Cup of Snarky

Now that we have officially entered the fall season, many of you are wondering how to fit a new wardrobe into your already tight budget. Believe it or not, it is possible.
One thing to keep in mind is that stores often offer promotions if you spend a certain amount of money in a single transaction. For example, if you spend $20, you may receive a voucher for $10 off your next purchase. Split your transactions, buy sale items, and incentives like this can really add up! You can also search online for great deals. Sign up for email alerts from all your favorite stores. Many stores will email you a coupon just for signing up. Combine these tips for maximum savings when you reach the register to avoid robbing the piggy bank.

Another simple option is to not underestimate the versatility of any piece in your wardrobe. A little black dress can be paired with heals and pearls for a hot date, or a cardigan and flats for work. The key is to create a versatile wardrobe with minimum articles of clothing. Check the clearance racks for gems that can be paired with some accessories to create the perfect fall ensemble. That orange tank for $2 may look like it’s made for the beach, but paired with a cardigan, a simple necklace, and that pair of jeans that make your butt look awesome, and you have a great outfit to head out for lunch with your friends!

Speaking of friends, maybe you have some that have a closet full of clothes just gathering dust. Have fun with this by hosting a clothing swap party. Invite your friends to bring some of their unwanted clothing and accessories to trade. You may think that skirt you bought last winter is outdated, but it may be just the thing a friend is looking for. Likewise, your friend may show up with a beautiful gold necklace you just can’t live without. Trade those items and then head to the mall to spoil yourself with the money you have saved thanks to your favorite fashionistas.

If you have followed the above steps, you should still have some money in your budget. Take that money to discount stores to buy some of the staples. Leggings, layering shirts, and solid colored tops are all very easy to find inexpensively. You will save big bucks by incorporating a even few of these items into your wardrobe.

Sprucing up your wardrobe doesn’t have to bankrupt you. There are plenty of opportunities to lower your out of pocket cost while continuing to follow fashion trends. It may take a little bit of planning and creativity, but you will look and feel like a full blown fashionista!

Jessica Johnson is a contributing writer for Policy Expert, a site which helps people save money on insurance.

For the general motorcycle enthusiast, a little bit of knowledge can go a long way. In terms of any discussion of the cafe racers of the 60s, one of the best ways to fake one’s way into some pretty interesting conversations is to remember that the old bikes leaked oil. This isn’t necessarily true for all makes and all models, but it’s true enough that by mentioning the oil, most older bikers will be off and running with long stories about the best bike they ever had, the scariest moment on the road, and a lot of enigmatic smiles.

It was a different time, perhaps. Although there are still serious riders with mechanical interests, the ones who will start with a book on auto repair and work their way up to replacing heads on the engine, they are few and far between. The new bikes, including the modern classics , are generally easier to maintain, for the rider as well as for the mechanic. That’s not to say there are no problems, of course. Every motorcycle will have issues if ridden long enough because, even if it doesn’t go down (knock on the shiny side and keep it up), things eventually get loose or wear down. Tightening and replacing are always part of the deal, and fine adjustments will keep the bike alive for a very long time.

No matter how new or how old the motorcycle, then, a solid motorcycle manual is going to come in handy for everyone who rides. Those who are riding the new classics probably are well aware that the oil leaking is no longer a problem, but there is another very significant change in the last few years. The old school carburetors that give these bikes some of their most distinctively gorgeous features are now decorative features only. They’ve kept the covers so that the profile is very much the same as it was in the early 60s, but they are now fuel injected. It’s a very important distinction. While the benefits are obvious, with increased fuel efficiency, and a more dependable engine for cold weather, there are some things that are lost. The most nostalgic biker will likely have a profound sense of pride for the hours spent learning how to fix their own carburetors, and new riders will find that a little bit of information on repair will come in very handy. It may never come to good practical use, but it will certainly pay off in more than one conversation with veteran bikers, going over how things were “way back when,” to discover that it’s not very far away at all.

