Confession Session

They say that confession is good for the soul (trust me, I'm Catholic.  I know these things).  With that I have a confession to make, oddly enough about a Catholic tradition - sacrifice during Lent.  I'm sure you are aware that during for the 40 days before Lent Catholics tend to give something up in order to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.  By forgoing something, we are reminded each time we are tempted to do that thing we have given up of the sacrifice of Jesus.

Well, ladies,  I must confess that I.am.struggling. with what I have up this year - senseless spending.  Meaning, the only things I am buying are food and products that I already use.  For example, it's perfectly acceptable for me to buy shampoo because I use that on a regular basis.  It's ok to buy foundation/mascara/eyeliner if I run out since I use it everyday.  What's NOT acceptable is buying more eyeshadow (because I have a lot) or nail polish (because I have plenty to choose from).  This of course goes beyond makeup to include clothing, shoes, accessories - you get the picture.

In the short time that I have been doing this, I realized something.

It's hard. 

I'm pathetic.

I'd like to say that this experience is drawing me close to God, but really I'm just kicking myself every time I see something I want to buy.  But I'm sticking with it and maybe every time I feel tempted I should say a prayer.  Maybe that will help me, but it's so hard when I want to buy:

Essie - Topless and Barefoot

Rose Rings from LizHutnick on Etsy

 

Heritage Cardigans from Land's End Canvas

(One in every color preferably)

NARS blush in Orgasm

 

Marc Jacobs Daisy

They tease, they wink, they beckon...

And really that's only scratching the surface.  Oh Easter, please hurry up and get here quickly so that I can buy myself something from this list!  

I'm Sorry, Sir! I Have an Addiction!

Hi, my name is MrsBill and I have an addiction.  That addiction is buying beauty products.  I.cannot.stop.  I understand that this is not something that new or groundbreaking as I'm sure most other ladies feel the same way.  While I don't spend a ton of money on any one individual product I try to be smart about what I do buy.  I hate to take a risk and buy something only to not like it.  If I'm going to buy something, I want to be sure that I'll use what I'm buying.  I just hate to waste.  That's why YouTube has been very helpful.  If you've ever watched any YouTube Beauty videos, you have seen that they often do "current loves" or "monthly favorites".  So since I'm currently trying all kinds of new items, I thought I would do something similar here on the ole' blog so here are my current favorites:

Nail Polishes - Sally Hansen's "Commander in Chic" and OPI's "Lincoln Park after Dark"

There are two colors that I'm really loving right now.  Currently I am wearing Lincoln Park after Dark and it's the first time I've worn it.  There is just something I like about black nails.  My husband asks if I'm feeling goth and like no one loves me.  I happen to think they look chic.  Commander in Chic is a great grey-ish purple color.  I love both formulas too, but I'm thinking I may like the Sally Hansen just a bit better.  Plus the brush is a bit angled and at first I hated it, but now I've found that I love it.  You should try it out if you haven't already.

St. Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub

I have been using this product for about a week now, and I think I can say that I'm officially in love.  Is it wrong to be in love with a beauty product?  Don't answer that.  I feel like since I was a teenager I have been trying to find a good face cleanser that will keep my skin clear.  So far this has been working wonderfully.  It's like a pimple will pop up over night and by the next day the thing has reduced dramatically.  I always swore by another product but it really doesn't even compare to this.  And the best part?  I only paid $3.50 for it at Wal-Mart.  I.am.in.love and I don't care who knows it!

 

Cover Girl Shimmering Sands Trio

This is really by far one of my favorite eye shadows and it's by Cover Girl.  I like that it gives a nice neutral eye look and isn't too shimmery or overpowering.  It blends perfectly and the colors are really pigmented.  This picture was taken with a flash so that last color looks more white, but in person it's a bit more pink.  I like to use that color on my inner corner and as my highlight.  It really is a great drugstore find.

E.L.F Eye Shadow Brush

For being $1.00 this brush is amazing.  I use it everyday and it really packs the color on.  I feel like it puts a lot of color on and places it on nicely.  I hate when it seems like the brush just soaks up all the products and you left with a slight dusting on your face.  This doesn't do that at all and you really can't beat a dollar!

