Daddy Dilemmas!

Hi bougie ballers!

Thanks so much for the comments on Megan's guest blog. Hopefully she'll be back soon to do a post on international travel on a budget! If you're interested in doing a guest blog, just shoot an e-mail or leave a comment. I love hearing about your tips to budget fabulousness!

In other news... Father's Day is right around the corner! Now as I see it, Father's day is similar to Mother's Day since it's all about appreciating (the men) in your life. But for me - that's where the similarities end... Father's Day is one of the most difficult holidays for me because I never know what to get! Every year, I give my dad a gift and he says "thanks... it's the thought that counts," and gives it back to me. The man has everything he wants and needs - he's impossible to shop for! I'm tempted to give him discounted designer underwear but that's pretty pathetic.

So I asked my male friends and relatives - what are you giving your dad for Father's Day and what would you want to receive if you were a father... the results included:

cigars
underwear (go figure)
Rock Band
dinner
and a watch

**YAWN **

The most "interesting" suggestion came from a friend who suggested... a bolo tie. Wowzers.

But there were some other interesting suggestions like the ones provided by Mr. Coker - a family dvd of funny events and pictures, a digital picture frame with family photos already uploaded, or an old-school framed photo of the 'rents.

I'd add a homemade coupon book to the "creative list" - my brother and I made one a few years ago that included things like "1 movie night of your choosing," and "1 car-wash." The key is to be creative and imaginative!

It also might be fun to get your dad a one-time only personal shopper. If you dad is like my dad and hates shopping, then why not volunteer your time and do his shopping for him? Quick, easy, affordable, and creative! And when in doubt... a phone call or a card is always the simplest (and sometimes the most poignant) solution.

In any case, yes - my brother and I are still trying to figure out what to get daddy dearest for Father's Day... the never-ending battle goes on! Hmmm maybe these guys can help me figure it out!

So what are your suggestions about how to celebrate your father, or father-figure in your life? Any traditions? Solutions? Can't wait to hear your thoughts :)

-bb-

PS - New layout! Love it? Hate it? Let me know!

International Ballin!

Hi bougies, today we have a guest blogger - Megan - who is amazing at international travel and style... just in time for the Summer trips ... enjoy! -bb
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Bougie Ballers,

It is my pleasure to guest write this blog entry on how to ball out of control when you are overseas. I am hoping this will help you in your summer travels!

So I do a fair amount of international travel…ok…ok…perhaps too much but my favorite part is finding shopping bargains in other countries. I have plenty of ‘expensive’ items (Gucci bags, handmade silk garments, YSL and Dior sunglasses, Burberry coat, etc.) but NEVER pay full price...its against all my bougie ballin principles. So how do I do it? I’m going to let you in on a few key places you MUST visit if you like the crème de la crème of fashion. It is important to understand this information is not easy to come by…few insiders know…so be discerning in who to share this information with.

I’m still working on my travel portfolio but are few key places in ascending order of greatness:

Italy

By leaps and bounds Italy wins hands down for the deals you will find in this country if you travel off the beaten path. Warning: DO NOT expect to find deals in Milan, Venice, Rome, Florence (I’ve been to them all)!!! About an hour outside of Florence is The Outlet Mall which has outlets for Gucci, YSL, Valentino, Armani, La Perla, Ferragamao, Alexander McQueen, Emilo Pucci, and many more. It’s the first Gucci outlet and was not even advertised by Gucci. Even my boyfriend who abhors shopping found a bangin' pair of Gucci loafers for over 75% off the regular price.

Not too far from The Outlet Mall are other smaller outlet malls for Prada (called Space) and Dolce & Gabbana. More amazing deals to be had! Make sure you spend AT LEAST a day looking around. To get to the outlet malls…either rent a car (this is what I did) or join one of the shopping tour groups that leave from Florence.

Turkey

To my ballers that are homeowners or that like to decorate their homes: Get to Turkey!! The Turkish rugs are amazing and significantly cheaper than the ones they sell in the US and all the carpet dealers ship worldwide. No need to spend money on to look like you have high end carpets such as this one from Neiman’s (I swear I saw a similar rug for $400).
Instead of spend thousands, head to Istanbul for some amazing sightseeing and pick up a rug for cheaper than it would cost for a flight and one rug in the states.

London

Right smack dab in the middle of London is the Burberry outlet. A short ride on the Tube and a lil walk will take you to a big building of everything that is Burberry. If this is your brand…you must make the visit! With the conversation rate of pound for dollar—it is the only shopping you should do in London. Well…its also necessary to stop by Topshop!

Spain

I don’t care if you spend 2 hours in the Madrid airport or if you actually spend some time in Madrid or Barcelona but make sure you bring an extra suitcase and stop by Zara and Mango (Penelope Cruz currently has a collection for them). They are two Spanish-based fashion chains whose prices in their home country are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than in the United States.

