What Can I Say... It's a Gift!

Tis the season of gift giving... and ultimately "going for broke". And so, with all the dough we're all already coughing up on gifts and such, when it comes to the presentation there of (the gift wrapping that is), let's just say we all could probably stand to back away from the wallet and try another approach... Here's an idea, wrap our own gifts! Now, most of us hate it (and when I say us, I mean you... I actually don't mind it so much), but it can actually be fun, cheap and look bad-ass when we do it right. Above are a few of the gifts I personally wrapped myself... three different styles without even using more than 1/4 spool of wrapping paper. Here's the thing, just be creative and add your own little personal touch. Nothing says Love like a personally wrapped gift. Here's what I did for mine...

1.) The pink gift is from Victoria Secret (not to be confused with Victoria Secrets... apparently adding "s" to the end of store names is an African American epidemic-thanks Lauren). Anyway, like Vickie Seez, most places will give you a box and even the tissue paper to go inside for the FREE! The ribbon came from the bag handles they stuff all the purchases and box in, and the bow was made from two sheets of tissue paper (one for the top puffy part and the other for the crinkly ribbons hanging off). Simple huh?- and free.

2.) Now, don't let the second box fool you. It too is a box that came with the purchase free of charge. This one came from Bath and Body Works. Here's where we get clever (and when I say we, I mean I). Instead of wrapping the entire box (top and bottom) into one solid box that has to be torn open, only wrap the top of the box so the gift recipient only has to pull the top off and everything including the wrapping is still intact (maybe even to be used again, by them of course- the gift that keeps giving). To make the bow, I simply folded a small piece of the wrapping paper in half, cut triangles on each side to make the shape of a bow. Then, I took a piece of the already cut-out paper and wrapped it around the center to create a bow. Lastly, I taped it to the top of the box. Wha-lah!

3.) The third box, while it appears complicated with all the ribbons and curls and stuff, it's actually the easiest of them all. First, wrap the box however you choose (top only or top and bottom)... this box was provided by White House Black Market-free. Cut strips of the wrapping paper no more than 1/2" wide. Using the blade of a pair of scissors, pull the strips thru your fingers and the blade (this isn't dangerous I swear- ADULTS ONLY try this at home) until the paper curls to your liking. Then, just tape the curled strips together to the box. And there it is!

Trust me even the most domestic of the gift wrapping society will be jealous when they get a load of what you've created! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year's and save a little dough for '09... it's right around the corner.

Randomnes...I'm into it

That new Raphael Saadiq... Have ya'll heard his new album?... apparently it's all the rave and if it's anything like his new single(below)... sign me up (twice).

Love That Girl - Raphael Saadiq Sorry "they" won't let me post the whole song... go to imeem.com to hear it from beginning to end.

Randomness... What'd He Say?

Last night I watched the American Music Awards and anyone that knows me knows I'm a sucker for a great performance. But ironically, the performances aren't what stuck out for me this year. Though the performers were great, I couldn't get over the fact that The Dream confessed to co-writing "Single Ladies"... Now, guys writing for girls and visa versa really isn't so uncommon... I mean, look at Neyo and "Irreplaceable". But, that sh*t right there... that sh*t right there, kinda messed with me. So anyway, here's to men that are REALLY in touch with that woman inside... and making a helluva lot of money while they're at it... a little Sinead O'Connor written by none other than PRINCE (not really surprising).

Seriously?... Randomness

I love her, but are we really this stupid?... Whitney's supposed new album cover. I think they need to go back to the drawing board.

I don't like these Muth* F*ck*s... Going Back to Cali PT 2

How did I know there'd be more to tell? Well, call it intuition. Anyway, United Airways not only charges for your first checked bag, but when you get on the flight they charge you for refreshments TOO! Ridiculous... I sent them an email about this whole "get over" scheme they've got jumping off and this is what they had to say...

"Gas is high, and what?"... basically.

