The P Stands for Payday.
Sometimes I don't think I'll ever get used to being paid monthly. Back when I lived in Canada, bi-monthly was the norm. However, when I helped out at my mom's workplace while I was in high school, I was paid at the end of the working day. Which, quite frankly, rocked hard. Then when I moved here and started temping, we got paid weekly. Which was again, awesome.
Now, I get paid at the end of each month, and to be brutally honest, sometimes I totally suck at budgeting. Even though I'm making a lot more money now than I did when I was temping, at the end of the month it feels like I've got nothing at all. I find it impossible to break my monthly pay down into 4 or 5 "weeks". Instead, the day I get paid I already know what money has to go where and budget accordingly. A amount for my Direct Debits and Travel money. B amount for my rent. C amount for food and incidentals. D amount for MAC. And, this month there's also E to pay off last month's credit card bill, and F to pay the deposit for my trip to Cancun. Next month I get to pay off my flights to Canada - all I can say is THANK GOD for the overtime I'll be getting at the end of May because seriously. It was a good hundred pounds more than the last time I went to Canada. Stupid inflation.
Anyway, I'm digressing. The whole point of this post was not really to rant about my finances (I mean, I'm always saying how I'm broke, but I'm paying off two vacations by September, so that's probably why=P)
The point of this post is to rant about MAC instead.
When I get paid, the first thing that springs to mind is the urge to go on MAC's website and compile a shopping list to take to my local MAC Counter (Meadowhall). The problem is, I'm also trying to save so I've got extra spending money when I go to Canada, so I've got a specific amount of money each month that is free to spend on makeup. So, however much I'm lemming the 109 and the 134 brushes, I can't. Because unfortunately, my entire MAC fund this month needs to be set aside for Rose Romance.
And there's also the fact that I'm on a strict No-buy until my Pro card comes. Why should I pay full price for things when I can use my card to get the discount? Exactly. The Pro card also means no more trips to my MAC counter, since they only take it at freestanding stores. So it's looking like all my MAC purchasing for the forseeable future will be mail-order on the Pro phone line. I'm just hoping the card gets here in time for Rose Romance (I've got the number already but not the card)
Rose Romance is released in the UK next Thursday (the 7th of May) and my shopping list, while I have cut it down, is still somewhat... expansive.
So far I've managed to get it down to:
Et Tu, Bouquet? Eyeshadow
Of Summer Eyeshadow
Blush of Youth Beauty Powder
Summer Rose Beauty Powder
Just a Pinch Gel Blush
Circa Plum Pigment
Mutiny Pigment
Secret Crush See-Thru Lip Colour
Loving Touch See-Thru Lip Colour
Tender Tryst See-Thru Lip Colour
Love and Friendship nail laquer (and I might pick up a second one of these for a contest prize later)
Sigh. Originally I also wanted two lipglasses, two lipsticks and another eyeshadow, so I've cut it down a BIT.
Finally, my first NYX lot sale haul came in the mail yesterday =] (the second should be here from America in a couple weeks) I'll post my haulage if and when my phone/computer will allow me to transfer pictures. I'm starting to get annoyed by this. Grr.
Anyway, what are you guys getting from this collection? I'm still on the fence about the eyshadows but I haven't decided yet. I need to go on the hunt for dupes.
Showing posts with label Rambling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rambling. Show all posts
Monday, 27 April 2009
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
A Brief Rant
How much does it suck that the only MAC Pro store in the UK is in London?
I have no idea why suddenly this is irritating me more than usual, but I'm very annoyed right now. Maybe it's because my body is adjusting TERRIBLY to the whole time-change fiasco, that I nearly fell asleep on the bus on the way into work. Not to mention that I bashed the inside of my ankle against the wheel well when I slid into my seat. Sigh. But, as usual, I'm digressing.
I'm just lucky that I've got a friend down south who's willing to CP items from the Pro store for me, otherwise life would be difficult. And I know, I know, you can mail order over the phone. But here's the thing about me - I hate ordering stuff over the phone. I even order my pizza over the internet. Do you seriously expect me to order makeup over the phone? Nevermind the fact that my indecisiveness would have some poor call centre representative on the phone for several hours while I agonized over the decision between three eyeshadows and a lip gloss.
