There is no need to confuse living well with spending a lot of money. There are plenty of inexpensive ways you can improve your quality of life if you think creatively. Here are a few idea’s to get you started.

1. Refresh your closet with some vintage and modern finds at your local thrift store. Thrift stores get a bad rap nowadays, but they are actually a great place to score unique and fashionable finds for very little cash. Thrift stores do a great job of sorting through clothing and don’t put out dirty or worn items. Many times you will actually find brand new clothing from large retail stores that are from last season, tags and all! They are also great places to go looking for those one of a kind pricey items like leather jackets and fur coats. So give it a try and for the money you end up saving you can have all your finds dry cleaned and still have money to spare!
2. Shop for your favorite designer bags at outlet stores. Nearly every name brand accessories company and pricey department store has an outlet where you can find the same designer bags and accessories for a fraction of the price. You may not find your dream bag at half off on your first try, but shopping around at these types of stores and keeping your eyes open for the newest arrivals will have you saving big bucks on those luxury bags.
3. Throw dinner parties. Instead of going out to eat at pricey restaurants, start a dinner party group with some of your good friends. Each month, a different person hosts and everyone brings a course or dish to share so that you get that great restaurant variety without shelling out a lot of money. Add some wine and party games and you will find you’re having the time of your life!
4. Find unique decor pieces at discount stores. Places like Home Goods and TJ Maxx are filled with great home decorating finds. You will often find great designer name items for much less than traditional retail which means you can afford to spice up a room or two. Add some new pieces and maybe rearrange your furniture for a refreshing update to your home.
5. Sign up for the loyalty programs at your favorite eateries and stores. Although they may seem annoying and useless, the loyalty programs or email lists for restaurants, websites and more usually end up paying off with discounts and freebies that are a welcome treat. If you are a frequent visitor or shopper it always pays to sign up because free appetizer vouchers and discount coupons can stretch your dollar a long way.

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Right before New Year’s I bought an Antique Silver cheese board with a wooden chopping block from Pottery Barn. We originally thought we would use the board for entertaining, but we quickly realized that cheese, cured meats and fruit were our favorite after work snack. For the past few weeks we have been working through different cheeses to find the perfect mix for us, but here is a list of items you will frequently find featured on our board.

Brie: I love brie and I buy it in a wheel and then when I get it home I make a superficial incision across the top of the cheese separating it into 1oz wedges so that I make consistently even cuts. I take each 1oz wedge and then slice it as thinly as possible to give multiple servings of the creamy goodness.

Parmesan: We often buy a large wedge of good Parmesan cheese and then grate large slices off the wedge and serve it on our cheese board. Parmesan is a familiar grated cheese but it has a nice bite to it in a block which contrasts the softness of the brie. Also, its so easy to slice it thin that you get many slices from a small portion so it feels like your really indulging.

Sopressata: Growing up in a very Italian family meant that I got a taste for cured meats at a young age. As an adult, I get my fix of my favorite salami in a pre-cut version available from Boar’s Head that is so authentic I could swear I was at my grandparent’s house eating their home-made variety that they cured in the basement!

Prosciutto: Although its a little pricey, I find that buying half a pound very thinly sliced is an excellent investment in my quality of life. The taste of this salted Italian ham can cure all the ills of a hard day and a thin slice or two never hurt anybody!

Dates: I am a great lover of dates! I prefer fresh to dried, although they are harder to find and of course a little more expensive, but they are truly natures candy. I love the fancy Medjool variety because they are big and plump, but I never met a California pitted date I didn’t like!

Dried Cranberries: aka Crasins. I love dried fruit, but there is something about the tartness of a dried cranberry that is absolute magic and brings out the flavors of cheese and meat like no other. Plus, they are so full of antioxidants its hard to resist those little sweeties.

Walnuts: Recently, I discovered that my husband likes walnuts. Really, it was a surprise to both of us when I began using them in some paleo recipes I found on Pinterest. Ever since I have kept a large bag of them in the fridge and they are a great crunchy addition to the cheese board filled with heart healthy fats and oil.

