, a polka dot cardigan and my favorite AE jeans. 

p,s, I advise knowing your size before you buy, I tried on my Hunter boots at Nordstrom before I looked for them online.