Saturday, January 10, 2009

MAKEUP ART & DETAILS :: 10 Makeup Felonies



Admit it. We've all made some makeup mistakes and should have been ticked for those major violations. Totalbeauty.com has created a great slideshow on the top 10 mistakes to avoid. View

How many tickets do you have?

Thursday, January 8, 2009

HANDWRITTEN :: Journal for Your Thoughts?

The New Year always brings thoughts of change and development. Many thoughts turn to saving money and fiscal fitness while others yearn to recapture the memories of yesteryear. Keep track of spending, goals, or doodles in this lovely journal. Since this 5x6 oak-tanned leather journal or sketchbook is hand made, no two are alike; it's perfect for your unique thoughts.


Visit MJA Designs here to purchase this little beauty.

Need a little help jump starting your thoughts or your thoughts to action, Oprah's giving away a free copy of Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan until January 15th!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

SYMBOLS & SUBSTANCE :: Financial Transitions to Life as a Grad Student

The essays are done and the applications are submitted. Now what? As you wait for the acceptance letters to trickle in, now is the best time to start thinking about the financial transition to life as a graduate or professional student.

The fortunate students will have fellowship or other funding offers that will cover tuition and living expenses. Others will receive a limited amount of funding that will cover tuition or a portion of their living expenses. Still others, will receive no financial support at all. Sadly, this last category is where a large number of grad students find themselves. They are left trying left trying to decide between the lesser of two debt evils—living on student loans or credit cards. Some students are forced to live on both. Preparing a budget or spending plan now will help you immensely. It will help determine how much money you will actually need to live modestly, yet comfortably. It will also help determine how much you need to start saving now for your immediate costs associated with grad school-tuition, mandatory fees, books, health insurance, lab fees, parking passes, apartment and utility deposits, etc.

Most students find they can live comfortably on $350 or less per week. Those with families or higher consumer debt may find they need to be more in the range of $500-$550 per week. It is imperative that students be able to anticipate living on no more than $1850 a month. Live like a student while a student to avoid living like a student while a professional. Being grown and eating macaroni and cheese as a meal on paper plates with utensils from a fast food restaurant is so unattractive past the age of 30.

Please visit here to read the thoughts of a grad student living on credit. Do you want this to be you?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

TUESDAYS WITH MIRIAM :: Is it Safe to Invest My Money Now?

With the current recession and the falling stock prices it is frequently asked whether or not it is a good idea to invest money. Yes, it could be a good time because prices are low; however, it could also be a bad time because it is unknown when the prices will rise and whether or not the company you invest in will be able to make it through the recession. If you want to invest, here are a few pieces of advice:

  1. If you must invest, invest in things that are receiving funding and that the government is focusing on. For example, the major focus right now is the automobile industry. Even though their prices are down, it is evident that the government is attempting to keep them afloat and it is very likely that their prices will begin to go up.
  2. Determine what your tolerance for risk is. If you cannot stand to lose money then your tolerance for risk is low. If you can stand to lose money and it won’t cause you any hardship then your tolerance for risk is high. If your tolerance is high then you can take the chance of investing in the stock market because your returns will ultimately be higher, but if your tolerance is low you should invest in CD’s or money market accounts because your money is protected by FDIC and you won’t lose any of your initial investment.
  3. Find a financial advisor. You can get free advice from the advisor from your local bank. They are more aware of what is going on in the market and where you are more likely to make money instead of losing it.
  4. Diversify!!! Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. If you spread your investments around you are more likely to diminish the likelihood of large losses.
  5. Look at investing in municipal bonds. These are bonds that help to fund city projects. As long as your city is in good financial shape, it is not likely that you will lose money.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

ChicMix Weekend Recap

Happy New Year. Well the holidays are over and after a much needed break to recuperate from the accident, finish client projects, and get things in order here at Chicole::Intermixed, we have so many things to share with you.

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Website. The websites for Chicole::Intermixed and the Makeup Art & Details specialty division, Bridal Beauty by Blush, are being fine tuned for your ultimate experience. We are excited for their debut. Stay tuned.

Expressions. We finished addressing some beautiful holiday and New year’s cards for a few clients. Now is the time to stock up on your holiday greetings for 2009. At most retail and discount places they are 50-85%. It’s also the time to purchase your custom or personalized stationery. It’s not luxe, it’s a necessity! Personalized stationery really sets your thoughts and correspondence apart. Don’t just buy and admire it, use it!

Educational Consulting. We also worked with an individual to create a unique specialized degree program. Although we can’t share too many details just yet, we can say, this degree will definitely increase the personal and professional value of students who receive it.

New Year, New You Vision Boards. We’re sure many of you created New Year’s Resolutions. Why not take it a step further and actually visualize your goals. Create a Vision Board. You can either create one the old school way by scouring and cutting up magazines and newspapers to find the images that represent your goals and ambitions. You can also do it new school and just cut and paste pictures found in your personal files or online into a word document or other publishing software. Either way you go, you will end up with a visual representation of your goals. Seeing it everyday will surely motivate and hold you accountable. Seeing is believing, right?

Financial Accountability. For many, finances are somewhere on the list of resolutions or goals for 2009. To add a little bit of perspective, we must share this story from Fabulously Broke in the City with you. It is truly a story of what not to do in 2009. If you are blessed with a new job or increase in cash flow this year, please do NOT follow this couple’s example:

Story of the Idiot and his Wife, Part I
Story of the Idiot and his Wife, Part II

Bridal Specialty Division Contest. Christmas and New Years are very popular times for couples to get engaged. We confirmed several more wedding parties for Makeup Art & Details’ bridal specialty division, Blush. We can’t wait to start creating makeup looks for these lovely brides and their bridal parties. Did you get engaged over the holidays? Share your story with Blush and e-vents: a wedding and event planning company, and be entered for a chance to win:

*$750 0ff on e-vents: a wedding and event planning company planning services (Platinum package only)
*Complete wedding day makeup application with trial consultation provided by Bridal Beauty by Blush (value - $250)
*Dinner for two @ Harry & Izzy's - Indianapolis Downtown (value - $100)
*Romantic gift basket full of chocolates, candles and other goodies!

Please visit here for all the rules.


Glitz & Glam: A Holiday Tea Party. This tea PARTY was so much fun and benefitted a great organization, Dress for Success. The ladies truly brought their fabulosity! We hope you can attend the next tea PARTY CHICOLE::INTERMIXED hosts.