Everyone loves their car, truck or other automobile. Okay, so we’ll back that up a bit and not make it a blanket statement in absolutes. Many, if not most, people love their automobiles. And with that, another obsession for a lot of people is the type of cars that their favorite celebrities drive. Jesse James is well known for his costume made motorcycles and has enjoyed success with realty television. His West Coast Choppers is now internationally known, though he actually started the company in his mother’s garage in 1992. Meanwhile, he has managed to garner as much notoriety for his relationship, and lack of fidelity, with Sandra Bullock as he has for his work. Most recently, James’ reputation has suffered severely for his lack of fidelity, as well as discretion. However, his career with bikes, cars and trucks is what many people recognize and respect him for, and if he stays out of trouble, it is his work that is likely going to remain with him as his career continues.

by Mike Baird

Chrome wheels are just one of the features that specialized cars, trucks and motorcycles are known for. What many people seem to overlook is the absolute detail needs of cars, which is one of the things James is known for. It’s much like putting together a fashion model, every little detail counts, and the wheels, which might compare to shoes, are an essential aspect of any well designed vehicle. And as every professional knows, if you’re going to detail your auto, you must go all the way.

Of course for the pros like Jesse James, they take their vehicle passion and incorporate it into their lifestyle. No one is likely to forget the image of James pulling up in a pick up truck to his wedding with Bullock, and while the truck tires might be overlooked or even completely forgotten, you can be sure the truck was customized, down to the last detail. Not everyone has to go to such extremes, or turn their passion for their vehicle into a lifestyle, but many people do put an exorbitant amount of effort and money into the look of their car. And for those few of us who consider their vehicle for its functional element only, it makes little to no sense why some people would put as much money into the appearance and exterior of their auto as what they do to its maintenance. But then, to those that do, we don’t really even exist, except maybe as a potential fix up project or diamond in the rough.

Hypnotherapy has long been the subject of any number of rumors, myths and untruths. There is something very mysterious about hypnosis and perhaps that’s what leads many to make up their own truths about what they think it is. Some would even say this is a ‘mesmerizing’ topic. However it is now time to explore the myths and tall tales and lay some of the rumors to rest once and for all.

• Hypnosis is just a method of helping you achieve a deeply relaxed state of mind. You are not going to be ‘put to sleep’ and you are always going to remain aware of what is going on around you. Your subconscious will be a protective guide during any type of hypnotherapy experience.

Myth #2: Acting the Fool
Almost everyone has seen (or heard) the rumors of people who are hypnotized at a party or dinner theater and then proceed to act in a very stupid manner. You probably know some of these tales already. A woman is hypnotized and strips off all of her clothing. A well-educated man suddenly begins to flap his arms and crow like a rooster.

It is tempting to believe those ‘comedy theater’ routines but no one is going to act out of character simply as a result of hypnotherapy.

Myth #3: All Secrets Will Be Revealed
Many people have developed an irrational fear of hypnotherapy due to the fact that they have been told all of their personal secrets will be revealed a t the ‘drop of a hat’.

• The people that do say ‘embarrassing’ things while hypnotized are not being forced or tricked into doing so. They are willing participants and generally are not telling any of those truly ‘hidden secrets’.

Myth #4: Hypnosis is a Dangerous Activity
One of the top myths surrounding hypnotherapy is that this therapeutic technique is actually a very dangerous practice. Skeptics and uninformed individuals have long sought to discredit the practice of hypnotherapy based on their own doubts and fears.

• Hypnotherapy is very safe and you will not be coerced into saying or doing something that is totally out of character-unless you really want to.

• You can always awaken on your own. Each individual can refuse to be hypnotized. No one is going to become a puppet during a hypnotherapy session.

Myth #5: Once Hypnotized-Always Hypnotized
Again the myth is far superior to the actual truth. While hypnotic suggestions can help some individuals eliminate bad habits or even help others embrace ‘self-confidence and a positive attitude, being hypnotized will not transform anyone into a ‘trance controlled zombie’.

