lucky bandit | RVA based lifestyle blog

Friday, December 15, 2023

frugal friday - november


Here's to this month's savings! (And another month closer to Christmas!)
  • November's no spend days: 11!
  • Grocery deals: $3.99 Freschetta frozen pizza (when did pizzas get so expensive??), free bag of Lay's ranch chips, $1.99 bag of petite potatoes, $1.99 strawberries, two bags of salad for 85¢ each, $1.99 package of snacking tomatoes, 25¢/pound sweet potatoes
  • I checked out I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy as an ebook from the library


  • I redeemed three offers via Ibotta and got 85¢ cash back for my regular deodorant, Og's food, and the receipt.
  • My employer offered us our choice of fish, turkey, or ham and choice of pie for the holidays - I chose six pounds of fish and a pecan pie
Here's what I decluttered!
  • Another couple bags of recycling, to the proper bin
  • An over-the-cabinet plastic bag holder, my coffee table that ended up just too large for my space, iced coffee maker, bookshelf, a muzzle that I bought for Tucker and ended up not needing, three Lego sets, - all sold on Facebook Marketplace
  • Six books - sold on Pango Books
  • Two tote bags - given away on Facebook
  • A pair of heels - one of which Og chewed up, thankfully they were a cheap pair I didn't love
  • Four spools of destash ribbon - sold on Etsy
And again, how I saved on food waste!
  • I brought home two and a half quarts of chili, some greens, and some diced tomatoes from work - all destined for the bin, but still good!
  • Og helped me finish up a red bell pepper before it spoiled



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lucky bandit is a for profit blog. I use affiliate links and paid advertisements. I may earn compensation for a click or purchase through a link. Paid (whether via product or monetary) reviews will be noted in the actual post. Though compensation may influence the type of posts, all opinions and reviews will be legitimate and honest.

*All affiliate links will be marked with an asterick.*

Monday, November 20, 2023

link love


I love this Tomato Girl Summer print over at Blind the Sun.

Recently I rewatched some old Disney favorites and I'd forgotten how gorgeous the animation in 101 Dalmatians is! Here's a great article on it.

It's been a few years since I've read it, but I'd like to read Mort(e) by Robert Repino again!

I think I need to order one of these Boone Bigfoots pennants.


Photo by Marco De Hevia on Unsplash

my poshmark closet | shop my mercari
lucky bandit is a for profit blog. I use affiliate links and paid advertisements. I may earn compensation for a click or purchase through a link. Paid (whether via product or monetary) reviews will be noted in the actual post. Though compensation may influence the type of posts, all opinions and reviews will be legitimate and honest.

*All affiliate links will be marked with an asterick.*

Friday, November 03, 2023

frugal friday - october

(the little menace himself)

I decided that I'd keep Frugal Friday to a monthly feature
  • October's no spend days: 12!
  • Grocery deals: 99¢ can of Campbell's chunky soup, $3.99 Digiorno pizza, $1.99 4lb bag of sugar, a 10 pack of instant potatoes for 80-ish¢ each
  • I made two returns to Amazon for items that didn't work - $24 something back in my account
  • A false charge from Kroger finally went back into my account after a week
  • My rental company had added a $38.50 charge to my account and I didn't know why. I disputed it and after a few emails back and forth, they admitted it was an error and it was removed from my balance due
  • I mended one of Og's toys where he'd torn a hole. Luckily it was at a seam and I just quickly sewed it back up
  • I redeemed a coupon for a free coffee at Royal Farms
  • During a hectic time, I had forgotten about hanging clothes to dry. Now that it's almost time to turn the heat back on, I've pulled out my drying rack (similar!) and I've been air-drying clothing again
Here's what I decluttered!
  • A little llama dog toy that fell apart beyond repair in the washer
  • Four empty jars from Dayum This Is My Jam (from some pickles and my favorite salsa), dropped off at their booth at the vegan festival
  • A big bag of recycling, to the proper bin
  • Six planters of various sizes, sold on Facebook Marketplace
And again, how I saved on food waste!
  • I baked a frozen pizza instead of ordering one for delivery (I always end up tossing dried out delivery)
  • The last time I made curry I had frozen a few portions and thawed one out for lunch one day
  • I brought home a container of pasta salad, some peas and green beans for Og - all destined for the trash at work, but definitely still good
  • While I'd used up all of the delicious fresh black pepper pasta, I used up the last of a jar of my favorite Tomato Basil pasta sauce on some boxed capellini 
  • Instead of buying a bottle of ranch, I made some at home for $2.78 (already had the mayo). Not a huge savings, but it tastes so much better than storebought


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lucky bandit is a for profit blog. I use affiliate links and paid advertisements. I may earn compensation for a click or purchase through a link. Paid (whether via product or monetary) reviews will be noted in the actual post. Though compensation may influence the type of posts, all opinions and reviews will be legitimate and honest.

*All affiliate links will be marked with an asterick.*

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

empties #26

It's been a bit since I've written an empties post because it's been a while since I've used up some products. I decluttered a bit, too, but didn't include the brushes and all here. As usual, I'm only marking the non cruelty free products.
Beauty Garde Oil Free Lash + Brow Shampoo // I got this when I was having a problem with irritation and inflammation around my eyelashes. The product was great for removing eye makeup but with the brush and all the application was a little too extensive for me.

