BestieTalks

Raynita

I try to live everyday with a smile and my family makes that really easy. I enjoy traveling, fitness, anything adventurous, and music festivals. I am excited to take on this adventure with my bestie!

Cleaning Out Your Closet

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Out with the Old

When it is a new season or month, we get eager to change things for the better. This month, it was time to clean out our closets. The start of the month seemed to be an ideal time because the weather begins changing and we could get rid of whatever we didn’t wear in the last season. Cleaning out your closet doesn’t have to be a dreadful process. Go into it with a positive mind knowing that this is a cleanse you need. A good rule to go by is if you didn’t wear it for the season it is intended for, you most likely are never going to wear it so, GET RID OF IT! 

For this closet cleaning, I prepped my husband and let him know that I will be needing his assistance with approving and disapproving of clothes that I have overloading my closet. Surprisingly, he was. 

I told him some basic guidelines:

  • If you haven’t seen me in it for a year or more, it has to go.
  • When it’s too small, throw it out.
  • If you could never see me in it again (like a polka dot dress), get rid of it! 
  • Have I aged out of it? (Like my college mini dresses).

Let the Cleaning Begin  

                                                

I grabbed two bags for the clothing I was getting rid of. One for donations to my little cousins who love my hand-me-downs and one for Plato’s Closet to try to sale back.  Some clothing will also just get thrown away due to the quality and wear and tear. As my husband lays casually on the bed with our dog, I start with the red section of my closet. I pull out one hanger at a time of clothing I am unsure of. When I pull out a red lace dress he says ” I have never seen you in that before”. Yea because I have never worn it but we agreed to give it a try this holiday season. As I continue showing him clothing, he began having lots of fun with it and making jokes.” What were you thinking when you bought that” and “oh no you didn’t” in a sassy voice and a neck roll LOL. All this made it fun and time flew by. 

Now What…

Now that we have gone through all the clothing in the closet, it is now time to go over what we have learned.

  • Don’t purchase anything from Forever 21 that you expect to wear more than 3 times. The quality of their clothing sucks and after 1 or 2 washes, the seams move and little holes began to appear. Their clothing just isn’t made to last, which is fine, as long as you know that going into Forever 21.  
  • When shopping for clothes and you’re in between sizes, size up. There is nothing like buying something a little small, wearing it out, and then looking like a tub of biscuits about to bust after having a few drinks.
  • Buy classic pieces in classic or neutral colors. I have a great fitting blazer but its orange so I don’t wear it often. If the blazer was black, blue or even gray, it would be worn way more. 
  • Getting help from your significant other or someone close to you with an honest opinion is a good way to make a final decision. 
  • Try not to splurge on things that you know you are only going to wear once. Only do that on items you know you will enjoy for years to come. 

Cleanse

Having your closet more organized is going to help you greatly. You are now able to see all the clothing and shoes you own which may mean new outfit combinations and may make choosing something to wear an easy task. And now with the things you get rid of, you’re able to bless someone else with the things you once loved. I know this isn’t always a fun thing to do but it always pays off. Happy closet cleaning!

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How To Save Money On Everyday Purchases

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$$$>$

We would all love to save some money right?! We love getting the best price possible on just about anything and everything we buy. Whether that includes clipping coupons or browsing other online sites, we are always looking for the best deals. Here are a few ways that we save money year around…

Money Saving Tips

One of the best emails to receive.
  • Ebates: Download the Ebates app on your phone and add the attachment to the computer you use the most to do your shopping. Ebates gives you money back on the thing you are already purchasing. It is as simple as searching for the store through the app, seeing the percentage you will receive back and completing your purchase through there. Done! Ebates will notify you that they received your purchase and how much you will get back. You can even link your credit or debit cards so that you can receive cash back for in-store purchases. If you ever have a problem with a transaction and you didn’t receive your money back or forgot to press the Ebates button, Ebates has a great customer service department and they get back to you ASAP. They have always honored my proof of purchases. They have all u   https://go.ebat.es/8xk0iuZcTN  Here is a link you can use to get $25 after signing up and spending $25. 

