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!!

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

Wednesday's

I don't know if a lot of people know this but I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Stores usually have a new shipment of goods on Tuesdays or Thursdays, so they need to get a lot of clothing sold to make room. Wednesday is the day that most retail store start a sale, or pulling regular priced clothing and mark it down 30-60% off. I'm always first in line on Wednesdays and I head straight for the clothing racks. Last Wednesday I scored really big because not only did Dillard's have the "Wednesday" markdowns it was also there annual 40% already marked down goods. So I was able to get three tops, one pair of trousers, one pair of shoes and a ring for $33.00. I went over on my budget but I couldn't pass any of it up. My boyfriend also got me a Betsey Johnson bag that was originally $300 for $60.00! He doesn't know that I know ;-) (shh!). So my tip of this week is to go to the stores on Wednesday, That is also the slowest traffic days, so good luck and let me know how it turns out!

Meg Love

Trash to Treasure

To continue on the path of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling, I wondered what else can I do to help my environment. Well why not buy for a cause? I went on the hunt for some great recycled jewelry and came across the most interesting sites yet. Its a shop for a cause web-site, it has many different causes including; Hunger, Breast Cancer, Animals and the Rain forest just to name a few. So of course being GREEN week I started to look for some fun jewelry to add to my collection, I wasn't let down. The page has 5 main shopping categories to include; Eco-Friendly, Organic and Recycled. In each page you will find some great one of a kind pieces including these two bracelet that I fell in love with.

The first set of bracelets come in four different types of recycled GLASS chips and the second is bracelets made with Taqua Chips which come from the rain forests in South America. They are a small ivory-like nut that falls from trees (hence reusing natural things the earth produces). The Recycled Glass bracelet is $12.00 and the Taqua Chips are $12.95. I know that is a little bit pricey for one bracelet that is why I saved the best part for last. Each purchase you make saves at least 1,145 square feet of land in the rain forest. By buying these natural and recycled products they do not have to cut down trees for bangles or necklaces, so at 12 dollar investment in my environment that I can wear proudly, I'm okay with it.

Meg Love

http://shop.therainforestsite.com/store/site.do?siteId=221

Green Works

We have all heard it time and time again, stop using plastic bags, do we listen? I know it took me a long time to switch to reusable bags for shopping trips or grocery purchases. I did some research on these popular plastic bags to see why girls must have one. My conclusion, status, the cute pink and silver striped bag you get with your undies or the black and white horizontal striped bag full of cosmetics make you feel powerful when you walk through the mall. As far as the grocery store, what can three bags really be, at least that is what I always thought. Did you know that Plastic bags are so cheap to produce and store that they have captured at least 80 percent of all markets. For what? Most of the bags end up in the landfill or stuffed in the junk drawer at your house. So my challenge to you in be bigger than the "society" made feeling of carrying around bags you won't use ever again and check out these cute reusable bags. I use mine as a purse when I go shopping for clothes, then for go the extra plastic bag (Make sure you keep your receipt with them), I also use it when I go to the Farmers Market. It is so comfortable and can hold more than you think, plus no more arm marks when you are carrying it inside. Go Green Ladies I know you can... I did!

Green Flora Print $ 8.00

Skulls $6.00

Red Birds $7.95 Meg Love .

http://www.thegreenloop.com/Eco_concious_shopping_totes_reusable_shopping_bags_s/350.htm