• Hypnosis produces a natural, relaxed feeling that some people can achieve without any outside assistance.

• No one can be hypnotized unless they are willing.

• You remain conscious even though you may appear to be deep within a hypnotic state.

• Those suggestions that may be told to you under hypnosis will only work if your subconscious is in agreement.

• Even the best hypnotic suggestions are ‘time-limited’. There is no way for a person to remain under hypnosis forever.

So if you are curious, have no fear. If you want to give it a try be sure to visit a certified therapist or try one of the many hypnosis CDs available.

Jennifer Aniston has moved in with her new beau Justin Theroux. The have a new home too – a three million dollar house in the Hollywood Hills. This is just a temporary rented home and they are expected to enter the real estate market real soon. Their new rental comes at a whopping $17,500 per month!!

So what do they get for that amount? Well, its a two bedroom, two bathroom house sized at 1,761 square feet. Jennifer’s previous home was a 10,000 square feet one in Beverly Hills and so that is quite a reduction in size!! Both Aniston and Theroux also have homes in New York City.

Their new romantic home is much more intimate and cozy and features a ozone pool and spa, three fireplaces, outdoor living patio and a hidden garden. It also has wonderful views of the surrounding Hollywood Hills. The master suite includes french doors and vaulted ceilings.

Jennifer’s goal with the new house was to simplify things in her life and get back to something a little more manageable. Her Beverly Hills home sold for thirty eight million and so it will be interesting to see what type of home she will be looking for next. By the way they also have an option to buy their rented house. It available for just three million dollars!!

Article provided by Refinance Calculator helping home buyers with real estate financing options.

Any time someone makes a reference to popular culture, there is a distinct possibility that there will be a visceral reaction from someone else in the room.  There are those who are far from its influence, shying away from any complex discussions of what some might consider mundane topics, or even keeping all mediums of communication limited.  There are others who really can’t help themselves, keeping all the lines and channels open, and making great efforts to keep up with the latest in everything.  Still others just have a special sense for the kitschiness of pop culture, drawn to it because it holds an endless supply of moments that are potentially delightful.

It’s one of the great pleasures, then, for those who are so wired to respond whenever an obscure television reference comes up, to discover new pockets of culture that feel the same.  It’s hard to call it a subculture, exactly, although there are those in Sydney who would call it an alternative phenomenon.  It’s just that by its very nature, pop culture is very much the stuff of the mainstream.  Perhaps it’s in the obsession and fanaticism that it starts to enter into another realm altogether.

However the definitions wash out, there are many options for the curious cultural adventure-seekers in Australia.  There are times of the year when one can step out of their Hilton Hotel Sydney location,

and walk into one of the most extravagant celebrations of pop in the world.  The Pop Culture Expo called Supanova is still in what might be called its rough beginnings, but it seems to be making a pretty smooth setting out.

This is well-trod territory, where celebrity appearances dot the conventions itinerary, and the events are all hyperlinked on all the latest digital devices.  What is original, however, and impossible to replicate, is the energy that the fans and participants bring.  Dressing up and going out as a living quotation from tv, film, music, etc., isn’t necessarily original, but it certainly becomes that whenever another generation invents it.  In Australia, it takes on some new and startlingly wonderful directions.

Some of the most significant, and often under-recognized, contributions to the phenomenon started here, after all, and it is the sort of place where 70s fashion is still not at all out of style.  Trends are set, and new identities are forged, in a remarkably visionary place, and pop culture enthusiasts from all over the world are likely to find themselves perfectly at home.  Here, differences and similarities in global pop culture rise to the surface, and participants have no choice but to engage in the celebration of everything.  A Sydney dining guide and a ticket to pop culture, and there’s a delightful time up ahead.

Financial problems and disagreements are the leading cause for divorce in the United States. In a marriage, each partner may have very different views of money and that’s when finances can get tricky. One spouse may not see savings as a priority while the other is strict in spending money. Following a plan can help keep money marriage woes at bay.