    This is what will pop up when you access a site that Ebates honors.
  • Honey: Honey is an attachment that you add to your browser that alerts you about coupons that site has.
    Honey notification when coupons are found!

    When you are about to make your purchase, Honey pops up saying they have coupons that can possibly make your price lower. It scans through all the coupons people have tried and gives you the coupon that gives you the most amount off. Sometimes you may already have the best price but it will let you know that as well. Honey also allows you to price watch. It will alert you when an item that you were watching goes up or down in price. Super cool! You can also visit their website anytime to see what coupons and stores are trending. 

  • Ibotta: This is an app that requires you to scan your coupon to show proof of purchase. Each store has an amount of an item that you can receive cash back for. The amount varies with product and store. Once your receipt is verified, the amount will be added to your Ibotta account. So, if you’re the type that keeps all your receipts, this app may be for you. 
  • Khol’s: Khol’s is like the nowadays Mervyn’s. They have great name brands with awesome prices and daily coupons. Kohl’s sales everything from clothing for everyone in your family, household items for all areas of your home, stunning jewelry, and even furniture. I never buy anything at full price at Kohl’s and if I ever need to I use my Kohls cash that accumulates from regular purchases. 

      Quick Tips

  • Hobby Lobby: Never pay for anything their full price! Even the staff will tell you if you find something that is not on sale, wait two or three days and the sale will rotate to that item. But if you absolutely NEED that item, go online and pull up their 40% off one item coupon. It is ALWAYS available and works on any full price item in the store.
  • Michael’s: Michael’s will price match their competitor’s coupon! That’s right! Bring in the competitors add (such as JoAnn’s), grab the item you’ve been eyeing and bring it up to the cashier with the competitor’s ad showing that item at a better price. Sometimes the cashier doesn’t know about this and will call the manager but no worries, the manager will work their magic to get you the deal you came in for. Also, if you work at a school, show them your badge or something that shows your school affiliation and get a discount on your purchase! 
  • Bed Bath & Beyond: I can spend hours at this store finding new items I didn’t know that I needed. Well, did you know if you sign up with them in the store or online, you will receive (what seems like bi-weekly) coupons for either $10 off or 20% off?! And to make it better THESE COUPONS NEVER EXPIRE!!! the only catch is that you must present them at the store and not online. I literally have a drawer filled with these coupons and they honor them (to the max possible) every time I go in. It’s coupon heaven!   

Find Deals Everywhere!

  • Coupons: As crazy as it may seem, some of the best coupons still come in the Sunday newspaper. Have you ever heard the phrase “you gotta spend money to make money”? Well, this is true when it comes to getting the coupons from the Sunday paper. Spending that $2.50 for the paper that one day will easily pay itself off. they usually have tons of restaurant deals and stores will advertise certain deals only to the newspaper. But get your scissors ready, because deals found in here usually required proof which means cutting the coupon out and not losing it. I have found a weekend stay in Cambria for 50% off in the Sunday paper and it was actually applicable. Best newspaper score yet!
  • Weekly Ads: We all receive that load of ‘junk mail’ and usually throw it in the recycling bin right? We’ll take a look through it next time and see if there is anything that catches your eye. My junk mail is usually filled with fast food coupons and chain restaurants and grocery store ads. If you eat at those places, I am sure you will find deals in that stack. Our local hardware store always has an ad and a coupon for a free item with no purchase necessary. It’s a great way to get you to go to the store and the item is usually something cool and useable like an LED flashlight or big tarp. 

How Do You Save?

We love saving money any way possible! We hope you use these tips and stack up on savings as well. If you liked this article, check out our article on how to save during traveling. Let us know some of your favorite ways you like to save. 

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Packing Tutorial

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Packing Like A Pro

I have taken a pretty good amount of trips on airplanes and quickly felt ridiculous paying and waiting for a checked bag. Having a checked bag didn’t last long on our adventures. I became determined to fit everything in a carry-on and a personal bag for all my trips here on out. Now, I want to share my packing skills with you too so that you never have to pay for a checked bag again!

First Things First…

This suitcase has been all around the world with me and has never let me down.

