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Alanna Foxx

The fabulous world as I see it...

Coin: 5 Reasons Why You Need A Side Hustle




One income is good but two is even better! Three isn't so bad either if your really ambitious. Seriously, who doesn't love a little extra money?

While a job is what most of us rely on to pay off bills and provide life funding, it is the age of technology and millennials are speaking "hustle" very, very fluently. Here are some reasons why you may want to look a bit further into what a "side hustle" can do for you.

Save Some Coin 💰

We all have something that we can save for. Maybe it's a new car, a down payment on a house, a new computer or even just stashing money for your rainy day fund. Bottom line, a side hustle can really come in handy. As an adult it is so important to have money saved because you never know what could happen. Unexpected expensed can arise at any time in the form of car trouble, family emergencies or even simply job loss. The smartest backup plan that you can have is to not depend solely on one source of income. I'm sure your piggy bank wouldn't mind the extra padding.

Relieve Debt  ⚖

Everyone has, have had, or will have some amount of debt at some point in our lives. Lets be honest, nobody wants to spend their entire paycheck on debt. Nobody. With rent, phone, internet, and food shopping as necessities to survive these days, most of your net income is already designated for bills, and those are just the monthly occurrences. Not including any debt re-payments. Although the most responsible thing to do would be to pay bills and use the remainder to pay down debt, who really wants to see a $0 balance in their account after busting your behind at work all week? With a lucrative side hustle income, your paycheck can go where it needs to and you will still have money left over after taking care of your responsibilities, like the responsible adult that you are.

Globe-Trotting ✈️

Traveling is usually high up on the bucket list for most people. There are 50 states in America and 196 countries in the world, and you spend about 350 days a year stuck at your job. I don't know about you but I could definitely use an extra trip or two (or five) per year. Reality is that when most (if not all) of your primary income is devoured by bills (or debt), there is very little left over to invest in travel expenses. Play your hustle cards right and you could be exploring sooner than later. Your side hustle dollars can send you to places you've never been before.

Pursue Purpose💡

By show of hands, how many of you are living your dream job right now? I'll wait...because if that statement were true, you probably wouldn't be reading this article right now. Everyone with a pulse has a purpose. A burning passion that ignites your drive and peaks your interest. Millions of people die never taking the chance to fulfill their passion. Take a look at your hobbies. Is there something that you enjoy doing and doing it well? It's the 21st century, we have so many tools at our disposal to turn passion into profit! So, if you spend your day 's running behind 3 year olds at Pat's Daycare but your weekends are dedicated to designing new dresses for your daughters, it might be beneficial for you to turn that into a side hustle, girl! You never know, that hustle can turn into your next big career move.

Treat Yo Self 🎁

With one source of income, most likely your "YOU" budget is pretty tight. Working a full time job is hard work and it can be pretty stressful at times. It is extremely important to remember to take care of yourself. So often we get so wrapped up in work and responsibilities that we forget that we need maintenance too. A mani/ pedi, new pair of shoes, a nice dinner, or even an extra hour of babysitter time so you can take a quiet soak alone in your bathtub, compliments of your side hustle, can help destress-itize your body and mind. Extra income will allow you to do things like this for yourself and your family more often. So, whatever you choose, treat your self, you deserve it. After all your a hard working girl!


Do you have a side hustle? If not, what kind of side hustle would you start?

7 Incredibly Easy Secrets for Saving Money With Online Shopping





Shopping is easily one of my FAVORITE hobbies! As much as I love to shop I'd have to say that my wallet doesn't always agree with me. I try my best to save money where ever possible to avoid high credit card bills and attempt staying within that lovely thing we call a "budget".

After I began to actually pay attention to my shopping habits I found that I actually spend more when shopping in-store than online. Here are some tips that I've come across to help me save money as I fuel the economy!


1. Online Coupons

More often than not, stores offer "online only" deal or coupons that you can only take advantage of, you guessed it, online. If you sign up for a retailer's newsletter or register for an account on their site they normally offer some sort of discount for signing up.

