Jeans.

I've lost enough weight now that my typical pile of jeans (that I wear weekly) in my closet had to be gone through... because they're all a bit too big. Even the jeggings. I saved some of my faves (why o why?) & will donate others (will try to get up to Clothes Mentor in Fgo a.s.a.p.).

So, I jump on the scale this morning, and I'm "only" down less than a pound from last week... I wish this bugged me less than it does based on my first paragraph! Ugh. Numbers are dumb.

Shopping Online, Yo!

This lovely blogger did a post about online sites for shopping. I thought I'd test them all out... I'm picky about online shopping (and even moreso in-store = example: I'd rather hit the Fergus Falls, MN Target than the Fargo one because things go on clearance faster there even if the selection is not as large as the bigger Fargo store) because I base my online shopping on the following:

1. True-to-size Sizing.
2. Quality & Selection of Awesome Things.
3. Easy-to-digest Prices.
4. Free & fast Shipping.
5. Free Returns.

ASOS.
I've been logging into ASOS for almost a year now (my Saved Items List with them is massive!). I have had to - on maybe three occasions - email them to say, "Um, where's my stuff," or, "You forgot that I returned something, nimrod," but they respond and take care of things. If you stay on the up & up with them, the site can be worth your while because they have all of the five things listed.

-Neg: Their web site leaves something to be desired, too. It switches me to UK prices and sizes once in awhile, and I can't look at my Saved List in certain ways (Low to High Prices, for ex; it defaults to listing them by the dates I saved them).

COTTON ON.
I'm ordering from them for the first time today to give them a try. They do not have free returns, their sizing is not as expansive as ASOS, and the time you get to return things isn't that long either...

+Plus: It looks like their Typo section could be a cool bonus; it has cards and journals and funky household items.
+Plus: If you sign up via email, you get 30% off your first order.
+Plus: Searching on their site seems easier than ASOS right now.

-Neg: Selection is not as expansive as ASOS.
-Neg: No real description of their items. Is it made out of cotton or what?

FOREVER 21.
I don't think I've ever ordered from them online; their selection, too, is lacking in comparison to ASOS. But I'll order some skinny jeans anyhow...

-Neg: It looks like I'm in-between sizes with them. Too "large" for regular sizes and too small for plus size. This could be an issue.

LOVE CULTURE.
I have plus-sized measurements* according to their size guide... and as I cruise the site, I see I will have the same issues with this one as I did F21. The dresses are "eh" to me in the plus-sized area. The only thing remotely cool to me? Faux leather leggings... and, okay, some of their shoes.

$43.

TOBI.

Ooooh, site tells me right away that returns are free. Yay! It looks like I am a large in their tops and an XL in their bottoms, but that doesn't really matter because you can't search by size. Ugh.

+Plus: I did get a 50% code in my email from them, but I'm unsure about using it just yet.

-Neg: Their stuff is more unique than Love Culture, F21, and Cotton On, but I'd almost rather use Urban Outfitters' site for unique things because I think their prices & selection are better?

FRANCESCA'S.
Free shipping on orders over $50 & returns are $5. So far, so good? I browsed the crossbody bags first for some reason, and found a green one that I think I had seen on ASOS (yet the ASOS one was bigger and, sadly, out of stock) for $48. Cool! I hit the "shoe rack," and they have some wonderful brands & a few pairs of ankle boots I can see myself wearing this fall on campus. Bonus!

-Neg: Clothing-wise, I would barely fit into their largest size. So, it would be a good site, like U.O., for shoes and accessories.

CHARLOTTE RUSSE.
Free shipping over $65; searching is easier than other sites (can browse by shoe size, for instance). Good Sale selection for shoes, accessories, and clothing; I'm a L/XL... prices look promising, too. In the name of research, I may purchase a few items.

My Additions to the Cool Online Shopping Sites List:

URBAN OUTFITTERS.
I'm adding this one to the list. It's only lacking large sizes & variety... but I can overlook those things because the quality is up there, and the selection is usually pretty unique.

