Coco Chanel was right - every woman needs to have a little black dress (LBD)in her closet. It's the go-to event outfit that can be dressed up or down and let's be honest, black is a girl's best friend when it comes to looking her best.
Last year I bought one and I've worn it to a few events, and guess what, I'm going to wear it to even more. Yes, there are photos of me floating around in the same outfit, but in this recession, I think it shows the mark of a smart fashionista.
So this holiday season before you run to the mall to buy that New Year's dress or the work Christmas party outfit, check your closet. If you have a LBD, pull it out and look at what shoes and jewelry you have. Why spend another $100+ if you don't have to? You'd be amazed how different a dress looks by changing up your shoes or adding a different necklace... or even wearing your hair differently.
If you don't have a LBD, now's the time to get one. Get one in a timeless and flattering cut, but keep it young and fresh. Get something of quality since you'll have it for a long time.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The 2009 Deana-Fication Recession Awards! Pt 1
The First Annual Deana-Fication Recession Awards are awarded to products, places, people, and trends of the Great Recession. To qualify, the award winner must have been a "replacement" for another item or place and cost less but still be comparable to the original. These are products or activities I have switched to in the last year.
Best Shampoo and Conditioner
In the past I was an Aveda junkie. But I recently tried Avon Techniques shampoos and conditioners, and my hair has never looked better!
http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=36965
Best Skin Care Line
In the past, I was a skin care junkie. Dermalogica, anything from a spa, you name it, I tried it. But when my wallet went dry I returned to a tried and true moisturizer that I used back in the day, and it's just as good - if not better - than the more expensive brands.
Olay Complete Moisturizer
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=17074&catid=21503
and the best cleanser is
Olay Total Effects Anti-blemish, Anti-aging Cleanser
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=151042&catid=21234
Best Body Lotion
Jergens Skin Firming Body Lotion
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=156056&catid=10394
Best Foundation
Loreal True Match
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=138996&catid=107415&cmbProdBrandFilter=42837
Best Mascara
Covergirl Lash Blast
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=181952&catid=98577&cmbProdBrandFilter=53667
Best Salon
The Mane Event, Ramona, CA - $20 for a cut
Best Clothing Store
-Tie-
Kohls
New York and Company - with a coupon
Cheapest Drinks
Molly Molones, Ramona, CA - $1.50 Drink Night
Sushi
Eda-Mami, Del Mar, CA - 5-7 daily happy hour, rolls 50% off
Cheapest Entertainment
Santa Ysabel Casino - Santa Ysabel, CA
$4.95 prime rib dinner, and plenty of $5 black jack tables
Best Place to Live
Parents' house - Ramona, CA
Can't beat the free rent
Stay tuned for more awards as we count down to the end of 2009
Best Shampoo and Conditioner
In the past I was an Aveda junkie. But I recently tried Avon Techniques shampoos and conditioners, and my hair has never looked better!
http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=36965
Best Skin Care Line
In the past, I was a skin care junkie. Dermalogica, anything from a spa, you name it, I tried it. But when my wallet went dry I returned to a tried and true moisturizer that I used back in the day, and it's just as good - if not better - than the more expensive brands.
Olay Complete Moisturizer
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=17074&catid=21503
and the best cleanser is
Olay Total Effects Anti-blemish, Anti-aging Cleanser
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=151042&catid=21234
Best Body Lotion
Jergens Skin Firming Body Lotion
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=156056&catid=10394
Best Foundation
Loreal True Match
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=138996&catid=107415&cmbProdBrandFilter=42837
Best Mascara
Covergirl Lash Blast
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=181952&catid=98577&cmbProdBrandFilter=53667
Best Salon
The Mane Event, Ramona, CA - $20 for a cut
Best Clothing Store
-Tie-
Kohls
New York and Company - with a coupon
Cheapest Drinks
Molly Molones, Ramona, CA - $1.50 Drink Night
Sushi
Eda-Mami, Del Mar, CA - 5-7 daily happy hour, rolls 50% off
Cheapest Entertainment
Santa Ysabel Casino - Santa Ysabel, CA
$4.95 prime rib dinner, and plenty of $5 black jack tables
Best Place to Live
Parents' house - Ramona, CA
Can't beat the free rent
Stay tuned for more awards as we count down to the end of 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Where Are You?
So I was at cocktail party the other night with my sister and some of her coworkers when I saw my phone was ringing.
I looked and saw it was my mother.
"Hello?" I said.
"Deana, where are you?" my mom said.
"What do you mean?"
"It's 7:00 pm, are you still at work?"
I shake my head. "Uh, no Mom. I told you I was going to a happy hour thing after work."
"Oh, I must've forgot. We've been sitting here waiting for you to come home so we can eat dinner."
When my phone conversation ended, a few people were looking at me.
"Yes, that was my mother wondering why I wasn't home for dinner..."
