The cold weather is here and only getting colder. These tips are all about preparing your family’s winter wardrobe. Whether your buying, stitching, sharing or thrift-ing, you will save a fortune. Take these tips all the way to the bank!

1. One kids’ trash is another kids treasure. Well maybe not treasure–but it works. Of course were talking about Hand-me-downs. If you have more than one child buying winter clothes can be an abnormal pinch in the budget. Never throw away or give away an older child’s winter clothes. It is easy to think that after one winter of snow ball fights and outdoor activity may ruin a jacket. Lets just say that’s far from the truth.

At the rate your children grow you should not invest that much on clothes anyway, and a washer machine will probably do the trick. So before you buy a new wardrobe for your younger child, go through the older child’s dresser and see what doesn’t fit them anymore.

2. Buy early. It is still only November so prepare now for harsher weather. Many stores have pre-season sales on winter clothes, snow pants, jackets, sweaters and boots. Once really cold weather arrives store prices get jacked up. So do not wait any longer. Go out and buy what you need now. Take the life lesson we should all know by now—procrastination equals disaster.

3. Mend torn clothes. If an article of winter clothing only has a mere tear and still fits, see if you can sew it together. A lot of holes in sweaters are created from a little snag and are still in great condition. So take that needle and thread and try to mend it before tossing. Even if you can not sew great, a few stitches do not take much skill.

4. Thrifty moms go for thrift stores. When it comes to winter clothes thrift stores are a good option. Thrift stores carry clothes of all sorts and sizes. Most children grow out of clothes, winter jackets and snow pants quickly. If mothers do not have anyone to hand the clothes down to, moms usually will bring them to a thrift store. So do not be surprised to see snow gear, sweaters and boots that are in close to new condition.

5. Buy for next year. At the end of the winter seasons all winter clothes and outer wear goes for dirt cheap. Most places have sales from 75%-80% off. Buy gloves, hats and scarves that you know you can always use. This time is also great to buy jackets. It may be difficult for you to predict your child’s size, but get a few sizes up. Too big is better than too small. If you think about it, coats are better big anyway. So do not be scared of end of the year sales. These sales could help you save hundreds and next year you will already be prepared.

The pursuit of beauty can be very expensive. Factor in the cost of shampoo, conditioner, nail polish, make-up, perfume, and lotions, to name just a few of the products you might use, and you could end up spending a small fortune. Don’t be discouraged though because it is possible to have everything you need, while saving money on beauty products.

One way to reduce your costs on beauty products is to use homemade products. In fact, some home beauty treatments are simply a matter of using a single ingredient. Investing in a good book that will show you how to create your own products will save you lots in the long run. An extra bonus is that your products will be chemical free, especially important for those who have sensitive skin.

Comparison shopping is a good way to get products at the best price. Make a few phone calls and check store ads. Ask if you can get free samples with your purchase. Some stores may be willing to sweeten the deal to make a customer out of you.

Waiting for sales is an excellent cost saving measure. Many products will be discounted from time to time. The trick is to stock up when they’re discounted, so you’ll hopefully have enough to last until the next sale.

Waiting for sales is an excellent cost saving measure. Many products will be discounted from time to time. The trick is to stock up when they’re discounted, so you’ll hopefully have enough to last until the next sale.

New products are frequently priced at lower introductory prices to entice consumers to give them a try. You may even get free samples of a related product from the same manufacturer. The beauty companies know that if they can get you to try their product, you may continue to use it. Take advantage of this and save some money. You might even discover a new product you absolutely love.

Avoid purchasing beauty supplies or cosmetics at high priced cosmetic counters. Generally you will get a better price at a local discount store or drugstore. Or, see if your hair stylist can give you a deal on the product line she carries. If you’re a loyal customer she may be happy to reward your loyalty with good prices on great products.

Another option is to avoid name brands in favor of generic or store brands. Often these products contain the same ingredients as the more expensive brands. You’re just paying more because of the name on the bottle.

