Celebrate Mom for $25 or less on Mother's Day

As Mother's Day is fast approaching many of us are either scrambling to get the perfect gift (no matter the cost) or are restricted to a budget. If you are in the latter group read on, here I'll share with you how to make your mom feel super special on a very tight budget. Psst... You don't have to tell her it only cost you $25.

I personally like small kits and often will get something Burt's Bees, whose mom does not like Burt's Bees. Its a little bit of pampering at an affordable price. Most times I prefer to shop at drugstore.com they always have sales and coupons  plus shipping is free with any purchase of $25 or more.However, if you are pressed for time head out to the drugstore. They usually stock the same things items and a lot more.

                          Burt's Bees Head to Toe Kit $12.99

                                                    or 

Burt's Bees Essential Burt's Bees Kit $9.99

 

One can never go wrong with a box of chocolate ($4.99 - $9.99 online and at most retailers).

And to round off the $25 don't forget to get her a bouquet of fresh cut flowers for $4.99 from your local grocery store. They always have an amazing selection at very, very affordable prices. I always get my mom flowers from either Shoppers, Giant Food or Trader Joe's (image courtesy of traderjoes.com).

If all else fails a $25 e-gift cards or the actual ones sold everywhere will be just as good, you can get her one to Target, Walmart, Bath & Body Works, The Body Shop, Sephora, Ulta and the list goes on.

So whatever you get your mom for Mother's day and even if you can't get her anything tell her you love her. It is always the thought that counts and the smallest tokens are often the most sincere. One other idea for those of you who are into arts and crafts to make mom a scrap book with a picture from each year of your life. This will most definitely put a smile on her face. Stop by the Dollar Store for supplies even albums/scrapbooks and print the pics on regular paper to save a bit more.

Disclaimer: 
This blog post is an entry for NerdWallet’s Mother’s Day Your Way Contest

The first three images are courtesy of drugstore.com

Sephora Chic Week Haul 2013

I recently took advantage of the 20% off  Spehora VIB Chic Week sale

 

Haul #1 Sephora brand hand creams ($3 each), 100pt SeeByChloe fragrance and the usual three samples. The main item I bought was the Lady Gaga Fame gift set that was already on sale. I have been eying this fragrance (innovative black liquid) for awhile now and immediately took advantage of the added discount. I love it and a more in-depth review will be posted soon.

 

Haul #2 consisted of skin related products.

I picked the bareMinerals starter kit in Golden Deep $20 (must say I'm impressed and got many compliments so far, review to come). next I got the Korres Pomergrante Balancing Cream-Gel Moisturizer ($32), Clinique Clarifying lotion #4 ($13) and another 100pt gift the Murad Rapid Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Serum.

I really need to buy stocks in Sephora. Is it a publicly traded company or is its parent LVMH?

Ulta & Real Techniques Brush Haul

Recently Ulta was having an amazing online deal which I may have tweeted about. Real techniques was BOGO plus there was a site-wide 20% off coupon, so being of sound mind I shopped like a fool. I scored all these brushes plus a couple Essence eyeliners (awesome product) for $50 + tax. Not bad.

I think I may have had a slight brush obsession which ended with this purchase.

I got the two face kits $17.99 each, the blush, expert face, foundation and all over powder brush ($8.99 - $9.99 each). The Essence eyeliners were 99cents and are great.

GlossyBox - March 2013

I realized I didn't post my March GlossyBox yet and should do so before April's box arrives.

Last month's box was themed 'Spring Fling' and included 3 full size and two deluxe size products. I read a lot of posts and watched YT videos where people were not happy with their boxes. I was pleased  the 3 products are swatched below, valued at $57. So this box was worth at least three times the subscription fee.

Also included was a $40 gift certificate from Prestiche.

Apart from the full size products (see below) and the gift certificate, included was a nice sized sample of Prestiche Essential Oil Bar Soap in Rose and some Sebastian Professional Shaper Fierce finishing hairspray.

The bar of soap has 4.4oz on it's label but I don't think it's a full size bar. It is way too small. I compared it to other 4 oz bars that I have and this is almost half the weight......mmmm. There is no way this small sliver of soap is $16.99. 

Model co Cheek + Lips tint in Rosy Red ($24.00), Pixie Lid Last Shadow Pen in Graphite Glint ($18.00) and Elite Models Liner in Matt Brown ($15.00). Swatches of each are below.

All in all I am pleased and look forward to this month's box from twitter and facebook hints it should be good.

OPI Can't Let Go

One from the new OPI Liquid Sand collection, Can't Let Go is a purple very pretty purple polish. It applies in two coats, giving the signature sandy, gritty finish. The finish is a somewhat dull  matte (which I do not like). The sandy texture is retained even after applying a top coat (which I prefer) and a top coat enhances the hexagonal glitter particles in the polish). I received this polish in February's GlossyBox. Normally they retail for $9.50 and this collection can be found at Ulta.