I knew this guy in high school who had gray hair. High school? I mean this guy was 17 years old and he was already starting to look like that guy on Mad Men. It could have been hormones or even just the pigment in his hair, but in any case, premature aging is no joke. When it comes to premature aging, I think one of the most common things that we think about is wrinkles.

Wrinkles are something that you can’t avoid; they’re going to show up eventually. But they are something the you need to deal with when you’re young, or least you shouldn’t. Follow these tips and you’ll be much less likely to develop wrinkles prematurely.

1. Wear Sunscreen With SPF Protection

This is a big one. SPF protection keeps those harmful UV rays from bombarding your skin and wearing it out. The sun is one of the leading causes of wrinkles, and it’s also terrible for your skin in many other ways as well.

Wearing sunscreen even in the winter is very important. Just because the sun isn’t out doesn’t mean that UV rays aren’t hitting your skin.

2. Stop Smoking

Smoking can be very harmful for your skin. Ask any doctor and they will tell you the same thing – smoking gives you “smokers lines.” The problem areas include: around the eyes, around the lips and in the middle of your forehead. If you’re a smoker it’s only a matter of time before these lines start to show up!

3: Consider Wearing Eye Cream

Your eyes are one of the 1st places that wrinkles show up. “Crows feet” are extremely common and one of the ways that you can prevent them is by applying an eye cream. This cream should have a moisturizer in it and if it works correctly it will also prevent those dark circles that you get in the mornings from showing up.

This is one place where I will splurge. Because the cream gets so close to your eyes, you don’t want to buy cheap product.

4. Practice Proper Skincare

You should always, always, always moisturize. When you get out of the shower, apply a thin layer of a high-quality moisturizer to your face. Also, avoid pore-refining cleansers that have alcohol in them. These cleansers will dry out your skin and leave you vulnerable to blemishes and generally make your skin look older. When your skin is dry, it will develop wrinkles much easier.

5: Avoid Stress

If only it was as easy as it sounds, hey? But in reality, stress is one of the causes of wrinkling and pre-mature aging. Stress causes us to release a hormone called cortisol that clogs our pores and makes our skin age quicker. It’s always a good idea to exercise regularly and have decent stress management techniques that you use so that you don’t become overwhelmed and start showing the signs physically.

Nothing is wrong with wrinkles and in fact, I think aging can be beautiful. You can be completely sexy with gray hair and wrinkles and all the other signs of someone who’s aging a bit. However, if you want to hold that aging process off at bay a little bit you may want to follow the above advice.

What do you guys think? What do you do to keep your skin looking healthy and young?

How To Avoid Premature Wrinkles is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

Consider Beauty Product Gift Sets

Variety is the spice of life, and that’s one of the best things about gift sets. By giving them a gift set, they’ll be able to test different products. You may notice that they particularly like one product, and buy a full size for them later.

Buy from a Brand They Love

You should also look at their wardrobe and what they wear, and go with something along these lines. This goes if you’re thinking of buying beauty products as well. That will really show that you care about them and know them. You could also buy them something they’ve mentioned before if you want to score extra points.

Be Careful with Fragrances

You might be tempted to give them a fragrance, and they can be great gifts in some cases. But perfume is something that is very personal, and people will simply not wear scents that they don’t like, no matter how much they want to please you.

So, if you want to make sure, it’s always better to go with a fragrance that they already use. Do some detective work, and see if they are running out of something. This will make sure that they’ll like it, and they’ll appreciate not having to restock.

You Can’t Go Wrong with a Designer Bag

If all else fails, then going with a designer bag is your surest bet. Why? Because there are so many on the market, and you’ll have no trouble finding one that they don’t have. You can also easily check out their collection, and gauge their style.

There isn’t one fashion lover on the planet who doesn’t like bags. Maybe they aren’t into clutch bags, but they’ll at least have a few bags in their collection, whether it’s a pouch, backpack, or a carry-all.

Brands like Fendi, for instance, have all sorts of different models that you choose from. If you want to check their selection, there’s a huge variety here at SSENSE. They have virtually every Fendi bag under the sun, and you’ll be able to find a bag that will fit their personality and style. They also have all the classics, so you can go for something more formal if that’s what the person is into.

With these few tips, you should have no issues finding great gifts for the fashion-conscious person in your life. Make sure that you use your observation skills and get useful information that will allow you to find a gift that they’ll love and actually want to use.

