LuxeBudgetnistas

Livin' luxe on a budget

How To Keep Skin Hydrated During The Winter Months

Happy Wednesday loves!  I have an exciting post coming at you today.  I have partnered Dr. Lauren Boudreaux, a local dermatologist based out of Portland, Oregon.  We are both going to share ways on how to keep your skin hydrated during the winter months.  Let me put the disclaimer out there now- I am not a professional, nor do I claim to be.  I am simply sharing some tips that have worked for me.  Although I may not be a professional, Dr. Lauren Boudreaux is and can assist with any and all questions you may have.

About Dr. Lauren

Dr. Lauren received her degree from University of North Texas Health Science Center and is currently completing a Dermatology residency.  If you are local, you can visit Lauren at the Key Laser Institute.   I would also check out her Instagram for daily skin formations and beauty tips and tricks.  Check out her awesome content here.

Jacki’s Winter Skin Hydration Tips

Alright, let’s get down to business.  I am super excited to be sharing some things that I have done during the cold winter months to help with my extremely dry skin.

  • The first and probably most obvious, probably most important- is drinking lots of water.
  • Use lukewarm water when bathing.  During the winter months, it’s almost automatic for us to turn up the hot water.  I think we are all guilty of it, but try to avoid at all costs to avoid stipping your skin of the natural oils.
  • Protect your skin!  It is really important to use a barrier between your skin and the elements.  This can be a hat, gloves, scarf, and SPF- Yes, even during the winter months!
  • Night moisturize!  I use Derma e hydrating night cream  and Derma e facial oil.  This combo has been my skins savior for the past few months.  Although they do not have this particular facial oil available anymore, however, I would definitely recommend one of the following as replacements:

–Illuminating Rosehip & Cranberry Face Oil

–Rejuvenating Sage & Lavender Face Oil

I won’t go too much into detail on these products because I have a full skin care post coming up, be on the lookout for that.

Now onto some special advice from the beautiful and talented, Dr. Lauren.

 

 

A Dermatologists Top 3 Tips For Keeping That Glow In the Winter:
1. As tempting as it is to take a long hot shower in the winter, that can be damaging to the skin. Try to limit showers to 5 minutes and keep the water lukewarm so you don’t strip the skin of natural oils.
2. Gently exfoliate off dead skin using a moisturizing scrub in the shower. I actually make my own with coconut oil, coffee grounds (to combat cellulite), and organic raw sugar. See the recipe below!
3. Immediately after showering, apply a moisturizer all over your skin. I love using a moisturizer with alpha-hydroxy acids to exfoliate and give the skin a nice glow! Try Gold Bond Rough and Bumpy or Amlactin for affordable options at the drug store. They work amazingly for rough skin and actually have been clinically proven to smooth and prevent aging of the skin.
COFFEE-SCRUB RECIPE:
  1. 1 cup ground organic coffee.
  2. 1 cup organic sugar or salt.
  3. 1/2 Cup organic coconut oil.

I hope you all enjoyed this really informative post on how to keep your glow during the winter season.  If you love the collab with Dr. Lauren, you will be happy to know that we have another collaboration post coming up soon.  So be on the lookout!

 

 

Bite Of Oregon

Let’s talk food!  Not just any particular food, but a food event called the Bite of Oregon.  The bite of Oregon is an event that is in support for Special Olympics Oregon.  It’s an opportunity to check out local foods and drinks that you might not have necessarily tried.

Event Details:

This year they held the event at a different location and on a new date.  In previous times, the Bite was housed on the waterfront during August.  They switched the venue to the Rose quarter and during Labor Day Weekend.  The coolest part was that it was extended by an extra day.  The admission into the event is very affordable and depending on which one you purchase, it’s a reasonable price:

 

One Day Pass – $5 admission ticket good for one day at The Bite of Oregon

 

Weekend Pass – $10 ticket provides admission all weekend: September 1 – 4

 

Beer Enthusiast Package – Sold out! 1 Adult Entry, 1 Beer Commemorative Beer Glass, 2 Beer Tickets, 4 $5 Vouchers to Restaurants/Food Carts

 

Date Night Package – Sold out! 2 Adult Entries, 2 Commemorative Wine Glasses, 4 Wine Tickets (House Wine), 2 $5 Vouchers to Restaurants/Food Carts

This time around was pretty different from the previous years, but was to be expected with the venue change.  The event was shaped more like a circle than having everything spread out along the waterfront.  I also found it to not be as crowded as previous and having choices for parking was amazing.  Because you are at the Rose Quarter/ Moda Center, you have relatively close parking.

Let’s Talk Food

The Bite of Oregon showcases cuisines and drinks from Oregon’s seven regions: Portlandia, Eastern Oregon, Hood River, Willamette Valley, Mt. Hood/Gorge, and Central Oregon.  Although, when making our rounds through all the food venues, we found that a majority were from Portland.

City Slickers- PDX

First on our list was City Slickers.  A food cart based out of Sellwood in Piknik Park food cart pod.