I think MAC should seriously consider setting up another Pro store somewhere a little further north. Like, I don't know, Sheffield for example? Sheffield also desperately needs a standalone store please. Thank you.
On top of that, I just want to tell you all that I am currently in a state of constant irritation and sometimes-agony with my braces. By this point you would think they wouldn't bother me anymore but the past week or so it's really flared up. It probably doesn't help that I fell up the stairs on the weekend and jammed one of my braced-molars, and it's that whole side of my mouth that is constantly throbbing. Sigh. Six weeks today they will be off. Six weeks today and I will be 23 years old. God, I feel so old.
Finally - and this part is in relation to my previous post, whining that I had to cut down my Sugarsweet list due to money having to be diverted elsewhere - it seems that I would actually have enough cash left over for my whole Sugarsweet list. But, I think I might stick to my guns and get the shorter list anyway. I mean I figured, I've managed to cut it down a little bit so clearly the items I've managed to cut out are not essentials anyway.
Yet another mostly-useless blog post. But, there you have it. That's how I feel today.
In other, completely unrelated, news - I'm going to try to get some manner of tutorial up. Maybe my favourite Hello Kitty look? Or something a little more inventive. I'm not sure yet. Once I get some creative juices I'll figure out some tutorials to upload. Whoosh!
XOXO Vix
I have no idea why suddenly this is irritating me more than usual, but I'm very annoyed right now. Maybe it's because my body is adjusting TERRIBLY to the whole time-change fiasco, that I nearly fell asleep on the bus on the way into work. Not to mention that I bashed the inside of my ankle against the wheel well when I slid into my seat. Sigh. But, as usual, I'm digressing.
I'm just lucky that I've got a friend down south who's willing to CP items from the Pro store for me, otherwise life would be difficult. And I know, I know, you can mail order over the phone. But here's the thing about me - I hate ordering stuff over the phone. I even order my pizza over the internet. Do you seriously expect me to order makeup over the phone? Nevermind the fact that my indecisiveness would have some poor call centre representative on the phone for several hours while I agonized over the decision between three eyeshadows and a lip gloss.
I think MAC should seriously consider setting up another Pro store somewhere a little further north. Like, I don't know, Sheffield for example? Sheffield also desperately needs a standalone store please. Thank you.
On top of that, I just want to tell you all that I am currently in a state of constant irritation and sometimes-agony with my braces. By this point you would think they wouldn't bother me anymore but the past week or so it's really flared up. It probably doesn't help that I fell up the stairs on the weekend and jammed one of my braced-molars, and it's that whole side of my mouth that is constantly throbbing. Sigh. Six weeks today they will be off. Six weeks today and I will be 23 years old. God, I feel so old.
Finally - and this part is in relation to my previous post, whining that I had to cut down my Sugarsweet list due to money having to be diverted elsewhere - it seems that I would actually have enough cash left over for my whole Sugarsweet list. But, I think I might stick to my guns and get the shorter list anyway. I mean I figured, I've managed to cut it down a little bit so clearly the items I've managed to cut out are not essentials anyway.
Yet another mostly-useless blog post. But, there you have it. That's how I feel today.
In other, completely unrelated, news - I'm going to try to get some manner of tutorial up. Maybe my favourite Hello Kitty look? Or something a little more inventive. I'm not sure yet. Once I get some creative juices I'll figure out some tutorials to upload. Whoosh!
XOXO Vix
Monday, 30 March 2009
Tough Decisions
So, after having to use my credit card for the first time last month, and paying it off in full when I got paid on Friday and therefore dwindling off a large chunk of this month's pay, I'm facing some tough choices. And as much as I hate it, I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do the right thing.
Here goes. I really cannot afford everything on my Sugarsweet Wish List.
