Christmas is known as the most wonderful time of year, but is also known as the most expensive. As the holiday season looms, so is the holiday expenses – gift giving, family gatherings, etc.
That said, while it can be expensive during the holiday season, there are ways to save significantly during the holiday season. So, here are my tips on how to not blow your budget during the holiday season.
Buy In Advance: Who says that Christmas gifts have to be purchased during the Christmas season? I am the queen of getting my shopping done before Thanksgiving. I already started some of my holiday shopping at the time of writing this post. For example, if there is a great sale going on in July, why not stock up on some gifts? It saves so much money, and it even helps eliminate the stress. Just remember where you put them. Also, buying over time helps stretch it out, versus spending it all at once.
Make the Gifts: I crochet a lot of my gifts for the holiday season, whether that may be blankets, hats, scarves, or even coasters. Handmade gifts are always a hit, even when I don’t crochet. I have made a canister filled with candy for someone, I make bracelets, and I even use ceramics. While they may be on the cheaper side, they are gifts that are thoughtful and appreciated, because they were made just for them.
Combine: My boyfriend and I have been living together for over a year. Needless to say, we decided to combine buying gifts. This usually results in the individual spending less on a gift than they would have on their own.
Coupon: Take advantage of coupons, folks! I have a Kohl’s card, and they periodically send out a 30% coupon. Whenever I get that, I typically take advantage and buy a few gifts with it. There are so many apps out there, and especially with Black Friday coming up, you can definitely stack up the savings with a good coupon.
Buy Secondhand: There are so many new with tags items at consignment stores that are sold at a fraction of the cost of the regular price. Definitely check out your local consignment shop, as well as sites such as Poshmark and Mercari. Definitely worth it.
What are your tips for saving money for the holiday season? Let me know in the comments below.
As many of you know, one of my favorite new jewelry brands is T Jazelle. Located on Cape Cod, T Jazelle has gemstone bracelets (many with healing properties), some with sterling silver charms and some without. The owner, Tiffany Jazelle, claims her bracelets offer “your story on a stack,” and I could not agree more. Over the past year, I have developed a collection of bracelets, and almost all of them have a unique story tied to them.
Photo from Tickled Pink App
Tomorrow, (Thursday October 21, 2021), is the official launch of the new fall collection. Based on what I have been seeing on the T. Jazelle Instagram and on a special Tickled Pink Tuesday on the Tickled Pink app, there are some good ones.
Photo from the Tickled Pink app
One of the biggest ones that I had to get (I actually already ordered it through Tickled Pink) is the Evil Eye Bracelet. I picked this little guy up during the live last night. This one is so cool, and comes in amazonite or lapis tiger’s eyes. I picked up the Amazonite one, and I can not wait to receive it in the mail.
In addition, there are a ton of new stacker stones, including indigo gabbro (promotes grounding), and red brick jasper (renewal). There are also a few new stones for the Cape Cod bracelets (aka my personal favorite), including red and green opal ones. The Cape Cods are my personal favorite T Jazelle bracelets because they mix and match so well. There also looks to be a new angel wing charm, which is something that I want to grab as well potentially.
Photo from the Tickled Pink app
In addition, there also appears to be some T Jazelle merch, such as sweatshirts that Tiffany teased in her Instagram. And trust me when I say this, it is so adorable!
That said, what do I plan to pick up in this launch?
Well, as I mentioned earlier, I already snagged an evil eye bracelet. However, I have my eye on the red opal Cape Cod bracelet, and perhaps a bracelet with the angel wing gemstone. I also really want to grab a terahertz bracelet as well, because they look gorgeous and pair so well in a stack. All of these are great to stack in the fall and winter season, and of course, make great gifts.
So, what do you plan to grab in the drop? Let me know in the comments below.
*In the effort to promote transparency, I was not sponsored in any way shape or form for this post. All opinions are my own, and I just love the T. Jazelle brand.
I have been working throughout the last few years on really tightening up my budget. I am proud to say that I’ve come a long way from where I was at the beginning of the year. Because of that, there are some items that are just no longer in the budget. And, that’s okay! Here are some items that I no longer buy.