Apparently, my once (as in no longer) beloved Airtran is following suit starting in December. So remember to check the baggage fees before you purchase your tickets. Click here to see an old entry about this epidemic and a list of the airlines and their new baggage fees (Airtran not updated)... It totally changes things.

My Man!

President Obama... It don't get no better!

I'm Baaaccckkk!

Just a shout out to the west... I just got back from Cali and I'm still coasting off a great time. So here's to sunshine, good food and all the west coast music they didn't play-(yikes)- what's that about? Anyway enjoy! Tha Blue Carpet Treatment

You Do The Math...

OK... I get my hair done once a month (I know not hardly often enough, but here's the point...) every time I go I get a wash and set and a deep condition. Check this... A deep condition usually runs about $10-$15 depending where you go. Most salons these days actually sell the same products they use on their patrons TO their patrons. Here's what you do... Buy a bottle of the conditioner your stylist uses on your hair from your stylist. Then, at your next visit(and visits to come) bring that same bottle instead of having them use their own. More than likely they won't charge you for deep condition... or it will be considerably discounted... JUST ASK 'EM! All pricing of course will vary, but where there's a benefit is undeniable. Make sure you do the calculations specific to your salon and it's conditioners to maximize your savings. Here's the breakdown for my salon... Standard deep conditions are $10- if I bring my own conditioner it's $3... a bottle of my salon's conditioner is $18 (sounds expensive, but look) 1 bottle of conditioner last for 5 washes or more. So, what I would pay $50 for, I only end up paying $33 (total for 5 washes @ $3 + $18 bottle) ... sometimes they don't even charge for the deep condition at all... Now dats wussup!

Randomness... PR Gone Wrong!

I know I know.... lately there has been more random stuff on my blog than self-improvement, but sometimes I can't help myself. For why would she agree to this?... kinda feels awkward to watch... the rhyme is aight tho.

Randomness...

Randomness... Beyonce's New Jawns

It's safe to consider me a fan... she's definitely got talent. Here's a peek at her "new new". I don't know what I expected and I can't determine if I like them or not, but I'll give it some more time and we'll see what happens. *side note* Is it just me or does some of the choreography (single ladies) look like a high school drill team stand routine?- I dunno.

I'm going bac to Cali...PT1

In booking for my highly anticipated voyage to Cali I came across some disturbing information... prepare yourselves... Well, in lieu of the country's current economic peril- and by peril I do mean DISASTER (but don't panic) a few airlines are charging patrons a "baggage fee" to check a bag- ANY bag (disrespectful!) No worries though... All the airlines aren't charging this fee just yet (hopefully they won't ever). So, in shopping for your ticket remember to consider the baggage fee as apart of the cost of your ticket if you plan to book with an airline that has such a fee that applies. That way you can minimize your cost and maximize your experience. Click the chart below for a list of which airlines are charging what...*side note* Videos sure have come a looooooong way

Fake it Til U Make it

So, I was inspired to take the "Lauren Conrad Side-Braid" informational a step further. I realize a lot of women can't do a french braid. I touched on it a bit in the last blog entry, but here's a full-out explanation on how you too can get the French Braid look... Follow me will you (rhetorical)... 1)Mentally divide your hair into 5 sections and part the top section and braid it half-way thru. 2)Make the 2nd part and braid the top braid into the 2nd... continue through to the last braid 3)Rubber band the end and you're done... WHA-LA! For a great instructional on how to do an actual french braid click here.

Get This Look

OK so, the question was asked how to achieve the signature "Lauren Conrad side-braid" look that she is so well known for. Well hold tight and I'll show you how you too (whether your hair is long or short) can rock the side-braid with finesse... (Sorry some of these pics are a little on the blurry side, but you can still see what I'm sayin') 1)Make a part where the actual part will fall (like if you were just wearing a side bang)

2)Make a second part(to form an L) that begins at the end of the initial side-part and runs all the down towards the ear. *Don't make it too wide though. It should only be about an inch in width*

3)French braid the newly separated section down towards the ear. *If you can't french braid part and make small box-braids as you go, braiding each braid into the next*

4)Using a small rubber band (preferably a color close to your hair color) grab a small section of hair located behind the ear and the end of the braid and gather into one.

