We've MOVED...

and we would love it if you would come and check out our new and improved site:

cityslickersblog.tumblr.com

There will be be deals, pictures, videos and Twitter updates so you won't have to go another day without knowing how to save money, while living the city life.

We hope you will come and check out the new site!

See you there,

Your Resident City Slickers

Cyber Monday!!

Cyber Monday is here!! Savvy shoppers get your credit cards ready; the entire Internet is at your disposal today.

I'll be tweeting the best deals I find all day on beauty, fashion, fitness and more, so make sure to follow us on Twitter to get the latest updates.


Here are a few great sales I've found already:


Tarte.com Cosmetics - Up to 30% off with code CYBERMON
Reebok.com - 40% off with code CYBER40
Nike.com - 25% off with code NIKEAIR
TooFaced.com cosmetics - 50% off Vintage line


Also, Amazon has an incredible sale section today. They'll be unveiling more deals throughout the day, too.

Leave a comment and let us know about the great sales you've found for Cyber Monday, we can't wait to hear from you!

Fashion Finds: L.A.M.B.

Back in 2004, I was obsessed with L.A.M.B. handbags. I hadn't even graduated high school by that point, so needless to say, I couldn't afford any of them. While I've learned that you don't need to be covered in designer duds to look good since then, I still kept a special place in my frugal little heart for Gwen Stefani's creations. This afternoon, on my way to get a pedicure with Amanda (Paradise Nails & Spa, $22), we decided to stop in second-hand shop Rescue just to take a peek. There were some great items on the racks for awesome prices (Marc by Marc Jacobs, Nanette Lapore) but as I made my way to the back of the store I found the gem I've been waiting for!

L.A.M.B. Donegal Hella Hobo handbag from the 2004 Fall/Winter collection.

Who cares if it's six years old? It's beautiful! I'm glad I never forked over hundreds of my hard-earned dollars back in the day because this bag is not only in near-perfect condition, it was only $21!!! Good things DO come to those who wait, and it always pays to be thrifty!

What is the best item you've found at a second-hand shop?

Tech Savvy: BillMinder

If you went down to Copley Square around 8:30 am on a weekday and asked 10 people to describe their lifestyle, it's likely that most of them would respond with "hectic," assuming you're able to disturb anyone's morning routine. Bostonians tend to live fast-paced lives, therefore we need a bit of assistance sometimes when it comes to money management.

For those with iPhones or iPod Touches, I recommend downloading the BillMinder application ($0.99). I swear by it to help me organize my finances and understand where my money is going each month.

The app neatly organized, easy to navigate and totally customizable. All you have to do is input basic account information, like account type, name, bill amount, due date and payment frequency. BillMinder keeps it stored and sends push notifications when a bill is due soon or if one has been autopaid. There is also an option to password-protect your info if you please.

I have my monthly bills categorized into Apartment, Student Loans, Travel, Health & Fitness and Miscellaneous, all of which are color-coded and then put into a pie chart by the app to show my monthly expenditure percentages.

I tend to be forgetful when my schedule is too cramped but thankfully, technology can help me out when I start to run out of memory space. Check out BillMinder to help you stay on track, as well.

Beauty: Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

One of the basic necessities of a good makeup routine is cleanliness, so it's important to wash your makeup brushes on a regular basis. You don't want to keep sweeping days' worth of different cosmetic formulas, bacteria, and settled dust on your face, do you? It's alarming how many of my friends have admitted to not knowing you should do this!

Contrary to what makeup artists may tell you, you really don’t need fancy brush cleaner. If you need a quick clean between shadows, you can spray alcohol on the bristles and wipe away the pigment; but only do it for synthetic bristles, otherwise it can make the authentic animal hair bristles brittle and dry.

The best method I've found for cleaning synthetic brushes is to use a baby shampoo like Johnson & Johnson's. Squeeze a tiny amount into your hand, add water, sweep the brush back and forth in your palm until the color comes out and rinse.

For animal hair, dip the brush head in olive oil to moisturize the bristles, then make sure to wash it out thoroughly with antibacterial dish soap, otherwise it will leave behind residue and may clog your pores.

Ideally, you want to dry all of your brushes upside down so the water doesn’t sit in the base and erode the glue, but it's not always possible. Most of the time I lay smaller brushes flat to dry (and reshape them if I need to) on a towel. With fuller ones, like powder and blush brushes, lay them on the towel but make sure the head is hanging over the edge of the table so they can dry back into their full shape.