Large retailers like Old Navy and Henri Bendel know that not everyone is located close to a physical store so they often offer a discount based on the amount spent. Also, because online stores often have more stock than the actual retail locations, they have more inventory to sell in those seasonal sales!

RetailMeNot and Coupons.com are really quick sites to save money on those stingy sites that don't publicize their discounts.


2. Ebates

I seriously LOVE this website! Ebates is such an awesome tool because it allows you to get actual CASH back on stuff that you were going to buy anyway.

I really wasn't sold on the idea at first, but as I realized how much I actually shop online, I figured why not give it a try. So far I have made back over $500 in cash from shopping through Ebates.

They have hundreds of stores that you already shop at like Walmart, Sephora, Macy's, Overstock, even Amazon and the list goes on!

Once you sign up for Ebates, just make sure to search for and shop through your retailer's link.  The website will show a green Ebates banner while you get your shopping on.

After you finish and check out, your cash will be credited to your Ebates account in 1 to 5 business days.

Seriously, check Ebates out, you will thank me later.



3. Shop Around

Don't always rely on the first website you see, spend some time and browse a little bit.

I actually prefer to buy my MAC makeup from Nordstrom or Macy's rather than the MAC website because I can get cash back from Ebates.

For buying popular shoes and sneakers, you would probably automatically thinking of shopping at Footlocker or Footaction (both also available for cash back on Ebates) but there are reliable sites like Zappos and Amazon also sell popular brands, sometimes at better prices.

There are a lot of items that are offered by more than one store, so take your time, look around and compare prices and deals. That will save you a lot of money in the long run.


4. Free Shipping

Have you ever loaded up your cart, got all the way to the check out page, and questioned that $15.99 shipping charge?! I will seriously close out my entire web browser and forget everything if the shipping is too high.

I absolutely HATE to pay for shipping.

Fifteen dollars may not sound like a lot but in my head, I could have gotten a WHOLE additional item for $15, or worse, how about I can make it to the store and back for less than $15 worth of gas.

I can think of a million things that I would rather pay $15 other than shipping.

To avoid shipping charges, shop with sites that offer free shipping or complimentary shipping after spending a certain amount. You will thank me later.


5. Member Sales

Nobody ever believes me when I tell them I get exclusive discounts on my high end items, but its true!

Membership only flash sale sites like Gilt, Rue La La, MyHabit, and Ideel just to name a few, are my favorite places to shop designer with a discount.

Popular brands like Alex & Ani, Giuseppe, Christian Louboutin, and even Hermes participate in secret sales on these sites. You can literally shop for EVERYTHING from clothing to home, and even vacations.

Sales are usually first come first serve and only on select items. They do take a while to ship but t's totally worth it when your snagging fashion deals at sometimes as much as 80% off retail!

Shoedazzle and JustFab are GREAT for quality and stylish shoes without the high end price tag. These are just few of my secret member shopping arsenals (blog post coming soon).


6. Groupon/ Living Social

Similar to those flash sale sites, Groupon and Living Social provide major discounts on services, outings, merchandise, and even vacation.

Personally I like to shop the restaurants deals and getaway packages. You can find deals like $100 to spend on dinner at Maggianos for 40 bucks. Can you say date night?

These are great sites to use for gifting and planning things to do with your family or significant other.

7. Abandon Your Cart

One of the great things about shopping online is the ability to actually see all the items that you have in your cart as well as your total at any given moment. I would MUCH rather prefer this instead of the embarrassing in-store cart evaluation at the checkout counter.

In addition to saving yourself from the impulse buying remorse (and maxing out your credit card), shopping and then abandoning your cart for 24 hours often gets you a discount. Most stores have software that detect your full and idle cart and send you an email reminding you to complete your purchase with a coupon!

Here's a tip, make sure you've given the website your email prior to abandoning the cart so they can have a way to reach you.


I hope you guys enjoy some of those shopping tips! If you have any tips that I missed, list them below in the comments!

Happy saving :)

Beauty Secrets: The Formula for a Flawless Foundation Application

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Hi beauties! 

When I first started wearing makeup I used to write each step of the "makeup process" down in order to remember how to put it on correctly. As I got used to applying makeup everyday I developed my own routine and no longer needed my makeup todo list. 

