The look for less

When I was finally able to quit my job I was able to wear my vintage anytime I wanted, because I was no longer on call. I had a few items, but I wanted to add so much more to my look without spending a lot of money. One of my goals for my blog is to help anyone that wants to achieve their vintage look know that it doesn't need to cost a lot of money. I have used all of these products for more than a year, on occasion switching if they are no longer available or to try something new.

Makeup

I have very sensitive skin. It's so sensitive, that when I was dating my husband he owned a cat and I would get a rash if he touched the cat. He would have to change clothes before I could even hold his hand. That means I have to be careful what I wear in case it may have something that would cause a bad reaction.

L.A. Colors eye shadows- I wear Wine & Roses for a soft eye to go with a strong red lip color. They have many other options in a tray of 5 colors. They will stay on all day with no creasing. All for a $1.

Bad-Cheap brush and the top of the case breaks off every time.

Wet N 'Wild-Cherry frost silk finish lipstick is my favorite. I have gone through many tones to find a lipstick to compliment my skin tone. I also wear their Mega volume mascara to help out my puny lashes & soft brown brow pencils for a 40's brow. The liquid liner in black is perfect for my 1960's look.

Bad- It's a reasonably priced & a popular brand, so it may be difficult to find.  Stock up.

The foundation, I will switch from time to time due to my constant skin changes. I'll stop switching once they make a foundation that doesn't melt off due to hot flashes. To apply I prefer to use sponge wedge applicator and brushes to apply my foundation or any other makeup. You can find both at a discount store for a decent price, just make sure you tug at the bristles to see if they are secure. If you can, buy a vintage powder puff they are great for blending and are a much better quality.

Nails

My entire childhood I'd bite nails & my mom tried everything to get me to stop, as I got older I finally I realized how nice they would look grown out. I no longer bite them & I love to polish them with a beautiful red that goes well with my skin tone. Sinful colors in Ruby Ruby. I have washed the dishes, scrubbed the floor and other chores, it'll stay on with very little chipping.

Bad- It's thin & will take at least 3 coats to get the right shade. If you don't allow to dry between coats you will get bubbles.

Facial care

If there was a support group for lotion dependency, I would have to join it. I have large bottles, small bottles, thick coverage, light coverage, shimmer or non-shimmer, etc.. I have dark skin that will show any little dry patches I may have, so I must be ready to patch attack with lotion. The Ponds wrinkle and dark spot corrector do help my skin and I like how light they are. No heavy perfumes and the trial sizes are more than enough to last for awhile.

Bad- I have to choose one or the other. Why not combine them, ponds? The wrinkle lotion will get a little sticky, so I will apply then after awhile I'll wash my face. Still worked.  Caution: do follow the directions for wrinkle lotion, it does contain Alpha Hydroxy, so avoid direct sunlight. I forgot and broke out in a little rash, but it did fade the next day.

Hair

My hair is so frizzy that without a drop of product in it, I look like one of those crazy haired pencil toppers.

Suave mousse is light on the hair and not sticky on the hands. It also has a light scent and you can choose the max control you want.

Bad- If you forget to shake before each use it will come out watery & you'll lose more product.

Aqua net is a product I remember my grandmother using on her hair every morning. She would spray so much of it that you wouldn't dare light a match around her. I only use when it's extremely humid out.

Bad- If you over spray it will weigh your hair down & make it hard.
White Rain conditioner saved my hair after over bleaching it. I tried a jar that was recommend by a salon, it cost $16, on sale for $8 and it did nothing to my hair. I was broke so I bought White rain for a $1. I was surprised how quickly my hair turned around for the better. 

Bad- I think others have discovered it as well, because it's sometimes out of stock. I can only find it in one certain store, luckily there are two within my area to buy and stock up on.

Well, now you know some of the products I currently use and love. I hope this helps you out and maybe give you a little more options when choosing products. I know that there are really nice products that cost more money and are worth every penny spent on them, but I personally would like to save as many of my pennies as possible. 