So there you have my current favorite products.  As always, no one paid me to say these nice things I just felt like saying them because they're all true!

What I Really Meant to Say

Does anyone else write a blog entry and then keep thinking, I hope no one takes that the wrong way?  Or, I hope they don't think _____________ about me?  Or should I file this way of thinking into the "am I the only one" drawer? 

After I wrote yesterdays post, I couldn't stop thinking:

"I hope that no one take offense to what I said about spending money on expensive makeup products."

and

"I hope no one thinks that I'm totally cheap and broke because I'm worrying over $18."

Because I really didn't mean either of those two things.  Thus the need to write a second blog entry titled,

What I REALLY meant to say

With regards to the first statement, what I really meant to say, was that I personally have a hard time justifying spending X amount of dollars on a MAC product.  Simply because I look at it as makeup.  I look it as it as a fun item to buy that you put on your face and may or may not use all of.  Plus, I'd hate to spend that much on a product and then hardly use it because I'm not in love.  Now, what I do spend my extra money on, is purses.  I LOVE purses.  I want to buy one right now.  It's on super sale, but I'm trying to hold out for even super-er sale in order to be a little more frugal.  So moral of the story?  I don't like to spend my extra $ on makeup, but I love purses.  I don't judge people who buy lots of makeup because I?  I have a  lot of purses.

With regards to the second statement, what I really meant to say, was that $18 is not a lot of money in the grand ol' scheme of things.  $18 won't buy you a tank of gas and hardly buys a meal for two out to eat.  I know I mentioned in the entry that my new job won't produce a paycheck until the first of February and that means that my last paycheck received was December 31st.  I feel guilty spending money and non-necessary items when I'm not really contributing this month.  I also feel guilty when I've been on a spending binge and bought a few items from Forever 21 and this (which I LOVE btw):

via here

It makes it harder to justify spending that money when I've already spent a few dollars on myself already this month.  I think that part of sharing finances with someone means respecting them and not spending a bajillion dollars on myself.  Know what I mean?  So moral of the story?  I'm trying to be frugal and it's not really working.

So there's my explanation that was probably totally unnecessary, but boy do I feel better getting that off my chest!

(And let's ignore the fact that this entry totally negates the fact that the previous entry was supposed to be in jest and all in good fun!)

What to Do?

I hereby dedicate this entry to my wonderful husband (also known as my number one blog fan) who often asks that I post more and then complains when I post (too much) about things like the snow.  Well today dear husband, enjoy this entry and let me know what you think!

As I have said before, I have a new found love for YouTube beauty gurus.  I absolutely love watching the videos and learning how to do techniques, especially using products that I already own.  The down side to watching these videos, is that I often find myself wanting to buy everything under the sun (within reason).  While I am growing my love for all things makeup, I'm trying to be reasonable about it.  Would MAC makeup be better quality vs. other brands?  Yes, probably.  Do I have money to run out every other day and buy these products every time a guru raves about them?  No, I do not.  Possibly because I have to be "adult" and pay things like the "mortgage" and "bills".  And I know that these products will last longer because they are of better quality, etc, etc.  I just can't bring myself to spend big bucks on these products either.  (And as a side note, I am NOT judging people who buy these things.  Some people probably would not spend the money I do on purses.  It's just your preferences).  I believe that I can find great deals on drugstore items that work just as well or are good dupes for more expensive things. 

With that in mind, I visited the e.l.f. website tonight.  Which, ok.  That was a mistake.  I started looking around and finding items that I have seen reviewed or mentioned on YouTube.  I decided to put things in my shopping bag just to see how much everything would be.  When I hit checkout, I noticed they were running a deal on their makeup brushes - 50% off.  50% off people!!!  Do you know how much that is?!  That's half off!  So now, I'm sitting here torn.  I have a shopping bag full of 9 items that is totaling out at $18.95 (which includes shipping) and I just don't know if I should pull the trigger.  I don't know why I'm being so batty about it.  That's less than a dollar per item - for makeup!  I know it's not the best quality, but for less than a dollar an item, that's hard to pass up!  There's some cute things in there like this lipstick (shade is Nicely Nude):

via here

I know I sounds like a lunatic worrying about $18, but keep in mind that I started a new job and I won't get paid until February.  So that's a whole loooooooong month.  But this is a sale.  A 50% off sale.  Did I mention that?  Because it's definitely worth mentioning. 

