Indulging in the Good Times

Inauguration on the National Mall!

I was talking to my friend Jaime today and we both decided that sometimes, a little indulgence is just what you need. Whether it’s a manicure, a grilled cheese sandwich, or some serious R&R on the couch, we all deserve a little break, so don’t give yourself a hard time about it! 

When it’s this cold outside, it’s hard to be out and about. Here’s what I’ve been doing to try and remain as f&F as possible:

1. Do errands in bulk. Plan during the day what you need to get done after work and make a route that’s quick so you don’t have to back-track!

2. Walk there, cab back. Sometimes being frugal and fabulous is not getting frostbite on your nose. Just saying. It was 18 degrees in Dupont at 10pm last night. Not worth the extra $7 in pocket.

3. Make lunch! My friend made this amazing sandwich with avocado, sprouts, sun dried tomatoes and tzadziki. I’m going to have to get her fine chef self to write a guest blog on the art of making healthy lunches!

4. Split the difference. Use the buddy system and save money on food, cabs, reusable items. 

5. Turbotax.com Get that return and don’t leave it to the last second!!

xoxo maranda 

Find of the Week

At $4.99, this exceptional jewelry cleaner can be found at your local CVS. Tried and tested, this product is as good as advertised.

Contain-Her Madness

Hello you lovely lovely people! I’m back with some fun ideas to help us all get a little kick-start to our spring clean a la Container Store. A few days ago, I wrote a new years post revealing my newfound inspiration to reduce clutter at my place and find some peace of mind with low cost. It doesn’t have to be tedious or expensive – I’m serious you guys this store is awesome. Check out some ideas below:

Sexy Sleek Jewelry Hanger – Find Similar Here

Scarf Hanger – cute and convenient

Essential Makeup Organizer – looks gorgeous on your bathroom sink

Kiva Rectangular Bins – Catalogue your DVD collection, books, you name it!

Happy f&F shopping!!

Beauty Tips and Tricks: Sample Society

Part of being frugal & fabulous is creating new ways to stave off those shopping addictions we all are prone to, especially during the holiday season. As for me, I have constant cravings for beauty and hair products, but I have no time between work, errands, and social outings to research the scoop on all the best products.

So, I have decided to treat myself to joining the Sample Society by BeautyBar.com partnered with Allure Magazine. For $15 per month, I receive 5 deluxe sample sizes of products in the mail, along with a subscription to Allure magazine and a $15 coupon towards a $50 beauty purchase.

Sample Products from beautybar.com

I’m not sure about you guys, but I LOVE getting mail and the idea of little beauty treats coming to my door every month is enough to get me interested. $15 is the cost of an over-priced salad, half of a bus trip to NYC, or a manicure. f&F, here we come!

How to Deal with Mean People

This blog is all about positivity. We are all happy people here and like attracts like. Still, there comes a time in every young woman’s life when she realizes that there are people out there who are just one step away from raining on our parades.

I was reminded of this over the weekend when an old friend introduced me to a girl that he’s been seeing recently. Quite simply, and for no reason at all, she was incorrigible. Everything I said elicited a retaliatory remark, the dressy yet conservative outfit I was wearing was too seductive for her taste, and I was even accused (in front of the entire party, no less) of dating her new man. Nice though he is, the friend was just a friend.

We can’t help that there are people like this in the world, no more than we can avoid bad luck or heavy traffic. The way we are measured though is the grace and civility with which we react to such situations.

Instead of listening to Taylor Swift’s Top 20 hit “Mean” on repeat, which believe me, I’ve done, try these tips which should at least afford our classy and fabulous selves to adequately deal with these impossible persons.

1. It’s Not Your Fault – Mean people are just mean. What helps is knowing that it truly isn’t about you. Most likely, it’s an insecurity which causes the person to blow a normal situation out of proportion in order to divert attention away from them. It’s a defense tactic where the person overcompensates for what they see as a personality flaw. If he or she acts this way to you, they probably do it to everyone. Don’t take it personally.
2. Protect Yourself – Mean people have a way of getting to us because their day job is making their business finding out our own insecurities and using them to hurt us. Their jabs hurt because they are intentional and specific. Use your self-esteem and confidence to be conscious of what they are doing and to put yourself at ease. Don’t let them break you!
3. Rise Above It – We all know that phrase, “Be the better man.” Employing the tactic seems cowardly and inefficient when dealing with bullies, but with a mean person, it’s almost effective every time. If you aren’t defensive, avoid anger, and give nothing away, you win. You will walk away feeling better knowing that you are the superior person. He or she will walk away smug, but honestly feeling like a piece of crap.