*Recently, at JCP, I bought a medium button-up top (by St. John's Bay?) & JCP-based brand size 14 jeggings. I tell you this as a reference for how easy or tough it is for me to find things in online stores that will fit.

OVERALL: I purchased about $70 worth of stuff from both F21 & Cotton On as well as $58 at Charlotte Russe. I'll keep track of when things show up at my door & how everything turns out (fit and quality, etc.).

POSSIBLE HYPOTHESIS: I hope to discover that these sites will be better for searching for shoes and accessories than Urban Outfitters. I hope that the F21 jeans fit, so I can go there for uber cheap ($15!) jeans (beats Old Navy and ASOS). I'm thinking that my new fave place to hit up will be Charlotte Russe for trendy stuff when it comes to clothing; U.O. will still be a good site for trendy accessories. I might use Francesca's & Tobi for funky bags and shoes?

Cancellations.

Last week, I finally pulled the plug on Birchbox & the Sample Society's Beauty Bar. Glossybox is the pricey-est subscription (at $21), but I liked almost everything they'd send me every month! And the ipsy subscription ($10) always included a little bag (a big bonus to me) with valuable samples.

Out of ALL of the samples I got these last few months, here are my top picks (in no particular order):

---Novex Brazilian Keratin hair care treatment (Glossybox).
---Bvlgari perfumed shampoo & shower gel (Glossybox). I'm out & I want MORE... but should I spend $42!?
---Violet Oasis Argan oil (Birchbox). I love Argan oil!
---sexyhair Soy Renewal Beach Spray (ipsy).
---Benefit's Benetint (ipsy).
---Booth dry oil mist (Glossybox).
---Tarte lipstick (Glossybox).
---Antica Farmacista Body Moisturizer in Grapefruit (Birchbox).
---Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick (Birchbox).
---Cailyn gel eyeliner (ipsy).
---Philosophy Hope in a Jar (sample society).
---Sebastian Professional volupt spray (Glossybox).
---Cargo blush (Birchbox).

Glossybox #4, Take 2.

Sorry, ya'll, I've been distracted by publishing my first book (http://antitextbook.blogspot.com/)... yeah.

Anyhow, here's what was in the fourth Glossybox that I used already:
--- Anatomicals spray mist: Perfect for the office on warm days last week (and this week)!
--- Novex Brazilian Keratin hair care treatment: Smells great and my hair felt lovely. Win-win. I almost want to use it as a lotion all over me. Is that a good idea?
--- Jelly Pong-Pong lip blush: It's a little too PINK PINK...
--- Pandora's nail polish: It's the palest of pinks, and I think I really like it. For someone who has opened many of these boxes and rolled her eyes at various nail polish colors, this one is one I had to use right away. Very simple and pretty.
--- Sue Devitt triple c-weed pressed powder: I don't powder my nose or face often, but this is the perfect shade and it snaps close so well, I think I could throw it into my bags without it causes issues later.

BONUS: A little denim Guess bag! I will so use it in my purses to keep items separated into categories (you know... one little bag is emergencies - bandaids & tampons; another is touch-up stuff - mascara, perfume, lip stick that could be blush, too...).

What I Want To Wear.

What I Want to Wear To Campus To Teach (but Probably Shouldn't):

What I Want to Wear To Campus To Teach (and Probably Can):

Glossybox #4...

So, my fourth Glossybox showed up a day or two ago, and I've already used everything in it.
I think.
Yep, almost everything.
The only "eh" product was this VERY PINK lip stick/stain, but that's okay. I can put on here later what was all in the darn thing, but let's just say I think I'll go one more month with these subscriptions and then probably end up cancelling the Birchbox & Sample Society. Glossybox & ipsy Glam Bag are where it's at (in my opinion, of course).

Purple Ipsy Bag #4!

Alrighty then...

x = I won't use/don't care about it.

xx = I think it's cool, but I don't know if I'll use it daily.

xxx = This is an awesome item that I will use for sure.