Items Influencers Promote: I am a huge fan of watching influencers and Youtubers such as Michelle Reed, LuxMommy, Danielle Caralon, and Brooke Miccio. I have found so many great Amazon finds through them, amongst other things. Sometimes, they promote products that I buy and they work with my lifestyle. Others, not so much. Therefore, I’ve gotten better with thinking harder about the purchases I make before I make them. I will add them to a wish list, and see where it goes. I think that this is something that I have gotten better with not mindlessly consuming as much. I still do it to some degrees, but in those cases, those really have helped me in the long run, such as organization for my pantry.
Costume Jewelry: I used to go hard on Amazon or Kendra Scott jewelry. With those pieces, I would maybe wear them once and never wear them again. Or they would cause a reaction. Therefore, I have learned that I want to have sterling silver pieces, such as James Avery, Tiffany, and Pandora, because those get a ton of wear. And, don’t turn my fingers green.
Daily Starbucks Runs: I used to be a regular at my local Starbucks. Then, COVID happened. Then, I got a Nespresso. Since then, I can count on one hand how many times I have been to Starbucks. I used to spend $6 a day on a soy latte. That said, a box of 10 pods costs $9.99. If you count the milk, it costs about $1.50 a day for coffee. That’s a $5 savings per day, $25 per week, etc. Yes, the Nespresso was pricey. However, I have saved so much money by having it, so it paid for itself.
Takeout/DoorDash several nights a week: During lockdown, I became addicted to Doordashing foods from Shake Shack, Five Guys, and more. It allowed me to have my favorite foods, which I was a fan of. However, it’s expensive and it adds up. Nowadays, I just meal plan throughout the week.
Random Stuff At TJ Maxx: TJ Maxx is a great store and you can find a ton of great items for a great price. However, it is easy to spend a lot of money there. Therefore, I try to avoid going there unless I have a specific need.
When driving to Scratch Bakery on Sunday, I was greeted by scarecrows in the downtown Milford area. And there wasn’t just one scarecrow or not just one type of scarecrows. They varied from fall themed to spooky to beloved Disney characters.
After getting home from the bakery, I decided to do some research. Turns out these scarecrows are the product of the first annual Scarecrow fest. The event, which is presented by the Downtown Milford Business Association, is the first. According to the Downtown Milford Business Association page entitled First Annual Scarecrow Fest, it invited families and business to make their own scarecrows. Very cool!
The scarecrows, according to the post, will be showcased until the end of October. So, definitely take a trip down to check it out! Be sure to keep scrolling to check out some of the photos taken yesterday of some of the fun scarecrows. Trust me, there are some good ones!
As many of you know, I am a huge jewelry gal. I discovered shopmandamade through my friend Lydia of Little Luminescence and I am so happy that I did. Her jewelry is so fun and cute, and amazing gift ideas for anyone on your list. I got the chance to talk to Manda about her jewelry and how her shop got started, and I am so happy to share her answers with you.
Photo Credit: Shopmandamade Facebook
how did you get started making jewelry?
Looking back, its pretty ironic that i started a jewelry line. i never wore a ton of big, loud jewelry – really nothing like my pieces now. and honestly i still really don’t. for me i saw making earrings as a way to try out different art styles in small batches. i was always pretty artsy and i found it overwhelming to narrow down a “style”. i wanted to try all the things i could. so when i saw clay earrings starting to get popular i realized that could be a great way to appeal to all the styles that i love. and that’s exactly what i did. one random weekday in march of 2020 i went to hobby lobby without a clue of what i needed and just picked out colored clay and things i thought i could make work. i cut some shapes, popped them into the oven easy bake style, and without even knowing it i had just changed my life forever. how did manda made come to fruition?
manda made was born the instant i pulled those very questionable looking earrings from the oven. i still remember every single piece i made. some of those janky little earrings went on to be some of my first ever best sellers. they were without a doubt crusty little disasters the first time around, but they were mine, and i was so excited to share them on social media the next day. i didn’t expect anything of it, but when i posted my creations i got a ton of positive feedback and even people wanting to order! i knew in my heart this is absolutely what i wanted to do with my life – be a full time artist in any way that it meant for me. i had tried, and failed, in the past to start an etsy for my paintings. it did good, but i eventually just gave up. it just didn’t feel right. i was 28, a college dropout, a full time nanny, and holy sh*t did i feel lost in the world. i dreamed of doing something special and important with my life and i felt like i would never have it. but when those dms were coming in with orders i didn’t even give myself time to doubt. i just kept going forward. i made manda made an instagram, sold through my dms, and worked 12 hour days daily between my job and my new exciting side hustle. eventually manda made got its own website and i was working every hour i wasn’t at work or sleeping, on manda made. it was an absolute dream come true.
