Breaking Even

The Great Henna Experiment Of '09

Many people in my life (myself included) often forget I was a science major in college. That's right, if you want to talk asymmetric boudinage or magma mixing, I'm your gal. Of course, I don't talk geology much in my daily life but my course of study is has maybe appreciate the scientific method.

I posted a couple weeks ago over my battle with grey hair and a lot of people recommended henna. And who says I don't listen to commenters! Initially I was a bit nervous about potentially making myself look bad (everyone's chemistry is different), but I found myself more excited in thinking of this whole thing as an experiment.

I know, how exciting are my Friday nights!

Materials
Henna
Coffee (apparently it helps the brown develop better then plain old water. You can also add things like lemon (to play up blonde) or olive oil (to make hair soft)
Plastic bag
Hair elastic
Towel
Paintbrush (optional but it does help get those harder to reach places)
Two short movies or one long one

Procedure

1. Make coffee. (Oh and know that you've got to start with clean hair so do that if you need to.)

2. Mix coffee with henna according to package directions. Notice the weird green color. Decide the "test portion" will be your entire head.

3. Put green gunk all over your head. Note: Make sure you are wearing an old dark T-shirt when you're doing this, or of course, you can go topless. Take your time and apply the gunk carefully with the paintbrush or your hands. Don't splatter henna all over your white bathroom. Secure whole situation with hair elastic. Cover head with plastic bag.

4. Watch a really long movie, in my case "The Women". The color needs to set for at least an hour. Tip: Might as well do all that other stuff you always mean to do like dishes or giving yourself a facial.

5. Once color is set (I waited an hour and a half) rinse in the sink, first with hot-water followed by cold water. Towel dry.

Results: Hair looks darker and grey is covered, feels gritty though (I am supposed to shower after but I'm going to wait until tomorrow morning). Smells like I've been in a pond all day.

At six dollars for a little pot of this henna stuff (I only used half of it), this is a pretty good bargain and it's all natural. But it does take a freaking long time.

Conclusion: Henna is a good way to cover gray hair if you have a lot of time and inclination to sit around your apartment with a plastic bag on your head. You may want to do some pre-color smell prevention though. Clearly though the most important conclusion is that the commenters on this blog know what they are talking about!

Fabulous Friday: Smoked Salmon Trim

I know the words "cheap" and "fish" are not often used together, especially in a sentence talking about a good idea, but I'm going to attempt.

All week, I've been eating smoked salmon. I had a salmon quesadilla, I had some salmon sushi, I even had some salmon and cream cheese on crackers as a lovely afternoon snack. So how my doing this on my typical grocery budget of $25 a week? I bought the trim. Allow me to explain.

The next time you're in a grocery store, check out your smoked salmon section. You'll notice that farm raised salmon are cheaper than wild salmon (rumor has it it's less nutritious) and you'll notice a few different companies that offer the product. Where I live, prices seem to range from $25-$30 a pound. We don't often think of smoked salmon this way (as in price per pound) because we buy it in 4-8 ounce packages but that's what the unit prices there for!

You also see that smoked salmon is that eye level. If you look a little lower or a little higher, you may see a product called smoked salmon trim. Smoked salmon trim is part of the smoked salmon that didn't quite make the cut but it's $7 a pound. A little easier to swallow then $30 for me!

You may notice a difference if you're, say, making a spread on a platter but otherwise it's still salmon which, last I checked, is a high-quality protein source.

The concept of packaging second rate food products and reselling them at a lower price is not one unique to salmon. As a matter of fact, my friends at Barkwheats often package the dog biscuits that are little crumbly and sell them to stores cheaper than retail.

In selling samples/trim/insert name of grade b product here, the company is losing less money in that it doesn't have to give away or throw out not so perfect products and consumers like myself and quite afford the real deal can still purchase products from these companies. And in knowing that the trim from Ducktrap is good, I may be more likely to buy their version of the fancy smoked salmon the next time I throw a nice brunch.

Reaching more types of consumers and wasting less? It's a good idea all around. Yum!

Fabulous Friday: Fantastic Coffee Drinks

Every Friday, I try to tackle an issue of style and lifestyle on the cheap. Isn't Friday fabulous?

I've never gotten the allure of Starbucks. Maybe it's because I've never lived within 50 miles of one but I think it's mostly because I can't imagine spending $4 on a coffee when I can buy a bag of good stuff for between $5-$10 and drink it over the course of a few weeks.

Almost everyday in the company breakroom, I make a cup of coffee in my little French press. It's my moment of zen in my work day and for five minutes I just let my mind be blank while I go through my usual movements of coffee preparation.