Ipsy's contents for August:

--- Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal facial scrub: I'll use this, but I don't think I've ever purchased a regular-prized item of this type before. xx
--- Nailtini in Mai Tai (orange): I might regift simply because I have all the freakin' colors of the rainbow right now in my own nail polish box. x
--- Mica Beauty shimmer powder in Bronze: A lot of these sample subscriptions have been sending out bronzers for the summer. This one actually, however, looks promising (color-wise = others have looked orange-y). xxx
--- Pixi Lash Booster mascara in Blackest Black: I love mascara, and I've purchased Pixi stuff before. Winner already before I try the stuff on! xxx
--- Noya Kosher lip balm in Cherry: I might regift? x

Glossybox #3; Sample Society #3; Birchbox #4...

I have THREE boxes sitting in front of me.
It's like they all came at once to gang up on me! Meanies. So, here's the brief synopsis. I'll also plug these things into my chart & upload that new version.

x = I won't use/don't care about it.

xx = I think it's cool, but I don't know if I'll use it daily.

xxx = This is an awesome item that I will use for sure.

Here's what was found in the third Glossybox:

--- Brazillian Blowout: Deep conditioning masque for hair: xx
--- Bvlgari perfumed shampoo & shower gel: xxx
--- Dr. Brandt all-in-one oil-free beauty balm: foundation in light to medium. With the SPF: xx
--- Figs & Rouge lip balm tube: x (regift to someone?)
--- Nails Inc. polish: x (gave it to my niece since I had that color already)
--- Nicka K NY make-up cleansing tissues: xxx

And from the third batch of Sample Society:

--- Jane Iredale Lash Conditioner: x
--- Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream: x
--- Dr. T's Supergoop SPF sunscreen: xx
--- Issey Miyake perfume: xx
--- Korres Cherry Oil Lip gloss: x (might regift?)

Birchbox's #4:

--- Juice Beauty oil-free moisturizer: xx
--- Miss Jessie's Original rapid recovery & sweetback treatment: xx
--- ModelCo Party proof lipstick: x (got one color and it's brown)
--- Violet Oasis argan oil: xxx
--- Birchbox bobby pins: xx

The IPSY Glam bag & Glossybox are "in the lead" for most items liked/used, etc.

Things Happen in 3rds? Ipsy Glam Bag & Birchbox.

Third time's a charm?

The "will use" items are in orange.

In the third Ipsy bag (the bag is clear & bright pink, by the way):
--- sexyhair Soy Renewal Beach Spray: Already used it and it definitely thickened up my roots post-workout. I will be using this a lot and will take it with me this weekend to Moondance Jam.
--- bh cosmetics Eye Shadow sample in the California Collection: The colors are a dark purple and bronze and gold. I might not use this now, but possibly for fall!
--- pop pouty Lip Crayon in Rose Romance: It's a very subtle pink color, and while it's a cute little crayon (great size for the purse), I'm into darker pinks and poppy reds right now.
--- benefit benetint Lip & Cheek Stain: I've ordered this before from Sephora.com, and I really liked it (just ran out of it awhile back), so I'm happy to have another! I like this product because it's a great color, AND it stays put! A stain, in this case, is a good thing.
--- Coola Mineral Sunscreen: Another item to bring to Moondance Jam this weekend!

In the third Birchbox box:
--- Dr. Jart ceramidin cream: I might use this as a night cream until it's gone, but other than that...
--- Number 4 super comb prep & protect: It's a leave-in conditioner; I honestly don't use these much because my hair gets overly conditioned in the shower (I'm one of those people who conditions first and then shampoos at the end). Granted, my hair is dry, but I prefer to use special oils on the ends of the hair (and sometimes the roots) to remedy that.
--- WEI purifying mud mask: I might use this this summer sometime; I'm not a big user of facials or masks, but this could be fun.
--- theBALM long-wearing powder staining blush: It's an okay color, a bit orange-ish for me (I got Swiss Dot), and we'll see if it lasts the rest of the day now? I might wipe it off in favor of the blush I got from Birchbox in May = the Cargo blush is prettier.
--- WEI pomegrante buffing beads: As I just mentioned about wiping off this blush, I might use these beads to do so!

ASOS !