Check the Internet for sources of your favorite beauty products too. If you decide to shop on the Internet, be aware of shipping costs. Sometimes you can get free or discounted shipping if you order a certain amount. Some online sites even include free samples of other products with each order. A few include a free gift with each order. It pays to shop around and is easy to do online.
So, there you have it. It pays to shop around and shopping smart will help you to save money on beauty products.

No doubt about it, our favorite celebrities look fabulous, but they don’t achieve that look alone. In fact, they have lots of help getting there. With a few tips from these insiders, we can look our best too. Read on for some secret celebrity beauty tips.

Wardrobe expert Ricci DeMartino offers advice on looking slimmer than you really are. To look lean and pulled together, wear clothing in matching colors on the top and bottom, like khaki pants and a taupe blouse. Avoid wearing two different colors like a red blouse and blue pants. This cuts you in half and draws attention to your waist making you appear bigger.

Stars like Tyra Banks and Gwyneth Paltrow swear by figure-controlling pants and tights to hide bulges. They are not the only stars who wear minimizing undergarments when wearing elegant evening wear either.

With zoom lenses picking up the tiniest flaw, great skin care is high on the list of must-dos for celebs as well. A biggie is protecting sensitive skin from the sun’s UV rays as well as from environmental irritants. Products of choice contain antioxidants.

Slathering on the sunscreen is recommended too. Even with sunscreen on, the stars avoid sunbathing, to keep their skin in top condition. So how do they get that just off the beach look? Stars like Lindsay Lohan use a process called Mystic Tan, where a self-bronzer is sprayed on in a tanning booth. The glow lasts for up to seven days and is UV free. No tanning beds or lying on the beach to get that awesome tanned look.

Keeping the skin well hydrated is another biggie for celebrities and it should be for you too. Dry skin shows fine lines, making you appear older. Products containing Vitamin A fight signs of aging so read the label and check the ingredients when you choose your moisturizing cream. Go for the super dewy look like Debra Messing.

If your eyes look tired, puffy or red, you look older. Youth and vibrancy go hand in hand. Alicia Keys’ make-up artist advises the use of concealers to get rid of dark circles and make eyes appear brighter and more rested.

There are secrets to having great looking hair too, of course. One surprising trick that many stars rely on is to not wash their hair every day. In fact many stars absolutely won’t wash their hair the day of a big awards show. Why not? Well, it seems that shampooing too frequently gets rid of naturally occurring oils. We knew that but why is that important? These oils are what keep hair shiny and smooth naturally, creating a fabulous look for the big event.

Hair extensions are all the rage in Hollywood these days. But this may be one tip you may not want to use. They come with a hefty price tag and some heavy duty upkeep.

We may not have access to our own personal make-up artists, hairdressers, or advisors, on a daily basis, but with a little bit of work and some creativity, we too can achieve a celebrity-like look.

We wait all year for summer. Great weather, lots of sunshine, shorts, tank tops, bathing suits, and for those brave souls out there, bikinis. No matter which summer attire suits your fancy, you definitely want to look your best. Here’s how to put it all together and be bikini ready this summer.

You will no doubt want to shop for some new beach wear. Your choice of a new bathing suit is no longer limited to the basic one-piece or bikini. There is a huge variety of new styles, one of which will be perfect for you. If you’re trying to hide a flabby stomach, check out the tankini. If the tops of your legs are not your best feature, go for a mini swim skirt to go with your bikini. If you need some extra lift in the bust area, try a suit with a built-in support top.

Once you’ve found the perfect suit, you’ll also want to look for some accessories to accentuate it. There are many different types of swimwear cover-ups. A cover-up is a good way to protect your skin from over-exposure to the sun. Just about anything goes when it comes to cover-ups. From an over-sized t-shirt to a beach robe, you’re sure to find one that fits your taste and goes well with your suit. One very popular type of cover up, for those just wanting to cover the bottom half of the body, is a sarong.