Some mornings, I get up early and lounge around awhile with my favorite mug filled with coffee (made in my at home French press). I wake up early if only to do this for a little while before having to leave for work. I usually read magazines or otherwise do something useless. In short, coffee is my relaxation before my day starts, a mini-weekend.

The Coffee:
I like Rock City coffee Jet Blend and Rooster Brother's French Roast. Both are Maine-based coffee roasters, just a little part of me supporting the local economy. Of course, they taste great too.

The Fillers:
I've completely stopped using sugar and sugar substitutes in my coffee. To make it fun, I'll add cream, hot chocolate, marshmellows, or spices (like cinnamon or even chili powder). Extra investment in a device like a milk frother will in the end pay for itself if you love it and use it.

The Experience:
Decorating magazines spread out around me like a fan. The radio on MPBN playing the news softly. Good sunlight. A down comforter. And taking the time to make a fancy coffee just adds to the experience.

So if you're tempted to go out and buy a coffee, stay in your pajamas a little longer. Instead go and stock your pantry with the necessary supplies the next time you are out and about. It'll pay for itself in less then a month (depending how often you do it of course) and you'll have a new little ritual that'll save you $1-$2 each time you do it. Cheers!

Fashion-Forward Friday: An Awesome Gift Idea

One of my friends got her boyfriend the best Valentine's Day gift I've heard about in awhile. It's thoughtful, not something that's limited to this holiday, and something you can either give as a gift or just keep for yourself for cool decoration. This has been a couple weeks in the making so it would be too late for Valentine's Day this year but it was by far the most stylish thing I could think of this week.

First, my friend bought a nautical chart of Puget Sound/Seattle (which is where her boyfriend is from). You can order charts off the NOAA website or you can visit your favorite marine salvage store (or eBay!) if you aren't particular. Cost: $20 

Then, she ordered a frame kit online which she assembled herself with a little muscle and wood glue. You can find lots of choices by doing a quick online search for frame kits. Remember if it doesn't quite fit, you can always crop the chart if you need to. Cost: $15

Finally, she went to the hardware store and had a piece of glass cut for the frame. A lot of these frame kits seem to come with acrylic but a glass frame really classes it up I think. Cost: $20

Depending on what size you go on the frame (the frame I'm talking about was pretty big), the cost can vary but what a way to display something that's both thoughtful of the person and beautiful to look at. You could do this with a nautical chart or a map, maybe where you traveled together (for you coupled folks) or a place that you plan to travel in the coming year (if it's a gift for you).

I'll take a photo of it when I get a chance...probably after the guy gets a chance to open his present!

Fashion Forward Friday: Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap

Every Friday, I tackle an affordable idea of fashion or style in a fun segment I call Fashion Forward Friday.

That's right, I'm about to blog about soap. But since personal care falls in the realm of being fashionable and stylish, I figure I'm allowed. Now let me preach to you...

I bought some Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap initially to go on a camping trip (wash me and my dishes with one bottle? Yes please!). I ended up, of course, with a mostly full bottle when I got back so I stuck it in my shower.

This $5 has been working for me since August and I'd like to make multiple cases for this lovely product:

1) Certified fair trade an organic. That's always good because normally there's all kinds of crazy stuff in your cosmetics.

2) Multi-use. This product has 18 uses according to the bottle including pet wash, mouthwash, body cleanser, foot soak, dish detergent and dentures. (Yeah, I know, I finally write something for you denture wearers out there! About time I'm sure.)

3) Clean minty smell. If this doesn't wake you up in the morning, I don't know what will.

4) Good for boys and girls. You don't have to put up with her girly flowery stuff or his boy musky stuff. One bottle for everyone!

5) A little goes a long way. I've had my bottle since August and yes, I do take regular showers. A dab will do you in this case.

6) Fun writing on the bottle. Read Biblical verses while you're hanging out in the shower. You know, because why not?

So if you are looking for a natural cleaner that'll leave you smelling nice at a great price, may I recommend this little bottle of fantasticness. Want to know more? Check out Dr. Bronner's website.

Happy Friday! Did I mention you smell fantastic today?

Other Fashion Forward Friday posts:
Fondue Makes For Cheap And Easy Entertainment
Finding Workable Vintage

Fashion Forward Friday: Fondue Makes For Cheap Easy Entertainment

Every Friday, I tackle an affordable idea of fashion or style in a fun segment I call Fashion Forward Friday.

My buddy Ally got me a present a few years ago for Christmas: a teeny fondue pot heated by one of those tea lights. It probably cost under $15 but it was really thoughtful and an awesome thing to bring to any winter potluck situation.