I looked and saw it was my mother.
"Hello?" I said.
"Deana, where are you?" my mom said.
"What do you mean?"
"It's 7:00 pm, are you still at work?"
I shake my head. "Uh, no Mom. I told you I was going to a happy hour thing after work."
"Oh, I must've forgot. We've been sitting here waiting for you to come home so we can eat dinner."
When my phone conversation ended, a few people were looking at me.
"Yes, that was my mother wondering why I wasn't home for dinner..."
Blog ReBranding
Wowza - I can't believe the last time I blogged was in September. And now it's November. How time flies!
When you last heard from me, I was single, unemployed and living with my parents. Since then, I'm still single and living with my parents, but I am no longer unemployed. Yes, fans, I got myself a J-O-B. Holla back!
And now, when people ask me why I'm living with my parents, I will no longer say it's because I'm living on the government's dime and can't afford to live anywhere else... now, I can say it's because "I'm saving up to buy a house." Which is true... but in the San Diego market, how long will that take?
When you last heard from me, I was single, unemployed and living with my parents. Since then, I'm still single and living with my parents, but I am no longer unemployed. Yes, fans, I got myself a J-O-B. Holla back!
And now, when people ask me why I'm living with my parents, I will no longer say it's because I'm living on the government's dime and can't afford to live anywhere else... now, I can say it's because "I'm saving up to buy a house." Which is true... but in the San Diego market, how long will that take?
Monday, September 7, 2009
Raining Cats and Dogs
The other day I was telling my parents that I want a puppy, a kitten, and a new horse. To all of which they said, Hell No, and if I brought any of the above home I would find an eviction notice tacked to the door of my room. Sigh.
When they said that I responded, "Well, what would happen if we were all sitting outside and a hawk flew by and dropped a kitten at our feet. Would you let me keep it?"
My parents rolled their eyes and shook their heads.
"And what happens if a nice horse just happened to run up our driveway, with its papers tied around its neck, ready to show."
To that they responded, "Whatever, Deana."
I know that wish sounds crazy, but it's actually possible. We have a hawk family living on our property, and they could swoop up a kitten and a puppy from someplace and drop it here. And a cow that ran away from the rodeo ran up our driveway one time and literally jumped into our pasture. That's how we got Juanita the cow. So, the horse story is not out of the question.
Yesterday my mom and I were out in the barn and she saw something ruffling in the bushes. "What's that?" she said.
So I went over to the bush. And guess what I saw.
A kitten.
"Mom, it's a kitten!!!"
My mom came over to see. "How did a kitten get here?"
"The hawk must've dropped it." I said.
The kitten was scarred and wouldn't let us pet her, but she wasn't wild. We fed her and she ate. Poor thing was so hungry.
"I swear, Mom. I didn't plant this kitten here! Now, just don't be surprised if the hawks drop a cute puppy next!"
So, looks like I have a new kitten. I have decided to name her Tonya. I hope my other cat Gwen doesn't mind too much!
When they said that I responded, "Well, what would happen if we were all sitting outside and a hawk flew by and dropped a kitten at our feet. Would you let me keep it?"
My parents rolled their eyes and shook their heads.
"And what happens if a nice horse just happened to run up our driveway, with its papers tied around its neck, ready to show."
To that they responded, "Whatever, Deana."
I know that wish sounds crazy, but it's actually possible. We have a hawk family living on our property, and they could swoop up a kitten and a puppy from someplace and drop it here. And a cow that ran away from the rodeo ran up our driveway one time and literally jumped into our pasture. That's how we got Juanita the cow. So, the horse story is not out of the question.
Yesterday my mom and I were out in the barn and she saw something ruffling in the bushes. "What's that?" she said.
So I went over to the bush. And guess what I saw.
A kitten.
"Mom, it's a kitten!!!"
My mom came over to see. "How did a kitten get here?"
"The hawk must've dropped it." I said.
The kitten was scarred and wouldn't let us pet her, but she wasn't wild. We fed her and she ate. Poor thing was so hungry.
"I swear, Mom. I didn't plant this kitten here! Now, just don't be surprised if the hawks drop a cute puppy next!"
So, looks like I have a new kitten. I have decided to name her Tonya. I hope my other cat Gwen doesn't mind too much!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Yo Ho, Yo Ho, The Unemployed Life For Me!
Okay, so I was afraid this was going to happen.
I am officially liking being unemployed.
Pros
- I sleep better
- I look better
- I'm so much happier
- I do fun things
- I hang out with more people
- Sacramento has released my soul
- Suddenly it's not a bad thing to drink a lot on Sunday... or even Tuesday nights
- More cheap blackjack tables are open during the day
- My parents are fun to chill with and they're out of town a lot
- Coupons are fun
- Dive bars are cool, especially when the drinks are $1.50 ... and you feel like you fit in with the other locals... which may or may not be a good thing considering it's a Wednesday night.