Be Open and Honest
One of the first steps to reducing financial tensions is to be honest with one another before saying the I do’s. Chances are both partners will have some financial debt from the beginning. Going over your credit history and any unpaid balances together will go a long way. When you marry, you bring each other’s debt together (it’s the not-so-glamorous part of marriage) so building a plan before marriage will save you stress later down the road. No one wants to keep financial secrets only to have those debts exposed unexpectedly. Hiding debt from your spouse will only create strain and distrust in a marriage. When it comes to money honesty is the best policy.

Share Your Dreams
Communicate with each other regarding your future plans and dreams. Find what priorities you both share and build a plan to make your shared dreams happen. Is it finishing school? Or buying a house? Whatever it may be it’s important to agree on your future plans and agree on how you plan to make your dreams a reality.

Set the Mood
Set the mood…the money mood that is. Choose a time that both you and your spouse are relaxed to discuss finances. After a stressful day at work the last thing one wants to think of is money and bills. Set the stage for a calm atmosphere. Turn off the television and sit down to a peaceful environment to talk about your finances. If need be, step outside to some fresh air. Wherever you choose to have a discussion on money be sure it’s a suitable time and place.

Assign
Appointing one individual to pay the majority of the bills is helpful for many couples. If one spouse is more responsible with paying bills on time it may be good idea to assign that person to the job. Then there can be no arguing if someone forgets and pays a bill late.

Not in front of the Kids
Keep money problems a topic to be discussed away from the kids. Set a good example for your children when it comes to finances. Arguing over how your wife or husbands excess spending is going to take away from Junior’s college fund will only give a negative view of money and marriage. Show your children that marriage is about uniting together not bring each other down.

Other factors you and your spouse may want to look into are different insurance policies to protect your assets. Always be sure to compare home insurance rates to make sure you are keeping as much money in your pocket as possible.

It’s not as easy to connect nurture and nature as it once was, especially when it comes to things as complex as contemporary culture.  While there are connections between environment and behavior, they start to take on a very different characteristic when they enter into the realm of popular imaginations.  More often than not, if there is a slight possibility of turning it into a lifestyle, Southern California will somehow find a way to lay claims on it.

In many cases, of course, the claims are legitimate.  SoCal is one of those unique places that not only has an intense and vibrant local cultural history, but has an equal draw on cultures from all over the world, so there is a constant sense that this is an experiment in process.  Rockabilly and Hot Rod culture have been an interesting part of that experiment for over a decade now, and the origins are likely to be elsewhere, but they do come to take root in Southern California for the same reasons that icons still find their seedbeds here.

It’s likely that someone looking for wheels for hot rods is simply trying to make something look nicer and more attractive, combining style and function.  But a little history of the hot rod and Rockabilly demonstrates that it’s also participating in a larger framework.

Both the music and the car culture have their origins in the post-War U.S.  In the case of Rockabilly, the center of the storm is much further to the east, in the heart of the South.  This is where Jazz first started to link with country music, when the slap bass evolved to make a music that was not only catchy to the audiences, but also interesting for the musicians who were eager to innovate emerging cultural forms and forces.  With hot rods, there is a similar bend toward combining, but here the combination was a unique blend of the old and the new.  Vintage cars fueled with new technologies and innovations in auto mechanics gave the youthful car culture an opportunity to test their chops to build something stylish and remarkably fast.

Both of these trends have their inspirations in a culture that was coming of age after a long and horrible war.  Increased resources after a long period of want, and an energy to do something new, to make something happen, all combined in this particular cultural moment to make unusual combinations that made perfect sense.  And Southern California was the perfect testing grounds for these things to come together.  Today, it may not matter so much if nature or nurture contributes more to their continuing, and often increasing popularity, because style seems to have a way of replicating itself and insuring its own survival.  It’s as beautiful as any movie.

If you’re like me, then shopping for that perfect outfit can be a nightmare. No matter what your size, you’ve likely had that “oh wow that looks awful” moment. Trying on clothes in those tiny, hot and horribly lit dressing rooms is supposed to be fun isn’t it? Then why is the music always blaring and the sales people always rude?