And I'd rather forego an item or two I'd probably never use anyway, than get stuck into a stupid cycle of using the credit card and paying it off next month just to have to use it again. The card, is has a balance of ZERO right now, and I want to keep it that way. And the fact of the matter is, I have slightly less money this month than I thought I would due to an obscenely high gas bill, and the fact that I still have to pay international shipping to get my CP'd NYX Lot Sale purchases sent over from America.
So, my Sugarsweet wishlist has dwindled significantly. Or, it will. I'm just not sure where to start. The Perfect Topping MSF is one thing that I do really want. And I'm agonizing over the rest.
Lollipop Loving and Bubbles lipsticks are super, super gorgeous. But do I really need Saint Germain? I could probably just get away with ordering Snob and pretending I never saw the swatches that foretold of the slight difference between the two. It's a shame, because Saint Germain is the perfect bubblegum pink.
And, oh it pains me to say this but...the shadesticks. Oh, my, some of the shadesticks are going to have to go. I can maybe get a couple but all 5 are just not going to happen.
I hate downsizing, I'm indecisive enough to begin with, but such is the way of the world. If they're in stock at the end of April I have some overtime pay coming to me that means I could get the things I was missing on top of my Rose Romance list... but it's a gamble as to whether or not the things I want will still be in stock.
The life of a working-class makeup addict, it's a toughie.
So, that's where I stand. I wanted to blog about it because this? Having to cut down your wishlist because real things like bills crop up from time to time? This is real life. And I'm all about reality. And I'm trying my damndest not to be about debt.
So my Sugarsweet list is now:
Bubbles Lipstick
Lollipop Loving Lipstick
Perfect Topping MSF
Red Velvet Shadestick
Butternutty Shadestick
Cakeshop Shadestick
After all. I'm not exactly notorious for wearing yellow and orange eye makeup, so I could do without Penny and Lemon Chiffon. At least, that's how I'm rationalizing this to myself. At the end of the day, as much as I may want it, none of the items I've cut out so far were essentials or things I really needed to have.
Whew. I feel a little proud of myself after all that. Sorry for the boring rambling blog post, but there you have it.
Here goes. I really cannot afford everything on my Sugarsweet Wish List.
And I'd rather forego an item or two I'd probably never use anyway, than get stuck into a stupid cycle of using the credit card and paying it off next month just to have to use it again. The card, is has a balance of ZERO right now, and I want to keep it that way. And the fact of the matter is, I have slightly less money this month than I thought I would due to an obscenely high gas bill, and the fact that I still have to pay international shipping to get my CP'd NYX Lot Sale purchases sent over from America.
So, my Sugarsweet wishlist has dwindled significantly. Or, it will. I'm just not sure where to start. The Perfect Topping MSF is one thing that I do really want. And I'm agonizing over the rest.
Lollipop Loving and Bubbles lipsticks are super, super gorgeous. But do I really need Saint Germain? I could probably just get away with ordering Snob and pretending I never saw the swatches that foretold of the slight difference between the two. It's a shame, because Saint Germain is the perfect bubblegum pink.
And, oh it pains me to say this but...the shadesticks. Oh, my, some of the shadesticks are going to have to go. I can maybe get a couple but all 5 are just not going to happen.
I hate downsizing, I'm indecisive enough to begin with, but such is the way of the world. If they're in stock at the end of April I have some overtime pay coming to me that means I could get the things I was missing on top of my Rose Romance list... but it's a gamble as to whether or not the things I want will still be in stock.
The life of a working-class makeup addict, it's a toughie.
So, that's where I stand. I wanted to blog about it because this? Having to cut down your wishlist because real things like bills crop up from time to time? This is real life. And I'm all about reality. And I'm trying my damndest not to be about debt.
So my Sugarsweet list is now:
Bubbles Lipstick
Lollipop Loving Lipstick
Perfect Topping MSF
Red Velvet Shadestick
Butternutty Shadestick
Cakeshop Shadestick
After all. I'm not exactly notorious for wearing yellow and orange eye makeup, so I could do without Penny and Lemon Chiffon. At least, that's how I'm rationalizing this to myself. At the end of the day, as much as I may want it, none of the items I've cut out so far were essentials or things I really needed to have.
