Archive for February, 2010
B’s Give Back– Message from a Funky O
February 13th, 2010 | 10 Comments
Tags: Contests, Giving Back, Health & Fitness
Saturday is the day we share your stories about giving to others.
Please write in and tell us about what you do for others. Do you spend time caring for aging parents or ill relatives? Do you volunteer in a soup kitchen, at a school, a nursing home, or a pet shelter? Work in your community garden, at your local library, clear litter from the side of the road? Add your story in the comment section in the upper right of this post.
Today, Becky Haugh reminds us about blood donation: a way to give without spending a dime.
She writes:
I’m… a big advocate of blood donation…. I’ve never personally been a recipient of a blood transfusion or have known someone close to need one – but since the husband and myself really can’t drop large checks to charity, we try to give in ways that aren’t monetary in nature. For me, it’s donating blood. If you plan it out right, you can donate blood up to 6 times per year. I’m going to try to hit 6 donations this year. Sure, it’s not much, but you can’t buy blood and so many people (in this country and abroad) need blood – especially when you are a funky O type like myself.
Contest #3: Steals and Splurges
February 11th, 2010 | 30 Comments
Tags: Beauty & Grooming
We are nothing if not in touch with the yin and the yang of being a bitch on a budget. The careful saving for the occasional splurge.
Our hands are always doing so many jobs that nail polish just doesn’t last. We’ve found that Sinful Colors  nail polish we buy at the local drug store comes in loads of luscious colors and lasts just as long (at least on our busy digits) as the premium brands. For $1.99 a bottle it’s a bitchin’ steal.
If you’ve finished our book (arms crossed, foot tapping) you’ll know how strongly we feel about good foundations in all things. Recently we stumbled upon a foundation from Fresh cosmetics that is the best we’ve tried in years and now ranks #1 in our splurgeworthy category in make-up. It’s not cheap for $42 bucks, but we love it.
Our contest this week is for you to tell us what your steals and splurges are in all things make-up. Share your secret tricks and indulgences. Go to the Drop-A-Dime box to submit your entry. The winner will have their tips featured and win a copy of Bitches on a Budget.
Contest ends 2/18.
We Want Your Recipes!
February 10th, 2010 | 9 Comments
Tags: Food & Spirits
Our message is simple: enjoying life doesn’t take oodles of dough. Find pleasure in simple daily living. And, food is one of life’s basic pleasures. Great, yummy ingredients + simple recipes= orgasmically good tastes. Eat healthy. We devote an entire chapter in our book to shopping for and preparing great food. Tomatoes, cabbage, chicken thighs, bluefish (don’t be a brat and crinkle up your nose) all are inexpensive and delicious ingredients that are healthy and easily prepared.
We want your recipes. Send us your smart, healthy and tasty favorite meals that use inexpensive ingredients. Remember, there’s more to a chicken than just the white meat (besides, honey, no new breasts for you this year, you’re on a budget remember?).
We’ll select several to share next week. Post them right in the comment section on the upper right hand of this post.
You can even post a video of you preparing the recipe. That could be fun!
Peep Show Nation
February 8th, 2010 | 1 Comment
Tags: Travel & Entertainment
Ever glanced inside someone else’s medicine cabinet, curious about their face creams or– even more exciting– their medication? Ever stood in the grocery line feeling self-righteous when a person buys both Slim Fast and a tub of Chunky Monkey ice cream? Ever encouraged Fido to do his business in front of the house of your recently divorced neighbor, hoping for a peek to see who she’s entertaining between not-quite-closed shades? Or read the police blotter in the local paper, secretly cheering when the upstanding PTA member gets busted for shoplifting lipstick at Wal-Mart or pulled over for a DWI?
If you answered no to all of the above–shut down your computer. This story is not for you. Skip all religious services. No need. You have a free pass to heaven. Everyone else–read on.
For all those left reading (like, everybody), what better (and cheaper) way to pass cold dark nights than peeping into other people’s homes, watching as they struggle with each other, jockey for position or just plain exhibit themselves. Yes, it’s fun to watch and mock or laugh or feel so much smarter and better than those inside, even as you identity with, and label the inhabitants as angels or demons. That’s right, ladies, we’re talking about reality TV.
Shows like Real Housewives and the Kardashians and Jersey Shore invite their audience to peep– they ask us to be hungry voyeurs, witnesses to stupidity, greed, betrayal, and general nuttiness. And we’re all too happy to oblige. Or who can resist the contests like America’s Next Top Model, Top Chef, Project Runway as they throw one aspirant against another in the modern pit?
What does this say about human nature?
Maybe you’re saying: I don’t watch those shows with a mean spirit! I wish all those people only the best!
We say: really?
Give us a show featuring well-adjusted, reasonable, ordinary people succeeding in reasonable ways– and we’ll show you a big fat cancelled notice.