How to Find the Perfect Gift for the Fashion Lover in Your Life is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

If you are always buying new clothes because you have “nothing to wear,” or if you are tired of seeing a mish mash of items in your closet, a capsule wardrobe may be the greatest thing to happen to your closet in a long time.

A capsule wardrobe will not only save you money, but it will also save you time and frustration when picking out your clothes. Here are a few tips to help you build a capsule wardrobe and save money all year.

Know What a Capsule Wardrobe Is

What is a capsule wardrobe? While the capsule wardrobe doesn’t have a true definition, it is considered as a small collection of fashion pieces that never go out of style. While it doesn’t have a max number of items, it will normally have 15-30 pieces, all of which you can mix and match.

The key to a great capsule wardrobe is having items that can all work together, so you are never stuck with an item that you can’t wear more than once or twice. Since you know that your end goal is saving money, you won’t buy pieces that don’t work well with others.

Pick Your Colors

Most capsule wardrobes consist of black, white, gray, and nude. While this helps you save money, you can build a colorful capsule wardrobe too. Again, the key is to build a wardrobe that will allow you to mix and match.

Some people like to create two separate capsule wardrobes, one for the spring/summer and one for the fall/winter. If you want to go more colorful in the spring/summer and darker in the fall/winter, go for it! Just make sure that the colors work for you.

Choose Based on the Season

If you live in an area where you have all four seasons, you will most likely have to add extra pieces to your capsule wardrobe. Even if you are trying to save money and time, you should choose pieces that work with the weather. No one wants to freeze just to save a little cash!

Even with buying a few extra clothing items during the different seasons, you’ll save a lot more money than someone who buys a ton of clothes every few months! If you choose the right type of clothes, you can transition them to fit all of the different seasons all year round.

Add a Little of Your Style

Once you’ve gotten the basics down ( a nice pair of jeans, simple black tee), it’s time to add in a little of your own style! While sticking to simplicity, get a few cute tops, or a graphic tee that you can wear whenever you want.

It’s important to add a little of your own style to your capsule wardrobe. If you deprive yourself of shopping or buying what you want just to save closet space, you may binge and buy more than you really need. The biggest benefit to a capsule wardrobe is saving money, so add your own flavor when you can.

Go Thrifting

You don’t have to buy all of your new capsule wardrobe clothes for full price! Another great way to save money by building your new wardrobe is to go thrifting. You can normally snag great deals on basics like jeans and t-shirts.

If you decide to go thrift shopping, make sure to pick quality clothing. While there is nothing wrong with buying a $2 t-shirt, it will be useless if you find a hole the first time you wear it. Sometimes thrift shopping won’t yield you a ton of results, but keep trying! You’ll save money and be able to build your wardrobe for a lot less than brand new.

Add/Remove As Needed

A capsule wardrobe is all about trial and error and finding what works for you and your lifestyle and needs. If you add a new jacket because the one you had didn’t work, remember to donate or get rid of the old one! Keeping your capsule wardrobe fresh and minimal will help you streamline your closet, life, and keep your wallet full.

Also, you can make money from the clothes you no longer wear! You could always try to sell them via a consignment shop or online. You may be able to buy new clothes with the money you make from your old ones, meaning even more savings.

A capsule wardrobe isn’t for everyone, but it can be super beneficial in helping you find your personal style and saving money all year long.

How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe & Save Money All Year is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

Louis Vuitton’s Spring-Summer 2017 collection features some amazing handbags. All eyes were on the City Cruiser, Camera Box, Petite Malle and the new iPhone case modeled after it.

For those who have their eyes on these bags but can’t afford to spends thousands of dollars on these beautiful pieces, can opt for LV replica bags & purses instead.

If you are wary of cheap Louis Vuitton handbags & wallets, check out reviews on sites like Review Handbags, which gives detailed reviews on what is available on Louis Vuitton online stores.

Here is a list of our favorite handbags from the Louis Vuitton runway collection:

City Cruiser PM

In this classy handbag, the brand’s iconic motif is twisted inside out. The best facet of the bag is that its top gathered strap closure can be opened to turn the structured bag into a large capacity tote. This versatile bag can also be used as an overnight bag or for traveling. Its removable strap also allows it to be used as a shoulder or cross body bag, according to your convenience.

Petite Malle

The Petite Malle is a classy yet practical bag for day to evening use. It is available in different versions, ranging from the basic monogram, to a wild animal print version with feminine golden metallic pieces. There is also a version wherein a thin satin base is embroidered with sparkling sequins, reflecting the spirit of the Fall Winter 2016 show.