Address: 1122 SE Tacoma St, Portland, OR 97202

City Slickers is the epitome of All American Food.  They bring hometown favorites from all over the US to the Pacific Northwest, of course throwing in her own twist.  Our favorites were the Milwaukee Butter Burger and the Chicago Dog, both pictured above.

Second on the list is Smoke & Brine.  Smoke & Brine is a seasonal NW BBQ catering food cart that covers everything from festivals, street fairs, markets, special events, and private parties.  Unfortunately, Smoke & Brine doesn’t carry the meals pictured above, because it is seasonal.  One is a chicken sandwich and the other a pulled pork.  I also had a crab stuffed pepper of some sort- these were one of best things I have ever tasted.

Last, but definitely not the least were some furikaki chips from Pidgin Hole.  Pidgin Hole is an island style Asian infusion food cart.  You get a mixture of something from almost every Asian country, like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Japan-while keeping some of the Hawaiian favorites.

I love attending events like the Bite of Oregon.  You are helping support a great cause while trying out some amazing foods.  If you attended this year’s event, how did you like the new set up?

 

 

 

Shopko- New Brands, New Look Recap

Last week I introduced you to Shopko’s most recent change- they have introduced some great new brands and have given some oldie, but goodies, a whole new look.  Shopko also has some pretty amazing deals you can take advantage of.  Read on to find out what they are.

Enter To Win

Shopko is currently running a contest to showcase the changes we have been talking about.  It’s super simple to enter, just click here for your chance to win a $500 shopping spree with Shopko.  Don’t wait too long though, the contest ends October 14th.  That’s one week!  Get it!

Savings

Let’s talk savings, because who doesn’t like to save a coin here and there?  If you join the email list, you will get a $10 off $30 coupon for just signing up.  That’s on top of the already affordable pricing Shopko offers.  Get signed up here.

My Picks

In my first post, I introduced you to some of the newest brands that can be found at Shopko.  It ranged from home decor, beauty, and clothing for myself and for one of my daughters.  I am currently redecorating my bedroom/beaut space/office.  I am trying to show you that you can redecorate on a budget and how to make your space functional for small spaces.

Serta 3-1

I am starting off with something that isn’t so much a decorative piece but has been very important to me for a good nights sleep.  A pillow.  Yes, you read that right, a pillow.  Not just any pillow the Serta 3-1 Perfect Sleeper.  I love that it contours to my head for a good nights sleep.

You can also check out some of the other Serta items that Shopko has to offer.

 

 

 

 

Country Line Writing Desk

How about this Country line writing desk?!?  It’s the perfect color to be feminine and masculine.  I love that I use it as an office space or transform it into an area where I can sit and do my everyday makeup.  It isn’t too big or too small, just the perfect size for a small space.

 

A&I Velvet Plush Throw

Fall and Winter are upon us and with that said, we could all use a pretty Velvet plush throw from one of Shopko’s new brands, A & I.  It’s perfect to cozy up to on a chilly night, the backdrop for a pretty Instagram photo, or as a decorative piece to drape over an accent chair or end of the bed.

These are just some of my favorite pieces from Shopko, with much more to choose from.  To see some of my other picks, check out my board below.  You will find some coordinating furniture pieces or bedding.

 

 

I’d love to hear about some of your favorite pieces from Shopko.com! Leave them in the comments section and I will check them out.

Measurable Difference Review

Let’s talk affordable makeup- after all, we are budgetnistas.  Tia and I love finding quality items at a really affordable price because we believe it doesn’t need to be a luxury brand to be good.  We have partnered up with Measurable Difference for this blog post to show you some of the products they offer and a way to get some additional savings.

The Brand

The story behind this brand is pretty amazing.  Measurable Difference, founded by Helma Arminak, a former refugee from Beirut, Lebanon.  Created about five years ago with a dream in mind. Helma aimed to offer great products for face and body but wanted to keep everything affordable.  I would say that dream is being accomplished.

What I Picked Up
The Diamond Collection Well Stacked Makeup Collection- $12.00

This small compact palette comes with a blush, bronzer, eyeshadows, and brow product.  It is perfect for on the go and works well for creating a full face.  If you have been a subscriber for awhile, you know that I work very early in the morning- 5 A.M. to be exact!  I need easy to use, multifunctional products.  The shadows work great to create a nice neutral look for every day.  If you need to transition the look into a night time look, no problem!   I would suggest using some of the eyebrow powder as a shadow to create a smokey eye.  The blush is a beautiful mauve that works well with all skin tones.  The only iffy product in this palette would be the bronzer-  it is a bit dark.  If you are lighter skin toned, I would steer clear or use a very light hand.

 

Baked Face Blush Mini- $2.00

The blushes are beautiful and affordable at two bucks a pop.  You could easily purchase all 4 colors. All very wearable colors, but two of the colors are better suited for spring/summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Posh Matte Liquid Lipstick – Opera-$6.00

Liquid lipsticks have been all the rage for the past few years and these affordable options definitely do not disappoint.  The formula is very comfortable on the lips and lasts a decent amount of time.  The color is different depending on your skin tone and lighting, which I think is pretty cool.  The color comes off on me as a brownish purple- great for the fall season.