Photo Credit: ShopMandaMade Facebook
what is your jewelry made out of?
manda made jewelry is handmade with polymer clay. we use stainless steel hypoallergenic backings, nickel free iron pieces, brass charms, beads, paints, as well as other materials. are your earrings heavy?
not in the slightest. each pair weighs under an ounce total tell us about your upcoming drop, the halloween drop:
this drop is, and will always be, extremely special to me. last year’s halloween drop and the iconic “it’s frickin’ bats” design is what pushed manda made into becoming my full time job after only a very short six months of owning a small business. so coming up on that one year mark and revisiting those old designs fills my heart in a way i can’t even explain. the holiday collections are always some of my favorites to create. i love digging into niche’s – for example, my collection this year features two references to vine, one of my all time favorite apps. as well as making cosmo and wanda themed ghost cowboys. like that sentence in itself just shows you how wide open the creativity can be in the clay world. i love getting to throw some humor and originality into my pieces. this year i was able to make a spooky twist on one of my staple earrings, the stoney stud. its essentially a stud shaped like the rolling stones tongue, but for halloween they will have vampire teeth! such a fun way to rework such an iconic piece from my collection. what is faire wholesale?
faire wholesale is a site that allows buyers and makers to meet in the middle! while i always accept wholesale inquiries through dms and email it is just another avenue to see products and buy for your store. will you be expanding your collection through the holiday season?
oh absolutely! y’all might not even be ready for all the holiday fun that’s coming this year! it’s been such a hard, weird time and i’m excited to be able to deliver some handmade holiday cheer. what is one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to open their own online small business? your journey with your business is yours and yours alone. do not compare where you are to where someone else has worked years or months or weeks to get to. what other people are doing does not matter! the best way to succeed is by working hard and staying true to yourself. covid caused a huge rise up in small businesses which is amazing, but before you start your business ask yourself what your why is. is this really the journey for you? are you passionate about what you’re creating? are you willing to give up sleep, social schedule, holidays, social media, and so much more? are you ready for your business to be the number one priority in your life? because once you get to where you want to be there is no turning it off. there are no office hours in a small business and it by no means a glamourous lifestyle to live. do not get me wrong i would never change it for anything. i knew this was what i wanted to be doing for longer than i can remember – making art and sharing it with the world. if you really want it, you will make it happen! but it does not happen overnight. and i know it seems like i woke up one day and just started a business and here i am a little over a year later living a life of rainbows and butterflies, but please know that when i took manda made full time i was NOT READY at all. i had no idea what i was doing and i was very afraid. but i kept going forward. the journey is the most beautiful part of this process and you will look back on all those first moments and cherish them forever. you will want those moments back when they’re gone. soak up every second of the feeling of going after what you love and even though you’re afraid just always keep moving forward. you are more than capable and you’re gonna be amazing.
A few months ago, I purchased a small leather good from Poshmark – the Louis Vuitton six ring keyholder. This product was something that I never thought that I would get because who needs to put their keys in a key holder? Isn’t a keychain sufficient?
However, I started to carry wristlets and smaller bags more and more to the point where I had a hard time being able to take my keys with me. So, I began looking for these on the pre-loved market since Louis Vuitton is experiencing a canvas shortage and getting this new was going to be a challenge.
I ended up getting a great deal on it – nearly $200 off of retail price. What a great deal. I opted to go with the six ring version instead of the four because I figured I’d give me room to put extra keys over time or the option to put my car key in there as well.