Hats are a pretty yet practical accessory. Wearing a hat helps protect your face, neck and shoulders from the damaging rays of the sun. It’s a bonus if your hat just happens to perfectly co-ordinate with your suit and cover-up. Even though your hat will shade your eyes, sunglasses are another necessity. The darker the better and be sure they have a good level of UV blocking for maximum eye protection.

The importance of shielding yourself from the sun makes sunscreen one of your most important accessories. Apply liberally and thoroughly and re-apply periodically throughout the day.

Many beach lovers like to get a head start on their tanning by visiting a tanning studio before heading to the beach. A better idea might be to use one of the self-tanning products that are available. Having a base tan helps avoid sunburn and because you already look tanned, you will probably be more willing to use a more protective sunscreen and avoid getting too much sun.

Before you hit the beach, you’ll want to give your feet a little extra attention too. After all, they’ve been hidden away and maybe even neglected for months. If you spring for a pedicure your feet will be very grateful and look great too. At the minimum, massage some cooling foot lotion into your heels and cuticles. This will go a long way toward making your feet ready for that new shade of nail polish.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your towel and beach bag, put on those sandals and that pretty cover-up over your bikini and head out to the beach looking fabulous this year.

Every year people spend hundreds of dollars to have vibrant, healthy-looking hair. Is it really necessary to break the bank in order to have lovely locks? Having healthy hair doesn’t have to be a difficult thing to achieve either. You just need to know what to do. Here are some healthy hair tips to help make your life easier without costing a fortune at the hairdresser.

The jury is still out on how often to wash your hair, but it’s generally agreed that unless your hair is extremely oily, a daily washing is not necessary. In fact, washing your hair too frequently can be damaging. If you skip a day or two between shampoos, you allow your hair’s natural oils to penetrate individual strands of hair.

Before washing your hair, be sure it is free of tangles. Use a natural bristled hair brush and gently brush through starting from the scalp and working all the way to the ends. This helps to distribute the natural oils to the ends of your hair, preventing split ends.

When you shampoo your hair, choose a quality shampoo with a neutral ph balance. Work the shampoo into the scalp, massaging with your fingertips rather than your nails. Using your fingernails can cause damage to your scalp leading to things like dandruff and dry scalp. Massaging your scalp will increase blood flow, resulting in healthier hair and re-growth.

Let the suds flow through your hair. Rinse thoroughly to get rid of all traces of shampoo. Then apply a quality conditioner. This is one thing not to skimp on. A good conditioner will not only prevent tangles, which lead to split ends and damaged hair, it will also protect and nourish your hair. Use cool water to rinse off the conditioner for less breakage and shinier, more manageable tresses.

Next, gently towel-dry your hair to squeeze out the excess water. Avoid rubbing briskly with the towel. Wet hair is easily damaged, so use your towel carefully. Then, use a wide tooth comb and slowly comb your hair. If you find a tangle, work it out with your fingers. Trying to comb through a tangle while your hair is wet will only result in damage.

Although allowing hair to dry naturally is best, most of us just do not have the time to do this. Using the lowest heat setting on your hair dryer is the next best thing. As you blow dry your hair, keep the dryer moving to avoid burning your hair and scalp. When using curling irons, or other hot styling tools, apply a silicone-based cream to your hair to shield it from the intensive heat before styling.

Use hair spray, gel and other products sparingly. Build-up leaves a residue which makes hair appear dull and unhealthy-looking. The harsh chemicals used when dying or applying a perm can put added stress on your hair, so don’t overdo either.

The bottom line is that abuse can lead to problem hair or even hair loss. Treat your hair with tender loving care and it will reward you with a vibrant, luxuriant look for many years to come.

Before the arrival of computers, TV, and fashion magazines, daughters looked to their mothers for advice about beauty. Even though this advice may not be as necessary as it was years ago, a mother can still be depended upon for a few beauty tips in this day and age.

