My Rant

I don't know about you, but when my fashion magazines start to arrive in November I get thrilled to see what gift ideas they have put together. I regret to inform you that none of the editors have stopped to realize that some Americans have been laid off or their hours have been cut to a minimum this season. While I knew I wouldn't be able to afford the luxury items that they put on the first couple of pages, I quickly turned to "Holidays on a Budget". Disappointed wouldn't give my mood justice, $150 for an Armani Exchange sweater was the cheapest item on the two pages. In the economic hardships are country is facing it almost makes me ashamed of the editors to not take this into consideration while making there picks. I should mention the magazines I'm looking in are not Vogue, W or Bazaar but Glamour, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue etc. So should we spent our entire budget on a $150 sweater, I would think not. I'm devoted to finding you gifts this season all for under 25. Keep checking back, lets call it.. Holidays on a Budget....for the rest of us.

Happy Holidays

UNDER 10.

The Holidays keep getting sweeter, with the holiday's approaching so do GREAT deals. Check out the 10 and under I found for this season.

Under 5

I've been trying to figure out a way to get everyone something this holiday season that wasn't a mug and some hot chocolate mix from the dollar store. It wasn't easy but I did it. I was able to get about 12 people on my list covered for about 5 dollars each. These are the sweet people that help me through the year but are not close friends or relatives. Here is what I came up with!!

You got WHAT?

Oh the best friend, friends from school, co-workers, sister, cousins the list goes on and on, but here is some great gifts that will make other jealous! Happy Holidays!

Holiday Dresses

Tis the season to be dressy. Holiday parties are going to start in full swing. I've found some cute in expensive cocktail hour dresses. You can also add tights, new jewelry or a belt and wear it twice..

Plaid its not bad

Trends of the season are all over the map. They are catering to everyone, and plaid, its not so bad! Just be careful, I don't want my fashionista's to look like lumberjacks from Alaska.

*Trends of the Season*

Soap good I could eat it!

Talent, Talent, Talent; our world is so full of talent and I think its time people get recognized for it. So if you have something you have created, put together, made, anything...e-mail me I would love to know about it. xoxo_meglove@yahoo.com

I am starting to put presents away in a Rubbermaid for Christmas and I've been trying to find some uncommon stocking suffers. This year I have decided to buy some homemade goods, so while I was on a few page's at Etsy.com I found soap so good you might eat it. Soap is such an easy stocking stuffer that isn't too expensive and honestly who likes to get a plain square bar, boring.

Here are my favorites this season.
Gingerbread Soap from LoveLeeSoaps $3.50 http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5333615

Peppermint Snowflakes $ 2.50 LoveLee Soaps

Vanilla Cappuccino from MadebyKeli.com $2.50

*Christmas Stocking Stuffer*

Need something for the Eco-Friendly person in your life? Well I found the cutest most fashionable way to make your garden green. I do not have a green thumb, but I do like to garden once things start to grow. So I was searching for Eco friendly seeds and came across the Matchstick Garden. It simple to use; Tear out a matchstick, plant it tip first in soil and you will soon have a flower or herb, salad greens, or vegetable garden growing. On the tip of each match are seeds already mixed to grow. Its perfect and you get 5 packs for $12.50. I found an online store I though was chic its called Brooklyn 5 & 10.

http://www.brooklyn5and10.com/category-s/41.htm

My Rant for the Day

I'm sure you have all seen a fashion show at least one time in your life. I'm also betting it was either a "Back to School" mall show or the televised Victoria Secret show. Well I've seen them all, not live, but that is what You Tube is for and while I love the creativity most designers show, some just frighten me and some bore me to death. What am I talking about you ask?

For starters the talented Natasha Glazkova designed a line for Spring of 08 full of color, her down fall? She put panty hose on her models head. I know your suppose to show the outfit as and art piece but putting panty hose on someones head is a little more martian than it is fashion.

***Photo Courtesy of NatashaGlaskova.com via NY POST**

Then on the other hand you have one of my favorite reality stars turned fashion designer; Lauren Conrad. The girl has a great simple chic California line, however the way she puts on a show, reminds me of a high school back to school show as I stated above.

**Photo Courtesy of Lauren Conrad.com via NY POST**

Is the fashion world going to find a fine line? We shall see!

