I did my own version of Jessica Alba’s outfit shown on Frugal Fashionista last week:

Arturo Chiang flats, Target jeans & top, Anna Sheffield for Target necklace, Gap sweater

I always love it when I can do a celebrity or magazine look straight from my closet with similar pieces.

I’ve already given the Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo pictured below a test drive.  Now, mind you this is on weekend hair, which for me is extremely oily!  If I can manage it I will not wash my hair Friday OR Saturday night.  It depends on if I have something social or not.  If I go out in public to get groceries or whatever I’ll cover the nasty with a scarf or a headband.  I think it’s kind of gross but it’s soooo much better for your hair to let the natural oils distribute through.  I know I should only wash mine every other day but I can’t stand it during the week because of the oil.  I can occasionally manage to skip one day but it feels so gross to me, especially if I’m going to the gym that day.  Anyway, just know ahead of time that I really put it to the test – much further than I would expect it to go.

I was afraid it would make my hair look grey like Psssst! did  back when I tried that years ago.  This does give a bit of a grey look but you let it dry & then brush it out which I think got rid of most of the light color.  I feel like it did a pretty good job but I would only use it on second day hair, not third like what I tried it on. And I would take it camping if I ever have to go.

Bottom line: I’m going to keep this on my vanity & maybe try to eek out a second day before I wash during the week.  I’ll let you know how that goes.  I’d really like to do that instead of the weekend grease-fest that is my current compromise.

Also, was wearing this balm/gloss in the photos (that were otherwise makeup free).  The color is extremely subtle.

It feels lotiony, rather than sticky.  I’m pretty anal about how my glosses feel though.  I haven’t found any that stand up to plain Vaseline.  If it becomes my go-to gloss I’ll let you know!

Friday night was pizza with a friend & that was totally worth it.  The rest of the weekend was the typical “feeding the MAN” situation: grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, doing bills, a Walgreens stop (that one was strictly for fun, so it wasn’t only un-fun spending LOL.)  I definitely feel my part in this big machine though. 

Then between my husband & I we’ve made three freakin’ trips to Walmart thanks to a pharmacy mistake.  Blurgh…  Oh well, I’m not wingeing here (any more).  This post is about what I bought to review for you guys – yay!

While at Walmart I purchased the Tresemme Dry Shampoo that I read about in Seventeen.

Then my Walgreens stop: Revlon Straightener (on sale this week for $12.99), Nivea balm (recommended my a friend) & Loreal facial cleanser with scrubber (also on sale this week).

I’ve already test driven the dry shampoo & the balm.  Post coming on those tomorrow!

I went to Happy Hour with some friends that I used to work with.  I refer to them as my DMJM family since that’s where we worked together & because we pretty much are a sort of family, even 3 (?) years after we all went our separate ways.  Arch flew into town & it’s his birthday in a couple days so we all met out for drinks & dish.  Bar Louie has been a favorite of mine for a while but now that I know they have 1/2 price appetizers & $5 martinis during happy hour, I might be going more often.  I tried 2 appetizers: baked goat cheese,  Bavarian pretzels.  Both were awesome!  So, here’s what I wore to work & then out after:

Born flats, Nine West jeans, Walmart tank, American Eagle tee ($5!), Gap jacket, scarf from swap meet, silver hoops from Grandma. 

I also threw a dark grey knit poncho-type thing over all this since it’s been damn cold here!  Ended up losing it for dinner but it’s been a handy thing to have lately.

My monthly sojourn to Marshall’s ended with me spending only $5 (plus tax).  I’m pretty proud of myself!  Actually, I did even better than you think since I went to TJMaxx first & didn’t buy a thing there (even though I was tempted!)  Gosh, I feel so smug.  (I am learning how to be super picky about how I spend my money.  If I get good enough at it I’ll teach a class LOL.)

Here it is:

American Eagle navy & bright pink tee – $5

For spring, I am loving:

• Cargos with strappy heels
• Waist defining jackets
• Pink jackets – whether served up with ripped jeans or calm khakis. 
• Sassy hair!  The lower left photo is my next cut – just saving it for when I’m ready.

I love my hair again!  I was tempted to chop it off but realized that I wasn’t ready.  I’ve never hesitated like that so I thought I should wait until I’m sure.  Usually, I’m like, chop it off!  It’ll grow back!  Anyway, here are the photos:

I’ve re-trained the bangs to do what I like now that they’ve grown out a bit.

Also, had some help taming the frizz:  Joico split-end mender

Here’s an example of the types of outfits I’ve been working lately.  My goal is to be pretty much dressed for the gym straight from work, with just an adjustment or two.  This particular day the only update I needed to make was putting on my socks, sneakers & sports bra.  I wore the leggings & workout top under my tunic top.  I may repeat this outfit again this week – it was so easy to go straight to the gym.  I’m finding that if I have to change completely I get lazy & just skip it, but that might be because I’m used to this way now.  Weird, I know but wearing my workout clothes tells me I’m going to the gym on the way home.  Plus I feel MacGuyver clever when I change, like the kooky friend on Girls Just Want to Have Fun (played by Helen Hunt) - check out minute 5:07.

Work: Tahari flats, Target leggings & tunic, Make & Model tee (thrifted), Anna Sheffield for Target necklace

Workout: + Nike sneakers

I had this idea for while (even before I saw Atlantis Home’s version – loves it!) before I actually did anything about it.  My husband had gotten a package & I couldn’t bear to throw away all the sheets of packing paper they included around the item.  They’ve been in a large bag just waiting for me to use them for my “vision”.

I finally got to it – I was supposed to be cleaning my office (yes, I’m a little ADD).  [That's why I suck at cleaning - I get sidetracked & start organizing a single drawer or some other detail.]  Anyway, this is what that accomplished:

Just a quick, fun project.  I’ll have to think about what else I can do with that paper – there’s so much of it.

I took those pants back to Walmart  – remember, the ones I was really hoping would be perfect for the work/gym segue?   Anyway, I tried on the bigger size & they gave me this funny anti-camel toe like bulge.  Too weird – could not wear in public.  Soooo, I found these other pants instead that actually fit & I bought 2 pair:

I’m embarassed they’re elastic waist but I am consoling myself with the fact that even the size 2’s had the elastic waist.  I got them in pale grey & olive.  They’re organic cotton & are pretty soft.  I can’t wait to wear them this week.