5)Comb over the left out loose hair and hit the streets.

Other ways to rock this look...

Luk Wut I can Do

I-ight so, home improvement is obviously something to be taken seriously. If done right the changes and updates to a home can increase the value considerably. So, naturally I decided to take a stab at it... I bought a house a few months ago, and by a few I mean several, and it needed a few updates. For one, the fireplace was a HOT mess. Now, even though changing the fireplace probably won't necessarily add any monetary value (per say) to my spot... it couldn't hurt to spruce it up a bit, plus it just looks soooo much better... especially, since I saved a ton of dough by doing it myself (all by myself might I add). But, you can too... here are the steps I took... 1)Measure the space (I had a case left over from when I had my floors done so I just used that) 2)Measure the tile to fit the areas... There's a lot of neat ways to determine how to and where to cut your tile. Me personally, I just placed the tile, drew a line across where I needed to cut and then... 3) Cut the tile (you'll need to rent a tile cutter from somewhere like The Home Depot... you shouldn't need it for more than that day) 4)Add adhesive/mortar 5)Place the tile (let it sit for the time noted on the adhesive) 6)Mix and add your grout 7)Let it dry

For more in-depth instructions click here. before...................................after........................................

Oh Shyte!

I feel bad... really I do. But for the record... it ain't my fault (shyte). I didn't know!

Take this as a lesson learned... "if it's too good to be true, you may go to jail if you get caught"- I'm just saying, know your options. Now, in no way does this blogger condone actions that are of illegal nature or ethical corruption... that's why I'm confident I won't be sought out should this shyte hit the fan (I got witnesses, I'm innocent dammit). But nonetheless, just as I want to share my triumphs with you, it's only right I share a (singular) failure... so, here it is... grinned and bared.

My Mom (God bless her heart) sent me these unbelievable coupons that were (of course) not legit. Now, she didn't know they were fake when she sent them to me. And, I didn't know they were fake when I used them-oops... but, I do know now and I feel horrid. So here is my Scarlet letter for you all to see... the receipt. While I'm not taking the cheese-its I bought back (I already opened and ate half of 'em) I am warning everyone to be careful about the way we go about things. Granted this is a blog about saving money on those things we love (and everyone knows I love nothing like I love food and clothes), but it's about saving money honestly... so, I'm gonna take my $3.5o back to Publix... a clear conscience is a happy conscience. Who knows, maybe they'll let me keep it (Nah, I doubt it).

The Birth of a New Age

"No, I never been on myspace... too busy tryin to carve out my space."

-Jay Z

Cheers to a new beginning... with every beginning comes an end though. With that being said here is what brings us here together. Like most bloggers, I needed an outlet... a way to communicate my interests with those intangible spirits with the same. I was also bored, swimming in my own thoughts... after a while you drown. This is my gasp for air. The goal with this blog is that our thinking/creativity together will inspire and create new and exciting ways of accomplishing our goals in fashion... and other things as well, but free from the economic ties that bind us. So here it is... "Independent Status"... Geared mostly around ways to stay relevant in fashion without going broke, this blog will give us the opportunity to share ways of reinventing the old into the new. Where the name Independent Status comes from... It's simple actually. I wanted a title that reflected the breaking away of our dependence on mainstream sources of those things that make us happy... well, that make me happy, like fashion (mostly) and music and entertainment as a whole. I mean frankly, the economy is shot due to such dependence on foreign countries for various necessities. Let's learn from the example of our leaders and become independently secure in ourselves... you'll see, it will be fun and rewarding. ENJOY!