ASOS.
ASOS.
ASOS.
I love love love love this web site.
It's fairly dead-on with its measurements & the selection is amazing.
Amazing!
Items go on sale (seems like Tues mornings are when they do price-cuts) often, as well...

Tips for using the site:
1. Spend over $140 to get the two-day USA express shipping promo code.

2. Try to buy shoes in each order, so it comes in a box; it's easier to send things back when you have a box to work with (vs. a bag).

3. Keep track of what you want in the Saved List & print it off, so you can see what goes on sale.

4. Print off what you purchase each time because their packing list doesn't come with prices on it. This way, as I try on the items in my bedroom, I can ask myself if it's worth X dollars and circle what I like on paper and what I'll keep. Then I hold onto that printout when I return things, too!

5. If they are slow to return your items, just consistently email them. Someone will respond eventually. I'm guessing that they are just that busy; they have missed things that I've returned, but are quick to resolve the issues.

*I was not compensated for writing about this company, but if I was, I'd be scooping up some of these very cute items below! :)

 

2nd Glossybox & 2nd Sample Society box.

Within days of each other (or maybe I'm dizzy and I got the Glossybox last week & the Sample Society one this week?)... I got these second boxes of fun.

Glossybox #2 came with these fun items:

c.Booth dry oil mist, 

Oscar de la Renta 4 sample perfumes, 

Phililp B leave-in cond, 

SpaRitual nail polish,

& tarte lipstick

The Sample Society box came with:

Deborah Lippmann nailpolish (sparkly purple), 

Dr. T’s sunscreen, 

Tres Pure face tonic, 

By Terry Cellularose brightening serum, 

& Reem Acra perfume

I'm leaning towards using the following (in pink text).

Glossybox #2:

c.Booth dry oil mist: Smells good & my dry skin will probably suck it in!

Oscar de la Renta 4 sample perfumes: I like a majority (3/4) of them!

Phililp B leave-in cond: This will be a good travel addition...?

SpaRitual nail polish: It's a pale sparkly pink & it might see some use (or I may regift it's so pretty)

& tarte lipstick: I already tried on & liked.

The Sample Society box:

Deborah Lippmann nailpolish (sparkly purple): May regift. I like blue and black for dark polish colors.

Dr. T’s sunscreen: Might take to Moondance next weekend & throw in purse?!

Tres Pure face tonic: It's a small sample that may go a long way...

By Terry Cellularose brightening serum: I like to brighten up my face!

& Reem Acra perfume: Not totally into the smell... it has an "older, rich lady" appeal to it.

Based on my chart, I'm still undecided as to which box/bag is the best, or which one I use the most stuff OF... Off the top of my head, I'm leaning towards keeping subscriptions to Glossybox ($21, most expensive) & the ipsy bag (because I like getting a little bag & it's a cheap subscription, $10), BUT we shall see if my thoughts shift with two more bags/boxes.

2nd Birchbox & 2nd Ipsy Glam Bag

So, my second Birchbox arrived sometime last week. I don't think I got a photo of the darn thing before I started using all of its insides!

The Goodies:
--- Antica Farmacista Body Moisturizer in Grapefruit. I slathered this one twice. The first time - just because it smelled good, and the second because it canceled out some self-tanner smell on my legs. It soaked in uber fast, too!
--- Wanderlust Collection nail polish. Cute and teeny and purple; I think I'll give it to my niece?
--- Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick. Love, love, love. Wore all weekend with or without my peppermint shiny gloss on top. Great color!
--- Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser. Have not tried yet. I burnt my forehead at a MN Twins game, so I haven't been scrubbing anything in the facial area for a few days...
--- The Lifestyle Extra was this Glee Gum. It was okay, but didn't last long in my mouth or in general. The bf got ahold of the last pieces.

My second Ipsy Glam Bag came today.

The bag is super cute = leopard! I will so use it in my purses!

Other goodies:

--- NYX blush. I have lots of blush, but this one is a bit darker than what I normally use; it's nice to have a variety?

--- J.Cats eye shadow & fake eyelashes. Very sparkly & the eyelashes come with glue!