The first important thing about packing is having the right suitcase. The suitcase needs to have areas for packing on both sides of it. Extra pockets are always a plus too. I found my Olympia suitcase at Ross for under $50. Having wheels and a handle is also a must for easy mobility and zooming through the airport. As you can see, I am able to put clothing in both compartments on each side. This is crucial for long trips. 

Begin Packing

When I know I have a big trip coming up, I like to start a pile of things I know I want to bring. So the week of or the week before, once things start coming out of the washer, I begin setting them aside in our guest room. This can be clothing, shoes, accessories, or anything that you know you want to bring and not forget. 

These are a few things I knew I wanted to bring for my Euro trip.

 Some Things I Always Pack

  • A bathing suit is always in my suitcase. You never know when you’re going to need one and it is always nice to check out the pool and spa at the hotel your staying at. 
  • Workout clothes are also a must. My workout usually doesn’t stop just because I’m traveling. Some hotels even have loner shoes and workout clothes you can borrow for your stay.
  • Tennis shoes are important for those days exploring the city. Plus, when you want to do something adventurous like ATV riding or ziplining, tennis shoes are required.
  • A dress that I can dress up or down is always nice to have too. You might have a nice dinner one evening but if not, you can wear it with a little cover up to make it more casual.
  • A denim button-down shirt is so versatile that it’s absolutely needed. I love pairing it with a dress or tying it around my waist with other outfits. It also works great all by itself too.
  • Belts are usually a no-brainer but it does suck when you forget one. One time my husbands’ zipper broke on a bag that he got free from a cologne purchase (those are usually cheap, believe me, I tried to tell him that) and we used a belt to keep the bag closed until we got home. Talk about multipurpose.

Now The Packing

Down to the nitty-gritty, the packing. The key to packing is rolling, rolling, rolling! Roll everything. From your underwear to your jeans, rolling them lets them take up the least amount of room possible. Don’t just do a loose roll, roll those clothes tight. For my jeans, I roll them from the top to the bottom. My socks are fully tucked into each other and then stuffed into my shoes. Now as to your packing your rolled up clothes, make sure “pack and push”, meaning put one article in the suitcase and when you put the next one in, push that previous article in there as tight as possible. Again, this will eliminate any extra space that wasn’t used before. Once you have the bottom layer in, feel free to make another layer on top of that one if needed. 

This is 2 layers of rolled clothes on one side of my suitcase.

Toiletries 

This is my bag fully packed.

My toiletry bag usually stays packed. It has a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, a shower cap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion (because you might not like the ones at the hotel). My bestie Jess got me the cutest Maid-of-honor makeup bag and its pretty big. It holds all my makeup as well as my face wash, serum, and hair supplies. I put these two bags on the opposite side of my clothes when packing. When I leaving from an American airport, I never have to take out the liquid bottles at the TSA lines. However, when traveling abroad, they have been a little more strict and I would have to put some in the see-through plastic bag. No biggie though. 

You Can Do It!

I have used this bag for a two-week trip, to travel to 4 different countries and attend a wedding, all in a carry-on. It can be done! I was even able to buy some souvenirs and some clothing that I just had to have. Just remember to use all the unused space as possible. Fold and roll everything as small as possible. Don’t worry, you will be able to iron or steam out any wrinkles and if you want to get really fancy you can use the hotel’s laundry service and get items pressed or washed. Packing shouldn’t be a hassle. Stay calm and know that you can bring a backpack as your personal item and stuff your purse in there too. Try to stay away from over packing and never bring anything you haven’t worn before because chances are that you’re not going to wear it on this trip either. 

Do you have any packing tips? What do you hate or love about packing? Share with us. 

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Tea Tree & Coconut Oil

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Simple Works

Jess and I are both believers in simplicity in products that we use or put into our bodies. Over the years we have found simple ingredients that we have around the house that also works wonders as products for our bodies. For our first topic on this, we are going to focus on the ways we use tea tree oil and coconut oil.  

Tea Tree Oil

We use this wonderful all natural oil for so much in our homes. Here are some of the ways we like to use it.