And, let me tell you. This was such a great purchase. I use this every day, and it makes things so much easier. I take it with me when I go on walks, slip in into my Vera Bradley RFID all-in-one wristlet with no issue, and fits in all of my small bags. I also have been using it in my regular daily tote bag to work and any other purse, which I love because it keeps my keys in a place where I can get to them easily.
Normally, I do not keep my car key in there as an FYI. I prefer to leave it on my Recto Verso (which was definitely worth the purchase), but I do have the option to do so if I need to. The car remote does fit in there for the most part, but it sticks out on the bottom. I just don’t because of personal preference.
So. Is it worth it?
Yes.
I think this product is 100 percent worth the money –if you buy it on consignment. There are so many great deals on this product on sites such as the RealReal, Poshmark or Fashionphile that are at least $100 under retail if not more. This product is a great grab and go one, as this can be something to be used when you need to just grab your keys and go and don’t want to take a larger purse. I don’t recommend this, but there is a little slot in the back that is perfect for inserting an ID/card. Again, not recommended, but if it works in a pinch, than I say go for it.
And, remember this. Canvas is such a hot item – especially right now. So, if you don’t end up using it, you can sell it and make your money back.
I love Poshmark. I love selling on Poshmark to clean out my closet. I also love shopping for things on Poshmark as well, because I can score some amazing deals on items that I want, and also items that are discontinued. Over the past year or so, I have found amazing deals on Pandora, Tiffany and Co, and Louis Vuitton just to name a few. Many of them are for about half of the price at their retail store, and I am so happy I took the chance by getting them from Poshmark.
Louis Vuitton Six Ring Key Holder: I got over $200 off on this product. It retails for $265. I got it for $85, and I use this every day. I love it because it keeps my keys in a compact way. I also have trouble finding my keys because they get buried in my larger purses, so this eliminates that struggle. The item is in great condition, and is an amazing SGL.
Tiffany and Company Beaded Bracelets: I purchased two Tiffany and Company mini bracelets — the heart dangle and the round one. The round one is no longer made by Tiffany and Company, and the heart one is now $200. I got mine for $125. I wear these all of the time stacked together with my Pandora beads and pave bracelet. I also wear them by themselves as well. These bracelets are my favorite because I can wear them with anything. My trick with getting them looking brand new is to get the sterling silver polishing kit from Tiffany (which is $45) and then polishing them to make them look new. I wear them frequently, and these were definitely a worthwhile purchase.
Return to Tiffany Rubedo Double Heart Necklace: I love two-toned jewelry, so I was so happy to find this piece for half of retail price. I took it to get polished at Tiffany and Co (they do offer free cleanings) and it looks brand new.
Stoney Clover Lane Cozy Mini Pouch: Stoney Clover’s Cozy collection is no longer sold in stores, so I was so happy to get a mini pouch in this collection because it’s so cute. I also love it that it’s a neutral shade (I think it is in the hazelnut) so it goes with all of my bags. I love this to use with my totes, and it fits all of my purse essentials.
Stoney Clover Cozy Large Heart Pouch: As you can see, I really wished that I didn’t miss out on this collection. I got the large pouch, which was in amazing condition and for only $40! I love it because it’s adorable, but holds a ton. I use it when I need to take cords, or other larger items. It fits in my tote bags perfectly.
Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM in Damier Ebiene: Finding a Neverfull that is decently priced and in great condition. I paid $750 for mine, and it is in amazing condition. Yes, that is a lot of money. But, the current price for a Neverfull MM on Louis Vuitton’s website is $1,540 at the time of posting this. So, when I found this on Poshmark, I couldn’t resist. And, what I like about Poshmark is that they authenticate it for you if the item is over $500. That is definitely comforting for me as a consumer.
Tiffany and Company Large Beaded Bracelet: Tiffany is a common theme when it comes to my Poshmark videos. I purchased the large beaded bracelet for $200, which on Tiffany’s website is $375. The bracelet was brand new, although it was a little tarnished. I used the cleaner, and it came out looking as if I went and got it from Tiffany’s! I highly recommend checking out the tarnished pieces, because you can easily get them cleaned and have them looking as good as new.
TGIF everyone! As I am writing this, I am realizing that a lot of this is related to acne products. That said, I highly recommend all of these products if you’re suffering from acne.
