Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

Yes! I am guilty of dumpster diving. I learned it from the best… my mom. I am snobby about the location, but I have sifted through trash when it looked like someone was moving or clearing stuff out.

Sounds a bit gross, but the truth is that dumpster diving is ecofriendly. You’re finding usable goods and can recycle or reuse them and keep this stuff out of land fills. Even if you personally, may not need it, there are others who may appreciate it.

Treasures discovered in dumpsters and trash cans over the years have been a 1940’s mahogany secretary, 6 new in box, 8-track players for cars, a 1930’s wrought iron patio set, a wicker arm chair and my newest find a brand new in mint condition steno chair for my office.

The reason I mention Dumpster Diving is that Salvation Army, St Vincent De Paul and Goodwill are getting so much donated stuff they are getting really picky about what they take and a lot of good items are being put out with the trash. When I was clearing out my moms place, I had to leave a walnut bookcase, a portable working dishwasher and two metal café tables in the back alley.

My top neighborhood for trash picking / dumpster diving is Beverly Hills. Here you can find gems. Junk companies regularly patrol the area for discarded goods. I have also trash picked in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Chatsworth, Tarzana and Sherman Oaks/ Studio City. I have been told that the downtown garment area is interesting, but I haven’t gone.

I don’t do it very often, but if I am driving down an alley and see something… I stop. So when you’re stuck in street traffic a cruise down a side alley may not only save you time but it may yield a couple of discarded treasures.

I am not a fashion or cosmetics expert by any means. But I do know what I like and what works for me.

I was turned on to Lancome cosmetics by long time friend and Lancome cosmetic Guru Sean Escalante. Back in the day, he was my dance student and we became friends. It started with just an eyebrow pencil in 1994 and over the years the more product I tried, the more I loved the line.

This week, starting today 5/21 Lancome is in gift at Macy’s. During their last “gift” promo I tried their CILS, “Super enhancing mascara base booster”. You apply it before your mascara and it maximizes the result of any Lancôme mascara. Enriched with pure Vitamin E, this formula helps protects, condition and primes every lash.

It really does too. My eyelashes are now so long they’re hitting my sunglasses. Really! I have almost given up any kind of eyeliner. I do use the CILS mascara booster in conjunction with their Definicils mascara.

I also just tried their blush, cause I got sick of blushers with shimmery highlights. It’s great quality as well and oil free. I also use their liquid foundation Renergie lift with SPF 20% ‘cause it’s the only match to my “super white girl” skin tone I have ever found that has real SPF protection. I wear it especially when I am hiking or in the sun!

So over 13 years I have incorporated Lancome into my basic daily cosmetics.
I won’t say there are not other cosmetic lines that are terrific. But I will say this…
CILS Mascara booster is the real deal and with Lancome in Gift at Macy’s it’s a great time to give it a try.

My life is in my wallet. So many cards are shoved in to it, it’s strained pockets and compartments are packed with my library, health, dental, club memberships, credit, debit, ID, grocery cards etc… I also save receipts, business cards, have a check book in there and family photos. It is busting out all over.

Mom, who loved good quality and design bought me two check book/ organizer wallets about twenty years ago. These were superior quality Italian crafted wallet and were perfect for my needs.

They have compartments for everything: two zipper compartments, check book, 20 credit card slots, receipt area… literally I can walk out of the house with this and my keys and make it through the day. It’s a big fat fabulous wallet

The first one lasted 11 years, the second one just 9 years. Their demise had nothing to do with the leather craftsmanship… it was the weak vinyl zippers that gave way.

I don’t have a back up wallet.

I am left trying to find a fabulous quality wallet that can be my personal catch all at a price I can afford. When I search the web I find wallets that meet my criteria “quality w/ everything”, but most are priced at $160-$400. Versace, Coach, Dooney and Bourke and a few others meet my criteria but I am not paying that much for a wallet … yet. I am trying to get one that has a kiss clasp frame instead of zippers.

To get by, I have picked up a nice quality leather wallet by Buxton on Ebay for $15. Now I can continue my search to try and find a great buy on a big fat fabulous leather clutch wallet and get my old broken wallet repaired.

Buxton quality is usually pretty good, so I should get by without any inconvenience