  • Dandruff Eliminator – Tea tree oil is a natural alternative for hair care. Not only does it help eliminate dandruff, it gives your hair this great smell. Tea tree oil fights off the fungus that causes dandruff. After taking my hair out of a weave or braids, my scalp is so dry and can have clusters of dandruff.  I like to do a deep scalp massage with tea tree oil.  The oil gives your scalp this tingling refreshing feeling without any harsh chemicals.
  • Hair Growth – This oil helps unclog pores and feeds the root which promotes hair growth. You can simply add the tea tree oil to your shampoo or for a more intense repair, you can add the tea tree oil to one of your favorite oils, massage it into the scalp and hair, let sit for 15mins, then wash. 
  • Hot Oil Treatment – I grew up getting hot oil treatments from my mom. A hot oil treatment is a deep conditioning with warmed oil that you massage all over your scalp and throughout your hair. Tea Tree oil should not be the base oil but an addition. I like to use 3 to 5 tablespoons of Argon oil and add 5 to 7 drops of tea tree oil to the Argon oil. Once the hair is coated, wrap the hair in a towel or put on a shower cap and let it penetrate the hair for 30-45 mins. Rinse your hair and blow dry as usual. You’ll feel an instant difference. 
  • Bath – Tea tree oil can be used for a soothing bath. Whether you have itchy skin or just want to relax, adding a few drops of tea tree oil along with a couple of tablespoons of Olive, Jojoba, or Coconut oil will help soothe you.  
  • Bug Bites – Tea Tree oil helps relieve itching, pain, swelling, and inflammation caused by those pesky bug bites. Once again, mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a couple of tablespoons of natural oil and rub onto your bug bite for instant relief.

 Coconut Oil

This is probably our favorite oil! It is so versatile and used for EVERYTHING!!!! Coconut oil is a natural healthy fat and considered a superfood. Basically anytime you need some type of oil for ANYTHING, use coconut oil.  We can’t wait to tell you all the ways we love using this magic oil!  

  • Cooking – Coconut oil is great to use for cooking because you can saute and fry food at a high temperature and it is very healthy for you. Not only can you use it on your pans, you can also use it any time a recipe calls for a type of cooking oil. 
  • Moisturizer – This is my favorite thing to lather myself in after a shower. Coconut oil naturally nourishes your body while preventing wrinkles and gives you a glow that is undeniable. It is my secret facial moisturizer (ssshhhh) and actually absorbs quick and doesn’t leave me feeling too oily. 
  • Popping Popcorn – We both love making fresh popcorn and making it with coconut oil makes it healthier. You can also drizzle it on top before adding your salt. So tasty!
  • Makeup Remover – This is the most gentle and effective makeup remover I have ever used! Gently rub it on in a circular motion and wipe off with a warm towel. 
  • Soothing Oil – This is the perfect oil to use after shaving or a wax. It soothes your skin and doesn’t burn at all. Your cuticles love it too. 

Share!

We would love for you to share the ways you use tea tree oil or coconut oil. Have you found anyways these have changed your life? How about any fails? Either way, we want to hear from you!

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Activities and Events in Your Community

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Now is the Time!

Seasons have changed and the weather is great! Having such nice weather gives more opportunities to do outdoor activities and events. Most communities offer tons of things to do around this time of year when it begins to warm up. Even if you don’t live in a big city, you may have a nearby community that holds events and activities that you can attend.  You’d be surprised to see what fun things that have been popping up. I encourage you to go out, try something new and fun, and meet some new people in your community.

How To Find Events

Beer and Yoga in a local brewery, count me in!

So, now that you know that there are many communities out there that host fun activity; I am going to tell you how to find them. The internet and social media are great uses of marketing for events. This is where you will find most advertisements for fun activities. Advertising and marketing your event online is both beneficial to the host and the consumer. The host gets to see the analytical side of things and keep track of RSVPs and payments they may receive in advance. The consumer gets the information at their fingertips and is sent reminders, information, and details about the event. The list I have put together is in no particular order. Please, take a look and start planning to attend one near you!