The Camera Box

This bag is a cute version turns into the perfect handy purse for the modern woman. It is available in Monogram as well as the Monogram reverse canvas, and can be paired with almost every outfit.

City Steamer

Louis Vuitton has brought a fresh look to the pure design of its City Steamer by mixing it with punchy color blocks. The bag’s wild animal print version is perfect for the funky fashion lover. You can bring in your signature details to the bag through an engraved padlock, classy gold metal pieces, and a nametag. You can get the MM size for daily office wear to add a bold touch to your look.

Pochette Plate

The small yet stylish Pochette Plate is a versatile bag that can function as a wallet in itself or can be slipped inside another bag. Although this bag reminds one of the historic and personalized Louis Vuitton trunks, its design was actually inspired by the Heroin Jackets that were spotted at the Spring-Summer 2016 runway show. This is a very functional wallet that can be a stylish option for storing all your essentials ranging from cash, cards, and so on.

If you are just as excited about getting these bags as everyone else is right now, you don’t have to fret anymore as you can get these Louis Vuitton handbags & wallets at the most affordable prices online. LV replica bags & purses are made with attention to detail and high quality materials to mimic the originals almost exactly.

The Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2017 Handbag Collection is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

Last week when I was getting my hair cut I mentioned to her that my scalp has been extremely dry this winter.

The first thing she asked was the dreaded question, “What kind of shampoo do you use?”

Of course the “cure” according to her was going to be buying more expensive shampoo from her salon instead of using anything I could buy at Walmart, even though I do stick to the pricey end of the aisle there.

I don’t know about you, but it just about killed me to see that the shampoo and conditioner set she suggested would rid me of my dry scalp was going to cost $40! (I’m sure there are even more expensive options out there.)

When it comes to beauty products, do you really need to splurge on some of these things?

I did some research and here’s what I found out.

Save vs. Splurge: Shampoo and Conditioner

According to About Style, shampoo and conditioner is someplace you should save. They suggest that mainstream companies, like Pantene and L’Oreal, have put billions of dollars into research and their products tend to get the job done just fine.

The only time I would argue this logic is if you are having a serious issue with your skin or hair, in which case you should consider taking the advice of your hairstylist and/or doctor.

Save vs. Splurge: Mascara

I rarely wear a full face of makeup these days, but I still usually swipe on a little mascara. That said, I’ve been wondering lately how much difference there really is in different formulas of mascara. What do they put in them that can make your lashes thicker instead of longer, etc?

Yahoo Beauty said mascara is another place to save. In the article, celebrity makeup artist Marni Burton said, “Do you want length? Volume? Thickness? Curl? Many times it’s the same formula and only a different wand but they would never reveal that.”

Save vs. Splurge: Eyeshadow

One thing I’ve experimented with a lot over the years is eyeshadow. My personal recommendation is that you should splurge for higher quality eyeshadow.

Cheap eyeshadows don’t last all day. They fade, crease, and wear away. More expensive eyeshadow offer brighter, more pigmented colors so you can use less product, and they last all day.

Save vs. Splurge: Lipstick

This is where opinions are conflicted. Yahoo Beauty suggests you should splurge to get high quality color and moisturization. On the other hand, About Style says you should save on lipstick by buying a long-wearing lipstick at your local drugstore.

Of course, this whole save vs. splurge argument could easily be laid to rest if you decided to simply stop wearing make up, like my friend Gretchen did last year.

Now that’s a good way to save on beauty products.

What do you think? Are there any beauty products you spend more money on to get better quality?

Save vs. Splurge – When Should You Spend More on Beauty Products is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

Pinterest might be responsible for the uptick in interest in homemade gifts. Gorgeous photos with detailed instructions reassure the uncrafty that they too can produce fabulous homemade or sort-of-homemade gifts for their friends and family.

If you’re not a naturally crafty person the key is to pick an easy gift that looks classy and has very few steps to it.

Here are 10 fun and easy homemade gifts to create projects straight from Pinterest.

1. Limoncello

A fantastic drink that you make with vodka, sugar, water, and lemons, limoncello is easy to put together but you will have to plan the different steps because it’s an easy multiple day process.

The key to managing the process is to put reminders in your cell phone. Or, schedule the steps on your Google calendar.

2. Infused olive oils

Infused olive oils are super easy! The trick is to figure out the types of food or flavors your friend or family member doesn’t like. Once that’s figured out you can begin with creating a simple infused olive oil. Make sure to include a cute ribbon or twine with a cute cardboard label to “tie” it together.