Cons
- $950 every two weeks only goes so far... but that's when you gotta bust out the coupons
I am officially liking being unemployed.
Pros
- I sleep better
- I look better
- I'm so much happier
- I do fun things
- I hang out with more people
- Sacramento has released my soul
- Suddenly it's not a bad thing to drink a lot on Sunday... or even Tuesday nights
- More cheap blackjack tables are open during the day
- My parents are fun to chill with and they're out of town a lot
- Coupons are fun
- Dive bars are cool, especially when the drinks are $1.50 ... and you feel like you fit in with the other locals... which may or may not be a good thing considering it's a Wednesday night.
Cons
- $950 every two weeks only goes so far... but that's when you gotta bust out the coupons
He's Just Not That Into You
Being a single, sassy twenty something, I have had my fair share of dating and relationships. Yes, I have read (and agree) with the books "He's Just Not That Into You" and "It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken," and I am not one who cries over spilled perfume or gets attached easily. If it's not going to happen, whatever, I'll move on. Next!
The thing about relationships - and this is what bothers me the most - that it is the MAN that determines whether or not a relationship will go anywhere. I have experienced this time and time again, and the most annoying thing about it is that as a woman, it's frustrating. I don't like not having the full control over something. And generally, in the case of being rejected, I don't feel bad because I was totally into the guy... I feel bad because it was completely out of my hands!
Yeah, yeah, you say.... whatever, Deana. You're wrong. But think about it... it's true.
Guys will decided within the first few dates what category you fall into. Whether it be girlfriend material, or casual plaything. And, guys, like pets, lose interest in things rather easily... and if they lose interest for a second - they're done, and move on to the next. And, of course, for men, the NEXT thing is seriously waiting around the corner.
But of course, I say this not bitterly, but rather educatedly. I think if you date knowing this, you'll save yourself from a lot of heartache. Girls shouldn't take "rejection" personally. In fact, as I mentioned before, it's not really about the girl - it's about the guy.
So if a guy is ready for a relationship, and he wants one with you... he'll let you know. And you'll know. But if he's not ready, or doesn't feel it, he'll let you know that, too. Now the way you figure it out tells you a lot about the type of guy he is (generally, if you don't hear from them in awhile, it's not going to happen... but it's the waiting that is a pain, because as women, we tend to want to believe the best in people and the situation, and will come up with all sorts of excuses in our minds about why we haven't heard from them... when the cold hard truth is because he's over it!). And if he jerks you around, then we can call my cousin Milosh and he'll take care of it.
Anywhoo... I hear DoucheBag Island is filling up fast, so ladies, if you have a guy who needs a house there, you better get rid of him quick before he misses the boat there. And if that makes no sense to you... listen to your gut feeling about all things. Even the littlest inkling that it's not going to work out is usually a sign that you need to move on, and for once, be able to head him off at the pass before you're the one waiting by the phone wondering what's up.
The thing about relationships - and this is what bothers me the most - that it is the MAN that determines whether or not a relationship will go anywhere. I have experienced this time and time again, and the most annoying thing about it is that as a woman, it's frustrating. I don't like not having the full control over something. And generally, in the case of being rejected, I don't feel bad because I was totally into the guy... I feel bad because it was completely out of my hands!
Yeah, yeah, you say.... whatever, Deana. You're wrong. But think about it... it's true.
Guys will decided within the first few dates what category you fall into. Whether it be girlfriend material, or casual plaything. And, guys, like pets, lose interest in things rather easily... and if they lose interest for a second - they're done, and move on to the next. And, of course, for men, the NEXT thing is seriously waiting around the corner.
But of course, I say this not bitterly, but rather educatedly. I think if you date knowing this, you'll save yourself from a lot of heartache. Girls shouldn't take "rejection" personally. In fact, as I mentioned before, it's not really about the girl - it's about the guy.
So if a guy is ready for a relationship, and he wants one with you... he'll let you know. And you'll know. But if he's not ready, or doesn't feel it, he'll let you know that, too. Now the way you figure it out tells you a lot about the type of guy he is (generally, if you don't hear from them in awhile, it's not going to happen... but it's the waiting that is a pain, because as women, we tend to want to believe the best in people and the situation, and will come up with all sorts of excuses in our minds about why we haven't heard from them... when the cold hard truth is because he's over it!). And if he jerks you around, then we can call my cousin Milosh and he'll take care of it.
Anywhoo... I hear DoucheBag Island is filling up fast, so ladies, if you have a guy who needs a house there, you better get rid of him quick before he misses the boat there. And if that makes no sense to you... listen to your gut feeling about all things. Even the littlest inkling that it's not going to work out is usually a sign that you need to move on, and for once, be able to head him off at the pass before you're the one waiting by the phone wondering what's up.
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