--- Cailyn gel eyeliner. Looks promising.

--- Starlooks Tickle Me Pink lip liner. I don't think I've ever purchased lip liner?

SIDENOTE:

I had another bunch of samples from some things I purchased for myself around Christmas time. I should justify that with the fact that when I bought others' gifts, it was free shipping if I threw another item on the pile... yeah.

I can't recall what the gift bundle was called, but I got this stuff in it:

It's Benefit's "That Girl" brightening face primer. It was a miracle worker for my under eye area, even after a late night of craziness. I think this container is $29 at Sephora.com. It comes in a mini pack too, with other cool things, see below, for $15 at Sephora.com.

My chart, above, should help me decide which subscriptions to keep and which ones to ditch. It's looking like the first two are keepers, and the cheapest, but it might be too early to tell yet?

sample society / beautybar.com

Okay, so this is my fourth and last sample subscription (well, for this "month"). Beautybar.com has what they call Sample Society boxes that come to your door. I think when I subscribed, I ended up getting on June's box and not May's like the other three?? I might have to look into that to make sure I didn't get overcharged!

So, the box showed up last week:

Inside were the goodies surrounded by this black confetti that, unfortunately, covered everything in these black fuzzies. Thank goodness I wasn't wearing white! I grabbed a paper towel & proceeded to wipe everything down.

I situated them all in their little box for a better view:

The Goodies, from L to R:

--- Illume Desert Tulip tin. It's a teeny candle; I may use it, but I most likely will regift it.

--- Stila Lip Glaze in Grapefruit. Haven't tried it on yet, but it looks promising. Will be a great purse addition.

--- Philosophy Hope in a Jar. This is a great moisturizer; smells nice and didn't coat my skin so hardcore that I could feel my pores suffocating.

--- Ecru NY Sea Clean shampoo. Have not tried yet. Honestly, I wash my hair 3 times a week, so I don't run out of shampoo that easily. I didn't even pop open the top of this to smell it! Ooopsie.

--- Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. I tried this in combination with the Hope in a Jar last week. I don't recall it being that great or that nasty. I do cleansers that don't rip my skin off, and this was not in that category!

--- $15 Gift Code. If you buy something at Beautybar from one of these lines (not necessarily these specific products) and your total is $50, you'll get $15 off. That's pretty cool.

So... yeah.

At this point, honestly, I feel overwhelmed with the amount of TEENY TINY samples I have in my house. I gave some things away to my sister already because I knew I wouldn't use them AND I just get overwhelmed with "what to use when." BUT I haven't purchased many beauty products at all since getting these subscriptions. I think I've purchased nail stickers, and that might be it. Oh, and hair color (as in I needed to add in my own highlights). I haven't purchased lotions or facial cleansers or nail polish or candles or shampoo or body washes or lip stick or blush... if these subscriptions keep pumping cool stuff my way, I may only have to narrow them down to 2-3. 

I think I already mentioned that I'll give these subscriptions about three months' worth of my time. Before school starts, I'll revisit which things I used the most and which subscriptions seemed to tune into me the most. And, yes, I think I'll take $$ into account.

To recap:

1. ipsy glam bag, $10 (on Facebook, too).
2. Glossybox, $21 (on Facebook, too).
3. Birchbox, $10 (on Facebook, too).
4. Beauty Bar, $15.

reliable choices for comfort.

What are your go-to favorite outfit items?

Here's my list right now:
--- Denim Everything. Skinny jeans, jeggings, denim tops, baggy jeans, button-ups...
--- Drapey silk/rayon tops.
--- Leopard print.
--- Red heels.
--- Wedges.
--- Heels with itty-bitty ankle straps.
--- Black flowy dresses.
--- Fake leather medium-sized bags in navy or black.

For being at home:
--- Cropped yoga pants.
--- Fitted tees and zip-up hoodies.
--- My bright pink Nike running shoes.
--- Gap yoga pants (full length).

What I want more of:
--- Maxi dresses and skirts.
--- Easy to throw on sandals.
--- Denim tops that are more summer friendly.

