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{Honesty is Free} What Does the “Fab Life” Mean to You?

Published on June 27, 2012December 27, 2012 by Danielle YB Vason5 Comments

So I took a little hiatus…okay, well a longer one than expected, but I am back with a vengeance. I needed some time to have new experiences so that I can have something exciting yet honest to write about. To be honest, the original idea behind this site was to inform and inspire ways to use your “cents” to live a fab life. Along the way, I believe I got off target. So as we prepare for our upcoming one year mark (March 1^stJ), I want to take things back to basics. To do so, I’ll start with a simple question; what is the fab life? My answer could be ever-changing, but at the moment, great people, great food, great fashions, great adventures, great love, great leaps of faith, and a greatly styled place to come home to.

Fab People

Fab Fashions

Fab Adventures

Fab Love

Fab Faith

Fab Home

So that is what I’m going to write about…how to get the fab life without breaking the bank, my budget, or my financial integrity. I hope you join me along the way and learn from both my successes and my failures. That’s life and sometimes, you don’t learn the lesson until you fall on your face and have to get back up.

Talk to me! What is the “fab life” to you?

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Missoni for Target!

Published on September 13, 2011 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

I checked out Target today and there was nothing left on the racks!

Did I mention that due to overwhelming activity, target.com is temporarily down? I guess I will have to reminisce on my older posts…

It looks like Italian brand, Missoni, is the latest Designer Collaboration for Target. Designer Collaborations is an expansion of Target’s existing designer fashion program and each collection is available only for a limited time. This particular collaboration will only be available at select store between September 13^th – October 22^nd.. Designer Collaborations is a unique program that features well-established designers who draw inspiration from a collaborative partner, muse or creative element. It is a new and exciting way of delivering the latest styles to our contemporary female guests at the prices they expect from Target.

In the meantime, check some of my favs from the Missoni Brand:

Did I mention that Missoni has also tapped into knits for your home?

As I get more info, I will pass it along…

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Missoni for Target!

Published on August 4, 2011August 4, 2011 by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

This is a sneak peek so…this is all the information I have.

It looks like Italian brand, Missoni, is the latest Designer Collaboration for Target. Designer Collaborations is an expansion of Target’s existing designer fashion program and each collection is available only for a limited time. This particular collaboration will only be available at select store between September 12^th – October 22^nd.. Designer Collaborations is a unique program that features well-established designers who draw inspiration from a collaborative partner, muse or creative element. It is a new and exciting way of delivering the latest styles to our contemporary female guests at the prices they expect from Target.

In the meantime, check some of my favs from the Missoni Brand:

Did I mention that Missoni has also tapped into knits for your home?

As I get more info, I will pass it along…

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Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

How the Debt Deal Affects You, Your Future, & Your Money

Published on August 2, 2011April 19, 2013 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak on the debt deal today at 12:15 pm. While people are spending quality time giving their opinions on what was decided and placing blame, I would rather take this time to explain exactly how some of the decisions will directly affect YOU! To be honest, I haven’t been following the “debt ceiling crisis” of 2011 because it quickly became childish with Twitter wars and the blame game. One thing I know for sure is that undergrads and postgraduate students will be hit hard. As a means to recover funds to keep the nation from further defaulting on their loans, the government has decided to end subsidized loans for graduate students. Subsidized loans are loans that do not accrue interest as long as you are still in school. Traditionally, you would begin to pay the loan with interest back 6 months after you get your degree. Now, graduate students will have to start paying on their loans while in school. CNN Money adds, “Under the agreement, a special credit for all students who make 12 months of on-time loan payments would also be axed.”

What about the undergrads?

I remember a time when I thought that you go to high school and get good grades so that you will get into a great college. You then go to a great college and continue to get good grades so that you will graduate, get a great job or continue for your Masters, JD, or Med School. Like magic, I thought this was the automatic path for good students. It wasn’t until I graduated from Spelman that I realized exactly how poor the economy was. I also learned during that time that my competition in the work field and for graduate school was not only recent grads, but also older adults who have been in working and building their resume’s for years. That was my first major adult reality check.

What about the undergrads looking for entry to graduate school? Or even people like me looking to go back to school to get another degree. As I see it, education is getting more expensive and unfortunately, students who would benefit from expounding their knowledge in their intended field are forced to place economics over education. Does it make you feel better to know that the cuts are expected to save the government $21.6 billion (with a B) over the next ten years….?

What do you think?

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The Best Day to Book Cheap Flights is…

Published on July 5, 2011July 1, 2020 by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments

You have decided the destination. I bet you can even picture yourself on the beach sipping something fabulous while rocking your new bikini purchased especially for this moment. What’s next? Well you can’t be a summer jet setter without a flight. So what are you waiting on? Well, a budget savvy frugalista would answer- the best deal on a ticket.

Timing is everything

Did you know the most expensive days to book flights are Fridays and Sundays? My theory is that people are trying to leave after the workweek on Friday and be back before the workweek begins again on Monday. It goes back to simple supply and demand. So when exactly is the best time to buy? Well the answer to that depends on who you ask, however the consensus appears to be either Tuesday or Wednesday. Fare Compare even goes as far to suggest that you purchase your tickets for domestic travel on Tuesday at 3pm (Eastern Time) because prices tend to go up on Thursday for the increased weekend rates. Now it is time to figure out what day you will fly. If you are looking to further your savings and have the availability, try to schedule your flight for Wednesday morning. According to Fare Compare, “Wednesday is one of the three cheapest days, the others are Tuesday and Saturday (Friday and Sunday the most expensive days to travel). The cheapest days to travel internationally are a bit different”.