It's a bit harder with kabuki brushes, so you have to get creative. I’ve wrapped an elastic around the base twice and secured it around a wall hook to dry upside down, and have also attached magnets to the base and hung the brush upside down from the bottom of the medicine cabinet.

Do you clean your brushes? Share your tips with us!

Favorites: Scarves

These are a few of my favorite things...

The chilly weather is here to stay, so instead of mourning the loss of one hour of sunlight, bring a splash a color to your outfit.

I have a sick obsession with scarves, but it's an obsession that I'm totally okay with because it brings more diversity to my wardrobe. Instead of going out to buy a brand new outfit, I just rummage through my 30+ scarves and find one that's perfect for the occasion.

There are plenty of different styles of scarves ranging from the smaller silk scarves (perfect for an early fall evening) to heavy knit types which will keep you toasty when heading out to work in well-below freezing weather.

Don't be afraid to inject some patterns and bright colors either. Just because it starts getting dark earlier rather than later doesn't mean you have to blend into your surroundings. I love pairing my bright pink pashmina with a black peacoat or wearing a black scarf with my short, yellow jacket.

Not only will the extra color bring some life to your normal work outfit, but it will also allow you to change up any outfit that you may be wearing. I could easily wear the same black dress for a month and just throw a new scarf, and completely change the feel and look of the outfit.

And scarves don't have to be expensive, while some of my favorites have come from a hypermarket back in Dubai, the majority of them I slowly accumulated along the way. I got the silk scarves (folded into triangles) from Urban Renewals, for $1 each, and have purchased countless ones from street vendors, Rescue and H&M - all for under $10. Swapping with friends is also a great way to build your scarf collection without breaking the bank.

So now its time to wrap yourself up against the cold and still look great!

Some of my scarf collection...

Sweat and Save: 10 classes for $80 at Back Bay Yoga

As I said before, I'm a yoga junkie. Once you start, you are never, ever going to want to stop... which is a good thing!

Back Bay Yoga, along with Life in Synergy, is one of my favorite studios in Boston for a great workout and finding your mind/body balance. Drop-in prices are normally $15, which might be a little pricy if you are planning on going a couple times a week.

But today only, Back Bay is offering a deal that would be crazy to turn down.. You can purchase a 10-class pass ($130 value) for just $80 on their website. The pass expires on 01/03/11, so get in shape - mentally and physically - just in time for the new year!

We love vinyasa flow with Ame and Roberto, but there are plenty of other classes to choose from, including forrest, hip-hop and "flying" yoga for those who really challenge themselves. There are more than 10 classes offered every day, making it easy to squeeze in a 90-minute workout.

Don't want to commit to 10 classes before trying out the studio? They also have a two-week "All You Can Yoga" package for first-time visitors for $25, along with $5 community classes throughout the week.

You don't want to miss out on this deal... It expires at midnight!

Sweat and Save: Enjoy the "Gift of Yoga"

My love affair with yoga started about a year ago. I am pretty sure that after my first class at Boston University's FitRec Center, I called my boyfriend and told him I was on a "relaxation high."

I had just completed my first savasana.

Yoga is a great work out and the perfect way to unwind after a long, stressful day at work. And once you try it, you won't ever want to stop doing it. The benefits of your practice are almost immediate, and the more you continue, the more you will feel your body and your mind syncing up.

In order to celebrate the impact that yoga can have on everyone's lives, Lululemon is giving away The Gift of Yoga, starting today November 3rd. All you have to do is head over to a Lululemon store (here in Boston, it's in the Prudential Mall), check in on Facebook Places or Foursquare, and you will be handed a pass to a local yoga studio.

No strings attached.

They will be giving away more than 5 million minutes of yoga in order for everyone to exprience the joy (and work out) that yoga has to offer. But hurry, the offer is only good while supplies last!

Sweat and Save: Healthworks Groupon

Today's Boston Groupon is a one-month membership at Healthworks for only $29!

I go to Healthworks Brookline and pay $79/month, so this is an excellent deal for those who want to get a feel for the gym. As a former lazy ass, I can tell you that joining was a great motivator for me and I go at least three times a week these days.