So what say you, husband?  Should I take advantage of this awesome deal that ends on the 17th and who knows when it will ever come around again?  Or should I save my pennies like a good little girl?

And just so we're clear, I'm raving about this sale/products because I want to.  No one paid me or gave me anything.  From what I understand it's a big deal if you don't disclose this or if we don't disclose that you got paid, but because I don't want any scary government agencies coming after me, I'm just going to throw that out there!

An Announcement

I have an announcement to make.  I want an iPhone based solely on the site http://damnyouautocorrect.com/.  I was laughing hysterically at this stuff last night.  My husband thought I was crazy, but he was laughing at some of them too.

via here

And that's all I have to say about that.

Happy Weekend, everyone!

And I am a Material Girl

Remember when I said the only thing I wanted for my birthday was a purse?  Well since then, I haven't been able to stop thinking of other things I would like to have:

via here

I'm going to be honest.  I don't own anything Lilly, and I don't really care for much of her products, but this?  This I must have.  It's from the sorority collection and it's the Delta Zeta print.  Of course, I MUST have it!  It's got tiny turtles on it for God's sake.  Now if only I could convince my husband that I need a $118 scarf...

 

via here
Have you smelled Bath and Body Works new scent Dark Kiss?  It's amazing.  I believe it's a mixture of Berry and Vanilla.  It truly is awesome.  Seeing as how I have a coupon, that sucker is probably coming to live me sometime today.

 

Via here

I'm longing for my house to smell fall-like.  There is just something about the cinnamon and spices of fall.

 

Via here

I have been really wanting a new cell phone.  While the HTC Evo is at the top of my list that probably won't be the phone I get.  A girl can dream, though, right?

 P.S. Go back an entry for my 30 Day Challenge post!

Housekeeping

Note: When you read the title you should say it a la Tommy Boy.

So.  I guess I'm what you'd call a blogger-hopper.  Meaning, I start about 5 million blogs, write two entries, then start another or go back to an old one.  Well ENOUGH!  Enough I say!  Time to pick one and stick to it.  It's too much for me to keep track of and it makes me feel like I have a multiple personality disorder.  So here is now home.  If I want to write about pop culture, it will be here.  If I want to talk about my infertility issues, it will be here.  If I want to talk about how undomestic I am, it will be here.  Much like I picked a sorority as a home, I have picked this blog to be my home.  It should feel so... special.

Since we last left, I had take a Dye Test to insure that my tubes were open and things that need to get through can in fact do so.  They were all clear so that's good news, but I haven't done much since, and thank God because I am still getting bills for that darn test!  It was FOUR months ago!  There should be a statute of limitations or something.  Gah.  I really don't know what to do when it comes to fertility issues.  I'm so indecisive.  Much like I can't pick a blog, I can't pick how/when to pursue a family.  I think I am waiting on some guidance from God on how to proceed next.  Although a tiny part of me hopes that my indecision will lead to a natural pregnancy.  I'm not really that naive, but I can dream, right?

In other non-uteruo news, my BIRTHDAY is coming up in just a few short weeks. The only thing on my wish list:

 Via here

This Coach SOHO tote.  I'm not really set on a color, although I am really liking this almond color as I feel it would very versatile in my wardrobe as well as seasons.  It really just depends on what they have available when I go to the store.  One thing is for sure, "It will be mine. Oh yes.  It will be mine".  I just love my birthday, although I'm not stoked about the idea of getting older.  That's not cool.  But I do enjoy any day that can be all about me and I get presents.  Especially fun presents like Coach purses.