Every time I meet someone who's new to the wonderful world of makeup I ALWAYS get the question of "which order do I apply this stuff" and "what do I need for a full application". Since I can't go around and write little personalized sticky notes for everyone to put on their vanity mirrors (no really I have literally made about 40 of those). I decided to make something a little bit cuter that you can pin and save for later!



Now that you have your very own make up application to-do list, or whatever it is that you want to call it, go and blend, blend, blend until your arms fall off!


Enjoy!

Beauty 101: Great Foundations for Every Skin Type

Wearing foundation can be a very scary thing, especially when your not sure where to start! With so many different kinds of foundation available on the market,  I can definitely understand why it may be confusing to figure out which foundation you should buy.

Here are some suggestions of great foundation options to try based on your individual skin type.

Normal

Having normal skin doesn't mean that your skin is perfect, but it IS pretty close to it! Since you don't have to worry about any scarring, excess oil, or dryness, you may want to opt for a lighter coverage foundation.  BB Creams and other tinted moisturizers are perfect for those with normal skin who only need to even out the skin tone.


(Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream- $9, Revlon ColorStay- $12, Urban Decay Naked Skin- $40)


Oily

If your skin is prone getting excessively shiny by lunch time, you definitely want to make sure that your using an oil-free formula foundation. In addition you may want to choose a matte finish to help keep your complexion clear and smooth out throughout the day. Try to stick with a lightweight medium coverage foundation, as heavier formulas may clog up pores causing even more oil production and actually worsening the issue. Another technique that is useful when it comes to dealing with oily skin is setting your foundation with a powder to further reduce shine.




          (Maybelline Fit Me$8, L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte- $13, Kat Von D Lock It- $35, Makeup Forever HD- $43)


Dry

Moisture is the key to wearing foundation with dry skin. Try to incorporate lots of moisture into your application routine by properly moisturizing your face before applying foundation. To avoid cake-y, flake-y, and un-even application it's best to go for a moisturizing formula with a dewey finish, or a luminous foundation to give you that extra glow. It is recommended to avoid powder foundation as liquid and creams will be your best options.


(Black Opal True Color Creme- $9, Revlon Colorstay- $12, Nars Sheer Glow- $45)


Combination


Combination skin is one of the trickiest skin types to have, it is also one of the most common. Unfortunately the combination skin war is a war of two battles, some areas tend to produce excess oil while other areas on the face can become dry and flake-y. For this reason it's best to make sure that the entire face is fully moisturized before applying an oil-free formula foundation.



(Revlon ColorStay- $12Makeup Forever HD- $43, Bobbi Brown Long Wear- $48)



Acne Prone

Acne prone skin is a headache to deal with because not only is it prone to breakouts, but it usually comes with enlarged pores and excessive oil.  This type of skin is also prone to scarring, so a medium to full coverage formula going to be your best option for a more flawless look. You also may want to consider opting for a "natural" or "mineral" infused foundation to help you heal while you conceal.


(Elf Acne Fighting- $6, Bare Minerals Original- $29, Estee Lauder DoubleWear- $38)



Sensitive


Sensitive skin is often easily irritated and prone to itching, burning, and redness. Any type of product that you use with this skin type requires extra care. Just like when your handling your skin, you want to make sure that your using makeup products that are gentle and natural. Be mindful of the ingredients as to avoid any allergens. There are a lot of foundation brands that are formulated specifically for those more sensitive skin types. Depending on the severity you may need to consider a medicated option.



(Neutrogena Healthy Skin- $13, Bare Minerals Original- $29, Cover FX Natural- $40)



Mature 

As we begin to get older, our skin becomes more prone to drying out easily and forming fine lines. Light, moisture rich, dewey, and luminous foundations work best for this skin type. You want to stay away from matte and heavier, full coverage foundations because they will flatten the face too much and bring unwanted attention to the imperfections in the skin. The main objective is to balance out the complexion, brighten, and reflect light to lift the skin.