Your mother is certainly aware of what she considers the good, the bad and the downright, I’d like to forget about this, parts of her appearance. No doubt she has worked to improve the parts that she doesn’t like while taking good care of her assets. While doing so she has probably passed on some of the tips that have worked for her in the beauty department.

As a girl you probably sat and watched as your mom applied her make-up, combed her hair, or got ready for an evening out. Many of her tips were probably casually tossed out while you chatted together during these times. Things like, go easy on the eyeliner to avoid the raccoon look, or blend in the blush so you don’t get the round clown dots on your cheeks.

Mothers are aware that the older we get, the more we sag. So when your mom tells you to throw your shoulders back and walk tall, she is really talking about posture. When you have good posture, you look slimmer, have more confidence and feel good about yourself.

Another piece of good mom advice is to relax. We tend to be so stressed today and this is reflected in our faces. Frowning and grimacing produce fine lines around the eyes and mouth that deepen with age. Make a conscious effort to smile as much as possible. Not only will you look better, but you’ll feel better too!

Another tip she may pass on is to wear sunglasses when it’s sunny no matter what season it is. Another tip is to wear glasses if you need them instead of straining to see. Scrunching up your eyes produces wrinkles around them in years to come. You can delay the crow’s feet and other wrinkles around the eyes by what you do (or don’t do) with your eyes now. So, stop scrunching up your face to avoid the bright sun or read that newspaper.

Some tips from mom may even be passed on without conscious thought from her. You can learn a lot about yourself just by looking at your mother. For instance, take a careful look at your mom and you’ll get an idea of what you may look like in twenty or thirty years. Using what you’ve learned from doing so might indeed prove to be an important beauty tip from your mom.

Moms are wise. Some of the tips that she shares are really designed to support a daughter who is bemoaning some aspect of her appearance or her life. Since mothers are all about championing those she loves, don’t be surprised when she talks about beauty being on the inside. No, it doesn’t mean that she thinks you’re hopeless. She just wants you to love yourself for who you are, just like she does. When you think about it, this tip alone is the single most important beauty tip she can pass on to you.

You don’t have to go under the knife or spend money on botox treatments in order to look ten years younger. Instead, make a few lifestyle changes and start treating yourself with a little TLC and you will be amazed at the results. Things such as sleep, diet, exercise and more play a huge role in your appearance.

Getting a good night’s sleep is a sure-fire way to not only look younger, but to feel great as well. This is because while you sleep, cells go through a repair process and your body releases the hormone melatonin. This hormone has very positive effects on the skin. The result is radiant and youthful looking skin, fewer lines and less puffiness around the eyes. So do yourself a favor and get your z’s.

Be sure to eat a balanced diet, including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Not only will this regimen help you to maintain a healthy weight, the vitamins and anti-oxidants in the fruit and veggies nourish your skin and hair. Having healthy skin and shiny hair is a definite recipe for a more youthful look.

While you’re at it, drink lots of water each day. Water cleanses your body of toxins and hydrates your skin. Hydrated skin just plain looks younger. While we’re talking about skin, don’t forget to protect your nicely hydrated skin by wearing sun screen. The damaging effects of the sun, including skin cancer, have been well documented and should be taken very seriously. Excessive exposure dries the skin and will eventually give it a leathery appearance at the least.

Be sure to wear a hat to provide further protection from the rays for the sensitive skin on your face. You don’t have to forego the healthy tanned look. Just use a tanning product instead of baking in the sun or in a tanning bed.

It’s important to use a good cleanser on your face each day to unclog pores and keep your skin from looking dry and dull. Don’t forget to moisturize after washing and this includes your entire body, not just your face. Your hands take a beating in the course of daily life. Slather on a layer of oil followed by rich lotion, nightly, to have soft, younger looking hands.