There are five locations - Back Bay, Brookline, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill and Salem - that offer free weights, a stretching area, a cardio room with flat-screen TVs, spinning and group fitness studios, a sauna and whirpool. Also, everyone gets a locker for free (though only for the duration of your workout, you can't leave your gym gear overnight), and most of the classes are free.

My favorite class to take is Vinyasa Yoga - see Tiffany on Tuesdays for a series of challenging stretches and Diana on Sundays for a relaxing, more instructional workout - but there are a variety of options from traditional cardio to zumba and pilates.

So check out today's Groupon and hopefully I'll see you there!

(Follow Healthworks on Twitter: @fionafit)

Fashion Finds: Venus in Furs

I am a self-proclaimed addict of one-of-a-kind jewelry, specifically the type that can be found by a street vendor or in a small boutique.

This past Halloween I was walking down Newbury Street, enjoying the beautiful foliage, when I caught something in the corner of my eye - a couple of women and two trunks of treasure.

Venus in Furs Jewelry is focused on creating unique pieces of jewelry centered on a piece of art. As self-professed Gustav Klimt fans, many of their lockets, earrings and rings feature small replicas of his famous artwork.

After running to the ATM to get cash (I very rarely carry cash, the fact that I literally RAN to Bank of America should tell you something about these pieces), I had the hard task of choosing which one I wanted to take home. There were beautiful earrings with cameo faces and rings with hummingbirds painted delicately in the center.

I tried on a couple of the necklaces before settling on one with a locket featuring a small cameo face:
On the inside is a beautiful painting of a tree - bonus points to the person who can name that painting:


The damage? $30. A little steep you might say, but the designer actually threw in a charm necklace for free, which sells for $12 on her online boutique. It's a dainty little key that hangs off an equality delicate chain, perfect for dressing up an outfit or for wearing casually.

Vintage or vintage-inspired jewelry can add a lot to an outfit and really make a statement without having to break the bank.

Review: OPI Axxium

Does your manicure look like this after two and a half weeks?



It can.

I never used to get my nails done because they would always end up chipped and I would get frustrated that I paid for something I could have easily done at home.

That is, until I visited Town's Nails & Skin Salon on Newbury Street.

Hannah took my battered nails under her (manicurist) wing and asked me if I wanted to have a new type of manicure - one that wouldn't easily chip. She had me right where she wanted me. No chipping? It couldn't be!

OPI Axxium is a nail treatment where the polish gets a blast of UV light in order to seal the color. After a couple layers of your favorite shade, a seal will get swiped on top and your hands will sit in a small UV dryer for six minutes, and you are ready to go. No need to worry about smudging your nails right after - it only takes about five minutes for the shell to harden completely, locking in a great shine that will last up to four weeks.

Since it is a "soak-off gel," you can't actually use a normal nail polish remover. If you want to take it off at home, head over to CVS and get a big bottle of acetone and soak your nails in it. You'll notice that the polish will start to lift off your nails after a couple of minutes without you having to pick or pull.

I only get my nails done about once a month now because there is virtually no need to! At week two, even with my nails growing out, the color still looks great!



Only $25 for essentially a month-long manicure? Can't beat that!

(Pictured shade: Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI)

Rock & Republic Sale

Look what showed up on my doorstep!

Isn't it beautiful?

Tease and Foreplay

I have quite the addiction to high-end makeup. I can't walk by a Sephora without convincing my boyfriend to let me go look at all the pretty things, and I certainly can't pass up a good sale. I caught wind of a fantastic sale at Rock & Republic, a company known for it's sky-high prices but great-quality cosmetics.

Enter code ROCKCOSMETICS at checkout for 50% off your total makeup order and $0.99 shipping. But the savings don't end there! If you invite a friend to sign up for the website, both of you get a $25 credit towards your next purchase of $75 or more.

Since I'm on a blush kick, I decided to go for Foreplay and Tease, which were $40 each. Let's do a little math, shall we?

50% off $80 = $40

$40 - $25 credit = $15

$80 of makeup for $15.99 shipped! For the credit, leave a comment with your e-mail address and we can send you an invite.

Shop Savvy: Online Shopping

We all have our vices, and some of us like to spend our leisure time (and money) perusing the virtual aisles of online shops. While this little habit can become quite costly, there are plenty of ways to get your fix without shelling out too much of your hard-earned dough.