(L'Oreal True Match Lumi- $11, Estee Lauder Double Wear Light- $38Nars Sheer Glow- $45)


It is possible that your skin could fall under more than one of the categories above. I definitely recommend that you try out a few different foundations to figure out which ones suit best for you.

P.s....

Want to try the high end foundations for FREE? Sephora gives out free samples of any of the foundations in the store. Just request them from one of the store associates. Thank me later :)
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Beauty Rules: 3 Basic Rules for Perfect Eyebrows





Eyebrows are literally EVERYTHING these days. I mean, I usually notice a persons brows before I even look at their full face....I know vain, right?

With so many tutorials available at your disposal, in 2016 you have zero excuse to be caught with bad brows.  Doing, shaping, and filling in your eyebrows can be as easy or as hard as we make it.

Even though there is no ONE method to the eyebrow madness, there area few basic rules you should follow when trying to achieve maximum fleeky-ness!





1. Use the correct color to fill in.

Eyebrows are usually the first thing people see on your face so you want to make them look as natural as possible. Nothing is worse than trying to fake an eyebrow using the wrong color! Making sure that the color you are using to fill in your brows is as close as possible to your natural (or current) eyebrow color will help you achieve a natural, non-drawn-on look.

2. Use short light handed strokes.

The purpose of "filling" in our eyebrows is to make them look as if they are naturally fuller, as if "i woke up like this". When you use drawn out, heavy lines, on your eyebrows they tend to turn out too harsh. Using short light strokes when filling in those brows actually mimics and gives the appearance of real hair.

*Quick tip: Using a freshly sharpened pencil helps the strokes to come out more "hair-like".

3. Use concealer to clean up those edges.

Concealer is like the icing on the cake when it comes to bomb eyebrows. Using a good concealer that is one or two shades lighter than your foundation will help clean up any mistakes, hide any ratchet hairs growing in and give your eyebrows that freshly waxed look. Be mindful to make sure that your concealer is not too dark or too light (or too dry) as that can counter-effect your brows and actually ruin them instead of sealing the deal. Also, be sure to blend out the concealer with your foundation.


So now that you know the basic rules to a good eyebrow technique, be a good friend and share this article. Friends don't let friends have bad brows. They just don't.




What are your tips for a good eyebrow technique? Leave them in the comments below!

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Gifting Guide: 10 Gifts Under $50


Christmas is next week! Can you believe it? Time is winding down FAST to find the perfect gifts for your friends and family. If your like me, your probably STILL scrambling to get some last minute things to put under the tree.

I've put together a list of super cute and affordable last minute gift ideas sure to make anyone merry! Check out the links below.


  1. Fruit Infuser water bottle : $13
  2. Techie gloves : $16
  3. Act Like a Lady Mug : $18
  4. NY Times Bestseller: The Year Of Yes by Shonda Rhimes :$15
  5. Stemless Wine Glass Set : $15
  6. Wax and Oil Warmer : $8
  7. Gilded Ceramic Coasters $28
  8. Bluetooth Headphones : $20
  9. Charging Case : $30
  10. Silver Plated Crocodile Frame :$25




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Gift Guide: 10 Perfect Gift's for Her (Without Breaking Your Budget)

It's that time of year again! The season of giving is upon us and with so many people on our list holiday shopping can get a little overwhelming. Here are some great gift options sure to wow any female and take the stress out of gifting.



  1. Alex & Ani Bracelets : $28
  2. It Girl Fashion Mug : $18
  3. Electric Wine Opener : $29
  4. New York Times Best Seller: The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes : $15
  5. XMY Makeup Brush Set : $21
  6. Kate Spade New York Glitter Phone Case : $40
  7. Josie Maran Argan Oil Sensations Gift Set  :$48
  8. Kate Spade Ring Holder $40
  9. Taste Home For The Holidaze Makeup Palette Set : $49
  10. Bauble Bar Initial Bar Pendant Necklace Set : $58
  11. Rebecca Minkoff Leo Envelope Clutch: $95
  12. Colourpop Foxy Ulta Matte Lip Set  : $20
  13. Kate Spade Planner : $36
  14. Timex Watch: $37
  15. Prada Candy Perfume :$70




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