Sale Alert!

Kate Spade is offering an extra 25% off of ALL sale items. The code to use at checkout is MORESALE. This deal ends on July 7th so while it may seem like to have some time to debate a purchase, I suggest doing it fast before all the good stuff is gone. A splurge like Kate Spade will feel much better knowing you got an awesome deal.

I'm going to Aruba in August and have a long list of travel essentials I need to buy. One of the most important is a big makeup/skin care bag to put in my suitcase. So this baby might just end up in my possession soon..

Happy shopping!!

xx, 

Monique

Internet Gold #2 - Financial Empowerment

That's a pretty intimidating phrase.. or at least it is to me. This Refinery29 article gives A LOT of great tips to become more aware of what's happening to your money and ways to increase your income.

Now with everything else I put on this blog, definitely edit advice and tips to your own life. Never feel like you have to follow them down to a T.. that will most likely end up in disaster or at least a bit of failure attitude.

My favorite tip from this article is "Look Where You Want to Go" aka SET GOALS!! For me, that's not having to rely on my parents to support me after college or being able to rent an apartment soon after college (I have a lot of goals, call me an optimist).

xx,

Monique

Internet Gold #1 - New Place?

As a Marketing major and PR minor, I spend A LOT of time online, whether it be for school, work, or relaxing at home. So naturally, I come across some pretty cool stuff.

During college and right after college can involve a lot of moving. This article I found shows ways to optimize your smaller space since at this point, many of us can't afford a mansion. It shows furniture that you can buy now. Whether the exact item is in your price range, now you have an example of what kind of furniture and pieces will make your new place look its best. If these pieces are too expensive, you can look for dupes at Ikea or Bob's Discount Furniture (which is one of my favorites!).

Click the picture for the full article!

xx,

Monique

Monique's Life #3 - Swap!

My friends and I are currently in the process of organizing a swap! Personally, I'm really excited. We've decided that this swap can include almost anything that anyone doesn't want to keep.

• Clothes
• Accessories
• Makeup
• Skincare
• Perfume
• .. Literally anything

Here's the thing though.. There has to be rules for this to work efficiently. (And to prevent arguments, haha.)

These are the ones we came up with:

1. Everyone has to bring stuff! (aka no mooching)
2. No single person can "claim" or "put dibs on" items. (fair trading)
3. Items have to be in good condition! (no 95% empty bottles of lotion or your oldest, most worn out pair of jeans)

Comment below with any rules you'd add! I'll most likely do a follow-up post after we do the swap!!

xx,
Monique

Tiny Tip #3 - Online Shopping

Online shopping can be addicting. I mean who doesn't want to get new, exciting stuff delivered to your door without spending hours aimlessly walking around the mall? Or you're in a pinch and need something right away but don't have any time to run to the store? I get it. I completely understand having a serious shopping problem myself.

But I cannot stand paying for shipping. That's why if I order online, I will buy enough to meet the minimum dollar amount for free shipping (if it's within reason). Or I will look for what I want on another website that offers free shipping year round.

Here are a few with free shipping/returns all year round:

Nordstrom
Tobi
MAC Cosmetics
Zappos

** Will update this list if I come across anymore.

xx,
Monique

Monique's Life #2 - Lunch Time in the Real World

I am currently doing my second internship (unpaid), and during both of my internships, I found that bringing lunch is way more affordable (and healthy). At my last internship, I worked 5 days a week, but at my current one, I only work 2 days a week (because it's unpaid). That's a lot of meals to plan. I usually make mine the Sunday before or the night before work, which lets me sleep in. I've found that buying groceries is so much cheaper than going out on my lunch break to pick up something. Going out to lunch averages around $10.00 each time, while packing lunch averages around $5.00 for me. You can buy from any supermarket or in bulk from CostCo or BJ's. Dinner leftovers are excellent to bring to work as well.

Here are a few of my favorite packed lunches!

• Turkey burger with avocado & lettuce on whole wheat bread
• Quinoa (which is sort of like rice but healthier) with cherry tomatoes, spinach, avocado & a pinch of salt
• Mixed greens salad with walnuts, apple chunks, dried cranberries, goat cheese or feta and balsamic vinaigrette on the side
• Grilled chicken can be added to any kind of salad to make it more filling

And can't forget about the snacks!

• Cashews
• Grapes
• Blackberries
• Cheezits (my personal favorite)
• Pretzel Goldfish

In need of different and easy food to make? I love YouTube for finding anything, and I love this channel, Sorted Food. They provide funny videos where they create an endless amount of recipes that anyone can make. I highly suggest browsing through their videos for some inspiration if you think making your lunches might be to hard or boring. And you can always tailor the recipe to satisfy your taste buds, wallet, or time crunch.

P.S. Always pack a super large bottle of water to keep hydrated!!

xx,

Monique

Tiny Tip #2 - Selling Textbooks

Colleges everywhere will hate me for saying this, but under no circumstances should you sell your textbooks back to the school bookstore! From my experience, you can ALWAYS make more by selling to websites. They'll pay for shipping and you can use the box it came in or find packaging around your house. If you don't have anything, I usually get a package from the UPS store for around 2 dollars.

Personally, I prefer to sell to people I know who need textbooks I already used. It's easier and faster. For example, My friend Maura and I just so happened to both have books that the other needed for the semester. They didn't cost the same exact amount, but they were close enough, so we just traded! No bargaining, no hassle. Always ask around for textbooks or if you have a class Facebook group, scroll and check in there. It'll definitely be worth doing some extra research!

Summer is the perfect time to ask around and see what websites will give you the most money back.

My favorite sites:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Chegg

xx,
Monique

Monique's Life #1 - Out With Friends

Some of my friends have more money to spend than I do or they spend the money they have more freely. I know that I can't spend my money however I want. For me, I used to think I had to spend money to hang out, you know, go out to eat, get ice cream, go to the movies, etc. But I guess growing up taught me that this is definitely not the case.

There's this thing called FOMO. If some of you haven't heard of it, here's a definition from the always educating, UrbanDictionary.com:

Don't stress and definitely don't feel like you have to give into FOMO! There will always be other times to hang out. Or you could suggest doing something that's free. A movie night at someone's house (everyone can bring a snack from their house). Going hiking. Play board games or video games. Go outside and play a fun game of any sport or make one up. Seriously, there's an endless list. Be creative!

xx,
Monique