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Happy Valentine’s Day! In the spirit of the holiday, whether you are single or taken, close to your love or miles apart, a romantic or a skeptic; here are five heart-warming flick’s that will make you believe in the power of love!

1. Gone with the Wind

2. You’ve Got Mail

3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

4. 50 First Dates

5. An Affair to Remember

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In the spirit of Valentine’s Day which is right around the corner, here are five inexpensive but romantic date ideas that prove money can’t buy you love!

1. Go to Starbucks for a drink and play an iPad or iPhone game together. Multiplayer gaming is pretty fun and super easy on a portable device. Using a play and pass style game gives you an excuse to get close and cuddle while sharing the screen. Easy listening jazz at no additional cost is always a plus and you may even be able to pick up a Starbuck’s Pick of the Week showcasing a cool new game or app the two of you can enjoy together!
2. Pick up a movie or two from Redbox and a box of popcorn for a romantic movie night. Okay, so the movie doesn’t have to be romantic, but just the act of watching movies together and snacking on popcorn is romantic in and of itself. Whether your watching at your place or his, make sure to pile up the pillows and blankets and arrange yourselves a little love nest to cuddle in.
3. Bundle up for a moonlit walk in the snow. Now this one requires a little planning ahead of time, but perhaps not if your from a warmer location where it just never snows (in that case, the snow is optional). If you are going to opt for the evening stroll in the snow, make sure to bundle up tight, wear some good snow boots and have some hot cocoa waiting for you back at home. It is infinitely romantic but incredibly inexpensive.
4. Plan a picnic at home. Depending on how much you want to spend you can get as simple or creative as you would like. Arrange a picnic style meal, find a blanket and eat on the floor inside. The key to this one is ambiance, so you may want to play some old french music or a track of birds singing.
5. Go stargazing. Grab some blankets, pillows and a few snacks and head outside to a clear area to watch the stars. Bonus points if you bring a telescope or some binoculars to give you a better view. And extra bonus points if you have or can borrow someones pick up truck to make a cozy bed in the back to gaze from.

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Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to look like a mess when you wake up in the morning. In fact, a great nights sleep can be a powerful beauty tool and if you take the right steps at bedtime, you are sure to wake up looking great.

1. Take a warm bath before bed and use a salt scrub to get your body squeaky clean. A warm bath before bedtime can help you fall asleep easier and its a great time to use an exfoliating scrub. Make sure to scrub your feet and shave as well to get an added bonus. Apply a light moisturizing lotion as needed once you are dry.
2. Put your hair up in a top knot style bun. If you have longer hair, its always best to pull your hair up at night so it doesn’t look a wreck in the morning. Try securing it with a top knot or a sock bun to give you a cute bedtime look. This will also create some nice bouncy curls for you in the morning.
3. Establish a night time beauty regime. You should always brush your teeth and wash your face before going to bed. One of the worst parts of waking up in the morning is having ‘morning breath’ and this can be combated at night if you brush well, making sure to brush your tongue and finishing it off with a strong mouthwash to stop bacteria from multiplying while you sleep. You can also use your sleep time to combat breakouts and uneven skin by exfoliating and using night cremes under your eyes. Blemish cremes are okay, but be sure not to load your face up with too many ointments and cremes or else you could wake up with a break out!
4. Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase. Satin pillowcases can be purchased a many beauty supply stores relatively cheaply. You may find it odd to find a pillow case at the beauty supply, but they are actually a great way to keep your head cool at night and your hair from frizzing up while you sleep.
5. Take a full nights rest. Although it can vary from person to person, its important to get about 7-9 hours of sleep a night depending on your age and other factors. You don’t have to time it to the minute, but the point is to make sure you are going to bed early enough to give you a full nights rest before you wake up in the morning. A good nights rest can keep your face fresh, prevent bags from forming under your eyes, and it gives your skin a chance to rejuvenate itself after a long day.

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