Whew. I feel a little proud of myself after all that. Sorry for the boring rambling blog post, but there you have it.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
A Very Not-Rare Moment of Indecision
So, I've looked at my payslip on work's HR website. I know what I'm getting and I know what my outgoings are going to be for bills, with money set aside for savings, food, bus fare, etc. If my Sugarsweet shopping list is around £110, I've got about a hundred spare to play around with this month. And I can not make up my mind for the life of me.
Do I buy some basics that I'm after? Like a couple items off my permanent-collection wishlist, or the BBR eyeshadows? Do I buy the Studio Sculpt Concealer I'm after?
Or do I put it aside to buy something from Kitty Kouture when it comes out? Or do I go ahead and buy a couple extras from Sugarsweet?
No... I narrowed down my Sugarsweet list to the things I really want and need. Anything else is superfluous, so I won't do that. But what should I do? Should I get some other items, get the mystery powder from HKK, or just shove it into savings until there's something I really want?
GOD, I suck out loud at making up my mind.
On an unrelated note, I wish MAC made Studio Fix Fluid in an NC10 or something. NC15 is just slightly too dark for me. I love the foundation to bits, but I could do with a shade lighter. Sigh.
Also, I want to appeal to you and ask, what do you think is the best concealer for dark circles? My MAC MA gave me Select Cover-Up in NC20 (which, incidentally, is clearly too dark, but whatever, with foundation on top you can't tell) but I don't think it really covers my dark circles so much as it makes them slightly lighter. That's why I want Studio Sculpt Concealer, for dark circles. Or is there something better that you can suggest?
I'm in the biggest indecisive mood right now, I don't know what to do with myself. I'm supposed to be going to Meadowhall with my aunt on Saturday and I don't know what to do with my Extra Budget. Makeup? A video game? (well, no. I need to play Fallout 3 and Silent Hill Homecoming before I buy MORE) Some stuff from Paperchase? Clothes? Shoes?
I wish I had more money. Thank god for overtime. I should have an extra couple hundred in next month's pay and LORD KNOWS I'm going to need it.
/rambling
Sorry guys, I'm very disjointed today.
Xoxo, Vix
Do I buy some basics that I'm after? Like a couple items off my permanent-collection wishlist, or the BBR eyeshadows? Do I buy the Studio Sculpt Concealer I'm after?
Or do I put it aside to buy something from Kitty Kouture when it comes out? Or do I go ahead and buy a couple extras from Sugarsweet?
No... I narrowed down my Sugarsweet list to the things I really want and need. Anything else is superfluous, so I won't do that. But what should I do? Should I get some other items, get the mystery powder from HKK, or just shove it into savings until there's something I really want?
GOD, I suck out loud at making up my mind.
On an unrelated note, I wish MAC made Studio Fix Fluid in an NC10 or something. NC15 is just slightly too dark for me. I love the foundation to bits, but I could do with a shade lighter. Sigh.
Also, I want to appeal to you and ask, what do you think is the best concealer for dark circles? My MAC MA gave me Select Cover-Up in NC20 (which, incidentally, is clearly too dark, but whatever, with foundation on top you can't tell) but I don't think it really covers my dark circles so much as it makes them slightly lighter. That's why I want Studio Sculpt Concealer, for dark circles. Or is there something better that you can suggest?
I'm in the biggest indecisive mood right now, I don't know what to do with myself. I'm supposed to be going to Meadowhall with my aunt on Saturday and I don't know what to do with my Extra Budget. Makeup? A video game? (well, no. I need to play Fallout 3 and Silent Hill Homecoming before I buy MORE) Some stuff from Paperchase? Clothes? Shoes?
I wish I had more money. Thank god for overtime. I should have an extra couple hundred in next month's pay and LORD KNOWS I'm going to need it.
/rambling
Sorry guys, I'm very disjointed today.