Bare your souls, bitches. Tell us how you peep. What turns you on?
B’s Give Back
February 6th, 2010 | 6 Comments
Saturday is the day we share your stories about giving to others.
Please write in and tell us about what you do for others. Tell us about your acts of kindness and how helping others makes you feel. Do you spend time caring for aging parents or ill relatives? Do you volunteer in a soup kitchen, at a school, a nursing home or a pet shelter? Work in your community garden, at your local library, clearing litter from the side of the road? Add your story in the comment section in the upper right of this post.
Today’s post is from Kelly Spencer.
“Through a reconnection via Facebook, a high school friend started working at Provisions, our local food pantry. She posted a list of items needed asking her friends to please donate, so I stopped by the pantry to make a donation the week before Thanksgiving, they were overwhelmed with clients, so I got trained in 10 minutes and given my first family to help them shop…now I’m there every Tuesday and love my new job! My 16 year old daughter came with me over Christmas break, she was a huge help crating eggs, stocking shelves and is planning on joining me this summer. I am amazed how much our local farmers and private owned grocery store donates to keep our pantry going! I have been truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to spend my Tuesdays and my boss makes sure I’m off on Tuesdays to volunteer! This is the coolest thing I have ever done!”
Kelly thank you for taking the time to share your story and fabulous picture with us!
While we’re on the subject of sharing and volunteering, we want to tell you about a site that is devoted to women and philanthropy –Vivanista. Coincidentally, this week they have an excerpted a section from Bitches on a Budget about volunteering. Check it out.
Television is in The Bitches Future
February 3rd, 2010 | 4 Comments
We’ve been hinting around about our TV coming out party and thought we’d share a message from Matt Sharp President of Sharp Entertainment.
Hey there!
I’ve just grabbed the mic for a quick sec to announce that Sharp
Entertainment (we’re the TV folks behind hit shows like Travel Channel’s Man
v. Food, Animal Planet’s Underdog to Wonderdog and VH1’s The Fabulous Life)
has optioned the television rights to Bitches on a Budget. From the second
I heard the title and read the book, I fell in love with this concept. The
tone, the attitude and the way the book irreverently delivers tips and
information makes it a no brainer for TV. I’ve also been impressed by the
creativity and humor of the fans who have contributed on this blog. Your
passion has further convinced us that sky’s the limit for the Bitches
movement. More to come and glad to be a part of all this.
Thanks!
Matt
Make-up for make believe.
February 2nd, 2010 | Comments
Tags: Beauty & Grooming, Shopping
Who wants to live in the real world all the time? A bitch is in touch with her fantasies. Yep, we’re big fans of role-play… especially thrifty role-play. We’re on a budget, after all.
When you think role-play, you probably think leather-clad dominatrix or sexy nurse or Catholic schoolgirl—meaning your mind goes right to the dirty stuff. We forget that we “play roles” all the time, that tiny tweaks in our attitude and appearance can be just as thrilling as hard-core stuff. We forget that we can do it to please ourselves—not only to please him.
With that in mind, here are some ideas:
MAD MEN. Fan of this terrific TV show? Love the mid-century style? Maybe you long to play role of Joan, that gorgeous curvy secretary—totally self-possessed, totally sexy, totally calm and in control. You may not have quite the same body (who does?!),  but you can channel her killer sex appeal and confidence by wearing a garter instead of pantyhose at the office, just like in the days of yore. Forget the expensive stuff. Target’s Gillian & O’Malley brand makes a wicked cute garter. H&M also offers reasonably-price retro-feel lingerie. Try it and see how it makes you feel. Saunter through the office, knowing how strong and sexy you are. (And knowing that cute copy guy would weep if he could see…)
SNOW WHITE. Isn’t there something refreshing about playing the virgin? (C’mon, ladies, we know you can make believe). If you get a thrill playing the role of innocent, dewy-ripe maiden, go no further than your neighborhood drugstore. Loreal Infallible Plumping Lipgloss in Plumped Red (under ten bucks) gives you that just-ate-a-popsicle look of your youth… fresh and young and effortlessly sexy. Apply, smile demurely, and feel (act?) ten years younger.
CATWOMAN. OK, there’s just something awesome about Catwoman. She’s stealthy, in control, sleek, purr-fectly (sorry) villainous. For most bitches, wearing a black leather cat suit to the grocery store may be a little much. Another way to channel this kick-ass character? Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer (around six bucks). That’s right, girls—get the feeling of Catwoman with cat eyes. You need just a steady hand and a some guts—both of which can be learned. Check out this tutorial. Be glamorous and empowered. Embrace your inner bitch.
What naughty (or nice) roles get you excited? What thrifty products/techniques/articles of clothing put you in touch with your fantasies? We want to know!
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