Beauty

[Oshare-girl]

With a group of friends we do the "Advent Conspiracy" where we explain to our children how blessed we are to have everything we need and how there are many people all over the world that have very little. Instead of exchanging gifts with each other, we put that money in a Kitty and have the kids pick out stuff from a charity organization. This year we chose Compassion Intl. The kids have to work together to pick out things from the catalog that will fit in the budget. Stuff like animals (chicken, pigs, goats), water filtration, text books, mosquito nets etc. we want our kids to think beyond themselves and have made this a tradition during Black Friday weekend to balance out all the materialism. Then we have great fellowship and a Christmas party rolled into one. I think this is my proudest moment as a parent. The kids still get way too many gifts from the grandparents so they are hardly deprived. But we hope that they will be mindful of giving to others first as they grow up. It's also good to teach them math, budgeting and working as a group.

[Oshare-girl]

On another note, I have a schedule for 2015 of all the beauty products I will be using for each season. It helped me to see that I am more than stocked up on everything for another year. No back-up purchases necessary. Since I started Compacting, I have hit pan on more items than ever before. I hope to reach my ideal capsule makeup collection in the next year. Fingers crossed.

[Coffeebean33]

On 12/3/2014 Oshare-girl said: With a group of friends we do the "Advent Conspiracy" where we explain to our children how blessed we are to have everything we need and how there are many people all over the world that have very little. Instead of exchanging gifts with each other, we put that money in a Kitty and have the kids pick out stuff from a charity organization. This year we chose Compassion Intl. The kids have to work together to pick out things from the catalog that will fit in the budget. Stuff like animals (chicken, pigs, goats), water filtration, text books, mosquito nets etc. we want our kids to think beyond themselves and have made this a tradition during Black Friday weekend to balance out all the materialism. Then we have great fellowship and a Christmas party rolled into one. I think this is my proudest moment as a parent. The kids still get way too many gifts from the grandparents so they are hardly deprived. But we hope that they will be mindful of giving to others first as they grow up. It's also good to teach them math, budgeting and working as a group.

This is beautiful and heart warming. Thank you for sharing.

[just bee]

On 12/3/2014 Oshare-girl said: On another note, I have a schedule for 2015 of all the beauty products I will be using for each season. It helped me to see that I am more than stocked up on everything for another year. No back-up purchases necessary. Since I started Compacting, I have hit pan on more items than ever before. I hope to reach my ideal capsule makeup collection in the next year. Fingers crossed.

[just bee]

On 12/3/2014 Coffeebean33 said:

On 12/3/2014 Oshare-girl said: With a group of friends we do the "Advent Conspiracy" where we explain to our children how blessed we are to have everything we need and how there are many people all over the world that have very little. Instead of exchanging gifts with each other, we put that money in a Kitty and have the kids pick out stuff from a charity organization. This year we chose Compassion Intl. The kids have to work together to pick out things from the catalog that will fit in the budget. Stuff like animals (chicken, pigs, goats), water filtration, text books, mosquito nets etc. we want our kids to think beyond themselves and have made this a tradition during Black Friday weekend to balance out all the materialism. Then we have great fellowship and a Christmas party rolled into one. I think this is my proudest moment as a parent. The kids still get way too many gifts from the grandparents so they are hardly deprived. But we hope that they will be mindful of giving to others first as they grow up. It's also good to teach them math, budgeting and working as a group.

This is beautiful and heart warming. Thank you for sharing.

What she said!

[just bee]

On 12/2/2014 aprilskies said:

So, the lessons from having too much stuff just dont end.

I still have too much and I've essentially stopped shopping. I know I'm making progress because I'm not bringing things into the house, but there was just too much collected to begin with. It adds up fast, doesn't it?

[DL2843]

Happy St. Nick's Day. I am trying to manage Christmas by really thinking about the gifts I put on my list. Why do I want this, why do I need it, and is it replacing or duplicating something I already own? My mother insists on buying me many gifts. I cannot convince her that I really don't need more. My sister also wants to buy me something. I finally convinced her that all I wanted was a new Christmas mystery book. On Black Friday I bought just two items and one was an item to donate to an auction. The other was sweat pants, because my current pair is so pilled that they feel icky to put on. So far it seems to be working. I have said no to the make-up kits, because I think of all the lip and cheek products in my stash. I did buy a Josie Maran TSV kit because it was all lotions, and I have no stash of lotions. I still love this thread. Thanks to all of you for keeping it active.

[just bee]

On 12/6/2014 DL2843 said: I still love this thread. Thanks to all of you for keeping it active.

Awww shucks!

[just bee]

Just checking in. How's everyone doing? I had to go out and pick up pizza last night (wanted to give Better-half a break from cooking -- and I wanted pizza) and the traffic around the mall was getting a tad thick. Be careful out there! People do not have driving on their minds.

Remember: Keep it simple and enjoy the season.

[aprilskies]

Hi Everyone. I love Christmas scenes and should make a point of getting out to enjoy them more. We have a few places that are quaint this time of year, even though they are centered around stores. . I havent been doing so well and need to pull it back some. It is amazing how strong that old shopping bug crept back. But, I certainly dont want to find myself in the same place I have worked so hard in getting out of. This time of year is definitely tough.

I hope everyone has safe and healthy holidays centered around people and good times. Yes, be safe out there. The stores have been crazy now for a long time, I cant imagine what is yet to come.

I really cant believe we are about to close out another year. Where did it go?

Just Bee, how is school going> Are you now doing your master's or higher degree?