Jamaica

I would be remiss if I did not include the island of Jamaica on this list. For everyone that has friends and co-workers that are coffee lovers (who is not these days?)—buy packets of Blue Mountain Coffee. To the coffee connoisseur, Blue Mountain is simply divine! And its super expensive outside of Jamaica. Just head to any supermarket…please steer clear of tourist traps/shops…and stock up and then give them as gifts!


Well…that’s it for now. HAPPY SHOPPING!!! The next installment from Bougie Ballin Megan will be about how to do international travel on the cheap…trust me its possible!!!

-M-

Links:
Gucci Outlet Mall
Italy - Outlet Mall
Prada
Burberry Outlet
TopShop
Zara
Mango
Blue Mountain Coffee

Val Style Opening - Special Discount for Bougie Ballers!

Val from ValStyle has been kind enough to give out a special promotional code to all readers and members of Bougie Ballin' on a Budget!

Use code BB$25OFF at checkout!

*The first 25 bougies to spend $250 or more will receive $25 off their purchase!

*Spend $350 or more and get a free LeSportsac cosmetics case (while supplies last)!

So check it out and happy shopping! Launch prices range from $45 to $720 so there's something for everyone (and yes that includes men too!)!

ValStyle Shopping is “Manhattan Service” for busy professionals. We currently offer personal shopping by appointment, with our event sales and at www.valstyleonline.com.. Our clients and customers include media executives, retail buyers, fashion editors, fashionistas, stylists as well as teachers, graduate students, bankers, lawyers and other professionals with limited time.

Handbag Quickie

Hi ladies & gents,

Thanks so much for the commentary on the Mother's Day post. I hope you had a wonderful day appreciating the women in your lives!

So just a quick little blurb because I couldn't resist!

I'm a hand-bag fanatic ... and today I received word that there's a great Kate Spade sale in progress through May 26... check it out!

25% off all sale items when you use the code SALEAWAY.

There are some great little steals on there... my favorites?

The Classic Noel Gillen

Originally $195
Now $110.50 (with discount applied)

The Fisher Island Parker

Originally $225
Now $84.75 (with discount applied)

Explore the site, I'm sure you'll find some great stuff! And don't worry, I'll have some even better handbag deals & steals for you in the future. You can start by checking out Forever 21. They make cute and trendy bags at discount prices.

My personal favorite right now is this orange patent leather clutch... it's so bright - perfect for Summer adventures!

Magnetic Patent Clutch in Orange
$15.80 from Forever 21

Happy hunting!

Cheers,

-the bb

Mama You Know I Love You...

Hola boughiettos! Happy Cinco de Mayo! I hope you're all out working hard so you can take off from work early, grab some chile con' carne, and party with $2 drink specials somewhere!

I've been gone and I certainly missed you! I hope you've been checking out the Facebook Group because there are plenty of daily deals, steals, and bougie appeals posted for everyone.

Moving on to more news: MOTHER'S DAY! It's just around the corner!



I love Mother's Day! What better way to show appreciate to mom then a day completely devoted to how awesome she is? Realistically we should tell tell our mother's how much we appreciate her everyday, but Mother's Day gives us a chance to make up for all of the forgetful moments, the gaffs, and the mistakes.

And Mother's Day doesn't just have to be for your mother... I like to surprise my aunts, my grandmothers, and some of the other important "mom" figures in my life with cards or little tokens to say "I appreciate you."

But how do you show someone you appreciate them without breezing through all your worldly savings? Or in my case, how do you show a group of women that already have everything that you love and appreciate them?

1. Be "around": If you're mom is the emotional sort or loves your company, she'll love the idea of you being around... even if it's just for a day or two. You might not have the money to throw buckets of stuff at her, but you can hang out with her for the weekend, cook her breakfast, take her to the movies, and do simple stuff for her (like clean the house or take out the trash). This is a great option if you live semi-close or within traveling distance. Check out Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, and Kayak for last minute airfare travel deals, use AAA to get a 10% discount on Amtrak, or just hop on the various cheap travel buses like New Century Travel (do it for mom)!

2. Give her an "experience": Take mom out to dinner, take her to a play, or take her to her favorite garden. If you want to get really sentimental, take her somewhere that has significance for both of you. Are you and your mom science geeks? Take her to the Body World Exhibit! Another example - my grandmothers are both fans of The View... so I got them tickets to go hang out and sit in the audience ... it was also an economical decision since tickets are free :) Be creative with this one since there are lots of interesting and fun things you can do here!

3. Be "material": Is mom a rare flowers fanatic? Send her a combination of her favorite flowers. Send her on a day-long spa trip. Get her a cute charm bracelet... is she a technology wiz? Send her the latest in scanner technology!

4. Be "creative": Make a photo album with memorable moments from her life, starting with childhood. Plan a home-cooked brunch for all of the dynamic women in your life, and honor them each with a little handwritten memory card... call your mom at the crack of dawn and sing her favorite song over the phone!

So bougies, how do you celebrate the women in your lives? Do you do anything special? Any memorable moments come to mind?

Good luck and cheers!

-the bb

500 Bougies Deep and Still Rising!

Bougies! I'm happy to report that the Bougie Ballin' on a Budget Facebook Group has reached 500+ members! Wow! Stuff like that really gets me excited and keeps me motivated.

