Posted 38 days ago by Amanda Raye

Smoothies are a great way to start your morning, but going out for smoothies can get pricey — about $8-$12 for a medium. Making them at home will save you tons of money, plus it gives you some leeway to experiment. Try this one using ingredients that may already be in your kitchen!

Vegan Almond Smoothie

• 3/4 cup Trop50 Orange Juice
• 3/4 cup Vanilla Almond Milk
• 1/2 Banana
• 1 cup of ice

* add a scoop of soy protein for even more satisfaction!

Do you have an amazing smoothie recipe to share? Tell us in the comments below or email it to hey@brokeandchic.com

Posted 49 days ago by Amanda Raye

Tired, fatigued or worn out? Has your skin been extra dry lately? You could just be dehydrated. Our body uses a lot of water to function daily, meaning we need to consume just as much as our body puts out, if not more.

Doctors want us to drink at least eight (8oz) glasses of water a day. Unfortunately, coffee and soda don’t count. Neither do drinks like Vitamin Water and Gatorade. One bottle of Vitamin Water has 100 calories! Multiply that by 8 and you’re looking at a whooping 800 calories a day just in liquid. Just stick to your basic tap water.

Here are a few great ways to remember to get enough H20 for a happy and healthy you:

1. Carry around a water bottle in a bright fluorescent color.

Have one at school/work and one at home so you don’t have to worry about forgetting it anywhere. Every time you take a glance at your electric yellow or hot pink water bottle you’ll be reminded to take a sip. Try filling it up twice at work/school and twice at home. Setting goals for yourself will make it more fun!

2. Tally up your total water intake.

Carry around a notebook and tally up your water consumption. Or even make a tally on your water bottle with a dry erase marker.  Try and get to four during the day and four in the evening. Getting to ten (80z) glasses would be even better!

3. Drink tea!

Get hydrated with tea, hot or cold! Just make sure you keep sugar, milk and cream out of it. Green tea is a great option with a lot of added health benefits. If you have a hard time drinking tea without sweetener, give rooibus a try. It’s naturally sweet!

4. Drink a full glass of water before every snack and meal.

This could even help you control your calorie intake. A lot of times when we’re hungry we’re actually just thirsty.

If you follow these tips you’ll notice a difference in no time!

Posted 57 days ago by Amanda Raye

Prom season is finally here! Unfortunately, it can be difficult for plus-size teens to find the perfect dress that fits their style. Here is a list of prom styling tips from OneStopPlus.com Editorial Director, Nancy LeWinter.

1.  Stay true to your style.

The biggest mistake is trying to reinvent yourself for prom, when it really should be a fabulous take on your everyday style.

2.  Who’s your celeb inspiration?

Pick a celeb whose style you like and go online to check out her red carpet looks. Remember, size is irrelevant when looking at a celeb for inspiration, but shape does matter.  Are you curvy like Katy Perry or straighter like Kristen Stewart? You may love Keira Knightley’s style, but if you’re larger busted, those sweet babydoll dresses may not work.

3.  Now the easy part – finding the dress.

Really. With the internet, you’re guaranteed of finding the right dress. Sydney’s Closet on OneStopPlus and PromGirl are amazing, with prom fashion for everybody”s taste: Strapless, one-shoulder, short and flirty, longer and dramatic…and with the right bras from FullBeauty you can dance all night with no slippage.

4.  Decide who you’re dressing for.

If you’re going with friends and want to make the boys jealous, go trendy with this year’s animal prints and some glitter and frill. If it’s all about your date, go pretty: Ice blue, pale pink, turquoise and sweetheart necklines. Two tones are especially flattering with a focus on the waistline.

Regardless of which way you go, just make sure you’re comfortable. Shapewear is great, but don’t go so tight that you can’t sit. Also, wear the shapewear a few times before the big night so it softens a little bit.

 5.  Finishing the look.

Real style is head to toe, so don’t forget to get lots of photos for hair and makeup and pin them up to your wall or mirror. You’re bound to find yourself  going back to one style more than the others.

We all watched Adele at the Grammy’s and were wowed by her porcelain skin, light pink lips and heavy false lashes. While it’s incredible on the red carpet, it doesn’t translate to prom.