3. Homemade bath salts

For those of you who have family members who enjoy a nice soak in the tub or need a nice soak in the tub, homemade bath salts are the gift for them.

4. Sugar scrubs

You usually just need sugar, oil, and a scent to make sugar scrubs for the skin.  A super recipe and all you will need is a measuring cup and a cute container.

5. Body butter

Body butter might seem a little frightening because most people think where should we begin? Body butter is actually a little easier to put together. You might get messy but it will be great when you’re finished.

6. Cookies

Get a cute box with lovely tissue paper and bake two or three types of cookies! They will be fresh and delicious without you having to do all of the hard work.

7. Pre-made mixes

You’ve probably seen them already premade mixes in a cute glass jar.

You just have to make sure you’re measuring everything out properly and putting everything in the jar carefully so that it looks cute.

8. Fancy toffee

Toffee dipped in chocolate with sea salt sprinkled on it is easy to make. You can purchase the toffee and then melt down the chocolate and sprinkle a little bit of sea salt on the bar. After the chocolate cools off then wrap it in brown paper wrap and top it with twine or a cute ribbon.

9. Mason jar plants

Mason jars are all the rage and they are easy to find to use to make mason jar plants. You can pick up jars from thrift stores or Ball jars from your local grocers. Put nice rocks in the jar and then place a succulent or other plant on top.

10. Everything bag of homemade gifts

A bag with a little bit of everything is my favorite among homemade gifts! Get a cute basket, bag, or box and collect a number of cute little items that the one you love would enjoy. Socks, shaving cream, chocolate, a favorite beer, and the list goes on. Be creative and have fun!

If you’re trying to be frugal, or are a lover of homemade gifts this list is a great place to start. You may spend a little time to put these gifts together, but people will love the perceived time and energy you put into the gift.

This post on homemade gifts was written by Michelle Jackson, a personal finance and lifestyle blogger sharing her story at The Shop My Closet Project. Her goal is to help people cultivate their best life. When she’s not blogging or podcasting for Girl Gone Frugal you can find her riding her bike, going for coffee, or hiking in the mountains.

10 Homemade Gifts for the Uncrafty is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

A Beautiful Bag Makes the Outfit

You have probably seen countless celebrities, models and dignitaries and the rich and famous walking into restaurants, parties or walking the red carpet carrying bags made by some of the most famous designers in the world. An original Louis Vuitton bag can add an accent to any outfit and turn heads in your direction. The problem is that most people simply cannot afford to purchase an original bag like this. The bags usually have limited runs and are only available at exclusive designer stores that charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a bag. While you think this may leave you on the outside of having a great bag, the fact is that you can get a high quality LV replica handbag at a price you can really afford when you look at what is available at High Bags.

High Quality at a Quality Price

When you get a replica bag from High Bags you are getting much more than some of the cheap LV replica bags and purses you may find at other websites. The cheap bags you find are often made using inferior quality materials so that the final result you receive looks nothing like the picture of the original, leaving you feeling disappointed in your purchase. When you buy a bag from Bags Heaven, you know you are getting a bag that has been meticulously made so that every detail matches that of the original bag. Top quality materials are used down to the clasps and zippers so you receive a bag that looks and feels as much like a real Louis Vuitton bag as possible.

When you choose from one of the replica handbags available from High Bags you can select from all of the top designs from Louis Vuitton on other top design houses without having to pay the top dollar price you see at boutique stores. Take the time to look over the many bags available so you can find just the one you are looking for that matches your outfit perfectly. You will then have the ideal complete outfit you have always wanted to make your night out truly special without having to spend a fortune.

Why You Should Consider a LV Bag is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

I knew that I’d save quite a bit of money by not having to buy as many clothes or beauty products as I did when I was working outside of my home. After all, there’s no one at my house to judge me if I don’t put on make up every morning.

Even though I was looking forward to re-directing that time and money toward other things instead of buying make up and beauty products, I still enjoy getting fixed up every now and then, even if it’s only to run a few errands around town. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can save on beauty products so you can look like a $1 million without spending that much! Here are 4 easy ways to save on beauty products.

Wear Less

This is the first thing I’m doing to save on beauty products. Sure I still use my cleanser, moisturizer, and other skin care products daily, but now I forego most of the color and other glamorous products unless it’s a special occasion.

Become a Beauty Minimalist

Being more minimalist with your beauty routine is an easy way to save money. I’ve always thought that the natural looks are the best route to go anyway. Whenever I see a girl wearing too much make up, my first thought is always “What is she hiding under there?” You never want to give off that impression to people you meet.