Last night's outfit out & about:
--- Flow-y leopard printed top from Clothes Mentor in Fargo.
--- Bell-bottomed Gap jeans (light denim color) from Clothes Mentor in Fargo.
--- Wedges in weaved gold and black patterns from Target.
--- Gold accessories (two loopy earrings on left ear & a feathered earring on the right).
--- Small bag in beige canvas & black patent leather (from Clothes Mentor).

glossybox.

So, this last week, I received the Glossybox. On the same day, one of my purchases from Urban Outfitters showed up, too, so it was like summer Christmas!

 First of all, cute box!

Inside cute shipping box was another cute pink box (totally recycling it as a gift box!) with the Glossybox Magazine (didn't read - it's already in our recycling bin). Below: When one opens the pink box, we see everything tied in a pink bow. Cute, yet I thought, "Yep, I get it. I'm a girl and I'm supposed to like pink."

Under the bow were two coupons:

---Free 1.5oz shaper or shaper plus for a free something of Sebastian hair products (via Ulta); one has to purchase $15 worth before getting the shaper (hair shaper?) for free. Also, this coupon expires June 5; that seems too quick for me to consider using... just my opinion!

---Free wax at a waxcenter.com location; the closest for me is four hours away in the twin cities (Mpls/St. Paul) AND the backside says I have to be a state resident. So, might have to give that to a MN cousin?

The Goodies:

---Epionce Anti-Aging Serum. I put some of this on after using a facial sample from some other beauty subscription yesterday. My face looked bright & happy, but it could've been this and/or the facial scrub. I don't think using this little tube (in the picture, it's the white tube next to the black hair spray bottle) will determine how great it is because it might last one more usage. 

---etre belle hydro mask. Haven't used this yet...

---European Wax Center: Supposed to get 2 of 3 samples, but I only got the body wash sample. I may try the body wash sample tomorrow in the shower, but honestly, I have a few others that I really, really like, so this one will have to be amazing for me to switch to!

---Nicka K NY solid perfume stick. I had the bf smell this, and I put some on my inner elbow areas. It's okay, but I get a hint of lemon which makes me think of baked goods.

---Sebastian Professional volupt spray. I was going to use this as hair spray, on dry hair, last night, but then I read that it's for damp hair, so again, I may try this tomorrow after I shower.

---Xtreme Lashes long lasting eye pencil. I attempt liners and eye pencils all the time. Some are too sticky and some just don't stick around... this one was a little more dependable than others, but not by much. And to pay $29 is a little out there when I could double-up on Wet&Wild liquid liner (plus a generic pencil) for under $10.

I think after I get my BeautyBar bag or box, I'll wait a week to see if there are any products from these first four bags/boxes that I am still using or liking. Thus far, I've used that Cargo blush the most and that one lipstick I got (whichever bag that came from). Yeah...

refashion ugly stuff, okay?

Have you ever seen an ugly dress, and thought, "There is NO way that thing will ever be worn by ANYONE?"Or, have you dug through a $1 bin at a secondhand store, but didn't know what the hell you could make out of anything in it?

THEN you need to head over to this little lady's fashionblog = http://refashionista.net/ ... IF you haven't already. Yeppers.

I looked through just a few of her posts, and I feel VERY inspired already! Like, I want to be really crazy and make a patchwork jean top. Too ambitious, I know. Totally.

pisstified.

What if, no matter what I drink - Diet Coke, water, Grey Goose - I will just always feel bloated?
Because that's what my body does.
Maybe I need some daily ab work.

birchbox.

Well, hello there.

So, my FIRST Birchbox box came in the mail today (see previous post about the ipsy glam bag - part of my four test runs with these beauty subscriptions).

I really like the box aspect (versus a pouch in a semi-ugly pattern or bunch of colors) because I am all about recycling (okay, I could recycle the ipsy pouch, but that's technically regifting; by just using the Birchbox box as a wrapping, that's not regifting - not that regifting is bad!).

[I have the product names, too; will add soon.]

