Beauty

[dosey]

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@Oshare-girl wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@Oshare-girl wrote:

We're going to Portland in the fall and I'm so excited, I'm working on my packing list already.  I wanted to take a smaller more portable palette with me and since it's a no-buy month, I shopped my stash.  I broke open a Lorac skinny eyeshadow palette that I bought during the holidays but never used.  Love it!  I can't wait to go and get away from this unbearable heat.  Hope everyone's keeping cool.

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I'm assuming that's Portland, OR -- not ME.  Remember: Layer, layer, layer.  Be prepared for precipitation.  September's warmer and not as wet as October through December, but pack accordingly.  It's like the San Francisco Bay Area with microclimates.  It can be warm and dry in one area, cooler and soggier in another. 

But you probably already know all this.  I lived behind the Redwood Curtain for five years and managed winter rains and pea soup fog.  But Oregon fog is a whole nuther animal.  On one trip we had to get off the road and wait in a Grants Pass coffee shop for hours for the fog to lift.

Sometimes I miss all that.  But then all I have to do is sniff one of my old schoolbooks and I can still detect mildew.

Oh -- did I mention I'm sick with jealousy?

Actually, it rained so hard here yesterday that both our skylights leaked and rain and hail came right into the house when I opened the front door.  Swept pools of water off the back patio.  Thunder and lightning -- and the neighbor's getting a new roof.  I can't believe the work crew stayed up there and lived to tell about it.

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I've been to Portland once before and it was one of my favorite trips, falls just below Japan in the spring.  Yes, I'm planning to layer, layer, layer.  I'm bringing a rain jacket because Portlanders don't carry umbrellas.  We're staying downtown so I plan to walk and catch the mass transit around the city while DH is in his conference.  We went on an epicurian walking tour the last time we were there and it was the best thing since we didn't know the city at all.  We're planning to do another walking food tour on his free day.  I can't wait!  This heat is horrible.  And the weird summer storms just add to the misery.  Our roof is leaking too and also our downstairs closet.  When it rains steadily, the water just appears out of the concrete.  We need a structural engineer...

Portland, take me away!  I'm not sure that I would want to live there, but it sure is a nice change of pace.

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Several years ago, I visited Portland a few times for business.  Unfortunately, I did not have the time to do anything fun, but I was there one time when the roses were blooming.  Very beautiful!

[dosey]

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@Oshare-girl wrote:

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette is history!  I finished it this morning.  It feels SO good to accomplish that.  Sometimes I think it's ridiculous how much energy I put into finishing products, but I'm hoping that this change in behavior will have a ripple effect and affect other areas that need work in my life.

So after all that, was it worth it?  Yes & no.  As Marie Kondo says, it served its purpose in that I satisfied my curiosity of the HG powders and I don't need to purchase any others.  And no, the palette wasn't worth it.  The consistency was really beautiful but the colors weren't right for my skintone.  And my Wet N Wild powders do the job just as well for a fraction of the price.  

As for the no-buy August, um...I broke it.  I'm running low on my mascara waterproof top coat from Bareminerals and when I went to reorder it, I can't find it!  Looks like it is being discontinued.  I'm sure it will pop up on the BM last chance sale at some point but I needed a replacement soon.  So I bought a mini Per-fekt gel mascara from drugstore.com.  They are the only site that had the mini size.  I haven't tried this yet so I don't want to invest in the full size.  Plus I find that the mini sizes last 3 months anyway so there's no need to buy a full size.

I'm so sad that drugstore.com is shutting down.  I checked the Walgreens site and they do not have free shipping to Hawaii.  There is no good replacement for fast & free shipping of drugstore products, many of which are hard to find in other drugstores.  I'll have to visit an actual brick & mortar store now.  And Bee, I checked Costco and they have a hybrid dog treat.  It looks like a mixture of Greenies and the Milk Bone dental chew.  Both of which my doggy does consume anyway so maybe it will be a good option.  Change is so hard.... 

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I don't think buying a replacement is breaking the no buy.  Carry on, my friend.  Carry on.

[dosey]

So.  Here's the story.  I came home on Friday and found an Evine package in my mailbox.  What???  I didn't order anything.  Not a thing.  What do you think was inside?  Isomers Immortal Eye Duo.  I thought I had delayed the next shipment until October, but apparently, I delayed it until August.  I'm not sure why I chose August because I am in back to school mode then (now).  An easy mistake, I suppose.  Both months begin with a vowel.  Also, I had not decided if I wanted to spend $58 on eye products.  The only good thing about this is that the tube of CeraVe eye cream is just about empty so a replacement this month is likely.  Now, I will be able to do a back-to-back comparison of CeraVe eye cream/Vaseline to Isomers.  Still ticked that I spent $58 when I did not want to.