So to help me along on this adventure, please continue to encourage people to join the group. The more the merrier! I am working on a few things here and there so keep your fingers crossed... because it would mean great things for you, the readers and forum members!

I'm also interested in getting your feedback. Like the site? Hate it? Wish we talked more about "guy stuff?" More posts on lifestyle? Let me know by leaving me a comment or sending me a note. I live and breathe for your comments, so know that I will respond!

Moving on, I had to let you in on a purchase I made last week. One word: phenomenal!



MAC Primer: Prep+Prime Skin is amazing. You apply the primer after you have applied moisturizer to fresh and clean skin. The primer acts as an enhancer by evening out your skin tones, reducing redness, and getting rid of excess oil. The primer resembles skin moisturizer in color (white) but contains silicones... after applying a small amount, my skin felt incredibly smooth! The product is non-comedogenic and oil free so it will not cause break outs.



MAC Primer also comes in SPF 50 Flavor which is useful if you do not use a moisturizer with sunscreen (you should!)... since I use a moisturizer with sunscreen, I prefer the regular PRIMER since it is a bit lighter in density.

But back to the most important part... how does it work? Well after putting on the primer, I put on my makeup (tinted moisturizer, a bit of concealer, and a bit of blot powder), mascara, and lip-gloss and ran to my appointment... by the time I got home 5 hours later... my makeup hadn't budged! No streaking... no shiny factor, no smudging... no looking warn and run-down from the NYC heat and congestion! I used the primer again on Saturday... same results! My makeup looked just as good as when I departed for the event... I'm sold!

The primer runs about $22 from your local MAC store. $22 might seem a bit pricey for the bougie baller in all of us... but it's definitely worth the money since your makeup will last longer and your skin will look and feel more radiant!

For an alternate, try Velvet Veil by Face Time Cosmetics. It's comes highly recommended from beauty bloggers!

So my bougies - do you use skin primer? If so, what's your favorite?

Until next time!

Cheers,
BB

Still Ballin'... and Still on a Budget

Hi Bougies...

I have some good news... first, my self-imposed traveling/working nightmare exile is almost over (well at least for the next two weeks)... a breather for me means a new post for you! Hooray! I've got so much stuff stored up and ready to share with you guys... you can catch a quick peek at some of my more recent finds by checking out the Facebook Group.

More good news... the sample sales, outlet shopping, and seasonal fashion sales aren't dead yet! While in Austin and Vegas, I had a bit of a mini frenzy... buying a gazillion lifestyle items... and yet when I tallied my receipts*, I hadn't dropped more than $200 (and I bought over 10 items, including an Armani Exchange leather and wool sweater... booya)! If you're into power-budget shopping like I am, I suggest you sign up for Outlet VIP Status. VIP Outlet Status is a free service that gives you access to sales, deals, and good buys at Simon Premium Outlets. You choose your outlets of interest (and yes you can modify at any point in time) and you receive regular e-mail updates with coupons and announcements. Even more exciting, when you arrive at the Outlet Mall... you receive a coupon book full of discounts not available online!

In food news, Restaurant Week is (clearly) over... but April feasting events are just starting. In the case of MEGU NYC that signals an opportunity. Megu is teaming up with the City Harvest Campaign to "promote awareness in the fight against hunger"... they are offering a $125 pre-fixe menu which includes Wild Red Snapper, Sashimi, Signature Dish Sampler, Kobe Beef Flambe, Sushi, Soup, and Dessert. 10% of the proceeds will go to the Spring for City Harvest Campaign. Expensive? Compared to Megu's regular menu... no. Compared to their Restaurant Week menu? Yes. But, it's a great opportunity to do something great for charity, and sample one a great restaurant at a low price. Interested in other charity events like this? Try out the American Cancer Society's Taste of Hope scheduled for April 30, 2008. GVG is also the King of the charity wine and dine, and I'm sure he'll also have a few events scheduled for the future! PS - vote for him!

And finally, although I try and keep my posts appealing to both women and men... I know it can be rough out here in these streets for guys, especially with things like high-end sample sales... which is why I am happy to announce that the Gilt Groupe will now be selling men's designs as of April 16! The first four sales includes: John Varvatos, Hickey, Dolce & Gabbana, and Lambertson Truex. Enjoy!

Cheers,

BB


*My habits/advice: When I shop, I have a habit of mentally calculating how much I've spent. Once I'm done shopping, I go home and tally the receipts for my budget records (if I'm on the road, I keep all my non-business related receipts in a business envelope).

This is also useful if I think I've overspent, or if I think I spent frivolously (yes there is a difference), or if I think I just don't want/need something anymore. And if that's the case - I'll return the item(s) with a quickness.

Don't believe me? I bought a pair of shoes in Las Vegas... please believe I shipped those bad boys back to Vegas to get a full refund! Turns out the shoe wasn't what I expected... no need for regret, especially since most stores have excellent return policies... even on sale items.