{Every Woman Should…} Have An Updated Passport

“You don’t have enough stamps in your passport”… (In my Jay-z voice)

 I had dinner a couple of weeks ago with a friend (hi Rashell) who mentioned that when she gets the opportunity to speak, one on one, with more seasoned women, she asks them, “if you can do it all over, what would you do differently”? I thought this was a very interesting question that could provide a great life lessons. So, when I got the opportunity to ask the same question to some women I know, I was surprised by one subject that continued to come up- TRAVEL. It made me think of a conversation with someone very close to me who told me that she never thought she would reach this point in her life and never seen the world. Her answer prompted a very simple follow up question from me, why not? Her answer – time and money. This conversation has stuck in my mind since early this year, giving me the extra push to get myself together before I’m looking back thinking shoulda, coulda, woulda, myself. I believe every woman should have a passport whether one has travel plans or not. It’s a first step that provides options to go nearly anywhere in the world and the freedom to do it when you want. Looking back, I am saddened by that particular conversation, but also blessed by the lesson learned. Life is short and while I enjoy making a list of all of the things I want to do while here on Earth, it’s more important to actually start crossing some things off! I got my passport in the mail last week. Number 12 of my bucket list is now crossed off with the plan to have a couple of stamps in it before the start of 2013. 

For more information about the passport application and renewal procedures, click here!

Lets Connect!

FACEBOOK |TWITTER |RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

College Students: How to Save Up To 80% on your Textbooks

Danielle YB Vason's avatarshemakescents

Rent Books from Amazon

As an English major at Spelman College, I could easily spend $500 on books for one semester. It all depended on the classes and professors that I put on my schedule. While some classes required one or two major textbooks that cost a fortune, other classes required several books at a time and no you did NOT get the “hookup” if your professor wrote the book (s/o to Dr. Harper at Spelman College and her Langston Hughes class). Did I mention that I took a full load every semester for two and a half year straight, which meant a lot of books?

Rent Textbooks Electronically from. . .

Luckily, the college students of today do not have to worry about that. Today, Amazon.com announced the launch of Kindle Textbook Rental–now students can save up to 80% off textbook list prices by renting from the Kindle Store. Tens of…

View original post 365 more words

{Fashion DIY} Fabulous Monogrammed Wristlet

I came across this picture sometime last week while browsing through Pinterest and I fell in love. It’s a Fashion DIY from the blog, Little Green Notebook. Based off the great job that Jenny did, I thought I would try it. August is a busy month for birthdays (including mine) and I thought something cute, simple, personalized, and most important, not terribly expensive, would be a great gift.  I thought to myself, buying something like this will cost you $$$, but DIYing it could be fun and worth and the savings.  So immediately, the Mr. and I drove to the closest H&M to see what wristlet I could find to try this project out on. Unfortunately, I did not see the same pattern as pictured below, but it made me remember this cute little Chevron patterned wristlet I saw on Esty (I’m totally going through a Chevron phase). 

Check out my inspiration picture!

Pinned Image

Photo Credit: Little Green Notebook

Click here to see Jenny’s project from start to finish!

Lets Connect!

FACEBOOK |TWITTER |RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

5 Healthy Spa Treatments You Can Do From Home

Credit: Andirou.tumblur.com

Lets Connect!

FACEBOOK |TWITTER |RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

{Sneak Peek} Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale Catalog Preview

I told you I would feed your fashion fix with sneak peek from the Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale Catalog. I present to you three of my favorite pages.

Check it out!

To see more looks from the Anniversary Sale Catalog, click here!

What are you looking for to seeing on SALE?

FACEBOOK |TWITTER |RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

{Thank You Fashion Gods}Target & Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection

Christmas in July!

Target and Neiman Marcus, two visionaries in the retail industry, today announced a revolutionary partnership that will bring together 24 of America’s most talented designers to create a limited-edition holiday collection. Beginning Dec. 1, just in time for the busy holiday shopping season, the collection will be available at all Target and Neiman Marcus stores, as well as online at Target.com and NeimanMarcus.com.

The Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection includes an eclectic and diverse mix of more than 50 limited-edition gifting products. The collection ranges from $7.99 to $499.99, with most items less than $60. Designers who created pieces for the collection include:

For decades, Target and Neiman Marcus have shared a commitment to incredible design and innovative retail experiences. By partnering together, the retailers are harnessing the power of both their beloved brands to offer shoppers a truly unforgettable holiday collection. To celebrate the unprecedented partnership, Target and Neiman Marcus are donating a total of $1 million to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The donation underscores the retailers’ long-standing commitment to fostering design talent and recognizes the 24 designers, all of whom are members of the CFDA.

“I can think of no better finale to CFDA’s 50th Anniversary celebration than through this extraordinary designer collaboration,” said CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg. “As designers, creativity is our best gift, and with the generous support of Neiman Marcus and Target, we are happy to have created specially designed products as a thank you to share with our consumers and friends.”

More information about the Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection, including details about the products created by each designer for this limited-edition engagement, will be available in the fall of 2012. In the meantime, updates on the partnership will be shared via ABullseyeView.com and NMdaily.com. On Twitter, design enthusiasts can follow @ABullseyeView or @NeimanMarcus, #Holiday24 and as always I will post updates at She Makes Cents!

Share the Love by Sharing the Post!

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

{From Glamour Mag} 30 Things Every Woman Should Have or Know by 30

In 1997, Glamour Magazine released an article entitled 30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30 by Pamela Redmond Satran. Being that in 97, I was… well, not really thinking about myself at the age of 30, I didn’t even remember it the first go round. Apparently, it was an email phenomena that people of my generation missed. What I find interesting is that the list is still relevant 15 years later (as 30 is not too far from my site line). Based off Satran’s list, I have crossed off 20 out of 30, which ain’t bad!

According to Satran, by 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

Even more amazing is that Santran has expanded it into a book, that from what I hear is a page turner.  

Read More : Original Source

How Many Things Can You Cross Off?

cropped-logo-twitter2014.jpg  Visit SMC on Facebook  Visit SMC on Twitter  Visit SMC on Twitter  Visit SMC  Email SMC

shemakescents{at}gmail {dot}com |  Instagram  @shemakescents