**Christmas Buys**

2 Months and Counting, that is how long Wal*Mart is telling me that I have left to Christmas Shop. I can't believe how early these things get put out in store, and that people actually buy them. So I was thinking the other day about our Economy and the holiday season, it wasn't pretty and I'm sure you all are feeling the crunch. So I've come up with a new string of posts for you. The best way to jump start our economy? Well in my opinion, I believe we should buy American made products, which can be hard to do, or can it? Sites such as Etsy.com sell all American made and most by hand products. Luckily my little sister doesn't have Internet because I've found her Christmas Present. Its fun and functional plus you can't beat the price of it.

$12.00 plus $2.50 for shipping, add a tube of lipgloss and some chocolate candies and you can check my sister off for a total of $19.50 :-)

I found this HOT clutch/makeup bag at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5663749

THE SWEET SUGAR BEAT

5 Shoe's

Its been awhile since I was on 5shoewarehouse.com and I decided to "stalk" it this morning. I've already made some purchases with the new inventory. Check out some of these flavored shoes. I love them.

Snow Bunny

Well as fall approaches us we all have to be armed and ready for the wind, cold, rain and snow. So what else would be cuter than a Beanie? They are back and cuter than ever this year. I found my favorite's on Forever 21.com web-site. Affordable and sheik with plenty of texture. I notice a lot of girls where very sleek clothing during the winter months to for go the bulky look when they layer, so adding texture on the top of your head is perfect. It will balance out your fabulous chic look..

Meg Love

Beauty Awards part Duex

Foundation has always been a problem with me, as it does with most women. So when Bare Minerals came out it was almost like the heavens opened and sang "Hallelujah". So while I did pay the 25 dollars, times changed and so did the budget. While I have tried other mineral make up, most ended up making me feel like it was caked on. So I gave a liquid mineral a chance and to my surprise to this day I still vow by Maybelline Minerals Perfectecting liquid makeup, plus Oprah gave it her seal of approval, Oprah.

Mark. earth has just launched and this is very exciting for the world of blush. Mark Earth Face Glow is an all over face shine. If all over isn't your think you can follow in my footsteps, I bought the Quartz and have been using as blush ever since. One swoop over my cheek bones and I'm good to go, it give a subtle "grandma pinched my cheeks" glow.

Favorite Chapstick you may ask? Well since I named my blog after it you should know, its cherry chapstick. Actually its a brand called Soft Lips that you can find at Wal*Mart. The tube is small and stay on your lips, its made for a girl. They have a lifer in me, I'm addicted. The slight tingle you get with it after snowboarding you can tell it works. The shine is perfect, the moisture works well and it lasts even if you have some Starbucks.

Allure Annual Beauty Awards

The Time is here ladies, the latest issue of ALLURE Magazine has there annual beauty awards all organized in the what I call "Beauty Bible". I always like to try a few products that aren't on there list with my friends so here is MY PERSONAL stamp of approval. These products are a fantastic price, so you don't break the bank if you try them.

Mascara: We Chose Cover girl's Basic Mascara with a curved brush; not only does it left and separate, if you are scared of eyelash curlers you can push the brush under your lashes and wiggle up with some force and it will give them a slight curve. $4.00 at most drugstore's

Wet N- Wild has the BEST tinted moisturizer I've ever tried on. My best friend Christian has a moisturizer from Clinique and when I gave her both but didn't tell her which was which, she actually picked this one. $2.00 at Walmart!

I Know, I know; Paris Hilton's perfume? Yes it is true, we went to Dillards and sample everyone we could and wear some came in close second, the Can Can was a fan favorite. Its more of a fun winter BBQ smell but its so fruity and inviting, plus we found that Wal*Mart and Burlington Coat Factory sells mini bottle for $9 bucks. Are Close second was DKNY Apple (For the Fall) Princess by Vera Wang and Amor Amor because it reminded us of the high school scent of the 00's Lucky, but more grown up.

That's all for now, but I'll be posting my picks for Lip Color, Nail Color and Hair Care as soon as we narrow it down more. WHAT DO YOU LOVE? E-mail it to me xoxo_meglove@yahoo.com

Tights are in the air

Anyone who remember wearing a dress in the 80's or 90's they never were complete without those white tights. Well guess what, fashion evolves and so has the tight. I love this season's tight selection. They are all cut unique and look great under dresses. Add some boots, or in a couple of these tights cases, peep toe shoes. Check them out and send me some pics.
Mettalic Shimmer Tights 15.90 from MyTights.com



Open Toe, Open Heel from Forever 21 $6.80

Meg Love

TREND ALERT!