Items:
---Isaac Mizrahi perfume sample: I squirted it on & after sniffing, immediately washed my arms. It's not awful, but it's not me. It smelled, to my big nose, like something an older aunt would wear. No offense to those who like it; everyone's sniffer is different. I tend to like fruity, vanilla-like stuff = NYC by SJP is the most recent one I had to buy. I also love Viva La Juicy... just to give you snapshot of my fav scents.
---Tea. Now, I like to say that I like tea, but I am a freak for coffee. This one claims to be as caffeinated as coffee, so I'll give it a whirl. However, do people drink tea in the summer? Hot tea? Might have to attempt to make iced tea with it?
---Blush. Already used it today pre-running errands, and I don't think it has totally worn off. Huh.
---Facial Peel. May have to try tonight or this weekend?
---SPF lotion. I think I'd use the whole sample in one day, but I guess it's nice to be introduced to a new SPF cream. Oh, and I think this one has cucumbers in it? Why do we need fruit in stuff? Did I miss that memo?

Sidenote #1: I like the fact that there's a card explaining what is what, and how much they cost. Ipsy's bag didn't have that.

Sidenote #2: On FB, some are freaking out about an extra SPECIAL box of Nuance products? I wonder who gets that. I'll be honest; if I have to start paying attention (a.k.a. Logging into FB even more than I normally do) in order to get more deals, that is going to annoy and exhaust me. It's like when the bank said they wouldn't charge me a fee on my second checking account IF I used the debit card attached to it 10 times a month. I detest keeping track of crap. I ended up deleting that account. Yeah, that's how I roll.

three lists.

Guess What?
---Socks don't have to match.
---Colors in your outfit don't have to match.
---Want to pair $4 gold ballet flats with ripped jeans & a fancy top. Okay!
---Messy hair is okay; baby powder is cheaper than dry shampoo.
---You don't have to shower everyday; your skin will thank you.
---New undies are always a great idea.
---I have a number thing; I always wear 7 or 5 or 3 bracelets on either arm.

Idols Right Now:
---Betsey Johnson.
---Betty White.
---Betsy Birmingham, a former prof of mine who's got sass & crazy hair.

Question:
---Do contractions count when someone says, "Give me three words that explain X"?
---The sentence, "My cat's nuts," has many meanings, but I don't think it's a double or triple entendre. Right?
---Can I just have coffee for breakfast?

Old Outfit Pictures from the spring of 2010, just for Fun...
(I would dress myself, take the pictures, and then on the way to campus, whatever song or quote came to mind, that's what I used as the "caption.")

 

a) simple white button-up + broken red necklace + gap jeans + cowboy boots + men's blazer?

b) black capris + NDSCS tee + black sandals w/fabric bows attached to them.

c) cut-off dress + leggings + strappy black wedges + simple cardigan.

d) NDSCS tee + cardigan + men's jeans? + all-star tennis shoes.

e) lace tee + tunic dress + leggings + black studded heels + long necklaces + cardigan.

ipsy glam bag!

So, I jumped on the "bandwagon" & got beauty subscriptions to four sites a week or two (May 11) ago; I'll review my packages from them here & decide, in a few months, which ones to stay with through the school year, etc.

1. ipsy glam bag, $10 (on Facebook, too).
2. Glossybox, $21 (on Facebook, too).
3. Birchbox, $10 (on Facebook, too).
4. Beauty Bar, $15.

I got the ipsy bag today; it came in a cute pink postal package w/a chevron printed makeup bag inside that is holding the goodies. The chevron print (oranges & greens) is not cute; I wouldn't buy it separately.

So, the goodies:
1. Zoya pink nail polish; it came in a semi-crushed box. Might give away as a gift? I don't really wear light-colored polish unless it's uber white.
2. Pacifica vanilla roll-on perfume. It has a great smell; I might throw that in my purse.
3. Yaby vanilla-colored eye-shadow or concealer? (No list comes with stating what is what.) I tried it yesterday before running errands; it was a tad bit cakey, but it did make me look a little bit more awake. I can never decide if I really need concealer or foundation...
4. Mirabella lipstick in Posy. It's useful for lips and as a creamy blush; I think this also will go in my purse.
5. Anastasia clear brow gel. Do I need this?
6. Two postcards: one contains a $110 Nume gift certificate for hair tools & extensions, the other lists  coupons (sample: "Zoya Buy 2, Get 1 Free") I can find on their web site.

obsessed.