Exercise increases bone density and muscle tone. So get regular exercise, including a routine like Pilates or Yoga, to tighten sagging muscles. A fit, trim body looks younger. Not only will you be healthier and more energized on the outside, you’ll feel younger too.

Updating a haircut can cut years from a woman’s appearance. Consider highlights rather than simply dying your hair to soften your look. Find a cut that accentuates your best facial features and your lifestyle. Talk with your stylist about what type of cut and color will look best on you and try it, you never know you might just fall in love with your hair again.

Your lifestyle choices greatly affect whether you look ten years younger or ten years older. Smoking and drinking both negatively affect the aging process by blocking the absorption of necessary nutrients and over time cause damage to the major organs of the body. So, if you smoke or drink, quit and soon you’ll begin to look and feel younger.

There are so many easy, natural ways to become a younger you. Once you’ve applied some of the tips above and started seeing a difference in yourself, try not to look too smug when people find out your true age.

Ever dream of creating your own line of beauty products? Or maybe you just haven’t found the right line of products for you. Well it may be easier than you think to make your own because most of the ingredients that you’ll need can be found right in your own kitchen. Some are even ready to use with no preparation. Intrigued? Read on to find out more about making your own beauty products.

Let’s start with the easy stuff. Four readily available ingredients are baking soda, honey, lemons and coffee.

Baking Soda: You can use baking soda as a hair rinse to rid the hair of build-up from other styling products. It also leaves the hair super clean. Honey has two great uses, to condition dry or damaged hair and a facial mask. It works especially well for skin that is apt to breakout.

Lemons & Coffee: Lemons can be used to lighten or add highlights to already light-colored hair (just rinse in before going out in the sun). They also work wonders in softening rough, dry skin. While lemons work to make light hair more beautiful, coffee is the ingredient of choice for those with darker hair. Pour one cup of cooled, strong espresso onto dry hair, working it in as completely as possible. Leave on for about twenty minutes, then rinse and dry for shiny, glowing hair.

Mayonnaise: Another item found in the refrigerator that can be used to help manage your hair is mayo. Mayonnaise can be rubbed into the hair as a conditioner. Use just enough to coat the hair, leave for about an hour and wash out. Your hair will be amazingly soft and shiny. You can also rinse your hair with condensed milk in place of your normal conditioner. The protein in the condensed milk will leave your hair extra shiny too.

Unfortunately, certain things can affect the smell and tone of your tresses (think swimming pool chlorine.) To get rid of unpleasant odors in your hair, or that slightly greenish tinge that comes from well water or coloring, use tomatoes. You read that right! Whether sauce, paste, or juice, the acidity in tomatoes works wonders to balance ph levels in your hair, bringing back it’s natural smell and color.

Now that we’ve got your locks looking gorgeous, here are a few other items to help with other areas.

Some of the easiest products to prepare at home are scrubs, masks and conditioners.

Avocados make a wonderful natural beauty treatment. Simply scoop the avocado out of it’s peel, mash, and gently apply to your face or around fingernails to soften and nourish skin.

Make your own facial scrub by mixing together 1 cup of uncooked oatmeal and a teaspoon of sugar. To make a mask which works for any skin type, mash up half of the pulp from a peeled avocado along with 1 teaspoon of salt. When you apply the mask, let it stay on your face for about 20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. To make a really luxuriant conditioner, mix together 2 ounces of Aloe Vera gel, 2 ounces of olive oil, and 6 drops each of rosemary and sandalwood essential oils.

So there you have it. See how easy it can be to make beauty products at home? You’ll be so impressed with the results that you may just find yourself making fewer visits to the beauty supply counter in future.

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For the average woman, less is not more when it comes to what we carry in our purses. Although some women take a minimalist approach to purse contents, for most of us, the more room the better. After all, there are just some things that a girl can’t do without, the stuff we call purse essentials.

We have learned over the years from watching our moms, sisters and friends that you just never know when you might need “stuff.” We’ve learned, in some cases the hard way, that it’s better to have it, than to wish we’d put it in our purse.

