Frugal and Fabulous: The Finale + A Lil' Inspo Via Cardi B!

Photo courtesy of Complex Magazine

"... Say I don't gotta dance, I make money moves!"

- Cardi B, The Great

Ladies, we made it to the final day in February, WOO-HOO!!! Yesssss, we have reached the finale. Today is the very last day of Frugal and Fabulous February and it will officially be over at midnight. How are you feeling? Better yet, how well did you do? I will admit, I cracked a couple times, and I know for a fact a some of you did too because you told me so. NO SHADE! But, I promise you I held strong for a really long time and shopped hella less than usual. The thing to remember here is that we tried, right? Even better, we know that with proper discipline, our impulse shopping and buying can totally be controlled. Let's reflect!

Frugal & Fabulous: Money-Saving Update + Rihanna Is Goals!

Image extracted from Rihanna's Instagram account @badgalriri

Look at Rihanna. Can you say GOALS?!

Hey ladies! We're almost half-way through February, Y'all doing alright? I'll admit, I almost cracked in Sephora last Monday. I gave my mom a gift card to shop there for Christmas. She's been itching to (finally) spend it and insisted that I go with her. She's fully aware of my shopping fast, so I don't know why she wanted to play with my feelings like that, but I agreed to go. As soon as I walked in, I noticed the Fenty Beauty display fully stocked and on fleek with all 40 shades of the ever-popular Pro Filt'r foundation. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I've been struggling to secure my bottle since it released. *refer to the post here* I decided to get matched, but it took everything in me to refrain from making a purchase. I instead got a lil' sample and continued to compose a mental wishlist of all the things my heart desired. I did well! *pats self on the back*

Hey February: Financial Responsibility + "...everybody black!"

Happy February!!! It's the second month of the year and I'm so here for it! I've been ready to kiss January GOODBYE for a while now. It seems like it lasted way too long. I had a great month, but still... it was like never-ending. If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that I've decided to challenge myself by going on a shopping fast. I have about 45 of my followers doing it with me and it feels absolutely amazing! Together, we're going to conquer the month of February without spending "extra" money.

I created it as a money-saving exercise because I shop entirely too much! I've composed a list of seven tips, a pledge, and a playlist for inspo and motivation. If you're interested, find all the deets and read more about it here. Feel free to send any questions to me via email at hello@janeebarbre.com.

To access the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fund$" playlist, click the cover photo featuring Logan Browning above.

"... it's such beauty in black people, and it saddens me when we're not allowed to express that pride in being black, and that if you do, then it's considered anti-white. No! You just pro-black, and that's okay. The two don't go together. Because you celebrate black culture does not mean that you don't like white culture or that you're putting it down. It's just taking pride in it, but what's irritating is when somebody says, you know, 'They're racist!', 'That's reverse racism!' or 'They have a Black History Month, but we don't have a White History Month!' Well, all we've ever been taught is white history. So, why are you mad at that? Why does that make you angry? That is to suppress me and to make me not be proud."

-Tina Knowles, "Interlude: Tina Taught Me" x Solange

Photo Extracted from Issa' Rae's Instagram account. @issarae

I absolutely can't let the month begin without acknowledging Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month. I love being black, so this month feels extra special to me. It's an honor to celebrate and recognize black individuals who have made significant shifts in the culture, from Harriet Tubman to Barack Obama. I'll start by saying that Issa Rae said it best with her, quote at last year's Emmy Awards. When asked by a commentator on the red carpet who she'd be rooting for, she replied, "I'm rooting for everybody black. I am." It was a magical moment and a forever mood. Let's take a moment for Issa! I am ALWAYS rooting for "everybody black."

Click here to see the clip.

Cheers to being Fabulously Frugal February, filled with Black Excellence and Joy!
*Ca-Ching*

xo,
Janée