Which brings me to . . . . Why the heck are college textbooks more than $200 each??  That is outrageous.  We had to pay a fee for buying the books, too.  It has dawned on me that I am not going to have any money until my kids are out of college.  And I complained about the price of diapers.

HEP is going well.  I have cut down on sugar but could still do better.  I am eating healthier foods.  Have you ever had a Cripps Pink apple?  My grocer started carrying them.  Yummy!!  Also, a walking challenge is about to begin at work, and I joined a team.  We are going to WIN!

Hope you all have a terrific week!!

[aprilskies]

I almost broke my no buy with a shampoo purchase I sure don't need. It helps when you pause and think about it.  The trick is to remember to think things through.  Phew, close one.  

Tonight, I cleaned off my kitchen/dining table. It was truly a mess.  Paperwork and everything else seems to find it's way there. My new mission is to keep this clear at all times.  I have started keeping my kitchen counters clear of things that don't belong there and I am loving it.  Now it is time to add the table now.  

I gathered all the receipts as I cleaned off my table and I am appalled.  While I know the range these last few months, I don't know what it has been for the year and I am not going to add things up or even go back over them to see what the heck I bought. But, I know for the money I could of had a few extraordinary things for my home. While I do love trying new things, I think I have to call a moratorium on buying any products until I really need something. Why is this so hard? Maybe it is time to change the focus. 

I am thankful for the Aug. no buy challenge. It has saved me a few purchases already.  I am going to continue it in September and also add another category - innocuous purchases. Maybe I will keep track of all the product and innocuous purchases that perk my ears and keep a total and then invest that money.  Hmmm...   I would like to retire within the next 10 years and how I am currently spending isn't smart at all.  Focus change!!!!!

Time to say good night.  Tomorrow is a brand new day. 

[aprilskies]

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@dosey wrote:

So.  Here's the story.  I came home on Friday and found an Evine package in my mailbox.  What???  I didn't order anything.  Not a thing.  What do you think was inside?  Isomers Immortal Eye Duo.  I thought I had delayed the next shipment until October, but apparently, I delayed it until August.  I'm not sure why I chose August because I am in back to school mode then (now).  An easy mistake, I suppose.  Both months begin with a vowel.  Also, I had not decided if I wanted to spend $58 on eye products.  The only good thing about this is that the tube of CeraVe eye cream is just about empty so a replacement this month is likely.  Now, I will be able to do a back-to-back comparison of CeraVe eye cream/Vaseline to Isomers.  Still ticked that I spent $58 when I did not want to.

Which brings me to . . . . Why the heck are college textbooks more than $200 each??  That is outrageous.  We had to pay a fee for buying the books, too.  It has dawned on me that I am not going to have any money until my kids are out of college.  And I complained about the price of diapers.

HEP is going well.  I have cut down on sugar but could still do better.  I am eating healthier foods.  Have you ever had a Cripps Pink apple?  My grocer started carrying them.  Yummy!!  Also, a walking challenge is about to begin at work, and I joined a team.  We are going to WIN!

Hope you all have a terrific week!!

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Ugh, you gotta love those auto deliveries.  I really did like the immortal eye serum and the moisturizer was alright but I cancelled mine after a little while.  I do miss the serum though. It did seem to tighten the appearance of my eyes.  But, yea 60 is pricey especially since the moisturizer for me was just okay. 

Those books got expensive.  I remember them being expensive when I was in school, now they are over the top.  So ridiculous.  BUT, your son is off to college.  What a time for you.  How are you feeling?  Missing him already?

[aprilskies]

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@rnmom wrote:

I'm still managing to hang on for the August no buy. Other than my $1 garage sale 3-in-1 I'm hanging in there. It's funny, because there is still the desire to want to buy more, even though I don't need anything. Next month I will probably need to buy some more shower gel for hubby and the kids, but that should be it. That and some sunblock for the kids. I ordered a small tube of Alba for them to try and they don't like it at all, they say it's really greasy. I had some Blue Lizard for them a couple of years ago that they liked, so I might get them one of those, but I'm not sure yet, it's really expensive. I also just might get them a bottle of Kroger brand. Cheap and convenient. 

We've been getting some more whole house decluttering done over here and I've been really happy. Hubby must have caught the bug because he went thru a bunch of old papers in his home office and threw away 3 white kitchen trash bags of papers. They were only about 1/2 full because we didn't want them to be too heavy, but I was thrilled at the amount that left the house. Plus he went thru some of his shirts and got rid of several he doesn't wear. He did go out and buy some new ones, but I think more left than came in. We ended up donating two full white trash bags and a small box of glasses to Salvation Army. Yeah!