Find Double Duty Products

One of my secret weapons to save on beauty products is my CC cream. My CC cream takes the place of a moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation primer, and foundation all in one step. If I had to use each of those products individually I’d be looking at around $60-ish (or more) but my CC cream is only $20!

There are lots of other double duty products too. I know a lot of women who use a double ended stick that has a lip color on one end and a cheek color on the other. There are also some that have a thicker end for eye shadow and a sharp end for eyeliner.

Double duty products save money, time, and space in your bathroom cabinet. If you’re like me that’s a win-win-win.

Use Every Drop

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve squeezed the last drop (or so I thought) out of my foundation tube only to cut the end off and see enough to last me another couple of weeks. After I’ve squeezed out all I can get, I cut the end of the tube off with a pair of scissors and then I use my finger or a brush to scrape out the foundation little by little each day until it’s all used up. I just put the tube in a small Ziploc baggie to keep it from drying out in the meantime. I even go as far as to keep the baggie in my cabinet until the next time I need it. How’s that for savings!

Do you wear much makeup? How do you save on beauty products?

4 Easy Ways to Save on Beauty Products is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

The harmful effects from the sun or even from the use of tanning beds have turned more people to the options involving the use of spray tans. Spray tans are available at a wide variety of tanning shops and spas today because they provide you with a much safer option and can give you just the type of tan that you want. Through the use of safe chemicals and spray applications, the tan is applied to your body over the course of a treatment so you can look just like you have spent the day at the beach or by the pool without having to actually do it yourself. In a matter of minutes you can have the look you want instead of spending hours in the sun and exposing yourself to potential health risks.

Of course even with a spray tan there are issues you want to be aware of and you want to choose a salon or spa that is going to use the safest methods and products for the application so you can get a great tan without the fear of having harsh chemicals on your body. That is why if you are in the New Jersey area you want to be sure that you visit New Jersey Colonic for your treatments. New Jersey Colonic has the experience you want when it comes to proper and safe spray tanning. They also make use of products from Aviva Lab to provide you with the best organic airbrush tanning solutions in New Jersey. You can even buy your own supplies and equipment here and get classes on proper use and spray tanning so you can be sure to do it correctly yourself if that is what you want.

Having safe options available to you for your tanning is important today and at New Jersey Colonic you can be sure you get just what you need. Take the time to visit the salon so you can see what products are available for use and ask any questions regarding the process itself. You can then make all of your arrangements in person or through a simple phone call. New Jersey Colonic makes everything easy for you so that you can be sure to get the natural spray tan that is safe and effective.

New Jersey Natural Spray Tanning is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.

Used Bags vs. Replicas

Used designer bags can be found on websites and at yard sales for less than the original designer brand name bags. The drawbacks can be the condition of the bags or the price, as some can still be quite expensive, if they are in good condition. The other option is to purchase a replica. High Replica offers quality LV replica bags in many of the most popular and
loved designs.

Save Money on Style

The main reason replica bags are so popular is the affordable price. Women who want designer style, but lack the financial means to purchase LV bags often purchase a knock off to enjoy the beautiful bags they want. When shopping for cheap LV purses, be very careful, as the quality can vary widely. Ideally, you want to find a replica that is a good approximation of the original brand name bag. Sometimes if it’s cheap, it probably looks cheap too.

What to Avoid

There are knock off LV bags sold in outdoor markets and online that claim to be made in the image of the brand name bags that look nothing like the designer bag. These replicas are easy to spot by anyone with even a little knowledge of this fashion house. In order to avoid this problem you should study the original bag in detail before you start shopping for a replica. This will help you weed out the lowest quality bags.

Quality LV Replicas

If you want to find a bag that actually looks like a genuine Louis Vuitton bag, it is important to focus on the whole bag and the smaller details. Begin by looking at the overall design to ensure that it is a bag that is made by the brand. Then, pay attention to the fabrics and materials, particularly the print of the LV logo that is found on the monogram bags. Last, look at the hardware, tags, and smaller details to get the best bag.

How to Compare Bags

When shopping in person, it is easier to compare the bags and see the quality, but that is not possible when you shop online. However, at High Replicas you can usually find the best deals. It is important to make sure that the pictures of the bags on the website are the replica bags, as some unscrupulous dealers will use photos of the original bags to sell their low quality replicas. Look at detailed pictures of the replicas to check the details.

Do you long for a Louis Vuitton bag?

What to do if You Can’t Afford a Louis Vuitton Bag is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.