I'm severely obsessed. Like, I might need to go to therapy.

For realz.

This is serious.

When I'm bored or happy or sad or any emotion under the sun, I "window shop" for shoes on Pinterest and on eBay. I drool. I get excited. I smile. The chemicals in me go freaking nuts.

It's probably a disease, and I don't care. I don't know what lovely, gorgeous 5" heels I'll want in my casket, but it won't be one pair.

A list of my favorites right now:

(I have more pics of my favorites at: http://pinterest.com/scrible77/shoe-lust/)

1. My favorite combo of all time. ALL.TIME. = Casual jeans that are ripped up, an old tee, a cute blazer and funky jewelry with uber fancy, schmancy heels. In the words of Rachel Zoe: I DIE.

2. Neon & studded. Could be considered "trendy," but I think they could go for a few seasons... and who cares if they suddenly "go out of style" = They are beautiful.

3. Winter has past, yes, but good god I love a funky bootie or rugged tall boot. These would be easy to rock on campus and out on the town.

4. Whimsy: Guns should only be on shoes? Hee hee hee... Both of these heels, to me, mean HAVE FUN with fashion, kids!

5. Un-high-heels: Not all great heels are extremely tall. These are from Zara, I think, and they are so pretty!

6. Jeffrey Campbell. 

7. The most perfect kind of mary janes ever. EVER.

diy 2013: #1 & an UPDATE!

Oh, poor December & all my hopes for 25 Projects.
Oh well.
I over estimated my ability to achieve that amount. [UPDATE BELOW!]

Today, I decided to venture over to our cute, little secondhand store. I picked up about $20 worth of goodies... gold flats from American Eagle, a purple cardigan, blue tee, ... stretchy blue-ish purple fabric, a bag of fabric that had some white and black checkered pieces, some Christmas things (90% off!), and many books... I wanted a few hardcover books so I could attempt this:

I guess it's an old holiday book. The outsides were torn away from the insides and used as a cover for whatever = I decided to punch holes in the holiday cards/postcards I got from friends and family. I mean, what ELSE is a person supposed to do with those after the holidays? This way, I'll have a little book I can add to each year; it'd be a great conversation piece to put out every time November/December rolls around.

Genius!

And then I saw this on Pinterest (like the idea above); basically, this is the type of scrapbooking I can handle:

This person grabbed stuff from their NYC trip (I could do that too!); they punched holes in it all (ticket stubs, pictures, receipts, etc.). Find or create a heavy duty cover, and there you go = a book that can also be placed on the coffee table for conversations OR on a bookcase.

Yeah.

Best part? The supplies are already in YOUR HOUSE, or rather my house. I have recipes and little poems on paper and all sorts of things that need a home. Now, they can go into my Random Book. Another great part? The pieces I bought - old books and cardstock paper - cost me under $5. Woot woot, people.

UPDATE:

Here are two projects I created using the above idea =

 Large silver book (religious one, I think) that I gutted for a scrapbook.

Punched holes in pictures and little cards I had with sayings on them.

Photo of my sister and I when we were wee little things; I'm the oldest.

Plus, a goofy running sign.

More from the scrapbook; I think this was a booklet from the conference I went to in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada a lot time ago?

 

More pictures, Happy Bunny, and a VW image from a magazine. 

The Christmas Card book = Small and gold in color (gutted).

Two pictures above: Used old Christmas cards as yearly dividers.

Gma & Gpa's Holiday card.

 More holiday cards. I think by putting them into this book each year will be a cool tradition.

Then, from about Thanksgiving until the New Year, it becomes a coffee table book = instead of having them covering our fridge, we can keep them in this book.

And if I outgrow this book, I'll find another one to gut.

The End.