Ways to Find Events Near You

  • Your Local News Paper– Yes, newspapers are still around. Some host still takes ads out in newspapers so, it could be a good place to look.
  • Eventbrite.com– This site is used exclusively for events. You will be able to search for events based on location, name, or activity, and even reserve and or pay for your spot. It is a great site to browse, create, and promote local events.
  • Groupon.com– Groupon is a great place to find events at a discount. Here you may be able to find outdoor concert tickets, whitewater rafting adventures, and so much more. Make sure you read the fine print about dates you can use your voucher.
  • Facebook.com– This link takes you straight to the event page on Facebook.  The event page will tell you the name of the event, the host, where it will be, how much it cost (if there is a cost), and what to expect at the event. Here, you can also pick if you are interested in the event, going or maybe. Once that is marked, you will be sent updates and reminders.
  • Google.com– On Google, you can literally type in “events near me” in the search engine and events will pop up that are near your location.
  • DoStuff– This is an app that is dedicated to helping you find things to do. They currently list events for North America’s 20 largest cities. Event recommendations and maps make it easy to find your event and you are able to create your own profile and add it to your personal calendar.
  • HeyLets– HeyLets is a community driven app where people that have been to the place or event are able to add their own pictures of the time spent there as well as feedback and comments about the event. You can also make a wish list and get alerts about events that go with your interest.
  • Yelp– Yelp is a one-stop shop. It gives all the details you are looking for and provides reviews from real people. Yelp is used worldwide and they too, conveniently have a great app. 
  • All Events in City– This is a great website and app that gives you a complete rundown of what is going on in your city. You can browse through concerts, exhibits, meetups, food events, festivals, sports and so much more! They have events from over 300,000 cities in the world so, you are bound to find something you like, in a city near you.

Now Go Do Something!

We have an awesome local Baseball team that has super fun eventful games and we are the triple-A team for the championship Houston Astros!

Now that you know exactly how to find something to do, put it on your calendar, invite some friends and do it! This is an awesome way to support and be active in your community, while also having an enjoyable time. I encourage you to try something new and meet a few new people. I promise you it won’t disappoint!

Let us know what you do to be apart of your community and how you find out about local events.

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Vision Boards

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Motivation

Most people use vision boards as motivation. It is a way to visualize your life desires. I am a visual learner that likes to see a goal, chart, or map and work towards the objective. Vision boards are so inspiring! Making a vision board for any aspect of life where you need motivation can be a great idea if you are a visual person. You create your own vision by adding your own inspirations. The key is to place the vision board somewhere where you will see it every day. That could be as a screen saver on your phone or computer, placing it in your room, or on your fridge. Make sure it is placed in an area where you can stay motivated.

Make It YOUR Own

This was my vision board from mid-2017. On this board, I was focused on fitness, travel, and food.

No vision board is the same! That’s because the goal is specific to YOU. When designing your vision board, you are focusing on yourself and the areas you want to improve, grow, or change. This is where it is okay to be selfish and think about yourself. The other thing that is enjoyable is that you can specify boards for certain reseasons.

Recently, my husband and I decided to redo our backyard. So, of course, I started pinning away to my Pinterest “dream backyard board” but then, I close the app and it’s gone. Just like that and barely looked back at again. Therefore, that’s why a vision board works here for me. I can buy yard magazines, cut out yards, flowers, accessories, or layouts that I like and use them to come up with a backyard inspiration vision board. Then, I like to place it by a window that looks towards the backyard.

Let’s Make A Vision Board!

How often do you get to use scissors and glue, and make a collage pertaining to you? This is basically what you’re gonna do. Pick some of your favorite magazines and materials and let’s get started!

  1. Think about your intentions for your vision board. (Fitness, Travel, Fashion, Eating Right, etc.)
  2. Gather your materials. ( Glue, Scissors, Board, Magazines, Textures, etc.)
  3. Find a place where you can focus and relax. 
  4. Find your images, words, and materials that pertain to you and your intentions for this vision board. 
  5. I like to lay the pieces out before I glue them on. Then you can begin pasting. Cover every inch.
  6. The board is done! Remember to place it somewhere you will see it EVERYDAY!

You tend to have more appreciation for something you make with your hands rather than using your phone or tablet to pin it on a board. Be proud of your vision board and use it to help reach your goals!

Jessica’s vision board for the start of 2018.

Let us know if you have ever made a vision board and share some pics with us!

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