1. Great way to clean out the cupboards of randomness. Some chocolate or cheese and you’re in business. Here are a few things you can put on a platter and call your appetizer made!

For the chocolate: Any kind of berries, graham crackers, marshmallows (or my fave stale Peeps!), oranges, bananas, cookies, cheese cubes… anything that tastes good with chocolate. And here's a recipe

For the cheese: Bread (even overly crispy works), crackers, ham, vegetables … anything that tastes good with cheese. And here's a recipe

2. Novelty: One great thing about fondue is the odds are no one else is going to bring it. And what’s not to love about fire, melted cheese or chocolate, and eating things with weird long forks?
   
3. Easy: If you can cut stuff up and arrange it on a plate, you can fondue. Five minutes and you've got an appetizer ready to go!

There's some kind of French (maybe it's Quebecois?) tradition of having fondue for New Year's Eve but I think we should enjoy this seemingly chic but really frugal tradition more often.

(A quick look through my photo archives does not find a fondue pot in action but if any one of my friends has a picture of my pot in action, email it to me and I'll stick it in the post.)

Last Week's FFF: Finding Workable Vintage

Fashion Friday: Finding Workable Vintage

I saw a great article this week on the DC Goodwill Fashion blog about wearing vintage at work. Basically the moral is don't overdo it or you'll look like you're in costume or like you haven't bought new clothes in thirty years. (Aside: DC Goodwill is a fantastic blog if you like style and fashion.)

I buy vintage all the time. I would say roughly half of my wardrobe has at one time been owned by someone else, which I'm fine with! I like to think I'm giving the clothing a second home and I think the clothes are grateful.

Of course, when you go in Goodwill or even a consignment store, the racks and racks of options can seem overwhelming to look through. How do you know you have a good find? A few tips:

Those numbers on the tags don't mean much. You may be a few sizes bigger then you are in real life if you travel back in time. You just need to be ok with this. Cut out the little number when you get home if it makes your feel better. And remember, not all cases does something not fitting mean you are ginourmous blob: if that size large sweater looks a little fluffy and like it might fit your favorite ten year old, it was probably accidentally shrunk in the wash. If things look like they may fit, try them on!

Consider the era. I love the Jackie O look but the shoulders and waists of the sixties are too nipped in for me to pull off comfortably. The seventies more suit my straighter figure. My fifties-inspired wear has to be bought new and that's ok. It's good to know which eras you identify with not only for style but for fit. The more you try on, the more you'll know.

Look at details. Crappy stitching, balling sweaters, and other structural details can't usually be fixed. Only consider a repair it can be fixed in five minutes, like a button replacement or a shortening a hem. Otherwise, vintage may begin to discourage you with all the extra work. You can buy secondhand clothes off the rack!

Your favorite designers may be something to shoot for. I like Jones of New York and Anne Taylor for the generous cut of their tops so when I see either, I try on. In your vintaging, you may discover other designers that seem to work consistently well with your body. If you need to, start a list.

Avoid crappy designers. I find Target's Willi Smith clothing has disappointed me a few times in my retail life. Therefore, even a cute shirt with that label at a second hand store won't get my $5.

Have fun. Bring a friend, try on some silly and not so silly clothes then go out for coffee. Shopping second hand does feel like a more laid back since you aren't going in with any expectations. Approach it that way! Try things on! Did I mention that already?

Happy Friday, and stay fabulous!

Image from www.shorpy.com.

Fashion Friday: An Intro

Too Cute Tuesdays have been such a hit I've decided to add another weekly segment to this blog: Fashion Fridays. Every Friday, I'll tackle a topic of style, beauty, and overall fabulousness, on a budget of course.

What are my creditials for this? First of all, I have always been one to take fashion risks. When I was eight I had a red leather skirt that everyone made fun of but I rocked anyway. In eigth grade, I changed hair dressers when she refused to cut my hair really short like I wanted. In college, I discovered polyblends (and the importance of limiting their applications) through my then-boyfriend's extended Canadian family. When I studied abroad in France, I learned the art and the fun of personalizing a timeless look with fun accessories like scarves and earrings. At 23, I bought my first cashmere sweater and never looked back.

Besides experimentation in my youth, I continue to learn new things. I now change up my look regularly, though have found a few classics that work well for me. I read fashion and decorating magazines with great interest. I also have a semi-monthly video series I do with a coworker on our newspaper website. (I would love to do it more often, unfortunately the other things I get paid to do at work often take precendence.)

Hope you enjoy. And do send any fashion/style questions you have my way and I'll attempt to tackle them. Look for the first of the series later today. Until then, stay fabulous!