• Social Media - Most companies have a presence in social media, and if they don't, they're doing it wrong. It is a key marketing feature these days and a lot of brands are connecting with their customers via Twitter and Facebook. Besides updating whenever there is a sale, some brands even offer special discounts for their friends or followers. Also, follow users who post sales like @slickdeals or @grouponboston.

• Mailing Lists - Sure, it can be annoying to get a ton of promotional e-mails every day, but instead of sending them straight to the junk folder, take a peek first. For makeup junkies, Sephora and MAC emails often have a code for a free deluxe sample or free shipping at the bottom, and others brands like Too Faced and Stila send you a notice when they have excellent sales. A few weeks ago I bought seven items from TF for $21!

• Coupon and Rebate Websites - Do not, I repeat, DO NOT click the checkout button before you visit RetailMeNot and eBates (or similar sites). Search for the website you're shopping at RetailMeNot to find a list of coupon codes you might be able to add to your order. You could also be getting money back if the company is affiliated with eBates.

There are plenty of perks to shopping on the web, too, beyond the online-only discounts. You get a wider product selection and access to stores that aren't in your area, as well as the luxury of crossing items off of your Christmas shopping list without having to wade through a sea of Black Friday freaks.

Recap: StyleFixx Girls' Night Out

One great thing about living in Boston is that you don't need to spend that much money to keep up a city lifestyle. There are plenty of ways to update your summer style into a fall fashion statement by visiting boutiques selling gently used clothes (a la Rescue on Newbury Street) or heading over to a sample sale.

Otherwise known as "Girls' Night Out," sample sales are the best way to try high-end products for a bargain price. Earlier this month, your resident City Slickers went to the Style Fixx Girls' Night Out in Boston to see what it was all about.

We were warmly greeted with our five drink tickets for the night and a ticket to go and redeem our "swag bags." They were full of goodies ranging from two magazines, Luna bars, makeup, nail polish and coupons for local businesses, which was just the beginning.

Snacks from Upper Crust, Haru, Pinkberry and Finale warded off dinner-time hunger (we couldn't get enough of Haru's tuna ceviche samples!) until we caved and bought a plate of sushi for $6 (also delicious).

But before we got started on the food, after-work drinks were in order and we had five tickets to put to good use. Barefoot Wines, DonQ Rum and Stella Artois provided the beverages, with Stella handing out their pints in a collectable glass. We liked the Raspberry Mojito and Strawberry Mojito from DonQ, which made the line for our free Joint Therapy massages go by a bit more quickly. (Shout out to Anthony Dalessandro who works out of Commonwealth Sports Club. His five-minute massage made me melt.)

Plenty of vendors were selling hats, jewelry, purses, dresses and even True Religion jeans. There was truly something there for everyone's taste, whether your style begs for a chunky, bear-inspired winter hat to a glamorously gaudy cocktail ring. Local shops displayed their wares for us to try on and purchase for a great discount.

Beyond style, health and beauty were also main focuses. For $10, Amanda picked up a 12-visit pass to Healthworks Fitness, which is a crazy deal considering Kristen's monthly membership is $79. We also entered a bunch of raffles, but only Amanda had the luck and won a free facial, microdermabrasion treatment and $25 gift card from Mary Kay! It's scheduled for the 31st, so she will let everyone know how it goes!

So StyleFixx, in our minds, was a success. But for those who weren't able to attend - don't worry! On October 27 and 28th, there will be one of the last sample sales of the fall season - Shecky's Girls Night Out. So grab your girl friends and get ready for an awesome night on the town.

Obligatory Introduction Post

City slicker - noun - "Someone accustomed to a city or urban lifestyle and unsuited to life in the country. The archetypal city slicker is depicted as a spoiled, selfish, lazy, rich person ... they are depicted as being unaccustomed to hard labour."

After reading that definition, you might wonder why we chose this derogatory term as a name for ourselves. With this new venture, we aim to rework the definition of city slicker into something positive. Something that we live up to.

Our kind of city slickers are certainly accustomed to urban lifestyle, but do not dismiss country living. They are no strangers to a 60-hour work week, and spend money wisely as they know the value of a dollar. They are resourceful, crafty and have a great time in the city among the big spenders, while managing to stay within their means.

This is where we come in. We've managed to experience plenty of Boston's best shopping, dining, entertainment and leisure activities by being "slick" with our spending habits. It's become a lifestyle and second nature for us to explore the town on a budget and we want to help you do the same.

Who are WE? Click here to find out.