Remember: good always triumphs over evil. We may find that being nice is not the fastest route to get somewhere but we emerge from the other side with a good reputation and resilience. What could be more fabulous than that?

DC Brunches

Hey all you Brunch lovers,

Here in the District, Brunch is like the fourth meal. It’s a staple of the weekend here, and as much as I love a bloody mary, racking up these brunches can get pretty expensive. That’s why I have compiled a list for your culinary pleasure of places (some unexpected) in the city that does a good brunch for $10 or less per entree. I know, how ever very f&F?

1. Busboys & Poets – 4TH & V 2021 14th St NW or 5TH & K 1025 5th Street NW

This place is hipster, flat out, but it’s a really relaxed place to eat. Lounging on couches and surrounded by books, it’s got a real study place vibe. This place is good to go with just one other friend as the seating can be awkward with bigger groups. Last time, I had the greek salad and it was phenomenal.

2. Firefly – 1310 New Hampshire Avenue, NW

This restaurant did not make the list primarily because of food, although the food is good. The real kicker here is $2 Bloody Marys and Mimosas. Not enough places do this anymore and my brunch beverage bill gets a little out of control or I’m not allowed to have more than one and I get really cranky. Bottom line, this is a cute accessible place in Dupont with a great atmosphere.

3. Hotel Tabard Inn – 1739 N Street Northwest

This little cute inn has a fabulous brunch menu and has a true 1920s feel. You may dine in the lounge, a little more romantic, or at one of the tables inside the restaurant. This is a great place to go with your boyfriend on a Saturday morning. Must get: Tabard’s own Freshly Fried Donuts. To.Die.For. If you don’t mind waiting 30-40minutes, its a good idea to make a res since the hotel guests will get first priority.

4. Le Pain Quotidien – 2815 M Street Northwest

The only chain in the city I would trust to do brunch the right way. I’m sure you’ve heard about this place before, sometimes called “LPQ” but I was surprised to stumble upon it on a Sunday afternoon at peak brunch hours. They always have a fabulous array of delicious pastries and their bread is amazing with their hazelnut and white chocolate spreads. Worth checking out if your’re headed to Georgetown for the day.

5. Founding Farmers – 1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Warning: Drinks are expensive (but really strong) AND make a reservation

This place is an old favorite. As a recent grad of GW, I have been going to this place for about five years and I’m obsessed. My friend Dana and I call it our date place since we go there so often. I said it once and I’ll say it again, make a reservation! That is, if you don’t want to sit at the bar. Waiting for tables is the worst at this place. Favorite items on the menu? Drag through the Garden scramble and Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup. Also, it should be noted that the mashed potatoes side is out of this world.

I hope you guys are ready to brunch! xoxo M

Fabulous Youuuuu

Whenever I move into a new place, I have a few rituals that I realized over the years. I’m the kind of person who needs to put up pictures and wall hangings up before I even think about organizing my furniture. To me, it just won’t make sense without establishing that sense of home. Another ritual I have is making my place a reflection of where I want to be.

This year’s theme? The beach. Ever since I could remember, I have loved the beach. Growing up in Westport, CT, I used to bike to the beach as a kid and play on the playground until dusk. Now as an adult, I visit my family in Hermosa Beach, CA and just enjoy those beautiful rays walking by the water.

The beach is and has always been a reminder of home, so that is what I have endeavored to decorate my apartment with. My color scheme is brown, light blue, and beige and my furniture has a nautical theme, compliments of IKEA, the furniture deal of the century.

For a housewarming gift, my mother sent me a gorgeous vase filled with sand and shells from  the Westport beach of my childhood. I arranged the vase on top of a mirror base on my coffee table and placed candles and a shell necklace surrounding it.

This simple fixture in my apartment helps to pull my theme together but also makes me feel truly home. If you haven’t already, explore your creative side and find innovative ways to make your apartment a reflection of a truly fabulous you.