 

Scented Bath Bombs – Green Goddess (Get well quick) Eucalyptus-$4.00

What can I say, it’s a bath bomb.  All bath bombs are pretty amazing.  These smell great and have a great price point.  I loved them so much that I have already bought a couple more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve found Measurable Difference at stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls- but they can also be found online Measurabledifference.com.  You can get 25% off and free shipping using code 25JACK.  No need to rush!  The code is good until March, so pick up a little something each month.

Interested in picking up an item I purchased?  Check out the board below!

Private Label: Mink Lash Review

Hi, loves!  Do you remember the review we did on Private label lashes last year?  Well, if not, check it out here.  We are breaking out of our “natural” comfortable shell and going full glam with some thick, volumized, luscious lashes.   This year it has been all about changes and trying new things, but I refuse to give up on good brands. Read on to understand why!

Let’s Talk Lashes

Let me tell you a little about Private Label Extensions.  It’s a wholesale company that dabbles in everything from wholesale hair extensions, mink lashes, and branding.  They can assist you with setting up your own business at an affordable price.

The lashes are 100% handmade of mink with double or triple layers.  Since Private Label is a wholesale company, you will receive the lashes unbranded and ready for resale or you can buy in bulk for yourself.  This would be perfect for an MUA kit because you get to choose from many different styles.  They really do cover everything from natural sets to full voluminous lashes.

 

 

Chloe- $12.50

The first thing I notice is the case, it’s been upgraded a bit.  Instead of just a clear case, they’ve added the pretty glitter backing.  I am happy to see that they didn’t change the case too much.  Since you get about 25 uses out of these lashes, the case is perfect for storing.

The Chloe’s are my daughters pick for her upcoming homecoming dance because they are full and fluttery, but not over the top.  Think girls night out, date night, or special event.

 

 

Alice- $12.50

Each style lash has a different color glitter case.  Perfect to tell them apart!  The Alice are my personal favorites.  They are a full set lash, but very wearable for every day.  Great for work and very transitional into a night time look.

These lashes are very easy to cut to fit your eyeshape, the band is comfortable, and application is super easy.  This is coming from someone who is horrible at appling false lashes.

 

 

Application
No lashes applied

 

False lash to natural lashes

 

Alice fully applied

 

Chloe fully applied

 

 

Chloe sideview

 

Overall I am very impressed with how these styles turned out.  They are not over the top, which is what I like.  I would highly recommend checking out Private Label Extensions lashes and seeing the end result for yourself.  They are amazing quality, pretty affordable, with super fast shipping.  Next on the list to try are the 3D Mink Thinline- so be on the lookout!

 

*Items provided for review purposes, but all opions are my own*

Rosegal Wishlust

Hi, loves!  We are testing out a new series on our website called Fashion Fridays, inspired by the lovely BeautybyGaby.  This week we are going to discuss Rosegal.  I came across this site a few weeks ago and started checking out their long dresses because why not?  My daughter’s homecoming dance is coming up and we are also looking for some into fall transitional pieces.

My Current Wishlust
Long Sleeve Backless Maxi Pleated Flowy Dress

Style: Bohemian
Material: Cotton Blend
Silhouette: A-Line
Dresses Length: Floor-Length
Neckline: Round Collar
Sleeve Length: Long Sleeves
Pattern Type: Patchwork
With Belt: No
Season: Fall,Spring,Summer

$18.12

 

 

Plus Size Cold Shoulder Bohemian Blouse

 

Material: Polyester
Shirt Length: Regular
Sleeve Length: Three Quarter
Collar: Spaghetti Strap
Style: Fashion
Season: Fall,Spring,Summer
Pattern Type: Floral

$13.47

Plus Size Button Up Drop Shoulder Blouse

Material: Rayon
Shirt Length: Long
Sleeve Length: Full
Collar: V-Neck
Style: Casual
Season: Fall,Spring,Summer

$15.39

 

 

 

 

Plus Size Floral Raglan Full Sleeve T-Shirt

Material: Cotton Blends,Polyester
Shirt Length: Long
Sleeve Length: Full
Collar: Round Neck
Style: Casual
Season: Fall,Spring

$13.47

V Neck Cut Out Plus Size Tunic Tee

Material: Polyester
Shirt Length: Long
Sleeve Length: Half
Collar: V-Neck
Style: Casual
Season: Summer

$13.37

 

 

 

They have so many items, pages and pages.  These were my picks from just going through the first 20 pages, so imagine the damage that could be done!  Right now Rosegal has an end of summer sale going on for 33% off.  You can get additional 10% off using code RGEN.  I would also suggest signing up for an account to get 15% off your order.  Now, you can’t stack the discounts, but save it for another time. What are your favorite shopping sites right now?