With a dress, the best ones focus on one body part. With makeup, the best looks focus on one facial part. If you go strong on the lips, go softer on the eyes. If you go strong on the eyes, go softer on the lips. And while hair should look finished, don’t go too stiff. Sounds like common sense, but when everyone gets in prom mode, the over-the-top approach seems just so appealing that we forget what really looks right. Test run hair and makeup and see how it looks hours later.

Eye Focus

Lip Focus

Way too much makeup

We hope these tips help you make the most out of your high school prom! Just remember, you’re there to have fun! Have another tip? Share it in the comments below.

Posted 60 days ago by Amanda Raye

‘Tis the season for spring cleaning and garage sales; it’s time to part with what’s getting in the way (i.e. your unused snowboard or record collection) so you can buy what you really want (i.e. a pair of Warby Parker’s or a Marc Jacobs bag).

Here’s how to get the most out of your Craigslist post and your weekend garage sale:

1. Write a clear headline

Most people on Craigslist are looking for something specific. Write a detailed headline for what you’re offering, and don’t YELL AT YOUR AUDIENCE or use annoying characters (*#$$+@&*&*).

2. Balance creativity with clarity in your post

Write a clear, descriptive post about what you are selling. Include all item details and dimensions.

3. Use lists

When posting a garage sale, list all of the items for sale in the post. Lists are also good for including details about one particular item for sale.

4. Include images

Use your own pictures instead of linking to similar items on websites. People prefer seeing photos of the exact item for sale.

5. Price your item(s) right

Do a bit of research to see what the market rate is for each item you are selling, and be open to negotiation and bartering.

6. Have your garage sale outdoors with family & friends

Don’t invite strangers over when you’re alone, or invite anyone into your home. Keep your doors locked as you will likely be distracted during the sale.

7. Accept cash only

Don’t use a cash box; keep the cash on you.

8. Be open to meeting new friends.

We have heard countless stories about people meeting friends and significant others while buying/selling items via craigslist. Be friendly!

*It’s very important to take the same common sense precautions online as you would offline. Read all of the Craigslist safety tips and familiarize yourself with common online scams.

Happy selling!

Posted 69 days ago by Amanda Raye

I received a text from my mom the other day asking if I still wanted my high school prom dress. My first reply was “why?” Turned out our neighbor’s daughter was still on a prom dress hunt. I, of course, said yes and carried on with my day. However, that short conversation left me reminiscing on my 2007 high school prom:

I went all out. My parents agreed to pay for half my prom dress…but that’s it. I worked part time in high school and quite a few of those pay checks went into that one night. My dress alone cost my parents and I $500! Now that six years have gone by, I can clearly state “I wasted my money.” I could have had the same experience for a fraction of what I actually paid.

I went to your typical American high school in a Connecticut suburb, where it’s not unheard of to spend a crazy amount of mulah on prom. Here is the breakdown:

Dress: $500

Shoes: $120

Jewelry: $50

Airbrush Makeup: $100

Hair: $60

Mani/Pedi: $40

I paid for all but $250 myself (thanks Mom and Dad!) I smartly passed on the limo, and chose to drive my reliable little Ford, but $870 for a dress and heels I never wore again, makeup that was just as stunning as what my best friend could have done and hair I could have curled myself…just ridiculous.

Now, I don’t regret it since I did have a blast. I’m just passing along the wisdom I have gained over the years. Save your money, don’t waste it on prom. You’ll thank me when you have to buy your first set of college books!

How to Save Money at your High School Prom

 1. Don’t spend too much on a dress

- You’re only going to wear it for one night. Try not to spend more than $200 on your gown.

- Try thrifting for your dress instead. If you don’t like the cut, you could always get it altered.

- Ask a friend or older sister if you can borrow or have her old prom dress.

- Plan ahead. If you’re currently a high school sophomore or junior. Buy your prom dress this May. All the gowns from the 2013 prom season will be on sale. Getting a gown a year in advance at 75% off will save you tons of money!

- Get one in black. That way you’ll be able to wear it again later on. Perhaps to a college ball?

2. Get either your makeup or hair done. Never both.

I went all out, and ended up with a result that I could have achieved myself. One of the best things about prom is the pampering, so you don’t have to do it all yourself — just know what’s worth it, and what’s not.

- Try doing your manicure and pedicure at home. That’s an easy way to save $40.