Discount Tickets

Travel Zoo: this is site the “Google” of travel searches. It allows you to compare multiple travel sites in one search. You simply type in your intended date of departure and whether your trip is one-way or roundtrip and Travel Zoo does the rest.

Hotwire: “No booking fees. Ever” is the motto that they are known for. This site offers deals up to 40% off with a daily feature of called “Today’s Top Deal”. In addition to their great savings, Hotwire features the link, Trip Watcher, which alerts you about price drops on trips that you want.

Travelocity: US cities on sale now for $79+. Just so happens, a “low fare alert” for Atlanta popped up today.

There’s an App for That!

I get emails all of the time for special offers and rates. Let technology work for you by signing up for email updates, signing up for “low fare alerts” from discount travel sites like the ones mentioned above, and check out the App Store and the Android Market. Most of the airline companies have become more technologically savvy and created an app for their loyal customers. It’s worth checking out!

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Man Men Inspired Collection from Banana Republic

Published on July 5, 2011July 6, 2011 by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

It’s Ba-na-nas!!!!

Banana Republic and AMC are proud to announce the first-ever limited edition “Mad Men” inspired collection for men and women. The collection is designed by Banana Republic in collaboration with “Mad Men” Emmy^® Award-winning Costume Designer Janie Bryant and will be carried in Banana Republic’s North American stores and online at www.bananarepublic.com beginning August 11, 2011 (my birthday… yay me!). While I have heard great things about the show, I’ve never actually watched it; however, I am quite familiar with the shows’ fashions and its impact on our culture. Even the folk over at Barbie recognized the trends of the series with their own Mad Men inspired collection:

The Banana Republic “Mad Men” capsule offers a modern take on the cool polish and panache of the 1960s era through the Banana Republic lens of affordable luxury and noticeable quality. The collection features nearly 65 pieces of apparel and accessories for men and women, embodying the style tenants of the time – effortlessly chic, dressed-up American sportswear. What was once old is now new again and take it from me, I can’t wait. According to the press release from Gap, Inc., “The women’s pieces are modern yet lady-like including chic trench coats, tailored dresses, high-waisted skirts, silk tie-neck blouses and statement accessories, like print scarves and leopard print pump heels.” In fact, the pieces described are also some of the feminine pieces that every woman should have in her wardrobe. Click here to see what else made the fashions basic list.

I hear good things come to those who wait, but you know that can be hard… so for those of you, like me, who want to know what the collection looks like before
August.

Check out some of my favorite looks in this sneak peek courtesy of Banana Republic via the Frisky:

Want to gain early access to a pre-sale of the full collection? Become a Facebook fan of Banana Republic (facebook.com/bananarepublic) and preview the sale on August 10, 2011.

What do you think about the fashions you saw? Let us know in the comment box!

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Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale 2011

Published on July 4, 2011July 6, 2011 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

Heads Up!! One of my favorite stores, Nordstrom, is getting ready for their Anniversary Sale. Want to score outstanding savings on the hottest fall trends before the season starts? Duh, of course you do. Beginning July 15^th, you can shop next seasons fashions for less at the biggest sale of the year. To kick it off, Nordstrom is hosting special store hours but remember prices go up August 1^st.

Check out my favs from their Anniversary Sale Catalog (sneak peak):

Check out my tweeps from Nordstrom @Nordstrom!!

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Old Navy and Operation Care and Comfort (OCC)

Published on July 4, 2011July 1, 2020 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

Operation: Care & Comfort

In honor of military troops and their families and to celebrate the 2011 Independence Day, Old Navy announced that its entire U.S. fleet of about 1,000 stores will host Operation Troop Donation: a donation drive from July 1 – 4 to collect essential items needed by the men and women serving our country, away and at home. Shop in stores and donate suggested items like basic tees, underwear, socks and flip flops, or make a cash donation with Old Navy matching up to a total of $100,000. Items such as unused personal care items (e.g. hand sanitizer, lip balm, sun screen, soap) are also being collected by armed services volunteers at all Old Navy locations, which will then be sorted, packaged and shipped to troops by Operation: Care and Comfort.

You Can Help:

Most Requested Items:

Food:

Beef jerky, microwavable meals, soups (no pork please)

Hygiene:
Mach III Razor and cartridges, dental supplies

Entertainment:
DVDs, CDs

Miscellaneous:
AA and AAA Batteries, AT&T Phone Cards

Items may be shipped to, or dropped off at either of our two main locations below:

Operation: Care and Comfort
2392 Walden Square
San Jose, CA 95124

Hours: Any

American Red Cross
Operation: Care and Comfort
2731 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95134

Office Hours:
9am-5pm, Monday through Friday

You Can Help:
Donating Money

Our program accepts cash donations to cover the cost of shipping packages overseas.

All donations are tax deductible and will be used specifically for this program.

At over $1 a pound, donations to cover shipping costs is our greatest need.

Please make checks payable to:

Operation: Care and Comfort

Please mail checks to:

Operation: Care and Comfort
2392 Walden Square
San Jose, CA 95124

Credit card donations are accepted online.

Old Navy customers who participate by making a donation whether in product or cash will receive a 10 percent discount off their entire purchase in-store that day. “Operation: Care and Comfort is thrilled to continue ‘Operation Troop Donation’ with Old Navy in 2011,” stated President and Co-founder Julie DeMaria. “The enthusiastic support by the public to our cause is humbling, and the outpouring of gratitude from our military personnel abroad and at home has been tremendous. We can’t wait to do it again, and thank Old Navy for their ongoing support of our service members, Veterans and their families.” Tom Wyatt, President of Old Navy adds, “Old Navy is proud to continue our support of the men and women who serve our country. Operation Troop Donation is a great way to allow our customers to show their support as well.”

For more information, visit the Operation: Care and Comfort website, or the Old Navy Facebook page.