Pacifica Rosemary Detox Scalp Scrub // Pacifica products usually work really well for me, but this just wasn't it. It was hard to use and didn't really "scrub" my scalp. I ended up just using it on my hands to exfoliate. I wouldn't grab it again.

Silk18 Shampoo by Maple Holistics // Check out the full review here.

Herbal Essences Set Me Up Mousse // not cruelty free // I couldn't tell you how long I've had this, but who uses mousse in this day and age??

Boscia Repair + Renew Waterless Advanced Treatment // I think this worked well for my skin, but I just can't do the consistency of oil skincare.

Pacifica Dreamy Youth Day and Night Face Cream // This worked really well for my face! I definitely want to pick it up again once I use up my other moisturizers.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Toner & Niacinamide Dew Drops // This was the Sephora birthday gift. Both were light and refreshing, but the price tag is a little high for me.

Sea El Castor Lash & Brow Serum // This was a snag at Marshall's. I think it made my lashes softer, but it was a pain to use. I tossed most of the bottle.

e.l.f. Superhydrate Moisturizer // I used this at night and liked it! My skin felt more hydrated in the morning. It's already in my cart again.

Sephora Hemp Night Face Serum // not cruelty free // A lil snag I added to my cart to meet the minimum to get the birthday gift. I didn't see any difference when using this and it's not cruelty free, so I wouldn't get it again.

Trader Joe's Watermelon Facial Mist // I always tell myself I won't buy any more of these, but then I find myself missing them. I loved using this one during the summer! And at $3.99, it's a steal, but it's a seasonal item.

e.l.f. Gentle Peeling Exfoliant // See the full review here. As you can see, the top is missing. I've never had a bottle of this that the dispenser top remained functional. After going through four bottles, I'm going to have to find another version of this from someone else.

Elizavecca Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Serum // not cruelty free // I bought this for the packaging and kept buying it for the results. Unfortunately, it's not cruelty free.

Nourish Moisturizing Cream by Lidl // Under $4 and it works great! Definitely grabbing this the next time I'm at Lidl.
Soap & Glory Orangasm Body Butter // This has been discontinued, and probably for good reason. Not great.

Hempz Apricot & Clementine Foaming Hand Soap // A clearance find at Ulta. I love Hempz and I love apricot. Would definitely pick up any of their hand soaps. I think this was a summer item.

Hempz Blackberry & Lemongrass Shower Jelly // I enjoyed this a lot but felt the tub made me use more than I needed in one shower. If it became available in different packaging I'd pick it up. I believe this was a summer item.

Deep Steep Mango Papaya Body Butter // While I don't see them a whole lot anymore, I love Deep Steep products. Would definitely grab any of their products.
Dial Himalayan Salt Body Wash // not cruelty free // I traded my best friend a bottle of lotion I didn't like for this, which she didn't like. Neither of us liked this. Would not recommend.
Tree to Tub Relaxing Lavender Body Wash // A little free sample from iHerb. I'm not a fan of lavender, but I don't pass up free. I liked this, the lather, and I'd buy it in a different scent. 

Tony Moly I'm Green Tea Hydro-Burst Morning Mask // I enjoyed this a lot. Light and refreshing. I didn't use it a lot in the morning, but I don't think it matters.

Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser // This was a decent little cleanser. Nothing special. It was Ulta's April birthday gift.

Mary Kay Satin Hands // not cruelty free // A decent little lotion I kept at work. I don't buy from MLMs anymore. 
Ulta Limitless Lashes Mascara // When I first opened this the formula was REALLY wet. It got much better after it dried out some, but the piece that filters (?) the wand must've been faulty and it just always came out with a ton of product on it.

Marc Jacobs Eyeliner // I tossed this before I grabbed the color name and I thought I had the initial review post still up, but I guess not. I liked this and I'd buy it again, it just got old.

Pacifica Perfume Roller in Indian Coconut Nectar // This is my favorite scent from Pacifica. I got a set of rollerballs for Christmas one year and while I love the size, I've grown to prefer spray bottles, so I'm using up my rollerballs. I'd buy this scent again in a spray bottle!

essence Coffee to Glow Undereye Cream // This formula spread easily and didn't sit under my eyes. I just didn't notice a ton of difference with use, but I'd try it again.

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Bedroom Eyes // Dropped on the bathroom floor. Shattered. I liked this shade, I'd get it again.

Random highlighter? in Ice Queen // I don't remember where I got this but I loved the shade, sadly it somehow got a bunch of moisture in it and got ruined.

Coloured Raine Single Eyeshadow in Who, Me? // I was actively using this up and enjoying it! This was yet another casualty of the bathroom floor.
Here's another declutter of various lip balms. I think I've finally narrowed it down to Aquaphor and Carmex (the liquid kind) which help my lips the most, so my search has ended. You'll see that the three squeeze tubes are, uh, a little worse for wear. Ogden, too, loves liquid lip balm.

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lucky bandit is a for profit blog. I use affiliate links and paid advertisements. I may earn compensation for a click or purchase through a link. Paid (whether via product or monetary) reviews will be noted in the actual post. Though compensation may influence the type of posts, all opinions and reviews will be legitimate and honest.

*All affiliate links will be marked with an asterick.*
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