When you are wearing a size 22, however, you’re faced with even more roadblocks. It’s hard to find that cute or sexy outfit you saw the super model wearing on the runway last night. The designers today don’t seem to know how to cater to plus size beauties or maybe they just don’t want to try. We have begun to see a bit more excitement over “plus size” models but, of course, somehow it’s just not the same.

The problem for me and many others is that we just don’t know where or what to look for. We’re not sure of what is flattering on our figures. We are tempted to try new looks but even if we do know what the latest fashion trends are, where do we find our size?

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. When shopping, the first thing we must do is be confident. Don’t be embarrassed because you wear an 18 or 24 instead of an 8. We are all beautiful and we all come in different shapes and sizes. Be proud of what you have and rock it with confidence.

2. Don’t always assume that the shapeless dress or long shirt is going to work. Sometimes that shapeless piece hides the good features as well. Try to find something that draws attention to your favorite features and curves.

3. Find colors that compliment your features, such as your hair and skin tone. Anyone can browse online to find what shape they are and what colors are right for them. It just takes a little time and research to discover what you love most about yourself and then find colors that really make those areas stand out.

4. Be bold with colors and accessories. Show your personality. Accessories are one of the easiest things to buy as a plus size woman since it’s more of a one-size-fits all world when it comes to accenting our outfits with accessories.

5. Take a friend with you. Shopping alone is never fun. That special friend can be honest and tell you what looks good and what doesn’t instead of the skinny girl working the counter.

Some of the trends I’ve come across this year are, long summer dresses, long sleeve cardigans and elbow length sweaters in bold colors, long shirts and skinny jeans. Yes ladies, we to can wear skinny jeans if matched with a long shirt or sweater. The idea is to keep the shirt or sweater not too short and not too tight. No matter what the trend may be or what it may become, we can look our best. We can have fun with the clothes we choose to wear. Everyone has their own style and just because we might be bigger than the girl next door doesn’t mean we have to wear the clothes grandmother wore. Whatever your style, wear it with confidence and you will always be following the latest trend.

Olivia Williams is a health, fitness and beauty blogger who believes that self-confidence is the number one way to rock any outfit. Whether it’s letting your inner beauty shine naturally or allowing you to feel better about aging with occasional Botox injections, Olivia believes there is no right or wrong way to do beauty.

TLC’s new television show, Extreme Couponing, has been a huge hit. This show revolves around “couponers” who collect massive amounts of coupons and get hundreds of dollars worth of products for a couple of dollars. These women spend countless hours during the week perusing through newspaper inserts, online coupons and some even go to the extreme of dumpster diving for coupons.

Each person has their own system and method of couponing, some have rooms full of newspaper inserts while others use a binder with baseball card dividers to organize their coupons. When first watching the show, these people seem crazy, let’s be honest who wants to stand in line with a whole binder full of coupons and argue with the clerk as to whether or not you can stack manufacturer coupons with store coupons. Once you start watching though, it becomes fascinating. These women literally get hundreds of dollars of groceries for pennies, it’s hard to even fathom that there are that many coupons available and that they can all be combined.

Another thing that becomes apparent while watching the show is the amount of organization these people need to make sure they buy all the correct items at the correct time. These people have a very methodic system in which they utilize formulas and mathematical equations to know exactly how much money they expect to spend and save.

Because of this show, coupon has now become a verb, it has become a phenomenon in which people are devoting their time and energy towards being thrifty. There are even blogs and workshops that teach you specifically how to coupon. After reading the steps, it is apparent that to get started you need to start slow, rather than jump right in.

Online and newspaper inserts are a great way to find coupons, many companies will have online specials or deals, for example, Next Day Blinds coupons are available online. Also, many stores will allow you to take home the extra Sunday papers left over on Monday.

Tune into Extreme Couponing on Wednesdays at 9: 30 PM Eastern Time.