Our church has a bazaar every year the first weekend in November and they have a white elephant sale, so some of my nicer things I'm saving back to donate to the sale to see if I can help the church out at all. I'll be glad to see this all leave the house. 

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Yes, I always want to buy more and I really don't need a thing. Discovering something new is so enticing. I can't even get around to using all that I have but it sure doesn't kill the desire.  It is definitely a challenge. 

Great cause and you know your donations will be put to good use. Great job in decluttering. 

[aprilskies]

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@Oshare-girl wrote:

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette is history!  I finished it this morning.  It feels SO good to accomplish that.  Sometimes I think it's ridiculous how much energy I put into finishing products, but I'm hoping that this change in behavior will have a ripple effect and affect other areas that need work in my life.

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Awesome in finishing that palette.  These aren't easy.  I have put my panning on hold for the summer but am ready to start again. You are really working through some items.  That is inspiring. 

I agree about all of the energy we give to products.  Amazing, isn't it?

I think things really do translate to other parts in life.  Right now, I am trying to keep certain areas clutter free.  I started with my kitchen and am starting to expand it to my dining area.  I really don't like clutter but always seem to be surrounded by it.  So, I am hoping once I clean up my surroundings I can start moving forward where I need to. ....or at the very least feel more peaceful.   

[just bee]

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@dosey wrote:

So.  Here's the story.  I came home on Friday and found an Evine package in my mailbox.  What???  I didn't order anything.  Not a thing.  What do you think was inside?  Isomers Immortal Eye Duo.  I thought I had delayed the next shipment until October, but apparently, I delayed it until August.  I'm not sure why I chose August because I am in back to school mode then (now).  An easy mistake, I suppose.  Both months begin with a vowel.  Also, I had not decided if I wanted to spend $58 on eye products.  The only good thing about this is that the tube of CeraVe eye cream is just about empty so a replacement this month is likely.  Now, I will be able to do a back-to-back comparison of CeraVe eye cream/Vaseline to Isomers.  Still ticked that I spent $58 when I did not want to.

Which brings me to . . . . Why the heck are college textbooks more than $200 each??  That is outrageous.  We had to pay a fee for buying the books, too.  It has dawned on me that I am not going to have any money until my kids are out of college.  And I complained about the price of diapers.

HEP is going well.  I have cut down on sugar but could still do better.  I am eating healthier foods.  Have you ever had a Cripps Pink apple?  My grocer started carrying them.  Yummy!!  Also, a walking challenge is about to begin at work, and I joined a team.  We are going to WIN!

Hope you all have a terrific week!!

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Yes to the apples (a.k.a. Pink Lady).  One of my favorites!

College textbooks are ridiculous.  When I went to college in the late 70s-early 80s, I could get all my books for less than $100 each quarter.  I may have gone over $100 a couple times but it wasn't by much.  I still have several of those books today (of course, you do) and many were hardcover.  I'd gasp when I'd open one that was $22.50.  (Remember that university tuition then was $69 a quarter.)

My last two degrees were killers.  Not only had tuition gone through the roof, but $100 wouldn't get me half a softcover book.  Worse, the degree I completed last year was weird in that all my books were online.  And they were still ridiculously expensive.

My beef is not only the price, but the amount of errors in them.  Not only grammatical and spelling errors, but the information is wrong.  A new edition will be published and it will be more expensive but sometimes the text is unchanged.  They update some photos and put a new cover on it, but it's the same old book that was $30 cheaper last year.  It's criminal.

There.  I've vented.

[just bee]

Well, I was doing well on the no-buy pledge until today.  I went to the dentist and ended up buying a new electric toothbrush.  Mine had died some time ago and I'd been thinking about replacing it but I just never got around to it.  The price was right.  I got home and Better-half scoffed.  You bought a toothbrush at the dentist?  You would have paid less online.

I'd planned to pick one up at Costco, but they said their price was better -- and there was a mail-in rebate.  And they threw in a tube of toothpaste and a bottle of mouthwash.  And a cute little tote bag to carry it all home.  Better-half checked out the same model online and it was actually more on Amazon.  Victory!  (I've bought them from this dentist before and never had an issue.)

I don't feel this is a frivolous purchase since I'm investing in my teeth.  I'll be investing even more when I go back next week for a new crown.  Good thing I worked a 16-hour shift last week!

[just bee]

In case anyone needs a reminder, season 3 of Halt and Catch Fire starts tomorrow night.