Okay here is the new big trend in Hollywood and I like it. I actually was digging through my jewelry box from when I was 16 and found my big, out there butterfly and rose rings. So I guess its true, fashion always comes back around. So here is the skivvy on the finger trend. The bigger the better is the motto said Rhianna who wore a snake type ring to TRL that covered her ring and pinkie finger. Trust me its a cheap easy fad all of us can follow and its not that bad either, it adds some flavor. Here are some great deals I found.

Pearl Cluster from Wetseal.com $5.00

Black Stone from Windsorfashions.com $6.00

Zebra Heart from Agacistores.com $4.50

Meg Love

Girls are Fans Too!

I had four e-mails asking me about women's fashion in the NFL teams. Guess what, it is out there and its easier than you think. NFLshop.com has all the teams and the tops that I found are by 5Th and Ocean, I have a baseball one, so I know it fits and doesn't shrink. So here you go girls. Were fans too!

21.99

21.99

23.99

Meg Love

Readers Question

Its time to answer your questions. So if you have something you want me to help you find, a look you want put together now is the time. E-mail me xoxo_meglove@yahoo.com

1st readers question:

Hi Meg Love,

Thanks for the great blog, I love it. I was wondering how can I leopard print (my favorite) in my work life. I have to keep everything pretty neutral at work. Any ideas?

Gia P.

Pacific Palasades, CA

Okay Gia, well I don't think a work place should ever dampen your favorite style, you just have to do it in a way that is easy to remove if it causes a problem and isn't a "HI, I"M LEOPARD PRINT". Try a cute headband in leopard print, it is subtle yet give a pop of flavor. You could also use a leopard print wallet or a great ballet flat. Keep it in the accessories for work and no one should have a problem. Here are a couple of great finds for you!!

http://www.accessorybug.com/ $24.99

http://www.rebelgirlz.com/prod.php?pid=454 $4.00

Meg Love

The Mock Neck?

Remember when you were ten and your mom used to put you in the stretchy cotton turtleneck, with no doubt a reindeer print or something as ridiculous. Well I do, and I'm still scarred to this day. So when I went shopping over Labor Day weekend and found the "new" turtleneck, also referred to as The Mock Neck. I humored the garment and tried it on, surprisingly, fun, fashionable and affordable. They also made them with a cute tie to the side element. So if you think it might not be for you, take my advice, it might be.

This mock neck above is from windsorfashion.com for 29.90

Meg Love

Big Bags...Always a staple

Someone once asked me why I carry a bag that is ten times the size of what I carry inside of it; my response? Simple, I love the way it looks. Bags that are a little bigger tend to give me a sense of power, besides have you ever tried to cut someone in line when her purse was sticking out. I didn't think so. Anyways my point being in this post, no matter what season it is big bags are here to stay. Classic colors are back for the fall and colors that are rich and deep in color. My favorite must have bag? 17.95 at HeavenlyCouture.com!!

Send me pics of your favorite bags xoxo_meglove@yahoo.com

Meg Love

I want to look like...

One of my cousin's daughter is getting ready for her first homecoming this year and she called me last week to find a mirrior image of blake lively's look at the Teen Choice Awards, but with a little more shine for night time. So I was on the hunt the next day and I found something, she bought it and it looks GREAT on her. So good luck at the dance (that is still three weeks away :) Love you!

Here is what I found!!

57.99 satin purple one shoulder at GoJane.com

$20.79 Belt with a cute stone.

Meg Love

Comfy Tees

I just love and am kind of obsessed with comfy tee's that I can wear when I get home and on the weekends. I love having them around to pull on, but it seems like they loose there "comfyness" after a few times of washing, but I found a couple that I've washed and washed but they haven't seem to let me down. Plus one even had a great message. Vote, its coming in November. Who are you voting for?

Class Flirt Tee from Victoria Secret's Pink Collection $15.50

VOTE from American Eagle $15.50

Best Kisser from Victoria Secret Pink $15.50

Aeropostale 1987 shirt $12.50 (on sale though next week)

Meg Love