Vain Roxy

Living in Luxury without Breaking the Bank

Bring the Outdoors In
Something about fresh flowers in your home adds an air of luxury and opulence.  And surprisingly, it doesn’t have to cost a thing!  Go on a walk around your home and gather twigs, flowers, and branches to create a gorgeous and fresh arrangement. 

Luxury Linens
There’s nothing quite like having plush bedding and bath linens.  You’ll feel like you’re staying in a five-star hotel every single night.  Get a memory foam mattress cover, plush pillows, and a high-thread count sheet set.  Don’t worry how much they will cost since you will only have one set.  Head to your local discount home store and buy plush towels (such as microfiber). 

Plush Clothing
Who says you can’t afford designer clothing?  One of the best ways to build up a luxurious wardrobe is slowly and at a pace you can afford.  I like to save up for a particular designer piece that I can’t live without.  Then I build up my wardrobe with coordinating inexpensive items. 

Spa at Home
A day at the spa can certainly be a treat but who has that kind of money to spend all the time?  Create your own at-home spa – open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can give yourself the same treatments and feel just as relaxed without the steep price tag.  Invest in quality products, such as luxurious bubble bath, an avocado face mask, or high-end body cream.  Light candles, use pure essential oils, grab a good book, and relax!

Massage Therapy
The luxury of a masseuse is no longer just for the rich and famous, you just have to know where to go to get a great one.  Contact a local massage therapy school; most offer discounted sessions with students in training.  Some might even offer some free as students try to acquire more hours in order to certify.

Spice up your Home
Your home should be a relaxing, inviting, and comfortable environment.  So make it that way!  It doesn’t have to cost a lot to update, modernize, and make your home more luxurious!  Add crown moldings, repaint, or spring clean to spruce up your home.

So we are all trying to get bikini ready, right? But if you are anything like me, you kill yourself at the gym…just ten more minutes on the treadmill and I will look like Heidi Klum, 100 more sit-ups, 25 more lunges, and 3 more aerobic classes a week. But usually what happens to me is that I feel great as I leave the gym, but as soon as I wake up the next morning…I can’t move. What is the point of having a great body if you walk like a 90 year old women with two wooden legs walking down a slippery mountain (Ok. fine. That was a little dramatic, but you get the point). I’ve recently found quality essential oils to help with my sore muscles. My favorites for relieving the discomfort are balsam fir and douglas fir essential oils. I use those and I am back to normal in a day or two–ready to kill myself at the gym again. It is just a vicious cycle.

Summer is just around the corner and I hereby officially give you permission to pack away the sweaters, the pants and the boots because it’s time to pull out the much anticipated (dreaded by many) swimsuit! If you cringe at the thought of baring all this summer, have no fear, it’s not too late! Whether you’re wanting to shed the winter five you gained the past few months, or shoot for the stars and want to lose more, if you put your mind to it, you’ll see results in just weeks. Here’s a few of my personal favorites that will get you on the road to the bikini-bod you’ve been dreaming of!

1. Buy a reusable water bottle that you can keep with you and fill up throughout the day. Keeping hydrated will keep away the munchies that so conveniently come early afternoon. If you get sick of drinking water, add a packet of Propel to give it mix up your new routine.
2. Don’t skip meals, but know that in order to lose weight you’re going to have to burn more calories than you eat. Plan out your meals ahead of time and prepare healthy snacks in ziplock bags that you can keep in your fridge and eat when you get a craving. Even if you workout like crazy, if you eat junk, you’re not going to see results.
3. If you need a jumpstart to get you on the road to a hot summer body, talk to your doctor and see if a weight loss pill is right for you. It may give you the mindset you need to shed those extra pounds.
4. Exercise. Don’t discount the value of good solid exercise. Do things you enjoy. Run, bike, swim, hike. Make sure you also spend a few days each week strength training. Lifting weights is one of the most effective ways to exercise because those muscles continue to burn calories throughout the day even when you’re not exercising.
5. And lastly, don’t make your quest for a sexy summer body miserable. Eat healthy things you enjoy and make exercising fun that way you won’t get burnt out!

Ladies, it’s your favorite time of the year! No, not the traditional Christmas, but the Victoria’s Secret semi-annual sale! With VS bras starting at $12.99, panties at $3.99 and swim suits at 50% off, what’s not to love? Get out your shiny plastic cards and start shopping for that hot babydoll or super short shorts!

So my best friend, Kristin is getting married next month in Utah. I was asked to be in the wedding party so I have been pretty busy these past couple of months. But WOW. What a mission! I had no idea it would be like this! I know wedding planning is basically every girl’s childhood dream but it is stresssssful! And I’m not even the bride! (Thank goodness… well at least for now). Color schemes, wedding dress shopping, bridesmaid dress shopping, cake sampling, venue scouting galore…  it NEVER ends!

However, I am ecstatic to announce that we can cross catering off our to-do list! Kristin decided to go with a Salt Lake caterer, Culinary Crafts. Their past weddings have been gorgeous. Check out some one of their previous events…

Photo credit: Utah Caterers

Don’t you think that’s absolutely wonderful? I did! I think I’ll use them for my wedding… whenever that is

It seems as though the Britser has been heeding our advice…perhaps embracing Zantrex again, fixing her hair, dressing more appropriately. Whatever she’s doing seems to be working! Ever since Brit’s father Jaime became co-conservator of her estate, he’s whipping her back into shape!

{photo via PopSugar}

This week, Britney reprised her role as Abby on How I Met Your Mother, and once again audiences tuned in. It seems to be another good sign of Britney’s slow but sure comeback. Keep up the good work, Brit!

{photo via BuzzSugar}

It is a world-wide epidemic–anorexia and bulimia. Both genders have issues with it, and it is mainly seen and blamed on the media. Two famous models died in 2006 and one in 2007 due to malnutrition. France has decided to try and take a stand. They have proposed a bill that will prosecute media who promote “extreme thinness”. Somehow I think this might be hard to prosecute. Don’t get me wrong; I completely agree that the way the media portrays women is wrong and something should be done about it. But how will they deem if a girl is too thin? What if she isn’t sick at all, just naturally a little thinner? How will they know? If you want to read the full article, click here.

I just wish girls (I know boys are dealing with this stuff too, but girls are more common) would realize that everyone is made differently and women are SUPPOSED to have curves. Ladies, stay healthy and embrace your curves.

Dove is doing a great job promoting a woman’s natural beauty with their “campaign for real beauty“.  Go Dove!

There seems to be a new trend in footwear. And frankly, I find them completely amazing! Yes, the gladiator sandal is back! Take a look at these eccentric and adorable sandals:

Even the celebs have been wearing them, of course:

{picture courtesy of WhoWhatWearDaily.com}

Do you own any gladiator sandals? How do you like them? Where did you get them? Share, ladies!

For all of us “curlies” out there, it is crucial to use quality products to give our curls the best look. Sometimes as the day goes on, our curls become lifeless and limp. I’ve just started using Frizz-Ease’s “Dream Curls” of the John Freida collection. It is superb!

It gives your curls that necessary and desired lift. It really brings them back to life. The scent is great too: very light. You won’t have to worry about people thinking you dunked your head in perfume.

{via Victoria’s}

Victoria’s Secret is currently running a special on wide variety of their yoga & lounge pants - 2 for $40.  A personal favorite of yours truly, scoop them up while you can!