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DRESS TO IMPRESS FOR LESS!

With the current high rate of unemployment, the competition for jobs is fierce. That's why it is more important than ever to make a great first impression on that all important job interview. But that doesn't mean you have to go out and by an expensive suit.

I am going to show you how to dress to impress with just a few key pieces we found at my favorite discount retailer, TJ Maxx.

Spring Clean Your Makeup Routine

Did you know that cleaning out your cosmetic bag can save you time and money? By knowing what you have, and making a list of what you need to replace, you won't waste your money buying things you already have or products that won't work for you. Follow these 7 simple steps to help you clean out your cosmetic case and keep your makeup routine cost and time effective:

Step 1: Inspect
Pull everything out of your bag and make a thorough inspection. Toss out anything you haven't used in a year, looks or smells funny, or has changed consistency.

Step 2: Separate
Separate the basics you use every day from the special items you use only occasionally. Those items you use frequently earn a place back in your makeup bag. Those items you don't use on a daily basis, like glitter eye shadow, should be put in a separate location. This will help you cut down on clutter and speed up your beauty routine.

Step 3: Start With The Basics
Be sure you have all the basics which should include: concealer, foundation or tinted moisturizer, powder, blush, eye shadow (at least two shades), eyeliner, mascara, lip liner, and lipstick or gloss. If you are missing any of these, put them on your shopping list.

Step 4: Check Formulas & Colors
Make sure your basics are all working for you as far as formulas and colors. In the summer months, many women switch to a foundation of lighter consistency due to the heat and humidity. And with increased sun exposure, most of us need to use a darker shade. Your "off season" colors, if less than 6 months old, should be stored in a separate location until you need them again. If they are more than 6 months old, toss them out and buy new next season.

Step 5: Clean
Give everything a good cleaning. Wipe the outside of containers as well as the inside of lids. This will help keep your makeup bag clean and let you easily see what you have inside. Wash and sanitize sponges and brushes and let them air dry. Toss out old sponges that are torn or permanently discolored and replace brushes when they start losing hairs.

Step 6: Organize
Separate your brushes and disposables. By placing brushes in a separate bag inside your makeup case you will help preserve their shape and prevent them from becoming unnecessarily soiled. Use zip lock bags to store disposables like q-tips and tissues. This way they will be readily accessible and stay clean and tidy until you need them.

Step 7: Shop
Take your shopping list with you to your favorite cosmetic counter and get an expert's opinion on the products that are right for your coloring and skin type. They can tell you about important ingredients, advise you on the latest color trends, and tell you how a product will perform. You can purchase the products that they recommend and be confident you will achieve the best results, or you can take their advice and head to your local discount retailer to find similar colors and formulas.

Don't Send Your Clothes to the Cleaners! 

Just because you wear an item once, doesn't mean you have to launder it. Here are some easy ways to take care of your clothes and save loads of money on dry cleaning and laundering.

1. Hang your clothes up as soon as you change. Throwing them in a pile on the floor will set in wrinkles and guarantee you probably won't put them on again until cleaned. Hanging your clothing up as soon as you remove them will let them air and give you a chance to inspect for spots or stains. If you do find any spots, pre-treat if possible and send it out to be cleaned.

2. Remove lint, pet hair, and debris with a lint roller or lint brush. With a quick swipe you can easily pick up stray hairs and lint that can make clothing appear dirty.

3. Use a steamer to remove wrinkles. Avoid paying for pressing and/or cleaning at your local dry cleaner by using a steamer (hand-held or professional model) to make garments look smooth and wrinkle free.

4. Purchase a valet with a built-in pant press for your man. A valet is the perfect place to preserve a man's suit. It has a place to hang the jacket, and the press keeps creases neat and crisp. You can find one on-line for under $200, but will pay for itself in just a year or two by saving on dry cleaning and wear and tear.

5. Use a fabric freshener. To remove odors from your garments, use a spray-on fabric freshener. I like Lysol's Fabric Refresher (available at most drug stores for under $2) because of the fine mist and germ-killing qualities.

6. Prevent perspiration and body odor from forming. By wearing an undershirt or camisole under your blouses and shirts, you keep a protective layer between you and your clothing allowing you to get multiple wearings out of your tops before having to launder. Another favorite item of mine, Garment Guards, will keep underarm perspiration from absorbing into tops and jackets. Find them at BetterBeautyBargains.com.

7. If an item must be laundered, use Dryel (or the new Woolite version) home dry cleaning kit. You can find them at just about any drug store for about $10. The kit contains a special towelette that acts a a pre-treater for stains, then is added to a special pouch, along with the garments, that steams clothes clean in the dryer.

Make Your Clothes Last Longer

Taking proper care of your clothing will get you lots of extra mileage out of them, saving you time and money. Here are some great tips to help you hang on to your clothes a little bit longer:

1. Remove Tags Properly: Use scissors to remove price tags. Ripping a tag out of a garment can cause a tear or small hole, which can grow over time.

2. Treat Stains as Soon as Possible: There are some innovative products out now that will help you treat stains on the spot such as the Tide To Go Pen. In a pinch, ordinary dish detergent is a great stain remover especially on food and grease. And be sure to use a stain pre-treater such as Spray-n-Wash prior to laundering to make sure the stain comes out in the first wash.

3. Repair Rips and Snag: Immediately Repair rips and tears before laundering to prevent the fabric from fraying and causing unrepairable damage. Try an iron-on patch applied to the inside of garment to fix rips and tears easily. If you find a hole or snag in your sweater, turn sweater inside out, use a crochet hook to pull loose yarn through to the back side of garment, then sew or tie ends together. When you turn the garment right side out your repair will be undetectable.

4. Re-String Drawstrings: If you have lost the string to your favorite drawstring pants or hoodie, you can replace it with a shoestring and a safety pin. Select a shoestring that measures approximately 2 times the length of the opening, attach safety pin to one end and feed it through the opening. Once completely fed through, remove the safety pin, and tie a knot in both ends to prevent it from being pulled out.

5. Don't Use Your Dryer: Don't dry cotton clothing in the dryer unless it has been pre-shrunk. Also, drying sweatshirts, sweat pants, sweaters and jeans can cause them to shrink. Place sweaters on a sweater rack to dry, being careful to spread them into their proper shape. Hang jeans, sweats and delicates on a collapsible clothing rack to dry. By not using your dryer you will save energy and keep your clothes in good condition.

6. Use Proper Storage Containers Store out of season clothing in plastic tote containers in order to keep them safe from insects and rodents. Add a few cedar blocks for odor control.

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