Here are this week’s faves!
Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin: I have been obsessed with this book. It is about Lou, an escaped witch. She gets caught stealing, and is forced to marry a church leader. However, there is a war between the church and witches, that is growing — just like Lou’s feelings for Reid. I have been so obsessed with this book, which is odd because I haven’t been into the fantasy genre as of late. It is appropriate for the season as well.
SV Decker Tusk Earrings: I am obsessed with these earrings. I have been getting rid of so many earrings and I wanted to add a pair of fun ones back to my jewelry box. I found these at the store, and I am obsessed. They are so lightweight and fun. They also are a fun take on hoops, which I really love as well.
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Acne Patches: Everyone is talking about acne patches, and after this week, I truly get the hype. I purchased these after I got a huge pimple and it dramatically reduced the size in a matter of days. I don’t like to use a lot of products, but I am so glad that I grabbed these because they are great for pimples of any size.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Wash: As I mentioned earlier, I have been dealing with acne. I have been using this at night, and it’s been really helpful. What I really like about this product is that it didn’t dry my skin out, which is something that I really love about the product.
Halloween is a few weeks away, and for me, I am on Pinterest looking for inexpensive and simple Halloween costume ideas that still look like I tried. I am a gal on a budget folks. I don’t want to spend much on something I will only wear once. My secret? Just basically taking as much of something that I already have and then adding one or two things at the cheapest price I can.
There are so many different options out there. However, if you’re trying to figure out some ideas, here are some of my go-tos from years past.
Rosie The Rivetor:
Rosie the Rivetor was a costume that I wore during a costume party at my old job. Basically, I just wear a pair of jeans, a denim shirt, and a bandana. It was such an easy costume since I had all of those things already.
Cat:
Another great costume that I have used for many years is the cat costume. In fact, I still have the ears. All I did was wear all black, and then bought a set (cat ears, tail, bow-tie) from CVS or Walgreens. It ended up costing me $6. I highly recommend checking the seasonal aisle at CVS or Walgreens, as it has some affordable options.
What are some inexpensive Halloween costumes that you’ve worn? Let me know in the comments below.
Amazon has become my go-to place. I have been making some changes with my home, so I have been taking advantage of having Amazon Prime. Prime has definitely been my BFF, and I’m really excited to share some of my favorites from my shopping.
NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadows in Warm Neutrals: Okay, this is not a houseware thing. BUT, I have been on the hunt for a new makeup palette for a while. I don’t know, it must be the new season. I purchased this one on Thursday when this was a lightning deal, and I got it for only $10. I have been experimenting with some of the shades, and I really love this palette because these colors are ones that I can wear all of the time.
Claw Clips: I purchased claw clips at Francesca’s, and it broke within a few weeks after purchase. That said, I decided to purchase these, and they are so much better. Not only are they more affordable — I got two for the price of the previous one — but it’s much more comfortable. Hopefully, it will last longer!
Organizer Bins: I want to thank Brooke Miccio for giving me the inspiration for this purchase. I have had zero organization in my pantry and I was getting sick of it. I purchase this, and over the past weekend, took everything out, got rid of a ton of old items, and put everything in these bins. And, these are a game changer, let me tell you. I love that I am able to find something that I have been looking for, and it freed up so much space. Furthermore, I also love it that it helped me realize what I have already so I don’t have to second guess.
Kindle: I know. I have the Kindle Oasis. And, I love the Kindle Oasis. However, I have been taking a lot of train trips and it’s harder to take with me. So, thanks to a deal from Kindle Unlimited, I decided to grab the Kindle. The base Kindle. And, you can definitely tell that it’s a cheaper quality than the other one. But, I really love the size and have been using this outside of my trips.
Lazy Susan Spice Rack: Last, but certainly not least, I got this lazy Susan to help assist with keeping my pantry organized. I love having this organization, and the value was amazing. So far, it works perfectly and fits in small spaces. What is good is that you can use one for entertainment purposes, and one for your pantry (well that’s what I am using it for anyways.) I highly recommend it thus far, since it has changed the game in my cabinets.
thenutmegmillennial.com 