Xoxo, Vix
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Sugarsweet Wishlist
I had a hard time narrowing down this list. MAC appealed to my domestic, cupcake-loving side when they announced the Sugarsweet collection. In the beginning I was convinced I needed everything! Then, I cut out the permanent items. And now, finally, I've had to reason with myself and force myself to cut out things I don't need.
For example, I don't need any dark lipsticks - dark doesn't work for me. I don't need more sheer lipglosses right this minute, just because they're tri-coloured. And I know I'd go insane once the colours mixed. I'd rather spend that money on some dazzleglass, or lipglass colours I love.
So my final list is below:
Lipstick: Bubbles
Lipstick: Lollipop Loving
Lipstick: Saint Germaine
Shadestick: Cakeshop
Shadestick: Butternutty
Shadestick: Lemon Chiffon
Shadestick: Red Velvet
Shadestick: Penny
MSF: Perfect Topping
All in all, I'm figuring the cost to be just over £100, which is reasonable to me. Considering what I spent in the month of March. My impulse buy with Hello Kitty definitely taught me a lesson - be more discerning. I need to ask myself questions like "Do you really need a bright tangerine-orange lipgloss?" or "You have three hot-pink lipsticks that you NEVER WEAR. Do you honestly need a fourth?"
Still, it did jumpstart my collection. I may sell-swap the things I decide I don't love (I'm struggling even to have a grudging respect for Nice to be Nice lipglass right now) but for now, eh, the damage is done, I'll get over it.
Sorry there haven't been any videos either. I've been busyyy. And exhausted. I could fall asleep right now. I didn't even get a chance to sleep in this weekend, it sucked out loud. But, I digress.
More soon! I'm just thanking the Flying Spaghetti Monster that it's payday on Friday.
I need to get my hands on some more MAC. It really is an addiction. Ehehe. But I'm holding out for Sugarsweet for now. I've made a plan to buy 1-2 brushes per pay period (ie: month) but not sure it'll happen this month. Which is okay I guess since I technically bought 4+3 last month (4 brushes plus the HK set) so I'm ahead of the game.
ANYway I realize I'm rambling now so I'll leave off here.
Muchlove, chickadees!
Xoxo Vix
For example, I don't need any dark lipsticks - dark doesn't work for me. I don't need more sheer lipglosses right this minute, just because they're tri-coloured. And I know I'd go insane once the colours mixed. I'd rather spend that money on some dazzleglass, or lipglass colours I love.
So my final list is below:
Lipstick: Bubbles
Lipstick: Lollipop Loving
Lipstick: Saint Germaine
Shadestick: Cakeshop
Shadestick: Butternutty
Shadestick: Lemon Chiffon
Shadestick: Red Velvet
Shadestick: Penny
MSF: Perfect Topping
All in all, I'm figuring the cost to be just over £100, which is reasonable to me. Considering what I spent in the month of March. My impulse buy with Hello Kitty definitely taught me a lesson - be more discerning. I need to ask myself questions like "Do you really need a bright tangerine-orange lipgloss?" or "You have three hot-pink lipsticks that you NEVER WEAR. Do you honestly need a fourth?"
Still, it did jumpstart my collection. I may sell-swap the things I decide I don't love (I'm struggling even to have a grudging respect for Nice to be Nice lipglass right now) but for now, eh, the damage is done, I'll get over it.
Sorry there haven't been any videos either. I've been busyyy. And exhausted. I could fall asleep right now. I didn't even get a chance to sleep in this weekend, it sucked out loud. But, I digress.
More soon! I'm just thanking the Flying Spaghetti Monster that it's payday on Friday.
I need to get my hands on some more MAC. It really is an addiction. Ehehe. But I'm holding out for Sugarsweet for now. I've made a plan to buy 1-2 brushes per pay period (ie: month) but not sure it'll happen this month. Which is okay I guess since I technically bought 4+3 last month (4 brushes plus the HK set) so I'm ahead of the game.
ANYway I realize I'm rambling now so I'll leave off here.
Muchlove, chickadees!
Xoxo Vix
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