Although contents vary depending on your role in life, there are certain things that, well, every girl carries. Here then is the definitive list of purse essentials and it doesn’t matter whether you’re single or married, have children or not.

Number one on our list has to be cosmetics. It’s handy to keep these all together in a make-up case, unless you like the challenge of search and rescue missions in the bottom of your purse. Lipsticks in several shades and lip gloss, along with eyeliner, mascara and an eyebrow pencil are basics. Add in powder and blush, as well as a mirror so you can actually see what you’re doing while you are making emergency makeup repairs during the day. Don’t forget the sunglasses.

Equally important would have to be nail polish and a small file in the event of unexpected chipping. Maybe even a couple of spare nails and nail glue, in case of a major nail crisis. While you’re at it, throw in a tube of lotion to keep your hands soft and your cuticles in good shape.

While we’re concentrating on looking great, it’s important to pack a brush or comb and maybe a few clips, hair elastics, or a band to repair possible wind damage or “hat head.” These also come in handy to alter your look, if at the end of your day you have an unexpected change of plans. You may want to bring along a can of hair spray and some of your favorite perfume to complete the necessities.

Now that the really important stuff has been accounted for, you may want to include a few less essential things. It’s always a good idea to carry a debit card or some cash, to pay for lunch out with friends or for the commute home. A cell phone certainly has a place in today’s purse too.

If you carry a really big purse, you have the luxury of including even more emergency items, like that extra pair of panty hose and a fashion magazine or two. So check your bag. If you don’t have all the purse essentials…maybe you just need a bigger bag!

There is little that holds more appeal than a long, relaxing soak in a tub filled to the brim with hot water and maybe even bubbles. Why not use your tub time to indulge yourself even more?

Let’s set the stage.

As you lower yourself into the water, quiet, soothing music plays quietly in the background. The lights are dimmed and there’s a scented candle or two burning. You have a cup of your favorite beverage within easy reach. A huge fluffy towel is set aside just for you. Lean back and rest your head on your bath pillow.

You’re probably thinking, it doesn’t get any better than this. Well, think again because it does. This “me time” can be more than just soothing and relaxing. So far, you’ve taken care of the atmosphere and mentally you’re right into it. You deserve this. In fact, you absolutely love this.

But as the multi-tasking woman you are, admit it, it’s always more satisfying to do more than one thing at a time. You’ve got that covered too, because while you relax, your body is being pampered.

To soothe tired eyes, place a slice of cucumber over each eye. Leave in place for about twenty minutes and your eyes will be rejuvenated.

Aromatherapy is an effective way to relieve stress. Add a few drops of a fragrant essential oil into your bathtub’s hot steamy water and the fragrance will drift up from the water. Breathe deeply to enjoy the restorative properties. Feel the tension in those tied-up-in-knots muscles, release.

There are also a number of things that you can add to the tub that will make your skin soft and glowing. Many of them are easily found right here in your own home.

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) has been used forever in the bath as an affordable and easy to use beauty treatment. In the bath, it is absorbed through the skin to ease aches and pains and relieve stress.

You could also add several heaping tablespoons of baking soda as you fill the bathtub. Bathing in baking soda will leave your skin feeling smooth and silky. Add an essential oil for a nice fragrance.

Milk baths have been used since Cleopatra’s time because the natural ingredients soothe and nourish the skin. To make your own milk bath, simply combine two cups powdered milk, half cup each of bi-carb soda, Epsom salts and warmed honey, along with a small amount of an essential oil of your choice. Mix well. Toss a small handful into your bath with the water running.

That’s it. All that’s left is to take the time to indulge yourself a little. So what are you waiting for? Shut off your cell phone, lock the door and enjoy!

More Good Stuff: Take care of your skin naturally and economically with Naturally Skinsational Rejuvinating Skincare Recipes