- Up-do’s aren’t as common as they were when I was in high school. Now, a chic blowout is all you need. If you have to have the curls, try asking a friend or sibling to do it for you. If you don’t know anyone who could pull it off, try making an appointment at your local cosmetology school. A student up-do would be more affordable than an experienced stylist.

- Only get your makeup done if you’re doing your hair yourself. Otherwise — find the look you want in a magazine and perfect it yourself. Start practicing a week before prom. That way you’ll be a pro by the time your prom date arrives!

- Willing to splurge a bit? Instead of getting your makeup done, get a lesson at Sephora. You’ll end up spending just as much as you would getting your makeup done, plus you’ll get quality makeup that you can use again and again!

3. Save on the shoes

We all arrived with our pretty (and expensive) shoes, but once we all hit the dance floor we left them under the table. I totally wish I wore my simple black flats instead. Take advantage of what’s already in your closet.

4. Skip the limo

If you feel like you’ll be an “outcast” without one, split it with at least six other people so you can keep the cost down.

Shortly after that prom I started to regret all the money I spent. My boyfriend was one year under me, so I knew I’d have to go through the whole ordeal again, and vowed not to spend over $100 for everything when the time came. Here’s what I did the second time around:

I ended wearing a thrifted 80′s prom dress that was $30 and a $12 pair of black flats from Target. I purchased a $20 crimper from Sally Beauty Supply for my hair and did my makeup myself. The result was a much happier bank account!

Keep Reading:

• How to Re-Wear Your Prom Dress 
• Prom Season: Styling Tips for Plus-Size Teens
• 5 Prom Dresses Under $120 That You Can Wear Again and Again

Posted 88 days ago by Amanda Raye

1. Paint Your Nails

♥ Kick back, play some music, and paint your nails a fun trendy color!

2. Wear a Bright Colored Lipstick

♥ You’ll instantly feel sexy!

3. Make a Cup of Tea or Hot Chocolate

♥ Summer or Winter, it’s comforting anytime.

4. Re-Organize Your Bedroom

♥ For some reason it’s always refreshing to add a little change to your space.

5. Sell Old Clothes to a Buy/Sell/Trade Store and Buy More with the Credit

♥ Free new wardrobe!

6. Wear a Pair of your Favorite High Heels

♥ Even if it’s just for a morning coffee run.

7. Put your Bedding in the Dryer for 10 Minuets

♥ It feels so amazing to fall asleep in a nice warm bed.

8. Go for a 30 Minute Walk in the Morning

♥ It’ll get you nice and energized for the long day ahead.

9. Buy the Latest Issue of your Favorite Magazine

♥ Nylon anyone?

10. Call an old Friend

♥ It’s always nice to have a nice long chat with an old friend.

Posted 89 days ago by Amanda Raye

Awesome news. I’m the judge for Thrift Store Runway this month! Thrift Store Runway is an online fashion contest with five cash prizes given away every month for the best submissions. Just submit a photo of yourself wearing an awesome outfit you happened to get at a thrift or buy/sell/trade store.

This contest is a part of the movement to Bring Back National Thrift Week, which used to be a vibrant celebration of the virtue of thrift in America. From the early part of the twentieth century on up through the 1960s, Thrift Week events flourished from coast to coast . Somewhere along the way, though, the idea of thrift seems to have fallen out fashion.

Here’s some of your competition at the moment!

With the exeption of the purple cardigan (worn buttoned up as a shirt), each item in this outfit is thrifted.

• Earrings: $.50
• Belt: $.99
• Vintage skirt: $3.99
• Heels (Steve Madden): $2.50
• Cardigan (Target): $9.99

A Collected Gentleman

• Light Blue Striped Button Down Shirt by Van Huesen(Consignment Store $2.50)
• Blue Bandana use as Pocket Square(Salvation Army $1.00)
• Red Tie with Blue Polka Dots(Consignment Store $4.00)
• Gray Wool Blazer by Stafford(Salvation Army $1.00)

Thrift Your Heart Out

• Polka dot secretary blouse from Roseville Hospice Thrift Store $4
• Black dress from Roseville Hospice Thrift Store $1
• Outfit total: $5

Just go here to submit. It’s super easy. Contest ends on Thursday, 2/28/2013.

Good Luck!

xoxo

Amanda Raye