Chiles Rellenos

Chile Rellenos Y Agua Fresca

Being a vintage gal I enjoy cooking retro recipes, but I am also a Latina vintage gal, so I enjoy cooking the food that I grew up on as well, Mexican food. Growing up, any family celebration meant a big get together and lots of good food. I couldn't wait to get in the kitchen to help out the women in my family slice, dice, and chop the ingredients for an incredible dinner. Watching everyone's excitement as the plates full of delicious food being placed on the dinner table was my favorite part as a kid, still is. My grandmother Mima, would always say to me "Cocinando comida deliciosa es solo un modo de dar amor a' la familia" translation "Cooking delicious meals for you family is one of many ways to show your love".

This was the first Mexican recipe that I cooked for my husband when we first started dating. He had never really eaten much Mexican food and I wanted him to enjoy one of my favorites. I was a little nervous that he would not care for a bit of spice, but he loved them! He even learned to cook them himself, so that he could enjoy them just in case I might be on a vintage run.

This recipe may sound extremely spicy to some, but there really not. It all depends on what type of chile & how you cook them. Here is my family's recipe, I hope you like it. Buen Provecho!

Ingredients-

6- Poblano chiles

4-Eggs

Monterey or Pepper jack cheese

Flour

Oil

Toothpicks(optional)

Ingredients

Place whole chiles on top of burner to make the skin blister. This will make it easier to peel some of the skin to make chiles tender.

Keep turning over and make sure they don't burn completely or they will become too soft and fall apart.

Don't worry if you don't get the dents in the chile. Place the chiles in the sink filled with cold water to cool off & loosen skin.

Gently wash off the skin. Then cut a little slit to remove all or some of the seeds. The more seeds you remove, the less spicy they'll be. Be careful not to yank on the stringy membrane or your chile will fall apart.

Place the chiles in a colander to drain. Removing the water will help to keep cheese from getting soggy & when you fry them it'll prevent your hot oil from splattering.

Slice cheese and stuff inside the chiles. You can use either cheese or mix both inside. Don't over stuff or it will pop chile open.

Secure with toothpick. If this makes you nervous, just make the slit for the cheese as small as possible. I don't use the toothpick when serving dish to guests. I use it for my husbands to be able to stuff with as much cheese as possible for him. Sometimes I wonder if I should just fry him the block of cheese!

Cover with flour. Set aside.

Separate egg white from yolks. Set yolk aside.

Mix egg white on high speed.

Mix till egg white forms peaks and holds it's shape

Add yolk and mix on medium speed. If you don't care for the yolks, then don't add to mixed egg whites.

Heat oil in a large frying pan and once it's hot, dip the chiles in the mixture one at a time.

Place three chiles and be careful, if the chiles have even a little water still in them, it will make the oil splatter.

Fry till light brown and then turn over. Try not turn over too many times or egg mixture will fall off. As each one browns place on a plate with paper towels to soak up oil excess. Set aside once all chiles are cooked to make sauce.

                                                                                            The Sauce

Ingredients

Ingredients-

Oregano

2 small cans of tomato sauce

small onion

3 garlic cloves

oil

Dice onions, garlic & crush 1/2 a teaspoon of Oregano into a frying pan with enough oil to cover bottom of the pan. About 4 tablespoons. Lightly brown the onion & garlic, but not too dark or garlic will become bitter.

Add tomato sauce and stir till mix bubbles. Remove from heat, place in blender and mix. If you prefer you can leave it chunky. Place chiles on dish and pour the sauce on top. You can garnish with a bit of Cilantro & serve.

I thought I would mention a couple of things;

Make sure your mixing bowl doesn't have an oily residue or egg whites may not mix properly.

You can substitute with Anaheim chile, but they will be spicier with not much space for filling.

If you try to use shredded cheese it will come out when turning over.

You might need to make extra egg mix,due to size of chiles.

You may want to open windows, vary rarely, but the seeds in the chiles may 'spice' up the room.

Wear gloves in case you forget and touch your eyes.

DON'T forget to remove toothpick, if you use them!!!